Patents by Inventor Roberto Malnati

Roberto Malnati 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: 6459590
    Abstract: A central unit for grouping electronic and electrical components of refrigerators, freezers and similar appliances, comprising a housing containing at least one electronic card provided with electrical connection means and socket means for connecting the appliance to the electrical power supply.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2002
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Roberto Malnati
  • Patent number: 6409517
    Abstract: A device for electrically powering user devices present on a part of a household electrical appliance movable relative to a fixed main structure of this latter, such as a door, for example of a refrigerator, openable away from the refrigerator cabinet, electrical conductors being present in said movable part and in said fixed structure. The device comprises a magnetic induction transformer arranged to connect said electrical conductors together, said induction transformer being positioned between said movable part and said fixed structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2002
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Roberto Malnati
  • Publication number: 20020009903
    Abstract: A device for electrically powering user devices present on a part of a household electrical appliance movable relative to a fixed main structure of this latter, such as a door, for example of a refrigerator, openable away from the refrigerator cabinet, electrical conductors being present in said movable part and in said fixed structure. The device comprises a magnetic induction transformer arranged to connect said electrical conductors together, said induction transformer being positioned between said movable part and said fixed structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2001
    Publication date: January 24, 2002
    Inventor: Roberto Malnati
  • Publication number: 20010053066
    Abstract: A central unit for grouping electronic and electrical components of refrigerators, freezers and similar appliances, comprising a housing containing at least one electronic card provided with electrical connection means and socket means for connecting the appliance to the electrical power supply.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2001
    Publication date: December 20, 2001
    Inventor: Roberto Malnati
  • Patent number: 6266969
    Abstract: A device for rapidly defrosting a refrigerator compartment, such as a freezer compartment or the like, said compartment comprising a plurality of adjacent walls, in correspondence with at least one of said walls there being arranged a hairpin coil evaporator for a static refrigerator, or a part of an evaporator of forced-air type, within a refrigeration circuit comprising a motor-compressor unit, said device comprising heating means arranged in correspondence with at least one of said walls and/or with the evaporator, said heating means being electrically powered via an electrical supply circuit associated with the refrigerator; the heating means are at least one resistance element of PTF (polymer thin/thick film) type.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 24, 1999
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2001
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Roberto Malnati, Stefano Tavolazzi, Luigi Sessa, Paolo Sicher, Salvatore De Caprio, Silvano Monti, Daniele Ragazzon, Valerio Bresolin
  • Patent number: 6150622
    Abstract: A door switch assembly for a refrigerator. The door switch assembly includes a housing mounted to one of the walls of the refrigerator and further has an electrical circuit for switching on or off electrical equipment mounted within the refrigerator. The door switch includes a ball retractably mounted in the housing and biased to project partially outward from the at least one wall for engagement with the door. A pusher is slidably mounted adjacent the ball and biased to remain in contact with the ball. A flexible strip contact element is supported within the housing which is moved by the pusher in such a way as to open or close the electrical circuit. The housing includes a projecting portion which extends through an opening provided in the at least one wall, the projection portion includes a deformable flange.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2000
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Roberto Malnati