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).

  • Publication number: 20210404735
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 25, 2020
    Publication date: December 30, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik, Sanket Phalak
  • Publication number: 20210356195
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: November 30, 2017
    Publication date: November 18, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Lynne F. Hunter, Hua Liu, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
  • Publication number: 20210325106
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 28, 2021
    Publication date: October 21, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Giulia Marinello, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Julia B. Burke, Daniel Chow, Abhay Naik
  • Patent number: 11150008
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Date of Patent: October 19, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Sanket Vivek Phalak, Aaron Michael Stewart
  • Publication number: 20210291490
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Publication date: September 23, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20210247125
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: April 26, 2021
    Publication date: August 12, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Giulia Marinello, Lynne F. Hunter, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Alberto R. Gomes, Joseph M. Keres
  • Patent number: 11079171
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 3, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Giulia Marinello, Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Julia B. Burke, Daniel Chow, Abhay Naik
  • Publication number: 20210222944
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: January 16, 2020
    Publication date: July 22, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Arunkumar Harikrishnasamy, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Sanket Vivek Phalak, Aaron Michael Stewart
  • Patent number: 11065842
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: September 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 20, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20210207878
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: March 22, 2021
    Publication date: July 8, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lakshya J. Deka, Lynne F. Hunter, Hua Liu, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Paul B. Allard, Eric J. Dherde
  • Patent number: 11022364
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Giulia Marinello, Lynne F. Hunter, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Alberto R. Gomes, Joseph M. Keres
  • Publication number: 20210148628
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: May 23, 2018
    Publication date: May 20, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Daniel Lottinville, Lynne F Hunter, Karen J. Querfurth, Aaron M. Stewart
  • Publication number: 20210123663
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Lynne F. Hunter, Raffaella Gropallo, Giulia Marinello
  • Publication number: 20210123659
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2020
    Publication date: April 29, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Eric J. Dherde, Michael A. Fiori, Lynne F. Hunter
  • Patent number: 10914510
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 22, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lynne F. Hunter, Raffaella Gropallo, Giulia Marinello
  • Patent number: 10914514
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lynne F. Hunter, Narendra A. Kapure, Abhay Naik, Manjunathraddi Navalgund, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Sanket V. Phalak
  • Patent number: 10907883
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Eric J. Dherde, Michael A. Fiori, Lynne F. Hunter
  • Patent number: 10907889
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: August 8, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Giulia Marinello, Lynne F. Hunter, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak, Alberto R. Gomes
  • Publication number: 20210025539
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2020
    Publication date: January 28, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: 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
  • Publication number: 20210018253
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 5, 2020
    Publication date: January 21, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Alberto R. Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Abhay Naik, Lorraine J. Westlake