Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for monitoring the internal temperature of food being cooked in the cooking cavity of a microwave oven with microwaves of a predetermined frequency having a predetermined wavelength .lambda.. The apparatus includes a needle-like temperature-sensing probe adapted for insertion into the food being cooked, the probe including a thermally-responsive electrical element positioned internally of the probe housing near the tip end. A flexible shielded cable connects the probe to circuitry responsive to thermally-induced changes in a characteristic of the electrical element, the cable shield being connected at one end to the probe housing and at the other end to a wall of the cooking cavity. The total effective electrical length of the probe and the cable, measured along the cable and probe from the cooking cavity wall to the distal end of the probe, is selected to be an integer multiple of one-half the predetermined wavelength .lambda..

Abstract: Apparatus is disclosed for monitoring the internal temperature of food being cooked in the cooking cavity of a microwave oven with microwaves of a predetermined frequency having a predetermined wavelength .lambda. . The apparatus includes a needle-like temperature-sensing probe adapted for insertion into the food being cooked, the probe including a thermally-responsive electrical element positioned internally of the probe housing near the tip end. A flexible shielded cable having first and second ends and generally extending between the probe and the cooking cavity wall connects the probe to circuitry responsive to thermally-induced changes in a characteristic of the electrical element, and includes chokes at either or both ends of the cable, the chokes presenting a high impedance to microwave energy of wavelength .lambda. . The cable length is selected to be approximately equal to n .lambda./2, where n is any integer, when one choke is used, and approximately equal to n .lambda.

Abstract: A treating agent dispenser system for an automatic washing machine of the top loading type having an outer tub and a basket spaced inwardly therefrom. There is a dispenser having an upper housing portion and a lower housing portion adapted to be mounted above the machine's wash tub and has a plurality of compartments for receiving treating agents to be dispensed into the wash tub at predetermined times in a cycle of the washing machine. One of the compartments is for a bleach agent and has a surrounding upstanding wall and a channel in the bottom thereof with a drain opening therein. A sealing gasket is provided between the upstanding wall and upper housing portion. Ribs outside the compartment converge toward each other and terminate at an opening in communication with the adjacent compartment for directing any bleach leaking from the bleach compartment into the adjacent compartment for subsequent diluting before being dispersed onto the clothes.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air conditioning system for a mobile home and a method of adapting a mobile home for removably receiving an air conditioning unit. The system includes securing a mounting means to the support structure of the mobile home and an air conditioning unit that is adapted to be removably secured to the mounting means. When installed on the mounting means, the air conditioning unit is aligned to deliver conditioned air into the interior of the mobile home through its built-in air distribution system.

Abstract: An aligning-securing apparatus has holding elements that are inserted in respective openings of a refrigerator cabinet and a refrigerator door. In the installed position, the apparatus maintains the door aligned relative to the refrigerator cabinet during installation of the door on the cabinet and releasably maintains the door against vertical movement during shipping of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A lightweight cooking utensil with raised side walls and a high temperature flexible plastic sheet stretched across the bottom portion of the side walls and sealed thereto to form a leak-proof container. The utensil is adapted to be heated on a low energy, low temperature solid plate surface heating unit with a slight convex top surface so that the plastic sheet of the utensil will conform to the top surface and make a highly efficient thermal coupling.

Abstract: The method of joining tube members including a cicumferentially arranged lip means to a wall segment having an aperture wherein the lip means and said wall segment are coated with a layer of solder and a heated forming means is applied to the lip and wall segment to reflow the solder while simultaneously applying sufficient pressure to deform the lip and wall segment to cause an oxide layer on the solder to disperse in a desultory manner so that the solder layers combine to form a joint.

Abstract: A plurality of prefabricated modular kitchen units are adapted for floor-to-ceiling installation along at least two intersecting kitchen walls for minimizing installation time and obviating the necessity for finishing the walls along which the units are installed.Installation is facilitated by a corner unit construction that permits the end-wise insertion of spaced connectors for joining spaced perpendicularly related modular units to adjacent sides thereof, as in an L-shaped layout at a kitchen corner, and in the formation of cooperating recesses or cavities in the various units to house the necessary wiring and plumbing. Complete coverage of a wall along which the units are installed is assured adjacent the ceiling by an adjustable lighting module which performs the dual functions of lighting the kitchen and providing an adjustable molding between the modular units and ceiling while any variations between the wall length and installed units is compensated for by the installation of a modular panel section.

Abstract: An improved valve assembly for a reciprocating compressor including a valve member having inlet openings, a valve positioned adjacent the valve member being arranged to cover the inlet openings, a valve backing surface dimensioned to allow controlled movement of the valve, and a valve positioning member located between the valve member and the backing surface. The valve positioning member includes retaining portions for receiving support sections on the valve and tabs associated with the retaining portion to prevent rotational movement of the valve relative to the valve positioning member.

Abstract: A telescoping conduit for transmitting washing liquid from a lower spray arm assembly to an upper spray arm in the wash chamber of a dishwasher. The conduit includes telescoping stabilizing means to insure that the conduit engages a connection member positioned on the upper spray arm.

Abstract: A door latch having an over-center latching mechanism, which can be tripped by the dishwasher timer to allow the door to open slightly during the drying cycle of the dishwasher. The latch can also be opened by operating a handle on the exterior of the dishwasher.

Abstract: A sliding latch mechanism for the door of a heated cavity, such as a microwave oven that is provided with a pyrolytic self-cleaning oven cycle. This latch mechanism has a handle with only two positions; namely, a first unlatched position and a second latched position. The second latched position has two separate modes or functions; namely, an unlocked function and a locked function. The first unlatched position of the handle may be considered as providing an unlatched function. This first unlatched position of the handle is used for opening the door when needed, or when cooking within the oven with standard radiant heating means. The second latched position of the handle in its unlocked mode is used for microwave cooking alone or for combined microwave and radiant cooking.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of forming a flow restriction in a tube to be used as a capillary in a refrigeration system. The method includes shaping the tube longitudinally to a preselected configuration, and then squeezing a section of the tube while directing a fluid therethrough until the fluid reaches a preselected pressure.

Abstract: An apparatus for contacting and bending preselected pin fins of a finned-tube heat exchanger to preselected locations. First and second toothed wheels positioned on opposed sides of respective first and second pin fin rows bend the pins in response to moving a finned tube through a base opening. A wheel contacts the finned tube between the rows of pin fins and urges the tube into forcible engagement with a base.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air conditioning system for use in a mobile home. The system includes securing a mounting means to the support structure of the mobile home and an air conditioning unit that is adapted to be removably secured to the mounting means. When installed on the mounting means, the air conditioning unit is aligned to deliver conditioned air into the interior of the mobile home through its built-in air distribution system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air conditioning system for a mobile home. The system includes securing a mounting means to the support structure of the mobile home and an air conditioning unit that is adapted to be removably secured to the mounting means. When installed on the mounting means, the air conditioning unit is aligned to deliver conditioned air into the interior of the mobile home through its built-in air distribution system.

Abstract: A combinaton washer-dryer laundry machine having a washing, extraction and drying operations. There is included in the machine a rotatable drum for tumbling the clothes, a liquid pump for removing liquid from the machine, a vacuum blower for extracting liquid, and a heater and blower to be utilized during the drying operation. The vacuum blower is structurally arranged to help reduce noise.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air conditioning system for a mobile home. The system includes securing a mounting means to the support structure of the mobile home and an air conditioning unit that is adapted to be removably secured to the mounting means. When installed on the mounting means, the air conditioning unit is aligned to deliver conditioned air into the interior of the mobile home through its built-in air distribution system.

Abstract: The present invention provides an air conditioning system for a mobile home. The system includes securing a mounting means to the support structure of the mobile home and an air conditioning unit that is adapted to be removably secured to the mounting means. When installed on the mounting means, the air conditioning unit is aligned to deliver conditioned air into the interior of the mobile home through its built-in air distribution system. An interlock system is arranged that is effective in preventing removal of the air conditioning unit from the mounting means when the unit is electrically connected to the mobile home power supply.

Abstract: A combination tub-wash basket for a vertical axis washing machine is an imperforate structure formed generally in the shape of a frustum of a cone mounted upon a concave base portion so as to provide an enlarged annulus chamber around the bottom of the basket. A perforate divider member is secured within the basket and is formed to provide an annular depression so as to define in the basket a clothes retaining area and a lower, washing medium retaining area. This perforate divider member is provided with vanes for imparting washing action to the clothes and a coaxial shaft for preventing large items being washed from lying across the basket. The base of the basket is provided with an axially concentric drain.