Patents by Inventor Timothy Martin Wetzel

Timothy Martin Wetzel 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: 11800963
    Abstract: A method and dishwasher utilize one or more tubular spray elements that are both rotatable about longitudinal axes thereof and discretely directable by one or more tubular spray element drives between a plurality of rotational positions about the longitudinal axes thereof. Thus, through the provision of discretely directable tubular spray elements, fluid such as wash fluid and/or pressurized air may be focused in a wash tub, in many cases providing more efficient resource usage in the dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2023
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Robert M. Digman, Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 11717134
    Abstract: A method and a dishwasher utilize a dock detection system to determine when a connector of a spray device is docked to a docking port provided on a manifold of the dishwasher. A dock detector is coupled to the docking port and is electrically coupled to a controller of the dishwasher through electrical conductors that extend along the manifold, thereby enabling a dishwasher controller to detect when spray devices are coupled to the manifold, e.g., to optimize a wash cycle to use a particular spray device docked to the docking port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20220313056
    Abstract: A dishwasher and method for making and/or using the same utilize one or more walking tubular spray elements that may be used to effectively increase the spray coverage area of the tubular spray elements through rotation and/or movement of the walking tubular spray elements in directions other than about the longitudinal axes thereof.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2022
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Joel Boyer, Bassam Fawaz, Mark W. Wilson, Robert M. Digman, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20210267430
    Abstract: A method and dishwasher utilize one or more tubular spray elements that are both rotatable about longitudinal axes thereof and discretely directable by one or more tubular spray element drives between a plurality of rotational positions about the longitudinal axes thereof. Thus, through the provision of discretely directable tubular spray elements, fluid such as wash fluid and/or pressurized air may be focused in a wash tub, in many cases providing more efficient resource usage in the dishwasher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: Robert M. Digman, Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 11058279
    Abstract: A method and dishwasher utilize one or more tubular spray elements that are both rotatable about longitudinal axes thereof and discretely directable by one or more tubular spray element drives between a plurality of rotational positions about the longitudinal axes thereof. Thus, through the provision of discretely directable tubular spray elements, fluid such as wash fluid and/or pressurized air may be focused in a wash tub, in many cases providing more efficient resource usage in the dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Robert M. Digman, Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 10849480
    Abstract: A method and dishwasher utilize a spray basket that includes a container body that defines a compartment for retaining utensils as well as multiple sets of nozzles, a portion of which are configured to direct a spray of fluid into the compartment, and another portion of which are configured to direct a spray of fluid external from the container body. The spray of fluid directed external from the container body may be used, for example, to provide a power wash zone adjacent to the spray basket to assist in cleaning other utensils in a dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2020
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel, Scott A. Stinebruner
  • Publication number: 20200138264
    Abstract: A method and a dishwasher utilize a dock detection system to determine when a connector of a spray device is docked to a docking port provided on a manifold of the dishwasher. A dock detector is coupled to the docking port and is electrically coupled to a controller of the dishwasher through electrical conductors that extend along the manifold, thereby enabling a dishwasher controller to detect when spray devices are coupled to the manifold, e.g., to optimize a wash cycle to use a particular spray device docked to the docking port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2020
    Publication date: May 7, 2020
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20200107696
    Abstract: A method and dishwasher utilize one or more tubular spray elements that are both rotatable about longitudinal axes thereof and discretely directable by one or more tubular spray element drives between a plurality of rotational positions about the longitudinal axes thereof. Thus, through the provision of discretely directable tubular spray elements, fluid such as wash fluid and/or pressurized air may be focused in a wash tub, in many cases providing more efficient resource usage in the dishwasher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2019
    Publication date: April 9, 2020
    Inventors: Robert M. Digman, Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 10561296
    Abstract: A method and a dishwasher utilize a dock detection system to determine when a connector of a spray device is docked to a docking port provided on a manifold of the dishwasher. A dock detector is coupled to the docking port and is electrically coupled to a controller of the dishwasher through electrical conductors that extend along the manifold, thereby enabling a dishwasher controller to detect when spray devices are coupled to the manifold, e.g., to optimize a wash cycle to use a particular spray device docked to the docking port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 18, 2020
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 10531781
    Abstract: A method and dishwasher utilize one or more tubular spray elements that are both rotatable about longitudinal axes thereof and discretely directable by one or more tubular spray element drives between a plurality of rotational positions about the longitudinal axes thereof. Thus, through the provision of discretely directable tubular spray elements, fluid such as wash fluid and/or pressurized air may be focused in a wash tub, in many cases providing more efficient resource usage in the dishwasher.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2020
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Robert M. Digman, Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 10517458
    Abstract: A dishwasher and silverware basket therefor include an interior sprayer integrated into the silverware basket and capable of directing a spray of fluid within one or more compartments of the silverware basket to assist in cleaning utensils such as silverware, cutlery, etc. housed within the silverware basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 10433705
    Abstract: A dishwasher rack for a dish washing appliance. The dishwasher rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A motor may drive the dishwasher rack. The motor may be coupled to the dishwasher rack by a rack and pinion, a worm screw, and/or the like. The dishwasher rack may be in a manual configuration and/or automatic configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 10368718
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a modular docking system supporting the docking of one or more spray containers at various locations within a dishwasher. Each spray container includes a container body capable of retaining utensils along with one or more nozzles supplied with fluid by the modular docking system to direct a spray of fluid at utensils retained by the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 10342409
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a drinkware spray container capable of directing a spray of fluid against one or more drinkware articles retained by the spray container. The drinkware spray container may be configured as a cup tree including a vertical member or trunk and a plurality of branches that extend from the trunk and support a drinkware article, with nozzles disposed on the branches to direct a spray of fluid into the supported drinkware articles. The drinkware spray container may also be configured as a drinkware basket including a container body defining one or more compartments along with one or more spray members capable of directing a spray of fluid onto interior surfaces of drinkware article retained within the container body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel, Christopher G. Hoppe
  • Patent number: 10299657
    Abstract: A dishwasher rack for a dish washing appliance. The dishwasher rack may be positionable between a variety of height positions. A drive mechanism may assist the dishwasher rack between the vertical positions. A worm screw may be coupled to a motor and may be positioned within the dishwasher tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2019
    Assignee: Midea Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20190117038
    Abstract: A dishwasher rack for a dish washing appliance. The dishwasher rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A motor may drive the dishwasher rack. The motor may be coupled to the dishwasher rack by a rack and pinion, a worm screw, and/or the like. The dishwasher rack may be in a manual configuration and/or automatic configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Publication date: April 25, 2019
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20190099054
    Abstract: A method and dishwasher utilize one or more tubular spray elements that are both rotatable about longitudinal axes thereof and discretely directable by one or more tubular spray element drives between a plurality of rotational positions about the longitudinal axes thereof. Thus, through the provision of discretely directable tubular spray elements, fluid such as wash fluid and/or pressurized air may be focused in a wash tub, in many cases providing more efficient resource usage in the dishwasher.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2017
    Publication date: April 4, 2019
    Inventors: Robert M. Digman, Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Patent number: 10159398
    Abstract: A dishwasher rack for a dish washing appliance. The dishwasher rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A motor may drive the dishwasher rack. The motor may be coupled to the dishwasher rack by a rack and pinion, a worm screw, and/or the like. The dishwasher rack may be in a manual configuration and/or automatic configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2018
    Assignee: Midea Group Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20180177380
    Abstract: A dishwasher rack for a dish washing appliance. The dishwasher rack may be positionable between a stowed position and a deployed position. A motor may drive the dishwasher rack. The motor may be coupled to the dishwasher rack by a rack and pinion, a worm screw, and/or the like. The dishwasher rack may be in a manual configuration and/or automatic configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Mark W. WIlson, Timothy Martin Wetzel
  • Publication number: 20180177378
    Abstract: A dishwasher rack for a dish washing appliance. The dishwasher rack may be positionable between a variety of height positions. A drive mechanism may assist the dishwasher rack between the vertical positions. A worm screw may be coupled to a motor and may be positioned within the dishwasher tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2018
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Inventors: Mark W. Wilson, Timothy Martin Wetzel