Patents by Inventor Christopher Gene Vowels

Christopher Gene Vowels 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).

  • Publication number: 20240035223
    Abstract: A laundry treatment appliance includes a cabinet defining a drawer receiving space, a tub accommodated within the cabinet, the tub storing water, a basket rotatably mounted within the tub to rotate about a rotation axis, and a dispenser drawer slidably received within the drawer receiving space, the dispenser drawer being fluidly coupled to the tub. The dispenser drawer includes a base plate, a plurality of body walls extending from the base plate along the vertical direction to define a detergent chamber, and a plurality of inner partition portions protruding from the base plate along the vertical direction, wherein the plurality of inner partition portions defines a pod compartment within the detergent chamber, the pod compartment being in fluid communication with the detergent chamber through one or more portions of the plurality of inner partition portions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: February 1, 2024
    Inventors: Christopher Jaynes, Karlarrious Dawain Donar, Jr., Christopher Gene Vowels, V V Subrahmanyeswara Rao Kasa, Troy Marshall Wright
  • Patent number: 11859339
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance defines a mutually perpendicular vertical direction, lateral direction, and transverse direction. The washing machine appliance includes a cabinet and a top cover. A wash tub is mounted within the cabinet and a wash basket is mounted rotatably within the wash tub. The wash basket is accessible through an opening in the top cover. A bulk tank is mounted inside the top cover. The washing machine appliance further includes a dispensing pump spaced apart from the bulk tank and in fluid communication with the bulk tank. The dispensing pump is operable to draw a liquid additive from the bulk tank. The washing machine appliance also includes a dispenser box downstream of the dispensing pump and upstream of the wash tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2024
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Karlarrious Dawain Donar, Jr., Christopher Gene Vowels, Troy Marshall Wright
  • Patent number: 11795604
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance defines a mutually perpendicular vertical direction, lateral direction, and transverse direction. The washing machine appliance includes a cabinet having an opening defined in and through a top cover thereof. A wash tub is mounted within the cabinet and a wash basket is mounted rotatably within the wash tub. The wash basket is accessible through the opening in the top cover. A dispensing assembly includes a dispenser box mounted above the wash tub, a shower plate positioned within the dispenser box and defining a plurality of water supply apertures, lateral suspension arms that extend downward from the shower plate along a vertical direction, and a detergent drawer defining one or more detergent reservoirs, the detergent drawer being directly supported by the lateral suspension arms.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Karlarrious Dawain Donar, Jr., Christopher Gene Vowels, Troy Marshall Wright
  • Publication number: 20230050502
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance defines a mutually perpendicular vertical direction, lateral direction, and transverse direction. The washing machine appliance includes a cabinet having an opening defined in and through a top cover thereof. A wash tub is mounted within the cabinet and a wash basket is mounted rotatably within the wash tub. The wash basket is accessible through the opening in the top cover. A dispensing assembly includes a dispenser box mounted above the wash tub, a shower plate positioned within the dispenser box and defining a plurality of water supply apertures, lateral suspension arms that extend downward from the shower plate along a vertical direction, and a detergent drawer defining one or more detergent reservoirs, the detergent drawer being directly supported by the lateral suspension arms.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2021
    Publication date: February 16, 2023
    Inventors: Karlarrious Dawain Donar, JR., Christopher Gene Vowels, Troy Marshall Wright
  • Publication number: 20230040628
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance defines a mutually perpendicular vertical direction, lateral direction, and transverse direction. The washing machine appliance includes a cabinet and a top cover. A wash tub is mounted within the cabinet and a wash basket is mounted rotatably within the wash tub. The wash basket is accessible through an opening in the top cover. A bulk tank is mounted inside the top cover. The washing machine appliance further includes a dispensing pump spaced apart from the bulk tank and in fluid communication with the bulk tank. The dispensing pump is operable to draw a liquid additive from the bulk tank. The washing machine appliance also includes a dispenser box downstream of the dispensing pump and upstream of the wash tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 6, 2021
    Publication date: February 9, 2023
    Inventors: Karlarrious Dawain Donar, Jr., Christopher Gene Vowels, Troy Marshall Wright
  • Patent number: 11359329
    Abstract: A dryer appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a drum, a drying chamber, and a supply duct. The cabinet may define an internal volume. The drum may be mounted within the cabinet. The drum may define a drying chamber, a dryer opening, an air inlet, and a fluid port. The drying chamber may extend from a front end to a rear end. The dryer opening may be defined at the front end to permit articles therethrough to the drying chamber. The air inlet may be defined at the rear end to permit air therethrough to the drying chamber. The fluid port may be spaced apart from the air inlet. The fluid port may extend from the drying chamber to the internal volume. The supply duct may extend within the cabinet to the drum upstream from the air inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Zhiquan Yu, Daniel Stephen Renz, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Patent number: 11174587
    Abstract: A dryer appliance may include a cabinet, a drum, and a heater assembly. The heater assembly may include a housing, a first mounting flange, a second mounting flange, and a slide clamp. The housing may include a first housing portion and a second housing portion defining a chamber, as well as an inlet and an outlet. The first mounting flange may extend radially from the first housing portion to define a first reference plane having a mutually-orthogonal vertical direction, lateral direction, and transverse direction. The second mounting flange may extend radially from the second housing portion and slidably positioned on the first mounting flange. The second mounting flange may define a clamp aperture extending therethrough along the vertical direction. The slide clamp may extend through the clamp aperture and generally along the transverse direction from a base end fixed to the first mounting flange to a distal free end.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Publication number: 20210277584
    Abstract: A dryer appliance, as provided herein, may include a cabinet, a drum, a drying chamber, and a supply duct. The cabinet may define an internal volume. The drum may be mounted within the cabinet. The drum may define a drying chamber, a dryer opening, an air inlet, and a fluid port. The drying chamber may extend from a front end to a rear end. The dryer opening may be defined at the front end to permit articles therethrough to the drying chamber. The air inlet may be defined at the rear end to permit air therethrough to the drying chamber. The fluid port may be spaced apart from the air inlet. The fluid port may extend from the drying chamber to the internal volume. The supply duct may extend within the cabinet to the drum upstream from the air inlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 3, 2020
    Publication date: September 9, 2021
    Inventors: Zhiquan Yu, Daniel Stephen Renz, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Patent number: 10962036
    Abstract: An appliance that includes a cabinet having a base panel interlocked with a side panel is provided. The base panel includes interlocking features, including an interlock housing defining a tab receiving slot and an interlock projection projecting upward from the base panel. The side panel includes a panel body and a mounting flange extending from the panel body. The side panel also includes interlocking features, including a locking tab extending from the mounting flange. Further, the mounting flange defines a locking slot. To interlock the side panel with the base panel, the locking tab of the side panel is received within the tab receiving slot of the interlock housing of the base panel and the interlock projection is received within the locking slot of the mounting flange of the side panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 30, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Jebasingh Sreevidhas, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Publication number: 20200378416
    Abstract: An appliance that includes a cabinet having a base panel interlocked with a side panel is provided. The base panel includes interlocking features, including an interlock housing defining a tab receiving slot and an interlock projection projecting upward from the base panel. The side panel includes a panel body and a mounting flange extending from the panel body. The side panel also includes interlocking features, including a locking tab extending from the mounting flange. Further, the mounting flange defines a locking slot. To interlock the side panel with the base panel, the locking tab of the side panel is received within the tab receiving slot of the interlock housing of the base panel and the interlock projection is received within the locking slot of the mounting flange of the side panel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2019
    Publication date: December 3, 2020
    Inventors: Jebasingh Sreevidhas, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Publication number: 20200347541
    Abstract: A dryer appliance may include a cabinet, a drum, and a heater assembly. The heater assembly may include a housing, a first mounting flange, a second mounting flange, and a slide clamp. The housing may include a first housing portion and a second housing portion defining a chamber, as well as an inlet and an outlet. The first mounting flange may extend radially from the first housing portion to define a first reference plane having a mutually-orthogonal vertical direction, lateral direction, and transverse direction. The second mounting flange may extend radially from the second housing portion and slidably positioned on the first mounting flange. The second mounting flange may define a clamp aperture extending therethrough along the vertical direction. The slide clamp may extend through the clamp aperture and generally along the transverse direction from a base end fixed to the first mounting flange to a distal free end.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2019
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Inventors: Peter Hans Bensel, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Patent number: 10435834
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes an additive reservoir positioned below a top panel of the washing machine appliance for receiving large quantities of a first fluid additive, such as detergent. In addition, the additive reservoir defines an additive passageway that extends through the additive reservoir and is configured for receiving a second fluid additive, such as bleach, and directing that additive directly into a tub of the washing machine appliance. In this manner, bulk detergent and an additional additive may be added into the washing machine appliance without requiring the manufacturing and assembly of two separate parts which must be installed within the limited space under the top panel of the washing machine appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Troy Marshall Wright, Alexander B. Leibman, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Patent number: 10087567
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance and control panel is provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet defining an opening, a basket, a door, a secondary control panel, and a controller. The basket may be mounted within the cabinet and define a wash chamber beneath the opening to receive one or more clothing articles to be washed. The door may be pivotally attached to the cabinet and selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The secondary control panel may be disposed on the cabinet within a closed footprint of the door. The secondary control panel may be covered beneath the door in the closed position. The controller may be operatively connected to the secondary control panel. The controller may be configured to receive an input signal from the secondary control panel, and initiate an operative step in response to the input signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald James Leisl, III, Craig Robert Vitan, Christopher Gene Vowels, Sripad Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20180044839
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes an additive reservoir positioned below a top panel of the washing machine appliance for receiving large quantities of a first fluid additive, such as detergent. In addition, the additive reservoir defines an additive passageway that extends through the additive reservoir and is configured for receiving a second fluid additive, such as bleach, and directing that additive directly into a tub of the washing machine appliance. In this manner, bulk detergent and an additional additive may be added into the washing machine appliance without requiring the manufacturing and assembly of two separate parts which must be installed within the limited space under the top panel of the washing machine appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 11, 2016
    Publication date: February 15, 2018
    Inventors: Troy Marshall Wright, Alexander B. Leibman, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Publication number: 20180010287
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance and control panel is provided herein. The washing machine appliance may include a cabinet defining an opening, a basket, a door, a secondary control panel, and a controller. The basket may be mounted within the cabinet and define a wash chamber beneath the opening to receive one or more clothing articles to be washed. The door may be pivotally attached to the cabinet and selectively movable between an open position and a closed position. The secondary control panel may be disposed on the cabinet within a closed footprint of the door. The secondary control panel may be covered beneath the door in the closed position. The controller may be operatively connected to the secondary control panel. The controller may be configured to receive an input signal from the secondary control panel, and initiate an operative step in response to the input signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2016
    Publication date: January 11, 2018
    Inventors: Donald James Leisl, III, Craig Robert Vitan, Christopher Gene Vowels, Sripad Kulkarni
  • Publication number: 20170327995
    Abstract: A lid lock assembly for a washing machine appliance is provided. The lid lock assembly includes a lid lock mechanism configured to engage a striker on a lid of the washing machine appliance to lock the lid in the closed position. The lid lock mechanism is actuated using a hydraulic actuation assembly including a water supply conduit and a hydraulic plunger, the hydraulic plunger being configured to actuate the lid lock mechanism when the water supply conduit is momentarily pressurized. Each time the lid lock mechanism is actuated, the lid lock mechanism alternates between a locked state and an unlocked state, thereby allowing the lid lock assembly to lock the lid in the closed position without any electrical harnesses and without requiring that the water supply conduit remain pressurized.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2016
    Publication date: November 16, 2017
    Inventors: Troy Marshall Wright, Christopher Gene Vowels
  • Patent number: 9541860
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is exposed at the rear of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device. A forward facing opening is exposed at the front of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device. The forward facing opening overlaps with the rearward facing in a side-to-side dimension of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2017
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christopher Gene Vowels, Jason Hale, Mark William Amann, Benjamin Keith Newman, Harald Portig, Rodney Evan Sproul
  • Patent number: 9417603
    Abstract: A toner cartridge for an image forming device according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. The housing has an exit port on a front of the housing in fluid communication with the reservoir. A first leg and a second leg each project from a bottom of the housing and extend primarily along a front-to-rear dimension of the housing. A first alignment guide is positioned on a first side of the housing and a second alignment guide is positioned on a second side of the housing. Each alignment guide extends primarily along the front-to-rear dimension of the housing. The first alignment guide includes a pair of rounded contact points and the second alignment guide includes a rounded contact point. The rounded contact points of the first and second alignment control the vertical position of the toner cartridge in the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2016
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christopher Gene Vowels, Jason Hale
  • Publication number: 20160195833
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing that defines a reservoir for containing toner. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on the front of the housing near a first side. A toner delivery system for transferring toner from the reservoir includes a main interface gear exposed on the front of the housing near the top of the second side. A rearward facing opening is exposed at the rear of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a first engagement feature in an image forming device. A forward facing opening is exposed at the front of the housing near the first side of the housing for receiving a second engagement feature in the image forming device. The forward facing opening overlaps with the rearward facing in a side-to-side dimension of the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 17, 2016
    Publication date: July 7, 2016
    Inventors: BENJER ALBARAN ACOSTA, JAMES ANTHANY CARTER, II, GARY NEAL HACKNEY, KATRINA ROSIT LACTUAN, JAMES RICHARD LEEMHUIS, KEITH SEAMAN, BRYAN CHRISTOPHER SCHARF, MATTHEW LEE ROGERS, CHRISTOPHER GENE VOWELS, JASON HALE, MARK WILLIAM AMANN, BENJAMIN KEITH NEWMAN, HARALD PORTIG, RODNEY EVAN SPROUL
  • Patent number: 9323178
    Abstract: A toner cartridge according to one example embodiment includes a housing having a reservoir for containing toner therein. An exit port in fluid communication with the reservoir faces downward on a front of the housing near a first side of the housing. A portion of a main interface gear for providing rotational power to a toner delivery system is exposed on the front of the housing near a top of a second side of the housing and engagable with a corresponding drive gear in the image forming device. A projection extends forward from the housing further forward than a frontmost portion of the exit port and is spaced from the exit port toward the first side of the housing. A front of the projection is unobstructed for engaging a developer unit when the toner cartridge is inserted into the image forming device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Lexmark International, Inc.
    Inventors: Benjer Albaran Acosta, James Anthany Carter, II, Gary Neal Hackney, Katrina Rosit Lactuan, James Richard Leemhuis, Keith Seaman, Bryan Christopher Scharf, Matthew Lee Rogers, Christopher Gene Vowels, Jason Hale, Mark William Amann, Benjamin Keith Newman, Harald Portig, Rodney Evan Sproul