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).
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Patent number: 12215451Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: July 26, 2023Date of Patent: February 4, 2025Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20240218583Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 18, 2024Publication date: July 4, 2024Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Patent number: 11946184Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: June 3, 2022Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Patent number: 11946186Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: November 15, 2021Date of Patent: April 2, 2024Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Publication number: 20240102224Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: December 8, 2023Publication date: March 28, 2024Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Publication number: 20230374717Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: July 26, 2023Publication date: November 23, 2023Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: 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
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Patent number: 11761134Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: August 1, 2022Date of Patent: September 19, 2023Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20220372686Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: August 1, 2022Publication date: November 24, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20220290350Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: June 3, 2022Publication date: September 15, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Patent number: 11434594Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: May 13, 2020Date of Patent: September 6, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: 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
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Patent number: 11377772Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: March 31, 2020Date of Patent: July 5, 2022Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Publication number: 20220074101Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 15, 2021Publication date: March 10, 2022Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Patent number: 11208750Abstract: 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: GrantFiled: October 30, 2019Date of Patent: December 28, 2021Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Publication number: 20200370222Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: May 13, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: 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
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Publication number: 20200370233Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: March 31, 2020Publication date: November 26, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Publication number: 20200208324Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2019Publication date: July 2, 2020Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Donald E. Erickson, Gregg P. Fitzgerald, Stephen D. Ostdiek, Marcel Schmidt, Todd J. Tunzi
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Publication number: 20180142945Abstract: 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: ApplicationFiled: November 22, 2016Publication date: May 24, 2018Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Darryl C. Bodine, Eric A. Hill, Todd J. Tunzi
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Patent number: D841059Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: February 19, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Christopher L. Carpenter, Daniel H. Quinlan, Todd J. Tunzi, Yifan Wang
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Patent number: D865008Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2017Date of Patent: October 29, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Mallory A. Fuller, Richard L. Hammond, Michael A. Kahwaji, Jessica R. McConnell, Daniel Henry Quinlan, Jason W. Tippetts, Todd J. Tunzi
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Patent number: D998003Type: GrantFiled: September 5, 2019Date of Patent: September 5, 2023Assignee: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: Mallory A. Fuller, Richard L. Hammond, Michael A. Kahwaji, Jessica R. McConnell, Daniel Henry Quinlan, Jason W. Tippetts, Todd J. Tunzi