Abstract: A machine to continuously produce and hold ice is provided. The machine includes a compressor, an evaporator, and an auger that rotates across an outer surface of the evaporator to scrape ice forming thereon. Ice slices travel with auger rotation and neighboring ice slices coalesce together to form larger pieces of ice. A user input allows adjustment of the density of the ice produced. The controller alters compressor speed, such that a decrease in compressor speed results in an increase in the surface temperature of the evaporator and therefore slows down ice formation thereon, and an increase in compressor speed results in a decrease in the surface temperature of the evaporator and therefore speeds up the ice formation thereon. A change in ice formation speed results in a corresponding change in the rate of ice slice production and a corresponding change in density of ice produced by the machine.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit including an exterior lining that includes a bottom exterior surface and a top exterior surface facing the bottom exterior surface. The refrigeration unit further including an interior lining that includes a bottom planar-like interior surface and a top interior surface facing the bottom interior surface. The refrigeration unit including a bottom base, wherein the bottom exterior surface is positioned between the bottom base and the bottom planar-like interior surface. The refrigeration unit includes a condenser positioned between the bottom base and the bottom exterior surface, wherein the refrigeration unit is oriented within a gravitational field generated by the Earth so that the gravitational field flows from the top interior surface to the bottom base.

Abstract: A monitoring, control and feedback system for a refrigeration unit is provided that includes a wireless transceiver operably connected to the control circuitry of a refrigeration unit. The transceiver is operably connected to the central processing unit (CPU) of the refrigeration unit and receives signals from the CPU regarding the operation of the refrigeration unit. The transceiver wireless communicates these signals to a program or application stored and operating on a suitable user device that displays the signals illustrating the current operational parameters of the refrigeration unit on the user device while also enabling the user to control the operation of refrigeration unit remotely.

Abstract: A monitoring, control and feedback system for a refrigeration unit is provided that includes a wireless transceiver operably connected to the control circuitry of a refrigeration unit. The transceiver is operably connected to the central processing unit (CPU) of the refrigeration unit and receives signals from the CPU regarding the operation of the refrigeration unit. The transceiver wireless communicates these signals to a program or application stored and operating on a suitable u ser device that displays the signals illustrating the current operational parameters of the refrigeration unit on the user device while also enabling the user to control the operation of refrigeration unit remotely.

Abstract: A cooling unit includes a cabinet with a cooling chamber, a refrigeration system including an evaporator mounted, a compressor, a condenser, and a controller for controlling the cooling unit. The controller has a memory, a processor and an output interface. The controller monitors at least one parameter of the cooling unit, logs in the memory data corresponding to the at least one parameter, and outputs the logged data via the output interface. The cooling unit can include a sensor that monitors a parameter that is logged in memory. The sensor can be a temperature sensor. The logged data can be compared to stored error conditions to detect whether an error condition has occurred. If an error condition has occurred, an error code is logged in memory and can be outputted via the output interface.

Abstract: A drawer refrigerator has a partitioned cabinet with one or more pull-out drawers. The pull-out drawer(s) can have an adjustable divider fence for dividing the storage space of the drawer. The divider fence can have two dividers each defined by two spaced apart elongated rods that are coupled together at a hub and have end pieces with flat surfaces that abut inside surfaces of the drawer walls. A hand operated screw knob mounted to the hub can be used to lock the position of the divider fence.

Abstract: A control assembly for a compact refrigeration unit and the like includes a display panel, a control board having an LED and a switch pad, a flexible extension extending between the switch and the display panel, and a mount supporting the display panel and control board and having a switch support laterally restraining the flexible extension and an open ended light guide directing light from the LED to the display panel. The mount can be a monolithic structure having a switch support and light guide for each of multiple switches and LEDs. The mount includes a removable back cover that clamps the control board in place.

Abstract: A cooler unit has a control housing that is mounted to a floor of a cabinet liner that is sloped in a downward direction toward the opening of the cooler unit. The control housing retains consumable items that are stored on the floor of the cabinet liner so that the items do not fall out of the cooler unit. Particularly, the control housing can retain wine bottles. The control housing houses a controller that controls the operation of the cooler unit. The control housing can include a display and user inputs so that a user can easily manage the cooler unit.

Abstract: A refrigeration unit with improved storage and accessibility features has a thermally insulated cabinet and door defining a storage space with a plurality of support elements. The support elements include easily removable door shelves and horizontal cabinet shelves that can be removed or repositioned without the door being fully opened due to dished regions adjacent the shelf supports that allow the shelves to be pivoted and removed rather than slid straight out of the cabinet. Indicia on one of the shelves follows the contour of one of the door shelves to indicate approximately the shelf space occupied by an adjacent door shelf and thus where items can be set without interfering with the closure of the door. The refrigeration unit also includes a cam assembly at the lower door hinge which biases the door closed when open approximately 35 degrees or less. The refrigeration unit also includes features for attaching an overlay panel to the door easily.