Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus cabinet includes an outer shell having walls defining a front opening. A plastic liner in the shell provides an insulation space therebetween and has connected rear and sidewalls to define a refrigerated space accessible through the shelf front opening. The liner includes a plurality of vertically spaced, aligned openings through one of the walls. An elongate reinforcement bar has a plurality of spaced, aligned openings, similar to the liner openings, the reinforcement bar being disposed behind the liner in the insulation space with each liner opening aligned with a reinforcement bar opening. A plurality of fasteners are provided, one for each liner opening.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an improved air return system providing a channel of air below the crisper pans. Particularly, a separator top is positioned above a separator insulation body to define a space therebetween providing an air flow path for channeling return air flow. An inlet to the space is positioned proximate the front of the separator wall and an outlet is positioned proximate the rear of the separator. An air flow passage through the separator is in communication with the outlet for returning refrigerated air to the freezer compartment.

Abstract: A microwave oven with an oven cavity and a microwave feed system which produces a microwave distribution of polarized microwaves with essentially defined field vector orientations relative to one of the walls of the cavity. A zone defining an expansion of volume which opens into the cavity and whose dimensions are tuned to the wavelength and field distribution in the cavity, is disposed in a wall of the cavity. The expansion does not affect the effective field distribution in the cavity and can be used for concealed placement of a grill element or light source.

Abstract: A vacuum filling machine and method are provided for use in filling a porous pouch with microporous powder. The machine has a housing sealable in an air tight manner. A pair of substantially parallel plates are positioned within said housing, one of the plates having a plurality of perforations therethrough extending from facing front sides of that plate to back side of that plate. The housing is openable to receive the porous pouch between the facing front sides of the plates. A nozzle provides a communication path between the pouch and a source of microporous powder. A vacuum source communicates with an interior of the housing and the back side of the plate with perforations through a vacuum shroud. Preferably, a heat sealing device is positioned within the housing for sealing an edge of the pouch after filling with microporous powder.

Abstract: A system for sampling air contained in an appliance shipping container includes a gas analyzer sealably interconnected with a probe by a flexible conduit. Disposed on the lower portion of a side wall of the appliance shipping container is an opening sealably covered by a film patch. A conveyor line arrangement positions the shipping container such that the film patch is disposed adjacent the probe. When the appliance shipping container is detected to be suitably positioned adjacent the probe, an electro-solenoid interconnected with the probe is activated causing the probe to puncture the reflective film patch and permitting an air sample to be drawn from the appliance shipping container into the gas analyzer. If the presence of a vaporized refrigerant is detected, a controller shunts the appliance shipping container to a site for repair of the appliance.

Abstract: A cooking appliance or an electronic control for a cooking appliance and a method of controlling the same including a remote control which has built-in temperature sensor, positional switch and low-battery detection circuit is in two-way intermittent wireless communication with the appliance control unit. The appliance control unit includes a switch means for controlling the heating elements of the cooking appliance wherein the switch means for each heating element includes two power switches connected in series and coupled with a redundancy detection circuit for the detection of a failure of one of the two power switches. Two-way communication between the two control units of the present invention is constantly monitored to ensure proper operation of the cooking appliance and to provide a mechanism to report errors to the user or to shut down the cooking appliance, as appropriate, soon after an error is detected.

Abstract: A three piece egg container assembly is provided which includes a rectangular base member having a bottom wall, sidewalls and an open top, an egg tray with a plurality of egg receiving receptacles receivable within the base member and a removable lid for the base member. The lid is configured with a peripheral lip such that one side of the lid conforms to the base member bottom wall, the open top of the base member and the egg tray such that the first surface of the lid could receive any of those elements. A second side of the lid conforms to the opening of the base member such that the lid can be received in the opening either in an upright position or an inverted position. Stacking of numerous base members with intervening inverted lids or stacking of the egg tray on the lid is thereby accommodated by this construction.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus cabinet has an outer shell and an inner liner to define an insulation space therebetween. The shell has a deck including an enlarged opening. A conduit extends downwardly along a rear wall of the liner, with a distal end extending through the deck opening. A foil access cover is adhered to the deck about the opening to cover the opening, with the conduit extending outwardly from the space. A body of foamed-in-place insulation is provided in the space, with the access cover sealing the deck opening to prevent leakage of the foamed-in-place insulation.

Abstract: A vacuum processing machine and method are provided for use in assembling a vacuum insulation panel from a gas impermeable bag and a gas porous pouch filled with a microporous powder. The machine has a housing which is sealable in an air tight manner. A pair of substantially parallel plates are positioned within said housing. The housing is openable to receive the bag between the facing front sides of the plates. A vacuum source communicates with an interior of said housing to evacuate gases from said bag and pouch. Heat sealing apparatus are positioned within the housing for sealing an edge of said bag after evacuation of said gases from said bag and pouch. A nozzle for injecting a trace amount of helium at a pressure preferably below 1 mm Hg into the bag after evacuation of the gases and before sealing of the bag may be provided if desired.

Abstract: A method for assembling a vacuum insulation panel is provided which includes the steps of: loading a quantity of microporous powder into a gas permeable pouch; pressing the pouch into a desired form; sealing the pouch; heating the powder to a temperature elevated above standard room temperature; inserting the pouch into a gas impermeable bag while the pouch and powder remain at the elevated temperature; evacuating gases from the powder pouch while it is at the elevated temperature; evacuating gases from the bag; and sealing the gas evacuated bag with the gas evacuated pouch therein to form a vacuum insulation panel. The heating of the powder may occur only just before insertion of the pouch into the bag, or may occur both before the powder is loaded into the pouch as well as just before insertion of the pouch into the bag. Further, a trace amount of Helium (at a pressure of approximately 1 mm Hg) may be put into the bag before it is sealed in order to permit testing of the sealed panel for leaks.

Abstract: A refrigerator door includes an inner door panel having parallel, vertical dikes and horizontal shelves extending between the dikes. A door shelf support system includes a shelf trim piece mountable on the inner door panel. The trim piece includes end walls having openings receiving projections extending sidewardly from the dikes to provide a snap-fit connection without openings extending through the dikes. The trim piece can be a one-piece structure having a channel at a bottom edge for receiving a front edge of the shelf to provide a closed shelf arrangement, or can have a shorter front wall to provide an open shelf arrangement with the trim piece wall spaced above the door shelf.

Abstract: A cooking appliance or an electronic control for a cooking appliance or an electronic control for a cooking appliance and method of controlling the same includes a remote control unit having a built-in temperature sensor, positional switch and low-battery detection circuit is in two-way intermittent wireless communication with the appliance control unit. The appliance control unit includes a switch means for controlling the heating elements of the cooking appliance wherein the switch means for each heating element includes two power switches connected in series and coupled with a redundancy detection circuit for the detection of a failure of one of the two power switches. Two-way communication between the two control units of the present invention is constantly monitored to ensure proper operation of the cooking appliance and to provide a mechanism to report errors to the user or to shut down the cooking appliance, as appropriate, soon after an error is detected.

Abstract: A microwave oven having a pulsed magnetron comprises a timing circuit which determines a cooking time and the pulse duration when the magnetron is pulsed. By means of a time and power setting device, the cooking time and the pulse duration are adapted to a food introduced into the oven chamber. At least one operation parameter affecting the magnetron output is measured and compared with the nominal value of the parameter. In the event of a difference between the measured and the nominal parameter value, the cooking time and/or the pulse duration is/are corrected in relation to the set values in order to eliminate the effect of this difference on the total quantity of energy supplied during cooking.

Abstract: A microwave oven having microwave source and a power unit associated therewith which is supplied with mains voltage via a relay. A microprocessor device comprised in the oven is used for controlling switch-on and switch-off of the relay, eliminating thereby the influence by varying switch-on/switch-off times of the one and same relay and between different relays, and allowing for a connection and respectively disconnection of the mains voltage at a desirable phase thereof.

Abstract: A filter monitor for indicating the condition of an air filter in a room air conditioner to determine whether the filter is clogged. The filter monitor assembly includes a shell mounted on the front of the air conditioner, with an air pressure equalization passage permitting air flow through the shell when a clogged air filter creates a negative air pressure inside the air conditioner housing. A signal flag within the shell is normally retracted by the force of gravity, but is visibly extended outside the shell by the pressure-induced air flow through the shell, indicating that the air filter is clogged.

Abstract: A brake band retainer mechanism for an automatic washer is provided which ensures that the brake band will be held away from the brake drum when the brake is in the relaxed position, yet will be held close to the drum for ready engagement. A support frame for the brake assembly has four legs, one of the legs pivotally carrying a bracket to which the band is attached, two opposite legs have a flange thereon providing radial and vertical support for the band in its relaxed position, and a fourth, intermediate leg carrying a resilient member which presses against an outer surface of the band to bias the band against the support flange surfaces when the band is relaxed. The resilient member is held on the fourth leg without additional fasteners.

Abstract: A drain hose assembly for an automatic washer comprising a flexible corrugated plastic hose having an end inter-connectable with the automatic washer and a second barbed connection end insertable into a tubular elastomeric connection member such that a rotatable sealable connection is provided between the barbed connection end and the tubular elastomeric connection member. A flexible corrugated plastic extension member may be provided having the tubular elastomeric connection member integrally molded onto one end. The extension member may have, at the end opposite the elastomer connection member, a barbed connection end for further interconnections. The extension member may therefore, be sealably and rotatably connected to the drain hose for adding length. An elastomeric tubular nozzle formed into an approximate 180.degree. arc and having an enlarged end including the formed elastomeric connection member may be provided for providing a discharge end to the drain hose assembly.