Patents by Inventor Virgil J. Francisco

Virgil J. Francisco 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: 20120199162
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to a method and an associated system for removing a forming or fully developed clog from a drain hose in a dishwasher. According to one embodiment, the system includes a drain pump configured to remove water from the dishwasher and a drain hose in fluid communication with the drain pump. The system further includes a control device in operable communication with the drain pump and configured to execute a drain routine in response to detecting a clog in the drain hose, wherein the drain routine comprises repeatedly activating and deactivating the drain pump to facilitate removal of the clog.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Publication date: August 9, 2012
    Inventors: Mark D. Montgomery, Virgil J. Francisco, Christopher B. Lambert, John DeFilippi
  • 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: 20120138101
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention are related to a detergent dispenser configured to attach to an interior surface of a dishwasher door. The detergent dispenser may comprise a reservoir configured to hold detergent, wherein a portion of the upper wall of the reservoir has been removed to reduce a cross-sectional length thereof such that water flowing down the dishwasher door is encouraged into the reservoir. The detergent dispenser may also comprise a dispenser door comprising a closed configuration and an open configuration, wherein the dispenser door is configured to cover the reservoir in the closed configuration. The detergent dispenser may be configured to encourage water flowing down the interior surface of the dishwasher door to enter the reservoir when the dispenser door is in the open or closed configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 1, 2011
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Francisco, Mark D. Montgomery, Jason M. Patterson, Michael Bryan Pike, Ramon Rodriguez
  • Patent number: 8177915
    Abstract: A filtration system for a dishwasher, and an associated apparatus and method, are provided, comprising a macerator chamber adapted to house a macerator device. The macerator chamber is configured to receive washing fluid for the macerator device to comminute contaminants within the washing fluid. A drain chamber is in fluid communication with the macerator chamber and is configured to receive the washing fluid and comminuted contaminants therefrom via a fluid port therebetween. The drain chamber has a vented member associated therewith, which defines at least one first vent providing fluid communication between the drain chamber and the washing fluid circulation system. The vented member is spaced apart from the fluid port, and is configured to strain the comminuted contaminants from the washing fluid so as to retain the comminuted contaminants within the drain chamber while allowing the washing fluid to pass therethrough to the washing fluid circulation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Francisco, Mark D. Montgomery, Ashish A. Verma, David E. House
  • Publication number: 20120000535
    Abstract: A method, system, and computer-program product for preventing overfilling in a dishwasher are disclosed herein. According to one embodiment, a method for preventing overfilling in a dishwasher is provided, wherein the dishwasher includes a water valve for providing water to the dishwasher and a drain pump for removing water from the dishwasher. The method comprises detecting an overfill condition in the dishwasher with at least one detection device, wherein the overfill condition corresponds to a water level in the dishwasher that is greater than a predetermined threshold. The method further includes controlling the drain pump and the water valve in response to detecting the overfill condition in order to facilitate removal of the overfill condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2010
    Publication date: January 5, 2012
    Inventors: Dennis A. Poyner, Glen Mitchell, Jason Duckworth, John DeFilippi, Virgil J. Francisco
  • Patent number: 7942156
    Abstract: A screening arrangement for screening washing fluid in a dishwashing appliance is provided. Such a screening arrangement comprises intersecting wall members forming a latticework structure, defining opposing inlet and outlet planes, for receiving the washing fluid therethrough. The wall members have inlet and outlet ends disposed toward the respective inlet and outlet planes. The wall member inlet ends, in cross section, have a non-planar apex portion tapering toward the outlet plane. A circumferential member extends about a periphery of the latticework structure, and at least a portion of the circumferential member is sloped toward the latticework structure so as to direct washing fluid received thereby toward the latticework structure. An associated apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Virgil J. Francisco, Wyatt Wertz, Mark D. Montgomery, Jason M. Patterson, James L. Burrows
  • Publication number: 20110030742
    Abstract: According to embodiments of the present invention, a dishwasher may provide an intensified wash effect. The dishwasher may include a rack defining a bottom and a sidewall, wherein the rack is adapted to receive dishware therein. A dishwashing fluid supply channel may be configured to supply dishwashing fluid to a spray assembly. The spray assembly may comprise at least one nozzle member. Thereby, the spray assembly may be adapted to receive the dishwashing fluid from the dishwashing fluid supply channel and to dispense the dishwashing fluid therethrough. The spray assembly may be coupled to the sidewall of the rack. Further, the nozzle member may be attached to an arm which is moveable between at least a first position wherein the arm is adjacent the sidewall of the rack and a second position wherein the arm is adjacent the bottom of the rack.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2010
    Publication date: February 10, 2011
    Inventors: Troy Dalsing, David E. House, Mark D. Montgomery, Daniel Clay White, Virgil J. Francisco, Niklas Olson
  • Publication number: 20100288306
    Abstract: A filtration system for a dishwasher, and an associated apparatus and method, are provided, comprising a macerator chamber adapted to house a macerator device. The macerator chamber is configured to receive washing fluid for the macerator device to comminute contaminants within the washing fluid. A drain chamber is in fluid communication with the macerator chamber and is configured to receive the washing fluid and comminuted contaminants therefrom via a fluid port therebetween. The drain chamber has a vented member associated therewith, which defines at least one first vent providing fluid communication between the drain chamber and the washing fluid circulation system. The vented member is spaced apart from the fluid port, and is configured to strain the comminuted contaminants from the washing fluid so as to retain the comminuted contaminants within the drain chamber while allowing the washing fluid to pass therethrough to the washing fluid circulation system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2009
    Publication date: November 18, 2010
    Inventors: Virgil J. Francisco, Mark D. Montgomery, Ashish A. Verma, David E. House
  • Publication number: 20100122715
    Abstract: A screening arrangement for screening washing fluid in a dishwashing appliance is provided. Such a screening arrangement comprises intersecting wall members forming a latticework structure, defining opposing inlet and outlet planes, for receiving the washing fluid therethrough. The wall members have inlet and outlet ends disposed toward the respective inlet and outlet planes. The wall member inlet ends, in cross section, have a non-planar apex portion tapering toward the outlet plane. A circumferential member extends about a periphery of the latticework structure, and at least a portion of the circumferential member is sloped toward the latticework structure so as to direct washing fluid received thereby toward the latticework structure. An associated apparatus is also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Inventors: Virgil J. Francisco, Wyatt Wertz, Mark D. Montgomery, Jason M. Patterson, James L. Burrows