Abstract: A collapsible hanger may comprise: a suspendable support base further comprising: a neck having first and second ends; and a support extending from the second end, the support having first and second pegs positioned at first and second ends of the support, respectively; a frame positionable along a length of the neck; first and second extensions operatively coupled to the frame, the first and second extensions defining, respectively, a first channel positioned along at least a portion of a length of the first extension for receiving and guiding the first peg, and a second channel positioned along at least a portion of a length of the second extension for receiving and guiding the second peg, wherein sliding the frame along the length of the neck adjusts a separation distance between the first extension and the second extension and causes movement of each peg along an associated channel.

Abstract: A door for closing a compartment of a cooled kitchen appliance having a door liner and a storage bin mounted to the door liner. The door liner comprises a first side configured to face the compartment that the door closes, walls protruding from the first side of the liner, and a ledge also protruding from the first side of the liner. The storage bin comprises walls which, together with the walls and ledge of the liner, define a storage space that can store items. The storage bin and door liner can comprise mating lug features that allow the storage bin to be mounted to the door liner. In one example, the storage bin can comprise an isolated sub-section defining an isolated storage space separate from the rest of the storage space of the storage bin.

Abstract: A water filter cartridge assembly for fluid filtration which may be attached to, and removed from an appliance water filter manifold assembly of an appliance, typically by a push-actuated release. The water filter cartridge assembly has a filter housing, and an ingress port and egress port extending therefrom. Each of the ingress port and the egress port typically comprise a port portion having a varying radial diameter. The water filter cartridge assembly further comprises a connection assembly that is structured to establish an electrical connection between the connection assembly and a controller of the appliance. Both of said ingress and egress port have at least one aperture for the passage of fluid therethrough such that each of the at least one aperture is exposed in a direction facing away from the connection assembly.

Abstract: A control knob for controlling the operation of a component of a household appliance is disclosed. The control knob includes a body configured to be attached to a rotatable rod extending from the appliance. A locking element reversibly secures the body in at least one rotational position. The locking element is movable between a first position and a second position. The locking element is configured to engage with a notch to rotatably secure the body in the at least one rotational position when the locking element is in the first position, and to disengage from the notch to permit the body to be rotated when the locking element is in the second position.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooking chamber that defines an oven cavity and a reservoir for holding water that is accessible from within the oven cavity. The cooking appliance further includes a convection heating system, a reservoir heating system, and a control system. The convection heating system includes a convection heating element and a fan for guiding air across the convection heating element. The reservoir heating system includes at least one reservoir heating element. The control system is configured to control the convection heating system and the reservoir heating system to perform a steam cooking operation in response to a user steam-cooking input.

Abstract: A switch for operating a heating element of a cooking appliance includes a first contact electrically connected with the heating element, a second contact electrically connected with a power source. A bimetal strip is configured to electrically connect and disconnect the first and second contacts. The switch further includes a rotatable cam member having a cam surface for operative engagement with a cam follower. The cam surface has a profile dimension that is at least partially variable about the rotational axis of the cam member and is configured to cause displacement of the cam follower as a function of its rotational orientation to thereby adjust an operating temperature of the heating element. The cam surface is configured such that the operating temperature can be adjusted up to but not beyond a predetermined maximum temperature via rotation of the cam member. Circuits incorporating such a switch also are disclosed.

Abstract: A system, method, apparatus, and computer program product for configuring a network connected appliance to use online services are disclosed. A method may include receiving an indication of a selected home automation system for a network connected appliance. The selected home automation system may be selected from multiple available home automation systems. The method may additionally include registering the network connected appliance to the selected home automation system. The method may also include enabling communication between the network connected appliance and the selected home automation system.

Abstract: A cooking oven has a cooking cavity and a steam generating system. The steam generation system includes a water reservoir received and support in a reservoir-receiving space of a reservoir rack inside the cooking cavity. Thermal energy is provided to the water reservoir by a heater inside the cooking cavity. The heater can include thermal block made of a thermally conductive material in thermal communication with a heating element. The heater can be positioned such that it intimately contacts the water reservoir to deliver thermal energy thereto to convert water contained therein to steam, which can be used to cook a food item inside the cooking cavity.

Abstract: A capacitive sensing system may include a fluid cup configured to receive a fluid, and processing circuitry and a capacitive sensor coupled to one another, the capacitive sensor is a distance separated from and in parallel with a top surface of the fluid in the fluid cup, the distance the capacitive sensor is separated from the top surface of the fluid being variable with a fill level of the fluid in the fluid cup. The capacitive sensor and the fluid in the fluid cup may form elements of a capacitor with a capacitance that is a function of at least the distance the capacitive sensor is separated from the top surface of the fluid. The processing circuitry may be configured to measure a change in signal corresponding to a change in capacitance of the capacitor and determine the fill level based on a magnitude of the change in signal.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes a processor and a memory storing executable instructions that in response to execution by the processor cause the apparatus to at least perform a number of operations. The apparatus is caused to receive time information over a packet-switched computer network, with the time information including a current standard time, time-zone offset and timestamps that define a predetermined timeframe. The apparatus is caused to calculate a current local time from the current standard time and time-zone offset, and including an adjustment of the current local time in instances in which the timestamps indicate that the current standard time is within the predetermined timeframe. And the apparatus is caused to cause a clock to be set to the current local time.

Abstract: A cooking appliance includes a cooktop having at least one heating element for heating a cookware member on or to be placed on the cooktop, the at least one heating element being adjustable between a working-power level wherein the at least one heating element is energized to generate heat and a zero-power level wherein the at least one heating element is not energized. The cooking appliance further includes a temperature sensor configured to detect a temperature or rate of temperature change of a cooking element. The cooking appliance further includes a control device configured to adjust the at least one heating element from the working-power level to the zero-power level based on the temperature or rate of temperature change of the cooking element. The at least one heating element will remain at the zero-power level until a user intervenes to re-energize the at least one heating element.

Abstract: A switch box for housing a switch underneath a cooktop is disclosed. The switch is connected to a control member accessible above the cooktop to accept user inputs. The switch box has an air-insulation channel defined between first and second spaced-apart barrier walls. In desirable embodiments the first and second barrier walls are integrally formed with other components of the switch box from plastic as a single-piece part.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance including a compartment within the refrigerator appliance, a liner defining a rear wall of the compartment, a first vertical support rail attached to the rear wall, a second vertical support rail attached to the rear wall wherein the second vertical support rail is offset in a generally horizontal direction from the first vertical support rail, and a cover. The cover is attachable to the liner and includes a vertical slot extending therethrough and configured to align with and allow access to one of the first vertical support rail and the second vertical support rail when the cover is attached to the liner, while a portion of the cover is positioned over and prevents access to the other of the first vertical support rail and the second vertical support rail.

Abstract: A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.

Abstract: A modular water storage tank, for a refrigerator, includes a hollow storage body comprising a first body member having first and second open ends, the first open end comprising a first male extension having a first connection member on an outer surface thereof. A female end cap comprises a second connection member on an inner surface thereof that is configured to engage with the first connection member to secure the female end cap to the first open end. A male end cap comprises a second male extension having a third connection member on an outer surface thereof that is configured to engage with a fourth connection member disposed on an inner surface at the second open end of the first body member to secure the male end cap to the second open end of the first body member.

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.