Patents by Inventor Lorraine J. Westlake
Lorraine J. Westlake 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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Publication number: 20240361067Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner placed within the outer wrapper and spaced apart from the outer wrapper to define an insulating space. A trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define a structural cabinet. The trim breaker defines a front face of the cabinet. The trim breaker defines a gas conduit disposed within a wall of the structural cabinet proximate the insulating space. The gas conduit is adapted to define selective communication between the insulating space and an exterior of the structural cabinet. An insulating material is disposed within the insulating space, wherein the gas conduit is substantially free of the insulating material.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 9, 2024Publication date: October 31, 2024Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Publication number: 20240337432Abstract: An insulating structure for an appliance includes a trim breaker, a wrapper, and a liner. The wrapper and liner coupled to the trim breaker and at least partially defining a structural cabinet. A barrier is positioned between the liner and the wrapper. The barrier is also coupled to the trim breaker. An inner compressible gasket is proximate the liner, and an outer gasket is proximate the wrapper. The inner gasket and the outer compressible gasket are coupled to the barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 18, 2024Publication date: October 10, 2024Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Devidas B. Raskar, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Patent number: 12055341Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner placed within the outer wrapper and spaced apart from the outer wrapper to define an insulating space. A trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define a structural cabinet. The trim breaker defines a front face of the cabinet. The trim breaker defines a gas conduit disposed within a wall of the structural cabinet proximate the insulating space. The gas conduit is adapted to define selective communication between the insulating space and an exterior of the structural cabinet. An insulating material is disposed within the insulating space, wherein the gas conduit is substantially free of the insulating material.Type: GrantFiled: March 28, 2023Date of Patent: August 6, 2024Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Patent number: 12031771Abstract: An insulating structure for an appliance includes a trim breaker, a wrapper, and a liner. The wrapper and liner coupled to the trim breaker and at least partially defining a structural cabinet. A barrier is positioned between the liner and the wrapper. The barrier is also coupled to the trim breaker. An inner compressible gasket is proximate the liner, and an outer gasket is proximate the wrapper. The inner gasket and the outer compressible gasket are coupled to the barrier.Type: GrantFiled: April 27, 2023Date of Patent: July 9, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Devidas B. Raskar, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Publication number: 20240200862Abstract: A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure includes an outer wrapper having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening. A liner has a second opening and second edge extending around the second opening. The liner is disposed inside the wrapper with the first and second edges being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. An insulating thermal bridge extends across the gap, and an airtight vacuum cavity is formed between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge includes elongated first and second channels having sealant disposed therein, and the first and second edges are disposed in the first and second channels, respectively. Porous core material may be disposed in the vacuum cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: February 27, 2024Publication date: June 20, 2024Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Abhay Naik, Lorraine J. Westlake, Lakshya J. Deka
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Patent number: 11946689Abstract: A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure includes an outer wrapper having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening. A liner has a second opening and second edge extending around the second opening. The liner is disposed inside the wrapper with the first and second edges being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. An insulating thermal bridge extends across the gap, and an airtight vacuum cavity is formed between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge includes elongated first and second channels having sealant disposed therein, and the first and second edges are disposed in the first and second channels, respectively. Porous core material may be disposed in the vacuum cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2020Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Abhay Naik, Lorraine J. Westlake, Lakshya J. Deka
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Publication number: 20230266053Abstract: An insulating structure for an appliance includes a trim breaker, a wrapper, and a liner. The wrapper and liner coupled to the trim breaker and at least partially defining a structural cabinet. A barrier is positioned between the liner and the wrapper. The barrier is also coupled to the trim breaker. An inner compressible gasket is proximate the liner, and an outer gasket is proximate the wrapper. The inner gasket and the outer compressible gasket are coupled to the barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 27, 2023Publication date: August 24, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Devidas B. Raskar, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Publication number: 20230228477Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner placed within the outer wrapper and spaced apart from the outer wrapper to define an insulating space. A trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define a structural cabinet. The trim breaker defines a front face of the cabinet. The trim breaker defines a gas conduit disposed within a wall of the structural cabinet proximate the insulating space. The gas conduit is adapted to define selective communication between the insulating space and an exterior of the structural cabinet. An insulating material is disposed within the insulating space, wherein the gas conduit is substantially free of the insulating material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 28, 2023Publication date: July 20, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Patent number: 11686525Abstract: An insulating structure for an appliance includes a trim breaker, a wrapper, and a liner. The wrapper and liner coupled to the trim breaker and at least partially defining a structural cabinet. A barrier is positioned between the liner and the wrapper. The barrier is also coupled to the trim breaker. An inner compressible gasket is proximate the liner, and an outer gasket is proximate the wrapper. The inner gasket and the outer compressible gasket are coupled to the barrier.Type: GrantFiled: March 25, 2022Date of Patent: June 27, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Devidas B. Raskar, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Patent number: 11650003Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner placed within the outer wrapper and spaced apart from the outer wrapper to define an insulating space. A trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define a structural cabinet. The trim breaker defines a front face of the cabinet. The trim breaker defines a gas conduit disposed within a wall of the structural cabinet proximate the insulating space. The gas conduit is adapted to define selective communication between the insulating space and an exterior of the structural cabinet. An insulating material is disposed within the insulating space, wherein the gas conduit is substantially free of the insulating material.Type: GrantFiled: November 19, 2021Date of Patent: May 16, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Patent number: 11480385Abstract: A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes first and second cover members having pre-deformed portions and perimeter portions. The perimeter portions of the first and second cover members are disposed along first and second planar levels and the pre-deformed portions of the first and second cover members include portions thereof extending outwardly relative to the first and second planar levels. A thermal bridge interconnects the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The insulating cavity is a sealed cavity having a vacuum drawn therefrom. The pre-deformed portions of the first and second cover members move inwardly towards the first and second planar levels under a force of the vacuum within the insulating cavity.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2021Date of Patent: October 25, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Eric J. Dherde, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Publication number: 20220214099Abstract: An insulating structure for an appliance includes a trim breaker, a wrapper, and a liner. The wrapper and liner coupled to the trim breaker and at least partially defining a structural cabinet. A barrier is positioned between the liner and the wrapper. The barrier is also coupled to the trim breaker. An inner compressible gasket is proximate the liner, and an outer gasket is proximate the wrapper. The inner gasket and the outer compressible gasket are coupled to the barrier.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 25, 2022Publication date: July 7, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Devidas B. Raskar, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Patent number: 11320194Abstract: An insulating structure for an appliance includes a trim breaker, a wrapper, and a liner. The wrapper and liner coupled to the trim breaker and at least partially defining a structural cabinet. A barrier is positioned between the liner and the wrapper. The barrier is also coupled to the trim breaker. An inner compressible gasket is proximate the liner, and an outer gasket is proximate the wrapper. The inner gasket and the outer compressible gasket are coupled to the barrier.Type: GrantFiled: April 30, 2019Date of Patent: May 3, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Devidas B. Raskar, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Publication number: 20220074645Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner placed within the outer wrapper and spaced apart from the outer wrapper to define an insulating space. A trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define a structural cabinet. The trim breaker defines a front face of the cabinet. The trim breaker defines a gas conduit disposed within a wall of the structural cabinet proximate the insulating space. The gas conduit is adapted to define selective communication between the insulating space and an exterior of the structural cabinet. An insulating material is disposed within the insulating space, wherein the gas conduit is substantially free of the insulating material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 19, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Publication number: 20220055262Abstract: An insulation compaction device includes an insulating structure of an appliance and has an insulating media disposed within an insulating cavity. An operable piston selectively engages the insulating structure and operates to define a selected cavity volume of the insulating cavity and a selected insulation density of the insulating media. A valve is attached to the insulating structure and in a passive state releases gas from the insulating cavity to the exterior during operation of the operable piston. Selective operation of a pump mechanism places the valve in an active state to extract gas from the insulating cavity and define a cavity pressure of the insulating cavity that is less than an equalized pressure. The operable piston and the pump mechanism are at least one of sequentially and simultaneously operable to define a selected piston chamber environment defined by the selected cavity volume and the cavity pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2021Publication date: February 24, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Gregory E. Bauman, Lynne F. Hunter, Ryan D. Kannegieter, Sai B. Krishna, Subrata Shannigrahi, Aaron M. Stewart, Eric J. Dherde, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Patent number: 11231223Abstract: An appliance includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner placed within the outer wrapper and spaced apart from the outer wrapper to define an insulating space. A trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper to define a structural cabinet. The trim breaker defines a front face of the cabinet. The trim breaker defines a gas conduit disposed within a wall of the structural cabinet proximate the insulating space. The gas conduit is adapted to define selective communication between the insulating space and an exterior of the structural cabinet. An insulating material is disposed within the insulating space, wherein the gas conduit is substantially free of the insulating material.Type: GrantFiled: October 5, 2020Date of Patent: January 25, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Publication number: 20210310723Abstract: A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes first and second cover members having pre-deformed portions and perimeter portions. The perimeter portions of the first and second cover members are disposed along first and second planar levels and the pre-deformed portions of the first and second cover members include portions thereof extending outwardly relative to the first and second planar levels. A thermal bridge interconnects the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The insulating cavity is a sealed cavity having a vacuum drawn therefrom. The pre-deformed portions of the first and second cover members move inwardly towards the first and second planar levels under a force of the vacuum within the insulating cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 12, 2021Publication date: October 7, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Eric J. Dherde, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Publication number: 20210254886Abstract: A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes first and second cover members having pre-deformed portions and perimeter portions. The perimeter portions of the first and second cover members are disposed along first and second planar levels and the pre-deformed portions of the first and second cover members include portions thereof extending outwardly relative to the first and second planar levels. A thermal bridge interconnects the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The insulating cavity is a sealed cavity having a vacuum drawn therefrom. The pre-deformed portions of the first and second cover members move inwardly towards the first and second planar levels under a force of the vacuum within the insulating cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 13, 2021Publication date: August 19, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Eric J. Dherde, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Patent number: 11002477Abstract: A vacuum insulated cabinet structure includes first and second cover members having pre-deformed portions and perimeter portions. The perimeter portions of the first and second cover members are disposed along first and second planar levels and the pre-deformed portions of the first and second cover members include portions thereof extending outwardly relative to the first and second planar levels. A thermal bridge interconnects the first cover member and the second cover member at the perimeter portions thereof to define an insulating cavity therebetween. The insulating cavity is a sealed cavity having a vacuum drawn therefrom. The pre-deformed portions of the first and second cover members move inwardly towards the first and second planar levels under a force of the vacuum within the insulating cavity.Type: GrantFiled: May 18, 2020Date of Patent: May 11, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Eric J. Dherde, Lorraine J. Westlake
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Publication number: 20210116168Abstract: A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure includes an outer wrapper having a first opening and a first edge extending around the first opening. A liner has a second opening and second edge extending around the second opening. The liner is disposed inside the wrapper with the first and second edges being spaced apart to form a gap therebetween. An insulating thermal bridge extends across the gap, and an airtight vacuum cavity is formed between the wrapper and the liner. The thermal bridge includes elongated first and second channels having sealant disposed therein, and the first and second edges are disposed in the first and second channels, respectively. Porous core material may be disposed in the vacuum cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 28, 2020Publication date: April 22, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Abhay Naik, Lorraine J. Westlake, Lakshya J. Deka