IP Library Granted Patent US 10,047,018
Granted Patent B2
US 10,047,018 · App. 15/065,004 · Granted Aug 14, 2018

Composting device sliding lid with a seal assembly

Inventors: Abhishek Buzruk (Maharashtra, IN); Christopher C. Wilcox (Stevensville, MI); Brian Clark (Ankeny, IA)
Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
C05F17/0205B65D43/20C05F17/0258B01L2300/041
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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,047,018
App. No.
15/065,004
Granted
Aug 14, 2018
Kind
B2
Abstract

The disclosure relates to a composting device including a housing defining an interior with an access opening providing access to the interior, a composter bin located within the interior and in communication with the access opening, and a cover slidably mounted to the housing and slidable along a sliding path between opened and closed conditions to selectively open and close the access opening. An angled seal assembly is provided on the cover and housing. Both a sealing surface and a seal are angled relative to a sliding path such that the space between the seal and the sealing surface decreases as the cover is slid from the opened to the closed condition.

Claims (33)

1. A composting device comprising:

a housing defining an interior, and having an access opening providing access to the interior;

a composter bin located within the interior and in communication with the access opening;

a cover slidably mounted to the housing and slidable along a sliding path between opened and closed conditions to selectively open and close the access opening;

a seal assembly comprising a constant-height seal provided on the cover and a sealing surface provided on the housing about the access opening;

wherein the sealing surface and the seal are angled relative to the direction of the sliding path such that the space between the seal and the sealing surface decreases as the cover is slid from the opened to the closed condition, and the seal abuts the sealing surface in the closed condition to seal the cover relative to the housing.

2. The composting device of claim 1 wherein the seal surface completely surrounds the access opening.

3. The composting device of claim 2 wherein the seal and seal surface are complementary in shape.

4. The composting device of claim 1 wherein the seal is compressible.

5. The composting device of claim 4 wherein the seal has a G-shape cross section.

6. The composting device of claim 1 further comprising rails slidably mounting the cover to the housing.

7. The composting device of claim 6 wherein the housing comprises a removable end plate in which the access opening is provided and to which the rails are mounted.

8. The composting device of claim 1 further comprising a funnel mounted to the housing and defining the access opening.

9. The composting device of claim 1 wherein the cover is slidably mounted such that the sliding path is horizontal.

10. The composting device of claim 1 wherein the sealing surface is angled upwardly away from the sliding path.

11. The composting device of claim 9 wherein a lower peripheral edge of the seal is angled upwardly away from the sliding path.

12. The composting device of claim 1 wherein the seal is angled relative to the sliding path.

13. The composting device of claim 12 wherein the seal and sealing surface are angled the same direction relative to the sliding path.

14. The composting device of claim 13 wherein one of the seal and sealing surface is at a greater angle than the other.

15. A composting device comprising:

a housing defining an interior, and having an access opening providing access to the interior;

a composter bin located within the interior and in communication with the access opening;

a cover slidably mounted to the housing and slidable along a sliding path between opened and closed conditions to selectively open and close the access opening; and

a seal assembly comprising a constant-height seal provided on one of the cover and housing and a sealing surface provided on the other of the cover and housing;

wherein both the sealing surface and the seal are angled relative to the sliding path such that the space between the seal and the sealing surface decreases as the cover is slid from the opened to the closed condition, and the seal abuts the sealing surface in the closed condition to seal the cover relative to the housing.

16. The composting device of claim 15 wherein the seal and sealing surface are angled the same direction relative to the sliding path.

17. The composting device of claim 16 wherein one of the seal and sealing surface is angled greater than the other.

18. The composting device of claim 15 wherein the seal is compressible.

19. The composting device of claim 18 wherein the seal has a G-shaped cross section.

20. The composting device of claim 15 wherein the sealing surface surrounds the access opening.

21. The composting device of claim 20 wherein the sealing surface and seal are complementary in shape.

22. The composting device of claim 15 further comprising a funnel mounted to the housing.

23. The composting device of claim 22 wherein the funnel defines the access opening.

Assignments (2)
CORRECTIVE ASSIGNMENT TO CORRECT THE ASSIGNEE NAME PREVIOUSLY RECORDED AT REEL: 037940 FRAME: 0690. ASSIGNOR(S) HEREBY CONFIRMS THE ASSIGNMENT . Recorded Jul 17, 2018
From: BUZRUK, ABHISHEK; WILCOX, CHRISTOPHER C.; CLARK, BRIAN
To: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 046559/0446 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Mar 10, 2016
From: BUZRUK, ABHISHEK; WILCOX, CHRISTOPHER C.; CLARK, BRIAN
To: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIOIN
Reel/Frame 037940/0690 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170260110A1 · Sep 14, 2017