Patents by Inventor Robert C. Zimmerman

Robert C. Zimmerman 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: 6880902
    Abstract: A storage unit for a refrigerator includes a flexible support made of nylon, wire, or any other similar flexible material. The storage unit includes a load support zone which varies in shape depending upon items placed thereon. Most preferably, at least the load support zone is constituted by a mesh which permits the flow of cooling air through the storage unit. The storage unit includes at least one attachment element for securing the flexible support directly to a refrigerator shelf and/or a liner of the refrigerator. The storage unit can be releasably attached or can be a permanent, but collapsible, fixture within the refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 19, 2005
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20040178709
    Abstract: A storage unit for a refrigerator includes a flexible support made of nylon, wire, or any other similar flexible material. The storage unit includes a load support zone which varies in shape depending upon items placed thereon. Most preferably, at least the load support zone is constituted by a mesh which permits the flow of cooling air through the storage unit. The storage unit includes at least one attachment element for securing the flexible support directly to a refrigerator shelf and/or a liner of the refrigerator. The storage unit can be releasably attached or can be a permanent, but collapsible, fixture within the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Applicant: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Robert C. Zimmerman
  • Publication number: 20020184895
    Abstract: A temperature controlled drawer assembly incorporates a thermoelectric device and a control system to selectively heat or cool the contents of a drawer which is selectively movable into and out of a cabinet designed to be part of an end table, such as a nightstand, or other cabinet remote from a household kitchen. In a cooling mode of operation, a fan, disposed in the cabinet, draws air from inside the drawer and blows the air over a cold side of a heat sink to cool the air. The treated air is blown through plenums, back into the drawer. At the same time, heat is drawn away from the cold side and directed out of the cabinet. The current through the heat sink may be reversed to flip the cold and hot sides of the heat sink to enable the contents of the drawer to be heated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Publication date: December 12, 2002
    Applicant: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald K. Anderson, Sheldon W. Mandel, Robert C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 6484512
    Abstract: A temperature controlled drawer assembly incorporates a thermoelectric device and a control system to selectively heat or cool the contents of a drawer which is selectively movable into and out of a cabinet designed to be part of an end table, such as a nightstand, or other cabinet remote from a household kitchen. In a cooling mode of operation, a fan, disposed in the cabinet, draws air from inside the drawer and blows the air over a cold side of a heat sink to cool the air. The treated air is blown through plenums, back into the drawer. At the same time, heat is drawn away from the cold side and directed out of the cabinet. The current through the heat sink may be reversed to flip the cold and hot sides of the heat sink to enable the contents of the drawer to be heated.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2002
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Ronald K. Anderson, Sheldon W. Mandel, Robert C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5911750
    Abstract: An air flow system for the freezer compartment of a refrigerator includes air inlets located at an upper rear portion of the freezer compartment which direct a supply of cooling air forward and against both top and side walls of the compartment. The air then flows along an upper portion of the compartment toward a front thereof where it is re-directed downward and rearward. The bottom wall of the freezer compartment is provided with a plurality of upstanding, laterally spaced ribs upon which food items can be supported. Since the ribs are spaced, numerous channels are formed which extend from the front portion of the compartment to adjacent the rear wall. A gap is preferably created between the rear wall and the ends of the ribs such that air is permitted to flow laterally along a lower rear portion of the compartment. Air outlets or returns are also provided in the lower rear portion of the compartment for recycling of the air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 1997
    Date of Patent: June 15, 1999
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Sheldon W. Mandel, Scott T. Tunzi, Kyle Bryant VanMeter, Robert C. Zimmerman, Paul V. Sikir
  • Patent number: 5525055
    Abstract: A cap for closing the burner of a liquid fuel cell and protecting the burner wick. The burner wick has upraised adjustable tabs that can be separated to control the heat output of the cell. The cap contains a die member that is arranged to move between the tabs when the cap is closed over the burner to position the tabs at a desired standard heat setting that is best suited for a majority of fuel cell applications.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 2, 1995
    Date of Patent: June 11, 1996
    Assignee: Hollowick, Inc.
    Inventors: J. Alan Menter, Robert C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 5228771
    Abstract: A table lamp that utilizes a fuel cell having a hollow glass or plastic envelope that includes an elongated body section joined to an expanded base by a pinched neck, and a flame shield mounted upon the top of the body section. The fuel cell has an elongated fuel container that rests upon the pinched neck of the envelope and a burner that is positioned within the flame shield. The flame shield has a top opening that permits the fuel cell to be inserted or removed from the envelope therethrough. A shade may be removably mounted upon the flame shield and a decorative insert slidably positioned between the fuel cell and the body of the envelope.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 23, 1992
    Date of Patent: July 20, 1993
    Assignee: Hollowick, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: 4926298
    Abstract: A table lamp having a pedestal and globe each with circular cross-sections has 12 vertical slots cut in the upper edge of the pedestal at 30 degree intervals and 3 inwardly projecting lugs on said globe arranged to engage in 3 of said slots with no more than 30 degrees rotation of the globe relative to the pedestal. The stability of the assembly is improved while retaining the simplicity of use of prior devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 27, 1989
    Date of Patent: May 15, 1990
    Assignee: Hollowick, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert C. Zimmerman
  • Patent number: D318927
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 1989
    Date of Patent: August 6, 1991
    Assignee: Hollowick, Inc.
    Inventors: Douglas Cleminshaw, Robert C. Zimmerman, J. Alan Menter