Patents by Inventor Dustin M. Miller

Dustin M. Miller 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).

  • Publication number: 20240085093
    Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2023
    Publication date: March 14, 2024
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 11874053
    Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Publication number: 20230330969
    Abstract: An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2023
    Publication date: October 19, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Karen J. Querfurth, Jerry M. Visin
  • Patent number: 11724479
    Abstract: An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 15, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Karen J. Querfurth, Jerry M. Visin
  • Publication number: 20230194372
    Abstract: A door assembly includes a structural wrapper defining an insulating cavity. The structural wrapper defines a sensor port. A sensor assembly is coupled to an outer surface of the structural wrapper proximate to the sensor port. The sensor assembly includes a connector having a base coupled to a housing. The base is coupled to the structural wrapper. The connector defines an interior in fluid communication with the insulating cavity. A pressure sensor is disposed within the housing. The pressure sensor is configured to sense a pressure within the insulating cavity. At least one plate is disposed at an open end of the housing. The pressure sensor includes sensor pins that extend through the at least one plate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 16, 2021
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul Bennett Allard, Sunil Shivaji Ekshinge, Dustin M. Miller, Omkar Mithari, Abhay Naik, Rafael Dutra Nunes
  • Patent number: 11577446
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated appliance structure, comprising: a first layer of a first polymer material. A second layer of a second polymer material is molded to (e.g. over) at least a portion of the first layer, and a third layer of a third polymer material is molded to (e.g. over) at least a portion of the second layer to form a first component. At least one of the layers is impervious to one or more gasses. One or more additional components are secured to the first component to form a vacuum cavity. The vacuum cavity is filled with a porous material, and the vacuum cavity is evacuated to form a vacuum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 14, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Dustin M. Miller, Subrata Shannigrahi, Hua Liu
  • Publication number: 20220410532
    Abstract: An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Publication date: December 29, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Karen J. Querfurth, Jerry M. Visin
  • Publication number: 20220364784
    Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Publication date: November 17, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 11479021
    Abstract: An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Karen J. Querfurth, Jerry M. Visin
  • Patent number: 11466927
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes an exterior wrapper with a front edge extending around an opening thereof. A liner includes a front edge extending around an opening of the liner, wherein the liner is disposed inside of the wrapper. A thermal bridge includes an outer coupling portion and an inner coupling portion. In assembly, the outer coupling portion is overmolded to the front edge of the wrapper, and the inner coupling portion is overmolded to the front edge of the liner to form a sealed vacuum cavity (VC) between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge is formed in a mold in which the wrapper and liner are partially disposed to form a unitary composite structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Dustin M. Miller, Tao Liu
  • Patent number: 11435130
    Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 11313611
    Abstract: A door panel includes an outer panel having a generally planar body portion with inner and outer surfaces and a sidewall with a front edge. An inner panel includes a generally planar body portion with inner and outer surfaces and a sidewall with a front edge. A trim breaker interconnects the outer panel and the inner panel to form a vacuum cavity therebetween. The trim breaker includes first and second upright members interconnected by upper and lower cross members. The trim breaker further includes an inner channel and an outer channel spaced-apart from one another around the trim breaker. The outer channel is outwardly disposed around the inner channel. The front edge of the inner panel is received in the inner channel of the trim breaker, and the front edge of the outer panel is received in the outer channel of the trim breaker.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 1, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 26, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Kamil EL Sayed, Lynne F. Hunter, Sai B. Krishna, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Karen J. Querfurth, Daniel Lottinville
  • Publication number: 20210356195
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a wrapper having an opening with a front edge. A liner includes an opening and a front edge. A thermal bridge interconnects the wrapper and the liner to form a vacuum insulated cavity therebetween. The thermal bridge includes an outwardly opening channel and first and second inwardly opening channels. The front edge of wrapper is received in the first inwardly opening channel, and the front edge of the liner is received in the second inwardly opening channel. The second inwardly opening channel is inset relative to the first inwardly opening channel on the thermal bridge. A conduit is disposed within the outwardly opening channel and is configured to circulate a heated medium. The wrapper and liner are contemplated to be comprised of conductive materials, such sheet metal, while the thermal bridge is comprised of a thermally resistant material, such as a polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Lynne F. Hunter, Hua Liu, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Publication number: 20210291490
    Abstract: An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Karen J. Querfurth, Jerry M. Visin
  • Patent number: 11065842
    Abstract: An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Karen J. Querfurth, Jerry M. Visin
  • Publication number: 20210207878
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a wrapper having an opening with a front edge. A liner includes an opening and a front edge. A thermal bridge interconnects the wrapper and the liner to form a vacuum insulated cavity therebetween. The thermal bridge includes an outwardly opening channel and first and second inwardly opening channels. The front edge of wrapper is received in the first inwardly opening channel, and the front edge of the liner is received in the second inwardly opening channel. The second inwardly opening channel is inset relative to the first inwardly opening channel on the thermal bridge. A conduit is disposed within the outwardly opening channel and is configured to circulate a heated medium. The wrapper and liner are contemplated to be comprised of conductive materials, such sheet metal, while the thermal bridge is comprised of a thermally resistant material, such as a polymeric material.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Lynne F. Hunter, Hua Liu, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Paul B. Allard, Eric J. Dherde
  • Publication number: 20210108851
    Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2020
    Publication date: April 15, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Patent number: 10907882
    Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 17, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Publication number: 20210018255
    Abstract: A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes an exterior wrapper with a front edge extending around an opening thereof. A liner includes a front edge extending around an opening of the liner, wherein the liner is disposed inside of the wrapper. A thermal bridge includes an outer coupling portion and an inner coupling portion. In assembly, the outer coupling portion is overmolded to the front edge of the wrapper, and the inner coupling portion is overmolded to the front edge of the liner to form a sealed vacuum cavity (VC) between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge is formed in a mold in which the wrapper and liner are partially disposed to form a unitary composite structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Dustin M. Miller, Tao Liu
  • Publication number: 20200406527
    Abstract: A method of fabricating a vacuum insulated appliance structure includes molding a first layer of a first polymer material. A second layer of a second polymer material is molded to (e.g. over) at least a portion of the first layer, and a third layer of a third polymer material is molded to (e.g. over) at least a portion of the second layer to form a first component. At least one of the layers is impervious to one or more gasses. One or more additional components are secured to the first component to form a vacuum cavity. The vacuum cavity is filled with a porous material, and the vacuum cavity is evacuated to form a vacuum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 11, 2020
    Publication date: December 31, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Dustin M. Miller, Subrata Shannigrahi, Hua Liu