Abstract: A drying apparatus for use in a drying device, having a surface and a first mechanism to at least partially hold an article relative to the surface. A second mechanism associated with the surface is operable to cooperatively engage with an air exit in the drying device, and is in air communication with an interior of the first mechanism. An airflow channel is formed between a portion of the drying device, the article, the interior of the first mechanism, the second mechanism, and an air exit in the drying device, facilitating more even drying of the article.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for monitoring voltage input to an appliance, such as a dryer, sensing when power input to the appliance is lost. In addition, a controller in the appliance pulses relay coils controlling motors and/or heating devices within the appliance to conserve energy on a backup capacitor that supplies the control circuit of the appliance in the event of power loss. Further, a voltage sense circuit outputting a square wave effects monitoring of the input voltage to the appliance by outputting the square wave signal whose cycle period is monitored to determine power outage. The controller stores current operation settings at the time of power outage in a memory device and ensures proper storage through the extra energy conserved from the capacitor by the pulsing of the relay coils.

Abstract: This invention relates a control for an automatic washer incorporating a spray pretreatment or stain care cycle. In order to manage the occurrence of the condition of suds lock, the state of the washing machine related to the suds lock condition during spray pretreatment is determined by one or more of a number of methods. With this information concerning the state of the spray pretreatment process, the occurrence of suds lock can be ascertained and the cycle can be controlled accordingly to minimize negative effects resulting from a prolonged suds lock condition. Additionally, with certain information related to the occurrence of suds lock, steps can be taken during the spray pretreatment portion of the cycle to avoid the condition of suds lock altogether. Using the same primary process for measuring suds lock, load size can also be ascertained. Information about load size can be used to control the wash cycle.

Abstract: A refrigeration device is provided having a compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, and tubing to connect the compressor to the condenser, the condenser to the evaporator and the evaporator to the compressor. The condenser coil includes a plurality of tubes arranged in horizontal and vertical rows extending between vertically arranged header plates with return bends interconnecting the tubes to form a serpentine shaped circuit. The header plates are provided with at least one notch in a bottom edge thereof to accommodate a tube extending therebetween. In an embodiment, a wet loop is positioned in the area of the notches in the header plates.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for washing fabric loads without water or using water only as a co-solvent are disclosed. One method of non-aqueous clothes washing includes the steps of disposing clothing in a wash container, delivering a wash liquor to the fabric load, the wash liquor comprising a substantially non-reactive, non-aqueous, non-oleophilic, apolar working fluid and at least one washing additive, applying mechanical energy to the clothing and wash liquor for a sufficient amount of time to provide fabric cleaning and, thereafter, substantially removing the wash liquor from the fabric load. The working fluid may be selected from the group consisting of perfluorocarbons, hydrofluoroethers, fluoronated hydrocarbons and fluoroinerts.

Abstract: A food preservation refrigerator such as an upright refrigerator or a chest freezer comprises at least one food preservation compartment on which at least one corresponding closure member is provided, said refrigerator comprising a refrigeration circuit, driver means for controlling the operation of this latter and means for controlling the operation of any accessory user items provided in the refrigerator, such as an ice producer, ice cream maker or the like, said control means being associated with a user interface; this latter is positioned on the closure member. Remote connection means are provided to enable said driver means positioned on the user interface to control the various refrigerator components.

Abstract: This invention relates a control for an automatic washer incorporating a spray pretreatment or stain care cycle. In order to manage the occurrence of the condition of suds lock, the state of the washing machine related to the suds lock condition during spray pretreatment is determined by one or more of a number of methods. With this information concerning the state of the spray pretreatment process, the occurrence of suds lock can be ascertained and the cycle can be controlled accordingly to minimize negative effects resulting from a prolonged suds lock condition. Additionally, with certain information related to the occurrence of suds lock, steps can be taken during the spray pretreatment portion of the cycle to avoid the condition of suds lock altogether. Using the same primary process for measuring suds lock, load size can also be ascertained. Information about load size can be used to control the wash cycle.

Abstract: The invention includes a saddle air conditioner. The saddle air conditioner includes a remote unit having a first channel extending from a back of the remote unit. The saddle air conditioner also includes a local unit having a second channel extending from a back of the local unit. The first channel and the second channel overlap to form a bridge disposed between the remote unit and the local unit.

Abstract: A dual-heating element oven comprising a bake heating element and a broil heating element in combination with a control system that permits the selective alteration of the output of the broil heating element by the user to control the browning of a food item during the bake cycle.

Abstract: An automatic dishwashing mechanism with a pivoting door that incorporates a push/pull door latch mechanism comprising a moveable strike plate and a positive-return cam. The cam movement is limited such that the door opening force and door closing force are independent of each other.

Abstract: The invention concerns a method for operating a front-loading washing machine with a washing aggregate comprising a tub holding a rotatably-mounted drum suspended in the machine housing so as to be able to oscillate with a midaxis descending from front to back and equipped an imbalance sensor that changes the rotation of the drum by means of a control program when an imbalance occurs in the spin cycle. In many cases of operation an improved spin result can be achieved for a small loads of cotton laundry and the related laundry absorbency by disabling the imbalance sensor and running the spin cycle at the programmed maximum speed.

Abstract: A dynamic balancer for an automatic washer includes an annular hollow first chamber. A first fluid is held within the first chamber and only partly fills the first chamber. An annular hollow second chamber is disposed adjacent to the first chamber and includes a plurality of objects disposed therein which are movable along the chamber. A second fluid is also held in the second chamber and, in combination with the solid bodies, only partly fills the second chamber. The first fluid in the first chamber produces a first balancing characteristic of the dynamic balancer. The movable objects within the second chamber produce a second balancing characteristic of the, dynamic balancer. The second fluid held in the second chamber also produces a third balancing characteristic of the dynamic balancer.

Abstract: A refrigerator shelf having a plate surrounded by a frame. A guide is connected to the frame for slidable guiding of a closure member. The closure member is formed from an assembly of hinged-together bar elements which are able to pass between an extended position in which the closure member closes a chamber formed between the shelf and an underlying shelf, and a retracted position into the guide.

Abstract: A method for varying the volumn of a refrigerator cabinet into two different configurations, by providing each of the two configurations with a substantially equal static cabinet, two deep doors of unequal height outwardly closing two end compartments and an intermediate compartment, and a frontal divider selectively fixable to the static cabinet in two different positions, on the basis of which a different selected end, compartment is increased in volume by its connection to the deep door of greater height.

Abstract: A cooking oven comprises a cavity having a separating and insulating plate which can be inserted horizontally in the cavity in order to split it in two sub-cavities. Each sub-cavity has heating elements on its side walls. The oven sub-cavities can be singularly or separately and this increases flexibility in use.

Abstract: A microwave oven for heating of foodstuffs including an oven cavity (4) with an opening, a microwave unit for feeding microwaves to the oven cavity, an openable door adapted to close the opening and constituting one of the walls of the cavity, and a microwave seal (6) for reducing the leakage of microwave radiation from the oven cavity when the door is closed. The microwave seal has the form of a groove (12) which surrounds the opening and which is longitudinally divided into a first cavity (7) and a second cavity (8) by a partition (13). When the door is closed, the electric length from the oven cavity to the base of the first cavity is smaller than a quarter of a wavelength, and the electric length from the oven cavity to the base of the second cavity is greater than a quarter of a wavelength, such that two damping peaks are obtained, one on each side of the centre frequency of the microwaves.

Abstract: A moulded copolymer door for built-in household electrical appliances to which a panel is to be adjustably connected to the door. The panel is configured to be adjusted in height, laterally and in depth. Adjustable mounting brackets are mounted on the door adjacent to undercuts on the vertical sides of said door and are accessible from a face of the door opposite of the panel through which the undercuts of the panel may be secured to the adjustable mounting brackets.