IP Library › Granted Patent US 10,501,381
Granted Patent B2
US 10,501,381 · App. 15/158,958 · Granted Dec 10, 2019

Composting device with funnel assembly

Inventors: Abhishek P. Buzruk (Maharashtra, IN); Christopher C. Wilcox (Stevensville, MI); Michael S. Seeley (South Haven, MI)
Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
C05F17/0205C05F17/0258Y02P20/145Y02W30/43
View Patent ↗
Loading inventors, assignments & file history…
Monitor This Case
Get email alerts when status or documents change.
Order Certified Copies
Most orders are placed with the USPTO same day — all within 24 business hours.
Order via The Patent Place →
Pre-filled with this patent's details
Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 10,501,381
App. No.
15/158,958
Granted
Dec 10, 2019
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 funnel assembly integrated with the access opening.

Claims (35)

1. A food composter comprising:

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

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

a door moveable relative to the access opening between open/closed positions to selectively open/close the access opening; and

a removable trim bezel located between the door and the access opening and surrounding the access opening;

wherein the trim bezel is removable from the housing while the door remains affixed to the housing.

2. The food composter of claim 1 further comprising a funnel carried by the housing and aligned with the access opening, with the trim bezel overlying at least a portion of the funnel.

3. The food composter of claim 2 wherein the funnel is integrally formed with the housing and defines the access opening.

4. The food composter of claim 3 wherein the housing has an end wall and the funnel is integrally formed in the end wall.

5. The food composter of claim 4 wherein the door is slidably mounted to the end wall.

6. The food composter of claim 5 wherein the trim bezel is made of dishwasher-safe material.

7. The food composter of claim 6 wherein the dishwasher-safe material can retain its shape after being exposed to temperatures greater than 65° C. for at least 180 mins.

8. The food composter of claim 6 wherein the dishwasher-safe material has a static friction coefficient of less than 0.3.

9. The food composter of claim 2 wherein the funnel comprises a converging portion and a tube, with the trim bezel overlying at least a portion of the converging portion.

10. The food composter of claim 9 wherein the trim bezel overlies all of the converging portion.

11. The food composter of claim 9 wherein the converging portion and the trim bezel have a rectilinear perimeter.

12. The food composter of claim 1 wherein the trim bezel is made of dishwasher-safe material.

13. The food composter of claim 12 wherein the dishwasher-safe material can retains its shape after being exposed to temperatures greater than 65° C. for at least 180 mins.

14. The food composter of claim 1 wherein the trim bezel is made of material having a static friction coefficient of less than 0.3.

15. A food composter comprising:

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

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

a door moveable relative to the access opening between open/closed positions to selectively open/close the access opening; and

a funnel assembly located in the end wall and comprising a removable portion located between the door and the access opening.

16. The food composter of claim 15 wherein the removable portion is made of dishwasher-safe material.

17. The food composter of claim 16 wherein the dishwasher-safe material can retains its shape after being exposed to temperatures greater than 65° C. for at least 180 mins.

18. The food composter of claim 17 wherein the dishwasher-safe material has a static friction coefficient of less than 0.3.

19. The food composter of claim 15 wherein the removable portion comprises a trim bezel.

20. The food composter of claim 19 wherein the funnel assembly further comprises a converging portion and the trim bezel overlies at least a portion of the converging portion.

21. A food composter comprising:

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

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

a door moveable relative to the access opening between open/closed positions to selectively open/close the access opening; and

a removable trim bezel separated from and located between the door and the access opening surrounding the access opening;

wherein the trim bezel is removable from the housing while the door remains affixed to the housing.

Assignments (1)
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded May 19, 2016
From: BUZRUK, ABHISHEK P.; WILCOX, CHRISTOPHER C.; SEELEY, MICHAEL S.
To: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Reel/Frame 038645/0925 →
Continuity (1)
Related Publication 20170334800A1 · Nov 23, 2017
Cited By (1)
US 12,331,000