Benjamin L Alexander

US Patent:

20140060581, Mar 6, 2014

Filed:

Aug 28, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/596457

Inventors:

BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER - STEVENSVILLE MI, US
BRIAN A. BLACK - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
THOMAS A. LATACK - BARODA MI, US
MATTHEW D. RHODES - STEVENSVILLE MI, US

Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI

International Classification:

B08B 7/04
A47L 15/42
D06F 35/00

US Classification:

134 18, 134 56 R, 68 17 R, 134 56 D

Abstract:

A household appliance having a treating chamber in which is received an article for treatment, a treating chemistry dispenser configured to receive a unit dose container for the treating chemistry, and a controller for executing at least one cycle of operation and a method of operating the household appliance to physically alter a unit dose container in conjunction with a at least one cycle of operation and sensing same.

US Patent:

20140060594, Mar 6, 2014

Filed:

Aug 28, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/596401

Inventors:

BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER - STEVENSVILLE MI, US
BRIAN A. BLACK - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
THOMAS A. LATACK - BARODA MI, US
MATTHEW D. RHODES - STEVENSVILLE MI, US

Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI

International Classification:

A47L 15/44
D06F 39/02

US Classification:

134 56 D, 68 17 R, 68 1202, 134113

Abstract:

A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation, includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an optically sensible element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the optically sensible element, and a sensor to sense the physical alteration.

US Patent:

20140060595, Mar 6, 2014

Filed:

Aug 28, 2012

Appl. No.:

13/596357

Inventors:

BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER - STEVENSVILLE MI, US
BRIAN A. BLACK - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
THOMAS A. LATACK - BARODA MI, US
MATTHEW D. RHODES - STEVENSVILLE MI, US

Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI

International Classification:

B08B 3/00

US Classification:

134 56 R

Abstract:

A household appliance for treating at least one item according to at least one cycle of operation includes a treating chamber for receiving the at least one item for treatment according to the at least one cycle of operation, a treating chemistry dispenser receiving a unit dose container having an electrically conductive element, a physical alteration element located proximate to the treating chemistry dispenser and operable to physically alter at least a portion of the electrically conductive element and a sensor for sensing the physical alteration.

US Patent:

20170290488, Oct 12, 2017

Filed:

Jun 27, 2017

Appl. No.:

15/634426

Inventors:

- BENTON HARBOR MI, US
BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER - STEVENSVILLE MI, US

International Classification:

A47L 15/42
A47L 15/50
E05F 15/73
A47L 15/22

Abstract:

A method of opening a door of a household appliance having a cabinet with an open face providing access to a treating chamber where an article is received for treatment according to a useful cycle of operation is provided. The method includes: sensing a presence of at least a portion of a person, visually indicating and automatically opening the door in response to the sensed presence.

US Patent:

20170020360, Jan 26, 2017

Filed:

Oct 6, 2016

Appl. No.:

15/287104

Inventors:

- Benton Harbor MI, US
BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER - STEVENSVILLE MI, US

International Classification:

A47L 15/42
A47L 15/22
E05F 15/73
A47L 15/50

Abstract:

A method of opening a door of a household appliance having a cabinet with an open face providing access to a treating chamber where an article is received for treatment according to a useful cycle of operation is provided. The method includes: sensing a presence of at least a portion of a person within a predetermined range of the door and out of contact with the door; and automatically opening the door in response to the sensed presence.

US Patent:

20150157184, Jun 11, 2015

Filed:

Dec 11, 2013

Appl. No.:

14/102743

Inventors:

- Benton Harbor MI, US
BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER - STEVENSVILLE MI, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

A47L 15/42

Abstract:

A method of opening a door of a household appliance having a cabinet with an open face providing access to a treating chamber where an article is received for treatment according to a useful cycle of operation is provided. The method includes: sensing a presence of at least a portion of a person within a predetermined range of the door and out of contact with the door; and automatically opening the door in response to the sensed presence.