Patents by Inventor Michael P. Licata
Michael P. Licata 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: 11872602Abstract: A system for and method of improving fluid flow is provided. The system includes a discharge manifold defining a primary flow path partially obstructed by one or more flow diverter. The flow diverter includes an obtrusion pair, each obtrusion of the obtrusion pair extending from a rear wall of the discharge manifold into an interior area of the discharge manifold, thereby creating a void along the primary flow path. The system further includes a first nozzle extending through the primary flow path and into the void such that a nozzle inlet of the first nozzle is positioned at least partially within the void. The system further includes a plurality of subsequent nozzles, each of the first and subsequent nozzles defining a respective secondary flow path for directing fluid away from the discharge manifold. The method includes utilizing obtrusion pairs to reduce or eliminate hydraulic skip.Type: GrantFiled: May 9, 2022Date of Patent: January 16, 2024Assignee: UNIFIED BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Licata, Atul Singhal, Abhishek Agrawal, Richard Seiss, Roger Moore, Mark Churchill
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Patent number: 11864708Abstract: A method of cleaning a washing machine and components and systems for enabling a user to clean the washing machine are provided. The method includes gaining access to debris that is trapped in otherwise inaccessible and/or concealed areas and/or directing debris out of inaccessible and/or concealed areas. The components include a jet channel that selectively couples to a discharge manifold in use and is removable to provide access to an interior area of the discharge manifold for cleaning. The systems include a removable mount assembly for accessories and a purging system for pumps and other concealed areas. The purging system is configured to discharge purging fluid through a plurality of purging ports and into concealed areas so as to direct debris in the concealed areas out of the concealed areas.Type: GrantFiled: September 18, 2020Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: UNIFIED BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Licata, Richard Powers, David Gast
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Patent number: 11833532Abstract: An apparatus and method of restricting entry velocity into a tank is provided. To this end, a throttle plate is utilized to reduce circulation turbulence and significantly reduce the probability of damage to fragile articles undergoing deglazing, defrosting, washing or other circulation within a fluid tank. The throttle plate includes a main body with a top, bottom, and opposing sides and is configured to interface with a wash tank in a variety of throttle plate conditions. The main body of the throttle plate sits substantially against an interior wall of the wash tank, partially obscuring one or more inward flowing jets associated with the wash tank. Such obscuring dampens or throttles the flow of water from the jets into the wash tank. The throttle plate is adjustable; thus, a user of the wash tank can utilize the throttle plate to selectively control the flow of water into the tank.Type: GrantFiled: February 19, 2020Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Unified Brands, Inc.Inventors: Richard Seiss, Michael P. Licata, Mark Churchill, Tyler Armstrong
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Publication number: 20230074178Abstract: An improved parallel flow pump is provided. The improved parallel flow pump includes clearance for tooling, nuts, and bolts, and further provides smoothed, contoured surfaces and one or more turning vanes to improve the top-to-bottom velocity distribution in the discharge manifold into which the pump flows.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 6, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventor: Michael P. Licata
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Publication number: 20230056911Abstract: A washing machine with an infinitely variable pump is provided. The infinite variable pump is a fluid pump with pumping speeds which are uncountably infinite, in such that it has a maximum value and a minimum value for its pumping speed, but is otherwise configured to allow a user to select any pumping speed of the uncountable set between these pre-set limits. The pump may utilize a variable frequency drive (VFD). The VFD uses an inverter duty motor instead of a normal induction motor. The VFD is incorporated within the pump. The VFD is wired into the pump motor circuit between the machine power switch and the motor. Such a configuration allows for a ground-up build of a washing machine incorporating the infinitely variable pump or a retrofitting of an existing wash tank to incorporate the infinitely variable pump.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Michael P. Licata, Robert J. McNamara
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Publication number: 20230056546Abstract: A fluid flow structure for a washing machine is located within a wash tank of the washing machine, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for the guide surface. The guide surface includes at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank. The contour of the guide surface is generally curved so as to aide in reducing and/or preventing the pinning of items that often occurs in rectangular wash tanks of the prior art. The support for the guide surface creates a gap between the guide surface and at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 19, 2022Publication date: February 23, 2023Inventors: Michael P. Licata, Richard Seiss, Roger Moore, Robert J. McNamara
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Publication number: 20220266313Abstract: A system for and method of improving fluid flow is provided. The system includes a discharge manifold defining a primary flow path partially obstructed by one or more flow diverter. The flow diverter includes an obtrusion pair, each obtrusion of the obtrusion pair extending from a rear wall of the discharge manifold into an interior area of the discharge manifold, thereby creating a void along the primary flow path. The system further includes a first nozzle extending through the primary flow path and into the void such that a nozzle inlet of the first nozzle is positioned at least partially within the void. The system further includes a plurality of subsequent nozzles, each of the first and subsequent nozzles defining a respective secondary flow path for directing fluid away from the discharge manifold. The method includes utilizing obtrusion pairs to reduce or eliminate hydraulic skip.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 9, 2022Publication date: August 25, 2022Inventors: Michael P. Licata, Atul Singhal, Abhishek Agrawal, Richard Seiss, Roger Moore, Mark Churchill
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Publication number: 20220242606Abstract: A basket assembly is provided. The basket assembly includes a molded basket body having opposed side walls with minimal draft angles. The basket body defines a front opening for receiving fluid and items, an interior area of receiving and holding the items, and a plurality of perforations for allowing the fluid to escape the interior area while retaining the items within the interior area. The perforations are placed, oriented, sized, and configured to maximize fluid flow and item retention while the basket assembly is positioned in flowing fluid of a washing machine wash tank. Support pins retain the basket assembly at the top of the wash tank and handles extending therebetween facilitate removal of the basket assembly from the wash tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 1, 2022Publication date: August 4, 2022Inventors: RICHARD SEISS, ROGER MOORE, MICHAEL P. LICATA
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Patent number: 11325167Abstract: A system for and method of improving fluid flow is provided. The system includes a discharge manifold defining a primary flow path partially obstructed by one or more flow diverter. The flow diverter includes an obtrusion pair, each obtrusion of the obtrusion pair extending from a rear wall of the discharge manifold into an interior area of the discharge manifold, thereby creating a void along the primary flow path. The system further includes a first nozzle extending through the primary flow path and into the void such that a nozzle inlet of the first nozzle is positioned at least partially within the void. The system further includes a plurality of subsequent nozzles, each of the first and subsequent nozzles defining a respective secondary flow path for directing fluid away from the discharge manifold. The method includes utilizing obtrusion pairs to reduce or eliminate hydraulic skip.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2019Date of Patent: May 10, 2022Assignee: UNIFIED BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Licata, Atul Singhal, Abhishek Agrawal, Richard Seiss, Roger Moore, Mark Churchill
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Publication number: 20210068611Abstract: A fluid flow structure for a washing machine is located within a wash tank of the washing machine, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for the guide surface. The guide surface includes at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank. The contour of the guide surface is generally curved so as to aide in reducing and/or preventing the pinning of items that often occurs in rectangular wash tanks of the prior art. The support for the guide surface creates a gap between the guide surface and at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 2, 2020Publication date: March 11, 2021Inventors: John W. CANTRELL, Mark CHURCHILL, David Robert GAST, Michael P. LICATA, Joshua H. HUISENGA, John N. MCCREIGHT, Bryon J. London
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Publication number: 20210000321Abstract: A method of cleaning a washing machine and components and systems for enabling a user to clean the washing machine are provided. The method includes gaining access to debris that is trapped in otherwise inaccessible and/or concealed areas and/or directing debris out of inaccessible and/or concealed areas. The components include a jet channel that selectively couples to a discharge manifold in use and is removable to provide access to an interior area of the discharge manifold for cleaning. The systems include a removable mount assembly for accessories and a purging system for pumps and other concealed areas. The purging system is configured to discharge purging fluid through a plurality of purging ports and into concealed areas so as to direct debris in the concealed areas out of the concealed areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 18, 2020Publication date: January 7, 2021Inventors: MICHAEL P. LICATA, RICHARD POWERS, DAVID GAST
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Patent number: 10835097Abstract: A fluid flow structure for a washing machine is located within a wash tank of the washing machine, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for the guide surface. The guide surface includes at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank. The contour of the guide surface is generally curved so as to aide in reducing and/or preventing the pinning of items that often occurs in rectangular wash tanks of the prior art. The support for the guide surface creates a gap between the guide surface and at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank.Type: GrantFiled: July 23, 2018Date of Patent: November 17, 2020Assignee: Unified Brands, Inc.Inventors: John W. Cantrell, Mark Churchill, David Robert Gast, Michael P. Licata, Joshua H. Huisenga, John N. McCreight, Bryon J. London
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Patent number: 10779701Abstract: A method of cleaning a washing machine and components and systems for enabling a user to clean the washing machine are provided. The method includes gaining access to debris that is trapped in otherwise inaccessible and/or concealed areas and/or directing debris out of inaccessible and/or concealed areas. The components include a jet channel that selectively couples to a discharge manifold in use and is removable to provide access to an interior area of the discharge manifold for cleaning. The systems include a removable mount assembly for accessories and a purging system for pumps and other concealed areas. The purging system is configured to discharge purging fluid through a plurality of purging ports and into concealed areas so as to direct debris in the concealed areas out of the concealed areas.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2017Date of Patent: September 22, 2020Assignee: Unified Brands, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Licata, Richard Powers, David Gast
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Publication number: 20200261927Abstract: An apparatus and method of restricting entry velocity into a tank is provided. To this end, a throttle plate is utilized to reduce circulation turbulence and significantly reduce the probability of damage to fragile articles undergoing deglazing, defrosting, washing or other circulation within a fluid tank. The throttle plate includes a main body with a top, bottom, and opposing sides and is configured to interface with a wash tank in a variety of throttle plate conditions. The main body of the throttle plate sits substantially against an interior wall of the wash tank, partially obscuring one or more inward flowing jets associated with the wash tank. Such obscuring dampens or throttles the flow of water from the jets into the wash tank. The throttle plate is adjustable; thus, a user of the wash tank can utilize the throttle plate to selectively control the flow of water into the tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 19, 2020Publication date: August 20, 2020Inventors: Richard SEISS, Michael P. LICATA, Mark CHURCHILL, Tyler ARMSTRONG
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Publication number: 20200108421Abstract: A system for and method of improving fluid flow is provided. The system includes a discharge manifold defining a primary flow path partially obstructed by one or more flow diverter. The flow diverter includes an obtrusion pair, each obtrusion of the obtrusion pair extending from a rear wall of the discharge manifold into an interior area of the discharge manifold, thereby creating a void along the primary flow path. The system further includes a first nozzle extending through the primary flow path and into the void such that a nozzle inlet of the first nozzle is positioned at least partially within the void. The system further includes a plurality of subsequent nozzles, each of the first and subsequent nozzles defining a respective secondary flow path for directing fluid away from the discharge manifold. The method includes utilizing obtrusion pairs to reduce or eliminate hydraulic skip.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 8, 2019Publication date: April 9, 2020Inventors: Michael P. Licata, Atul Singhal, Abhishek Agrawal, Richard Seiss, Roger Moore, Mark Churchill
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Patent number: 10292562Abstract: A method of cleaning a washing machine and components and systems for enabling a user to clean the washing machine are provided. The method includes gaining access to debris that is trapped in otherwise inaccessible and/or concealed areas and/or directing debris out of inaccessible and/or concealed areas. The components include a jet channel that selectively couples to a discharge manifold in use and is removable to provide access to an interior area of the discharge manifold for cleaning. The systems include a removable mount assembly for accessories and a purging system for pumps and other concealed areas. The purging system is configured to discharge purging fluid through a plurality of purging ports and into concealed areas so as to direct debris in the concealed areas out of the concealed areas.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2015Date of Patent: May 21, 2019Assignee: Unified Brands, Inc.Inventors: Michael P. Licata, Richard Powers, David Gast
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Publication number: 20180325347Abstract: A fluid flow structure for a washing machine is located within a wash tank of the washing machine, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for the guide surface. The guide surface includes at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank. The contour of the guide surface is generally curved so as to aide in reducing and/or preventing the pinning of items that often occurs in rectangular wash tanks of the prior art. The support for the guide surface creates a gap between the guide surface and at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 23, 2018Publication date: November 15, 2018Inventors: John W. CANTRELL, Mark CHURCHILL, David Robert GAST, Michael P. LICATA, Joshua H. HUISENGA, John N. MCCREIGHT, Bryon J. London
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Patent number: 10028636Abstract: A fluid flow structure for a washing machine is located within a wash tank of the washing machine, which includes a fluid flow guide surface, and a support for the guide surface. The guide surface includes at least one region contoured inconsistently from the contour of at least one corresponding wall of the washing machine wash tank. The contour of the guide surface is generally curved so as to aide in reducing and/or preventing the pinning of items that often occurs in rectangular wash tanks of the prior art. The support for the guide surface creates a gap between the guide surface and at least one wall of the washing machine wash tank.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2010Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: Unified Brands, Inc.Inventors: John W. Cantrell, Mark Churchill, David Robert Gast, Michael P. Licata, Joshua H. Huisenga, John McCreight, Bryon J. London
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Publication number: 20170224188Abstract: A method of cleaning a washing machine and components and systems for enabling a user to clean the washing machine are provided. The method includes gaining access to debris that is trapped in otherwise inaccessible and/or concealed areas and/or directing debris out of inaccessible and/or concealed areas. The components include a jet channel that selectively couples to a discharge manifold in use and is removable to provide access to an interior area of the discharge manifold for cleaning. The systems include a removable mount assembly for accessories and a purging system for pumps and other concealed areas. The purging system is configured to discharge purging fluid through a plurality of purging ports and into concealed areas so as to direct debris in the concealed areas out of the concealed areas.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2017Publication date: August 10, 2017Inventors: MICHAEL P. LICATA, RICHARD POWERS, DAVID GAST
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Patent number: D891105Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2019Date of Patent: July 28, 2020Assignee: UNIFIED BRANDS, INC.Inventors: Michael P. Licata, Roger Moore, Mark Churchill