Whirlpool Corporation

Andrew T Middleton

Anthony B Welsh

Blayne C Smith

Ameresh Babu Viswanathan

Barry E Tuller

Mark W Baldwin

Marcus Roland Fischer

Saadat Hussain

Demetrius J Schaaf

Jonathan D Gephart

Justin D McIver

Bryan M Topp

Elizabeh A Moit

An appliance that conducts a useful cycle of operation on an article comprises a treating chamber receiving the article and having an access opening. A first closure element selectively closes at least a first portion of the access opening, and a second closure element movable relative to the first closure element selectively closes at least a second portion of the access opening. An operative device can be coupled to the second closure element. A cable providing at least one of electrical or data communication to the device is routed through the first closure element to the second closure element and is operatively connected to the device on the second closure element.

Appliance with closure element having an operative device

A dishwasher includes an open-face tub and a closure element selectively closing the open face of the tub and housing a user interface powered by a rechargeable power supply, such as a battery, operatively coupled to a power charger. In one embodiment, the user interface is not removable from the closure element, and the power charger may be remote from the closure element to selectively provide power to the rechargeable power supply. In another embodiment, the closure element may include a first door and a second door, with each door having an inductive part for formation of an inductive coupling to charge the rechargeable power supply when the doors are in juxtaposition.

System for charging a power supply in a closure element of a household appliance

Growing community of inventors

Spring, TX, United States of America

Andrew T Middleton