Abstract: A vertically adjustable wheel assembly for movably supporting an appliance cabinet or the like upon a supporting surface includes a housing, a supporting bracket, a wheel unit, an adjusting rod, an adjusting screw and various elongated mounting members. The wheel unit is defined by a pair of spaced rollers that are interconnected by a reduced diametric portion. The wheel unit is rotatably attached to the support bracket by an axle member, while the adjusting rod is also mounted for rotary movement by the support bracket. The support bracket is pivotally mounted to the housing, with both the wheel unit and the adjusting rod being permitted to rotate relative thereto. The adjusting screw extends through a frontal portion of the housing and it is threadably connected to the adjusting rod such that rotation of the screw causes pivoting of the support bracket relative to the housing and movement of the wheel assembly between fully extended and fully retracted positions.

Abstract: A two piece bin for mounting to a refrigerator door having a transparent container portion and surrounding collar portion welded thereto, the collar portion having a portion on a front side being tubular for a light weight yet sturdy structure. The bin having an indented width to interfit within the vertical columns of the refrigerator door and an outwardly extending portion abutting an exposed end face of the vertical columns, the tubular portion of the collar arranged around this outward portion to be abutted to the vertical columns.

Abstract: An insulating vacuum panel comprising an insulating support member enclosed within a sealed, flexible polymeric envelope, the envelope comprising a polymeric barrier film which minimizes permeation of gas and liquid through the barrier film, the panel having an R value per inch of at least about 20 wherein the enclosed insulated vacuum panel is useful as insulation to maintain an essentially constant temperature in a closed structure, and a system for storing and transporting temperature-sensitive materials wherein the insulated vacuum panels are employed to provide and maintain a constant temperature in the system are described.

Abstract: A refrigerator made by a blow-molding process.

Abstract: The present invention provides a thermal insulator cabinet having high thermal insulating ability and long-term reliability as well as excellent energy-saving and maintenance properties. The thermal insulator cabinet includes a gas-tight container that is filled with a charging gas and a continuous spacing core and a gas-storage container that communicates with the gas-tight container and is filled with an absorbent for absorbing at least the charging gas, wherein the gas-storage container absorbs the charging gas to make inside of the gas-tight container in a state of reduced pressure.

Abstract: An outer shell for a refrigerator a cabinet formed from a plurality of vertically arranged panels each having opposed vertical edges, a top edge and a bottom edge. A plurality of dovetail-like, linear joints interlock the vertical edges of the vertically arranged panels without requiring additional fasteners or welding. A top panel is interconnected with the top edges of the vertically arranged panels and a bottom panel is interconnected with the bottom edges of the vertically arranged panels. Each of the linear joints comprise a channel having a fan shaped cross-section provided along one edge of a panel and a connecting flange formed along the edge of a second adjacent panel wherein the connecting flange is received into the channel such that the first and second panels are interconnected. The outer shell is easily assembled by joining adjacent panels via the interlocking joints. Moreover, the joints provide strength to the outer shell and are well suited for use in insulation foaming.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet assembly includes a shell formed by opposed, upright side walls and a top wall, all of which have in-turned front and rear face portions with each of the front face portions terminating in a return flange defining a liner receiving cavity opening forwardly of the shell. Each liner receiving cavity is spaced inwardly of a respective side and top wall such that a channel, which is readily accessible from within the shell, is defined. A rear wall is interconnected to the side and top walls by being arranged between and forced to intimately contact a pair of spaced layers defining the rear face portions of each of these walls. A plurality of reinforcement members, including a pair of upper corner plates and a pair of side reinforcement bars adapted to be arranged in the channel, as well as upper and lower crossbars in one preferred embodiment that interconnect the side reinforcement members, are attached to the shell, along with a mullion plate and a faceplate.

Abstract: An air treatment apparatus comprises a housing (1) which has a casing made up of three elements (2-4), which are pivotable in relation to each other about shafts (9, 15) parallel to a longitudinal direction of an elongate trough provided in the housing. A lower element (2) supports the elongate trough, a heat-exchanging battery and a fan assembly. A rear element (3) forms a first side wall and is pivotable about an upper edge, so as to provide access to the heat-exchanging battery and the fan assembly from outside. An upper element (4) forms at least part of a second side wall and is pivotable in relation to the lower element, so as to provide access to the elongate trough from outside.

Abstract: A top mount refrigerator having a freezer door pivotally mounted to a cabinet at a position spaced above a fresh food compartment door is provided with a dispenser assembly mounted in the freezer door. A water supply line for the dispenser assembly is routed to the freezer door through a center hinge unit for the two doors. In the preferred embodiment, the water supply line, which preferably leads from a water storage tank housed within the fresh food compartment, is routed to the center hinge unit through a lower hinge unit upon which the fresh food door is pivotally mounted and a conduit that is foamed in-situ within the fresh food door. In models incorporating a dispenser assembly requiring a supply of electrical power, wires are lead into the freezer door through an upper hinge unit associated with the freezer door.

Abstract: It is already known that heat insulating elements, e.g. in refrigerators, may be more efficient if they are sealingly encapsulated and subjected to a high vacuum. Based on theoretical considerations in connection with foam having small cells it has been relevant to use a vacuum of the magnitude of 0.001 mbar and hermetical sealing of the elements. According to the invention it has been found that practically well usable results are achievable at much higher pressures, viz. in a range about 1 mbar, which is much easier to produce. Consequently, a further simplification can be obtained by renouncing the hermetical sealing and relying on an only "almost tight" sealing, combined with the use of an operationally active vacuum pump provided in each apparatus unit.

Abstract: An upright split door, ultra low temperature freezer which includes a single chamber cooled by a cold wall refrigeration system and accessible by separate upper and lower doors. The refrigeration system maintains the chamber at a substantially constant, ultra low temperature, such as within the range of about -50.degree. C. to -90.degree. C. Short term items may be stored in and accessed from an upper portion of the chamber by the upper door without causing the very cold air in the freezer chamber from spilling out the lower portion of the chamber. Long term items may be stored in the lower portion of the chamber and accessed by the lower door. A horizontal mullion is mounted to the freezer side walls and extends between the two doors to provide a seal for respective lower and upper edges of the two doors. A self-regulating heater strip is disposed within the mullion between upper and lower resilient sealing bulbs extending horizontally to prevent condensation build up in the mullion area.

Abstract: To obtain an appreciable level of insulation while at the same time achieving easy dismantling in view of material recycling, a container compartment includes a seat freely housing laminar elements opaque to infrared rays, preferably envelopes under vacuum.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a front face surrounding the front openings of the storage compartments. Operation of the refrigerator tends to cause some portions of the face to be colder than the dew point temperature of the surrounding air. Moisture in the surrounding air tends to condense on such colder than dew point portions. Sheets of aluminum foil are in intimate contact with the inside of the case, extend along those portions of the face subject to condensation and project onto adjacent areas of the case which are warmer than the dew point temperature. This keeps the temperature of those portions subject to condensation above the dew point temperature. Portions of the doors, such as the adjacent peripheral walls of doors on multi-compartment units, also may tend to be below the dew point temperature. Sheets of aluminum foil are positioned in intimate contact with the inside of those portions of the doors and project onto adjacent areas of the doors which are warmer than the dew point temperature.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet has an outer case with lateral walls and a continuous front flange. A pair of liners are nested in the case and have lateral walls with a front edge positioned rearward of the case front flange. A resilient breaker strip connects the case walls to corresponding liner walls. The strip front wall extends inward from the case flange to a point inward of the liner wall and a side wall extends rearward to overlap the liner wall. A bifurcated edge of the strip receives the case flange. The strip side wall is return bent to form an inner wall engaging the inner surface and a resilient finger engaging the outer surface of the liner wall. A resilient mullion, connecting the adjacent inner lateral walls of the liners, has a front wall extending across the space between the liners and a side wall projecting rearward from each edge of the front wall to overlap the liner lateral wall.

Abstract: A damping apparatus for a refrigerator has a first space formed in the interior of a cabinet of the refrigerator, a second space which is separated from the first space by a stopping protrusion and is in communication relation with the first space, a first damping member expandably mounted in the second space, and a protrusion formed on one side of a door for closing the first damping member. When the door is pivoted to be closed, the protrusion closes the first damping member so that the air in the interior of the first damping member is exhausted outside, dampening the reactive force generated in a compartment. On the other hand, when the door is pivoted to be opened, the second damping member is pressed so that the force by the negative pressure in the interior of the compartment is dampened. The damping apparatus for a refrigerator can dampen the force needed when the door is opened or closed.

Abstract: A temperature-controlled cabinets, particularly, refrigerators, freezers, fridge-freezers and drinks coolers (chillers) which, in order to overcome the problem of inferior insulative properties of alternative polyurethane foams used to reduce the emission of CFC's during injection and setting of foamed polyurethane, provides a cabinet within which a controllable stable temperature may be maintained. This cabinet includes an inner container (25a), an outer shell (10a), and a thermally insulating material (45a) sandwiched therebetween, wherein at least a portion of a front side (50a) of the outer shell (10a) has a panel (85a) which is displaced outwardly from the rest of the front side (50a) of the outer shell (10a). In a preferred embodiment, the cabinet forms a chest freezer (5a).

Abstract: A commercial refrigerated display case includes mullions for slideably receiving removable ballast drawers from the sides of the mullions for quickly and easily servicing fluorescent ballasts.

Abstract: A device for the swiveling movement of a sheet is described. A stationary bearing part supports an articulated part in a swivelable manner. The articulated part supports the sheet and is movable about a substantially horizontal swivel axis. The sheet is accordingly movable between a lowered position and a raised position, the direction of this movement being determined by a vertical swiveling plane. Energy accumulators, e.g., pneumatic springs, serve as auxiliary lifting means for raising the sheet. These energy accumulators have two connection ends which are loaded in opposite directions and determine the effective direction of force of the energy accumulator. For the purpose of an advantageous arrangement of the device which economizes on space, it is proposed that the energy accumulator be arranged with its effective direction of force substantially transverse to the swiveling plane of the sheet. The two connection ends of the energy accumulator are constructed as three-dimensionally acting rolling joints.

Abstract: An upright split door, ultra low temperature freezer which includes a single chamber cooled by a cold wall refrigeration system and accessible by separate upper and lower doors. The refrigeration system maintains the chamber at a substantially constant, ultra low temperature, such as within the range of about -50.degree. C. to -90.degree. C. Short term items may be stored in and accessed from an upper portion of the chamber by the upper door without causing the very cold air in the freezer chamber from spilling out the lower portion of the chamber. Long term items may be stored in the lower portion of the chamber and accessed by the lower door. A horizontal mullion is mounted to the freezer side walls and extends between the two doors to provide a seal for respective lower and upper edges of the two doors. A self-regulating heater strip is disposed within the mullion between upper and lower resilient sealing bulbs extending horizontally to prevent condensation build up in the mullion area.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet includes a metal outer case with top and side walls. A narrow front face projects inward from the walls and a stiffening flange, positioned rearward of the face, projects inward of the walls substantially further than the face. A pair of open front liners are received within and spaced from the outer case and from each other. The liners have top and side walls with distal edges located rearward of the stiffening flange. An elongated plastic breaker strip extends between the outer case front face and the liner top and outer side walls. The breaker strip front wall overlaps the outer case front face and extends inward to a position inward of the inner edge of the stiffening flange. The breaker strip side wall extends rearward from the breaker strip front wall to a position overlapping the top and outer side walls of the liners.

Abstract: This panel assembly (30) for a merchandiser (10) includes frame assembly (34) includes attached to the merchandiser and wall (22) and an aracuate translucent sheet (34). The frame assembly (34) includes opposed side retaining rails (36) receiving the flexed arcuate sheet (34) in retained relation, a lower base member (46) having an arcuate front wall (52), and an upper cap member (56) having an arcuate front wall (62). The panel assembly (30) includes a back-lighting assembly (80) for illuminating the translucent sheet (34).

Abstract: A refrigerator is divided into a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment. An intermediate partition wall separates the compartments. The partition wall is vertically adjustable for increasing a volume of one of the compartments while simultaneously reducing a volume of the other compartment. The door carries a vertically adjustable sealing member for engaging a front surface of the partition wall. The freezing compartment includes an evaporator separated from the remainder of the freezing compartment by a vertical isolating wall, a portion of which isolating wall is spring-biased toward the partition wall.

Abstract: A rotating shelf display comprises a plurality of upstanding side walls defining an enclosure. The enclosure has a front half and a back half, with at least one of the side walls at the front half of the enclosure being transparent so that objects on the shelf can be seen from outside. Within the enclosure is a circular rotating shelf. The vertical axis of the shelf lies between the front half and the back half of the enclosure. The shelf comprises a disk having an outer edge and a rim upwardly extending about the outer edge. Disposed within only the back half of the enclosure are means for supporting the shelf for rotation about its vertical axis. The supporting means comprises at least three vertical members secured within the back half of the enclosure. Mounting pegs are detachably secured to each vertical member. An axle is affixed to each mounting peg. A roller is rotably attached to each axle.

Abstract: A venting device for use in venting a hollow structure such as a refrigerator door to be filled with an expanding foamed-in-place insulation material has tapered apertures to allow gas to escape while retaining the insulation material. The venting device can include a chamber for receiving a hinge pin or a shelf end.

Abstract: A sliding platform for a cabinet for refrigerator and/or freezer having a stationary base secured to a floor of the cabinet and a sliding platform guided and facilitated for sliding by a plurality of loosely captured rollers between the platform and the base and prevented from tipping by anti-tip tabs. Both the platform and base have air entry air holes for delivering return air to an air passage beneath a top surface of the base.

Abstract: Composite moldings of at least one layer of an ABS plastic and at least one layer of a thermoplastic polyurethane having a Shore D hardness of >50, a layer of coupling agent optionally being present between the ABS layer and the thermoplastic polyurethane layer.

Abstract: An air treatment plant for foodstuffs includes an elongate trough (29) for the foodstuffs, a heat exchanger (35), a fan assembly (39) for circulating air on a path through the heat exchanger, through the trough, and back through the heat exchanger, a housing (1) having a housing bottom (7), and side walls (2, 3) with modular units (11) extending transversely to the trough. Each one of the modular unite includes an insulation layer (19), a water-impermeable inner layer (20), and two submodules (12, 13). Each has a respective submodule bottom with a respective bottom panel (15, 16) and a side-wall panel (17, 18) forming part of side walls (2, 3). One or more elongate, separate second bottom panels (14) interconnect the first bottom panels (15, 16) of the two submodules. Upper sides of the bottom panels (15, 16) of the submodules slope downwards toward at least one of the second bottom panels (14).

Abstract: Sandwich elements in the form of slabs, shells and the like, consisting of facings and a rigid polyurethane foam core can be joined together in an airtight and watertight manner when they are provided with edge profiles which are cast from casting materials forming flexible polyurethane foam and which have a groove and a tongue.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an outer cabinet and an inner liner separated by insulation. The liner includes a plurality of walls defining a compartment to receive items to be refrigerated. An electric light is positioned adjacent to a first of the liner walls. A second of the liner walls disposed perpendicular to the first wall has three spaced apart slots positioned closer to the first wall than the light to the first wall. A shield is positioned between the light and the first wall and includes three tabs received in the slots in the second wall. The middle tab has a pair of lateral ears with rest positions angled with respect to the long axis of the corresponding slot. The ears flex as the tab is inserted through the slot and then return to their rest position to overlie the second liner wall. The other tabs also are angled with respect to their slots to firmly engage the second wall when installed.

Abstract: The utility conduits (electric conductors and water conduit) of a door mounted dispenser are conducted from below the cabinet to the inside of the door through an inflexible tube. One section of tube rests on a shelf under the refrigerator cabinet and a second section of the tube projects into the bottom of the door in free-standing relationship to the door. The lengths of the tube sections assure that the second section stays in the door without the need of any mechanical connection between the tube and door.

Abstract: A multiple layer article of a thermoformable structural polymeric layer which is susceptible to damage upon exposure to hydrohalocarbon blowing agents and a polymeric layer which is a barrier to such hydrohalocarbon blowing agents provides a useful refrigerator liner. Related structures are useful for preventing the migration of hydrohalocarbons.

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 multi-purpose refrigerator includes a main door and a fresh storage compartment mounted on a rear side of said main door and being accessible through an auxiliary door formed in said main door. The fresh storage compartment comprises a multi-section housing mounted to a pair of vertical walls disposed on the rear or inner side of the main door. Each housing section includes front and rear portions. The front portion fits between the walls. The rear portion is wider than the front portion to form shoulders therebetween. The shoulders carry hooks which fit removably into slots formed in rearwardly facing edges of the walls. The housing has openable apertures to communicate said refrigerator compartment with said fresh storage compartment.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance having a vacuum insulation system wherein a combination of vacuum thermal insulating panels and polyurethane foam provide the thermal insulating properties as well as structural support. The panels are to be spaced apart from one another with a space between the cabinet and appliance liner so that the foam will lock the panels in place. Also the panels are to be spaced from the corners of the cabinet to permit the foam to flow into the corners. The panels can be applied directly to the cabinet or they can be spaced between the cabinet and liner, held by spacers. In either case, an adhesive is used to hold the liners in position prior to introduction of the foam.