Abstract: Disclosed is a freezer cabinet (10) for storing frozen confectionery products, the freezer cabinet (10) comprising a chamber having an opening substantially sealed by an upper surface panel (18, 20); and a further panel (22, 24) inside the chamber being spaced away from the upper surface panel (18, 20) and substantially parallel to the upper surface panel in at least one direction. At least part of the upper surface panel and further panel (22, 24) is transparent such that at least part of the inside of the chamber is visible through the upper surface panel and further panel. The upper and further surface panels each comprise at least one slideably openable section (18, 22) and the further panel covers less than 95% of the surface area of the opening in a horizontal plane at a height of the lowest part of the further panel.

Abstract: A refrigerated merchandising storage unit for display and sale of foodstuff or the like is disclosed including a storage compartment having an essentially rectangular top opening, the storage unit further includes a cover including a plurality of lids for being arranged displaceably for opening the storage unit and a rail system with two or more mounted rails arranged between two opposite sides of the opening. Each rail includes a number of elongated and generally U-shaped tracks wherein each of the lids are arranged to be mounted between a first and a second rail adjacent to one another. The first rail includes a first track and the second rail includes a second track, and the rails are arranged such that the lid can be mounted by displacing an edge of the lid inside the first track until the opposite edge of the lid can be inserted inside the second track.

Abstract: A system for inhibiting and providing access to appliance control knobs includes a support structure for mounting individual control knobs or groups thereof, and an actuator assembly for extending and retracting control knobs either individually or collectively.

Abstract: A cooling appliance or refrigeration unit having at least one refrigeration compartment that is contained in a housing and is accessible from above via at least one laterally movable sliding lid containing a transparent window, which has a heat-reflecting inner coating and at least in its front longitudinal region, via an outwardly convex curvature perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, comes to an end in a longitudinal edge that has a front frame. An effortless sliding action with a simultaneously reliable seal is achieved by the front frame having a bearing surface that is oriented horizontally relative to a vertical direction of gravity.

Abstract: An apparatus, kit and method for applying a French manicure to a user's own nails or those of a customer using a simple finger guide which permits the positioning of a finger relative to a reservoir of acrylic nail polish powder. In one form, the apparatus is comprised of a finger guide which can be removably associated with an acrylic nail polish powder-containing vessel. Alternative embodiments include those with a finger guide being integrally formed with the vessel/jar. A method for applying a French manicure using the apparatus of the invention is also contemplated. The kit includes a supply of one or more acrylic nail polish powders, a finger guide, and the necessary materials to cause the acrylic nail polish powder to be converted to a solid nail polish coating.

Abstract: A cabinet lock for protecting merchandise within a merchandise display cabinet having an inner door and an outer door. The cabinet lock includes a strike plate affixed to the inner door and a lock housing affixed to the outer door such that the cabinet is in a locked configuration that prevents access to the merchandise when the lock housing is operably engaged to the strike plate. A programmable electronic key communicates a security code with the cabinet lock and transfers electrical power to the cabinet lock to operate a lock mechanism between the locked configuration and an unlocked configuration. An indicator is provided for indicating whether the cabinet lock is in the locked configuration or the unlocked configuration. The indicator includes a first segment and a second segment that can be energized to visually indicate the status of the cabinet lock.

Abstract: A cabinet includes a top wall, a bottom wall, two opposite sidewalls, and a sliding door. One of the sidewalls defines an opening. A rail perpendicular to the sidewalls protrudes from an inner surface of each of the top and bottom walls, extends to the opening. The sliding door defines a slide slot in each of a top and a bottom. The sliding door is capable of sliding into the cabinet through the opening, with the two slide slots fitted around the corresponding rails.

Abstract: A safety cabinet includes an enclosure having a double-walled construction and a pair of doors to selectively seal the enclosure. The safety cabinet can be used to store, for example, flammable liquids, flammable waste, corrosives, pesticides, or combustible waste. The safety cabinet incorporates a sequential door-closing system that sequentially closes the doors of the safety cabinet in a predetermined order.

Abstract: An accessory dispenser that can include at least one compartment arrangement configured for holding at least one cartridge. The accessory dispenser can include a pivotable arrangement associated with the at least one compartment arrangement, and configured to pivot the at least one compartment arrangement about the pivotable arrangement. The accessory dispenser can also include at least one structure coupled to the pivot rod and associated with the at least one compartment, wherein, when the at least one compartment arrangement is coupled to the at least one structure, the at least one structure associates the at least one compartment with the pivot arrangement, and facilitates one or more compartments to be associated with the pivotable arrangement.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide a docking station that prevents electrical cables (e.g., from a portable power generator or other temporary power source) from even being connected to connectors in the interior of the docking station while the building's electrical system (or other electrical load) is in electrical communication with the utility. The docking station can include a cabinet with two doors that swing in different directions and a locking mechanism that regulates the opening and closing of those doors. In preferred embodiments, the locking mechanism includes a trapped-key lock. Embodiments of the present invention can be used in applications other than docking stations.

Abstract: A door assembly for an appliance includes a door having an interior side and an exterior side. A frame defines an aperture extending through the door from the interior side to the exterior side. A module is disposed in the aperture. The module includes a first component and a second component. The second component disengageably connects with the first component. A pivot member is operably coupled with the module and with the frame. The module is rotatable about the pivot member thereby allowing access to both the first component and the second component from the exterior side of the door body.

Abstract: The invention relates to a distribution cabinet (1), in particular for accommodating telecommunications and data technology components, with the distribution cabinet (1) having at least one door, wherein the distribution cabinet (1) has at least a first door (21) and a second door (22), with the first door (21) covering a first subregion (11) of the distribution cabinet (1) and the second door (22) having a first part (31) and a second part (32), with the first part (31) at least partially covering the first door (12) of the distribution cabinet (1).

Abstract: A storage enclosure includes a housing and first and second doors. The housing defines a front opening for permitting access to an interior of the housing. The first door is connected to the first and second side walls and is upwardly pivotable and inwardly slideable from a closed position covering a lower portion of the front opening to an open position uncovering the lower portion of the front opening. The second door is connected to the housing and is upwardly pivotable from a closed position covering an upper portion of the front opening to an open position uncovering the upper portion of the front opening.

Abstract: An apparatus for concealing a display of the flat panel type, and for supporting and extending the display to a viewing position. The apparatus includes a display cover that operates between a concealed position and a revealed position, and a display support that operates between a retracted position and an extended position. There is also a display support interlock that is coupled to disable operation of the display support when the display cover moves away from the revealed position, and a display cover interlock that is coupled to disable operation of the display cover when the display support moves away from the retracted position. A controller with a wireless remote is coupled to the components of the apparatus to enable remote operation thereof. A housing with decorative frame surrounds the flat panel display and presents a display opening. The display cover may be a fabric sheet that is furled from a motor driven roller within the display opening.

Abstract: A storage unit includes a cabinet defining an interior and a door assembly, which has a first door section and a second door section. Each of the door sections is pivotably mounted to the cabinet for movement between an open position and a closed position. The first and second door sections prevent access to the interior of the cabinet when in the closed position and provide access to the interior of the cabinet when in the oven position. The storage unit also includes a link pivotably interconnected between the first and second door sections so as to synchronize movement of the first and second door sections between the open and closed positions. A biasing arrangement counterbalances the door assembly and maintains the first and second door sections in both the open position and closed position and positions therebetween.

Abstract: A storage chest for vehicles comprises a box defining an opening and being sized for mounting to a motor vehicle; a door openably closing off the opening; a plurality of containers sized and shaped to receive and hold one or more items; a motorized drive assembly mounted to the box and connected to the plurality of containers to move the containers in a circuitous path for selective presentation thereof proximal to the opening; and, a subjacent secondary support assembly for supporting the containers.

Abstract: A mounting mechanism for coplanar doors is of a four-bar linkage type and a door is carried on parallel links or connecting rods, so that it moves parallel to itself from a steady, closed position, through a transitory retracted or extracted position, to an opening position, before or behind another door, and vice-versa. The connecting rods are carried on a sliding carriage unit and a cam compensator unit is provided that ensures carriage movement parallel to a door plane, for part of the way, when the door is moved between its closed position and a retracted or extracted intermediate position, by rotation of the connecting rods, so that the resultant door movement is basically at right-angles to the door plane.

Abstract: A basket storage and retrieval apparatus and method has spaced parallel rows of storage racks with multiple horizontal tiers having aisles between the storage racks. Guides are connected to the aisle and a stacker retriever is connected to the guides. The stacker retriever has at least one vertical member. A carriage is mounted on the vertical member for moving up and down the vertical member and for aligning with storage rack tiers on opposite sides of the aisle. Carriers are mounted on the carriage for moving into horizontal tiers and for lowering baskets within the tiers for resting on the tiers and raising baskets from the tiers for moving the raised baskets toward the carriage. A robotic input lane extends through the storage racks. A robotic output lane extends through the storage racks. An input transfer conveyor is connected to the robotic input lane and an output transfer conveyor is connected to the robotic output lane.

Abstract: A cabinet assembly having a plurality of door assemblies including storage shelves. The door assemblies are pivotally mounted in the cabinet assembly to provide access to the shelves. The door assemblies maximize storage space within the cabinet assembly.

Abstract: A corner cabinet drawer assembly includes a corner cabinet frame defining an interior cavity having a front corner opening, at least one central drawer and a pair of side drawers for holding articles with the side drawers disposed on opposite sides of the central drawer, and a plurality of tracks mounting the central and side drawers to the frame to undergo extension and retraction movement from and into the interior cavity with the central drawer moving along a path substantially bisecting the corner cabinet frame and each side drawer moving along a path extending substantially at a 90 degree angle relative to one another and a 45 degree angle relative to the path of movement of the central drawer such that the central and side drawers are extendable through the same front corner opening at separate times.

Abstract: An apparatus, with an oil damper for damping the closing of a fall board on a main body of a musical keyboard and permits opening of such keyboard without damping when the fall board is opened. The oil damper has a body with a cylindrical chamber, having a stop projecting radially inward, such body being fixed to said fall board. A pivotal member in the chamber having a shaft and a projecting portion on said shaft in said chamber, such shaft extending outwardly from such chamber and through a liquid tight seal at one end of the chamber, the outwardly extending shaft being fixed to the main body. A movable arcuate valve in the cylindrical chamber and slidable on an inner wall of the chamber, such valve having radial portions extending inward toward such shaft and at opposite sides of the projecting portion of the pivotal member.

Abstract: A dual compatible computer has first and second program retrieval means, for example of two disc drives or a disc drive and a games cartridge reader (12, 14) each dedicated to a respective operating system. A shutter (16) is slidable to expose one or the other of the retrieval means. Movement of the shutter switches on the CPU which is dedicated to the exposed retrieval means.

Abstract: A robotic system has a transfer bay through which objects may be exchanged with a robot. An internal door allows the robot to access the transfer bay and an external door allows access to the transfer bay from the exterior. The external door can only be opened when the internal door is closed and when the robot is denied access to the transfer bay. This means that personnel inputting or outputting objects to the robotic system cannot come into contact with the robot. When the robotic system is an automated storage library the transfer bay may comprise any number of available storage shelf bays and thus the size of the transfer bay may be varied.

Abstract: A cabinet with sliding doors includes tracks for supporting said doors and track shifting members for shifting the doors between two positions. In one position the doors are disposed adjacent a cabinet frame defining an opening, said doors sealing said opening. In another position of the tracks the doors are spaced away from the frame and each other so that they can slide at will to allow objects to be inserted or withdrawn from the cabinet. A handle may be used to shift the tracks back and forth. The doors may be transparent to permit the cabinet to be used for displaying as well as storing articles.

Abstract: An earring storage device with a rectangular boxlike base with a chamber extending from the top surface of the base. A half-section of a circular rigid disk is attached and normal to the top surface. The device has a plurality of quarter-sections of a circular rigid disk that revolve around a shaft affixed to the half-section. Attached to the top surface and extending over the quarter-sections is a semicircular cover that guides and axially space the quarter-sections. At least one of the quarter-sections has a magnetic surface and at least one of the quarter-sections may be made out of compressed fiber or cork. The half-section has a surface to which a plurality of pins are attached. The pins are attached at an upward angle so that the earrings have a tendency to slide down toward the base of the pins. The device provides easy access and viewing of the earrings.

Abstract: In a money till with a box-shaped housing (10), whose upper side is partially closed by a stationary cover (12) and partially closed by a lid (16), the lid includes two lid parts (18, 20) connected with one another about a pivot axis (22), the first lid part (18) which is closer to the stationary cover (12) being guided for sliding movement parallel to the stationary cover (12), whereas the second lid part (20) is connected with at least one guide element (34) which, at a radial spacing from the pivot axis (22), is engaged with a cam curve (36) so that upon a sliding of the lid (16) the second lid part (20) is pivoted between a closed position and an open position.

Abstract: The sliding door cupboard structure comprises a body closable frontally by at least two mutually sliding doors, and a guide plate supported on the body and spanning substantially the full width of the body. With the guide plate there operatively interact support elements for each of the sliding doors, to which there are connected link elements operative with the guide plate which are adapted to permit free displacement of the support elements with respect to the guide plate at all places on the plane defined by the guide plate itself.

Abstract: A storage unit is provided that may be assembled with other similar storage units in a vertical and horizontal array. Each storage unit comprises material molded to form a pair of opposed walls, a rear wall, a bottom wall, and a top wall together defining a generally box-like structure having an open front. A movable closure panel is provided for closing the front of the unit and is adapted to be stored in a horizontal position within the unit underneath of the top wall of the unit. Various types of receptacles are provided for being disposed within the unit and are adapted to be pulled outwardly from the unit to permit loading and unloading of the receptacles. The receptacles may also be removed entirely from the storage unit. Clip devices are provided for holding the adjacent storage units together.

Abstract: A protective telephone stand includes an upwardly extending tubular base member having a horizontal shelf member secured to the upper end thereof. A pipe section is secured atop the shelf member co-axially with the support member, and is provided with a large opening in the side wall thereof. A fixed support frame is secured within the pipe section to support a telephone unit, and a curved door having approximately the same radius of curvature as the pipe section is pivotally supported in the pipe section. A rod extends through the fixed frame, the support for the pivotting door, the shelf member, and the tubular support member to join the entire assembly together. The telephone is displayed in the opening in the pipe section, and the door may be pivoted shut and locked to protect the telephone unit.

Abstract: A cover for an ingredient bin (15) having an upper opening (19,20), said cover having two movably associated parts (29 and 30) for closing the opening (19,20) when the parts are in extended position, and interengaging connection means (39 and 46) on said parts for permitting selectively hinging said sliding movement of said part (30) relative to said part (29) to give access through said opening (19,20).

Abstract: A two-piece cover for covering and enabling access to an open topped cabinet box, has a retaining lid and a captured lid which are interconnectable in either of a pivotal or sliding configuration; either of the lids may be separately opened and both are self-closing when pivotally connected, and either of the lids is slidably openable when the lids are slidably connected; a new retainer clip is provided for interconnecting the lids and for serving as at least part of a stop structure for limiting pivotal or sliding opening. A pin is alternatively provided in place of the retainer clip; the cover is sanitary and especially well suited for the storage bins of ice machines.