Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice dispenser apparatus having an ice storage bin removably mounted to the refrigerator for receiving and storing ice pieces from an ice maker, a metering device for separating individual ice pieces, and a sensing device for detecting the presence of ice pieces. Actuation of a motor causes the metering device to separate individual ice pieces and the sensing device detects ice pieces before, after, or during dispensing.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice dispenser apparatus having an ice storage bin removably mounted to the refrigerator for receiving and storing ice pieces from an ice maker, a metering device for separating individual ice pieces, and a sensing device for detecting the presence of ice pieces. Actuation of a motor causes the metering device to separate individual ice pieces and the sensing device detects ice pieces before, after, or during dispensing.

Abstract: A control for selectively energizing a plurality of electrically operable devices in a refrigeration apparatus. The control senses an ambient condition and correspondingly controls the energization of the electrical devices. In the disclosed embodiment, the electrical devices comprise stile and mullion heaters for controlling condensation on the refrigeration unit cabinet with the control being responsive to the ambient humidity conditions in effecting control of the energization of the heaters. The control is arranged to selectively energize both heaters with full operating current, or only one of the heaters and at reduced current, depending on the sensed humidity and temperature conditions. In the illustrated embodiment, the control utilizes rectifiers in effecting the current control with one of the rectifiers being a gated rectifier responsive to the sensed ambient air conditions.

Abstract: A vacuum cleaner having an indicator for indicating an undesirable clogged condition of a dirt-collecting structure thereof. The indicator includes a control having a heater and a thermally responsive device responding to heat transferred from the heater to operate an observable indicator carried by the vacuum cleaner when a substantially clogged condition of the dirt-collecting means occurs. Operation of the indicator by the thermally responsive device is prevented as long as the dirt-collecting structure remains substantially unclogged as a result of the cooling action of air being flowed through the vacuum cleaner.