Patents by Inventor JEROLD M. VISIN
JEROLD M. VISIN 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).
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Patent number: 10508853Abstract: A refrigerator having a cabinet, a door for providing access within the cabinet, an ice maker for making ice operably connected to the cabinet, and an ice bin with a pair of opposite-facing walls and a bottom wall. The ice bin is disposed within the cabinet and located adjacent the ice maker, and has a stir stick assembly having a stir stick, a cam rod, and a pair of breaker walls and is positioned within the ice bin. The stir stick oscillates about an axis of rotation and the cam rod is coupled to the stir stick. The pair of breaker walls are engaged with the cam rod near the bottom of the breaker walls, and hingedly attached to the pair of opposite-facing walls.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2016Date of Patent: December 17, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Jerold M. Visin
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Patent number: 10345025Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes an ice making system, that generally includes an ice maker for making ice, and an ice container for holding the formed ice. The ice making system may be positioned anywhere within the refrigerator, and it may be a modular ice system. The shape of the ice container limits the amount of useable space taken up by the system. The ice container includes a stir stick positioned within the ice container. The stir stick is configured to rotate and oscillate in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the stir stick to provide movement of the stir stick into the full area of the ice container. The rotation and oscillation of the stir stick prevents ice from melting and clumping in the corners of the ice container, while also aiding in directing the ice towards a dispensing aperture of the ice container.Type: GrantFiled: June 29, 2017Date of Patent: July 9, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Jerold M. Visin
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Patent number: 10208997Abstract: An ice crushing system includes multiple sets of interleaved blades with some of the blades being provided with a series of raised protrusions on one or more faces. With this arrangement, the spacing between the interleaved blades is reduced and a finer crushed ice consistency is established. In accordance with aspects of the invention, the raised protrusions are staggered along each side of a set of fixed blades, with the raised protrusions on one side of a fixed blade overlapping the raised protrusions on the opposing side.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Jerold M. Visin
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Patent number: 10006689Abstract: An appliance including an ice manipulation reservoir capable of receiving ice having a base, wherein the base includes a first level and a second level, with the first level descending gradually to the second level. A first ice modification member is disposed inside the ice manipulation reservoir adjacent the first level of the base, and a second ice modification member is disposed inside the ice manipulation reservoir adjacent the second level of the base. A motor is operably connected with the ice manipulation reservoir and includes an output shaft. An impeller is connected with the output shaft proximate to the plurality of ice modification members, with the impeller being operable between a first directional rotation, and a second directional rotation.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2015Date of Patent: June 26, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Tony L. Koenigsknecht, Kate E. Presnell, Jerold M. Visin
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Patent number: 9903632Abstract: A refrigerator is provided including an ice making assembly. The ice making assembly includes a storage container that has a discharge zone including a crushing assembly for selectively crushing formed ice before dispensing the ice through the dispenser of the refrigerator. The crushing assembly includes both rotating and fixed crushing blades, and including crushing teeth for crushing the formed ice cubes therebetween. A diverter wedge may be positioned at or formed integrally with the fixed crushing blades such that the diverter wedge closes any gap between the rotating blades and the wall of the discharge zone. The diverter wedge can include a sloped portion to move any smaller or differently-shaped cubes from the outer edge of the discharge zone to between the crushing blades such that it is ensured that the cubes are crushed before being dispensed.Type: GrantFiled: November 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 27, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Jerold M. Visin
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Publication number: 20170299245Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes an ice making system, that generally includes an ice maker for making ice, and an ice container for holding the formed ice. The ice making system may be positioned anywhere within the refrigerator, and it may be a modular ice system. The shape of the ice container limits the amount of useable space taken up by the system. The ice container includes a stir stick positioned within the ice container. The stir stick is configured to rotate and oscillate in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the stir stick to provide movement of the stir stick into the full area of the ice container. The rotation and oscillation of the stir stick prevents ice from melting and clumping in the corners of the ice container, while also aiding in directing the ice towards a dispensing aperture of the ice container.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 29, 2017Publication date: October 19, 2017Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: JEROLD M. VISIN
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Publication number: 20170108259Abstract: A refrigerator is provided comprising a cabinet, a door for providing access within the cabinet, an ice maker for making ice operably connected to the cabinet, an ice bin comprising a pair of opposite-facing walls and a bottom wall, disposed within the cabinet and located adjacent the ice maker, and a stir assembly positioned within the ice bin, comprising a stir stick, a cam rod, and a pair of breaker walls; wherein the stir stick is configured to oscillate about an axis of rotation, the cam rod is coupled to the stir stick; and the pair of breaker walls are engaged with the cam rod near the bottom of the breaker walls, and hingedly attached to the pair of opposite-facing walls.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2016Publication date: April 20, 2017Inventor: JEROLD M. VISIN
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Publication number: 20170059222Abstract: A refrigerator is provided including an ice making assembly. The ice making assembly includes a storage container that has a discharge zone including a crushing assembly for selectively crushing formed ice before dispensing the ice through the dispenser of the refrigerator. The crushing assembly includes both rotating and fixed crushing blades, and including crushing teeth for crushing the formed ice cubes therebetween. A diverter wedge may be positioned at or formed integrally with the fixed crushing blades such that the diverter wedge closes any gap between the rotating blades and the wall of the discharge zone. The diverter wedge can include a sloped portion to move any smaller or differently-shaped cubes from the outer edge of the discharge zone to between the crushing blades such that it is ensured that the cubes are crushed before being dispensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 14, 2016Publication date: March 2, 2017Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: JEROLD M. VISIN
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Patent number: 9557089Abstract: A refrigerator is provided comprising a cabinet, a door for providing access within the cabinet, an ice maker for making ice operably connected to the cabinet, an ice bin comprising a pair of opposite-facing walls and a bottom wall, disposed within the cabinet and located adjacent the ice maker, and a stir assembly positioned within the ice bin, comprising a stir stick, a cam rod, and a pair of breaker walls; wherein the stir stick is configured to oscillate about an axis of rotation, the cam rod is coupled to the stir stick; and the pair of breaker walls are engaged with the cam rod near the bottom of the breaker walls, and hingedly attached to the pair of opposite-facing walls.Type: GrantFiled: August 28, 2013Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Jerold M. Visin
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Patent number: 9523528Abstract: A refrigerator is provided including an ice making assembly. The ice making assembly includes a storage container that has a discharge zone including a crushing assembly for selectively crushing formed ice before dispensing the ice through the dispenser of the refrigerator. The crushing assembly includes both rotating and fixed crushing blades, and including crushing teeth for crushing the formed ice cubes therebetween. A diverter wedge may be positioned at or formed integrally with the fixed crushing blades such that the diverter wedge closes any gap between the rotating blades and the wall of the discharge zone. The diverter wedge can include a sloped portion to move any smaller or differently-shaped cubes from the outer edge of the discharge zone to between the crushing blades such that it is ensured that the cubes are crushed before being dispensed.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Jerold M. Visin
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Publication number: 20160290700Abstract: An ice crushing system includes multiple sets of interleaved blades with some of the blades being provided with a series of raised protrusions on one or more faces. With this arrangement, the spacing between the interleaved blades is reduced and a finer crushed ice consistency is established. In accordance with aspects of the invention, the raised protrusions are staggered along each side of a set of fixed blades, with the raised protrusions on one side of a fixed blade overlapping the raised protrusions on the opposing side.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 15, 2016Publication date: October 6, 2016Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Jerold M. Visin
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Patent number: 9372023Abstract: An ice crushing system includes multiple sets of interleaved blades with some of the blades being provided with a series of raised protrusions on one or more faces. With this arrangement, the spacing between the interleaved blades is reduced and a finer crushed ice consistency is established. In accordance with aspects of the invention, the raised protrusions are staggered along each side of a set of fixed blades, with the raised protrusions on one side of a fixed blade overlapping the raised protrusions on the opposing side.Type: GrantFiled: February 14, 2013Date of Patent: June 21, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Jerold M. Visin
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Publication number: 20160131407Abstract: An appliance including an ice manipulation reservoir capable of receiving ice having a base, wherein the base includes a first level and a second level, with the first level descending gradually to the second level. A first ice modification member is disposed inside the ice manipulation reservoir adjacent the first level of the base, and a second ice modification member is disposed inside the ice manipulation reservoir adjacent the second level of the base. A motor is operably connected with the ice manipulation reservoir and includes an output shaft. An impeller is connected with the output shaft proximate to the plurality of ice modification members, with the impeller being operable between a first directional rotation, and a second directional rotation.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2015Publication date: May 12, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Tony L. Koenigsknecht, Kate E. Presnell, Jerold M. Visin
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Patent number: 9310124Abstract: An appliance including a module-receiving cavity disposed in the appliance. Also included is a removable module disposed in the module-receiving cavity, and at least one ice modification member disposed inside the removable module. A motor is operably connected with the removable module and includes an output shaft that extends into the removable module. An impeller is connected with the output shaft proximate to the at least one ice modification member, the impeller being operable between a first ice manipulating condition defined by a first directional rotation of the impeller, and a second ice manipulating condition defined by a second directional rotation of the impeller. An ice chute is located proximate the ice modification member for dispensing ice.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: April 12, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Tony L. Koenigsknecht, Kate E. Presnell, Jerold M. Visin
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Publication number: 20150059366Abstract: A refrigerator is provided comprising a cabinet, a door for providing access within the cabinet, an ice maker for making ice operably connected to the cabinet, an ice bin comprising a pair of opposite-facing walls and a bottom wall, disposed within the cabinet and located adjacent the ice maker, and a stir assembly positioned within the ice bin, comprising a stir stick, a cam rod, and a pair of breaker walls; wherein the stir stick is configured to oscillate about an axis of rotation, the cam rod is coupled to the stir stick; and the pair of breaker walls are engaged with the cam rod near the bottom of the breaker walls, and hingedly attached to the pair of opposite-facing walls.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2013Publication date: March 5, 2015Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: JEROLD M. VISIN
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Publication number: 20140223948Abstract: An ice crushing system includes multiple sets of interleaved blades with some of the blades being provided with a series of raised protrusions on one or more faces. With this arrangement, the spacing between the interleaved blades is reduced and a finer crushed ice consistency is established. In accordance with aspects of the invention, the raised protrusions are staggered along each side of a set of fixed blades, with the raised protrusions on one side of a fixed blade overlapping the raised protrusions on the opposing side.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 14, 2013Publication date: August 14, 2014Applicant: Whirpool CorporationInventor: JEROLD M. VISIN
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Publication number: 20140202193Abstract: A refrigerator is provided including an ice making assembly. The ice making assembly includes a storage container that has a discharge zone including a crushing assembly for selectively crushing formed ice before dispensing the ice through the dispenser of the refrigerator. The crushing assembly includes both rotating and fixed crushing blades, and including crushing teeth for crushing the formed ice cubes therebetween. A diverter wedge may be positioned at or formed integrally with the fixed crushing blades such that the diverter wedge closes any gap between the rotating blades and the wall of the discharge zone. The diverter wedge can include a sloped portion to move any smaller or differently-shaped cubes from the outer edge of the discharge zone to between the crushing blades such that it is ensured that the cubes are crushed before being dispensed.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2013Publication date: July 24, 2014Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: JEROLD M. VISIN
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Publication number: 20140123687Abstract: A household refrigerator includes an ice maker. The ice maker has an ice mold. The ice mold is made from a thin flexible material, such as stamped aluminum. The ice mold includes ice forming compartments and a rotatable member with fingers for removing ice pieces from the ice compartments as the rotatable member is rotated. The rotatable member also includes a cam projection that contacts and flexes the ice mold as the rotatable member is rotated to at least partially break a bond between the ice pieces and the ice forming compartments.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 7, 2012Publication date: May 8, 2014Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: JEROLD M. VISIN
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Publication number: 20140033758Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes an ice making system, that generally includes an ice maker for making ice, and an ice container for holding the formed ice. The ice making system may be positioned anywhere within the refrigerator, and it may be a modular ice system. The shape of the ice container limits the amount of useable space taken up by the system. The ice container includes a stir stick positioned within the ice container. The stir stick is configured to rotate and oscillate in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the stir stick to provide movement of the stir stick into the full area of the ice container. The rotation and oscillation of the stir stick prevents ice from melting and clumping in the corners of the ice container, while also aiding in directing the ice towards a dispensing aperture of the ice container.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2012Publication date: February 6, 2014Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: JEROLD M. VISIN
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Patent number: 8640483Abstract: An appliance dispenser includes a housing defining a recess. The housing includes a receptacle support member and a fixed funnel. An ice dispensing passage extends through the fixed funnel and operably connected with an ice bin. A variable funnel includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is adjacent the fixed funnel. The distal end is movable between a retracted position and an extended position.Type: GrantFiled: December 14, 2009Date of Patent: February 4, 2014Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Tony L. Koenigsknecht, Jerold M. Visin