Abstract: A refreshment center having a modular construction and including a mini door and a frame is described. The mini door is fabricated and assembled separate from the frame, and the mini door includes a hinge system and a trigger. The mini door provides quick and convenient access to the refreshment center by being simple and easy to open and close. The frame, in an exemplary embodiment, is a one piece plastic molded part which serves as the main structural member of the assembly. The frame includes first and second spaced apart planar members, and further includes a keeper slot and a keeper for being inserted within the slot. The keeper extends from the slot and at least partially through a keeper slot in the door trim. The frame further includes a switch cavity for housing at least a portion of a switch assembly. A switch bracket is provided to be secured over the switch cavity and is engaged to the frame by a screw.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for eliminating the need for an operator to make multiple key entries in order to resume cooking subsequent completion of an initial cooking cycle. In connection with an oven having an electronic controller, the controller is programmed to provide a resume feature which includes the steps of determining whether certain conditions are satisfied subsequent to completion of an initial cooking cycle, and if such conditions are satisfied, then enabling the operator to continue cooking at the same temperature as the immediately previous cooking cycle for a predetermined time period, e.g., 2 minutes.

Abstract: A dishwasher including a third level washing apparatus which is low cost and effective in spraying water over the upper rack of the dishwasher is described. More particularly, and in one embodiment, the dishwasher includes a rotatable arm mounted in the dishwasher tub below the lower rack for providing first level washing, and a retractable tower secured to, and rotatable with, the rotatable arm and positioned to extend through the lower rack when fully extended. The retractable tower provides second level washing. The dishwasher also includes a third level wash apparatus having a base secured to the upper rack and an elongate body extending from the base. A water passage extends through the base and elongate body. In one embodiment, a spray member is spaced from an open outlet end of the elongate body, and at least one support member extends from the elongate body to the spray member for supporting the spray member at an elevation above the upper rack.

Abstract: A combination of a chemical filter and a molecular sieve desiccant dryer are provided in the liquid line of the refrigeration system in a refrigerator which contains a chlorine-free hydrofluorocarbon refrigerant and a hygroscopic polyol ester compressor lubricant after a repair is made to the system and before it is recharged with fresh refrigerant. The chemical filter, such as activated alumina, filters out hydrolysis products of the lubricant and moisture which block the capillary tube, and the dryer removes moisture from system.

Abstract: A refrigerator door assembly has an outer door member with a rectangular front panel surrounded by a rearward projecting peripheral rim around its perimeter to form a cavity. A body of insulation foamed-in-place in the cavity includes a rib of predetermined external cross-section that projects rearward along the rim. An inner door member includes a rectangular base panel with a hollow peripheral wall structure projecting rearward around its perimeter. The wall structure has an internal cross-section complimentary to the external cross-section of the rib. When the inner door member is mounted on the outer door member the rib is received within the wall structure.

Abstract: A hinge and closure mechanism with an integral door stop which, together with the closure unit of the mechanism, stops a refrigerator door from opening beyond a preselected position is described. In one embodiment, the mechanism includes a hinge unit, a closure unit, and door stop. The hinge unit includes a cabinet hinge plate and a door hinge plate. The cabinet hinge plate is mounted to the base of the cabinet, and the door hinge plate is mounted to a refrigerator door. A connector pin and a pivot pin extend through respective openings in the door hinge plate, and door hinge plate is coupled to the cabinet hinge plate by the pivot pin. The closure unit includes a pivot plate coupled to the door hinge plate by the connector pin. The closure unit also includes a compression spring and a link. The link couples the spring to the pivot plate.

Abstract: A refrigerator door has an outer member formed from a folded sheet of steel, with a front panel and a perpendicularly projecting flange forming a cavity. A reinforcing member of thin sheet steel has a front panel, smaller than the outer member front panel, with a perpendicularly projecting flange. The reinforcing member is positioned in the cavity. A body of insulation foamed-in-place in the cavity secures the reinforcing member within the cavity in spaced apart relationship with the outer member.

Abstract: A door hinge and closure mechanism which includes a hinge unit and a closure unit is described. The hinge and closure units are integral in that a hinge plate of the hinge unit serves as a support for components of the closure unit. Generally, the closure unit applies a pre-load force on the door when the door is in a closed position. When the door is between a closed position and a neutral force position, the closure unit applies a substantially constant closure force on the door. Once the door is opened beyond a first lock position, the closure unit applies resisting forces to the door when the door which act as a deterrent to further opening of the door. Rather than being expanded during door opening as with known spring closure mechanisms, the spring of the above described closure unit is compressed. Compressing the spring is believed to result in a more smooth and constant closure force on the door, as well as extending the useful life of the spring.

Abstract: A sequence switch unit for use in a dishwasher eliminates a need for a separate timer and relay for each dishwasher component during the washing portion of the cycle. In one embodiment, the sequence switch unit includes a switch disk having a plurality of contact blade tracks, a lower control track, an upper control track, and a ramp connecting the lower control track and the upper control track. The sequence switch unit includes a blade unit including a plurality of contact blade assemblies. Each of the contact blade assemblies has an elongate fixed blade having a fixed contact and an elongate movable blade having a movable contact. The contact blade assemblies are normally in a closed condition. The movable blades are movable so that the contact blade assemblies can be positioned in an open condition. A switch lift lever is secured to and rotatable with the switch disk, and the switch lever extends between the fixed blade and the movable blade of each contact blade assembly.

Abstract: An easy to assemble upper ball joint assembly for a wash tub suspension system is described. In accordance with one embodiment, the upper ball joint assembly includes a socket configured to be located within a keyed opening in the suspension system upper frame, and a ball joint configured to be secured to a suspension rod extending from the suspension system lower frame through the opening in the upper frame. The socket includes a seating surface which, in one embodiment, is substantially spherical shaped and concave. A slot extends from the socket opening to a periphery of the socket. The slot is configured so that the suspension rod can be moved through the slot and located within the socket opening. By orienting the socket so that the slot extends radially outward from a center axis of the wash tub, the suspension rod is allowed more movement relative to the socket since the rod can also move within the slot.

Abstract: Apparatus including water traps for containing pump gurgling noise within a washing machine are described. In one embodiment, tub outlet openings are formed in the washing machine tub bottom wall, and the apparatus includes an inlet in flow communication, and integral, with the tub water outlet. The pump inlet hose is coupled to the apparatus outlet so that the outlet is in flow communication with the water pump. The water trap is located between the apparatus inlet and outlet, and the water trap includes a u-shaped channel, a baffle extending from a lower surface of the tub bottom wall, and a standpipe. The u-shaped channel includes a water reservoir portion at an elevation below an end of the standpipe. In operation, water from the tub is discharged from the tub through the tub water outlets and into the apparatus.

Abstract: An over-the-range type oven incorporating a bottom plate having substantially triangular shaped openings, or inlets, is described. In one embodiment, the bottom plate has a first, interior surface and a second, range-facing surface. First and second triangular shaped openings, or inlets, extend through the bottom plate, and each triangular shaped opening has a first leg, a second leg and a third leg. The bottom plate may further include a first air guide positioned adjacent at least one of the first opening legs and extending from the bottom plate first, interior surface for directing air flow through the first opening and into the oven cabinet, and a second air guide positioned adjacent at least one of the second opening legs and extending from the bottom plate first, interior surface for directing air flow through the second opening and into the oven cabinet.

Abstract: A range which includes a mounting system for securing the heating element to the range so that the heating element is maintained against an underside surface of the glass plate with a substantially constant force over a broad temperature range is described. In one embodiment, the mounting system includes a first swing leaf spring and a second swing leaf spring for engaging to the cooktop and to the radiant heating element for positioning the radiant heating element within the radiant heating element opening. More particularly, the cooktop includes at least one radiant heating element opening and a rim extending from an underside surface of the cooktop surrounding the radiant heating element opening. The rim includes a first slot and a second slot, and the first and second slots are located approximately about one hundred and eighty degrees apart in the rim.

Abstract: Ranges which include mounting systems for securing the heating elements so that the heating elements are maintained against an underside surface of the glass plate with a substantially constant force over a broad temperature range are described. In one embodiment, the cooktop includes a frame and a support panel having a plurality of radiant heating element openings. A glass panel is adhesively secured at selected locations to the support panel. The mounting system includes coil springs for engaging to the support panel and to the radiant heating elements for positioning the radiant heating elements within the radiant heating element openings and against the glass plate.

Abstract: Ranges which include mounting systems for securing the heating elements so that the heating elements are maintained against an underside surface of the glass panel with a substantially constant force over a broad temperature range are described. In one embodiment, the cooktop includes a frame having an opening for receiving the glass panel. Flanges extend into the opening from the frame and support the panel in the opening. A metal plate is secured to an underside surface of the glass panel, and the plate includes a plurality of radiant heating element openings. The mounting system includes coil springs, or other types of springs, for engaging to the plate and to the radiant heating elements for positioning the radiant heating elements within the radiant heating element openings and against the glass panel. Various alternative embodiments of the above described mounting system are also described.

Abstract: An oven door includes a bottom trim frame having each end connected to a bottom end of a leg of a U-shaped door trim frame, which has a top portion connected to the legs at their upper ends. A rectangular shaped pane of glass has its bottom edge supported in a channel in the bottom trim frame and its upper edge supported in a channel in a vent or upper trim frame, which is connected to the top portion of the U-shaped door trim frame. The channels also retain the pane of glass against horizontal movement. The side edges of the pane of glass are exposed for a decorative look. A pair of door end caps, which are supported on the legs of the U-shaped door trim frame and formed of a heat insulating material, also aid in preventing horizontal motion of the pane of glass.

Abstract: A latch assembly for a dishwasher which enables one step initiation of dishwasher operations is described. The latch assembly also provides that the dishwasher does not operate when the dishwasher door is, or can be, opened. In one embodiment, the latch assembly is configured for use in connection with a dishwasher including a door, a tub, and a keeper secured to the tub. The keeper includes a catch and a lock release projection. The latch assembly includes a handle and at least one switch. The handle includes a latch and has a closed position and an open position. The latch is configured to engage the keeper catch when the door is closed and to disengage from the keeper catch when the handle is in the open position. The latch assembly further includes a switch actuator configured to actuate the switch so that the switch is in a conducting state when the door is substantially closed and so that the switch is in a non-conducting state when the handle is substantially in the open position.

Abstract: A plastic molded, upper dishwasher rack and support assemblies are described. In one embodiment, the upper rack is supported by first and second upper rack support assemblies, and each support assembly includes an elongate slide member and first and second roller assemblies secured to respective sidewalls of the tub. Each elongate slide member includes a channel, and upper and lower flanges. The rollers are located within the channels so that the slide member is movable relative to first and second rollers. Front and rear caps are secured to a front end and a back end, respectively, of each slide member. The flanges and caps facilitate retaining, or trapping, the rollers within the channels. In addition, the front caps have stop members extending inwardly towards the upper rack and cooperate with the upper rack to limit the extent to which the upper rack can be withdrawn from tub.

Abstract: Adjustable rear leveling systems for refrigerators and other appliances are described. In one embodiment, the leveling system includes a rear rail having notch embossed pads. Rail leveling units are mounted to the rear rail at the pads. Each rail leveling unit, in the one embodiment, includes a rail bracket which mounts to the rear rail. Each leveling unit also includes a leveling link and a link arm. The leveling link is rotatably secured to the rail bracket by a first pin, and a leveling roller is engaged to the leveling link by a second pin. A first end of the link arm extends through a keyed opening in the leveling link and a second end of the link arm has a threaded opening extending therethrough. An adjusting screw extends through an opening in a front rail of the appliance, and a threaded portion of the adjusting screw extends through, and into threaded engagement with, the threaded opening in the second end of the link arm.

Abstract: An appliance backsplash assembly includes an appliance housing with a top member. A control housing assembly includes a rear wall and a pair of end caps mounted adjacent the rear portion of the top member. The control housing also includes a control panel assembly with a mounting plate and a cover. The mounting plate has tabs spaced across its bottom edge with slots therein. The cover includes tabs spaced apart across its bottom edge and received in the slots in the mounting plate tabs. The mounting plate tabs are received slots in the rear portion of the top member so that the mounting plate can be pivoted to a position exposing one of its faces. Controls are mounted to the mounting plate through that face to be removable when that face is exposed.