Directed Relative To Ice Container Patents (Class 62/420)
  • Patent number: 11112163
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet and a refrigeration system having an evaporator. An ice-making compartment is positioned within the cabinet and includes a housing defining an inlet aperture on an upper portion of the housing and an outlet aperture. An ice storage bin is positioned in a lower portion of the housing. An ice tray is positioned above the ice storage bin. An inlet duct is in fluid communication with the inlet aperture and is configured to direct air into the housing from the evaporator. The inlet duct includes a first branch having a plurality of first branch channels to direct air to a plurality of first branch locations on a first surface of the ice tray. A second branch of the inlet duct directs air to a second surface of the ice tray. An outlet duct is in fluid communication with the outlet aperture and is configured to direct air from the housing to the evaporator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Sarah M. Galea, Jacob C. Ickes, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya
  • Patent number: 10436464
    Abstract: The forced air device for use with an outdoor table is a device that is used to keep flies and insects away from an outdoor table, and also to act as a cooling device. The disclosed device generates a flow of cooled air using dry ice. The forced air device for use with an outdoor table includes a fan module, a CO2 module, a vent module, a control system, a first plurality of locking tabs, and a second plurality of locking tabs. The first plurality of locking tabs attaches the fan module to the CO2 module. The second plurality of locking tabs attaches the CO2 module to the vent module. The control system creates a cooled airflow through the disclosed device from the fan module to the vent module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 8, 2019
    Inventor: Wade Headrick
  • Patent number: 8966931
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes: an icemaker case on a door; an icemaker door on the icemaker case, the icemaker door being rotatable; a holding part on the icemaker case; and a lever assembly. The lever assembly is coupled to the icemaker door to be rotatable in order to engage or disengage with the holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chang-Woan Yang
  • Patent number: 8966925
    Abstract: A portable cooling device including an insulated housing and a water cooler system, whereby water stored in a reservoir, or alternatively water introduced into the system through a specific inlet, is directed through a boustrophedonic series of piping to an ancillary misting head and to at least one misting orifice disposed proximal to at least one fan, which fan is directable within a fan housing, when a chilled mist is directionably propelled from the device. The device has a power system including a photocell, a power inlet, and a battery, configureable to different situations to selectively engage the water cooler system and each fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Inventor: Anthony DeClementi
  • Patent number: 8943852
    Abstract: A refrigerator, which includes an ice making compartment, an ice making device arranged in the ice making compartment, and an ice making tray provided at the ice making device and configured to receive and retain water to be frozen to make ice. The refrigerator also includes a cold air inlet provided at the ice making compartment and configured to allow cold air to be introduced into the cold air compartment, and a cold air guide configured to guide cold air from the cold air inlet toward the ice making tray.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Hoon Lee, Tae Hee Lee, Dong Hoon Lee
  • Patent number: 8820110
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a freezer compartment and a fresh food compartment which includes an ice chamber. The ice chamber includes an ice maker which includes a first heat exchanger for producing ice. The ice chamber further includes an ice container, a second heat exchanger, an air moving apparatus, and an enclosed loop passageway. The ice container is for storing ice produced by the ice maker and includes an exterior surface. The second heat exchanger is for controlling temperature at the ice container. The passageway forms an air flow path such that air travels in thermal contact with the second heat exchanger. The air moving apparatus is positioned to move air through the passageway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Dennis Schenk, Xiaoyong Fu
  • Patent number: 8794024
    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: November 29, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Dean A. Martin, Chad J. Rotter
  • Patent number: 8789388
    Abstract: A refrigerator with an ice making device. The refrigerator includes a body defined with a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and an ice making compartment, the ice making compartment arranged in the refrigerating compartment while being thermally insulated from the refrigerating compartment, a first evaporator arranged in the refrigerating compartment, a second evaporator arranged in the freezing compartment, a refrigerating duct for circulating cold air from the first evaporator to the refrigerating compartment, a freezing duct for circulating cold air from the second evaporator to the freezing compartment, and an ice making flow passage for communicating the second evaporator and the ice making compartment. The second evaporator, ice making compartment, and ice making flow passage form a closed circuit such that the cold air in the ice making compartment does not enter the refrigerating compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: July 29, 2014
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jong Dal Lee, Jae Hoon Lim, Myung Hoon Cho, Seung Tae Lim, Dong Nyeol Ryu
  • Patent number: 8776789
    Abstract: A portable, low maintenance apparatus is provided for cooling down athletes following strenuous exercise. The apparatus has a repository that holds ice, and a fan configured to blow air through the ice and out of a face adapter part. The face adapter is shaped to provide a cool, breathable stream of air to a user who presses his face up against the adapter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 26, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Inventor: Michael J. McCabe
  • Patent number: 8776544
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a fresh food compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment having a target temperature above zero degrees Centigrade. A freezer compartment is disposed at an elevation vertically below the fresh food compartment for storing food items in a sub-freezing environment having a target temperature below zero degrees Centigrade. The refrigeration appliance also includes one or more of a hand-removable insulated cover, a cool air duct for introducing cooled air adjacent an ice bin, and a rearward-sloped catch pan positioned to catch dripping water in said ice maker and direct the dripping water into a drain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2014
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, David R. Ducharme, Xiaoyong Fu, Dennis Schenk
  • Patent number: 8720221
    Abstract: A refrigerator that has a refrigerating compartment and a freezer compartment. A refrigerating compartment door covers at least a portion of the refrigerating compartment. An ice compartment located in the refrigerating compartment is located on the refrigerating compartment door. An ice maker is located in the ice compartment and a dispenser is located on the refrigerating compartment door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 13, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffery J. Anselmino, Nihat Cur, Marcus R. Fischer, Tushar Kulkarni, Douglas D. LeClear, Frank W. Maglinger, Jim J. Pastryk, Andrew M. Tenbarge
  • Patent number: 8707728
    Abstract: Refrigerator with an icemaker including a cabinet having a mullion wall for compartmentalization of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, a case provided to a door on the refrigerating chamber, having a cavity therein, a first duct for supplying cold air from a neighborhood of an evaporator in the freezing chamber to the cavity, the icemaker in the cavity for producing ice, an ice container in the cavity for storing the ice, and a dispenser in the door in communication with the cavity, thereby having ice supplied to a user at an outside of the refrigerator through a dispenser provided to the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 29, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Ryul Lee, Seong Jae Kim, Chang Ho Seo, Sung Hoon Chung
  • Patent number: 8695370
    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. The temperature of the ice compartment is between the temperatures of the fresh food and freezer compartments.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool 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, Ron S. Paulsen, Mauro M. Oliveira, Lester J. Ott, Chad J. Rotter, David Allen Stauffer, Kyle B. Van Meter, Alan M. Welch, Robert L. Wetekamp
  • Patent number: 8677776
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a main body having a storage chamber, a door provided to the main body to selectively open or close the storage chamber, the door including an outer door defining a front external appearance of the door, and a door liner defining a rear external appearance of the door, the door liner including support steps vertically extending along both sides of the door liner, a liner plate interconnecting the support steps, and a seating step horizontally extending from the door liner, the support steps and the seating step defining an installation space, an ice bank removably located on the door liner, and an ice maker cover located above the ice bank.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2012
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung-Soo Kim, Yoo-Min Park, Oh-Chul Kwon, Jong-Gon Kim, Bon-Young Koo, Young-Hoon Gwak, Hyeon-Po Cho
  • Patent number: 8677775
    Abstract: A refrigerator has a container for storing ice surrounded by a cold accumulating member, so that when the container is provided in the refrigeration compartment, ice stored inside the container will not melt and stick together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 25, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ju-Hyun Kim, Jong-Min Shin
  • Patent number: 8671711
    Abstract: An icemaker assembly and a refrigerator having the icemaker assembly are provided. The icemaker assembly includes a cover directing cool air toward an ice tray and a bracket for enhancing flow of the cool air directed toward the ice cover.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jong Gon Kim
  • Patent number: 8667809
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber, a door provided to the main body, including an outer door and a door liner. The door liner includes support steps, a liner plate, and a seating step that define an installation space. An ice maker is located at least partially in the installation space. A cold air duct is provided in one side of the storage chamber to supply the ice maker with cold air. An ice maker cover is provided having a cold air inlet on a top portion thereof and a viewing window on a lower portion thereof. The viewing window allows the ice maker to be seen from outside of the ice maker cover. An ice bank is removably located below the ice maker to transfer ice received from the ice maker to a dispenser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung-Soo Kim, Yoo-Min Park, Oh-Chul Kwon, Jong-Gon Kim, Bon-Young Koo, Young-Hoon Gwak, Hyeon-Po Cho
  • Patent number: 8631665
    Abstract: A portable cooling device including an insulated housing and a water cooler system, whereby water stored in a reservoir, or alternatively water introduced into the system through a specific inlet, is directed through a boustrophedonic series of piping to at least one misting orifice disposed proximal to at least one fan, which fan is directable within a fan housing, whence a chilled mist is directionably propelled from the device. The device has a power system including a photocell, a power inlet, and a battery, configureable to different situations to selectively engage the water cooler system and each fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 27, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 21, 2014
    Inventor: Anthony DeClementi
  • Patent number: 8601830
    Abstract: Refrigerator with an icemaker including a cabinet having a mullion wall for compartmentalization of a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, a case provided to a door on the refrigerating chamber, having a cavity therein, a first duct for supplying cold air from a neighborhood of an evaporator in the freezing chamber to the cavity, the icemaker in the cavity for producing ice, an ice container in the cavity for storing the ice, and a dispenser in the door in communication with the cavity, thereby having ice supplied to a user at an outside of the refrigerator through a dispenser provided to the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 10, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung Ryul Lee, Seong Jae Kim, Chang Ho Seo, Sung Hoon Chung
  • Patent number: 8572999
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Ju-Hyun Kim, Jong-Min Shin
  • Patent number: 8567210
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hong-Hee Park, Tae-Hee Lee, Joon-Hwan Oh, Young-Jin Kim, Ho-Youn Lee
  • Publication number: 20130233002
    Abstract: A device includes a portable chest, a radiator in the chest, a liquid pump in the chest that moves liquid through the radiator, and a fan for providing an airflow across the radiator. The portable chest stores a quantity of chilled water that is pumped through the radiator by the liquid pump to chill the airflow provided by the fan.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 27, 2013
    Publication date: September 12, 2013
    Applicant: ICYBREEZE, LLC
    Inventors: Clint Donaldson, David Yonce
  • Patent number: 8528357
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 19, 2009
    Date of Patent: September 10, 2013
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Nobuo Kondo, Kiyoshi Yamaoka, Hideyuki Tashiro, Takeshi Ueda, Takashi Hibino, Akira Harata
  • Patent number: 8459056
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Min Shin, Ju Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8448462
    Abstract: A system and method for making ice is provided. The system for making ice may include a tray for containing water to be used for making ice, and an ice-making pipe positioned so that at least a portion thereof is submerged in the water contained in the tray. A refrigerant of relatively low temperature flows through the ice-making pipe during an ice-making process, while a refrigerant of relatively high temperature flows through the ice-making pipe during an ice-releasing process.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 28, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Min Shin, Ju Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8443621
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice maker and a method for making ice, and more particularly, to an ice maker provided in a refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator and an ice making method. According to an ice maker and an ice making method, there is no need for forming an additional duct to supply cold air to the ice maker in order to make ice, whereby it is possible to simplify a manufacturing process of a refrigerator and to reduce manufacturing costs of a refrigerator. In addition, since a portion of refrigerant used in a refrigeration cycle of the refrigerator is used for making ice, no additional energy is required for making ice, thereby reducing energy consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 21, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Min Shin, Ju Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8438869
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refrigerator having an ice-making chamber, and the refrigerator may include a refrigerator body and an ice-making chamber, and the ice-making chamber may include an ice-making chamber body one side of which is opened, a connecting duct provided in a first sidewall of the ice-making chamber to be connected to the refrigerator body, an ice-making chamber door provided at a second sidewall of the ice-making chamber to open and close the ice-making chamber, and a protrusion portion formed to be protruded at the first sidewall. Accordingly, the thickness of the ice-making chamber door can be secured without changing a cool air channel of the ice-making chamber, thereby increasing a cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dongjeong Kim, Wookyong Lee, Changho Seo
  • Patent number: 8438872
    Abstract: A refrigerator and its operation method are disclosed. Cool air ducts guide cool air from a freezing compartment to an ice compartment that is positioned at a refrigerating compartment door. At least a portion of the cool air ducts are located at a barrier that separates the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young-Hoon Yun, Bong-Jin Kim, Sang-Heon Lee, Seong-Jae Kim
  • Patent number: 8434322
    Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed which enables the user to easily take ice out of an ice maker without causing a variation in the capacity of the refrigerator or a limitation on the position of a freezing compartment. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator body which includes a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, an ice making compartment which is arranged in the refrigerating compartment, to make ice, a heat exchanger which generates cold air for freezing food stored in the freezing compartment, and a cold air guiding device which guides the cold air generated by the heat exchanger to the ice making compartment, to enable the ice making compartment to make ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bok Dong Lee, Seung-Mok Lee, Kap Rok Han, Chang Woan Yang
  • Patent number: 8429926
    Abstract: An ice storage bin and an icemaker apparatus are disclosed. The ice storage bin has a body for defining an ice collection cavity and a channel surrounding at least a substantial portion of the body for permitting fluid flow through the channel. The icemaker apparatus is disposed in a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator. The icemaker apparatus has an ice maker, above the ice storage bin, and an icemaking compartment for accommodating the ice maker and the ice storage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Bipin Shaha, Wayne E. Lawson
  • Patent number: 8429927
    Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed which enables the user to easily take ice out of an ice maker without causing a variation in the capacity of the refrigerator or a limitation on the position of a freezing compartment. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator body which includes a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, an ice making compartment which is arranged in the refrigerating compartment, to make ice, a heat exchanger which generates cold air for freezing food stored in the freezing compartment, and a cold air guiding device which guides the cold air generated by the heat exchanger to the ice making compartment, to enable the ice making compartment to make ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bok Dong Lee, Seung Mok Lee, Kap Rok Han, Chang Woan Yang
  • Patent number: 8418497
    Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed which enables the user to easily take ice out of an ice maker without causing a variation in the capacity of the refrigerator or a limitation on the position of a freezing compartment. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator body which includes a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, an ice making compartment which is arranged in the refrigerating compartment, to make ice, a heat exchanger which generates cold air for freezing food storing stored in the freezing compartment, and a cold air guiding device which guides the cold air generated by the heat exchanger to the ice making compartment, to enable the ice making compartment to make ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bok Dong Lee, Seung-Mok Lee, Kap Rok Han, Chang Woan Yang
  • Patent number: 8418496
    Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed which enables the user to easily take ice out of an ice maker without causing a variation in the capacity of the refrigerator or a limitation on the position of a freezing compartment. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator body which includes a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, an ice making compartment which is arranged in the refrigerating compartment, to make ice, a heat exchanger which generates cold air for freezing food stored in the freezing compartment, and a cold air guiding device which guides the cold air generated by the heat exchanger to the ice making compartment, to enable the ice making compartment to make ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: April 16, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bok Dong Lee, Seung-Mok Lee, Kap Rok Han, Chang Woan Yang
  • Patent number: 8408023
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator and an ice maker thereof, and more particularly, to an ice maker provided in a refrigerating chamber of a refrigerator. An ice maker according to the present invention comprises a tray for storing a drinkable water to be used for making ice, an ejector for separating ice formed in the tray, an ice-making pipe provided in the tray, and a heating member provided in the tray. According to a refrigerator and an ice maker thereof according to the present invention, there is no need for forming an additional duct to supply cold air to the ice maker in order to make ice, whereby it is possible to simplify a manufacturing process of a refrigerator and to reduce manufacturing costs of a refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Min Shin, Ju Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8397533
    Abstract: A refrigerator is disclosed which enables the user to easily take ice out of an ice maker without causing a variation in the capacity of the refrigerator or a limitation on the position of a freezing compartment. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator body which includes a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, an ice making compartment which is arranged in the refrigerating compartment, to make ice, a heat exchanger which generates cold air for freezing food stored in the freezing compartment, and a cold air guiding device which guides the cold air generated by the heat exchanger to the ice making compartment, to enable the ice making compartment to make ice.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Bok Dong Lee, Seung-Mok Lee, Kap Rok Han, Chang Woan Yang
  • Patent number: 8359878
    Abstract: A method of assembling a refrigerator including providing a main body having a storage chamber, providing a door having a door liner on one side of the door, providing a seating member, providing an ice maker for making ice, attaching the ice maker to the seating member, attaching the seating member to the door liner, providing an ice bank for storing ice, attaching the ice bank to the seating member below the ice maker, and rotatably attaching the door to the main body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 29, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung-Soo Kim, Yoo-Min Park, Oh-Chul Kwon, Jong-Gon Kim, Bon-Young Koo, Young-Hoon Gwak, Hyeon-Po Cho
  • Patent number: 8281613
    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: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventors: Jae Koog An, Jung Rae Kim, Jong Yeob Kim
  • Patent number: 8161766
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a 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, a door for opening or closing the refrigerating chamber, a container provided in the door to store ice therein, and a cold heat storage member surrounding the container. According to the refrigerator of the present invention constructed as above, 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 melted and stuck together.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 24, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jong Min Shin, Ju Hyun Kim
  • Patent number: 8156997
    Abstract: A device and method are disclosed for producing heated and/or cooled compressed air. The device may include a conventional air compressor, one or more filter stages to dry and purify the compressed air, a heat exchanger assembly including a heat exchanger enclosure with a heat exchange coil surrounded by ice or hot water for cooling or heating the compressed air, and an air distribution manifold to supply the temperature-controlled and filtered air to users. In a preferred embodiment, ice is used to cool the compressed air, and the cooled compressed air is supplied to protective gear worn by athletes to cool the athletes during rest periods.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 17, 2012
    Assignee: TMS Company LLC
    Inventors: Melvin O. Carter, Darren A. Carter, Kevin A. Carter, Fred M. Williams
  • Patent number: 7984624
    Abstract: A cooling, heat exchanging, system effectively heats or cools the air within an enclosed space. The system operates for an extended time period without requiring the use of a generator or utility power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Inventor: Dan Leitner
  • Publication number: 20100281908
    Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice dispenser, which comprises: a basket installed inside a door of the refrigerator; a home bar door installed at the door and configured to open/close the basket; an ice dispenser located at an upper portion of the basket; an ice container configured to store pieces of ice to be supplied to the ice dispenser; and a switching unit configured to switch on or off the operation of the ice dispenser. Hence, since a home bar door of a home bar having an ice dispenser therein is maintained in a state of completely closing the home bar, such home bar can serve as a storage for storing goods. Also, pieces of ice can be ejected by simply pressing a dispenser lever, other than extending the ice container, resulting in an increase in convenience of use.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2008
    Publication date: November 11, 2010
    Inventor: Dong-Wan Kim
  • Publication number: 20100257877
    Abstract: A refrigerator and its operation method are disclosed. Cool air ducts guide cool air from a freezing compartment to an ice compartment that is positioned at a refrigerating compartment door. At least a portion of the cool air ducts are located at a barrier that separates the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2010
    Publication date: October 14, 2010
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Young-Hoon YUN, Bong-Jin KIM, Sang-Heon LEE, Seong-Jae KIM
  • Patent number: 7805958
    Abstract: The present invention may be used for cooling generally enclosed spaces. An enclosure having an air flow duct intermediate two spaced apart cooled material compartments may have a first wall having apertures therein and a second wall having apertures therein separating the air flow duct from the two spaced apart cooled material compartments. The enclosure may have a top, a bottom, two side walls, an air port end wall having a port therein in fluid communication between the enclosure exterior and the air flow duct, and a fan end wall having a fan port therein in fluid communication between the enclosure exterior and the air flow duct. A fan may be attached to the fan end wall across the fan port. A cooled material may be disposed in the two spaced apart cooled material compartments and a power source may be connected to the fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 5, 2010
    Inventor: Martin Bratcher
  • Publication number: 20100218540
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigeration appliance including a fresh food compartment for storing food items in a refrigerated environment having a target temperature above zero degrees Centigrade. A freezer compartment is disposed at an elevation vertically below the fresh food compartment for storing food items in a sub-freezing environment having a target temperature below zero degrees Centigrade. The refrigeration appliance also includes one or more of a hand-removable insulated cover, a cool air duct for introducing cooled air adjacent an ice bin, and a rearward-sloped catch pan positioned to catch dripping water in said ice maker and direct the dripping water into a drain.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 25, 2010
    Publication date: September 2, 2010
    Applicant: ELECTROLUX HOME PRODUCTS, INC.
    Inventors: Thomas W. McCollough, David R. Ducharme, Xiaoyong Fu, Dennis Schenk
  • Patent number: 7779645
    Abstract: A pet crate cooler comprising a tub adapted to hold ice, a plurality of tubes or fins adapted to receive melted ice water from the tub, and a fan adapted to blow air across the outer surface of the fins or tubes and into the pet crate cavity.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 7, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 24, 2010
    Inventor: Steve Heimbach
  • Publication number: 20100192601
    Abstract: A portable air conditioner (10) that has a loading chamber (30) substantially separated from a heat-transfer chamber (32) within a housing (20). Heat-transfer cells (40) for holding a phase-changeable, frozen substance such as ice (3), have an open end that is accessible from the loading chamber (30) and have cell housings (42, 44) disposed within the heat-transfer chamber (32). An air-flow mechanism (62) causes air to be drawn in through at least one air-intake opening (60), circulated among the heat-transfer cells (40) and urged outwardly of the unit housing (20) through at least one air-outlet opening (70, 72).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2010
    Publication date: August 5, 2010
    Inventor: Ronald J. Monroe, SR.
  • Patent number: 7748235
    Abstract: A portable cooling apparatus and associated method include an ice chest having an inner cavity defined by one or more side walls extending upwardly from a floor forming a lower end of the ice chest and having a lid positioned at an upper end of the ice chest so as to close access to the inner cavity; a manifold removably positioned on the floor of the inner cavity of the ice chest, the manifold having an inlet and an outlet extending through the one or more side walls to outside the ice chest; and an electric fan associated with the manifold outlet for drawing air from the inlet through the manifold so as to blow air through the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 10, 2006
    Date of Patent: July 6, 2010
    Inventors: Rick Franklin, Sherry Gauntlett
  • Publication number: 20100126185
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a body having a storage room, an ice making chamber formed separately from the storage room, and a thermoelectric-module provided in the ice making chamber to generate cold air. The thermoelectric-module does not require a cold air duct to cool the ice making chamber. As a result, space utilization is improved and a capacity of the refrigerator is improved. In addition, energy efficiency may be enhanced because a heater is not required to remove the frost from a cold air duct.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2009
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Yeon Woo CHO, Gye Young Song, Young Hoon Yun
  • Publication number: 20100126204
    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: Application
    Filed: January 27, 2010
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: DEAN A. MARTIN, CHAD J. ROTTER
  • Patent number: RE44132
    Abstract: In one aspect, an icemaker for making ice in a fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator comprises a freezer compartment comprising a freezer door, and a fresh food compartment located over the freezer compartment and comprising a fresh food door. The fresh food door comprises an ice dispenser. An ice maker is located in the fresh food compartment, and the ice maker comprises an ice mold, and a thermoelectric device for moving heat from the ice mold. The mold is positioned so that ice from the mold can be dispensed by the ice dispenser in the fresh food door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David Joseph Najewicz