Abstract: A fluid routing system for use in a fluid line is set forth which includes a fluid routing mechanism having a housing and a block, and a removable treatment device. The housing has an internal chamber, an inlet port for attaching to one part of a fluid line, an outlet port for attaching to another part of the fluid line, an inlet channel connecting the inlet port to the internal chamber, and an outlet channel connecting the internal chamber to the outlet port. The block is capable of movement between a first and second position and is disposed within the internal chamber of the housing. The block has a first internal cavity, a second internal cavity, an exterior surface, an inlet passageway connecting the first internal cavity with the exterior surface, and an outlet passageway connecting the second internal cavity with the exterior surface. The inlet passageway and the outlet passageway are configured to retain fluid therein when the treatment device is removed.

Abstract: A module for use in a heating appliance has a frame with first, second, third, and fourth sides. A first heating lamp is mounted substantially along the first side of the frame, a second heating lamp is mounted substantially along the second side of the frame, a third heating lamp mounted substantially along the third side of the frame, and an fourth heating lamp is mounted substantially along the fourth side of the frame. Fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth heating lamps are mounted substantially diagonally to the frame. A first reflector reflects radiant energy from the first heating lamp, a second reflector reflects radiant energy from the second heating lamp, a third reflector reflects radiant energy from the third heating lamp, and a fourth reflector reflects radiant energy from the fourth heating lamp. A fifth reflector reflects radiant energy from the fifth, sixth, seventh, and eighth heating lamps.

Abstract: A thermoelectric cooling apparatus includes a plurality of thermoelectric coolers each having a hot side and a cold side. The cold sides of the thermoelectric coolers are arranged to cool an object. The hot sides of the thermoelectric coolers are provided with a heat sink. The heat sink may include a eutectic material which maintains the hot sides of the thermoelectric coolers at a low temperature so that the cold sides of the thermoelectric coolers are able to maintain the object at a cold temperature. The heat sink may have fins for rejecting heat, and air moving means for moving air over the fins to aid in the rejection of heat from the hot sides of the thermoelectric coolers. The fins may be cooled by the eutectic material.

Abstract: A refrigerator door handle and a method of attaching the handle to a door panel. A door handle retainer strip includes an elongated channel having a shoulder opposite a laterally extending longitudinal groove. After the retainer strip is screwed to the door panel, a rail on the back of the handle is inserted into the channel. The rail has a laterally extending tongue that is received in sliding engagement in the groove as the handle is moved laterally. The handle is then secured or locked in that position within the channel of the retainer strip by driving screws between the shoulder and the rail at the ends of the handle.

Abstract: A programmable cooking system has a programming mode for reading an identifying code on a food product and for storing a user selected recipe as a function of the code. The system also has a cooking mode for reading an identifying code on a food product and for recalling and implementing a recipe stored for the code during the programming mode. The system includes an optical code reader for reading the code. A keypad is used by the operator to input recipes during the programming mode and to input cooking variables during the cooking mode. A microprocessor stores and recalls the identifying codes and recipes in a compressed format and controls the operation of a cooking device, such as a microwave oven.

Abstract: Method and apparatus for bending metal tubes such as for furnace heat exchangers. After the bend die is rotated 180.degree. to make a bend, an upper section of the bend die is split from a lower section, and the upper section is then rotated approximately 90.degree.. In such manner, a portion of the upper section is displaced laterally to vacate a region directly above the lower section. Therefore, in moving the tube forwardly to a new location for a subsequent bend operation, a portion of a previous bend passes through the vacated region thereby enabling sequential bend angles that are less restricted than without rotating the upper section of the split die.

Abstract: The method of bending relatively thin wall tubing to form a tubular heat exchanger that has relatively tight bends with controlled wrinkles. For example, 1.75-inch outer diameter stainless steel tube may have a wall thickness of 0.035 inches and be bent using a controlled-wrinkle bend die to a 180.degree. bend having a centerline radius of 2.5 inches. The relatively high tube collapse that results from bending in such manner without the use of a ball mandrel does not detract from performance of the heat exchanger in a relatively low flow rate furnace application.

Abstract: A refrigerator door hinge including a bracket connected to and extending forwardly from the face of the cabinet on the side to which the door opens. The bracket includes an upper horizontal plate supporting the door, and a lower horizontal plate with a threaded aperture which captures a threaded post of a foot. The bottom of the foot has a pad and during installation, the foot is rotated to lower the foot until the pad contacts the floor thereby providing adjustable height hinge support directly to the floor.

Abstract: A microwave oven with a power supply including a transformer having primary and secondary windings, with the primary winding having a plurality of input connections and a secondary winding being coupled to a magnetron. The microwave oven includes a circuit the magnitude of a line voltage supplied to the microwave oven and, in response thereto, for coupling the line voltage to a corresponding one of the input connections to regulate the voltage provided across the secondary winding to the same voltage level regardless of the magnitude of the line voltage.

Abstract: The method of bending relatively thin wall tubing to form a tubular heat exchanger that has relatively tight bends with controlled wrinkles. For example, 1.75-inch outer diameter stainless steel tube may have a wall thickness of 0.035 inches and be bent using a controlled-wrinkle bend die to a 180.degree. bend having a centerline radius of 2.5 inches.

Abstract: A vertical sliding door for a compartment within the main door of a refrigerator. A frame is positioned adjacent the front of the door liner and has opposing vertical U-shaped channels. The sliding door includes a cover portion having laterally extending vertical runners that are slidably engaged in the respective channels. Each of the runners has a pair of notches into which glide members are snapped. Each of the glide member has a mid portion boss that extends laterally beyond the runner edge to provide a smooth bearing surface for engagement with the U-shaped channel. In the open position, at least one of the glide member bosses is received in a detent to hold the compartment door open.

Abstract: An air flow control for a multi-port refrigerator duct that conveys cold air from the evaporator chamber to a plurality of storage chambers within the fresh food compartment. The duct has a baffle providing individual branches for each storage chamber such that each is substantially coupled directly to the evaporator chamber so that a change in air flow in one branch does not significantly affect the flow in the opposite branch. A manually operated control is mounted within the fresh food compartment and has a face plate with a vent aligned with a liner input aperture communicating with the duct. A shutter disc is captured between the face plate and the liner, and has a tear drop opening. Rotation of the shutter disc alters the location of the tear drop opening and, thus the size of the passageway through the air flow control.

Abstract: Refrigerator duct apparatus adapted for conveying cold air from the evaporator chamber within the freezer liner to a intermediate temperature storage chamber within the fresh food liner. The duct is coupled to an outlet aperture in the freezer liner using and adjustable joint that permits motion of the duct for alignment of the outlet port of the duct to an inlet aperture in the fresh food liner. Specifically, the inlet port of the duct has a mating flange with ears that are insertable through the outlet aperture in the fresh food liner in a predetermined rotational orientation. After insertion, the duct is rotated so that the ears engage peripheral portions of the outlet aperture. A dimension of the outlet aperture is larger than a corresponding dimension of the mating flange to permit the duct to be moved back and forth while the ears remain in sliding engagement on the peripheral portions to align the duct outlet port to the inlet aperture of the fresh food liner.

Abstract: A selective ice cube and crushed ice dispenser having a crusher section including a crusher arm mounted to a horizontal shaft axially rotatable in either direction, and a stationary crusher arm mounted to one side of the shaft. When the shaft is driven in one direction, ice pieces fed to the crusher section are caught and crushed between the rotating and stationary crusher arms. However, when the shaft is driven in the opposite direction, the ice pieces escape down the side of the shaft opposite the stationary crusher arms thereby avoiding being crushed. The ice piece feed within the ice piece receptacle is also rotatably driven by the shaft and is operable to feed ice pieces to the crusher section regardless of which direction the shaft is being driven.

Abstract: A gas cook-top with a glass top wherein each of a plurality of burners has a neck portion with a flange that seats down on a gasket thereby sealing the burner to the glass top. A collar surrounds the neck portion of each burner. Brackets are positioned below the glass top and support the burners independent of the glass top. A grate covers a pair of burners and has locator rod members that encircle portions of the respective collars, thereby fixedly locating the grate on the glass top.

Abstract: A refrigerator door shelf arrangement wherein the door liner has opposing side panels with corresponding front to back slots or guide channels at a plurality of vertical positions. The slots are formed by a plurality of horizontal ribs, each of which has a laterally facing notch. Bucket shelves have lateral horizontal runners on the sides arranged to be received in sliding engagement in corresponding slots. Each side of a shelf has a flap that can bend inwardly. As the runners of the shelf are being inserted into corresponding slots, a ramp tab on each flap engages the rib above the runner thereby causing the flap to be bent away from the rib until the tab aligns with and enters the respective notch of the rib. Thus, in the fully inserted position, the shelf is securely mounted, and movement upward, downward, or frontward is prevented. Manual bending of the flaps away from the ribs permits the shelf to be removed for cleaning or to be mounted at an alternate vertical position.

Abstract: An ice barrier for a selective ice cube and crushed ice dispenser having a crusher section including a crusher arm mounted to a horizontal shaft axially rotatable in either direction, and a stationary crusher arm mounted to one side of the shaft. When the shaft is driven in one direction, ice pieces fed to the crusher section are caught and crushed between the rotating and stationary crusher arms. However, when the shaft is driven in the opposite direction, ice pieces escape down the side of the shaft opposite the stationary crusher arm thereby avoiding being crushed. The ice barrier is frictionally coupled for rotation with the shaft between a first position in the whole ice piece path and a second position out of the path. Accordingly, the ice barrier blocks the whole ice piece path when the crusher is operated in the ice crushing mode.