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 incorporates a dual swing door including a dual hinge mechanism. The dual hinge mechanism includes a lock bar having a first end portion and a second end portion joined by an intermediate portion. Each of the first and second end portions includes first and second lobe elements. The hinge mechanism also includes a hinge plate having a first end section and a second section joined by an intermediate section. Each of the first and second end sections include a wedge member and a rudder member. The hinge plate further includes first and second hinge pins, mounted to corresponding ones of the first and second end sections, that define left and right pivot axes for the door. The rudder and wedge members interact with the first lobes to automatically force one of the second lobes into engagement with a respective hinge pin to establish a desired hinge axis for pivoting of the door.

Abstract: A kitchen appliance includes a door having an outer panel portion and an inner panel portion, with a plurality of mounting members being spaced about the outer panel portion of the door. A glass panel assembly, including a glass panel and a plurality of mounting elements, is detachably mounted to the door through the interengagement of the plurality of mounting elements with the plurality of mounting members. The mounting elements are adhesively secured to the glass panel. Neither the plurality of mounting members nor the plurality of mounting elements are readily visible normally when viewing the kitchen appliance such that the glass panel appears to float relative to the door.

Abstract: A rack and pinion stabilizer system for a refrigerator drawer. The rack and pinion stabilizer system comprises a pair of drawer glides attached to first and second liner walls of a refrigerator. Each of the drawer glides has an attached rack gear with at least one tooth having an irregular profile. A pair of gear wheels having an axle therebetween are also provided. The gear wheels are provided in rotatable engagement with the rack gears and are capable of rotating in unison. An alignment mechanism is also provided. The alignment mechanism is attached to at least one of the rack gears for providing initial alignment of the first and second rack gears with the first and second gear wheels. Additionally, a drawer in operable communication with at least one of the drawer glides and axle is disclosed.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprising a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, a lower freezer drawer and an upper freezer bin. A primary set of glides allow the freezer drawer and the upper bin to be pulled out of the freezer compartment. A secondary set of glides mounts the upper bin onto the lower drawer for movement along the drawer, and back into the freezer compartment to allow access to the contents of the lower drawer.

Abstract: An improved refrigerator door is provided with a metal outer panel and upper and lower plastic end caps installed on top and bottom edges of the door. The caps include grooves to receive flanges on the edges of the panel. A bushing is snap fit into the upper cap without the use of hardware fasteners. Electric wires and a water line extend downwardly through the bushing to an ice and water dispenser in the door.

Abstract: An improved refrigerator door is provided with a metal outer panel and upper and lower plastic end caps installed on top and bottom edges of the door. The caps include grooves to receive flanges on the edges of the panel, thereby mounting the caps to the panel. The caps include plugs for receipt in a vertical channel in the panel. A bushing is snap fit into the upper cap without the use of hardware fasteners. Electric wires and a water line extend downwardly through the bushing to an ice and water dispenser in the door.

Abstract: An improved refrigerator door is provided with a metal outer panel and upper and lower plastic end caps installed on top and bottom edges of the door. The caps include grooves to receive flanges on the edges of the panel, thereby mounting the caps to the panel. The caps include ratcheting members to provide a mating fit with the panel. A bushing is snap fit into the upper cap without the use of hardware fasteners. Electric wires and a water line extend downwardly through the bushing to an ice and water dispenser in the door.

Abstract: A refrigerator comprising a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, a lower freezer drawer and an upper freezer bin. A primary set of glides allow the freezer drawer and the upper bin to be pulled out of the freezer compartment. A secondary set of glides mounts the upper bin onto the lower drawer for movement along the drawer, and back into the freezer compartment to allow access to the contents of the lower drawer.

Abstract: An insulated ice making compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The ice making 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 ice making 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 ice making compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the ice making compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the ice making 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 icemaker has improved air impingement to enhance ice making.

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.

Abstract: An insulated ice making compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The ice making 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 ice making 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 ice making compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the ice making compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the ice making 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 refrigerator has an improved water fill tube for the ice maker.

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.

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.

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 ice making compartment is provided in the fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator. The ice making 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 ice making 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 ice making compartment. A return air duct directs a portion of the air from the ice making compartment back to the freezer compartment. An air vent in the ice making 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 refrigerator has a modular water tank assembly housed in a cavity in the back wall of the cabinet.

Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser. The dispenser includes an ice chute door actuated by an electric motor for reducing energy consumption over traditional solenoid activated doors.

Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser has a seal to sealingly engage the ice compartment when the refrigerator door is closed. The seal is flexible to accommodate manufacturing tolerance. The seal may be impregnated with a friction reducing agent to increase life of the seal.

Abstract: The present invention is a refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser with a lighted dispenser target ring. The dispenser has a lighted target ring to facilitate positioning of a container for receipt of ice and water. An additional benefit is that the lighted target ring reduces ice and water spray outside of the container being filled.

Abstract: A refrigerator having an ice and water dispenser with a sloped dispensing cavity that extends upward and rearward from the refrigerator door. The dispenser design allows for more efficient use of storage space on the door behind the dispenser.