Patents by Inventor Michele E. Wilcox
Michele E. Wilcox 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: 20110110706Abstract: An adjustable connector system for use in an appliance is provided, wherein the adjustable connector system includes a channel disposed on a surface of the appliance, an access aperture defined by a surface adjacent the channel, and a utility enabled connector at least partially received in the channel, and extending from the access aperture, wherein the utility enabled connector includes an elongated member configured to at least partially extend along the channel, and extend from the access aperture, and an interface adapted to supply at least one utility to a modular appliance configured to be removably attached to one of a plurality of removable attachment locations on the appliance.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 12, 2009Publication date: May 12, 2011Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: PAUL B. ALLARD, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, KAREN J. QUERFURTH, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, MICHELE E. WILCOX
-
Patent number: 7913510Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis
-
Patent number: 7913514Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: March 29, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis
-
Patent number: 7891207Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: February 22, 2011Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis, Jim J. Pastryk
-
Patent number: 7841191Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: October 28, 2009Date of Patent: November 30, 2010Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis, Kevin M. Chase
-
Publication number: 20100293987Abstract: An elongated polymeric ribbon is mounted to the cabinet of a refrigerator/freezer or the door and at least one electrical conductor is integrally formed in the ribbon, which also integrally includes at least one fluid conduit. In one embodiment, the ribbon is mounted in association with an elongated spine, such that a module can be mounted anywhere along the spine and coupled to the polymeric ribbon for receiving operating utilities therefrom. This system provides the manufacturer with the capability of positioning a module requiring operating utilities at any desired location within a refrigerator/freezer cabinet and/or on the doors of the refrigerator/freezer. The ribbon connector is accessed by connections which allow dealers to customize refrigerators for individual consumers.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 21, 2009Publication date: November 25, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: GALE R. HORST, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, KAREN J. QUERFURTH, AMERESH B. VISWANATHAN, RONALD L. VOGLEWEDE, MICHELE E. WILCOX
-
Publication number: 20100276442Abstract: An appliance with a rear wall section, a first side wall section, and a second side wall section, defining an interior. The appliance includes a refrigerator section within the appliance interior and the refrigerator section has the same or a smaller volume than the appliance interior. The appliance also includes a door with an exterior surface and an interior surface with a door liner. Further included is a module removably engaged with the appliance. Yet further included is a resealable comestible dry goods container having a defined interior volume, an exterior, and a bottom portion where the container is removably engaged within the module.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2009Publication date: November 4, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: KAREN J. QUERFURTH, AMERESH B. VISWANATHAN, RONALD L. VOGLEWEDE, MICHELE E. WILCOX
-
Publication number: 20100126117Abstract: A refrigerator includes a hands-free vacuum preservation system mounted on a door of the refrigerator comprising a main body portion having a slot therein for receiving an open end of a plastic bag. Sensors within the slot detect the presence of the bag and a retaining device is actuated to punch holes in the bag and retain the bag in position for a vacuum sealing event. An intake port within the system communicates with a vacuum source to remove air from the bag, and a heat sealer seals the bag closed. In a preferred embodiment, once sensors located on the main body portion detect the presence of a consumer's hand, the retaining device releases the bag. The resultant vacuum sealed bag can be stored in a conventional manner, or by hanging the bag from hooks extending through the holes formed therein by the retaining device.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 27, 2010Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: DOUGLAS DAVID LECLEAR, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, PAUL B. ALLARD, KELLY M. HANSON, ANDREW MICHAEL TENBARGE, KAREN J. QUERFURTH
-
Publication number: 20100101432Abstract: An appliance system including a module removably mounted to an appliance, one or more removable gas canisters operably connected to the module, and a food retaining enclosed space operably connected to the module. The one or more gas canisters supply a modified atmosphere in the food retaining enclosed space to produce a modified atmosphere that enhances preservation of the food contained in the food retaining enclosed space.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 24, 2008Publication date: April 29, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: CAROLINA BIOTTI, NIHAT O. CUR, DOUGLAS DAVID LECLEAR, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, MICHELE E. WILCOX
-
Patent number: 7669434Abstract: A refrigerator includes a hands-free vacuum preservation system mounted on a door of the refrigerator comprising a main body portion having a slot therein for receiving an open end of a plastic bag. Sensors within the slot detect the presence of the bag and a retaining device is actuated to punch holes in the bag and retain the bag in position for a vacuum sealing event. An intake port within the system communicates with a vacuum source to remove air from the bag, and a heat sealer seals the bag closed. In a preferred embodiment, once sensors located on the main body portion detect the presence of a consumer's hand, the retaining device releases the bag. The resultant vacuum sealed bag can be stored in a conventional manner, or by hanging the bag from hooks extending through the holes formed therein by the retaining device.Type: GrantFiled: February 6, 2008Date of Patent: March 2, 2010Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Douglas David Leclear, Michele E. Wilcox, John J. Vonderhaar, Paul B. Allard, Kelly M. Hanson, Andrew Michael Tenbarge, Karen J. Querfurth
-
Publication number: 20100043459Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: GUOLIAN WU, KEVIN M. CHASE, MARCUS R. FISCHER, JIM J. PASTRYK, SHAWN F. OLSSON, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JERRY M. VISIN, MARTIN D. LEWIS
-
Publication number: 20100043457Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: GUOLIAN WU, KEVIN M. CHASE, MARCUS R. FISCHER, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JERRY M. VISIN, MARTIN D. LEWIS
-
Publication number: 20100043456Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: GUOLIAN WU, Kevin M. Chase, MARCUS R. FISCHER, Jim J. Pastryk, Shawn F. Olsson, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JERRY M. VISIN, MARTIN D. LEWIS
-
Publication number: 20100043458Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: February 25, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: GUOLIAN WU, Marcus R. Fischer, Jim J. Pastryk, Shawn F. Olsson, Michele E. Wilcox, Jerry M. Visin, Martin D. Lewis
-
Publication number: 20100037634Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: GUOLIAN WU, KEVIN M. CHASE, MARCUS R. FISCHER, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JERRY M. VISIN, MARTIN D. LEWIS
-
Publication number: 20100037632Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: GUOLIAN WU, MARCUS R. FISCHER, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JERRY M. VISIN, MARTIN D. LEWIS
-
Publication number: 20100037633Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 28, 2009Publication date: February 18, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: GUOLIAN WU, MARCUS R. FISCHER, JIM J. PASTRYK, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JERRY M. VISIN, MARTIN D. LEWIS
-
Patent number: 7628031Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2008Date of Patent: December 8, 2009Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis
-
Publication number: 20090229296Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: PAUL B. ALLARD, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, MICHELE E. WILCOX
-
Publication number: 20090229224Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 12, 2009Publication date: September 17, 2009Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: PAUL B. ALLARD, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, KAREN J. QUERFURTH, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, MICHELE E. WILCOX