Patent application number | Description | Published |
20120103000 | DISPENSER RECESS WITH LIGHT PIPE AND REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE INCORPORATING SAME - An illuminated dispenser assembly may include a dispenser recess area defined by walls, such as a bottom wall, two side walls, a back wall and a top wall. A dispenser has an outlet extending through one of the walls of the dispenser recess area to dispense a substance from an interior area to the dispenser recess via the outlet. A lighting element is located for illuminating the dispenser recess. The lighting element includes at least one light source and at least one light pipe for transmitting light from the light source to the dispenser recess. The light source may be placed in different states and/or may illuminate with different colors depending on status, user selection, time of day, etc. | 05-03-2012 |
20120103001 | ILLUMINATED DISPENSING TARGET FOR DISPENSER RECESS AND REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE INCORPORATING SAME - An illuminated dispenser assembly for a consumer appliance panel includes a dispenser recess area located in the panel. The dispenser recess area is defined by walls including a bottom wall, a back wall and a top wall. The bottom wall has a top surface. A dispenser is located in the panel. The dispenser has an outlet extending through one of the walls of the dispenser recess area to dispense a substance from an interior of the consumer appliance to the dispenser recess via the outlet. A lighting element includes a light source located below the top surface of the bottom wall for illuminating a target area in the bottom wall of the dispenser recess. The target area is located relative to the dispenser outlet so as to identify a location for placement of a receptacle for receiving the substance from the dispenser. A related refrigeration appliance incorporating such an illuminated dispensing target is also disclosed. | 05-03-2012 |
20130038193 | APPARATUS FOR RETRACTABLE RECESS TRAY - An apparatus includes an extendable tray that can be moved into a retracted position and an extended position away from a recess surface, and a cover with a surface positioned in conjunction with the extendable tray so as to bridge a gap between the recess surface and the tray when the tray is in the extended position to provide a uniform appearance. Also included is a latch apparatus that includes a latch arm that engages a stop to limit horizontal translation of the tray past an extended position, a handle that, when depressed, disengages the latch arm, enabling removal of the tray past the extended position, a pivot that provides a rotational axis by which the handle is attached to the tray, and a spring arm that controls a pivot angle of the handle, ensuring that latch arm engages the stop. A refrigerator incorporating the structures is also disclosed. | 02-14-2013 |
20130068793 | APPARATUS FOR REFRIGERATOR DISPENSER RECESS INTEGRATED WITH DOOR MATERIAL - An apparatus includes a refrigerator door, comprising an inner door material and an outer door material, wherein a portion of the outer door material of the refrigerator is formed into a shape of a dispenser recess. The apparatus also includes a support structure, wherein the support structure is situated behind the dispenser recess of the outer door material and in front of the inner door material, and wherein the support structure facilitates implementation of one or more dispenser features. A refrigerator using the apparatus is also disclosed. | 03-21-2013 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090294389 | VALET ROD AND SUPPORT - A valet rod slide mounting assembly is provided for mounting to a supporting surface, such as a door, closet organizer, wall, or the like. The assembly includes a rod and a tube receiving the rod for sliding movement between an extended position and a retracted position when the tube overlaps substantially the rod. The assembly also includes at least two anchors for mounting the tube to the supporting surface. The anchors include a first bore sized to receive the tube and a second bore perpendicular to the first bore and sized to receive a mounting element that engages the support surface. The anchors can also include a third bore where a tube retainer is positioned to engage the tube securably. The assembly can also include a plurality of hooks that depend from the rod, with respective components including slots to permit the hooks to engage the rod continuously while sliding. | 12-03-2009 |
20090295262 | SOFT CLOSE DRAWER ASSEMBLY - A soft-close cabinet slide assembly permits the soft-close action and/or a soft-open action of a drawer, and thus the reduction of effort by an operator, when the drawer is opening or closing. The cabinet slide assembly includes a cabinet, a drawer, and at least one slide mechanism coupling the drawer to the cabinet to permit movement of the drawer between a fully open position and a fully closed position A forcing means for exerting an extension force, preferably a gas spring, is also be included in the soft-close cabinet slide assembly having a first end coupled to the cabinet and a second end coupled to the drawer. Preferably, the soft-close cabinet slide assembly also includes a first and second pivotal coupling, which permit the gas spring to swing through an arc as the drawer moves between the fully open position and the fully closed position. | 12-03-2009 |
20100141106 | SOFT CLOSE DRAWER ASSEMBLY AND BRACKET - A cabinet slide assembly permits the soft-close action and/or a soft-open action of a drawer. The cabinet slide assembly includes a cabinet, a drawer, and at least one slide mechanism coupling the drawer to the cabinet to permit movement of the drawer between a fully open position and a fully closed position. A gas spring is also included in the assembly having a first end coupled to a portion of the cabinet assembly and a second end coupled to a portion of the drawer assembly. The gas spring is permitted to swing through an arc along a vertical plane as the drawer moves between the fully open position and the fully closed position. An adjustable bracket can also be included in the assembly and is configured for a top mount drawer assembly having a concealed drawer slide mechanism. The bracket is also configured for face frame or frameless cabinet construction. | 06-10-2010 |
Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090107805 | SIDE-FLEXING CONVEYOR CHAIN WITH PIVOTING SLATS AND RELATED METHODS - In one aspect, a modular link conveyor chain including slats is capable of assuming a compressed and an expanded condition so as to permit side-flexing while moving along a forward run and a return run in an endless path. The chain is formed of links arranged in rows spaced apart in the conveying direction, the links of a first row including aligned apertures and the links of a second row including oversized apertures, such as slots, for aligning with the aligned apertures of the links in the first row. A first connector is associated with the corresponding apertures to interconnect the first and second rows of links. At least one elongated slat is mounted to the connector. The slat maybe mounted for pivoting movement between a first position forming at least part of a conveying surface along the forward run, and a second position along the return run. | 04-30-2009 |
20110061997 | Side-flexing Conveyor Chain with Pivoting Slats and Related Methods - In one aspect, a modular link conveyor chain including slats is capable of assuming a compressed and an expanded condition so as to permit side-flexing while moving along a forward run and a return run in an endless path. The chain is formed of links arranged in rows spaced apart in the conveying direction, the links of a first row including aligned apertures and the links of a second row including oversized apertures, such as slots, for aligning with the aligned apertures of the links in the first row. A first connector is associated with the corresponding apertures to interconnect the first and second rows of links. At least one elongated slat is mounted to the connector. The slat may be mounted for pivoting movement between a first position forming at least part of a conveying surface along the forward run, and a second position along the return run. | 03-17-2011 |
20130068595 | MODULAR LINK CONVEYOR DRIVE ARRANGEMENTS - An apparatus for conveying one or more objects along a conveying path in a conveying direction includes an endless conveyor chain formed of modular links arranged in rows in a direction transverse to the conveying direction. The links include spaced outer side links forming a part of a conveying surface for the objects to be conveyed and intermediate links interconnected with side links by connector rods, the chain having at least a forward run for conveying one or more objects in the conveying direction. A driver is provided for driving the conveyor chain, and includes a first sprocket adapted for engaging at least one side link along at least one side of the chain, the first sprocket mounted for rotation about an axis generally orthogonal to the conveying direction and the transverse direction. The sprocket may comprise a split sprocket, and may be adapted for pivoting movement. | 03-21-2013 |
20140305774 | CONVEYOR DISABLER AND RELATED METHODS - In one aspect, an apparatus is for use with a driven conveyor comprising a modular link belt including a plurality of outer links along a lateral side of the conveyor. A follower is adapted for engaging the outer side links of the conveyor belt, said follower including a normal position to a disabling position. The following is follower adapted for disabling the drive in the disabling position, such as by actuating a switch. | 10-16-2014 |
20150284187 | CONVEYOR WITH IMPROVED CLEANING CAPABILITIES - A conveyor with enhanced cleanability includes a belt for conveying objects above a floor and having a forward run and a return run. A conveyor bed for supporting the belt provides an upper support for supporting the forward run of the belt and a lower support for supporting a return run of the belt. The upper support is adapted for moving toward and away from the lower support, including when the conveyor belt is sectioned into first and second portions corresponding to the forward run and the return run. A conveyor is also mounted in a cantilevered fashion, such as by embedding posts in a curable material forming a base for supporting the conveyor. Related methods are also disclosed. | 10-08-2015 |