Household appliance and method of opening the same
AssigneeWhirlpool Corporation
InventorBenjamin E. Alexander
Life of this patent
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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.
Claims20
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, the method comprising:
- sensing a presence of at least a portion of a person adjacent the door, within a predetermined range of the door, and out of contact with the door;
- visually indicating the sensing of the presence within the predetermined range of the door;
- and
- automatically opening the door in response to the sensed presence.
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, the method comprising:
- sensing a presence of at least a portion of a person adjacent the door, within a predetermined range of the door, and out of contact with the door and wherein the door is without an externally visible handle;
- visually indicating the sensing of the presence within the predetermined range of the door;
- and
- automatically opening the door in response to the sensed presence.
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, the method comprising:
- sensing a presence of at least a portion of a person adjacent the door, within a predetermined range of the door, and out of contact with the door and wherein the door has an uninterrupted front surface;
- visually indicating the sensing of the presence within the predetermined range of the door;
- and
- automatically opening the door in response to the sensed presence.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.