Patents by Inventor Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira

Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira 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: 20240027125
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet, a door pivotally attached to the cabinet, and a mullion bar pivotally attached to the door and having a guide pin. The mullion bar moves between a deployed position and a tucked position. A guide element is mounted to the cabinet and defines a recessed area. The guide element includes a deflectable member disposed in the recessed area and cooperating with a side wall of the recessed area to define an opening sized to receive the guide pin only when the mullion bar is in the tucked position. The deflectable member is deflectable upon contact with the guide pin to allow the guide pin within the recessed area when the mullion bar is in the deployed position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2023
    Publication date: January 25, 2024
    Inventors: Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira, Gustavo Spezzia, Marco Aurelio Dellabruna Maccarini, Gabriel H. Ortola
  • Publication number: 20230417478
    Abstract: An anchor assembly for securing a subcomponent to a refrigerator includes a receiving portion and a cover portion. The receiving portion has a first end configured to engage the subcomponent, a second end defining threads, and tabs extending radially outward at a position that is between the first and second ends. The cover portion has a hub and a skirt extending radially outward from the hub. The hub is configured to engage the second end of the receiving portion via the threads to secure the second portion to the first portion. The skirt is configured to engage a wall and extend about the keyed-orifice. The tabs and skirt are collectively configured to generate a compression force on the wall to secure the anchor assembly to the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2022
    Publication date: December 28, 2023
    Inventors: Luiz Afranio ALVES FERREIRA, Vinicius BIANCHEZZI, Ualisson Ferreira DA SILVA, Francisco DE SENA, JR., Acácio DA SILVA, JR., Lucas F LONNI
  • Publication number: 20230152031
    Abstract: An inner liner fixed to the door skin defining a recessed portion and including a first load supporting protrusion, a second load supporting protrusion, and a relief region disposed therebetween. A shelf disposed below the first and second load supporting protrusions and extending in a first direction and a second direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction. A outer bin member including a side member forming a slot configured to receive one of the first load supporting protrusion and the second load supporting protrusion. An enclosure member extending from the side member and configured to at least partially close off the recessed portion, and a support wall extending from the side member and the enclosure member. A first portion of the support wall is configured to lie along the shelf and a second portion is configured to detachably fix the outer bin to the shelf.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2021
    Publication date: May 18, 2023
    Inventors: Luiz Afranio ALVES FERREIRA, Eduardo Augusto de CARVALHO SANCHES, Paulo Ricardo FRANSKOWIAK, JR., Acácio de Silva JÚNIOR, Narender SANWAL, João Ricardo SEVEGNANI
  • Patent number: 11480386
    Abstract: A refrigerator shelving system includes first and second wire shelves. At least one of the first and second wire shelves is removably connected to a least one shelf support configured on a refrigerator liner. One of the first and second wire shelves is configured to be positioned horizontally and the other of the first and second wire shelves is configured to be positioned at least partially vertically such that a food item can be supported by both the first and second wire shelves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira, Jackeline Laurindo, Ignacio J. dos SANTOS, Gustavo Spezzia
  • Publication number: 20220290912
    Abstract: A refrigerator shelving system includes first and second wire shelves. At least one of the first and second wire shelves is removably connected to a least one shelf support configured on a refrigerator liner. One of the first and second wire shelves is configured to be positioned horizontally and the other of the first and second wire shelves is configured to be positioned at least partially vertically such that a food item can be supported by both the first and second wire shelves.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2021
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Inventors: Luiz Afranio ALVES FERREIRA, Jackeline LAURINDO, Ignacio J. dos SANTOS, Gustavo SPEZZIA
  • Patent number: 11441835
    Abstract: A containment system for a refrigerator includes a storage bin and a support arm. The storage bin is secured to an internal panel of a refrigerator door. The support arm is secured to the interior panel at a position above the storage bin. The support arm is configured to transition between a retracted position that is adjacent to a back surface of the internal panel and an advanced position that is spaced apart from the back surface. The support arm in the advanced position is configured to engage a food container that is positioned in the storage bin such that the food container is disposed between the support arm and the back surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Date of Patent: September 13, 2022
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Isadora Camargo Góss, Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira
  • Publication number: 20220282909
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a household refrigeration appliance and, more specifically, to a household refrigeration appliance with a multifunctional shelf. A multifunctional shelf arrangement is provided, including: a shelf comprising a frame that is physically associated to the walls of an internal box by shelf rails; the frame comprising lateral, front and rear portions, as well as at least one accessory physically associated to the shelf by accessory rails defining at least one track for displacement of the accessory. Specifically, in accordance with this disclosure, the frame comprises a plurality of receiving structures and the accessory rails comprise fitting projections which engage directly with the receiving structures of the frame, so that the attachment rails are removably fitted with the receiving structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2022
    Publication date: September 8, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira, Edson Isaltino Bento, Guilherme Nehring, Ademar Testoni
  • Publication number: 20220268511
    Abstract: A containment system for a refrigerator includes a storage bin and a support arm. The storage bin is secured to an internal panel of a refrigerator door. The support arm is secured to the interior panel at a position above the storage bin. The support arm is configured to transition between a retracted position that is adjacent to a back surface of the internal panel and an advanced position that is spaced apart from the back surface. The support arm in the advanced position is configured to engage a food container that is positioned in the storage bin such that the food container is disposed between the support arm and the back surface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 24, 2021
    Publication date: August 25, 2022
    Inventors: Isadora Camargo GÓSS, Luiz Afranio ALVES FERREIRA
  • Patent number: 11371771
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a household refrigeration appliance and, more specifically, to a household refrigeration appliance with a multifunctional shelf. A multifunctional shelf arrangement is provided, including: a shelf comprising a frame that is physically associated to the walls of an internal box by shelf rails; the frame comprising lateral, front and rear portions, as well as at least one accessory physically associated to the shelf by accessory rails defining at least one track for displacement of the accessory. Specifically, in accordance with this disclosure, the frame comprises a plurality of receiving structures and the accessory rails comprise fitting projections which engage directly with the receiving structures of the frame, so that the attachment rails are removably fitted with the receiving structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 28, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira, Edson Isaltino Bento, Guilherme Nehring, Ademar Testoni
  • Patent number: 11091943
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a refrigerating appliance includes a door engaging member that is configured to attach to a door panel through an operational path of the door engaging member. A cabinet engaging member is configured to attach to a structural cabinet. An articulating mechanism extending between the door engaging member and the cabinet engaging member. The articulating mechanism partially defines the operational path of the door engaging member. An articulating wire chase that is coupled to the cabinet engaging member and slidably coupled to the articulating mechanism at a guide slot. The articulating mechanism is operable between a collapsed position and an extended position. Operation of the articulating mechanism operates the articulating wire chase between a serpentine position and an elongated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Luiz Afrânio Alves Ferreira, Daniel Felipe Soares, Gustavo Spezzia
  • Publication number: 20200318892
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a household refrigeration appliance and, more specifically, to a household refrigeration appliance with a multifunctional shelf. A multifunctional shelf arrangement is provided, including: a shelf comprising a frame that is physically associated to the walls of an internal box by shelf rails; the frame comprising lateral, front and rear portions, as well as at least one accessory physically associated to the shelf by accessory rails defining at least one track for displacement of the accessory. Specifically, in accordance with this disclosure, the frame comprises a plurality of receiving structures and the accessory rails comprise fitting projections which engage directly with the receiving structures of the frame, so that the attachment rails are removably fitted with the receiving structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Publication date: October 8, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira, Edson Isaltino Bento, Guilherme Nehring, Ademar Testoni
  • Publication number: 20200208450
    Abstract: A hinge assembly for a refrigerating appliance includes a door engaging member that is configured to attach to a door panel through an operational path of the door engaging member. A cabinet engaging member is configured to attach to a structural cabinet. An articulating mechanism extending between the door engaging member and the cabinet engaging member. The articulating mechanism partially defines the operational path of the door engaging member. An articulating wire chase that is coupled to the cabinet engaging member and slidably coupled to the articulating mechanism at a guide slot. The articulating mechanism is operable between a collapsed position and an extended position. Operation of the articulating mechanism operates the articulating wire chase between a serpentine position and an elongated position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 29, 2018
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luiz Afrânio Alves Ferreira, Daniel Felipe Soares, Gustavo Spezzia
  • Patent number: 10690400
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a household refrigeration appliance and, more specifically, to a household refrigeration appliance with a multifunctional shelf. A multifunctional shelf arrangement is provided, including: a shelf comprising a frame that is physically associated to the walls of an internal box by shelf rails; the frame comprising lateral, front and rear portions, as well as at least one accessory physically associated to the shelf by accessory rails defining at least one track for displacement of the accessory. Specifically, in accordance with this disclosure, the frame comprises a plurality of receiving structures and the accessory rails comprise fitting projections which engage directly with the receiving structures of the frame, so that the attachment rails are removably fitted with the receiving structures.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira, Edson Isaltino Bento, Guilherme Nehring, Ademar Testoni
  • Patent number: 10677514
    Abstract: A refrigerator door bin assembly includes a door liner defining a first side wall defining a supporting base extending from the first side wall. The supporting base defines a locking channel therein. The assembly further includes a bin body defining a first outer wall facing and positioned adjacent to the first side wall of the door liner. The first outer wall of the bin body defines an alignment channel receiving the supporting base therein. A locking rib extends within the alignment channel to engage with the locking channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: June 9, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Edson Isaltino Bento, Luiz Afrânio Alves Ferreira, Guilherme Nehring, Ademar Testoni
  • Patent number: 10473383
    Abstract: A refrigerator shelf translation system for a refrigerating appliance includes a movable shelf, a guide structure provided with one or more indentations, and a fixed anchoring component associated with the movable shelf and movably associated with the guide structure. The movable shelf is held in a fixed position relative to the guide structure when there is cooperation between at least one locking span of at least one anchoring component and at least one indentation of the guide structure and, on the other hand, the movable shelf may be shifted vertically relative to the guide structure when distancing from all possible locking spans of all possible anchoring components and their respective indentations of the guide structure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 12, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Edson Isaltino Bento, Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira, Rafael da Cunha Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20190078837
    Abstract: A refrigerator shelf translation system for a refrigerating appliance includes a movable shelf, a guide structure provided with one or more indentations, and a fixed anchoring component associated with the movable shelf and movably associated with the guide structure. The movable shelf is held in a fixed position relative to the guide structure when there is cooperation between at least one locking span of at least one anchoring component and at least one indentation of the guide structure and, on the other hand, the movable shelf may be shifted vertically relative to the guide structure when distancing from all possible locking spans of all possible anchoring components and their respective indentations of the guide structure.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 19, 2018
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edson Isaltino Bento, Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira, Rafael da Cunha Schmidt
  • Publication number: 20190041121
    Abstract: A refrigerator door bin assembly includes a door liner defining a first side wall defining a supporting base extending from the first side wall. The supporting base defines a locking channel therein. The assembly further includes a bin body defining a first outer wall facing and positioned adjacent to the first side wall of the door liner. The first outer wall of the bin body defines an alignment channel receiving the supporting base therein. A locking rib extends within the alignment channel to engage with the locking channel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2018
    Publication date: February 7, 2019
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edson Isaltino Bento, Luiz Afrânio Alves Ferreira, Guilherme Nehring, Ademar Testoni
  • Publication number: 20180328653
    Abstract: The present disclosure refers to a household refrigeration appliance and, more specifically, to a household refrigeration appliance with a multifunctional shelf. A multifunctional shelf arrangement is provided, including: a shelf comprising a frame that is physically associated to the walls of an internal box by shelf rails; the frame comprising lateral, front and rear portions, as well as at least one accessory physically associated to the shelf by accessory rails defining at least one track for displacement of the accessory. Specifically, in accordance with this disclosure, the frame comprises a plurality of receiving structures and the accessory rails comprise fitting projections which engage directly with the receiving structures of the frame, so that the attachment rails are removably fitted with the receiving structures.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2018
    Publication date: November 15, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira, Edson Isaltino Bento, Guilherme Nehring, Ademar Testoni
  • Patent number: 10126040
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes an interior compartment having an adjustable interior volume operable between first and second volumetric settings and a number of intermediate settings provided therebetween. A door is pivotally coupled to the interior compartment and operable between open and closed positions relative to the interior compartment. The door includes a moving member that is slideably coupled to a fixed member. The moving member is operable between extended and retracted positions with respect to the fixed member, such that the door is an expandable door configured to cover an open front portion of the interior compartment as the interior compartment moves between various volumetric settings.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Bruno de Mello Ribeiro, Luiz Afrânio Alves Ferreira, Jair Córdova Henrique, Raphael Cássio de Souza
  • Patent number: 9861199
    Abstract: An adjustable shelf system for a household appliance includes at least one shelf assembly having at least one support structure, wherein each support structure of the shelf assembly includes upper and lower coupling elements outwardly extending from the support structures. A track member is coupled to a sidewall of an internal compartment of the appliance. The track member includes an outer surface with at least one longitudinal channel disposed therein. The longitudinal channel further includes a plurality of spaced-apart receiving notches disposed along a vertical length the channel. The upper and lower coupling elements of the support structures are configured to be received in the longitudinal channels of the track members and nested within the receiving notches thereof.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 9, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Luiz Afranio Alves Ferreira, Gean Ricardo Hay, Edson Isaltino Bento