Patents by Inventor Seth E. Bixby

Seth E. Bixby 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: 12157964
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes an outer cabinet having a top panel that defines an aperture for accessing an interior of the cabinet. A tub is positioned within the outer cabinet and below the aperture. A rotating drum disposed within the tub. A pretreat basin is selectively positioned in an installed position relative to the top panel and above the drum. The pretreat basin has an outer frame and a pivoting central portion that rotationally operates within the outer frame between a sealed position defined by the pivoting central portion being in alignment with the outer frame and a rotated position defined by the pivoting central portion being rotated out of alignment with the outer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Sayer J. Murphy, Giuseppe Netti, Jun Young Park, Jeremy D. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20240344261
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a body that houses a motor that selectively operates a drum for processing laundry, wherein the body includes an aperture for selectively accessing the drum. A door panel provides selective access to the aperture. A controller is configured to operate at least the motor. A user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting a laundry-processing operation to be performed. An outer panel at least partially conceals the body from view. An outer selector is positioned proximate the outer panel, wherein the outer selector is in communication with the controller via the user interface.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2024
    Publication date: October 17, 2024
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney
  • Publication number: 20240254680
    Abstract: A removable fluid pumping and filtration apparatus for a laundry treatment machine is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of selectively attachable and detachable stackable sections, the sections including a handle section and one or more further sections; wherein, when attached together in stacked arrangement to form an agitator, the plurality of sections collectively define: a cylindrical body, a hollow interior of the body, first and second opening about the exterior circumference of the body to define a water flow path into and out of the hollow interior, and placement within the hollow interior for a removable filter along the water flow path, and wherein the handle section including an area to grip onto and rotate the removable fluid pumping and filtration apparatus to facilitate insertion and removal of the agitator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 10, 2024
    Publication date: August 1, 2024
    Inventors: Seth E. BIXBY, Sayer J. MURPHY, Thomas D. SPICER, Eric J. VASKO, Heather A. HELLMUTH, Michael A. LEDFORD, Meagan K. VANDERVELDE
  • Patent number: 12018423
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a body that houses a motor that selectively operates a drum for processing laundry, wherein the body includes an aperture for selectively accessing the drum. A door panel provides selective access to the aperture. A controller is configured to operate at least the motor. A user interface is in communication with the controller for selecting a laundry-processing operation to be performed. An outer panel at least partially conceals the body from view. An outer selector is positioned proximate the outer panel, wherein the outer selector is in communication with the controller via the user interface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2021
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Donald E. Erickson, Eric A. Hill, Dennis Kehl, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Sayer J. Murphy, Trevor R. Haney
  • Patent number: 11982039
    Abstract: A removable fluid pumping and filtration apparatus for a laundry treatment machine is provided. The apparatus includes a plurality of selectively attachable and detachable stackable sections, the sections including a handle section and one or more further sections; wherein, when attached together in stacked arrangement to form an agitator, the plurality of sections collectively define: a cylindrical body, a hollow interior of the body, first and second opening about the exterior circumference of the body to define a water flow path into and out of the hollow interior, and placement within the hollow interior for a removable filter along the water flow path, and wherein the handle section including an area to grip onto and rotate the removable fluid pumping and filtration apparatus to facilitate insertion and removal of the agitator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2022
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2024
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Sayer J. Murphy, Thomas D. Spicer, Eric J. Vasko, Heather A. Hellmuth, Michael A. Ledford, Meagan K. Vandervelde
  • Patent number: 11851809
    Abstract: A laundry appliance including a cabinet that defines an opening to access an interior. A drum is positioned within the interior of the cabinet. A removable basket is selectively coupled to the drum and includes a first arcuate body that is coupled with a second arcuate body. The second arcuate body is rotatable between a nested position and an expanded position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Sayer J. Murphy, Kartik Sadanand Vastrad
  • Publication number: 20230392317
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a processing chamber positioned within a cabinet. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path and through the processing chamber. An accessory port is positioned on an exterior surface of the cabinet and coupled with the airflow path. The accessory port selectively redirects the process air through an accessory airflow path to define accessory process air. An accessory tool that selectively engages the accessory port to define the accessory airflow path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 18, 2023
    Publication date: December 7, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Ryan R. Bellinger, Seth E. Bixby, Timothy Eric Heater, Jacob C. Ickes, Sayer J. Murphy, Giuseppe Netti, Michael T. Roche
  • Patent number: 11767633
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a processing chamber positioned within a cabinet. A blower delivers process air through an airflow path and through the processing chamber. An accessory port is positioned on an exterior surface of the cabinet and coupled with the airflow path. The accessory port selectively redirects the process air through an accessory airflow path to define accessory process air. An accessory tool that selectively engages the accessory port to define the accessory airflow path.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 19, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Ryan R. Bellinger, Seth E. Bixby, Timothy E. Heater, Jacob C. Ickes, Sayer J. Murphy, Giuseppe Netti, Michael T. Roche
  • Patent number: 11739469
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry according to an automatic cycle of operation includes a treating chamber and a dispenser fluidly coupled to the treating chamber. The dispenser has a single dose reservoir, a bulk dispensing reservoir, and an overflow fluidly coupling the single dose reservoir to the bulk dispensing reservoir.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 3, 2021
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin B. Ayers, Seth E. Bixby, Richard K. Gresens, Sayer J. Murphy, Anna C. Schelling
  • Patent number: 11613839
    Abstract: A laundry treating appliance for treating laundry items according to an automatic cycle of operation can include a cabinet defining an interior and having an access opening to the interior. A cover is movable between a closed position and an opened position to selectively open or close the access opening and has an inner surface confronting the access opening when the cover is in the closed position. A hanging bar is coupled to the cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2019
    Date of Patent: March 28, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Sayer J. Murphy, Giuseppe Netti, Jeremy D. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20230015118
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes an outer cabinet having a top panel that defines an aperture for accessing an interior of the cabinet. A tub is positioned within the outer cabinet and below the aperture. A rotating drum disposed within the tub. A pretreat basin is selectively positioned in an installed position relative to the top panel and above the drum. The pretreat basin has an outer frame and a pivoting central portion that rotationally operates within the outer frame between a sealed position defined by the pivoting central portion being in alignment with the outer frame and a rotated position defined by the pivoting central portion being rotated out of alignment with the outer frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2022
    Publication date: January 19, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Sayer J. Murphy, Giuseppe Netti, Jun Young Park, Jeremy D. Watkins
  • Patent number: 11499259
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes an outer cabinet having a top panel that defines an aperture for accessing an interior of the cabinet. A tub is positioned within the outer cabinet and below the aperture. A rotating drum disposed within the tub. A pretreat basin is selectively positioned in an installed position relative to the top panel and above the drum. The pretreat basin has an outer frame and a pivoting central portion that rotationally operates within the outer frame between a sealed position defined by the pivoting central portion being in alignment with the outer frame and a rotated position defined by the pivoting central portion being rotated out of alignment with the outer frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Sayer J. Murphy, Giuseppe Netti, Jun Young Park, Jeremy D. Watkins
  • Publication number: 20220349111
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet. A blower is disposed within the cabinet that delivers accessory air through an accessory airflow path. An accessory bar assembly is in fluid communication with the accessory airflow path. The accessory bar assembly is configured to suspend articles therefrom and to provide the accessory air for conditioning the articles.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 19, 2022
    Publication date: November 3, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Mark Jason Christensen, Marco Ali Curti Espinosa, Yu Liu, Sergio Moreno, Sayer James Murphy, Jonathan D. Pugh, Bruno T. Ramasco, Nicholas C. Schooley, Meagan Kathleen VanderVelde
  • Patent number: D974770
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: January 10, 2023
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Marcus A. Cannon, Sayer J. Murphy, Jun Young Park, Joel R. Shinaberry
  • Patent number: D1007085
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 23, 2021
    Date of Patent: December 5, 2023
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luis Antonio Alarcon, Seth E. Bixby, Marcos Lima Nogueira Costa, Marco Ali Curti Espinosa, Sayer J. Murphy, Jun Young Park, Bruno T. Ramasco, Joel R. Shinaberry, Andrew C. Kubasiak
  • Patent number: D1014979
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 16, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Marcus A. Cannon, Sayer J. Murphy, Jun Young Park, Joel R. Shinaberry
  • Patent number: D1015654
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Richard K. Gresens, John W. McConnell, Patrick J. Schiavone, Samuel B. Breneman
  • Patent number: D1022358
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Luis Alarcon, Seth E. Bixby, Marco Ali Curti Espinosa, Richard K. Gresens, Brandon Hengesbach, Sayer J. Murphy, Andres Palomino, Nicholas Schooley
  • Patent number: D1022359
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 8, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Samuel B. Breneman, Richard K. Gresens, John W. McConnell, Patrick J. Schiavone
  • Patent number: D1062122
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2025
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seth E. Bixby, Chloe P. Condon, James D. Jeffery, Sayer J. Murphy, Jonathan D. Pugh, Ryan J. Rutter, Eric J. Vasko, David Walter, III