Michael J Funk

US Patent:

20220295607, Sep 15, 2022

Filed:

Mar 10, 2021

Appl. No.:

17/197715

Inventors:

- Wilmington DE, US
Michael A. Funk - Louisville KY, US

International Classification:

H05B 6/64

Abstract:

A method of operating a microwave appliance includes determining that a vent fan is on, and instructing an air handler within a door of the microwave appliance to operate in response to determining that the vent fan is on.

US Patent:

20200056790, Feb 20, 2020

Filed:

Aug 20, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/104999

Inventors:

- Wilmington DE, US
Michael A. Funk - Louisville KY, US

International Classification:

F24C 15/00
A47J 36/38
F24C 15/20

Abstract:

A cooking engagement system includes a cooktop appliance and an interactive assembly positioned above the cooktop appliance. The interactive assembly includes an image monitor that presents various images and information to a user, e.g., recipes, and a capacitive touch sensor that senses touches on an imaging surface of the image monitor. When the capacitive touch sensor senses a capacitance level below a threshold indicative of contamination on the imaging surface, a controller communicatively coupled thereto activates an air handler to move or motivate an airflow across or about the image monitor. In this way, the image monitor may be cooled and condensation is prevented from forming on the imaging surface of the image monitor.

US Patent:

20200041139, Feb 6, 2020

Filed:

Aug 3, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/053902

Inventors:

- Wilmington DE, US
Michael Andrew Funk - Louisville KY, US

International Classification:

F24C 15/20

Abstract:

An exhaust system for a cooking or cooktop appliance is provided herein. The exhaust system may include a casing, an image monitor, an air handler, and a diverter plate. The casing may define an air inlet and an air outlet above a cooktop appliance. The image monitor may be supported on the casing rearward from the air outlet. The image monitor may include an imagining surface extending in a vertical direction between a top edge and a bottom edge. The air handler may be mounted within the casing in fluid communication between the air inlet and outlet. The diverter plate may be attached to the casing below the imaging surface. The air outlet may be defined proximal to the top edge and may define a coolant airflow path. The diverter plate may define an airflow curtain path extending outward from the coolant airflow path.

US Patent:

20200041143, Feb 6, 2020

Filed:

Aug 3, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/053886

Inventors:

- Wilmington DE, US
James Lee Armstrong - Louisville KY, US
Michael Andrew Funk - Louisville KY, US

International Classification:

F24C 15/20

Abstract:

An exhaust system for a cooking or cooktop appliance is provided herein. The exhaust system may include a casing, an image monitor, and an air handler. The casing may define an air inlet and an air outlet above the cooktop appliance. The image monitor may be supported on the casing above a cooktop surface. The image monitor may include an imagining surface extending in a lateral direction between a first edge and a second edge. The air handler may be mounted within the casing in fluid communication between the air inlet and the air outlet to motivate an airflow therethrough. The air outlet may be defined proximal to the first edge and defines a coolant airflow path extending along the lateral direction across the imaging surface from the first edge.

US Patent:

20190380230, Dec 12, 2019

Filed:

Jun 6, 2018

Appl. No.:

16/000929

Inventors:

- Wilmington DE, US
Michael A. Funk - Louisville KY, US
Stephen Bernard Froelicher - Shepherdsville KY, US

International Classification:

H05K 7/20
G02F 1/1333
F24C 15/00
F24C 15/20

Abstract:

Cooking exhaust systems for use with a cooktop appliance are provided herein. An exhaust system may include a casing, an image monitor, and an air handler. The casing may define an air inlet and an air outlet above the cooktop appliance. The image monitor may be supported on the casing. The air handler may be mounted within the casing in fluid communication between the air inlet and the air outlet to motivate an airflow therethrough. The air outlet may define an airflow curtain path extending outward from the casing in front of the image monitor.

US Patent:

20190368746, Dec 5, 2019

Filed:

May 31, 2018

Appl. No.:

15/993674

Inventors:

- Wilmington DE, US
Michael A. Funk - Louisville KY, US

International Classification:

F24C 15/20

Abstract:

A ventilation system for a cooktop appliance comprising a cooktop surface. The ventilation system defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The ventilation system includes a casing positioned above and spaced apart from the cooktop appliance along the vertical direction with an image monitor supported on the casing at a front end of the casing. The ventilation system is selectively configurable to provide fluid communication from an air inlet to one of a recirculation outlet, a first exhaust outlet, and a second exhaust outlet without removing or rearranging an air handler of the ventilation system.

US Patent:

20160366314, Dec 15, 2016

Filed:

Jun 12, 2015

Appl. No.:

14/737826

Inventors:

- Schenectady NY, US
Michael A. Funk - Louisville KY, US
Rebekah Leigh Tyler - Louisville KY, US

International Classification:

H04N 5/225
F27B 5/18
F24C 7/08
F24C 15/04

Abstract:

A camera assembly for an oven appliance including an attachment mechanism, an arm, and a camera is provided. The attachment mechanism is configured for attachment to a handle of an oven appliance door. The arm extends from the attachment mechanism to the camera, and attaches to at least one of the camera or a housing, if provided. The camera records or transmits images of the oven cavity to, e.g., a user device allowing a user to monitor a doneness of any food items positioned within the oven appliance.