Patents by Inventor Kevin M. Chase
Kevin M. Chase 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: 9499384Abstract: A dispensing system includes one or more digital image capture devices for capturing images in a dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device(s) for analyzing the images for use in regulating a dispensing operation. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images captured by the digital image capture device(s) to determine various characteristics of a container placed in the dispensing well, such as the height and position of the container.Type: GrantFiled: August 18, 2015Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M Chase, Brian P Janke, Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Shreecharan Kanchanavally, James Kerner
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Publication number: 20160229676Abstract: A multi-single serve beverage dispensing apparatus, method and system is disclosed. Storage, management and delivery of a desired liquid enhancement cartridge to a beverage preparation positioned in a refrigerator or other liquid dispensing appliance is provided. A liquid dispensing cartridge is inserted and retrieved through a cartridge loading/unloading interface associated with a cabinet body of a liquid dispensing appliance. A storage system having multiple cartridge holding positions for storing and staging a variety of liquid enhancement cartridges is included. An indexing system has a means for moving one or more of the cartridges into a beverage preparation position for preparing and dispensing a beverage.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 18, 2016Publication date: August 11, 2016Inventors: Philip A. Anselmino, Kevin M. Chase
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Publication number: 20160209106Abstract: A refrigerator is provided which includes a cabinet. A first compartment and second compartment are disposed within the cabinet. A first door provides access to the first compartment and a second door provides access to the second compartment. A beverage dispensing system is operatively connected to the cabinet. A machine vision system associated with the beverage dispensing system. The machine vision system has an imaging device.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2016Publication date: July 21, 2016Inventors: PHILIP A. ANSELMINO, KEVIN M. CHASE
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Publication number: 20160137480Abstract: A refrigerator includes a dispenser having a dispenser well, a control for regulating a product dispensing operation, and an optical sensing system includes a camera within the dispenser well in communication with a controller for controlling the filling of a container within the dispenser well based on image data. The image data can used to detect at least one of a presence of a container in the dispenser well, a height of liquid within the container, a height of ice within the container and a shape of the container within the dispenser well, as well as to adjust a dispensing rate of product.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 28, 2015Publication date: May 19, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: FARHAD ASHRAFZADEH, KEVIN M. CHASE, BRIAN P. JANKE, SHREECHARAN KANCHANAVALLY
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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: 9315370Abstract: A multi-single serve beverage dispensing apparatus, method and system is disclosed. Storage, management and delivery of a desired liquid enhancement cartridge to a beverage preparation positioned in a refrigerator or other liquid dispensing appliance is provided. A liquid dispensing cartridge is inserted and retrieved through a cartridge loading/unloading interface associated with a cabinet body of a liquid dispensing appliance. A storage system having multiple cartridge holding positions for storing and staging a variety of liquid enhancement cartridges is included. An indexing system has a means for moving one or more of the cartridges into a beverage preparation position for preparing and dispensing a beverage.Type: GrantFiled: May 11, 2015Date of Patent: April 19, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Philip A. Anselmino, Kevin M. Chase
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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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Patent number: 9297577Abstract: A refrigerator is provided which includes a cabinet. A first compartment and second compartment are disposed within the cabinet. A first door provides access to the first compartment and a second door provides access to the second compartment. A beverage dispensing system is operatively connected to the cabinet. A machine vision system associated with the beverage dispensing system. The machine vision system has an imaging device.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: March 29, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Philip A. Anselmino, Kevin M. Chase
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Patent number: 9212027Abstract: A sliding gate assembly for an elevator comprises a track having a flat upper surface. A connecting block is secured to a portion of the flat upper surface. A wheel carriage is operable to ride on the track, the wheel carriage including two arms oriented orthogonally to the flat upper surface of the track and extending upwardly around an outside portion of the track and beyond the flat upper surface. A set of wheels is also provided, each wheel being rotatably coupled to one of the two arms of the wheel carriage above the upper surface of the track, each wheel rotating about a rolling axis that is substantially parallel to the flat upper surface of the track.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2012Date of Patent: December 15, 2015Assignee: A+ Elevators & Lifts LLCInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Christopher R. Harris, Matthew P. Hyde
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Publication number: 20150353337Abstract: A dispensing system includes one or more digital image capture devices for capturing images in a dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device(s) for analyzing the images for use in regulating a dispensing operation. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images captured by the digital image capture device(s) to determine various characteristics of a container placed in the dispensing well, such as the height and position of the container.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 18, 2015Publication date: December 10, 2015Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin M Chase, Brian P Janke, Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Shreecharan Kanchanavally, James Kerner
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Patent number: 9169112Abstract: An appliance includes a dispenser for dispensing a mixture of a diluent and a consumable. The mixture may be a beverage wherein the diluent is water and the consumable is a flavorant. The dispenser includes a pressure sensor for measuring the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The rate at which the consumable is added to the diluent is dependent upon the pressure of the diluent at the inlet. The consumable may be provided in a single container, or a user may specify a particular type of consumable from a plurality of containers provided on a rotation carousel.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Nihat Cur, Gregory G. Hortin, Michael E. Stagg, Tiemen Van Dillen, John R. Wisnoski
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Patent number: 9145290Abstract: A method of using a refrigerator with a beverage dispensing system is provided. A refrigerator having a refrigerator cabinet and a beverage dispenser is operatively connected to the refrigerator cabinet, receiving an indicia from a user to dispense a beverage received through a fluid line and fluid enhancement received through a fluid enhancement line, dispensing the beverage, and circulating a cleaning fluid through the fluid line or the fluid enhancement line for cleaning after dispensing.Type: GrantFiled: April 22, 2014Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Philip A. Anselmino
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Patent number: 9126818Abstract: A dispensing system includes one or more digital image capture devices for capturing images in a dispenser well and a digital image analyzer operatively coupled to the digital image capture device(s) for analyzing the images for use in regulating a dispensing operation. The digital image analyzer evaluates digital images captured by the digital image capture device(s) to determine various characteristics of a container, such as the height and position of the container.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2014Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kevin M. Chase, Brian P. Janke, Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Shreecharan Kanchanavally, James Kerner
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Publication number: 20150239723Abstract: A multi-single serve beverage dispensing apparatus, method and system is disclosed. Storage, management and delivery of a desired liquid enhancement cartridge to a beverage preparation positioned in a refrigerator or other liquid dispensing appliance is provided. A liquid dispensing cartridge is inserted and retrieved through a cartridge loading/unloading interface associated with a cabinet body of a liquid dispensing appliance. A storage system having multiple cartridge holding positions for storing and staging a variety of liquid enhancement cartridges is included. An indexing system has a means for moving one or more of the cartridges into a beverage preparation position for preparing and dispensing a beverage.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 11, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: PHILIP A. ANSELMINO, KEVIN M. CHASE
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Publication number: 20150241106Abstract: A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting multiple physical characteristics of ice cubes produced therein. The system includes a digital image capture device coupled to a digital image analyzing system which captures digital images of the ice in the refrigerator and analyzes the images to detect characteristics associated with the ice. A notification arrangement can be employed to convey information about the ice to a user of the refrigerator.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 28, 2015Publication date: August 27, 2015Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: KEVIN M. CHASE, BRIAN P. JANKE, FARHAD ASHRAFZADEH, SHREECHARAN KANCHANAVALLY
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Publication number: 20150210525Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus and system for controlling the delivery of liquid additives is disclosed. In one aspect, liquid additives are delivered to a beverage preparation system through a multiple inlet pump for preparing a finished beverage. In another aspect, additives from liquid additive containers are delivered to a beverage preparation system through a multiple inlet and pumping section pump for preparing a finished beverage. Other additives are communicated through the beverage dispensing system for maintaining and cleaning the system and the multiple inlet pump for ensuring the hygienical integrity of the system throughout its use.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 2, 2015Publication date: July 30, 2015Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventor: KEVIN M. CHASE
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Patent number: 9062912Abstract: A multi-single serve beverage dispensing apparatus, method and system is disclosed. Storage, management and delivery of a desired liquid enhancement cartridge to a beverage preparation positioned in a refrigerator or other liquid dispensing appliance is provided. A liquid dispensing cartridge is inserted and retrieved through a cartridge loading/unloading interface associated with a cabinet body of a liquid dispensing appliance. A storage system having multiple cartridge holding positions for storing and staging a variety of liquid enhancement cartridges is included. An indexing system has a means for moving one or more of the cartridges into a beverage preparation position for preparing and dispensing a beverage.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: June 23, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Philip A. Anselmino, Kevin M. Chase
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Patent number: 9057556Abstract: A refrigerator includes a dispenser having a dispenser well, a control for regulating a product dispensing operation, and a select fill sensor system for automatically initiating and terminating the dispensing operation. An optical sensing system includes a camera within the dispenser well in communication with a controller for sensing the fill rate of a container within the dispenser well. The dispensing rate of product is adjusted depending on the product fill rate of the container such that optimum fill rates are obtained without overflow or spilling events. In this manner, a hands-free dispenser is provided that can be utilized regardless of the shape or size of container utilized.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2010Date of Patent: June 16, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Kevin M. Chase, Brian P. Janke, Shreecharan Kanchanavally
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Patent number: 9046300Abstract: A liquid dispensing apparatus and system for controlling the delivery of liquid additives is disclosed. In one aspect, liquid additives are delivered to a beverage preparation system through a multiple inlet pump for preparing a finished beverage. In another aspect, additives from liquid additive containers are delivered to a beverage preparation system through a multiple inlet and pumping section pump for preparing a finished beverage. Other additives are communicated through the beverage dispensing system for maintaining and cleaning the system and the multiple inlet pump for ensuring the hygienical integrity of the system throughout its use.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2010Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Kevin M. Chase
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Patent number: 9032745Abstract: A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting multiple physical characteristics of ice cubes in an ice cube storage bin. The system includes a digital image capture device coupled to a digital image analyzing system which captures digital images of the ice cube storage bin intermittently and compares the images to detect the presence of ice clumps. In addition, the digital image analyzing system evaluates the edges, ice size and/or image intensity of the ice cubes in the images in order to determine the presence of stale ice. An algorithm is utilized to estimate the volume of ice within the bin based on the number of pixels in an ice bin image, the number of pixels of the ice within the bin, and a known volume of the ice bin. Notifications for clumped ice, stale ice and ice volume within the bin are sent to a user interface.Type: GrantFiled: August 31, 2009Date of Patent: May 19, 2015Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Farhad Ashrafzadeh, Kevin M. Chase, Brian P. Janke, Shreecharan Kanchanavally