Patents by Inventor Dale E. Mueller
Dale E. Mueller 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).
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Patent number: 11781258Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 30, 2021Date of Patent: October 10, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
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Patent number: 11180885Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: April 22, 2019Date of Patent: November 23, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Christopher A. Jones, Aaron A. Linden, Dale E. Mueller, Michele A. Paustian, Brenner M. Sharp
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Publication number: 20210246590Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
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Patent number: 11035063Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 10, 2018Date of Patent: June 15, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
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Patent number: 10704176Abstract: A washing machine for treating laundry comprising a basket rotatable about a first rotational axis, having a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from a bottom wall to at least partially define a treating chamber; a clothes mover proximate the bottom wall, having a base with a centrally located hub concentric with a second rotational axis about which the clothes mover reciprocally rotates; and at least one vane having an elongated body extending away from the hub and projecting upwardly from the clothes mover to terminate in a tip.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2016Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: David W. Carr, Dale E. Mueller, Basak Oguz, Jon D. Strait
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Patent number: 10450686Abstract: A laundry mover for a laundry treating appliance may include a protrusion located on an upper side of the laundry mover and forming an open-bottom cavity. The protrusion may have at least one opening fluidly communicating the cavity with a portion of the treating chamber above the protrusion. A diverter may be located on a lower side of the laundry mover.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2018Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: David W. Carr, Dale E. Mueller, Mary E. Zeitler
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Publication number: 20190242048Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: April 22, 2019Publication date: August 8, 2019Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRENT M. BURGESS, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, AARON A. LINDEN, DALE E. MUELLER, MICHELE A. PAUSTIAN, BRENNER M. SHARP
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Publication number: 20190218699Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 20, 2019Publication date: July 18, 2019Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRENT M. BURGESS, MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, DALE E. MUELLER
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Patent number: 10316451Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: June 11, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Christopher A. Jones, Aaron A. Linden, Dale E. Mueller, Michele A. Paustian, Brenner M. Sharp
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Patent number: 10280544Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 20, 2015Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller
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Publication number: 20190106825Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 10, 2018Publication date: April 11, 2019Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
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Publication number: 20190093272Abstract: A laundry mover for a laundry treating appliance may include a protrusion located on an upper side of the laundry mover and forming an open-bottom cavity. The protrusion may have at least one opening fluidly communicating the cavity with a portion of the treating chamber above the protrusion. A diverter may be located on a lower side of the laundry mover.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 29, 2018Publication date: March 28, 2019Inventors: DAVID W. CARR, DALE E. MUELLER, MARY E. ZEITLER
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Patent number: 10179962Abstract: A laundry mover for a laundry treating appliance may include a protrusion located on an upper side of the laundry mover and forming an open-bottom cavity. The protrusion may have at least one opening fluidly communicating the cavity with a portion of the treating chamber above the protrusion. A diverter may be located on a lower side of the laundry mover.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2017Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: David W. Carr, Dale E. Mueller, Mary E. Zeitler
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Patent number: 10179963Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 27, 2015Date of Patent: January 15, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Dale E. Mueller, Zachary Bohenick
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Patent number: 9926658Abstract: A washing machine for treating laundry comprising a basket rotatable about a first rotational axis, having a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from a bottom wall to at least partially define a treating chamber; a clothes mover proximate the bottom wall, having a base with a centrally located hub concentric with a second rotational axis about which the clothes mover reciprocally rotates; and at least one vane having an elongated body extending away from the hub and projecting upwardly from the clothes mover.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2016Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, David W. Carr, Dale E. Mueller, Basak Oguz, Jon D. Strait
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Patent number: 9909247Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating fabric according to a cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining an interior, a wash tub within the interior and having a peripheral wall with an upper portion and a bottom end closed by a base; a wash basket located within the wash tub for movement relative thereto and defining a laundry treating chamber; and a drive motor located within the cabinet for rotating or oscillating the wash basket. Prior to installation of the wash tub in the cabinet, the wash tub is oversized relative to the interior. After installation of the wash tub in the cabinet, the upper portion of the wash tub forms a press fit with the cabinet such that the upper portion of the wash tub exerts a force on the cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: September 10, 2015Date of Patent: March 6, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Brent M. Burgess, Michael K. Cluskey, Christopher A. Jones, Aaron A. Linden, Dale E. Mueller, Michele A. Paustian
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Publication number: 20170342620Abstract: A laundry mover for a laundry treating appliance may include a protrusion located on an upper side of the laundry mover and forming an open-bottom cavity. The protrusion may have at least one opening fluidly communicating the cavity with a portion of the treating chamber above the protrusion. A diverter may be located on a lower side of the laundry mover.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2017Publication date: November 30, 2017Inventors: DAVID W. CARR, DALE E. MUELLER, MARY E. ZEITLER
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Patent number: 9777418Abstract: A laundry mover for a laundry treating appliance may include a protrusion located on an upper side of the laundry mover and forming an open-bottom cavity. The protrusion may have at least one opening fluidly communicating the cavity with a portion of the treating chamber above the protrusion. A diverter may be located on a lower side of the laundry mover such that rotation of the laundry mover brings the diverter into contact with liquid in a portion of the treating chamber underneath the laundry mover, and the diverter directs the liquid through the cavity to expel the liquid through the at least one opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 5, 2013Date of Patent: October 3, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: David W. Carr, Dale E. Mueller, Mary E. Zeitler
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Publication number: 20170088993Abstract: A washing machine for treating laundry comprising a basket rotatable about a first rotational axis, having a peripheral side wall extending upwardly from a bottom wall to at least partially define a treating chamber; a clothes mover proximate the bottom wall, having a base with a centrally located hub concentric with a second rotational axis about which the clothes mover reciprocally rotates; and at least one vane having an elongated body extending away from the hub and projecting upwardly from the clothes mover.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 14, 2016Publication date: March 30, 2017Inventors: DARRYL C. BODINE, DAVID W. CARR, DALE E. MUELLER, BASAK OGUZ, JON D. STRAIT
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Publication number: 20170073872Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating fabric according to a cycle of operation includes a cabinet defining an interior, a wash tub within the interior and having a peripheral wall with an upper portion and a bottom end closed by a base; a wash basket located within the wash tub for movement relative thereto and defining a laundry treating chamber; and a drive motor located within the cabinet for rotating or oscillating the wash basket. Prior to installation of the wash tub in the cabinet, the wash tub is oversized relative to the interior. After installation of the wash tub in the cabinet, the upper portion of the wash tub forms a press fit with the cabinet such that the upper portion of the wash tub exerts a force on the cabinet.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2015Publication date: March 16, 2017Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, BRENT M. BURGESS, MICHAEL K. CLUSKEY, CHRISTOPHER A. JONES, AARON A. LINDEN, DALE E. MUELLER, MICHELE A. PAUSTIAN