Patents by Inventor Jonathan J. Tiemeier

Jonathan J. Tiemeier 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: 8562089
    Abstract: A retainer including a front wall, a back wall, and opposing side walls defining a ring having a central opening is removably attached to a liner of a refrigerator door at a position spaced above a shelving unit. With this arrangement, a tall food item supported on the shelving unit and having an upper portion which projects through the central opening is prevented from falling when the refrigerator door is opened. A divider may be slidably attached to the retainer or shelving unit for laterally retaining the tall food items on the shelving unit in a snug configuration.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Clint J. Collins, Lawrence J. Ertz, Jonathan J. Tiemeier
  • Patent number: 7651182
    Abstract: A storage unit for a refrigerator door includes an adjustable retainer assembly that can be positioned to accommodate food containers having varying widths. The storage unit includes a bottom portion and opposing side portions that define a storage cavity. The retainer assembly is sized to be received by the storage cavity. More specifically, the retainer assembly includes a base member that includes a bottom portion and opposing side portions. Each of the opposing side portions is provided with an adjustment elements. The retainer assembly also includes a retainer bar that includes a retaining surface that extends to two opposing side members. Each of the opposing sided members includes a detent element that enables the retainer bar to interconnect with the base member. In this manner, each of the opposing side members can be independently adjusted relative to the base member in order to conform to food containers having varying widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Jonathan J. Tiemeier
  • Patent number: 7407240
    Abstract: A mullion is attached to a cabinet shell of a refrigerator through the use of a retainer that includes a laterally extending portion positioned between primary and secondary flanges of the cabinet shell, and a longitudinally extending portion that is interengaged with additional flange structure defined by the mullion. Clips formed on the retainer engage wall portions formed by the mullion flange structure to secure the retainer to the mullion. A tab formed on the retainer engages a keyhole formed in the secondary flange of the cabinet shell, thereby aiding in securing the retainer to the cabinet and preventing the mullion from undesirably shifting in either a horizontal or vertical manner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Clint J. Collins, David J. Olberding, Jonathan J. Tiemeier
  • Patent number: 7293846
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Clint J. Collins, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Jonathan J. Tiemeier
  • Patent number: 6983615
    Abstract: A chiller compartment is provided that secures to the inside of a refrigerator door. The chiller compartment includes a pair of french doors that are connected by a linkage that causes the doors to simultaneously open or close. The french doors of the chiller compartment open and close automatically when the refrigerator door is open and shut. The chiller compartment also includes a tray of sufficient height to secure tall beverages or food items and prevent such items from toppling out of the chiller compartment while the refrigerator door is opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis E. Winders, Eric S. Svenby, Jonathan J. Tiemeier, David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni, Raymond J. Chekal
  • Patent number: 6694770
    Abstract: A chiller compartment is provided that secures to the inside of a refrigerator door. The chiller compartment includes a pair of French doors that are connected by a linkage that causes the doors to simultaneously open or close. The doors retract within the chiller compartment when opened, thereby protecting the doors should the refrigerator door be closed while the chiller compartment doors are left open. The chiller compartment also includes a tray of sufficient height to secure tall beverages or food items and prevent such items from toppling out of the chiller compartment while the refrigerator door is opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis E. Winders, Eric S. Svenby, Jonathan J. Tiemeier, David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni
  • Publication number: 20030024265
    Abstract: A chiller compartment is provided that secures to the inside of a refrigerator door. The chiller compartment includes a pair of French doors that are connected by a linkage that causes the doors to simultaneously open or close. The doors retract within the chiller compartment when opened, thereby protecting the doors should the refrigerator door be closed while the chiller compartment doors are left open. The chiller compartment also includes a tray of sufficient height to secure tall beverages or food items and prevent such items from toppling out of the chiller compartment while the refrigerator door is opened or closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis E. Winders, Eric S. Svenby, Jonathan J. Tiemeier, David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni