Cage Construction Patents (Class 68/142)
  • Patent number: 12060672
    Abstract: An apparatus for use in the treatment of substrates with a solid particulate material, said apparatus comprising: (a) a housing having mounted therein a rotatably mounted drum (8) having an inner surface and an end wall; and (b) access means for introducing said substrates into said drum, wherein said drum comprises storage means (2) for storage of said solid particulate material and a plurality of flow paths to facilitate flow of said solid particulate material between said storage means and the interior of said drum (8), characterised in that: said drum (8) comprises a dispensing flow path (5) to facilitate flow of said solid particulate material from said storage means (2) to the interior of said drum (8), and a collecting flow path (6) to facilitate flow of said particulate material from the interior of said drum (8) to said storage means (2), wherein said dispensing flow path (5) and said collecting flow path (6) are different flow paths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 13, 2024
    Assignee: Xeros Limited
    Inventors: Thomas Andrew Cobb, Joseph Mattley, Liam Roberts, Gareth Evan Lyn Jones
  • Patent number: 11519120
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes: a drum, a first lifter disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the drum, and a second lifter that is disposed on the inner circumferential surface of the drum at a position rearward of the first lifter. Each of the first lifter and the second lifter includes at least one insertion protrusion. The drum defines: a first group of one or more mounting slots in a first area of the drum; and a second group of one or more mounting slots in a second area of the drum. The second area is disposed rearward relative to the first area and overlaps with at least a portion of the first area of the drum, and the at least one insertion protrusion is configured to selectively insert into the one or more mounting slots in the first group or the second group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Min Soo Seo, Jun Young Kim, Hong Min Lee
  • Patent number: 11414802
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes: a drum configured to receive laundry and to rotate about a rotation axis that extends in a front-rear direction of the laundry treating apparatus; and a lifter disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the drum and configured to rotate about the rotation axis based on rotation of the drum. The lifter includes: a lifter upper plate portion spaced apart from the inner circumferential surface of the drum, a lifter sidewall portion that is made of metal and that extends from lifter upper plate portion toward the inner circumferential surface of the drum, and a side protrusion that protrudes from an outer surface of the lifter sidewall portion. The lifter sidewall portion has a lower end coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the drum and an upper end connected to the lifter upper plate portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 29, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 16, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: HyeonSik Lee, Junyoung Kim, Hong Min Lee
  • Patent number: 11384469
    Abstract: A lifter for a laundry treating apparatus includes a first member mounted at an inner side of a drum; and a second member mounted on the first member and protruded toward an inside of the drum, wherein the first member includes a hook protruded and formed along a circumference of the first member, at least part of which is disposed to cover an inner circumferential surface of the drum when inserted into a fastening hole of the drum and then slid in one direction; and a shield protruded and formed at an inner side of the first member and configured to completely cover the fastening hole when the hook is inserted into the fastening hole and then slid in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kilryong Lee, Byeongha Jeon, Jinseok Ahn
  • Patent number: 11346034
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes: a drum and a lifter that is disposed on an inner circumferential surface of the drum and that is configured to rotate with the drum. The lifter includes a lifter frame coupled to the drum and a frame cover that covers the lifter frame. The lifter frame includes: a frame base coupled to the inner circumferential surface of the drum; a frame upper plate spaced apart from the frame base in a direction toward an inside of the drum; a frame sidewall that connects the frame upper plate to the frame base; and a spacer that protrudes from the frame upper plate toward an inner surface of the frame cover and that allows the inner surface of the frame cover to be spaced apart from the frame upper plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kil Ryong Lee, Jun Young Kim, Hong Min Lee
  • Patent number: 11332866
    Abstract: A laundry treatment machine may include an outer tub having an opening at a top through which laundry is inserted. The outer tub may contain wash water for washing the laundry. An inner tub may be rotatably provided inside the outer tub. A pulsator may be rotatably provided at a bottom of the inner tub to generate a current or flow of water flowing at a lower part of the inner tub. A water current generating protrusion that protrudes inward from a peripheral surface of the inner tub and extends upward from a bottom end of the inner tub may generate a current or flow of water flowing along an upper part of the inner tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 14, 2019
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Dongcheol Kim, Youngjong Kim
  • Patent number: 11015278
    Abstract: Provided is a washing machine, including an inner drum and an outer drum. A bottom or a side wall of the inner drum is provided with an inner drum drainage hole. The inner drum drainage hole is provided with a drainage valve. The outer drum is provided with a power device configured to push a spool of the drainage valve, and an outer drum drainage hole. One end of the drainage valve facing toward the outer drum is provided with a drainage switch. An extending shaft of the power device is configured to extend and touch the drainage switch to open or close the drainage valve.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 25, 2021
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Zhiqiang Zhao, Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 10881892
    Abstract: A workout apparatus 10 includes base 12. A lifting arm 14 is pivotally connected to base 12 and movable on base 12 between a raised position and a lowered position, the lifting arm 14 including a first end 14a pivotally connected to base 12 and a second end 14b opposite the first end, the second end 14b including a gripping end piece 16. At least one weight post 32 extends outward from lifting arm 14 at a location between first end 14a and second end 14b of lifting arm 14. A braking system 18 is mounted to base 12 and coupled to lifting arm 14. Braking system 18 allows lifting arm 14 to move toward the raised position freely. Braking system 18 is engaged as lifting arm 14 moves towards the lowered position to lower lifting arm 14 toward the lowered position at a controlled rate of speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 10, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2021
    Inventor: Shannon McCall
  • Patent number: 10774457
    Abstract: A fully automatic washing machine includes: a washing tub configured to enter into or exit from an outer casing through an entrance on a front surface; a holding plate disposed below the washing tub, and configured to support the washing tub via a hanger bracket; a door portion fixed to the holding plate in front of the washing tub, and configured to block the entrance; a sliding guiding rail disposed between the holding plate and the outer casing to linearly move the holding plate together with the washing tub and the door portion in a front-rear direction; and a connecter for connecting the hanger bracket with the holding plate. The connecter includes a vibration isolating device configured to prevent vibrations of the washing tub in the front-rear direction from being transferred to the holding plate via the hanger bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., AQUA CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Takeshi Kawakami, Satoshi Hatta, Taro Otsuki
  • Patent number: 10655269
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine including a main body, a main washing unit provided inside the main body, and a door unit for opening and closing a main entrance formed in the main body to approach the main washing unit. The door unit includes a main door and an auxiliary door. The main door includes an auxiliary washing unit, an auxiliary entrance for inputting laundry into the auxiliary washing unit, and an opening through which the contents of the auxiliary washing unit are discharged. The auxiliary door is rotatably coupled to the main door to open and close the auxiliary entrance. When the auxiliary door is opened, the auxiliary door closes the opening to form an auxiliary washing space in which water is able to be contained. When the auxiliary door is closed after the hand-washing, the opening is opened to discharge the laundry and the washing water in the auxiliary laundry space to the main washing unit naturally.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2020
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Dong Hyuk Uim, Jae Won Choi
  • Patent number: 10633779
    Abstract: A lifter for a laundry treating apparatus includes a first member mounted at an inner side of a drum; and a second member mounted on the first member and protruded toward an inside of the drum, wherein the first member includes a hook protruded and formed along a circumference of the first member, at least part of which is disposed to cover an inner circumferential surface of the drum when inserted into a fastening hole of the drum and then slid in one direction; and a shield protruded and formed at an inner side of the first member and configured to completely cover the fastening hole when the hook is, inserted into the fastening hole and then slid in one direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kilryong Lee, Byeongha Jeon, Jinseok Ahn
  • Patent number: 9873973
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine having an elastic member for providing resilient power to the door in a direction in which the door is opened and a damping member arranged to damp pivoting of the door or an inner door. The washing machine has a structure to smoothly open/shut the door and inner door combined together, and if supplementary washing is required, to smoothly open/shut only the inner door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Wan Gi Park, Kab Jin Jun, Ji Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 9863079
    Abstract: A washing machine including a washing tub to allow enhancement in washing efficiency. A washing tub of the washing machine includes a pattern having a protrusion portion to generate friction force between laundry and the washing tub and to thereby increase washing efficiency. The pattern has a concave-convex structure and performs action similar to a lifter, washing efficiency may be enhanced using tumbling generated by the pattern. A plurality of drain holes are arranged in a certain pattern in the washing tub to prevent a dehydration bottleneck phenomenon in which dehydration is concentrated at a particular drain hole and to increase a dehydration rate. The pattern is provided such that protrusion portions and recessed portions continue on the surface of the washing tub to enhance stiffness of the washing tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Cheol Jang, Ji Sung Kim, Eun Suk Bang, Nam Ki Sul, In Ju Lee, Seong Su Jeong, Bong Wha Kwak, Doo Pil Kim, Ki Sun Park, Jong Sung Park, Ji Hoon Choi
  • Patent number: 9840801
    Abstract: A washing machine includes an auxiliary washing unit. When an inner tank is rotated during a washing cycle or a rinsing cycle, washing water passing through the auxiliary washing unit impacts the laundry, which lies by trapping on a projection member, thereby improving washing performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2017
    Assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: In Dong Kim
  • Patent number: 9506179
    Abstract: A modular system for drums of laundry care devices including at least one of washing machines and driers, the modular system including at least two similarly configured base bodies for securing to a respective drum, wherein the at least two similarly configured base bodies are configured for mounted receipt of at least two different functional parts, with the at least two different functional parts being interchangeable on a respective one of the at least two different base bodies.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2016
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Geyer, Uwe Ratfisch, Wilfried Wildung
  • Patent number: 9347165
    Abstract: The washing machine includes a tub containing wash water, a drum, a lifter, and a partition. The drum rotates inside the tub and has at least one inlet to introduce wash water contained in the tub. The lifter forms a chamber holding wash water introduced through the inlet together with the drum and discharges wash water into the drum through a plurality of discharge holes arranged from a front side to a rear side inside the chamber during the rotation of the drum. The partition divides the chamber into a front chamber and a rear chamber along a longitudinal direction of the drum and forms an angle inclined with respect to a circumference of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2014
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Chihyun Kim, Dahye Kim, Sungyong Eom
  • Publication number: 20150121970
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drum type washing machine, including a housing; an internal housing in the housing; a withdrawable drum in the internal housing, having an opening on an outer peripheral surface thereof; a door coupled to one end of the drum; and a guide between the door and/or drum and the internal housing, configured to slide the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Hye Ung KIM
  • Patent number: 9010159
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance having a tub with a tub ring and a drum located within the tub having a balance ring. The tub ring may extend radially inward and be spaced above the balance ring. The tub ring and balance ring may have an angled portion to provide for a generally constant space between the tub ring and balance ring during rotation of the drum within the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Brenner M Sharp
  • Patent number: 8997533
    Abstract: The present application relates to a laundry machine for washing laundry, including a tub for holding washing water, the tub including at least one fastener for fastening and wiring a wire harness along an outside surface thereof, a drum in the tub for holding laundry, a rotation shaft connected to a rear surface of the drum, a tub back which forms a rear side of the tub and through which the rotation shaft passes, a bearing housing for supporting the rotation shaft, a rear gasket connected between the tub and the tub back, and a suspension unit for supporting the bearing housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soo Bong Kim, Jung Tae Song, Ig Geun Kwon, Suk Yun Moon, Sang Hun Kim, Hee Tae Lim, Dong Il Lee
  • Patent number: 8991219
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washing machine (1) that comprises a tub (2), a cylindrical drum (3) having a rear wall (7) wherein the items to be washed are emplaced, disposed coaxially inside the tub (2), one or more ribs (4) arranged on the inner periphery of the drum (3) and forming protrusions into the drum (3), a shaft (8) housed in the tub (2) that transfers the movement to the drum (3) and a bearing (9) situated at the center of the tub (2) rear wall (7), remaining stationary together with the tub (3), wherein the shaft (8) is housed, extending towards the center of the drum (3) and at least one water feeding line (10) situated inside the bearing (9) having an inlet connected to the mains water supply and an outlet opening outside the bearing (9).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Inventor: Levent Hasanreisoglu
  • Patent number: 8984918
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine in which a balancer is directly mounted on a body of an inner tub without a front surface part of the inner tub. The washing machine includes an outer tub to store water, a body formed in a cylindrical shape provided with an opening at one surface thereof and provided in the outer tub, and a balancer connected to an inner diameter part at the opening of the body to reduce unbalance of the body generated during rotation of the body and to reinforce the body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 24, 2015
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yong Kwon Kim, Kyu Chai Lee, Hong Seok Ko, Sang Up Lee
  • Publication number: 20150007395
    Abstract: Disclosed is a drum type washing machine, including a cabinet configured to form an outer appearance; a tub in the cabinet and configured to contain water therein; a drum in the tub and configured to accommodate laundry therein; and a lifter on the drum, configured to lift the laundry in the drum by upward rotation of the drum. The lifter comprises a lifter housing fixed to the drum and having an opening in one or more ends or sides thereof; and a lifter plate pivotally coupled to the lifter housing, the lifter plate being configured to hold water in the lifter during the upward rotation of the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2014
    Publication date: January 8, 2015
    Inventor: In Dong KIM
  • Patent number: 8915103
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a washer/dryer (1) comprising a drum (2) wherein the laundry is placed and at least one drum baffle (3) extending in the radial direction towards the center of the drum (2) for tumbling the laundry and wherein the interior of the drum (2) is illuminated effectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2014
    Assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
    Inventors: Can Sar, Sinan Sekban, Levent Cinar
  • Patent number: 8893532
    Abstract: A laundry drum for a laundry treatment machine that is rotatable about an axis, wherein the laundry drum includes a drum jacket made of metal sheet, and wherein the drum jacket has throughflow holes and linear elevations that are distributed in a peripheral direction and that extend transversely to a periphery line. The linear elevations rise at a distance from one another in a straight or curved line from cylindrical regions of the laundry drum. Agitators are disposed on an inner periphery of the drum jacket and the throughflow holes are disposed in the cylindrical regions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 25, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete
    Inventors: Johannes Geyer, Stephan Sommer, Wilfried Wildung
  • Patent number: 8887540
    Abstract: A laundry drum on the one hand is to exhibit the advantageous features of structures of the prior art distributed in the circumferential direction, which protrude from the cylinder shape of the drum casing accommodated in the laundry drum, but at the same time however create the basics for their embodiment for advantageous influencing of the laundry movement within the laundry drum during its rotational movement. To this end structures are inventively formed from ring-shaped protrusions distributed in the circumferential direction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Johannes Geyer
  • Patent number: 8806904
    Abstract: The laundry drum is configured for removing water from wet laundry at a high rotational speed and has a circulating drum cover which is bent from a thin-walled material strip to form a cylinder or flat truncated cone wherein the parallel end edges of the material strip make contact in a connecting seam, with an assembly for connecting the end sections including a first tab formed at a first end section and continuing over the general curvature of the drum cover, a second tab formed at a second end section wherein the second tab is at least one of outwardly creased about the wall thickness of the material strip and inwardly creased about the wall thickness of the material strip wherein the tabs of the end sections are fixedly connected to one another and the overlapping tabs on the inside of the drum cover are covered.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Axel Heubner, Alfred Nitsche, Uwe Ratfisch
  • Publication number: 20140201929
    Abstract: A washing machine and a washing method thereof comprises at least one washing tub for washing or containing water, and the tub is arranged with a washing medium layer which is a polymer adsorption layer. The present invention, depending on the washing medium layer arranged on the washing tub, is to handle the dirt on the clothes and in the washing water, to achieve the purpose of washing, which not only simplifies the washing procedure like other ordinary washing machines, but also greatly reduces the material cost and the manufacturing cost. In addition, the wearing to clothes is less serious during washing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 24, 2014
    Applicants: HAIER GROUP TECHNIQUE R & D CENTER, HAIER GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhengbao He, Chunfeng Lao, Sheng Xu
  • Patent number: 8782871
    Abstract: A manufacturing method of a laundry machine is disclosed. The manufacturing method of the laundry machine includes a suspension preparing step configured to prepare a suspension unit (40) configured to flexibly support a drum (30), a tub rear securing step configured to secure a tub rear (120) to the suspension unit (40), a drum securing step configured to a shaft (351) or the drum (30) to the suspension unit (40) via an inside of the tub rear (120), a tub front coupling step configured to couple a tub front (100) to the tub rear (120), a tub seating step configured to seat the tub front (100) and the tub rear (120) in a cabinet cabinet base (600)m and a suspension securing step configured to secure the suspension unit to the cabinet base (600).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ig Geun Kwon, Soo Bong Kim, Dong Il Lee, Suk Yun Moon, Hee Tae Kim, Jung Tae Song
  • Publication number: 20140189961
    Abstract: A roller washing machine and the washing method thereof, comprises four layers of mutually sleeved washing tubs and a water containing tub, wherein, a first tub, a second tub, a third tub and a fourth tub are arranged from inside to outside sequentially and particles are stored in a space between the second tub and the third tub; a plurality of first openings used for dewatering are arranged on the walls of the second tub and of the third tub, and a second opening allowing the particles to be put in and recycled is arranged on the wall of the second tub. The roller washing machine integrates such functions as clothes washing, separation of clothes and the particles, recycling and storage of the particles, dewatering of the particles, thus realizing 100% put-in and recycling of the particles, simplifying washing procedures and shortening washing time.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2011
    Publication date: July 10, 2014
    Applicants: HAIER GROUP TECHNIQUE R & D CENTER, HAIER GROUP CORPORATION
    Inventors: Zhengbao He, Chunfeng Lao
  • Patent number: 8752404
    Abstract: A drum for a laundry treatment machine that is rotatably mounted within the housing of the laundry treatment machine, and wherein the drum includes a bottom disk and a jacket which are individually or jointly provided with a curved structure. The curved structure includes at least two rows of prism-type embossings that have substantially rectangular base, and the at least two rows encompass at least partially the drum. A surface of embossings that is directed in a circumferential direction of the drum is arranged at a steep angle to the jacket; an opposing surface of the embossings is arranged at a flat angle to the jacket; and lateral surfaces of the embossings are arranged at least nearly at a right angle to the jacket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Oertel, Uwe Ratfisch, Stephan Sommer, Wilfried Wildung
  • Patent number: 8720235
    Abstract: A laundry drum for a laundry treating machine, wherein the laundry drum includes a drum cover that has a cylindrical shape and structures that are distributed in a circumferential direction of the drum cover. The structures project from the cylindrical shape of the drum cover that is mounted in the laundry drum. Further, the structures are formed from inwardly bulging linear elevations that extend along a circumferential line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Johannes Geyer, Stephan Sommer, Max Speckhart, Roland Vetter, Wilfried Wildung
  • Publication number: 20140096571
    Abstract: A washing machine including a washing tub to allow enhancement in washing efficiency. A washing tub of the washing machine includes a pattern having a protrusion portion to generate friction force between laundry and the washing tub and to thereby increase washing efficiency. The pattern has a concave-convex structure and performs action similar to a lifter, washing efficiency may be enhanced using tumbling generated by the pattern. A plurality of drain holes are arranged in a certain pattern in the washing tub to prevent a dehydration bottleneck phenomenon in which dehydration is concentrated at a particular drain hole and to increase a dehydration rate. The pattern is provided such that protrusion portions and recessed portions continue on the surface of the washing tub to enhance stiffness of the washing tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 10, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Cheol JANG, Ji Sung Kim, Eun Suk Bang, Nam Ki Sul, In Ju Lee, Seong Su Jeong, Bong Wha Kwak, Doo Pil Kim, Ki Sun Park, Jong Sung Park, Ji Hoon Choi
  • Publication number: 20140096570
    Abstract: A washing machine including a drum capable of improving washing efficiency is provided. The washing machine includes a body, a tub provided at an inside the body to store wash water, a drum rotatably provided at an inner side of the tub to accommodate laundry, a driving apparatus to rotate the drum, protrusions that are formed of polygons having polygonal shapes and protruding inward from the drum, and a through-hole provided between adjacent protrusions to drain water. A protrusion having polygons generates frictional force between laundry and the drum, thereby increasing the washing power. The through-holes are uniformly located around the protrusion, thereby preventing a spin dry water bottleneck phenomenon that occurs when water from a spin dry is concentrated on a certain through-hole, and thus enhancing the spin dry efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 9, 2013
    Publication date: April 10, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: In Cheol JANG, Ji Sung KIM, Eun Suk BANG, Nam Ki Sul, In Ju LEE, Seong Su JEONG, Bong Wha KWAK, Dool Pil KIM, Ki Sun PARK, Jong Sung PARK, Ji Hoon CHOI
  • Publication number: 20140047869
    Abstract: A drum washing machine and a control method thereof. The drum washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub including a first tub part and a second tub part, a drum, an inlet provided at one side of the second tub part and supplying condensed water, and at least one flow path provided on one surface from among the inner surfaces of the second tub part opposite the drum and guiding flow of the condensed water to increase a contact area between the condensed water supplied from the inlet and the second tub part. The drum washing machine improves the structure of the tub to effectively inject condensed water, and may thus increase condensing efficiency. Further, the drum washing machine improves the structures of the tub and the drying duct, and may thus prevent accumulation of lint and lowering of performance of the drum washing machine.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 20, 2014
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jin Doo Kim, Jung Hyuk Lee, Kyung Up Lim, Nam Kyu Jun, Yong Sok Lee, Hyung Sub Lim, Min Hee Kang
  • Publication number: 20140026623
    Abstract: A laundry processing machine including a casing, an outer tub supported in the casing, an inner tub rotatably provided in the outer tub, and a shock absorber. The shock absorber is coupled, at one end thereof, to the casing and coupled, at the other end thereof, to the outer tub to absorb vibration of the outer tub caused by rotation of the inner tub. The shock absorber actively provides a damping force in response to the vibration of the outer tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 29, 2013
    Publication date: January 30, 2014
    Inventors: Keunjoo Kim, Seungchul Park
  • Patent number: 8627691
    Abstract: A cylindrical rotating tub body and a drum-type washing machine having the same, in which the rotating tub body is formed by rolling a plate such that both ends of the plate are connected to each other. The washing machine includes a cylindrical rotating tub body and a plurality of lifters, which are spaced apart from each other on an inner peripheral surface of the rotating tub body. The rotating tub body includes lifter installation sections on which a plurality of lifters are installed, concave-convex sections having a plurality of concave-convex parts and being installed between the lifter installation sections, and reinforcement sections to reinforce the strength of the lifter installation sections. The lifter installation sections having a strength lower than that of the concave-convex sections are reinforced due to the reinforcement sections, so that the lifter installation sections are prevented from being extremely being deformed during the rolling process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: January 14, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haeng Maan Jeong, Byoung Mock Kahm, Hong Yeol Lee
  • Patent number: 8573009
    Abstract: A steam-augmented washing machine includes a casing, a tub disposed within the casing, and a basket configured for receipt of articles to be washed. A steam generator is disposed within the casing and is in communication with the tub to introduce steam into the wash basket. A plurality of fluid vanes are circumferentially spaced around the side wall adjacent the top end of the wash basket. The fluid vanes have a radial aspect so as to extend radially from side wall, wherein upon rotation of the wash basket within the tub, the fluid vanes generate a circulating vertically oriented steam flow path through the wash basket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Michael Wuttikorn Ekbundit, David Scott Dunn, Alexander Boris Leibman, Jerrod Aaron Kappler
  • Patent number: 8561439
    Abstract: A fabric treating machine according to the present invention comprises a connector which is disposed at an outer tub and is connected to a driving part which is disposed at either the center or the off-center position of the connector optionally. Therefore, not only the direct driving motor but the indirect driving motor can be disposed without change of the outer tub and the connector. Because the common use of the outer tub is possible regardless of the connecting method of the driving part, there are the advantages that the cost is reduced and productivity and assembly are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyuk Soo Lee, Tae Hee Lee, Young Jong Kim
  • Patent number: 8511117
    Abstract: A plastic washing-machine tub with a front wall, a rear wall and a cylindrical wall enclosing an inner tub compartment, which comprises: two tub shells made from injection-molded plastic that can be connected together by means of an assembly plane in a tub closure direction, the first tub shell comprising the front wall and the second tub shell comprising the rear wall; an integral bulge emerging from the cylindrical wall and defining a cavity connected to the inner tub compartment, the bulge having at least one inlet and/or outlet opening. The assembly plane divides the bulge into two parts, a first bulge part being arranged in the first tub shell and a second bulge part in the second tub shell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Noelia Borque Marquina, Miguel Angel Gomez Caudevilla, Ismael Garcia Bobed, Alberto Mañas Molina, Eduardo Recio Ferrer
  • Patent number: 8490441
    Abstract: A washing machine is provided that includes a tub having an open front side and a closed rear wall, and a drum rotatably mounted within the tub. A portion adjacent to a gate part, which allows resin to be injected in an injection-molding process of the rear wall of the tub, is thicker than other portions, thereby improving inflow of the resin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Yong Suck Park
  • Patent number: 8485002
    Abstract: A plastic tub for a washing machine includes a cylindrical casing; and an end face wall sealing the cylindrical casing. The end face including a bearing mount for a shaft of a laundry drum and radially-aligned reinforcing ribs molded into the end face wall. The reinforcing ribs begin at the bearing mount and branch in a Y-shape along their radial extent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Christian Quandt, Holger Reichner
  • Patent number: 8468859
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine including a balancer capable of rapidly reducing vibration of a spin tub. The drum type washing machine includes a spin tub which is rotated by receiving rotational force from a driving motor through a rotating shaft, a rear balancer having an annular shape and being coupled to the spin tub, and a shaft flange provided at a center portion thereof with the rotating shaft and coupled to the spin tub so as to uniformly transfer the rotational force to the spin tub. The rear balancer is supported on a rear surface of a rear cover by the shaft flange. Thus, the balls accommodated in the balancer are prevented from moving out of the balancer, even if the balancer is broken due to long-period use.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Ja Young Kim, Ito Michiaki, Doo Young Ryu, Myung Sun Kang
  • Patent number: 8438883
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a washing machine that is capable of preventing the deformation of laundry due to spin-drying holes, increasing friction between the inner surface of a washing tub and laundry to improve the washing efficiency, and reducing wash water consumption. The washing machine includes a water tub, a washing tub mounted in the water tub, a drive unit to rotate the washing tub, and a wash water circulation unit to supply wash water in the water tub into the washing tub. The washing tub has a plurality of depressions formed therein and depressed outward from the inner surface thereof in the shape of a polygonal pyramid, and a plurality of spin-drying holes formed in a deep area of the respective depressions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Ryong Park, Sang Yeon Pyo, Sung Hoon Kim, Eun Suk Bang, Jee Hun Fark
  • Publication number: 20130081432
    Abstract: A lifter simply mounted on a drum and a washing machine having the same. The washing machine includes a cabinet, a tub arranged within the cabinet, a drum arranged within the tub to accommodate laundry and rotated by rotary force transmitted from a driving source, and a plurality of lifters provided on the inner circumferential surface of the drum to move the laundry within the drum. Each of the plurality of lifters includes a plurality of hooks provided along a frame formed at the lower end of each of the plurality of lifters so as to allow each of the plurality of lifters to be hung to the drum, and at least one protrusion protruding from the lower end of each of the plurality of lifters so as to allow each of the plurality of lifters to be fixed to the inner circumferential surface of the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8393185
    Abstract: Fastening plastic drivers in a washing machine drum having at least two domes on the inside, which comprise a cavity extending along its center line, and are oriented perpendicular to the sheet casing of the drum and which serve to fasten the driver. A hole pattern corresponding to the arrangement of the domes of a driver is punched into the sheet casing of the drum. The driver is placed with its dome ends, which project beyond the contact surface of the driver with the sheet casing, onto the sheet casing so that the dome ends pass through the holes of the hole pattern. Counter holders are inserted from the opposite side into the cavities of the domes. From the fastening side, hold-down elements are driven against the sheet casing. Heated form punches are driven against the dome ends until the dome ends have mushroom-shape ends.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Uwe Ratfisch
  • Patent number: 8393184
    Abstract: A drum-type washing machine is disclosed. The drum-type washing machine includes a case formed with an opening part for receiving therethrough laundry to be washed, a door opening and closing the opening part, a tub mounted in the case to receive wash water, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub, and a path compensation unit disposed at an inner lower end of the tub to facilitate flow of fluid while the drum is rotating. According to this drum-type washing machine, the dehydration efficiency can be improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 12, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kyu Hwan Lee, Hee Tae Lim, Jae Hyun Choi, Ig Geun Kwon
  • Publication number: 20130036774
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a rotary tub having a diameter progressively increasing from a first end side thereof to a second end side thereof located opposite the first end side, dehydration holes arranged at the second end side of the rotary tub, and a dehydration hole switching unit to open and close the dehydration holes. The dehydration holes are opened depending on increase of a rate of rotation of the rotary tub.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 9, 2012
    Publication date: February 14, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Mook KIM, Sang Hyeok LEE, Je Hong MIN, Jung Hee LEE, Ji Hoon CHOI, Kab Jin JUN
  • Patent number: 8336338
    Abstract: Front-loading clothes washing machine including a washing tub, a rotating drum contained in the tub and provided with an access opening and a rear wall, and a plurality of internally hollow lifting ribs arranged inside the drum and provided internally with a respective partition wall. The partition wall is in the shape of a substantially planar quadrangle, a side of which coincides with the common side of the inclined walls of the lifting rib, while the opposite side lies on the inner surface of the drum in a roughly intermediate position between the walls. The partition wall divides the inner volume of the respective lifting rib into two chambers that do not communicate with each other, and each one of the inclined walls is provided with at least a first respective aperture and a plurality of respective perforations adapted to let the respective one of the chambers communicate with the inner volume of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Silvano Cimetta, Flavio Noviello
  • Publication number: 20120304705
    Abstract: A cylindrical rotating tub body and a drum-type washing machine having the same, in which the rotating tub body is formed by rolling a plate such that both ends of the plate are connected to each other. The washing machine includes a cylindrical rotating tub body and a plurality of lifters, which are spaced apart from each other on an inner peripheral surface of the rotating tub body. The rotating tub body includes lifter installation sections on which a plurality of lifters are installed, concave-convex sections having a plurality of concave-convex parts and being installed between the lifter installation sections, and reinforcement sections to reinforce the strength of the lifter installation sections. The lifter installation sections having a strength lower than that of the concave-convex sections are reinforced due to the reinforcement sections, so that the lifter installation sections are prevented from being extremely being deformed during the rolling process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 8, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Haeng Maan JEONG, Byoung Mock KAHM, Hong Yeol LEE
  • Publication number: 20120304400
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the cleaning of soiled substrates, the apparatus comprising: (a) housing means (1), having: (i) a first upper chamber having mounted therein a rotatably mounted cylindrical cage, and (ii) a second lower chamber (3) located beneath the cylindrical cage; (b) at least one recirculation means (4); (c) access means (10); (d) pumping means (8); (e) a multiplicity of delivery means (6), wherein the rotatably mounted cylindrical cage comprises a drum (2) comprising perforated side walls, wherein up to 60% of the surface area of the side walls comprises perforations, and the perforations comprise holes having a diameter of no greater than 25.0 mm. The method involves cleaning the soiled substrate by treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising solid particulate cleaning material and wash water, the method being carried out using the apparatus of the invention.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2011
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: Xeros Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Derek Jenkins, Frazer John Kennedy