Patents by Inventor Bruce A. Kopf

Bruce A. Kopf 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: 11719479
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bowen, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Chad J. Rotter, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Lawrence J. Ertz
  • Publication number: 20210364215
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2021
    Publication date: November 25, 2021
    Inventors: Michael A. BOWEN, Bruce A. KOPF, Dean A. MARTIN, Chad J. ROTTER, Scott W. LEIMKUEHLER, Lawrence J. ERTZ
  • Patent number: 11098941
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2021
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Michael A. Bowen, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Chad J. Rotter, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Lawrence J. Ertz
  • Publication number: 20190032983
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 28, 2018
    Publication date: January 31, 2019
    Inventors: MICHAEL A. BOWEN, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Chad J. Rotter, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Lawrence J. Ertz
  • Patent number: 10107539
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 23, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bowen, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Chad J. Rotter, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Lawrence J. Ertz
  • Publication number: 20170010035
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2016
    Publication date: January 12, 2017
    Inventors: MICHAEL A. BOWEN, BRUCE A. KOPF, DEAN A. MARTIN, CHAD J. ROTTER, SCOTT W. LEIMKUEHLER, LAWRENCE J. ERTZ
  • Patent number: 9423167
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bowen, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Chad J. Rotter, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Lawrence J. Ertz
  • Patent number: 9322578
    Abstract: A food refrigeration appliance having a refrigerated cabinet, a thaw/chill compartment, and a controller for selectively operating the thaw/chill compartment. The compartment is located within the refrigerated cabinet and is heated or cooled by a magneto-caloric element present within the compartment. The controller is electrically coupled to the magneto-caloric element for selective operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Behrooz Mohebbi, Ron Anderson, Bruce Kopf, Xiaoyong Fu, Jon Freesmeier, Lou Montuoro
  • Publication number: 20140352347
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 19, 2014
    Publication date: December 4, 2014
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: MICHAEL A. BOWEN, BRUCE A. KOPF, DEAN A. MARTIN, CHAD J. ROTTER, SCOTT W. LEIMKUEHLER, LAWRENCE J. ERTZ
  • Patent number: 8844311
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bowen, Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Chad J. Rotter
  • 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: 8613205
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, at least one compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a door for providing access to one or more of the at least one compartment, an ice container at the door, an LED housing proximate the ice container, and at least one LED disposed within the LED housing for providing illumination of the ice container. In addition to providing lighting, the at least one LED may used to indicate status information associated with the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Laura Esther Flores, Bruce A. Kopf
  • Publication number: 20120159977
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, at least one compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a door for providing access to one or more of the at least one compartment, an ice container at the door, an LED housing proximate the ice container, and at least one LED disposed within the LED housing for providing illumination of the ice container. In addition to providing lighting, the at least one LED may used to indicate status information associated with the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2012
    Publication date: June 28, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: LAURA ESTHER FLORES, BRUCE A. KOPF
  • Patent number: 8151590
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, at least one compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a door for providing access to one or more of the at least one compartment, an ice container at the door, an LED housing proximate the ice container, and at least one LED disposed within the LED housing for providing illumination of the ice container. In addition to providing lighting, the at least one LED may used to indicate status information associated with the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Laura Esther Flores, Bruce A. Kopf
  • Publication number: 20110271706
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 10, 2011
    Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHAEL A. BOWEN, LAWRENCE J. ERTZ, BRUCE A. KOPF, DEAN A. MARTIN, SCOTT W. LEIMKUEHLER, CHAD J. ROTTER
  • Patent number: 8033133
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator housing, a fresh food compartment disposed within the refrigerator housing, a door for providing access to the fresh food compartment, and an ice bin at the door, the ice bin having a window for viewing an ice level within the ice bin. An ice storage bin includes an ice storage bin body having an insulated front, a back, a bottom, opposite sides, and an open top, and a first window pane and a second window pane positioned at the front of the ice storage bin to allow for viewing the ice level within the ice storage bin. There may be an air gap between the first window pane and the second window pane.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Laura E. Flores, Michael A. Heaven, Bruce A. Kopf, Joseph M. Nurre
  • Patent number: 7980089
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bowen, Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Chad J. Rotter
  • Patent number: 7866167
    Abstract: An icemaker system provided in a refrigerator is designed to reduce an amount of time required to produce ice. The refrigerator includes a refrigeration system including a number of refrigeration components and a refrigeration loop. The refrigeration loop includes an icemaker section that carries a flow of refrigerant to an ice mold portion of the icemaker system and a bypass section that isolates the icemaker system from the flow of refrigerant. A control system automatically activates the icemaker system regardless of a need for cooling. That is, upon sensing a demand for ice, the control system opens a valve to cause refrigerant to flow through the icemaker section and activates the refrigeration components to speed ice production whether or not additional cooling is required in fresh food and/or freezer compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 11, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Bruce A. Kopf
  • Publication number: 20100126194
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, at least one compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a door for providing access to one or more of the at least one compartment, an ice container at the door, an LED housing proximate the ice container, and at least one LED disposed within the LED housing for providing illumination of the ice container. In addition to providing lighting, the at least one LED may used to indicate status information associated with the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 25, 2008
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: LAURA ESTHER FLORES, BRUCE A. KOPF
  • Patent number: D694295
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bowen, Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Chad J. Rotter