Patents by Inventor Ralph E. Christman

Ralph E. Christman 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: 7185664
    Abstract: A dish-cleaning appliance comprising a sink having a bowl defining a wash chamber with an open top for providing access to the wash chamber. A liquid recirculation system is provided for spraying liquid throughout the wash chamber. A drain conduit can be provided, alone or in combination with the recirculation system, for draining liquid from the wash chamber when the drain is closed. A fill control system is provided to ensure that the dishwashing cycle is not started with liquid in the wash chamber and that the sink drain is properly closed. One or more sensors can be provided for enabling the fill control system. The sensors can be located within the drain above the location where the drain is plugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Christman, Ryan K. Roth
  • Patent number: 7028697
    Abstract: A dish-cleaning appliance comprising a sink having a bowl defining a wash chamber with an open top for providing access to the wash chamber. A liquid recirculation system is provided for spraying liquid throughout the wash chamber. A drain conduit can be provided, alone or in combination with the recirculation system, for draining liquid from the wash chamber when the drain is closed. A fill control system is provided to ensure that the dishwashing cycle is not started with liquid in the wash chamber and that the sink drain is properly closed. One or more sensors can be provided for enabling the fill control system. The sensors can be located within the drain above the location where the drain is plugged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Christman, Ryan K. Roth
  • Patent number: 6871653
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a dish-cleaning appliance having a removable basket that carries a spray arm. The method comprises: uncoupling the liquid supply from the sprayer, spraying liquid against the peripheral side wall from the liquid supply, and draining the sprayed liquid from the wash chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2005
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Christman, Arnold L. Denne, Rud J. Lauer
  • Publication number: 20040194808
    Abstract: A method for cleaning a dish-cleaning appliance having a removable basket that carries a spray arm. The method comprises: uncoupling the liquid supply from the sprayer, spraying liquid against the peripheral side wall from the liquid supply, and draining the sprayed liquid from the wash chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2004
    Publication date: October 7, 2004
    Inventors: Ralph E. Christman, Arnold L. Denne, Rud J. Lauer
  • Patent number: 6742531
    Abstract: A dish-cleaning appliance comprising a sink having a bowl defining a wash chamber with an open top for providing access to the wash chamber. A liquid recirculation system is provided for spraying liquid onto the dish rack to effect the cleaning of any dishes along the rack. A basket with a sprayer is disposed within the wash chamber. A self-aligning coupling fluidly connects a liquid conduit to the sprayer when the basket is seated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ralph E. Christman, Arnold L. Denne, Rud J. Lauer
  • Publication number: 20030205248
    Abstract: A dish-cleaning appliance comprising a sink having a bowl defining a wash chamber with an open top for providing access to the wash chamber. A liquid recirculation system is provided for spraying liquid onto the dish rack to effect the cleaning of any dishes along the rack. A basket with a sprayer is disposed within the wash chamber. A self-aligning coupling fluidly connects a liquid conduit to the sprayer when the basket is seated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ralph E. Christman, Arnold L. Denne, Rud J. Lauer
  • Publication number: 20030205246
    Abstract: A dish-cleaning appliance comprising a sink having a bowl defining a wash chamber with an open top for providing access to the wash chamber. A liquid recirculation system is provided for spraying liquid throughout the wash chamber. A drain conduit can be provided, alone or in combination with the recirculation system, for draining liquid from the wash chamber when the drain is closed. A fill control system is provided to ensure that the dishwashing cycle is not started with liquid in the wash chamber and that the sink drain is properly closed. One or more sensors can be provided for enabling the fill control system. The sensors can be located within the drain above the location where the drain is plugged.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 3, 2002
    Publication date: November 6, 2003
    Inventors: Ralph E. Christman, Ryan K. Roth
  • Patent number: 6138692
    Abstract: A method for operating an automatic dishwasher in a manner to minimize the deposition of contaminants or filming on the dishes is provided. The present invention contemplates that objectionable filming on washed dishes or dishware items may occur if residual water left on the dishes at the end of the final drain step is not given a chance to drip off or drain from the dishware. The present invention provides for a drip period following the final drain step in the dishwashing cycle. The drip period provides an opportunity for gravity assisted draining or "drip-off" of residual water from the dishware items prior to evaporation such that the minute particles which are suspended in the residual water are not deposited onto the dishes. During the drip period, rapid evaporation of residual liquid from the dishware items is prevented.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2000
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane M. Kobos, Kenneth N. Whah, Tony L. Ellis, Ernst Grunewald, Ralph E. Christman
  • Patent number: 5881906
    Abstract: A silverware basket for use in a dishwashing machine, the basket having a bottom wall disposed along the basket bottom. The bottom wall being an offset grid type structure formed by a plurality of parallel longitudinal ribs extending lengthwise across the basket bottom in a first plane and a plurality of parallel, transverse ribs extending across the width of the basket bottom in second plane spaced a predetermined distance below and parallel to the first plane. A plurality of connecting ribs connect the longitudinal ribs and the transverse ribs at the projected intersection points between the longitudinal ribs and the transverse ribs. A plurality of projections extend from the transverse ribs downwardly away from the longitudinal ribs for providing drip off tips for the bottom wall. The plurality of projections align with the plurality of connecting ribs and each of the projections comprise a generally inverted frustoconical body having a fully radiused bottom tip.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 1997
    Date of Patent: March 16, 1999
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Pamela Sue Rogers, Ralph E. Christman