Abstract: A method for controlling a laundry washing machine. The method includes: performing a tub loading process comprising operating supply valve(s) to provide a first volume of water through a detergent supply system and into a tub to fill the tub with wash liquid; performing a washing process comprising rotating a drum to agitate laundry in in the presence of the wash liquid; performing a static rinsing process comprising operating a pump to remove a free volume of wash liquid from the tub without rotating the drum; and performing one or more rinsing processes comprising: operating the supply valve(s) to provide a volume of clean rinse water to the tub, operating the pump to remove the rinse water from the drum, and operating the motor to spin the drum at high speed to extract rinse water from the laundry, while continuing to operate the pump.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a temperature-controlled drawer within a fresh food compartment. The drawer includes a temperature dampening member in thermal communication with a freezing air source and an interior or the drawer. The member is made of a thermally conductive material. In use, heat is conducted away from the interior of the drawer through the temperature dampening member in communication with the freezing air source. Thus, freezing of a foodstuff within the drawer is minimized or prevented, a temperature variance within the drawer is minimized, and humidity within the drawer is not adversely affected by dry freezing air source.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment having a target temperature above 0° C., a freezer compartment for storing food items in a sub-freezing environment having a target temperature below 0° C., a system evaporator for providing a cooling effect to at least one of the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment, and an ice tray assembly disposed within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. The ice tray assembly includes an ice mold with an upper surface comprising a plurality of cavities formed therein for the ice pieces, a heater disposed on the ice mold and an ice maker refrigerant tube abutting at least one lateral side surface of the ice mold and cooling the ice mold to a temperature below 0° C. via thermal conduction and a cover having a water fill cup integrated into the cover and an outlet aligned with an inlet of the ice mold.

Abstract: A glide rack assembly removably installable within a cooking chamber. The assembly includes a support rack, an engagement member extending downward therefrom and being translatable between a fully retracted position and an extended position, and a locking arm. The locking arm is configured such that when the support rack is in the fully retracted position, the engagement member deflects said locking arm into an unlocked position wherein the locking arm does not cooperate with an embossment on a side wall of the cooking chamber. Further, when the support rack is translated from the fully retracted position, the engagement member does not deflect the locking arm such that the locking arm pivots to a locked position wherein the locking arm cooperates with the embossment such that the assembly is inhibited from being removed.

Abstract: A refrigerator that includes a cabinet housing a refrigerator compartment and having a front opening. A door provides access to the refrigerator compartment. The door includes a first section and a second section. A locking mechanism is provided for selectively securing the second section to the first section when the second section is in a closed position relative to the first section. The locking mechanism includes a handle disposed within an elongated recess of the second section. A latch hook is engageable with the handle for selectively locking the second section in the closed position relative to the first section.

Abstract: A packaging system includes first and second caps, each cap having a main panel, first and second side panel assemblies extending from and substantially perpendicular to the main panel, a plurality of stacking protuberances, and a plurality of stacking sockets. The cap is stackable with an identical cap by mating the protuberances of the cap with the sockets of the identical cap. The packaging system further includes an elongated post; an elongated brace; and a packaging block fixed to the main panel of the first cap. The side panel assemblies of the first cap are adjacent to one another and together with the packaging block define a post socket that receives an end portion of the post and inhibits lateral movement of the post. Moreover, the side panel assemblies of the second cap are opposed to one another and respectively support first and second ends of the brace.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment having a target temperature above 0° C., a freezer compartment for storing food items in a sub-freezing environment having a target temperature below 0° C., a system evaporator for providing a cooling effect to at least one of the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment, and an ice maker disposed within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. The ice maker includes an ice mold with an upper surface comprising a plurality of cavities formed therein for the ice pieces, a heater disposed on the ice mold and an ice maker refrigerant tube abutting at least one lateral side surface of the ice mold and cooling the ice mold to a temperature below 0° C. via thermal conduction.

Abstract: A drain extension assembly for an appliance that provides fluid communication between an internal storage compartment and an exterior environment via an appliance drain that collects and transfers liquid condensate from an evaporator. The drain extension assembly includes a main body with an inlet and an outlet. The inlet is configured to be secured to the appliance drain and the outlet is configured to be secured to an extension tube discharges the liquid condensate into a drain pan. A vacuum relief system provides selective fluid communication between the main body and the exterior environment. The vacuum relief system includes a pressure relief valve provided at a wall of the main body.

Abstract: Provided is a household appliance including a user interface with a visible indicator that conveys primary operational information indicative of an operational aspect of the household appliance to a user during normal operation of the household appliance, and a controller. The controller receives a signal indicative of diagnostics data of the household appliance and causes the visible indicator to transmit a communication signal to an external device that interprets the communication signal and communicates the diagnostics data to the user. The visible indicator provides a two-way communication between the household appliance and the external device. A method for diagnosing a household appliance is also provided.

Abstract: A laundry washing machine having configured to receive a laundry cycle selection from a user interface; identify the cycle selection; upon receiving a normal laundry cycle selection, select a respective program comprising default instructions for: opening the valve one or more times to fill the drum to a default normal maintenance phase liquid level, and operating the drum motor during a normal maintenance phase to rotate the drum; and upon receiving a selection of the whites laundry cycle, select a respective program comprising default instructions for: opening the valve one or more times to fill the drum to a default whites maintenance phase liquid level, and operating the drum motor during a whites maintenance phase to cyclically rotate the drum. The default whites maintenance phase liquid level is equal to or less than the default normal maintenance phase liquid level. Methods of operating a laundry machine are also provided.

Abstract: An appliance door including an outer skin extending between first and second distal edges thereof, and an inner liner disposed adjacent the outer skin such that a space is formed therebetween. A first endcap is disposed at the first distal edge of the outer skin and the first endcap partially enclose the space formed between the outer skin and the liner. A wireless module is positioned on the first endcap and is configured to wirelessly communicate with a mobile device. The wireless module includes a printed circuit board and an antenna, wherein the antenna faces outwards and away from the first endcap.

Abstract: A method for controlling a laundry washing machine. The method includes: performing a tub loading process comprising operating supply valve(s) to provide a first volume of water through a detergent supply system and into a tub to fill the tub with wash liquid; performing a washing process comprising rotating a drum to agitate laundry in in the presence of the wash liquid; performing a static rinsing process comprising operating a pump to remove any free volume of wash liquid from the tub without rotating the drum; and performing one or more rinsing processes comprising: operating the supply valve(s) to provide a volume of clean rinse water to the tub, operating the pump to remove the rinse water from the drum, and operating the motor to spin the drum at high speed to extract rinse water from the laundry, while continuing to operate the pump.

Abstract: An ice maker for freezing water into ice pieces, the ice maker including an elongated cage having a central revolving axis about which the elongated cage revolves. The elongated cage having a first end, a second end and at least one elongated slot extending between the first end and the second end. An ice tray is configured to be received in the at least one elongated slot. The ice tray includes a plurality of cavities for receiving water to be frozen into ice pieces. A motor is coupled to the elongated cage for revolving the elongated cage about the central revolving axis. A controller is connected to the motor for controlling the revolving of the elongated cage about the central revolving axis.

Abstract: A household appliance is provided having a cooktop with a control housing disposed at an outer peripheral edge of the cooktop. A control panel of the control housing is configured to allow a user to control the cooktop and is least partially housed within the control housing. A support member is interposed at least partially between the cooktop and the control housing and includes a gutter adapted to direct fluids from the cooktop away from electrical or electronic elements housed within the control housing, such as the control panel. The support member can be coupled to or otherwise support the control housing, such as to assure appropriate alignment thereof, such as for automated assembly. The support member further can be hidden from view of a user beneath respective upper surfaces of the control housing and the cooktop, allowing these upper surfaces to lie co-planarly, providing a desirable aesthetic.

Abstract: A refrigerator has a temperature-controlled drawer within a fresh food compartment that includes: a temperature sensor within the temperature-controlled drawer and/or the fresh food compartment; a display coupled to the drawer, wherein the display receives an output from the temperature sensor, determines what food type would be best suited for the temperature based on said temperature sensor output, and indicates what type of food it has determined is best for storage therein; at least one light within said drawer, wherein the at least one light changes to a first color, based on the food type indicated by the display, and turns off and on depending on whether the fresh food compartment door is closed or open, respectively.

Abstract: A refrigerator including a refrigerated compartment and a door to open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A dispenser unit is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense content into a receptacle. The dispenser unit includes a receptacle support, a dispensing system, a sensor system with at least a first sensor and a second sensor. A control unit electrically coupled to the dispensing system and sensor system. The dispensing system is configured to operate the first sensor to determine the receptacle height and the second sensor to determine the liquid height within the receptacle. The control unit determines when to stop filling the receptacle based on the two measurements. A method for detecting when to shut off the dispensing unit when dispensing liquid into a receptacle.

Abstract: An ice maker includes a carriage, an ice mold defining a plurality of cavities that is movably coupled to the carriage such that the ice mold is movable relative to the carriage between a home position and a harvest position, and a detection lever movably coupled to the carriage such that the detection lever is movable between a retracted position and an extended position, the detection member being biased toward the extended position. The ice maker further includes a retention mechanism configured to retain the detection lever in the retracted position when the ice mold is in the harvest position.