Patents by Inventor Andrew M. Tenbarge

Andrew M. Tenbarge has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Publication number: 20090229297
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an open storage space. A door is disposed on the cabinet operable between an open position and a closed position. The door includes a forward wall and a rearward wall. An insulation layer is disposed between the forward wall and the rearward wall. An exterior skin is disposed adjacent to the forward wall and substantially covers the forward wall. A plenum is defined by the space between the exterior skin and the forward wall and is adapted to receive utility lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, James W. Kendall, Steven J. Kuehl, Alan S. Lucas, Andrew M. Tenbarge, John J. Vonderhaar, Guolian Wu
  • Publication number: 20090229187
    Abstract: A door assembly for an appliance includes a door having an interior side and an exterior side. A frame defines an aperture extending through the door from the interior side to the exterior side. A module is disposed in the aperture. The module includes a first component and a second component. The second component disengageably connects with the first component. A pivot member is operably coupled with the module and with the frame. The module is rotatable about the pivot member thereby allowing access to both the first component and the second component from the exterior side of the door body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: PAUL B. ALLARD, JAMES W. KENDALL, ALAN S. LUCAS, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, GUOLIAN WU
  • Publication number: 20090229296
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an open storage space and including a door having an interior side adapted to receive a modular component. The modular component has a base removably connected to the interior side of the door. A component door is hingedly-connected to the base and includes a viewing area. The component door is operable between an open position and a closed position and the base and the component door define a sealed compartment when the component door is in the closed position. An air hose extends from the modular component. The air hose has a proximal end and a distal end. A fastener system is disposed on one of the component door and the base. The fastener system is adapted to engage with the first fasteners to create a seal between the component door and the base. A heat sealer is disposed on one of the base and the component door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: PAUL B. ALLARD, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, MICHELE E. WILCOX
  • Publication number: 20090229224
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an open storage space and including a door with an exterior side and an interior side adapted to receive a modular component. The modular component includes a base removably connected to the interior side and has a first edge and a second edge. A component door is hingedly-connected to the first edge of the base and is operable between an open position and a closed position. The base and component door define a sealed compartment when the component door is in the closed position. First fasteners are disposed on the component door, and second fasteners are disposed on the base. The second fasteners engage the first fasteners to create an airtight seal between the component door and the base. A vacuum device is in communication with the sealed compartment and a heat sealer is disposed on the base or the component door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: PAUL B. ALLARD, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, KAREN J. QUERFURTH, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, MICHELE E. WILCOX
  • Patent number: 7566105
    Abstract: A rigid divider in a refrigerated drawer is pivotably mounted between the side walls of the drawer and is movable between a first vertical position and a second horizontal position. In the second position, the divider acts as a shelf to support food items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy M. Janda, Michele Wilcox, Andrew M. Tenbarge, Karen J. Querfurth, Paul B. Allard
  • Publication number: 20090145158
    Abstract: An dispensing system suitable for lifting and dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom-mount refrigerator or lifting and dispensing ice from an undercounter ice maker to a dispenser on the countertop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: J. JEFFERY ANSELMINO, JIM J. PASTRYK, NIHAT CUR, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, KAREN J. QUERFURTH, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR
  • Patent number: 7509818
    Abstract: An dispensing system suitable for lifting and dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom-mount refrigerator or lifting and dispensing ice from an undercounter ice maker to a dispenser on the countertop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Anselmino, Jim J. Pastryk, Nihat Cur, Andrew M. Tenbarge, Karen J. Querfurth, Douglas D. Leclear
  • Publication number: 20080247594
    Abstract: An audio network as part of adapter or appliance for an appliance performing a useful cycle of operation on an object unrelated to the delivery of sound media. The audio network comprises an appliance accepting a plurality of consumer electronic devices and sending acoustical signals from at least one of the devices to a remote speaker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: October 9, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Douglas D. LECLEAR, Ruben E. ROTHERMEL, Andrew M. TENBARGE, James W. KENDALL, Richard A. MCCOY
  • Publication number: 20080202844
    Abstract: An acoustic chamber as part of adapter for an appliance. The acoustic chamber is substantially enclosed except at the exterior surface, and is configured to interchangeably receive a plurality of different consumer electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, RUBEN E. ROTHERMEL, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, JAMES W. KENDALL, RICHARD A. MCCOY
  • Publication number: 20080203868
    Abstract: An adapter or an appliance for use with an independently operable consumer electronic device having a user interface. The adapter comprises a holding device forming a device cavity capable of admitting the consumer electronic device in a predetermined orientation. An access opening into the device cavity exposes a portion of the consumer electronic device when the consumer electronic device is in the predetermined orientation. The portion of the consumer electronic device exposed includes at least a portion of the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: August 28, 2008
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, RUBEN E. ROTHERMEL, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, JAMES W. KENDALL, RICHARD A. MCCOY
  • Publication number: 20080165998
    Abstract: An acoustic chamber as part of adapter or appliance for an appliance. The acoustic chamber is substantially enclosed except at the exterior surface, and is configured to interchangeably receive a plurality of different consumer electronic devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2007
    Publication date: July 10, 2008
    Inventors: Douglas D. LeClear, Ruben E. Rothermel, Andrew M. Tenbarge, James W. Kendall, Richard A. McCoy
  • Patent number: 7266951
    Abstract: An dispensing system suitable for lifting and dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom-mount refrigerator or lifting and dispensing ice from an undercounter ice maker to a dispenser on the countertop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 11, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Anselmino, Jim J. Pastryk, Nihat Cur, Andrew M. Tenbarge, Karen J. Querfurth, Douglas D. LeClear
  • Patent number: 7197888
    Abstract: A modular cabinet for a family of drawer appliances including an insulated liner defining a drawer space, a machine compartment, a wiring harness leading from the machine compartment to the drawer space, a passage leading from the machine compartment to the drawer space and an air passage leading from the machine compartment to the front of the cabinet and a drain leading from the liner space to the machine compartment. The family of drawer appliances can include refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, wine and warming drawers. A drawer can have two compartments and can be maintained at two temperatures. The drawers include an insulated front and a bin and can be slidably carried in the drawer space. The modular cabinet and control can be used for each member of the family of drawer appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. LeClear, Paul B. Allard, Karen J. Querfurth, Andrew M. Tenbarge, Michele W. Wilcox, Chad E. Lange
  • Patent number: 7188479
    Abstract: An ice and water dispenser for a bottom freezer refrigerator positioned on a refrigerator compartment door. The ice maker and ice cube storage bin can have below 0° C. air provided to maintain the ice maker and ice cube storage bin below 0° C. Supply and return ducts can convey below 0° C. air to the ice maker and ice cube storage bin. The supply and return ducts can lead from the bottom freezer compartment or from an evaporator compartment. The ice maker and ice cube storage bin can be located in insulated sub-compartment to allow normal refrigerator compartment temperatures to be maintained in the above freezing refrigerator compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Anselmino, Marcus R. Fischer, Tushar Kulkarni, Andrew M. Tenbarge, Frank W. Maglinger