With Product Receiving And Storing Means Patents (Class 62/344)
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Patent number: 10677504Abstract: Disclosed is an evaporator for an ice maker including: a refrigerant pipe having a circular cross-section, with refrigerant flowing therethrough; and a pair of ice making plates disposed on opposite sides of the refrigerant pipe. The refrigerant pipe is disposed between inner side surfaces of the ice making plates facing each other, and rounded parts are provided by being formed outwards at a place where the refrigerant pipe is located such that the rounded parts cover both sides of the refrigerant pipe by being in close contact therewith.Type: GrantFiled: April 16, 2018Date of Patent: June 9, 2020Assignee: DAEYEONG E&B CO., LTD.Inventor: Doo Ha Kim
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Patent number: 10551100Abstract: A refrigerator including a water intake container, in which carbonated water is produced by mixture of carbon dioxide and clean water, a first dispenser assembly, which the water intake container is attached to or detached from, and which supplies carbon dioxide and clean water to the water intake container when the water intake container is attached to the first dispenser, a dispenser lever and a second dispenser assembly which discharges clean water or ice according to manipulation of the dispenser lever, but stops the discharging of clean water or ice if the water intake container is attached to the first dispenser assembly. The refrigerator may include a dispenser lever and a processor to control an ice maker to stop operation if a command is entered through a user interface and to control the ice maker to start operation if the dispenser lever is manipulated while the ice maker stops operation.Type: GrantFiled: February 2, 2016Date of Patent: February 4, 2020Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jung Won Park, Sung Ho Cho, Kyung Tae Ko, Seung Wan Kang, Woo Sung Kim, Chang Hern Lee, Gang Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 10539359Abstract: Disclosed are a refrigerator and a folding guide device provided therein. The refrigerator includes a body including a storage compartment, a door that opens and closes the storage compartment, a support provided to be changeable in position to an unfolded position to be unfolded outward from the storage compartment and a folded position to be folded in the storage compartment, a folding guide device interlinked with an opening and closing operation of the door to apply a rotational force for changing the position of the support to the support. Here, the folding guide device includes a slider pressurized by the door and linearly moved, and a conversion outputter provided to connect the slider with the support and configured to convert a linear force input by the slider that linearly moves into a rotational force for changing the position of the support and output the rotational force.Type: GrantFiled: June 7, 2017Date of Patent: January 21, 2020Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: O Min Kwon, Ki Young Lim
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Patent number: 10502473Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refrigerator having a locker provided with a magnetic member to fix an ice bucket by use of magnetic attractive force and coupled to an upper wall of a body of the refrigerator. The ice bucket is removed by raising and then pulling it, while the locker is provided with an elastic guider to guide the removal of the ice bucket. The elastic guider is forced upward by the ice bucket during its removal and returns to its original position when the ice bucket is not forcing it upward.Type: GrantFiled: January 8, 2016Date of Patent: December 10, 2019Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jin Jeong, Kyoung Ki Park, Bong Su Son, Do Yun Jang
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Patent number: 10451337Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a body, a fresh food compartment provided in an upper portion of the body, a first freezer compartment provided in a lower portion of the body, a center compartment provided between the fresh food compartment and first freezer compartment and provided with an ice making compartment and a second freezer compartment, an upper door configured to open and close the fresh food compartment and the center compartment at a same time and a lower door configured to open and close the first freezer compartment, therefore the space utilization of the fresh food compartment may be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: November 11, 2016Date of Patent: October 22, 2019Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Hyun-Il Lee, Sang Woon Jeon, Se Lim Yoon, Byeong Soo Kim
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Patent number: 10429120Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator including a cabinet, a storage compartment provided in the cabinet to form a single space in which a storage item is stored, a single door for opening or closing the space formed by the storage compartment, a first cold air supply duct and a second cold air supply duct provided respectively on left and right sides of the single storage compartment, the first cold air supply duct and the second cold air supply duct supplying different amounts of cold air, and a storage unit for being pushed into or pulled from the storage compartment in a front-and-rear direction along with the door.Type: GrantFiled: November 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Tackwon Han, Junsoo Han
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Patent number: 10429115Abstract: A refrigerator has a storage compartment, a door for opening and closing the storage compartment, an ice-making machine and an ice storage compartment. The ice-making machine is used to produce an ice cube. The ice storage compartment is disposed below the ice-making machine, so as to accommodate an ice cube. The ice storage compartment has a discharge port. A movable blocking member and an ice-crushing cutter are located in the ice storage compartment. A distributor is located on the door and used to distribute the ice cube from the ice storage compartment to the outside. The ice storage compartment further includes an opening and closing mechanism for opening or closing the discharge port. Because the discharge port of the ice storage compartment can be closed, the ice-crushing cutter disposed above the discharge port will not be unconsciously touched, and a user is avoided from being hurt by the ice-crushing cutter.Type: GrantFiled: December 8, 2016Date of Patent: October 1, 2019Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Yongyan Shen, Xianzhong Wang, Ruoquan Xu, Yong Zhang
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Patent number: 10422564Abstract: Apparatus and methods for constructing ice structures are provided. An apparatus for construction of a structure from ice may include multiple tubes. Each of the tubes may be disposed in an upright position. Each of the tubes may have a constant inner diameter and/or a closed bottom. The tubes may be disposed within a frame for transport of the tubes.Type: GrantFiled: March 6, 2017Date of Patent: September 24, 2019Assignee: Ice Castles, LLCInventors: Brent Christensen, Brandon Christensen
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Patent number: 10393421Abstract: In an ice maker according to the present disclosure, transporter configured to supply ice to a dispenser, at least a part of which is located above an ice bucket located in the middle of the main body, may transport the ice upward to help the user take the ice conveniently even with the ice bucket located in the middle of the main body. So a refrigerator including the ice maker, according to the present disclosure, includes a storeroom to store groceries with increased utilization of the storeroom.Type: GrantFiled: December 23, 2016Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jae Jin Lee, Jin Jeong, Do Yun Jang
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Patent number: 10378814Abstract: The refrigerator or freezer organization apparatus is an organization apparatus. The refrigerator or freezer organization apparatus is configured for use with a refrigerated device. The refrigerated device comprises one or more chambers. The refrigerator or freezer organization apparatus removably inserts into a chamber selected from the one or more chambers of the refrigerated device. The refrigerator or freezer organization apparatus is a structure that provides sliding storage spaces within the selected chamber. The refrigerator or freezer organization apparatus comprises a shell, a storage structure, and an anchor system. The anchor system and the storage structure attach to the shell. The shell inserts into the selected chamber of the refrigerated device. The anchor system secures the shell to the refrigerated device. The storage chamber presents sliding shelves and baskets that are used for storage within the selected chamber of the refrigerated device.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2018Date of Patent: August 13, 2019Inventor: Ruth Gaye
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Patent number: 10365026Abstract: A water pocket with an open top side is filled with water, mounted in a regular position on a supporting frame, and tilts to supply the water stored in the water pocket to an ice making tray, thereby easily supplying a required amount of water to the ice making tray. A refrigerator includes an ice making tray provided to linearly move with rotation when ice of the ice making tray is separated, or includes a holding preventing member which prevents the ice from being caught by a lower ice making tray, thereby improving a forward-and-backward width of an ice maker. It is possible to easily withdraw ice stored in an ice bucket by pushing an ice discharge button in a state in which the ice bucket is not separated.Type: GrantFiled: October 12, 2016Date of Patent: July 30, 2019Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jin Jeong, Bong Su Son, Do Yun Jang, Yoon Young Kim, Yong Jong Park, Moon Gyo Jung, Kook Jeong Seo
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Patent number: 10330374Abstract: A refrigerator includes an outlet opening/closing system for a refrigerator dispenser including a driver, a cam configured to rotate with respect to a first axis by the driver, and an opening/closing module configured to pivot with respect to a second axis according to the rotation of the cam to open the outlet, wherein the first axis crosses the second axis at a predetermined angle.Type: GrantFiled: September 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 25, 2019Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Kyoung Ki Park, Hyun Hee Lee
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Patent number: 10323874Abstract: An ice making assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The ice making assembly includes an icebox defining an ice making chamber and a heat exchanger aperture. The icebox is mounted to a refrigerator door and surrounded by a door liner defining a circulation duct for receiving cooled airflow. A heat exchanger is positioned within the heat exchanging aperture and includes a first side positioned within the ice making chamber and a second side positioned outside the ice making chamber within the circulation duct. An icemaker is positioned within the ice making chamber and a fastener removably attaches the icemaker to the first side of the heat exchanger.Type: GrantFiled: February 3, 2017Date of Patent: June 18, 2019Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Alan Joseph Mitchell
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Patent number: 10260790Abstract: A refrigerator appliance having an ice storage bin is generally provided herein. A door may define a bin opening and a dispenser recess to a cabinet of the refrigerator appliance. A dispensing assembly may be positioned within the dispenser recess and define an ice delivery passage. The ice storage bin may define a storage cavity in selective communication with an icemaker to receive ice therefrom. The ice storage bin may be in further communication with the dispensing assembly to direct ice to the ice delivery passage. The ice storage bin may be mounted to the door and selectively accessible through the bin opening.Type: GrantFiled: June 16, 2017Date of Patent: April 16, 2019Assignee: Haier US Applicance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Marc Eric Hottenroth, Lauren Nicole Platts
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Patent number: 10254031Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator having a first storage chamber, a second storage chamber located below the first storage chamber, an ice maker configured to make ice pieces, an ice bucket configured to store the ice pieces made in the ice maker and a middle wall partitioning inside space of the refrigerator into the first storage chamber and the second storage chamber and including a base portion and a stepped portion located higher than the base portion to form ice-making space, wherein at least one portion of the ice maker and at least one portion of the ice bucket are accommodated in the ice-making space. With this structure, the space for actual use of the first storage chamber can be increased.Type: GrantFiled: May 12, 2016Date of Patent: April 9, 2019Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jin Jeong, Jae Seung Lee, Yoon Young Kim, Yong Jong Park, Kook Jeong Seo, Do Yun Jang
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Patent number: 10228179Abstract: A refrigerator is provided that includes a cabinet defining an interior volume and at least one door for providing access to the interior volume. An automatic ice maker assembly is disposed within the interior volume and configured to harvest a plurality of ice cubes. The automatic ice maker assembly has an automatic ice maker, a mounting plate and an ice maker receiving space. The mounting plate defines a plurality of engagement features extending into the ice maker receiving space. A rail system is disposed on opposite sides of the ice maker receiving space and an ice storage bin is removably positioned within the ice maker receiving space. The ice storage bin has an ice bin wall positioned on an ice bin base, and a latch slidably disposed along a bottom surface of the ice bin base. The latch has a plurality of retention features, configured to engage the engagement features.Type: GrantFiled: December 30, 2015Date of Patent: March 12, 2019Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Marcus Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Patent number: 10139145Abstract: Stand-alone ice making appliances are provided. An appliance includes a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water, and a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume. The appliance further includes an ice maker which is in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water from the pump. The appliance further includes a filter, the filter including a filter medium operable to remove contaminants from water flowing through the filter medium, the filter positioned upstream of the ice maker in a flow direction of water from the second storage volume to the ice maker.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2016Date of Patent: November 27, 2018Assignee: HAIER US APPLIANCE SOLUTIONS, INC.Inventors: Samuel Vincent DuPlessis, Timothy Scott Shaffer, Ronald Scott Tarr, Tomas Garces
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Patent number: 10132544Abstract: An ice-making device for a refrigerator. The ice-making device includes an ice tray, an ice-storing unit, and a slide. The slide is configured to guide ice pieces discharged from the ice tray toward the ice-storing unit. The ice-storing unit includes an ice storage part configured to accommodate the ice pieces released from the ice-making unit and a drive device configured to drive a delivery member for discharging the ice pieces from the ice storage part. The ice tray extends to a location above the drive device.Type: GrantFiled: April 6, 2017Date of Patent: November 20, 2018Assignee: DONGBU DAEWOO ELECTRONICS CORPORATIONInventor: Sung Jin Yang
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Patent number: 10101072Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator comprising an ice making unit wherein ice cubes are formed and that has an ice cube tray that is moved by being rotated, a body whereon the ice cube tray is located and that encloses the ice cube tray and more than one sealing member that extends between the side walls of the body and the ice cube tray.Type: GrantFiled: May 28, 2015Date of Patent: October 16, 2018Assignee: ARCELIK ANONIM SIRKETIInventors: Samet Akan, Nihat Gunduz
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Patent number: 10047982Abstract: Disclosed is an ice storage apparatus that may include an ice reservoir having ice stored therein, the ice being made in an ice making unit, and a noise reduction unit for reducing noise transmitted externally when the ice is moved from the ice making unit to the ice reservoir.Type: GrantFiled: November 6, 2014Date of Patent: August 14, 2018Assignee: Coway Co., Ltd.Inventors: Min-Sub Song, Jung-Chul Park, Yong-Yeon Noh, Do-Han Kim, Si-Jun Park, Gyeong-Min Lee
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Patent number: 10036586Abstract: A refrigerator including an ice maker and cutters for crushing ice produced from the ice maker. The cutters include fixed cutters and rotational cutters. Through holes are formed on the cutters to facilitate cold air flow to pass through the cutters and into the ice crushing space. The rotational cutters can rotate in one direction to crush the ice, and can rotate in another direction to leave the ice uncrushed.Type: GrantFiled: March 10, 2017Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignee: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics CorporationInventor: Sung Jin Yang
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Patent number: 9989291Abstract: An ice machine includes an ice discharge gear to which an output of a motor is transmitted. The ice discharge gear is configured to rotate about a rotation axis, a cam member is disposed at a first axial side of the ice discharge gear and provided with a ratchet structure between the cam member and the ice discharge gear, and an ice discharge shaft is connected to the cam member in a facing relationship with the cam member and configured to scrape out ice pieces with ice discharge claw portions during rotation of the ice discharge shaft. A flat or substantially flat sleeve is disposed at a second axial side of the ice discharge gear so as to face the ice discharge gear across a gap, and an elastic member is interposed between the sleeve and the ice discharge gear.Type: GrantFiled: July 13, 2015Date of Patent: June 5, 2018Assignee: NIDEC SERVO CORPORATIONInventor: Eiji Kuroda
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Patent number: 9976787Abstract: A device for comminuting ice is particularly suited for a household refrigeration appliance. The device has a rotary shaft, a first cutter unit with at least one fixed blade, and a second cutter unit with at least one moveable blade which is attached to the rotary shaft and can be rotated in a rotational direction. The fixed blade has a comminuting section and a pre-comminuting section which is arranged upstream of the comminuting section counter to the rotational direction.Type: GrantFiled: December 17, 2013Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignees: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH, emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaAInventors: Josef Bauriedl, Olaf Bayerke, Gerald Schmidt
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Patent number: 9939187Abstract: A refrigerator comprises: a cabinet including a refrigerator compartment, and a freezer compartment provided; a refrigerator compartment door rotationally connected to the front side of the cabinet to open/close the refrigerator compartment; an ice bank which is provided to the ice compartment and stores ice; an icemaker which comprises an upper tray forming a hemispherical upper cell, a lower tray forming a hemispherical lower cell, and a rotating shaft for rotating the lower tray, and which is provided in the freezer compartment; and an ice transfer device for transferring the ice collected in the ice collector to the ice bank along the ice transfer duct, wherein the ice transfer device can include: a transfer cable; a pusher connected to an end of the transfer cable; and a transfer case for accommodating the transfer cable which is wound.Type: GrantFiled: October 2, 2014Date of Patent: April 10, 2018Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Donghoon Lee, Wookyong Lee, Bongjin Kim
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Patent number: 9915458Abstract: An appliance door includes an outer wrapper and an inner liner that defines an ice making receptacle. An ice maker is disposed proximate a top portion of the ice making receptacle. A sliding assembly is defined within an inward-facing surface of the ice making receptacle. An ice bin is operable between an engaged state, wherein the ice bin is fully inserted into the ice making receptacle, a disengaged state, wherein the ice bin is removed from the ice making receptacle, and a lateral sliding state, wherein the ice bin is operated laterally and free of rotation between the engaged and disengaged states. The ice bin and the ice making receptacle cooperatively define an ice delivery mechanism that selectively delivers ice pieces from an inner volume of the ice bin to an ice delivery zone proximate the outer wrapper.Type: GrantFiled: October 23, 2015Date of Patent: March 13, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Robert B. Becker, Marcus R. Fischer, Christopher R. McElvain, Ryan D. Schuchart
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Patent number: 9863684Abstract: An ice maker includes, among other things, an ice cube mold, an ice cube remover and a force sensor comprising a piezo dielectric elastomer (PDE). The ice cube mold has at least one cavity for receiving liquid. The ice cube remover is configured to apply a removal force to either the mold or an ice cube. The force sensor is provided on either the mold or the remover and provides an output indicative of the removal force. Upon the removal of an ice cube from the cavity, the ice cube remover applies a removal force to the mold or the ice cube to effect the removal of the ice cube from the cavity and the force sensor outputs a signal indicative of the removal force.Type: GrantFiled: September 4, 2014Date of Patent: January 9, 2018Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Alberto R. Gomes, Yen-Hsi Lin, Andrew M. Tenbarge
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Patent number: 9857118Abstract: A refrigerator is described that includes a slim refrigerator door. The refrigerator includes a storage compartment, a refrigerator door to open and close the storage compartment, and an ice maker to generate ice cubes. The refrigerator further includes an ice bin-at the refrigerator door to receive the ice cubes generated in the ice maker and having a discharge opening-for discharging the ice cubes. The refrigerator further includes a motor-at the refrigerator-and at least one blade-within the ice bin and connected to the-motor. The at least one ice cube directly drops onto the at least one blade. The at least one blade moves the at least one ice cube to the discharge and discharges the at least one ice cube from the ice bin by an operation of the motor.Type: GrantFiled: July 15, 2015Date of Patent: January 2, 2018Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seung Mok Lee, Sang Ho Park
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Patent number: 9752812Abstract: A device for making ice bars set within a freezer of a household refrigerator, the device comprising a carcass with a lateral face, an opposite lateral face, a neck in “V” shape, the lateral faces and a guiding throat which tops off with a semi-cylinder which is in connection with a “C” channel set over the opposite lateral face; a lever set over a runway found on the lateral face of the carcass, wherein said lever is mechanically grasped to a helicoid spring which returns it to its resting position, the lever comprising a disk and a “U” channel set over the disk and a pair of cylindrical concentric walls which form a cavity which houses the helicoid spring; a guard set over the lateral face of the carcass which contains the lever, the guard has an inner face; wherein said guard has a protruded tube in its inner face which is housed within the inner cylindrical wall of the lever; a tray which houses a series of molds for making ice bars, which on its flank sides has set on it a central axis portion and a camType: GrantFiled: March 4, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: MABE, S.A. DE C.V.Inventor: Alan Federico Camacho Velazquez
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Patent number: 9671147Abstract: A refrigerator includes a body, a storage compartment provided in the body, a door to open and close the storage compartment, an icemaker provided to one side of the storage compartment, an ice bucket provided under the icemaker, and a crusher provided to the rear surface of the door and having an inlet disposed under the outlet of the ice bucket when the door is closed. The crusher may be provided separately from the ice bucket and may independently mounted and detached to and from the rear surface of the door. The ice bucket may have a slimmer design. The space utilization and usability of the storage compartments and the rear surface of the doors may be enhanced.Type: GrantFiled: May 19, 2014Date of Patent: June 6, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jin Jeong, Do Hyung Kim, Do Yun Jang, Sang Hyun Park, Bong Su Son, Byung Suk An, Qasim Khan
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Patent number: 9528737Abstract: An ice making and harvesting apparatus includes a mold, and bottom and top plates. The mold includes a plurality of cells. Each cell includes side walls and defines bottom and top openings. The bottom plate is configured to move relative to a bottom surface of the mold. An upper surface of the bottom plate includes a first sealing component. A bottom side of the mold includes a second sealing component. The second sealing component is configured to form a seal with the first sealing component of the bottom plate. The bottom plate includes an inlet and a plurality of channels. Each channel is configured to supply water from the bottom plate to a corresponding cell of the mold. The top plate includes a plurality of pushing rods, each rod configured to move relative to the top opening of a corresponding cell.Type: GrantFiled: October 31, 2013Date of Patent: December 27, 2016Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.Inventors: Emad Jafa, Vasilii Abashkin, Andrey Balanev, Georgy Martsinovskiy, Vladimir Vasiliev, Mikhail Verbitsky
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Patent number: 9518770Abstract: A unitary clear ice sheet is formed from a plurality of individual clear ice sheets which are fused together to give the unitary ice sheet a predetermined thickness. The fused unitary ice sheet is a clear unitary ice sheet due to the formation of the plurality of individual clear ice sheets by running water over a cold plate apparatus or evaporator mechanism to form the ice sheets in a gradual layer-by-layer process. The fused unitary clear ice sheet is used to mold or shape clear ice structure therefrom, such as clear ice spheres in a mold apparatus.Type: GrantFiled: December 13, 2012Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Whirlpool CorporationInventors: Patrick J. Boarman, Brian K. Culley, Gregory Gene Hortin
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Patent number: 9518774Abstract: An ice making appliance is provided. The ice making appliance includes a first ice maker and a second ice maker. The first and second ice makers generate different types of ice. The ice making appliance also includes supply ducts for receiving chilled air from an evaporator and directing the chilled air to the first and second ice makers.Type: GrantFiled: May 16, 2014Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventor: Charles Benjamin Miller
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Patent number: 9383131Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes an insulation structure and fastening structure of an ice-making compartment refrigerant pipe disposed at an inside an ice-making compartment configured to directly supply cooling energy by being in contact with an ice-making tray. The refrigerator includes an insulation member configured to surround the ice-making compartment refrigerant pipe, and a fixing member coupled to an outer circumferential surface of the insulation member in a shape of a loop to prevent the insulation member from being widened.Type: GrantFiled: March 5, 2013Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jin Jeong, Do Hyung Kim, Sang Hyun Park, Kook Jeong Seo, Jae Koog An, Yong Sung Yoon, Jae Jin Lee, Seung Ah Joo, Qasim Khan
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Patent number: 9335087Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice making device, comprises: a case having an opening at one side thereof; a tray accommodation portion having opened upper and lower surfaces, and configured to be inserted into or withdrawn from the case through the opening; an ice tray accommodated in the tray accommodation portion, and containing water to be frozen to ice cubes; and an accommodation portion coupling unit for coupling the tray accommodation portion to the case. Water is poured onto the ice tray in a state that the ice tray has been accommodated in the tray accommodation portion, and then the ice tray is carried to be mounted to the case. This may solve the conventional problem that each ice tray has to be carried. Furthermore, since an external force such as hand trembling is transmitted to the ice tray via the tray accommodation portion, overflow of water is minimized.Type: GrantFiled: April 1, 2009Date of Patent: May 10, 2016Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Gwi-Nan Hwang, Ju-Hyun Kim
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Patent number: 9234687Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a main body including a compartment, an ice bank configured to store ice cubes, an ice maker configured to generate ice cubes and to move the ice cubes to the ice bank, the ice maker including an ice tray, a cover configured to isolate the ice bank and the ice maker from the compartment, the cover including a first opening and an ice shutter configured to prevent cold air flowing through the first opening of the cover into the ice maker from being introduced into the ice bank.Type: GrantFiled: July 9, 2013Date of Patent: January 12, 2016Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Seunggeun Lee
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Patent number: 9175896Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator that includes a cabinet, a refrigerator door, and a cabinet sealing part. The cabinet defines a storage compartment. The refrigerator door opens and closes the storage compartment. The cabinet sealing part is provided to a contact portion between the refrigerator door and the cabinet to prevent a communication between the storage compartment and an outside. The refrigerator door includes a door liner defining an ice compartment, an ice maker in the ice compartment, the ice maker generating ice, an ice bin storing ice generated by the ice maker, an ice compartment door opening and closing the ice compartment, and a plurality of sealing parts at positions spaced apart from each other. The sealing parts prevent a communication between the ice compartment and the storage compartment.Type: GrantFiled: April 7, 2010Date of Patent: November 3, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Sang Phil Choi
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Patent number: 9151528Abstract: A system and methods for sanitation of ice storage equipment. An ozone generator provides a sanitizing agent comprised of a mixture of ambient air and ozone. The sanitizing agent is circulated through an ice storage bin. The sanitizing agent cleanses interior surfaces of the ice storage bin and also cleanses surfaces of an ice dispenser that dispenses ice from the ice storage bin.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2012Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, LLCInventors: Daryl G. Erbs, Lee F. Wichlacz, Brian G. Polly
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Patent number: 9146050Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a freezing compartment door opening or closing the freezing compartment, and an ice making device disposed on a rear surface of the freezing compartment door. The ice making device includes a case disposed on the freezing compartment door, an ice tray rotatably disposed inside the case, the ice tray making an ice therein, a knob exposed to the outside of the case, the knob being connected to a rotation shaft of the ice tray and rotated by being manipulated from the outside, and an elastic member disposed on the rotation shaft of the ice tray, the elastic member providing an elastic force into the ice tray so that the ice tray is rotated to an original position. Thus, a structure for rotating the ice tray may be simplified.Type: GrantFiled: August 2, 2011Date of Patent: September 29, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Gyuyeon Jeong
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Patent number: 9073743Abstract: A dispensing unit is operatively associated with a refrigeration appliance for selectively dispensing water and ice at a dispensing station. The dispensing unit includes an actuator that is movable to selected positions in order to support the dispensing of the water and ice. The dispensing unit can include a passageway through which ice is dispensed, and an ice door can be provided for selectively opening and closing the passageway to the dispensing of ice. In one aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed mechanically and in another aspect, the ice door can be opened and closed electromechanically. The dispensing unit also can provide for the position of a water-dispensing nozzle to be adjusted for the purpose of dispensing water to receptacles outside a recessed area at which the nozzle is located and to provide for the activation of illuminating devices to indicate operating conditions at the refrigeration appliance.Type: GrantFiled: December 10, 2012Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.Inventors: Jorge Carlos Montalvo Sanchez, Thomas W. McCollough, Nilton Carlos Bertolini, Travis McMahan, Justin Morgan
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Publication number: 20150147778Abstract: A sample vitrification system includes a capsule structure configured for carrying a biological sample within a compartment while the sample is subjected to ultra-rapid freezing by way of a cryogenic coolant jet, and while the sample is exposed to pulsed microwave radiation in a manner that disrupts water molecule pentamer formation and which disrupts initial ice crystal nucleation events within the compartment within tens of microseconds to provide a vitrification depth within the compartment of tens of microns or more. The sample can reside between a very high thermal conductivity substrate and a cover. The cryogenic coolant jet is applied to the substrate from beneath the sample. The cover can carry a set of microwave excitation elements configured for providing microwave radiation to internal portions of the compartment. Portions of the capsule structure's interior can be imaged during microwave assisted jet freezing, such as by way of an optical microscope.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 4, 2013Publication date: May 28, 2015Inventor: Daniel Shawn Pickard
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Publication number: 20150143837Abstract: A cooling appliance (100) is provided, including a heat insulation cabinet (10), in which a storage chamber is formed; and a door (11), which cooperates with the heat insulation cabinet (10) to selectively open or close the storage chamber. The cooling appliance (100) further includes an dispenser system (20) capable of allocating ice and liquid, where the dispenser system (20) is used for allocating ice in an ice storage container of the cooling appliance (100) into an dispenser cavity (21). The dispenser system (20) includes an ice channel (40) and a splash-proof component (30), where the splash-proof component (30) includes a buffering part, so as to be used for absorbing at least one part of kinetic energy of ice when the ice passes through, to reduce spreading and splashing of the ice.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 13, 2012Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbHInventors: Lisheng Zhang, Benhe Dou, Jing Hong
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Publication number: 20150135760Abstract: A locking apparatus of an ice bucket of a refrigerator capable of simplifying the structure of the ice bucket while preventing the cool air of the ice making compartment from leaking and the ice bucket from being shaken, the refrigerator including a locking apparatus accommodating portion formed at a lower portion of the ice making compartment, a lever hingedly coupled to the locking apparatus accommodating portion, and an elastic member configured to elastically bias the lever, wherein the lever is configured to interfere with a locking projection of the ice bucket, and a button portion configured to adjust the position of the locking protrusion by rotating the lever, wherein a gasket mounting portion formed around an opening portion of the ice making compartment is formed to be extended to the inner side of the ice making compartment to make contact with the gasket mounting portion in a two-area contact manner.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 29, 2015Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jin JEONG, Sung Cheol KANG, Do Hyung KIM, Sang Hyun PARK, Kook Jeong SEO, Jae Koog AN, Yong Sung YOON, Jae Jin LEE, Seung Ah JOO
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Publication number: 20150135738Abstract: An ice bin and a method of transferring ice using the same include a case having an upper portion configured to store ice produced by an ice maker, and a dispensing port at one side of a lower end of the case configured to dispense ice to the outside; a transferring unit that transfers ice from a lower portion of the case to the upper portion of the case; and a crushing unit configured to crush ice transferred by the transferring unit, and discharge the crushed ice to the dispensing port.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 13, 2013Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: Dongbu Daewoo Electronics CorporationInventor: Gwang Ho CHOO
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Publication number: 20150128634Abstract: An ice maker and a water purifier capable of making ice using two water trays. The water purifier having an ice maker includes a water tray member comprising an ice-making water tray holding ice-making raw water to make ice using an ice-making unit, and an auxiliary water tray holding ice-making raw water remaining in the ice-making water tray in the course of cooling the ice-making raw water by means of the ice-making unit and removing the ice-making raw water from the ice-making water tray; an ice reservoir storing ice made in the ice-making unit; a cold water storage tank cooling water held therein using the ice made in the ice-making unit; and a guide member guiding the ice made in the ice-making unit so that the ice is selectively fed to either the ice reservoir or the cold water storage tank.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 30, 2015Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: WOONGJIN COWAY CO. LTD.Inventors: Jong-Han LEE, Jung-Chul PARK, Hee-Do JUNG, Hyun-Woo LEE
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Publication number: 20150128633Abstract: An ice making assembly and an ice bucket are provided. The ice bucket includes a sidewall that defines a storage volume and an auger disposed within the storage volume. A motor is configured for rotating the auger within the storage volume. The motor is positioned above the storage volume along a vertical direction. The position of the motor relative to the storage volume can assist with limiting or preventing damage to the motor.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2013Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Charles Benjamin Miller, Bart Andrew Nuss, Ansuraj Seenivasan
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Publication number: 20150121942Abstract: An ice making system for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The ice making system includes an ice maker, an ice bucket and an ice cube level sensing assembly. The ice cube level sensing assembly includes an infrared light emitter and an infrared light receiver. The infrared light emitter directs infrared light into a storage volume of the ice bucket, and the infrared light receiver receives infrared light from the infrared light emitter reflected by ice cubes within the storage volume of the ice bucket.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 5, 2013Publication date: May 7, 2015Applicant: General Electric CompanyInventors: Seokki Yun, Geon Ho Kim, Dong Soo Shin, Kang Sun Lee
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Patent number: 9021828Abstract: A refrigeration appliance includes a refrigerated cabinet with a cooled storage compartment, a door movable between a closed position closing the cooled storage compartment and an opened position allowing access to an interior of the cooled storage compartment, the door having an outer panel and a thermoformed liner attached to an inside of the outer panel, and an ice box frame attached to the thermoformed liner, the ice box frame being formed of injection molded plastic more rigid than the thermoformed liner and defining an ice compartment therein. At least one of an ice maker, an ice storage bin, and a motor for driving an ice storage bin auger is located in the ice compartment and attached to the door via the ice box frame. A related refrigeration appliance is also disclosed.Type: GrantFiled: June 28, 2011Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Craig Robert Vitan, Umakant Suresh Katu, Steven D. Paul, Eric Lloyd Scalf, Andrew Reinhard Krause, Edward Philip Strauss, Danister Abeygunawardana
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Patent number: 9021827Abstract: An ice maker including a heating type ice-making tray capable of securing ice ejecting and a refrigerator including the ice maker are disclosed. According to a refrigerator including the ice maker, the ice may be securely ejected from the ice-making tray. As a result, reliability of ice ejecting may be improved. The water generated when the ice is ejected in the ice maker may be prevented from falling to an ice container efficiently.Type: GrantFiled: October 8, 2010Date of Patent: May 5, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Nam Gi Lee
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Publication number: 20150107276Abstract: A clear ice making system and method utilizes an ice forming tray pivotally connected to opposing side walls of an icemaker housing. Ice forming fingers of a dedicated evaporator extend into fluid within the ice forming tray, and are cooled by communication with the refrigerant circulating system of the refrigerator. A motor oscillates the ice forming tray about a longitudinal axis at a frequency of about 0.4-0.6 hertz as fluid channels freezes on the ice forming fingers over time, forming clear ice pieces. During an ice dispensing event, the motor pivots the ice making tray about the longitudinal axis such that fluid remaining within the ice making tray drains into a fluid reservoir below. The ice forming fingers are then heated to release the clear ice pieces for transfer from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 6, 2015Publication date: April 23, 2015Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATIONInventors: ANDERSON BORTOLETTO, KEVIN M. CHASE, TONY L. KOENIGSKNECHT, RONALD L. VOGLEWEDE, MATTHEW E. YOUNG
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Patent number: 9003822Abstract: An apparatus for breaking ice clumps in a refrigerator. The apparatus includes an ice storage bin, an axle rotatably supported by an ice storage bin, an actuator operatively coupled to the axle and an ice breaker operatively coupled to the actuator. The ice breaker moves in a reciprocal manner upon the driving of the axle and the actuator. Such reciprocal movement of the ice breaker breaks ice clumps in the storage bin.Type: GrantFiled: August 10, 2010Date of Patent: April 14, 2015Assignee: General Electric CompanyInventors: Wayne E. Lawson, Daniel S. Renz, Arun Madhav Talegaonkar, Geoffrey Lee Ranard