Patents Represented by Attorney Michael D. Lafrenz
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Patent number: 7322070Abstract: A vacuum system has a cabinet that can be mounted to a wall. The cabinet includes a hose connectable to a vacuum source. The hose is extendible from the cabinet between extended and retracted positions. A rotatable shaft drives the hose and a power source causes the rotatable shaft to rotate. A sensor measures the speed of rotation of the shaft and signals a controller to stop the power source when the speed falls below a predetermined threshold.Type: GrantFiled: July 22, 2005Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Johnny W. Zimmerle, Wyatt A. Cline, Darren J. W. Gilikson, Simon P. Griffiths
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Patent number: 7318850Abstract: The present invention relates to a floor standing treatment device that has a front panel and a mainframe assembly adapted to be removably attachable to the front panel. The mainframe assembly has an integrally molded latching mechanism having a latch and one or more L shaped guides configured to cooperate with one or more pairs stops for limiting lateral movement of the latch. The latch is adapted to engage a portion of the front panel for securely attaching the front panel to the mainframe assembly. The air purifier may also have a cavity positioned along a bottom edge of a back housing to house an electrical cord provided with the air purifier. Additionally, the air purifier may also have an elongated slot positioned at the apex of the mainframe assembly for allowing one or two handed carrying of the air purifier.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2005Date of Patent: January 15, 2008Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ali Kaylan, Guolian Wu, Armando Luisi, Andrew D. Litch, Paul B. Allard
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Patent number: 7313933Abstract: A laundry appliance having a cabinet enclosing a laundry treating mechanism, the cabinet having an openable door in a vertical front face thereof, is provided with a shelf recessed in the cabinet and arranged to be extendable to a horizontal position in an embodiment a predetermined distance below the door sufficient to allow a laundry basket to be placed on the shelf when extended and to allow the door to be opened and closed with the basket on the extended shelf and in an embodiment to provide a step for a user.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2004Date of Patent: January 1, 2008Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael R. Carey, Darryl C. Bodine, Jean Marc Grosbuis, Moises Norena, Matthew G. Czach, John H. Becker, Frank L. Brunacci
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Patent number: 7310893Abstract: A household appliance functions according to multiple operating cycles, wherein each operating cycle comprises at least one step characterized by a parameter having a factory-set default value. A user can access a controller of the household appliance through a user interface to simultaneously set new default values for a parameter common to at least two of the multiple operating cycles.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2004Date of Patent: December 25, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Christopher John Woerdehoff, Joshua Paul Carroll, Andrew Charles Reck, David John Kmet
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Patent number: 7309386Abstract: A portable air cleaner having a vertical orientation with a small footprint that uses an electrostatic precipitator to remove small particles from the air in combination with forced air for increased air flow and improved particle removal.Type: GrantFiled: December 29, 2004Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Guolian Wu, Andrew D. Litch
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Patent number: 7309116Abstract: A refrigerator includes a dairy compartment for supporting items on an inner liner of a fresh food door. The compartment includes a first end section, a second end section and an intermediate section. The intermediate section includes an item support platform and a rear wall. An aperture is formed in one of the central web and the rear wall adjacent the second end. An anchor is mounted to another of the central web and the rear wall adjacent the second end section. The anchor extends through the aperture to hang the compartment on the inner liner of the door with the item support portion in a substantially non-horizontal orientation. The compartment is then rotated such that the item support portion placed in a substantially horizontal orientation whereupon the first end is supported by a lug member formed on the inner liner.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2005Date of Patent: December 18, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Christopher S. Garrett, Dennis E. Winders
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Patent number: 7296695Abstract: A space-efficient workroom organization system comprising a slotwall panel and/or slot track storage system with at least one repositionable slotwall or slot track mounted storage cabinet, and a workbench system comprising a workbench having a work surface and defining a storage recess beneath the work surface, with at least one mobile storage cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: April 18, 2007Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Travis Michael Perkins, Thomas Wesley Arent, Todd Christopher Starr, Tyree Edward Sampson, Kenneth J. Rasche, Steven Edward Tolliver, Brent A. Junge, Duane A. Schmidt, Brian J. Stewart, Mark Allen Stout, Wyatt A. Cline, James W. Kendall
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Patent number: 7296422Abstract: A refrigerated unit is well suited for storing fruits and vegetables. A household-sized refrigerated unit includes a storage space for retaining fruits and vegetables. The temperature within the storage space is controllable within a range of approximately 40-65 degrees Fahrenheit. The humidity level within the storage space is regulated to prevent unnecessary desiccation of the fruit and vegetables, and to prevent excessive condensation. The unit is provided with a mechanism for regulating the level of ethylene gas within the storage space to either retard or accelerate ripening, as desired.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2005Date of Patent: November 20, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Andrew G. Strohm, Ronald K. Anderson
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Patent number: 7296236Abstract: A universal controller is employed in a domestic appliance including a user interface. In order to determine the particular user interface utilized and, correspondingly, the available cycles, features and options of the appliance, a scan of a keypad matrix associated with the user interface is performed to determine the presence and/or absence of shorts used to reflect the existence of permanently closed keys of the matrix. In accordance with the invention, the shorts can be indicated individually, in sequence and/or in combination in order to indicate to the controller which firmware to execute for a particular user interface.Type: GrantFiled: July 2, 2002Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Jonathan D. King
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Patent number: 7293846Abstract: A refrigerator includes a storage bin assembly removably mounted to an inner liner of a door. The storage bin assembly includes a base portion having a frontal opening, and a face portion. The frontal opening is defined by first and second side portions, as well as a bottom portion. Each of the side portions is provided with a mounting component and a mounting element. The face portion includes top, bottom and opposing side sections, with each of the opposing side sections being provided with a mounting member and a mounting part. The mounting component interengages with the mounting member and the mounting element interengages with the mounting part upon snap-fittingly securing the face portion to the base portion across the frontal opening.Type: GrantFiled: October 15, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Clint J. Collins, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Jonathan J. Tiemeier
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Patent number: 7293422Abstract: A refrigerator having a removable shelf with a user interface for setting the working conditions of a refrigerator compartment. The user interface also being able to transmit the working conditions to a control unit of the refrigerator. The refrigerator having a package to be inserted in the refrigeration compartment, the package supporting a plurality of inductors for receiving and transmitting data to the user interface.Type: GrantFiled: January 15, 2004Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Davide Parachini, Matteo Santinato, Davide Braggion, Riccardo Allera
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Patent number: 7293848Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet includes a shell having first and second laterally spaced, upstanding side walls that are interconnected by a top wall, each of the walls includes an in-turned front edge portion defining a liner receiving cavity. The shell further includes a mullion bar, which partitions the shell into first and second liner cavities, and a base member. Both the mullion bar and base member have respective liner receiving portions. With this arrangement, first and second liners are adapted to be inserted into their respective cavities and flexed such that three sides are inserted into the liner receiving cavities, while the remaining side is positioned against a land of the mullion bar or base member. Once in place, the liners are secured through a mullion bar cover and a base member cover. This construction combines the benefits of a front-load process with that of a flex-load process, lowering assembly time without the need to reinforce the liner.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2006Date of Patent: November 13, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: John Phillip Myers, Douglas A. Pohl, Richard D. Smith, Jr.
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Patent number: 7287397Abstract: An insulated ice making compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The ice making compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the ice making compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the ice making compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the ice making compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the ice making compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency. The refrigerator has a modular water tank assembly housed in a cavity in the back wall of the cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2006Date of Patent: October 30, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Tim L. Coulter, Thomas E. Gose, Steven G. Herndon, James H. Jenkins, Jr., Bill J. Koons, Brent A. Kramer, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Dean A. Martin, Alvin V. Miller, Kevin Lee Noel, Ron S. Paulsen, Lester J. Ott, Chad J. Rotter, David Allen Stauffer, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan M. Welch, Robert L. Wetekamp, Mauro M. Oliveira
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Patent number: 7284392Abstract: An improved icemaker is provided for a refrigerator. The improvements include tilting the ice mold to assure that the ice cavity nearest the thermostat is filled with water; controlling air flow to the mold to promote rapid freezing of water in the mold cavities; raising the perimeter walls of the mold to minimize water spillage; and providing hooks on the mold for routing electrical wires.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ronald K. Anderson, Troy Michael Anderson, Thomas Carl Anell, Xiaoyong Fu, James H. Jenkins, Jr., Bruce Arthur Kopf, Ryan D. Schuchart, Andrew G. Strohm, Scott Robert Voll, Dennis E. Winders
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Patent number: 7284390Abstract: An icemaking compartment is provided in the refrigerator compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. An icemaker is within the icemaking compartment. A cold air duct supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaker. The cold air duct is formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator. A fan controls the flow of air through the cold air duct. A return air duct is provided to direct a portion of the air from the icemaker back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaker directs another portion of air into the refrigerator compartment.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2005Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kyle B. Van Meter, Dean A. Martin, Xiaoyong Fu
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Patent number: 7285738Abstract: A control knob for a control panel assembly having a panel to which a push-and-turn switch assembly is mounted, with the switch assembly having a stem axially movable and rotatable to effect actuation of the switch assembly. The control knob has a cap and a skirt. The cap is axially immobile relative to the stem, and the skirt is coupled with the stem for axial movement therewith. The skirt is axially moveable relative to the cap. An axial force acting on the cap is not transferred to the stem and an axial force acting on the skirt will cause axial movement of the stem.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: October 23, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kim Cyril Lavigne, Phillip Henry DeRuiter
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Patent number: 7281391Abstract: An appliance cabinet with at least one openable door has a hinge at a pivoting edge of the door to allow the door to open about the pivoting edge. An endcap is secured to an edge of the door adjacent to the pivoting edge. A first conduit extends from an in-door apparatus to an end within the endcap. A second conduit extends from within the cabinet to an end exterior of the cabinet and within the endcap. An end connector is provided to receive the ends of the first and second conduits. The hinge is movable from the pivoting edge of the door to an opposite edge of the door. The second conduit is arranged to exit from either adjacent one corner or adjacent an opposite corner of the cabinet to be adjacent to the pivoting edge. In this arrangement, the two conduits are joinable within the endcap at the end connector to form a continuous conduit.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2004Date of Patent: October 16, 2007Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Diane E. Marret, Guy E. Garrison, Jill C. Moeller, Johnny R. Revlett, Mark G. Steffenhagen, Daryl L. Reuter, Jeff J. Smale
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Patent number: D560863Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: January 29, 2008Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Mark W. Baldwin
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Patent number: D561414Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2006Date of Patent: February 5, 2008Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Wyatt A. Cline, Leah Z. Lader, Jeffrey M. Browne
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Patent number: D561956Type: GrantFiled: May 8, 2007Date of Patent: February 12, 2008Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Mark W. Baldwin