Patents by Inventor Benjamin E. Alexander

Benjamin E. Alexander has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 11946188
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device that supports operations of at least one cleaning appliance. The retrofit auxiliary device including at least one fluid channel and a device controller. The device controller being communicatively coupled to the at least one cleaning appliance to monitor or control the operation of the at least one cleaning appliance, and a user display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Joel M. Sells, Eric J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 11781258
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a tub with a terminal edge and a dual-wall basket, with outer and inner walls, the inner wall having perforations above the terminal edge, and the basket located within the tub and having at least one drain opening in a bottom of the basket. The method comprising altering a level of liquid in the tub to correspondingly alter a height of a float valve in the tub to selectively open/close the drain opening to effect a filling of liquid in the basket above the tub terminal edge when the float valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
  • Publication number: 20230220604
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device that supports operations of at least one cleaning appliance. The retrofit auxiliary device including at least one fluid channel and a device controller. The device controller being communicatively coupled to the at least one cleaning appliance to monitor or control the operation of the at least one cleaning appliance, and a user display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, JOEL M. SELLS, ERIC J. SCHUH
  • Patent number: 11668041
    Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brian A. Black, Thomas A. Latack, Matthew D. Rhodes
  • Patent number: 11624140
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device for supporting washing operations in various makes and models of multiple household appliances is described wherein the retrofit auxiliary device can monitor appliance health, regulate appliance function, and send the user useful data. Each of the multiple household appliances has a water line and a power line operably coupled to an appliance controller with at least one pre-programmed cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Joel M. Sells, Eric J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 11357385
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device for distributing cleaning resources to a household cleaning appliance having a treating chamber is described wherein the device can connect to various household cleaning appliances of different makes and models and can learn the flow of water and detergent during various stages of operation and then perform the dispensing itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Joel M. Sells, Eric J. Schuh
  • Publication number: 20210372024
    Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2021
    Publication date: December 2, 2021
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRIAN A. BLACK, THOMAS A. LATACK, MATTHEW D. RHODES
  • Patent number: 11180885
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment, and an annular balance rings defining an annular chamber within, coupled with the basket for rotation therewith. The basket can further comprise a pair of walls comprising a perforated inner wrapper and an outer wall defining a space therebetween. The space fluidly couples to the annular chamber, permitting liquid to flow from the treating chamber, into the space and into the annular chamber to provide a restoring force to the system. The annular balance ring can further comprise a plurality of passages, fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the annular chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Christopher A. Jones, Aaron A. Linden, Dale E. Mueller, Michele A. Paustian, Brenner M. Sharp
  • Patent number: 11111621
    Abstract: A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brian A. Black, Thomas A. Latack, Matthew D. Rhodes
  • Publication number: 20210246590
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a tub with a terminal edge and a dual-wall basket, with outer and inner walls, the inner wall having perforations above the terminal edge, and the basket located within the tub and having at least one drain opening in a bottom of the basket. The method comprising altering a level of liquid in the tub to correspondingly alter a height of a float valve in the tub to selectively open/close the drain opening to effect a filling of liquid in the basket above the tub terminal edge when the float valve is in the closed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 30, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
  • Publication number: 20210214877
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device for supporting washing operations in various makes and models of multiple household appliances is described wherein the retrofit auxiliary device can monitor appliance health, regulate appliance function, and send the user useful data. Each of the multiple household appliances has a water line and a power line operably coupled to an appliance controller with at least one pre-programmed cycle of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, JOEL M. SELLS, ERIC J. SCHUH
  • 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: 10988888
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device for supporting washing operations in various makes and models of multiple household appliances is described wherein the retrofit auxiliary device can monitor appliance health, regulate appliance function, and send the user useful data. Each of the multiple household appliances has a water line and a power line operably coupled to an appliance controller with at least one pre-programmed cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Joel M. Sells, Eric J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 10731284
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a cabinet, a wash tub located within the cabinet and defining an interior, a wash basket mounted within the wash tub and defining a laundry treating chamber. A clothes mover or agitator can be located within and rotatable relative to and/or with the wash basket having a cap removably mounted to the clothes mover. The cap includes a treating chemistry dispenser system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Scott E. Carpenter, Mark A. Davis
  • Publication number: 20200008647
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device for distributing cleaning resources to a household cleaning appliance having a treating chamber is described wherein the device can connect to various household cleaning appliances of different makes and models and can learn the flow of water and detergent during various stages of operation and then perform the dispensing itself.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Publication date: January 9, 2020
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, JOEL M. SELLS, ERIC J. SCHUH
  • Publication number: 20200002875
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device for supporting washing operations in various makes and models of multiple household appliances is described wherein the retrofit auxiliary device can monitor appliance health, regulate appliance function, and send the user useful data. Each of the multiple household appliances has a water line and a power line operably coupled to an appliance controller with at least one pre-programmed cycle of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Publication date: January 2, 2020
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, JOEL M. SELLS, ERIC J. SCHUH
  • Patent number: 10456008
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device for distributing cleaning resources to a household cleaning appliance having a treating chamber is described wherein the device can connect to various household cleaning appliances of different makes and models and can learn the flow of water and detergent during various stages of operation and then perform the dispensing itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 29, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Joel M. Sells, Eric J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 10422071
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary laundry device for supporting laundry operations in various makes and models of household appliances is described wherein the device can monitor appliance health, regulate appliance function, and send the user useful data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 24, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Joel M. Sells, Eric J. Schuh
  • Publication number: 20190242048
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment, and an annular balance rings defining an annular chamber within, coupled with the basket for rotation therewith. The basket can further comprise a pair of walls comprising a perforated inner wrapper and an outer wall defining a space therebetween. The space fluidly couples to the annular chamber, permitting liquid to flow from the treating chamber, into the space and into the annular chamber to provide a restoring force to the system. The annular balance ring can further comprise a plurality of passages, fluidly coupling the treating chamber to the annular chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2019
    Publication date: August 8, 2019
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRENT M. BURGESS, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, AARON A. LINDEN, DALE E. MUELLER, MICHELE A. PAUSTIAN, BRENNER M. SHARP
  • Publication number: 20190218699
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a rotatable basket defining a treating chamber for receiving a load of laundry items for treatment. The basket comprises a dual wall, having an inner wall and an outer wall, defining a space therebetween. Liquid within the treating chamber can flow through a plurality of liquid extraction perforations and into the space between the walls, where the liquid can drain downwardly out through an opening in the outer wall and into a tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2019
    Publication date: July 18, 2019
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRENT M. BURGESS, MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, DALE E. MUELLER