Patents by Inventor Charles R. Cravens
Charles R. Cravens 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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Patent number: 11867452Abstract: A method of making a liner for an appliance is provided that includes: mixing a polymeric capping layer precursor and a pigment additive; forming the capping layer precursor and the pigment additive into a capping layer at a capping layer formation temperature; and rolling the capping layer, a barrier layer and a polymeric base layer together to form a liner, each of the capping layer, the barrier layer and the base layer at about the capping layer formation temperature. Further, the liner comprises a capping region, a barrier region and a base region, the capping region comprising the pigment additive.Type: GrantFiled: August 20, 2021Date of Patent: January 9, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Muhammad Khizar
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Publication number: 20210381753Abstract: A method of making a liner for an appliance is provided that includes: mixing a polymeric capping layer precursor and a pigment additive; forming the capping layer precursor and the pigment additive into a capping layer at a capping layer formation temperature; and rolling the capping layer, a barrier layer and a polymeric base layer together to form a liner, each of the capping layer, the barrier layer and the base layer at about the capping layer formation temperature. Further, the liner comprises a capping region, a barrier region and a base region, the capping region comprising the pigment additive.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 20, 2021Publication date: December 9, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Muhammad Khizar
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Patent number: 11175090Abstract: A method of making a liner for an appliance is provided that includes: mixing a polymeric capping layer precursor and a pigment additive; forming the capping layer precursor and the pigment additive into a capping layer at a capping layer formation temperature; and rolling the capping layer, a barrier layer and a polymeric base layer together to form a liner, each of the capping layer, the barrier layer and the base layer at about the capping layer formation temperature. Further, the liner comprises a capping region, a barrier region and a base region, the capping region comprising the pigment additive.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: November 16, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Muhammad Khizar
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Publication number: 20190257574Abstract: A method of making a liner for an appliance is provided that includes: mixing a polymeric capping layer precursor and a pigment additive; forming the capping layer precursor and the pigment additive into a capping layer at a capping layer formation temperature; and rolling the capping layer, a barrier layer and a polymeric base layer together to form a liner, each of the capping layer, the barrier layer and the base layer at about the capping layer formation temperature. Further, the liner comprises a capping region, a barrier region and a base region, the capping region comprising the pigment additive.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 30, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Muhammad Khizar
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Patent number: 10352613Abstract: A method of making a liner for an appliance is provided that includes: mixing a polymeric capping layer precursor and a pigment additive; forming the capping layer precursor and the pigment additive into a capping layer at a capping layer formation temperature; and rolling the capping layer, a barrier layer and a polymeric base layer together to form a liner, each of the capping layer, the barrier layer and the base layer at about the capping layer formation temperature. Further, the liner comprises a capping region, a barrier region and a base region, the capping region comprising the pigment additive.Type: GrantFiled: December 5, 2016Date of Patent: July 16, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Muhammad Khizar
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Patent number: 10126035Abstract: An ice making module for an appliance includes a conductive ice tray having an ice forming cavity. An electrical circuit is in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and includes a power source in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and a switch. The switch releases an electromagnetic pulse through the conductive ice tray. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the ice forming cavity and a cooling apparatus cools the water to form at least one ice piece that is in electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electromagnetic pulse released through the conductive ice tray generates an induced electrical current through the ice piece and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the ice piece, wherein the repelling force biases the ice piece away from the conductive ice tray, thereby ejecting the ice piece from the ice forming cavity.Type: GrantFiled: January 12, 2017Date of Patent: November 13, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Yen-Hsi Lin, Xi Shan
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Publication number: 20180156533Abstract: A method of making a liner for an appliance is provided that includes: mixing a polymeric capping layer precursor and a pigment additive; forming the capping layer precursor and the pigment additive into a capping layer at a capping layer formation temperature; and rolling the capping layer, a barrier layer and a polymeric base layer together to form a liner, each of the capping layer, the barrier layer and the base layer at about the capping layer formation temperature. Further, the liner comprises a capping region, a barrier region and a base region, the capping region comprising the pigment additive.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2016Publication date: June 7, 2018Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Muhammad Khizar
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Patent number: 9927168Abstract: A refrigeration appliance has a cabinet defining a refrigeration compartment with a thermoformed inner liner disposed within the refrigeration compartment. A light source is located within the refrigeration compartment and configured to emit light such that the refrigeration compartment is illuminated when the light source is powered. The thermoformed liner has a reflective surface. The reflective surface includes a plurality of microcrystalline structures and is positioned to reflect emitted light from the light source and ambient light.Type: GrantFiled: March 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 27, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Muhammad Khizar, Vincent D. Csapos, Charles R. Cravens, David Edwards
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Publication number: 20170122643Abstract: An ice making module for an appliance includes a conductive ice tray having an ice forming cavity. An electrical circuit is in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and includes a power source in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and a switch. The switch releases an electromagnetic pulse through the conductive ice tray. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the ice forming cavity and a cooling apparatus cools the water to form at least one ice piece that is in electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electromagnetic pulse released through the conductive ice tray generates an induced electrical current through the ice piece and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the ice piece, wherein the repelling force biases the ice piece away from the conductive ice tray, thereby ejecting the ice piece from the ice forming cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 12, 2017Publication date: May 4, 2017Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Yen-Hsi Lin, Xi Shan
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Patent number: 9638451Abstract: A clad metal ice forming tray assembly for a refrigerator is disclosed. The ice forming tray includes a clad metal comprised of at least a first alloy sheet and a second alloy sheet different from the first and having different coefficients of thermal expansion. The tray also includes ice recesses stamped in the clad bi-metal.Type: GrantFiled: February 24, 2014Date of Patent: May 2, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Charles R. Cravens
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Patent number: 9587870Abstract: An ice making module for an appliance includes a conductive ice tray having an ice forming cavity. An electrical circuit is in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and includes a power source in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and a switch. The switch releases an electromagnetic pulse through the conductive ice tray. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the ice forming cavity and a cooling apparatus cools the water to form at least one ice piece that is in electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electromagnetic pulse released through the conductive ice tray generates an induced electrical current through the ice piece and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the ice piece, wherein the repelling force biases the ice piece away from the conductive ice tray, thereby ejecting the ice piece from the ice forming cavity.Type: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: March 7, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Yen-Hsi Lin, Xi Shan
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Publication number: 20170061749Abstract: A progress tracking mechanism provided on a home appliance is disclosed herein and includes a plurality of light sources and a controller electrically coupled to the light sources. When a timed activity is being performed by the home appliance, the controller selectively controls an operational state of each of the light sources to visually indicate the progress of the timed activity.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2015Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Wayne W. Conard, Charles R. Cravens, Steven R. Gordon, Muhammad Khizar, Brandon T. Mock, Kenneth W. Perry, JR.
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Publication number: 20160281959Abstract: A refrigeration appliance has a cabinet defining a refrigeration compartment with a thermoformed inner liner disposed within the refrigeration compartment. A light source is located within the refrigeration compartment and configured to emit light such that the refrigeration compartment is illuminated when the light source is powered. The thermoformed liner has a reflective surface. The reflective surface includes a plurality of microcrystalline structures and is positioned to reflect emitted light from the light source and ambient light.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 23, 2015Publication date: September 29, 2016Inventors: Muhammad Khizar, Vincent D. Csapos, Charles R. Cravens, David Edwards
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Publication number: 20150241103Abstract: A clad metal ice forming tray assembly for a refrigerator is disclosed. The ice forming tray includes a clad metal comprised of at least a first alloy sheet and a second alloy sheet different from the first and having different coefficients of thermal expansion. The tray also includes ice recesses stamped in the clad bi-metal.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 24, 2014Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: CHARLES R. CRAVENS
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Publication number: 20150197881Abstract: The use of a continuous glass reinforced fiber containing polymer composite capable of being thermally formed into various shapes and used in-home appliances such as a clothes washing or drying drum or basket or a dishwasher tub. The polymer composites can also be used to produce a garage wall panel or components for washer drums or baskets.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 8, 2015Publication date: July 16, 2015Inventors: CHARLES R. CRAVENS, VINCENT D. CSAPOS
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Publication number: 20150184914Abstract: An ice making module for an appliance includes a conductive ice tray having an ice forming cavity. An electrical circuit is in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and includes a power source in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray and a switch. The switch releases an electromagnetic pulse through the conductive ice tray. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the ice forming cavity and a cooling apparatus cools the water to form at least one ice piece that is in electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electromagnetic pulse released through the conductive ice tray generates an induced electrical current through the ice piece and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the ice piece, wherein the repelling force biases the ice piece away from the conductive ice tray, thereby ejecting the ice piece from the ice forming cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 4, 2015Publication date: July 2, 2015Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Yen-Hsi Lin, Xi Shan
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Patent number: 9016073Abstract: An ice making module includes a conductive ice tray having a bottom surface and a barrier coating on at least a portion of the conductive ice tray. An electrical circuit in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray includes a power source and a capacitor. A switch is configured to move between a charging position, wherein the capacitor stores an electrical charge, and a pulse position, wherein the capacitor releases the electrical charge. A conductive material disposed proximate the conductive ice tray is in selective electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electrical charge released by the capacitor generates an induced electrical current through the conductive material and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the conductive material. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the conductive ice tray. A cooling apparatus decrease the temperature of the water in the conductive ice tray.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2013Date of Patent: April 28, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Yen-Hsi Lin, Xi Shan
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Publication number: 20150027628Abstract: The invention relates to a method of using high velocity metal forming to encapsulate a projection of a non-metallic article by a metallic article and a method of crimping terminal flanges defining an interstitial space therebetween, while trapping a vapor barrier element between the terminal flanges, thereby hermetically sealing the interstitial space.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 5, 2014Publication date: January 29, 2015Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: CHARLES R. CRAVENS, CHRISTIAN GIANNI, JAMES C.L. GUARINO, STEVEN J. KUEHL, JOHN E. MEDDLES, GUOLIAN WU
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Publication number: 20140260347Abstract: An ice making module includes a conductive ice tray having a bottom surface and a barrier coating on at least a portion of the conductive ice tray. An electrical circuit in electrical communication with the conductive ice tray includes a power source and a capacitor. A switch is configured to move between a charging position, wherein the capacitor stores an electrical charge, and a pulse position, wherein the capacitor releases the electrical charge. A conductive material disposed proximate the conductive ice tray is in selective electromagnetic communication with the conductive ice tray. The electrical charge released by the capacitor generates an induced electrical current through the conductive material and a repelling electromagnetic force between the conductive ice tray and the conductive material. A water dispensing mechanism disposes water into the conductive ice tray. A cooling apparatus decrease the temperature of the water in the conductive ice tray.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 14, 2013Publication date: September 18, 2014Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Yen-Hsi Lin, Xi Shan