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:
Jun. 03, 2014
Filed:
Aug. 12, 2009
Paul B. Allard, Stevensville, MI (US);
Robert Ryan Bradley, Granger, IN (US);
James W. Kendall, Mount Prospect, IL (US);
Steven J. Kuehl, Stevensville, MI (US);
Alan S. Lucas, Evansville, IN (US);
Andrew M. Tenbarge, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
John J. Vonderhaar, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Guolian Wu, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Paul B. Allard, Stevensville, MI (US);
Robert Ryan Bradley, Granger, IN (US);
James W. Kendall, Mount Prospect, IL (US);
Steven J. Kuehl, Stevensville, MI (US);
Alan S. Lucas, Evansville, IN (US);
Andrew M. Tenbarge, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
John J. Vonderhaar, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Guolian Wu, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Abstract
A modular utility supply unit that includes a utility supply module housing having removable engageability to a surface of an appliance. Also included is at least one refillable reservoir capable of storing a plurality of utilities and receiving at least one utility from the appliance when the utility supply unit is operably engaged to the appliance. Further included is an interface capable of engaging a plurality of feature modules, where the interface includes a recognition device that prompts the utility supply unit to provide the engaged feature module with at least one of the storage utilities within the utility supply from at least one of the refillable reservoirs.