Patents by Inventor Paul B. Allard
Paul B. Allard 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: 10975999Abstract: An appliance includes a panel having a raised landing outwardly extending from a first surface of the panel. A vacuum port is disposed on the raised landing. A system of channels is disposed over the first surface of the panel and outwardly extends therefrom. The system of channels substantially covers the first surface of the panel. The first surface of the panel is covered with a filter member that covers the system of channels. The raised landing, and vacuum port thereof, is fluidically coupled to the system of channels at multiple connecting locations.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2020Date of Patent: April 13, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20210088403Abstract: An appliance includes a metallic liner and an outer metallic wrapper. An insulating cavity is defined between the metallic liner and outer metallic wrapper. The appliance further includes a pressure sensing device disposed within the cavity. The pressure sensing device is located to detect a pressure status and transmit the pressure status through at least one of the metallic liner and outer metallic wrapper.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 25, 2019Publication date: March 25, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sai B. Krishna, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 10914505Abstract: A method of fabricating a refrigerator cabinet or door includes forming a wrapper and an inner liner. The method further includes forming a vacuum insulated core comprising a permeable core material that is disposed inside an impermeable envelope. A sheet of prefabricated compressible foam material is positioned between the vacuum insulated core between the inner door liner and/or the door wrapper. The prefabricated compressible foam material may be cut from a sheet of foam having substantially uniform thickness prior to fabrication of the refrigerator door. The foam compresses to accommodate differences in spacing between the vacuum insulated core and the door wrapper and/or the door liner.Type: GrantFiled: June 12, 2019Date of Patent: February 9, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventor: Paul B. Allard
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Patent number: 10907882Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2018Date of Patent: February 2, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20210025539Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 7, 2020Publication date: January 28, 2021Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20210010742Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet is provided. The refrigerator cabinet includes an inner liner and an external wrapper. The inner liner is positioned within the external wrapper such that a gap is defined between the external wrapper and inner liner. A first insulator is positioned within the gap, and a second insulator is positioned within the gap. A pressure within the gap is below about 1000 Pa.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 30, 2020Publication date: January 14, 2021Applicant: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Abhay Naik
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Publication number: 20200406527Abstract: A method of fabricating a vacuum insulated appliance structure includes molding a first layer of a first polymer material. A second layer of a second polymer material is molded to (e.g. over) at least a portion of the first layer, and a third layer of a third polymer material is molded to (e.g. over) at least a portion of the second layer to form a first component. At least one of the layers is impervious to one or more gasses. One or more additional components are secured to the first component to form a vacuum cavity. The vacuum cavity is filled with a porous material, and the vacuum cavity is evacuated to form a vacuum.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 11, 2020Publication date: December 31, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Dustin M. Miller, Subrata Shannigrahi, Hua Liu
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Patent number: 10830384Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 11, 2016Date of Patent: November 10, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20200348072Abstract: A door panel includes an outer panel having a generally planar body portion with inner and outer surfaces and a sidewall with a front edge. An inner panel includes a generally planar body portion with inner and outer surfaces and a sidewall with a front edge. A trim breaker interconnects the outer panel and the inner panel to form a vacuum cavity therebetween. The trim breaker includes first and second upright members interconnected by upper and lower cross members. The trim breaker further includes an inner channel and an outer channel spaced-apart from one another around the trim breaker. The outer channel is outwardly disposed around the inner channel. The front edge of the inner panel is received in the inner channel of the trim breaker, and the front edge of the outer panel is received in the outer channel of the trim breaker.Type: ApplicationFiled: May 1, 2019Publication date: November 5, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Kamil EL Sayed, Lynne F. Hunter, Sai B. Krishna, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Karen J. Querfurth, Daniel Lottinville
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Publication number: 20200340613Abstract: An appliance includes a panel having a raised landing outwardly extending from a first surface of the panel. A vacuum port is disposed on the raised landing. A system of channels is disposed over the first surface of the panel and outwardly extends therefrom. The system of channels substantially covers the first surface of the panel. The first surface of the panel is covered with a filter member that covers the system of channels. The raised landing, and vacuum port thereof, is fluidically coupled to the system of channels at multiple connecting locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: July 10, 2020Publication date: October 29, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 10807298Abstract: A vacuum insulated appliance structure includes a molded first layer of a first polymer material. A second layer of a second polymer material is molded to (e.g. over) at least a portion of the first layer, and a third layer of a third polymer material is molded to (e.g. over) at least a portion of the second layer to form a first component. At least one of the layers is impervious to one or more gasses. One or more additional components are secured to the first component to form a vacuum cavity. The vacuum cavity is filled with a porous material, and the vacuum cavity is evacuated to form a vacuum.Type: GrantFiled: June 22, 2018Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Dustin M. Miller, Subrata Shannigrahi, Hua Liu
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Patent number: 10808987Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet is provided. The refrigerator cabinet includes an inner liner and an external wrapper. The inner liner is positioned within the external wrapper such that a gap is defined between the external wrapper and inner liner. A first insulator is positioned within the gap, and a second insulator is positioned within the gap. A pressure within the gap is below about 1000 Pa.Type: GrantFiled: November 29, 2016Date of Patent: October 20, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Abhay Naik
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Patent number: 10746343Abstract: An appliance includes a panel having a raised landing outwardly extending from a first surface of the panel. A vacuum port is disposed on the raised landing. A system of channels is disposed over the first surface of the panel and outwardly extends therefrom. The system of channels substantially covers the first surface of the panel. The first surface of the panel is covered with a filter member that covers the system of channels. The raised landing, and vacuum port thereof, is fluidically coupled to the system of channels at multiple connecting locations.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2018Date of Patent: August 18, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20200232593Abstract: A vacuum insulated structure includes a first panel having an inner surface defining an area. The first panel includes a vacuum port. A trim breaker interconnects the first panel with a second panel in an air-tight manner to define a vacuum cavity therebetween. A first filter member is disposed on and substantially covers the area of the inner surface of the first panel and the vacuum port of the first panel. A second filter member substantially covers the first filter member to define a channel therebetween. The channel includes an area commensurate with the area of the inner surface of the first panel. The first panel may also include a mesh member covered by a filter member to define a channel therebetween to improve evacuation time using the channel to evacuate the vacuum cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 21, 2019Publication date: July 23, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20200191468Abstract: A door panel for a refrigerating appliance includes an inner liner. An outer wrapper is attached to the inner liner and defines an insulating structure with an insulating cavity disposed therein. An insulating material is defined within the insulating cavity. A dispenser structure is defined within a central portion of the inner liner and the outer wrapper. The dispenser structure defines an insulated dispenser portion therein. A dispenser conduit extends from an interior area disposed above the dispenser structure to an external dispensing cavity and passing through the insulated dispenser portion.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 17, 2018Publication date: June 18, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Sarah Galea, Dustin M. Miller, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Publication number: 20200173711Abstract: A method of making an insulated cabinet for a refrigerator comprises: welding sheet metal to form an external wrapper, the external wrapper including an interior and welded areas with an outboard-facing side; welding sheet metal to form a first liner configured to be disposed within the interior of the external wrapper, the first liner including welded areas with an inboard-facing side; applying an adhesive to the outboard-facing side of the welded areas of the external wrapper; applying an adhesive to the inboard-facing side of the welded areas of the first liner; and disposing the first liner within the interior of the external wrapper, leaving a space between the first liner and the external wrapper.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 18, 2017Publication date: June 4, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Tao Liu, Hua Liu, Abhay Naik
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Patent number: 10663217Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vacuum insulated cabinet structure having side walls that are formed from a tube that has been folded/deformed into a structure having an “O” shape with vertically enlarged front and rear openings. The interior of the tube may be filled with silica powder or other filler, and a vacuum is formed within the tube. An insulated rear panel may be utilized to close off the rear opening of the vacuum insulated cabinet structure.Type: GrantFiled: October 26, 2017Date of Patent: May 26, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Steven J. Kuehl, Axel Julio Ramm, Guolian Wu, James W. Kendall, Nihat Cur, Paul B. Allard
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Patent number: 10612834Abstract: A vacuum insulated refrigerator structure being formed from a wrapper extending around a liner is provided. The liner is positioned inside of the wrapper to form a gap there between, and to form a cavity between the wrapper and the liner. An insulating thermal bridge is formed from molding one or more extruded rails to one or more corner pieces in an injection molding device. The insulating thermal bridge is coupled across the gap wherein the insulating thermal bridge includes elongated first and second channels wherein the first and second edges are inserted into the elongated first and second channels, respectively. A curable sealant is contacted to the elongated first and second channels and the cavity is at least partially filled with a porous material between the wrapper and the liner. A vacuum is formed in the cavity and the cavity is sealed to maintain the vacuum.Type: GrantFiled: July 26, 2016Date of Patent: April 7, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Gustavo Frattini, Alberto Regio Gomes, Lynne F. Hunter, Dustin M. Miller, Abhay Naik, Berhanu Allo
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Publication number: 20200103067Abstract: An appliance includes a panel having a raised landing outwardly extending from a first surface of the panel. A vacuum port is disposed on the raised landing. A system of channels is disposed over the first surface of the panel and outwardly extends therefrom. The system of channels substantially covers the first surface of the panel. The first surface of the panel is covered with a filter member that covers the system of channels. The raised landing, and vacuum port thereof, is fluidically coupled to the system of channels at multiple connecting locations.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 28, 2018Publication date: April 2, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Paul B. Allard, Jeffrey Beckner, Sunil S. Ekshinge, Abhay Naik, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak
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Patent number: 10563905Abstract: A refrigerating appliance includes a cabinet having an inner liner, an outer wrapper and a plastic trim breaker extending therebetween. A door panel is operable relative to the cabinet between open and closed positions. The door panel has a seal that magnetically engages a contact surface of the cabinet to define the closed position of the door panel. A ferromagnetic plate extends over a portion of the plastic trim breaker to define the contact surface. A heat loop is disposed between the trim breaker and the ferromagnetic plate, in thermal communication with the contact surface. The heat loop extends from the trim breaker to a machine compartment of the cabinet. The ferromagnetic plate includes a looped edge that defines a heating chase. The heat loop is positioned within the heating chase and extends to the machine compartment.Type: GrantFiled: September 13, 2018Date of Patent: February 18, 2020Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Paul B. Allard, Lynne F. Hunter, Daniel Lottinville, Giulia Marinello, Dustin M. Miller, Sanjesh Kumar Pathak