Abstract: An appliance and a user interface assembly configured to provide a uniform user interface background appearance when features of the user interface are not illuminated are provided. More specifically, an ink may be applied to a component of the user interface assembly such that when light is directed toward the ink to illuminate the features, the light passes through the ink to the user interface and the illuminated features of the user interface are clearly visible against the background of the user interface. However, when light is not directed toward the ink to illuminate the features, the user interface appears to be a substantially opaque, uniform color. Thus, the user interface may have a dead front appearance.

Abstract: An appliance and a user interface assembly configured to provide a uniform user interface background appearance when features of the user interface are not illuminated are provided. More specifically, an ink may be applied to a component of the user interface assembly such that when light is directed toward the ink to illuminate the features, the light passes through the ink to the user interface and the illuminated features of the user interface are clearly visible against the background of the user interface. However, when light is not directed toward the ink to illuminate the features, the user interface appears to be a substantially opaque, uniform color. Thus, the user interface may have a dead front appearance.

Abstract: Cooking appliances are provided. A cooking appliance includes a cooktop including at least one heating element assembly which includes a first heating element, a second heating element, and a third heating element. The cooking appliance further includes an energy regulator coupled to the heating element assembly and operable to selectively activate the first, second and third heating elements in an activation pattern. During a first segment of the activation pattern the first heating element is active and the second and third heating elements are inactive. During a second segment of the activation pattern the first and second heating elements are active and the third heating element is inactive. During a third segment of the activation pattern the first, second and third heating elements are active for a first portion and the first and second heating elements are active and the third heating element is inactive for a second portion.

Abstract: A cooktop appliance is provided. The cooktop appliance includes a heating assembly with a first heating zone and a second heating zone that are radially spaced apart from each other. During a simmer or low heat mode of the cooktop appliance, the first heating zone is operated during a first portion of a time interval, and the second heating zone is operated during a second portion of the time interval.

Abstract: Reductions in door temperature can be achieved through use of tinted glass, insulation paint, and/or reflective or conductive surfaces on the glass. The oven glass can be doped or tinted so that the degree of tint alters the radiation or heat transfer. Aluminum can be used as a heat sink and a reflective layer in order to serve as a gradient and direct heat to a low temperature region while eliminating assembly costs. Insulating paint can likewise be screened or located at specific, desired regions.

Abstract: An apparatus for growing diffraction quality, protein crystals by vapor diffusion techniques. The apparatus includes a plurality of equilibrating solution reservoirs each having a side wall terminating in a top wall disposed in a first plane; a column disposed within each of the equilibrating solution reservoirs, each column having a protein solution receptacle including a side wall terminating in a top wall disposed in a second plane spaced from the first plane; and a cover having a non-greasy adhesive on one surface therof for sealable engagement with the top walls of the equilibrating solution reservoirs for sealing the reservoirs relative to atmosphere.