Patents Examined by Saeed T. Chaudhry
  • Patent number: 8961695
    Abstract: A robotic cleaner includes a cleaning assembly for cleaning a surface and a main robot body. The main robot body houses a drive system to cause movement of the robotic cleaner and a microcontroller to control the movement of the robotic cleaner. The cleaning assembly is located in front of the drive system and a width of the cleaning assembly is greater than a width of the main robot body. A robotic cleaning system includes a main robot body and a plurality of cleaning assemblies for cleaning a surface. The main robot body houses a drive system to cause movement of the robotic cleaner and a microcontroller to control the movement of the robotic cleaner. The cleaning assembly is located in front of the drive system and each of the cleaning assemblies is detachable from the main robot body and each of the cleaning assemblies has a unique cleaning function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2015
    Assignee: iRobot Corporation
    Inventors: Nikolai Romanov, Collin Eugene Johnson, James Philip Case, Dhiraj Goel, Steffen Gutmann, Michael Dooley
  • Patent number: 8955187
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cleaning apparatus, in particular for cleaning solar installation surfaces or photovoltaic installation surfaces, comprising a carrier, at least one cleaning roller rotatably supported at the carrier, and a rotary drive for the cleaning roller, wherein the rotary drive is designed as a fluid drive, wherein the flow of a cleaning fluid supplied to the cleaning roller for cleaning purposes is converted into a drive movement for the cleaning roller.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Inventor: Anton Jaeger
  • Patent number: 8956466
    Abstract: A process for treating a substrate comprised of sorptive material is provided herein. The sorptive material may be an absorbent synthetic material such as polyester. The material is designed to be used for cleaning surfaces in an ultraclean environment. The process first comprises unwinding a roll of sorptive material as a substrate into a cleaning system. The cleaning system utilizes several sections. These include a pre-washing section, an acoustic energy washing section, and a drying section. Preferably, the process of moving the substrate through the cleaning system is continuous. The acoustic energy washing section employs one or more acoustic energy generators. In one aspect, the process also includes cutting the substrate into sections to form wipers after moving the substrate through the drying section. Thereafter, the wipers are placed into a bag and the bag is sealed. An integrated treating system for a sorptive material is also provided herein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Texwipe (a division of Illinois Tool Works Inc.)
    Inventors: H. Dennis Blaiss, Laurent H. Sene, Gregory T. Hall, Randy H. Whittington
  • Patent number: 8955529
    Abstract: In a spin-chuck with plural collector levels, a separate exhaust controller is provided for each level. This permits selectively varying gas flow conditions among the collector levels, so that the ambient pressure at one level does not adversely affect device performance in an adjacent level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: Lam Research AG
    Inventor: Karl-Heinz Hohenwarter
  • Patent number: 8950037
    Abstract: A low profile rinsing table is provided for cleaning rugs and other articles. The table includes an upper member having a series of apertures therein. Cleaning solutions can be scrubbed into the top of the rug and vacuum sources connected to the rinsing table will extract dirt, spent cleaning liquids and rinse water by pulling it through the rug, into a waste chamber and out for proper disposal. In an alternate embodiment of the rinsing table a roller extends along one side of the table to allow the rug to be easily indexed thereover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 10, 2015
    Assignee: Zimmerman Carpet Cleaners, Inc.
    Inventor: Michael A. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 8940099
    Abstract: A reflow oven includes a chamber housing including surfaces that are in contact with heated air mixed with contaminants, including flux, and a water-soluble layer selectively applied to the surfaces of the chamber housing. Embodiments of the reflow oven include an acrylic-based layer, such as an acrylic paint. In one embodiment, the acrylic paint includes a water-soluble polymer, a polymer emulsion, and water. The water-soluble polymer includes butyl benzyl phthalate. In some embodiments, the acrylic paint includes 1-10% by weight butyl benzyl phthalate, 30-55% by weight acrylic polymer emulsion, and balance water. In a certain embodiment, the acrylic paint includes 1-5% by weight butyl benzyl phthalate, 35-50% by weight acrylic poly emulsion, and balance water. Methods of treating surfaces of the reflow oven are further disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 27, 2015
    Assignee: Illinois Tool Works Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Ngai, Joo Yong Tay, Wen-Feng Liu, Roberto P. Loera, Steven Dwade Cook
  • Patent number: 8936686
    Abstract: A method of selecting a mercury-contaminated solid surface followed by heating a cleaning solution to a temperature less than 100° C. The cleaning solution can contain hydrocarbon oil and one or more organic sulfur compounds. Afterwards, the heated cleaning solution is contacted with the mercury-contaminated solid surface to remove the mercury contamination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 20, 2015
    Assignee: ConocoPhillips Company
    Inventors: Charles John Lord, III, Lars Torsten Lambertsson, Erik Lennart Bjorn, Wolfgang Frech
  • Patent number: 8932412
    Abstract: A dishwasher configured to perform a physical cycle of operation and having a power savings mode during which the dishwasher periodically monitors a key press by a user to determine if the dishwasher should be taken out of the power savings mode.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nelson J. Ferragut, II, David W. Jiral, Paul R. Johnson, Waldemar Romanowski, Ryan K. Roth
  • Patent number: 8920576
    Abstract: A machine dishwashing method comprises: dispensing two liquid cleansers or detergents A and B into the interior of a machine dishwasher during the cleaning dishwashing cycle, wherein the liquid detergent A has a pH at 20° C. of 6 to 9 and the liquid detergent B has a pH at 20° C. of 9 to 14 and is dispensed at cleaning cycle time t2; and wherein the liquid cleansers or detergents A and B comprise, respectively: A: 10% to 75% by weight of a detergent builder, 0.1% to 10% by weight of an enzyme, 24.9% to 89.9% by weight of a solvent; and B: 10% to 74.9% by weight of a detergent builder, 25% to 89.9% by weight of a solvent; and wherein neither liquid cleanser or detergent A nor liquid cleanser or detergent B individually comprises more than 2% by weight of a bleaching agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Henkel AG & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Pavel Gentschev, Maren Jekel, Arnd Kessler, Ulrich Pegelow, Christian Nitsch, Johannes Zipfel
  • Patent number: 8920573
    Abstract: The present invention increases a number of target reaction containers from one into many. Coordinated with increased reaction times, total reaction volume is increased. By modifying an affinitive column of an automatic synthesis system, a production in a single batch is increased. The products obtained can be conformed to quality check specifications with cost saved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2014
    Assignee: Institute of Nuclear Energy Research, Atomic Energy Council
    Inventors: Chia-Jung Chang, Mei-Hsiu Liao, Lie-Hang Shen
  • Patent number: 8916002
    Abstract: A portable vacuum includes a container having a sidewall, an open bottom portion, an opposing, open top portion and an attachment opening in the sidewall. A bucket is detachably coupled to the container. A vacuum unit is detachably coupled to and closes off the top portion of the container, the vacuum unit having at least one air inlet and at least one air exhaust port. The vacuum unit is operable to selectably generate an air stream entering the air inlet and exiting the air exhaust port. The portable vacuum also includes an elongate, generally hollow suction tube having a first end and an opposing second end, the first end being detachably coupled to the attachment opening of the container. The air stream generates a vacuum at the second end of the suction tube operable to draw waste material into the suction tube, the waste material being deposited in the bucket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Inventor: James Landolt
  • Patent number: 8910644
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention generally relate to apparatus and methods for cleaning chamber components using a cleaning plate. The cleaning plate is adapted to be positioned on a substrate support during a cleaning process, and includes a plurality of turbulence-inducing structures. The turbulence-inducing structures induce a turbulent flow of cleaning gas while the cleaning plate is rotated during a cleaning process. The cleaning plate increases the retention time of the cleaning gas near the showerhead during cleaning. Additionally, the cleaning plate reduces concentration gradients within the cleaning plate to provide a more effective clean. The method includes positioning a cleaning plate adjacent to a showerhead, and introducing cleaning gas to the space between the showerhead and the cleaning plate. A material deposited on the surface of the showerhead is then heated and vaporized in the presence of the cleaning gas, and then exhausted from the processing chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: Applied Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: Hua Chung, Xizi Dong, Kyawwin Jason Maung, Hiroji Hanawa, Sang Won Kang, David H. Quach, Donald J. K. Olgado, David Bour, Wei-Yung Hsu, Alexander Tam, Anzhong Chang, Sumedh Acharya
  • Patent number: 8893734
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus for a power driven buffing pad includes a wash plate mounted in a cleaning solution reservoir that provides agitating and cleaning contact with the pad mounted on an operating driver. The wash plate can be reciprocated vertically by the operator against a biasing arrangement to operate a pump to deliver cleaning solution from the reservoir to the face of the pad in contact with the wash plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: Lake Country Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventor: Scott S. McLain
  • Patent number: 8893350
    Abstract: A water tank cleaning apparatus and kit of components, the apparatus utilizing a wet or dry vacuum source, an adapter having one part of a two-component separable connector with a thumb tab thereon to facilitate separation of the two-component separable connector, and a working tip element having a second part of the two-component separable connector and functional end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Inventor: Hoa Mai
  • Patent number: 8888927
    Abstract: A rinsing method for a water-conducting domestic appliance is provided in which rinsing liquid is heated to a first temperature in a first operating mode in at least one partial program step of a first rinse cycle; a scale formation in the water-conducting domestic appliance is recorded by a scale sensor arranged in a hydraulic system; the scale formation is compared with a nominal value for the scale formation; and, upon exceeding the nominal value, a second rinse cycle is executed in a second operating mode, while the rinsing liquid is heated to a second temperature that is higher than the first temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Helmut Jerg, Michael Georg Rosenbauer
  • Patent number: 8882926
    Abstract: A method for removing residual filter cakes that remain adhered to a filter after typical particulate removal methodologies have been employed, such as pulse-jet filter element cleaning, for all cleanable filters used for air pollution control, dust control, or powder control.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: Energy & Environmental Research Center Foundation
    Inventors: Jay C. Almlie, Stanley J. Miller
  • Patent number: 8876982
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method of washing ware in an automatic institutional warewashing machine wherein the method includes contacting ware with a cleaning composition containing a surfactant and further includes contacting the washed ware in a rinse step with a potable aqueous rinse, the aqueous rinse being substantially free of an intentionally added rinse agent. A surfactant is employed in the wash step in an amount not to exceed 15 wt % based on weight of the detergent. The amount of surfactant is sufficient to provide a layer of surfactant on the ware so as to afford a sheeting action in an aqueous rinse step without any added rinse agent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Diversey, Inc.
    Inventors: Antonius Maria Neplenbroek, Bouke Suk, Petrus Adrianus Angevaare, Perrino Marie Portier, Bérengère Idelon
  • Patent number: 8871030
    Abstract: A cleaning path guidance method combined with a dirt detection mechanism is performed in an automatic cleaning device to generate a cleaning path, so as to guide the automatic cleaning device to clean an area to be cleaned, in which plural grids are defined in the area. The method includes: moving the automatic cleaning device in the area to clear dirt away, and continuously detecting a flow of the dirt cleared away to obtain a dirt level of a current gird; if the dirt level of the current gird exceeds a threshold, marking the grid as a dirty grid; performing an algorithm and finding a shortest path passing through all dirty grids as a cleaning path according to the marked dirty grids; and moving the automatic cleaning device to pass through each dirty grid according to the clean path, so as to clean each dirty gird sequentially.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: MSI Computer(Shenzhen) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Shui-Shih Chen, You-Wei Teng
  • Patent number: 8871031
    Abstract: A dishwasher having a tub defining a wash chamber and at least one dish rack located within the wash chamber. The dishwasher also has at least two spray zones and a diverter valve that controls the supply of liquid from a liquid supply to one of the two spray zones.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Carlson, Vincent P. Gurubatham, Jay C. Landsiedel, Edward L. Thies, Chad T. VanderRoest
  • Patent number: 8871028
    Abstract: Process and system for removing printing in metallic packages used in drinks, food and other applications in general, comprising the removal of ink before the cure thereof, by means of spray with ink remover liquid and non abrasive friction. Preferably, said liquid is an alkaline aqueous solution, which is sprayed onto the package surface simultaneously with the friction thereof with a soft and non abrasive element. In a preferred embodiment, said friction results in the rotation of the package around the longitudinal axis thereof, which is mounted on a rotative support, and the soft non abrasive element in contact with the surface thereof keeps motionless.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Crown Embalagens Metalicas da Amazonia S.A.
    Inventor: Valmir Zacarias De Souza