Patents by Inventor Mitchell L. Robertson

Mitchell L. Robertson 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: 11684194
    Abstract: A food processing system includes a base unit having a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof, a drive screw extending between and operably coupled on respective ends thereof with the gear housing and a support end of the frame arm, and a retention fitting extending from the gear housing. An input hub extends from the gear housing opposite the drive screw and the retention fitting and is 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 operably engaged with the drive screw. The system further includes a first cutting implement and a second cutting implement, each being alternately coupleable with the carrier.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20220330736
    Abstract: A food processing system includes a base unit having a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof, a drive screw extending between and operably coupled on respective ends thereof with the gear housing and a support end of the frame arm, and a retention fitting extending from the gear housing. An input hub extends from the gear housing opposite the drive screw and the retention fitting and is 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 operably engaged with the drive screw. The system further includes a first cutting implement and a second cutting implement, each being alternately coupleable with the carrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2022
    Publication date: October 20, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 11406214
    Abstract: A food processing device includes a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof to a support end, a drive screw extending between and operably coupled on respective ends thereof with a first face of the gear housing and the support end of the frame arm, and a retention hub operably coupled with the gear housing and extending generally parallel with and adjacent a portion of drive screw. The drive screw and the retention hub are linearly arranged with respect to the frame arm in sequential positions away from the first lateral side of the gear housing. The device further includes a carrier slidably coupled with the frame arm and operably engageable 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: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Date of Patent: August 9, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 11266272
    Abstract: A food processing container includes a food processing chamber and a cover assembly with a latch mechanism operable between latched and unlatched positions. The latch mechanism includes a first magnetic member disposed therein. An interlock assembly is disposed outside of and adjacent to the food processing chamber and includes a sealed cavity with a plunger member moveable disposed within the sealed cavity. The plunger is operable between at-rest and actuated positions within the sealed cavity and includes upper and lower magnetic members disposed at opposite ends of the plunger member. The plunger member moves to the actuated position as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position due to a repulsion force between the first magnetic member and the upper magnetic member, and further wherein the lower magnetic member moves into the lower portion of the sealed cavity as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 8, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Haney, Andria R. Nyenhuis, Mitchell L. Robertson, Joseph Snyder
  • Publication number: 20210093126
    Abstract: A food processing container includes a food processing chamber and a cover assembly with a latch mechanism operable between latched and unlatched positions. The latch mechanism includes a first magnetic member disposed therein. An interlock assembly is disposed outside of and adjacent to the food processing chamber and includes a sealed cavity with a plunger member moveable disposed within the sealed cavity. The plunger is operable between at-rest and actuated positions within the sealed cavity and includes upper and lower magnetic members disposed at opposite ends of the plunger member. The plunger member moves to the actuated position as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position due to a repulsion force between the first magnetic member and the upper magnetic member, and further wherein the lower magnetic member moves into the lower portion of the sealed cavity as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2020
    Publication date: April 1, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward Haney, Andria R. Nyenhuis, Mitchell L. Robertson, Joseph Snyder
  • Patent number: 10939784
    Abstract: A food processing container includes a food processing chamber and a cover assembly with a latch mechanism operable between latched and unlatched positions. The latch mechanism includes a first magnetic member disposed therein. An interlock assembly is disposed outside of and adjacent to the food processing chamber and includes a sealed cavity with a plunger member moveable disposed within the sealed cavity. The plunger is operable between at-rest and actuated positions within the sealed cavity and includes upper and lower magnetic members disposed at opposite ends of the plunger member. The plunger member moves to the actuated position as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position due to a repulsion force between the first magnetic member and the upper magnetic member, and further wherein the lower magnetic member moves into the lower portion of the sealed cavity as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Haney, Andria R. Nyenhuis, Mitchell L. Robertson, Joseph Snyder
  • Publication number: 20210000281
    Abstract: A food processing device includes a gear housing, a frame arm extending from the gear housing on a first lateral side thereof to a support end, a drive screw extending between and operably coupled on respective ends thereof with a first face of the gear housing and the support end of the frame arm, and a retention hub operably coupled with the gear housing and extending generally parallel with and adjacent a portion of drive screw. The drive screw and the retention hub are linearly arranged with respect to the frame arm in sequential positions away from the first lateral side of the gear housing. The device further includes a carrier slidably coupled with the frame arm and operably engageable 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: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2020
    Publication date: January 7, 2021
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: 10820735
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2015
    Date of Patent: November 3, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Publication number: 20200170449
    Abstract: A food processing container includes a food processing chamber and a cover assembly with a latch mechanism operable between latched and unlatched positions. The latch mechanism includes a first magnetic member disposed therein. An interlock assembly is disposed outside of and adjacent to the food processing chamber and includes a sealed cavity with a plunger member moveable disposed within the sealed cavity. The plunger is operable between at-rest and actuated positions within the sealed cavity and includes upper and lower magnetic members disposed at opposite ends of the plunger member. The plunger member moves to the actuated position as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position due to a repulsion force between the first magnetic member and the upper magnetic member, and further wherein the lower magnetic member moves into the lower portion of the sealed cavity as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Publication date: June 4, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward Haney, Andria R. Nyenhuis, Mitchell L. Robertson, Joseph Snyder
  • Patent number: 10610055
    Abstract: A food processing container includes a food processing chamber and a cover assembly with a latch mechanism operable between latched and unlatched positions. The latch mechanism includes a first magnetic member disposed therein. An interlock assembly is disposed outside of and adjacent to the food processing chamber and includes a sealed cavity with a plunger member moveable disposed within the sealed cavity. The plunger is operable between at-rest and actuated positions within the sealed cavity and includes upper and lower magnetic members disposed at opposite ends of the plunger member. The plunger member moves to the actuated position as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position due to a repulsion force between the first magnetic member and the upper magnetic member, and further wherein the lower magnetic member moves into the lower portion of the sealed cavity as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 7, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Edward Haney, Andria R. Nyenhuis, Mitchell L. Robertson, Joseph Snyder
  • Patent number: 10213756
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard J. Brotzki, Michael P. Conti, Steven C. Drees, Edward Haney, Paul S. Paget, Mitchell L. Robertson, Timothy Patrick Vanantwerp, Jeremy T. Wolters
  • Publication number: 20180078094
    Abstract: A food processing container includes a food processing chamber and a cover assembly with a latch mechanism operable between latched and unlatched positions. The latch mechanism includes a first magnetic member disposed therein. An interlock assembly is disposed outside of and adjacent to the food processing chamber and includes a sealed cavity with a plunger member moveable disposed within the sealed cavity. The plunger is operable between at-rest and actuated positions within the sealed cavity and includes upper and lower magnetic members disposed at opposite ends of the plunger member. The plunger member moves to the actuated position as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position due to a repulsion force between the first magnetic member and the upper magnetic member, and further wherein the lower magnetic member moves into the lower portion of the sealed cavity as the latch mechanism moves to the latched position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 21, 2016
    Publication date: March 22, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Edward Haney, Andria R. Nyenhuis, Mitchell L. Robertson, Joseph Snyder
  • Publication number: 20180028991
    Abstract: 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: Application
    Filed: October 11, 2017
    Publication date: February 1, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Bernard J. Brotzki, Michael P. Conti, Steven C. Drees, Edward Haney, Paul S. Paget, Mitchell L. Robertson, Timothy Patrick Vanantwerp, Jeremy T. Wolters
  • Patent number: 9815037
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: October 7, 2014
    Date of Patent: November 14, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpook Corporation
    Inventors: Bernard J. Brotzki, Michael P. Conti, Steven C. Drees, Edward Haney, Paul S. Paget, Mitchell L. Robertson, Timothy Patrick Vanantwerp, Jeremy T. Wolters
  • Patent number: 9675101
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: March 14, 2014
    Date of Patent: June 13, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael P. Conti, Everett Sidney Kettle, Zachary A. Lownds, Leif A. Norland, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: D901970
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2020
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: D919365
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 20, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: D939272
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: D990976
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 29, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson
  • Patent number: D1011833
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 23, 2023
    Date of Patent: January 23, 2024
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kaitlyn M. Benoit, Michael P. Conti, John Dykhouse, Timothy J. Hicks, Mitchell L. Robertson