Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice maker arranged in an interior compartment, and an illuminant integrated into a housing of the ice maker that illuminates a part of the interior compartment above the ice maker.

Abstract: The refrigerator includes a main body forming the external appearance of the refrigerator, a freezing chamber and a cooling chamber divisionally provided in the main body, an ice making chamber separately provided in the cooling chamber to be thermally insulated, a first ice making unit provided in the ice making chamber to produce ice, and a second ice making unit provided in the freezing chamber to produce ice.

Abstract: An ice dispenser having a safety apparatus is disclosed. The ice dispenser includes a bin for storing ice to be dispensed; a chute in communication with the bin; a device for at least one of crushing the ice and moving the ice from the bin to the chute; a controller for activating the device in response to a dispensing signal; and a safety apparatus configured to determine a presence of an object in the chute and to provide an indication responsive to the determined presence to the controller. The controller deactivates the device after receiving the indication. A refrigerator incorporating such an ice dispenser is also disclosed.

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: An ice storage capacity can adjusted according to a needed amount of ice, and a user can obtain a required amount of the ice to increase the user's convenience. For this, an ice bank is provided. The ice bank includes an external case and an internal case. The internal case is disposed inside the external case and includes an interior space in communication with an interior space of the external case. One of the external case and the internal case overlappingly moves toward the other case to vary an ice storage capacity.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting quality of ice cubes in an ice cube storage bin. The system includes a digital image capture device coupled to a digital image analyzing system which captures digital images of the ice cube storage bin intermittently. The digital images are processed to determine a centroid of the ice mass within the bin, and the centroid is analyzed to determine whether it is located outside a predetermined acceptable boundary. A centroid outside of the acceptable range indicates an ice clumping situation. Additionally, the digital images are analyzed to determine whether ice cubes are smaller than a predetermined minimal acceptable size in order to detect stale ice. The level of ice in the bin can also be determined from the images. Notifications for clumping, stale and/or low level ice are sent to a user interface.

Abstract: A refrigeration device is provided that includes a housing enclosing an interior and an ice reservoir, arranged in the interior, having an output opening and accommodating a stirrer. The ice reservoir can be pivoted between two positions that are different with respect to the height of the output opening.

Abstract: Provided are an ice maker and a refrigerator including the same. The ice maker for making ice is provided on a rear side of a refrigerator door A tray cover, a water flood prevention rib, and a rotation guide are provided to prevent flooding of water stored in an ice tray forming the ice maker while the refrigerator door is opened/closed. According to the ice maker and the refrigerator, reduction in a storage capacity of the refrigerator is prevented, flooding of water for making ice is prevented, and the ice maker can be more easily used.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are an ice maker and method including an ice container to store ice, and a refrigerator having the same. The ice maker includes an ice making unit that receives water and produces ice from the water, a first ice container that receives the ice separated from the ice making unit, and an ice forwarding unit disposed at one side of the first ice container to guide the ice to be discharged to the outside.

Abstract: A refrigerator s provided that includes a cooling chamber and an ice maker arranged in the cooling chamber. The ice maker is equipped with an ice container for accommodating the prepared ice. The ice container has a water-draining surface configured for draining water from the prepared ice.

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: An ice distribution device for delivering ice to an ice retaining unit is provided, whereby a nozzle of the distribution device is adapted to be rotated in an eccentric rotation when installed at an upper end of an ice retaining unit, such that, when it is rotated about its axis, forces acting inside an eccentrically mounted nozzle will produce both axial and lateral components, with the lateral components of force providing a controlled “wobble”, that will deliver a substantially uniform distribution of ice within the retaining unit. A sensing device, which may be ultrasonic, mechanical or some other means, may be used to sense the level of build-up of ice within a retaining unit, for discontinuing the flow of ice to the distribution device, or diverting it to another ice retaining unit, as may be desired. The distribution and sensing devices are mounted on a top wall of the ice retaining unit and are adapted to accommodate top walls of such units of various thicknesses.

Abstract: A tabletop cooling device has a housing that contains an ice storage chamber with hinged cover. Adjacent to the ice storage chamber is a chiller that also has a hinged cover. An ice maker is container within the ice storage chamber to produce ice. A water storage tank is provided to supply water to the ice maker. The chiller contains a removable cage that holds cans or bottles of liquid refreshments. The chiller holds water and ice to bathe the cage in a low temperature slurry. A compressor, condenser and associated components are used to produce the low temperatures needed to produce the ice. In another embodiment, solid state thermoelectric modules take the place of the compressor, etc. The ice storage chamber and chiller are insulated with a high R rated insulation. Rotation is controlled by a control panel which can also monitor temperature, etc.

Abstract: The present invention is characterized in that an ice maker is installed at a refrigerating chamber, an ice bank is installed at a door for a refrigerating chamber, and a cooling air duct extended along a wall surface of the refrigerating chamber is positioned on an upper side of the ice bank so that a phenomenon that ice stored in the inside of an ice bank sticks to each other due to the melting of ice can be prevented.

Abstract: An ice reservoir container for a refrigerator is provided and includes a reservoir chamber which has a base that slopes along a first vertical section plane towards an outlet opening. The gradient of the base decreases along the section plane as the distance from the outlet opening increases.

Abstract: An air conditioner according to embodiments of the present disclosure has a container for storing ice surrounded by a cold accumulating member, so that when the container is provided in the refrigeration compartment, ice stored inside the container will not melt and stick together.

Abstract: An ice making device may include an ice tray for producing ice pieces, an ice storage part for storing the ice pieces, an ice discharging device for discharging the ice pieces from the ice tray to the ice storage part, an ice detecting lever having an ice abutting part for abutting with the ice pieces stored in the ice storage part, an ice detecting lever drive mechanism for driving the ice detecting lever toward the ice storage part, and a case body within which a drive source for the ice detecting lever drive mechanism is provided. The ice detecting lever drive mechanism may include a turning output member which transmits a rotational drive force of the drive source to an outer side of the case body, and a turning-linear conversion mechanism which is arranged on the outer side of the case body to convert turning of the turning output member into reciprocated linear-motion that is transmitted to the ice detecting lever.

Abstract: An ice dispenser including a storage compartment for ice cubes having a dispensing opening through which ice cubes can exit; and a slider movable over the dispensing opening along a predefined path, the slider including a first set of fingers and a module having a second set of fingers, with the first set of fingers being formed with at least two axially interspaced fingers delimiting therebetween an intermediate space, and during movement of the slider on the predefined path, a finger of the second set of fingers passes through the intermediate space, the module of the slider being movable between a partial covering position in which the module partially covers the dispensing opening and a release position in which the module does not cover the dispensing opening to the same extent as it covers the dispensing opening in its partial covering position.

Abstract: In the related art refrigerator, its structure for supplying water to a dispenser and water tank was complicated. In addition, since an icemaker is installed in a refrigerating chamber of the refrigerator, there is a problem in that the water supplied into the icemaker is frozen. Furthermore, if the icemaker is installed in the freezing chamber of the refrigerator in which the refrigerating chamber is formed at a lower portion thereof and a refrigerating chamber is formed at an upper portion thereof, there is another problem in that it is difficult to control the temperature in the refrigerating chamber or ice-making capability of the icemaker is lowered. The present invention is directed to a refrigerator.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a sensing system for detecting multiple physical characteristics of ice cubes in an ice cube storage bin. The system includes a digital image capture device coupled to a digital image analyzing system which captures digital images of the ice cube storage bin intermittently and compares the images to detect the presence of ice clumps. In addition, the digital image analyzing system evaluates the edges, ice size and/or image intensity of the ice cubes in the images in order to determine the presence of stale ice. An algorithm is utilized to estimate the volume of ice within the bin based on the number of pixels in an ice bin image, the number of pixels of the ice within the bin, and a known volume of the ice bin. Notifications for clumped ice, stale ice and ice volume within the bin are sent to a user interface.

Abstract: An ice dispenser includes an ice storage bin with a drive shaft aperture and an ice dispensing aperture; an ice dispensing chute connected to the storage bin in proximity to the ice dispensing aperture; a paddlewheel inside the storage bin; and a drive mechanism, including a drive shaft passing through the drive shaft aperture, for rotation of the paddlewheel. The drive shaft is connected to the paddlewheel in such a fashion that the paddlewheel is prevented from disengaging from the drive shaft during normal operation of the ice dispensing apparatus, but the drive shaft can be disengaged from the paddlewheel in order to be able to remove the drive mechanism from the ice dispenser without accessing the ice storage bin. The paddlewheel may be molded plastic, and include a rigid coupler molded into the paddlewheel having first and second axial openings at opposite ends for receiving the drive shaft and the agitator shaft.

Abstract: An icemaker assembly disposed within a refrigerator is configured for continuous freezing of water and continuous harvesting of ice. The icemaker assembly includes a rotating ice mold having a plurality of ice forming compartments. A water distributor is operably disposed above the ice mold for supplying water individually to each of the plurality of ice forming compartments. The water distributor supplies the water at a flow rate which is dependent on a rotational speed of the ice mold. The rotating ice mold is rotatable such that each ice forming compartment is movable to a first position for receiving water from the water distributor and movable to a second position for harvesting ice. At the first position, each ice forming compartment is at a first temperature for rapidly freezing the water received from the water distributor. At the second position, each ice forming compartment is at a second, higher temperature for releasing the ice therein.

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 is directed to a refrigerator. According to an aspect of the present invention for solving the above problems, there is provided a refrigerator including a refrigerating chamber formed at a relatively upper portion of a refrigerator body and a freezing chamber formed at a relatively lower portion of the refrigerator body, which comprises an ice-making chamber which is partitioned in the refrigerating chamber by means of insulating walls and includes an icemaker for making ice and an ice storage for storing the ice made in the icemaker, a first heat exchanger for generating cold air to regulate the temperature in the ice-making chamber, and a second heat exchanger for generating cold air to regulate the temperature in the freezing and refrigerating chambers, wherein the first and second heat exchanger are components of a heat exchange cycle.

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: An automatic ice maker for f a refrigerator freezer door having an elongated mold including a first edge, a second edge and a fill trough extending along the second edge above the mold. The fill trough has at least one opening for water to flow into the mold from the fill trough. The fill trough has a first side wall extending above the mold, a bottom wall extending from the first side wall away from the mold and a second side wall spaced from the first side wall and extending upwardly from the bottom wall higher than the first side wall. The mold includes a first end wall and a second end wall that extends above the second edge. The fill trough and the second end wall direct water back into the mold when the insulated door is moved abruptly with water present in the mold.

Abstract: Disclosed is a dispenser of an icemaker in a refrigerator for maximizing an inner space when a total size is the same, and for minimizing the total size when the inner space is the same. The dispenser of the icemaker in the refrigerator includes an ice chute being a passage through which the ice produced from the icemaker is discharged; and a container supporter provided at an outer case and disposed to be perpendicular to an outer surface of the outer case when the ice is discharged outside through the ice chute, the contain supporter allowing a container seated thereon to receive the ice discharged from the ice chute. The ice chute is closed and not exposed outside when the ice-discharging process is finished, and the container supporter is not exposed to the outer surface of the outer case.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet having a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment. There is a fresh food compartment door for providing access to the fresh food compartment and an ice compartment mounted at the fresh food compartment door. A cold plate is mounted within the fresh food compartment and adapted for cooling the ice compartment when the fresh food compartment door is in a closed position.

Abstract: In accordance with an aspect of the disclosure, there is provided an ice service refrigerator comprising an ice maker and a food preservation compartment containing an evaporator. The ice maker includes a mold, an ejector for discharging ice pieces from the mold and a controller for periodically initiating operation of the ice maker through an ice making cycle and an ice harvesting cycle. The refrigerator further comprises a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, a conduit flow line, a first valve, a second valve, an ice maker coil, a first cap tube, a second cap tube, and at least one evaporator connected in selectively closed series flow relationship. The ice maker coil is attached to the ice maker mold and includes a heat exchange relationship with the ice maker mold.

Abstract: An ice supplying apparatus 100, being provided in a refrigerator 1, comprises: an ice maker unit 22, which is configured to supply ice pieces produced therein to an outside of a freezer room door; an ice storage unit 110, which is configured to store the ice pieces produced by the ice maker unit; an ice discharger unit 112, which is provided within the ice storage unit to discharge the ice pieces below; and a shrinking portion 111, which is provided in the ice storage unit and defines an interior space thereof as small as it goes down, through building up a lower surface 113, among interior surfaces defining that interior space 301 of the ice storage unit 110, for supporting the ice pieces stored therein from a lower potion thereof, by a surface inclining to a horizontal direction, wherein the ice discharger unit 112 is disposed in a lower portion of the shrinking portion 111.

Abstract: According to one aspect, there is provided a refrigerator including a refrigerating chamber formed at a relatively upper portion of a refrigerator body and a freezing chamber formed at a relatively lower portion of the refrigerator body, which comprises an ice-making chamber which is partitioned in the refrigerating chamber by insulating walls and includes an icemaker for making ice and an ice storage for storing the ice made in the icemaker. The temperature in the refrigerating chamber can be accurately controlled, the loss of cold air can be minimized and the structures for supplying water into the icemaker and the dispenser can be simplified.

Abstract: An under the counter ice making machine having a top opposite a bottom, a front opposite a back, and two sides that collectively define an interior. A casing defines exterior-most surfaces of the ice machine. An ice bin is mounted inside the casing of the device, wherein a compressor is mounted inside the ice machine and below the ice bin and an evaporator assembly is mounted inside the casing and above the ice bin. A gear motor is operably connected to the evaporator assembly and is also mounted above the ice bin.

Abstract: An adapter for mounting an icemaker on top of an ice bin of an ice and beverage dispenser has a lid mounted for both sliding movement and pivotal movement relative to the remainder of the adapter. The lid normally covers an inlet to the ice bin. To expose the ice bin inlet for visually inspection of the interior of the bin and/or to accommodate manual filling of the bin with ice, the lid is manually slid forward off of and then be rotated away from the bin inlet to fully expose the inlet. The lid at all times remains connected to the adapter so that it is not lost or exposed to unsanitary conditions.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a first storage compartment defining a first interior volume. A first evaporator is disposed in a first evaporator compartment and is configured to provide cool air to the first interior volume. A second storage compartment defines a second interior volume, the second interior volume configured to be cooled by cool air received from the first interior volume. A door is positionable to permit and prohibit access to the second interior volume through a front of the second interior volume. A third interior volume is defined in an interior of the door. A second evaporator is disposed in a second evaporator compartment and is configured to provide cool air to the third interior volume. An air flow channel extends from the second evaporator compartment to the third interior volume. A fan is disposed in the third interior volume. A mold is disposed in the third interior volume and is configured to receive water and to retain the water during cooling of the water.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance is provided with a freezer compartment accessible through an openable door, the freezer compartment extending between two side walls. An ice bin is slidably mounted in the freezer compartment occupying a width of the freezer compartment, less than a full width between the two side walls. A food storage compartment is slidably mounted in the freezer compartment with at least a portion horizontally adjacent to the ice bin, and slidable independently of the ice bin. A non-contact ice level sensing apparatus having an emitter component and a receiver component is provided, with one of the components mounted between the ice bin and the food storage compartment and the other of the components mounted on an opposite side of the ice bin from the food storage compartment.

Abstract: An ice detecting apparatus for an ice maker provided in a refrigerator includes an ice maker, and an ice detecting sensor attached to the ice maker and detecting an amount of ice collected in an ice container. The ice detecting sensor includes at least one optical transmitter or emitter provided on one side of the ice maker and at least one receiver at another side of the ice maker. The optical transmitter and receiver are separated by a prescribed distance and, at least one heater is provided to generate heat to be transferred to at least one of the optical transmitter or receiver.

Abstract: An ice detecting apparatus of an ice maker disposed to make ice in a refrigerator includes an ice maker and an ice detecting sensor to detect an ice-full state of ice discharged from the ice maker. The ice detecting sensor may be disposed at the ice maker. The ice detecting sensor may also be heated by a heater.

Abstract: An icemaker including an icemaker control module comprises components including an insert molded circuit board assembly, a motor assembly, an ice level sensing system using a bail arm or a paddle, and a water fill system. Lance features in the circuit board connect switch and motor leads. The thermostat, ground member, and heater of the icemaker electrically couple to the insert molded circuit board when the icemaker control module is joined to the ice maker. Energy may be conserved by pausing rotation and turning off the heater.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus for the making and crushing of ice cubes in a refrigerator unit and/or freezer unit having a manufacturing unit for the making of ice cubes as well as having a crusher for the crushing of the ice cubes made in the manufacturing unit, with the manufacturing unit and the crusher being arranged in a common assembly.

Abstract: There is provided a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes an icemaker for making and discharging ice, an ice bank for storing the ice discharged from the icemaker, an ice discharge duct for discharging the ice stored in the ice bank to the dispenser, and an approaching prevention unit that is disposed in the ice discharge duct to prevent a user from approaching the ice bank through the dispenser.

Abstract: An ice cube catcher is disclosed for positioning on a door of a refrigerator to catch ice cubes dispensed from an in-door dispenser. The catcher may include a body having a sloped portion and a pair of sidewalls. The sloped portion may include a top and a bottom edge and a pair of ends. The sidewalls may be positioned at each end of the sloped portion and include a flange portion. These flange portions may have a fastener that may operable to secure the body to a refrigerator door. Finally, a water retention portion such as ridge or damn or groove be provided proximate the bottom edge of the sloped portion to retain water from melting ice within the body of the catcher.

Abstract: Provided is an ice bank joint. The ice bank joint swiftly delivers rotational force from a motor to a transferring shaft installed inside an ice bank performing a function of transferring ice received inside the ice bank. The ice bank joint includes a plate portion and a reinforcing member. The plate portion has a driving part bent on at least one position, and the reinforcing member has a support part protruding from a position corresponding to the driving part to contact the driving part, thereby reinforcing the plate portion.

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 focm 8od 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: This disclosure is related to software that responds to consumer usage patterns in order to create more ice. The developed software monitors ice dispenses rather they are crushed or cubed. When a threshold of the number of dispenses within the preset time period has been met, the freezer enters a high demand mode. During high demand mode, the freezer is commanded to run at a colder temperature for a preset period of time. The method described in this disclosure includes setting a threshold for the number of dispenses within a time interval and detecting the number of dispenses that are related to a trigger's activation. The method continues with sending a signal when the number of dispenses surpasses the threshold within the time interval and taking a corrective action that increases the production of ice when the signal is received.

Abstract: A door assembly for an appliance includes a door having an interior side and an exterior side. The door is operable between an open position and a closed position. An ice maker is adjacent to the interior side of the door when the door is in the closed position. A frame defines an aperture extending from the interior side to the exterior side. An ice bucket is disposed in the aperture and is operable between a lowered position, wherein a reservoir portion of the bucket is accessible when the door is closed, and a raised position, wherein the reservoir portion of the bucket is inaccessible when the door is closed. An ice dispenser is disposed below the ice bucket.

Abstract: A solid xylylenediamine solidified in a container is extremely excellent in storage stability as compared with a liquid xylylenediamine, and is less degraded by discoloration even when stored in an atmosphere containing oxygen. By charging a liquid xylylenediamine into a container, solidifying the liquid xylylenediamine into a solid xylylenediamine in the container under cooling without delay after the charging, and storing the solid xylylenediamine in the container while maintaining the xylylenediamine in a solid state, the xylylenediamine is stored for a long period of time without causing deterioration of quality such as discoloration.

Abstract: A variable ice storage assembly for a refrigerator includes a storage cavity adapted to receive ice from an ice maker. The storage assembly is positioned between a light emitter and a receiver of an ice level sensor. The storage assembly can be utilized in a non-reflecting configuration wherein the ice level sensor functions in a standard manner, or a reflecting configuration wherein the sensing level is effectively lowered within the storage assembly. In the reflecting configuration, first and second mirrored inserts, supported by respective insert portions on the storage assembly, cooperate with first and second reflecting plates on the storage assembly to redirect light from the emitter in a circuitous path. A user may position the mirrored inserts at various angles, depending on the level of ice desired within the storage assembly. The storage assembly may be utilized alone, or as in insert within an ice bucket.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a spout pouch ice cream and frozen yogurt manufacturing method and a device capable of injecting ice cream after an overrun process through a narrow drinking tube of the spout pouch. In accordance with the present invention, the ice cream or the frozen yogurt can be injected into the inner diameter (8 to 9 mm) of the drinking tube of the spout pouch. Accordingly, it is possible to manufacture the spout pouch type of ice cream or frozen yogurt that can have the advantages of the spout pouch and enjoy the natural taste of ice cream or frozen yogurt.

Abstract: An ice maker comprises a tray, which has at least one automatically emptiable compartment for moulding a piece of ice, a storage chamber (50) for receiving pieces of ice produced in the compartment and a sensor (57, 59) for detecting the presence of pieces of ice in the storage chamber (50). The sensor (57, 59) comprises a transmitter (57) and a receiver (59) for a detection beam.

Abstract: An ice harvesting storage vessel (10) having an outer structural shell and insulated to maintain a frozen environment for ice filled containers (11) in a subterranean environment. The intake vent damper (16) opens during natural climatic sub-zero temperatures via temperature sensors (24,25) allowing cold air to flow into said vessel. The exhaust vent damper (17) operates in conjunction with the intake damper to allow warmer internal air to exit the vessel. Thermal sensors in conjunction with a thermostat control module close the vent dampers when external atmospheric temperatures exceed internal vessel temperatures. In addition, refrigerant line (22,23) circulate an antifreeze fluid via pump (30) throughout the vessel transferring cold temperatures to a heat transfer medium or antifreeze fluid for transfer to an adjacent facility or point of use.