Patents by Inventor Michael J. Eveland

Michael J. Eveland 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).

  • Patent number: 10132558
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Coporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons
  • Publication number: 20180149419
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. EVELAND, STEVEN G. HERNDON, TODD E. KNIFFEN, BILL J. KOONS
  • Patent number: 9927167
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons
  • Publication number: 20170074580
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. EVELAND, STEVEN G. HERNDON, TODD E. KNIFFEN, BILL J. KOONS
  • Patent number: 9534825
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons
  • Publication number: 20150135762
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. EVELAND, STEVEN G. HERNDON, TODD E. KNIFFEN, BILL J. KOONS
  • Patent number: 8966926
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons
  • Patent number: 8608263
    Abstract: A storage/dispensing compartment includes a front wall portion, a rear wall portion, a bottom wall portion and opposing side wall portions that collectively define a storage zone. The storage/dispensing compartment further includes a mounting element that is arranged on an underside of the bottom wall portion. The mounting element cooperates with a mounting member to position and secure the storage compartment in a storage cavity of a chiller compartment arranged on a refrigerator door. The storage/dispensing compartment, constructed in accordance with one embodiment, includes first and second, laterally arranged storage zones, each having respective inlet and outlet portions and a plurality of divider walls. The divider walls establish a serpentine path that extends from the inlet portion to the outlet portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Russ B. Peter, Dennis E. Winders
  • Patent number: 7651182
    Abstract: A storage unit for a refrigerator door includes an adjustable retainer assembly that can be positioned to accommodate food containers having varying widths. The storage unit includes a bottom portion and opposing side portions that define a storage cavity. The retainer assembly is sized to be received by the storage cavity. More specifically, the retainer assembly includes a base member that includes a bottom portion and opposing side portions. Each of the opposing side portions is provided with an adjustment elements. The retainer assembly also includes a retainer bar that includes a retaining surface that extends to two opposing side members. Each of the opposing sided members includes a detent element that enables the retainer bar to interconnect with the base member. In this manner, each of the opposing side members can be independently adjusted relative to the base member in order to conform to food containers having varying widths.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 26, 2010
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Jonathan J. Tiemeier
  • Publication number: 20090277210
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. EVELAND, STEVEN G. HERNDON, TODD E. KNIFFEN, BILL J. KOONS
  • Publication number: 20090195136
    Abstract: An extending vertical wall is provided that secures to the rear edge of a shelf assembly inside a refrigerator compartment. The vertical wall comprises a vertical panel with two downwardly protruding legs. The legs removably reside within sockets included in the rear edge of the refrigerator shelf assembly. When the vertical wall is attached to the refrigerator shelf assembly, the vertical wall prevents items placed on the shelf from toppling off the back edge of the shelf assembly. At the user's discretion, the vertical wall may be quickly and easily removed from the shelf assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the wall is a formed retainer having an inserted U-shape such that the legs are received in the shelf sockets.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2009
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: MAYTAG CORPORATION
    Inventors: FORREST F. WING, JOHN J. PINK, ERIC S. SVENBY, MICHAEL J. EVELAND, TODD E. KNIFFEN, RAVI K. SAWHNEY, TIMOTHY MARK NUGENT, JOHN FRANK ZINNI
  • Patent number: 7568583
    Abstract: An extending vertical wall secures to the rear edge of a shelf assembly inside a refrigerator compartment. The vertical wall comprises a vertical panel with two downwardly protruding legs. The legs removably reside within sockets included in the rear edge of the refrigerator shelf assembly. When the vertical wall is attached to the refrigerator shelf assembly, the vertical wall prevents items placed on the shelf from toppling off the back edge of the shelf assembly. At the user's discretion, the vertical wall may be quickly and easily removed from the shelf assembly. In an alternative embodiment, the wall is a formed retainer having an inserted U-shape such that the legs are received in the shelf sockets.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Forrest F. Wing, John J. Pink, Eric S. Svenby, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, Ravi K. Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni
  • Patent number: 7491327
    Abstract: A refrigerator water filter assembly is provided in the ceiling of a refrigerator and is adapted to hinge downwardly from the ceiling for changing the filter cartridge. The cartridge is normally partially recessed within the ceiling so as to minimize the use of space in the food compartment of the refrigerator. The filter assembly includes a base mounted in the refrigerator ceiling, a manifold pivotally mounted on the base, a filter cartridge attached to the manifold, and a cover pivotally mounted on the manifold so as to be movable between open and closed positions. When the cover is opened, the filter cartridge is angled downwardly from the ceiling for easy grasping by a person for replacement of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Jenkins, Jr., David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, John Frank Zinni, Timothy Mark Nugent, Ravi Kumar Sawhney
  • Patent number: 7083725
    Abstract: A refrigerator water filter assembly is provided in the ceiling of a refrigerator and is adapted to hinge downwardly from the ceiling for changing the filter cartridge. The cartridge is normally partially recessed within the ceiling so as to minimize the use of space in the food compartment of the refrigerator. The filter assembly includes a base mounted in the refrigerator ceiling, a manifold pivotally mounted on the base, a filter cartridge attached to the manifold, and a cover pivotally mounted on the manifold so as to be movable between open and closed positions. When the cover is opened, the filter cartridge is angled downwardly from the ceiling for easy grasping by a person for replacement of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2005
    Date of Patent: August 1, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Jenkins, Jr., David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, John Frank Zinni, Timothy Mark Nugent, Ravi Kumar Sawhney
  • Patent number: 7073876
    Abstract: An appliance, such as a refrigerator, is provided with a door handle with colored caps for covering the door handle fasteners. The caps are exchangeable with other caps having different colors, as chosen by the consumer. The refrigerator also includes storage buckets, shelves and drawers with colored trim pieces which are exchangeable with different colored trim pieces, as well as a water dispenser having a colored actuation button and a colored sump tray, both of which can be exchanged with different colored buttons and trays.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Forrest F. Wing, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, Thomas E. Gose, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni
  • Patent number: 7070249
    Abstract: An improved door bucket assembly is provided for a refrigerator or freezer door. The assembly includes a bucket pivotally mounted in a retainer mounted in the door, such that the bucket is movable between an upright position and tilt-out position. The bucket is open at the top such that items stored in the bucket are accessible when the bucket is in both the upright and tilt-out positions. A stop member limits the tilt-out movement of the bucket to 30°–45°. A clip on the retainer releasably engages a tab on the bucket to prevent accidental tilt-out of the bucket during movement of the door between open and closed positions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Scott W. Leimkuehler, Roger K. Bush, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, J. Michael Nurre, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni
  • Patent number: 7056435
    Abstract: A refrigerator water filter assembly is provided in the ceiling of a refrigerator and is adapted to hinge downwardly from the ceiling for changing the filter cartridge. The cartridge is normally partially recessed within the ceiling so as to minimize the use of space in the food compartment of the refrigerator. The filter assembly includes a base mounted in the refrigerator ceiling, a manifold pivotally mounted on the base, a filter cartridge attached to the manifold, and a cover pivotally mounted on the manifold so as to be movable between open and closed positions. When the cover is opened, the filter cartridge is angled downwardly from the ceiling for easy grasping by a person for replacement of the cartridge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: James H. Jenkins, David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, John Frank Zinni, Timothy Mark Nugent, Ravi Kumar Sawhney
  • Patent number: 6983615
    Abstract: A chiller compartment is provided that secures to the inside of a refrigerator door. The chiller compartment includes a pair of french doors that are connected by a linkage that causes the doors to simultaneously open or close. The french doors of the chiller compartment open and close automatically when the refrigerator door is open and shut. The chiller compartment also includes a tray of sufficient height to secure tall beverages or food items and prevent such items from toppling out of the chiller compartment while the refrigerator door is opened or closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Dennis E. Winders, Eric S. Svenby, Jonathan J. Tiemeier, David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni, Raymond J. Chekal
  • Patent number: 6959480
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for securing a handle to a door includes a first clip fastened to the door, a second clip fastened to the door and a handle clamped to the door by the first and second clips. The clip has a flat surface with an aperture therethrough and two wings at one end. A bent or beveled portion at the other end of the flat surface allows the clip to clamp the inner wall of the handle. A fastener, such as a screw, is placed through the aperture in the clip and into the exterior surface of the door to secure the clip and the handle to the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 1, 2005
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Forrest F. Wing, Thomas Edward Gose, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen
  • Patent number: D527749
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 11, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Russ B. Peter, Dennis E. Winders