Abstract: An appliance dispenser includes a housing defining a recess. The housing includes a receptacle support member and a fixed funnel. An ice dispensing passage extends through the fixed funnel and operably connected with an ice bin. A variable funnel includes a proximal end and a distal end. The proximal end is adjacent the fixed funnel. The distal end is movable between a retracted position and an extended position.

Abstract: An ice detecting apparatus for a refrigerator having an ice maker includes an ice detecting sensor which determines whether or not an ice storage container which receives and stores ice made by the ice maker is full or nearly full of ice based on pulses transmitted from and received by transmitting and receiving units. The ice detecting sensor includes a transmitting unit to transmit one or more pulses and a receiving unit to detect the pulses transmitted from the transmitting unit. A controller is operably coupled to the transmitting and receiving units to determine whether the storage container is full or nearly full based on pulses detected by the receiving unit among one or more pulses transmitted by the transmitting unit. The controller also determines whether or not external light has been introduced into the ice maker based on the pulses detected by the receiving unit.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A refrigerator which has a refrigerating section maintained above 0 degrees C., and a freezer section located below the refrigerating section maintained below 0 degrees C. A refrigerating section door covers at least a portion of the refrigerating section. An ice compartment is located on the refrigerating section door. An ice is located in the ice compartment with an ice storage bin located in the ice compartment below the ice maker. A dispenser located on the refrigerating section door can dispense ice from the ice storage bin.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator that includes a cabinet and a refrigerator door. The cabinet defining a storage compartment. The refrigerator door opens and closes the storage compartment. The refrigerator door includes a door liner defining an ice compartment, an ice compartment door opening and closing the ice compartment, and a handle provided to the ice compartment door. The ice compartment door includes a dike protruding from the ice compartment door. The handle and the dike are disposed on an identical line.

Abstract: A soft freeze assembly is provided within a freezer compartment of a refrigerator assembly. The refrigerator assembly includes a fresh food compartment maintained at a first temperature arranged adjacent the freezer compartment maintained at a second temperature. The soft freeze assembly includes a support structure attached to a wall within the freezer compartment. The soft freeze assembly further includes a storage bin being supported by the support structure and movable with respect to the support structure. The storage bin is structured to allow air exterior from the freezer compartment to enter the storage bin and maintain the storage bin at a third temperature that is colder than the first temperature and warmer than the second temperature.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, a refrigerating compartment door, an ice maker disposed in the freezing compartment, and an ice bank disposed on the door. The refrigerator also includes an ice transfer device configured to transfer ice made by the ice maker to the ice bank through an ice chute. The ice transfer device includes a housing and a transfer member configured to transfer ice from the housing into the ice chute. An inlet end of the ice chute is located at a point that is spaced upward from a bottom surface of the housing and extends upward from a horizontal plane at an angle that is less than an angle between the horizontal plane and a tangent that passes through an outer circumferential surface of the housing at a lower end of the inlet end of the ice chute.

Abstract: A structure of an ice making compartment of a side by side type refrigerator to enhance ice making efficiency and to reduce energy consumption. The ice making compartment may be separately provided between a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment and be insulated from the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment. A portion of a refrigerant pipe is inserted into the inside of the ice making compartment so as to directly cool down the ice making compartment. A front opening of the ice making compartment can be closed by an ice bucket, and the ice bucket can be inserted into or drawn from the ice making compartment with being accessible without opening a refrigerating compartment door and a freezing compartment door.

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.

Abstract: An ice collection area is disposed inside the cabinet proximate an ice maker. An ice storage area is disposed inside the cabinet. A first relocatable ice bin is disposed inside the cabinet. The first relocatable ice bin is disposed in one of the ice collection area and the ice storage area. A second relocatable ice bin is disposed inside the cabinet. The second relocatable ice bin is disposed in the other of the ice collection area and the ice storage area.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body including a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, a door, and an ice maker disposed in the freezing compartment. The refrigerator also includes an ice bank disposed on the door, an ice transfer device configured to transfer ice made in the ice maker to the ice bank, and an ice chute that connects the ice transfer device to the ice bank. The ice transfer device includes a housing in which ice separated from the ice maker drops and a transfer member accommodated within the housing and configured to transfer ice from the housing into the ice chute. The ice transfer device also includes an ice unit configured to reduce ice jamming or damage caused by interference with the transfer member.

Abstract: A refrigerator including an icemaker and an ice bucket provided at a door, a feeding unit to feed ice cubes stored in the ice bucket, a driving motor provided at a main body to drive the feeding unit, and a coupling device to transmit driving force from the driving motor to the feeding unit. When the door is closed, the driving motor is connected to the feeding unit. When the door is opened, the driving motor is disconnected from the feeding unit. Accordingly, the door has a simple structure, the ice bucket has an increased capacity, repair or replacement of the driving motor is easily achieved. The coupling device includes a first coupling unit and a second coupling unit which is engaged with the first coupling unit to receive driving force. The coupling device is configured to hide the coupling units when the door is opened.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment door, an ice bank mounted on the refrigerating compartment door, and a dispenser disposed under the ice bank. The refrigerator also includes an ice maker provided in the freezing compartment, a transfer member connected to the ice maker and configured to transfer ice made in the ice maker to the ice bank, and an ice chute connecting an outlet of the transfer member to the ice bank. The ice chute defines an ice transfer passage between the transfer member and the ice bank. The refrigerator further includes a stopper disposed on a discharge end of the ice chute and configured to block discharge of ice from the ice chute in a state in which the refrigerating compartment door is opened.

Abstract: A tabletop beverage quick cooling device has a housing that contains a chiller portion with a hinged cover. A refrigeration unit is provided to cool water to use to cool the beverage. The refrigeration unit may be mechanical or solid state. The chiller contains a removable cage that holds cans or bottles. The chiller holds chilled water to bathe the cage in the low temperature water. The cage rests on two rollers that provide rotation and are rotated by a motor. A compressor, condenser and associated components are used to produce the low temperatures needed to chill the water. In another embodiment, solid state thermoelectric modules take the place of the compressor, etc. Rotation is controlled by a control panel which can also monitor temperature. An optional ice storage chamber is provided to store ice. Additionally, an ice maker may be provided to produce ice.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a top wall. At least one door is coupled with the cabinet and is moveable between an open position and a closed position. A removable cooling module is disposed on the top wall of the refrigerator. The removable cooling module includes a cooling unit and an ice maker. An ice dispenser is coupled with the refrigerator. A duct is in communication with the removable cooling module and is adapted to convey ice and cool air from the removable cooling module to the refrigerator.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice bank installed on a refrigerating compartment door, a dispenser provided below the ice bank, and an ice maker provided in a freezing compartment. The refrigerator also includes a transfer element connected to a side of the ice maker and configured to transfer ice made by the ice maker to the ice bank. The refrigerator further includes a first duct connecting an outlet of the transfer element and the ice bank and a second duct connecting the ice bank and the freezing compartment. One of the first duct and the second duct is a cold air supplying duct that supplies cold air to the ice bank and another of the first duct and the second duct is a cold air return duct that returns cold air of the ice bank to the freezing compartment.

Abstract: A removable cooling module for a refrigerator includes a cooling unit positioned in a housing and removably coupled with a top wall of the refrigerator. An ice maker is coupled to the cooling unit. An ice bin is disposed in the housing and is adapted to receive and store ice from the ice maker. A duct is in communication with the cooling unit and is adapted to convey ice from the removable cooling module to an ice dispenser.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a removable cooling module that defines a cavity. The removable cooling module includes a cooling unit and an ice maker disposed in the cavity. A duct is disposed inside the refrigerator and is in communication with the removable cooling module. The duct is adapted to convey cool air and ice from the ice maker to an ice storage bin in the refrigerator. An ice deflector is disposed in the duct. The ice deflector directs ice to the ice storage bin and directs cool air to a food storage area in the refrigerator.

Abstract: A vending machine is disclosed. The vending machine has a selector for a plurality of beverage types and a selector for a plurality of ice types. The vending machine has a first store for storing a supply of the plurality of beverage types and a second store for storing a supply of the plurality of ice types. The vending machine also has a dispenser for dispensing into a container a selected beverage type and a selected ice type.

Abstract: An ice maker is installed at a refrigerating chamber, and an ice bank is installed at a door of the refrigerating chamber. A cooling air duct extends along a wall surface of the refrigerating chamber and is positioned on an upper side of the ice bank so that ice stored in the inside of an ice bank is prevented from sticking to each other due to the melting of ice.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator configured to improve the structure of an ice-making chamber provided to a refrigerator door, thereby efficiently supplying cool air into the ice-making chamber. The refrigerator includes a main body including a storage chamber, a refrigerator door rotatably coupled to the main body, an ice-making device provided to the refrigerator door and configured to make ice, an ice-making unit provided to the ice-making device and including a cool air introduction part, a freezing core vertically arranged in the ice-making unit and cooled by cool air, and an ice tray configured to receive at least one portion of the freezing core therein, wherein the cool air introduction part is provided on an upper side of the freezing core. Cool air is efficiently introduced into the ice-making chamber, thereby increasing the amount of ice made.

Abstract: A system for making ice comprises an auger-driven ice formation portion configured for mounting in a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator appliance, and at least one inlet duct positioned proximate to the auger-driven ice formation portion and configured for receiving and passing ambient air from a freezer compartment of the refrigerator appliance into the auger-driven ice formation portion.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice-making chamber, an ice bucket that can be slidably drawn into and out of the ice-making chamber, and a locking device that can lock the ice bucket, and the locking device may be provided in an upper wall of an inner case. Only a latch protrusion that protrudes upwardly is formed in the ice bucket so as to be coupled to the locking device, and therefore a structure of the ice bucket may be simplified, and an unnecessary opening may not be formed in the ice bucket, thereby preventing cool air of an inside of the ice bucket from leaking.

Abstract: Disclosed are an ice maker and a refrigerator having the same. The refrigerator includes a storage compartment, a storage compartment door for opening/closing the storage compartment, and an ice maker including an ice making tray for producing pieces of ice, and a water dispense cup for dispensing water supplied from a water supply pipe to the ice making tray. A water guide section is formed in the water dispense cup to guide the water, which is supplied from the water supply pipe, to a region below the water supply pipe so that ice pieces are prevented from being accumulated in the water dispense cup.

Abstract: An ice making apparatus is provided. When an ice full detecting arm is not returned to an initial position by being caught on ice filled in the ice bank, it is determined that the ice bank is fully filled with the ice. Since the ice full detecting arm does not rotate when it is caught by the ice of the ice bank, the damage of the ice full detecting arm can be prevented.

Abstract: An ice-making machine has a box-shaped lower housing with an ice storage bin, a box-shaped upper housing mounted on a rear portion of the lower housing, an ice-making mechanism within the front portion of a machine compartment in the upper housing, and a freezing unit installed behind the ice-making mechanism for supplying refrigerant to the ice-making mechanism. An open-and-close ice-access lid is pivotally mounted between the lower end of the upper housing and the the lower housing. An air intake passage introduces outside cooling air from the front face of the lower housing into the machine compartment along inner surfaces of one side wall and a rear wall of the lower housing. An air discharge passage is provided for passing the air after cooling to flow outward along inner surfaces of the rear wall and the other side wall of the lower housing to an exterior discharge from the front face of the lower housing.

Abstract: An ice maker comprises a tray accommodating water to make ice, a first control box (200) installed at a side of the tray, the first control box (200) accommodating a predetermined part of a mechanism unit driving the ice maker; and a second control box (300) accommodating the other part of the mechanism unit which is electrically connected with the part of the mechanism unit accommodated in the first control part.

Abstract: An ice collection area is disposed inside the cabinet proximate an ice maker. An ice storage area is disposed inside the cabinet. A first relocatable ice bin is disposed inside the cabinet. The first relocatable ice bin is disposed in one of the ice collection area and the ice storage area. A second relocatable ice bin is disposed inside the cabinet. The second relocatable ice bin is disposed in the other of the ice collection area and the ice storage area.

Abstract: A variable capacity ice storage assembly for a refrigerator freezer compartment includes a removable insert adapted to be positioned within an ice storage bucket to alter the storage capacity of the ice bucket. The insert includes one or more tabs having clips thereon for attaching the insert to one or more side walls of the ice bucket. The tabs are fixed to a main body portion having a first solid deflector extending at a first angle there from and a second solid deflector extending at a second angle. One or more hinges may be utilized to connect parts of the insert, resulting in a reconfigurable insert that can be utilized in multiple positions. When utilized in an auger-type ice dispensing system, the insert is sized such that the main body portion of the insert does not interfere with the function of the auger.

Abstract: Disclosed herein is an ice maker for a refrigerator and a refrigerator having the same. The ice maker for a refrigerator may include an ice tray having a plurality of cells thereinside, an ejector configured to remove ice inside the cells, and a transfer unit configured to transfer the ice removed by the ejector in the length direction of the ice tray. Accordingly, the width of the ice maker can be reduced, thereby reducing the size of its occupied area in the width direction when the ice maker is provided therein.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus is provided having improved access to ice. The refrigeration apparatus includes a freezer compartment, a slidable support, an ice maker and an ice bin. The slidable support occupies a portion of the freezer compartment and is configured to open to an extended position. The ice bin is moveable with the slidable support and occupies at least a portion of the slidable support. The stationary ice maker is attached to the freezer compartment and located above the portion of the slidable support. When the slidable support is pulled opened to the extended position, access to the ice bin is unobstructed by the ice maker.

Abstract: Provided is refrigeration appliance that includes a fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment. The refrigeration appliance also includes at least one door restricting access into at least one of the fresh food compartment and the freezer compartment. A heated mullion including a substantially-planar, externally-exposed surface is provided to cooperate with a seal provided to the door. An ice chute extends at least partially through the door for dispensing ice through the door. The ice chute includes a fastener for coupling the ice chute to a door liner and maintain the position of the ice chute relative to the door liner during installation of an insulating material in the door.

Abstract: An ice machine in which an icemaker sits atop the ice machine and makes ice that is processed by the ice machine to deliver on demand ice in bags to a paying customer. The customer places payment into the money acceptor and pushes a button indicating a demand to purchase an open bag of ice or a container of ice water provided by the ice water dispenser.

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 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.

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 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.

Abstract: A refrigerator and a control method thereof to control a rotational direction of an ice making motor to detect an ice full state of an ice storage without separating the ice from the ice maker. The refrigerator includes an ice making tray making ice therein, an ejector separating the ice, an ice storage storing the separated ice, an ice full state sensing lever detecting the ice full state of the ice storage, an ice making motor driving the ejector and the ice full state sensing lever, and a controller detecting the ice full state by driving the ice full state sensing lever by rotating the ice making motor in an ice moving direction, and detecting release of the ice full state by driving the ice full state sensing lever by rotating the ice making motor in the opposite direction after the ice full state is detected.

Abstract: A drive unit for an automatic ice maker may include a drive part provided with a motor for driving an ice tray and an ice detecting member, a position detecting device for detecting positions of the ice tray and the ice detecting member, a control section for controlling drive of the motor on the basis of detection signals of the position detecting device, and a unit case in which the control section, the drive part, the position detecting device are accommodated. The automatic ice maker may be installed in an ice making compartment of a refrigerator.

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

Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator including a refrigerator main body having a cooling chamber. The refrigerator also includes a refrigerating chamber door positioned at the refrigerator main body and configured to open and close at least a portion of a refrigerating chamber. The refrigerator further includes an ice chamber disposed at an inner surface of the refrigerating chamber door containing ice. In addition, the refrigerator includes a door basket configured to be attached to an outer surface of the ice chamber and having a non-contact portion positioned at a surface facing the ice chamber.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: An appliance includes a cabinet and a cabinet door and an ice maker. A primary ice bin is disposed in the cabinet door of the appliance. A secondary ice bin is disposed in the cabinet of the appliance. A routing device is disposed inside the cabinet. The routing device includes a stationary base that supports an adjustable ramp. The ramp is operable between a first position that directs ice to the primary ice bin and a second position that directs ice to the secondary ice bin.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator has a refrigerator body including a storage chamber to store foods, a door configured to open or close the storage chamber, an ice maker mounted on the door and an ice maker cover to at least partially cover the ice maker, the ice maker cover including a cool air inlet port for introducing cool air at an upper portion thereof. The ice maker includes a first guide coupled to a lower portion of the ice maker to guide cool air to pass through the lower portion of the ice maker and a second guide provided at an upper side of the ice maker to guide cool air introduced through the cool air inlet port to be branched off and flowed into the upper and lower portions of the ice maker.

Abstract: A structure of a driving apparatus capable of easily organizing a driving apparatus that is configured to drive an ejector of an ice maker, and preventing frost from being formed on inner compartments, the driving apparatus including a case and a driving module detachable to the inner side of the case, wherein the driving module includes an ice separating motor to drive the ejector, a circuit board to control an ice making process, an electro-motion member to deliver a rotational force of the ice separating motor to the ejector, and a module case to accommodate the components of the driving module.

Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including a mixing box detachably provided on a refrigerator door. Due to the mixing box, a user can conveniently utilize a beverage having a slushy shape.

Abstract: An ice level detection device of a refrigerator includes an ice level detection arm and an ice storage container detection arm, the ice level detection arm operatively connected to a mechanical motor for movement between an ice sensing position with the ice level detection arm extending at least partially into the ice storage container and an ice harvest position with the ice level detection arm being clear of the ice storage container, the ice storage container detection arm abutting the ice storage container while the ice storage container is mounted at the door. The ice level detection arm transitions from the ice sensing position to the ice harvest position for ice harvest by the ice maker. Opening the door disables ice harvest by the ice maker. Upon removal of the ice storage container the ice level detection arm transitions to the ice harvest position and disables ice harvest.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a cold air flow passage structure for allowing ice, which is received in an ice-storing device provided in a refrigerating chamber door, to be in a frozen state without being melted. The refrigerator of the present invention comprises a main body including at least a refrigerating chamber and a cold air flow passage for supplying cold air to the refrigerating chamber, a refrigerating chamber door for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber, and an ice bank provided in the refrigerating chamber door and having a container for storing ice therein, wherein at least a portion of the cold air discharged from the cold air flow passage is discharged directly to the ice bank. According to the refrigerator of the present invention, even though an ice bank for storing ice is provided in a refrigerating chamber door, it is possible to prevent a phenomenon by which ice is partially melted and stuck again together.

Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator, in which the structure of an ice supply device is improved. The refrigerator includes a main body, in which at least one storage chamber is formed; a door opening and closing the at least one storage chamber; an ice making unit provided on a rear surface of the door to make ice; an ice storage container provided under the ice making unit to store the ice made by the ice making unit; and at least one receiving rack provided on at least one side of right and left sides of the ice making unit or the ice storage container.

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.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a secondary cooling path for circulating liquid coolant through the refrigerator wherein the liquid coolant is cooled by the freezer compartment and wherein the liquid coolant cools the ice maker and the ice bin as the liquid coolant circulates through the secondary cooling path. A pump is positioned along the secondary cooling path for pumping the liquid coolant through the secondary cooling path. A tube having a first end proximate the pump and an opposite end exposed to atmosphere may control suction pressure associated with the pump. The refrigerator reduces frost build up through configuration of the secondary cooling path or performing ice harvesting operations which melt frost. The secondary cooling path may be used to provide for circulating hot liquid. The secondary cooling path may be used to provide for circulating liquid coolant during a power outage.

Abstract: An ice tray assembly for a refrigerator is provided. The ice tray assembly is installed in a door of a refrigerator. The ice tray assembly allows water to be supplied from a water container to an ice tray only when the door is closed. To this end, the ice tray assembly includes a valve for opening and closing a channel through which the water is supplied from the water container to the ice tray which is operated in cooperation with the operation of the door. An inner space of a refrigerator main body and corresponding storage space is increased since the ice tray assembly is installed in the door. Further, because water fed from the water container to the ice tray is controlled according to the operation of the door, water is not spilt from the ice tray when the door is operated.