Abstract: Provided herein are cutlery racks, dishwashers, and associated methods for manufacturing and cleaning with the same. The dishwasher may include a cutlery rack having a first engaging portion, a second engaging portion, and a shelf. The first and second engaging portions may be respectively slidably attached to a first wall and a second wall of a dishwasher rack. The shelf may extend between the first engaging portion and the second engaging portion, may slide in a longitudinal direction with respect to the first wall and the second wall, and may pivot with respect to the dishwasher rack between a working position and a stowed position. In the working position, a receiving surface of the shelf may align with the longitudinal direction, and in the stowed position, the receiving surface shelf may be pivoted out of alignment with the longitudinal direction and positioned adjacent ends of the first and second walls.

Abstract: A method is disclosed for cooking food in an oven cavity, where air is the cooking medium. Using a predetermined cooking algorithm, a temperature of the oven cavity is adjusted in a plurality of temperature and/or time regulated cooking stages. An initial pre-heat stage targets a first target temperature including a user-selected oven cavity temperature plus a first offset. A subsequent post-heat stage targets a second target temperature including the user-selected temperature plus a second offset different from the first offset. Two or more heating elements and a fan are operated during the post-heat stage according to a duty cycle controlled via a hysteresis temperature control algorithm or a PID temperature control algorithm.

Abstract: A fluid dispenser for a refrigerator having a dispenser housing; a dispenser frame pivotally mounted within the dispenser housing, the dispenser frame with a front face and two side faces and a first gear disposed on one of the side faces; an actuator with a paddle and a lever, the lever interlocking with the dispenser frame such that when the paddle is pushed, the lever causes the dispenser frame to pivot forward; a flexible tube; a fixed compression jaw mounted onto the dispenser housing behind the flexible and compressible tube; a movable compression jaw having a jaw end and a pivot end, the jaw end mounted in front of the flexible tube, the pivot end having a second gear which interlocks with the first gear, such that when the paddle is pushed the first gear rotates the second gear moving the movable jaw away from the flexible tube is provided.

Abstract: A method of manufacturing a refrigerator appliance includes a providing step of providing a liner and a refrigerator component. The liner defines a compartment for storing food items and includes a liner contact structure. The refrigerator component includes component contact structure. The method further includes a staging step that includes arranging the liner and refrigerator component such that the liner and component contact structures are in direct contact with each other under pressure, thereby forming a staged assembly. Moreover, the method includes a welding step that includes applying ultrasonic energy to the staged assembly to weld the liner and refrigerator component together at their interface, thereby forming a liner assembly. The method further includes a cabinet assembly step that includes arranging the liner assembly within an outer shell, and then injecting an insulating foam into a space between the liner assembly and outer shell.

Abstract: A gas burner includes a base with a first body and a raised annular band on an upper surface of the first body. A flange is formed about an outer periphery of the first body wherein the raised annular band and the flange define a first annular recess therebetween. A first notch is formed in a lower surface of the first body and extends through the flange and communicates with the first annular recess. The first notch is adapted to accommodate spark ignitor therein. A slot is formed in the raised annular band. A first cap includes a peripheral side wall having a distal end dimensioned to be received within the first annular recess. A gap between the distal end and a bottom wall of the first annular recess when the first cap is received therein provides fluid communication between the slot and the first notch.

Abstract: A crisper drawer for a refrigerator having a refrigerated compartment is disclosed. The crisper drawer includes a plurality of side walls defining a storage chamber, an opening in a side wall to provide fluid communication between the storage chamber and the refrigerated compartment, and a multi-function filter cassette configured to be positioned within the opening. The multi-function filter cassette includes a first filter configured to remove contaminants from a first air flow within the refrigerated compartment, a second filter configured to remove contaminants and/or moisture from a second air flow within the storage chamber, and a central wall configured to prevent fluid communication between the refrigerated compartment and the storage chamber.

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: A drain assembly for a refrigeration appliance in communication with an appliance drain. The drain collects condensate from an evaporator behind the rear wall of the cabinet and transfers the condensate to the drain assembly in the machine compartment of the refrigeration appliance. The drain assembly then transfers the condensate to an extension tube easily accessible to an operator. The drain assembly includes an inlet, a main body, and an outlet. The inlet is secured to the appliance drain and the outlet is secured to the extension tube. The main body also comprises a downward slope in between the inlet and the outlet. In one example, a vacuum relief system can equalize a pressure differential between an interior of the main body and an exterior environment.

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 kitchen appliance has a compressible filter media block for removing odor-causing contaminants from cooking fumes. The sintered-fiber media exhibits low pressure drop and high flow rate. Embedded sorbent particles are adhered to the media block, preferably via sintering, thus leaving a substantial proportion of adsorbent surface area exposed for filtration purposes. The media block can be elastic or viscoelastic making it useful in retrofit applications for use in filtration circuits not originally designed to accommodate a filter. In preferred embodiments, the media block is composed of sintered plastic fibers wherein the sorbent particles are adhered thereto via sintering.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment, and a door for engaging with an appliance body and selectively closing the compartment. The door has a front panel, a rear panel, and a door end closure assembly providing an end of the door. The closure assembly includes an endcap extending between the front panel and the rear panel and a user interface engaged with the endcap. The user interface is configured to allow control of or to provide feedback regarding one or more aspects of the appliance to the user. The endcap defines at least a portion of a handle gap configured to receive at least a portion of a user's hand to allow for selective opening of the compartment, and an interface cavity for receiving the user interface. The interface cavity is separated from the handle gap and closed by the user interface.

Abstract: A method of controlling the temperature in cavities of a refrigerator (10) cooled by a refrigeration circuit having a compressor (18) and an evaporator (32) includes the steps of: monitoring the duty cycle of the compressor (18); determining whether the duty cycle is below a threshold; determining whether the temperature of the evaporator (32) is above a threshold; and if the duty cycle is below the threshold and if the evaporator temperature is above a threshold, activating the refrigeration circuit to start cooling of at least one of the refrigerator cavities. A refrigeration appliance (10) with a controller that activates the refrigeration circuit based on the monitored duty cycle of the compressor (18) and the evaporator temperature is also provided.