Bobbie Jo Gilman

US Patent:

7343757, Mar 18, 2008

Filed:

Aug 11, 2005

Appl. No.:

11/201977

Inventors:

Martin Shawn Egan - Evansville IN, US
Bobbie J. Gilman - Evansville IN, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

B67D 5/62

US Classification:

62389, 62441, 312407

Abstract:

A refrigeration appliance is provided which includes a cabinet with a first openable door providing access to a first refrigeration compartment and a second openable door providing access to a second refrigeration compartment. The second openable door has a portion thereof positioned below a portion of the first openable door. A rail separates the first refrigeration compartment and the second refrigeration compartment. A water dispenser is contained in the rail, as well as electronic controls for the refrigeration appliance. The dispenser is arranged to be stationary relative to the refrigeration appliance while the doors are open or closed. The rail may be removed and replaced, and with the water and electronic controls located in the rail, repairs are performed more efficiently and flexibility in manufacturing is enhanced. A drip tray is formed in an exterior side of the second openable door below the dispenser. When the door is opened, the drip tray moves away from the dispenser, permitting the dispenser to be used with larger receptacles than can be accommodated with the drip tray under the dispenser.

US Patent:

7673471, Mar 9, 2010

Filed:

Jan 22, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/017359

Inventors:

Martin Shawn Egan - Evansville IN, US
Bobbie J. Gilman - Evansville IN, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

B67D 5/62

US Classification:

62389, 2221466

Abstract:

A refrigeration appliance is provided which includes a cabinet with a first openable door providing access to a first refrigeration compartment and a second openable door providing access to a second refrigeration compartment. The second openable door has a portion thereof positioned below a portion of the first openable door. A rail separates the first refrigeration compartment and the second refrigeration compartment. A water dispenser is contained in the rail, as well as electronic controls for the refrigeration appliance. The dispenser is arranged to be stationary relative to the refrigeration appliance while the doors are open or closed. The rail may be removed and replaced, and with the water and electronic controls located in the rail, repairs are performed more efficiently and flexibility in manufacturing is enhanced. A drip tray is formed in an exterior side of the second openable door below the dispenser. When the door is opened, the drip tray moves away from the dispenser, permitting the dispenser to be used with larger receptacles than can be accommodated with the drip tray under the dispenser.

US Patent:

59015624, May 11, 1999

Filed:

Jun 4, 1997

Appl. No.:

8/869429

Inventors:

Scott T. Tunzi - Galesburg IL
Bobbie J. Gilman - Galesburg IL

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

F25B1/00

US Classification:

62229

Abstract:

A mechanism for controlling the temperature in and the flow of air between freezer and fresh food compartments in a refrigerator is constituted by a pre-assembled control unit including a housing within which is mounted fresh food and freezer compartment control knobs, a thermostatic controller, a temperature sensing capillary tube, a defrost timer, an automatic damper unit for adjusting the opening of an air passageway formed in the housing, and lighting assemblies. The air passageway formed in the housing is adapted to be aligned with an opening leading from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment. The capillary tube has one end attached to the thermostatic controller and another end positioned in the air passageway such that the thermostatic controller receives temperature signals from the capillary tube that are associated with not only the temperature of the freezer compartment, but also the temperature of the fresh food compartment. The capillary tube is maintained in the desired position within the air passageway by means of a tube holder. The end of the capillary tube is preferably covered by a sleeve for thermal damping purposes.