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: 20170167779
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2015
    Publication date: June 15, 2017
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Robert J. Haeberle, Dakota E. Kosek, Michael S. Richards, Todd J. Tunzi, Rahul Wadke, Joshua J. Wittes
  • Publication number: 20170089635
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: March 30, 2017
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: JAMES W. KENDALL, MICHAEL C. LAH, TIMOTHY T. MURPHY, TODD J. TUNZI
  • Patent number: 9599394
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane M. Kobos, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20170059237
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2016
    Publication date: March 2, 2017
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: TROY M. ANDERSON, RONALD E. HALTMEYER, TREVOR L. HAWKINS, CHAD J. ROTTER, DAVID A. STAUFFER, TODD J. TUNZI, DENNIS EUGENE WINDERS
  • Publication number: 20160290709
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: DUANE M. KOBOS, TODD J. TUNZI
  • Publication number: 20160290707
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JULIA B. BURKE, DANIEL CHOW, TODD J. TUNZI
  • Publication number: 20160231047
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Publication date: August 11, 2016
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: JAMES W. KENDALL, MICHAEL C. LAH, TIMOTHY T. MURPHY, TODD J. TUNZI
  • Publication number: 20160153704
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2014
    Publication date: June 2, 2016
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JULIA B. BURKE, DANIEL CHOW, NATHANIEL D. KELLY, AMAR YASHWANTRAO PATIL, TODD J. TUNZI
  • Patent number: 9261304
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 16, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 9212848
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Date of Patent: December 15, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Kendall, Michael C. Lah, Timothy T. Murphy, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20140265808
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 13, 2014
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES W. KENDALL, MICHAEL C. LAH, TIMOTHY T. MURPHY, TODD J. TUNZI
  • Publication number: 20140210331
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2013
    Publication date: July 31, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: TODD J. TUNZI
  • Publication number: 20140145579
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2012
    Publication date: May 29, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: TROY M. ANDERSON, RONALD E. HALTMEYER, TREVOR L. HAWKINS, CHAD J. ROTTER, DAVID A. STAUFFER, TODD J. TUNZI, DENNIS WINDERS
  • Publication number: 20140068917
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2013
    Publication date: March 13, 2014
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce A. KOPF, Michael A. BOWEN, Todd J. TUNZI
  • Patent number: 7610774
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Troy M. Anderson, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Joseph M. Nurre, Lester J. Ott, Doug M. Roush, Eric K. Silbaugh, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: D511180
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Ertz, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: D514138
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Gary B. Jackovin, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: D514139
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Ertz, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: D776512
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane M. Kobos, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: D797819
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mallory A. Fuller, Richard L. Hammond, Michael A. Kahwaji, Jessica R. McConnell, Daniel Henry Quinlan, Jason W. Tippetts, Todd J. Tunzi