Abstract: A hinge pin is described for an appliance door which combines the functions of a plug-in, mechanical hinge pin and bearing member for the door, adaptable for either right-hand or left-hand opening doors, with that of an electrical connector to bring power into the door without the need of a separate, external service loop to the door. A frame-mounted mating receptacle is provided in the combination for sliding engagement of the hinge pin and plug with the appliance in two embodiments permitting a "universal", side-by-side mounting of two or more doors. Electrical connectors are included for engagement with the hinge pin and plug combination, both at the appliance frame and within the door.

Abstract: A substantially transparent single-pane insulating structure, positionable between a warmer region and a colder region having a substantially transparent pane wherein one surface is exposed in use to the warmer region and the opposed surface in use facing the cold region and a reflecting material applied to the surface of the pane which faces the colder region for reflecting a substantial portion of infrared radiation incident on the reflecting material through the pane to the surface of the pane exposed in use to the warmer region to restrict substantial transmission of infrared radiation from the warmer region to the colder region and to heat the surface of the pane exposed in use to the warmer region sufficiently to prevent formation of a visibility-impeding layer thereon without using electrical energy therefor and wherein the reflected infrared radiation is reradiated into the warmer region so as to inhibit reradiation thereof into the colder region and for transmitting a substantial portion of visible l

Abstract: A structure adapted for use in a door of a refrigerated compartment. The door may include a plurality of panes of glass, a plurality of spacers for spacing the plurality of panes of glass so as to form an air space between each pair of panes of glass, a conductive coating applied to one surface of one of the panes of glass facing into the air space between the panes of glass, and an electrical circuit connected to the conductive coating on the coated surface of the pane of glass. The electrical circuit includes a portion which could otherwise be exposed to physical contact through the air space in the event of breakage of the coated or opposing pane of glass. The structure includes a portion for blocking physical contact with the portion of the electrical circuit which could otherwise be exposed. The structure further includes portions for connecting with the spacers in the door for securing the structure in the door.

Abstract: A longitudinal sheet of paperboard has longitudinally aligned spacing elements for holding and containing substantially flat, frangible items resiliently spaced from each other. The sheet is adapted for wrapping the edges of the flat, frangible items for packaging and shipping. Rigid supports elevate the package above the floor for manipulation, as by fork lifts. A plurality of the sheets can be overlapped to form an adjustable, enlarged shipping container having a unique size adjusted to the size of the items packaged. The so-packaged items can be cinched tightly to form a tight, resilient shipping ensemble.

Abstract: A control circuit for proportionally controlling the application of available ac current to thin film heaters and other heating apparatus for transparent windows and other selected surfaces of refrigerated cabinets prevents condensation of moisture thereon. A transducing sensor in contact with the ambient air and thermally coupled to the refrigerated cabinet surfaces provides control signals to an ac heating current control circuit in relation to the difference between cabinet surface temperature and the dew point temperature of the ambient air. As the cabinet surface temperature drops closer to dew point the application of electric power to the transparent window and other surface heating apparatus is proportionally increased by the control circuit by applying heater current during correspondingly increased "on" periods for passage of the available ac heater current. "On" periods of the heater current are initiated during times in a cycle when the ac is at or near its null.

Abstract: Apparatus is described for decreasing the frost-free recapture time of a multi-pane glazed door such as is used on refrigerated display cabinets, by selectively heating the innermost pane when it is exposed to high relative humidity conditions. An electric current is passed through an optically transparent electrically conductive layer on the unexposed surface of the innermost pane. This heats the pane to a temperature above the dew point of the ambient air.

Abstract: A refrigerated display cabinet interior shelf system has one piece standards for shelf support. The standards are manually removeable from slotted brackets fixed to mullions in a cabinet structure. The standards have surfaces fully exposed to the cabinet interior. Each standard can maintain two shelf supporting clips on opposite sides at the same vertical dimension. The shelf system is manually disassembleable, and when assembled effectively eliminates protruding threaded fastener elements and multiple components in the shelf support system.

Abstract: A longitudinal sheet of paperboard has longitudinally aligned spacing elements for holding and containing substantially flat, frangible items resiliently spaced from each other. The sheet is adapted for wrapping the edges of the flat, frangible items for packaging and shipping. Rigid supports elevate the package above the floor for manipulation, as by fork lifts. A plurality of the sheets can be overlapped to form an adjustable, enlarged shipping container having a unique size adjusted to the size of the items packaged. The so-packaged items can be cinched tightly to form a tight, resilient shipping ensemble.

Abstract: A system is described which permits the electrically heated door of a refrigerated display cabinet to be operated selectively at a plurality of power settings, providing respectively higher and lower levels of electrical heating. A switching means is used to alter the electrical interconnection of the door window heating elements with the door frame heating elements from a series connection to a parallel connection. In one embodiment, an automatic electrical controller actuates the switch in response to changes in the ambient humidity and temperature.

Abstract: A guide to assist in inserting a fastener into a first hole in a first surface which is accessible through a second hole in a wall facing the first surface, comprises a plastic tube press-fitted through the second hole, extending to and surrounding the first hole. A thin plate overlying the wall contains a hole concentric with the second hole but whose diameter is smaller than the fastener, whereby the fastener is held captive within the tube.

Abstract: A channel-like structural member for use as a refrigerator door frame, having a generally U-shaped cross section including a first flange, a second flange, and an intermediate control portion wherein the improvement comprises a thermally insulative thermal barrier interposed between said central portion and said second flange, and holding those portions in rigid spaced-apart relationship.

Abstract: In a multi-pane window structure for use between a cold region and a warmer region, where the first pane adjoining the warmer region is electrically heated to prevent condensation or frost, the improvement comprising an infrared-reflective coating transparent to visible light applied to the second pane from the warmer area on the surface thereof facing the warmer region.

Abstract: In a refrigerator door mounting frame, the use of a thermal barrier between the cold portion and the warm portion of the frame in combination with a divided thermal conduction path extending from an intermediate portion into the cold portion. The divided path comprises a thick load-bearing section through which conduction is impeded by the thermal barrier, in parallel with a thinner sealing face plate section exposed to the air outside the refrigerator and electrically heated to prevent condensation. In this way condensation is prevented and the heat load on the refrigerator is minimized.

Abstract: A novel arrangement and associated method for packaging glass doors and the like for shipment and handling, one requiring less time and materials and involving exposing the "breakable-glass" character of the contents in full view to handling personnel, as a cautionary measure -- this method, in one embodiment involving a wrapping of a bundle of glass doors in a packing strip to be spaced and cushioned around their edges; cinching of this bundle onto a pallet, and covering the palletized bundle with a transparent film, preferably by heat-shrinking a clear plastic envelope there-around.

Abstract: An improved removable unitary product mounting structure for refrigerator cabinets; one adapted for easier, more convenient installation and removal and for more effective product display, comprising, in one embodiment, a pair of height-adjustable spring-loaded standards suspending a display backboard therebetween as an integral removable unit, the backboard being adapted for selective mounting of product carriers.

Abstract: A door stop and hold open for use in refrigerated display cabinets includes a selectively positionable arrestor for limiting the swing of the door and for detenting the door in its widest open position. Detenting action is provided by a clip having two leaf springs between which a pin is forced as the opening door approaches its limiting position, and by which the pin is yieldably retained. The leaf springs are shaped to provide rigidity except in the direction of spreading and to provide a large surface area for contacting the pin, thereby reducing wear.