Abstract: A refrigerator shelving system includes a stationary shelf, a pair of first and second sliders supported under opposite sides of the stationary shelf and configured to move longitudinally front and rear support tabs associated with each of the sliders and longitudinally spaced from each other, and a folding shelf. A front pair of opposing suspenders have first portions pivotally attached to the sliders and a second portions pivotally attached to the folding shelf. A rear pair of opposing suspenders have first portions pivotally attached to the sliders and second portions pivotally attached to the folding shelf. The folding shelf is movable from a deployed position, in which the front and rear suspenders are vertical to place the folding shelf under, and spaced from, the stationary shelf, to a folded position in which the front and rear suspenders are horizontal and disposed on top surfaces of the front and rear support tabs to nest the folding shelf under the stationary shelf.

Abstract: A refrigerator shelving system includes a first shelf, a second shelf, and a slide member. The first shelf has ramped surfaces defining a guideway and a nest disposed within the guideway. The second shelf is suspended from the first shelf. The slide member is secured to the second shelf. The slide member is configured to slide linearly relative to the second shelf. The slide member has a protrusion extending outward therefrom. In response to upward forces acting on the second shelf, the protrusion engages the ramped surfaces and the nest to transition between operational and stowed positions.

Abstract: A refrigerator shelving system includes an upper shelf, suspenders, rails, and a lower shelf. The upper shelf has nests disposed along a bottom side of the upper shelf. The suspenders are rotatably secured to the upper shelf. The rails are suspended from the upper shelf via the suspenders. The lower shelf is slidably secured to the rails and has bosses extending laterally outward therefrom. Each of the bosses are configured to engage one of the nests to maintain the lower shelf in a stowed position. The lower shelf is configured to slide forward from the stowed position to an intermediate position via the rails to disengage the bosses from the nests. The lower shelf is configured to rotate downward and rearward via the suspenders to transition from the intermediate position to an operational position.

Abstract: A refrigerator shelving system includes an upper shelf, suspenders, rails, and a lower shelf. The upper shelf has nests disposed along a bottom side of the upper shelf. The suspenders are rotatably secured to the upper shelf. The rails are suspended from the upper shelf via the suspenders. The lower shelf is slidably secured to the rails and has bosses extending laterally outward therefrom. Each of the bosses are configured to engage one of the nests to maintain the lower shelf in a stowed position. The lower shelf is configured to slide forward from the stowed position to an intermediate position via the rails to disengage the bosses from the nests. The lower shelf is configured to rotate downward and rearward via the suspenders to transition from the intermediate position to an operational position.

Abstract: A support assembly includes a support surface configured to selectively transition between a stowed position, a deployed position, and an intermediate position defined between the stowed position and the deployed position. A retention feature is operably coupled to the support surface and is configured to transition the support surface between the stowed position and the deployed position. The retention feature includes a projection about which the support surface pivots to define a pivot axis. A bracket is coupled to the support surface and is configured to distribute a load along the support assembly in the intermediate position and the deployed position.

Abstract: A support assembly includes a support surface configured to selectively transition between a stowed position, a deployed position, and an intermediate position defined between the stowed position and the deployed position. A retention feature is operably coupled to the support surface and is configured to transition the support surface between the stowed position and the deployed position. The retention feature includes a projection about which the support surface pivots to define a pivot axis. A bracket is coupled to the support surface and is configured to distribute a load along the support assembly in the intermediate position and the deployed position.

Abstract: A support assembly includes a support surface configured to selectively transition between a stowed position, a deployed position, and an intermediate position defined between the stowed position and the deployed position. A retention feature is operably coupled to the support surface and is configured to transition the support surface between the stowed position and the deployed position. The retention feature includes a projection about which the support surface pivots to define a pivot axis. A bracket is coupled to the support surface and is configured to distribute a load along the support assembly in the intermediate position and the deployed position.

Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for illuminating the interior of a refrigerated appliance such as refrigerator, freezer or combination includes storage shelf or surface in the appliance, a divider positioned relative at shelf or storage surface, and a divider lighting subassembly on the divider. Electrical power is provided from an electrical power source in the appliance to the divider lighting subassembly on the divider. Light sources of the divided light subassembly can be selected to illuminate from a position on the divider. Different lighting schemes can be instructed to the light sources. The light sources can be LEDs.

Abstract: A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided where the ice maker includes a fluid inlet, a filtration element in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a control housing configured to engage the filtration element, and a filter cover disposed adjacent the control housing and configured to support the filtration element, wherein the filter cover comprises a plurality of fluid draining slots.

Abstract: A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided where the ice maker includes a fluid inlet, a filtration element in fluid communication with the fluid inlet, a control housing configured to engage the filtration element, and a filter cover disposed adjacent the control housing and configured to support the filtration element, wherein the filter cover comprises a plurality of fluid draining slots.

Abstract: A stand alone ice making appliance or an ice maker within an appliance is provided including a fluid supply inlet, a fluid reservoir that is configured to receive a fluid from the fluid supply inlet, a cooling plate that is in fluid communication with the fluid reservoir, a refrigeration device in thermal contact with the cooling plate that is configured to freeze a predetermined amount of fluid to form a section of ice, a cutter grid configured adjacent the cooling plate to divide the section of ice, wherein at least a portion of the ice produces an excess fluid, an ice storage area in communication with the cutter grid where the storage area has at least one vertical wall, and a fluid diverter configured adjacent the cutter grid that is configured to direct the excess fluid toward the at least one vertical wall.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body defining a compartment, the compartment having an access opening and a first wall, a door supported by the main body for selectively closing at least part of the access opening, a sub-compartment on the door, the sub-compartment comprising a second wall having an opening, a heat exchanger supported by the first wall and positioned so that when the door is closed the heat exchanger is exposed to an interior of the sub-compartment through the opening, and a refrigeration system having a working medium for cooling the heat exchanger, where the heat exchanger further includes one or more segments of the refrigeration system attached to a heat exchanging plate.

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: An apparatus, system and method for illuminating the interior of a refrigerated appliance such as refrigerator, freezer or combination includes storage shelf or surface in the appliance, a divider positioned relative at shelf or storage surface, and a divider lighting subassembly on the divider. Electrical power is provided from an electrical power source in the appliance to the divider lighting subassembly on the divider. Light sources of the divided light subassembly can be selected to illuminate from a position on the divider. Different lighting schemes can be instructed to the light sources. The light sources can be LEDs.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage space therein and a door for opening and closing the storage space. The refrigerator comprises a water conduit for directing water supplied from an external water source to the main body of the refrigerator. An inlet valve distributes the water supplied from the water conduit into a hot water conduit and a separate cold water conduit. A cold water tank is mounted to one of the main body and the door for cooling the water supplied through the cold water conduit and then storing the cooled water therein. A hot water tube is mounted to one of the main body and the door for receiving the water supplied through the hot water conduit. The hot water tube includes a heater operably installed within the hot water tube and in direct contact with the water therein. The heater generates heat through the application of electric power thereto to heat the water within the hot water tube to a predetermined temperature.

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 refrigerator has a compartment defined by a liner. A door is configured to provide access into the compartment. A sub-compartment is mounted in the door. The sub-compartment has an access door that opens to provide access into the sub-compartment. The access door includes an inner door panel, an outer door panel, and a vacuum insulation panel disposed between the inner and outer door panels.

Abstract: An ice dispenser system for a refrigeration appliance includes an ice maker located within the refrigeration appliance for making ice cubes. The ice maker has an ice making state and a paused state. An ice bucket is located within the refrigeration appliance located so as to receive the ice cubes from the ice maker. The ice bucket is removably securable in the refrigeration appliance in an ice-making position. A sensor is located within the refrigeration appliance, the sensor sensing and providing a signal as to whether the ice bucket is in the ice making position. The ice maker is placed in the ice making state only when the sensor provides a signal that the ice bucket is in the ice making position. A related refrigeration appliance and method of making ice are also disclosed.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body defining a compartment, the compartment having an access opening and a first wall, a door supported by the main body for selectively closing at least part of the access opening, a sub-compartment on the door, the sub-compartment comprising a second wall having an opening, a heat exchanger supported by the first wall and positioned so that when the door is closed the heat exchanger is exposed to an interior of the sub-compartment through the opening, and a refrigeration system having a working medium for cooling the heat exchanger, where the heat exchanger further includes one or more segments of the refrigeration system attached to a heat exchanging plate.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage space therein and a door for opening and closing the storage space. The refrigerator comprises a water conduit for directing water supplied from an external water source to the main body of the refrigerator. An inlet valve distributes the water supplied from the water conduit into a hot water conduit and a separate cold water conduit. A cold water tank is mounted to one of the main body and the door for cooling the water supplied through the cold water conduit and then storing the cooled water therein. A hot water tube is mounted to one of the main body and the door for receiving the water supplied through the hot water conduit. The hot water tube includes a heater operably installed within the hot water tube and in direct contact with the water therein. The heater generates heat through the application of electric power thereto to heat the water within the hot water tube to a predetermined temperature.