Abstract: An alarm is disclosed herein for providing an indication when a certain condition, such as a door ajar condition of a refrigerator, has existed for a predetermined time. The alarm includes a capacitor, means coupled to the capacitor for charging same while the certain condition is in existence, an indicating device and a voltage sensitive switch coupled to the capacitor and to the indicating device for repetitively partially discharging the capacitor through the indicating device when the charge on the capacitor reaches a particular level. A series of alarm pulses are thereby developed by the indicating device once the certain condition has existed for the predetermined time whereby the alarm pulses are separated by equal intervals substantially shorter than the predetermined time. The alarm of the instant invention is simple in construction and inexpensive.

Abstract: A device for indicating that a refrigerator door is open, includes a housing which is mountable on a refrigerator in the vicinity of the refrigerator door during the use of the device. A transducer is mountable at the refrigerator door gasket for changing an electrical parameter in response to the movement of the refrigerator door from its closed position to an open position. Circuitry disposed in the housing senses the change in the electrical parameter of the transducer to produce an alarm after a preselected time delay.

Abstract: A door ajar alarm system for a refrigerator-freezer, the system having a variable alarm delay period. The door ajar alarm system includes a control which may be digital or analog for monitoring various operating conditions of the refrigerator such as the temperatures of the refrigerator compartments and whether the refrigerator is undergoing a defrost operation. The control determines the alarm delay period in accordance with the monitored conditions such that the delay period is decreased in response to each monitored condition which reaches a predetermined status. The door ajar alarm thus alerts the user to operating conditions which are likely to produce an undesirable temperature within the refrigerator more rapidly than usual or to produce temperatures from which recovery is unusually slow.

Abstract: A series of like-shelved, convertible refrigerating and heating cabinets, accessible from either one of two sides thereof through self-closing glass doors for self-service and replenishment of prepared food and drinks, and following a door opening of any duration over periods of intermittent replenishing, dispensing and storage conditions, providing fast automatic rapid air condition recovery for uniformity of refrigeration, or heating, and/or humidification of miscellaneous food products accessibly displayed.

Abstract: A magnet and one or more magnetic field responsive switches, preferably Hall effect sensors, are respectively mounted in alignment on opposing edges of a two door refrigerator in one preferred embodiment. Movement out of alignment of either the magnet or switch generates a door ajar signal to activate visual and/or audio alarms. Embodiments employing mono-polar and bipolar Hall effect sensors are shown. A single door embodiment is shown with the magnet held in a fixed position opposite the sensor mounted on the door edge.

Abstract: An improper or wrong operational mode fault detection and control system for a reverse cycle refrigeration system for detecting faulty operation, i.e., operation in the cooling mode when heating is desired or in the heating mode when cooling is requested, and for controlling the system in response to the detection of a fault by inhibiting the compressor and for providing a fault indication, the control system comprising a controller means receiving inputs indicative of the outdoor air temperature, the temperature of the outdoor heat exchanger coil refrigerant, and an output indicative of a demand from a building temperature sensing means for heating or cooling of the building. The controller means also includes timing means and means for comparing the value of the outdoor heat exchanger coil refrigerant temperature and the value of the outdoor air temperature.

Abstract: A control indicator optic arrangement and indicating method for a refrigerator having an access door, an interior light bulb that is illuminated when the door is open, and antisweat heaters that are energized by an on-off switch. Included is a movable switch member that energizes the antisweat heaters and a shade member slidable in unison with the switch member and having a cutout area. A light transmitting rod from the interior light bulb to the shade member is arranged such that when the switch is in a first position to energize the antisweat heaters the transmitting rod is in alignment with the cutout area of the shade member and in the second position when the antisweat heaters are de-energized it is out of alignment with the cutout area. Thus, with this arrangement there is a visual indicator to alert the refrigerator user to the fact that the antisweat heaters are energized.

Abstract: In a refrigerator comprising a cabinet, means to refrigerate contents of a chamber within the cabinet, a door for access to such chamber, a fan to circulate air within such chamber, and a switch operable with the door to a first mode wherein the switch enables the fan when the door is closed and to a second mode wherein the switch disables the fan when the door is opened, a relay having contacts arranged to be closed after a delay of preset duration from energization of the relay and to be opened upon deenergization of the relay is connected so as to be energized in the second mode of said switch, so as to be deenergized in the first mode of the switch, and so as to enable the fan when the contacts are closed. A lamp indicates that the contacts are closed.

Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed having a door on its front side and which is made of transparent, smoked gray Plexiglass so that a person can see through the door and into the interior of the refrigerator, thus being able to seek for an item of food before opening the door so to conserve electrical energy, and the outer side of the door having a switch button to turn on the light inside the refrigerator while the door is closed so to illuminate the interior.