Patents Represented by Attorney Stephen Krefman
  • Patent number: 7231929
    Abstract: An automatic dishwasher comprises a tub comprising a peripheral wall defining a wash chamber, a rotating water spray assembly in the wash chamber for spraying liquid into the wash chamber, at least one side sprayer in the wash chamber for spraying liquid into the wash chamber, a utensil basket within the wash chamber for holding utensils for washing by the liquid sprayed by the rotating water spray assembly and the at least one side sprayer, and an adjustable utensil carrier attached to the utensil basket and adjustable between a first position wherein a utensil placed therein is predominately exposed to direct spray from the at least one side sprayer, and a second position wherein a utensil supported thereby is exposed to direct spray from both the rotating water spray assembly and the at least one side sprayer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2003
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jay C. Landsiedel, Chad T. VanderRoest
  • Patent number: 7147290
    Abstract: A heavy-duty workbench with strong metal legs and a thick hardwood top. The workbench can provide docking space for three modules that can function as an additional work surface when pulled out from under the workbench or when used alone. The modules can be provided with an optional hardwood top. The modules can have large heavy-duty casters to facilitate easy movement for use and cleaning. The workbench and modules are designed for use in non-climate controlled spaces such as a garage where temperature and humidity extremes are common. Electrical outlets can be provided in an optional backsplash mounted at the rear edge of the workbench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Wesley Arent, Todd Christopher Starr, Allan Ray Steinkuhl, Mark Allen Stout, John Richard Wisnoski, Kenneth L. Patricio
  • Patent number: 7140701
    Abstract: A heavy-duty workbench with strong metal legs and a thick hardwood top. The workbench can provide docking space for three modules that can function as an additional work surface when pulled out from under the workbench or when used alone. The workbench and modules are designed for use in non-climate controlled spaces such as a garage where temperature and humidity extremes are common. Electrical outlets can be provided in an optional backsplash mounted at the rear edge of the workbench.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas Wesley Arent, Todd Christopher Starr, Allan Ray Steinkuhl, Mark Allen Stout, John Richard Wisnoski, Kenneth L. Patricio
  • Patent number: 7110832
    Abstract: An energy management system for an appliance comprising an interface to receive a schedule having an off-peak time segment and an on-peak time segment; a control to determine an operation to be performed by the appliance; a mode selecting device to select between an energy management mode and an immediate start mode; and a controller connected to the interface, the control, and the mode selecting device. The controller is arranged such that upon selection of the energy management mode, the controller initiates the operation only when a current time is within the off-peak time segment; and upon selection of the immediate start mode, the controller initiates the operation immediately.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Bobby A. Ghent
  • Patent number: 7097667
    Abstract: The present invention provides a dry cleaning process for the in-home dry cleaning of laundry articles, comprising one or more cleaning steps followed by one or more rinse steps whereby at least one rinse step comprises contacting the laundry article with a rinse composition, said rinse composition comprising a low grade non-flammable non-chlorine containing organic dry cleaning solvent and said low grade solvent comprising at least 0.1 ppm and less than 50 000 ppm of squalene.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Hank Robert Reinhoudt, Jan Hendrik Theodoor Verbeek
  • Patent number: 7055703
    Abstract: A slotwall panel storage system has a slotwall panel with a plurality of generally “T” shaped slots forming a plurality of generally “T” shaped slats and a hanger bracket for removably mounting a device on the slotwall panel. The hanger bracket includes a support portion, a first generally “J” shaped hook on one edge of the support portion and a second generally “J” shaped hook on an opposite edge of the support portion. A hook or storage device is attached to the support portion of the hanger bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Travis Michael Perkins, Thomas Wesley Arent, Todd Christopher Starr, Tyree Edward Sampson, Kenneth J. Rasche, Steven Edward Tolliver, Brent A. Junge, Duane A. Schmidt, Brian J. Stewart, Mark Allen Stout
  • Patent number: 7055802
    Abstract: An appliance lift tool is provided which includes a support platform having a horizontal orientation, a bottom frame, a lift mechanism engaged between the support platform and the bottom frame to move the support platform toward and away from the bottom frame, while maintaining the support platform's horizontal orientation, and at least three feet extending below the bottom frame, with the feet being positioned outside of a perimeter of the support platform.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Charles L. Jones, Robert J. Schneider, Henry H. Wu
  • Patent number: 7051539
    Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an upper refrigerator compartment and a lower below freezing freezer compartment. The upper compartment can be a convertible compartment selectively operable by the user as an above freezing refrigerator compartment or as a below freezing freezer compartment. The evaporator for supplying refrigerated air is located in the upper compartment along with an auxiliary heater and upper compartment thermostat to control the temperature in the upper compartment. A control discharges an amount of refrigerated air to the upper compartment for refrigerator operation and a larger amount of refrigerated air for freezer operation. The control also energizes the auxiliary heater under control of the upper compartment thermostat during refrigerator operation to assure above freezing temperatures in the upper compartment. A low ambient heater can be provided for the upper compartment for use of the refrigerator freezer in low ambient temperature conditions such as an unheated garage.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Brent A. Junge, Thomas Wesley Arent, Todd Christopher Starr, Brian J. Stewart, Mark Allen Stout, Allan R. Steinkuhl, Duane A. Schmidt, Quynh Hoang, Dan V. Orman, Susan Ridgley Keil, Hairong H. Li
  • Patent number: D521285
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 23, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane A. Schmidt, Allan R. Steinkuhl, Joseph L. Coleman
  • Patent number: D522542
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 10, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Matthew G. Czach, Jonathan Van Dore
  • Patent number: D523036
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane A. Schmidt, Allan R. Steinkuhl, Joseph L. Coleman
  • Patent number: D527212
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane A. Schmidt, Allan R. Steinkuhl, Joseph L Coleman
  • Patent number: D537579
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Johnny W. Zimmerle, Wyatt A. Cline, Todd C. Starr
  • Patent number: D537580
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Johnny W. Zimmerle, Wyatt A. Cline
  • Patent number: D537581
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Johnny W. Zimmerle, Wyatt A. Cline, Jose Velarde-Chan, Jeffrey M. Browne, Leah Z. Lader
  • Patent number: D537582
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Johnny W. Zimmerle, Wyatt A. Cline
  • Patent number: D538493
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 13, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Johnny W. Zimmerle, Wyatt A. Cline
  • Patent number: D544259
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 12, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane A. Schmidt, Allan R. Steinkuhl, Joseph L. Coleman
  • Patent number: D546597
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane A. Schmidt, Allan R. Steinkuhl, Joseph L. Coleman
  • Patent number: D546598
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane A. Schmidt, Allan R. Steinkuhl, Joseph L. Coleman