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: 20110110706
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2009
    Publication date: May 12, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: PAUL B. ALLARD, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, KAREN J. QUERFURTH, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, MICHELE E. WILCOX
  • Patent number: 7913510
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7913514
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis
  • Patent number: 7891207
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis, Jim J. Pastryk
  • Patent number: 7841191
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 30, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis, Kevin M. Chase
  • Publication number: 20100293987
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 25, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GALE R. HORST, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, KAREN J. QUERFURTH, AMERESH B. VISWANATHAN, RONALD L. VOGLEWEDE, MICHELE E. WILCOX
  • Publication number: 20100276442
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: November 4, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: KAREN J. QUERFURTH, AMERESH B. VISWANATHAN, RONALD L. VOGLEWEDE, MICHELE E. WILCOX
  • Publication number: 20100126117
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: DOUGLAS DAVID LECLEAR, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, PAUL B. ALLARD, KELLY M. HANSON, ANDREW MICHAEL TENBARGE, KAREN J. QUERFURTH
  • Publication number: 20100101432
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 24, 2008
    Publication date: April 29, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: CAROLINA BIOTTI, NIHAT O. CUR, DOUGLAS DAVID LECLEAR, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, MICHELE E. WILCOX
  • Patent number: 7669434
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: February 6, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas David Leclear, Michele E. Wilcox, John J. Vonderhaar, Paul B. Allard, Kelly M. Hanson, Andrew Michael Tenbarge, Karen J. Querfurth
  • Publication number: 20100043459
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: 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: 20100043457
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GUOLIAN WU, KEVIN M. CHASE, MARCUS R. FISCHER, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JERRY M. VISIN, MARTIN D. LEWIS
  • Publication number: 20100043456
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: 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: 20100043458
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 25, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GUOLIAN WU, Marcus R. Fischer, Jim J. Pastryk, Shawn F. Olsson, Michele E. Wilcox, Jerry M. Visin, Martin D. Lewis
  • Publication number: 20100037634
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GUOLIAN WU, KEVIN M. CHASE, MARCUS R. FISCHER, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JERRY M. VISIN, MARTIN D. LEWIS
  • Publication number: 20100037632
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GUOLIAN WU, MARCUS R. FISCHER, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JERRY M. VISIN, MARTIN D. LEWIS
  • Publication number: 20100037633
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2009
    Publication date: February 18, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GUOLIAN WU, MARCUS R. FISCHER, JIM J. PASTRYK, MICHELE E. WILCOX, JERRY M. VISIN, MARTIN D. LEWIS
  • Patent number: 7628031
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jerry M. Visin, Guolian Wu, Marcus R. Fischer, Michele E. Wilcox, Martin D. Lewis
  • 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