Abstract: The invention relates to a gas valve of the type commonly used to connect a circular or non-planar gas manifold to the burner of a household cooktop. An adapter is provided for converting the gas valve for use with a non-planar profile gas manifold to a planar profile gas manifold.

Abstract: A low cost method and apparatus for indicating when to replace a water filter in a water and ice delivery system for a refrigerator. The invention uses a low cost microprocessor and senses the operational condition of an ice maker water valve, a water dispenser valve to monitor and track water usage. The microprocessor has a built-in memory to retain water usage and other data during a power outage. The invention also senses the status of a door switch to permit user input of a reset message indicating that the filter has been changed as well as an input indicating a different type of filter has been installed. The microprocessor controls a tri-color light emitting diode to display the status of the filter as “good”, “order” or “change” which is determined based on the selection of the type of filter system, the amount of time since the last filter change, and the amount of water usage since the last filter change.

Abstract: A moulded copolymer door for built-in household electrical appliances to which a panel is to be adjustably connected to the door. The panel is configured to be adjusted in height, laterally and in depth. Adjustable mounting brackets are mounted on the door adjacent to undercuts on the vertical sides of said door and are accessible from a face of the door opposite of the panel through which the undercuts of the panel may be secured to the adjustable mounting brackets.

Abstract: A microwave oven for heating of foodstuffs including an oven cavity (4) with an opening, a microwave unit for feeding microwaves to the oven cavity, an openable door adapted to close the opening and constituting one of the walls of the cavity, and a microwave seal (6) for reducing the leakage of microwave radiation from the oven cavity when the door is closed. The microwave seal has the form of a groove (12) which surrounds the opening and which is longitudinally divided into a first cavity (7) and a second cavity (8) by a partition (13). When the door is closed, the electric length from the oven cavity to the base of the first cavity is smaller than a quarter of a wavelength, and the electric length from the oven cavity to the base of the second cavity is greater than a quarter of a wavelength, such that two damping peaks are obtained, one on each side of the centre frequency of the microwaves.

Abstract: The invention concerns an optical sensor for measuring the property of a gaseous or liquid medium, particularly the opaqueness of a washing or rinsing liquid in a washing or rinsing machine, with at least one radiation source, a radiation receiver and a light-transmitting sensor body, with an optical boundary surface, which, depending on the nature of the medium present outside the boundary surface of the sensor body, to a greater or lesser degree transmits to the radiation receiver and/or reflects the radiation directed on to it, resulting at the radiation receiver in different measurement signals which characterise the reflectivity and the refractive index conditions at the boundary surface. Unambiguous measurement signals for process control of a washing or rinsing machine are obtained through separate sensing of the transparency and reflection of the medium.

Abstract: A method for controlling the duration of a self-cleaning operation in an oven responsive to the oven usage. The oven includes a cooking chamber, a heating device for supplying heat into the cooking chamber, an exhaust outlet from the cooking chamber leading to atmosphere, and a heat control device for controlling the heating device for baking, broiling and self-cleaning cycles. The method of controlling the duration includes the steps of maintaining a count at the heat control device of the length of oven operation time performed since a last self-cleaning cycle, accepting an input at the heat control device to begin a self-cleaning operation, and controlling the heating device to heat the oven cavity for a time period based upon the length of oven operation time performed since a last self-cleaning cycle.

Abstract: A toaster having a heating enclosure including a first support wall and a second support wall extending outwardly from a base. A pair of opposed racks extend between the first and second support walls along the sides of the heating enclosure. Each rack has a bottom edge hingedly supported by the support walls and a top edge wherein the top edges are biased toward each other. The racks have one end rotatably supported by a plastic bearing and are biased along their axis of rotation against the bearing to provide smooth and quiet rotation. A toast carriage extends from a plastic arm hub which is slidingly supported adjacent the second support wall between an upper and lower limit position.

Abstract: A modular cabinet for an ice maker or other refrigeration appliance, having a frame formed from a base, a tub resting on the base, and a pair of opposing side panels affixed to opposing sides of side tub and base assembly and a top panel. The refrigeration appliance has a refrigerated compartment defined by the tub, the top panel and the door. A door hingedly mounted to the frame sealingly closes the refrigerated compartment.

Abstract: An air treatment appliance for treating surrounding air including a body. A spider-mount mounted to the body has a motor mounted thereto in cantilever fashion. A fan attached to the motor may be a radial fan, and is operable to draw in surrounding air and cause it to flow through the appliance. A grommet between the motor and the spider-mount dampens vibrations from the motor. A filtering mechanism in the path of the airflow helps filter out undesirable material from the surrounding air. A radial airflow guide downstream from the fan efficiently guides the airflow to be expelled in a predetermined direction. The motor is at least partially accommodated by the spider-mount and the fan. The apparatus results in reduced noise and vibration during operation of the appliance.

Abstract: An air treatment appliance having an external body with a movable portion and a main portion. An air inlet and an air outlet in the external body permit airflow through the device. A fan inside the body is operable to draw in air through the air inlet and to expel it through the air outlet, and the air may be passed through a filter mechanism in the device. An access mechanism permits convenient access to the filter mechanism and other components in the external body. The device is at least partially disabled when the movable portion is moved relative to the main portion.

Abstract: A central unit for grouping electronic and electrical components of refrigerators, freezers and similar appliances, comprising a housing containing at least one electronic card provided with electrical connection means and socket means for connecting the appliance to the electrical power supply.

Abstract: The present invention provides a dishwasher having a wash chamber including a sump. A pump having a rotating element is supported within a pump housing wherein the pump is adapted to draw liquid from the sump through an inlet area and then pump liquid to the wash chamber. A particle chopping assembly is supported in the inlet area upstream of the rotating element, the particle sizing assembly including a particle screen rotatably supporting drive shaft which drivingly supports a chopping blade adjacent the particle screen. The drive shaft has a coupling end which detachably couples to the rotating element. The coupling between the chopping blade and the rotating element is capable of accommodating axial tolerance with regard to the axial position of the rotating element.