Abstract: A system for detecting a liquid, such as liquid water, is provided. The system includes an RFID tag spaced apart from a liquid collection location. The system also includes features for wicking or otherwise transferring liquid from the liquid collection location to the RFID tag. A water filter assembly with features for detecting water leaks is also provided.

Abstract: A system for detecting a liquid, such as liquid water, is provided. The system includes an RFID tag and an absorbent material positioned over the RFID tag. The system also includes features for hindering or preventing compression of the absorbent material and/or for spacing the RFID tag from the absorbent material. A water filter assembly with features for detecting water leaks is also provided.

Abstract: A method for treating foam is provided. The method includes providing a foam blank having a thickness, disposing an electrolyte within the foam blank, compressing the foam blank such that the thickness of the foam blank is reduced and drying the foam blank. The method may assist with providing thin electrolyte doped foam.

Abstract: An appliance includes a main body defining an access opening; a door movably attached to the main body and configured to close the access opening in a closed position, the door comprising a front, a back, a side surface extending from the front to the back, and a recess formed in the side surface, the back facing the main body when the door is in the closed position; and a water filtration system comprising a filter disposed in the recess.

Abstract: Water filter cartridges, water filter assemblies, and refrigerator appliances are provided. A water filter cartridge includes a cap, the cap defining a generally central aperture, and a canister connected to the cap. The water filter cartridge further includes a filter media disposed within the canister and cap, and a flange connected to the filter media. The flange includes a neck and a collar, the neck extending from the collar generally along an axial direction, the collar extending from the neck generally along a radial direction. The flange further includes a ramp extending generally along the axial direction from the collar, at least a portion of the ramp extending through the aperture of the cap.

Abstract: Refrigerator appliances and methods for monitoring water filter assemblies within refrigerator appliances are provided. A water filter assembly has a sensor mounted to a filter cartridge of the water filter assembly and a replacement sensor mounted to a replacement filter cartridge of the water filter assembly. A refrigerator appliance has a sensor reader. A method includes detecting the absence of a signal from the sensor at the sensor reader, receiving a signal from the replacement sensor at the sensor reader indicating the presence of the replacement sensor, and providing a signal indicating a purge routine when the receiving step occurs after the detecting step.

Abstract: 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.

Abstract: A filtering system is provided that includes at least one temperature sensor for measuring the temperature of a filter cartridge. The temperature measurements can used to determine whether the filter cartridge is at an increased risk of suffering a leak due to a crack of other material failure caused by exposure to certain temperatures. More than one temperature sensor may be used. The temperature measurements can also be used to determine whether one or more corrective actions should be taken such as e.g., providing a notification to a user and/or shutting of a flow of fluid to the filter cartridge.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance and a method for monitoring a water filter assembly within the same are provided. The method includes monitoring signal communication between an RFID tag of the water filter assembly and an RFID reader of the refrigerator appliance and terminating a flow of water to the water filter assembly if the signal communication between the RFID tag of the water filter assembly and the RFID reader of the refrigerator appliance is lost or disrupted.

Abstract: A dispensing system includes a detection device and a dispenser configured to dispense at least one of ice and a liquid. The detection device is configured to detect a container positioned with respect to the dispenser and generate a first signal representative of the container position. The dispensing system also includes a controller coupled to the detection device and the dispenser. The controller is configured to determine a stability of the container and activate the dispenser to dispense at least one of an amount of the ice and an amount of the liquid into the container based on the first signal and the determined stability of the container.

Abstract: A refrigerator appliance is provided that includes a hot water dispenser and/or hot beverage dispenser. The appliance can provide the hot water at a particular time selected by the user. In addition, the appliance can also be equipped to provide the hot water over a particular period of time. As such, the user can avoid an undesirable or inconvenient waiting period for dispensing hot water and certain energy efficiencies can be provided.

Abstract: In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, a water filter assembly for a refrigerator is described. The water filter assembly includes a door that includes a mover element for engaging a removable water filter such that in the closed position the mover element holds the removable water filter water inlet and water outlet in fluid communication with the water inlet and water outlet, respectively, of a manifold assembly, and in the open position the mover element allows for removal of the removable water filter which is not in fluid communication with the manifold assembly.

Abstract: An assembly for filtering water includes a housing, a water inlet for supplying unfiltered water to the housing, and a water filter including an outer casing attached to the housing in communication with the water inlet and a filter medium within the outer casing, the water filter filtering the unfiltered water through filter medium to provide filtered water. A water outlet is attached to the housing for transferring filtered water from the outer casing to a device via the housing. Some sort of indicia is located on the outer casing, and an optical device detects a feature of the indicia to determine if the water filter is properly installed in the housing. Related refrigeration appliances incorporating such devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An ice and cold water dispensing assembly for a refrigeration appliance includes a reservoir holding water having a water level and an ice maker for making ice cubes to be held within the water within the reservoir. A structure is provided on the reservoir allowing the reservoir to be removably attached to the refrigeration appliance. A handle and a spout are attached to the reservoir and are configured for allowing manual dispensing of ice cubes or water from the reservoir when the reservoir is removed from the refrigeration appliance. An ice dispenser and a water dispenser are provided in the refrigeration appliance for dispensing ice cubes or water respectively from the reservoir when the reservoir is attached to the refrigeration appliance. Related refrigeration devices are also disclosed.

Abstract: An appliance includes a main body, and a door movably attached to the main body. The door includes a front, a back, a side surface extending from the front to the back, and a recess formed on the side surface. The appliance further includes a water filtration system including a filter that is disposed in the recess.

Abstract: Audible features are provided for a fluid filter assembly and a filter cartridge for use with a fluid filter assembly. The audible features generate sound when the filter cartridge is installed in the filter system so as to provide a signal indicating proper installation. Sound can also be created when the filter cartridge is removed. The filter system can also be provided with features for reducing clogging of the fluid path leading to the filter element.

Abstract: Methods for operating a sensor of a refrigerator appliance are provided. In the methods, at least one of a detection threshold of the sensor, a power output of a transducer of the sensor, or a gain of an amplifier of the sensor can be adjusted. Through such adjustments, accuracy and precision of measurements taken with the sensor can be improved.

Abstract: An ice dispensing assembly in an appliance and a method of controlling a duct door in an ice dispensing assembly is provided. A duct door is actuated to dispense ice using a motor. The motor can be variably driven using an electrical signal having a plurality of different levels or slopes during the actuation of the duct door. The electrical signal can have an increasing slope when the duct door is actuated into an open position. When the duct door is held in the open position, a constant electrical signal can be applied to the motor. The constant value can be lower than a peak value of the increasing slope of the electrical signal. To return the duct door to a closed position, an electrical signal having a decreasing slope can be applied to the duct door motor.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance with a hot water dispenser includes a refrigerated cabinet having a dispenser area, a cabinet water inlet in the refrigerated cabinet connectable to a premises water line, and a hot water storage tank. The tank has a tank body, a heater in the tank body, an inlet for admitting water into the tank body supplied via the cabinet water inlet, and an outlet for providing water via a dispensing conduit to a dispenser in the dispenser area. The inlet includes a venturi portion for creating a reduced pressure within the hot water storage tank via flow of water into the hot water storage tank. The reduced pressure communicates with the dispensing conduit via the outlet so that, after dispensing water remaining in the dispensing conduit is drawn toward the tank body. Refrigeration devices with premises line pressure water distribution systems are also disclosed.

Abstract: A refrigeration appliance with a water dispenser includes a refrigerated cabinet having a dispenser area, a cabinet water inlet in the refrigerated cabinet connectable to a premises water line, and a cold water storage tank in the refrigerated cabinet. The tank has a tank body, an inlet for admitting water into the tank body supplied via the cabinet water inlet, and an outlet for providing water via a dispensing conduit to a dispenser in the dispenser area. The inlet includes a venturi portion for creating a reduced pressure within the tank body via flow of water into the cold water storage tank. The reduced pressure is in communication with the dispensing conduit via the outlet so that, after dispensing operation is completed, water remaining in the dispensing conduit is drawn toward the tank body. The tank body may include an evacuation chamber open to atmosphere, and a float valve may be provided.