Patents by Inventor Todd E. Kniffen

Todd E. Kniffen 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: 10295241
    Abstract: A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph R. Adamski, Jason Colsch, Tim L. Coulter, Glenn E. Goetz, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons, Lou Montuoro, John H. Tenhundfeld, David Thalacker, Brett Vladika
  • Patent number: 10208998
    Abstract: A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph R. Adamski, Jason Colsch, Tim L. Coulter, Glenn E. Goetz, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons, Lou Montuoro, John H. Tenhundfeld, David Thalacker, Brett Vladika
  • Patent number: 10132558
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Date of Patent: November 20, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Coporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons
  • Publication number: 20180149419
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2018
    Publication date: May 31, 2018
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. EVELAND, STEVEN G. HERNDON, TODD E. KNIFFEN, BILL J. KOONS
  • Patent number: 9927167
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Date of Patent: March 27, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons
  • Publication number: 20170082339
    Abstract: A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph R. ADAMSKI, Jason COLSCH, Tim L. COULTER, Glenn E. GOETZ, Steven G. HERNDON, Todd E. KNIFFEN, Bill J. KOONS, Lou MONTUORO, John H. TENHUNDFELD, David THALACKER, Brett VLADIKA
  • Publication number: 20170082340
    Abstract: A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 6, 2016
    Publication date: March 23, 2017
    Inventors: Joseph R. ADAMSKI, Jason COLSCH, Tim L. COULTER, Glenn E. GOETZ, Steven G. HERNDON, Todd E. KNIFFEN, Bill J. KOONS, Lou MONTUORO, John H. TENHUNDFELD, David THALACKER, Brett VLADIKA
  • Publication number: 20170074580
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2016
    Publication date: March 16, 2017
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. EVELAND, STEVEN G. HERNDON, TODD E. KNIFFEN, BILL J. KOONS
  • Patent number: 9534825
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons
  • Patent number: 9474201
    Abstract: An agricultural planter includes a plurality of row units attached to a toolbar. The row units include seed meters for receiving, singulating, and dispensing seed or other particulate. The seed meters include a circular seed disc with a seed path for receiving the seed in the seed meter housing. Integrated with the seed disc is a motor that is housed within the seed meter housing and that includes a rotatable portion being attached to the circular disc such that the two rotate in tandem. The integrated motor can be positioned within an interior portion of the circular seed disc such that the width of the disc and motor combination is kept to a minimum.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 25, 2016
    Assignee: Kinze Manufacturing, Inc.
    Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Merlan Rolffs, Dustan Hahn, John P. Mulherin, Courtney N. Achen, Michael J. Myers, Ryan Legge, Rhett Schildroth, Marvin Bachman, Todd E. Kniffen
  • Publication number: 20150189826
    Abstract: An agricultural planter includes a plurality of row units attached to a toolbar. The row units include seed meters for receiving, singulating, and dispensing seed or other particulate. The seed meters include a circular seed disc with a seed path for receiving the seed in the seed meter housing. Integrated with the seed disc is a motor that is housed within the seed meter housing and that includes a rotatable portion being attached to the circular disc such that the two rotate in tandem. The integrated motor can be positioned within an interior portion of the circular seed disc such that the width of the disc and motor combination is kept to a minimum.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: July 9, 2015
    Inventors: Matthew J. Wilhelmi, Merlan Rolffs, Dustan Hahn, John P. Mulherin, Courtney N. Achen, Michael J. Myers, Ryan Legge, Rhett Schildroth, Marvin Bachman, Todd E. Kniffen
  • Publication number: 20150135762
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 23, 2015
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Applicant: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: MICHAEL J. EVELAND, STEVEN G. HERNDON, TODD E. KNIFFEN, BILL J. KOONS
  • Patent number: 8966926
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons
  • Patent number: 8756952
    Abstract: A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph R. Adamski, Jason Colsch, Tim L. Coulter, Glenn E. Goetz, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons, Lou Montuoro, John H. Tenhundfeld, David Thalacker, Brett Vladika
  • Patent number: 8733123
    Abstract: A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2011
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph R. Adamski, Jason Colsch, Tim L. Coulter, Glenn E. Goetz, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons, Lou Montuoro, John H. Tenhundfeld, David Thalacker, Bret Vladika
  • Patent number: 8474928
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to an articulating drawer for a bottom mount freezer refrigerator. The drawer can be slidably mounted in the freezer compartment on slides that can include pivots to pivotally mount a drawer front on the slides. A support mechanism can mount a food storage basket for movement with the drawer front and movable slides and can move the food storage basket upward when the door is moved to the open position. The support mechanism can include a pair of guide plates connected to the slides having a guide surface arranged to be engaged by a food storage basket guide surface follower and a pair of links each connected to the drawer front at one end and having a first link pivot at a distal end arranged to pivotally connect to a food storage basket pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 2, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Ertz, Pawan Mansukhlal Gandhi, Todd E. Kniffen
  • Patent number: 8353177
    Abstract: A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph R. Adamski, Jason Colsch, Tim L. Coulter, Glenn E. Goetz, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons, Lou Montuoro, John H. Tenhundfeld, David Thalacker, Brett Vladika
  • Publication number: 20120324937
    Abstract: A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JOSEPH R. ADAMSKI, JASON COLSCH, TIM L. COULTER, GLENN E. GOETZ, STEVEN G. HERNDON, TODD E. KNIFFEN, BILL J. KOONS, LOU MONTUORO, JOHN H. TENHUNDFELD, DAVID THALACKER, BRETT VLADIKA
  • Publication number: 20120248958
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to an articulating drawer for a bottom mount freezer refrigerator. The drawer can be slideably mounted in the freezer compartment on slides that can include pivots to pivotally mount a drawer front on the slides. A support mechanism can mount a food storage basket for movement with the drawer front and movable slides and can move the food storage basket upward when the door is moved to the open position. The support mechanism can include a pair of guide plates connected to the slides having a guide surface arranged to be engaged by a food storage basket guide surface follower and a pair of links each connected to the drawer front at one end and having a first link pivot at a distal end arranged to pivotally connect to a food storage basket pivot.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: October 4, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: LAWRENCE J. ERTZ, PAWAN MANSUKHLAL GANDHI, TODD E. KNIFFEN
  • Patent number: 8231190
    Abstract: The invention relates generally to an articulating drawer for a bottom mount freezer refrigerator. The drawer can be slideably mounted in the freezer compartment on slides that can include pivots to pivotally mount a drawer front on the slides. A support mechanism can mount a food storage basket for movement with the drawer front and movable slides and can move the food storage basket upward when the door is moved to the open position. The support mechanism can include a pair of guide plates connected to the slides having a guide surface arranged to be engaged by a food storage basket guide surface follower and a pair of links each connected to the drawer front at one end and having a first link pivot at a distal end arranged to pivotally connect to a food storage basket pivot.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2012
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Lawrence J. Ertz, Pawan Mansukhlal Gandhi, Todd E. Kniffen