Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher having multiple wash chambers, with each wash chamber executing a different cycle of operation, and liquid from one chamber may be reused in the other chamber.

Abstract: An off-balance detection method comprises a plurality of off-balance detection schemes that utilize wash basket speed to detect an off-balance load condition at speed ranges that span the entire spin cycle and include speeds corresponding to natural frequencies of a mass comprising a wash tub and a wash basket. The schemes can be used alone or in combination with one or more of the other schemes. The off-balance detection method can further comprise a power limiting method to prevent motor overload when an off-balance condition is present.

Abstract: A shipping and packing tape type dispenser having a handle and a dispenser body for mounting a roll of tape for one-handed application to work surfaces. The dispenser includes a retractable press plate, tape retainer, spool anti-reverse and rotation-tensioning mechanism and exterior rails. A storage bracket has supports for mounting the dispenser through the exterior rails for a one-handed dispensing mode, a quick storage mode, and a more-secure quick storage mode. The handle has storage for pens, box-cutters, replacement cutting blades, a retractable tape measure and/or a retractable weigh scale. A cutting blade is frictionally mounted in an open-ended slot through a sidewall portion of the dispenser.

Abstract: A door movably mounted to a cabinet to selectively close a chamber. The door has a peripheral edge, and a standardized service interface is located on the peripheral edge. The standardized service interface is configured to supply at least one service for use by a consumer electronic device. The peripheral edge can be the top edge of the door. The standardized service interface can receive the service from the use environment of the cabinet. A connector can be incorporated into the standardized service interface to selectively supply the consumer electronic device with the service. The service can comprise mechanical, power, or data communication.

Abstract: An appliance network has a service key accessory to facilitate remote diagnosis and service of an appliance.

Abstract: A method of operating a dishwasher having a treating chamber for washing utensils for draining, capturing, and storing a portion of a wash liquid for subsequent use.

Abstract: A method of controlling the operation of a steam generator in a fabric treatment appliance may include controlling the operation of the steam generator in response to a rate of temperature change of the steam generator and/or controlling the operation of the steam generator in response to a rate of temperature change of a receptacle for receiving fabric items to be treated.

Abstract: A latching mechanism for the dust cup assembly on a bottom exit cyclone-separator vacuum cleaner, including a non-rotating annular seal member supporting the dust cup assembly above a discharge outlet, and a U-shaped slide lock member movable in and out underneath the dust cup assembly to raise and lower the seal member, thus raising and lower the dust cup assembly into and out of engagement with a cyclone separator chamber.

Abstract: The invention relates to a network system of at least two appliances, each appliance configured to perform a cycle of operation on an article, and each appliance having its own software architecture. An embedded virtual router enables communication among appliance components independent of the architecture of the software.

Abstract: A network includes a smart coupler having a processor, a memory with software, and a power source to energize the processor and the memory, and an appliance configured to perform an operation on a physical article. The appliance is one that consumes at least some of a resource in performing the operation. The network also includes a source of information about the resource. The smart coupler is in communication with the appliance and the source, and the processor and memory operate to request a change to the operation of the appliance in response to a resource parameter or a request communicated by the source.

Abstract: An avionics chassis comprises a housing having opposing walls, a pair of spaced card rails with one rail mounted to each of the opposing walls where each rail has a channel to define an effective slot between the rails, a circuit card assembly comprising a PCB and a thermal plane in overlying relationship with the PCB, with the PCB defining a first primary plane, and the thermal plane defining a second primary plane and the spatial relationship between them is such that the planes are located within the slot when the circuit card assembly is mounted to the card rails and the thermal plane is conductively coupled to a rail to form a first conductive path from the thermal plane to one of the walls and the PCB is conductively coupled to a rail to form a second conductive path from the PCB to one of the walls.

Abstract: Contiguous independently-controllable conveyor system zones are controlled by zone control modules executing a program element associated with each module. Each module is coupled with an object detector and a conveyor zone actuator. A two-way zone control module communication port is coupled with two adjacent upstream zone control module communication ports and two adjacent downstream zone control module communication ports. An object detector port is coupled with an object detector, an actuator control port is coupled with an actuator, and a conveyor zone actuator is thereby controlled. Memory allocation in a module includes an event logic element responsive to inputs from adjacent upstream and downstream module communication ports. A program element associated with each module identifies the position of the module in a series of modules. The actuator is controlled by an event logic element, and by communication from an object detector and an adjacent upstream and downstream module.

Abstract: An automatic clothes dryer comprises a cabinet defining an interior space in which is rotatably mounted a drum that defines a drying chamber, a heater assembly having a heating element for heating air, and a motor for rotating the drum. A blower is mounted within the interior space and is fluidly coupled to the drying chamber for moving heated air through the drying chamber. A first temperature sensor is mounted upstream of the heating element. A second temperature sensor is mounted downstream of the blower. Outputs from the temperature sensors are utilized with one or more methods to determine the air flow characteristics through the dryer.