Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet having an outer metal shell and an inner liner spaced from the shell with foamed-in-place thermal insulation therebetween. The cabinet has an outer metal shell open at the front with two side walls and a top wall each folded to provide a front face with an open fold behind the front face. There is a machinery compartment wall near the bottom of the refrigerator cabinet which is bent upwardly and terminates in a curved front lip having a downwardly facing opening. The inner liner has a peripheral flange which is received in the open fold behind the front face along the side and top walls. At the bottom of the cabinet is a bottom rail assembly which includes a metal cross member with each end secured to the front face at each of the side walls. The metal cross member has a strengthening groove extending between the ends and also has two spaced tabs formed to project downwardly into the groove.

Abstract: A household refrigerator having a freezer compartment with a rear wall, top wall, side walls, bottom wall and an open front. An evaporator unit is mounted in a space in front of the rear wall of the freezer compartment and there is a vertical panel separating the evaporator unit from the rest of the freezer compartment to form an evaporator compartment between the panel and rear wall. The bottom wall of the freezer compartment has a plurality of upwardly open grooves extending from the front section of the freezer compartment under the vertical panel and into the evaporator compartment. A cover is hingedly connected to the panel for movement to a raised position above the bottom wall for access to the grooves in the bottom wall for cleaning and to a lowered position horizontal to the bottom wall to provide a flat level shelf area for storage items in the freezer compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator liner of a vacuum formed plastic with a thickness of about 0.007" to 0.050" has each corner formed without crinkling when thermal insulation material is foamed against the outer surface of the liner. The non-crinkling of each corner of the refrigerator liner is accomplished through forming each of the corners with a flat surface having its periphery as a circle during vacuum forming of the refrigerator liner rather than with a spherical radius. This enables the flat surface to be placed in tension when moved against a corresponding flat surface of a foam plug by the pressure produced during foaming of the foamed thermal insulation material. This results in each corner having a central portion with a convex cross section and an outer portion surrounding the central portion and concave in cross section whereby it does not appear to be crinkled.

Abstract: A plurality of shelf supports is molded integrally with each side wall of a refrigerator cabinet liner. Each of the shelf supports on one side wall is in the same horizontal plane as one of the shelf supports on the other side wall. Each of the shelf supports includes an upper surface for supporting a fixed shelf. Each of the shelf supports has a recess extending between its upper and lower surfaces to function as a stop for preventing removal of a fixed shelf through receiving a portion of the fixed shelf therein. Each of the shelf supports has a projection extending downwardly therefrom forwardly of the recess for engaging a portion of a slidable shelf supported on the upper surface of the shelf support thereof. A single ladder track is mounted on the rear wall of the liner to support one side of a cantilever half shelf, which has its other side supported on the upper surface of one of the shelf supports.

Abstract: A diffuser assembly for diffusing air into wastewater includes a plurality of diffuser elements arrayed along the bottom of a container for the wastewater. Each diffuser element has an inlet connected to a source of air under pressure and an outlet for discharging air in the form of discrete bubbles. A perforate sheet is spaced above each of the diffuser elements to capture bubbles which will tend to agglomerate by the time they reach the level of the sheet. The sheet has a plurality of polygonal openings which reform the trapped gas into discrete bubbles as the gas passes through the sheet. Additional levels of perforate sheets may be spaced above the first perforate sheet. The perforate sheets may be in the form of individual sheets each attached to a respective diffuser element, or the sheets may be part of a continuous sheet or sheets suspended across the container for the wastewater.

Abstract: A refrigerator door assembly comprising an outer metal rectangular shaped shell having a base panel, four upwardly turned side panels on each side and perpendicular to the base panel, and two sets of two opposite facing inturned flanges, each flange being perpendicular to each of the side panels and having free terminal edges. Two cross braces, each having two legs with each of the legs having at one end a U-shaped channel section having an offset portion terminating with a flat tab, an intermediate section and a flat section at the end opposite the channel section. The flat sections of two legs are rigidly secured to each other to accommodate the desired brace length to diagonally span the door such that the cross braces form an X and the flat tabs of each brace are secured to one set of opposite facing flanges.

Abstract: A refrigerator door assembly comprising an outer metal rectangular shaped shell having a base panel, four upwardly turned side panels on each side and perpendicular to the base panel, and two sets of two opposite facing inturned flanges, each flange being perpendicular to each of the side panels and having free terminal edges. Two cross braces, each having two legs with each of the legs having at one end a U-shaped channel section having an offset portion terminating with a flat tab, an intermediate section and a flat section at the end opposite the channel section. The flat sections of two legs are rigidly secured to each other to accommodate the desired brace length to diagonally span the door such that the cross braces form a X and the flat tabs of each brace are secured to one set of opposite facing flanges.

Abstract: A cabinet assembly for a refrigerator having a freezer compartment on top, a fresh food compartment on the bottom and a hot liquid anti-sweat loop. The cabinet assembly outer sheet metal shell has a top panel, side panels and a front face with the front face formed to provide a first U-shaped portion which includes a first outer wall perpendicular to the side panel to form a corner and a second inner wall spaced from the first outer wall and both walls being connected by a first reverse bend portion. The second inner wall being reversely bent to form a third wall and provide a second U-shaped portion formed between the second inner wall and the third wall. The first, second and third walls being in spaced parallel planes and the third wall being bent at a right angle to form a flange having a free edge.

Abstract: A refrigerator having an outer case, an inner liner with thermal insulation therebetween, and a storage compartment having an access opening surrounded by a face portion of magnetic material. A door is hingedly mounted on said cabinet for closing and opening said access opening. The door comprises an outer panel and an inner panel with a peripheral edge portion and terminal end, said panels having thermal insulation therebetween. Elongated channel member sections having top, bottom and side walls are located adjacent the peripheral edges of the door on all four sides and have spaced screw openings in the bottom and top walls with the screw openings in the bottom wall being countersunk. An open slot in the top wall interconnects the screw openings along the length of the channel member sections.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet having an outer metal case including side walls and a top wall, a plastic inner liner and a partition separating a freezer and fresh food compartments and separate front door openings. A front face is formed along the front edge of the side walls and top wall defining the door openings. The front face along each side wall is provided with a first pair of vertically spaced openings arranged in the area adjacent the partition and a lower pair of vertically spaced openings arranged in the lower end of the front face. A support frame system is provided including vertically extending side support bars, each having pairs of vertically spaced upper and lower openings dimensioned to align with the upper and lower openings in the front face. An upper cross member extending between the side walls is positioned adjacent the front portion of the partition and a lower cross member extending between the lower edge portion of the side walls.

Abstract: A refrigerator cabinet having an outer metal case including side walls and a top wall, a plastic inner liner and a partition separating a freezer and fresh food compartments and separate front door openings. A front face is formed along the front edge of the side and top wall defining the door openings. The front face on each side wall is provided with a pair of vertically spaced openings. A support bar including a pair of vertically spaced openings dimensioned to align with the openings in the front face is secured relative to the front face adjacent each side wall. A cross member extending between the side walls is positioned adjacent the front portion of the partition. The cross member includes a pair of vertically spaced openings adjacent each end thereof which are cooperatively arranged relative to the pair of vertically spaced openings in the front face and support bar.

Abstract: A diffuser for air or other fluids has a rigid body with a flat disc and a hollow boss defining a central opening. The perimeter of the disc is scalloped and is defined by alternating curved crests and valleys. A flexible elastomeric diaphragm overlays the top of the disc and has a rim portion with spaced recesses that receive the crests of the perimeter of the disc. The rim portion does not extend to the bottom of the valleys of the perimeter and as a result, air openings are defined between the rim portion and the bottoms of the valleys. Air under pressure admitted to the central opening will deform the diaphragm and allow air to escape through the air openings. A series of vanes may be formed on the underside of the disc radiating from the boss. The vanes, together with vane extensions formed on the underside of the diaphragm rim portion, define a compartment for each air opening so that bubbles released from one air opening do not mix or combine with bubbles from adjacent air openings.

Abstract: A channel and stop arrangement for structures of the type containing racks or drawers supported from sliding or rolling support members carried in a channel, comprising an elongated channel member of generally C-shaped cross section adapted to receive the support members in its interior trackway and a stop member positioned in the end of the channel member to retain the support members in the trackway. The stop member comprises a cap portion of enlarged cross section joined to a rigid central body portion by a neck portion of reduced cross section and a lateral positioning tab extending from the central body portion. The tab is adapted to flex longitudinally relative to the central body portion between a normal position and an assembly position to facilitate insertion of the stop member into the channel and to rigidly oppose lateral motion relative to the central body portion to laterally retain the stop member in the channel.

Abstract: A protective circuit arrangement for sheathed heating elements which interrupts ground fault conditions by effectively decoupling the power line from the heating element regardless of the polarity of the power supply connections. A fusible link couples each side of the heating element to the power supply. A normally open switch responsive to current in the ground path switches a relatively low resistance shunt current path across the heating element when the ground current exceeds a predetermined threshold level. Closure of the shunt path enables sufficient current to flow in the power supply lines to actuate the fusible links. Circuit parameters are selected such that the current in the fusible link coupled to the hot power line is sufficiently greater than that in the fusible link coupled to the neutral line to cause the hot power line fusible link to be actuated first, thereby interrupting the fault condition and decoupling the hot power line from the heating element.

Abstract: A channel and stop arrangement for structures of the type containing racks or drawers supported from sliding or rolling support members carried in a channel, comprising an elongated channel member of generally C-shaped cross section adapted to receive the support members in its interior trackway and a stop member positioned in the end of the channel member to retain the support members in the trackway. The stop member comprises a cap portion of enlarged cross section joined to a rigid central body portion by a neck portion of reduced cross section and a lateral positioning tab extending from the central body portion. The tab is adapted to flex longitudinally relative to the central body portion between a normal position and an assembly position to facilitate insertion of the stop member into the channel and to rigidly oppose lateral motion relative to the central body portion to laterally retain the stop member in the channel.

Abstract: A dishwasher tube and frame assembly incorporating an integrally molded plastic tub is provided which employs a very narrow metal collar or main support frame formed from a continuous metal member of U-shaped cross section configured as an inverted U having a base and legs extending downwardly for mounting on the supporting surface or floor; a rigid front cross member; and a pair of rear support members. The main frame surrounds the top and sides of the tub adjacent the front opening of the tub. The rigid front cross member is secured to the legs and extends beneath the front opening of the tub providing vertical support for the tub and enhancing the lateral rigidity of the main support frame.Rear support is provided by the rear support members, each of which extends rearwardly from respective ends of the main support frame legs generally parallel to the supporting surface, and terminates in an upwardly extending portion which supportingly engages the tub bottom.

Abstract: A method of molding a hollow, plastic article having ribs extending from its walls comprising the steps of positioning the mold cavity forming members in a closed position to define a mold cavity corresponding to the configuration of the article; injecting molten thermoplastic material into the cavity; allowing the material to cool for a predetermined period of time to permit partial cooling and setting of the plastic; injecting additional plastic material into the rib forming portion of the mold cavity at a plurality of injection points spaced along the rib portion; pausing for a second predetermined time to permit complete setting of the plastic in the mold; displacing the cavity defining members from their closed position and exerting an ejecting pressure on the rib portion at the plurality of injection points along its length to aid in ejecting the article from the mold.

Abstract: A one-piece plastic dishwasher tub assembly which comprises a front-loading tub, a multi-rib frame, and base. The rib frame is integrally formed about the opening to the tub and the base is a box-like structure integrally formed on the bottom whereby the rigidity and cross-sectional shape of the tub are maintained.

Abstract: An arrangement for stabilizing the in and out movement of a dishwasher dishrack which produces a precise guidance of the rack during its movement, including a stabilizer axle mounted to the rack and extending normally to the direction of movement. Friction rollers are fixed at either end of the stabilizer axle, spring-biased into engagement with an interior surface of the dishwasher cabinet, the constrained simultaneous rotation of each wheel serving to precisely control the movement and attitude of the rack during in and out movement. The spring-bias also preloads the rack mounting components to provide a vertical stabilizing effect. The stabilizer axle is mounted to specially configured rear corner brackets, housing spring-biased plungers which rotatably mount the axle, while producing the upward biasing thereof.

Abstract: A rack holder for large diameter items of dishware of varying depths such as plates and bowls, including an arrangement of dish holder wire form elements mounted to a rack frame which efficiently accommodates either shallow depth items such as plates or deeper items such as bowls while maintaining a stable, slightly inclined vertical positioning of these items. The arrangement includes a succession of aligned pairs of dish holder elements of alternate configuration. One is comprised of upwardly extending fingers and the other of diverging substantially shorter elements. Both configurations are spaced and formed so as to securely engage shallow depth plates between successive pairs of elements of either configuration, while the divergent elements accommodate deeper bowl items allowing them to be received between the upwardly extending fingers. Particular dimensions and configuration of the elements accommodate the arrangement to a wide variety of dishware.