Patents Examined by Tinsae B Ayalew
  • Patent number: 11313067
    Abstract: A centrifugal dispenser comprises a first container that has a first wall with a lower end defining at least a portion of a first reservoir. The first wall also has an upper end extending above the lower end. A first centrifugal chamber that is at least partially defined by the upper end of the first wall is fluidly coupled to the first reservoir and located centrifugally downstream of the first reservoir. A second centrifugal chamber is located centrifugally downstream of the first centrifugal chamber. A second container defining a second reservoir is fluidly coupled with the second centrifugal chamber and an orifice is located in the upper end of the first wall and has a valve that fluidly couples the first and second centrifugal chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool S.A.
    Inventors: Bruno T. Ramasco, Guilherme Henrique Manzi, Marcelo Araujo Dos Santos
  • Patent number: 11298726
    Abstract: A cleaner and a cleaning device are disclosed. The cleaner includes: a guide rail; a lifting lever, one end of which is disposed on the guide rail and capable of moving along the guide rail; a feed pipe, disposed inside the lifting lever; and a nozzle, disposed on an end portion of one end of the lifting lever away from the guide rail and communicated with the feed pipe. The lifting lever is configured to allow the nozzle to be away from or close to the guide rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignees: BOE Technology Group Co., Ltd., Hefei Xinsheng Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Min Xu, Pengfei Xu, Jiajia Shan, Kai Wu
  • Patent number: 11299841
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a casing, a tub, a drum, a pump for circulating water from the tub, a gasket connecting an entry hole of the casing to an entrance hole of the tub and including nozzles for spraying water to the drum, and distribution pipes for supplying water to the nozzles. The nozzles are arranged at both lateral sides of the gasket in a vertical direction. The distribution pipes are arranged at an outer circumferential surface the gasket and coupled to receiving pipes that protrude from the gasket. The distribution pipes include an inlet port and outlet ports disposed in the vertical direction corresponding to the nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kwanghyun Kim, Hansol Kim, Hosung Jang
  • Patent number: 11293133
    Abstract: A washing tub array may be configured to guide water flow in a washing tub upward. The washing tub may comprise an outer tub, an inner tub, and a tub cover. The tub cover may include a side surface formed to extend in a longitudinal direction along a circumference of the outer tub, the side surface being coupled to the top of the outer tub, a curved surface extending from a top of the side surface to have a curvature and formed to decrease in diameter upward, wherein a water flow guide hole is formed through both sides of the curved surface, and a planar surface formed to extend in a transverse direction from the curved surface so as to cover the circumference of the upper surface of the inner tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Daesun Kim, Yongkeon Lee
  • Patent number: 11280044
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a tub and a drum. The tub includes a first case and a second case welded to each other; a first coupling surface extending along a circumference of the first case and facing the second case; a second coupling surface extending along a circumference of the second case and coupled to the first coupling surface; and a coupling protrusion that protrudes from the first coupling surface toward the second coupling surface and that includes a protruding end portion welded to the second coupling surface. The coupling protrusion includes: a main coupling protrusion that extends along the first coupling surface; and an auxiliary coupling protrusion that is disposed radially outward of the main coupling protrusion and spaced apart from the main coupling protrusion and that defines a discharge opening configured to discharge washing water entered between the main coupling protrusion and the auxiliary coupling protrusion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyunseung Lee, Sanghee Yoo, Cheolmin Jang
  • Patent number: 11267024
    Abstract: Manual, automated, or semi-automated programmable tank cleaning nozzle systems, devices and methods for providing safe and efficient methods for breaking up oil, tar, chemical, radioactive, hazardous, or any other liquid, solid, or sludge waste inside storage tanks, ballast tanks, floating roof tanks, void tanks, rail tank cars and the like with nozzles which utilize fluid jets to break up, liquefy, and motivate tank material. The programmable tank cleaning nozzle incorporates two degrees of freedom and can be mounted to existing booms, robotic arms, gantry systems, rigid beams, manways, or any other rigid structure. The programmable tank cleaning nozzle can be a standalone, independent unit or integrated into new designs and/or existing systems. Simplified programming and user interface allowing an operator to remotely operate the system without the need for a camera system. The system is hydraulically controlled and can work in the presence of flammable vapors and dust.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: AGI Engineering, Inc.
    Inventor: Alexander G. Innes
  • Patent number: 11260436
    Abstract: The substrate processing apparatus includes common piping which guides a processing liquid to a branching portion, supply piping which guides the processing liquid from the branching portion to a chemical liquid nozzle, return piping which guides the processing liquid from the branching portion, and a discharge valve which changes a flow rate of the processing liquid supplied from the common piping to the branching portion. The discharge valve makes a valve element stationary at a plurality of positions including a discharge execution position at which the processing liquid is supplied from the common piping to the branching portion at a flow rate larger than a maximum value of a suction flow rate and a discharge stop position at which the processing liquid is supplied from the common piping to the branching portion at a flow rate smaller than the maximum value of the suction flow rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2022
    Inventors: Naoyuki Osada, Takahiro Yamaguchi, Eri Fujita, Akihisa Iwasaki, Ayumi Higuchi, Shota Iwahata
  • Patent number: 11255035
    Abstract: A laundry apparatus includes a housing; a tub; a drum rotatably located in the tub and configured to receive clothes; a drive unit configured to rotate the drum; and a plurality of support units located at the housing and configured to support the tub and to reduce vibration of the tub. Each of the plurality of support units extends in a direction parallel to a height direction of the tub and includes a first support portion located at the tub, a second support portion located at the housing vertically above the first support portion, a connection portion that connects the first support portion and the second support portion to each other, and a reinforcement unit that is configured to contact a surface of the connection portion and that is configured to restrict variation of a position of the connection portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Aekyung Chae, Keunjoo Kim
  • Patent number: 11248332
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus may include a main body having a front panel with a laundry inlet port, and a recess recessed into the front panel to surround the laundry inlet port, and a door to open and close the laundry inlet port. The door may include an outer frame provided with a front glass on a front surface thereof, and having an outer circumferential portion that surrounds an outer surface of the front glass and protrudes outward of the recess; a door window corresponding to the laundry inlet port; an inner frame disposed toward the recess; and a contact portion provided between outer side and inner side of the inner frame to contact a recessed portion of the recess when the door is closed, whereby the door may be prevented from being lifted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yongwoo Kwon, Jungsang You, Donghyun Jin
  • Patent number: 11242633
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance, including one or more methods of operation, is provided herein. A method of operation may include rotating articles within a tub at a tumble speed for a first period and rotating articles within the tub at a pre-plaster speed for a second period following the first period. The pre-plaster speed may be greater than the tumble speed. The method may also include measuring movement of the tub during the second period. The method may further include determining whether a set condition is met based on the measured movement, and rotating articles within the tub at a plaster speed in response to determining the set condition is met based on the measured movement.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Gregory Allen Dedow, Martin Ortega Brena
  • Patent number: 11236451
    Abstract: Reel for fabric treating machines, said reel comprising: a substantially cylindrical main body (110) having a side surface (111), a first axial end (112) and a second axial end (113); first and second flanges (114, 115), respectively mounted to the first and second axial ends (112, 113) of said main body (110); at least one drag element (120) mounted, in the operating position, externally to said side surface (111), at least one constraining device (130), associated with said drag element (120) to hold said drag element (120) in said operating position. The constraining device (130) can be switched between a first condition, in which it holds said drag element (120) in said operating position, and a second operating condition, in which it allows said respective drag element (120) to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: BRAZOLLI S.R.L.
    Inventor: Carmelo Zocco
  • Patent number: 11225751
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes: a cabinet, a water tank provided inside the cabinet, and a detergent box provided in communication with the water tank to supply detergent to an inside of the water tank. The detergent box includes: a housing in communication with the water tank; a drawer received inside the housing; and a ventilation portion formed through the housing so as to allow an inside of the tank to communicate with an outside of the housing, and the ventilation portion includes a through hole formed through a side surface of the housing, and a protruding groove portion recessed from an inner surface of the housing and protruding from an outer surface thereof and to be open at upper and inner sides thereof, respectively, at a lower side of the through hole. The leakage of wash water through the ventilation portion of the housing may be suppressed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Juhyeong Park, Dongwon Kang, Hobin Nam
  • Patent number: 11220771
    Abstract: A drum washing machine comprises a machine body, a door body, an inner drum and a water feeding device. The inner drum is rotatably arranged in the machine body, and holds water in a washing. A front part of the inner drum is provided with an input port for taking and putting clothes. The door body is mounted at a front part of the machine body corresponding to the input port of the inner drum for opening or closing the input port. An end with the input port of the inner drum is hermetically connected with the door body in a relatively rotating manner. The water feeding device includes a first water feeding pipe connected with an external water source, a water collection sump corresponding to the first water feeding pipe arranged on the door body, and a second water feeding pipe arranged in the door body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2022
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Sheng Xu, Chunfeng Lao, Yanfen Lv, Yimin Li, Peishi Lv
  • Patent number: 11215194
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a tub, a drum, a nozzle, a pump for circulating water from the tub, and circulation pipes for guiding water. The pump includes a pump motor, an impeller, and a pump housing including first and second circulation ports. The pump housing includes a rotating water current guide part and a biased water current guide part on an inner circumferential surface. The rotating water current guide part extends in a rotation direction of the impeller from a cut-off point that braches water into a first flow running along the rotation direction and a second flow running toward the first circulation port, and guides the first flow to the second circulation port. The biased water current guide part extends from the cut-off point to the first circulation port with an angle greater than 180° relative to the rotating water current guide part, and guides the second flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 4, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kwanghyun Kim, Hansol Kim
  • Patent number: 11209402
    Abstract: Integrated probes and probe systems suitable for attachment to a robotic arm of a remotely operated vehicle are disclosed. The probes and probe systems serve to perform cleaning operations and both cathodic protection (CP) voltage measurements and ultrasonic testing (UT) thickness measurements at an underwater surface. The cathodic protection measurement system includes one or more electrically conductive legs that extend outwardly from the probe. These legs are arranged about a cleaning tool and an ultrasonic sensor. When the integrated probe contacts the underwater surface, at least one leg contacts the surface, thereby providing a desired distance between the probe and the underwater surface for efficient cleaning and UT inspection. The underwater surface can be cleaned and CP and UT measurements can all be performed using a single, integrated probed during a single operation, without having to reposition the probe.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Saudi Arabian Oil Company
    Inventors: Ayman Amer, Fadl Abdellatif
  • Patent number: 11208750
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 11192528
    Abstract: A vehicle light assembly is provided. The vehicle lighting assembly includes a housing, a light source, a lens disposed in front of the light source, a light sensor disposed outside the lens for sensing light intensity of light output from the lens, and a controller controlling the light source to adjust intensity of the light based on the sensed light intensity. The controller may also control a lens cleaner based on the sensed light intensity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Ford Global Technologies, LLC
    Inventors: Stuart C. Salter, Paul Kenneth Dellock, John Shutko
  • Patent number: 11193234
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes a tub, a drum, a detergent supply unit, a connection pipe, first and second water supply pipes, a supply unit water supply pipe, a housing defining a chamber configured to receive water from the first water supply pipe. The housing defines a first path connected to the first water supply pipe, a second path connected to the second water supply pipe, and a third path connected to the supply unit water supply pipe. The apparatus further includes a first valve configured to open and close the first water supply pipe or the first path, a second valve configured to open and close the third path, a second tub arranged above or below the tub, a second drum, a second tub water supply pipe, and a second tub water supply pipe valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2018
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jihong Lee, Jinwoo Jung
  • Patent number: 11185155
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for washing and sanitizing elongate rotary brushes used for cleaning fruit, produce, and other food products includes revolving the brushes along a travel path about a housing (14) and simultaneously spinning the rotary brushes about their individual longitudinal axis (18), applying a cleaning solution to the spinning rotary brushes in a cleaning zone of the housing, then applying a spray to the spinning rotary brushes in a spray zone of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: John Bean Technologies Corporation
    Inventor: Robert R. Goetz
  • Patent number: 11186937
    Abstract: The disclosure discloses a washing machine and a control method thereof; the washing machine comprises an outer barrel, an inner barrel an inner barrel shaft drainage holes are formed in the bottom of the inner barrel; a sealing device is arranged at the outside of the bottom of the inner barrel; the sealing device comprises a sealing component and a pull ring component which sleeve on the inner barrel shaft; the sealing component is arranged at the bottom of the inner barrel and is capable of rotating along with the inner barrel; the pull ring component is connected to the sealing component in a relatively rotating mode and the sealing component, pulled by the pull ring component, can do axial motion along the inner barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peishi Lv, Gangjin Zhang, Yun Tian, Jianshe Liu, Chunxia Zhou