Patents by Inventor Bruce Kopf
Bruce 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).
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Publication number: 20100126194Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2008Publication date: May 27, 2010Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: LAURA ESTHER FLORES, BRUCE A. KOPF
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Patent number: 7712322Abstract: A device for sensing a level of ice stored in a bin of an automatic ice maker includes a bail arm and an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism is constituted by a shape memory alloy that, upon application of a voltage, contracts to move the bail arm to a raised position prior to initiation of an ice harvest cycle. After completion of the ice harvest cycle, the voltage is discontinued, allowing the shape memory alloy to relax, causing the bail arm to return to a lowered position. The bail arm includes a sensing member that extends into the bin and, depending upon the level of ice, prevents the bail arm from contacting a sensing switch, temporarily halting ice production.Type: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: May 11, 2010Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventor: Bruce A. Kopf
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Patent number: 7703297Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser. The dispenser includes an ice chute door actuated by an electric motor for reducing energy consumption over traditional solenoid activated doors.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: April 27, 2010Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Michael A. Bowen, Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Chad J. Rotter
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Publication number: 20090288428Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 5, 2009Publication date: November 26, 2009Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: BRUCE A. KOPF
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Patent number: 7617698Abstract: The present invention is a refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser with a lighted dispenser target ring. The dispenser has a lighted target ring to facilitate positioning of a container for receipt of ice and water. An additional benefit is that the lighted target ring reduces ice and water spray outside of the container being filled.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: November 17, 2009Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Michael A. Bowen, Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Chad J. Rotter
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Patent number: 7587905Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 15, 2006Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventor: Bruce A. Kopf
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Patent number: 7587910Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser with a sloped dispensing cavity that extends upward and rearward from the refrigerator door. The dispenser design allows for more efficient use of storage space on the door behind the dispenser.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: September 15, 2009Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Michael A. Bowen, Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Chad J. Rotter
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Publication number: 20090064686Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 10, 2007Publication date: March 12, 2009Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: BEHROOZ MOHEBBI, RON ANDERSON, BRUCE KOPF, XIAOYONG FU, JON FREESMEIER, LOU MONTUORO
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Patent number: 7418831Abstract: A refrigerator having a dispenser in a front panel of the door. The door has an outer door pan with an outer door cavity and an inner liner having an inner liner cavity. An angled ice chute may be placed through both the inner liner cavity and the outer door cavity to move ice to the dispenser. The inner liner has more storage space over conventional ice chute dispensers. The dispenser may have a housing that positions a control panel and water outlet forward the front panel.Type: GrantFiled: June 2, 2006Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Maytag CorporationInventors: Michael A. Bowen, Jr., Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf
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Patent number: 7418830Abstract: A refrigerator having a forward projecting dispenser that extends forward a front panel of the door. The door has an outer door pan with an outer door cavity and an inner liner having an inner liner cavity. An ice chute may be placed through both the inner liner cavity and the outer door cavity to move ice to the forward projecting dispenser. The dispenser may have a housing that positions a control panel and water outlet forward the front panel. The dispenser may extend to the door handle of the refrigerator or beyond the handle. The distance the dispenser extends forward the front panel of the door is minimized using a slight diagonal rear side of the dispenser housing.Type: GrantFiled: January 3, 2005Date of Patent: September 2, 2008Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael A. Bowen, Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf
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Patent number: 7340914Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser that extends forwardly from the refrigerator door. The dispenser includes a retractable ledge to support a container, a sloped back wall to provide increased storage space in the door, a lighted target ring to facilitate positioning of a container for receipt of ice and water, an ice chute door actuated by an electric motor, and a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed.Type: GrantFiled: May 27, 2005Date of Patent: March 11, 2008Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael A. Bowen, Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Chad J. Rotter
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Publication number: 20070186570Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2006Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventor: Bruce Kopf
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Publication number: 20070186571Abstract: A device for sensing a level of ice stored in a bin of an automatic ice maker includes a bail arm and an actuator mechanism. The actuator mechanism is constituted by a shape memory alloy that, upon application of a voltage, contracts to move the bail arm to a raised position prior to initiation of an ice harvest cycle. After completion of the ice harvest cycle, the voltage is discontinued, allowing the shape memory alloy to relax, causing the bail arm to return to a lowered position. The bail arm includes a sensing member that extends into the bin and, depending upon the level of ice, prevents the bail arm from contacting a sensing switch, temporarily halting ice production.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 15, 2006Publication date: August 16, 2007Inventor: Bruce Kopf
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Publication number: 20060266067Abstract: An improved icemaker is provided for a refrigerator. The improvements include tilting the ice mold to assure that the ice cavity nearest the thermostat is filled with water; controlling air flow to the mold to promote rapid freezing of water in the mold cavities; raising the perimeter walls of the mold to minimize water spillage; and providing hooks on the mold for routing electrical wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATIONInventors: RONALD ANDERSON, TROY ANDERSON, THOMAS ANELL, XIAOYONG FU, JAMES JENKINS, BRUCE KOPF, RYAN SCHUCHART, ANDREW STROHM, SCOTT VOLL, DENNIS WINDERS
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Publication number: 20060266066Abstract: An improved icemaker is provided for a refrigerator. The improvements include tilting the ice mold to assure that the ice cavity nearest the thermostat is filled with water; controlling air flow to the mold to promote rapid freezing of water in the mold cavities; raising the perimeter walls of the mold to minimize water spillage; and providing hooks on the mold for routing electrical wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATIONInventors: RONALD ANDERSON, TROY ANDERSON, THOMAS ANELL, XIAOYONG FU, JAMES JENKINS, BRUCE KOPF, RYAN SCHUCHART, ANDREW STROHM, SCOTT VOLL, DENNIS WINDERS
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Publication number: 20060266055Abstract: An improved icemaker is provided for a refrigerator. The improvements include tilting the ice mold to assure that the ice cavity nearest the thermostat is filled with water; controlling air flow to the mold to promote rapid freezing of water in the mold cavities; raising the perimeter walls of the mold to minimize water spillage; and providing hooks on the mold for routing electrical wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 27, 2005Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: Maytag CorporationInventors: Ronald Anderson, Troy Anderson, Thomas Anell, Xiaoyong Fu, James Jenkins, Bruce Kopf, Ryan Schuchart, Andrew Strohm, Scott Voll, Dennis Winders
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Publication number: 20060266065Abstract: An improved icemaker is provided for a refrigerator. The improvements include tilting the ice mold to assure that the ice cavity nearest the thermostat is filled with water; controlling air flow to the mold to promote rapid freezing of water in the mold cavities; raising the perimeter walls of the mold to minimize water spillage; and providing hooks on the mold for routing electrical wires.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: November 30, 2006Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATIONInventors: Ronald Anderson, Troy Anderson, Thomas Anell, Xiaoyong Fu, James Jenkins, Bruce Kopf, Ryan Schuchart, Andrew Strohm, Scott Voll, Dennis Winders
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Publication number: 20060201190Abstract: The present invention is a refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser with a lighted dispenser target ring. The dispenser has a lighted target ring to facilitate positioning of a container for receipt of ice and water. An additional benefit is that the lighted target ring reduces ice and water spray outside of the container being filled.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATIONInventors: MICHAEL BOWEN, LAWRENCE ERTZ, BRUCE KOPF, DEAN MARTIN, SCOTT LEIMKUEHLER, CHAD ROTTER
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Publication number: 20060201191Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser with a sloped dispensing cavity that extends upward and rearward from the refrigerator door. The dispenser design allows for more efficient use of storage space on the door behind the dispenser.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATIONInventors: MICHAEL BOWEN, LAWRENCE ERTZ, BRUCE KOPF, DEAN MARTIN, SCOTT LEIMKUEHLER, CHAD ROTTER
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Publication number: 20060201194Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 2, 2006Publication date: September 14, 2006Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATIONInventors: MICHAEL BOWEN, LAWRENCE ERTZ, BRUCE KOPF, DEAN MARTIN, SCOTT LEIMKUEHLER, CHAD ROTTER