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).

  • PET HAIR FILTER
    Publication number: 20260152894
    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: January 27, 2026
    Publication date: June 4, 2026
    Inventors: Seth E. BIXBY, Sayer J. MURPHY, Thomas D. SPICER, Eric J. VASKO, Heather A. HELLMUTH, Michael A. LEDFORD, Meagan K. VANDERVELDE
  • Impeller for laundry appliance that incorporates a filtering cap for separating particulate matter from wash fluid within the appliance
    Patent number: 12644219
    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: Grant
    Filed: May 30, 2023
    Date of Patent: June 2, 2026
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mohsin M. Attar, Anayancy Campos, Aliander F. Silva, Eric J. Vasko, Sayer J. Murphy
  • LAUNDRY APPLIANCE INCLUDING A FILTERING AGITATOR HAVING AN INTERNAL FLUID PUMPING STRUCTURE
    Publication number: 20260092410
    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: December 8, 2025
    Publication date: April 2, 2026
    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
  • Pet hair filter
    Patent number: 12559878
    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: April 10, 2024
    Date of Patent: February 24, 2026
    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
  • Laundry appliance including a filtering agitator having an internal fluid pumping structure
    Patent number: 12516465
    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: Grant
    Filed: November 10, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2026
    Assignee: 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
  • Processes for making a super-insulating core for a vacuum insulating structure
    Patent number: 12509404
    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: July 11, 2024
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2025
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Vasko
  • ENCAPSULATION SYSTEM FOR A THERMAL BRIDGE BREAKER-TO-METAL LINER
    Publication number: 20250362075
    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: August 6, 2025
    Publication date: November 27, 2025
    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
  • FILTERING CAP FOR AN IMPELLER OF A VERTICAL AXIS LAUNDRY APPLIANCE
    Publication number: 20250341040
    Abstract: A washing appliance includes a drum that is rotationally operable within a 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 flow channels that extend below the impeller and between the impeller and the tub. A receiver is positioned at a top of the impeller and includes apertures that are in communication with the respective flow channels. A filtering cap is disposed on a top of the receiver and positioned within a medial horizontal level of the tub. The filtering cap includes inlets that direct a toroidal flow into a removable particulate chamber positioned within the filtering cap. The toroidal flow is further directed through the respective flow channels to continue through the toroidal flow within the drum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2025
    Publication date: November 6, 2025
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mohsin M. Attar, Anayancy Campos, Marcos L. Costa, Sandip K. Kardile, Danilo Ferreira de Oliveira Randstad, Aliander F. Silva, Eric J. Vasko
  • Encapsulation system for a thermal bridge breaker-to-metal liner
    Patent number: 12410970
    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: July 15, 2024
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2025
    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
  • Filtering cap for an impeller of a vertical axis laundry appliance
    Patent number: 12371844
    Abstract: A washing appliance includes a drum that is rotationally operable within a 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 flow channels that extend below the impeller and between the impeller and the tub. A receiver is positioned at a top of the impeller and includes apertures that are in communication with the respective flow channels. A filtering cap is disposed on a top of the receiver and positioned within a medial horizontal level of the tub. The filtering cap includes inlets that direct a toroidal flow into a removable particulate chamber positioned within the filtering cap. The toroidal flow is further directed through the respective flow channels to continue through the toroidal flow within the drum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 27, 2022
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2025
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mohsin M. Attar, Anayancy Campos, Marcos L. Costa, Sandip K. Kardile, Danilo Ferreira de Oliveira Randstad, Aliander F. Silva, Eric J. Vasko
  • REMOVABLE AGITATOR WITH FABRIC SOFTENER DISPENSER
    Publication number: 20250198066
    Abstract: An agitator for use in a laundry treating appliance includes a barrel having an upper end and a lower end, configured to removably attach to an impeller mount, comprising a plurality of tabs extending radially outward from an exterior surface of the barrel, and a plurality of snaps, and a modular accessory configured to be selectively attachable to the barrel, the modular accessory defining exterior features to interact with laundry items, the modular accessory comprising an accessory body defining a hollow interior sized to receive the barrel, the accessory body having an open bottom, generally cylindrical sides, and an open top; a plurality of tab holders disposed on an inner surface of the accessory body, the tab holders positioned to receive the tabs of the barrel when the modular accessory is slid onto the barrel; and a plurality of snap locks disposed on the inner surface of the accessory body.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 26, 2025
    Publication date: June 19, 2025
    Inventors: Vinayak A. Afajalpurkar, Vaibhav A. Badabade, Adam Gary, Aditya Masalkar, Ajiket J. Patil, Akshat Jain, Anjali A. Vyavahare, Avinash Chandra, Benjamin D. Lowell, Chetan M. Surag, Corinne M. Gorenchan, Bradley D. Morrow, Digeshwar H. Harinkhede, Divyam Upadhyay, Donald E. Erickson, Emmanuel F. Gonzaga, Eric J. Vasko, Eric William Merrow, Harichandra Lambate, Dhiraj J. Gotekar, Jalindar S. Dawange, James Jeffery, Jason S. Burnette, Jonathan A. Andrejczuk, Kedar Kulkarni, Kenneth McConnell, Kevin Peralta, Kiran D. Nakil, Kiran J. Shinde, Kunal J. Salunke, Lakshmi P. Eede, Mohasin N. Mulla, Mohsin M. Attar, Philip J. Czarnecki, Prem Dhanasegar, Ravindra B. Salunkhe, Sandip J. Sutar, Sandip K. Kardile, Sayer J. Murphy, Shivani Patil, Shivprakash V. Chivati, Shyam R. Mathure, Suraj Kadam, Thomas R. Scott, Umesh Y. Karigar, Vinay V. Joshi, Venkatesh G. Ajari, Yash Magdum
  • PARTICLES PRESS RESERVOIR
    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
  • ENCAPSULATION SYSTEM FOR A THERMAL BRIDGE BREAKER-TO-METAL LINER
    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
  • PROCESSES FOR MAKING A SUPER-INSULATING CORE FOR A VACUUM INSULATING STRUCTURE
    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
  • REMOVABLE FLUID PUMPING AND FILTRATION APPARATUS
    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
  • Processes for making a super-insulating core for a vacuum insulating structure
    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
  • Encapsulation system for a thermal bridge breaker-to-metal liner
    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
  • PET HAIR FILTER
    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
  • Removable fluid pumping and filtration apparatus
    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
  • Filter for filtering agitator
    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