Perry M Bennett

US Patent:

6559427, May 6, 2003

Filed:

Sep 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

09/387738

Inventors:

Shelton T. Barnes - Chattanooga TN
Theodore A. Becker - Cleveland TN
Perry A. Bennett - Cleveland TN
Kenneth E. Sauter - Ooltewah TN

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

H05B 1100

US Classification:

219486, 219506

Abstract:

Multiple, programmable appliance units are connected to a control unit which receives program data from a control panel including user input elements for selecting various operational parameters, such as operational modes and times, for the appliance units. The control panel also includes a display having both display zones which are dedicated to the individual appliance units and at least one common display zone. Preferably, the common display zone is centrally located and operates on priority and override bases to provide user information concerning the appliance units. In further accordance with the invention, the information provided in the common display zone is linked to a dedicated area for a corresponding one of the appliance units to clearly enable the user to relate the provided information with the respective unit. In a preferred form of the invention, the information link takes the form of a bracket provided on the display which extends across the common display zone and into a dedicated zone for the particular appliance unit.

US Patent:

6844530, Jan 18, 2005

Filed:

Apr 10, 2003

Appl. No.:

10/410137

Inventors:

Perry A. Bennett - Cleveland TN, US
Mark A. Boyer - Harrison TN, US
Jackie M. Caruso - Ooltewah TN, US
Robert R. Ferris - Cleveland TN, US
Brian C. Jones - Ooltewah TN, US
Jeffrey K. McLeod - Riceville TN, US
James D. Nichols - Cleveland TN, US
Marilyn L. Sterchi - Harrison TN, US

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

H05B 102
F27D 1100

US Classification:

219491, 219494, 219400

Abstract:

A cooking appliance incorporates a convection system including a blower or fan having an associated heating element used for thawing food items in an oven cavity. The convection fan and its associated heating element are specifically controlled to regulate the air flow and temperature within the oven cavity in a manner which significantly reduces thaw time over ambient conditions, while not negatively effecting food quality. In accordance with the most preferred form of the invention, the convection fan is constantly operated at a high RPM and the convection heating element is operated in the order of 80 F. -100 F. (approximately 26-38 C. ) in order to establish and maintain an oven cavity temperature of about 80 F. (approximately 26 C. ) for food thawing purposes.

US Patent:

D4270142, Jun 27, 2000

Filed:

Aug 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

D/109773

Inventors:

Shelton T. Barnes - Chattanooga TN
Perry A. Bennett - Cleveland TN
David C. Ometer - Cleveland TN

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

0702

US Classification:

D 7407

US Patent:

62850091, Sep 4, 2001

Filed:

Aug 25, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/382806

Inventors:

Shelton T. Barnes - Chattanooga TN
Perry A. Bennett - Cleveland TN
David C. Ometer - Cleveland TN

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

A21B 100
A21B 122
F27D 1100

US Classification:

219409

Abstract:

An electric heating element for use in an oven cavity of a cooking appliance includes laterally spaced fore-to-aft extending side leg portions which are interconnected by a frontal portion, with each of the side leg portions having an inwardly directed section, followed by an outwardly directed section which leads to the frontal leg portion through respective arcuate corner portions. The electric heating element preferably constitutes a sheathed, resistance coil type element used to provide enhanced uniform heating of the oven cavity for various cooking functions, particularly baking and toasting operations.

US Patent:

6112916, Sep 5, 2000

Filed:

Aug 24, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/379583

Inventors:

Shelton T. Barnes - Chattanooga TN
Perry A. Bennett - Cleveland TN

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

A47F 500

US Classification:

211153

Abstract:

An oven rack for supporting food items to be cooked in a cavity of an appliance includes a support platform defined by a plurality of support elements that establish primary and secondary zones upon which food items to be cooked can be placed. The support elements are located in closer proximity within the primary zones than in the secondary zones. Preferably, the support elements are further interconnected by at least one cross support element in each of the primary zones. With this configuration, a consumer is directed to support food items to be cooked in optimal locations upon the oven rack.

US Patent:

6172338, Jan 9, 2001

Filed:

Oct 5, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/412433

Inventors:

Shelton T. Barnes - Chattanooga TN
Perry A. Bennett - Cleveland TN
Norman T. McGuffey - Cleveland TN

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

A21B 300
F27D 112

US Classification:

219399

Abstract:

A cooking appliance includes a cabinet, defined by at least front, side, bottom and rear panel portions, and at least one oven cavity positioned therein. When placed in an in-use position, the bottom panel portion is spaced from a supporting surface, preferably by multiple, vertically adjustable leg members, such that an air passageway is defined below the bottom panel. At least one opening is formed at a lower rear section of the appliance to allow air to flow into a passageway defined in the cabinet between the oven cavity and the rear panel portion of the cabinet. At least one outlet opening is formed in an upper portion of the cabinet to allow the cooling air to exit the cabinet. With this arrangement, operation of the cooking appliance causes air to be drawn along the bottom of the appliance, into the cabinet, upward within the passageway and then out of the cabinet.

US Patent:

62556304, Jul 3, 2001

Filed:

Sep 1, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/387736

Inventors:

Shelton T. Barnes - Chattanooga TN
Perry A. Bennett - Cleveland TN
Kenneth E. Sauter - Ooltewah TN

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

H05B 102

US Classification:

219486

Abstract:

A cooking appliance includes a control system which is programmable to enable multiple, successive cooking operations to be performed in sequence, with an alphanumeric display being provided to convey information concerning the successive cooking operations, such as the amount of time until the start of a subsequent cooking operation while an initial cooking operation is proceeding. Furthermore, the control system can be used to alter factory established set-up parameters such that the appliance can be conveniently customized by the consumer.

US Patent:

61538582, Nov 28, 2000

Filed:

Jun 23, 1999

Appl. No.:

9/339039

Inventors:

Shelton T. Barnes - Chattanooga TN
Perry A. Bennett - Cleveland TN
Kenneth E. Sauter - Ooltewah TN

Assignee:

Maytag Corporation - Newton IA

International Classification:

F24C 700
A21B 310
H05B 102

US Classification:

219413

Abstract:

A cooking appliance includes an oven cavity having an associated access door provided with a cavity viewing window, a control panel for setting both a desired cooking function and a heat source operating time period, and a light for illuminating the oven cavity of the appliance. The light is controlled so as to be automatically activated prior to the expiration of the set time period for the selected cooking operation in order to bring the attention of the user to viewing the progress of the cooking operation without unnecessarily opening the oven cavity door. If, after viewing the food being cooked, it is determined that further cooking time is warranted, then the process of adding additional cooking time will function to re-set the automatic light activating feature of the invention. In addition, if the user opens the door following activation of the cavity light but prior to the expiration of the established cooking time period, then the light will preferably remain on until after the cooking function is completed. Various provisions are also made for de-activating the light after the cooking operation is completed.