The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Aug. 13, 2013
Filed:
May. 21, 2009
Gale R. Horst, Watervliet, MI (US);
Douglas D. Leclear, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Karen J. Querfurth, Coloma, MI (US);
Ameresh B. Viswanathan, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Ronald L. Voglewede, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Michele E. Wilcox, Stevensville, MI (US);
Gale R. Horst, Watervliet, MI (US);
Douglas D. Leclear, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Karen J. Querfurth, Coloma, MI (US);
Ameresh B. Viswanathan, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Ronald L. Voglewede, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Michele E. Wilcox, Stevensville, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
An elongated polymeric ribbon is mounted to the cabinet of a refrigerator/freezer or the door and at least one electrical conductor is integrally formed in the ribbon, which also integrally includes at least one fluid conduit. In one embodiment, the ribbon is mounted in association with an elongated spine, such that a module can be mounted anywhere along the spine and coupled to the polymeric ribbon for receiving operating utilities therefrom. This system provides the manufacturer with the capability of positioning a module requiring operating utilities at any desired location within a refrigerator/freezer cabinet and/or on the doors of the refrigerator/freezer. The ribbon connector is accessed by connections which allow dealers to customize refrigerators for individual consumers.