Patents by Inventor Donald A. Erickson
Donald A. Erickson 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: 20230374717Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Eric A. Hill, Patrick A. McCormick, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Anna C. Schelling, Robert J. Schneider, Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha, Todd J. Tunzi, Andrew C. Kubasiak
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Publication number: 20230349088Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a tub, a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber, and a treating chemistry dispenser comprising multiple treating chemistry cups configured to dispense treating chemistry to the treating chamber. The method comprises performing a first wash cycle and dispensing a first dose of treating chemistry from one of the treating chemistry cups, receiving at a controller a user selection of an activation of a performance enhancement selector, and upon activation of the performance enhancement selector, activating a second wash cycle comprising dispensing a second dose of treating chemistry from another of treating chemistry cups.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2023Publication date: November 2, 2023Inventors: AMBERDEEP S. AURORA, MICHAEL J. BAUMAN, DONALD ERICKSON, SARAH E. IHNE, NICHOLAS LEEP, KARL DAVID MCALLISTER, DANIEL POLONSKY, RYAN JAMES VAN ZOEST
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Patent number: 11725326Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a tub, a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber, and a treating chemistry dispenser comprising multiple treating chemistry cups configured to dispense treating chemistry to the treating chamber. The method comprises performing a first wash cycle and dispensing a first dose of treating chemistry from one of the treating chemistry cups, receiving at a controller a user selection of an activation of a performance enhancement selector, and upon activation of the performance enhancement selector, activating a second wash cycle comprising dispensing a second dose of treating chemistry from another of treating chemistry cups.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2021Date of Patent: August 15, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Amberdeep S. Aurora, Michael J. Bauman, Donald Erickson, Sarah E. Ihne, Nicholas Leep, Karl David McAllister, Daniel Polonsky, Ryan James Van Zoest
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Patent number: 11708656Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance, such as a washing machine, having a cabinet defining an interior and defining an access opening. A lid can be movably mounted relative to the cabinet to selectively open or close the access opening. A tub can be located within the interior and the tub can contain a rotatably mounted drum, such as a horizontally rotatable drum, including a flexible fabric material.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2022Date of Patent: July 25, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Donald Erickson, Steven Fricke, Christian Gianni, Thomas Kessler, Praveen Poojary, Erica Roberts, Jaime Rodriguez, Peter Wagoner
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Patent number: 11655582Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a rotating drum operably positioned therein for processing fabric. At least one transducer is positioned proximate the drum that provides an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into an interior chamber of the drum. The ultrasonic resonance is adapted to be directed into damp fabric being treated within the interior chamber. The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into a substantially gaseous form.Type: GrantFiled: November 9, 2021Date of Patent: May 23, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Mark J. Christensen, Donald Erickson, Jordan M. Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Hartnett, Christopher A. Jones, K. David McAllister, Rodney M. Welch, Erica L. Roberts
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Publication number: 20230073346Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance, such as a washing machine, having a cabinet defining an interior and defining an access opening. A lid can be movably mounted relative to the cabinet to selectively open or close the access opening. A tub can be located within the interior and the tub can contain a rotatably mounted drum, such as a horizontally rotatable drum, including a flexible fabric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2022Publication date: March 9, 2023Inventors: DONALD ERICKSON, STEVEN FRICKE, CHRISTIAN GIANNI, THOMAS KESSLER, PRAVEEN POOJARY, ERICA ROBERTS, JAIME RODRIGUEZ, PETER WAGONER
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Patent number: 11512421Abstract: A laundry treating appliance, such as a washing machine, having a cabinet defining an interior and defining an access opening. A lid can be movably mounted relative to the cabinet to selectively open or close the access opening. A tub can be located within the interior and the tub can contain a rotatably mounted drum, such as a horizontally rotatable drum, including a flexible fabric material.Type: GrantFiled: December 22, 2020Date of Patent: November 29, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Donald Erickson, Steven Fricke, Christian Gianni, Thomas Kessler, Praveen Poojary, Erica Roberts, Jaime Rodriguez, Peter Wagoner
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Publication number: 20220372686Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Eric A. Hill, Patrick A. McCormick, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Anna C. Schelling, Robert J. Schneider, Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha, Todd J. Tunzi
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Patent number: 11434594Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: May 13, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Patrick A. McCormick, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Anna C. Schelling, Robert J. Schneider, Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha, Todd J. Tunzi
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Publication number: 20220064845Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a rotating drum operably positioned therein for processing fabric. At least one transducer is positioned proximate the drum that provides an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into an interior chamber of the drum. The ultrasonic resonance is adapted to be directed into damp fabric being treated within the interior chamber. The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into a substantially gaseous form.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 9, 2021Publication date: March 3, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Mark J. Christensen, Donald Erickson, Jordan M. Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Hartnett, Christopher A. Jones, K. David McAllister, Rodney M. Welch, Erica L. Roberts
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Patent number: 11203834Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a rotating drum operably positioned therein for processing fabric. At least one transducer is positioned proximate the drum that provides an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into an interior chamber of the drum. The ultrasonic resonance is adapted to be directed into damp fabric being treated within the interior chamber. The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into a substantially gaseous form.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2020Date of Patent: December 21, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Mark J. Christensen, Donald Erickson, Jordan M. Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Hartnett, Christopher A. Jones, K. David McAllister, Rodney M. Welch, Erica L. Roberts
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Publication number: 20210214873Abstract: A method of operating a laundry treating appliance having a tub, a rotatable drum at least partially defining a treating chamber, and a treating chemistry dispenser comprising multiple treating chemistry cups configured to dispense treating chemistry to the treating chamber. The method comprises performing a first wash cycle and dispensing a first dose of treating chemistry from one of the treating chemistry cups, receiving at a controller a user selection of an activation of a performance enhancement selector, and upon activation of the performance enhancement selector, activating a second wash cycle comprising dispensing a second dose of treating chemistry from another of treating chemistry cups.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 26, 2021Publication date: July 15, 2021Inventors: AMBERDEEP S. AURORA, MICHAEL J. BAUMAN, DONALD ERICKSON, SARAH E. IHNE, NICHOLAS LEEP, KARL DAVID MCALLISTER, DANIEL POLONSKY, RYAN JAMES VAN ZOEST
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Patent number: 10988881Abstract: The laundry treating device has a user interface configured to receive a user selection of a preprogrammed wash cycle. A treating chemistry dispenser has multiple treating chemistry cups configured to dispense treating chemistry to the treating chamber during the selected washing cycle. A controller configured to activate dispensing from each of the treating chemistry cups at preprogrammed times during the wash cycle. A performance enhancement selector configured to receive a user selection such that activation of the performance enhancement selector causes the controller to dispense one of the treating chemistry cups at a different time than the preprogrammed time during the wash cycle.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2018Date of Patent: April 27, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Amberdeep S. Aurora, Michael J. Bauman, Donald Erickson, Sarah E. Ihne, Nicholas Leep, Karl David McAllister, Daniel Polonsky, Ryan James Van Zoest
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Publication number: 20210108352Abstract: A laundry treating appliance, such as a washing machine, having a cabinet defining an interior and defining an access opening. A lid can be movably mounted relative to the cabinet to selectively open or close the access opening. A tub can be located within the interior and the tub can contain a rotatably mounted drum, such as a horizontally rotatable drum, including a flexible fabric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2020Publication date: April 15, 2021Inventors: DONALD ERICKSON, STEVEN FRICKE, CHRISTIAN GIANNI, THOMAS KESSLER, PRAVEEN POOJARY, ERICA ROBERTS, JAIME RODRIGUEZ, PETER WAGONER
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Patent number: 10907290Abstract: A laundry treating appliance, such as a washing machine, having a cabinet defining an interior and defining an access opening. A lid can be movably mounted relative to the cabinet to selectively open or close the access opening. A tub can be located within the interior and the tub can contain a rotatably mounted drum, such as a horizontally rotatable drum, including a flexible fabric material.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Donald Erickson, Steven Fricke, Christian Gianni, Thomas Kessler, Praveen Poojary, Erica Roberts, Jaime Rodriguez, Peter Wagoner
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Publication number: 20200370222Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Eric A. Hill, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Patrick A. McCormick, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Anna C. Schelling, Robert J. Schneider, Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha, Todd J. Tunzi
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Publication number: 20200318282Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a rotating drum operably positioned therein for processing fabric. At least one transducer is positioned proximate the drum that provides an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into an interior chamber of the drum. The ultrasonic resonance is adapted to be directed into damp fabric being treated within the interior chamber. The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into a substantially gaseous form.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2020Publication date: October 8, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Mark J. Christensen, Donald Erickson, Jordan M. Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Hartnett, Christopher A. Jones, K. David McAllister, Rodney M. Welch, Erica L. Roberts
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Patent number: 10704189Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet having a rotating drum operably positioned therein for processing fabric. At least one transducer is positioned proximate the drum that provides an ultrasonic resonance that is directed into an interior chamber of the drum. The ultrasonic resonance is adapted to be directed into damp fabric being treated within the interior chamber. The ultrasonic resonance serves to modify water trapped within the damp fabric into a substantially gaseous form.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2018Date of Patent: July 7, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Mark J. Christensen, Donald Erickson, Jordan M. Grider, Alexander Halbleib, Christopher A. Hartnett, Christopher A. Jones, K. David McAllister, Rodney M. Welch, Erica L. Roberts
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Publication number: 20190257019Abstract: A fabric treating appliance for treating an article according to a cycle of operation includes a chassis defining an interior. An extruded tub is provided in the interior and mounted to the chassis including a sump aperture, and defining a liquid chamber. A sump is provided in the sump aperture. A rotatable drum is located within the tub to define a treating chamber.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2019Publication date: August 22, 2019Inventors: DONALD ERICKSON, KLAUS TEIGELKAMP
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Publication number: 20190200515Abstract: An integral multi-dispenser liquid container includes a plurality of hand pump dispensers positioned linearly, triangularly or squarely above a lower container compartment having a centrally-located liquid fill port. A central portion of the lower compartment is removed to cause residual liquid to pool at the suction tubes of the hand-pumps. One or more reinforced grip handles span between the hand-pump dispensers above the lower compartment. The hand-pumps can dispense different liquid volumes as needed in the field and do not need to be removed to refill the container. An internal baffle can be installed within the inside the lower compartment so that different liquids can be carried and dispensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2018Publication date: July 4, 2019Inventors: Jason Howard Lichtman, Kristopher Michael Palmer, David Lawrence Hyman, Lance New Harmon, Donald Erickson