Abstract: A modular exhaust vent for use in venting a wash chamber of a dishwasher, such as during a dry cycle, comprises a housing that forms an exhaust flow path from the wash chamber to the exterior of the dishwasher and a valve operable for pivotal movement about a pivot axis between an opened and closed position for selectively closing the exhaust flow path. An actuator for moving the valve is connected to the valve by a link such that activation of the actuator effects movement of the link to pivot the valve to either the opened or closed position. Further, the valve selectively closes the exhaust flow path at an inlet to impede introduction of sound into the exhaust flow path.

Abstract: An oven comprises a cooking cavity, a steam generator operably connected to the cooking cavity for introducing steam into the cooking cavity, and a portable vessel removably mounted to the oven for supplying water to the steam generator and receiving drain water from the steam generator.

Abstract: A dishwasher has multiple wash zones which are each supplied by a wash liquid supply. An interior tub configured to provide an interior wash chamber for washing dishes is divisible into a plurality of wash zones supplied by separate wash liquid supplies. One of the wash zones is supplied by a spray manifold having rotating spray heads. The spray heads are provided with internal vanes which urge the spray heads to rotate and direct wash liquid to outlets in the spray heads.

Abstract: An air treatment assembly for treating air passing through an air duct comprises a frame defining an interior space and having an inlet opening providing access to the interior space, an air treatment medium sized to be inserted into the interior space through the inlet opening, and a keyed connection between the frame and the air treatment medium to control the engagement of the air treatment medium with the frame. The air treatment assembly also comprises a frame defining an interior space, an air treatment medium sized to be received within the interior space, and an air quality module integrated with the frame.

Abstract: The present invention provides a microwave oven and a method of operating a microwave oven, which minimises user involvement when heating a food item to a desired target temperature. According to the invention, the initial temperature of the food item is measured prior to the heating process, and the required heating time is determined automatically based on the initial temperature, the target temperature, and the amount of food as entered by the user. In order to heat a food item to a desired target temperature, the user only needs to position a container for temperature measurement and enter the amount of food. In particular, the present invention is preferably adapted for heating of baby food, such as baby milk contained in a baby bottle, and in such case the target temperature is preferably preset to about 37° C.

Abstract: A dishwasher has multiple wash zones which are each supplied by a wash liquid supply. An interior tub configured to provide an interior wash chamber for washing dishes is divisible into three wash zones supplied by first, second, and third wash liquid supplies. The third wash zone is supplied by a wash liquid supply that is controllable independently of the other two wash liquid supplies. The third wash liquid supply can be controlled to supply wash liquid to a detergent dispenser or a wall-mounted spray manifold, or shut off separately from the first and second wash liquid supplies.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a browning accessory for use in a microwave oven, for substantially simultaneous microwave cooking and browning or crusting of a food item. The browning accessory includes a microwave absorbing material operative to convert microwave energy into thermal energy and having its underside uncovered, thereby being accessible to airflow inside the microwave oven, and an outer enclosure having a skirt portion extending downwards below the microwave absorbing material to reduce convection cooling of the microwave absorbing material during use of the accessory.

Abstract: An automatic dishwasher having a wash chamber is provided with a filter for filtering wash liquid circulated in the wash chamber. The filter includes a filter chamber outside the wash chamber. An inlet to and outlet from the filter chamber in a wall of the wash chamber allows wash liquid circulating in the wash chamber to enter the filter chamber and to flow out of the filter chamber through a filter element back into the wash chamber for filtering particulate material from wash liquid circulating in the wash chamber. A drain outlet at the bottom of the filter chamber allows wash liquid and material filtered by the filter to flow to the household drain. Sensors can be provided to detect a clogged or partially clogged filter and initiate a purge cycle to remove wash liquid and material filtered by the filter to the household drain.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a drain pump assembly having a chopper assembly coupled to an impeller and driven by a synchronous motor. The chopper assembly includes an impeller housing that includes a central hub portion for pivotally supporting a plurality of rotatable chopper blades. An apertured plate is secured to the impeller housing and maintained in a spaced relationship from the chopper blades. The chopper assembly is coupled to the impeller through an axially sliding drive mechanism that facilitates assembly of the chopper assembly into the impeller housing. The synchronous motor drives the chopper blade in a first direction until encountering a hard soil particle whereupon the chopper blades can pivot so that the chopper assembly can continue to operate or, if the chopper blade becomes jammed, the synchronous motor can oscillate to hammer the hard soil particle until it becomes small enough to pass through the apertured plate.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a pump assembly which functions to chop all fluid entrained soil prior to directing fluid to upper and lower wash arms. A flow conduit leading to the upper wash arm is provided with a sampling port which directs a percentage of the fluid flow into a filter chamber having one or more fine mesh filter screens that open into the dishwasher tub basin. The filter chamber is exposed to a collection chamber that leads to a drain. In the event the filter chamber becomes clogged, a pressure relief valve opens a pressure regulation port to permit washing fluid in the filter chamber to enter the tub basin. In one embodiment, the pressure relief valve is constituted by a check ball which is displaced by a pressure build up in the filter chamber. In another embodiment, the pressure relief valve is constituted by a flapper valve.

Abstract: A modular microwave oven and ventilation hood combination system, includes a core module, having a core module housing, and a microwave cooking chamber, fitted in the core module housing. The system further includes an intake module, having an intake module housing connected to a lower side of the core module housing, and an air inlet for drawing air from an area above a range.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a pump assembly having a multi-stage filtering arrangement which functions to trap soil particles contained in a washing fluid to reduce the number of fresh water fills required to perform a washing operation. All of the washing fluid is initially directed over a filter plate. A first portion of the washing fluid passes the filter plate into a pumping chamber, while a second, soil laden portion, enters a first filter chamber. The second portion is then directed through a medium filter into the intake chamber. The filtered washing fluid is pumped through a conduit to wash arms that spray the washing fluid onto kitchenware. The conduit includes a sampling port which directs a portion of the washing fluid to a second filtering compartment having a fine mesh screen. At the end of the washing operation, the washing water, along with the soil is expelled from the dishwasher.

Abstract: An automatic dishwasher comprises an open-faced cabinet defining a wash chamber and a utensil rack mounted within the wash chamber. The utensil rack comprises a frame mounted to the cabinet and a basket removably mounted to the frame, and the frame and the basket are configured such that the basket is vertically adjustable relative to the frame. Additionally, the basket comprises a plurality of basket elements that are complementary to form a whole basket. Further, the dishwasher includes a pair of slides for slidably mounting the frame to the cabinet. The slides comprise a track that slidably receives a wheel on the utensil rack and includes an access opening for insertion or removal of the wheel from the track. A closure for selectively closing the access opening prevents undesired removal of the wheel from the track.

Abstract: A smaller configuration air treatment appliance that can perform multiple air treatment functions and which has a modular design that enables the manufacturer to reduce the cost of the appliance.

Abstract: A water conductivity monitoring circuit determines the status of an ion exchange filter in the water flow to a steam generator. A microprocessor sends a reference signal to a conductivity sensor circuit that converts it to an excite signal that is sent to a probe in the water flow. Any conductivity of the water alters the excite signal, and the modified signal is compared to the reference signal to establish a value indicative of the conductivity of the water. The microprocessor compares the value to at least two thresholds representative of the status of the filter.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a dishwasher, and more particularly to a dishwasher having multiple wash zones. The dishwasher has an interior tub configured to provide an interior wash chamber for washing dishes. It also has a spray arm assembly configured to rotate within the tub and to spray a first flow of wash liquid over a portion of the interior tub thereby providing a first wash zone. A spray manifold fixed adjacent a lower dish rack, the manifold configured to provide a second flow of wash liquid toward the lower dish rack thereby providing a second wash zone.

Abstract: An improved water distribution system is provided for a dishwasher. The system includes one or more disks mounted in the dishwasher for rotation about a vertical axis, and one or more water nozzles in the dishwasher for directing a water jet onto the disks. The water jets are directed transverse to the axis of rotation of the disks so as to impart rotation to the disks, and thereby redirect the water jet to a radial direction for distribution in the washing chamber of the dishwasher. Thus, the linear kinetic energy of the water jet is transferred to radial kinetic energy by the rotating disk.

Abstract: A dishwasher, including a tub provided with a front lip, has a front door provided with alignment structure on an inner bottom portion which is designed to abut and deflect the front lip, when the front lip is bowed or otherwise deformed, to control the relative positioning between the door and the frontal lip in order to prevent the development of a leakage gap or undesirable engagement between the door and lip. The alignment feature preferably includes at least one cam rib located on the lower underside of the door, as well as adjacent abutment rib(s) adapted to extend toward the front lip of the tub when the door is opened. The cam rib functions to guide the lip along a smooth surface when the tub is bowed or otherwise significantly shifted from a design position to assure quiet shifting of the door, while the abutment rib functions to prevent the development of a potential leakage gap between the front lip and the door.

Abstract: A dishwasher includes a pump assembly which functions to chop all fluid entrained soil prior to directing fluid to upper and lower wash arms. A flow conduit leading to the upper wash arm is provided with a sampling port which directs a percentage of the fluid flow into a filter chamber having one or more fine mesh filter screens that open into the dishwasher tub basin. The filter chamber is exposed to a collection chamber that leads to a flapper valve and then to a drain port. A sealing chamber joins the filter chamber with the collection chamber. A sealing member is positioned in the sealing chamber to selectively seal the filter chamber after a portion of the fluid is drained. Once sealed, a drain pump expels the fluid from the washing tub. After the tub is empty, the remainder of the fluid is drained from the filter chamber.

Abstract: A convection cooking appliance includes a convection fan for establishing a convection airflow which is heated by a heating element including first and second sections that are symmetrically disposed about the convection fan substantially parallel to and downstream of the convection fan. Each of the first and second sections is formed so as to include at least three lobes and four 180° turns, while establishing a thin profile heating element. A convection fan cover extends across the convection fan and includes a main body portion having an outlet portion for directing the convection airflow into a cooking chamber of the appliance. The outlet portion includes an angled louver and a trip edge portion. The angled louver and trip edge portion cooperate to alter a direction of the convection airflow from being substantially parallel to the main body portion to being substantially perpendicular the main body portion.