Abstract: An appliance component is formed from sheet metal having a thickness defined by an elongated edge portion of the sheet metal. The elongated edge portion is rounded prior to applying a protective coating, such as a layer of porcelain enamel glass, to the component. Rounding of the elongated edge portions avoids the development of any thin or bare coating spots along the edge of the component which would be prone to rusting.

Abstract: An adjustable shelf is able to be initially attached to support structure within a storage area of a cabinet at any one of a multitude of vertical heights and then can be readily, mechanically adjusted to reposition the shelf as desired. In one embodiment, the shelf includes a pair of sprockets which are interengaged with mating slots formed in a pair of similarly constructed and laterally spaced support rails positioned within the cabinet. The drive arrangement for the sprockets can be manually, electrically or otherwise driven to provide infinite adjustments for the vertical shelf. When an electrical power motor is utilized as the drive source, the motor is preferably mounted upon a frame of the shelf and electrical power is transmitted to the motor through, at least in part, the support rail structure.

Abstract: A flexible paper popcorn package in the form of an easily expandable, nontrapping bag (18) is disclosed including a bottom wall (20) and a top wall (22) interconnected together adjacent their circular outer peripheries (20a, 22a) by first and second interconnection portions (26a, 26b). In one preferred form, the top wall (22) is formed by first and second wall portions (22b, 22c) interconnected together by a peelable closure seal (28). In another preferred form, the top wall (22) is formed from a first portion (22d) having an access opening closed by a closure portion (22e) interconnected by a seal (40) including the peelable closure seal portion (40a) to the first portion (22d). In still another preferred form, the bottom and top walls (20, 22) are interconnected together by their interconnection to gussetted side panels (50, 52), with the peelable closure seal being formed in the interconnection between the bottom and top walls (20, 22).

Abstract: A mechanism for locking an access door of an appliance includes a spring biased catch member preferably attached to the door and a latching housing insert fixed to a cabinet shell of the appliance. Upon closing the door, the catch member is caused to ride up a ramped retaining element mounted in a latching cavity, while simultaneously pivoting a first locking element between release and set positions. When the door is fully closed, the catch member drops behind the retaining element to releasably hold the door closed. When it is desired to maintain the door in a securely locked position, a linear actuator is activated to shift a second locking element into engagement with the first locking element. Preferably, the first and second locking elements are engaged through a ratchet connection which enables continued rotation of the first locking element to only further lock the catch member in the latching cavity.

Abstract: A plastic kickface, that consolidates a conventional metal face plate and a plastic kickplate, extends across a lowermost frontal portion of a shell of a refrigerator cabinet assembly. At least one lower door hinge bracket is secured to reinforcement structure of the cabinet shell by fasteners that extend through tubular spacers located in holes formed in the plastic kickface. Provisions are made for creating a seal along a lower section of a door of the refrigerator cabinet assembly by interconnecting the kickface with a sealing strip that is adapted to be engaged by a section of an annular gasket attached to the door of the refrigerator cabinet assembly.

Abstract: An optical instrument for facilitating the observation of surface engravings located on an optical lens includes a base housing having a light source therein for illuminating the optical lens. An image contrastor, selected based on the type of lens to be examined, is placed on the base housing over the light source. The image contrastor includes its own housing within which is positioned a viewing plate and a light diffuser. A screening pattern or coating is formed on the viewing plate to define a backdrop for examining the lens. A support member extends from the base housing and carries a magnifying lens. With this arrangement, an optical lens may be placed between the image contrastor and the magnifying lens to enhance the observation of engravings on the optical lens.

Abstract: A side-by-side refrigerator includes fresh food and freezer compartments each having upper and lower sections which vary in width and volume. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the fresh food compartment is wider at an upper portion than at a lower portion thereof and the freezer compartment is wider at a lower portion than at an upper portion, while the overall cabinet width of the refrigerator does not deviate from that of a conventional side-by-side refrigerator arrangement. Due to the interior size alterations, the fresh food and freezer doors of the side-by-side refrigerator are correspondingly configured and a mullion dividing the two refrigerator compartments extends in laterally offset vertical planes. An ice and/or water dispenser can be provided, such as in the freezer door or fixed relative to the fresh food and freezer doors in a central zone which is arranged vertically and laterally between portions of the doors.

Abstract: Disclosed are improved methods for preparing a grain based extrudate involving high screw speeds, short barrel length extruders and short residence times. Preferred methods of preparation reside in methods for preparing the present improved RTE cereal or snack products. The preferred methods contain the steps in sequence of feeding an at least partially ungelatinized grain based material to a cooker extruder having at least one rotating screw, said cooker extruder including a barrel preferably having a relatively short length to diameter ("L/D") ratio of substantially less than 12; working the grain based material by rotating the screw at a rotational speed of at least 700 rpm to mix and heat the cereal material and to compress the grain based material; and extruding the plasticized mass through at least one die orifice to form an extrudate. Its preferred product aspect provides RTE cereal or snack products in the form of a puffed grain based product piece having a density of about 10 to 100 g/l.

Abstract: A refrigerator ice dispensing assembly includes first, second and third ice delivery units for directing a flow of ice from a collecting bin through a discharge housing. A baffle plate is secured within the discharge housing to divide the same into first and second portions within which are arranged the second and third ice delivery units respectively. The baffle plate is formed with a passage through which the ice cubes are directed by the second ice delivery unit. The passage includes a generally crescent-shaped forward edge that leads from an outer radial edge of the passage to an inner radial edge thereof. The second ice delivery unit includes a central hub having an outer surface that is contiguous with the inner radial edge. The forward edge of the passage terminates directly adjacent the central hub in order to provide structural reinforcement for a high stress concentration zone associated with the passage.

Abstract: A refrigerator temperature control system includes a passageway for delivering a supply of cooling air from a freezer compartment to a fresh food compartment. A diverter member is positioned about the passageway in the freezer compartment for channeling the air through the passageway. A freezer compartment temperature sensor is routed from a temperature control unit in the fresh food compartment, through a bore formed in an insert which defines the air passageway, into a specialized chamber formed as part of the diverter member. The chamber is in fluid communication with the flow of air to the fresh food compartment through a bleed hole. To increase its surface area, the sensor is preferably coiled within the chamber and an insulation jacket extends about the sensor from within the fresh food compartment, with the insulation jacket creating a seal within the bore. In addition, a supporting sleeve extends about the sensor between the temperature control unit and the coiled portion of the sensor.

Abstract: Compositions in the form of a glassy low molecular carbohydrate matrix comprising an emulsifier. The food compositions comprise about 50 to 90% of a low molecular carbohydrate and the balance emulsifier. The food compositions are in powder form (1000 .mu.m>) and are useful as emulsifier ingredients in dry mixes for dough and batters for prepared foods such as layer cakes, muffins, breads and pancakes. Also preparation methods involving heating the low molecular carbohydrate to above its melting point, admixing the emulsifier to form a magma, rapidly cooling the magma sufficiently low enough to form a solid matrix and size reducing to form a powder of the requisite size.

Abstract: A readily transportable, compact and self-contained drain cleaning apparatus includes a hand-held control housing provided with an internal passage into which a release valve member extends for regulating fluid flow through the passage. The control housing includes a cartridge housing portion for attaching a miniature cartridge, containing a pressurized gaseous medium and preferably either a drain cleaning or algaecide fluid, thereto with an interior of the cartridge opening into the internal passage. The cartridge housing is provided with a safety aperture for pressure relief purposes. The control housing has an elongated tubular member attached thereto through a rotatable coupling and the tubular member has an end, remote from the control housing, provided with a terminal discharge member that is adapted to be sealing engaged with an open portion of a clogged drain conduit.

Abstract: A mullion bar is attached to a cabinet shell of a refrigerator through the use of a retainer that includes a first body portion positioned between primary and secondary flanges formed by the cabinet shell and a second body portion that is interengaged with additional flange structure defined by the mullion bar. More specifically, the retainer is preferably formed as an integral plastic element, with the first body portion being defined by a pair of spaced, generally T-shaped body members that are frictionally interposed between a return flange and a secondary flange of the cabinet shell. The second body portion of the retainer includes a bridge member that interconnects the body members, as well as a pair of legs which project in a direction opposite of the body members and which mate with the additional flange structure of the mullion bar.

Abstract: A modular telephone plug having an elongated dielectric housing and a clip member attached that is adapted to fit into a standard RJ-type jack. More specifically, one end of the modular plug defines an electrical connector section to which wires from a telephone cord can be attached. For this purpose, the housing includes an internal channel through which the telephone cord can extend. The clip member is secured in a cantilevered manner at an end of the housing remote from the electrical connector section. The housing is also formed with a recess into which extends a free end of the clip member. The modular plug has an associated length of 1.1 to 1.5 inches (approximately 2.8 to 3.8 cm). With this construction, the modular telephone plug can be easily grasped and manipulated.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for molding a plastic washing machine basket includes a fixed mold core formed with teardrop-shaped projections spaced about a periphery thereof, cavity sidewall members spaced about the periphery of the mold core which carry core pins having tips adapted to abut teardrop-shaped projections on the mold core and a cavity cover member spaced about an end of the mold core and abutting the cavity sidewall members so as to define a cavity between the mold core and both the cavity cover member and the sidewall members.

Abstract: A sealing device is provided to bridge a gap defined between open frontal portions of inner and outer tubs of a horizontal axis washing machine in order to prevent foreign objects from getting into the outer tub from the inner tub through the gap and potentially clogging a pumping system of the machine. In the preferred form of the invention, the sealing device includes a first seal portion fixedly secured to a lower, inner wall portion of a cover attached to the outer tub and a flexible, second seal portion which extends toward and preferably slidably contacts a balance ring provided about the open frontal portion of the inner tub. In accordance with one embodiment, the sealing device is constituted by a brush member, with the second seal portion being defined by bristles of the brush member. In another embodiment, the sealing device is constituted by a plastic film having one longitudinal side secured to the outer tub cover and another longitudinal side in sliding contact with the balance ring.

Abstract: A heating apparatus (2) draws in a liquid medium through a motor (7) driven, high pressure pump (5, 172), the liquid medium is greatly increased in pressure and temperature through frictional heating thereof and then the liquid medium is discharged in a heated, reduced pressure state for use directly or for heat exchange with another fluid. A method of utilizing the heating apparatus is also disclosed.