Patents by Inventor Michael P. Conti
Michael P. Conti 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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Patent number: 10433577Abstract: A juicing system with a drive mechanism and a juicer assembly, where the juicer assembly includes a main housing defining a cavity. An auger having a top portion and a bottom portion is within the cavity. The auger is operably connected at one of the top portion or the bottom portion to the drive mechanism to rotate the auger. A rotatable cutting blade is disposed at the top portion of the auger to cut food inserted into the cavity. A juicing basket is disposed within the cavity, radially outwardly from the auger. The juicing basket has at least one screen with apertures therethrough of varying sizes. Food is pressed by the auger against the juicing basket to squeeze juice and pulp through the apertures. The pulp exits through a pulp chute, having a upper portion, lower portion, and check valve therebetween which is easily removable for cleaning and clog removal.Type: GrantFiled: January 27, 2015Date of Patent: October 8, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Fred Bournay, Jr., Michael P. Conti, Jason M. Cassar
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Patent number: 10427116Abstract: A stirring wand is configured for selective engagement with a mixing device. The stirring wand comprises a substantially vertical portion having an upper end and a lower end, a first tapered surface that includes a first pitch angle proximate the upper end of the substantially vertical portion and a second pitch angle proximate the lower end of the substantially vertical portion, a substantially horizontal portion having a base and a distal tip, and a second tapered surface extending from the base to the distal tip. The second tapered surface includes a third pitch angle proximate the base and a fourth pitch angle proximate the tip.Type: GrantFiled: September 20, 2017Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Daniel A. Altenritter, Michael P. Conti, Christopher A. Gregory, Bryce K. Porter
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Patent number: 10213756Abstract: A blending appliance includes a housing with a jar receiving area defined between an upper housing and a support base. A blender jar includes a base portion and a receptacle portion, and is configured to be laterally received within the jar receiving area of the housing. A magnetic coupling system includes an upper magnetic coupler disposed in the base portion of the blender jar and a lower magnetic coupler disposed in the support base of the housing. The upper and lower magnetic couplers are magnetically coupled to one another for driving a blade assembly disposed in the receptacle portion of the blender jar. A brake mechanism is disposed on the upper magnetic coupler and is configured to stop rotation of the upper magnetic coupler when the blender jar is removed from the jar receiving area.Type: GrantFiled: October 11, 2017Date of Patent: February 26, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Bernard J. Brotzki, Michael P. Conti, Steven C. Drees, Edward Haney, Paul S. Paget, Mitchell L. Robertson, Timothy Patrick Vanantwerp, Jeremy T. Wolters
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Publication number: 20180353016Abstract: A cooking and processing appliance includes a container having a lid and a stirring mechanism for rotating at least one processing attachment of a plurality of processing attachments, a housing having a receptacle for receiving the container and having a motor in communication with the stirring mechanism, a heating structure disposed within the housing and a wall of the container, a heating activation system included within the housing and the container, wherein the heating structure defines a heating-active state when the container is received within the receptacle, a mixing activation system, wherein the motor defines a mixing active state when the container is received within the receptacle and the lid is in a closed position and a control in communication with the heating structure and the stirring mechanism.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 21, 2018Publication date: December 13, 2018Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, Jeffrey Loebig, Wan Liang
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Patent number: 10085599Abstract: A cooking and processing appliance includes a container having a lid and a stirring mechanism for rotating at least one processing attachment of a plurality of processing attachments, a housing having a receptacle for receiving the container and having a motor in communication with the stirring mechanism, a heating structure disposed within the housing and a wall of the container, a heating activation system included within the housing and the container, wherein the heating structure defines a heating-active state when the container is received within the receptacle, a mixing activation system, wherein the motor defines a mixing active state when the container is received within the receptacle and the lid is in a closed position and a control in communication with the heating structure and the stirring mechanism.Type: GrantFiled: June 19, 2015Date of Patent: October 2, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, Wan Liang, Jeffrey Loebig
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Publication number: 20180220828Abstract: A food processing device includes a base portion with a motor housing upwardly extending from a first end of the base portion. A motor is disposed within the motor housing. A processing assembly extends upwardly from a second end of the base portion and is spaced-apart from the motor housing to define a processing area therebetween. An auger assembly includes an auger shaft that is operably coupled to the motor for driving rotational movement of the auger shaft. A clutch assembly is disposed within the motor housing and is operable between engaged and disengaged positions with the auger assembly. A disconnect feature is disposed on the motor housing and configured to selectively actuate movement of the clutch assembly between engaged and disengaged positions with the auger assembly. In use, a food substrate is mounted to the processing accessory and the auger shaft to process the food substrate.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2016Publication date: August 9, 2018Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Michael P. Conti, Mansour Ourasanah
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Publication number: 20180028991Abstract: A blending appliance includes a housing with a jar receiving area defined between an upper housing and a support base. A blender jar includes a base portion and a receptacle portion, and is configured to be laterally received within the jar receiving area of the housing. A magnetic coupling system includes an upper magnetic coupler disposed in the base portion of the blender jar and a lower magnetic coupler disposed in the support base of the housing. The upper and lower magnetic couplers are magnetically coupled to one another for driving a blade assembly disposed in the receptacle portion of the blender jar. A brake mechanism is disposed on the upper magnetic coupler and is configured to stop rotation of the upper magnetic coupler when the blender jar is removed from the jar receiving area.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 11, 2017Publication date: February 1, 2018Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Bernard J. Brotzki, Michael P. Conti, Steven C. Drees, Edward Haney, Paul S. Paget, Mitchell L. Robertson, Timothy Patrick Vanantwerp, Jeremy T. Wolters
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Publication number: 20180001283Abstract: A stirring wand is configured for selective engagement with a mixing device. The stirring wand comprises a substantially vertical portion having an upper end and a lower end, a first tapered surface that includes a first pitch angle proximate the upper end of the substantially vertical portion and a second pitch angle proximate the lower end of the substantially vertical portion, a substantially horizontal portion having a base and a distal tip, and a second tapered surface extending from the base to the distal tip. The second tapered surface includes a third pitch angle proximate the base and a fourth pitch angle proximate the tip.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 20, 2017Publication date: January 4, 2018Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Daniel A. Altenritter, Michael P. Conti, Christopher A. Gregory, Bryce K. Porter
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Patent number: 9815037Abstract: A blending appliance includes a housing with a jar receiving area defined between an upper housing and a support base. A blender jar includes a base portion and a receptacle portion, and is configured to be laterally received within the jar receiving area of the housing. A magnetic coupling system includes an upper magnetic coupler disposed in the base portion of the blender jar and a lower magnetic coupler disposed in the support base of the housing. The upper and lower magnetic couplers are magnetically coupled to one another for driving a blade assembly disposed in the receptacle portion of the blender jar. A brake mechanism is disposed on the upper magnetic coupler and is configured to stop rotation of the upper magnetic coupler when the blender jar is removed from the jar receiving area.Type: GrantFiled: October 7, 2014Date of Patent: November 14, 2017Assignee: Whirlpook CorporationInventors: Bernard J. Brotzki, Michael P. Conti, Steven C. Drees, Edward Haney, Paul S. Paget, Mitchell L. Robertson, Timothy Patrick Vanantwerp, Jeremy T. Wolters
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Patent number: 9808774Abstract: A stirring wand is configured for selective engagement with a mixing device. The stirring wand comprises a substantially vertical portion having an upper end and a lower end, a first tapered surface that includes a first pitch angle proximate the upper end of the substantially vertical portion and a second pitch angle proximate the lower end of the substantially vertical portion, a substantially horizontal portion having a base and a distal tip, and a second tapered surface extending from the base to the distal tip. The second tapered surface includes a third pitch angle proximate the base and a fourth pitch angle proximate the tip.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2013Date of Patent: November 7, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Michael P. Conti
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Patent number: 9693649Abstract: A cooking appliance kit includes a housing having a plurality of walls defining a heating cavity. A cooking vessel is configured to be inserted into the heating cavity. The cooking vessel includes a first rounded end, a second rounded end, and an intermediate necked portion that defines first and second wells that at least partially intersect. First and second distinct heater plates are disposed in the first and second wells, respectively. First and second drive arms are removable coupled to the housing in an operable communication with the drive system. The first drive arm includes a flipping wand and the second drive arm includes a stirring wand.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2013Date of Patent: July 4, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael P. Conti, Christopher A. Gregory
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Patent number: 9687103Abstract: A cooking appliance kit includes a housing having a plurality of walls defining a heating cavity. A cooking vessel is configured to be inserted into the heating cavity. The cooking vessel includes a first rounded end, a second rounded end, and an intermediate necked portion that defines first and second wells that at least partially intersect. First and second distinct heater plates are disposed in the first and second wells, respectively. First and second drive arms are removable coupled to the housing in an operable communication with the drive system. The first drive arm includes a flipping wand and the second drive arm includes a stirring wand.Type: GrantFiled: November 1, 2013Date of Patent: June 27, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael P. Conti, Christopher A. Gregory, Bryce K. Porter, Daniel A. Altenritter, Mark J. Sherman
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Patent number: 9675101Abstract: A juicing system with a drive mechanism and a juicer assembly, where the juicer assembly includes a main housing defining a cavity. A lid encloses a top portion of the cavity and has an opening therethrough. An auger is disposed within the cavity and has a top portion and a bottom portion. The auger is operably connected at one of the top portion or the bottom portion to the drive mechanism to rotate the auger. A rotatable cutting blade is disposed at the top portion of the auger. The rotatable cutting blade cuts foods inserted into the cavity through the opening. A juicing basket is disposed within the cavity, radially outwardly from the auger. The juicing basket has at least one screen with apertures therethrough of varying sizes. Food is pressed by the auger against the juicing basket to squeeze juice and pulp through the apertures.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: June 13, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael P. Conti, Everett Sidney Kettle, Zachary A. Lownds, Leif A. Norland, Mitchell L. Robertson
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Publication number: 20170135526Abstract: A juicing system with a drive mechanism and a juicer assembly, where the juicer assembly includes a main housing defining a cavity. A lid encloses a top portion of the cavity and has an opening therethrough. An auger is disposed within the cavity and has a top portion and a bottom portion. The auger is operably connected at one of the top portion or the bottom portion to the drive mechanism to rotate the auger. A rotatable cutting blade is disposed at the top portion of the auger. The rotatable cutting blade cuts foods inserted into the cavity through the opening. A juicing basket is disposed within the cavity, radially outwardly from the auger. The juicing basket has at least one screen with apertures therethrough of varying sizes. Food is pressed by the auger against the juicing basket to squeeze juice and pulp through the apertures.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2017Publication date: May 18, 2017Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Michael P. Conti, Everett Sidney Kettle, Casey L. McCuan, Leif A. Norland, Mitchell L. Robertson
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Publication number: 20170080592Abstract: A food processor includes a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are advanced into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by a blade assembly. A rotating disk is adjustable relative to the blade assembly to vary the thickness of the food items cut by the blade assembly.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2016Publication date: March 23, 2017Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Kevin James Beber, Alex R. Oliveira, Fernando R. Oliveira, Eric Tauzer, Joao Paulo M. Goncalves, David J. Gushwa, Yung Leong Hin, Jeffrey Carl Loebig, Euan Skinner MacLeod, Qu Zhi Jie, Michael P. Conti, Thomas Allen Gillette, Brent A. Rowland, Jeremy T. Wolters
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Patent number: 9572458Abstract: In a food processing device, an adjustable food processing tool includes a central hub having a fixed blade and an articulating blade extending outwardly therefrom. The articulating blade is adjustable relative to a pitch of the blade between substantially vertical and horizontal positions. An external adjustment assembly is disposed on a base unit of the food processing device for adjusting the pitch of the articulating blade, wherein the pitch of the articulating blade can be adjusted while a food processing procedure is being conducted. The adjustable food processing tool is configurable between a chopping configuration and a stir configuration, thereby providing for a single food processing tool that can be used for a multitude of food processing functions.Type: GrantFiled: March 26, 2014Date of Patent: February 21, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Michael P. Conti
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Patent number: 9556916Abstract: A clutch mechanism includes first and second shafts having a drive system disposed therebetween, wherein the first shaft is coupled to a drive mechanism. A fixed clutch plate is disposed on the second shaft and includes a plurality of ramped members disposed thereon. An attachment shaft includes a slip clutch plate disposed on a first end and having a plurality of ramped members adapted to releasably couple with the plurality of ramped members disposed on the fixed clutch plate. The slip clutch plate is operable between engaged and disengaged positions relative to the fixed clutch plate and a biasing mechanism is disposed on the attachment shaft and configured to bias the slip clutch plate towards the engaged position. The biasing mechanism is further configured to be overcome when a torque force of a predetermined load is realized on the attachment shaft.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: January 31, 2017Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael P. Conti, Everett Sidney Kettle, Leif A. Norland, Mitchell L. Robertson, Casey L. McCuan
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Patent number: 9522399Abstract: A food processor includes a bowl with a removable lid. Food items are advanced into the bowl through a feed tube formed in the lid where they are cut by a cutting assembly. The cutting assembly is positionable between a plurality of cutting positions to produce cut food items of varying thicknesses. The food processor includes an adjustment assembly operable to move the cutting assembly between the plurality of cutting positions. The adjustment assembly includes a user-operated control device that is secured to the cutting assembly. The user-operated control device extends through a slot defined in the removable lid such that an upper end of the user-operated control device is positioned outside of the processing chamber.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: December 20, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael P. Conti, Thomas Gillette, David J. Gushwa, Duane M. Kobos, Anthony Roberts, Nicholas Stuart
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Patent number: 9468339Abstract: A blending appliance having a housing includes a motor compartment and a jar receiving portion spaced laterally from the motor compartment. The housing includes an upper retaining member and a support pad extending outwardly from the housing, such that a jar receiving portion is defined therebetween. A motor is disposed in the motor compartment. A jar includes a lid with a feed chute. Together, the jar and lid are configured for reception in the jar receiving portion of the housing. The lid is vertically secured onto the jar by the upper retaining member upon reception of the jar into the jar receiving portion.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2014Date of Patent: October 18, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Michael P. Conti, Steve C. Drees, Brandon T. Mock, Leif A. Norland, Paul S. Paget, Mitchell L. Robertson
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Publication number: 20160255982Abstract: A food processing device includes a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof, and a drive screw operably coupled on respective ends thereof with the gear housing and a support end. The device further includes a retention hub operably coupled with the gear housing and extending generally parallel with and adjacent a portion of drive screw and an input hub extending from the gear housing opposite the drive screw and the retention hub and operably engaged with both the drive screw and the retention hub to drive synchronized rotational movement thereof with respect to the gear housing. A carrier is slidably coupled with the frame arm and is further operably engaged with the drive screw such that the rotational movement thereof drives corresponding linear movement of the carrier along the frame arm. The carrier defines at least one cutting implement thereon.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 30, 2015Publication date: September 8, 2016Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson