Abstract: A refrigerator includes a water dispenser and a liquid storage receptacle configured to be automatically filled via the water dispenser. The liquid storage receptacle includes a dispenser for opening a fluid channel between the liquid storage receptacle and a fluid container while the liquid storage receptacle is provided in the refrigerator. The liquid storage receptacle is provided in a docking base for supporting the receptacle in the refrigerator. The dispenser is integrated into the docking base and engages an opening in the receptacle which may be selectively opened by the dispenser.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes an automatic filing water storage system. The refrigerator includes a cabinet having a fresh-food compartment and a door pivotally mounted to the cabinet. The system includes a dispenser positioned in the fresh-food compartment and a docking base positioned in one of the fresh-food compartment and the door. A container is configured to be supported by the docking base. In a docked position and when the door is in a closed position, the dispenser is configured to selectively dispense liquid into the container based upon a sensed fill level condition. When the door is in an open position, the dispenser is configured to dispense liquid based upon engagement of an actuator by a user.

Abstract: A filter unit includes a body portion that receives a water filter. An engaging portion is coupled to the body portion. A bypass actuator rotates relative to the engaging portion to rotationally and axially operate a bypass valve of a fluid manifold. The bypass actuator drives axial engagement of the engaging portion with a valve assembly of the fluid manifold. The bypass actuator extends through the body portion and the engaging portion.

Abstract: A filter unit includes a body portion that receives a water filter. An engaging portion is coupled to the body portion. A bypass actuator rotates relative to the engaging portion to rotationally and axially operate a bypass valve of a fluid manifold. The bypass actuator drives axial engagement of the engaging portion with a valve assembly of the fluid manifold. The bypass actuator extends through the body portion and the engaging portion.

Abstract: A filter unit includes a body portion that receives a water filter. An engaging portion is coupled to the body portion. A bypass actuator rotates relative to the engaging portion to rotationally and axially operate a bypass valve of a fluid manifold. The bypass actuator drives axial engagement of the engaging portion with a valve assembly of the fluid manifold. The bypass actuator extends through the body portion and the engaging portion.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vacuum insulated cabinet structure having side walls that are formed from a tube that has been folded/deformed into a structure having an “O” shape with vertically enlarged front and rear openings. The interior of the tube may be filled with silica powder or other filler, and a vacuum is formed within the tube. An insulated rear panel may be utilized to close off the rear opening of the vacuum insulated cabinet structure.

Abstract: A removable water dispenser for an appliance having a manifold with a first water connected to a household water supply, a first water outlet connected to the first water inlet, a second water inlet, and a second water outlet connected to the second water inlet. The removable water dispenser also has a dispenser removably attached to a home appliance and having a housing, a cover coupled with the housing, a dispensing outlet, and a filter connected to the first outlet, the second inlet, and the dispensing outlet, and the dispenser dispenses filtered water to a user.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus that includes: at least one module which operatively and selectively treats one or both of an original household hot water received from the household hot water line and water flowing through the module and treats cold water received from an original household cold water line that flows through; a process control unit whereby a user selects a desired treatment option for the water flowing through the apparatus to be dispensed to the user; one or more plumbing connections which operatively divert the original household hot and cold water flow to the user selected water treatment module so as to dispense to the user the selected treated water; and one or more valves which operatively cooperate with the process control unit to direct the water flow within the apparatus so as to provide the user with the selected treated water.

Abstract: A split air conditioner has a cabinet with a fan and evaporator for mounting within a structure. The cabinet includes one or more movable dampers or movable filters positioned in the flow path between the air inlet and the outlet for selectively filtering contaminants from the air to provide a greater or lesser degree of filtration of the air. The movable filters include sliding and/or pivot mounting structure which may accommodate stacking multiple filters with different filtering characteristics. The system may operate in a filtering only mode with no cooling, a cooling only mode with no filtering, or a combination of cooling and selective filtering.

Abstract: A water filter system for an appliance includes a filter head assembly, a first appliance control unit positioned proximate the filter head assembly and a water filter having a memory storage unit. The water filter is selectively placed in communication with the first appliance control unit to define a filter use state. The filter use state is further defined by a first potential fluid-flow rate through the water filter and a predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. A data transfer mechanism defines a second data-transfer protocol between the memory storage unit and the first appliance control unit when an actual fluid filtration amount of the water filter reaches the predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. The second data transfer protocol defines a notification state defined by a second potential fluid flow rate, the second potential fluid flow rate being less than the first potential fluid flow rate.

Abstract: Support structures for dishwashers are disclosed. An example dishwasher for treating dishes according to a cycle of operation includes a tub defining a treating chamber with an opening, a frame coupled to and structurally supporting at least a portion of the tub, a dish rack mount coupled to the frame, and a dish rack coupled to the dish rack mount, wherein the weight of the dish rack is substantially borne by the frame.

Abstract: A water filter system for an appliance includes a filter head assembly, a first appliance control unit positioned proximate the filter head assembly and a water filter having a memory storage unit. The water filter is selectively placed in communication with the first appliance control unit to define a filter use state. The filter use state is further defined by a first potential fluid-flow rate through the water filter and a predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. A data transfer mechanism defines a second data-transfer protocol between the memory storage unit and the first appliance control unit when an actual fluid filtration amount of the water filter reaches the predetermined lifetime fluid filtration amount. The second data transfer protocol defines a notification state defined by a second potential fluid flow rate, the second potential fluid flow rate being less than the first potential fluid flow rate.

Abstract: A high-efficiency air conditioning system for conditioning a plurality of rooms within an interior of a building, the air conditioning system including: two separate rooms within a building, a single outdoor unit a refrigerant flow pathway that includes a plurality of refrigerant conduits having a common refrigerant flow path portion and at least two divergent flow path portions, a first divergent flow path where the first evaporator and second evaporator are in parallel with one another; at least one throttling device and at least a first indoor air handling unit positioned within and providing cooling to the first room and a second indoor air handling unit positioned within and providing cooling to a second room. The compressor is incapable of simultaneously supplying both the first evaporator and the second evaporator at their full cooling capacity.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet having at least one door. A removable cooling module is coupled with an outer periphery of the cabinet. The removable cooling module includes an ice maker. A duct is in communication with the removable cooling module. Ice is produced by the ice maker and transferred through the duct to the refrigerator.

Abstract: A removable cooling module for a refrigerator includes a cooling unit positioned in a housing and removably coupled with a top wall of the refrigerator. An ice maker is coupled to the cooling unit. An ice bin is disposed in the housing and is adapted to receive and store ice from the ice maker. A duct is in communication with the cooling unit and is adapted to convey ice from the removable cooling module to an ice dispenser.

Abstract: An ice maker is provided that includes a tray having recesses that can include ice-phobic surfaces. The ice-phobic surfaces may include ice-phobic coatings, textured metal surfaces, hydrophobic coatings or other surfaces configured to repel water and ice. The tray can be formed from metal material and may exhibit a fatigue limit greater than about 150 Megapascals (MPa) at 105 cycles. The ice maker further includes a frame body coupled to the tray, and a driving body that is rotatably coupled to the tray. The driving body is further adapted to rotate the tray in a clockwise and/or counter-clockwise cycle such that the tray presses against the frame body in a manner that flexes the tray to dislodge ice pieces formed in the recesses of the tray.

Abstract: An appliance cabinet may be made having at least a first metallic tub, and a mounting bracket by which a component of the appliance may be mounted to the cabinet. The bracket and the first metallic tub may be juxtaposed. The bracket may be attached to the first metallic tub by moving one of a portion of the first metallic tub or the bracket at a speed great enough to induce plastic flow of the portion of the first metallic tub about a portion of the bracket.

Abstract: A water treatment apparatus that includes: at least one module which operatively and selectively treats one or both of an original household hot water received from the household hot water line and water flowing through the module and treats cold water received from an original household cold water line that flows through; a process control unit whereby a user selects a desired treatment option for the water flowing through the apparatus to be dispensed to the user; one or more plumbing connections which operatively divert the original household hot and cold water flow to the user selected watertreatment module so as to dispense to the user the selected treated water; and one or more valves which operatively cooperate with the process control unit to direct the water flow within the apparatus so as to provide the user with the selected treated water.