Manipulation Of Liquid Patents (Class 8/158)
  • Patent number: 8397328
    Abstract: An apparatus and method of using an automatic washing machine to determine a concentration of a wash aid in a wash liquid, and implementing a controlled flushing of the wash aid in response to the determined concentration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Hendrickson, Colleen M. Doyle, Frank Nekic, Joel Adam Luckman, Ayomide Fawole
  • Patent number: 8400638
    Abstract: The embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a physical resource for use in a physical resource consuming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk M. Dunsbergen, Kaustav Ghosh, Robert J. Pinkowski
  • Patent number: 8397543
    Abstract: The embodiments of the invention relate to an apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a physical resource for use in a physical resource consuming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk M. Dunsbergen, Kaustav Ghosh, Robert J. Pinkowski
  • Patent number: 8387189
    Abstract: A novel washing method of a washing machine that is capable of performing a washing operation of laundry with reduced washing water consumption and low power consumption and, in addition, sterilizing the laundry is disclosed. The washing method includes supplying washing water containing detergent into a tub to perform a high-concentration washing process, and, before or after the high-concentration washing process, supplying steam into a drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seog Kyu Park, Phal Jin Lee, Youn Dong Lee, In Geun Ahn
  • Patent number: 8381341
    Abstract: A method and apparatus according to one embodiment for determining laundry load size in an automatic clothes washer includes supplying water to predetermined water levels higher than a saturate water level and determining the amount of water supplied to reach each predetermined water level from a prior water level, and determining a load size based on the determined amount of water supplied between the current predetermined water level and the prior water level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jenn-Yeu Nieh, James Andrew Oskins
  • Patent number: 8370980
    Abstract: A drum type washing machine includes a rotating drum having a rotating axis in a substantially horizontal direction and sustained rotatably in a tub. The washing machine further includes a motor for driving the rotating drum, a water supply for supplying water into the tub, and a controller for washing, rinsing and liquid-extracting by controlling workings of the motor. The controller of the washing machine washes a laundry by pouring detergent bubbles in the washing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Hiroko Minayoshi, Eiji Matsuda, Kiyonobu Yoshida, Haruo Ida, Yukihiro Kitazaki
  • Patent number: 8370981
    Abstract: A method of washing fabric articles in a tunnel washer includes moving the fabric articles from the intake of the washer to the discharge of the washer through first and second sectors that are a pre-wash zone. In the pre-wash zone, liquid is counter flowed in the wash interior along a flow path that is generally opposite the direction of travel of the fabric articles. The fabric articles are transferred to a main wash zone, and a washing chemical is added to the main wash zone. At about the same time, counter flow is reduced or stopped. The main wash zone can be heated as an option. After a period of time (for example, between about 20 and 120 seconds) counter flow is increased. The increased counter flow after chemical treatment amounts to either an intermediate rinse or a pre-rinse depending upon which module or zone the goods occupy.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 5, 2011
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: Pellerin Milnor Corporation
    Inventors: Russell H. Poy, Karl Schubert
  • Patent number: 8365333
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine and a method for controlling the same, wherein the laundry machine includes a steam generator (300) for generating and supplying steam to a drum (130) and a detergent liquid flow passage (340) for providing a passage to supply detergent liquid to an inside of the steam generator (300), thereby permitting easy washing of the steam generator (300) in the laundry machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: February 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Jung Wook Moon, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son
  • Patent number: 8341787
    Abstract: Disclosed herein are a drum type washing machine having ball balancers and a controlling method of the same that are capable of reducing spin-drying time. The drum type washing machine having ball balancers according to the present invention includes a rotary tub having the ball balancers mounted therein, a wash motor to rotate the rotary tub, and a controller to detect the eccentricity amount of the rotary tub while controlling the rotary tub to be rotated at a first rotation speed, and, when the rotation speed of the rotary tub reaches a second rotation speed, to control the rotary tub, such that the rotary tub is decelerated to a third rotation speed and a drainage process is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Hyun Bae Kim, Sung Mo Lee, Kyo Soon Choi
  • Patent number: 8342029
    Abstract: An apparatus for guarding a pressure sensor for a washing machine is provided, which adjusts the water level required to wash laundries. The apparatus for guarding a pressure sensor includes a diaphragm built in a space part of a housing to operate in accordance with the water pressure of washing water being supplied through an inlet, a metal core mounted on an upper surface of the diaphragm through a coil spring, a first sensing part installed in a moving path of the metal core to output a signal required for adjustment of a water level of the washing water, a measurement part mounted on an upper surface of the metal core to ascend/descend along an operation path of the coil spring, a second sensing part mounted on an upper side of the space part to sense maximum and minimum positions of the measurement part, and a controller outputting a blocking signal to an inlet path of the inlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2013
    Assignee: Useong Electro Mechanics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Ro Gwan Ho
  • Patent number: 8336144
    Abstract: A method of washing fabric articles in a tunnel washer includes moving the fabric articles from the intake of the washer to the discharge of the washer through first and second sectors that are a pre-wash zone. In the pre-wash zone, liquid is counter flowed in the wash interior along a flow path that is generally opposite the direction of travel of the fabric articles. The fabric articles are transferred to a main wash zone, and a washing chemical is added to the main wash zone. At about the same time, counter flow is reduced or stopped. The main wash zone can be heated as an option. After a period of time (for example, between about 20 and 120 seconds) counter flow is resumed or increased. In the wash zone, this is considered an intermediate rinse. After the wash zone(s), the increased counter flow after chemical treatment amounts to a pre-rinse.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Pellerin Milnor Corporation
    Inventors: Russell H. Poy, Karl Schubert
  • Patent number: 8332980
    Abstract: An appliance having a drain pump with a motor adapted to be supplied with an alternating supply voltage. A controller is adapted to monitor a current value supplied to the motor and to control the frequency of the supply voltage among a plurality of predetermined frequencies when the drain pump is operated in a full drainage mode. A storage medium associated with the controller stores for each predetermined frequency a maximum current value, a minimum current value and an optimal current value. The controller may stores computer implemented instructions for (a) determining if the monitored current value is between the maximum current value and the minimum current value, (b) comparing the monitored current value with the optimal current value, and (c) adjusting the frequency of the alternating supply voltage among the plurality of predetermined frequencies to cause the monitored current to more closely match the optimal current value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: Coprecitec, S.L.
    Inventors: Rodrigo Orue Orue, Javier Valentin Errasti Uriarte, Fernando Sales Villalabeitia
  • Patent number: 8321982
    Abstract: A method of operating a washing machine, by which a steam generator is disclosed, laundry and the washing machine itself can be safely protected in a manner that an error occurrence of the washing machine is accurately detected and by which a following cycle such as a washing cycle, a drying cycle and the like can be effectively performed despite the failure of the washing machine. The present invention includes a step (a) of supplying water to a steam generator, a step (b) of supplying steam into a drum by generating heat from a heater of the steam generator, and a step (c) of detecting abnormality of the washing machine while the step (a) or (b) is carried out.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seog Kyu Park, Youn Dong Lee
  • Patent number: 8312581
    Abstract: With a method for determining the load of a washing machine, the load can be determined in a simple and exact manner in that the load is calculated by a comparison between suspension forces of the at least one suspension element and damper forces of the at least one damper with a non-linear characteristic in the unloaded and loaded state of the washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2012
    Assignee: Suspa GmbH
    Inventor: Andreas Pelczer
  • Patent number: 8303718
    Abstract: The present invention discloses a sterilizable washing machine using ultraviolet radiation, and a sterilizable washing method in the same. The sterilizable washing machine includes a cabinet (2) having an inlet for putting the laundry into the washing machine, a door (50) installed at the cabinet (2), for opening and closing the inlet of the cabinet (2), a tub (6) installed in the cabinet with a buffing function and containable wash water, a drum (8) rotatably installed inside the tub (6) for performing washing, a gasket G installed between the inlet of the cabinet (2) and the tub (6), for sealing the gap between the door (50) and the tub (6), and an ultraviolet light source (20) installed at the gasket (6), for radiating ultraviolet rays into the drum (8).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2011
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young-Soo Kim, Soung-Bong Choi
  • Patent number: 8296889
    Abstract: A control system for a fabric treatment appliance configured to control the operation of the fabric treatment appliance as a function of a user-selected system input weighting.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 30, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpoop Corporation
    Inventor: Nima Motamedi
  • Patent number: 8286288
    Abstract: A method of determining the number of doses and the types of a treating chemistry available in the bulk dispensing system, and providing an indication of the determination on a user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Karl D. McAllister, Michael T. Dalton
  • Patent number: 8286287
    Abstract: A control apparatus for an electrical domestic appliance with a component that presents a danger to the user and a protection component for protecting the user against a danger presented by the dangerous component, has a control device monitoring the operating states of the dangerous component and the protection component and also to activate and/or deactivate the protection component. A protection device prevents a deactivation of the protection component by the control device outside a deactivation operating range of the dangerous component, in which range deactivation of the protection component is permissible. The control apparatus also has a protection-device monitoring device that initiates a deactivation of the protection component within a simulation operating range of the dangerous component within which the operating state of the dangerous component does not present a danger to the user and which range is outside the deactivation operating range.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Diehl AKO Stiftung & Co. KG
    Inventor: Helmut Simon
  • Patent number: 8286289
    Abstract: The present invention refers to the use of an adsorbent comprising particles comprising an amorphous phase and a crystalline phase for the purification of dry cleaning solvents. The present invention furthermore relates to a filter unit containing such an adsorbent. It also refers to a dry cleaner containing a filter according to the invention. Additionally, the present invention refers to a process for dry cleaning textiles, wherein an adsorbent according to the invention is used.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2012
    Assignee: Sud-Chemie AG
    Inventors: Jose Antonio Ortiz Niembro, Eric Thomassiny Villaurrutia, Jorge Bello, Darren James Litle
  • Patent number: 8281438
    Abstract: A washing machine and a method of controlling a washing machine are provided. A drum may be rotated from a stopped state to a specific angle less than 180 degrees. While the drum is rotated, a laundry amount may be sensed based on a current value of a motor that rotates the drum. The laundry amount may be sensed simply and accurately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sun Cheol Bae, Kyung Hoon Kim, Han Su Jung, Jae Hyeok Choi, Ja In Koo
  • Patent number: 8281621
    Abstract: The embodiments of the invention relate to a method and apparatus for determining at least one characteristic of a physical resource for use in a physical resource consuming apparatus.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk M. Dunsbergen, Kaustav Ghosh, Robert J. Pinkowski
  • Patent number: 8276230
    Abstract: Method for operating a laundry device including a sterilizing step for supplying steam to an inside of a drum having laundry introduced thereto for progressing sterilizing and/or soaking of the laundry, a washing water supply step for supplying washing water to an inside of the drum having the laundry introduced thereto according to an amount of the laundry, a washing step for rotating the drum for a preset time period to perform washing, a rinsing step for performing rinsing at least once upon finish of washing, and a spinning step for performing a final spinning cycle upon finish of the rinsing, which are to be progressed in succession, whereby consuming small amount of washing water, and power in soaking the laundry, and enabling sterilizing of the laundry having washing thereof finished.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 24, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Young Soo Kim
  • Patent number: 8276290
    Abstract: A washing and drying machine includes a water tank, a rotary drum, an irradiating light source and control means. The rotary drum is rotatably supported in the water tank. The irradiating light source is for emitting a light beam including ultra-violet ray to the inside of the rotary drum. The control means controls the irradiating light source such that the light beam including the ultra-violet ray is emitted to the inside of the rotary drum after the end of the drying process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2012
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroko Uhara, Shinya Takagi, Masahiro Nishiyama
  • Patent number: 8266748
    Abstract: An automatic treatment machine includes a treatment chamber, a bulk treatment aid dispenser fluidly coupled with the treatment chamber, and optionally a water supply fluidly coupled with at least one of the dispenser and the treatment chamber. A method for dispensing a treatment aid from the bulk treatment aid dispenser into the automatic treatment machine in accordance with a selected treatment cycle includes selecting a treatment cycle, determining a concentration of the treatment aid, determining a volume of the treatment aid to be dispensed based upon the determined concentration, dispensing the determined volume of the treatment aid from the bulk treatment aid dispenser, and initiating the selected treatment cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Stephen Hendrickson, Dennis L. Kehl, Ayomide Fawole
  • Patent number: 8261390
    Abstract: Disclosed is the operation method for a towel-washing course in a washing machine, in which the towel is dehydrated at the spin speed of 900 rpm and 1100 rpm, which is greater than the spin speed (800 rpm) of the drum in the main dehydration process for general laundry, a water level of 22 kHz or 23 kHz, higher than a water level (23.2 kHz) for the general laundry, is supplied to the towel, the towel has a rinse time of 8 or 12 minutes, which is longer than that of 4 minutes for the general laundry, and rinse temperature for the towel is in the range of 50° C.˜60° C., relatively higher than that of 40° C. used to rinse the general laundry. Further, the rinse process having the remaining water removal process is performed between the main dehydration and the water supply, thereby removing detergent solution with a certain concentration from the inside of the washing machine after completing the main dehydration process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Deug-Hee Lee, Pyoung-Hwan Kim, Eun-Jin Park, Hyung-Yong Kim, Seong-Hae Jeong
  • Patent number: 8256137
    Abstract: A home laundry drier (1) having a revolving drum (5) for housing the laundry to be dried, a hot-air generator (7) for circulating a stream of hot air inside the drum (5), and a steam generator (17) for feeding steam into the drum (5); the steam generator (17) having an electric boiler (18) designed to receive a given quantity of water and immediately convert it into a stream of low-pressure steam to be fed into the drum (5), a demineralized-water reservoir (20) located over and communicating with the electric boiler (18), and a lint filter (23) located upstream from the water reservoir (20); the water reservoir (20) receiving distilled water from the water canister (12) of the heat exchanger (10) of the hot-air generator (7) via a water drain circuit (13); and the laundry drier (1) also having a liquid level sensor (26) for determining when the water in the water reservoir (20) is below a given minimum level, and a central control unit (24) for determining whether the water reservoir (20) is in a given low-wa
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2008
    Date of Patent: September 4, 2012
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V.
    Inventors: Flavio Noviello, Gennaro Napolitano, Mirko Cenedese, Roberto Ragogna
  • Patent number: 8250690
    Abstract: A machine for laundry has a drum shaft rotatably mounted by a bearing for driving a laundry drum and having a device for determining loading-relevant characteristic variables or an unbalance of the laundry drum or of the drum shaft. The device for determining loading-relevant characteristic variables or an unbalance includes a magnetic field sensor that senses a magnetized region on the drum shaft or the laundry drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: August 28, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Rainer Jurmann, Harald Moschütz, Uwe Ratfisch, Mark Sauer, Horst Wiemer
  • Patent number: 8245342
    Abstract: A method for determining the laundry load size according to one embodiment of the invention in an automatic clothes washer comprising supplying water to a reference water level to define a first amount of water, supplying water from the reference water level to a second water level above the reference water level and sufficient to submerge the laundry load to define a second amount of water, and determining a load size for the laundry load based on the second amount of water such that errors associated with the first amount of water are not considered in the load size determination based on the second amount of water.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jenn-Yeu Nieh, Bennett James Cook, James Andrew Oskins
  • Patent number: 8245545
    Abstract: A motor controller includes a power converter energizing a motor based on a commutation signal, the motor including a rotor provided with a permanent magnet and a coil-wound stator; an estimator estimating rotor rotational speed and rotational position; a controller outputting the commutation signal to the power converter, the commutation signal taking a predetermined energization pattern based on a command rotational speed during startup, and being outputted based on the rotational position estimated by the estimator during position estimation; a current detector detecting current flowing in the coil winding; an input power calculator calculating input power of the motor by voltage applied to the coil winding and the current detected by the current detector; an output power calculator calculating output power of the motor by the rotational speed estimate; and a rotational abnormality determiner determining occurrence of rotational abnormality based on comparison of the input power with the output power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventor: Sari Maekawa
  • Patent number: 8245343
    Abstract: A method for controlling a washing machine is provided. The method for controlling a washing machine includes at least one rinsing course, wherein the rinsing course includes a foam removal rinsing step for removing foam from laundry by supplying washing water relevant to a quantity of the laundry held in a drum, or the method for controlling a washing machine includes at least one rinsing course, wherein the rinsing course includes a water supply/drain rinsing step for rinsing laundry while simultaneous washing water supply and drain is performed, whereby permitting to enhance a washing effect, significantly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 21, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Eun Jin Park, Deug Hee Lee
  • Patent number: 8239990
    Abstract: Disclosed is an apparatus and method for machine washing that includes a sterilizer capable of continuously exhibiting antibiotic and sterilization functions during washing and rinsing processes and reducing the consumption amount of Ag. The washing machine comprises a water reservoir to contain washing water, a sterilizer sterilizing the washing water through an electrolysis process, and a circulator circulating the washing water in the sterilizer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jung Soo Lim, Phil Soo Chang, Hye Soon Yang, Young Hoon Kang, Byoung Yull Yang, Tal Eun Kim, Hee Won Jin, Hye Ryung Kim
  • Patent number: 8220292
    Abstract: A method for determining the water storage capacity of textiles, wherein the rinsing phase has at least one rinsing sequence which follows a drying sequence. The method is characterized in that a first water absorption is measured during the wetting phase and a second water absorption is measured during at least one of the rinsing sequences, in that the two water absorption measurements are compared with one another and the water storage capacity of the textiles is defined using the comparison.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Gundula Czyzewski, Ingo Schulze
  • Patent number: 8214954
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for determining the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and fabric items during a wash process, and a method for setting the liquid level in the automatic washer based on the degree of engagement between a clothes mover and the fabric items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 25, 2011
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Kalyanakrishnan Vadakkeveedu, Raveendran Vaidhyanathan
  • Patent number: 8209879
    Abstract: A method for operating a dispenser dryer to remove treating chemistry in the dispenser dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 3, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Fredrick E. Chernetski, Michael T. Dalton, Kaustav Ghosh, Karl D. McAllister
  • Patent number: 8206512
    Abstract: A detergent module for dispensing detergent during a wash-cycle is presented in which a sensor senses and indicates or a user via control input indicates whether the detergent in the module is a solid-type detergent or a liquid-type detergent, and the detergent-type indication is used by a dishwashing machine or a laundry washing machine to select a washing algorithm tailored to exploit the cleaning efficiency of the detergent.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Errin Whitney Gnadinger, Mark Douglas Wattley, Mark A. Banta, James Christopher Roberts
  • Patent number: 8205287
    Abstract: An insulation element is provided for installation in a gap of thickness G provided between two objects. The insulation element includes a body made from a thermoplastic polymer material. The body has a first face, a second face and a thickness defined between the first and second faces. The body is characterized by a semi permanently pre-installation thickness T1 where T1 is less than G. The body swells upon heating to a thickness T2 where T2 is greater than or equal to G so that the insulation element bridges the gap, engages the two objects and provides a spring rate of between 4.0 and 275.0 grams per square inch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 4, 2009
    Date of Patent: June 26, 2012
    Assignee: Owens Corning Intellectual Capital, LLC
    Inventors: Anthony L. Rockwell, Phil Johnson
  • Patent number: 8196242
    Abstract: The present invention provides a washing machine and method of controlling a drying cycle thereof, by which a laundry can be evenly distributed within a drum rotated at a second speed for a low-speed dewatering cycle during the drying cycle to further enhance a drying effect. Once the drying cycle is initiated, a blower fan and heater are driven to circulate hot air within the washing machine via tub and circulation duct. And, the drum is rotated by applying a first rotational speed for a normal drying cycle and a second rotational speed for a low-speed dewatering cycle with a prescribed duty ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Kwang Soo Kim, Jae Mun Kim
  • Patent number: 8182551
    Abstract: Certain exemplary embodiments can provide a system, machine, and/or device adapted for washing and drying a product via a continuous forward flow of product and a reverse flow of aqueous content. Certain exemplary embodiments can provide an auger, a rotating paddle wheel, a perforated spiral drum, a perforated cylindrical drum, and/or a hydraulic ram press.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: Eastern Bioplastics, LLC
    Inventors: Cecil Meyerhoeffer, Jr., Aaron Showalter
  • Patent number: 8181359
    Abstract: A laundry machine is disclosed. The disclosed laundry machine includes a drum rotatably provided in a cabinet; a substance supply device generating water based substance and supplying the water based substance to the drum; a water supply device that is movably provided in the cabinet and supplies water to the substance supply device; and a first stopper confining a position of the water supply device when the water supply device is pulled out from the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Dong Geun Lee, Yeon Sik Choi, Ju Han Yoon
  • Patent number: 8156591
    Abstract: A washing machine and an operating method of the washing machine are provided. In the operating method of the washing machine, it is determined whether a washing machine has a regular laundry load or a single laundry load based on the amount of laundry and the number of times of detection of the amount of laundry. Therefore, it is possible to precisely determine the laundry load of a washing machine, reduce the time taken to determine the laundry load of a washing machine, and prevent a washing machine from being damaged by a misreading of the laundry load of a washing machine.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Soon Jo Lee, Ho Cheol Kwon, Beom Jun Kim, Hyun Soo Kim, Hack Chai Song, Kwang Young Lee, Eun Suk Kim
  • Patent number: 8132279
    Abstract: A dishwasher and associated control method are provided wherein a water supply manifold supplies a wash chamber with wash liquid. The supply manifold includes a hot water inlet from an external hot water source and a separate inlet from a storage tank, and is configured to be selectively actuated between the hot water inlet or storage tank inlet. A controller is in communication with the supply manifold and is configured to act on a signal that is indicative of an actual or pre-defined high electricity demand period on a power supply to the hot water source. The controller is configured to generate an output control signal to the supply manifold to cause the manifold to direct substantially only water from the storage tank to the wash chamber during the high electricity demand period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: Ronald Scott Tarr
  • Patent number: 8132339
    Abstract: Disclosed is a cloth treating apparatus, which supplies hot air to a accommodating space receiving clothes to dry the clothes. The cloth treating apparatus includes a cabinet including a accommodating space to receive clothes, and an electric component chamber, in which a moisture supply device to spray steam to the accommodating space and a air supply device to supply hot air are installed; and a condensed water treating unit to treat condensed water, generated by condensing the steam sprayed to the accommodating space or the hot air supplied from the air supply device. Therefore, the cloth treating apparatus treats the condensed water generated in the accommodating space, and thus prevents the generation of substances harmful to the human body, such as mold, in the accommodating space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jung Wook Moon, Dae Yun Park, Sog Kie Hong, Jong Seok Kim, Seung Gyu Ryu, Hye Yong Park, Chang Gyu Choi, Dong Won Kim
  • Patent number: 8130510
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a printed circuit board assembly of an electronic appliance including a plurality of boards on which electrical parts to perform functions necessary for the electronic appliance are separately arranged according to the specification of the electronic appliance. The printed circuit board assembly is divided into a plurality of boards, such that electrical parts having a common specification and electrical parts having different specifications are arranged on different boards, thereby optimizing the printed circuit board assembly and configuring the boards according to the specification of the electronic appliance without loss. Microprocessors are arranged on the boards, and the boards are connected to each other in a serial communication, thereby reducing the number of wiring harnesses (W/H) and thus configuring the printed circuit board assembly with high reliability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 6, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Sang Wook Jang, Matsumoto Satoru
  • Patent number: 8122548
    Abstract: A method of installing a water vacuum break in a housing including the steps of providing a plurality of slots in a wall of the housing; moving a water vacuum break in a first direction; and moving the water vacuum break in a second direction. The step of moving the water vacuum break in a first direction includes moving it substantially perpendicularly with the outer wall so that a plurality of retaining protrusions extend through the plurality of slots.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: Group Dekko, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry L. Hygema
  • Patent number: 8123819
    Abstract: Systems and methods for dry cleaning articles using siloxane solvents are provided. In the systems and methods according to the present invention, the siloxane solvent suspends impurities extracted from the articles being cleaned, and the system filters off the impurities, thereby cleaning the articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: GreenEarth Cleaning, LLC.
    Inventors: James E. Douglas, Wolf-Dieter R. Berndt
  • Patent number: 8122547
    Abstract: A washing machine includes a main body defining an outer appearance, a tub supported in the main body, a drum rotatably installed in the tub, a steam generating unit supplying steam into the drum, and a circulation pump returning washing water exhausted from a first side of the tub to a second side of the tub.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seok Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 8117703
    Abstract: A modular chemical delivery system is designed to be readily convertible from use with a warewashing system to use with a laundry system, or vice-versa, merely by the replacement of one chip in the controller of the system. The dispensing system is also readily expandable by adding additional satellite pumps in order to inject additional chemicals into a single washing unit, and/or to supply chemicals to additional washing units. Plug and play technology is used so that control intelligence can be distributed from the main system controller to satellite controllers, and so that additional satellite units may be readily added, identified, and properly integrated into the dispensing system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2012
    Assignee: Knight, LLC.
    Inventors: Stephen A. Walker, Michael T. Whiting
  • Patent number: 8108959
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for washing a washing tub (120) in a washing machine, and a washing machine having a washing tub washing course provided thereto for enabling washing tub (120) washing by the same, and more particularly, to a method for which makes effective washing tub washing, with a small amount of washing water consumption, a lower power consumption, and high washing effect; and a washing machine having the same applied thereto. A method for washing a tub (120) or a drum (130) in a washing machine having the tub (120), the drum (130) rotatably mounted in the tub (120), and a steam supply unit for supplying steam to the tub (120), includes a steam supply step for supplying steam to the tub by using the steam supply unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Seok Kyu Park
  • Patent number: 8105047
    Abstract: A home appliance equipped with a drain function and a method of controlling the same are disclosed. A method of controlling a home appliance equipped with a drain apparatus includes switching ON/OFF the drain apparatus during a first time, switching on the drain apparatus during a second time after switching ON/OFF the drain apparatus, checking a variation of the water level according to a draining status, and controlling the drain apparatus based on the checked water-level variation result corresponding to the draining status.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2012
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yo Chul Ha
  • Patent number: 8101562
    Abstract: Water-soluble detergents and enzymes are used for mechanically cleaning textiles or crockery. According to the invention, enzymes with a catalytic effect on typical stains are added to the washing or cleaning process, only for as long as their catalytic effect is desired. This avoids superfluous removal of the enzymes that have been used in a washing or cleaning process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 24, 2012
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventor: Egbert Classen