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).

  • Publication number: 20210285713
    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: Application
    Filed: May 28, 2021
    Publication date: September 16, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Gabriele Candiani, Alberto Cigada, Fabio Andrea Cigada, Luigi De Nardo, Muhammad Khizar, Maria Paola Pirovano
  • Publication number: 20210177194
    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: December 12, 2019
    Publication date: June 17, 2021
    Inventors: MUHAMMAD KHIZAR, MARK E. ECKLUND, CHRIS A. LUNDBERG, ERMANNO BUZZI
  • Publication number: 20210176829
    Abstract: A household appliance includes a treating chamber and a liquid sump. A liquid circuit fluidly couples the liquid sump and the treating chamber. An immersible laminate heater is located within the liquid sump. The immersible laminate heater includes a pair of electrodes and a structure including at least a first layer and a second layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2020
    Publication date: June 10, 2021
    Inventors: MUHAMMAD KHIZAR, ERMANNO BUZZI
  • Patent number: 11022361
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet coupled to one or more doors forming a storage compartment. The refrigerator additionally includes a first fan assembly positioned on an interior surface of a first cabinet wall, and a second fan assembly positioned on the interior surface of a second cabinet wall. The first and second fan assemblies each include: two or more circulation fans; a filter coupled to a photocatalyst to form an activated filter; and a plurality of UV LEDs positioned to project light on the activated filter. An air circulation path is configured to direct air born bacteria and particulate matter within the storage compartment contemporaneously into the first and second fan assemblies using the two or more circulation fans and circulate filtered air into the storage compartment through the activated filter disposed in the air circulation path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Gabriele Candiani, Alberto Cigada, Fabio Andrea Cigada, Luigi De Nardo, Muhammad Khizar, Maria Paola Pirovano
  • Publication number: 20210123655
    Abstract: A refrigerating appliance includes at least one compartment having an open face. A closure is movable relative to the open face to selectively close the open face. An evaporator assembly is provided within the compartment. A multilayer de-icing composite having thermoresistive heating capabilities is provided on at least a portion of the evaporator assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 28, 2019
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Inventors: MUHAMMAD KHIZAR, ERMANNO BUZZI, ANDREA OLIVANI, MATTEO PARNISARI
  • Publication number: 20200255939
    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: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2019
    Publication date: August 13, 2020
    Inventors: MUHAMMAD KHIZAR, ERMANNO BUZZI
  • Publication number: 20200217516
    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: Application
    Filed: January 8, 2019
    Publication date: July 9, 2020
    Inventors: MUHAMMAD KHIZAR, ERMANNO BUZZI
  • Publication number: 20200163172
    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: November 15, 2018
    Publication date: May 21, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Muhammad Khizar, Ermanno Buzzi
  • Publication number: 20200072528
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet coupled to one or more doors forming a storage compartment. The refrigerator additionally includes a first fan assembly positioned on an interior surface of a first cabinet wall, and a second fan assembly positioned on the interior surface of a second cabinet wall. The first and second fan assemblies each include: two or more circulation fans; a filter coupled to a photocatalyst to form an activated filter; and a plurality of UV LEDs positioned to project light on the activated filter. An air circulation path is configured to direct air born bacteria and particulate matter within the storage compartment contemporaneously into the first and second fan assemblies using the two or more circulation fans and circulate filtered air into the storage compartment through the activated filter disposed in the air circulation path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2018
    Publication date: March 5, 2020
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Gabriele Candiani, Alberto Cigada, Fabio Cigada, Luigi De Nardo, Muhammed Khizar, Maria Paola Pirovano
  • Publication number: 20190387586
    Abstract: An electromagnetic cooking device includes a cavity in which a foodstuff is placed. A plurality of radio frequency feeds are configured to introduce electromagnetic radiation into the cavity for heating the foodstuff. A radio frequency signal generator is configured to generate a low power radio frequency signal where a high power amplifier is coupled to the radio frequency signal generator where the high power amplifier is configured to amplify the low power radio frequency signal to a high power radio frequency signal. A heat sink is coupled to the high power amplifier where the heat sink includes a flat base coupled to a plurality of fins which extend perpendicularly from a first side of the flat base. A thin metal plate includes a plurality of perforations where the perforations are filled with an epoxy resin having a carbon nanotube loading.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 27, 2016
    Publication date: December 19, 2019
    Applicants: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Panasonic Corporation
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Muhammad Khizar
  • Publication number: 20190299511
    Abstract: A method of making a liner for an appliance is provided. The method includes mixing a polymeric capping layer precursor and a pigment additive to form a color capping layer. The method further includes extruding a polymeric base resin to form a polymeric base layer at a base layer formation temperature. The method further includes laminating a barrier layer between the polymeric base layer and the color capping layer to form the liner at about the base layer formation temperature. The method also includes forming a textured pattern on an outer surface of the color capping layer. The formed liner includes a capping region, a barrier region, and a base region where the capping region includes the pigment additive. The method may additionally include shaping the liner into a final liner at a shaping temperature where the final liner is configured and/or is suitable for assembly into a refrigeration appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2018
    Publication date: October 3, 2019
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Muhammad Khizar, Ermanno Buzzi
  • Publication number: 20190257574
    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: April 30, 2019
    Publication date: August 22, 2019
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Muhammad Khizar
  • Patent number: 10352613
    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: December 5, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Muhammad Khizar
  • Publication number: 20190159303
    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: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2017
    Publication date: May 23, 2019
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Hongzhen Zhao, Muhammad Khizar, Ermanno Buzzi
  • Publication number: 20180156533
    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: December 5, 2016
    Publication date: June 7, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, Charles R. Cravens, Vincent D. Csapos, Muhammad Khizar
  • Patent number: 8513573
    Abstract: An oven comprising a box housing with an internal cavity bounded by walls, and provided on one side with an opening closable by a movable door, at least one of the walls there being provided a browning or grilling member comprising an electrical resistance element, and presenting a first side facing the wall and a second side, opposite the first side, facing the interior of the oven cavity in which at least one food item is positioned to be subjected to cooking and/or grilling, this latter function being obtained by activating the member. In a position corresponding with first side of the grilling member a flat element is provided presenting two opposing flat faces, a first face presenting high emissivity and the second face presenting high reflectivity or reflective power, the element being able to be moved relative to the member such that this latter can be faced by the first face or the second face, depending on the type of cooking required for the food item positioned within the oven cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Tamara Distaso, John Doyle, Ermanno Buzzi
  • Patent number: 7683293
    Abstract: A domestic appliance, particularly a cooking appliance, having a metallic surface, is provided with a coating based on silicon oxide. Such coating is deposited on the metallic surface by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The coating protects the metallic surface from scratching, staining and thermal yellowing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 23, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, John Doyle, Thomas Friesen
  • Publication number: 20100006559
    Abstract: An oven comprising a box housing with an internal cavity bounded by walls, and provided on one side with an opening closable by a movable door, at at least one of the walls there being provided a browning or grilling member comprising an electrical resistance element, and presenting a first side facing the wall and a second side, opposite the first side, facing the interior of the oven cavity in which at least one food item is positioned to be subjected to cooking and/or grilling, this latter function being obtained by activating the member. In a position corresponding with first side of the grilling member a flat element is provided presenting two opposing flat faces, a first face presenting high emissivity and the second face presenting high reflectivity or reflective power, the element being able to be moved relative to the member such that this latter can be faced by the first face or the second face, depending on the type of cooking required for the food item positioned within the oven cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 14, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: TAMARA DISTASO, JOHN DOYLE, ERMANNO BUZZI
  • Publication number: 20050269310
    Abstract: A domestic appliance, particularly a cooking appliance, having a metallic surface, is provided with a coating based on silicon oxide. Such coating is deposited on the metallic surface by plasma enhanced chemical vapor deposition (PECVD). The coating protects the metallic surface from scratching, staining and thermal yellowing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2005
    Publication date: December 8, 2005
    Inventors: Ermanno Buzzi, John Doyle, Thomas Friesen
  • Patent number: 6663009
    Abstract: A gas cooker comprises temperature detection means for detecting the temperature of the bottom face of a pan and issuing a temperature signal and an heat control circuit for controlling the amount of heat issued from the gas burner based on said temperature signal. The temperature detection means is placed in a zone of the cooker around the burner and shielding means are provided in order to reduce the influence of the burner flame on the temperature detection means.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2003
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Nicola Bedetti, Ermanno Buzzi, Alessandra Gagliardi, Gianpiero Santacatterina, Daniele Turetta