Cleaning Or Laundering Patents (Class 8/137)
  • Patent number: 12104142
    Abstract: Liquid detergent compositions with polymer blends to provide a stable aqueous use solution of a highly alkaline detergent composition are provided. The liquid detergent composition include concentrates and use solutions with blends of alkali-swellable polymers (ASE) and hydrophobically-modified alkali-swellable polymers (HASE). Methods for washing textiles using the liquid detergent compositions are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2024
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Jessica Bull, David Dotzauer, Thomas Duerrschmidt, Gregory Scott Conrad, Alyssa Ana Hantzsch, Kelsey West
  • Patent number: 12065366
    Abstract: Laundry treatment appliances for use in a typical household include a tub that has an opening to provide access to the interior and at least partially defines a treating chamber into which fabric items such as clothes, towels, or linens can be placed to undergo a washing operation. A system can be provided for recirculating wash liquid through the tub to reduce water consumption. At least one tank or reservoir and a coagulant dosing system can be included for the chemical treatment of wash water as part of the wash liquid recirculation system. The tank can also serve to separate coagulated solids from the wash water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 25, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mohsin Mahamadshafi Attar, Jalindar S. Dawange, Richard L. Hammond, Christopher A. Hartnett, Peter N. Howes, Eric Monville
  • Patent number: 11993887
    Abstract: Methods, system and apparatus for the controlling laundry machines in a laundry facility. A user device receives a list of machines for a laundry facility and displays them on a machine control user interface. The user may then make a selection of a machine, a selection of an operation type and a selection of one or more operational parameters associated with the selected operation type. The selection of the operation type and the one or more operational parameters may be made on the user device or on the selected machine. The machine control user interface may then display the user selections, an estimated duration and a cost. The estimated duration and cost may be based on the selected machine, selected operation type and the one or more selected operational parameters.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2023
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2024
    Assignee: Clarified Inc.
    Inventors: Tristan Scott Patterson, Jonathan Christensen, Stuart Sonatina
  • Patent number: 11986143
    Abstract: A water softener for a dishwasher includes a tank body having a regeneration tank that accommodates brine, an exchange tank that accommodates an ion exchange resin, and a flow path configured to supply water to the regeneration tank and the exchange tank. The water softener further includes a regeneration inlet in communication with the regeneration tank, an exchange inlet in communication with the exchange tank, and a switching valve mounted at the tank body and configured to open and close the regeneration inlet and the exchange inlet to switch the flow path. The switching valve includes a head configured to open and close the regeneration inlet and the exchange inlet. A sealing protrusion protrudes toward the head from a circumference of the regeneration inlet and is configured to contact the head to seal the regeneration inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jinhong Kim, Minkyu Ko
  • Patent number: 11976412
    Abstract: A clothes treatment apparatus includes a first chamber for accommodating clothes, a second chamber under the first chamber, a blowing fan for suctioning air from the first chamber, a heat pump for compressing a refrigerant for heat exchange with the air suctioned by the blowing fan and discharging the heat-exchanged air to the first chamber, a steamer for generating and supplying steam, a water supply tank for supplying water to the steamer, a water drain tank for storing condensed water generated in the first chamber and the heat pump, a hanger bar positioned in the first chamber and configured to hold the clothes in the first chamber. The apparatus further includes a motor, a vibrating body for vibrating alternately in opposite rotation directions, and a motion converter for rotating together with the vibrating body and converting the vibration of the vibrating body to allow the hanger bar to reciprocate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Semin Jang, Minji Kim, Jaehyung Kim, Joosik Jung
  • Patent number: 11939718
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a fabric article includes an emitting header that emits fluid towards the fabric article and a suction header that suctions the fluid emitted by the emitting header. The suction header and the emitting header are parallel to each other and separated from each other by a space. The space is configured for positioning the fabric article in the space so that fluid emitted by the emitting header flows through the fabric article towards the suction header. A washing appliance for cleaning a fabric article includes a detergent compartment, a control system monitor, a pump, a water compartment, an emitting header that emits fluid towards the fabric article, a suction header that suctions the fluid emitted by the emitting header, a screen disposed between the emitting header and the suction header, and a servo motor in communication with at least one of the emitting header and the suction header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2024
    Inventors: Ali Rabbani, Pedram Rabanne
  • Patent number: 11905638
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance with a combination washer/dryer having a cabinet defining an interior, a tub located within the interior, and a rotatable drum located within the tub interior and defining a treating chamber, and an air recirculation conduit, the method comprising supplying water to the treating chamber, rotating the drum, and draining the water from the laundry treating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Marcos Javier Rios Acebal, Eric G. Griswold, Brooke M. Gundersen, Nicholas Leep, Adrian A. Rodriguez, Brian K. Rogers, James B. Sutton, Nicholas B. Vaive
  • Patent number: 11905640
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus is provided, which includes a laundry treating drum, and further includes a water supply valve, a water container member, an atomizer and a driving board. The water supply valve is connected to the atomizer by the water container member. An outlet of the atomizer is disposed toward an inner cavity of the laundry treating drum. A container structure is disposed on the water container member. The driving board is disposed in the container structure and is communicatively connected with the atomizer. The laundry treating apparatus can reduce manufacturing difficulty of a laundry treating apparatus having an atomizer, such that the laundry treating apparatus can fully utilize the atomization function of the atomizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yonghong Xu, Tao Huang, Bencai Huang, Xueli Zhao
  • Patent number: 11866873
    Abstract: A clothing treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, and a water-containing assembly, a sprinkling mechanism and an atomization generator that are arranged in the cabinet. The water-containing assembly includes a water tank and a water diverting and blocking member arranged in the water tank, the water tank is connected to the sprinkling mechanism through a first delivery pipeline, the water tank is connected to the atomization generator through a second delivery pipeline, and the water diverting and blocking member is configured to change a sequence of the water injected into the water tank flowing to the atomization generator and flowing to the sprinkling mechanism.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yonghong Xu, Tao Huang, Bencai Huang, Xueli Zhao
  • Patent number: 11870858
    Abstract: A processor may analyze one or more microservice chains based on one or more user profiles. The processor may generate, based on the analyzing, a health status associated with the one or more microservice chains. The processor may determine, based on the health status, whether a microservice in the one or more microservice chains is unhealthy. The processor may implement, automatically, a select microservice chain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: International Business Machines Corporation
    Inventors: Sudheesh S. Kairali, Sarbajit K. Rakshit
  • Patent number: 11866874
    Abstract: A clothing treatment apparatus includes a cabinet, and a water-containing assembly, a sprinkling assembly and an atomization generator that are arranged in the cabinet. The water-containing assembly includes a water tank and a plurality of delivery pipelines, the water tank is connected to the atomization generator through one of the delivery pipelines, and the atomization generator is configured to perform atomized washing on the clothing; the water tank is connected to the sprinkling assembly through the rest of the delivery pipelines, and the sprinkling assembly is configured to perform sprinkling washing on the clothing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., Haier Smart Home Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yonghong Xu, Tao Huang, Bencai Huang, Xueli Zhao
  • Patent number: 11840794
    Abstract: Disclosed are an object treating apparatus, and more particularly, an object treating apparatus for heating a drum using an induction heater and a control method thereof. The object treating apparatus includes a tub; a drum rotatably disposed within the tub and accommodating an object therein; an induction heater disposed on the tub and configured to heat an outer circumferential face of the drum contacting the heater; a motor to rotate the drum; and a processor configured to control an operation of the induction heater to dry the object, wherein the processor is configured to: control revolution per minute (RPM) of the drum to perform at least two drum motions having at least two different target RPMs respectively when drying the object.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyunwoo Noh, Sangwook Hong
  • Patent number: 11807974
    Abstract: A computer-implemented method for creating a bespoke laundry treatment recipe includes receiving fabric data related to one or more of stain identity, fabric identity, user requirements and user preference; comparing by means of a data processing system said input data with ingredient combination data stored on a non-transitory computer readable storage medium, and formulating one or more laundry treatment recipes, said recipes being bespoke to the user input data; wherein said ingredient combination data comprises: multiple ingredient composition data; multiple combinations of said ingredient compositions; and multiple treatment (e.g. stain) categories related to said ingredient composition combinations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2023
    Assignee: Conopco, Inc.
    Inventors: Deborah Jane Cooke, David Moorfield, Katharine Jane Shaw
  • Patent number: 11732398
    Abstract: Disclosed is a multifunctional storage system including a machine chamber and a compartment, in which clothes are received, the multifunctional storage system including: a heat pump unit located in the machine chamber and including an evaporator, a condenser, a compressor, and a pressure controller; a moisture supply unit coupled to the heat pump unit and including a humidification filter; and a fan unit configured to circulate air in the machine chamber from the evaporator toward the condenser, wherein the moisture supply unit is coupled to a front end of the evaporator with reference to a circulation direction of the air, and wherein moisture is supplied to the humidification filter according to a preset condition, and loads of the evaporator and the condenser are increased as the moisture is supplied to the air when the air passes through the humidification filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: COWAY Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sung Hwan Heo, Jin Min Kim, Tae Kyung Kang, Kyung Su Lee, Il Song Park, Byung Soo Yun
  • Patent number: 11732221
    Abstract: The present invention relates to polypeptides having mannanase activity, catalytic domains, and carbohydrate binding modules, and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains, and carbohydrate binding modules. The invention also relates to nucleic acid constructs, vectors, and host cells comprising the polynucleotides as well as methods of producing and using the polypeptides, catalytic domains, and carbohydrate binding modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 2, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Novozymes A/S
    Inventors: Tine Hoff, Markus Klinger
  • Patent number: 11691899
    Abstract: Laundry treatment appliances for use in a typical household include a tub that has an opening to provide access to the interior and at least partially defines a treating chamber into which fabric items such as clothes, towels, or linens can be placed to undergo a washing operation. A system can be provided for recirculating wash liquid through the tub to reduce water consumption. At least one tank or reservoir and a coagulant dosing system can be included for the chemical treatment of wash water as part of the wash liquid recirculation system. The tank can also serve to separate coagulated solids from the wash water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mohsin Mahamadshafi Attar, Jalindar S. Dawange, Richard L. Hammond, Christopher A. Hartnett, Peter N. Howes, Eric Monville
  • Patent number: 11680351
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a casing, a tub, a drum, a circulation pump, an annular gasket connecting between openings of the casing and the tub and including circulation nozzles configured to supply water into the drum, and a conduit fixed to the gasket and guiding water to the circulation nozzles. The conduit includes an inlet port configured to receive water from the pump, a transport pipe configured to guide water from the inlet port to the circulation nozzles, and a supply ports configured to supply water to the circulation nozzles. A method for manufacturing a conduit includes positioning supply ports in a cavity defined at a first mold, forming a parison having a hollow opening by extruding a raw material, positioning the parison in the cavity, combining the first mold and a second mold, and injecting gas into the hollow opening of the parison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Junghoon Lee, Jaehyun Kim, Kyungchul Woo, Myunghun Im, Hwanjin Jung
  • Patent number: 11643622
    Abstract: The present invention provides a laundry sheet wherein one or more component selected from a group consisting of a builder, an enzyme, a bleaching agent and a bleach activator is contained as a granule in a laundry film prepared using a laundry detergent component and a film-forming water-soluble polymer. The laundry sheet of the present invention completely dissolves in water and thus does not need to be removed after laundering. In addition, the laundry sheet of the present invention has superior cleaning performance, is convenient to use and has superior storage stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Inventors: Min-Seok Cho, Mun-Seong Jo, Kyung-On Cha, Jae-Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 11613838
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus includes: a cabinet; a tub provided inside the cabinet; a drum provided inside the tub; an electric heater coupled to a bottom portion of the tub to heat wash water inside the tub; and a bracket provided at the tub to support the electric heater to be spaced apart from the bottom. The bracket includes an electric heater receiving portion in which the electric heater is received therein, and a sensing portion protruding upward at an upper one side of the electric heater receiving portion to sense the mis-assembly of the electric heater. As a result, the mis-assembly of the electric heater may be quickly recognized.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kilryong Lee, Junyoung Kim, Bokyung Suh
  • Patent number: 11572652
    Abstract: Systems, apparatuses and methods for controlling the various phases and in particular in a wash cycle of a wash machine are provided. In particular, the present application relates to controlling the water levels and detergent composition concentrations in order to reduce the amount of water and composition required to provide improved soil removal. The systems, apparatuses and methods provided allow for the use of less water and lower quantities of more concentrated detergent compositions which are customized to the types of soil to be removed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2023
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Kaustav Ghosh, Lee Monsrud, Loan Paulson-Vu, Barry R. Taylor
  • Patent number: 11566360
    Abstract: A method for controlling a laundry processing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present disclosure comprises steps of: inputting power to at least a second processing device and, through an input unit in the second processing device, inputting an installation inspection instruction for the second processing device; performing a primary inspection process by the installation inspection instruction; and performing a second inspection process after the primary inspection process is completed. In the primary inspection process, the control unit of the second processing device controls a plurality of inspections to proceed automatically in sequence, and the plurality of inspections may comprise at least two of a pairing inspection, a drawer closing state inspection, a drawer locking state inspection, and a lid closing state inspection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jihun Kim, Jihun Han
  • Patent number: 11519127
    Abstract: An apparatus for cleaning a fabric article includes an emitting header that emits fluid towards the fabric article and a suction header that suctions the fluid emitted by the emitting header. The suction header and the emitting header are parallel to each other and separated from each other by a space. The space is configured for positioning the fabric article in the space so that fluid emitted by the emitting header flows through the fabric article towards the suction header. A washing appliance for cleaning a fabric article includes a detergent compartment, a control system monitor, a pump, a water compartment, an emitting header that emits fluid towards the fabric article, a suction header that suctions the fluid emitted by the emitting header, a screen disposed between the emitting header and the suction header, and a servo motor in communication with at least one of the emitting header and the suction header.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Inventors: Ali Rabbani, Pedram Rabanne
  • Patent number: 11519121
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine including: a gasket, wherein the gasket includes a gasket body, forming a passage between a laundry entry hole formed in a casing and an opening formed in a tub, and a plurality of nozzles spraying water into a drum; and a distribution pipe supplying water pumped by a pump to the plurality of nozzles, wherein the distribution pipe includes a transport conduit disposed on an outer circumferential surface of the gasket, wherein the gasket body is divided into a front body positioned on the side of the casing and a rear body positioned on the side of the tub, wherein the rear body includes an accommodating part in which at least a portion of the transport conduit is disposed, and accordingly, it is possible to prevent intervention between the distribution pipe and any other structure around the gasket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hosung Jang, Yohwan Kang, Kwanghyun Kim, Hansol Kim, Hyunjae Lee
  • Patent number: 11512419
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a laundry machine, comprising a cloth sensing step of sensing the cloth of laundry, wherein the cloth sensing step comprises: a weight sensing step of sensing the weight of the laundry; a photographing step of photographing the inside of a drum; a volume sensing step of sensing the volume of the laundry inside the drum by mean of the captured image; and a density calculation step of calculating the density of the laundry on the basis of the sensed volume and weight.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seongwoo Kim, Younghan Cho, Seokhee Cho
  • Patent number: 11471707
    Abstract: A capsule delivery system. The system has a first capsule containing a first capsule wall encapsulating a first active material and a second capsule containing a second capsule wall encapsulating a second active material. The first and second capsules differ in their wall materials, amounts of wall materials, ratios of wall materials, core modifiers, scavengers, active materials, curing temperatures, heating rates, curing times, or a combination thereof. Also provided is a consumer product containing this capsule delivery system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
    Inventors: Henricus Gerardus Maria Reijmer, Stephanus Cornelis Maria Otte, Volkert Willem Alexander de Villeneuve, Elizabeth Geertruida Maria Brundel
  • Patent number: 11471397
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a new process for the preparation of microcapsules. Microcapsules obtainable by said process are also an object of the invention. Perfuming compositions and consumer products comprising said capsules, in particular perfumed consumer products in the form of home care or personal care products, are also part of the invention.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Assignee: Firmenich SA
    Inventors: Florence Vigouroux Elie, Sonia Godefroy, Murray Osborne
  • Patent number: 11466393
    Abstract: A recirculating fluid flow system for an appliance includes a fluid pump that delivers process fluid through a fluid path. A tub is disposed within a cabinet and defines a processing space. The fluid path includes at least a portion of the processing space. The tub has an outlet that directs the process fluid toward the fluid pump. A sprayer assembly is coupled with the tub for directing the process fluid into the processing space. The sprayer assembly includes a spray head having a plurality of spray nozzles and an operable seam that extends through each spray nozzle of the plurality of spray nozzles. The operable seam is selectively separable to define a release opening that includes at least two spray nozzles of the plurality of spray nozzles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 6, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Carlo Chiorino, Mauro Mancini
  • Patent number: 11453845
    Abstract: Described herein, are rinse-free laundry care compositions comprising: a surfactant scavenger; an acrylate thickening agent; and a non-ionic surfactant; wherein the non-ionic surfactant and surfactant scavenger are present in a weight ratio of from about 5:1 to about 30:1. Methods of making and using these compositions are also described.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 27, 2022
    Assignee: Colgate-Palmolive Company
    Inventors: Oscar Bautista Cid, Erick Cardenas Alpizar, Jose Javier Tovar Pescador
  • Patent number: 11441254
    Abstract: A method of controlling a washing machine includes starting driving of a motor for rotating a drum and increasing a rotation speed of the motor to a first rotation speed, increasing the rotation speed of the motor from the first rotation speed to a second rotation speed, after the rotation speed of the motor have increased to the first rotation speed, and determining whether bubbles have been generated in the drum while the rotation speed of the motor increases to the second rotation speed. A difference between the second rotation speed and the first rotation speed is greater than the first rotation speed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 22, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Junghun Kim
  • Patent number: 11441140
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates to dish washing compositions comprising polypeptides having beta-glucanase activity, catalytic domains, beta-glucan binding domains and polynucleotides encoding the polypeptides, catalytic domains or beta-glucan binding domains. The present disclosure further relates to dish washing compositions comprising polypeptides exhibiting beta-glucanase activity and one or more amylases and/or one or more proteases and uses thereof in dish wash applications and dish wash processes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Thomas Weber, Inga Kerstin Vockenroth, Clarissa Maisey, Astrid Spitz, Lisa-Marie Schuetz, Claudia Ottow, Daniela Herbst, Iben Damager, Morten Gjermansen, Carsten Andersen, Claudia Lindner
  • Patent number: 11434597
    Abstract: An automatic delivery system for a washing machine, and a washing machine, are provided. The automatic delivery system comprises: a water box provided with a main water inlet pipeline and a detergent delivery pipeline; a distribution box arranged inside the water box and provided with at least one installation cavity for accommodating a washing additive box; the washing additive box being installed in the installation cavity, and being provided with an unidirectional ventilation structure and a liquid outlet, and a negative pressure extraction mechanism, the negative pressure extraction mechanism comprising a Venturi tube arranged in the main water inlet pipeline, the washing additive being drawn out of the washing additive box and delivered into the washing barrel by a negative pressure generated by water flow through an outlet of the Venturi tube.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignees: CHONGQING HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD., HAIER SMART HOME CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peishi Lv, Liping Li, Tao Huang
  • Patent number: 11421366
    Abstract: A method of controlling a washing machine includes: sensing a laundry amount accommodated in a drum; performing water supply into the drum according to the sensed laundry amount; rotating a pump motor at a certain initial rotation speed and transferring washing water discharged from the drum to at least one nozzle for spraying water into the drum; sensing a water level in the drum; performing a re-supply of water at least once until the sensed water level reaches a set water level; and increasing the rotation speed of the pump motor whenever the re-supply of water is performed, so that as the rotation speed of the pump motor is increased, the reaching range of the water stream sprayed through the nozzle gradually expands from the lower side of the circumferential surface of the drum to the rear surface of the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myunghun Im, Hwanjin Jung, Kyungchul Woo
  • Patent number: 11423302
    Abstract: An artificial intelligent laundry treatment apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a door including an external cover and an internal glass and configured to open and close a laundry entrance; a gasket formed on an inner circumferential surface of the laundry entrance; a door imaging sensor disposed to face the internal glass and configured to acquire a door image; a gasket imaging sensor configured to acquire a gasket image including a region of the gasket; and a processor configured to classify a state of the door on the basis of the door image, to acquire a gasket contamination degree on the basis of the gasket image, and to determine whether inside cleansing is required for a region including an inside of a drum on the basis of at least one of the classification result of the state of the door or the acquired gasket contamination degree.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2019
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jinok Kim, Yunsik Park, Sungmok Hwang
  • Patent number: 11396114
    Abstract: A method for separating and recycling a waste polyester-cotton textile by a hydrothermal reaction catalyzed by an organic acid, comprising the following steps: dividing a waste polyester-cotton textile into fragments and dispersing in an aqueous solution system of the organic acid catalyst to obtain a mixed system; in a high-pressure reactor, heating the mixed system to 110˜180° C. so that cotton fibers in the waste polyester-cotton textile undergo a degradation reaction for 0.5˜3 h to obtain a mixture; and filtering the mixture by a sieve, washing to obtain a polyester fiber aggregate, and then filtering the remaining portion by a filtration membrane in vacuum so as to obtain cotton fiber fragments after washing. Embodiments of the present disclosure may provide advantages for the separation, recycling and reuse of waste polyester-cotton textiles. For example, the catalyst used during processing is derived from nature and is biodegradable.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2022
    Assignee: The Hong Kong Research Institute of Textiles and Apparel Limited
    Inventors: Edwin Yee Man Keh, Lei Yao, Xiao Liao, Yang Liu, Kevin Cheuk, Alex Chan
  • Patent number: 11319658
    Abstract: A drum washing machine comprises an inner drum rotatable. Both ends of the inner drum are closed and rotatably mounted on a supporting device through rotating shafts, respectively. A side wall of the inner drum is provided with an input port for taking and putting items. A sealing inner cover capable of being opened/closed is mounted at the input port. A water flow passage for feeding water and/or draining water is arranged in at least one of the rotating shafts at both ends of the inner drum. The whole inner drum may be made into a drum without any hole. During the washing process, washing water is held in the inner drum, and the inner drum rotates to wash clothes. The two closed ends of the inner drum are rotatably mounted on the supporting device through the rotating shafts, thus realizing rotation of the inner drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER DRUM WASHING MACHINE CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Peishi Lv, Sheng Xu, Chunfeng Lao, Yanfen Lv, Yimin Li
  • Patent number: 11312678
    Abstract: Solid/liquid separation processes using a large pore filter. One aspect of the disclosure is a process comprising filtering a solid/liquid mixture of a collection of solid aromatic carboxylic acid particles in a solvent in a first zone of a rotary pressure filter apparatus to form a filter cake on a filter surface, and removing the filter cake from the filter surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Ineos US Chemicals Company
    Inventors: Timothy H. Keyes, Anders Bitsch-Larsen
  • Patent number: 11306424
    Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus may include a main drum and an auxiliary drum selectively mounted on or separated from the main drum. A method for controlling the laundry apparatus may include rotating the main drum to cause a centrifugal force for discharging water from the auxiliary drum before supplying washing water into the auxiliary drum. The method may include one of washing laundry in the main drum while the auxiliary drum is separated from the main drum, washing laundry in only the auxiliary drum while the auxiliary drum is mounted on the main drum, or washing laundry simultaneously in the auxiliary drum and the main drum while the auxiliary drum is mounted on the main drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Oshin Kwon, Keunjoo Kim, Jaeyong Jeong, Byunghyun Moon, Dongsoo Lee, Aekyung Chae
  • Patent number: 11291347
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a chemical dosing system for an appliance, such as a laundry washing machine or a dishwashing machine, having a water inlet, the system comprising a meter determining the volume of water supplied to the appliance, a pump for dispensing a quantity of a chemical to the appliance and a control unit arranged to receive a signal from the meter and to cause to be dispensed to the appliance a volume of chemical that is proportional to the quantity of water supplied to the appliance. The disclosed system may enable a correct quantity of chemical to be automatically dispensed to many types of appliance, without the need to know anything about the appliance, or to derive an electrical signal from the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2022
    Assignee: SELDEN RESEARCH LIMITED
    Inventors: Peter Woodhead, Terry Holland, Ian Morris
  • Patent number: 11280043
    Abstract: Additive dispensing, as provided herein, may include opening a water supply valve for a first index according to a predetermined fill index and directing a wash additive from an additive dispenser to a water supply conduit during an additive segment. The method may also include blocking the wash additive from the additive dispenser to the water supply conduit during a non-additive segment, detecting a fluid level within a wash tub following the first index, and comparing the detected fluid level to a target fluid level. The method may further include opening the water supply valve for a second index based on comparing the detected fluid level within the wash tub to the target fluid level, directing the wash additive from the additive dispenser to the water supply conduit during an additive segment, and blocking the wash additive from the additive dispenser to the water supply conduit during a non-additive segment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2022
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Aaron Lee Welch
  • Patent number: 11268054
    Abstract: Single compartment water-soluble refill dose articles having a water-soluble film enclosing a liquid concentrated cleanser composition, methods of making the same, and kits are disclosed. The liquid concentrated cleanser composition includes a mixture of a rheology modifier, a first surfactant, a stabilizing amount of a first alkaline substance, a viscosity increasing amount of an additional alkaline substance that interacts with the rheology modifier, when diluted with water to form a cleanser, to increase the viscosity, and about 10% or less wt/wt water and about 20% or less by wt/wt glycol. The first alkaline substance is an ethoxylated amine and prevents the viscosity increasing amount of additional alkaline substance from reacting with the rheology modifier before water dissolves the water-soluble film. When dissolved in water at a 1:1 to 1:20 ratio, a cleanser has a viscosity within a range of 2000 cps to 50,000 cps is formed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2021
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: HAYDEN PRODUCTS LLC
    Inventors: Curan Mehra, Konstantinos Lahanas
  • Patent number: 11248192
    Abstract: Liquid detergent compositions with polymer blends to provide a stable aqueous use solution of a highly alkaline detergent composition are provided. The liquid detergent composition include concentrates and use solutions with blends of alkali-swellable polymers (ASE) and hydrophobically-modified alkali-swellable polymers (HASE). Methods for washing textiles using the liquid detergent compositions are also provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 15, 2022
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Jessica Bull, David Dotzauer, Thomas Duerrschmidt, Gregory Scott Conrad, Alyssa Ana Hantzsch, Kelsey West
  • Patent number: 11236464
    Abstract: A mist of water and air and ozone gas is used in the finishing of fabrics of jeans and other apparel to achieve a faded, worn, or washed appearance and finish. Jeans or other apparel items are processed in a chamber of a finishing machine. Water and air mist that includes drops of liquid water are sprayed into the chamber. Ozone is separately introduced into the chamber. After processing, the jeans or other apparel will have a stonewashed or acid-washed appearance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Levi Strauss & Co.
    Inventor: Debra Laney
  • Patent number: 11225744
    Abstract: A laundry treatment machine may include: a tub; a drum that is rotatably disposed in the tub; an actuator that provides power for rotating the drum; and a balancer device that is disposed at an end where the inlet hole of the drum is formed, and adjusts the center of gravity of the drum that is rotating. The balancer device may include: a main balancer that reduces vibration of the drum by moving in the opposite direction to eccentricity that is generated when the drum is rotated; a first sub-balancer of which an arrangement gap from the main balancer is adjusted in accordance with the degree of eccentricity of the drum; and a second sub-balancer of which an arrangement gap from the main balancer is adjusted in the opposite direction of the first sub-balancer with respect to the main balancer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Dongcheol Kim, Youngjong Kim, Hyunyong Jeong
  • Patent number: 11224561
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a skin cleansing composition which can sufficiently exhibit an excellent keratotic plug-removing effect without a burden such as pain and irritation on the skin. A skin cleansing composition comprises 0.08 mass % or more and 35 mass % or less of (X) 2-amino-2-methyl-1,3-propanediol and has a pH of 8.5 or more and 12.5 or less at 25° C.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 6, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: KAO CORPORATION
    Inventors: Keita Abe, Toshiaki Ozawa, Yuri Okutani, Daisuke Sawa
  • Patent number: 11203831
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance, such as a clothes washer, either vertical or horizontal axis, can have a bulk dispenser capable of dispensing multiple doses of treating chemistry from a reservoir of treating chemistry. A housing fluidly couples a supply of water and the treating chemistry for supplying both to a treating chamber within the laundry treating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 21, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk Dunsbergen, Ricardo Schiesser
  • Patent number: 11186935
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates in particular to a device comprising a flushing device (10) and a sensor device (20), wherein the flushing device (10) is designed to receive or contain a cleaning agent, and wherein the flushing device (10) and the sensor device (20) are or can be integrated into a cleaning device (1). According to the present disclosure, the sensor device (20) is designed to determine a quantity information that is representative of the amount of cleaning agent filled into the flushing device (10).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2021
    Assignee: HENKEL AG & CO. KGAA
    Inventors: Arnd Kessler, Christian Nitsch, Lars Zuechner, Georg Wawer, Alexander Mueller
  • Patent number: 11180718
    Abstract: The invention meets the needs above by providing a surfactant system, mixture or blend that can be used as a part of a soaking composition. The surfactant system is capable of forming emulsions with, and thus removing, oily and greasy stains. In a preferred embodiment the surfactant compositions of the invention can remove non-trans fat and fatty acid stains. The invention involves foaming soaking compositions that have some or part of the anionic surfactant present in the same replaced with an extended chain anionic surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Ecolab USA Inc.
    Inventors: Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Yvonne Marie Killeen, Derrick Richard Anderson
  • Patent number: 11155952
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a chassis defining an interior. A rotatable treating chamber is located within the interior. The laundry treating appliance further includes a dispenser having a bulk treating reservoir fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. A stain treating station is carried by the chassis at a location spaced from the dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 26, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Scott E. Carpenter, Bruno T. Ramasco
  • Patent number: 11136703
    Abstract: Example implementations relate to a mixing chamber for laundry supplies. For example, an appliance may include a mixing chamber to receive at least one laundry supply and a processor coupled to the mixing chamber. The processor is to identify a user-specified setting associated with a laundry load, determine a characteristic of the laundry load, calculate an amount of the at least one laundry supply to apply to the laundry load based on the user-specified setting and the characteristic, and provide the amount of the at least one laundry supply to the mixing chamber, where the mixing chamber is to mix the amount of the at least one laundry supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2021
    Assignee: Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P.
    Inventors: Michael W Cumbie, David Olsen, Diane R Hammerstad, Eric M Laplante
  • Patent number: 11118299
    Abstract: A washing machine has a cabinet, a wash tub positioned within the cabinet, and a wash basket rotatably mounted within the wash tub. The wash basket is accessible through an opening in the cabinet. The washing machine appliance also includes a door rotatably mounted to the cabinet such that the door is rotatable between an open position and a closed position and a gasket which sealingly engages the door when the door is in the closed position. The gasket includes an S-fold. The S-fold defines a trough and a gap between a front portion of the gasket and a back ring of the gasket. A width of the gap may be at least fifty percent of a width of the trough. A channel may be defined in the trough.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 14, 2021
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas Holzen, Aaron Daniel Abbott