Craig S Bienick

US Patent:

6422673, Jul 23, 2002

Filed:

Apr 16, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/834896

Inventors:

Craig Bienick - Jenison MI

Assignee:

Gemtron Corporation - Sweetwater TN

International Classification:

A47B 9600

US Classification:

312408, 312351

Abstract:

A refrigerator compartment includes opposite side walls having vertically spaced shelf-supporting ledges along the side walls in horizontally aligned pairs. A shelf includes a one-piece open frame made of molded synthetic material and a piece of glass closing an opening of the frame. Each of opposite side frame portions are defined by an upper wall, a side wall and at least one finger with the opposing fingers being spaced from each other and each defining with an associated upper wall a glass piece side edge-receiving channel. The glass piece is snapped into the glass piece side edge-receiving channels. The fingers slide upon the ledges whereby product loading upon the glass piece which might cause the fingers to inadvertently deform and release the glass piece side edges is effectively resisted to preclude inadvertent glass piece/frame disassembly under load.

US Patent:

6488347, Dec 3, 2002

Filed:

Nov 21, 2000

Appl. No.:

09/716363

Inventors:

Craig Bienick - Jenison MI

Assignee:

Gemtron Corporation - Sweetwater TN

International Classification:

A47B 9604

US Classification:

312408, 108108

Abstract:

A refrigerator shelf is defined by a glass shelf panel bounded by an integral, injection molded, substantially homogeneous, one-piece frame of polymeric/copolymeric plastic material. The frame includes two thin spaced depending peripheral walls spanned by a plurality of spaced reinforcing webs effecting rigidifying of the frame to afford the shelf appreciable weight bearing and anti-torquing characteristics. A pair of identical relatively broad hooks each including a plurality of vertically extending parallel reinforcing ribs are utilized for interlocking the shelf to relatively broad horizontally aligned openings in a refrigerator inner liner.

US Patent:

6558596, May 6, 2003

Filed:

Mar 29, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/277756

Inventors:

Craig Bienick - Jenison MI
Bob Herrmann - Spring Lake MI
Howard Daley - Zeeland MI

Assignee:

Gemtron Corporation - Sweetwater TN

International Classification:

B29C 4320

US Classification:

264154, 264275, 264325, 425112, 425117

Abstract:

A peripherally encapsulated product, such as an oven door outer shell, is molded in accordance with this invention by placing a piece of glass between mold clamping portions of relatively movable closed bodies when the latter are in an open position. Preferably both bodies are heated and thermosetting polymeric material (SMC or BMC) is placed upon selected areas of one of the mold bodies within and about an area corresponding to an annular mold cavity and outboard of a peripheral edge of a piece of glass. The glass is clamped between mold clamping portions of the mold bodies which are then progressively closed creating compression forces which extrude the thermosetting polymeric material into the annular cavity and into complete encapsulation of the continuous peripheral edge of the piece of glass. The thermosetting polymeric material is cured, the mold bodies are opened and the product is removed therefrom. The encapsulated product can be provided with post-formed vent openings and/or handle attaching openings or the handle can be integrally molded during the molding process.

US Patent:

6665984, Dec 23, 2003

Filed:

Jun 13, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/878947

Inventors:

Craig Bienick - Jenison MI
Howard Daley - Zeeland MI

Assignee:

Gemtron Corporation - Sweetwater TN

International Classification:

E06B 300

US Classification:

49501

Abstract:

A washer door or lid as defined by a tempered glass panel bordered by an open frame-like encapsulation of one-piece injection molded polymeric/copolymeric synthetic plastic material. The latter material is preferably acrylonitrile/styrene/acrylate polymer blended with mica glass beads at a ratio of substantially 70%-30% to 90%-10% by weight, but preferably 80%-20% by weight. Further specifics of the washer lid include a relatively thick inner periphery of the encapsulation which securely grips and reinforces an outer peripheral edge of the tempered glass panel, a rigid outer peripheral skirt, an indiscrete handle, a reinforced hand corder for a switch actuator and opposite rear corners carrying hinges for securing the washer lid to an associated washer opening.

US Patent:

6679573, Jan 20, 2004

Filed:

Jun 11, 2002

Appl. No.:

10/165958

Inventors:

Craig Bienick - Jenison MI

Assignee:

Gemtron Corporation - Sweetwater TN

International Classification:

A47B 9602

US Classification:

312408, 62382

Abstract:

A shelf includes a one-piece open frame made of molded synthetic material and a piece of glass closing an opening of the frame. Each of opposite side frame portions are defined by an upper wall, a side wall and at least one finger with the opposing fingers being spaced from each other and each defining with an associated upper wall a glass piece side edge-receiving channel. The glass piece is snapped into the glass piece side edge-receiving channels. The fingers slide upon the ledges whereby product loading upon the glass piece which might cause the fingers to inadvertently deform and release the glass piece side edges is effectively resisted to preclude inadvertent glass piece/frame disassembly under load.

US Patent:

6766596, Jul 27, 2004

Filed:

Jul 14, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/617718

Inventors:

Craig Bienick - Jenison MI
Howard Daley - Zeeland MI

Assignee:

Gemtron Corporation - Sweetwater TN

International Classification:

F26B 1102

US Classification:

34601, 34602, 34603, 68 1201, 68139

Abstract:

A door/lid for an appliance, such as a washer or dryer, includes a tempered glass panel upon an inner surface of which is applied one or two screen printed borders of fusible ceramic printing medium defining a substantially opaque peripheral border bounding a central viewing area through which clothing associated with a washer or dryer can be viewed when the door/lid is closed. An injection molded narrow encapsulation, border or rim surrounds an edge of the tempered glass panel and effects a water-tight seal therewith. Third ceramic printing means in the form of instructions or safety rules in applied to the first or second printing medium but is indiscernible from the outside when the door/lid is closed. When the door/lid is open, the instructions/safety rules are totally divisible, upright and readable.

US Patent:

6783347, Aug 31, 2004

Filed:

Mar 25, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/395085

Inventors:

Craig Bienick - Jenison MI
Bob Herrmann - Spring Lake MI
Howard Daley - Zeeland MI

Assignee:

Gemtron Corporation - Sweetwater TN

International Classification:

B29C 4318

US Classification:

425125, 425128, 425443, 264252

Abstract:

A peripherally encapsulated product is molded by placing a piece of glass between mold clamping portions of movable closed bodies when the latter are in an open position. The bodies are heated and thermosetting polymeric material is placed upon one of the mold bodies outboard of a peripheral edge of a piece of glass. The glass is clamped and the mold bodies are closed creating compression forces which extrude the polymeric material into the annular cavity and into complete encapsulation of a peripheral edge of the piece of glass. The thermosetting polymeric material is cured, the mold bodies are opened and the product is removed therefrom.

US Patent:

6851776, Feb 8, 2005

Filed:

Jun 28, 2001

Appl. No.:

09/892503

Inventors:

Craig Bienick - Jenison MI, US

Assignee:

Gemtron Corporation - Sweetwater TN

International Classification:

A47B096/02

US Classification:

312408

Abstract:

A shelf for a refrigerator compartment includes a tempered glass panel to front and rear edges of which are injection molded or adhesively bonded front and rear border members. Side edges of the tempered glass panel are thereby exposed enhancing conductivity within the refrigerator compartment.