Abstract: A portable ice bucket apparatus for storing and dispensing ice includes: (a) an upper bucket portion including an insulated bucket with an opening at the top of the bucket and an ice body chute opening in a bottom wall of the bucket; (b) a motorless lower stand portion, the upper bucket portion being detachably attachable to the stand portion; (c) a dispensing mechanism including a movable gate flap within the bucket portion, a spring-loaded lever, and a gate shaft and a dispensing lever within the stand portion, the dispensing lever being coupled to the gate shaft, the gate shaft being coupled to the spring-loaded lever, the gate shaft being coupled with the gate flap; and (d) a water drainage and collection mechanism including a reservoir in the stand portion, and preferably a drain valve; wherein the movable gate flap in a closed position substantially covers the ice body chute opening.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute, an ice dispensing housing positioned within a refrigerator door cavity and configured to define an ice dispensing cavity through which ice dispensed by the ice dispensing chute passes, a liquid dispensing chute positioned closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing housing, and a liquid dispensing actuator positioned on the ice dispensing housing and configured to receive input to inspire dispensing of liquid through the liquid dispensing chute.

Abstract: An insulated icemaking compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The icemaking compartment may be integrally formed with the liner of the fresh food compartment, or alternatively, may be modular for installation anywhere in the fresh food compartment. A removable bin assembly with a front cover normally seals the icemaking compartment to maintain the temperature in the compartment. A cold air duct formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaking compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the icemaking compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent with a damper in the icemaking compartment directs another portion of air into the fresh food compartment. A control system provides for controlling refrigerator functions in a manner that promotes energy efficiency, including movement of the damper between open and closed positions.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprises: an opening disposed at one side of a door; an ice bank disposed on a rear surface of the door, and configured to be drawn out through the opening, for storing ice pieces; a guide unit for guiding the ice bank to be drawn out; and a volume control unit for changing a volume of the ice bank step by step. A volume of the ice bank is varied according to users necessity. This solves a users inconvenience to make ice pieces a plurality of times, for example, in summer when a large amount of ice pieces are required.

Abstract: A refrigerator dispenser includes an ice dispensing actuator, an ice dispensing chute oriented closer to a front surface of a refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator, a liquid dispensing actuator oriented closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator and the ice dispensing chute, and a liquid dispensing chute oriented closer to the front surface of the refrigerator door than the ice dispensing actuator, the ice dispensing chute, and the liquid dispensing actuator. The ice dispensing actuator, the ice dispensing chute, the liquid dispensing actuator, and the liquid dispensing chute are arranged in a serial order, along a vertical plane that extends substantially perpendicular to the front surface of the refrigerator door within which the cavity exists, from a relatively deep position within the cavity to a relatively shallow position within the cavity or the front of the cavity.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refrigerator having an ice-making unit wherein the coupling structure of a cover to open and close an ice-making compartment is improved such that a user can easily attach and detach the cover to and from the ice-making compartment. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator body having a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment defined therein, an ice-making compartment mounted at one side of the refrigerating compartment, the ice-making compartment having an opening formed at the front thereof, an ice-making compartment cover to open and close the opening of the ice-making compartment, a rotary lever mounted at the ice-making compartment cover, latching hooks rotatable along with the rotation of the rotary lever, and latching projections formed in a side wall of the ice-making compartment such that the latching hooks are coupled with the latching projections.

Abstract: An icemaker unit and a refrigerator having the same. A drainage duct is provided to the icemaker unit, including a longitudinally inclined structure, a laterally inclined structure, and drainage holes to enhance drainage of the water. An upper part of the drainage duct is formed of a high heat-conductivity material and a lower part of the drainage duct of a low heat-conductivity material.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body which forms an external appearance and has a storage chamber to be opened at a front side, and an ice making device which is disposed in the storage chamber to make ice. The ice making device includes an ice making tray which has ice making grooves for making ice, an ejector which rotates and separates the ice made in the ice making grooves, blocking members which are disposed at an upper portion of one side of the ice making grooves to prevent the ice separated from the ice making grooves through the other side of the ice making grooves from returning to the ice making grooves, and a guide member which is disposed above the other side of the ice making tray to guide the ice separated from the other side of the ice making grooves by the ejector toward the blocking members.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an ice maker and a refrigerator having the same. The ice maker includes an ice making tray including a plurality of ice making cells, a driving unit to rotate the ice making tray, a plurality of blades corresponding to the plurality of ice making cells to block the ice cubes made in the ice making cells and thus twist the ice making tray while removing the ice cubes from the ice making cells when the ice making tray is rotated, and a protrusion formed on the ice making tray to assist the removal of the ice cubes from the ice making cells. The ice maker removes the ice cubes from the ice making tray by a twisting-type deicing process using the plurality of blades and the protrusion.

Abstract: A method of controlling temperature for forming ice within an icemaker compartment of a refrigerator is disclosed. The method includes the steps of activating at least one of the compressor and the coolant pump during an icemaking cycle to provide cooling to the icemaker compartment sufficient to make ice at a first rate, and increasing operation of at least one of the compressor and the coolant pump to provide cooling to the icemaker compartment sufficient to make ice at a second rate, which is faster than the first rate. A related refrigerator is also disclosed.

Abstract: In accordance with the principles of the present invention, an ice-bagging apparatus and method are provided. The apparatus comprises an ice maker for making ice and hopper for receiving the ice from the ice maker. The apparatus further includes a drawer system, operatively associated with the hopper, for measuring the ice and delivering of the ice. The drawer system includes top door and drawer. A bag delivery mechanism for placing the ice in a bag is also included, with the bag delivery mechanism including a bag supply mechanism, a blower engaged to open the mouth of the bag to receive the product, and a sealer that seals the open mouth of the bag once the bag is filled with the ice. A control device is included that manages and monitors the drawer and bag delivery mechanism and allows transmission of the collected data to the Internet.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an ice-making unit, which uses a cooling unit in which a refrigerant pipe is received, and a refrigerator having the same. The cooling unit includes a cooler for conduction of coldness, an inner surface of the cooler coming into direct contact with the refrigerant pipe, realizing a direct cooling type ice making operation. A rotatable tray is provided under the cooling unit, so that an ice-separating member attached to the cooling unit pushes ice upon rotation of the tray, allowing the ice to be discharged in a direction opposite to the rotating direction of the tray.

Abstract: A cam mechanism may include a rotation cam body, a first moved member which is urged so as to move along an inner side cam face formed on the rotation cam body, and a second moved member which is urged so as to move along an outer side cam face formed on the rotation cam body. An end face of the rotation cam body is formed with a surrounding wall part, a protruding part protruded from the end face on an inner peripheral side so as to face the surrounding wall part and, a part of which is formed as a discontinuity portion, and a recessed part formed so as to recess from the end face in an area sandwiched between the surrounding wall part and the discontinuity portion. The inner side cam face is structured of an inner wall face of the protruding part and an inner wall portion directing to an inner side in a radial direction of the recessed part. The cam mechanism may be effectively utilized in an ice making device.

Abstract: A refrigerator and a device for ice discharging are disclosed. The device for ice discharging includes a case having an ice introduction opening and an ice discharge opening (312); a rotation member (320) rotatable in the case to transfer ice that is held in a predetermined amount to be discharged; and a discharge adjustment part (340) spaced apart a predetermined space from the rotation member (320) to adjust the number of the ices transferred by the rotation member, such that a fixed amount of the ice is substantially discharged. The refrigerator includes the device for ice discharging therein.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprises: a body having a storage chamber and a door for selectively shielding the storage chamber; a dispenser disposed at one side on a front surface of the door, for dispensing ice pieces made in the body from outside of the body; and a dispensing guide unit disposed to the dispenser, and having a length controlled to be contracted or expanded in a dispensing direction of the ice pieces, for guiding the ice pieces in the dispensing direction. When water or ice pieces are dispensed from the refrigerator from outside, the dispensing guide unit has a controlled length to decrease a distance from a container to store the water or ice pieces. This may prevent the water or ice pieces from being scattered.

Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an ice maker positioned on a refrigerator compartment or freezer compartment door. The ice maker is arranged to prevent or manage spills from the ice maker in the event the door on which the ice maker is mounted is opened or closed when unfrozen water is present in the ice maker. Spill management embodiments for a number of fixed and movable tray ice makers are disclosed.

Abstract: A cabinet-like domestic appliance having a carcass and a door to enclose an interior, and a telescopic pull-out assembly installed in the interior, wherein the telescopic pull-out assembly has at least one rail that is movable in a depthwise direction of the interior. The rail bears a lug that is made of ferromagnetic material and that faces toward a rear wall of the interior. A magnet is mounted on the rear wall of the interior, wherein, in a retracted stop position of the telescopic pull-out assembly, the lug is subjected to the attractive magnetic force of the magnet.

Abstract: A dispenser for a refrigerator is provided. The dispenser may include a cover which opens or shuts an opening of a duct that guides contents from an interior of the refrigerator to the dispenser for discharge. An actuator transmits an externally applied force to the cover to cause the cover to move and selectively open and shut the opening. A regulator controls action of the actuator to adjust movement of the cover.

Abstract: An ice tray assembly and refrigerator having the same are disclosed, by which pieces of ice stored in a plurality of ice trays can be simultaneously discharged by a single motion without interfering with each other. The present invention includes a plurality of ice trays vertically provided within a case, a plurality of the ice trays connected to one another by an interoperating means to be simultaneously rotated and a driving means for rotating a plurality of the ice trays by being connected thereto.

Abstract: In an embodiment of the invention, a refrigerator comprising an ice storage bucket and a cooling system in thermal communication with the ice storage bucket is shown. A first transmitter is configured in the ice storage bucket. A first pulse signal is transmitted from the first transmitter. A first receiver is configured in the ice storage bucket and is further configured to receive the first pulse signal. A first pre-signal response from the first receiver is generated before the first pulse signal. A first pulse signal response from the first receiver generated during the first pulse signal.

Abstract: Provided is an ice dispensing apparatus. The ice dispenser discharges a predetermined number of ice pieces at a time, and thus malfunctioning or errors caused by bottleneck condition can be prevented. Furthermore, inside a case of the ice dispenser, pieces of ice can be effectively prevented from sticking to each other in a simple way, and thus the reliability of products can be increased. The ice dispensing apparatus includes a case, a driving unit, and a regulator. The case includes an inlet receiving ice and an outlet discharging ice. The driving unit is disposed inside or outside the case. The regulator is disposed in the case at a predetermined side and rotatable by the driving unit. The regulator includes a spiral blade having a predetermined blade interval. A predetermined number of pieces of ice are guided by rotation of the spiral blade to the outlet of the case.

Abstract: A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.

Abstract: Disclosed related to a door for a refrigerator may include an outer door forming the front exterior; a cap decoration formed at the upper and lower sides of the outer door; a water pipe drawn into the door through the cap decoration and through which water flows; and a fixing member on which a depression part fixing the water pipe is formed.

Abstract: Provided are an ice bank fixation device for a refrigerator, and a refrigerator including the ice bank fixation device. The ice bank fixation device includes a first coupling part disposed at an ice bank and a second coupling part. The second coupling part is configured to keep the ice bank at a position attached to a backside of a refrigerator door by an interlocking motion with the second coupling part.

Abstract: A refrigerator having an insulated cabinet and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet having an exterior face including a dispenser cavity. An ice maker in the refrigerated storage space is arranged to make and harvest ice pieces. An ice delivery system on the inside of the door dispenses ice pieces into a dispenser cavity in the exterior face of the door. The ice delivery system can include an ice bin including a generally open top and having a bottom opening pivotally mounted on a horizontal axis below the ice maker. The ice can receive ice pieces harvested by the ice maker and discharge ice pieces through the bottom opening and the ice delivery system in a first position. The ice bin can tilt out to permit access to ice pieces, and can be removed from the ice delivery system, in a second position when the door is open.

Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice dispenser, which comprises: a basket installed inside a door of the refrigerator; a home bar door installed at the door and configured to open/close the basket; an ice dispenser located at an upper portion of the basket; an ice container configured to store pieces of ice to be supplied to the ice dispenser; and a switching unit configured to switch on or off the operation of the ice dispenser. Hence, since a home bar door of a home bar having an ice dispenser therein is maintained in a state of completely closing the home bar, such home bar can serve as a storage for storing goods. Also, pieces of ice can be ejected by simply pressing a dispenser lever, other than extending the ice container, resulting in an increase in convenience of use.

Abstract: An ice bank of a refrigerator is provided. The ice bank includes an ice accommodation chamber storing ice pieces made by an ice maker, and an ice pressing unit circulating the ice pieces by pressing the ice pieces for preventing sticking of the ice pieces in the ice accommodation chamber.

Abstract: Provided are an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same. An ice maker is mounted on a rear side of a door. Flooding of water stored in an ice tray is prevented by a tray cover. Also, an ice bank storing ice made from the ice maker is taken in and out through a home bar provided to the door. Therefore, reduction in the storage capacity of the refrigerator is minimized, and simultaneously, the ice can be easily taken out.

Abstract: An ice bank for a refrigerator, comprises: an ice bank body having an ice-crushing unit and a discharging passage; and a mode conversion apparatus disposed in the ice bank body for guiding ice cubes to the ice-crushing unit, or guiding the ice cubes to the discharging passage for discharge in a non-crushed state, wherein the mode conversion apparatus comprises: a guide member rotatably disposed in the ice bank body for guiding ice cubes to the ice-crushing unit, or to the discharging passage for discharge in a non-crushed state; an elastic member for elastically supporting the guide member; and a driving unit for generating a driving force so as to rotate the guide member. Accordingly, ice cubes can be dispensed in a non-crushed state or in a crushed state, and limitations in installation places of the ice bank can be reduced.

Abstract: Provided is an ice-making assembly of a refrigerator. A tray is removable from a frame to improve cleaning of the tray.

Abstract: An ice bank of a refrigerator is provided. The ice bank includes an ice accommodation chamber storing ice pieces made by an ice maker, and an ice pressing unit circulating the ice pieces by pressing the ice pieces for preventing sticking of the ice pieces in the ice accommodation chamber.

Abstract: The present invention provides a single serve beverage machine for brewing beverages, comprising liquid supply means; a heater (18) for heating liquid; a brewing chamber (20) capable of receiving liquid and capable of accommodating ingredients in the form of single serve portions (22), wherein the ingredients are to he brewed or mixed with liquid in order to extract a beverage; and cooling means adapted for selectively cooling the beverage. This single serve beverage machine can produce iced beverages made based on freshly brewed concentrate.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice dispenser, a discharge chute, and a cover for the discharge chute. A flat portion of the cover conforms to the discharge chute, the flat portion being flexible to a flexed position to actuate a switch and thereby operate the ice dispenser such that ice is discharged into the discharge chute.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body that includes a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, a door that selectively shields the refrigerating chamber, and an ice making unit that produces ice. An ice storage unit is provided at the door and stores ice produced in the ice making unit. The ice storage unit includes a housing, a storage basket that is removably coupled to the housing and that stores ice removed from the ice making unit to the ice storage unit, and a sensing apparatus that is provided at the housing and senses attachment or detachment of the storage basket. A controller controls transfer of ice produced by the ice making unit to the storage basket based on output from the sensing apparatus that indicates attachment or detachment of the storage basket.

Abstract: An ice making system for a refrigerator, comprises: a base member; an icemaker mounted to a front surface of the base member for making ice pieces; a driving unit mounted to a rear surface of the base member such that a motor shaft thereof is in a horizontal state; an ice bank horizontally inserted into the base member in a detachable manner, for storing the ice pieces made by the icemaker; a detachable mounting unit for detachably mounting the ice bank to the base member; and an ice crusher assembly provided at the ice bank so as to be connected to or separated from the driving unit, for crushing the ice pieces. Since the ice bank has only to be horizontally pushed into the base member for coupling, or horizontally pulled out of the base member for separation, processes for coupling or separating the ice bank to/from the base member are facilitated. This prevents the ice pieces stored in the ice bank from being discharged out of the ice bank.

Abstract: A portable cooler including a sealable outer container, and a sealable inner container situated within the outer container. A first thermoelectric cooling device having a cooling panel and a heating panel is mounted on the wall of the outer container such that the cooling panel faces the interior of the sealable outer container and the heating panel faces outside of said sealable outer container. A second thermoelectric cooling device, also having a cooling panel and a heating panel, is mounted on the wall of the internal container such that the cooling panel faces the interior of the inner container and the heating panel faces outside of the sealable inner container into the interior of said sealable outer container.

Abstract: An apparatus for producing beverages. The apparatus comprises a dispensing system, a mixing unit, and a control unit comprising a user interface, which interact to prepare a particular beverage when requested by a user. When the control unit receives user input requesting the particular beverage via the user interface, it causes the dispensing system to dispense various ingredients (e.g., fragmented ice, water, flavoring ingredients, milk product) that are mixed by the mixing unit in order to prepare the particular beverage, which is served in a cup. In various embodiments, the apparatus may produce frozen beverages that include fragmented ice (e.g., shaved or crushed ice) as one of their ingredients, such as slush beverages and smoothie beverages, and/or hot beverages that include heated water as one of their ingredients, such as coffee and flavored coffee beverages (e.g., French Vanilla, Mocha, etc.).

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice-making device for a refrigerator. The ice-making device of the present invention comprises a water tank detachably installed to a rear surface of a refrigerator door for selectively opening or closing a storage space, first and second ice trays rotatably installed to the rear surface of the door to make ice using water supplied from the water tank, and an ice bank installed to the rear surface of the door to store therein the ice made in the first and second ice trays. According to the present invention, ice can be more simply and easily taken out while minimizing the leakage of cold air circulating in the storage space. Further, ice can be stored in a more sanitary way while minimizing the contamination of the storage space in the process of making ice.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including a main body cabinet forming a storage compartment; a door operable to open and close the storage compartment; an ice tray provided in the door and capable of making ice cubes; and an ice storage container receiving the ice cubes made by the ice tray, and having an ice outlet formed in a lower part thereof and a rear wall surface forming an angle of inclination with respect to a level surface.

Abstract: A storage container of a storage container for a refrigerator, which is configured to mount the storage container for storing articles therein to a storage container seating portion formed in a rear surface of a refrigerator door by using a mounting protrusion and locking mechanism provided on the storage container and a mounting groove and catching protrusion provided on the storage container seating portion.

Abstract: An ice dispensing system includes a rotatable barrel (3) having an opening (4); an input chute (2) having a first end coupled to an ice making machine (1) and a second end in communication with the opening (4) when the barrel is in a first position; an output chute (14) in communication with the opening (4) when the barrel (3) is in a second position; a containment system (12) positioned around a portion of the body of the barrel (3); and a drive system (5) coupled to the barrel (3) for rotating the barrel (3). The opening (4) has a geometry and size (15) that directs the ice and captures a regulated amount of the ice during rotation between the first position and the second position. The regulated amount of ice is then dispensed into the output chute (14) when the barrel (3) reaches the second position.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a refrigerator which can precisely adjust and display not only an ice making and storing amount but also an ice dispensing amount. As an ice level sensing unit provided at an ice storage unit for storing ice senses the ice storage amount by light, it is possible to adjust and display the ice storage amount. Moreover, as an ice sensing unit provided at an ice guide unit for dispensing ice senses the ice dispensing amount by light, it is possible to adjust and display the ice dispensing amount.

Abstract: An ice level detection structure for ice makers is located on an ice maker to detect the ice level of ice cubes actually stored in an ice trough. It includes a detection rack located above the ice trough. The ice maker has a motor and a transmission means to transmit the detection rack. Through mechanical transmission the detection rack can accurately judge the ice level of the ice cubes actually stored in the ice trough.

Abstract: A gear mechanism may include a first gear for operating a first drive object a second gear for operating a second drive object in cooperation with the first drive object and a third gear connected with a drive source. The second gear may include a small gear part engaged with the first gear, and a large gear part engaged with the third gear. An end face of the second gear on the large gear part side may be formed with a flange part and the flange part is formed with a cutout part for allowing the large gear part to engage with the third gear. The gear mechanism may be preferably applied to an ice making device. An assembling method for the gear mechanism may utilize a previously formed mark part on the first gear for determining a position in a circumferential direction of the first gear with respect to the case body and a previously formed positioning recessed part in the small gear part of the second gear so that a positioning pin is capable of being engaged with the positioning recessed part.

Abstract: An ice supplier includes an ice maker configured to make ice, a case configured to store ice made by the ice maker, a sensing unit configured to sense a quantity of ice stored in the case, and a controller configured to control the ice maker according to a result of sensing from the sensing unit.

Abstract: A weighing type ice vending machine includes an ice cube formation device installed in a machine body for supplying a specific weight of ice cubes after coins are inputted, and a body composed of a storage bucket, an output device, a weight sensing module and a control loop. Pure water is put into an ice tray in the machine body and condensed into ice cubes which are gathered into a storage bucket for a cold storage. A user puts a user's container on a weighing scale of the weight sensing module at an outlet of the machine body outlet and inserts coins whose dollar amount information is displayed. The quantity of outputted ice cubes is calculated and outputted automatically, and then the ice supply is stopped. The quantity of remained ice cubes in the machine body is recorded automatically, such that the ice cube will be produced again timely and the supply of ice cubes will be stopped temporarily.

Abstract: Refrigerator with an icemaker including a cabinet having a mullion wall for compartmentalization of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, a case provided to a door on the refrigerating chamber, having a cavity therein, a first duct for supplying cold air from a neighborhood of an evaporator in the freezing chamber to the cavity, the icemaker in the cavity for producing ice, an ice container in the cavity for storing the ice, and a dispenser in the door in communication with the cavity, thereby having ice supplied to a user at an outside of the refrigerator through a dispenser provided to the door.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a control apparatus for taking out ice of a refrigerator and a method thereof. The present invention includes an input unit for inputting the amount of ice to be taken out; and a taking-out unit for taking out the ice corresponding to the amount inputted to the input unit.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an icemaker of a refrigerator including an ice dispersing unit to disperse ice for uniform distribution of ice in an ice making container. The icemaker includes an ice making unit to make ice, and an ice making container to receive ice separated from the ice making unit. The icemaker further includes an ice dispersing unit arranged between the ice making unit and the ice making container. The ice dispersing unit serves to guide the ice moving from the ice making unit to the ice making container, to assure uniform distribution of the ice in the ice making container.

Abstract: An ice making system for a refrigerator is provided. The ice making system includes an ice maker body, an ejector rotatably coupled to the ice maker body that drops ice pieces made by the ice maker body, an ice bank drawably disposed below the ice maker body that stores the ice pieces dropped by the ejector, an ice sensing lever that senses an amount of the ice pieces stored in the ice bank, a lever holding device that elastically supports and couples the ice sensing lever, and a driving force transmitting device that transmits a rotation force received from the ejector to the lever holding device, thereby rotating the lever holding device. The ice sensing lever may move within a predetermined range when an external force is applied to the ice sensing lever.