Patents by Inventor Duane M. Kobos
Duane M. Kobos 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: 10731915Abstract: A pantry box system for a refrigerating appliance includes a pantry mullion having an interstitial space defined therein, a pantry wall extending perpendicularly from the pantry mullion, a base positioned substantially parallel with the pantry mullion. The pantry mullion, pantry wall and base define an insertable pantry compartment having an internal pantry volume. A pantry drawer is in operable communication with the internal pantry volume, and is operable through a drawer aperture defined in the pantry wall between open and closed positions. The pantry drawer includes an exterior drawer panel that conceals the drawer aperture when the at least one pantry drawer in in the closed position. A pantry box cooling system is configured to deliver cooling to the insertable pantry compartment from an external location, wherein the pantry box cooling system includes a control that independently controls a pantry temperature of the insertable pantry compartment.Type: GrantFiled: January 4, 2018Date of Patent: August 4, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Duane M. Kobos, Todd Tunzi
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Publication number: 20200041138Abstract: A concealed bridge assembly is provided for supporting adjacent lateral edges of cooktop units that are mounted in a kitchen countertop. The concealed bridge assembly can be used for traditional raised mounting of cooktop units or true-flush mounting of cooktop units. When used with traditional mountings, the concealed bridge assembly has a top that is sized to be flush with the countertop surface and the approximate length of the countertop opening. If true-flush mounting is desired, the top of the concealed bridge assembly is flush with the top surface of a kerf cut in the countertop.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 16, 2019Publication date: February 6, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: Duane M. Kobos
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Patent number: 10451293Abstract: A concealed bridge assembly is provided for supporting adjacent lateral edges of cooktop units that are mounted in a kitchen countertop. The concealed bridge assembly can be used for traditional raised mounting of cooktop units or true-flush mounting of cooktop units. When used with traditional mountings, the concealed bridge assembly has a top that is sized to be flush with the countertop surface and the approximate length of the countertop opening. If true-flush mounting is desired, the top of the concealed bridge assembly is flush with the top surface of a kerf cut in the countertop.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: Duane M. Kobos
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Patent number: 10440782Abstract: A panel member for an appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner that define a panel opening therethrough, a panel window disposed in the opening and having at least one glazing member that is disposed within a glazing frame, a conductive coating applied to at least one surface of the at least one glazing member and at least one electrical conductor disposed proximate a portion of the glazing frame, the electrical conductor in communication with the conductive coating.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Duane M. Kobos, Michael T. Moore
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Publication number: 20180180295Abstract: A concealed bridge assembly is provided for supporting adjacent lateral edges of cooktop units that are mounted in a kitchen countertop. The concealed bridge assembly can be used for traditional raised mounting of cooktop units or true-flush mounting of cooktop units. When used with traditional mountings, the concealed bridge assembly has a top that is sized to be flush with the countertop surface and the approximate length of the countertop opening. If true-flush mounting is desired, the top of the concealed bridge assembly is flush with the top surface of a kerf cut in the countertop.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2016Publication date: June 28, 2018Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: DUANE M. KOBOS
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Publication number: 20180128541Abstract: A pantry box system for a refrigerating appliance includes a pantry mullion having an interstitial space defined therein, a pantry wall extending perpendicularly from the pantry mullion, a base positioned substantially parallel with the pantry mullion. The pantry mullion, pantry wall and base define an insertable pantry compartment having an internal pantry volume. A pantry drawer is in operable communication with the internal pantry volume, and is operable through a drawer aperture defined in the pantry wall between open and closed positions. The pantry drawer includes an exterior drawer panel that conceals the drawer aperture when the at least one pantry drawer in in the closed position. A pantry box cooling system is configured to deliver cooling to the insertable pantry compartment from an external location, wherein the pantry box cooling system includes a control that independently controls a pantry temperature of the insertable pantry compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 4, 2018Publication date: May 10, 2018Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Duane M. Kobos, Todd Tunzi
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Patent number: 9897370Abstract: A pantry box system for a refrigerating appliance includes a pantry mullion having an interstitial space defined therein, a pantry wall extending perpendicularly from the pantry mullion, a base positioned substantially parallel with the pantry mullion. The pantry mullion, pantry wall and base define an insertable pantry compartment having an internal pantry volume. A pantry drawer is in operable communication with the internal pantry volume, and is operable through a drawer aperture defined in the pantry wall between open and closed positions. The pantry drawer includes an exterior drawer panel that conceals the drawer aperture when the at least one pantry drawer in the closed position. A pantry box cooling system is configured to deliver cooling to the insertable pantry compartment from an external location, wherein the pantry box cooling system includes a control that independently controls a pantry temperature of the insertable pantry compartment.Type: GrantFiled: March 11, 2015Date of Patent: February 20, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Duane M. Kobos, Todd Tunzi
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Patent number: 9687134Abstract: A dishwasher includes a door with at least a first part and a second part. The first part may be pivotally mounted to the dishwasher. The second part may be configured to be coupled to the first part for cooperative pivoting of the first part and the second part in one mode of operation. The second part may also be configured to move independently of the first part in another mode of operation.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Mark W. Baldwin, Rexford W. Cordill, Marcus R. Fischer, Mike S. Hemry, Saadat Hussain, Duane M. Kobos, Justin D. McIver, Demetrius J. Schaaf, Bryan M. Topp, Barry E. Tuller, Ameresh B. Viswanathan, Anthony B. Welsh, Elizabeth A. Moit, Brett Dibkey
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Publication number: 20170176095Abstract: A panel member for an appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner that define a panel opening therethrough, a panel window disposed in the opening and having at least one glazing member that is disposed within a glazing frame, a conductive coating applied to at least one surface of the at least one glazing member and at least one electrical conductor disposed proximate a portion of the glazing frame, the electrical conductor in communication with the conductive coating.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2015Publication date: June 22, 2017Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Duane M. Kobos, Michael T. Moore
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Patent number: 9599394Abstract: An example functional member of a refrigerator, freezer or icemaker having two closing members intended to be separated by a first distance includes a structure to implement a function for the refrigerator, freezer or icemaker, and a gap gauge dimensioned for use in aligning the two closing members apart by the first distance. An example functional member is a divider, a hinge cover or a scoop having a gap gauge with a blade-shaped, an oval or a rectangular cross-section, where a dimension of the cross-section is the first distance. An example gap gauge may be further dimensioned for use in aligning one of the two closing members and a third closing members, or two additional closing members apart by a second different distance.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: March 21, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Duane M. Kobos, Todd J. Tunzi
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Patent number: 9522399Abstract: A food processor includes a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are advanced into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is positionable between a plurality of cutting positions to produce cut food items of varying thicknesses. The food processor includes an adjustment assembly operable to move the cutting assembly between the plurality of cutting positions. The adjustment assembly includes a user-operated control device that is secured to the cutting assembly. The user-operated control device extends through a slot defined in the removable lid such that an upper end of the user-operated control device is positioned outside of the processing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael P. Conti, Thomas Gillette, David J. Gushwa, Duane M. Kobos, Anthony Roberts, Nicholas Stuart
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Patent number: 9462926Abstract: A dishwasher may include a closure element, such as a door, a user interface on the closure element, and a controller. A data communication link having a first data connector may be coupled to the controller, and a second data connector may be coupled to the user interface. The first and second data connectors may communicatively couple when the closure element is in the closed condition to establish data communication between the controller and the user interface. The communication link may also form a power link to provide power to the user interface across an electrical link.Type: GrantFiled: November 20, 2012Date of Patent: October 11, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Mark W. Baldwin, Blayne C. Smith, Marcus R. Fischer, Mike S. Hemry, Saadat Hussain, Duane M. Kobos, Justin D. McIver, Demetrius J. Schaaf, Bryan M. Topp, Barry E. Tuller, Ameresh B. Viswanathan, Anthony B. Welsh, Elizabeh A. Moit
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Publication number: 20160290709Abstract: An example functional member of a refrigerator, freezer or icemaker having two closing members intended to be separated by a first distance includes a structure to implement a function for the refrigerator, freezer or icemaker, and a gap gauge dimensioned for use in aligning the two closing members apart by the first distance. An example functional member is a divider, a hinge cover or a scoop having a gap gauge with a blade-shaped, an oval or a rectangular cross-section, where a dimension of the cross-section is the first distance. An example gap gauge may be further dimensioned for use in aligning one of the two closing members and a third closing members, or two additional closing members apart by a second different distance.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 1, 2015Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: DUANE M. KOBOS, TODD J. TUNZI
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Publication number: 20160265816Abstract: A pantry box system for a refrigerating appliance includes a pantry mullion having an interstitial space defined therein, a pantry wall extending perpendicularly from the pantry mullion, a base positioned substantially parallel with the pantry mullion. The pantry mullion, pantry wall and base define an insertable pantry compartment having an internal pantry volume. A pantry drawer is in operable communication with the internal pantry volume, and is operable through a drawer aperture defined in the pantry wall between open and closed positions. The pantry drawer includes an exterior drawer panel that conceals the drawer aperture when the at least one pantry drawer in in the closed position. A pantry box cooling system is configured to deliver cooling to the insertable pantry compartment from an external location, wherein the pantry box cooling system includes a control that independently controls a pantry temperature of the insertable pantry compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 11, 2015Publication date: September 15, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Duane M. Kobos, Todd Tunzi
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Patent number: 9443671Abstract: An apparatus to pass an electrical signal within a refrigerator having a liner partially defining an interior compartment and having an opening, and a moveable member, includes first and second members not passable through the opening when the apparatus is at a first rotational orientation, at least one of the first and second members passable through the opening when the apparatus is at a second rotational orientation, a planar third member between the first and second members fitting in the opening at the first rotational orientation, an electrically conductive contact to conduct the electrical signal to the moveable member when the moveable member is at a predetermined position relative to the apparatus, and a electrical conductor electrically coupled to the contact and passing through the apparatus to conduct the electrical signal from the exterior of the liner to the contact.Type: GrantFiled: September 23, 2014Date of Patent: September 13, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kirk W. Goodwin, Duane M. Kobos, Michael Todd Moore, Karen J. Querfurth
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Publication number: 20160086747Abstract: An apparatus to pass an electrical signal within a refrigerator having a liner partially defining an interior compartment and having an opening, and a moveable member, includes first and second members not passable through the opening when the apparatus is at a first rotational orientation, at least one of the first and second members passable through the opening when the apparatus is at a second rotational orientation, a planar third member between the first and second members fitting in the opening at the first rotational orientation, an electrically conductive contact to conduct the electrical signal to the moveable member when the moveable member is at a predetermined position relative to the apparatus, and a electrical conductor electrically coupled to the contact and passing through the apparatus to conduct the electrical signal from the exterior of the liner to the contact.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 23, 2014Publication date: March 24, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: KIRK W. GOODWIN, DUANE M. KOBOS, MICHAEL TODD MOORE, KAREN J. QUERFURTH
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Patent number: 9101258Abstract: A dishwasher may comprise a tub at least partially defining multiple treating chambers and further defining an access opening for the treating chambers. Interior closure elements may selectively close the access openings, and examples of the interior closure elements include a pivoting door and a drawer front. An exterior closure element mounted to the dishwasher for movement relative to the tub may overlie the interior closure elements when closed.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2013Date of Patent: August 11, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Rexford W. Cordill, Michael Hamand, Duane M. Kobos, Anthony B. Welsh
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Patent number: 9033269Abstract: A food processor of one design includes a housing including a motor and a coupling for rotating a food processing implement. The housing receives a feed chute assembly with a receiving chute for food to be processed. The feed chute assembly also includes an aligned discharge chute communicating with a processing implement, such that food is processed linearly from the receiving chute to the discharge chute. The housing has an open front for receiving containers for food processed by said food processor. This results in a smaller food processor which is capable of directly feeding processed food into a container separate from the food processor itself.Type: GrantFiled: March 1, 2013Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Duane M. Kobos, Jeremy T. Wolters, Anthony S. Roberts, Michael P. Conti
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Publication number: 20140306588Abstract: A dishwasher may comprise a tub at least partially defining multiple treating chambers and further defining an access opening for the treating chambers. Interior closure elements may selectively close the access openings, and examples of the interior closure elements include a pivoting door and a drawer front. An exterior closure element mounted to the dishwasher for movement relative to the tub may overlie the interior closure elements when closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 16, 2013Publication date: October 16, 2014Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: REXFORD W. CORDILL, MICHAEL HAMAND, DUANE M. KOBOS, ANTHONY B. WELSH
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Patent number: D776512Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2015Date of Patent: January 17, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Duane M. Kobos, Todd J. Tunzi