Abstract: A refrigerator which has a refrigerating section maintained above 0 degrees C., and a freezer section located below the refrigerating section maintained below 0 degrees C. A refrigerating section door covers at least a portion of the refrigerating section. An ice compartment is located on the refrigerating section door. An ice is located in the ice compartment with an ice storage bin located in the ice compartment below the ice maker. A dispenser located on the refrigerating section door can dispense ice from the ice storage bin.

Abstract: An ice collection area is disposed inside the cabinet proximate an ice maker. An ice storage area is disposed inside the cabinet. A first relocatable ice bin is disposed inside the cabinet. The first relocatable ice bin is disposed in one of the ice collection area and the ice storage area. A second relocatable ice bin is disposed inside the cabinet. The second relocatable ice bin is disposed in the other of the ice collection area and the ice storage area.

Abstract: An adjustable connector system for use in an appliance is provided, wherein the adjustable connector system includes a channel disposed on a surface of the appliance, an access aperture defined by a surface adjacent the channel, and a utility enabled connector at least partially received in the channel, and extending from the access aperture, wherein the utility enabled connector includes an elongated member configured to at least partially extend along the channel, and extend from the access aperture, and an interface adapted to supply at least one utility to a modular appliance configured to be removably attached to one of a plurality of removable attachment locations on the appliance.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a top wall. At least one door is coupled with the cabinet and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. A removable cooling module is disposed on the top wall of the refrigerator. The removable cooling module includes a cooling unit and an ice maker. An ice dispenser is coupled with the refrigerator. A duct is in communication with the removable cooling module and is adapted to convey ice and cool air from the removable cooling module to the refrigerator.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an open storage space and including a door with an exterior side and an interior side adapted to receive a modular component. The modular component includes a base removably connected to the interior side and has a first edge and a second edge. A component door is hingedly-connected to the first edge of the base and is operable between an open position and a closed position. The base and component door define a sealed compartment when the component door is in the closed position. First fasteners are disposed on the component door, and second fasteners are disposed on the base. The second fasteners engage the first fasteners to create an airtight seal between the component door and the base. A vacuum device is in communication with the sealed compartment and a heat sealer is disposed on the base or the component door.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a removable cooling module that defines a cavity. The removable cooling module includes a cooling unit and an ice maker disposed in the cavity. A duct is disposed inside the refrigerator and is in communication with the removable cooling module. The duct is adapted to convey cool air and ice from the ice maker to an ice storage bin in the refrigerator. An ice deflector is disposed in the duct. The ice deflector directs ice to the ice storage bin and directs cool air to a food storage area in the refrigerator.

Abstract: A removable cooling module for a refrigerator includes a cooling unit positioned in a housing and removably coupled with a top wall of the refrigerator. An ice maker is coupled to the cooling unit. An ice bin is disposed in the housing and is adapted to receive and store ice from the ice maker. A duct is in communication with the cooling unit and is adapted to convey ice from the removable cooling module to an ice dispenser.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet having at least one door. A removable cooling module is coupled with an outer periphery of the cabinet. The removable cooling module includes an ice maker. A duct is in communication with the removable cooling module. Ice is produced by the ice maker and transferred through the duct to the refrigerator.

Abstract: An appliance system includes at least an appliance and a module. The appliance door(s) have an exterior surface and an interior surface having a door liner. The appliance door is closed to create an insulated area and the interior surface of the appliance door includes a module-engaging connector. The module is typically removably engaged within the appliance door and includes an insulated compartment within the module and a compartment door as well as a lock for the compartment door. The module also includes a utility connector that engages the appliance door and operably engages the module-engaging connector of the appliance door so that the module receives at least electrical power from the appliance.

Abstract: A connection system includes a feature module that supplies various functionalities, a portable countertop stand having an upright section that selectively receives the feature module and an umbilical connecting the portable stand to an external appliance to deliver utilities to the portable countertop stand. A utility port selectively delivers at least one utility to the feature module when engaged with the upright section. A utility receiver removably engages the utility port by hand without the use of tools and selectively receives a predetermined set of utilities when the feature module engages the upright surface. A connection interface detects when the feature module is engaged with the upright section and the predetermined utility set required by the engaged feature module. After the feature module is engaged, the connection interface prompts the utility port to release the predetermined utility set to the feature module.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an open storage space and including a door with an exterior side and an interior side adapted to receive a modular component. The modular component includes a base removably connected to the interior side and has a first edge and a second edge. A component door is hingedly-connected to the first edge of the base and is operable between an open position and a closed position. The base and component door define a sealed compartment when the component door is in the closed position. First fasteners are disposed on the component door, and second fasteners are disposed on the base. The second fasteners engage the first fasteners to create an airtight seal between the component door and the base. A vacuum device is in communication with the sealed compartment and a heat sealer is disposed on the base or the component door.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a vacuum source and a food storage compartment including a drawer unit having a storage space. The food storage compartment is operable between a substantially air-tight retracted position and an open extended position. A vacuum source is in communication with the storage space of the drawer unit and is operable to reduce air pressure inside the drawer unit during an evacuation event. A sealing unit includes a base connected to the drawer unit. A sealing bracket is hingedly-connected to the base and operable between a raised position and a lowered position, the sealing bracket adapted to abut the base when in the lowered position. A heat sealing bar is disposed on one of the base and the sealing bracket. A control system is operable to activate the vacuum source and initiate the evacuation event when the drawer unit is in the air-tight retracted position.

Abstract: An ice collection area is disposed inside the cabinet proximate an ice maker. An ice storage area is disposed inside the cabinet. A first relocatable ice bin is disposed inside the cabinet. The first relocatable ice bin is disposed in one of the ice collection area and the ice storage area. A second relocatable ice bin is disposed inside the cabinet. The second relocatable ice bin is disposed in the other of the ice collection area and the ice storage area.

Abstract: A domestic refrigerator includes a housing having a refrigerated compartment defined therein, and a sliding drawer positioned in the refrigerated compartment. The sliding drawer has a storage chamber defined therein, and a mounting bracket is secured to the sliding drawer and extends into the storage chamber. The domestic refrigerator also includes a plurality of interchangeable utility modules that are configured to be positioned within the storage chamber of the sliding drawer. Each of the plurality of the interchangeable utility modules includes a mounting bracket sized and configured to be separately mated with the mounting bracket of the sliding drawer.

Abstract: An elongated polymeric ribbon is mounted to the cabinet of a refrigerator/freezer or the door and at least one electrical conductor is integrally formed in the ribbon, which also integrally includes at least one fluid conduit. In one embodiment, the ribbon is mounted in association with an elongated spine, such that a module can be mounted anywhere along the spine and coupled to the polymeric ribbon for receiving operating utilities therefrom. This system provides the manufacturer with the capability of positioning a module requiring operating utilities at any desired location within a refrigerator/freezer cabinet and/or on the doors of the refrigerator/freezer. The ribbon connector is accessed by connections which allow dealers to customize refrigerators for individual consumers.

Abstract: A connection system for connecting an encoded domestic appliance feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the encoded feature module and the utility source. The connection system includes a utility source that has a coupler capable of removably engaging an encoded domestic appliance feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one encoded domestic appliance feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device that operates to detect when the encoded feature module is connected to the utility source, where one or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source, and where the detection and recognition device may be a reed switch, a DIP switch, and a comparator circuit.

Abstract: An adjustable connector system for use in an appliance is provided, wherein the adjustable connector system includes a channel disposed on a surface of the appliance, an access aperture defined by a surface adjacent the channel, and a utility enabled connector at least partially received in the channel, and extending from the access aperture, wherein the utility enabled connector includes an elongated member configured to at least partially extend along the channel, and extend from the access aperture, and an interface adapted to supply at least one utility to a modular appliance configured to be removably attached to one of a plurality of removable attachment locations on the appliance.

Abstract: A dispensing system suitable for dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom-mount refrigerator is disclosed.

Abstract: A clear ice making system and method utilizes an ice tray including a plurality of ice forming cavities extending into a fluid supply cavity. Fluid supplied to the fluid supply cavity flows into each of the plurality of ice forming cavities and out through respective fluid outlets located in a bottom portion of the ice forming cavities to a fluid outlet chamber below. Cooled ice forming members extend into respective ice forming cavities. Fluid is continuously cycled through the ice forming cavities and around the ice forming members during an ice making event such that clear ice pieces gradually form on each of the ice forming members. During an ice harvest event, ice forming members are heated to release formed ice pieces, and the ice pieces are transferred from a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator to an ice storage bucket located in a freezer compartment of the refrigerator.

Abstract: A clear ice making assembly and method utilizes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a plurality of distinct, substantially vertical fluid channels, and at least one fluid outlet aperture in fluid communication with a bottom fluid chamber. During an ice making event, portions of an ice forming evaporator extending through the housing are exposed to water flowing into the fluid channels from the upper fluid chamber. The ice forming evaporator is formed with microchannels through which refrigerant flows such that water flowing across the fluid channels freezes on the exposed portions of the ice forming evaporator over time, forming clear ice pieces. In a harvesting operation, the ice pieces are released from the ice forming evaporator and transferred for storage and/or dispensing.