Patents by Inventor Ermanno Buzzi

Ermanno Buzzi 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: 11867452
    Abstract: A method of making a liner for an appliance is provided that includes: mixing a polymeric capping layer precursor and a pigment additive; forming the capping layer precursor and the pigment additive into a capping layer at a capping layer formation temperature; and rolling the capping layer, a barrier layer and a polymeric base layer together to form a liner, each of the capping layer, the barrier layer and the base layer at about the capping layer formation temperature. Further, the liner comprises a capping region, a barrier region and a base region, the capping region comprising the pigment additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Muhammad Khizar
  • Patent number: 11825568
    Abstract: An electric cooking appliance includes a glass-ceramic substrate having a top surface for supporting cookware for heating thereon, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The electric cooking appliance includes a plurality of thermoresistive heating elements disposed and spaced apart on the bottom surface of the glass-ceramic substrate, with each of the plurality of thermoresistive heating elements including graphene nanoparticles embedded in a ceramic matrix for generating heat upon application of electric current to the respective thermoresistive heating element. Each thermoresistive heating element is electrically connected to a power supply such that one or more of the plurality of thermoresistive heating elements are selectively activated to receive electric current to heat localized areas of the glass-ceramic substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2023
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Muhammad Khizar, Ermanno Buzzi
  • Publication number: 20230363580
    Abstract: A microwavable dish having a body with a microwave-absorbing coating. A bottom of the microwavable dish or the microwave-absorbing coating defines or includes a dome portion. The microwave-absorbing coating can be coupled to or formed with the bottom of the microwavable dish. The microwave-absorbing coating provides heat to the body by transforming microwaves to heat. The microwave-absorbing coating can include a plurality of nubs, where each nub has a height and a nub diameter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2023
    Publication date: November 16, 2023
    Inventors: MUHAMMAD KHIZAR, MARK E. ECKLUND, CHRIS A. LUNDBERG, ERMANNO BUZZI
  • Publication number: 20230309200
    Abstract: A household appliance is configured to implement an automatic cycle of operation for treating an article. The household appliance includes a treating chamber configured to receive the article for treatment according to the automatic cycle of operation. A sump is fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. A liquid circuit is fluidly coupled to at least one of the treating chamber or the sump. An immersible heater is located within the sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2023
    Publication date: September 28, 2023
    Inventors: Muhammad KHIZAR, Ermanno BUZZI, Andrea CESARONI, Townsley R. CURTIS, Massimo GOBBETTI, Tolga GONULLULEROGLU
  • Patent number: 11744399
    Abstract: A microwavable dish having a body with a microwave-absorbing coating. A bottom of the microwavable dish or the microwave-absorbing coating defines or includes a dome portion. The microwave-absorbing coating can be coupled to or formed with the bottom of the microwavable dish. The microwave-absorbing coating provides heat to the body by transforming microwaves to heat. The microwave-absorbing coating can include a plurality of nubs, where each nub has a height and a nub diameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Muhammad Khizar, Mark E. Ecklund, Chris A. Lundberg, Ermanno Buzzi
  • Patent number: 11719482
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a rear assembly panel coupled with an assembly cover panel that includes at least one vent. At least one circulation fan is positioned between the rear assembly panel and the assembly cover panel and is proximate the at least one vent. A filter is positioned between the rear assembly panel and the assembly cover panel and is coupled to a photocatalyst to form an activated carbon filter. A light-emitting diode (LED) panel assembly includes a plurality of LEDs positioned on the rear assembly panel and is positioned to project light on the activated carbon filter. An air circulation path extends through the at least one vent and the activated carbon filter and is configured to direct air along the air circulation path, and the activated carbon filter is configured to filter airborne bacteria and particulate matter from the air as the air passes through the activated carbon filter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Gabriele Candiani, Alberto Cigada, Fabio Andrea Cigada, Luigi De Nardo, Muhammad Khizar, Maria Paola Pirovano
  • Patent number: 11696370
    Abstract: A household appliance is configured to implement an automatic cycle of operation for treating an article. The household appliance includes a treating chamber configured to receive the article for treatment according to the automatic cycle of operation. A sump is fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. A liquid circuit is fluidly coupled to at least one of the treating chamber or the sump. An immersible heater is located within the sump.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Muhammad Khizar, Ermanno Buzzi, Andrea Cesaroni, Townsley R. Curtis, Massimo Gobbetti, Tolga Gonulluleroglu
  • Publication number: 20230194101
    Abstract: A cooking appliance with a cooktop includes a glass-ceramic substrate with a top surface for receiving cookware thereon for heating. The surface includes a coating formed by applying a sol-gel coating to the surface after the surface is roughened to increase the surface roughness of the top surface and improve adhesion of the coating thereon. The sol-gel coating forms a matte finish on the cooktop while having anti-stick properties for cleanability.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2022
    Publication date: June 22, 2023
    Inventors: Margherita BASSO, Ermanno BUZZI, Christine NORTEY
  • Patent number: 11619396
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure generally relate to an insulation film, including a thermal insulation film or an insulation film for a cooking appliance. The insulation film can include a substrate, a first layer comprising silver nanowires proximate to the substrate, and a second layer comprising porous alumina proximate to the first layer and distal from the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 4, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Muhammad Khizar, Ermanno Buzzi
  • Patent number: 11558937
    Abstract: A door (100) for a microwave oven (200) is provided that includes: a door frame (102); a substantially transparent, glass or polymeric substrate (10) arranged within the frame (102) to define a viewing window (50); and an electrically conductive mesh (90) spanning the viewing window (50). Further, the mesh (90) comprises a plurality of carbon nanotubes and is embedded in the substrate (10) to shield the microwave radiation generated in the oven (200) from reaching an exterior of the door frame (102).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Date of Patent: January 17, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Hongzhen Zhao, Muhammad Khizar, Ermanno Buzzi
  • Publication number: 20220322497
    Abstract: An electric cooking appliance includes a glass-ceramic substrate having a top surface for supporting cookware for heating thereon, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface. The electric cooking appliance includes a plurality of thermoresistive heating elements disposed and spaced apart on the bottom surface of the glass-ceramic substrate, with each of the plurality of thermoresistive heating elements including graphene nanoparticles embedded in a ceramic matrix for generating heat upon application of electric current to the respective thermoresistive heating element. Each thermoresistive heating element is electrically connected to a power supply such that one or more of the plurality of thermoresistive heating elements are selectively activated to receive electric current to heat localized areas of the glass-ceramic substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 1, 2021
    Publication date: October 6, 2022
    Inventors: Muhammad KHIZAR, Ermanno BUZZI
  • Publication number: 20220178549
    Abstract: A self-cleaning oven is provided. Responsive to initiating a self-clean operation, a heating plate in a cavity of the oven is powered to increase temperature of the heating plate. Responsive to the heating plate being heated to above a predefined start temperature for a predefined soak period of time, one or more nozzles are directed to introduce water onto the heating plate to generate superheated steam until the heating plate falls below a predefined reboot temperature. The power and watering operations are repeated according to a predefined number of clean cycles specified by the self-clean operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 9, 2020
    Publication date: June 9, 2022
    Inventors: Ermanno BUZZI, Hanks HU, Ryan LI, Ping WU
  • Publication number: 20220117049
    Abstract: A liner for a crisp plate includes ceramic nanoparticles and a polymer material combined with the ceramic nanoparticles to provide a mixture. A network of carbon nanotubes is embedded within the mixture to form a composite matrix, wherein the carbon nanotubes are unidirectionally aligned within the composite matrix.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2021
    Publication date: April 14, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Muhammad Khizar, Ermanno Buzzi
  • Publication number: 20220107090
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure generally relate to an insulation film, including a thermal insulation film or an insulation film for a cooking appliance. The insulation film can include a substrate, a first layer comprising silver nanowires proximate to the substrate, and a second layer comprising porous alumina proximate to the first layer and distal from the substrate.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Publication date: April 7, 2022
    Inventors: MUHAMMAD KHIZAR, ERMANNO BUZZI
  • Patent number: 11236912
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure generally relate to a cooking appliance that can include a cooking chamber and at least one additional component. The component can include a component body defining a surface thermally confronting the cooking chamber. In addition, the component can also include a multi-layered composite on the surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Date of Patent: February 1, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Muhammad Khizar, Ermanno Buzzi
  • Patent number: 11234298
    Abstract: A liner for a crisp plate includes ceramic nanoparticles and a polymer material combined with the ceramic nanoparticles to provide a mixture. A network of carbon nanotubes is embedded within the mixture to form a composite matrix, wherein the carbon nanotubes are unidirectionally aligned within the composite matrix.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 25, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Muhammad Khizar, Ermanno Buzzi
  • Patent number: 11225747
    Abstract: A household appliance can include a treating chamber configured to receive an article for treatment according to a cycle of operation of the household appliance, as well as a coating on at least a portion of the treating chamber. The coating can be configured to provide at least hydrophobicity characteristics to the treating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Date of Patent: January 18, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Muhammad Khizar, Ermanno Buzzi
  • Publication number: 20210381753
    Abstract: A method of making a liner for an appliance is provided that includes: mixing a polymeric capping layer precursor and a pigment additive; forming the capping layer precursor and the pigment additive into a capping layer at a capping layer formation temperature; and rolling the capping layer, a barrier layer and a polymeric base layer together to form a liner, each of the capping layer, the barrier layer and the base layer at about the capping layer formation temperature. Further, the liner comprises a capping region, a barrier region and a base region, the capping region comprising the pigment additive.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 20, 2021
    Publication date: December 9, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Muhammad Khizar
  • Patent number: 11175090
    Abstract: A method of making a liner for an appliance is provided that includes: mixing a polymeric capping layer precursor and a pigment additive; forming the capping layer precursor and the pigment additive into a capping layer at a capping layer formation temperature; and rolling the capping layer, a barrier layer and a polymeric base layer together to form a liner, each of the capping layer, the barrier layer and the base layer at about the capping layer formation temperature. Further, the liner comprises a capping region, a barrier region and a base region, the capping region comprising the pigment additive.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 16, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Muhammad Khizar
  • Publication number: 20210337634
    Abstract: A household appliance is configured to implement an automatic cycle of operation for treating an article. The household appliance includes a treating chamber configured to receive the article for treatment according to the automatic cycle of operation. A sump is fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. A liquid circuit is fluidly coupled to at least one of the treating chamber or the sump. An immersible heater is located within the sump.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 28, 2021
    Inventors: MUHAMMAD KHIZAR, ERMANNO BUZZI, ANDREA CESARONI, TOWNSLEY R. CURTIS, MASSIMO GOBBETTI, TOLGA GONULLULEROGLU