Patents by Inventor Todd J. Tunzi

Todd J. Tunzi 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: 11946184
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet that has a front panel. A tub is positioned within the cabinet. A door is coupled to the front panel of the cabinet. The door moves vertically between a closed position and an opened position. A bellows assembly is coupled to the front panel. The bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. A sealing assembly includes a first seal and a second seal that are each coupled to the bellows assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 11946186
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20240102224
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet that has a front panel. A tub is positioned within the cabinet. A door is coupled to the front panel of the cabinet. The door moves vertically between a closed position and an opened position. A bellows assembly is coupled to the front panel. The bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. A sealing assembly includes a first seal and a second seal that are each coupled to the bellows assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2023
    Publication date: March 28, 2024
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20230374717
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 26, 2023
    Publication date: November 23, 2023
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Eric A. Hill, Patrick A. McCormick, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Anna C. Schelling, Robert J. Schneider, Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha, Todd J. Tunzi, Andrew C. Kubasiak
  • Patent number: 11761134
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Date of Patent: September 19, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Eric A. Hill, Patrick A. McCormick, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Anna C. Schelling, Robert J. Schneider, Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20220372686
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 1, 2022
    Publication date: November 24, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Eric A. Hill, Patrick A. McCormick, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Anna C. Schelling, Robert J. Schneider, Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20220290350
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet that has a front panel. A tub is positioned within the cabinet. A door is coupled to the front panel of the cabinet. The door moves vertically between a closed position and an opened position. A bellows assembly is coupled to the front panel. The bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. A sealing assembly includes a first seal and a second seal that are each coupled to the bellows assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 3, 2022
    Publication date: September 15, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 11434594
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Date of Patent: September 6, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Patrick A. McCormick, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Anna C. Schelling, Robert J. Schneider, Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 11377772
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet that has a front panel. A tub is positioned within the cabinet. A door is coupled to the front panel of the cabinet. The door moves vertically between a closed position and an opened position. A bellows assembly is coupled to the front panel. The bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. A sealing assembly includes a first seal and a second seal that are each coupled to the bellows assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Date of Patent: July 5, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20220074101
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 15, 2021
    Publication date: March 10, 2022
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 11208750
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20200370222
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining a front opening in a front panel. The front opening is defined by a lip having a curved edge. The lip defines a plurality of apertures spaced-apart around the front opening. A tub is disposed within the cabinet. The tub defines an access opening aligned with the front opening. A drum is disposed within the tub. A bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. The bellows assembly includes a projection coupled to the curved edge of the cabinet. A deflector has a rim and a chute wherein the chute extends toward the drum. The rim is configured to snap-fit over the projection of the bellows assembly. The rim includes a plurality of hooks where each hook is configured to extend through an aperture and interlock with the cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Eric A. Hill, Andrew C. Kubasiak, Patrick A. McCormick, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Anna C. Schelling, Robert J. Schneider, Mohaideen Abdul Khadaar Sikkandar Batcha, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20200370233
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet that has a front panel. A tub is positioned within the cabinet. A door is coupled to the front panel of the cabinet. The door moves vertically between a closed position and an opened position. A bellows assembly is coupled to the front panel. The bellows assembly extends between the cabinet and the tub. A sealing assembly includes a first seal and a second seal that are each coupled to the bellows assembly.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2020
    Publication date: November 26, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20200208324
    Abstract: A laundry appliance includes a cabinet defining an aperture in a front surface thereof. A drum is disposed within the cabinet. The drum defines an access opening that aligns with the aperture. A door is coupled to the cabinet and is operable between closed and opened positions relative to the aperture. A bellows extends along a perimeter of the aperture and proximate the access opening. A deflector extends along at least a portion of the perimeter of the aperture. The deflector extends into an interior of the drum over the bellows.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2019
    Publication date: July 2, 2020
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Publication number: 20180142945
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body with first and second doors rotatably mounted to the main body. The second door is positioned below the first door with a gap disposed therebetween. A mullion assembly includes a mullion member rotatably mounted to the main body at an independent hinge assembly disposed adjacent to the gap between the first and second doors. The mullion member is operable between open and closed positions and is releasably coupled to a lower edge of the first door and an upper edge of the second door when the first and second doors are in the closed position. The first and second doors cooperate to provide access to a compartment while the mullion assembly provides a hinged sealing surface for the first and second doors at an intermediate height disposed along a length of the compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 22, 2016
    Publication date: May 24, 2018
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Eric A. Hill, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 9939193
    Abstract: An apparatus, system, and method for storage in a refrigerated appliance. One aspect includes glides or slides underneath and within the bottom perimeter dimensions of any bin or bin carrier relative to its supporting structure in the refrigerated appliance. This allows adjacent bins to more efficiently utilize lateral storage space in the refrigerator. It also promotes hiding of the glide or slides from view.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2018
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: James W. Kendall, Michael C. Lah, Timothy T. Murphy, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: 9803913
    Abstract: A tiered storage system for refrigerator door bins is established by providing an insert between opposing side walls of the bin, with the insert including a raised platform arranged spaced from a bottom wall of the bin. The insert is positioned such that the platform extends only part way from a rear wall to a front wall of the bin and maintained in this operational or in-use position by retainer structure acting between the bin and the insert. The insert also includes an upstanding front panel extending upward from a front end portion of the platform, with the upstanding panel extending between the opposing side walls of the bin, to prevent food containers stored on the platform from toppling upon movement of the refrigerator door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2015
    Date of Patent: October 31, 2017
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Julia B. Burke, Daniel Chow, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: D841059
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher L. Carpenter, Daniel H. Quinlan, Todd J. Tunzi, Yifan Wang
  • Patent number: D865008
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Mallory A. Fuller, Richard L. Hammond, Michael A. Kahwaji, Jessica R. McConnell, Daniel Henry Quinlan, Jason W. Tippetts, Todd J. Tunzi
  • Patent number: D998003
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2023
    Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Mallory A. Fuller, Richard L. Hammond, Michael A. Kahwaji, Jessica R. McConnell, Daniel Henry Quinlan, Jason W. Tippetts, Todd J. Tunzi