Abstract: A laterally adjustable cantilever shelf system for a refrigerator/freezer includes a formed metal bracket which defines a continuous channel. The bracket includes hooks to engage into slots in shelf standards in a refrigerated compartment. This enables the bracket to be placed at any select vertical position within the compartment. A shelf accessory includes sheet metal side arms each having a hook at the top rear that mates with a channel in the bracket to retain the shelf. Sufficient clearance is provided between the shelf side arm and the channel to allow the shelf to be moved by slightly lifting the front of the shelf to relieve the pressure between the top hook and the channel and applying lateral pressure. An additional hook at the bottom of the side arm interferes with the channel when the front of the shelf is lifted to prevent the shelf from becoming accidentally dislodged.

Abstract: A pulley system for an automatic washer wherein the automatic washer includes a wash basket rotatably disposed within a tub and a motor having a motor shaft for selectively rotating the wash basket about a horizontal axis. The pulley system is disposed between the motor and the basket for drivingly connecting the motor with the basket and includes a drive hub disposed external of the tub drivingly interconnected with the wash basket. A pulley having an inner surface slidably disposed about the outer diameter of the drive hub is provided such that the pulley may rotate a predetermined angular distance about the hub before drivingly engaging the drive hub for co-rotation. A trip arm is interconnected with the drive hub and the pulley and is adapted for selective partial extension beyond the outer periphery of the pulley in response to the direction of wash basket rotation. A belt is drivingly disposed about the motor shaft and the pulley for drivingly interconnecting the motor with the pulley.

Abstract: The present invention is a cooking appliance or an electronic control for a cooking appliance and method of controlling the same. A remote control unit having a built-in temperature sensor, positional switch and low-battery detection circuit is in two-way intermittent wireless communication with the appliance control unit of the present invention. The appliance control unit includes a switch means for controlling the heating elements of the cooking appliance wherein the switch means for each heating element includes two power switches connected in series and coupled with a redundancy detection circuit for the detection of a failure of one of the two power switches. Two-way communication between the two control units of the present invention is constantly monitored to ensure proper operation of the cooking appliance and to provide a mechanism to report errors to the user or to shut down the cooking appliance, as appropriate, soon after an error is detected.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a refrigeration appliance having a plurality of compartments in direct communication with a single evaporator wherein the evaporator operates at a plurality of different evaporating pressures for controlling temperature and humidity within each of the plurality of compartments. By controlling the temperature of the evaporator used for cooling a compartment, relative control of humidity within each compartment selected for operation at a temperature greater than substantially below freezing may be obtained. In this fashion, high humidity compartments operating at a freezing temperature may be provided as well as high humidity compartments operating at somewhat above freezing. Furthermore, all compartments, regardless of their selected temperature, may be operated at a relatively low humidity if desired.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance is provided having at least two refrigeration compartments, each compartment having its own access door. The appliance includes a single evaporator located in a plenum which is selectively in communication with each of the compartments, a single compressor, preferably run by a variable speed motor, and a refrigerant circuit including a series of conduits for providing a flow of refrigerant to the evaporator and compressor. A control determines which of the compartments is demanding cooling and operates the refrigeration device until the detected demand for cooling has been satisfied for the particular compartment. Prior to terminating the operation of the refrigeration device, the control determines if the second compartment is demanding cooling or was within a predetermined temperature range prior to demanding cooling. If either condition exists, the refrigeration device is switched to the second compartment until the demand for cooling therein has been satisfied.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance is provided which has a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment and a refrigeration system for cooling the two compartments. Two evaporators operating at different temperatures, or a single evaporator operating at sequentially different temperatures is used in the refrigeration system to provide the cooling of the two compartments. An ice making device is provided in the fresh food compartment, thermally associated with the evaporator used to cool the fresh food compartment operating at a warmer temperature, such that ice is formed and stored in the fresh food compartment. Dispensing means extending through the door of the fresh food compartment are provided to allow for dispensing of ice through the fresh food compartment door.

Abstract: An automatic washing machine having a imperforate stationery tub and further having a rotatable plastic wash basket, for receiving a clothes load, disposed within the stationary tub. The rotatable plastic wash basket further includes a cylindrical outer wall having an upper end open for receiving the clothes load. A base integral with the cylindrical outer wall is provided for forming a bottom of the rotatable basket. An annular core member is disposed within the base of the plastic wash basket such that the base encapsules and interlocks with the annular core member. In addition, a hub member is disposed centrally in the annular core member and is drivingly connectable with a drive shaft for drivingly rotating said rotatable wash basket. The annular core member has a substantially triangular radial cross-section such that the base is optimally configured to form a solid triangular radial cross-section for providing strength and rigidity to the wash basket.

Abstract: A method for manufacturing a vacuum insulation panel is provided which includes the steps of: drying a quantity of microporous powder; evacuating the powder of gases; evacuating a gas impermeable bag of gases; loading the powder into the gas impermeable bag while the bag and powder remain in an evacuated condition; and sealing the gas evacuated bag with the gas evacuated powder therein to form a vacuum insulation panel. The powder in the bag should be compacted before the bag is sealed and also a trace amount of helium may be injected into the bag prior to sealing to assist in leak detection of the sealed panel. The panel with injected helium has an internal pressure not exceeding 1 mm Hg.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus cabinet includes an outer shell having walls defining a front opening. A plastic liner in the shell provides an insulation space therebetween and has connected rear and sidewalls to define a refrigerated space accessible through the shelf front opening. The liner includes a plurality of vertically spaced, aligned openings through one of the walls. An elongate reinforcement bar has a plurality of spaced, aligned openings, similar to the liner openings, the reinforcement bar being disposed behind the liner in the insulation space with each liner opening aligned with a reinforcement bar opening. A plurality of fasteners are provided, one for each liner opening.

Abstract: A wash additive dispensing system and method for an automatic washer having a wash additive dispenser disposed on the upper portion of an agitator rotatably mounted within a wash basket. The wash additive dispenser comprises a receiving cup capable of receiving a wash additive and a dispensing cup secured to receive wash additive from the receiving cup. A cover member is disposed above the receiving cup and includes a funnel portion extending down into the receiving cup. During a fill cycle operation, a portion of wash liquid flowing into the wash basket through a water inlet device is channeled into a wash liquid supply conduit secured to the underside of a washer lid disposed above the wash basket. The supply conduit has a drain port positioned above the funnel portion of the cover member such that wash liquid continuously drains into the receiving cup through the funnel portion during the fill cycle.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an improved air return system providing a channel of air below the crisper pans. Particularly, a separator top is positioned above a separator insulation body to define a space therebetween providing an air flow path for channeling return air flow. An inlet to the space is positioned proximate the front of the separator wall and an outlet is positioned proximate the rear of the separator. An air flow passage through the separator is in communication with the outlet for returning refrigerated air to the freezer compartment.

Abstract: A microwave oven with an oven cavity and a microwave feed system which produces a microwave distribution of polarized microwaves with essentially defined field vector orientations relative to one of the walls of the cavity. A zone defining an expansion of volume which opens into the cavity and whose dimensions are tuned to the wavelength and field distribution in the cavity, is disposed in a wall of the cavity. The expansion does not affect the effective field distribution in the cavity and can be used for concealed placement of a grill element or light source.

Abstract: A cooking appliance or an electronic control for a cooking appliance and a method of controlling the same including a remote control which has built-in temperature sensor, positional switch and low-battery detection circuit is in two-way intermittent wireless communication with the appliance control unit. The appliance control unit includes a switch means for controlling the heating elements of the cooking appliance wherein the switch means for each heating element includes two power switches connected in series and coupled with a redundancy detection circuit for the detection of a failure of one of the two power switches. Two-way communication between the two control units of the present invention is constantly monitored to ensure proper operation of the cooking appliance and to provide a mechanism to report errors to the user or to shut down the cooking appliance, as appropriate, soon after an error is detected.

Abstract: A system for sampling air contained in an appliance shipping container includes a gas analyzer sealably interconnected with a probe by a flexible conduit. Disposed on the lower portion of a side wall of the appliance shipping container is an opening sealably covered by a film patch. A conveyor line arrangement positions the shipping container such that the film patch is disposed adjacent the probe. When the appliance shipping container is detected to be suitably positioned adjacent the probe, an electro-solenoid interconnected with the probe is activated causing the probe to puncture the reflective film patch and permitting an air sample to be drawn from the appliance shipping container into the gas analyzer. If the presence of a vaporized refrigerant is detected, a controller shunts the appliance shipping container to a site for repair of the appliance.

Abstract: A vacuum filling machine and method are provided for use in filling a porous pouch with microporous powder. The machine has a housing sealable in an air tight manner. A pair of substantially parallel plates are positioned within said housing, one of the plates having a plurality of perforations therethrough extending from facing front sides of that plate to back side of that plate. The housing is openable to receive the porous pouch between the facing front sides of the plates. A nozzle provides a communication path between the pouch and a source of microporous powder. A vacuum source communicates with an interior of the housing and the back side of the plate with perforations through a vacuum shroud. Preferably, a heat sealing device is positioned within the housing for sealing an edge of the pouch after filling with microporous powder.

Abstract: A wash system is provided having a rotatable wash basket for receiving fabric items disposed within an imperforate wash tub. A quantity of wash liquid is initially applied to the fabric items while the fabric items are tumbled within the wash basket until the fabric items are saturated with wash liquid and have had a chance to roll-up. The washing liquid is then extracted from the fabric items and the extracted wash liquid is stored for later use in a holding tank. A portion of the stored wash liquid is reintroduced from the holding tank to a mixing tank and mixed with detergent to form a wash liquor having a detergent concentration within a predetermined range. This wash liquor is then continuously passed through the fabric items while the wash basket rotates at a speed to maintain the fabric items against a peripheral wall of the wash basket.

Abstract: In an automatic washer drive system, a planetary gear arrangement is provided including an input drive shaft being drivingly connected to a motor at one end and having a sun gear interconnected with a second end. A plurality of cylindrical plastic planet gears are disposed around and engage the sun gear. A plastic unitary carrier member rotatably supports the planet gears and further interconnects with an output drive shaft for causing rotation of an agitator. A gear housing surrounds the cylindrical planetary gears which engage an internal ring gear disposed on an inner peripheral surface of the gear housing. The plastic unitary carrier member is configured to include a plate portion which extends outwardly in the radial direction with respect to the output drive shaft. A plurality of the cylindrical pin portions extend from the plate portion in the longitudinal direction with respect to the output drive shaft. These cylindrical pin portions provide the rotatable support of the cylindrical planet gears.

Abstract: A dynamic balancer for a laundry apparatus having a rotatable drum for receiving a clothes load. The rotatable drum has a horizontal geometric axis and is rotatably supported to rotate about its horizontal geometric axis. The rotatable drum includes a generally cylindrical outer wall defining the horizontal geometric axis, a first disk and a second disk. The first disk is provided for forming a first end wall of the drum and includes a balancing means including a plurality of concentric annular chambers. The second disk is provided for forming a second end wall of the drum, opposite the first end wall, and also includes a balancing means including a plurality of concentric annular chambers. The annular concentric chambers are partially filled with fluid for balancing the rotatable drum. In operation, the rotatable drum is subject to an out-of-balance mass as a result of uneven distribution of the clothes load within the drum.

Abstract: A three piece egg container assembly is provided which includes a rectangular base member having a bottom wall, sidewalls and an open top, an egg tray with a plurality of egg receiving receptacles receivable within the base member and a removable lid for the base member. The lid is configured with a peripheral lip such that one side of the lid conforms to the base member bottom wall, the open top of the base member and the egg tray such that the first surface of the lid could receive any of those elements. A second side of the lid conforms to the opening of the base member such that the lid can be received in the opening either in an upright position or an inverted position. Stacking of numerous base members with intervening inverted lids or stacking of the egg tray on the lid is thereby accommodated by this construction.