Patents by Inventor Todd J. Tunzi
Todd J. Tunzi 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: 20170167779Abstract: A refrigerating appliance includes a cabinet structure having an inner liner defining an interior compartment. A drawer includes a panel member and a sliding structure that extends between the panel member and the cabinet structure. The sliding structure serves to operably dispose the panel member between extended and retracted positions of the drawer. A drawer liner is selectively positioned approximate the drawer and is engaged with the panel member. The drawer liner includes opposing sides that define first and second channels, respectively, wherein the first and second channels extend over portions of the sliding structure. A wire chase is defined within at least one of the first and second channels wherein electrical wiring extends from the cabinet structure and to the panel member through the wire chase.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 11, 2015Publication date: June 15, 2017Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Robert J. Haeberle, Dakota E. Kosek, Michael S. Richards, Todd J. Tunzi, Rahul Wadke, Joshua J. Wittes
-
Publication number: 20170089635Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for storage in a refrigerated appliance. One aspect includes glides or slides underneath and within the bottom perimeter dimensions of any bin or bin carrier relative to its supporting structure in the refrigerated appliance. This allows adjacent bins to more efficiently utilize lateral storage space in the refrigerator. It also promotes hiding of the glide or slides from view.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2015Publication date: March 30, 2017Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: JAMES W. KENDALL, MICHAEL C. LAH, TIMOTHY T. MURPHY, TODD J. TUNZI
-
Patent number: 9599394Abstract: An example functional member of a refrigerator, freezer or icemaker having two closing members intended to be separated by a first distance includes a structure to implement a function for the refrigerator, freezer or icemaker, and a gap gauge dimensioned for use in aligning the two closing members apart by the first distance. An example functional member is a divider, a hinge cover or a scoop having a gap gauge with a blade-shaped, an oval or a rectangular cross-section, where a dimension of the cross-section is the first distance. An example gap gauge may be further dimensioned for use in aligning one of the two closing members and a third closing members, or two additional closing members apart by a second different distance.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Duane M. Kobos, Todd J. Tunzi
-
Publication number: 20170059237Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator compartment, a drawer within the refrigerator compartment, a cover on a top of the drawer, a plurality of apertures in the cover, and controls on the cover for controlling temperature within the drawer. The cover is configured to be positioned between a user interface assembly and a user interface cover with screws through the apertures in a first configuration wherein the controls are electronic controls for controlling temperature within the drawer. The cover is further configured to be snapped to a control housing using the plurality of apertures for alignment in a second configuration wherein the controls are manual controls for controlling the temperature within the drawer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 16, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: TROY M. ANDERSON, RONALD E. HALTMEYER, TREVOR L. HAWKINS, CHAD J. ROTTER, DAVID A. STAUFFER, TODD J. TUNZI, DENNIS EUGENE WINDERS
-
Publication number: 20160290709Abstract: An example functional member of a refrigerator, freezer or icemaker having two closing members intended to be separated by a first distance includes a structure to implement a function for the refrigerator, freezer or icemaker, and a gap gauge dimensioned for use in aligning the two closing members apart by the first distance. An example functional member is a divider, a hinge cover or a scoop having a gap gauge with a blade-shaped, an oval or a rectangular cross-section, where a dimension of the cross-section is the first distance. An example gap gauge may be further dimensioned for use in aligning one of the two closing members and a third closing members, or two additional closing members apart by a second different distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2015Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: DUANE M. KOBOS, TODD J. TUNZI
-
Publication number: 20160290707Abstract: A tiered storage system for refrigerator door bins is established by providing an insert between opposing side walls of the bin, with the insert including a raised platform arranged spaced from a bottom wall of the bin. The insert is positioned such that the platform extends only part way from a rear wall to a front wall of the bin and maintained in this operational or in-use position by retainer structure acting between the bin and the insert. The insert also includes an upstanding front panel extending upward from a front end portion of the platform, with the upstanding panel extending between the opposing side walls of the bin, to prevent food containers stored on the platform from toppling upon movement of the refrigerator door.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2015Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: JULIA B. BURKE, DANIEL CHOW, TODD J. TUNZI
-
Publication number: 20160231047Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for storage in a refrigerated appliance. One aspect includes glides or slides underneath and within the bottom perimeter dimensions of any bin or bin carrier relative to its supporting structure in the refrigerated appliance. This allows adjacent bins to more efficiently utilize lateral storage space in the refrigerator. It also promotes hiding of the glide or slides from view.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2015Publication date: August 11, 2016Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: JAMES W. KENDALL, MICHAEL C. LAH, TIMOTHY T. MURPHY, TODD J. TUNZI
-
Publication number: 20160153704Abstract: A multi-level drawer system includes a refrigerating appliance having a back wall and a plurality of sidewalls that define a freezer compartment having an interior volume. The freezer compartment includes a freezer drawer that is slidably operable within the freezer compartment between extended and retracted positions. The interior volume is accessible when the freezer drawer is distal from the retracted position. A first storage drawer is slidably operable within the freezer drawer between a plurality of first-drawer positions when the freezer drawer is distal from the retracted position. A second storage drawer is positioned above the first storage drawer and slidably operable between a plurality of second-drawer positions when the freezer drawer is distal from the retracted position. A third-tier storage member is disposed on the second storage drawer and is slidably operable between a plurality of third-tier positions relative to the second storage drawer.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 2, 2014Publication date: June 2, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: JULIA B. BURKE, DANIEL CHOW, NATHANIEL D. KELLY, AMAR YASHWANTRAO PATIL, TODD J. TUNZI
-
Patent number: 9261304Abstract: An adjustable divider assembly for a pan, drawer or other storage unit of a refrigerator is constituted by multiple, pivotally interconnected sections which can be selectively angled relative to each other and/or varied in length to establish a desired configuration for compartmentalizing the storage unit. The adjustable divider assembly can carry various spaced magnets which are attracted to a metallic property of a support surface of the storage unit to retain the divider assembly in the desired configuration.Type: GrantFiled: January 30, 2013Date of Patent: February 16, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Todd J. Tunzi
-
Patent number: 9212848Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for storage in a refrigerated appliance. One aspect includes glides or slides underneath and within the bottom perimeter dimensions of any bin or bin carrier relative to its supporting structure in the refrigerated appliance. This allows adjacent bins to more efficiently utilize lateral storage space in the refrigerator. It also promotes hiding of the glide or slides from view.Type: GrantFiled: March 13, 2014Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: James W. Kendall, Michael C. Lah, Timothy T. Murphy, Todd J. Tunzi
-
Publication number: 20140265808Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for storage in a refrigerated appliance. One aspect includes glides or slides underneath and within the bottom perimeter dimensions of any bin or bin carrier relative to its supporting structure in the refrigerated appliance. This allows adjacent bins to more efficiently utilize lateral storage space in the refrigerator. It also promotes hiding of the glide or slides from view.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 13, 2014Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: JAMES W. KENDALL, MICHAEL C. LAH, TIMOTHY T. MURPHY, TODD J. TUNZI
-
Publication number: 20140210331Abstract: An adjustable divider assembly for a pan, drawer or other storage unit of a refrigerator is constituted by multiple, pivotally interconnected sections which can be selectively angled relative to each other and/or varied in length to establish a desired configuration for compartmentalizing the storage unit. The adjustable divider assembly can carry various spaced magnets which are attracted to a metallic property of a support surface of the storage unit to retain the divider assembly in the desired configuration.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2013Publication date: July 31, 2014Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: TODD J. TUNZI
-
Publication number: 20140145579Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a refrigerator compartment disposed within the refrigerator compartment, a drawer within the refrigerator compartment, a cover on a top of the drawer, a plurality of apertures in the cover, and controls on the cover for controlling temperature within the drawer. The cover is configured to be positioned between a user interface assembly and a user interface cover with screws through the apertures in a first configuration wherein the controls are electronic controls for controlling temperature within the drawer. The cover is further configured to be snapped to a control housing using the plurality of apertures for alignment in a second configuration wherein the controls are manual controls for controlling the temperature within the drawer.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 27, 2012Publication date: May 29, 2014Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: TROY M. ANDERSON, RONALD E. HALTMEYER, TREVOR L. HAWKINS, CHAD J. ROTTER, DAVID A. STAUFFER, TODD J. TUNZI, DENNIS WINDERS
-
Publication number: 20140068917Abstract: An apparatus and method for a metal clad facade includes a thin metal cladding having at least one edge. The facade or the object with which it is associated has at least one edge around which the metal cladding edge can be wrapped. The wrapped edge could optionally be crimped. Optionally, exposed edges of the cladding could be covered by raised bosses or ribs on the facade. Optionally, a projection or extension of the cladding, oblique to other parts of the cladding, could extend into an opening in or near a surface of the facade or its underlying object. Wrapping of at least one edge with the metal cladding provides the appearance of a more substantial metal part than if the edge were not wrapped and provides for a more securement and durable attachment between the cladding and the underlying object.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2013Publication date: March 13, 2014Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Bruce A. KOPF, Michael A. BOWEN, Todd J. TUNZI
-
Patent number: 7610774Abstract: A refrigerator is provided with a fresh food compartment and a door for the fresh food compartment having an organizer with a plurality of openings formed in the door for holding individual food and beverage containers. The openings include a cradle for supporting a sidewall of each container so as to hold the container in an inclined orientation. The openings are vertically aligned adjacent the ice dispenser chute of the door.Type: GrantFiled: January 13, 2006Date of Patent: November 3, 2009Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Troy M. Anderson, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Joseph M. Nurre, Lester J. Ott, Doug M. Roush, Eric K. Silbaugh, Todd J. Tunzi
-
Patent number: D511180Type: GrantFiled: March 24, 2004Date of Patent: November 1, 2005Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Lawrence J. Ertz, Todd J. Tunzi
-
Patent number: D514138Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Gary B. Jackovin, Todd J. Tunzi
-
Patent number: D514139Type: GrantFiled: May 21, 2004Date of Patent: January 31, 2006Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Lawrence J. Ertz, Todd J. Tunzi
-
Patent number: D776512Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Duane M. Kobos, Todd J. Tunzi
-
Patent number: D797819Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2014Date of Patent: September 19, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Mallory A. Fuller, Richard L. Hammond, Michael A. Kahwaji, Jessica R. McConnell, Daniel Henry Quinlan, Jason W. Tippetts, Todd J. Tunzi