Manipulation Of Liquid Patents (Class 8/158)
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Patent number: 8065816Abstract: A dryer has complex angled surfaces and a plurality of grip elements thereon. The angled surfaces have varying angles of inclination relative to a base of the dryer vane and the characteristics of the grip elements vary in relation to the angle of inclination of the surface portions upon which they are disposed. The grip elements may protrude from the vane surfaces and the height of the grip elements may vary in relation to the varying angle of inclination of the surfaces. Taller grip elements may be provided on the less inclined surfaces and shorter grip elements may be provided on the more inclined surfaces.Type: GrantFiled: December 3, 2007Date of Patent: November 29, 2011Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.Inventors: Michael Paul Ricklefs, Brian Douglas Ripley, Steven John Joerger, Robin Alan Hultman, Charles Matthew Fischels, Renato Henriques Honfi, Melissa Michael Reim
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Patent number: 8056171Abstract: A control system for a laundry machine provides a system and method to automatically monitor the results of the drain or pump operation during normal operation of machine cycles, during unattended idle states as well as through specific diagnostic tests. By automatically monitoring the results of the drain or pump operation, the machine controller can warn the owner or servicer of the equipment that a machine requires service attention.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2009Date of Patent: November 15, 2011Assignee: Alliance Laundry Systems LLCInventors: Michael J. Zambrowicz, Jeffrey R. Hochtritt, Adam L. Kocha
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Patent number: 8046854Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine, The washing machine includes a tub to contain washing water; a drum rotatably installed in the tub to contain laundry to be washed; a detergent box to contain a detergent supplied to the inside of the tub; and a steam generating device to heat water to generate steam, supply the generated steam to the drum, and supply the heated water selectively to the detergent box.Type: GrantFiled: July 31, 2008Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hee Tae Lim, Kyu Hwan Lee, Jae Hyun Choi
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Patent number: 8046855Abstract: A method and control system for automatically halting operation of a washing machine by stopping operation of the washing machine motor is provided. The washing machine that implements the method includes a motor controller having a primary microprocessor and a secondary microprocessor which serves as a backup redundancy processor in the event there is a malfunction with the primary microprocessor or the primary microprocessor fails to halt washing machine operation within a prescribed window of time. The primary microprocessor controls operation of all of the washing machine electrically controlled components. The secondary microprocessor is electrically connected to a lid switch and the washing machine motor and is configured to halt operation of the motor in response to the primary microprocessor failing to halt motor operation after the lid is open.Type: GrantFiled: August 7, 2007Date of Patent: November 1, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Michael F. Finch, Donald Richard Dickerson, Jr., Robert Hollenbeck, Meher Kollipara
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Publication number: 20110252579Abstract: A method of treating wet or dry fabrics in a dryer the method comprises the steps of placing the fabrics into the dryer, delivering a liquid composition onto the fabrics and drying the fabrics, the composition comprising a solvent and active ingredients wherein the active ingredients have a Maximum Stickiness of about 2500 Force (g) as measured under the conditions defined herein.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 19, 2011Publication date: October 20, 2011Inventors: Euan John Magennis, Michael Richard Irvine, Brian Joseph Roselle
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Patent number: 8035332Abstract: A method of operating a motor, the method comprising: operating a motor at a first speed; operating the motor in negative slip; imbalancing at least one phase of the motor to dissipate regeneration energy using windings of the motor; and wherein a next motor speed is decreased to a speed less than the first speed. An apparatus for carrying out the method is also presented.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Mariano Filippa, Edward Hatfield, Richard D. Suel, II, John Steven Holmes
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Patent number: 8033145Abstract: While a damper elastically supports, from below, the center of gravity of a water tub, a suspender also elastically supports it, from above, by suspending a front part of the water tub rearward-upward and a rear part thereof frontward-upward. Even when a rated capacity of laundry is put into a drum, although the damper simply elastically supports the center of gravity of the structural load from below, the water tub is prevented from sinking too far, and a door gasket is saved from being damaged from overdeformation.Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2006Date of Patent: October 11, 2011Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki KaishaInventor: Masanori Komori
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Patent number: 8028364Abstract: A commercial washing machine that can be easily repaired and inspected and a washing method of the same are disclosed. The commercial washing machine includes a machine body for performing a predetermined washing cycle to laundry placed therein, a money depositing device mounted at one side of the machine body for allowing a user to deposit money therein, a control unit for controlling the washing cycle of the machine body, and a termination signal input device electrically connected to the control unit for allowing a signal for terminating the washing cycle in progress to be inputted thereto from the outside. The washing method includes detecting whether money has been deposited, performing a washing cycle including a washing operation, a rinsing operation, or a spin-drying operation according to the selection of a user, and terminating the washing cycle according to a termination signal inputted from the outside, irrespective of whether the remaining operations exist.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2008Date of Patent: October 4, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Ji An Jeong
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Patent number: 8020232Abstract: A system for controlling a supply of ozone to a washing machine during operation thereof. The system comprising a washing machine having an internal drum for containing laundry and a quantity of a water. An ozone generator is connected to the washing machine and the ozone generator produces and supplies the produced ozone to the washing machine for ozonating the water. At least one sensor is provided for sensing a quantity of ozone exhausting from the washing machine during operation thereof, and the at least sensor being coupled to the ozone generator for interrupting production of ozone when a quantity of ozone exhausting from the washing machine exceeds a safe level.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Daniels Equipment Company, Inc.Inventors: Ralph G. Daniels, David A. Spofford
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Patent number: 8020231Abstract: A control method of a washing machine is capable of safely achieving a tub washing operation control with low power consumption. At the time of performing tub washing, water of which the amount is decided depending on a volume inside a drum and a volume inside a water tub is supplied to the water tub, and the rotation speed of the drum is controlled to be inversely proportional to the volume of the supplied water, thereby efficiently controlling a tub washing operation with low power consumption. Also, the rotation state of the drum is controlled, at the time of performing the tub washing, to maintain the temperature of a motor or a printed circuit board (PCB) to be a predetermined level or less, thereby safely controlling a tub washing operation with low power consumption.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2009Date of Patent: September 20, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: In Ju Lee, Jong Sung Park, Jung Soo Lim, Sang Yeon Pyo, Woo Kyung Jung, Hye Ryung Kim
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Patent number: 8015646Abstract: A laundry treating device includes a first laundry treating device and a second laundry treating device adjacent to the first laundry treating device. A first heater provided in the first laundry treating device and a second heater provided in the second laundry treating device can be selectively and alternatively operated to heat washing water.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2008Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Dong Soo Lee, Ki Chul Woo, Na Eun Kim, Dong Won Kim, Sung Min Kim, Sung Ryong Kim
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Patent number: 8015726Abstract: An automatic clothes dryer comprises a cabinet defining an interior space in which is rotatably mounted a drum that defines a drying chamber, a heater assembly having a heating element for heating air, and a motor for rotating the drum. A blower is mounted within the interior space and is fluidly coupled to the drying chamber for moving heated air through the drying chamber. A first temperature sensor is mounted upstream of the heating element. A second temperature sensor is mounted downstream of the blower. Outputs from the temperature sensors are utilized with one or more methods to determine the air flow characteristics through the dryer.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2005Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James P. Carow, Mark E. Glotzbach
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Patent number: 8015645Abstract: A method for controlling a washing machine is provided. The method includes setting a washing pattern in a present operation of the washing machine in consideration of a hardness of water calculated in a previous operation of the washing machine, operating the washing machine based on the set washing pattern, and calculating and storing a hardness of the water in the present operation of the washing machine to set a next washing pattern in the next operation of the washing machine, thereby having the optimum washing or rinsing capacity of the washing machine in consideration of different characteristics of water by regional groups.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: September 13, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seok Kyu Park, Seog Ho Go, Bo Sun Chung, Young Soo Kim
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Patent number: 8011049Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for controlling a time period display at the steam spray type washing machine with a steam generator for washing laundry by using a high temperature steam, in which a preliminary set time required for display in the steam spray cycle is determined, not only with reference to a set temperature, but also with reference to a laundry amount, to minimize an error between the time displayed and an actual time. According to this, since a difference between the preliminary set time displayed in the steam spray cycle and the actual time reached to the set temperature is small, there will be no error which is liable to make the user misunderstood that the washing machine is out of order, According to this, reliability of the product, and convenience of the user is enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2006Date of Patent: September 6, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Phal Jin Lee
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Patent number: 8006336Abstract: An in-home method for treating a fabric article in need of treatment and a new to the world, in-home, self-contained, stand alone fabric article treating apparatus, such as a “cabinet”-type of apparatus, useful in such method is provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 3, 2003Date of Patent: August 30, 2011Assignee: The Procter & Gamble CompanyInventors: Christian Gerhard Friedrich Gerlach, Bradford Scott Barron, Dean Larry DuVal, Chandrika Kasturi, John Habib Nackhla, Robert Henry Rohrbaugh
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Patent number: 7987616Abstract: The present invention relates to a laundry machine. The laundry machine includes a drum rotatably mounted in a cabinet, a hot air heater to heat air and supply hot air into the drum, a steam generator to supply steam into the drum, a water supply source detachably mounted in the cabinet to supply water into the steam generator, and a water leakage preventing unit to prevent water leakage when the water supply source is detachably mounted.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sang Hun Bae, Chang Woo Son, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son, Heung Jae Kim
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Patent number: 7987615Abstract: The present invention relates to an exhaust structure for a clothes dryer in an apartment building. The exhaust structure includes at least one riser pipe mounted in a vertical direction crossing every floor of a building, a plurality of branch pipes branched from the riser pipe to a household in the every floor to guide exhaust gas from the household to the riser pipe, a lint filter provided in each of the plurality of branch pipes to filter lint included in the exhaust gas, a first pressure sensor provided in front of the lint filter to sense a pressure in each of the plurality of branch pipes, and a filter controller to determine whether the lint filter is blocked, by receiving a value of the pressure sensed by the first pressure sensor.Type: GrantFiled: November 7, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: In Hee Han, Won Tug Son
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Patent number: 7987540Abstract: A control system for a laundry machine provides a system for engaging a laundry machine in a drop-off mode, allowing an operator to use the machine as necessary to process customer garments without being required to activate the machine via a payment interface. In an embodiment of the invention, the system provides a lock-out function for allowing a machine to be reserved for a specific user holding a predetermined password or code. In a further embodiment of the invention, the laundry machine is configured with a low power and/or shut down facility, whereby the power consumption of the machine may be greatly reduce during idle periods.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2007Date of Patent: August 2, 2011Assignee: Alliance Laundry Systems LLCInventors: Paul D. Schroeder, Gary L. Ziesemer, Jason J. Mader
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Patent number: 7980101Abstract: A laundry machine including a selectively rotatable drum, a pump for supplying water to a steam generator, and a controller for determining if the pump is out of order. This determination is made by monitoring either a time period required for supplying water to a preset water level of the steam generator or electric current drawn by the pump.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: July 19, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Chang Woo Son, Sang Hun Bae, Chul Jin Choi, Dong Hyun Kim, Young Bok Son, Heung Jae Kim
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Patent number: 7977295Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 2, 2007Date of Patent: July 12, 2011Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventor: Egbert Classen
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Patent number: 7971302Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 9, 2009Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: Pellerin Milnor CorporationInventors: Russell H. Poy, Karl Schubert
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Patent number: 7971301Abstract: A washing machine and a control method thereof are provided. The method includes calculating a quantity of a detergent in a washing operation, setting a washing pattern based on the calculated quantity of the detergent, and performing a rinsing operation according to the set washing pattern, thereby improving rinsing capacity of the washing machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2004Date of Patent: July 5, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seok Kyu Park, Seog Ho Go, Bo Sun Chung, Young Soo Kim, Young Man Yang, Gyoo Cheol Choi
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Patent number: 7966684Abstract: A method and apparatus for drying a fabric load which has been wetted with a working fluid including the steps of flowing drying gas through a container holding the fabric load, sensing the non-aqueous working fluid concentration and the aqueous working fluid concentration in the wash liquor or in the headspace above the fabric within the container and controlling drying in response to the sensed working fluid concentration.Type: GrantFiled: May 23, 2005Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Tremitchell L. Wright, Joel A. Luckman
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Patent number: 7966683Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a steam generator in a fabric treatment appliance may include setting an operational temperature for the steam generator based on calcification of the steam generator. A change in the calcification of the steam generator may be determined by behavior of the actual temperature of the steam generator in response to changing a flow rate of water supplied to the steam generator.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2007Date of Patent: June 28, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Christoph Herkle, Thomas Benne, Robert Pöettger, Markus Beck
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Patent number: 7962985Abstract: Disclosed are a washing machine, in which substances stuck to the surface of a heater are washed off to minimize the generation of scale on the heater, and a method for controlling the same. The washing machine includes a tub; a heater installed in the tub for heating washing water; and a washing device for washing the heater. The washing device includes a spray nozzle for spraying the washing water to the heater, and a washing pump for supplying the washing water in the tub to the spray nozzle. The washing of the heater is performed in the first rinsing operation.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2007Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Sang Bin Lee, Do Weon Kim
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Patent number: 7963129Abstract: A drum type laundry machine is disclosed. A drum type laundry machine comprises a cabinet cover for defining a front surface of a body, the cabinet cover having an opening for loading/unloading the laundry therein/there from, a recess part recessed toward an inside of the body along a circumference of the opening, a door assembly having some portion inserted in the recess part when being closed together with the opening, a protrusion projected from an inner surface of the recess part to reinforce strength of the recess part and to support the door assembly securely. An object of the present invention is to provide a drum type laundry machine which can precisely communicate a hook assembly of a door assembly with a locking assembly. Another object of the present invention is to provide a drum type laundry machine which can prevent the damage of the door assembly due to deformation between the door assembly and a body, external impact might cause.Type: GrantFiled: October 24, 2006Date of Patent: June 21, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Dae Hee Kwon
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Patent number: 7958584Abstract: A method and apparatus for measuring a size of a load in a basket that is rotatably supported is presented. The method comprises determining an acceleration energy (AE) required to accelerate the basket; determining a friction energy (FE) required to maintain a stable rotational speed of the basket; subtracting the friction energy (FE) from the acceleration energy (AE) to obtain a load inertial energy (LE); and determining a load size from the load inertial energy (LE).Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2008Date of Patent: June 14, 2011Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Richard D. Suel, II, Edward Hatfield, John Steven Holmes, Meher P. Kollipara, Shyam Ramamurthy, Jian Hua Zhong
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Patent number: 7950088Abstract: A user interface of a cleaning appliance and the method of operation for a cleaning appliance having a single dose treating chemistry dispenser and a bulk dispensing system.Type: GrantFiled: July 1, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael T. Dalton, Karl D. McAllister
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Patent number: 7950087Abstract: A commercial laundry system is disclosed. The commercial laundry system includes a plurality of laundry machines that independently perform washing and/or drying, a plurality of receiving devices provided at the respective laundry machines for receiving a signal, and a single payment device for transmitting a signal for use permission to the receiving device of any one of the laundry machines and separately controlling authorities to use the laundry machines.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2008Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: In Hee Han, Nam Yeong Heo
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Patent number: 7950086Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 29, 2006Date of Patent: May 31, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Kalyanakrishnan Vadakkeveedu, Raveendran Vaidhyanathan
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Patent number: 7946140Abstract: A washing machine using steam and a method for controlling the same is disclosed. The washing machine with a steam generator (100) selectively supplying steam inot a drum (30) according to the present invention includes a course select part (420) for a user to select a wash course, a steam select part (430) for a user to select whether steam washing is operated and a controller (440) for controlling the steam generator (100) based on a wash course selected from the course select part (420) (an inputted wash course) and a signal selected from the steam select part (430). The present invention has an advantageous effect that convenience is improved for a user to use the washing machine using steam as well as washing performance is improved, because disadvantages due to malfunctions of a steam generator are prevented.Type: GrantFiled: August 21, 2009Date of Patent: May 24, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seog Kyu Park, In Geun Ahn
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Patent number: 7941884Abstract: The invention in one embodiment relates to a method for operating a washing machine having a heating unit, wherein the heating unit comprises a carrier and at least one planar heating element disposed thereon. At least one first heating element is attached to the carrier in a planar manner, wherein the carrier has a recess extending in the longitudinal direction in the center region. The washing machine has a washing machine barrel and a drum therein, wherein the heating unit is displaced at the bottom in the washing machine barrel outside of the drum. A heating element is provided on the outside of the carrier in the region of the recess in the region along an apex, or along an apex of the recess, wherein only said heating element is operated in the region of the recess for creating steam in the washing machine.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2010Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: E.G.O. Elektro-Geraetebau GmbHInventors: Volker Block, Irina Maier
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Patent number: 7941937Abstract: A laundry drier control method reads a temperature variation rate per unit time, to enable drying according to the amount and type of an object being dried. The method includes steps of initiating a drying procedure; measuring a temperature variation rate per unit time over the drying procedure; calculating an overall drying time based on the measured temperature variation rate per unit time; and performing the drying procedure for the calculated overall drying time. The drying time determining step is repeated if a substantial increase in the temperature variation rate is detected.Type: GrantFiled: November 21, 2003Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Gi Hyeong Do
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Patent number: 7941885Abstract: A method for operating a horizontal axis washing machine having a tub with a drum rotatably mounted in the tub and configured to hold a fabric load comprises introducing liquid into the drum to wet the fabric load and spinning the drum to distribute the fabric load about the drum prior to the introducing of the liquid.Type: GrantFiled: June 9, 2006Date of Patent: May 17, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Nyik Siong Wong, Raveendran Vaidhyanathan, Anthony H. Hardaway, Joel A. Luckman
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Patent number: 7934280Abstract: A drum-type washing machine, and tub and gasket cleaning methods are provided. The drum-type washing machine may include a tub mounted in a cabinet such that a wash water is supplied into the tub, a drum rotatably mounted in the tub such that laundry may be put into the drum, a motor that rotates the drum, and a controller that controls a driving of the motor such that, when the drum is rotated, the wash water supplied into the tub reaches an upper part of an inner circumferential surface of the tub so as to clean the inner circumferential surface of the tub and the gasket.Type: GrantFiled: October 13, 2006Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jong Min Kim, Du Heig Choi, Min Su Kang, Yoon Sang Lee, Han Ki Cho
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Patent number: 7934281Abstract: Methods for laundering a textile wash load in a washing apparatus comprising the steps of pre-treating a textile wash load using methods that include a detection step selected from an airlock detection step, a water log detection step and combinations thereof.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2005Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Flavio Erasmo Bernardino, Mary Ellen Zeitler, Dale E. Mueller, Erik K. Farrington, Leon H. Spindler
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Patent number: 7934279Abstract: The present invention relates to a control method of a laundry machine. The control method includes inputting a command to drive the steam laundry dryer, and determining whether water is supplied to a steam generator of the steam laundry dryer. According to the control method of the steam laundry dryer, it is possible to effectively remove wrinkles from clothes and to prevent the breakage of the steam laundry dryer.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: May 3, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Chang Woo Son
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Patent number: 7930785Abstract: The present invention relates to a method for washing a washing tub and a washing machine having the same applied thereto, and more particularly, a method for washing a washing tub including a detergent removing step, a laundry amount detecting step, and a soaking step; and a washing machine having the same applied thereto. The method includes a detergent removing step for removing detergent from the washing tub, a washing water supply step for supplying washing water to the washing tub, a laundry amount sensing step for sensing a laundry amount in the washing tub for determining whether the method proceeds to the next step or not, a soaking step for soaking dirt on a surface of the washing tub after applying the washing water to the dirt by moving the washing tub, and a washing step for washing the washing tub, if it is determined in the laundry amount sensing step that the method proceeds to the next step.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2005Date of Patent: April 26, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Han Ki Cho, Jong Min Kim
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Patent number: 7926202Abstract: A base module for a condenser tumble dryer housing the functional parts and air conduction components and additionally being configured as part of the support structure of the tumble dryer. The base module comprises perpendicular joint faces in relation to the front end shield and the rear process air cover. The joint faces lie essentially on at least one perpendicular plane or on at least two perpendicular planes that are offset in a staggered manner in relation to one another, have a large surface area and preferably extend over the entire width of the tumble dryer. The proposed base module has significant advantages in terms of its mechanical stability as an individual structural component and as part of the entire support structure and in terms of the effective conduction of the air streams, the production of the individual parts and the assembly of the final module.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Lothar Dittmer, Holger Löffler
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Patent number: 7926138Abstract: A laundry treatment apparatus and a controlling method thereof are disclosed. The laundry treatment apparatus includes a leakage detecting device detecting washing water leaking to the lower side of a casing, an auxiliary power supply recharged when a main electric power is supplied, and a controller controlling the auxiliary electric power supply according to the detection by the leakage detecting device. According to the leakage controlling method, since the external electric power inputted to the laundry treatment apparatus is interrupted and the auxiliary power supply is recharged during the supplying of the main electric power to the laundry treatment apparatus when the leakage is detected, an electric leakage and other accidents can be prevented, and an informing device is controlled by the auxiliary power supply so that the leakage can be measured.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2006Date of Patent: April 19, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Young Wook Lee
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Patent number: 7921493Abstract: Disclosed is a washing machine, which can automatically supply a liquid detergent into a washing tub and automatically clean inner flow passages through which the liquid detergent has flown with a cleaning solution. A liquid detergent supply mechanism supplies at least one kind of liquid detergent to the washing tub, and the inner flow passages of the liquid detergent supply mechanism through which the liquid detergent has flown are cleaned with the cleaning solution supplied from outside.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2008Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Kyeong Hwan Kim, Il Hyeon Jo, Jin Ho Chang
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Patent number: 7921494Abstract: An internal unit of a washing machine or spin-dryer normally includes a washing container, which has a laundry drum mounted in the container such that it can rotate, and an electric motor for driving the laundry drum via a reduction gear, a transmission, or direct drive. The internal unit is suspended in a machine housing such that it can vibrate and constitutes an overall system which can vibrate in a damped manner and which is subject to unbalance-dependent resonance phenomena in specific regions of the rotational speed of the laundry drum. The causes of these resonance phenomena are vibratory movements due to momentary unbalances in the load in the laundry drum.Type: GrantFiled: February 21, 2006Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: DIEHL AKO Stiftung & Co. KGInventors: Martin Weinmann, Roman-Hartmut Wauer, Alexander Müller
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Patent number: 7921492Abstract: A method of controlling a laundry treatment machine is provided in which a siphon phenomenon may be detected before performing a requested laundry treatment operation by performing an intermittent water supply operation and detecting a variation, if any, in a water level in a tub of a washing machine. Such a method may prevent was water form being discharged due to a siphon phenomenon, prevent the waste of wash water, and minimize the amount of time taken to discharge wash water and perform a washing operation. Such a method may also prevent the waste of detergent by using a water supply valve for a pre-washing operation to detect the siphon phenomenon. Such a method may also prevent a water supply failure from being mistaken as a siphon phenomenon by keeping a water supply valve open for a predefined amount of time and then detecting a variation, if any, in the water level in the tub.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2007Date of Patent: April 12, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Sang Il Hwang
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Patent number: 7913419Abstract: A non-tumble dryer comprises a cabinet and a drawer configured to support an article to be dried and slidably mounted to the cabinet. An air supply system provides air to a drying chamber formed at least partially by one of the cabinet and the drawer for drying the article supported by the drawer. The non-tumble dryer can function as a pedestal whereby the top of the cabinet can be configured to support a laundry appliance in an elevated position. Alternatively, the cabinet can overlie one or more laundry appliances.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2005Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Donald M. Tomasi, Robert W. Meyer, Matthew D. Rhodes, Richard A. Sunshine
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Patent number: 7913340Abstract: A control system for a motor-driven washing machine. The control system includes an electrical motor; a driving unit that applies an input voltage to the motor to drive the motor; a voltmeter that measures a reverse voltage generated by the motor for each predetermined period; and a microprocessor reducing a speed of the motor if the measured reverse voltage is less than or equal to a predetermined voltage level.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Bon Kwon Koo, Kwon Ki Hong, Jae Cheol Lyu, Woon Yong Lee, Jong Chul Bang, Min Jin Oh, Kweon Son, Jong Ho Kim, In Haeng Cho
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Patent number: 7904983Abstract: A method of controlling a washing machine having a first washing tub and a second washing tub, the method having the operations: receiving a first operating command to be performed in the first washing tub; determining whether the operating command can be performed; and when the operating command can be performed, performing the operating command in the first washing tub.Type: GrantFiled: January 25, 2007Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Byoung Chan Jun, Jung Ho Kim
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Patent number: 7904981Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance comprises at least one of a tub and drum defining a fabric treatment chamber, a steam generator having a steam generation chamber and configured to supply steam to the fabric treatment chamber, and a conduit fluidly coupling a water supply to the steam generation chamber. The fabric treatment appliance can also include a flow controller and/or a flow meter fluidly coupled to the conduit to facilitate controlling the supply of water to the steam generation chamber. The disclosure provides methods of water supply control that can employ the flow controller and/or the flow meter.Type: GrantFiled: March 18, 2010Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Nyik Siong Wong, Raveendran Vaidhyanathan, Dengming Peng
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Patent number: 7904984Abstract: A method of controlling a motor-driven washing machine. The method includes increasing a speed of a motor from zero to a first predetermined speed W1. Reducing the motor speed from W1 to a second predetermined speed W2 and measuring the deceleration period. Increasing the motor speed from W2 to a third predetermined speed W3 and braking the motor according to a slow brake logic if a first interruption of the motor is ordered during the step of increasing the motor speed from W2 to W3. Increasing the motor speed from W3 to a fourth predetermined speed W4 and selecting one of plurality of rapid-brake logics on the basis of the measured deceleration period and braking the motor according to the selected rapid-brake logic if a second interruption of the motor is ordered during the step of increasing the motor speed from W3 to W4.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2009Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Bon Kwon Koo, Kwon Ki Hong, Jae Cheol Lyu, Woon Yong Lee, Jong Chul Bang, Min Jin Oh, Kweon Son, Jong Ho Kim, In Haeng Cho
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Patent number: 7904982Abstract: A washing machine having a steam generator, which prevents the accumulation of scale in the steam generator due to the long-term use thereof, and a method for controlling the same. The washing machine includes a water supply valve for supplying water to the inside of the steam generator therethrough so as to cool the steam generator when the operating time of the steam generator exceeds a predetermined time, and a controller for controlling the operation of a heater for heating the water supplied through the water supply valve.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2006Date of Patent: March 15, 2011Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jee Hun Park, Hyung Gyoon Kim, Sang Yeon Pyo, Jae Ryong Park, Sung Hoon Kim, Eun Suk Bang
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Patent number: 7886392Abstract: A fabric treatment appliance, such as a washing machine, comprises at least one of a tub and drum configured to hold a fabric load. A method of operating the fabric treatment appliance comprises heating the fabric load and, after heating the fabric load, sanitizing the fabric load by heating the fabric load with steam.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2006Date of Patent: February 15, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Nyik Siong Wong, Raveendran Vaidhyanathan, Anthony H. Hardaway, Joel A. Luckman