Christopher Jason Flowers

US Patent:

6666531, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Nov 26, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/994246

Inventors:

Christopher L. Flowers - Humboldt TN

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

A47B 7706

US Classification:

312228, 248677, 24818891, 312236, 134201

Abstract:

A single piece tub support and frame for a dishwasher has a unitary support member that includes a pair of laterally spaced U-shaped upright end portions and an intermediate inverted U-shaped upright portion. The intermediate portion fits over the top and sides of the dishwasher tub rearwardly adjacent the front flange portion thereof. When the U-shaped end portions clear the bottom wall of the tub, they resiliently spring inward into supporting positions under the bottom wall. The unitary support member greatly reduces the number of components required, reduces manufacturing time and cost, and maintains the tub in its designed shape.

US Patent:

6764147, Jul 20, 2004

Filed:

Mar 26, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/397562

Inventors:

Christopher L. Flowers - Humboldt TN

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

A47B 7706

US Classification:

312228, 248677, 24818891, 312236, 134201

Abstract:

A single piece tub support and frame for a dishwasher has a unitary support member that includes a pair of laterally spaced U-shaped upright end portions and an intermediate inverted U-shaped upright portion. The intermediate portion fits over the top and sides of the dishwasher tub rearwardly adjacent the front flange portion thereof. When the U-shaped end portions clear the bottom wall of the tub, they resiliently spring inward into supporting positions under the bottom wall. The unitary support member greatly reduces the number of components required, reduces manufacturing time and cost, and maintains the tub in its designed shape.

US Patent:

6817367, Nov 16, 2004

Filed:

Mar 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/385611

Inventors:

Christopher L. Flowers - Humboldt TN
Chad M. Thomas - Jackson TN

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

B08B 920

US Classification:

134 252, 134182, 134200

Abstract:

A dishwasher tub is provided with containment structure which prevents liquid from leaking around a door seal. The containment structure includes a bead that extends along side portions of a front flange of the dishwasher tub. At each lower portion of the front flange, the bead includes an inward and downward extending portion which leads to a substantially vertical portion, and finally to another inward and downward extending portion. The final two portions of the bead are arranged along a reduced dimension section of the front flange and define a trough which guides the liquid back into the tub.

US Patent:

6945614, Sep 20, 2005

Filed:

Jun 12, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/171031

Inventors:

Christopher L. Flowers - Humboldt TN, US
Thomas M. Johnson - Jackson TN, US
Barry E. Tuller - Humboldt TN, US

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

E03C001/18

US Classification:

312228

Abstract:

A dishwasher includes a tub, a frame extending around the tub, and a door pivotally secured to the frame for movement between a vertical closed position and a horizontal open position. Hinges are provided on each side of the door to provide a door pivot axis, and are fixed to the frame of the dishwasher. The hinges are accurately positioned relative to the tub by providing at least one boss on each side of the tub, and a recess or hole in each hinge to receive the boss. The hinges are then secured to the frame with screws or by welding. Thus, the hinges are accurately aligned with one another at the proper location on the frame so as to provide proper sealing between the door and the tub when the door is in the closed position.

US Patent:

7415984, Aug 26, 2008

Filed:

Mar 12, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/385689

Inventors:

Christopher L. Flowers - Humboldt TN, US
Kory A. Gunnerson - Jackson TN, US
John H. Miilu - Jackson TN, US
John Trevor Morrison - Jackson TN, US
Chad M. Thomas - Jackson TN, US
Anthony Lewis Durfee - Jackson TN, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

A47L 15/42
B08B 3/00

US Classification:

134 57D, 134200, 494751

Abstract:

A dishwasher, including a tub provided with a front lip, has a front door provided with alignment structure on an inner bottom portion which is designed to abut and deflect the front lip, when the front lip is bowed or otherwise deformed, to control the relative positioning between the door and the frontal lip in order to prevent the development of a leakage gap or undesirable engagement between the door and lip. The alignment feature preferably includes at least one cam rib located on the lower underside of the door, as well as adjacent abutment rib(s) adapted to extend toward the front lip of the tub when the door is opened. The cam rib functions to guide the lip along a smooth surface when the tub is bowed or otherwise significantly shifted from a design position to assure quiet shifting of the door, while the abutment rib functions to prevent the development of a potential leakage gap between the front lip and the door.

US Patent:

20040011390, Jan 22, 2004

Filed:

Jul 15, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/620112

Inventors:

Christopher Flowers - Humboldt TN, US

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

B08B003/00

US Classification:

134/165000, 029/505000

Abstract:

A single piece tub support and frame for a dishwasher has a unitary support member that includes a pair of laterally spaced U-shaped upright end portions and an intermediate inverted U-shaped upright portion. The intermediate portion fits over the top and sides of the dishwasher tub rearwardly adjacent the front flange portion thereof. When the U-shaped end portions clear the bottom wall of the tub, they resiliently spring inward into supporting positions under the bottom wall. The unitary support member greatly reduces the number of components required, reduces manufacturing time and cost, and maintains the tub in its designed shape.

US Patent:

20050005956, Jan 13, 2005

Filed:

Jul 11, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/617376

Inventors:

Christopher Flowers - Humboldt TN, US
William Rushing - Medina TN, US
Seungwon Song - Jackson TN, US

International Classification:

B08B003/00
C23C016/08

US Classification:

134200000, 427248100, 427255390

Abstract:

Plastic components exposed to a washing chamber of a washing machine are treated with a fluorine-containing gas mixture for improving the stain resistance and drying performance of the plastic components. In accordance with the invention, a plastic component is placed in a reaction chamber and exposed to a gas mixture containing fluorine and oxygen for a sufficient amount of time for the gas mixture to react with the plastic component such that the gas mixture modifies at least a surface layer, thereby enhancing the resistance of the plastic component to staining, while improving drying performance characteristics. Plastic dishwasher components that may be treated by the gas mixture include a dishwasher tub, a door liner, spray arms, racks, silverware baskets, a pump housing, and the like. Washing tubs, agitators, baffles and the like of clothes washing machine could also be advantageously treated.

US Patent:

20060086379, Apr 27, 2006

Filed:

Oct 26, 2004

Appl. No.:

10/972656

Inventors:

Christopher Flowers - Humboldt TN, US
William Rushing - Medina TN, US

International Classification:

B08B 9/20
B08B 3/00

US Classification:

134034000, 134025200, 13405600D

Abstract:

Plastic components exposed to a washing chamber of a washing machine are flame treated to improve the stain resistance of the plastic components. In accordance with the invention, a plastic component is exposed to flame treatment for a sufficient amount of time for a reaction to occur with the plastic component such that at least a surface layer of the plastic component is modified to enhance the resistance of the plastic component to staining. Plastic dishwasher components that may be treated by the flame treatment include a dishwasher tub, a door liner, spray arms, racks, silverware baskets, a pump housing and the like. Plastic washing tubs, agitators, baffles and the like of clothes washing machines could also be advantageously treated.