Patents by Inventor Stephen M. Groppel

Stephen M. Groppel 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: 20230389713
    Abstract: Mattress assemblies including coil innerspring units, coil innerspring units by themselves, and processes for making the coil innerspring units, wherein the coils within the coil innerspring unit are manufactured with the same geometry, same composition, and from the same gauge wire using different heat treatments to provide the coil innerspring unit with different spring rates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Inventors: Stephen M. Groppel, Ben Storch, Jeffrey Mastropaolo, Dishant Purani
  • Publication number: 20220369823
    Abstract: A mattress and mattress system for an adjustable base foundation configured to accommodate two mattresses in a side-by-side relationship and independently articulate each of the two mattresses. The mattress generally includes an edge zone about a perimeter of a selected one of the lateral sides, and a comfort zone. The edge zone can have a greater firmness level than the comfort zone. The mattress system includes two mattresses in a side-by-side relationship, wherein each mattress includes the edge zone about the perimeter of a selected one of the lateral sides, and a comfort zone. The mattresses are arranged on the adjustable base foundation such that the exterior facing lateral sides of each mattress are defined by the edge zone. The comfort zone includes the interior facing lateral sides.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventor: Stephen M. Groppel
  • Publication number: 20220369825
    Abstract: A reversible mattress topper for a mattress is provided that includes opposing first and second panels. A fill material is intermediate the first and second panels. The panel materials and/or selected portions of the filler material will be selected to provide either cooling or comfort for the sleeper. One surface of the reversible mattress topper will be configured to be cooling in nature. The other surface of the reversible mattress will be comforting and optionally warming in nature. The panels can be stylized in order to communicate which surface provides cooling and which surface provides warming.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2021
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Inventor: Stephen M. Groppel
  • Patent number: 10100459
    Abstract: An external accessory attachment for a drying appliance includes a housing defining a drying space. A suction attachment extends from the housing and is adapted to fit within a filter slot of the drying appliance. The suction attachment is capable of accepting airflow. A blocking flange is adapted to redirect an airflow path of the drying appliance through the housing and the suction attachment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen M. Groppel
  • Publication number: 20180195228
    Abstract: An external accessory attachment for a drying appliance includes a housing defining a drying space. A suction attachment extends from the housing and is adapted to fit within a filter slot of the drying appliance. The suction attachment is capable of accepting airflow. A blocking flange is adapted to redirect an airflow path of the drying appliance through the housing and the suction attachment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2017
    Publication date: July 12, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Stephen M. Groppel
  • Patent number: 6622754
    Abstract: A method of determining a dish load for an automatic dishwasher and a method of operating the automatic dishwasher based on the dish load. The dish load is determined by determining a first temperature corresponding to the temperature of the dishes, determining a second temperature corresponding to the temperature of a charge of water prior to a time when the charge of water contacts and transfers heat to the dishes, determining a third temperature corresponding to the temperature of the second charge of water when the temperature of the second charge of water and dishes have equalized, and calculating a temperature ratio of the difference between the second and third temperatures and the difference between the third and first temperatures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan Kevin Roth, Stephen M. Groppel