Abstract: A bottom-mount refrigerator provides additional storage capacity by mounting a refrigeration component, for example a compressor, behind a full-width freezer drawer arranged between an upper fresh food compartment and a lower freezer compartment. In this manner, the freezer compartment is not required to be shortened or otherwise re-shaped to accommodate the refrigeration component. The refrigerator also includes an automatic ice maker mounted above the freezer drawer. The ice maker is positioned above the freezer drawer at a rearward position that accommodates structure present in the fresh food compartment. Specifically, a bi-level bin is slidably mounted in the fresh food compartment. The bin includes a deep portion that joins a shallow portion through a step section. The ice maker is mounted rearward of the step section to allow the bin to be removed from the fresh food compartment.

Abstract: An oven rack for supporting food items to be cooked in a oven cavity of an appliance includes a frame portion and a support platform defined by a plurality of support members that establish a food item support zone and a food item access zone. The plurality of support members include substantially straight support members and offset or shaped support members. The offset support members, in combination with a vertically offset section of the frame portion, define the food item access zone which is vertically offset from the food item support zone so as to enable a consumer to access a bottom portion of a food item resting on the rack.

Abstract: A hose retainer is provided to maintain a hose in a gooseneck shape. The retainer includes opposite rings which retentively engage portions of the hose adjacent the gooseneck. The retainer is molded or stamped from plastic so as to have a flat one-piece construction. A tab is provided on the retainer and is adapted to be received in a slot on the back of a washing machine to hold the hose close to the machine during shipping and storage.

Abstract: A side-by-side refrigerator includes fresh food and freezer compartments each having upper and lower sections which vary in width and volume. In accordance with a preferred embodiment, the fresh food compartment is wider at an upper portion than at a lower portion thereof and the freezer compartment is wider at a lower portion than at an upper portion, while the overall cabinet width of the refrigerator does not deviate from that of a conventional side-by-side refrigerator arrangement. Due to the interior size alterations, the fresh food and freezer doors of the side-by-side refrigerator are correspondingly configured and a mullion dividing the two refrigerator compartments extends in laterally offset vertical planes. An ice and/or water dispenser can be provided, such as in the freezer door or fixed relative to the fresh food and freezer doors in a central zone which is arranged vertically and laterally between portions of the doors.

Abstract: An improved front loading washing machine is provided with additive dispensers located in the shroud. The dispensers are integral with the shroud so as to have large upwardly disposed mouths for receiving additives, such as fabric softener and bleach. The dispensers are covered by the door when the door is closed, and thereby hidden from view. The position of the dispensers adjacent the front and top of the washing machine provides for easy access for filling the dispensers with desired additives.