Cleaning Or Laundering Patents (Class 8/137)
  • Patent number: 10145059
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a clothes treating apparatus, including a door to open/close an accommodation space, a hanger provided in the accommodation space and having at least one clothes caught thereon, a sensing unit to sense information related to the clothes caught on the hanger, a controller to control an operation of the clothes treating apparatus based on the sensed information, and an input unit to receive a user input associated with the operation, wherein the controller determines whether a user input is applied to the input unit while a predetermined time interval elapses from a time point that the door has been opened and then closed, determines whether clothes have been added into the accommodation space when a user input is not applied during the lapse of the predetermined time interval, and performs a preset operation of the clothes treating apparatus when it is determined that the clothes have been added to the accommodation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2017
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Junhong Kim
  • Patent number: 10145049
    Abstract: A drum washing machine capable of driving a drum and a rotating body to rotate by a driving part, is provided. The driving part includes: a driving motor; a first rotating shaft fixed to the drum; a second rotating shaft fixed to the rotating body; a first pulley, which is fixed on the first rotating shaft and connected with the driving motor via a first transmission belt; a second pulley, which is connected with the driving motor via a second transmission belt and has an outer diameter different from that of the first pulley; and a clutch mechanism part, configured to switch a driving form of the driving part between a biaxial driving form and a drum independent driving form.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2018
    Assignees: Haier Asia Co., Ltd., Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeharu Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 10106636
    Abstract: The invention relates to a process for preparing a cationic polymer thickener in particle form, said polymer consisting of a crosslinked water swellable cationic polymer comprising at least one cationic water soluble monomer and optionally at least one non-ionic water soluble monomer and/or at least one anionic water soluble monomer, wherein said polymer has a water extractable polymer content lower than 15 wt % as compared to the weight of the polymer, and wherein said polymer is obtained by gel polymerization of said monomers in the presence of from 500 ppm to 10.000 ppm of crosslinking agent relative to the weight of the monomers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: S.P.C.M. SA
    Inventor: Frédéric Blondel
  • Patent number: 10087565
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a drum at least partially defining a treating chamber for receiving a laundry load for treatment according to a cycle of operation, a motor operably coupled with the drum to rotate the drum, a controller coupled to the motor for controlling the motor and for determining at least one input sensed from the motor, and a processor operably coupled with the controller and having a parameter estimator to estimate parameter values of a laundry load based upon the at least one input. The processor is configured to send an excitation signal to the controller that randomly fluctuates an acceleration command to affect acceleration of the motor while the parameter values of the laundry load are estimated. The cycle of operation can then be adjusted based on the estimated parameter values of the laundry load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Janke, Stephen L. Keres
  • Patent number: 10085948
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for ionic gelation on solids for encapsulating water-insoluble solids. The method uses negatively charged macromolecules and soluble salts of polyvalent cations as shell-forming materials having a high adsorption on the surface of the solid when subjected to thermal treatment. The shell-forming material represents at least 10% of the weight of the dry microcapsule obtained. The obtained microcapsule can be redispersed in water and treated by altering the environment thereof in order to be used as an encapsulating medium for water-soluble compounds and they can also be used as active ingredients and/or excipients in the production of pharmaceutical or nutraceutical compositions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2018
    Assignee: Universidad de Antioquia (UDEA)
    Inventors: Herley Fernando Casanova, César Perez Zapata, César Restrepo, Johnatan Diosa Arango
  • Patent number: 10072370
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a laundry treating apparatus including a washing course for eliminating dirt or contaminants from laundry loaded in a drum, a washing-dehydrating course for eliminating water elements from the laundry having the washing course by accelerating the drum; and a rinsing course performed after the washing-dehydrating course, the rinsing course for eliminating detergent used in the washing course and remaining dirt or contaminants of the laundry by rotating the drum, wherein the drum is decelerated down to a rinsing RPM higher than 0 RPM together with finishing of the washing-dehydrating course and the rinsing course starts at the rinsing RPM.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sunku Kwon, Sanghyun Lee, Bonkwon Koo, Sunho Lee
  • Patent number: 10023826
    Abstract: A water-soluble pouch including a water-soluble film and at least one compartment enclosed by the film, where the compartment includes a composition, and where the composition includes a siloxane-based polymer suds suppressor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Johan Maurice Theo De Poortere, Jef Annie Alfons Maes, Jean-Francois Bodet, Bruno Jean-Pierre Matthys, Alice Michele Boutoille, Lucia FernandezMartinez, Rebecca Ann Langevin, Bernard William Kluesener, Rajan Keshav Panandiker
  • Patent number: 10011938
    Abstract: Disclosed is a laundry treatment apparatus. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a drum rotatably placed in a cabinet defining an external appearance of the laundry treatment apparatus, a housing secured to the drum, a receiving space defined in the housing, a balancing unit movably received in the receiving space, a housing power line installed in the receiving space to extend in a movement path of the balancing unit, the housing power line coming into contact with the balancing unit, and a power supply unit to supply power to the balancing unit through the housing power line.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2018
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyeonghwan Kim, Jaehyun Kim, Jaewon Chang
  • Patent number: 9999340
    Abstract: A dishwasher having a tub having an open face and at least partially defining a treating chamber for holding dishes during an automatic cycle of operation, a door moveably mounted between an opened position, wherein a user the treating chamber is accessible, and a closed position, wherein the door closes the open face of the tub and dispensing assembly configured to activate an indicator to emit a human-detectable signal in response to a first signal indicating a predetermined amount of treating chemistry and a second signal indicating a predetermined amount of illumination.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. DeWeerd, Paul E. Beshears, Jr., Sathish A. Sundaram, Kristopher L. Delgado
  • Patent number: 9988753
    Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance includes controlling rotation of a drum during a cycle of operation by a controller communicably coupled to a motor, sending an excitation signal to a controller that randomly fluctuates an acceleration command to affect acceleration of the motor, determining, by the controller during excitation, one or more inputs sensed from the motor, and estimating with a parameter estimator parameter values of a laundry load in the drum based on the inputs. The cycle of operation can then be adjusted based on the estimated parameter values of the laundry load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P Janke, Stephen L. Keres
  • Patent number: 9963818
    Abstract: A drum washing machine capable of performing washing applicable to various washings is provided. The drum washing machine includes: an outer tank provided in a shell; a drum, which is provided in the outer tank and configured to rotate with a horizontal shaft or an inclination shaft inclining relative to a horizontal direction as a center; a driving part, configured to be operated in a first and second driving form, the first driving form refers to a form in which the drum and a rotating body are enabled to rotate at different rotation speeds, the second driving form refers to a form in which the drum and the rotating body are enabled to rotate integrally at a same rotation speed; a control part, configured to control actions of the driving part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignees: Haier Asia Co., Ltd., Qingdao Haier Washing Machine Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Shigeharu Nakamoto
  • Patent number: 9926660
    Abstract: A washing machine has a lye container, a lye drainage system disposed at a base of the lye container, a drive motor for a drum, and a heating unit. The washing machine has a device for supplying air into the lye, the device can be switched independently of the drum, and the device is an air compressor pump having an outlet to the lye container.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeräte GmbH
    Inventors: Ingo Schulze, Harald Moschütz
  • Patent number: 9896646
    Abstract: The present invention is to a liquid laundry detergent composition comprising an anionic surfactant, a non-ionic surfactant, between 0.5 wt % and 25 wt % water and 0.05% and 2% by weight of the composition of a cationic polymer being an hydroxyethyl cellulose polymer derivatized with trimethyl ammonium substituted epoxide, wherein the anionic surfactant comprises fatty acid; and wherein; the weight ratio of cationic polymer to anionic surfactant is less than 1:5; the weight ratio of cationic polymer to non-ionic surfactant is more than 1:10; the weight ratio of cationic polymer to total surfactant is less than 1:5; and wherein the weight ratio of anionic to non-ionic surfactant is from 5:1 to 23:1, wherein ‘total surfactant’ means the level of all surfactant present in the liquid laundry detergent composition, including but not limited to all anionic, non-ionic and cationic surfactant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Karel Jozef Maria Depoot, Katrien Andrea Lieven Van Elsen
  • Patent number: 9890252
    Abstract: The present invention provides a silicone compound shown by the formula (1) and having a weight-average molecular weight in the range of 500 to 200,000, R1aR2bR3cR4dSiO(4-a-b-c-d)/2 (1), wherein R1 represents the same or different organic group, R2 represents a polyoxyalkylene group shown by —CmH2m—O—(C2H4O)g(C3H6O)hR6, R3 represents a branched type monovalent organosiloxane group shown by the following general formula (4), MoMRpDqDRrTsTRtQu (4), and R4 represents a monovalent organosiloxane group shown by the following general formula (5) or the general formula (6), MMRDv-1 (5), MwDv-1DRv-2TRv-3 (6). This provides a silicone compound which has excellent emulsification ability and emulsion stability to silicone oil, and can secure high temporal stability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: SHIN-ETSU CHEMICAL CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Emi Akabane, Tomoyuki Goto
  • Patent number: 9890490
    Abstract: A method of detecting high friction events in a laundry treating appliance includes rotating the drum, determining, during the rotation, a torque of the motor, an acceleration of the drum, a speed of the drum, and/or an angular position of the drum at each of multiple speeds, and repeatedly estimating with a parameter estimator, during the rotation, viscous friction, coulomb friction, and total friction based on the torque, acceleration, speed, and/or angular position of the drum. A high friction even is determined based on the estimated viscous friction, coulomb friction and/or total friction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 13, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brian P. Janke, Stephen L. Keres, Erol D. Sumer, Ran Zhao, Bradley D. Morrow, Nicholas C. Fugal
  • Patent number: 9885135
    Abstract: A method of removing effects of torque fluctuations caused by activation or deactivation of machine components in estimating inertia from a parameter estimator in a laundry treating appliance includes rotating the drum during a cycle of operation on a laundry load, determining a start time when a machine component is activated or deactivated during the cycle of operation, resetting covariance in a parameter estimator at a predetermined reset time after the start time, repeatedly estimating in the parameter estimator after the reset time, inertia of the laundry load, based on the torque, acceleration, speed, and/or angular position of the drum, processing estimated parameter values from the parameter estimator at a predetermined adjusting time after the predetermined reset time, and adjusting cycle parameters based on the processed estimated parameter values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Erol D. Sumer
  • Patent number: 9885139
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance includes a reservoir and a dispensing assembly for drawing fluid additives from the reservoir into the wash basket of the washing machine appliance. The dispensing assembly includes an aspirator comprising a water inlet, an additive inlet, and an outlet. The outlet of the aspirator is positioned above the maximum fill level of a fluid storage volume of the reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2018
    Assignee: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.
    Inventors: Alexander B. Leibman, Christopher Edward O'Malley
  • Patent number: 9863077
    Abstract: A washing machine is disclosed. The washing machine includes a pump that is configured to drain or circulate water and that comprises a motor that is configured to operate the pump. The washing machine further includes a motor driver that is configured to supply operation power to the motor. The washing machine further includes a motor controller that is configured to set a rotation speed of the motor and that is configured to supply, to the motor driver, a signal that controls the motor. The washing machine further includes a current sensor that is configured to measure a current supplied from the motor driver to the motor. The washing machine further includes a speed sensor. The washing machine further includes a water level sensor. The washing machine further includes a main controller that is configured to start or stop operation of the motor by supplying a control command.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hwanjin Jung, Naeun Kim, Sanghyun Lee, Bonkwon Koo
  • Patent number: 9850619
    Abstract: The invention provides an apparatus and method for use in the treatment of substrates, whereby the apparatus comprises housing means having mounted therein a rotatably mounted drum (17), access means through which said substrates may be loaded into said drum (17), and a multiplicity of solid particulate material delivery means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: Xeros Limited
    Inventors: Simon Paul Wells, Gareth Evan Lyn Jones
  • Patent number: 9765465
    Abstract: A washing machine of the present invention comprises a casing; a tub disposed inside the casing; a drum rotatably provided inside the tub, for accommodating laundry therein; and a gasket interposed between the casing and the tub, for preventing water in the tub from leaking between the tub and the casing. Wherein the gasket comprises a plurality of gasket nozzles for spraying water into the drum; and a plurality of connectors for supplying water to the respective gasket nozzles. Wherein the gasket nozzle comprises a spray guidance surface for refracting the an advancing direction of the water supplied through the connector so as to spray the water toward inside of the drum; and a plurality of protrusions provided adjacent to an finish end of the spray guidance surface on which the water guided along the spray guidance surface is separated, and arranged along an width direction of the spray guidance surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Myong Hun Im, Sung Min Lee, Chang Woo Son
  • Patent number: 9719050
    Abstract: The present application relates to anti-foam compositions and methods of making and using such compositions as well as consumer products that comprise such compositions and the use of same. Such anti-foam compositions have low viscosities yet are effective antifoamers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 26, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2017
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Rajan Keshav Panandiker, Bernard William Kluesener, Rebecca Ann Langevin, Sherri Lynn Randall, Takato Sakurai, Hiroyuki Moriya, Akihiro Kobayashi
  • Patent number: 9624616
    Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus including at least three balancers fixed to a drum such that they are spaced apart from one another at regular angular intervals around a rotational center of the drum, each of the at least three balancers being divided into a front chamber close to the front side of the drum and a rear chamber close to a rear side of the drum for accommodation of liquid and including a guide channel member for guiding liquid to the rear chamber, a channel unit comprising a first channel member for supplying liquid to the front chambers of the balancers and a second channel member for supplying liquid to the guide channel members of the balancers, and a supply unit capable of concurrently supplying liquid to both the first and second channel members or of selectively supplying liquid to one of the first and second channel members is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 19, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Keunjoo Kim, Jinwoong Kim, Seungchul Park
  • Patent number: 9550966
    Abstract: The invention provides a method and formulation for cleaning a soiled substrate, the method comprising the treatment of the moistened substrate with a formulation comprising a multiplicity of polymeric particles, wherein the polymeric particles comprise at least one antimicrobial agent. Preferably, the substrate is wetted so as to achieve a substrate to water ratio of between 1:0.1 to 1:5 w/w. Optionally, the formulation additionally comprises at least one additional cleaning agent, and in this embodiment, it is preferred that the polymeric particles are mixed with the at least one additional cleaning agent. Preferably, the additional cleaning material comprises a surfactant, which most preferably has detergent properties. Most preferably, the substrate comprises a textile fiber. Typically, the polymeric particles comprise particles of polyester or nylon, most preferably in the form of beads.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2017
    Assignee: Xeros Limited
    Inventors: Stephen Martin Burkinshaw, Stephen Derek Jenkins, Alan John Waddon
  • Patent number: 9534332
    Abstract: A water bearing household appliance (1) includes: a treating chamber (6) in which one or more items (7) can be loaded and treated with water and one or more additives; a logic unit (12) to control the electric and/or electronic components of the appliance (1) so as to make the latter to perform a treating cycle for treating the one or more loaded items (7) with water and one or more additives; a load amount acquiring device (13) for acquiring and communicating to the logic unit (12) information related to the amount of the one or more items (7) loaded in the treating chamber (6); and a user interface (14) configured for allowing a user to set parameters related to the treating cycle and to the one or more additives to be used during the treating cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Mirko Gasparini, Paolo Driussi, Paolo Quattrin, Thomas Hoppichler
  • Patent number: 9523169
    Abstract: The present invention provides a cleaning apparatus for cleaning at least one soiled substrate with a multiplicity of solid particles, the apparatus comprising: an external casing defining the external perimeter of the apparatus, said external casing defining at least an upper internal volume and a lower internal volume; a perforate drum arranged in the upper internal volume and configured for rotation about a horizontal axis, for agitation of the at least one soiled substrate during a cleaning process; a partition sealingly dividing the upper internal volume from the lower internal volume, the partition including a collecting region configured to collect and retain wash liquor and solid particles of said multiplicity of solid particles released from the drum during a cleaning process; a recirculating arrangement configured to transfer particles of said multiplicity of solid particles from said collecting region to said drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Xeros Limited
    Inventors: Michael David Sawford, Simon Paul Wells
  • Patent number: 9422659
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a method for operating a washing machine appliance are provided. The method includes monitoring a flow rate of fluid additive with a flow meter and measuring a volume of fluid additive dispensed after the flow rate of fluid additive substantially decreases. The method can assist with accurately and/or precisely dispensing fluid additive during operating of the washing machine appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventor: Byron Lee Boylston
  • Patent number: 9404071
    Abstract: The present invention relates to the use of a composition comprising a) anionic surfactant; and b) solvent system comprising at least one primary solvent having Hansen solubility (?) of less than 29 said composition being encapsulated in a water soluble film pouch, for reducing migration and weeping of said composition through said film.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 5, 2015
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventors: Regine Labeque, Katrien Andrea Lieven Van Elsen
  • Patent number: 9326521
    Abstract: A cleaning compound for cleaning surfaces that includes at least one container, with each container including a peroxide and/or an alkaline reactant therein. The alkaline reactant is selected to raise the pH of the cleaning compound into the alkaline range when the peroxide and the alkaline reactant are mixed together. The cleaning compound may be a liquid or dry compound, which is applied to the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2016
    Inventor: William E. Spindler
  • Patent number: 9267098
    Abstract: The present invention relates to laundry care compositions comprising thiophene azo carboxylate dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gregory Scot Miracle
  • Patent number: 9267226
    Abstract: A washing machine and method for detecting unbalance in a washing machine. A power filter may be calculated based on a detected load size, speed of a component of the washing machine, and/or a resonant frequency of the washing machine. An unbalanced indicator may be activated when a speed does not pass the power filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2016
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Richard D. Suel, II
  • Patent number: 9260814
    Abstract: A washing machine having a weight sensing unit comprises a cabinet forming an appearance, a tub disposed within the cabinet, springs installed between the tub and a frame of the cabinet, and a weight sensing unit disposed on the frame of the cabinet, one end of the springs being coupled to the weight sensing unit. The weight sensing unit comprises a case coupled to the frame of the cabinet, a load cell supported with being received in the case, and a pressure distributing member mounted on the load cell to hold the spring thereon.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Bosung Seo, Myunghun Im, Sooyoung Oh, Changoh Kim
  • Patent number: 9234163
    Abstract: The present invention relates to laundry care compositions comprising mono-azo carboxylate dyes.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 18, 2014
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2016
    Assignee: The Procter & Gamble Company
    Inventor: Gregory Scot Miracle
  • Patent number: 9167685
    Abstract: A circuit board includes a plate-shaped dielectric body with a first and a second main surface and including a first area not to be bent and a second area to be bent such that the first main surface becomes an outer side, a first reinforcing member located in the first area nearer the first main surface in relation to a center of the second area in a thickness direction and away from the second area, and a second reinforcing member located in the first area nearer the second main surface in relation to the center of the second area and contacting with a border between the first and the second areas. The first main surface curves from an edge of the first reinforcing member closest to the second area, and the second main surface curves from an edge of the second reinforcing member on the border.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2015
    Assignee: Murata Manufacturing Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Nobuo Ikemoto, Yuki Wakabayashi
  • Patent number: 9139944
    Abstract: Disclosed is a washing method in which an inner tub or a pulsator is operated in various ways to achieve reduced abrasion of laundry and enhanced washing performance. The washing machine includes a disentangling washing operation during which the inner tub is alternately rotated in forward and reverse directions to disentangle laundry received in the inner tub, a tapping washing operation, subsequent to the disentangling washing operation, during which the inner tub is successively rotated in a given direction such that the laundry is adhered to an inner surface of the inner tub and the wash water is raised along a path between the outer tub and the inner tub to thereby flow into the inner tub by centrifugal force generated during rotation of the inner tub, and an agitation washing operation, subsequent to the tapping washing operation, during which the pulsator is alternately rotated in forward and reverse directions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Dongyoon Kim, Youngkee Oh
  • Patent number: 9109190
    Abstract: The invention discloses synergistic combinations of surfactants blends and cleaning composition. In certain embodiments a surfactant system is disclosed which includes extended anionic surfactants, linker surfactants, and a multiply charged cation component. This system forms emulsions with, and can remove greasy and oily stains, even those comprised of non-trans fats. The compositions may be used alone, as a pre-spotter or other pre-treatment or as a part of a soft surface or hard surface cleaning composition.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2015
    Assignee: ECOLAB USA INC.
    Inventors: Victor Fuk-Pong Man, Michael Charles DeNoma, Susan Maloney Viall, Steven E. Lentsch, Yvonne Marie Killeen
  • Patent number: 9096816
    Abstract: The present invention provides the use of a composition comprising a polyalkyleneimine and/or salts or derivative thereof and an amphoteric polymer for the prevention of corrosion of non-metallic in organic items during a washing or rinsing process, in particular during an automatic dishwashing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2015
    Assignee: RECKITT BENCKISER N.V.
    Inventors: Nicole Graf, Karlheinz Ulrich Gerhard Hahn
  • Patent number: 9072303
    Abstract: A cleaning compound for cleaning surfaces that includes at least one container, with each container including a peroxide and/or an alkaline reactant therein. The alkaline reactant is selected to raise the pH of the cleaning compound into the alkaline range when the peroxide and the alkaline reactant are mixed together. The cleaning compound may be a liquid or dry compound, which is applied to the surface to be cleaned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 7, 2015
    Inventor: William E. Spindler
  • Patent number: 9044732
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a microcapsule particle composition that is composed of a sol-gel material. The microcapsule particle composition is well suited for personal care and cleaning products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2015
    Assignee: International Flavors & Fragrances Inc.
    Inventors: Yabin Lei, Lewis Michael Popplewell, Xiao Huang
  • Patent number: 9039786
    Abstract: A control method of a laundry machine is disclosed. The control method of a laundry machine comprising a balancer includes an unbalance sensing step, wherein the unbalance sensing step recognizes an unbalancemaximum value and an unbalanceminimum value of an unbalance wave and the unbalance sensing step determines an average value of the two unbalance maximumvalue and unbalanceminimum value to be of the unbalance generated in a drum provided in the laundry machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 26, 2015
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jae Hyuk Jang, Bon Kwon Koo
  • Publication number: 20150140311
    Abstract: A method is provided for removing a volatile organic compound (VOC) contained in an artificial leather fabric and odor caused by the volatile organic compound by coating the artificial leather fabric with an adsorbent which reacts with a noxious substance containing the volatile organic compound (VOC); and immersing; washing; and drying the reacted artificial leather fabric. The method includes coating the adsorbent and immobilizing the volatile organic compound through a reaction, to prevent volatilization of the organic compound or reduce an amount thereof. Further, after the reaction between the artificial leather fabric and the adsorbent, the artificial leather fabric is washed, to remove the volatile organic compound immobilized on a surface of the fabric from the artificial leather.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicants: KOLONGLOTECH. INC., HYUNDAI MOTOR COMPANY
    Inventors: Gun Kang, Hyun Joo Seo, Mi Jung Yun, Dae Seok Choi, Yong Tae Ha, Min Jeong Kim, Ju Ahn Kim, Ki Eop Kim, Yoon Jung Kwon, Shin Hyouk Kang
  • Publication number: 20150135446
    Abstract: A method for treating laundry spraying a liquid with dissolved detergent into a drum holding laundry, delaying for a predetermined time period after spraying the liquid to allow the detergent to be absorbed in the laundry, spraying steam into the drum to rinse the laundry, and supplying heated air into the drum to dry the laundry. The detergent including 5 to 10 wt % of polyoxyethylene alkylether, 3 to 10 wt % of sodium ethylhexyl sulfate, and the balance of water.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Minji KIM, Sungmin YE, Jeongyun KIM
  • Patent number: 9034811
    Abstract: Concentrated cleaning formulations for removing debris from hard surfaces and textile surfaces. An exemplary formulation includes a mixture of the following chemical components, in specified proportions: glycerin; monopropylene glycol; triethylene glycol methyl ether; a non-ionic surfactant; an emulsifier; soya methyl ester or canola methyl ester, or both; and hydroxypropyl sulfonate; The formulation is free of water other than insignificant amounts present in the chemical components combined to make the mixture. Combining the formulation with water causes a temperature of the combination to increase above the temperatures of the water and the formulation before combining.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Inventors: David Edward Molnar, Peter McLean Harrison
  • Publication number: 20150128358
    Abstract: A method for cleaning at least one soiled substrate in a rotatably mounted cylindrical drum of a cleaning apparatus with a multiplicity of solid particles comprising the steps of: a) agitating said at least one soiled substrate in said drum with wash liquor and said multiplicity of solid particles for a first cleaning cycle wherein said wash liquor comprises at least one cleaning agent; b) draining said wash liquor from said cleaning apparatus; and c) introducing an aqueous non-detergent medium into said cleaning apparatus and agitating said at least one soiled substrate with said multiplicity of solid particles in said drum for a second cleaning cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Inventors: Simon Paul WELLS, Michael SAWFORD, Wayne Robert SZYMCZYK, Elizabeth Jean ABERCROMBIE, Stephen Derek JENKINS
  • Publication number: 20150128357
    Abstract: The present disclosure provides an apparatus and a method for controlling a washing machine that automatically select a washing method when a user uses the washing machine and saves the user an effort to choose a washing method suitable for the laundry. The apparatus includes at least one sensor unit in the washing machine configured to measure a value of a natural frequency of laundry in the washing machine; a database unit storing information regarding a washing method of the laundry; a control unit that compares the value of the natural frequency from the sensor unit with value(s) of a natural frequency or frequencies stored in the database unit to determine the type of laundry, select a washing method corresponding to the determined type of laundry, and output a signal to perform the selected washing method; and a driving unit that receives the signal from the control unit and operates the washing machine in accordance with the signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 13, 2013
    Publication date: May 14, 2015
    Applicant: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: Kwan Seo KOO
  • Patent number: 9028561
    Abstract: A bluing composition concentrate comprises an aqueous medium and at least one colorant that exhibits a blue or violet shade when deposited onto a textile material. The concentrate can be used to produce a bluing composition, and the bluing composition can be used to treat textile materials in such a way as to decrease the visually-perceived yellow coloration of textile articles that can occur with repeated use and laundering.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 12, 2015
    Assignee: Milliken & Company
    Inventors: Carlos Ilao, Jr., Kheng Teck Chan, Rajnish Batlaw, Zhen Zhen Lim
  • Publication number: 20150121629
    Abstract: A washing machine can include a washing part configured to wash, rinse, and/or spin-dry laundry after water is supplied to a washing tub of the washing machine; a drain part, including a drain pipe connected to the washing part and a drain hose connected to a drain hole, and a pump configured to rotate an impeller connected to a rotation shaft of the pump in a forward direction or a backward direction; and a controller configured to rotate the impeller in the backward direction and circulate wash water into the washing tub through the drain pipe during a washing operation, and rotate the impeller of the pump in the forward direction and discharge the wash water through the drain hose during a drain operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2013
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics Corporation
    Inventor: In Young JANG
  • Publication number: 20150121631
    Abstract: A washing machine and a control method thereof capable of accurately detecting the weight of laundry received in the washing machine by primarily detecting the weight of the laundry according to driving of a motor before the beginning of a washing process and correcting the primary detected weight of laundry according to the number of supplies of water which is additionally supplied within a given time after main water supply is completed during the washing process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung Woon KANG
  • Publication number: 20150121630
    Abstract: A washing machine capable of performing washing by increasing a water level when an overload of a motor is detected, and a control method thereof. The washing is performed by detecting an overload of the motor using a load detecting circuit and changing a water level to a highest water level when the overload is detected. Thus, a burning smell may not be caused from the motor by preventing stalling of the motor, and washing performance may be maintained since the motor is continuously operated without stopping.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 10, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Sung Mo LEE, Jun Hyun PARK, Seung Hun LEE, Jung Won CHOI
  • Publication number: 20150126430
    Abstract: Provided are wrinkle reducing and deodorizing dryer sheets and methods of making and using the dryer sheets. In one form of the dryer sheet, the wrinkle reducing and deodorizing dryer sheet includes an absorbent wet substrate in sheet form with a polyvinyl alcohol sheet adhered to one surface of the substrate. In another form the PVA sheet is added separately from that of the absorbent wet substrate sheet. The PVA sheet is preferably in the form of an uncoated non-woven of a thickness of 8 mil or less. The wet impregnated sheet contains a solution of quaternary ammonium salts of different water solubility. The method for using, the wrinkle reducing and deodorizing dryer sheet is added to a rotary dryer with a load of wet or dried garments to reduce wrinkling in the garments during the drying process, reduce static cling and refresh the treated clothing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 5, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Jose E. Ramirez, Donna F. Ramirez
  • Publication number: 20150113739
    Abstract: A washing machine appliance and a method for operating a washing machine appliance are provided. The method includes initiating a learning cycle of the washing machine appliance. During the learning cycle, at least one of a flow rate and a temperature of a heated water supply, a flow rate and a temperature for a cold water supply and a drain rate of a drain pump is determined or established and stored within a memory of the washing machine appliance. The method can assist with improving a performance and/or efficiency of the washing machine appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: James Quentin Pollett, Mark William Thomas Worley