Michael C Hendrickson

US Patent:

8461959, Jun 11, 2013

Filed:

Oct 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/256546

Inventors:

Matthew P. Ebrom - Holland MI, US
Mark E. Glotzbach - Granger IN, US
Michael S. Hendrickson - Saint Joseph MI, US
Joel A. Luckman - Benton Harbor MI, US
Richard A. McCoy - Stevensville MI, US

Assignee:

Whirlpool Corporation - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

B67D 1/00

US Classification:

340 31, 222 52

Abstract:

A consumable holder has a source of a consumable, a first appliance coupling point configured to receive a resource from and convey the resource or consumable to an appliance configured to use the consumable and the resource in a physical operation on an article, a process control apparatus to control conveyance of the resource or consumable to and from the consumable holder, and a second appliance coupling point in communication with the process control apparatus and configured to connect to an appliance. Thus, an appliance coupled to the consumable holder can communicate with the process control apparatus via the second coupling point.

US Patent:

20100102051, Apr 29, 2010

Filed:

Oct 23, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/256512

Inventors:

MATTHEW P. EBROM - HOLLAND MI, US
MARK E. GLOTZBACH - GRANGER IN, US
MICHAEL S. HENDRICKSON - SAINT JOSEPH MI, US
JANICE M. KAEDING - LAWRENCE MI, US
JOEL A. LUCKMAN - BENTON HARBOR MI, US
RICHARD A. MCCOY - STEVENSVILLE MI, US

Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - BENTON HARBOR MI

International Classification:

H05B 3/06

US Classification:

219520

Abstract:

A consumable holder includes a source of a consumable, at least one appliance coupling point configured to convey the consumable to an appliance configured to use the consumable in a cycle of operation on an article, and electronics adapted to connect to a process control apparatus in the appliance. The electronics can thus cause a consumable to affect a resource or an article in an appliance using the process control apparatus when the consumable holder is coupled to the appliance.

US Patent:

20100125364, May 20, 2010

Filed:

Nov 20, 2008

Appl. No.:

12/274429

Inventors:

MATTHEW P. EBROM - Holland MI, US
MICHAEL S. HENDRICKSON - Saint Joseph MI, US
JOEL A. LUCKMAN - Benton Harbor MI, US
RICHARD A. MCCOY - Stevensville MI, US
RICHARD A. SUNSHINE - Granger IN, US

Assignee:

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION - Benton Harbor MI

International Classification:

G01M 1/38
G05D 7/00

US Classification:

700275, 700283

Abstract:

A removably coupled consumable holder for an appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation on a physical article comprises a receptacle sized to hold one or more compartments for holding a consumable. The compartments are connected with an array of actuators for controlling the delivery of the consumable from the compartment to the appliance. A controller is connected with the array of actuators for actuation of the actuators during a cycle of operation. The consumable holder is further connected with an internal communications network in the appliance for communication with one or more components of the appliance.