Patents by Inventor Erik Berends

Erik Berends 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: 9456731
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes an input element configured to select a first wash cycle from a plurality of wash cycles, a controller configured to control a cycle parameter, a turbidity sensor configured to measure a soil level of a wash liquid, and a display device configured to at least temporarily display the soil level measured by the turbidity sensor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 4, 2016
    Assignee: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventors: Erik Berends, Guenther Ennen, Seyfettin Kara
  • Patent number: 8671587
    Abstract: A method for carrying out a drying step in a dishwasher that includes a housing, a washing tub, a door with a hinged lower region operable to close the washing tub, an opening device for automatically opening the door to an ajar position and a condensation drying system including a cooling-air flow generator. The method includes guiding a portion of a cooling-air flow along a portion of an underside of a countertop covering a top of the dishwasher housing both before and after the door is opened to an ajar position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Erik Berends, Martin Kornberger, Dirk Wegener
  • Patent number: 7896972
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub, a hinged door for closing the tub, a sealing gasket disposed between the tub and the door, a device control unit, a closing plate connected to the tub and movable by a motor, a latching element disposed on the door, and a closing tab disposed on the closing plate for engaging with the latching element for closing the door and enabling the device control unit to partially open the door. The closing plate is movable into first and second positions to bring the door into respective first and second partially open positions with respective first and second gap widths. The second gap width is larger than the first gap width.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 1, 2011
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Erik Berends, Markus Druecker, Dirk Wegener
  • Patent number: 7875124
    Abstract: A method for performing wash cycles in a dishwasher comprising factory includes presetting the dishwasher to an adapted wash cycle as a default cycle, the adopted wash cycle being adapted to a combination product including a detergent agent and at least one of a water-softening agent and a rinse agent. A wash cycle is selected using a control element. Using a cycle controller, the adapted wash cycle is performed until a filling of at least one reservoir with a rinse aid or a water softener salt. Using the cycle controller, a predetermined number of standard wash cycles are performed after the filling of the at least one reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2011
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Erik Berends, Joerg Kinnius, Stephan Koch, Ursula Pieper, Monika Seifert, Cornelius Wolf
  • Publication number: 20100295690
    Abstract: The invention relates to a dishwasher comprising a control and display unit having input elements (1, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) for the selection of a washing program from a plurality of possible programs, at least one display means (2), means for controlling the program parameters, such as the duration and temperature profile of individual program segments, and a turbidity sensor, by means of which a degree of contamination of a rinsing liquor can be detected. According to the invention, the degree of contamination detected by the turbidity sensor is displayed on the display means (2), at least intermittently, thus simplifying operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 29, 2008
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: MIELE & CIE. KG
    Inventors: Erik Berends, Guenther Ennen, Seyfettin Kara
  • Publication number: 20100043250
    Abstract: A method for carrying out a drying step in a dishwasher that includes a housing, a washing tub, a door with a hinged lower region operable to close the washing tub, an opening device for automatically opening the door to an ajar position and a condensation drying system including a cooling-air flow generator. The method includes guiding a portion of a cooling-air flow along a portion of an underside of a countertop covering a top of the dishwasher housing both before and after the door is opened to an ajar position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: Miele & Cie KG
    Inventors: Erik Berends, Martin Kornberger, Dirk Wegener
  • Publication number: 20080314423
    Abstract: A control system for a dishwasher includes an input device operable to select a wash cycle from a plurality of wash cycles. The input device has a control panel area including a display device, and a plurality of input elements. At least one of the plurality of input elements is operable to select a soil level. A controller is provided, the controller being configured to control cycle parameters and to preselect, based on a selected soil level, a basic wash cycle from a plurality of wash cycles, and to offer different additional cycle options associated with the basic wash cycle based on the selected soil level.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Erik Berends, Guenther Ennen, Seyfettin Kara
  • Publication number: 20080264448
    Abstract: A method for performing wash cycles in a dishwasher comprising factory includes presetting the dishwasher to an adapted wash cycle as a default cycle, the adopted wash cycle being adapted to a combination product including a detergent agent and at least one of a water-softening agent and a rinse agent. A wash cycle is selected using a control element. Using a cycle controller, the adapted wash cycle is performed until a filling of at least one reservoir with a rinse aid or a water softener salt. Using the cycle controller, a predetermined number of standard wash cycles are performed after the filling of the at least one reservoir.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2008
    Publication date: October 30, 2008
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Erik Berends, Joerg Kinnius, Stephan Koch, Ursula Pieper, Monika Seifert, Comelius Wolf
  • Patent number: 7392813
    Abstract: A device for preventing foam or air bubbles from accumulating in a measuring zone of a turbidity sensor connected in a wash-water circuit of a dishwasher or washing machine includes a main flow conduit and a bypass conduit connected to the main flow conduit. The bypass conduit includes a first conduit section branching off from the main flow conduit, a second conduit section leading back into the main flow conduit at a junction, and an enlarged region of reduced flow velocity connected upstream of the junction. The enlarged region provides the measuring zone for the turbidity sensor, and includes a curved baffle and a downward-facing bulbous protuberance opposite the baffle so as to form a backflow region. The measuring zone is located within the backflow region in the bulbous protuberance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2008
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Andre Bertram, Erik Berends, Michael Reilmann
  • Publication number: 20060283482
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a tub, a hinged door for closing the tub, a sealing gasket disposed between the tub and the door, a device control unit, a closing plate connected to the tub and movable by a motor, a latching element disposed on the door, and a closing tab disposed on the closing plate for engaging with the latching element for closing the door and enabling the device control unit to partially open the door. The closing plate is movable into first and second positions to bring the door into respective first and second partially open positions with respective first and second gap widths. The second gap width is larger than the first gap width.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2006
    Publication date: December 21, 2006
    Inventors: Erik Berends, Markus Druecker, Dirk Wegener
  • Publication number: 20040216774
    Abstract: A device for preventing foam or air bubbles from accumulating in a measuring zone of a turbidity sensor connected in a wash-water circuit of a dishwasher or washing machine includes a main flow conduit and a bypass conduit connected to the main flow conduit. The bypass conduit includes a first conduit section branching off from the main flow conduit, a second conduit section leading back into the main flow conduit at a junction, and an enlarged region of reduced flow velocity connected upstream of the junction. The enlarged region provides the measuring zone for the turbidity sensor, and includes a curved baffle and a downward-facing bulbous protuberance opposite the baffle so as to form a backflow region. The measuring zone is located within the backflow region in the bulbous protuberance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 28, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Andre Bertram, Erik Berends, Michael Reilmann