Patents by Inventor Ralph A. Porcaro, II

Ralph A. Porcaro, II 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: 20160237665
    Abstract: Provided herein is a plug that is configured to obstruct an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal, and more particularly, to a manually removable plug for an auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal that precludes attachment of a drain hose from a dishwasher to the auxiliary inlet without removal of the plug. Embodiments may include a garbage disposal including a grinding chamber with a primary inlet and an auxiliary inlet. Embodiments may include a plug for obstructing the auxiliary inlet of a garbage disposal. The plug may include a plug body, a stem, and a handle, where the stem extends between the plug body and the handle. The plug body may define a cylindrical shape having a diameter axially aligned with an axis of the stem. The handle may define a first edge, second edge, and a length defined there between extending perpendicularly to the axis of the stem.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Publication date: August 18, 2016
    Inventors: David J. Coll, Ralph A. Porcaro, II
  • Patent number: 9371841
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing a safety arrangement for an integrated heater, circulation pump, and motor for an appliance are provided. In an example safety arrangement, the circulation pump assembly includes a heater, a pump, and a motor integrated into a single unit. The circulation pump assembly defines a first end, a second opposite end, and a housing extending therebetween. The safety arrangement includes a hub configured to at least partially surround the first end of the circulation pump assembly and a first shield configured to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly. The safety arrangement further includes a second shield configured to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly. The hub, the first shield, and the second shield are configured to cooperate with one another to protect the circulation pump assembly from one or more hazardous conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 21, 2016
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ashish A. Verma, Dennis A. Poyner, Jerry Olesen, Ralph A. Porcaro, II
  • Patent number: 9241607
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing dedicated spray coverage for silverware and dishware positioned within a silverware basket. In an example embodiment, the dishwasher includes a tub configured to receive dishware and a circulation system configured to circulate fluid within the tub. The dishwasher further includes a silverware basket disposed within the tub and comprising a handle portion and a basket portion. The basket portion is configured to receive dishware therein. The handle portion defines at least one spray jet opening that is configured to be in fluid communication with the circulation system and configured to direct fluid toward the basket portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2016
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Porcaro, II, James L. Burrows
  • Patent number: 9204780
    Abstract: According to example embodiments, a dishwasher may include a siphon break apparatus configured to substantially prevent a siphon effect in a fluid conduit configured to drain a fluid from the dishwasher. The siphon break apparatus may include a first check valve in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and exposed to a pressure therein and a second check valve in fluid communication with the first check valve. The first and second check valves may be configured to be substantially closed when pressure in the fluid conduit increases as a result of fluid being pumped through the fluid conduit and substantially open when pressure in the fluid conduit decreases as a result of the fluid no longer being pumped through the fluid conduit. Thereby the siphon effect may be substantially prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2015
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Francisco, Mark D. Montgomery, Ralph A. Porcaro, II
  • Patent number: 9167953
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a dishwasher may include a manifold assembly including a manifold and an attachment assembly. The manifold may provide a fluid connection with a fluid supply and direct fluid from the fluid supply to a spray device. The attachment assembly may couple the manifold to a dish rack. Further, the attachment assembly may facilitate movement of the dish rack relative to the manifold between a retracted position and an extended position while maintaining the fluid connection with the fluid supply. The attachment assembly may include at least one sliding rail and a first plurality of engagement members that couple the sliding rail to the dish rack. Additionally, a second plurality of engagement members may couple the manifold and the sliding rail so as to allow movement along the sliding rail along a major axis of the sliding rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 27, 2015
    Assignee: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: James Burrows, Ralph A. Porcaro, II
  • Publication number: 20140190525
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing dedicated spray coverage for silverware and dishware positioned within a silverware basket. In an example embodiment, the dishwasher includes a tub configured to receive dishware and a circulation system configured to circulate fluid within the tub. The dishwasher further includes a silverware basket disposed within the tub and comprising a handle portion and a basket portion. The basket portion is configured to receive dishware therein. The handle portion defines at least one spray jet opening that is configured to be in fluid communication with the circulation system and configured to direct fluid toward the basket portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2013
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Ralph A. Porcaro, II, James L. Burrows
  • Publication number: 20130230416
    Abstract: Systems, methods, and apparatuses for providing a safety arrangement for an integrated heater, circulation pump, and motor for an appliance are provided. In an example safety arrangement, the circulation pump assembly includes a heater, a pump, and a motor integrated into a single unit. The circulation pump assembly defines a first end, a second opposite end, and a housing extending therebetween. The safety arrangement includes a hub configured to at least partially surround the first end of the circulation pump assembly and a first shield configured to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly. The safety arrangement further includes a second shield configured to at least partially surround the housing of the circulation pump assembly. The hub, the first shield, and the second shield are configured to cooperate with one another to protect the circulation pump assembly from one or more hazardous conditions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2012
    Publication date: September 5, 2013
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Ashish A. Verma, Dennis A. Poyner, Jerry Olesen, Ralph A. Porcaro, II
  • Publication number: 20120192904
    Abstract: According to example embodiments, a dishwasher may include a siphon break apparatus configured to substantially prevent a siphon effect in a fluid conduit configured to drain a fluid from the dishwasher. The siphon break apparatus may include a first check valve in fluid communication with the fluid conduit and exposed to a pressure therein and a second check valve in fluid communication with the first check valve. The first and second check valves may be configured to be substantially closed when pressure in the fluid conduit increases as a result of fluid being pumped through the fluid conduit and substantially open when pressure in the fluid conduit decreases as a result of the fluid no longer being pumped through the fluid conduit. Thereby the siphon effect may be substantially prevented.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 26, 2012
    Publication date: August 2, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Francisco, Mark D. Montgomery, Ralph A. Porcaro, II
  • Publication number: 20120174951
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a dishwasher may include a manifold assembly including a manifold and an attachment assembly. The manifold may provide a fluid connection with a fluid supply and direct fluid from the fluid supply to a spray device. The attachment assembly may couple the manifold to a dish rack. Further, the attachment assembly may facilitate movement of the dish rack relative to the manifold between a retracted position and an extended position while maintaining the fluid connection with the fluid supply. The attachment assembly may include at least one sliding rail and a first plurality of engagement members that couple the sliding rail to the dish rack. Additionally, a second plurality of engagement members may couple the manifold and the sliding rail so as to allow movement along the sliding rail along a major axis of the sliding rail.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Inventors: James Burrows, Ralph A. Porcaro, II
  • Patent number: D757232
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David J. Coll, Ralph A. Porcaro, II