Motor Operated Patents (Class 134/188)
  • Patent number: 11064707
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and cooking seafood or crustacea has a container with an interior volume defined by a tapered wall, a basket removably received in the interior volume of the container, a pipe positioned adjacent to the wall of the container and having a plurality of apertures adapted to direct the flow of water through holes of the basket, and a connector fluidically connected to the pipe and having a portion extending outwardly of the tapered wall of the container. The basket is tapered so as to be nestable within the tapered wall of the container. The basket has an indentation with holes extending over the pipe. A pot is spaced from the container and nestably removably receives the basket therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Tim McDonald
  • Patent number: 11064840
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning and cooking seafood or crustacea has a container with an interior volume defined by wall, a basket removably received in the interior volume of the container, a pipe positioned adjacent to the wall and having a plurality of apertures adapted to direct a flow of water toward a portion of the wall spaced from the pipe such that the flow water creates a cyclonic path in the basket within the container, and a connector fluid equally connected to the pipe and having a portion extending outwardly of the wall of the container. The wall of the container has a taper that matches a taper of the wall of the basket. The basket has a slotted configuration overlying the pipe. A pot is spaced from the container and serves to removably receive the basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Inventor: Tim McDonald
  • Patent number: 10519823
    Abstract: An assembling apparatus may include an oil pump provided in an oil pan, a partition wall, and a shock absorbing member. The partition wall divides an internal space of the oil pan and is formed to partially surround an external surface of the oil pump, so as to support the oil pump. The shock absorbing member is disposed between an external surface of the oil pump and the partition wall to be in contact therewith. In this structure, the assembling apparatus may mitigate noise and vibration of the oil pump that is built in the oil pan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 31, 2019
    Assignees: Hyundai Motor Company, Kia Motors Corporation
    Inventors: Jae Kyun Doo, Si Hyuk Ryu, Se Eun Kim
  • Patent number: 10443916
    Abstract: The disclosure extends to apparatuses, methods, and systems, for producing frozen confections and conditioning ice for use in frozen confections. A frozen confection machine includes a hopper portion for receiving ice into an interior, and a motor configured to rotate a drive shaft, a blade to condition the ice in the hopper during rotation of the motor. The frozen confection machine also includes a lid for selectively covering the interior of the hopper, a bias member for biasing the lid away from a closed position, and a switch for causing the motor to actuate in response to the lid being pressed to a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 15, 2019
    Assignee: Snowie LLC
    Inventor: Carl A. Rupp
  • Patent number: 10292211
    Abstract: A cooking utensil for positioning on a cooktop plate to perform a heating operation includes a functional unit and a receiving unit which is configured to receive energy in a contactless manner and to supply energy to the functional unit. The functional unit includes at least one control unit which manages energy supplied by the receiving unit to supply energy to the functional unit in at least one operating state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Jose Andres Garcia Martinez, Sergio Llorente Gil, Teresa Del Carmen Marzo Alvarez, Jorge Mir Bel, Julio Rivera Peman, Francisco Javier Sancho Diaz, Beatriz Villanueva Valero
  • Patent number: 9949610
    Abstract: A personal dishwasher washes and dries a dish that is manually or mechanically moved through a dishwasher chamber or is manually placed in and manually removed from the chamber. Pressurized water, possibly containing soap, wetting agent, etc., may be added to the wash water. Steam may be used to for cleaning and/or disinfecting. Ultraviolet light may be used for disinfecting. The dishwasher chamber may be enlarged to pass larger dishes, bowls, glassware, etc. for washing. A method of washing dishes, comprising inserting a dish manually into a dishwasher, passing the dish through the dishwasher, and withdrawing the dish. A method of washing a dish, comprising inserting a single dish into a dishwasher, directing fluid under pressure at the dish, directing air flow at the dish, and withdrawing the dish.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2018
    Inventor: Martin A. Alpert
  • Patent number: 9662683
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning chandeliers includes a hand-held tank for holding hot water and a base supporting the hand-held tank. The base has a hollow interior. The tank has sidewalls, at least one of which is transparent. An air and water pump and a battery are mounted in the hollow interior. The battery is in electrical communication with the pump. A first inlet admits ambient air into an inlet of the pump and a second inlet admits water into the inlet. At least one air and water-emitting nozzle is formed in a sidewall of the tank. A pump outlet is in open fluid communication with the at least one water-emitting nozzle. The at least one nozzle discharges agitating water and bubbles into the hot water or above the water line, depending upon the water depth, to help dislodge chemicals and grease from chandelier parts immersed in the hot water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: Inventive Solutions, LLC
    Inventor: Keith S. Campbell
  • Patent number: 8512543
    Abstract: A method of fluid processing a semiconductor workpiece, including disposing a workpiece holder with a housing capable of containing a fluid, the workpiece holder retaining the workpiece, providing an agitation system connected to the housing and comprising a member disposed within the housing adjacent the workpiece holder, and agitating the fluid by moving the member substantially parallel to a surface of the workpiece with a non-uniform oscillatory motion, the non-uniform oscillatory motion being a series of substantially continuous geometrically asymmetric oscillations wherein each consecutive oscillation of the series is geometrically asymmetric having at least two substantially continuous opposing strokes wherein reversal positions of each substantially continuous stroke of the substantially continuous asymmetric oscillation are disposed asymmetrically with respect to a center point of each immediately preceding substantially continuous stroke of the oscillation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 9, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Tel Nexx, Inc.
    Inventors: Arthur Keigler, John Harrell, Zhenqiu Liu, Qunwei Wu
  • Patent number: 8511324
    Abstract: A washing/drying machine according to the present invention is capable of efficiently performing a drying operation to reduce a drying period. The washing/drying machine includes a tank (11) for storing used water, and the water is circulated from the tank (11) for dehumidification of air circulated through a drying air duct (20). Since the water is circulated from the tank (11), a great amount of water can be supplied as dehumidification water for higher dehumidification efficiency. The amount of the circulated water (the amount of cooling water (dehumidification water)) is reduced in a first half of a drying process, and increased in a second half of the drying process. As a result, the drying efficiency is improved during the drying operation, thereby reducing the drying period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignees: Haier Group Corporation, Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Komoto, Tamotsu Kawamura
  • Patent number: 7900640
    Abstract: A cleaning apparatus includes a cleaning tank (2) which stores a process liquid used for cleaning a target object (W), a target object holding mechanism (4) which holds the target object (W) in the cleaning tank (2), and a process liquid supply mechanism (3) which supplies the process liquid to the cleaning tank (2). The target object (W) is immersed in the process liquid in the cleaning tank (2), and is cleaned while letting the process liquid overflow from the cleaning tank (2), thereby cleaning the target object (W). The cleaning apparatus further includes a cover (10) which covers a liquid surface in the cleaning tank (2), a support member (15a, 15b) which supports the cover (10), and a follow-up mechanism (14a, 14b) which moves the cover (10) such that the cover (10) follows the liquid surface while the cover (10) is supported by the support member (15a, 15b).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2011
    Assignee: Tokyo Electron Limited
    Inventor: Kazuyoshi Eshima
  • Publication number: 20090101169
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus for cleaning bulk material, comprising a container for receiving the bulk material, a filling opening which is arranged in an upper region of the container, at least one stirring device which is arranged in the interior of the container and such that it can rotate with respect to the container, and at least one discharge device via which the bulk material can be removed from the container, wherein the discharge device is arranged below the filling opening. According to the embodiments of the invention, at least one feed is provided, via which a cleaning liquid can be introduced into the container, wherein the feed is arranged above the discharge device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Applicant: KRONES AG
    Inventors: Timm Kirchhoff, Arne Haase
  • Patent number: 7412982
    Abstract: A cleaning probe capable of providing uniform cleaning to an entire wafer while not damaging the edge portion of the wafer, and a megasonic cleaning apparatus having the cleaning probe are provided. The cleaning probe comprises a front portion located near the center of the wafer, a rear portion connected to a piezoelectric transducer, and a protrusion located between the rear portion and the front portion, located on an edge portion of the wafer, and having a larger cross section width than the front portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2008
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sun-Jung Kim
  • Patent number: 7261110
    Abstract: A shaving apparatus cleaning device includes a reservoir for holding a supply of a cleaning fluid and a cleaning receptacle for receiving the shaving apparatus. The reservoir has a discharge orifice through which the cleaning fluid is allowed to flow from the reservoir to the cleaning receptacle. The reservoir and the cleaning receptacle are designed so that the level of the cleaning fluid in the reservoir is higher than a pre-determined minimum level of the cleaning fluid in the cleaning receptacle, and a flow of fluid generated by the difference between levels and flowing from the reservoir to the cleaning receptacle is controllable in dependence upon the actual fluid level in the cleaning receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2007
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Diana Kappes, Andreas Larscheid, Uwe Ludäscher
  • Patent number: 7240682
    Abstract: The invention concerns a washing fluid pump (1) for windows and/or headlamp cleaning installations on motor vehicles including at least one motor, at least one pump housing (2) with at least one impeller (11) arranged therein, at least one intake (8) and at least two selectively actuable outlets (7). The washing fluid pump (1) is distinguished in that the pump housing (2) includes at least two pump chamber regions which are arranged in mutually superposed relationship, that at least two outlets (7) are associated with different pump chamber regions, and the impeller (11) is axially displaceably supported in the pump housing (2) in such a way that it can assume its operative position selectively in one pump chamber region or the other.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: Kautex Textron GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Martyn Jenkins, David J. Frost
  • Patent number: 7100623
    Abstract: A dishwasher includes a number of spray arms, a circulation pump with a pump housing, an impeller, a suction port, and a number of discharge ports on the pump housing. The discharge ports are associated with the spray arms. A water diverter is located on a delivery side of the pump and generates a flow leading from the suction port selectably to one or more of the discharge ports. The water diverter includes a blocking element having a number of diaphragm openings positionable to one or more outlet positions by a drive via a rotation of the blocking element in a circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 3, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Miele & Cie. KG
    Inventors: Walter Assmann, Ulrich Hettenhausen, Volker Marks
  • Patent number: 6935352
    Abstract: A supercritical fluid cleaning system and method comprising mainly a pressure chamber, a closable lid, a substrate support for holding at least one substrate, a rotable shaft extending outward from within the chamber, an external rotary power source coupled magnetically or otherwise to the shaft, and a rotable component or impeller attached to the chamber end of the shaft in close proximity to the substrate holding position, and baffles located close to the rotable component. The rotable component is con|figured for rotation within the supercritical phase fluid in the chamber close to the surface of the wafer for causing agitation and turbulent fluid flow against the surface of the substrate, and increased intra-chamber fluid circulation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 30, 2005
    Assignee: S.C. Fluids, Inc.
    Inventor: David J. Mount
  • Patent number: 6843257
    Abstract: Embodiments of the invention include a megasonic energy cleaning apparatus that has the ability to rotate the wafer to be cleaned, as well as rotate the cleaning probe during the cleaning process. Rotating the cleaning probe while the wafer is being cleaned is effective to increase the cleaning action of the apparatus while also minimizing damage to the wafer. Curved grooves, such as a spiral groove, can be etched into the cleaning probe to minimize forming harmful waves that could potentially cause damage to the wafer surface or to structures already made on the surface. Using a cleaning probe having a curved groove while also rotating the cleaning probe effectively cleans particles from a wafer while also limiting damage to the surface of the wafer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2005
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: In-Jun Yeo, Kyung-Hyun Kim, Jeong-Lim Nam, Byoung-Moon Yoon, Hyun-Ho Cho, Sang-Rok Hah
  • Patent number: 6783604
    Abstract: Apparatus for cleaning removable oral appliances, such as tooth repositioning aligners, comprise a base having a tray for holding the appliance in a bath of cleaning solution. A low-frequency driver is provided in the base for reciprocating the tray about a horizontal or vertical axis to wash the cleaning solution over the appliance. Usually, the apparatus will further comprise a cradle which is mounted to reciprocate about a horizontal axis within the base. The cradle defines a receptacle which removably receives the cleaning tray. The cleaning tray is preferably reciprocated at frequency in the range from 1 Hz to 10 Hz, usually in the range from 2 Hz to 5 Hz.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Align Technology, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert E. Tricca
  • Publication number: 20040139986
    Abstract: A supercritical fluid cleaning system and method comprising mainly a pressure chamber, a closable lid, a substrate support for holding at least one substrate, a rotable shaft extending outward from within the chamber, an external rotary power source coupled magnetically or otherwise to the shaft, and a rotable component or impeller attached to the chamber end of the shaft in close proximity to the substrate holding position, and baffles located close to the rotable component. The rotable component is configured for rotation within the supercritical phase fluid in the chamber close to the surface of the wafer for causing agitation and turbulent fluid flow against the surface of the substrate, and increased intra-chamber fluid circulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 12, 2004
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventor: David J. Mount
  • Publication number: 20040139988
    Abstract: The invention relates to a device for separating substances by means of countercurrent washing, having a container with a first end region, at which a first inlet orifice for the ingress of a substance mixture and a first outlet orifice for the egress of a substance component to be separated from the substance mixture and of a washing fluid are provided, with a second end region which is located axially opposite the first end region and at which a second inlet orifice for the ingress of the washing fluid and a second outlet orifice for the egress of a further substance component of the substance mixture and of the washing fluid are provided, and with a displacement region which is provided between the first end region and the second end region, the displacement region merging into the second end region by a transitional cross section.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 6, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Inventors: Michael Haubs, Reinhard Wagener
  • Patent number: 6640819
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a cleaning device (RV) with a housing (1) and with a cleaning bath (8) for receiving an appliance of personal use, in particular a shaving head (S) of a shaving apparatus (R), with a replaceably arranged cleaning liquid container (3) having an inlet port (15) and an outlet port (18), a sealing element (51) for sealing the outlet port (18), a liquid impelling assembly (6) adapted to be driven by a motor (5) for propelling a cleaning liquid (11) from the cleaning liquid container (3) into the cleaning bath (8) whose draining conduit (9) is adapted to be coupled to an inlet port (15) of the cleaning liquid container (3), wherein provision is made for a sealing element (14) between the draining conduit (9) and the inlet port (15), and the flow cross section of the draining conduit (9) is dimensioned such as to enable the cleaning liquid (11) with contaminants to drain into the cleaning liquid container (3) and gaseous medium to escape from the cleaning liquid container (3).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Braun GmbH
    Inventors: Jürgen Höser, Alf Jahn
  • Patent number: 6641058
    Abstract: A dishwasher spray arm hub assembly includes a hub having a first central bore extending therethrough and a conduit feed extending therefrom. The conduit feed is in flow communication with the central bore and a venturi insert is disposed in the hub central bore. The venturi insert also includes a second central bore extending therethrough. The first bore and the second bore together form a fluid bypass channel in flow communication with the conduit feed. Therefore, a lower spray arm assembly and a spray arm conduit for upper spray arm assemblies may be simultaneously fed through the hub assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Arjan Johannes Hegeman, David V. Helmlinger
  • Publication number: 20030188772
    Abstract: The invention concerns a washing fluid pump (1) for windows and/or headlamp cleaning installations on motor vehicles including at least one motor, at least one pump housing (2) with at least one impeller (11) arranged therein, at least one intake (8) and at least two selectively actuable outlets (7). The washing fluid pump (1) is distinguished in that the pump housing (2) includes at least two pump chamber regions which are arranged in mutually superposed relationship, that at least two outlets (7) are associated with different pump chamber regions, and the impeller (11) is axially displaceably supported in the pump housing (2) in such a way that it can assume its operative position selectively in one pump chamber region or the other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2003
    Publication date: October 9, 2003
    Inventors: Martyn Jenkins, David J. Frost
  • Publication number: 20030111099
    Abstract: An automotive vehicle washing system includes a frame comprising a bridge member end opposed and support sections mounted for linear reciprocating movement on spaced apart support rails. Pivoting washing nozzle support arms are mounted on the bridge section and are interconnected by a drive motor and drive pulleys to move in opposite directions to wash the sides and opposite ends of a vehicle. Each arm includes movable arm sections supporting spaced apart nozzle assemblies which may move toward each other or away from each other to size a vehicle according to its width. Each arm includes opposed elongated beam members which also provide fluid conducting passages for conducting washing fluids to the nozzle assemblies. Certain ones of the nozzle assemblies are drivenly connected to an oscillating servomotor. The servomotor is also used to position the pivoting arm sections through a lost motion coupling and a gear drive unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 20, 2002
    Publication date: June 19, 2003
    Applicant: HYDROBOTIC TECHNOLOGIES, INC.
    Inventor: Peter J. Anderson
  • Publication number: 20030070697
    Abstract: A method of cleaning a hard floor surface with a surface maintenance vehicle including the steps of generating a foam-like aerated cleaning liquid, selectively conveying the foam-like aerated cleaning liquid to the hard floor surface and a scrubbing medium operatively coupled to the surface maintenance vehicle, scrubbing the hard floor surface with said rotating scrubbing medium and said foam-like aerated cleaning liquid so as to loosen soil from the hard floor surface leaving behind a soiled solution of cleaning liquid and soil, and removing at least a portion of the soiled solution from the hard floor surface through a fluid recovery device. Additional aspects of the present invention include devices for performing the cleaning method.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2002
    Publication date: April 17, 2003
    Inventors: Bruce F. Field, Bryan L. Christensen, Michael L. Blehert
  • Patent number: 6484737
    Abstract: A machine for carrying out a process of treating small parts with a liquid treatment medium, especially for coating the small parts or for chemically deburring the small parts, has a closable container which includes a drum to receive the parts. The drum is rotatingly drivable and adjustable between an inclined axis position and a vertical axis position. The process includes filling the drum with small parts and evacuating the closed container. Filling the container with a treatment medium, with the internal pressure set to a value in excess of the steam pressure of the most liquid component of the treatment medium. Inclining the drum to its inclined axis position and rotatingly driving the drum at a low speed. Ventilating the container and setting the drum to its vertical position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 7, 2000
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: WMV Apparatebau GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Alois Müller, Rainer Schön
  • Publication number: 20020078984
    Abstract: The invention is directed to a cleaning device (RV) with a housing (1) and with a cleaning bath (8) for receiving an appliance of personal use, in particular a shaving head (S) of a shaving apparatus (R), with a replaceably arranged cleaning liquid container (3) having an inlet port (15) and an outlet port (18), a sealing element (51) for sealing the outlet port (18), a liquid impelling assembly (6) adapted to be driven by a motor (5) for propelling a cleaning liquid (11) from the cleaning liquid container (3) into the cleaning bath (8) whose draining conduit (9) is adapted to be coupled to an inlet port (15) of the cleaning liquid container (3), wherein provision is made for a sealing element (14) between the draining conduit (9) and the inlet port (15), and the flow cross section of the draining conduit (9) is dimensioned such as to enable the cleaning liquid (11) with contaminants to drain into the cleaning liquid container (3) and gaseous medium to escape from the cleaning liquid container (3).
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2002
    Publication date: June 27, 2002
    Inventors: Jurgen Hoser, Alf Jahn
  • Patent number: 6289530
    Abstract: A jetted laundry/utility/kitchen sink provided with a plurality of water/air jets that introduce a pressurized flow of water/air into the interior of the sink. A motor/pump unit takes water from the interior of the sink, pressurizes the water, and returns the pressurized water to the interior of the sink via the nozzles. A flow diverting formation having a flow re-directing surface assists the nozzles in establishing a sustained circulation pattern within the sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2001
    Assignee: Mr. Tubs, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert A. Miller, Jeff C. Henry, Katherine R. Adams
  • Patent number: 6210491
    Abstract: In the invention pickling process, steel and nickel or chromium alloys are pickled with an acidic pickling solution employing an oxidant, particularly hydrogen peroxide, and in which liquor is recirculated through inlets comprising a nozzle feeding liquor into a diffuser such that liquor is withdrawn from the bath and the volume of liquor flowing through the diffuser is a multiple of flow through the nozzle. Steel or the alloys are pickled with an acidic solution containing iron and free hydrogen peroxide at a concentration of up to 0.1 gpl. The process can operate effectively at a free fluoride concentration of from 20 to 30 gpl and a sulphuric acid concentration of from 80 to 110 gpl. The lifetime of the bath before it needs to be replaced can be lengthened by the process compared with using an air agitation system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 1999
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2001
    Assignee: Solvay
    Inventors: Sarah J. Colgan, Neil J. Sanders
  • Patent number: 6141995
    Abstract: A pump mount of the present invention is adapted to removably mount a pump to a washing machine without requiring access to the bottom of the washing machine. The pump includes a mount having a pair of feet which are adapted to be secured to the base of the washing machine using a twist lock. The feet can be inserted into holes formed in the washing machine base and the pump twisted to lock the pump in place. The wash tub outlet hose and drain hose are then attached to the pump. The hoses attached to the pump secure the pump in the locked position preventing the pump from twisting to the unlocked position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 1997
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2000
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Troy Johnson
  • Patent number: 6098229
    Abstract: A grill cleaning apparatus is disclosed for cleaning a grill, the apparatus comprising: a container for storing and soaking the grill in a cleaning solution, the container having an openable top, a pair of side walls, a bottom extending between the side walls and a pair of end walls extending between and interconnecting the side walls; motor mounts within the container for removably receiving and holding a motor for circulating a cleaning solution within the container; a brush having a head with bristles and a handle; and a slide arrangement for sliding the brush along one side of the container and over the grill when stored within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 17, 1998
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2000
    Inventor: William Kevin Ward
  • Patent number: 5950644
    Abstract: A denture cleaner is provided including a housing adapted to contain a cleaning fluid. Also included is an agitator assembly for forcing the cleaning fluid upwardly when actuated. Next provided is a lid mounted on the housing with clamps for connecting dentures thereto. The lid is removably mounted on the housing thereby cleaning the dentures when the agitator assembly is actuated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 1998
    Date of Patent: September 14, 1999
    Inventor: Edward N. Brewer
  • Patent number: 5743281
    Abstract: A dishwasher having spray arm, motor and pump components configured and mounted so as to occupy very low height. In one form the complete wash system is arranged as a drawer which slides in and out of a cabinet. The cabinet opening is stiffened against racking forces by incorporating an inverse portal frame in the opening flange. A synchronous AC motor is used with the rotor running within the wash chamber driving a wash pump integrated with a rotating spray arm.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 1995
    Date of Patent: April 28, 1998
    Assignee: Fisher & Paykel Limited
    Inventors: Adrian Anthony Sargeant, William Hugh Currie, Willem Ouwens, Philip John Brace, Robert William Todd, Hans-Joachim Scholz
  • Patent number: 5566696
    Abstract: A dishwasher sump is divided into a collection chamber and a pump chamber by a filter. Food particles collect in the collection chamber while filtered wash liquid collects in the pump chamber. A pump has an impeller located in the pump chamber. The filtered wash liquid is recycled and sprayed on objects in the dishwasher by the pump. The impeller is driven by a shaft extending through the collection chamber and a wall separating the pump chamber from the collection chamber. Food particles in the collection chamber are minced by a rotating blade on the pump shaft. Balancing vanes on a rear face of the impeller prevent food particles and dirty water from flowing into the filtered liquid from the collection chamber. At the end of a wash cycle, the minced food particles are pumped to a drain with the wash liquid.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1995
    Date of Patent: October 22, 1996
    Assignee: White Consolidated Industries, Inc.
    Inventors: John E. Dries, James M. Edwards
  • Patent number: 5546969
    Abstract: An integrated recycling system for dishwashing machine includes an impeller positioned within the sump of the dishwashing machine, an impeller housing enclosing the impeller within the sump, and a motor for rotating the impeller within the impeller housing whereby a flow of water is achieved from the sump to one or more spray arm assemblies of the dishwashing machine, the impeller housing being formed from a strip of sheet metal that is cut to the proper length and wound around the impeller, defining an arcuate-shaped peripheral wall portion of the impeller housing that is open on opposing sides, one side being closed by a plate member and the other side being closed by a wall of the sump on which the impeller housing is mounted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 1995
    Date of Patent: August 20, 1996
    Assignee: Blako Inc.
    Inventor: Erik O. Vilen
  • Patent number: 5534762
    Abstract: A cleaning robot is operable in either a cord mode (by means of a plugged-in cord) or a cordless mode (by means of a battery). The robot includes a self-propulsion mechanism for advancing the robot during a cleaning operation, and a cord that can be plugged into an external power supply for powering the cleaning device and self-propulsion mechanism and a vacuuming mechanism during the cleaning operation. Following the cleaning operation, the vacuuming mechanism is deactivated, and the self-propulsion mechanism is powered by a battery carried by the robot for advancing the robot to the next area to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 1994
    Date of Patent: July 9, 1996
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ji-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 5509431
    Abstract: A method for precision cleaning of a workpiece with a cleaning fluid comprising liquid and/or supercritical fluid carbon dioxide and a primary solvent which is liquid at ambient temperatures and pressures comprises first placing the workpiece in a pressurizable vessel with a removable lid and within an inner tank open at the top; supplying the primary solvent to the inner tank; flushing the primary solvent through the pressure vessel; draining the inner tank to remove the primary solvent; and then supplying liquid and/or supercritical fluid carbon dioxide to the pressure vessel and flushing it through the vessel by withdrawing it from near the bottom of the inner tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 1994
    Date of Patent: April 23, 1996
    Assignee: Snap-Tite, Inc.
    Inventors: Charles W. Smith, Jr., Larry R. Rosio, Stephen H. Shore
  • Patent number: 5492139
    Abstract: The apparatus of the present invention includes a tank containing a cleaning fluid having microorganisms therein. The material to be cleaned is placed within the tank and the microorganisms separate the contaminates from the material to be cleaned. The cleaning fluid is recirculated continuously through the cleaning tank and the contaminates are drawn off of the fluid within the container as the contaminates rise to and float upon the top surface of the fluid within the container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 1994
    Date of Patent: February 20, 1996
    Assignee: B&S Research, Inc.
    Inventors: Brent J. Lashmett, Doug C. Lashmett, H. W. Lashmett, Larry R. Herzog, Thomas P. Tri, Merideth L. Karpik
  • Patent number: 5447171
    Abstract: An ultrasonic cleaning tank has a tank body for accommodating a cleaning solution, an ultrasonic vibrator housed in a sealing container mounted on a bottom wall of the tank body, and an openable lid for sealingly closing the tank body when a workpiece to be cleaned is immersed in the cleaning solution in the tank body. The cleaning solution is supplied to fill up an entire space in the ultrasonic cleaning tank when the tank body is closed by the lid. A pressurizing system for pressuring the cleaning solution which fills the ultrasonic cleaning tank includes a cleaning solution sealing tank for accommodating the cleaning solution independently of the ultrasonic cleaning tank, a liquid conduit interconnecting the ultrasonic cleaning tank and the cleaning solution sealing tank, and a pressurizing device for pressurizing the cleaning solution in the cleaning solution sealing tank to transmit the pressure applied to the cleaning solution through the liquid conduit to the ultrasonic cleaning tank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 1993
    Date of Patent: September 5, 1995
    Inventor: Yoshihide Shibano
  • Patent number: 5419352
    Abstract: The invention includes systems and methods of cleaning, for example, machining waste from holes in work pieces such as metal castings. The invention depends upon submerging, in a liquid, openings of the respective holes to be cleaned, aligning a nozzle with each such hole, with liquid disposed between the nozzle and the hole, and expressing one or more blasts of pressurized gas from the nozzles, through the intervening liquid, and into the holes. The apparatus contemplates a system having an array of nozzles positioned and arranged around the work piece such that a nozzle is positioned at each hole to be cleaned. The apparatus can be configured for cleaning a family of related work pieces, having differing arrangements of holes to be cleaned, by providing a nozzle for each hole included in the combination of all the arrays of all the work pieces to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: May 30, 1995
    Inventor: Carl W. Johnson
  • Patent number: 5381809
    Abstract: A powered cleaning apparatus is provided for routine cleaning of both moderately soiled and severely stained toilet bowls. The device comprises a motor, fluid pump, and cover universally mountable on toilet bowls, and provides a continuous recirculated spray of cleaning solution fluid onto all interior toilet bowl surfaces. The continuous contact of cleaning solution fluid cleans the interior bowl surfaces without manual effort.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: January 17, 1995
    Inventor: Kenneth B. Parker, Jr.
  • Patent number: 5368053
    Abstract: A machine for cleaning parts includes a reservoir and two tanks. Wash solution is contained in one of the tanks while rinse solution is contained in the other tank. Pumps transfer the wash solution and the rinse solution from the tanks to the reservoir. A pair of pivotally mounted arms rotatably support a basket for holding parts. The basket is movable between a loading position, a cleaning position and a draining position. When the basket is in the cleaning position inside the reservoir, it is alternately rotated in opposite directions to improve the cleaning efficiency of the machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 1991
    Date of Patent: November 29, 1994
    Assignee: Ransohoff Company
    Inventor: Karle M. Wilson
  • Patent number: 5361790
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus which has the capability of cleaning a waste or used filter assembly with a broad spectrum of chemical agents in an automated fashion. The cleaning apparatus comprises a cleaner vessel for accommodating the filter assembly to carry out triethylene glycol cleaning, sodium hydroxide cleaning, nitric acid cleaning and water washing in a predetermined cleaning sequence. First to fourth reservoirs communicate with the cleaner vessel through their corresponding pipelines to feed such chemical detergent liquids as triethylene glycol solution, sodium hydroxide solution, nitric acid solution and pure water into the vessel. The detergent liquids will circulate within the cleaning vessel by means of a stream generator, whereby the filter assembly can be cleaned to a higher degree of detergency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 1993
    Date of Patent: November 8, 1994
    Assignee: SKC Limited
    Inventors: Jong-Mun Park, Chan-Sik Jeong, Uk-Hwan Oh, Taek-Jong Yu
  • Patent number: 5357991
    Abstract: Disclosed are apparatuses and methods for improved processing of semiconductor wafers and the like using vapor phase processing chemicals, particularly aqueous hydrofluoric acid etchants. Homogeneous vapor mixtures are generated from homogeneous liquid mixtures. Means for recirculating, mixing and agitating the liquid phase reactants are provided. In some embodiments the liquid phase is advantageously circulated through a chemical trench within the processing bowl. Exposure of wafers to vapors from the chemical trench can be controlled by a vapor control valve which is advantageously the bottom of the processing chamber. The wafer is rotated or otherwise moved within the processing chamber to provide uniform dispersion of the homogeneous reactant vapors across the wafer surface and to facilitate vapor circulation to the processed surface. A radiative volatilization processor can be utilized to volatilize reaction by-products which form under some conditions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 1993
    Date of Patent: October 25, 1994
    Assignee: Semitool, Inc.
    Inventors: Eric J. Bergman, Timothy J. Reardon, Raymon F. Thompson, Aleksander Owczarz
  • Patent number: 5333633
    Abstract: An improved animal grooming clipper cleaning, storing and transporting unit that has a top that seals to a base and an internal separation unit that separates clipper head assemblies placed within the separation unit, a strainer to allow grooming clipper parts to drain free of cleaning solution, a motor to agitate the cleaning solution and are capable of being interlocked to stick several assemblies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 1993
    Date of Patent: August 2, 1994
    Inventor: Kim Laube
  • Patent number: 5195549
    Abstract: A device for cleaning contact lenses through agitation using fluids under high pressure which includes a housing having an internal compartment or cleaning tank which includes impeller means suitable to drive a fluid under pressure. The housing further including a continuous sealed passageway to allow for the flow of the fluid under pressure, with the internal compartment designed to receive a removable case which holds a pair of contact lenses in place within a pair of closed perforated cleaning chambers. Means are provided for driving a pair of impellers in order to move a cleaning fluid under pressure through the sealed passageway to simultaneously clean the contact lenses held within the cleaning chambers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 1991
    Date of Patent: March 23, 1993
    Inventor: James C. Adams
  • Patent number: 5184638
    Abstract: In a reversible motor pumping system of a dishwasher, the reversible electrical motor has a drag shaft on which are mounted the impellers of a circulation pump and a discharge pump. The discharge pump is provided in a hydraulic discharge circuit so as to force fluid from the dishwasher after having washed the objects in the dishwasher. The discharge pump includes a lateral wall defining a chamber of a substantially circular section in which the impeller of the discharge pump is housed. An aspiration inlet is open to the chamber and communicates with the interior of the dishwasher while a delivery outlet is open to the chamber at a location spaced from the aspiration inlet such that a portion of the lateral wall defining the chamber extends between the aspiration inlet and the discharge outlet. This portion of the lateral wall constitutes a tooth of the discharge pump having a reduced inner diameter. At least one air intake is open to the chamber at the tooth of the discharge pump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 1991
    Date of Patent: February 9, 1993
    Assignee: Zanussi Elettrodomestici S.p.A.
    Inventors: Claudio Milocco, Gianni Santarossa
  • Patent number: 5174318
    Abstract: A motor mount is provided for a dishwasher for preventing transmission of vibration generated by a motor through a pump to the dishwasher tub. The motor mount is secured at its base to the pump and includes a plurality of arms extending radially from the base for mounting the motor thereto. The arms are separate along their length from the pump, and are torsionally resilient, permitting the motor to vibrate torsionally with respect to the pump. The arms are radially and axially rigid, thereby preventing radial or axial motion of the motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 20, 1991
    Date of Patent: December 29, 1992
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Geoffrey L. Dingler, Wilbur W. Jarvis
  • Patent number: 5156175
    Abstract: A container includes a removable door for positioning of a housing therewithin. The housing includes a cleansing solution therein, with a removable lid mounting a plurality of mesh ocular contact lens members, wherein agitation of the cleaning solution by an underlying blade structure effects cleaning of the contact lenses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 1991
    Date of Patent: October 20, 1992
    Inventor: Frederick Jones
  • Patent number: 5106426
    Abstract: A method of cleaning window furnishings while located in their place of use, in which the furnishings are pushed together to form a vertically hanging block and a wetting medium is circulated from above. A cleaning washing medium is thereafter circulated from above, followed by a rinsing liquid also from above and over the window furnishings. The furnishings are then dried, and surplus fluids are collected at a base of the furnishings. All procedures are carried out while the window furnishings are hanging vertically in their locations of normal use. The wetting medium, washing medium and the rinsing liquid flow downward due to gravity with uniform velocity and cover the furnishings uniformly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1991
    Date of Patent: April 21, 1992
    Assignee: Reinhard Konig
    Inventors: Reinhard Konig, Friedrich Konig