Patents Examined by Tinsae B Ayalew
  • Patent number: 11078612
    Abstract: A washing machine which performs a washing operation by heating water, a detergent, or a wash liquid using a dielectric heating method and a method of controlling the washing machine. The washing machine may include a water supply portion which supplies a wash liquid including water and a detergent, a power supply portion which supplies alternating current (AC) power, and an electric field forming portion which forms an electric field between a first electrode portion and a second electrode portion according to the AC power to heat the supplied wash liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Eun Chung, Da Eun Kim, In Sik Park, Dong Woo Lee, Jin Young Choi, Jin Han Kim, Hyun Soo Park, Sung Chan Yun, Seok-Mo Chang
  • Patent number: 11078616
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine including a drying function. Here, a height of a bottom end of a dryer disposed above a tub is lower than a height of a top end of the tub to have a space for integrating other devices having additional functions above the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Myung-Hee Ryu, Kyoung Woo Lee, Dong-Won Kim, Yongjie Jin, Jun Hong Park
  • Patent number: 11078618
    Abstract: Provided is a washing agent pump and a laundry treating apparatus having the same. The laundry treating apparatus may include a cabinet, a tub provided within the cabinet, a rotary tub provided within the tub in a rotatable manner, and a washing agent supply unit. The washing agent supply unit may include a storage container to store a liquid washing agent including a liquid detergent or a liquid softener, the storage container being slidably provided in the cabinet, a washing agent supply passage having one side connected to the storage container and another side connected to the tub, and a washing agent delivery device provided in the washing agent supply passage to deliver the liquid washing agent to the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sungwoon Jung, Hunjun Jang
  • Patent number: 11065650
    Abstract: A nozzle cleaning device for cleaning suction nozzle 62, wherein the jetting direction of water jetted towards the tip section of the suction nozzle is changed by a tapered second internal surface 374 of socket 370. Accordingly for example, not only is it possible to appropriately remove items adhering to the lower surface of the tip of the suction nozzle, it is possible to remove items adhering to the side surfaces of the tip of the suction nozzle by applying water. The suction nozzle is cleaned while being supported by nozzle pallet 152; after the suction nozzle is cleaned, the suction nozzle is held by a holding tool and removed from the nozzle pallet. Accordingly, the suction nozzle removed from the nozzle pallet is individually dried by the nozzle drying device. Thus, it is possible to appropriately dry the suction nozzle after cleaning.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: FUJI CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kazumi Hoshikawa, Kenji Shimosaka
  • Patent number: 11058279
    Abstract: A method and dishwasher utilize one or more tubular spray elements that are both rotatable about longitudinal axes thereof and discretely directable by one or more tubular spray element drives between a plurality of rotational positions about the longitudinal axes thereof. Thus, through the provision of discretely directable tubular spray elements, fluid such as wash fluid and/or pressurized air may be focused in a wash tub, in many cases providing more efficient resource usage in the dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Robert M. Digman, Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 11060231
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laundry treatment apparatus configured to directly heat a drum containing laundry therein. The laundry treatment apparatus comprising: a cabinet forming an external appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus; a tub provided in the cabinet; a drum configured to rotate within the tub and to contain laundry therein, the drum being formed of a metallic material; an induction module provided at an outer surface of the tub and configured to heat the drum within the tub via induction by generating a magnetic field; and wherein the outer surface of the tub comprises at least one mounting portion that is configured to mount the induction module, with at least part of the at least one mounting portion being arranged radially closer to a rotational axis of the drum than a remaining portion of the outer surface of the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Beomjun Kim, Bio Park, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 11053620
    Abstract: A clothing apparatus having a container being of a rectangular configuration. A clothing cleaning assembly is located within the container. The clothing cleaning assembly has a spherical configuration and a hollow interior configured to receive dirty laundry for washing. A rotational assembly is connected to the clothing cleaning assembly to provide rotation to the clothing cleaning assembly to provide movement during the wash cycle. A robotic arm assembly is located within the container and having at least one robotic arm having a plurality of fingers configured to grip articles of clothing attached at an operational end of the at least one robotic arm. The at least one robotic arm is configured to transport the articles of clothing within the container. At least one computer system is located within the container and is configured to provide operational control to the clothing apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Inventor: Omaid Alif
  • Patent number: 11053627
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine that includes a tub disposed in a main body of the washing machine to store water. A circulation apparatus includes a circulation pump operable to circulate the water in and out of the tub. A detergent supply apparatus is coupled to the circulation apparatus to discharge detergent to the circulation apparatus so that operation of the circulation pump causes the discharged detergent to be supplied to the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 14, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yong Kwon Kim, Kyung Mok Yoo, Seon Ju Lee, Chui Yong Cho, Jong Su Jeon
  • Patent number: 11045067
    Abstract: A dishware supporting arrangement is provided that may include a mesh structure and a tilting mechanism. The mesh structure may include a structure main extension plane and may include a first plurality of ribs connected to a second plurality of ribs. The first plurality of ribs may extend along a first plane at a first angle and the second plurality of ribs may extend along a second plane at a second angle. The tilting mechanism may allow the mesh structure to be titled around at least one axis between a first position and a second position and may hold the mesh structure in the first position and in the second position. Each of the first plurality of ribs and each of the second plurality of ribs may be inclined in relation to the rack main extension plane at the first position and at the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2021
    Inventors: Giuseppe Dreossi, Anna Delin, Marie Hakkarainen, David Persson
  • Patent number: 11040816
    Abstract: A flameless and nonelectric insulated steam source. The steam source may be operated within a garment bag to refresh and remove wrinkles from an article of clothing. Hydrating an exothermic compound produces steam. An insulator within the steam source allows the pouch to be handled and prevents damage to the garment bag and the surroundings when using compounds with high thermal output. Single-use garment bags employ integrated steam sources to streamline garment steaming. A garment bag can be designed to optimize the benefit to garments when using the steam source.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2021
    Inventors: Aryeh Hirsch, Moshe Hirsch
  • Patent number: 11035063
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment. A float valve can be incorporated into the basket structure, selectively opening or closing the valve based upon the liquid level in a tub. As liquid fills the tub, the float valve will rise until it moves into a closed position, permitting the basket and treating chamber to fill with liquid. As the tub drain, the float valve can fall, opening the valve and permitting liquid to drain from the basket or treating chamber. The opened or closed positions can be selectively operated by opening or closing a pump or sump and allowing a tub to drain or fill, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 15, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
  • Patent number: 11021829
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine. The disclosed washing machine comprises: a cabinet having an opening; a water tank provided inside the cabinet and storing washing water; a washing tub provided inside the water tank in a rotatable manner and defining a washing space, the washing tub including a balancer that is provided at one side of the washing tub and includes a drain formed on at least a portion of the periphery thereof; and a separating plate mounted to the washing tub in a separable manner so as to selectively divide the washing space of the washing tub into a first washing space and a second washing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Seung Wook Suh, Jung Hoon Hwang, Cheol Yeon Jo, Jae Won Choi
  • Patent number: 11009257
    Abstract: An apparatus removes clogs from a condensate drain line. The apparatus includes: a vacuum attached to the condensate drain line, the vacuum pulling the clog material from the drain line, a control unit, an apparatus inlet forming a sealed connection point attaching the vacuum to the condensate drain line, an apparatus outlet allowing for drainage of the condensate, the outlet disposed lower than the inlet, a housing formed from durable, weatherproof material with a watertight seal, and a power supply powering the vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Inventor: Carlos Teodoro Hernandez
  • Patent number: 11004674
    Abstract: Provided are a substrate treatment method and a substrate treatment equipment enabling greater suppression of corrosion or oxidation of metal wiring exposed on a substrate surface. The present invention relates to a substrate treatment equipment having a treatment chamber wherein a substrate is disposed, and whereto a substrate treatment solution for treating the substrate is supplied. This equipment is provided with an inert gas filling mechanism for filling with an inert gas the interior of the treatment chamber wherein the substrate is disposed, and, near or inside the treatment chamber, a catalytic unit filled with a platinum-group metal catalyst wherethrough a hydrogen-dissolved water including hydrogen added to ultra-pure water is passed. Obtained by passing the hydrogen-dissolved water through the platinum-group metal catalyst, a hydrogen-dissolved treatment solution is supplied as the substrate treatment solution into the treatment chamber by the equipment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 11, 2021
    Assignee: ORGANO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daisaku Yano, Yukinari Yamashita, Masami Murayama, Koji Yamanaka
  • Patent number: 10995450
    Abstract: A garment finisher that includes an endless conveyor that transports a plurality of garment forms mounted on respective carriages successively through a garment loading zone, a steam zone for applying steam to the garments, a hot air zone for applying hot air to the garments as they pass through the hot air zone, a cool down zone for exposing the garments to cooling air, and an unloading zone where the operator removes the garment from the garment form. A plurality of form rotating stations are positioned at predetermined locations relative to the zones that rotate the forms between a position aligned with the direction of travel of the conveyor and perpendicular with the direction of travel of the conveyor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: LEONARD AUTOMATICS, INC.
    Inventor: Jeffrey Neal Frushtick
  • Patent number: 10995445
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a bearing housing which is installed on a bottom surface of an outer tub, a clutch stopper which is installed on a bottom surface of the bearing housing, and a driving motor which includes a stator and a rotor which are coupled to a lower side of the clutch stopper, in which the clutch stopper includes a base portion which is disposed on the bottom surface of the bearing housing, and a fastening boss which extends from the base portion to the lower side by a predetermined length and is fastened to stator by a fastening member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Youngryul Park
  • Patent number: 10988883
    Abstract: A method for the determination of a laundry weight in a laundry treatment appliance. The method includes selecting a laundry program in the laundry treatment appliance; starting the selected laundry program; sensing a plurality of parameters indicating operating conditions of the laundry treatment appliance during the laundry program; and predicating a weight of the laundry present within the laundry treatment appliance based on said plurality of parameters by means of a data-driven soft sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Electrolux Appliances Aktiebolag
    Inventors: Fabio Altinier, Elena Pesavento, Alessandro Beghi, Gian Antonio Susto, Giuliano Zambonin, Giulia Zannon
  • Patent number: 10968899
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a pump unit applied to a high-pressure cleaning machine, including: a water inlet chamber, a water outlet chamber, and a central chamber connected to the water inlet chamber and the water outlet chamber. The pump unit further includes a plunger disposed in the central chamber and an eccentric mechanism connected to the plunger. The eccentric mechanism drives the plunger to perform reciprocating motion in the central chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2021
    Assignee: Positec Power Tools (Suzhou) Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Pinghua Wu, Yong Qiao, Haijun Zhang
  • Patent number: 10953442
    Abstract: A culvert cleaner for cleaning clogged culverts using pressurized water having a self-contained water pump and maneuvering capabilities is described. The culvert cleaner includes a frame, a water pressurizing system, and a control system. The culvert cleaner may be used on a number of different machineries (e.g. truck, excavator, and rail equipment). The culvert cleaner is positioned in front of a clogged culvert using the hydraulic excavator that is on the railway. Once the culvert cleaner is position, the water pressurizing system of the culvert cleaner is engaged and high pressure water is used to clean the culvert. During cleaning alterations may be made to nozzle in the x-axis and y-axis due to the integrated positioning of the nozzle as a part of the water pressurizing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: Diversified Products, LLC
    Inventor: Jeff Bartek
  • Patent number: 10954620
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to a washing machine, having an actively movable balancer, and method of controlling the same. The washing machine according to an embodiment of the present disclosure includes: a balancing unit to move along a circumference of a drum to reduce imbalance due to an unbalanced distribution of the laundry; a transmission coil provided at a tub to generate a wireless power signal and transmit power wirelessly to the balancing unit; a transmission converter to apply power at a driving frequency to the transmission coil; a voltage measurer to measure a transmission voltage, which is a voltage of the transmission coil; and a transmission controller to control the transmission converter based on the transmission voltage measured by the voltage measurer, thereby transmitting sufficient power wirelessly to the balancing unit in a short period of time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Oshin Kwon, Byunghyun Moon