Patents by Inventor Robert Muether

Robert Muether 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: 20210348319
    Abstract: A washing machine comprising a housing (2), an outer tub (15) for receiving washing liquid, a drum (16) mounted rotatably in the outer tub (15) for receiving laundry, a metering device configured to receive at least one cartridge (9a, 9b) and to meter detergent (12a, 12b) contained in the cartridge (9a, 9b) into one or the outer tub (15) and the drum (16). The housing (2) accommodates the outer tub (15), the drum (16) and the metering device and has a housing flap (5) in front of the at least one cartridge (9a, 9b). The housing flap (5) is at least partly transparent or has at least one opening such that when the at least one cartridge (9a, 9b) is arranged in the metering device, a fill level of the at least one translucent cartridge (9a, 9b) is at least partly visible from outside the housing (2).
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 1, 2019
    Publication date: November 11, 2021
    Inventors: Markus Behr, Andrea Sudkemper, Robert Müther
  • Patent number: 8904830
    Abstract: A front-loading laundry appliance including a housing with a substantially circular housing opening and a door configured to close the housing opening. A substantially cylindrical container is disposed in the housing and is configured to receive laundry for treatment. The substantially cylindrical container has a substantially circular container opening. The laundry appliance also includes a steam generator with a heating element, an inlet opening and a common outlet opening for water and steam. A pump is configured to deliver water to the inlet opening of the steam generator. A nozzle is disposed in an edge region of the container opening and configured to inject water and steam into the interior of the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2014
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Michael Finke, Hartmut Linnemann, Robert Muether, Dirk Sieding
  • Patent number: 8161662
    Abstract: A method for operating a laundry appliance including a housing having a substantially circular housing opening closable by a door, a substantially cylindrical container disposed within the housing and including a substantially circular container opening and configured to receive laundry for treatment. The laundry appliance also includes a steam generating device including a heating element, an inlet opening and an outlet opening for steam, and a nozzled disposed in a region of the container opening. The method includes activating the heating element until a temperature of the steam generating device reaches a predetermined upper limit. Water is introduced into a tank of the steam generating device at a predetermined flow rate and the temperature of the steam generator device is measured as the water is introduced. The flow rate of water is reduced when the temperature of the steam generator device drops below a lower limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Michael Finke, Hartmut Linnemann, Robert Muether, Dirk Sieding
  • Patent number: 8037720
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a laundry-detergent and fabric-softener drawer that can be pulled out of the machine. A movement assist device is provided that cooperates with the drawer so as to assist an opening and/or closing movement of the drawer. The movement assist device includes a scroll spring for causing a restoring force for an autonomous closing procedure of the drawer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2011
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hellhake, Robert Muether
  • Patent number: 7770418
    Abstract: A dispensing device for liquid and/or powdered treating agents includes a compartment for holding a first treating agent. A first nozzle is disposed above a lateral region of the compartment and configured to convey water therethrough onto the first treating agent. A second nozzle is disposed above a central region of the compartment and configured to convey water therethrough onto the first treating agent. A receptacle configured to hold a second liquid treating agent can be inserted into the compartment so as to form a gap between a wall of the receptacle and a wall of the compartment. Introduction of water through the first nozzle and the second nozzle is selectively controllable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 10, 2010
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Friedrich-Wilhelm Kramme, Nadine Makuc, Robert Muether
  • Publication number: 20080313920
    Abstract: A method for operating a laundry appliance including a housing having a substantially circular housing opening closable by a door, a substantially cylindrical container disposed within the housing and including a substantially circular container opening and configured to receive laundry for treatment. The laundry appliance also includes a steam generating device including a heating element, an inlet opening and an outlet opening for steam, and a nozzled disposed in a region of the container opening. The method includes activating the heating element until a temperature of the steam generating device reaches a predetermined upper limit. Water is introduced into a tank of the steam generating device at a predetermined flow rate and the temperature of the steam generator device is measured as the water is introduced. The flow rate of water is reduced when the temperature of the steam generator device drops below a lower limit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Michael Finke, Hartmut Linnemann, Robert Muether, Dirk Sieding
  • Publication number: 20080314092
    Abstract: A front-loading laundry appliance including a housing with a substantially circular housing opening and a door configured to close the housing opening. A substantially cylindrical container is disposed in the housing and is configured to receive laundry for treatment. The substantially cylindrical container has a substantially circular container opening. The laundry appliance also includes a steam generator with a heating element, an inlet opening and a common outlet opening for water and steam. A pump is configured to deliver water to the inlet opening of the steam generator. A nozzle is disposed in an edge region of the container opening and configured to inject water and steam into the interior of the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 17, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Applicant: Miele & Cie, KG
    Inventors: Michael Finke, Hartmut Linnemann, Robert Muether, Dirk Sieding
  • Publication number: 20080295547
    Abstract: A steam-generating-device configured to generate steam that is passed through a conduit and a nozzle into a container of a laundry appliance that is configured to receive laundry. The steam-generating device includes a tank with an interior space and a heating element. Water is admitted into the tank through an inlet opening, and an outlet opening is provided for water and/or steam. A bulkhead extends up from a bottom of the tank between the outlet opening and the interior space. The bulkhead has an upper edge forming at least one opening so as to provide a passage for the steam between the interior space and the outlet opening. The upper edge protrudes above a storage water level of the tank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 29, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Michael Finke, Friedrich-Wilhelm Kramme, Robert Muether, Wilfried Schaeffersmann, Dirk Sieding
  • Publication number: 20070163307
    Abstract: A dispensing device for liquid and/or powdered treating agents includes a compartment for holding a first treating agent. A first nozzle is disposed above a lateral region of the compartment and configured to convey water therethrough onto the first treating agent. A second nozzle is disposed above a central region of the compartment and configured to convey water therethrough onto the first treating agent. A receptacle configured to hold a second liquid treating agent can be inserted into the compartment so as to form a gap between a wall of the receptacle and a wall of the compartment. Introduction of water through the first nozzle and the second nozzle is selectively controllable.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 15, 2007
    Publication date: July 19, 2007
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Friedrich-Wilhelm Kramme, Nadine Makuc, Robert Muether
  • Publication number: 20070037730
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a laundry-detergent and fabric-softener drawer that can be pulled out of the machine. A movement assist device is provided that cooperates with the drawer so as to assist an opening and/or closing movement of the drawer. The movement assist device includes a scroll spring for causing a restoring force for an autonomous closing procedure of the drawer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 15, 2006
    Publication date: February 15, 2007
    Applicant: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Wolfgang Hellhake, Robert Muether