Patents by Inventor Michele Wilcox

Michele Wilcox 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: 11384976
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator body having an interior storage space. A door is coupled to the refrigerator body to open and close the interior storage space. A door handle is coupled to the door in a pivotally rotatable manner and an opening actuator is coupled to the door handle where the opening actuator applies a force to the refrigerator body to open the interior storage space. The opening actuator includes a front bezel, a handle pivot plate coupled to the door handle, a casing enclosing an actuator mechanism, and one or more pushers that extend and retract against a front wrapper edge of the refrigerator body. An intermediate attachment couples the handle pivot plate to the casing and a back bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Karen J. Querfurth, Pendyala Supreeth, Michele Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20200340732
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator body having an interior storage space. A door is coupled to the refrigerator body to open and close the interior storage space. A door handle is coupled to the door in a pivotally rotatable manner and an opening actuator is coupled to the door handle where the opening actuator applies a force to the refrigerator body to open the interior storage space. The opening actuator includes a front bezel, a handle pivot plate coupled to the door handle, a casing enclosing an actuator mechanism, and one or more pushers that extend and retract against a front wrapper edge of the refrigerator body. An intermediate attachment couples the handle pivot plate to the casing and a back bezel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 15, 2020
    Publication date: October 29, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karen J. Querfurth, Pendyala Supreeth, Michele Wilcox
  • Patent number: 10684063
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator body having an interior storage space. A door is coupled to the refrigerator body to open and close the interior storage space. A door handle is coupled to the door in a pivotally rotatable manner and an opening actuator is coupled to the door handle where the opening actuator applies a force to the refrigerator body to open the interior storage space. The opening actuator includes a front bezel, a handle pivot plate coupled to the door handle, a casing enclosing an actuator mechanism, and one or more pushers that extend and retract against a front wrapper edge of the refrigerator body. An intermediate attachment couples the handle pivot plate to the casing and a back bezel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Date of Patent: June 16, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Karen J. Querfurth, Pendyala Supreeth, Michele Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20170184337
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator body having an interior storage space. A door is coupled to the refrigerator body to open and close the interior storage space. A door handle is coupled to the door in a pivotally rotatable manner and an opening actuator is coupled to the door handle where the opening actuator applies a force to the refrigerator body to open the interior storage space. The opening actuator includes a front bezel, a handle pivot plate coupled to the door handle, a casing enclosing an actuator mechanism, and one or more pushers that extend and retract against a front wrapper edge of the refrigerator body. An intermediate attachment couples the handle pivot plate to the casing and a back bezel.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2016
    Publication date: June 29, 2017
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Karen J. Querfurth, Pendyala Supreeth, Michele Wilcox
  • Patent number: 9383133
    Abstract: An adjustable connector system for use in an appliance is provided, wherein the adjustable connector system includes a channel disposed on a surface of the appliance, an access aperture defined by a surface adjacent the channel, and a utility enabled connector at least partially received in the channel, and extending from the access aperture, wherein the utility enabled connector includes an elongated member configured to at least partially extend along the channel, and extend from the access aperture, and an interface adapted to supply at least one utility to a modular appliance configured to be removably attached to one of a plurality of removable attachment locations on the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2016
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Douglas D. Leclear, Karen J. Querfurth, Andrew M. Tenbarge, John J. Vonderhaar, Michele Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20150247665
    Abstract: An adjustable connector system for use in an appliance is provided, wherein the adjustable connector system includes a channel disposed on a surface of the appliance, an access aperture defined by a surface adjacent the channel, and a utility enabled connector at least partially received in the channel, and extending from the access aperture, wherein the utility enabled connector includes an elongated member configured to at least partially extend along the channel, and extend from the access aperture, and an interface adapted to supply at least one utility to a modular appliance configured to be removably attached to one of a plurality of removable attachment locations on the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2015
    Publication date: September 3, 2015
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Douglas D. Leclear, Karen J. Querfurth, Andrew M. Tenbarge, John J. Vonderhaar, Michele Wilcox
  • Patent number: 9033717
    Abstract: An adjustable connector system for use in an appliance is provided, wherein the adjustable connector system includes a channel disposed on a surface of the appliance, an access aperture defined by a surface adjacent the channel, and a utility enabled connector at least partially received in the channel, and extending from the access aperture, wherein the utility enabled connector includes an elongated member configured to at least partially extend along the channel, and extend from the access aperture, and an interface adapted to supply at least one utility to a modular appliance configured to be removably attached to one of a plurality of removable attachment locations on the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 19, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Douglas D. Leclear, Karen J. Querfurth, Andrew M. Tenbarge, John J. Vonderhaar, Michele Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20140150235
    Abstract: A refrigerating or freezing cabinet may include any number of drawers, bins, baskets, or other compartments. In at least one compartment at least one organizational partition is inserted to divide products and food substances within the at least one compartment of the refrigerating or freezing cabinet. The partition may be a plurality of shapes and sizes, and may have an attachment means to secure it within the refrigerating or freezing cabinet. An attachment means or clip may also be provided to secure products or food substances with the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2012
    Publication date: June 5, 2014
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Douglas D. LECLEAR, Karen J. QUERFURTH, Michele WILCOX
  • Publication number: 20140077489
    Abstract: An adjustable connector system for use in an appliance is provided, wherein the adjustable connector system includes a channel disposed on a surface of the appliance, an access aperture defined by a surface adjacent the channel, and a utility enabled connector at least partially received in the channel, and extending from the access aperture, wherein the utility enabled connector includes an elongated member configured to at least partially extend along the channel, and extend from the access aperture, and an interface adapted to supply at least one utility to a modular appliance configured to be removably attached to one of a plurality of removable attachment locations on the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2013
    Publication date: March 20, 2014
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: PAUL B. ALLARD, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, KAREN J. QUERFURTH, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, JOHN J. VONDERHAAR, MICHELE WILCOX
  • Patent number: 8591252
    Abstract: An adjustable connector system for use in an appliance is provided, wherein the adjustable connector system includes a channel disposed on a surface of the appliance, an access aperture defined by a surface adjacent the channel, and a utility enabled connector at least partially received in the channel, and extending from the access aperture, wherein the utility enabled connector includes an elongated member configured to at least partially extend along the channel, and extend from the access aperture, and an interface adapted to supply at least one utility to a modular appliance configured to be removably attached to one of a plurality of removable attachment locations on the appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 2, 2013
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, Douglas D. LeClear, Karen J. Querfurth, Andrew M Tenbarge, John Vonderhaar, Michele Wilcox
  • Publication number: 20090308770
    Abstract: An angled plant material transporter having a horizontal concave platform angled to elevate plant material contained in a plant material container. The angled horizontal concave platform is connected to an angled upright back platform and to upright side platforms to secure the plant material container securely and at an angle. A recessed platform is attached to the angled horizontal concave platform to receive and hold plant material debris and liquid that may fall from the plant material container above. The angled plant material transporter has a lock mechanism to secure more than one angled plant material transporter together along with a plurality of side and back openings to facilitate moving, lifting, and transporting plant material containers. The angled plant material transporter has an underside cavity that facilitates stacking more than one angled plant material transporter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 1, 2009
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Inventor: Michele Wilcox
  • Patent number: 7566105
    Abstract: A rigid divider in a refrigerated drawer is pivotably mounted between the side walls of the drawer and is movable between a first vertical position and a second horizontal position. In the second position, the divider acts as a shelf to support food items.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 28, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Timothy M. Janda, Michele Wilcox, Andrew M. Tenbarge, Karen J. Querfurth, Paul B. Allard
  • Publication number: 20060250062
    Abstract: A rigid divider in a refrigerated drawer is pivotably mounted between the side walls of the drawer and is movable between a first vertical position and a second horizontal position. In the second position, the divider acts as a shelf to support food items.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2005
    Publication date: November 9, 2006
    Inventors: Timothy Janda, Michele Wilcox, Andrew Tenbarge, Karen Querfurth, Paul Allard
  • Publication number: 20060086135
    Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2004
    Publication date: April 27, 2006
    Inventors: Guolian Wu, Kevin Chase, Marcus Fischer, Jim Pastryk, Shawn Olsson, Michele Wilcox, Jerry Visin, Martin Lewis
  • Publication number: 20050236946
    Abstract: A modular cabinet for a family of drawer appliances including an insulated liner defining a drawer space, a machine compartment, a wiring harness leading from the machine compartment to the drawer space, a passage leading from the machine compartment to the drawer space and an air passage leading from the machine compartment to the front of the cabinet and a drain leading from the liner space to the machine compartment. The family of drawer appliances can include refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, wine and warming drawers. A drawer can have two compartments and can be maintained at two temperatures. The drawers include an insulated front and a bin and can be slidably carried in the drawer space. The modular cabinet and control can be used for each member of the family of drawer appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Douglas LeClear, Paul Allard, Karen Querfurth, Andrew Tenbarge, Michele Wilcox, Chad Lange
  • Publication number: 20050236947
    Abstract: A modular cabinet for a family of drawer appliances including an insulated liner defining a drawer space, a machine compartment, a wiring harness leading from the machine compartment to the drawer space, a passage leading from the machine compartment to the drawer space and an air passage leading from the machine compartment to the front of the cabinet and a drain leading from the liner space to the machine compartment. The family of drawer appliances can include refrigerator, freezer, ice maker, wine and warming drawers. A drawer can have two compartments and can be maintained at two temperatures. The drawers include an insulated front and a bin and can be slidably carried in the drawer space. The modular cabinet and control can be used for each member of the family of drawer appliances.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 8, 2005
    Publication date: October 27, 2005
    Inventors: Douglas LeClear, Paul Allard, Karen Querfurth, Andrew Tenbarge, Michele Wilcox, Chad Lange