A nuclear fuel assembly tie plate is provided. The nuclear fuel assembly tie plate is formed by intersecting strips delimiting between them tubular guide cells each for allowing a fuel rod to extend through the tie plate. The strips delimit between them tubular flow cells separate from the guide cells, each flow cell for allowing coolant flow through the tie plate. Guide cells and flow cells are arranged at nodes of a lattice defined by a repeating pattern comprising four corner nodes in a square lattice arrangement and a central node at the center of the four corner nodes, with one guide cell at each corner nodes, separated by a pair of parallel spaced strips intersecting a pair of parallel spaced strips, the two pairs of strips delimiting a four-walled central flow cell at the center node.

An improved grid for a nuclear reactor fuel assembly that has an egg-crate base grid as the primary support structure with each support cell of the base grid that supports a fuel rod having a lock-support sleeve that is rotatable within the support cell between a first and second orientation. In the first orientation the lock-support sleeve fits loosely within the support cell of the base grid and respectively, loosely receives the fuel rods that are loaded therein. The lock-support sleeves are then rotated to a second orientation that locks the fuel rods axially within the support cells.

A cask cushioning body includes an end-surface side member (2) in which a plurality of plates (21, 22) made of steel are formed at a distance between plate surfaces of the plates (21, 22) that face each other, and in which the plate surfaces of the plates (21, 22) are arranged along an end surface (100a) of a cask (100), and a circumferential-surface side member (3) that forms a cylindrical body (31) made of steel, one end of which is connected to a periphery of the end-surface side member (2), and that is arranged along an end-portion outer-circumferential surface (100b), wherein an impact absorber (4) that absorbs an impact by deforming is provided outside of the end-surface side member (2) and the circumferential-surface side member (3).

A compressor assembly and the method of using the same which includes an elongated spiral passageway within which a compact toroid plasma, such as a compact toroid plasma structure, can be efficiently compressed to a high-energy state by compressing the compact toroid plasma structure by its own momentum against the wall of the spiral passageway in a manner to induce heating by conservation of energy. The compressor assembly also includes a burn chamber that is in communication with the spiral passageway and into which the compressed compact toroid plasma structure is introduced following its compression.

The invention refers to a fuel assembly comprising a lower end structure, an upper end structure including a top nozzle (5), a plurality of fuel rods and a plurality of guide thimbles (3). The top nozzle includes a passageway and an annular groove (10) in said passageway. A sleeve (11) is provided for attaching the guide thimble (3) to the top nozzle (5). The sleeve has at least three slots (12) and includes at least three bulges (13). Each bulge (13) has two ends and extends between two of the slots (12). At least one of the ends of the bulge (13) extends to a position at a distance (d) from the respective slot (12). The invention also refers to a guide thimble device (9) for use in a fuel assembly.

A sintered fuel pellet for a water nuclear reactor fuel rod including a peripheral wall extending along a central axis and two end faces. At least one of the end faces includes at least a first chamfer extending from the peripheral wall towards the central axis with a first non-zero slope with respect to a plane perpendicular to the central axis and a second chamfer extending from the first chamfer towards the central axis with a second non-zero slope with respect to a plane perpendicular to the central axis, wherein the first slope is different from the second slope.

A card game monitor manages play of a game with a video feed of casino table game play. A dealer deals a game using a card-handling device that randomizes and dispenses cards, which may be grouped into sets of hands by the card-handling device. A card recognition system recognizes card information including rank and suit of each card dispensed by the card handling device while each card is under control of the card-handling device. A camera captures a video feed of casino table game play, which is transmitted to a computing device operated by a player. A control system receives the card information from the card recognition device and manages control of the game using hand information associated with players. Player action elections from the computing device are displayed to a dealer The player provides a player action through the computing device, which is used to facilitate play of the casino table game.

An apparatus for gaming, comprising a card reader system for reading card data from a game card associated with a player. An instant win game system for associating an instant win game entry with the card data. A jackpot game system for associating a jackpot game entry with the card data.

Shooters must presently take their firearms out of their hands to then manually actuate a new target into shooting position. This Target Apparatus will allow the shooter to shine his laser light, infrared light, flashlight, or multi-spectrum light onto a Target Apparatus-mounted sensor that engages a drive means mounted upon the target frame that then forwards a new target into position without removing the firearm from its' shooting position. The unit also uses a unique target backing material that does not require targets to be made of rolls of coated or heavy material stock. The system can utilize rolls of cash register paper, cut sections of gift wrapping paper, hand towel rolls, or even paper towels as target materials without snagging and preventing the next target from being presented.

A poker machine apparatus has a pay line multiplier that is randomly selected for each active pay line. The pay line multiplier varies for each round of play. An extra wager may be required from the player to activate this feature during the play of a casino game. A player makes a wager to activate at least two pay lines to be played in the casino game. For each active pay line, a multiplier is randomly selected from a group of various multipliers and the selected multiplier is assigned to the activated pay line. The casino game is then played to achieve an outcome on each pay line. Each pay line that has a winning outcome has any associated award increased by the multiplier for that pay line.

A grooved supporting member for assisting in the construction of a card structure is provided. Specifically, the grooved supporting member provides support for the beginning foundational planar stackable members. The grooved supporting member includes a planar base member, top surface, bottom surface, at least one edge, and at least one groove. Preferably, the groove is cut completely through the planar base member and provides lateral support for a planar stackable member. In the preferred embodiment, the grooved supporting member has four edges and four grooves, thus providing support for four planar stackable members to create the cell of a card structure. The user may employ one or more of the grooved supporting members of the present invention in a card structure. Further disclosed is a kit including a grooved supporting member of the present invention and a plurality of stackable planar members.

The present invention discloses a device, comprising a collapsible sports goal that is housed and anchored by a backpack.

A board game system comprises one or more game objects, a processing device, a memory device and one or more cameras. Each of the game objects comprise a unique visual marker positioned on a top surface of the game object, wherein the unique visual marker comprises a series of concentric rings that represent data that uniquely identifies the game object. As a result, during the course of game play, the location and identification of the game objects are able to be determined by the processing device by analyzing images captured by the one or more cameras of the visual markers of the game objects on the game board. The processing device is able to compare the data of the visual markers to a table stored in the memory device that associates the data with a specific game object.

A ramp for launching an object at a target is provided, the ramp having: a release mechanism mounted to the ramp for movement between a first position and a second position, wherein the release mechanism is configured to retain the object with respect to the ramp when it is in the first position and wherein the release mechanism is configured to release the object when the release mechanism is in the second position; and wherein the release mechanism further comprises an arm member pivotally mounted to the ramp and the arm member has a plurality of features each spaced from each other and extending from the arm member above a surface of the ramp when the release mechanism is in the first position.

An apparatus is for shuffling a plurality of playing cards used in gaming. The apparatus includes a card support adapted to support the unshuffled cards on-edge. An exciter is also included, and is adapted to impart vibrational action to the supported cards. Cards drop in a random fashion such as by controlling the relative position of the cards and passage through one or more card slots in a card rest. In at least some of the apparatuses, a medial card receiver is adapted to receive at least one card dropped from the card support and to retain the at least one received card to substantially block the card slot to prevent further cards from dropping. A positioner is preferably included to change a relative position of the unshuffled deck and card slots though which the cards drop.

A game apparatus and a method using trays as the game board with vertical support columns, two sets of playing pieces and two launching devices. The one or more vertical support columns attach to the one or more trays to support the trays horizontally above a support surface. On the surface of each of the trays is a matrix and each element of the matrix has a recessed compartment orthogonal to the surface of the tray. Each recessed compartment is sized to hold a multiplicity of both types of playing pieces in a stacked manner. The recessed compartments may also be created so that the order and the number of the playing pieces in each recessed compartment are observable for additional variety in game play.

An RFID event tracking and management system provides a standardized approach that can be utilized by various industry verticals. Loss of captured event data, such as RFID generated through an RFID event, can be prevented through a series of guarantee semantics. Approaches also provide for role-based data visibility. Queries received from a user or entity can be dynamically modified based on the role of the user/entity using a virtual private database (VPD). The modified query can result in a virtual private database automatically hiding or restricting access to event data at row, column, and/or cell levels, so that an authorized user/entity is only able to access data to which that user/entity should have access.

An approach for associating a card (e.g., a transaction card, an identification card, etc.) that corresponds to a primary account with one or more ancillary accounts (e.g., a library account, etc.) includes obtaining information from the card and associating that information with an ancillary account. The card may then be used to access the ancillary account. The card may be a transaction card and the primary account may be a financial account. The ancillary account may be a library account. When the card is a transaction card, fees associated with the ancillary account may be charged to the financial account.

The present invention relates to a security device for improving the marketing impact of an article of commerce. The device generally includes a housing having a base and a cover with the cover having at least one opening to allow for the insertion of an attachment mechanism. The housing element of the present invention in one embodiment is in a shape representing a particular theme such as a particular trademark, trade dress, special events, commemorative events, historical events and combinations thereof. The housing may contain an RFID device and/or an electronic article security device. The present invention also provides a method of attaching a security device described herein to an article of commerce.

An apparatus, device, method, computer program product, and system that obtains an end user assistance for an identified item within a geographic locale.

An optical device includes a housing containing a plurality of lenses. At least one of those lenses includes a reticle. An optical device and a processor are also located in the housing. A wind speed sensor is mounted to the housing and configured to send a wind speed signal corresponding to a wind speed to the processor. The processor calculates a wind speed based at least in part on the wind speed signal, and wherein the processor sends an output signal corresponding to the calculated wind speed to the output device.

A laser scanning symbol reading system includes an analog scan data signal processor for producing digital data signals, wherein during each scanning cycle, a light collection and photo-detection module generates an analog scan data signal corresponding to a laser scanned symbol, a multi-channel parallel scan data signal processor/digitizer processes the analog scan data signal along multiple cascaded multi-stage signal processing channels, to generate digital data signals corresponding thereto, while a synchronized digital gain control module automatically processes the digital data signals in response to start of scan (SOS) signals generated by a SOS detector. Each signal processing channel supports different stages of amplification and filtering using a different set of band-pass filtering and gain parameters in each channel, to produce multiple digital first derivative data signals, and/or multiple digital scan data intensity data signals, having different signal amplitudes and dynamic range characteristics for use in decode processing.

Reference equipment including a reference card and a reference reader is provided for testing electronic payment devices such as cards and card readers. The reference equipment includes reference cards and reference readers that respectively can be used to verify compliance of product cards and product readers with product specifications The product specifications may, for example, be the ISO 14443 Standard specifications which are commonly accepted in the electronic payment industry The reference equipment is designed to enhance interoperability of product payment devices whose functional behaviors may vary because of vendor customization of device specifications or due to manufacturing tolerances In some embodiments, the reference equipment includes a reference card for testing card readers The exemplary reference card can comprise a current mirror to permit an electronically adjustable variable load using an external controller The reference card electronic circuit can exhibit variable load conditions.

An assembly includes a transaction product and an auxiliary vehicle. The transaction product includes a folded sheet configured to be repeatedly folded and unfolded between a collapsed position and an extended position. The folded sheet defines a substantially planar surface defining a printed track. The transaction product comprises an account identifier statically connected thereto. The account identifier links the transaction product to at least one of an account and a record and is machine readable by a point-of-sale terminal. The auxiliary vehicle includes a microcontroller, one or more sensors, a motor, and at least one movable component. The microcontroller actuates the motor to induce movement of the at least one movable component propelling the auxiliary vehicle along and following the printed track based on detection of a location of the printed track as determined by the one or more sensors.

A frequency tripler device is disclosed. The frequency tripler device includes a first graphene based field effect transistor (FET) of a first dopant type, having a gate, a drain, and a source, and a second graphene based FET of a second dopant type, having a gate, a drain, and a source, the gate of the first FET coupled to the gate of the second FET and coupled to an input signal having an alternating current (AC) signal of a first frequency, the combination of the first and second FETs generates an output signal with a dominant AC signal of a frequency of about three times the first frequency.

A digital phase locked loop (DPLL), a method of operating the same, and a device including the same are provided. The DPLL includes a digitally-controlled oscillator configured to change a frequency and a phase of an output oscillation signal in response to a digital control code; a main divider configured to divide the frequency of the output oscillation signal and generate a first feedback signal based on the divided frequency; and a phase-to-digital converter configured to subdivide the phase of the output oscillation signal and to generate a quantized code by converting a phase difference between a reference signal and the first feedback signal using a phase-subdivided signal resulting from the subdivision. The digital control code is generated based on the quantized code.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses are described for compensating for an undesired fractional spur due to a PLL in a communication system. The communication system includes a time-to-digital converter (TDC) that is configured to execute in parallel to the PLL. The TDC is configured to determine a phase difference between a reference frequency and an output oscillation signal provided by the PLL. The phase difference is received by a processor to estimate particular characteristics of the undesired fractional spur, and the estimate of the characteristics is used to construct an estimate of the undesired fractional spur.

A circuit includes a power supply terminal and a clock parsing circuit configured to produce multiple clock signals having a common clock period and different phases. The circuit further includes a plurality of digital circuits coupled to the clock parsing circuit and the power supply terminal. Each digital circuit includes an input to receive data and logic to process the data. Each digital circuit is responsive to a phase associated with a respective clock signal of the multiple clock signals to draw current from the regulated power supply terminal to process the data to produce a data output. Additionally, the circuit includes an output timing management circuit coupled to each of the plurality of digital circuits and configured to control data outputs of each of plurality of digital circuits to prevent timing violations at one or more destination circuits.

A noise resistant switch control circuit is provided. The circuit includes a low pass filter configured to couple to a first terminal of a switch and a first voltage clamp coupled to the low pass filter. The first voltage clamp is configured to couple to a control terminal of the switch and limit a voltage of the control terminal relative to the first terminal to within a first clamping range. The circuit includes a second voltage clamp coupled to an input terminal of the switch control circuit. The second voltage clamp is configured to couple to the control terminal of the switch. The second voltage clamp is further configured to reduce a level of a control voltage coupled to the second voltage clamp. The circuit includes a bias device configured to couple to the control terminal of the switch and to impress a biasing voltage to the control terminal.

A phase locked loop (PLL) includes a first loop, a second loop, and a lock detector. The first loop locks a feedback signal having a frequency equal to a fraction of a frequency of an output signal to a reference signal in phase. The first loop has a first bandwidth. The second loop locks the feedback signal to the reference signal in frequency and has a second bandwidth. The first bandwidth is higher than the second bandwidth. The lock detector is coupled to the second loop and increases the second bandwidth in response to detecting that the feedback signal is not locked to the reference signal.

Apparatus and methods for ultrasound transmit switching are provided. In certain implementations, a transmit switch includes a bias polarity control circuit, a bias circuit, a first high voltage field effect transistor (HVFET), and a second HVFET. The sources of the first and second HVFETs are connected to one another at a source node, the gates of the first and second HVFETs are connected to one another at a gate node, and the drains of the first and second HVFETs are connected to an input terminal and an output terminal, respectively. The bias circuit and the bias polarity control circuit are each electrically connected between the source node and the gate node. The bias polarity control circuit can turn on or off the HVFETs by controlling a polarity of a bias voltage across the bias circuit, such as by controlling a direction of current flow through the bias circuit.

A flexible tubular item having an outer flexible section of hollow tubing with a first end and a second end, a flexible wire positioned within the hollow tubing, a flexible paint layer covering an exterior surface of the flexible wire, and a viscous liquid contained within the hollow tubing. The hollow tubing is a transparent vinyl tube. The flexible wire is copper wire having a bend resistance greater than the bend resistance of the hollow tubing. The liquid is mineral oil filling the area around the flexible wire within the hollow tubing. Ball members are affixed in liquid-tight relationship within the first and second ends of the hollow tubing. These ball members are acrylic spheres having a diameter greater than the interior diameter of the hollow tubing.

Conditioning device (24) and method for drying and/or controlling the temperature of a ballast bed (12) of a railway track system (10), wherein the railway track system (10) has sleepers (14) resting on the ballast bed (12) and rails (16) resting on the sleepers, wherein the conditioning device has a bogie (30) for moving the conditioning device (24). An outlet nozzle (36) for blowing temperature-controlled air into the ballast bed (12) via at least one blowing-in region (26) positioned between two adjacent sleepers (14) is connected to the bogie (30), as is at least one cover plate (42) for essentially air-tight coverage of an upper side, pointing essentially in the direction counter to the direction of gravity, of a side strip (20), provided next to the sleepers (14) in the direction of travel, of the ballast bed (12). In a method for drying and controlling the temperature of a ballast bed (12) of a railway track system (10), an upper side of the ballast bed (12) and/or at least one sleeper (14) and at least one rail (16) are sealed in an essentially air-tight fashion outside a blowing-in region (26) before temperature-controlled air is blown into the ballast bed (12) via the blowing-in region (26).

A gas discharge device constructed out of one or more plasma-shells with an organic luminescent substance located on an external portion of each plasma-shell, the organic substance being excited by photons from a gas discharge within the plasma-shell. In one embodiment, the plasma-shell is made of an inorganic luminescent substance. The external organic luminescent substance may contain or be combined with an inorganic substance that may also be a luminescent substance. The plasma-shell may contain both inorganic and organic substances.

A simple manufacturing method for an organic electroluminescent panel in which organic electroluminescent elements are arranged and sealed by a sealing adhesive. The electroluminescent panel has excellent sealing properties and excellent durability as a result of the organic electroluminescent elements being adhered to one another by a heat-curable adhesive. The manufacturing method is for an organic electroluminescent panel in which at least a first electrode, an organic functional layer containing a light-emitting layer, an organic electroluminescent element having a second electrode, and a sealing substrate are bonded together on a substrate by the heat-curable adhesive. The method includes forming a heat-curable adhesive layer on the sealing substrate, subjecting the heat-curable adhesive layer formed on the sealing substrate to pre-heating treatment, bonding the pre-heated heat-curable adhesive layer to the organic electroluminescent element, and subjecting the heat-curable adhesive layer to heat curing, in the given order.

A pressing device for assembling a liquid crystal display panel is provided. The pressing device includes a base plate, a pressing plate, a first cushion and a second cushion. The pressing plate is disposed opposite to the base plate and adapted to move toward or away from the base plate. The first cushion is disposed between the base plate and the pressing plate. The second cushion is disposed between the pressing plate and the first cushion, wherein one of the first cushion and the second cushion has a hollow zone corresponding to a display area of the liquid crystal display panel. A method for assembling a liquid crystal display panel is further provided.

The present invention relates to a method of and a vertical pumping device (1) for internally distributing Hg in a fluorescent tube body (3). The bottom (7) of the fluorescent tube body (3) is closed. The device (1) arranges, in a first position, a first solid body (9') comprising a predetermined first amount of bound Hg. The device (1) arranges, in a second position, a second solid body (9″) comprising a predetermined second amount of bound Hg. A first release (E1) of the first amount of Hg is achieved in the fluorescent tube body (3) by gasification with heat and under pressure for purification of contaminant particles in the fluorescent tube body. A second release (E2) of the second amount of Hg is achieved in the fluorescent tube body (3) by gasification attained for the occluded mercury vapour of the fluorescent tube body (3).

Provided is an apparatus for manufacturing a deposition mask assembly for a flat panel display, which prevents a pattern from being distorted in a pattern mask when divided pattern masks are welded to a support fixture. An apparatus for manufacturing a deposition mask assembly for a flat panel display of the present description, which includes a frame mask forming an opening, a support fixture installed in the frame mask, and a pattern mask welded to the support fixture to have a pattern allowing a deposition material to be transmitted therethrough, includes: a welding head disposed in a side of the pattern mask; and a support member supporting the support fixture in an opposite side of the welding head with the pattern mask interposed therebetween.

Provided is an aggregate of carbon nanotubes wherein a mixture of 10 mg of aggregate of carbon nanotubes, 30 mg of sodium polystyrene sulfonate and 10 mL of water is subjected to ultrasonic homogenizer treatment, subsequently subjected to centrifugal treatment at 20000 G, then 9 mL of supernatant is sampled, and the content of aggregate of carbon nanotubes in the supernatant is 0.6 mg/mL or more. The aggregate of carbon nanotubes of the present invention can provide a dispersion of an aggregate of carbon nanotubes having a high concentration through very good dispersibility.

The invention relates to a process and apparatus for recovering sulfur (9). In a sour gas scrubbing apparatus (S) comprises a scrubbing part (SP) and a regeneration part (RP), wherein sulfur components and carbon dioxide are selectively removed from a crude synthesis gas (2) with the aid of a circulating scrubbing agent (3). A sulfur-containing gas fraction (8) produced during the regeneration of loaded scrubbing agent is supplied to a sulfur recovery system (SR) in which an off-gas (10) comprising carbon dioxide and also sulfur components is formed. The off-gas is hydrogenated (H) and subsequently subjected to a gas scrubbing operation (Z). The hydrogenated off-gas (12) is scrubbed, independently of the crude synthesis gas (2), and scrubbing agent (13) removed from the scrubbing agent circuit of the sour gas scrubbing apparatus (S) is used to scrub out sulfur components from the hydrogenated off-gas (12).

A ferrous sulfide suspension that includes at least FeSm and Al(OH)3 and which can be used to reduce mercury emissions in flue gases. Through a combination of complex chemical reactions, precipitation, co-precipitation, and surface adsorption the ferrous sulfide suspension of the present invention effectively removes mercury from gaseous streams while concurrently preventing mercury re-emission.

An exhaust system for a compression ignition engine comprising an oxidation catalyst for treating carbon monoxide (CO) and hydrocarbons (HCs) in exhaust gas from the compression ignition engine, wherein the oxidation catalyst comprises: a platinum group metal (PGM) component selected from the group consisting of a platinum (Pt) component, a palladium (Pd) component and a combination thereof; an alkaline earth metal component; a support material comprising a modified alumina incorporating a heteroatom component; and a substrate, wherein the platinum group metal (PGM) component, the alkaline earth metal component and the support material are disposed on the substrate.

Process for preparing hydrocyanic acid by catalytic dehydration of gaseous formamide, wherein the dehydration of formamide is coupled with an exothermic reaction by the reactor used in the dehydration comprising two separate fluid paths which are separated by a common reactor wall, with one fluid path being provided for the dehydration of formamide and the second fluid path being provided for the exothermic reaction.

The invention relates to a method for cleaning exhaust gases, in which an exhaust gas and a sorbent are combined in a fluidized bed reactor. In a subsequent filter system, solid matter is segregated, and thereafter, up to 99 per cent of the sorbent is re-channeled into the fluidized bed reactor, wherein the gas is subjected to a rotation around the flow axis in the fluidized bed reactor.

In one embodiment, a catalyst for ozone oxidation of pollutant components dispersed in a gas is provided. The ozone oxidation catalyst has a porous body formed from a metal body, a ceramic, or polymeric fibers coated with metal. A catalytic noble metal composition is deposited on the surface of the porous body. The catalytic noble metal composition is formed from particles of a noble metal supported by a mesoporous molecular sieve.

The present invention concerns a process for producing ammonia synthesis gas from the reforming of hydrocarbons with steam in a primary reformer (1) equipped with a plurality of externally heated catalytic tubes and then in a secondary reformer (2) together with an oxidant gas. In this process, the reaction of said hydrocarbons with said steam in said primary reformer (1) is performed at an operating pressure of at least 45 bar in the catalytic tubes and a flow of essentially pure oxygen or oxygen-enriched air is added to said secondary reformer as oxidant gas for substantially reforming together with said all the hydrocarbons content of said product gas exiting the primary reformer (1). In the case essentially pure oxygen is used as oxidant gas, a flow of nitrogen is added downstream the secondary reformer (2) to reach a N2/H2 molar ratio corresponding to or close to the stoichiometric ratio for ammonia synthesis. This process allows to obtain high synthesis gas production capacities and lower investment and energy costs.

Providing a roaster that operates at temperatures in the range of 800° Celsius to 2000° Celsius with inert, optional oxidizing and reducing gases to treat graphite contaminated with radionuclides including tritium, carbon-14, and chlorine-36. The combination of temperatures and gases allow for the removal of most to substantially all the carbon-14 within the graphite while substantially limiting gasifying the bulk graphite.

A table top dishwasher comprises (a) a tub (10) for accommodating articles to be cleaned; (b) a water-tight hood (12) arranged over said tub (10), said hood comprising a fixed hood portion (14), an access opening (42), and a rotatable door (16) which is connected to the fixed hood portion so as to be rotatable between a raised opened position in which it exposes the access opening to provide access to the tub and a lowered closed position in which it closes the access opening and forms part of the water-tight hood; and (c) a gasket (44) which is attached to the fixed hood portion (14) or to the rotatable door (16) along an edge region of the access opening, wherein the fixed hood portion (14)or the rotatable door (16), respectively, comprises a plurality of mounting projections (46), and wherein the gasket comprises a plurality of apertures (54) in which the mounting projections are held by snap-fit connection.

A cabinet drawer includes a molded drawer floor having a central portion including at least one depression, each depression having a bottom wall and a sidewall having an inner surface and an outer surface. A flange extends outwardly from an upper edge of each depression. A plurality of webs extends outward from each depression outer surface for connection with a drawer slide system. A peripheral edge of the flange includes a plurality of deflectable tabs for coupling to a surrounding fence without the use of fasteners. The fence includes a skirt portion extending downward from the drawer floor flange to hide any drawer slide mechanism coupling the drawer floor to any underlying base.

An appliance is provided having one or more racks or shelves, the position of which may be adjusted vertically. Multiple different positions along the vertical direction can be made available for selection by a user of the appliance. One or more mechanisms allow for the selective adjustment and securing of the vertical position at which a shelf may be located.