Patents by Inventor Joel M. Sells

Joel M. Sells 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: 20240125037
    Abstract: A fabric treating appliance includes a cabinet defining an interior and having a top wall defining an access opening. A cover is provided that is movable relative to the cabinet between an open position and a closed position to selectively close the access opening. A tub is located within the interior and includes and open top aligned with the access opening. A rotatable basket is located within the tub and has a loading opening aligned with the open top and the access opening. A top wall extends between the cabinet and the tub. A scrubbing tool seat recessed in the top wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2023
    Publication date: April 18, 2024
    Inventors: SCOTT E. CARPENTER, BRADLEY D. MORROW, JOEL M. SELLS, BRYCE WHITWORTH
  • Patent number: 11946188
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device that supports operations of at least one cleaning appliance. The retrofit auxiliary device including at least one fluid channel and a device controller. The device controller being communicatively coupled to the at least one cleaning appliance to monitor or control the operation of the at least one cleaning appliance, and a user display.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Joel M. Sells, Eric J. Schuh
  • Publication number: 20240059474
    Abstract: A food-storage container includes a container body defining a storage area and a rim. A removable lid is connectable to the rim to seal the storage area. The lid defines a vent hole. A latch assembly of the container has a latch and a vent flap. The latch is pivotally attached to the lid and is configured to engage with the container body to secure the lid to the rim when in a latched position. The vent flap is pivotal relative to the latch between an open position in which the flap is spaced from the vent hole and a sealing position in which the flap seals the vent hole.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 17, 2022
    Publication date: February 22, 2024
    Inventors: Brent BURGESS, Scott E. CARPENTER, Christopher HARTNETT, Zachary Saylor, Joel M. Sells
  • Publication number: 20230342109
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A door is coupled to the cabinet. The door is operable between an opened position and a closed position. An audio interface is disposed on the door. The audio interface includes a microphone for receiving a voice command and a speaker for projecting an audio output. A visual interface is disposed on the door. The visual interface is configured to display a message in response to at least one of the voice command and the audio output. A microcontroller is disposed on the door. The microcontroller is operably coupled to the audio interface and the visual interface. A proximity sensor is configured to communicate sensed information to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to activate at least one of the audio interface and the visual interface in response to the sensed information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 30, 2023
    Publication date: October 26, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcus R. Fischer, Alexander Halbleib, James Mann, Joel M. Sells
  • Patent number: 11782677
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A door is coupled to the cabinet. The door is operable between an opened position and a closed position. An audio interface is disposed on the door. The audio interface includes a microphone for receiving a voice command and a speaker for projecting an audio output. A visual interface is disposed on the door. The visual interface is configured to display a message in response to at least one of the voice command and the audio output. A microcontroller is disposed on the door. The microcontroller is operably coupled to the audio interface and the visual interface. A proximity sensor is configured to communicate sensed information to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to activate at least one of the audio interface and the visual interface in response to the sensed information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus R. Fischer, Alexander Halbleib, James Mann, Joel M. Sells
  • Patent number: 11767632
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a chassis defining an interior. A rotatable treating chamber is located within the interior and has an access opening. A cover is movably mounted to the chassis for selective movement between opened and closed positions to open and close the access opening. The laundry treating appliance further comprises a spray arm assembly having a spray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Scott E. Carpenter, Paul M. Dunn, Marcus R. Fischer, Gregory R. Fulmer, Joel M. Sells, Thomas D. Spicer
  • Publication number: 20230220604
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device that supports operations of at least one cleaning appliance. The retrofit auxiliary device including at least one fluid channel and a device controller. The device controller being communicatively coupled to the at least one cleaning appliance to monitor or control the operation of the at least one cleaning appliance, and a user display.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2023
    Publication date: July 13, 2023
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, JOEL M. SELLS, ERIC J. SCHUH
  • Patent number: 11624140
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device for supporting washing operations in various makes and models of multiple household appliances is described wherein the retrofit auxiliary device can monitor appliance health, regulate appliance function, and send the user useful data. Each of the multiple household appliances has a water line and a power line operably coupled to an appliance controller with at least one pre-programmed cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Joel M. Sells, Eric J. Schuh
  • Patent number: 11624137
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a laundry treating appliance including a chassis defining an interior and a treating chamber located within the interior. A dispenser of the laundry treating appliance can include at least one treating chemistry reservoir fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. The laundry treating appliance can further include a treating tool.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 11, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus A. Cannon, Scott E. Carpenter, Joel M. Sells
  • Publication number: 20220290356
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a chassis defining an interior. A rotatable treating chamber is located within the interior and has an access opening. A cover is movably mounted to the chassis for selective movement between opened and closed positions to open and close the access opening. The laundry treating appliance further comprises a spray arm assembly having a spray head.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 31, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Scott E. CARPENTER, Paul M. DUNN, Marcus R. FISCHER, Gregory R. FULMER, Joel M. SELLS, Thomas D. SPICER
  • Publication number: 20220282417
    Abstract: An automatic laundry treating appliance having at least one sensor configured to detect the height of laundry in a treating chamber of the automatic laundry treating appliance is disclosed. Based upon the output of the sensors, a human-perceptible signal is generated to indicate whether the laundry load is below, within or above an optimal range for the laundry load. Further, the automatic laundry treating appliance may communicate to the user after completion of a drying function information related to whether the amount of laundry treated during the drying function exceeded an upper limit for an optimal amount of laundry based upon data acquired during the drying function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kurt L. Masciovecchio, Joel M. Sells, Joel Dennison, Luke Paul, Ryan Johnson, Bonnie VanVolkinburg
  • Patent number: 11371180
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a chassis defining an interior. A rotatable treating chamber is located within the interior and has an access opening. A cover is movably mounted to the chassis for selective movement between opened and closed positions to open and close the access opening. The laundry treating appliance further comprises a spray arm assembly having a spray head.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Scott E. Carpenter, Paul M. Dunn, Marcus R. Fischer, Gregory R. Fulmer, Joel M. Sells, Thomas D. Spicer
  • Patent number: 11357385
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device for distributing cleaning resources to a household cleaning appliance having a treating chamber is described wherein the device can connect to various household cleaning appliances of different makes and models and can learn the flow of water and detergent during various stages of operation and then perform the dispensing itself.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2019
    Date of Patent: June 14, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Joel M. Sells, Eric J. Schuh
  • Publication number: 20220043629
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A door is coupled to the cabinet. The door is operable between an opened position and a closed position. An audio interface is disposed on the door. The audio interface includes a microphone for receiving a voice command and a speaker for projecting an audio output. A visual interface is disposed on the door. The visual interface is configured to display a message in response to at least one of the voice command and the audio output. A microcontroller is disposed on the door. The microcontroller is operably coupled to the audio interface and the visual interface. A proximity sensor is configured to communicate sensed information to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to activate at least one of the audio interface and the visual interface in response to the sensed information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2021
    Publication date: February 10, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcus R. Fischer, Alexander Halbleib, James Mann, Joel M. Sells
  • Patent number: 11182123
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A door is coupled to the cabinet. The door is operable between an opened position and a closed position. An audio interface is disposed on the door. The audio interface includes a microphone for receiving a voice command and a speaker for projecting an audio output. A visual interface is disposed on the door. The visual interface is configured to display a message in response to at least one of the voice command and the audio output. A microcontroller is disposed on the door. The microcontroller is operably coupled to the audio interface and the visual interface. A proximity sensor is configured to communicate sensed information to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to activate at least one of the audio interface and the visual interface in response to the sensed information.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 23, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus R. Fischer, Alexander Halbleib, James Mann, Joel M. Sells
  • Publication number: 20210269956
    Abstract: Aspects of the disclosure relate to a laundry treating appliance including a chassis defining an interior and a treating chamber located within the interior. A dispenser of the laundry treating appliance can include at least one treating chemistry reservoir fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. The laundry treating appliance can further include a treating tool.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 19, 2021
    Publication date: September 2, 2021
    Inventors: MARCUS A. CANNON, SCOTT E. CARPENTER, JOEL M. SELLS
  • Publication number: 20210214877
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device for supporting washing operations in various makes and models of multiple household appliances is described wherein the retrofit auxiliary device can monitor appliance health, regulate appliance function, and send the user useful data. Each of the multiple household appliances has a water line and a power line operably coupled to an appliance controller with at least one pre-programmed cycle of operation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 30, 2021
    Publication date: July 15, 2021
    Inventors: BENJAMIN E. ALEXANDER, JOEL M. SELLS, ERIC J. SCHUH
  • Patent number: 11060224
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance includes a chassis defining an interior. A rotatable treating chamber is located within the interior. The laundry treating appliance further includes a dispenser having at least one treating chemistry reservoir fluidly coupled to the treating chamber and at least one tool docking station fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. A treating tool has an internal treating chemistry reservoir and is configured to dock with the tool docking station to fluidly couple the internal treating chemistry reservoir with the treating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 13, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Marcus A. Cannon, Scott E. Carpenter, Joel M. Sells
  • Patent number: 10988888
    Abstract: A retrofit auxiliary device for supporting washing operations in various makes and models of multiple household appliances is described wherein the retrofit auxiliary device can monitor appliance health, regulate appliance function, and send the user useful data. Each of the multiple household appliances has a water line and a power line operably coupled to an appliance controller with at least one pre-programmed cycle of operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 9, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 27, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Benjamin E. Alexander, Joel M. Sells, Eric J. Schuh
  • Publication number: 20200348905
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A door is coupled to the cabinet. The door is operable between an opened position and a closed position. An audio interface is disposed on the door. The audio interface includes a microphone for receiving a voice command and a speaker for projecting an audio output. A visual interface is disposed on the door. The visual interface is configured to display a message in response to at least one of the voice command and the audio output. A microcontroller is disposed on the door. The microcontroller is operably coupled to the audio interface and the visual interface. A proximity sensor is configured to communicate sensed information to the microcontroller. The microcontroller is configured to activate at least one of the audio interface and the visual interface in response to the sensed information.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 9, 2020
    Publication date: November 5, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marcus R. Fischer, Alexander Halbleib, James Mann, Joel M. Sells