Maytag Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation

The Maytag Company

Stephen D Schober

Lisa J Hood

Curtis J Tremel

Douglas S Clark

Jon D Strait

Mark S Snowden

Timothy P Linahon

Troy A Johnson

Ted L Hansen

Michael C Roberts

Brian L Ness

Kimberly J Hood

Brett C Oleson

David E Liebe

S Luke Bullock

Lashelle D Woods

Barry E Tuller

Inho Andy Shin

Darrin Scott Manke

Daryl A Michael

Douglas A Ochsner

Brian D Clark

Lawrence J Jordan

Lawrence L Quayle

Joseph M Keeler

Nedra A Herr

Dennis L Purtilo

Paul E Maass

Robert L Deatherage

Kristi R Lafrenz

William J Swartz

Frank S Nekic

Francis C Cheo

Dean L Schaffran

Michael L Wright

Jay P Schubick

Brett A Noser

Lynne E Kiefer

Lee R Birch

Kenneth M Odland

Jan D Behrens

Kevin W Shipley

Julie M Bundy

Jeffrey D Rupe

A laundry appliance can be selectively operated in either manual or automatic modes of operation. In the automatic mode, a laundering operation is initiated upon receiving a single cycle input parameter from the user, preferably through a LCD touch screen display, while relying on additional operating cycle parameters established by factory preset settings or prior consumer established preferences. In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, a consumer need merely select a single cycle parameter, such as a type of stain adapted to be removed, and the appliance will start based on temperature and other setting parameters taken from memory. However, even with the automatic start feature activated, the user will still be able to adjust pre-established cycle parameters by changing default values after the cycle has started.

Laundry appliance having automatic start feature based on selected stain

A hanger rod for a clothes drying cabinet includes a plurality of notches, each adapted to receive a hanger. Each notch is V-shaped, with opposite side walls which converge downwardly to a substantially pointed apex. The rod has front and rear walls defining a thickness ranging between 30%&#x2013;75% of the hanger hook diameter. The notches provide four contact points on the hanger hook to prevent rotation of the hanger hook on the rod during the drying process.

Hanger rod for drying cabinet

Control panel for laundry appliance

Dryer cabinet

A household appliance is provided with a visual display, as well as a control system which enables the visual display to be used in an advertising mode of operation. The advertising mode can be selectively operated in either automatic or interactive formats. In the automatic format, a series of screens are successively displayed on the screen in order to advertise various features and advantages of the appliance. In the interactive format, the consumer can enter desired selections through the screen as if the appliance was actually in use. The appliance then simulates an operation cycle based on the selections made. The selections are preferably stored in a volatile memory location such that the control system reverts back to default settings and options, either after a preset idle period or upon establishing an OFF condition for the appliance.

Household appliance with advertising display mode

A combination tumble and cabinet dryer appliance includes a housing with a tumble dryer and a cabinet dryer therein. The tumble dryer and cabinet dryer are operable independently of one another. Separate sources of hot air are provided to each of the tumble and cabinet dryers. The cabinet dryer extends over and along one side of the tumble dryer. A portion of the cabinet dryer extends substantially along the height of the housing so as to receive long hanging clothes, such as a dress. Removable shelves are provided in the cabinet dryer for drying sweaters and the like.

Combination tumble and cabinet dryer

A laundry appliance includes a cabinet, a drying chamber, a door assembly, a blower assembly and an air passage for directing an airflow to the drying chamber. A media holder is removably positioned in the air passage to suspend a volatilizable media in the path of the airflow. The media holder includes a main body having rear wall formed from a latticework frame, an interior for receiving the volatilizable material, and a door member. The door member is also formed from a latticework frame. With this arrangement, both the rear wall and door member include a plurality of openings to allow an airflow to carry a fragrance or other substance from the volatilizable material through the air passage to treat clothes placed in the drying chamber.

Volatilizable media holder for a laundry dryer

A dishwasher door assembly includes a frame, an inner door panel and a decorative outer door panel. The door is assembled by snap-fitting the inner door panel to the frame and then further snap-fitting the decorative outer panel over the frame. Thereafter, mechanical fasteners are inserted in aligned openings formed in the outer door panel, frame and inner door panel. This overall arrangement enables a consumer to select between various decorative outer door panels available to a retailer such that an outer door panel of a desired color and/or style can be sold with the overall dishwasher. The overall door assembly is preferably formed from plastic so as to be lightweight, yet structurally sound.

Growing community of inventors

Newton, IA, United States of America

Stephen D Schober