Patents by Inventor Craig C. Lear

Craig C. Lear 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).

  • Patent number: 10843107
    Abstract: A water filter communication system and method of using the system. A method of periodically reading water filter data associated with a water filter and retained by the water filter that has been positioned in an appliance includes the steps of: installing a water filter into an engaged position in a filter head assembly within an interior of a cabinet of an appliance that includes a water inlet and a water outlet and periodically, based upon and after a user's interaction with the appliance or the water filter, supplying power from the appliance to the filter read-write memory device engaged to the filter housing; transmitting water filter data to the appliance from the filter read-write memory device, which retains filter information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Melissa M. Bippus, Craig C. Lear, Dennis J. Staley, II
  • Publication number: 20160354715
    Abstract: A water filter communication system and method of using the system. A method of periodically reading water filter data associated with a water filter and retained by the water filter that has been positioned in an appliance includes the steps of: installing a water filter into an engaged position in a filter head assembly within an interior of a cabinet of an appliance that includes a water inlet and a water outlet and periodically, based upon and after a user's interaction with the appliance or the water filter, supplying power from the appliance to the filter read-write memory device engaged to the filter housing; transmitting water filter data to the appliance from the filter read-write memory device, which retains filter information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 23, 2016
    Publication date: December 8, 2016
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Melissa M. Bippus, Craig C. Lear, Dennis J. Staley, II
  • Publication number: 20140223715
    Abstract: A water filter communication system and method of using the system. A method of periodically reading water filter data associated with a water filter and retained by the water filter that has been positioned in an appliance includes the steps of: installing a water filter into an engaged position in a filter head assembly within an interior of a cabinet of an appliance that includes a water inlet and a water outlet and periodically, based upon and after a user's interaction with the appliance or the water filter, supplying power from the appliance to the filter read-write memory device engaged to the filter housing; transmitting water filter data to the appliance from the filter read-write memory device, which retains filter information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2013
    Publication date: August 14, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: MELISSA M. BIPPUS, CRAIG C. LEAR, DENNIS J. STALEY, II
  • Patent number: 8416214
    Abstract: The presently described technology relates to an appliance control panel system having a control panel interface comprising at least one capacitive touch key, and a circuit board assembly comprising at least one input receiver pad. The control panel interface and the circuit board assembly are not in direct contact with each other. The input receiver pad can be comprised of a conductive material. Certain embodiments also provide a control panel having at least one conductive extender. The extender can be situated between the control panel interface and the circuit board assembly. The capacitive touch key is in electrical connection with the input receiver pad. An method for controlling an appliance with a control panel is also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Joao Eduardo Santana Borges, Melissa J. Burchill, Craig C. Lear, Jess E. Mutschler, Phabio Junckes Setubal, Cesario Zimmermann
  • Publication number: 20110234527
    Abstract: The presently described technology relates to an appliance control panel system having a control panel interface comprising at least one capacitive touch key, and a circuit board assembly comprising at least one input receiver pad. The control panel interface and the circuit board assembly are not in direct contact with each other. The input receiver pad can be comprised of a conductive material. Certain embodiments also provide a control panel having at least one conductive extender. The extender can be situated between the control panel interface and the circuit board assembly. The capacitive touch key is in electrical connection with the input receiver pad. An method for controlling an appliance with a control panel is also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 24, 2010
    Publication date: September 29, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JOAO EDUARDO SANTANA BORGES, MELISSA J. BURCHILL, CRAIG C. LEAR, JESS E. MUTSCHLER, PHABIO JUNCKES SETUBAL, CESARIO ZIMMERMANN
  • Patent number: 6076749
    Abstract: A water spraying apparatus for an ice making machine including an icing water sprayer having three spray tubes, a lateral header portion joining one end of each of the spray tubes together, and a pair of spray tube inlets connected to the lateral header portion. The spray tubes are spaced apart from and extend in parallel to each other. The bottom wall of each of the tubes has a plurality of water spray holes formed therein. The icing water sprayer is an integral one-piece structure. The spray tube inlets are symmetrically provided with respect to the longitudinal axis of the sprayer and have water supply connection openings with central axes in parallel with the lateral axis and facing each other. The spray tube inlets are preferably formed as a tee joint having a stem joined to the first wall of the lateral header portion and two arms with one arm having the water supply connection opening and the other arm being closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 1999
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2000
    Assignee: Hoshizaki America, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael Moore, Craig C. Lear, Kazuhiro Yoshida