Patents by Inventor Richard A. Sunshine

Richard A. Sunshine 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: 8033038
    Abstract: An ironing station having an ironing board stowably mounted in the cabinet for movement between a stowed position and a use position, with a docking station provided on the top wall of the cabinet and having an electrical outlet. An elevation mechanism may be provided for raising the ironing board to an elevated position, and a latch mechanism may be provided for fixing the ironing board in the elevated position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lorraine L. Achterberg, James William Kendall, David M. Miller, Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., William J. Schill, Jr., Richard A. Sunshine, Ameresh Babu Viswanathan, Vicki Lyn Wyatt
  • Patent number: 8033037
    Abstract: An ironing station has a cabinet defining an interior space, an accessible storage area defined within the interior space of the cabinet, an ironing board stowably mounted in the cabinet for movement between a stowed position and a use position. The ironing board can be coupled to the cabinet via a non-vertical guide rail. A handle can be coupled to the ironing board to aid a user in moving the ironing board between the stowed and use positions. A multi-position docking station can be provided on the top wall of the cabinet for receiving an iron. A cover can be provided for selectively covering the docking station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lorraine L. Achterberg, James William Kendall, David M. Miller, Ronald M. Nowell, Jr., William J. Schill, Jr., Richard A. Sunshine, Ameresh Babu Viswanathan, Vicki Lyn Wyatt
  • Patent number: 7913419
    Abstract: A non-tumble dryer comprises a cabinet and a drawer configured to support an article to be dried and slidably mounted to the cabinet. An air supply system provides air to a drying chamber formed at least partially by one of the cabinet and the drawer for drying the article supported by the drawer. The non-tumble dryer can function as a pedestal whereby the top of the cabinet can be configured to support a laundry appliance in an elevated position. Alternatively, the cabinet can overlie one or more laundry appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 29, 2011
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Donald M. Tomasi, Robert W. Meyer, Matthew D. Rhodes, Richard A. Sunshine
  • Publication number: 20110041564
    Abstract: An appliance system that includes an appliance group containing at least two appliances, a first appliance designed to perform a first consumer function related to the first appliance and a second appliance that is separate from the first appliance and designed to perform a second consumer function related to the second appliance. The appliance system also includes a thermal energy generator, typically a heat pump, where the thermal energy heats at least one thermal energy bearing fluid and is operably connected to the first and second appliances to deliver thermal energy to the first and second appliances simultaneously or at different times via one or more of the thermal energy bearing fluids.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2010
    Publication date: February 24, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: BRUCE C. BEIHOFF, NIHAT O. CUR, KIRK M. DUNSBERGEN, JOEL A. LUCKMAN, RICHARD A. SUNSHINE, TAO XIE
  • Publication number: 20110016738
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance and a method for operating a laundry treating appliance having a rotatable drum defining a chamber for receiving laundry. The operation of the laundry treating appliance may be based on the mechanical energy due to the falling action of the laundry.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 22, 2009
    Publication date: January 27, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: FARHAD ASHRAFZADEH, RYAN R. BELLINGER, DUANE M. KOBOS, RICHARD A. SUNSHINE
  • Publication number: 20110005339
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a laundry treating appliance having an underdamped control scheme for a motor to determine a laundry load size.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: FARHAD ASHRAFZADEH, KURT J. MITTS, RICHARD A. SUNSHINE
  • Patent number: 7849717
    Abstract: A modular laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance and a second laundry appliance horizontally arranged relative to the first laundry appliance. The modular laundry system further comprises a laundry care function horizontal module vertically arranged with the first and second laundry appliances and having an associated laundry care function. The laundry care function can be one of washing, drying, refreshing, sanitizing, stain removal, and hand steaming. The horizontal module can be a non-tumble dryer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 14, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Richard A. Sunshine
  • Patent number: 7739891
    Abstract: A non-aqueous laundering machine for laundering fabric with a non-aqueous wash liquor and a select rinse fluid. The non-aqueous laundering machine includes a container for a fabric load and means for the controlled application of a non-aqueous wash liquor to the fabric load, the removal of part of the non-aqueous wash liquor from the fabric load, and application of a select rinse fluid to the fabric load as well as means for applying mechanical energy to the fabric load.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 22, 2010
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Joel A. Luckman, Andrew Leitert, Richard A. Sunshine, Tremitchell L. Wright
  • Publication number: 20100125364
    Abstract: A removably coupled consumable holder for an appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation on a physical article comprises a receptacle sized to hold one or more compartments for holding a consumable. The compartments are connected with an array of actuators for controlling the delivery of the consumable from the compartment to the appliance. A controller is connected with the array of actuators for actuation of the actuators during a cycle of operation. The consumable holder is further connected with an internal communications network in the appliance for communication with one or more components of the appliance.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 20, 2008
    Publication date: May 20, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: MATTHEW P. EBROM, MICHAEL S. HENDRICKSON, JOEL A. LUCKMAN, RICHARD A. MCCOY, RICHARD A. SUNSHINE
  • Publication number: 20090313864
    Abstract: An ironing station having an ironing board stowably mounted in the cabinet for movement between a stowed position and a use position, with a docking station provided on the top wall of the cabinet and having an electrical outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: LORRAINE L. ACHTERBERG, JAMES WILLIAM KENDALL, DAVID M. MILLER, RONALD M. NOWELL, JR., WILLIAM J. SCHILL, JR., RICHARD A. SUNSHINE, AMERESH BABU VISWANATHAN, VICKI LYNN WYATT
  • Publication number: 20090313863
    Abstract: An ironing station has a cabinet defining an interior space, an accessible storage area defined within the interior space of the cabinet, an ironing board stowably mounted in the cabinet for movement between a stowed position and a use position. The ironing board can be coupled to the cabinet via a non-vertical guide rail. A handle can be coupled to the ironing board to aid a user in moving the ironing board between the stowed and use positions. A multi-position docking station can be provided on the top wall of the cabinet for receiving an iron. A cover can be provided for selectively covering the docking station.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 6, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: LORRAINE L. ACHTERBERG, JAMES WILLIAM KENDALL, DAVID M. MILLER, RONALD M. NOWELL, JR., WILLIAM J. SCHILL, JR., RICHARD A. SUNSHINE, AMERESH BABU VISWANATHAN, VICKI LYN WYATT
  • Patent number: 7628043
    Abstract: A modular laundry system comprises first and second laundry appliances in a horizontal arrangement and first and second single width horizontal modules. The first single width horizontal module is vertically arranged with the first laundry appliance, and the second single width horizontal module is vertically arranged with the second laundry appliance. At least one of the first and second single width horizontal modules is a laundry care module having an associated laundry care function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Sunshine, Donald M. Tomasi, Kristina K Underly, Daniel C. Conrad
  • Patent number: 7624600
    Abstract: A modular laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance, a second laundry appliance horizontally or vertically arranged relative to the first laundry appliance, and a cabinet module horizontally arranged relative to the first and second laundry appliances.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 1, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Sunshine, Lorraine L. Achterberg, James William Kendall, Colleen Marie Doyle, Joel A. Luckman
  • Patent number: 7617702
    Abstract: A modular laundry system comprises first and second laundry appliances in one of a horizontal and vertical arrangement and a cabinet module. The cabinet module can be arranged relative to the first and second laundry appliances to form a configuration having a footprint with a width substantially equal to a combined width of any two of the first laundry appliance, the second laundry appliance, and the cabinet module. The cabinet module can be vertically arranged with the first laundry appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Richard A. Sunshine, Lorraine L. Achterberg, James William Kendall, Colleen Marie Doyle, Joel A. Luckman
  • Publication number: 20090266116
    Abstract: A laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance, a second laundry appliance, and a vertical laundry module. The vertical laundry module can have a housing with a width less than the width of each of the first and second laundry appliances. The vertical laundry module can have a drawer that slidably opens from a face of the housing and a hanging rod positioned in drawer. The vertical laundry module can further have a functional element that performing drying, refreshing, and/or sanitizing, and a control panel for controlling the operation of the functional element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James William KENDALL, Lorraine L. ACHTERBERG, Ameresh Babu VISWANATHAN, Colleen Marie DOYLE, Richard A. SUNSHINE
  • Publication number: 20090266117
    Abstract: A laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance, a second laundry appliance, and a vertical laundry module. The vertical laundry module can have a housing with a width less than the width of each of the first and second laundry appliances and a stain treatment assembly. The stain treatment assembly can include a screen slidable mounted to the housing of the vertical module for supporting a fabric item and a wand extendable from the housing for applying a stain treatment agent to the fabric item on the screen.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 1, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James William Kendall, Lorraine L. Achterberg, Ameresh Babu Viswanathan, Colleen Marie Doyle, Richard A. Sunshine
  • Publication number: 20090266114
    Abstract: A laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance, a second laundry appliance, and a vertical laundry module. The vertical laundry module can have a housing with a width less than the width of each of the first and second laundry appliances. The vertical laundry module can have a drawer that slidably opens from a face of the housing and a backsplash extending above an upper surface of the housing. The backsplash can further have a functional element that can be a storage compartment, a light, a control panel, or a power outlet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: James William Kendall, Lorraine L. Achterberg, Ameresh Babu Viswanathan, Colleen Marie Doyle, Richard A. Sunshine
  • Publication number: 20090266118
    Abstract: A laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance, a second laundry appliance, and a vertical laundry module. The vertical laundry module can have a housing with a width less than the width of each of the first and second laundry appliances. The vertical laundry module can have a drawer that slidably opens from a face of the housing and/or a door that opens from the face of the housing. The vertical laundry module can further have an exterior hanging element.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 29, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: James William Kendall, Lorraine L. Achterberg, Ameresh Babu Viswanathan, Colleen Marie Doyle, Richard A. Sunshine
  • Publication number: 20090260405
    Abstract: A laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance, a second laundry appliance, and a vertical laundry module. The vertical laundry module can have a housing with a width less than the width of each of the first and second laundry appliances. The vertical laundry module can have a drawer that slidably opens from a face of the housing and/or a door that opens from the face of the housing. The vertical laundry module can further have a functional element that can be a laundry care function or a non-laundry care function.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2009
    Publication date: October 22, 2009
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: JAMES WILLIAM KENDALL, LORRAINE L. ACHTERBERG, AMERESH BABU VISWANATHAN, COLLEEN MARIE DOYLE, RICHARD A. SUNSHINE
  • Publication number: 20090255301
    Abstract: A modular laundry system comprises a first laundry appliance and a second laundry appliance horizontally arranged relative to the first laundry appliance. The modular laundry system further comprises a laundry care function horizontal module vertically arranged with the first and second laundry appliances and having an associated laundry care function. The laundry care function can be one of washing, drying, refreshing, sanitizing, stain removal, and hand steaming. The horizontal module can be a non-tumble dryer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 26, 2009
    Publication date: October 15, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventor: Richard A. Sunshine