Patents by Inventor Donald E. Erickson

Donald E. 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).

  • LAUNDRY APPLIANCE WITH A DEFLECTOR
    Publication number: 20260092408
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least the a portion of perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 29, 2025
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Laundry appliance with a deflector
    Patent number: 12448717
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2024
    Date of Patent: October 21, 2025
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • REMOVABLE AGITATOR WITH FABRIC SOFTENER DISPENSER
    Publication number: 20250198066
    Abstract: An agitator for use in a laundry treating appliance includes a barrel having an upper end and a lower end, configured to removably attach to an impeller mount, comprising a plurality of tabs extending radially outward from an exterior surface of the barrel, and a plurality of snaps, and a modular accessory configured to be selectively attachable to the barrel, the modular accessory defining exterior features to interact with laundry items, the modular accessory comprising an accessory body defining a hollow interior sized to receive the barrel, the accessory body having an open bottom, generally cylindrical sides, and an open top; a plurality of tab holders disposed on an inner surface of the accessory body, the tab holders positioned to receive the tabs of the barrel when the modular accessory is slid onto the barrel; and a plurality of snap locks disposed on the inner surface of the accessory body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Vinayak A. Afajalpurkar, Vaibhav A. Badabade, Adam Gary, Aditya Masalkar, Ajiket J. Patil, Akshat Jain, Anjali A. Vyavahare, Avinash Chandra, Benjamin D. Lowell, Chetan M. Surag, Corinne M. Gorenchan, Bradley D. Morrow, Digeshwar H. Harinkhede, Divyam Upadhyay, Donald E. Erickson, Emmanuel F. Gonzaga, Eric J. Vasko, Eric William Merrow, Harichandra Lambate, Dhiraj J. Gotekar, Jalindar S. Dawange, James Jeffery, Jason S. Burnette, Jonathan A. Andrejczuk, Kedar Kulkarni, Kenneth McConnell, Kevin Peralta, Kiran D. Nakil, Kiran J. Shinde, Kunal J. Salunke, Lakshmi P. Eede, Mohasin N. Mulla, Mohsin M. Attar, Philip J. Czarnecki, Prem Dhanasegar, Ravindra B. Salunkhe, Sandip J. Sutar, Sandip K. Kardile, Sayer J. Murphy, Shivani Patil, Shivprakash V. Chivati, Shyam R. Mathure, Suraj Kadam, Thomas R. Scott, Umesh Y. Karigar, Vinay V. Joshi, Venkatesh G. Ajari, Yash Magdum
  • USER INTERFACE SOLUTIONS FOR ACCESSING APPLIANCE CONTROL THROUGH COSMETIC OUTER CABINET
    Publication number: 20240344261
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a body that houses a motor that selectively operates a drum for processing laundry, wherein the body includes an aperture for selectively accessing the drum. A door panel provides selective access to the aperture. A controller is configured to operate at least the motor. A user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting a laundry-processing operation to be performed. An outer panel at least partially conceals the body from view. An outer selector is positioned proximate the outer panel, wherein the outer selector is in communication with the controller via the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney
  • LAUNDRY APPLIANCE WITH A DEFLECTOR
    Publication number: 20240218583
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 18, 2024
    Publication date: July 4, 2024
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • User interface solutions for accessing appliance control through cosmetic outer cabinet
    Patent number: 12018423
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a body that houses a motor that selectively operates a drum for processing laundry, wherein the body includes an aperture for selectively accessing the drum. A door panel provides selective access to the aperture. A controller is configured to operate at least the motor. A user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting a laundry-processing operation to be performed. An outer panel at least partially conceals the body from view. An outer selector is positioned proximate the outer panel, wherein the outer selector is in communication with the controller via the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney
  • LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE HAVING A REMOVABLE CLOTHES MOVER
    Publication number: 20240183094
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry items according to an automatic cycle of operation can include a cabinet defining an interior and having an access opening providing access to the interior. A tub can be located within the interior and can at least partially define a liquid chamber. A drum is rotatably mounted within the liquid chamber and at least partially defines a treating chamber. A clothes mover is located within the treating chamber and rotatable about a vertical axis. The clothes mover can include a base and a barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2024
    Publication date: June 6, 2024
    Inventors: Jonathan A. ANDREJCZUK, Adam GARY, Philip J. CZARNECKI, Benjamin D. LOWELL, Sayer J. MURPHY, James JEFFERY, Eric W. MERROW, Emmanuel F. GONZAGA, Thomas R. SCOTT, Donald E. ERICKSON, Bradley D. MORROW, Jason S. BURNETTE, Kevin PERALTA, Corinne M. GORENCHAN, Kenneth L. McCONNELL, Eric J. Vasko
  • Laundry appliance with a deflector
    Patent number: 11946186
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Laundry treating appliance having a removable clothes mover
    Patent number: 11932979
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry items according to an automatic cycle of operation can include a cabinet defining an interior and having an access opening providing access to the interior. A tub can be located within the interior and can at least partially define a liquid chamber. A drum is rotatably mounted within the liquid chamber and at least partially defines a treating chamber. A clothes mover is located within the treating chamber and rotatable about a vertical axis. The clothes mover can include a base and a barrel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2024
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jonathan A. Andrejczuk, Adam Gary, Philip J. Czarnecki, Benjamin D. Lowell, Sayer J. Murphy, James Jeffery, Eric W. Merrow, Emmanuel F. Gonzaga, Thomas R. Scott, Donald E. Erickson, Bradley D. Morrow, Jason S. Burnette, Kevin Peralta, Corinne M. Gorenchan, Kenneth L. McConnell
  • Laundry treating appliance with dynamic balancer
    Patent number: 11795598
    Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance comprises an enclosed non-metal annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, an annular metal race within the non-metal annular housing disposed against the radial circumferential wall, and a mass disposed in the annular race and movable therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Erickson, Mark R. Haslanger, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Jaime E. Rodriguez
  • LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE WITH DYNAMIC BALANCER
    Publication number: 20220112646
    Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance comprises an enclosed non-metal annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, an annular metal race within the non-metal annular housing disposed against the radial circumferential wall, and a mass disposed in the annular race and movable therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Inventors: DONALD E. ERICKSON, MARK R. HASLANGER, STEPHEN D. OSTDIEK, JAIME E. RODRIGUEZ
  • LAUNDRY APPLIANCE WITH A DEFLECTOR
    Publication number: 20220074101
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • USER INTERFACE SOLUTIONS FOR ACCESSING APPLIANCE CONTROL THROUGH COSMETIC OUTER CABINET
    Publication number: 20220042233
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a body that houses a motor that selectively operates a drum for processing laundry, wherein the body includes an aperture for selectively accessing the drum. A door panel provides selective access to the aperture. A controller is configured to operate at least the motor. A user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting a laundry-processing operation to be performed. An outer panel at least partially conceals the body from view. An outer selector is positioned proximate the outer panel, wherein the outer selector is in communication with the controller via the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney
  • Laundry treating appliance with dynamic balancer
    Patent number: 11242636
    Abstract: A dynamic balancer device for mounting to and balancing a rotatable drum in a laundry treating appliance comprises an enclosed non-metal annular housing having a radial circumferential wall, an annular metal race within the non-metal annular housing disposed against the radial circumferential wall, and a mass disposed in the annular race and movable therein.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 8, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Erickson, Mark R. Haslanger, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Jaime E. Rodriguez
  • Laundry treating appliance
    Patent number: 11236458
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance for treating an article according to a cycle of operation includes a chassis defining an interior with a tub provided within the interior, the tub at least partially defining a liquid chamber. A drum is provided within the liquid chamber to at least partially define a treating chamber. The drum has a peripheral wall terminating in a front edge and a rear edge, with the front edge defining a front opening. An exoskeleton is provided within the liquid chamber coupling the drum to the chassis.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas Mikkelsen, Christoph J. Miller, Eric J. Walsh, Donald E. Erickson
  • Laundry appliance with a deflector
    Patent number: 11208750
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • User interface solutions for accessing appliance control through cosmetic outer cabinet
    Patent number: 11193229
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a body that houses a motor that selectively operates a drum for processing laundry, wherein the body includes an aperture for selectively accessing the drum. A door panel provides selective access to the aperture. A controller is configured to operate at least the motor. A user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting a laundry-processing operation to be performed. An outer panel at least partially conceals the body from view. An outer selector is positioned proximate the outer panel, wherein the outer selector is in communication with the controller via the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 7, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney
  • LAUNDRY TREATING APPLIANCE HAVING A REMOVABLE CLOTHES MOVER
    Publication number: 20210062382
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry items according to an automatic cycle of operation can include a cabinet defining an interior and having an access opening providing access to the interior. A tub can be located within the interior and can at least partially define a liquid chamber. A drum is rotatably mounted within the liquid chamber and at least partially defines a treating chamber. A clothes mover is located within the treating chamber and rotatable about a vertical axis. The clothes mover can include a base and a barrel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2020
    Publication date: March 4, 2021
    Inventors: Jonathan A. ANDREJCZUK, Adam GARY, Philip J. CZARNECKI, Benjamin D. LOWELL, Sayer J. MURPHY, James JEFFERY, Eric W. MERROW, Emmanuel F. GONZAGA, Thomas R. SCOTT, Donald E. ERICKSON, Bradley D. MORROW, Jason S. BURNETTE, Kevin PERALTA, Corinne M. GORENCHAN, Kenneth L. McCONNELL
  • Laundry treating appliance with a static tub and a water trap vapor seal
    Patent number: 10774453
    Abstract: A washing machine may include a static wash tub, a rotatable vertical axis wash basket in the static wash tub, and a drive motor for rotating the wash basket. A closure may direct wash liquid from the wash basket to a catch basin. A flange may be attached to the closure so that an unattached edge ends within the catch basin. The unattached edge may end below the surface of a first volume of wash liquid to minimize migration of wash liquid and/or vapor from the washing machine. The unattached edge may end above the surface of a second volume of wash liquid less than the first volume to minimize agitation of wash liquid in the catch basin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2018
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald E. Erickson, Brenner M. Sharp
  • LAUNDRY APPLIANCE WITH A DEFLECTOR
    Publication number: 20200208324
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi