Patents by Inventor Eric J. Vasko

Eric J. Vasko 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: 20250073623
    Abstract: A laundry appliance is provided and includes a cabinet, a tub disposed within the cabinet, and a drum disposed within the tub. The drum is rotatable within the tub and a fluid flow system disposed within the cabinet. The fluid flow system includes a separator configured to separate microplastics from fluid within the fluid flow system. The laundry appliance also includes a particulate reservoir disposed within the cabinet and operable between a static condition and a compressed condition. The particulate reservoir including a capsule disposed within the cabinet and configured to receive microplastics, a cap coupled to the capsule, and a nozzle extending outward from the capsule. The nozzle is configured to permit flow of the microplastics into the capsule in the static condition.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 30, 2023
    Publication date: March 6, 2025
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rodrigo Strzelecki Berndsen, Tibor Budicky, Brent M. Burgess, Jalindar S. Dawange, Sean P. Fitzgerald, Richard L. Hammond, Omar R. Murad, Bruno T. Ramasco, Ryan J. Van Zoest, Wei Zheng, Rachael K. Acker, Eric J. Vasko
  • Publication number: 20240369290
    Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper, an inner liner, a trim breaker having a wrapper channel that receives a wrapper edge of the outer wrapper and a liner channel that receives a liner edge of the inner liner, and an insulation material disposed within an insulating cavity defined therebetween. A multi-component thermal encapsulation material defines pre-mix, application and sealing states. The pre-mix state is defined by the distinct components of the thermal encapsulation material being separated from one another, the application state defined by the distinct components combined together into an uncured state of the thermal encapsulation material, and the sealing state defined by the thermal encapsulation material disposed within the wrapper and liner channels and surrounding the wrapper and liner edges, respectively, in the sealing state that defines a hermetic seal between the trim breaker and the outer wrapper and the inner liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2024
    Publication date: November 7, 2024
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Gustavo Frattini, Lynne F. Hunter, Hua Liu, Abhay Naik, Eric J. Vasko, Jerry M. Visin
  • Publication number: 20240360044
    Abstract: A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure for an appliance includes disposing hollow glass spheres within a rotating drum, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the hollow glass spheres. An anchor material is disposed within the rotating drum. The hollow glass spheres and the anchor material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the anchor material is mixed with the hollow glass spheres to partially occupy the interstitial spaces. A silica-based material is disposed within the rotating drum. The silica-based material is mixed with the anchor material and the hollow glass spheres to define a super-insulating material, wherein the silica-based material attaches to the anchor material and is entrapped within the interstitial spaces. The silica-based material and the anchor material occupy substantially all of an interstitial volume defined by the interstitial spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2024
    Publication date: October 31, 2024
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Vasko
  • Publication number: 20240352650
    Abstract: A removable fluid pumping and filtration apparatus for a laundry treatment machine is provided. The apparatus includes a handle portion. A filter section is configured to selectively couple to an impeller of the laundry treatment machine, the filter section defining a hollow interior, a lower water opening to allow for the passage of water out of the interior space of the agitator, and an opening about the exterior circumference of the filter section into which a removable filter is selectively attachable. A handle pull locking post is provided within the hollow interior of the apparatus, including a handle pull portion at a top end for gripping against the handle portion and at least one pin at a bottom end configured to selectively lock the apparatus into the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2024
    Publication date: October 24, 2024
    Inventors: Anup Sudhir BHAVSAR, Jalindar Suresh DAWANGE, Gregory R. FULMER, James D. JEFFERY, Benjamin D. LOWELL, Eric W. MERROW, Sayer J. MURPHY, Nicholas C. SCHOOLEY, Thomas D. SPICER, Jon D. STRAIT, Eric J. VASKO, Heather A. HELLMUTH, Michael A. LEDFORD, Meagan K. VANDERVELDE
  • Patent number: 12065386
    Abstract: A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure for an appliance includes disposing hollow glass spheres within a rotating drum, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the hollow glass spheres. An anchor material is disposed within the rotating drum. The hollow glass spheres and the anchor material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the anchor material is mixed with the hollow glass spheres to partially occupy the interstitial spaces. A silica-based material is disposed within the rotating drum. The silica-based material is mixed with the anchor material and the hollow glass spheres to define a super-insulating material, wherein the silica-based material attaches to the anchor material and is entrapped within the interstitial spaces. The silica-based material and the anchor material occupy substantially all of an interstitial volume defined by the interstitial spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2024
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Vasko
  • Patent number: 12055344
    Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper, an inner liner, a trim breaker having a wrapper channel that receives a wrapper edge of the outer wrapper and a liner channel that receives a liner edge of the inner liner, and an insulation material disposed within an insulating cavity defined therebetween. A multi-component thermal encapsulation material defines pre-mix, application and sealing states. The pre-mix state is defined by the distinct components of the thermal encapsulation material being separated from one another, the application state defined by the distinct components combined together into an uncured state of the thermal encapsulation material, and the sealing state defined by the thermal encapsulation material disposed within the wrapper and liner channels and surrounding the wrapper and liner edges, respectively, in the sealing state that defines a hermetic seal between the trim breaker and the outer wrapper and the inner liner.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2024
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Gustavo Frattini, Lynne F. Hunter, Hua Liu, Abhay Naik, Eric J. Vasko, Jerry M. Visin
  • Publication number: 20240254680
    Abstract: A removable fluid pumping and filtration apparatus for a laundry treatment machine is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of selectively attachable and detachable stackable sections, the sections including a handle section and one or more further sections; wherein, when attached together in stacked arrangement to form an agitator, the plurality of sections collectively define: a cylindrical body, a hollow interior of the body, first and second opening about the exterior circumference of the body to define a water flow path into and out of the hollow interior, and placement within the hollow interior for a removable filter along the water flow path, and wherein the handle section including an area to grip onto and rotate the removable fluid pumping and filtration apparatus to facilitate insertion and removal of the agitator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Seth E. BIXBY, Sayer J. MURPHY, Thomas D. SPICER, Eric J. VASKO, Heather A. HELLMUTH, Michael A. LEDFORD, Meagan K. VANDERVELDE
  • Patent number: 12043944
    Abstract: A removable fluid pumping and filtration apparatus for a laundry treatment machine is provided. The apparatus includes a handle portion. A filter section is configured to selectively couple to an impeller of the laundry treatment machine, the filter section defining a hollow interior, a lower water opening to allow for the passage of water out of the interior space of the agitator, and an opening about the exterior circumference of the filter section into which a removable filter is selectively attachable. A handle pull locking post is provided within the hollow interior of the apparatus, including a handle pull portion at a top end for gripping against the handle portion and at least one pin at a bottom end configured to selectively lock the apparatus into the base.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 23, 2024
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anup Sudhir Bhavsar, Jalindar Suresh Dawange, Gregory R. Fulmer, James D. Jeffery, Benjamin D. Lowell, Eric W. Merrow, Sayer J. Murphy, Nicholas C. Schooley, Thomas D. Spicer, Jon. D. Strait, Eric J. Vasko, Heather A. Hellmuth, Michael A. Ledford, Meagan K. Vandervelde
  • 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
  • Patent number: 11982039
    Abstract: A removable fluid pumping and filtration apparatus for a laundry treatment machine is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of selectively attachable and detachable stackable sections, the sections including a handle section and one or more further sections; wherein, when attached together in stacked arrangement to form an agitator, the plurality of sections collectively define: a cylindrical body, a hollow interior of the body, first and second opening about the exterior circumference of the body to define a water flow path into and out of the hollow interior, and placement within the hollow interior for a removable filter along the water flow path, and wherein the handle section including an area to grip onto and rotate the removable fluid pumping and filtration apparatus to facilitate insertion and removal of the agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Sayer J. Murphy, Thomas D. Spicer, Eric J. Vasko, Heather A. Hellmuth, Michael A. Ledford, Meagan K. Vandervelde
  • Publication number: 20230399788
    Abstract: A washing appliance includes a drum that is rotationally operable within the tub about a vertical rotational axis. An impeller is positioned within a lower portion of the drum and is rotationally operable about the vertical rotational axis. The impeller includes a plurality of external vanes and a plurality of channel ribs that cooperate to promote a toroidal flow of wash fluid within the drum. A filtering cap is disposed on a top portion of the impeller and has a plurality of inlets that direct the toroidal flow of the wash fluid into a filtering chamber positioned within the filtering cap. The toroidal flow of the wash fluid continues through the filtering chamber and beneath an underside of the impeller, wherein the filtering chamber separates particulate matter from the toroidal flow of the wash fluid.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Publication date: December 14, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohsin M. Attar, Anayancy Campos, Aliander F. Silva, Eric J. Vasko, Sayer J. Murphy
  • Publication number: 20230322634
    Abstract: A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure for an appliance includes disposing hollow glass spheres within a rotating drum, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the hollow glass spheres. An anchor material is disposed within the rotating drum. The hollow glass spheres and the anchor material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the anchor material is mixed with the hollow glass spheres to partially occupy the interstitial spaces. A silica-based material is disposed within the rotating drum. The silica-based material is mixed with the anchor material and the hollow glass spheres to define a super-insulating material, wherein the silica-based material attaches to the anchor material and is entrapped within the interstitial spaces. The silica-based material and the anchor material occupy substantially all of an interstitial volume defined by the interstitial spaces.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 12, 2023
    Publication date: October 12, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Vasko
  • Patent number: 11731913
    Abstract: A method for forming a super-insulating material for a vacuum insulated structure for an appliance includes disposing hollow glass spheres within a rotating drum, wherein a plurality of interstitial spaces are defined between the hollow glass spheres. An anchor material is disposed within the rotating drum. The hollow glass spheres and the anchor material are rotated within the rotating drum, wherein the anchor material is mixed with the hollow glass spheres to partially occupy the interstitial spaces. A silica-based material is disposed within the rotating drum. The silica-based material is mixed with the anchor material and the hollow glass spheres to define a super-insulating material, wherein the silica-based material attaches to the anchor material and is entrapped within the interstitial spaces. The silica-based material and the anchor material occupy substantially all of an interstitial volume defined by the interstitial spaces.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 22, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Vasko
  • Patent number: 11702789
    Abstract: A filtration system for a laundry treating machine is provided. A filtration agitator extends upwards from an impeller base and defines a generally hollow cylindrical interior, the filtration agitator having one or more water inlets along its perimeter to permit passage of water from a treating chamber into the interior and one or more water outlets along its perimeter to permit passage of the water out of the interior. A removable cylindrical brush assembly is provided, that, when installed to the filtration agitator, extends along the vertical length of the agitator and defines a sequence of filtration elements through which a water flow passes from the water inlets to the water outlets. The water flow is configured to pass over the sequence of filtration elements in a predefined order to remove particulates from the water flow during a wash cycle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ketan S. Parashar, Eric J. Vasko, Mahendra S. Wankhede
  • Publication number: 20230160133
    Abstract: A washing appliance includes a tub positioned within an outer cabinet. A rotating drum rotates within the tub. A fluid flow path directs fluid through the tub and the drum. A rotator selectively rotates relative to the drum to generate at least a toroidal flow of the wash fluid through the drum and a supplemental flow of the wash fluid through a filter assembly positioned within the rotator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Publication date: May 25, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Anayancy Campos, James Jeffery, Eric W. Merrow, Sayer J. Murphy, Brian D. Peschke, Erica L. Pinto, Ryan Rutter, Aliander F. Silva, Thomas D. Spicer, Eric J. Vasko, David Walter, Mahendra S. Wankhede, B. Shiva
  • Publication number: 20230063526
    Abstract: A filtration system for a laundry treating machine is provided. A filtration agitator extends upwards from an impeller base and defines a generally hollow cylindrical interior, the filtration agitator having one or more water inlets along its perimeter to permit passage of water from a treating chamber into the interior and one or more water outlets along its perimeter to permit passage of the water out of the interior. A removable cylindrical brush assembly is provided, that, when installed to the filtration agitator, extends along the vertical length of the agitator and defines a sequence of filtration elements through which a water flow passes from the water inlets to the water outlets. The water flow is configured to pass over the sequence of filtration elements in a predefined order to remove particulates from the water flow during a wash cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 27, 2021
    Publication date: March 2, 2023
    Inventors: Ketan S. PARASHAR, Eric J. VASKO, Mahendra S. WANKHEDE
  • Publication number: 20220299257
    Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper, an inner liner, a trim breaker having a wrapper channel that receives a wrapper edge of the outer wrapper and a liner channel that receives a liner edge of the inner liner, and an insulation material disposed within an insulating cavity defined therebetween. A multi-component thermal encapsulation material defines pre-mix, application and sealing states. The pre-mix state is defined by the distinct components of the thermal encapsulation material being separated from one another, the application state defined by the distinct components combined together into an uncured state of the thermal encapsulation material, and the sealing state defined by the thermal encapsulation material disposed within the wrapper and liner channels and surrounding the wrapper and liner edges, respectively, in the sealing state that defines a hermetic seal between the trim breaker and the outer wrapper and the inner liner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2022
    Publication date: September 22, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Gustavo Frattini, Lynne F. Hunter, Hua Liu, Abhay Naik, Eric J. Vasko, Jerry M. Visin
  • Publication number: 20220290357
    Abstract: A removable fluid pumping and filtration apparatus for a laundry treatment machine is provided. The apparatus includes a handle portion. A filter section is configured to selectively couple to an impeller of the laundry treatment machine, the filter section defining a hollow interior, a lower water opening to allow for the passage of water out of the interior space of the agitator, and an opening about the exterior circumference of the filter section into which a removable filter is selectively attachable. A handle pull locking post is provided within the hollow interior of the apparatus, including a handle pull portion at a top end for gripping against the handle portion and at least one pin at a bottom end configured to selectively lock the apparatus into the base.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Anup Sudhir BHAVSAR, Jalindar Suresh DAWANGE, Gregory R. FULMER, James D. JEFFERY, Benjamin D. LOWELL, Eric W. MERROW, Sayer J. MURPHY, Nicholas C. SCHOOLEY, Thomas D. SPICER, Jon D. STRAIT, Eric J. VASKO
  • Publication number: 20220282422
    Abstract: A bi-directional recirculating filtration system for a laundry treating appliance is provided. A removable filtration apparatus for the laundry treating appliance is provided. A laundry treating appliance having a balance ring filtration system is provided. A laundry treating appliance having a removable attachment filter system is provided. A laundry treating appliance having a removable filter cartridge system is provided. A flexible filter diaphragm for use in the capture of pet hair is provided. A recirculating filtration system of a laundry treating appliance is provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 28, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Inventors: Theron J. BADGERO, Jalindar Suresh DAWANGE, Shawn W. HAYS, Jessica LA MAR, Bradley D. MORROW, Sayer J. MURPHY, Bruno T. RAMASCO, Thomas D. SPICER, Jon D. STRAIT, Eric J. VASKO
  • Patent number: D1062122
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Chloe P. Condon, James D. Jeffery, Sayer J. Murphy, Jonathan D. Pugh, Ryan J. Rutter, Eric J. Vasko, David Walter, III