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).
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Publication number: 20240344261Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 24, 2024Publication date: October 17, 2024Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney
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Publication number: 20240218583Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Patent number: 12018423Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 27, 2021Date of Patent: June 25, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney
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Publication number: 20240183094Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 12, 2024Publication date: June 6, 2024Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 11946186Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Patent number: 11932979Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: September 2, 2020Date of Patent: March 19, 2024Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: 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
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Patent number: 11795598Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: December 22, 2021Date of Patent: October 24, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Donald E. Erickson, Mark R. Haslanger, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Jaime E. Rodriguez
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Publication number: 20220112646Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 22, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: DONALD E. ERICKSON, MARK R. HASLANGER, STEPHEN D. OSTDIEK, JAIME E. RODRIGUEZ
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Publication number: 20220074101Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Publication number: 20220042233Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 27, 2021Publication date: February 10, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney
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Patent number: 11242636Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: February 7, 2020Date of Patent: February 8, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Donald E. Erickson, Mark R. Haslanger, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Jaime E. Rodriguez
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Patent number: 11236458Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 25, 2019Date of Patent: February 1, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Douglas Mikkelsen, Christoph J. Miller, Eric J. Walsh, Donald E. Erickson
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Patent number: 11208750Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Patent number: 11193229Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 31, 2019Date of Patent: December 7, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney
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Publication number: 20210062382Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: September 2, 2020Publication date: March 4, 2021Inventors: 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
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Patent number: 10774453Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: January 8, 2018Date of Patent: September 15, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Donald E. Erickson, Brenner M. Sharp
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Publication number: 20200208324Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2019Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Patent number: 10676851Abstract: A laundry treating appliance is configured to treat laundry according to a cycle of operation. The laundry treating appliance comprises a chassis that defines an interior and has a front and rear with an access opening located in the front. A tub statically mounted to the chassis and defines a liquid chamber located within the interior and has at least one suspension opening. An exoskeleton is located within the liquid chamber and has a front support, a rear support, and stringers extending longitudinally to form a skeletal frame defining a frame interior. A rotatable drum is located within the frame interior. A suspension system is located within the interior and has at least one suspension component extending into the liquid chamber through the suspension opening and is operably coupled to the exoskeleton. A liquid dam retards liquid flow from the liquid chamber to the interior through the suspension opening.Type: GrantFiled: August 15, 2017Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Donald E. Erickson, George W. Malheiros, Christoph J. Miller
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Publication number: 20200173091Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: February 7, 2020Publication date: June 4, 2020Inventors: DONALD E. ERICKSON, MARK R. HASLANGER, STEPHEN D. OSTDIEK, JAIME E. RODRIGUEZ
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Publication number: 20200121158Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 31, 2019Publication date: April 23, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney