Patents by Inventor Lynne F. Hunter
Lynne F. Hunter 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: 20210404735Abstract: A cabinet assembly for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner having a forward liner edge. The forward liner edge defines an access opening. An outer wrapper is disposed around the inner liner and has a forward wrapper edge. The outer wrapper is spaced-apart from the inner liner to define an insulating cavity therebetween. A mullion assembly extends across the access opening. A trim breaker extends about the access opening and is coupled to the forward wrapper edge and the forward liner edge to seal the insulating cavity. The trim breaker includes a spacing flange positioned to contact the mullion assembly to define a receiving space between the trim breaker and the mullion assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 25, 2020Publication date: December 30, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik, Sanket Phalak
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Publication number: 20210356195Abstract: A refrigerator includes a wrapper having an opening with a front edge. A liner includes an opening and a front edge. A thermal bridge interconnects the wrapper and the liner to form a vacuum insulated cavity therebetween. The thermal bridge includes an outwardly opening channel and first and second inwardly opening channels. The front edge of wrapper is received in the first inwardly opening channel, and the front edge of the liner is received in the second inwardly opening channel. The second inwardly opening channel is inset relative to the first inwardly opening channel on the thermal bridge. A conduit is disposed within the outwardly opening channel and is configured to circulate a heated medium. The wrapper and liner are contemplated to be comprised of conductive materials, such sheet metal, while the thermal bridge is comprised of a thermally resistant material, such as a polymeric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 30, 2017Publication date: November 18, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Lynne F. Hunter, Hua Liu, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20210325106Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vacuum insulated cabinet and a surround lighting feature. The vacuum insulated cabinet includes a liner disposed within a wrapper, which are interconnected by a thermal bridge to form a vacuum cavity therebetween. A wall covering assembly includes a top wall disposed adjacent to and spaced-apart from a top wall of the liner. The wall covering assembly also includes a rear wall disposed adjacent to and spaced-apart from a rear wall of the liner. In assembly, the liner and the wall covering assembly cooperate to define a refrigerator compartment. A cavity is formed between liner and the wall covering assembly. A surround lighting assembly is disposed around an opening into the refrigerator compartment and is powered by a wiring system concealed by the wall covering assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 28, 2021Publication date: October 21, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Giulia Marinello, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Julia B. Burke, Daniel Chow, Abhay Naik
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Patent number: 11150008Abstract: A cabinet of an appliance includes an outer wrapper defining opposing first and second sidewalls, a rear wall coupling the first and second sidewalls and an access opening and an inner liner defining an interior. The outer wrapper and the inner liner may define a sealed insulating cavity therebetween that is under vacuum. A plurality of reinforcement brackets may be disposed on the outer wrapper. The plurality of reinforcement brackets are configured to prevent deformation of the cabinet during application of the vacuum to the insulating cavity.Type: GrantFiled: January 16, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Sanket Vivek Phalak, Aaron Michael Stewart
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Publication number: 20210291490Abstract: An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.Type: ApplicationFiled: June 4, 2021Publication date: September 23, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Karen J. Querfurth, Jerry M. Visin
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Publication number: 20210247125Abstract: A refrigerator includes a wall covering assembly having a top wall spaced-apart from a top wall of a liner, and a rear wall spaced-apart from a rear wall of the liner. The wall covering assembly includes a pattern of ports for providing outwardly directed cooled air to the refrigerator cabinet from a duct assembly. The duct assembly is configured to deliver cooled air through the ventilated portion of the wall covering assembly and also deliver cooled air to a front portion of the refrigerator cabinet via a downwardly directed air curtain. The air curtain disrupts the outward flow of air from the ventilated portion of the wall covering assembly before the cooled air reaches a gasket assembly disposed around the refrigerator doors. Angled venting slots disposed on the wall covering assembly direct air towards inner surfaces of the doors without disruption from the air curtain.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 26, 2021Publication date: August 12, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Giulia Marinello, Lynne F. Hunter, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Alberto R. Gomes, Joseph M. Keres
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Patent number: 11079171Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vacuum insulated cabinet and a surround lighting feature. The vacuum insulated cabinet includes a liner disposed within a wrapper, which are interconnected by a thermal bridge to form a vacuum cavity therebetween. A wall covering assembly includes a top wall disposed adjacent to and spaced-apart from a top wall of the liner. The wall covering assembly also includes a rear wall disposed adjacent to and spaced-apart from a rear wall of the liner. In assembly, the liner and the wall covering assembly cooperate to define a refrigerator compartment. A cavity is formed between liner and the wall covering assembly. A surround lighting assembly is disposed around an opening into the refrigerator compartment and is powered by a wiring system concealed by the wall covering assembly.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2016Date of Patent: August 3, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Giulia Marinello, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Julia B. Burke, Daniel Chow, Abhay Naik
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Publication number: 20210222944Abstract: A cabinet of an appliance includes an outer wrapper defining opposing first and second sidewalls, a rear wall coupling the first and second sidewalls and an access opening and an inner liner defining an interior. The outer wrapper and the inner liner may define a sealed insulating cavity therebetween that is under vacuum. A plurality of reinforcement brackets may be disposed on the outer wrapper. The plurality of reinforcement brackets are configured to prevent deformation of the cabinet during application of the vacuum to the insulating cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 16, 2020Publication date: July 22, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Sanket Vivek Phalak, Aaron Michael Stewart
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Patent number: 11065842Abstract: An operable panel for an appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having a perimetrical wrapper edge that partially defines a perimetrical breaker channel, an inner liner and a plurality of corner brackets disposed proximate the perimetrical wrapper edge. Each corner bracket cooperates with the perimetrical wrapper edge to fully define the perimetrical breaker channel. A trim breaker is adhered to the metallic outer wrapper and the corner brackets at the perimetrical breaker channel and having a liner channel that receives a portion of the inner liner. The trim breaker extends between the inner liner and the outer wrapper. An insulation material is disposed within an insulating cavity defined between the inner liner and the outer wrapper.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2016Date of Patent: July 20, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Karen J. Querfurth, Jerry M. Visin
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Publication number: 20210207878Abstract: A refrigerator includes a wrapper having an opening with a front edge. A liner includes an opening and a front edge. A thermal bridge interconnects the wrapper and the liner to form a vacuum insulated cavity therebetween. The thermal bridge includes an outwardly opening channel and first and second inwardly opening channels. The front edge of wrapper is received in the first inwardly opening channel, and the front edge of the liner is received in the second inwardly opening channel. The second inwardly opening channel is inset relative to the first inwardly opening channel on the thermal bridge. A conduit is disposed within the outwardly opening channel and is configured to circulate a heated medium. The wrapper and liner are contemplated to be comprised of conductive materials, such sheet metal, while the thermal bridge is comprised of a thermally resistant material, such as a polymeric material.Type: ApplicationFiled: March 22, 2021Publication date: July 8, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Lynne F. Hunter, Hua Liu, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Paul B. Allard, Eric J. Dherde
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Patent number: 11022364Abstract: A refrigerator includes a wall covering assembly having a top wall spaced-apart from a top wall of a liner, and a rear wall spaced-apart from a rear wall of the liner. The wall covering assembly includes a pattern of ports for providing outwardly directed cooled air to the refrigerator cabinet from a duct assembly. The duct assembly is configured to deliver cooled air through the ventilated portion of the wall covering assembly and also deliver cooled air to a front portion of the refrigerator cabinet via a downwardly directed air curtain. The air curtain disrupts the outward flow of air from the ventilated portion of the wall covering assembly before the cooled air reaches a gasket assembly disposed around the refrigerator doors. Angled venting slots disposed on the wall covering assembly direct air towards inner surfaces of the doors without disruption from the air curtain.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: June 1, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Giulia Marinello, Lynne F. Hunter, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Alberto R. Gomes, Joseph M. Keres
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Publication number: 20210148628Abstract: A cabinet structure includes a wrapper defining an opening. At least one liner is positioned inside the opening of the wrapper and defines a temperature-controlled compartment. An insulation cavity is defined between the wrapper and the liner. A trim breaker is coupled to the wrapper and the liner. A first hinge bracket is positioned outwardly of the trim breaker. An encapsulation member is positioned rearwardly of the trim breaker and defines an encapsulation cavity. A first hinge support has a first section positioned along a second hinge support and a second section extending rearwardly from the first section. The first hinge bracket is coupled to the first and second hinge supports.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 23, 2018Publication date: May 20, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel Lottinville, Lynne F Hunter, Karen J. Querfurth, Aaron M. Stewart
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Publication number: 20210123663Abstract: An appliance mounting device is provided herein. The appliance includes a vacuum insulated structure having a liner positioned within a wrapper, wherein the liner and wrapper cooperate to define an interior cavity. The appliance further includes an insulating material positioned within the interior cavity and a hanger coupled to an adapter plate and a support member. The support member is configured to couple to an interior surface of the vacuum insulated structure while maintaining a vacuum in the interior cavity and a holding member is coupled to a first side of the adapter plate and configured to receive a positioning member.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2020Publication date: April 29, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Lynne F. Hunter, Raffaella Gropallo, Giulia Marinello
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Publication number: 20210123659Abstract: An appliance is provided herein. The appliance includes a cabinet having a wrapper, a liner, and a trim breaker. The wrapper, the liner, and the trim breaker define an insulating cavity therebetween. An insulating material is disposed within the insulating cavity. A frame includes an upper frame portion, a vertical frame portion, and a lower frame portion. The lower portion includes a top section, a bottom section, an inner section, and a front section. A door is rotationally mounted to the cabinet via an upper hinge and a lower hinge mounted to the frame.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 31, 2020Publication date: April 29, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Eric J. Dherde, Michael A. Fiori, Lynne F. Hunter
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Patent number: 10914510Abstract: An appliance mounting device is provided herein. The appliance includes a vacuum insulated structure having a liner positioned within a wrapper, wherein the liner and wrapper cooperate to define an interior cavity. The appliance further includes an insulating material positioned within the interior cavity and a hanger coupled to an adapter plate and a support member. The support member is configured to couple to an interior surface of the vacuum insulated structure while maintaining a vacuum in the interior cavity and a holding member is coupled to a first side of the adapter plate and configured to receive a positioning member.Type: GrantFiled: October 22, 2018Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Lynne F. Hunter, Raffaella Gropallo, Giulia Marinello
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Patent number: 10914514Abstract: An appliance has an illuminated trim assembly that includes an appliance cabinet having first and second sidewalls and a top wall. The appliance cabinet defines a compartment. A trim breaker member extends along a forward edge of the first and second sidewalls and the top wall. A light housing is positioned rearward of the trim breaker member and defines a light source channel. The light source channel has an open end proximate the compartment. A lens extends between the trim breaker member and the light housing. The lens is positioned to separate the light source channel from the compartment. A light source is positioned within the light source channel and is configured to direct light through the lens into the compartment.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Lynne F. Hunter, Narendra A. Kapure, Abhay Naik, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Sanket V. Phalak
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Patent number: 10907883Abstract: An appliance is provided herein. The appliance includes a cabinet having a wrapper, a liner, and a trim breaker. The wrapper, the liner, and the trim breaker define an insulating cavity therebetween. An insulating material is disposed within the insulating cavity. A frame includes an upper frame portion, a vertical frame portion, and a lower frame portion. The lower portion includes a top section, a bottom section, an inner section, and a front section. A door is rotationally mounted to the cabinet via an upper hinge and a lower hinge mounted to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: December 2, 2016Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Eric J. Dherde, Michael A. Fiori, Lynne F. Hunter
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Patent number: 10907889Abstract: A refrigerator includes a liner and a wall covering assembly to create a false wall within a refrigerator cabinet. The wall covering assembly includes a top wall spaced-apart from a top wall of the liner, and a rear wall spaced-apart from a rear wall of the liner. The rear wall of the wall covering assembly includes a ventilated portion for providing outwardly directed air to the refrigerator cabinet. A duct assembly is disposed between the wall covering assembly and the liner and is configured to deliver air through the ventilated portion of the wall covering assembly and also deliver air in the form of a downwardly directed air curtain at the front portion of the refrigerator cabinet. The air curtain disrupts the outward flow of air from the ventilated portion of the wall covering assembly at the front portion of the refrigerator cabinet.Type: GrantFiled: August 8, 2016Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Giulia Marinello, Lynne F. Hunter, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Alberto R. Gomes
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Publication number: 20210025539Abstract: An appliance includes a metallic outer wrapper having sidewalls, a wrapper backwall and a machine wall. At least one metallic inner liner has liner walls and a liner backwall, wherein the metallic outer wrapper and the at least one metallic inner liner are coupled together at a trim breaker to define a structural cabinet having a hermetically sealed interior cavity defined between the metallic outer wrapper and the at least one metallic inner liner. The trim breaker defines a front face of the structural cabinet. At least one trim breaker conduit extends through the wrapper and liner backwalls wherein the trim breaker conduit defines a conduit through the structural cabinet, and wherein the structural cabinet is hermetically sealed at the trim breaker conduit.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Mohamed Alshourbagy, Lakshya J. Deka, Eric J. Dherde, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Giulia Marinello, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Jerry M. Visin
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Publication number: 20210018253Abstract: 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: October 5, 2020Publication date: January 21, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Lorraine J. Westlake