Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet via a hollow hinge to selectively open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A water heater is mounted on an exterior surface of the cabinet about the hollow hinge and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel, and a hot water conduit is guided through the hollow hinge and extending from the water heater to the hot water dispenser to supply the hot water from the heater to the dispenser. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A refrigerator with a freezer compartment having a door to open and close the freezer compartment. An ice maker is disposed within the freezer compartment for forming ice pieces. An ice storage bin is mounted to the door for receiving ice from the ice maker. A cover is hinged to the ice marker. The cover is moveable between an unrestricting position in which ice is discharged when the door is in a closed position to a restricting position in which ice does not discharge when the door is in an open position. A sliding tray having sidewall enclosing an area behind the ice maker and extending the depth between the ice maker and a rear wall of the refrigerator, defines a storage chamber.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a door includes at least a support member, an elongate handle body, an insert and a fastener. The elongate handle body includes an opening at a handle end. An outer hole is formed on a shell of the handle body near the handle end so as to be in communication with the opening. The insert is configured to be inserted into the opening. The insert includes an aperture and an inner hole. The aperture is configured to accommodate the support member mounted on a door. The inner hole is configured to be aligned with the outer hole and be in communication with the aperture. The insert includes a protrusion that protrudes into the aperture. The fastener is configured to be inserted through the outer hole and the inner hole and press the support member against the protrusion such that the protrusion extends into a neck portion of the support member.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and an ice maker within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. In one example, a rotatable auger drives the ice pieces out of a removable ice bin via a driving force applied in a first direction. A latch is configured to apply a resisting force to the ice bin along a second direction. In another example, an air mover is disposed within the ice maker for delivering cooled air from an ice maker evaporator to a region adjacent to the ice bin. At least one air channel is formed into an inside surface of the ice maker chamber. In another example, a method of making ice in the refrigeration appliance is provided. The method includes the steps of operating the air mover and a defrost heating of the ice maker evaporator.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, and an ice maker within the fresh food compartment for freezing water into ice pieces. In one example, a rotatable auger drives the ice pieces out of a removable ice bin via a driving force applied in a first direction. A latch is configured to apply a resisting force to the ice bin along a second direction. In another example, an air mover is disposed within the ice maker for delivering cooled air from an ice maker evaporator to a region adjacent to the ice bin. At least one air channel is formed into an inside surface of the ice maker chamber. In another example, a method of making ice in the refrigeration appliance is provided. The method includes the steps of operating the air mover and a defrost heating of the ice maker evaporator.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet via a hollow hinge to selectively open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A water heater is mounted on an exterior surface of the cabinet about the hollow hinge and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel, and a hot water conduit is guided through the hollow hinge and extending from the water heater to the hot water dispenser to supply the hot water from the heater to the dispenser. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment, and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet. A vented exhaust conduit is provided at least partially within an interior of the door and defines a pathway in fluid communication with an environment exterior of the cabinet. A water heater includes a heating element located at least partially within the vented exhaust conduit and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator, wherein heat generated by the heating element can escape through the pathway of the vented exhaust to the environment exterior of the cabinet. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A refrigerator/freezer ice bucket is provided. The ice bucket may include a dispenser interface configured to deliver ice cubes to an ice dispenser upon a request by a user for the ice cubes. The dispenser interface may include a back wall. The ice bucket may further include storage configured to, with the back wall of the dispenser interface, store the ice cubes until the user request. The storage includes a fixed portion and a hinged outer wall. The hinged outer wall is configured to pivot from a position that is parallel to an opposite wall of the fixed portion to a position in which one or more portions of the hinged outer wall are fixed to be slanted upwardly away from the opposite wall of the fixed portion, thereby expanding a capacity of the storage.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet via a hollow hinge to selectively open and close at least a portion of the refrigerated compartment. A water heater is mounted on an exterior surface of the cabinet about the hollow hinge and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel, and a hot water conduit is guided through the hollow hinge and extending from the water heater to the hot water dispenser to supply the hot water from the heater to the dispenser. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.

Abstract: Provided is a storage system and a refrigeration appliance including the storage system for storing food items in a temperature-controlled environment. The storage system includes a bin and a tab attached to the bin. The tab is configured to couple the bin to a track and guide the bin along a continuum of positions on the track. The storage system further includes an actuator attached to the bin that is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The storage system still further includes a pin slidingly engaged with the bin. The bin is movable into a plurality of positions relative to the track. The pin in an engaged position is configured to prevent movement of the bin at any desired point within the continuum of positions on the track.

Abstract: A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment, and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet. A vented exhaust conduit is provided at least partially within an interior of the door and defines a pathway in fluid communication with an environment exterior of the cabinet. A water heater includes a heating element located at least partially within the vented exhaust conduit and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator, wherein heat generated by said heating element can escape through the pathway of the vented exhaust to said environment exterior of the cabinet. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A storage compartment assembly is located within the interior of a compartment of a refrigerator such as a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator. The storage compartment assembly includes a storage container the temperature of which can be controlled independently of the temperature in the fresh food compartment. At least one of the sides of the storage container can be spaced away from a respective interior side of the refrigerator compartment and a housing located in the space between the side of the storage container and the interior side of the refrigerator compartment. The housing can contain components that are configured to function in the operation of the refrigerator, including the storage compartment assembly. The refrigerator can comprise a bottom-mount refrigerator and the fresh food compartment can be provided with double-doors for closing and opening the interior of the fresh food compartment.

Abstract: A storage compartment assembly is located within the interior of a compartment of a refrigerator such as a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator. The storage compartment assembly includes a storage container the temperature of which can be controlled independently of the temperature in the fresh food compartment. At least one of the sides of the storage container can be spaced away from a respective interior side of the refrigerator compartment and a housing located in the space between the side of the storage container and the interior side of the refrigerator compartment. The housing can contain components that are configured to function in the operation of the refrigerator, including the storage compartment assembly. The refrigerator can comprise a bottom-mount refrigerator and the fresh food compartment can be provided with double-doors for closing and opening the interior of the fresh food compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided, including a cabinet formed with at least one refrigerated compartment, and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet. A vented exhaust conduit is provided at least partially within an interior of the door and defines a pathway in fluid communication with an environment exterior of the cabinet. A water heater includes a heating element located at least partially within the vented exhaust conduit and configured to heat water supplied from the refrigerator, wherein heat generated by said heating element can escape through the pathway of the vented exhaust to said environment exterior of the cabinet. A hot water dispenser is positioned on the door that is configured to dispense hot water supplied from the water heater into a receiver vessel. A method of dispensing hot water is also provided. The method utilizes at least two distinct, user-initiated steps to permit the dispensing of hot water.

Abstract: A refrigerator/freezer ice bucket is provided. The ice bucket may include a dispenser interface configured to deliver ice cubes to an ice dispenser upon a request by a user for the ice cubes. The dispenser interface may include a back wall. The ice bucket may further include storage configured to, with the back wall of the dispenser interface, store the ice cubes until the user request. The storage includes a fixed portion and a hinged outer wall. The hinged outer wall is configured to pivot from a position that is parallel to an opposite wall of the fixed portion to a position in which one or more portions of the hinged outer wall are fixed to be slanted upwardly away from the opposite wall of the fixed portion, thereby expanding a capacity of the storage.

Abstract: Provided is a storage system and a refrigeration appliance including the storage system for storing food items in a temperature-controlled environment. The storage system includes a bin and a tab attached to the bin. The tab is configured to couple the bin to a track and guide the bin along a continuum of positions on the track. The storage system further includes an actuator attached to the bin that is selectively movable between a first position and a second position. The storage system still further includes a pin slidingly engaged with the bin. The bin is movable into a plurality of positions relative to the track. The pin in an engaged position is configured to prevent movement of the bin at any desired point within the continuum of positions on the track.

Abstract: A handle assembly for a door includes at least a support member, an elongate handle body, an insert and a fastener. The elongate handle body includes an opening at a handle end. An outer hole is formed on a shell of the handle body near the handle end so as to be in communication with the opening. The insert is configured to be inserted into the opening. The insert includes an aperture and an inner hole. The aperture is configured to accommodate the support member mounted on a door. The inner hole is configured to be aligned with the outer hole and be in communication with the aperture. The insert includes a protrusion that protrudes into the aperture. The fastener is configured to be inserted through the outer hole and the inner hole and press the support member against the protrusion such that the protrusion extends into a neck portion of the support member.

Abstract: A shelf assembly for an appliance includes a shelf panel comprising a generally planar support surface and a rear edge including a raised profile extending away from the support surface. A frame is configured to be mounted to an appliance to support the shelf panel with the support surface extending generally along a horizontal plane. The frame includes an elongated rear support member. A support channel extends at least partially into the rear support member, and is configured to removably receive and capture the rear edge of the shelf panel to inhibit removal of the shelf panel from the frame in the direction of the horizontal plane. The shelf panel is selectively removable from the support channel by tilting a front edge of the shelf panel upwards to a predetermined angle relative to the horizontal plane. A slide latch can selectively and lockingly engage corresponding support structure of an appliance.