With Product Receiving And Storing Means Patents (Class 62/344)
  • Publication number: 20090193819
    Abstract: A pre-chiller for an ice making system. The pre-chiller provides a coiled conductive tube mounted in an ice storage bin. Water flows through the tube and is chilled by the tube that is cold as a result of heat exchange from the ice in the ice storage bin. This chilled water is then delivered to the water inlet of the refrigeration system. The lower temperature of the chilled water compared to the typical ambient temperature of the water delivered to the refrigeration system lowers the power consumption of the refrigeration system and increases its efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 31, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventor: David E. Martin
  • Publication number: 20090193832
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerator, in which cold-storage (1) and freezer rooms (2) are situated at upper and lower parts, respectively, in which ice made at the freezer room (2) of the lower part is dispensed at the cold-storage room (1) of the upper part, and by which a user can pick up the ice without bending over to enhance user's convenience. The present invention includes a body (B) having a cold-storage room (1) provided to an upper part and a freezer room (2) provided to a lower part, an ice maker (400) provided to the freezer room to make ice, an ice bank (600) receiving the ice made by the ice maker, and a transport mechanism sending the ice discharged from the ice bank (600) toward the cold-storage room (1) via an ice transport passage (200a, 300). Therefore, the present invention sufficiently secures the spaces of the cold-storage and freezer rooms to raise spatial efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Myung Ryul Lee, Seung Hwan Oh
  • Publication number: 20090178428
    Abstract: An ice making unit taking the form of a kit separably installed in a freezing compartment of a refrigerator. The ice making unit includes a water supply tank to supply water, an ice making case defining an external appearance of the ice making unit, the ice making case being formed, at an upper portion of a front surface thereof, with a water supply tank installation hole to allow the water supply tank to be slidably installed therethrough, at least one ice making tray installed in the ice making case to receive the water supplied from the water supply tank, and an ice separating device to separate ice from the ice making tray, and the water supply tank is coupled to or separated from the ice making case via forward and rearward sliding movement thereof. Supply of water into the ice making unit can be accomplished via simple coupling or separation of the water supply tank, resulting in convenient use of the ice making unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 14, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Young Jin Cho, Seak Haeng Park, Jae Seung Lee, Eui Young Chang, Hyo Sik Kang, Bu Kil Jeong
  • Publication number: 20090178429
    Abstract: A refrigerator door is provided. The refrigerator door has an outer case forming a shape of the refrigerator door, an inner case provided within the outer case to configure a backside of the refrigerator door wherein a space between the inner case and the outer case is charged with a foaming liquid, an ice making unit provided to one side of the inner case to make ice, a fixing unit provided to the space charged with the foaming liquid between the inner case and the outer case and fixing the ice making unit to the refrigerator door, and a dispenser provided to one side of the outer case to discharge the ice supplied by the ice making unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2009
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventors: Bok Dong LEE, Seung Mok LEE, Sam Kyu PARK
  • Publication number: 20090173084
    Abstract: The invention relates to a storing device for ice chunks that includes a receiving compartment for receiving therein ice chunks and a movable stirrer for effecting displacement of ice chunks received in the receiving compartment. The movable stirrer extends in the receiving compartment and rotates about a stirrer axis with the movable stirrer being disposed relative to the receiving compartment such that its stirrer axis extends through two surfaces of the receiving compartment. The movable stirrer is drivable in a stirring movement in a manner such that the movable stirrer effects displacement of the ice chunks with a substantial portion of the ice chunks not be advanced in a either a direction toward one of the two surfaces through which the stirrer axis extends of the other of the two surfaces through which the stirrer axis extends.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 4, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Bernd Heger, Helen Lewis, Craig Duncan Webster, Nathan Wrench
  • Publication number: 20090173098
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice-making device for a refrigerator. The present invention provides an ice-making device for a refrigerator including a main body having a storage space and a door selectively opening or closing the storage space. The ice-making device comprises an ice maker installed on a backside of the door and making ice; a cold air duct provided in one side of the storage space and supplying the ice maker with a portion of cold air supplied to the storage space; an ice maker cover detachably installed on the backside of the door to selectively open or close the ice maker; and an ice bank detachably installed on the backside of the door below the ice maker, the ice bank storing ice made in the ice maker and transferring it to a dispenser provided on the door. According to the present invention, there is an advantageous in that a storage capacity of a refrigerator can be used to the full extent, and smell of food can be prevented from permeating ice in a process of making ice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 23, 2007
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Myung-Soo Kim, Yoo-Min Park, Oh-Chul Kwon, Jong-Gon Kim, Bon-Young Koo, Young-Hoon Gwak, Hyeon-Po Cho
  • Publication number: 20090173090
    Abstract: A down flow type ice making machine in which an ice storage detector is protected against damage and occurrence of failure can be suppressed. An ice storage bin (12a) for storing ice cubes (M) is defined in an ice storage compartment (12). Upper rear wall (16) of the ice storage compartment (12) is formed of a wall portion (16a) extending vertically, and a wall portion (16b) extending horizontally rearward from the lower end of the vertical wall portion (16a). At an upper portion in the ice storage bin (12a), a down flow ice making unit (18) is arranged while spaced apart by a predetermined interval forward from the vertical wall portion (16a) and ice cubes (M) produced by the ice making unit (18) are stored in the ice storage bin (12a). Below the ice making unit (18), an ice making water tank (32) equipped with a section (32a) for collecting ice making water not used for making ice cubes in the ice making unit (18) is disposed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2006
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Hiroki Yamaguchi, Masaaki Kawasumi, Tomoyuki Sanada, Seiji Kobayashi
  • Publication number: 20090173089
    Abstract: An icemaker for a refrigerator having a cabinet with a refrigerated compartment and an unrefrigerated machine compartment includes a body portion formed with an inlet, an outlet and an opening. A flexible mold is positioned in the opening. A water supply is positioned to provide water to the flexible mold. A fluid supply circuit, including a pump mounted in the machine compartment, a first fluid conduit connected between the pump and the inlet, and a second fluid conduit connected to the outlet, provides warm fluid to the body portion. The icemaker forms ice during an ice production cycle and the fluid warmed in the machine compartment is used to partially melt and aid in releasing the ice which is then deposited in a ice storage bin during a harvest cycle.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2008
    Publication date: July 9, 2009
    Inventors: Douglas David LeClear, Andrew Michael Tenbarge, Guolian Wu, Jon Donald Tromblee
  • Publication number: 20090165492
    Abstract: In accordance with the present disclosure, an icemaker combination assembly is provided and comprises a refrigerator having a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment. The freezer compartment can have a freezer door assembly and the fresh food compartment can have a fresh food door assembly. The icemaker combination further comprises a first icemaker having a first ice cube storage bin disposed within the freezer compartment and a second icemaker having a second ice cube storage bin disposed within the fresh food compartment. The first and second icemakers having a production activation level selected from the group consisting of the first icemaker active only, the second icemaker active only, the first and the second icemakers both active, and the first and the second icemakers both inactive. The first and second icemakers can selectively and simultaneously produce and independently store ice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Mark Wayne Wilson, William T. Moon, Paul Robert Surowiec
  • Publication number: 20090166385
    Abstract: In an embodiment of the present invention, a refrigerator with an ice dispenser is shown. The ice dispenser has a user dispense panel. The user dispense panel comprises a dispense control and an ice outlet. A ice storage compartment defines a first interior volume. An ice chute flow connects the ice storage compartment and the ice outlet. The chute comprises a first end in flow communication with the ice storage compartment and a second end in flow communication with the ice outlet. A member is configured between the first and second ends. The member comprises an interior volume in flow communication with the first and second ends. A flow axis is formed from the first end to the second end. The member has a restriction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Applicant: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew William Davis, Wayne E. Lawson, Russell J. Fallon, Jeffrey Mellinger, Bipin Shaha, William Merritt Nall, Daniel S. Renz, Arun Madhav Talegaonkar, Thomas White, Anthony Ray Brieschke, Aaron Williamson
  • Publication number: 20090165491
    Abstract: An icemaker having a mold comprising at least one cavity and a cooling system. The cooling system has a first heat exchanger configured to have a medium flow there through. The first heat exchanger is in thermal communication with the mold to reduce the temperature of the mold below a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2007
    Publication date: July 2, 2009
    Inventors: Alexander Pinkus Rafalovich, Omar Haidar, Matthew William Davis, Kyzysztof Struminski, Solomon Muthumani, Ronald Scott Tarr, Stephen Bischoff, Alvaro Delgado
  • Patent number: 7552597
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ill-Shin Kim, Seon-Il Yu, Kun-Jun Seok, Yong-Chol Kwon
  • Patent number: 7552594
    Abstract: An insulated ice making compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The ice making 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 ice making 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 ice making compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the ice making compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the ice making 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. The icemaker has improved air impingement to enhance ice making.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Tim L. Coulter, Thomas E. Gose, Steven G. Herndon, James H. Jenkins, Jr., Bill J. Koons, Brent A. Kramer, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Dean A. Martin, Alvin V. Miller, Kevin Lee Noel, Mauro M. Oliveira, Lester J. Ott, Ron S. Paulsen, Chad J. Rotter, David Allen Stauffer, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan M. Welch, Robert L. Wetekamp
  • Patent number: 7549297
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Dean A. Martin, Alvin V. Miller, Scott Timothy Tunzi, Kyle B. Van Meter
  • Publication number: 20090151367
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 30, 2009
    Publication date: June 18, 2009
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Il-Shin KIM, Seon-Il YU, Kun-Jun SEOK, Yong-Chol KWON
  • Publication number: 20090145157
    Abstract: Disclosed are an ice bin installed in a refrigerator or the like and a refrigerating machine having the same. One auger having spiral transfer wings rotates to transfer ice cubes that are introduced between the transfer wings, which allows a constant amount of ice or an amount of ice selected by a user to be dispensed. In addition, a shutter is disposed at a lower side of the auger to define a dispensing space, which may reduce a length of a casing in a depth direction and, thereby, result in a reduced size of the ice bin.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Kyung-Han JEONG, Wook-Yong LEE
  • Publication number: 20090145158
    Abstract: An dispensing system suitable for lifting and dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom-mount refrigerator or lifting and dispensing ice from an undercounter ice maker to a dispenser on the countertop.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 18, 2009
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: J. JEFFERY ANSELMINO, JIM J. PASTRYK, NIHAT CUR, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, KAREN J. QUERFURTH, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR
  • Publication number: 20090145160
    Abstract: A drop-in beverage dispensing unit and ice bin combination having a beverage dispenser and an ice bin assembly. The beverage dispenser can have a tower assembly onto which dispensing valves are mounted. An ice bin lid provides access to the ice stored within the ice bin assembly and aids in protecting the ice from contamination while it is stored within the ice bin assembly. A drain pan is located below the dispensing valves to catch any spillage and direct it to the drain piping. The drain pan can have a primary drain pipe and a secondary drain pipe. The ice bin assembly can have an outer wall structure and an inner wall structure. The outer wall structure can be seamless.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2008
    Publication date: June 11, 2009
    Inventors: Fernando A. Ubidia, Aaron M. Stein, Richard Paeth, Gary L. Myers
  • Publication number: 20090139256
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator and/or freezer with an ice cube maker and with conveying means for conveying the ice cubes, wherein the conveying means are configured such that they are operable in different conveying directions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 7, 2008
    Publication date: June 4, 2009
    Inventor: Holger Jendrusch
  • Publication number: 20090133428
    Abstract: An ice supply device and a refrigerator having the same are disclosed. The ice supply device includes an ice breaking unit having a breaker to break ice and a housing to house the breaker, an ice storage container removably coupled to the ice breaking unit and having a discharge hole to discharge ice, and a binding device to bind the ice storage container and the ice breaking unit. Accordingly, the ice storage container can be separated from the ice breaking unit, thereby facilitating handling of the ice storage container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 21, 2008
    Publication date: May 28, 2009
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Koog An, Jung Rae Kim, Jong Yeob Kim
  • Publication number: 20090107166
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2007
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Charles L. Sowers, William Frank Buckminster
  • Publication number: 20090100847
    Abstract: The ice maker for refrigerator and driving method thereof disclosed herein have advantages over a full ice level detection method using mechanical device in that an ice height can be more accurately detected by a detection signal reflected from ice, wherein an ultrasonic signal is transmitted to the ice to sense the height of ice in the ice storage bin using the reflected ultrasonic signal, enabling to precisely detect the ice height, prevent the overflow of ice, prolong the life and prevent the failure of the ice maker for refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2008
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventors: Kyung Hee MOON, Hyun Ho OH, Moo Sub KIM
  • Publication number: 20090100855
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for grasping, retaining, inverting, coating and transporting a plurality of frangible conical confection shells. The present invention also relates to a modular and reconfigurable manufacturing system for producing frozen cone confections and the like.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2007
    Publication date: April 23, 2009
    Inventor: David McKay
  • Patent number: 7520139
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ill-Shin Kim, Seon-Il Yu, Kun-Jun Seok, Yong-Chol Kwon
  • Patent number: 7520138
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 21, 2009
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ill-Shin Kim, Seon-Il Yu, Kun-Jun Seok, Yong-Chol Kwon
  • Publication number: 20090095009
    Abstract: A refrigerator with an icemaker (100) is disclosed, having an improved structure for supplying ice to a user of the outside through a dispenser (30) provided in a door (25), which includes a dispenser (30) provided in a door (25); an icemaker (100) for making ice by using a cool air of a freezer; a container (200) for receiving and storing the ice discharged from the icemaker; and a lifter (300) provided between the dispenser and the container, for lifting the ice stored in the container to the dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 1, 2005
    Publication date: April 16, 2009
    Inventor: Wook Yong Lee
  • Patent number: 7509818
    Abstract: An dispensing system suitable for lifting and dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom-mount refrigerator or lifting and dispensing ice from an undercounter ice maker to a dispenser on the countertop.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2009
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Anselmino, Jim J. Pastryk, Nihat Cur, Andrew M. Tenbarge, Karen J. Querfurth, Douglas D. Leclear
  • Publication number: 20090077993
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ice bank of a refrigerator comprising: a casing for storing ice pieces introduced through one side of an upper surface thereof, and a guide unit formed at one side of the casing so as to guide the introduced ice pieces to be stored in the casing with being uniformly distributed therein. According to the ice bank of the refrigerator the present invention, the ice pieces can be uniformly heaped in the ice bank. Accordingly, it is capable of preventing the ice pieces from overflowing resulting from that the ice pieces are heaped up around a spot where the ice pieces fall down in the ice bank and of facilitatingly containing the ice pieces in the ice bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Inventor: Joo-Hyun KIM
  • Publication number: 20090077994
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator having an ice bank. The refrigerator having an ice bank comprises: a rotation shaft to which a transfer unit for transferring ice pieces in the ice bank is connected, and having a coupling groove on an outer circumferential surface of the end thereof; a joint penetrated by the rotation shaft; a driving shaft connected to the joint, and transmitting a driving force of a motor to the joint; and a coupling ring coupled to the coupling groove of the rotation shaft penetrating the joint. Since the coupling ring is locked by the joint, the rotation shaft is prevented from being arbitrarily separated from the joint. The rotation shaft can be rotated in forward and backward directions. Furthermore, since the rotation shaft has a length shorter than a rotation shaft having screw threads and nuts, the motor can have a compact configuration.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 26, 2009
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong-Wook KIM, Si-Yeon An, Il-Wook Joung
  • Publication number: 20090064703
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice-making device for a refrigerator. An ice-making device for a refrigerator according to the present invention comprises an ice maker 161 for making ice, which is provided on a backside of a door 131 of the refrigerator; and an ice maker cover 171 for selectively opening or closing the ice maker 161. Fixing recesses 173 are formed to be open downwardly on outsides of both sides of the ice maker cover 171, and receive fixing protrusions 135a provided at corresponding positions on opposite sides of a pair of support steps 135 that protrude rearward from both side ends of the backside of the door 131 by a predetermined length and are formed to be elongated in an up and down direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Myung-Soo Kim, Yoon-Min Park, Oh-Chul Kwon, Jong-Gon Kim, Bon-Young Koo, Young-Hoon Gwak, Hyeon-Po Cho
  • Publication number: 20090064704
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2008
    Publication date: March 12, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: GUOLIAN WU, CLAITON EMILIO DO AMARAL, MARCUS R. FISCHER, MARCOS HEINZLE, JEAN MARCELO FERREIRA, LUIS FERNANDO WELIN
  • Publication number: 20090038331
    Abstract: An icemaking compartment is provided in the refrigerator compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. An icemaker is within the icemaking compartment. A cold air duct supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaker. The cold air duct is formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator. A fan controls the flow of air through the cold air duct. A return air duct is provided to direct a portion of the air from the icemaker back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaker directs another portion of air into the refrigerator compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 20, 2008
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: KYLE B. VAN METER, DEAN A. MARTIN, XIAOYONG FU
  • Publication number: 20090038330
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice-making device for a refrigerator and a refrigerator having the same. The ice-making device of the present invention comprises a water tank detachably mounted to a rear surface of a refrigerator door; an ice-making housing detachably mounted to the rear surface of the door below the water tank and provided with a predetermined installation space therein; an ice tray mounted into the installation space and formed with a plurality of ice-making grooves in which water supplied from the water tank is frozen into ice; a valve assembly operating to selectively supply water stored in the water tank to the ice tray when the water tank is installed or withdrawn; and an ice bank for storing ice made in the ice tray, wherein the ice bank is installed in the installation space to be received in or withdrawn out of the installation space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Publication date: February 12, 2009
    Inventors: Moon-Seok Lee, O-Bong Choi, Sang-Bae Kim
  • Publication number: 20090031751
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising a dosaging unit (7) that provides the ice pieces (B) delivered from the icemaker (4) to be served to the users by being dosaged one by one.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2006
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Applicant: ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETI
    Inventor: Cumhur Ayvazoglu
  • Publication number: 20090031750
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 31, 2007
    Publication date: February 5, 2009
    Inventor: Donald E. Whillock, SR.
  • Patent number: 7475562
    Abstract: A bottom-mount refrigerator provides additional storage capacity by mounting a refrigeration component, for example a compressor, behind a full-width freezer drawer arranged between an upper fresh food compartment and a lower freezer compartment. In this manner, the freezer compartment is not required to be shortened or otherwise re-shaped to accommodate the refrigeration component. The refrigerator also includes an automatic ice maker mounted above the freezer drawer. The ice maker is positioned above the freezer drawer at a rearward position that accommodates structure present in the fresh food compartment. Specifically, a bi-level bin is slidably mounted in the fresh food compartment. The bin includes a deep portion that joins a shallow portion through a step section. The ice maker is mounted rearward of the step section to allow the bin to be removed from the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 29, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventor: Gary B. Jackovin
  • Publication number: 20090000330
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ice making device for a refrigerator, which is installed in a storage space of the refrigerator to make ice by cold air circulating through the storage space. The ice making device comprises a water tank which is installed within an ice making space provided in a receiving box installed to be introduced into and taken out from the storage space, and has a water-storing space for storing water to be used in making ice and at least one water-supplying hole for use in supplying the water stored in the water-storing space; and at least one ice tray installed in the ice making space and provided with at least one ice making recess for use in making ice by receiving the water stored in the water-storing space. The water stored in the water tank is supplied to the ice tray when the water tank is mounted in the storage space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventor: Chang-Bong Choi
  • Publication number: 20090004340
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for combining beaded ice cream and cookie dough is disclosed. The ice cream is dripped, beaded, frozen, and then combined with precut shapes of cookie dough. The resulting combination is packaged for subsequent storage at low temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2008
    Publication date: January 1, 2009
    Inventors: Adam Whiteside, Geoffrey Hannan, Glen Thompson, John Lipert, Tiffany Reagor, Jamie Ehling, Dana Knudsen
  • Patent number: 7469553
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 21, 2005
    Date of Patent: December 30, 2008
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Guolian Wu, Claiton Emilio Do Amaral, Marcus R. Fischer, Marcos Heinzle, Jean Marcelo Ferreira, Luis Fernando Welin
  • Publication number: 20080317909
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a frozen confection in a container having various layers of inclusion material and of confection material as well as to the production of such a frozen confection.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 18, 2008
    Publication date: December 25, 2008
    Inventors: Juan Carlos Gispert, Sebastian Monge, Juan Vinallonga
  • Publication number: 20080295538
    Abstract: Disclosed is the auger in an ice bin mounted in a refrigerator, and the like. The auger in the ice bin is configured to rotate a plurality of augers having spiral-shaped transfer blades and to dispose ice in each space between the transfer blades of the auger for transfer. Accordingly, a certain amount of ice can always be discharged without simultaneously discharging a great amount of ice, and a user may select the number of ice, thus to diversity functions of an ice dispenser. In addition, since the auger is made of a flexible material, the ice can be prevented from being crushed during transfer, thereby enhancing the reliability of the ice dispenser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Yong-Su KIM, Seong-Jae KIM, Nam-Gi LEE
  • Publication number: 20080295537
    Abstract: An ice making apparatus which includes an ice making tray to produce ice and an ejector rotatably disposed at the ice making tray, comprising a plurality of ice making cells formed in the ice making tray, wherein each of the ice making cells includes a freezing portion in which ice is produced and a buffering portion which is formed as a specified space at one side of the freezing portion to prevent water of the freezing portion from flowing out of the ice making tray. Accordingly, even in a refrigerator having the ice making apparatus installed on a rear surface of the door, the ice making apparatus can permanently provide an effect of preventing water inside the ice making cells from flowing out of the ice making tray due to an opening/closing operation of the door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 7, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Jae Koog An, Jung Rae Kim, Jong Yeob Kim
  • Publication number: 20080295539
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerator main body having a storage chamber, a door coupled to the refrigerator main body to be opened or closed, a cool air supplying device which generates cool air, an ice maker including an ice making tray having ice making cells to produce ice and a cool air guide member installed in the door, coupled to the ice making tray and having a cool air line that guides the cool air supplied from the cool air supplying device to flow around the ice making tray. The cool air line disposed on the cool air guide member to supply the ice making tray guides the cool air supplied from the cool air supplying device to move along the surrounding of the ice making tray, thereby uniformly cooling down the ice making tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Koog An, Jung Rae Kim, Jong Yeob Kim
  • Publication number: 20080295462
    Abstract: An ice distribution system and method according to which ice-filled bags are distributed within a unit such as, for example, an ice merchandiser.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2008
    Publication date: December 4, 2008
    Applicant: Reddy Ice Corporation
    Inventor: Mark C. Metzger
  • Patent number: 7458229
    Abstract: An icemaking compartment is provided in the refrigerator compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. An icemaker is within the icemaking compartment. A cold air duct supplies cold air from the freezer compartment to the icemaker. The cold air duct is formed in the rear wall of the refrigerator. A fan controls the flow of air through the cold air duct. A return air duct is provided to direct a portion of the air from the icemaker back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the icemaker directs another portion of air into the refrigerator compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2008
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Kyle B. Van Meter, Dean A. Martin, Xiaoyong Fu
  • Publication number: 20080289355
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice-making device for a refrigerator and a refrigerator having the same. The ice-making device of the present invention comprises a water tank detachably mounted to a rear surface of a refrigerator door, an ice-making housing detachably mounted to the rear surface of the door below the water tank and provided with a predetermined installation space therein, an ice tray mounted into the installation space and provided with an ice-making groove in which water supplied from the water tank is frozen into ice, and an ice bank for storing ice made in the ice tray, wherein the ice bank can be received in or withdrawn from the installation space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 5, 2006
    Publication date: November 27, 2008
    Inventors: Byeong-Gyu Kang, Hang-Bok Lee, Kyung-Soo Park, Sang-Min Yu, Jong-Suk Yoon, Seon-Kyu Kim, Hyun-Gki Kim
  • Publication number: 20080283145
    Abstract: A standalone ice dispenser delivers ice in either bagged form or bulk form to a user. The device uses a cone-shaped drum with an upwardly oriented mount that receives and stores the ice which ice is gravitationally delivered to the drum from an ice maker. When ice is to be dispensed, a motor rotates the drum such that a fin within the drum cause ice therein to advance toward and eventually out of the mouth of the drum into either a bagging system or directly out of the device via a chute. Weight sensors attached to the drum determine whether the drum is relatively empty or relatively full and control operation of the ice maker as a result and/or a proximity sensor measures the volume of ice in the drum and controls the operation of the ice maker.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Tim Maxwell
  • Publication number: 20080282721
    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.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 16, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventor: Richard B. Hawkes
  • Publication number: 20080282711
    Abstract: An ice making, and delivery apparatus for making and delivering ice to different ones of a plurality of receptacle units is provided, in which ice delivered via a conduit to a diverter valve mechanism, is diverted from alignment with one ice discharge line to another, depending upon sensors in ice receptacles recognizing a level of build-up of ice in any given receptacle, for computer control of a gearmotor for moving the diverter valve from one position to another. Various controls are provided for preventing ice build-up, and for operating the diverter valve during a “dwell” period of ice movement in the conduit, as distinguished from a “push” period of ice movement in the conduit to the diverter valve. A force multiplication technique is employed for moving the diverter valve notwithstanding the presence of ice therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2007
    Publication date: November 20, 2008
    Inventors: Richard B. Hawkes, Edward V. Twiggar, III
  • Publication number: 20080271475
    Abstract: ABSTRACT A refrigerator comprising a refrigerator housing defining first, second, and third compartments separated by insulated walls, a refrigeration system supplying cold air to the first, second, and third compartments, first, second, and third sensors operative to detect temperature in a respective one of the first, second, and third compartments and control circuitry in electrical communication with the sensors, the control circuitry controlling flow of the cold air into each of the first, second, and third compartments so as to facilitate maintaining a respective desired temperature therein, where the desired temperature of each of the first, second, and third compartments is variable and may be set by a user independently with respect to each other.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 29, 2008
    Publication date: November 6, 2008
    Inventors: Edward P. Wuesthoff, Dongning Wang