Abstract: An air cleaner assembly for use with a conventional household air conditioning system with a duct having an opening sized to receive a standard panel filter comprises a peripheral frame sized to be received within the opening in the return duct and sized to receive a standard panel filter. The air cleaner assembly is adapted to move a filter element inserted into the recess to a position exterior of the recess so that multiple filter elements can be mounted inside the duct.

Abstract: An improved front loading washing machine is provided with a front panel having a round access opening. A glass door is reversibly mounted on the front panel via a hinge. The hinge can be moved to the left or right side of the access opening by rotating a carriage ring which extends around the access opening and which supports the hinge. A door lock is provided on the carriage opposite the hinge. Accordingly, the door is reversible for opening on the left or right, as desired by a user.

Abstract: A multi-compartment dishwasher includes first and second washing units defining corresponding first and second washing tubs or chambers. The dishwasher also includes first and second control boards operatively associated with the first and second washing units respectively. Preferably, the first and second control boards are joined by a communication link that serves as a conduit for sharing data. The dishwasher further includes at least one ID designator that identifies one of the first and second washing units as a primary washing unit and the other of the first and second washing units as a secondary washing unit. The primary and secondary washing units share certain system resources during an overall washing operation, with the primary washing unit having preference over the secondary washing unit.

Abstract: An article retainer assembly for a refrigerator shelf includes a pair of support brackets and a retaining member. The support brackets are preferably mounted at opposing side portions of a refrigerator shelf, with the retaining member extending therebetween and across a front edge section of the shelf. The support brackets include corresponding guide tracks having first and second portions adapted to support the retaining member in an upright, lowered or stowed configuration. In the upright position, the retaining member prevents articles resting upon the shelf from moving beyond the front edge section. In the lowered position, unobstructed access is provided to the articles on the shelf and, in the stowed position, the retaining member is held in place below the shelf.

Abstract: An oven rack for supporting food items to be cooked in a oven cavity of an appliance includes a frame portion and a support platform defined by a plurality of support members that establish a food item support zone and a food item access zone. The plurality of support members include substantially straight support members and offset or shaped support members. The offset support members, in combination with a vertically offset section of the frame portion, define the food item access zone which is vertically offset from the food item support zone so as to enable a consumer to access a bottom portion of a food item resting on the rack.

Abstract: A microwave oven for use in cooking food having a door and door mounted controls and a cooling system where the door mounted controls are disclosed. The microwave oven having an external enclosure defining an outer cabinet and an oven cavity supported within the external enclosure where the oven cavity has a front access opening. The door is rotatably supported adjacent the external enclosure for selectively closing the access opening. A control unit is mounted within the door and a ventilation cooling path is formed within the door for cooling the control unit mounted with the door. A blower is supported within the external enclosure for directing an air flow toward the door and into the ventilation cooling path. The microwave can further include a housing which is supported within the door for enclosing the control unit and where the housing forms part of the ventilation cooling path.

Abstract: A device for rapidly chilling containers in a refrigerator includes a base portion, an outer body portion and a carriage. The outer body portion includes an outer shell defining a central cavity. The carriage is rotatably supported in the central cavity and spaced from the outer shell so as to define an air channel. The carriage includes a support wall that defines an article receptacle. The support wall includes a plurality of openings that open to the air channel. A fan is provided to establish a cooling airflow that is directed through the air channel into the carriage. A motor is employed to selectively rotate the carriage. A plurality of rollers, at least one of which is driven by the motor, support and drive the carriage to rotate through the cooling airflow to rapidly lower the container temperature.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance is provided which includes a cabinet with a first openable door providing access to a first refrigeration compartment and a second openable door providing access to a second refrigeration compartment. The second openable door has a portion thereof positioned below a portion of the first openable door. A rail separates the first refrigeration compartment and the second refrigeration compartment. A water dispenser is contained in the rail, as well as electronic controls for the refrigeration appliance. The dispenser is arranged to be stationary relative to the refrigeration appliance while the doors are open or closed. The rail may be removed and replaced, and with the water and electronic controls located in the rail, repairs are performed more efficiently and flexibility in manufacturing is enhanced. A drip tray is formed in an exterior side of the second openable door below the dispenser.

Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser that extends forwardly from the refrigerator door. The dispenser includes a retractable ledge to support a container, a sloped back wall to provide increased storage space in the door, a lighted target ring to facilitate positioning of a container for receipt of ice and water, an ice chute door actuated by an electric motor, and a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed.

Abstract: An ice maker and ice bin are provided on the inside of a freezer door of a refrigerator. The ice maker is compact, and the bin is removably mounted to the door. Ice is made by the ice maker on the door, and discharged into the ice bin, which then feeds the ice to an ice dispenser when the dispenser is actuated by a person.

Abstract: An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vertically and/or laterally adjustable lighted shelf assembly. The shelf assembly is supported by a shelf support rail arranged in the refrigerator. First and second contact strips are mounted to the shelf support rail and electrically connected to a voltage source in the refrigerator. The shelf assembly includes a mounting member for attaching the shelf to the shelf support rail. The mounting member includes a first terminal strip and a second terminal strip. With this arrangement, when the shelf member is supported by the shelf support rail, the first and second terminal strips automatically engage with the first and second contact strips to complete an electrical circuit for powering the light unit. The electrical connection remains intact upon laterally shifting the shelf assembly on the shelf support rail.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance with a cabinet having a front wall, a rear wall, side walls and a top enclosing a refrigerated space. A front panel in the front wall is openable to provide access to the refrigerated space. The cabinet walls are sized to fit below a standard countertop height in a domestic kitchen. The top for the cabinet, which is arranged to be sealingly engaged with the cabinet, has at least a portion thereof which is transparent to allow a user to view at least a portion of the refrigerated space without opening the panel. In an embodiment, a removable cover may be provided which is sized to overlie the cabinet top.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a frontal frame, a tub having a plurality of walls collectively define a washing chamber, and a door pivotally mounted to the frontal frame for sealing the washing chamber. During a washing operation, sound generated by operation of a mechanical pump escapes from below the dishwasher. To minimize sound from escaping and to provide a more enjoyable environment, a sound sealing system is mounted at a bottom portion of the dishwasher door. The sound seal system includes a sound tray that extends across the frontal frame below a bottom edge portion of the door. The sound tray can be directly, pivotally attached to the door, or an additional flexible seal is employed to span and seal a gap between the sound tray and the bottom portion of the door.