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).

  • Patent number: 10731915
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Duane M. Kobos, Todd Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20200041138
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 16, 2019
    Publication date: February 6, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Duane M. Kobos
  • Patent number: 10451293
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2019
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Duane M. Kobos
  • Patent number: 10440782
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane M. Kobos, Michael T. Moore
  • Publication number: 20180180295
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2016
    Publication date: June 28, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: DUANE M. KOBOS
  • Publication number: 20180128541
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 4, 2018
    Publication date: May 10, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Duane M. Kobos, Todd Tunzi
  • Patent number: 9897370
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Duane M. Kobos, Todd Tunzi
  • Patent number: 9687134
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20170176095
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 21, 2015
    Publication date: June 22, 2017
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Duane M. Kobos, Michael T. Moore
  • Patent number: 9599394
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: March 21, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane M. Kobos, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 9522399
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: December 20, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Conti, Thomas Gillette, David J. Gushwa, Duane M. Kobos, Anthony Roberts, Nicholas Stuart
  • Patent number: 9462926
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: November 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20160290709
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Publication date: October 6, 2016
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: DUANE M. KOBOS, TODD J. TUNZI
  • Publication number: 20160265816
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2015
    Publication date: September 15, 2016
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas A. Gillette, Duane M. Kobos, Todd Tunzi
  • Patent number: 9443671
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kirk W. Goodwin, Duane M. Kobos, Michael Todd Moore, Karen J. Querfurth
  • Publication number: 20160086747
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Publication date: March 24, 2016
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: KIRK W. GOODWIN, DUANE M. KOBOS, MICHAEL TODD MOORE, KAREN J. QUERFURTH
  • Patent number: 9101258
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Rexford W. Cordill, Michael Hamand, Duane M. Kobos, Anthony B. Welsh
  • Patent number: 9033269
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane M. Kobos, Jeremy T. Wolters, Anthony S. Roberts, Michael P. Conti
  • Publication number: 20140306588
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 16, 2013
    Publication date: October 16, 2014
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: REXFORD W. CORDILL, MICHAEL HAMAND, DUANE M. KOBOS, ANTHONY B. WELSH
  • Patent number: D776512
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Duane M. Kobos, Todd J. Tunzi