Means Producing Shaped Or Modified Congealed Product Patents (Class 62/340)
  • Patent number: 8464549
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a body portion having an air supply and an air return, a door hinged to the body portion, and an icemaking unit located on the door and having an air inlet and an air outlet. The air inlet and air outlet are adjacent the air supply and air return, respectively, when the door is closed, to receive and return chilled air therefrom and thereto. At least a first sealing member is located at the air supply, the air return, the air inlet, and/or the air outlet. The at least first sealing member includes a first membrane with a slit formed therein, and a first projecting member. The slit and the first projecting member are configured and dimensioned such that the slit is closed when the door is in an open position and that the slit is opened when the door is in a closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 11, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 18, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Matthew William Davis, Wayne Edward Lawson, Krzysztof Struminski
  • Publication number: 20130145777
    Abstract: An ice making machine includes a heat pipe that extends between a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment. The heat pipe has a first end in the freezer compartment and a second end in the refrigerator compartment. A heat exchanger is located in the freezer compartment and is in contact with the first end of the heat pipe. A heat block is located in the refrigerator compartment and is in contact with the second end of the heat pipe. A removable ice cube tray is mounted on the heat block with a surface in contact with the heat block such that when the removable ice cube tray is filled with water, ice forms from the surface of the removable ice cube tray in contact with the block.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 13, 2012
    Publication date: June 13, 2013
    Inventor: William G. Nelson
  • Patent number: 8459047
    Abstract: Provided are a method and refrigeration appliance for making substantially-transparent ice. The refrigeration appliance includes a fresh food compartment in which a refrigeration temperature that is greater than 32° F. and less than 55° F. is maintained, and a water tray disposed within the fresh food compartment and including a bottom surface and an upwardly extending wall forming a reservoir for holding a volume of water. A plurality of fingers are supported adjacent to the water tray to be at least partially submerged in water within the water tray, and an evaporator is in thermal communication with the fingers for chilling an exposed surface of the fingers to a finger temperature that is less than 32° F. Water is introduced into the water tray, and an extent to which the fingers are submerged in the water is repeatedly adjusted.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 12, 2010
    Date of Patent: June 11, 2013
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: David L. Hall, James Scoville
  • Publication number: 20130133354
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a water storage vessel configured to be mounted to the door of the refrigerator, a supply passage configured to connect the storage space of the water storage vessel to an ice making apparatus and dispenser to supply the water in the water storage vessel to the ice making apparatus and the dispenser, a valve installed at an intersection of the supply passage and configured to perform a passage conversion, and a pump configured to pump the water in the water storage vessel so that the water flows to the supply passage, wherein the water storage vessel is provided with a water storage vessel lever capable of changing the position of at least one portion of the supply passage so that the at least one portion of the supply passage is connected to/disconnected from a remaining portion of the supply passage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 26, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Publication number: 20130133355
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a water storage vessel detachably mounted thereto, in which a supply passage configured to connect the water storage vessel, the ice making apparatus and the dispenser to supply the water in the water storage vessel to the ice making apparatus and the dispenser sage, a first check valve and a second check valve installed at a front position and a rear position of the one point of a first sub passage, to prevent water flowing backward to the water storage vessel, a third check valve and a fourth check valve installed at a front position and a rear position of the one point of a second sub passage, to prevent water flowing backward to the water storage vessel, and a pump installed at the third sub passage and configured to rotate the clockwise direction and the counter clockwise direction.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
  • Publication number: 20130133352
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a water storage vessel detachably mounted thereto so that water is supplied to an ice making apparatus or a dispenser, in which includes a bracket unit installed at a rear surface of a door, a water storage vessel detachable to the bracket unit, a pump to pump the water in the water storage vessel, a second passage configured to supply the water in the water storage vessel to the ice making apparatus and the dispenser, and a valve installed at a diverging point of the second passage, in which the water storage vessel includes a body having a storage space and a first passage, at least one portion of which is fixedly installed to intake the water stored in the storage space to supply the ice making apparatus and the dispenser if the water storage vessel is mounted to the bracket unit.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 28, 2012
    Publication date: May 30, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8438869
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a refrigerator having an ice-making chamber, and the refrigerator may include a refrigerator body and an ice-making chamber, and the ice-making chamber may include an ice-making chamber body one side of which is opened, a connecting duct provided in a first sidewall of the ice-making chamber to be connected to the refrigerator body, an ice-making chamber door provided at a second sidewall of the ice-making chamber to open and close the ice-making chamber, and a protrusion portion formed to be protruded at the first sidewall. Accordingly, the thickness of the ice-making chamber door can be secured without changing a cool air channel of the ice-making chamber, thereby increasing a cooling chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dongjeong Kim, Wookyong Lee, Changho Seo
  • Patent number: 8434318
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a body defining a storage space; a door selectively shielding the storage space; a container connecting part disposed in the storage space or the door; a water supply container separably coupled to the container connecting part, the water supply container including an opening for injecting water; an ice making device for making ice using the water supplied from the water supply container; a water supply passage fluidly connecting the water supply container to the ice making device, the water supply passage extending in an inside direction of the water supply container; and a pump connected to the water supply passage to supply the water within the water supply container into the ice making device. According to the refrigerator, installation cost is reduced, and quality and reliability are improved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sung Kyoung Kim
  • Publication number: 20130104590
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a case having a storage space formed therein and being opened at one side, a door rotatably coupled to the case to open and close the opened side of the case, and a basket frame rotatably coupled to an inner surface of the doo. A first basket may be coupled to the basket frame, opposing the door, and a second basket may be coupled to the inner surface of the door, interposed between the door and the basket frame. The first basket may rotate in accordance with pivotal movement of the basket frame to expose and provide access to an interior of the second basket.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 22, 2012
    Publication date: May 2, 2013
    Inventors: Woonkyu SEO, Seonkyu Kim, Seungjin Yoon, Jungyeon Hwang, Daesung Lee
  • Publication number: 20130098097
    Abstract: A refrigerator with an ice making device. The refrigerator includes a body defined with a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and an ice making compartment, the ice making compartment arranged in the refrigerating compartment while being thermally insulated from the refrigerating compartment, a first evaporator arranged in the refrigerating compartment, a second evaporator arranged in the freezing compartment, a refrigerating duct for circulating cold air from the first evaporator to the refrigerating compartment, a freezing duct for circulating cold air from the second evaporator to the freezing compartment, and an ice making flow passage for communicating the second evaporator and the ice making compartment. The second evaporator, ice making compartment, and ice making flow passage form a closed circuit such that the cold air in the ice making compartment does not enter the refrigerating compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 10, 2012
    Publication date: April 25, 2013
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
  • Patent number: 8424334
    Abstract: Disclosed is an ice making apparatus for a refrigerator, the apparatus comprising a frame having an accommodating space therein, and at least an ice tray detachably installed in the frame and configured to provide a space for containing water to make ice, whereby the ice making apparatus can be easily cleaned up and ice can be easily handled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2008
    Date of Patent: April 23, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Byeong-Gyu Kang, Jae-Youl Lee, Sang-Ho Park
  • Publication number: 20130081412
    Abstract: Provided is an ice maker, which includes an upper tray, a lower tray, and a rotation shaft. Upper cells of hemispherical shapes are arrayed in the upper tray. Lower cells of hemispherical shapes are arrayed in the lower tray that is rotatably connected to the upper tray. The rotation shaft is connected to a rear end of the lower tray and a rear end of the upper tray to rotate the lower tray relative to the upper tray. A rotation guide part rounded with a predetermined curvature is disposed in a region where the lower tray contacts the upper tray while the lower tray is rotated.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: April 4, 2013
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Juhyun Son, Wookyong Lee, Donghoon Lee, Dongjeong Kim
  • Patent number: 8404113
    Abstract: A transportable disaster-relief generating system is a power generated, multi-functional, and compact relief unit with means for providing area lighting via a power generator, purifying and storing potable water from a non-potable water source, and creating ice utilizing purified water. The disaster-relief unit of the present invention may further provide a portable ice storage bin in a knockdown configuration to hold a large quantity of ice. A bladder may be used to hold potable water produced. The equipment is physically protected by the structural framework and base. The device may comprise access doors and suitable paneling on the walls and roof of the device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2011
    Date of Patent: March 26, 2013
    Inventor: Irwin Shapiro
  • Publication number: 20130067947
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet including a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, a refrigerating compartment door opening or closing the refrigerating compartment, a dispenser disposed at the refrigerating compartment door to dispense water or ice pieces. The refrigerator also includes an ice bank disposed at a back surface of the refrigerating compartment door to supply the ice pieces to the dispenser, an ice maker disposed in the freezing compartment to make the ice pieces, and an ice transfer device disposed in the freezing compartment to transfer the ice pieces supplied from the ice maker into the ice bank. The ice transfer device includes a piston pushing the ice pieces supplied from the ice maker and an ice chute guiding the ice pieces supplied by the piston to the ice bank.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 13, 2012
    Publication date: March 21, 2013
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Juhyun SON, Wookyong LEE, Donghoon LEE, Dongjeong KIM
  • Patent number: 8397532
    Abstract: A direct-cooled ice making assembly for a refrigeration appliance is disclosed. A refrigeration system includes a refrigerant circuit having an ice maker cooling portion for cooling an ice maker mold body. A cooling plate houses the ice maker cooling portion which creates ice within compartments of the mold body by cooling the mold body via the cooling plate. The ice maker is configured to be removably attached to the cooling plate so as to be replaceable without removing the ice maker cooling portion of the refrigerant circuit within the cooling plate or the cooling plate. Related refrigeration appliances are also disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 19, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Alan Joseph Mitchell, Charles Benjamin Miller
  • Publication number: 20130055732
    Abstract: An improved system for making ice for recreational use. The system using water de-gassed by double filtration. The de-gassed water removes the insulator factor from ice that causes ice dehydration, makes it possible to operate with ice at a temperature 2-3° F. above that of existing recreational ice facilities while maintaining a high quality sheet of ice, produces an ice that is denser, more resilient to cuts and ruts and produces less snow development, all while lowering your energy consumption, permits ice to freeze faster and shows all painted lines and logos in the ice with greater clarity, and reduces carbon footprint, and benefits from decreased labour and refrigeration costs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 1, 2011
    Publication date: March 7, 2013
    Applicant: JOE JOHNSON EQUIPMENT INC.
    Inventors: Stephen Andrew DAWE, Joseph Michael JOHNSON
  • Patent number: 8387408
    Abstract: An ice dispensing apparatus and a refrigerator having the ice dispensing apparatus are provided. The ice dispensing apparatus includes a case provided with an ice inlet and an ice outlet, a conveying unit that is provided on a first side of the case to convey and discharge ice cubes through the ice outlet, an ice-crushing unit that is provided on a second side of the case to crush the ice cubes into ice pieces and discharge the crushed ice pieces through the ice outlet, and an ice delivery unit for delivering the ice cubes input through an input portion to the conveying unit or the ice-crushing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2013
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Jae Kim, Chang Ho Seo, Nam Gi Lee
  • Patent number: 8381535
    Abstract: A control module for a refrigerator/freezer wherein the control module drives a rotatable ice ejector for removing ice bodies from a mold of an automatic ice maker in the freezer section of the refrigerator/freezer. The control module has a motor which drives a cam gear which drives the ice ejector. The cam gear comprises a circular gear with a first face and a second face. Once or more cam projections on at least one of the first and second faces are positioned to selectively interact with one or more switches fixedly supported within the control module housing to activate at least one feature of the control module or automatic ice maker rotation of the cam gear.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 20, 2010
    Date of Patent: February 26, 2013
    Assignee: Hankscraft Inc.
    Inventors: John M. Rybaski, Ryan M. Subera
  • Patent number: 8375737
    Abstract: An ice maker for a domestic appliance comprises an ice tray, a water feed line which can be used to fill the ice tray with water, a water filter which is arranged in the water feed line such that it can be replaced, and a monitoring unit for calculating a value which is representative of the degree of wear of the filter. The monitoring unit has means for changing the representative value by a first fixed step width each time the ice tray is filled.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 19, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Georg Hausmann, Peter Nalbach
  • Patent number: 8371136
    Abstract: A method of forming ice in a refrigerator is disclosed. The method includes cooling a first storage compartment to a first temperature, cooling a second storage compartment to a second temperature, cooling an interior volume defined in a door to a third temperature, wherein the door permits and impedes access to the second storage compartment, operating a fan disposed in the interior volume to circulate cool air through the interior volume, and cooling water to form ice in the interior volume.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 5, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Natarajan Venkatakrishnan, Matthew William Davis, Krzysztof Struminski, Wayne Lawson
  • Publication number: 20130014519
    Abstract: A frozen beverage device to convert a liquid beverage into a semi-frozen or frozen form has inner and outer walls forming a refrigerant cavity containing a refrigerant material with a freezing point below the freezing point of the liquid, the refrigerant material occupying at least 80% of the volume of the refrigerant cavity. The outer wall has a base portion which can be moved from a first position, where the liquid is at least semi-frozen, to a second position where the internal pressure in the refrigerant cavity urges the inner wall outwardly towards the outer wall so that the refrigerant material contacts a maximum area of the surface of the inner wall in the refrigerant cavity for maximum heat transfer and to minimise constriction of access to the frozen beverage. Alternative methods to seal the inner and outer walls to close the refrigerant cavity are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 22, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: HYDRO-TURBINE DEVELOPMENTS PTY LTD
    Inventor: Alfio Bucceri
  • Publication number: 20130014535
    Abstract: Provided is an ice maker. The ice maker includes a tray member comprising an upper tray having an upper shell and a lower tray having a lower shell. The ice maker also includes a driving unit disposed on a side of the tray member and configured to linearly move, in a vertical direction, at least one of the upper tray and the lower tray to change between an attached orientation in which the upper shell is attached to the lower shell to define a spherical shell and a separated orientation in which the upper shell is separated from the lower shell. The ice maker further includes an ejecting unit that is disposed on a side of the tray member and that is configured to facilitate separation of an ice piece made in the spherical shell from at least one of the upper tray and the lower tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Juhyun Son, Wookyong Lee, Donghoon Lee, Dongjeong Kim
  • Publication number: 20130014536
    Abstract: Provided is an ice maker. The ice maker includes an upper tray including a plurality of first recessed parts, each having a hemispherical shape, and a lower tray including a plurality of second recessed parts, each having a hemispherical shape. The ice maker also includes a driving unit that moves at least one of the upper tray and the lower tray to change between an attached orientation in which the upper tray is attached to the lower tray to define a plurality of spherical shells and a separated orientation in which the upper tray is separated from the lower tray. The ice maker further includes a water supply part configured to supply water into the shells and an ejecting unit disposed outside the shells and configured to facilitate separation of ice pieces made in the shells.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 13, 2012
    Publication date: January 17, 2013
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Juhyun Son, Wookyong Lee, Donghoon Lee, Dongjeong Kim
  • Patent number: 8353171
    Abstract: A refrigerating appliance is provided that includes an inner compartment for storing refrigerated or frozen goods, a cold generator, a refrigerating appliance control system for operating the cold generator, a mains connection for supplying the cold generator and the refrigerating appliance control system with an electrical voltage, and an ice-making machine arranged in the inner compartment. The ice-making machine includes its own control system for its own operation, which controls all functions of the ice-making machine independently of the refrigerating appliance control system. A connection is also provided from the ice-making machine and the ice-making machine control system to the mains connection of the refrigerating appliance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 10, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Adolf Feinauer, Klaus Flinner
  • Patent number: 8353178
    Abstract: An ice making housing which is mounted in a refrigerator door and forms an ice making chamber including an ice making tray which has a rotational shaft to be rotatably accommodated in the ice making housing, and an ice generating unit to freeze supplied water; an ice separating unit which is mounted in the ice making housing and separates ice cubes from the ice making tray; an overflow preventing member which is rotatably coupled to the ice making housing along a lengthwise direction of the ice making tray and prevents overflow of water accommodated in the ice making tray; and a driving unit which is provided in the ice making tray and the overflow preventing member and allows the overflow preventing member to reciprocate between an ice separating position separating ice cubes from the ice generating unit and a cover position covering the ice generating unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: January 15, 2013
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jin-ho Kim, Young-gwi Park
  • Publication number: 20130000327
    Abstract: An ice-making machine includes an ice-forming mold in a food zone of the ice-making machine; a refrigeration system including a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator in thermal contact with said ice-forming mold, thus producing a combined evaporator and ice-forming mold; and a bulkhead wall separating an equipment compartment from the food zone. A bulkhead space is located between the bulkhead wall and the combined evaporator and ice-forming mold. The bulkhead space is part of the food zone. Air in contact with ice being formed by the ice-making machine can circulate to the bulkhead space. A source of antimicrobially active gas and an air circulation system that causes the antimicrobially active gas to circulate through the bulkhead space. In use, the antimicrobially active gas flows though the bulkhead space to thereby distribute the antimicrobially active gas throughout the bulkhead space, thus inhibiting growth of microbiological contaminates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 23, 2011
    Publication date: January 3, 2013
    Inventors: William E. Olson, Jr., Richard T. Miller, Brad A. Blaha
  • Publication number: 20120324919
    Abstract: A clear ice making system and method utilizes an ice forming tray pivotally connected to opposing side walls of an icemaker housing. Ice forming fingers of a dedicated evaporator extend into fluid within the ice forming tray, and are cooled by communication with the refrigerant circulating system of the refrigerator. A motor oscillates the ice forming tray about a longitudinal axis at a frequency of about 0.4-0.6 hertz as fluid channels freezes on the ice forming fingers over time, forming clear ice pieces. During an ice dispensing event, the motor pivots the ice making tray about the longitudinal axis such that fluid remaining within the ice making tray drains into a fluid reservoir below. The ice forming fingers are then heated to release the clear ice pieces for transfer from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment of the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANDERSON BORTOLETTO, KEVIN M. CHASE, TONY L. KOENIGSKNECHT, RONALD L. VOGLEWEDE, MATTHEW E. YOUNG
  • Publication number: 20120324916
    Abstract: A clear ice making system and method utilizes an ice tray including a plurality of ice forming cavities extending into a fluid supply cavity. Fluid supplied to the fluid supply cavity flows into each of the plurality of ice forming cavities and out through respective fluid outlets located in a bottom portion of the ice forming cavities to a fluid outlet chamber below. Cooled ice forming members extend into respective ice forming cavities. Fluid is continuously cycled through the ice forming cavities and around the ice forming members during an ice making event such that clear ice pieces gradually form on each of the ice forming members. During an ice harvest event, ice forming members are heated to release formed ice pieces, and the ice pieces are transferred from a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator to an ice storage bucket located in a freezer compartment of the refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANDERSON BORTOLETTO, ROGERIO SOARES BRISOLA, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, JAMES PETERSON, FABIO E. ROSA, VANESSA CHRISTINA RIBERIO, SIMONE M. VIDAL, RONALD L. VOGLEWEDE
  • Publication number: 20120324918
    Abstract: A refrigeration system for a refrigerator having a freezer compartment, a fresh food compartment, an icemaker in the fresh food compartment includes distinct freezer, fresh food and icemaker evaporators and associated valving operating in conjunction with a common compressor and condenser in order to effectively regulate temperatures in specified zones of the refrigerator throughout various operational modes including at least a freezer cooling mode, a fresh food cooling mode and an ice harvesting mode. The icemaker can be serially linked with the fresh food evaporator during cooling of the fresh food compartment, while being also being selectively isolated for the ice harvesting mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANDERSON BORTOLETTO, NIHAT CUR, TONY L. KOENIGSKNECHT, RONALD L. VOGLEWEDE, MATTHEW E. YOUNG
  • Publication number: 20120324937
    Abstract: A bottom mount household refrigerator is provided with an apparatus to permit the dispensing of ice. According to one embodiment, a sealed ice making compartment is provided within the fresh food compartment. The sealed ice making compartment may be located at the bottom, at the top, or along a side wall within the fresh food compartment. According to another embodiment, ice is made in the ice compartment, and lifted upward to a dispensing location through the door of the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JOSEPH R. ADAMSKI, JASON COLSCH, TIM L. COULTER, GLENN E. GOETZ, STEVEN G. HERNDON, TODD E. KNIFFEN, BILL J. KOONS, LOU MONTUORO, JOHN H. TENHUNDFELD, DAVID THALACKER, BRETT VLADIKA
  • Publication number: 20120324940
    Abstract: A dispensing system suitable for dispensing ice through the refrigerator compartment door of a bottom-mount refrigerator is disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 10, 2012
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: JEFFERY J. ANSELMINO, NIHAT CUR, MARCUS R. FISCHER, TUSHAR KULKARNI, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, FRANK W. MAGLINGER, JIM J. PASTRYK, ANDREW M. TENBARGE
  • Publication number: 20120324915
    Abstract: An ice making assembly and method utilizes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a plurality of distinct, substantially vertical fluid channels, and at least one drain aperture in fluid communication with a fluid reservoir. Ice forming members extend from an ice forming evaporator into respective fluid channels. During an ice making event, fluid continuously supplied to the upper fluid chamber flows into each of the fluid channels and out through at least one drain aperture into a fluid reservoir below. The ice forming members are cooled such that fluid flowing across the fluid channels freezes on the ice forming members over time, forming clear ice pieces. The ice pieces are subsequently released from the ice forming members and transferred for storage and/or dispensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANDERSON BORTOLETTO, NIHAT CUR, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, RONALD L. VOGLEWEDE
  • Publication number: 20120324917
    Abstract: A clear ice making assembly and method utilizes a housing having an upper fluid chamber, a plurality of distinct, substantially vertical fluid channels, and at least one fluid outlet aperture in fluid communication with a bottom fluid chamber. During an ice making event, portions of an ice forming evaporator extending through the housing are exposed to water flowing into the fluid channels from the upper fluid chamber. The ice forming evaporator is formed with microchannels through which refrigerant flows such that water flowing across the fluid channels freezes on the exposed portions of the ice forming evaporator over time, forming clear ice pieces. In a harvesting operation, the ice pieces are released from the ice forming evaporator and transferred for storage and/or dispensing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 22, 2011
    Publication date: December 27, 2012
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: ANDERSON BORTOLETTO, NIHAT CUR, DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, ANDREW M. TENBARGE, RONALD L. VOGLEWEDE
  • Patent number: 8336326
    Abstract: Provided is a dispenser including an ice-making water tank for storing ice-making water and an auger-type ice-making machine for producing ice chips by freezing the ice-making water in the ice-making water tank. The auger-type ice-making machine includes a refrigeration casing into which the ice-making water is supplied, and the refrigeration casing and the drain pan are connected to each other through the intermediation of an ice-making water drain pipe. The ice-making water in the refrigeration casing is drained at predetermined time points, and the drain pan is washed with the ice-making water thus drained.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 2, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: Hoshizaki Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Makoto Sasaki, Motohiro Kawachi, Kouichi Itou, Hiroshi Nagai
  • Patent number: 8336325
    Abstract: The invention relates to an ice dispenser (10) for a refrigerator that includes a flap unit (24) which is arranged in an ice dispenser shaft and which can be adjusted between a release position which releases the ice dispenser shaft for dispensing ice and a locking position which blocks the ice dispenser shaft against dispensing ice, a pulse-controlled actuating magnet arrangement (58) for actuating the flap unit (24), and mechanical retention means (36, 64, 66) which releasably retain the flap unit (24) in the release position and in the locking position thereof, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2012
    Assignee: emz-Hanauer GmbH & Co. KGaA
    Inventors: Albert Dirnberger, Georg Spiessl
  • Publication number: 20120318003
    Abstract: Disclosed are an ice maker, a refrigerator having the ice maker, and a method for supplying ice of the refrigerator. When the ice making container is rotated, ice of the ice making container freefalls to be released, thus reducing the size of the ice maker and making a refrigerator slimmer. Also, since a partition wall is not provided on an inner circumferential surface of the ice making container, the roughness of the inner circumferential surface of the ice making container can be enhanced, and accordingly, heat can be evenly transferred from an ice releasing heater to reduce a generation amount of residual water. In addition, since ice can be released without using the ice releasing heater, power consumption can be reduced and residual water which can be generated in case of using the heater can be further reduced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 23, 2011
    Publication date: December 20, 2012
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Seongjae Kim, Bongjin Kim
  • Patent number: 8333084
    Abstract: Disclosed are a refrigerator and a lighting device therefor. Since an optical source, an LED is installed at a height to overlap a guide member, light emitted from the LED is widely dispersed through the guide member. This may allow a user to easily check a discharged degree of ice cubes or water, and to have sophisticated aesthetic feeling. Furthermore, since the optical source is fixed to an optical source accommodation portion by being encompassed thereby, a water leakage prevention function may be enhanced, and an additional coupling member for coupling the optical source may not be required. This may allow the number of components and assembly processes to be decreased, and the production costs to be reduced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jin-Woo Park
  • Patent number: 8333306
    Abstract: An ice-making device includes a duct through which ice is dispensed and a duct-covering part opening and closing the duct. When an operation load applied to the duct-covering part while the duct-covering part closes the duct is greater than a preset normal load, the duct-covering part operates to open the duct.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seung Do Han, Ho Youn Lee, Young Jin Kim, Tae Hee Lee, Sung Yong Shin
  • Publication number: 20120312049
    Abstract: A dispenser system chills viscous edible compositions. The dispensing system may have: a storage system for viscous edible compositions; a composition moving system; a composition chilling system; a cooling system; an electromechanical system control component; an electrical system providing power to the dispensing system components; an electrical communication among the electrical system and dispensing system components; a sensor for detecting at least one performance attribute on the moving system, the chilling system, the cooling system and the control system; the sensor providing signals to electronic hardware; the electronic hardware registering sensor signals with a time stamp; and the electronic hardware configured to perform data analysis on the time-stamped signals to direct and record specified undesirable performance in the dispensing system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2012
    Publication date: December 13, 2012
    Applicant: SOFT SERVE PARTS LLC
    Inventors: Justin G. Downs, III, Carl Tex Rickard, JR., Carl Tex Rickard, III
  • Publication number: 20120304683
    Abstract: There is disclosed an ice making tray that is able to perform ice-making and ice-ejecting conveniently, especially, that has no concern of ice-making water sparkling when ice-making water is introduced and of ice escaping when ice is ejected, and a refrigerant including the same. The ice making tray includes a case to define an exterior appearance thereof, an ice making part provided in a lower portion of the case, the ice making part comprising ice making spaces partitioned by a plurality of partition walls to accommodate ice-making water, an ice accommodating part provided in an upper portion of the case to accommodate ice ejected to a top of the ice making part, and an opening formed in a predetermined side of the case to introduce the ice-making water into the case or to discharge the ejected ice, and the refrigerator includes the ice making tray.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 30, 2012
    Publication date: December 6, 2012
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Daesung LEE, Woonkyu SEO, Sunil CHO
  • Patent number: 8322158
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes an ice storage bin, an opening provided in the ice storage bin through which ice is discharged, and a plurality of blades provided in the ice storage bin, such that the plurality of blades can rotate in a forward direction or in a reverse direction, to selectively discharge ice through the opening as whole ice or crushed ice, where gravity and the plurality of blades are the only forces exerted on the ice collected in the ice storage bin.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 4, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Dong Hoon Lee, Kyung Han Jeong, Wook Yong Lee, Joon Hwan Oh
  • Publication number: 20120297815
    Abstract: An ice making assembly includes an ice maker including a mold body defining a one or more compartments for forming ice cubes therein, a harvesting assembly removes an ice cube from the compartment, and one or more bimetallic elements. Each bimetallic element is configured with a respective one of the compartments so that when energized the bimetallic element deforms with a portion moving in a direction so as to assist in removing an ice cube from the compartment. Related refrigeration appliances are also disclosed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventor: Richard DeVos
  • Publication number: 20120297814
    Abstract: A refrigerator and a water tank assembly for supplying water to an ice maker and a dispenser installed in a door of the refrigerator are provided. The water tank assembly may have a substantially cylindrical shape, and may include a water intake port, a water discharge port, and a switching valve all provided at one surface thereof to improve water storage space and facilitate connection of water lines.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 24, 2012
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Inventors: Sungkyoung KIM, Jinil Hong
  • Patent number: 8316661
    Abstract: The present invention provides an ice making device for a refrigerator, which is installed in a storage space of the refrigerator to make ice by cold air circulating through the storage space. The ice making device comprises a water tank which is installed within an ice making space provided in a receiving box installed to be introduced into and taken out from the storage space, and has a water-storing space for storing water to be used in making ice and at least one water-supplying hole for use in supplying the water stored in the water-storing space; and at least one ice tray installed in the ice making space and provided with at least one ice making recess for use in making ice by receiving the water stored in the water-storing space. The water stored in the water tank is supplied to the ice tray when the water tank is mounted in the storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: November 27, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chang-Bong Choi
  • Publication number: 20120291473
    Abstract: In certain embodiments of the present disclosure, an ice maker assembly for a refrigerator freezer compartment having a wall with a capturing element is described. The ice maker assembly has a body that includes an ice mold for receiving water and freezing water to ice. The ice mold has a first side surface, a second side surface, and a bottom surface interposed between the first side surface and the second side surface. The ice maker assembly further includes a mounting feature, the mounting feature being present on the body and being configured to be seated on the corresponding refrigerator freezer compartment capturing element. The ice maker assembly also includes a fastening feature and a fastener being located either generally planar with the ice mold or below the ice mold, the fastening feature and fastener being configured to attach the body to the wall.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 18, 2011
    Publication date: November 22, 2012
    Applicant: GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
    Inventors: Andrew Reinhard Krause, Alan Joseph Mitchell, Charles Benjamin Miller
  • Publication number: 20120279246
    Abstract: An ice making device with a manually removable water tank is provided. When mounted, this tank has a system for opening a valve that allows dispensing water into an ice making tray of the ice making device. The ice making tray is rotatable so that the ice cubes formed in the tray can be removed. The ice making tray may be rotated by a pair of gears, one of them holds the ice making tray in position and transmits a rotation force to the tray; this gear has a preload spring which generates an appropriate return force. The other gear is part of the lever, giving torsion to the tray and may be operated by a user. When rotating the tray, the ice cubes may fall directly into an ice bucket which can be removed from the system to externally serve ice.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 2, 2012
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Inventor: Alan Federico Camacho Velázquez
  • Patent number: 8302424
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include an evaporator that generates cold air supplied to a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber, a first fan that supplies the cold air generated by the evaporator to a refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber of the refrigerator, and a second fan that circulates the cold air within the refrigerating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2009
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Chang Ho Seo, Dong Jeong Kim
  • Patent number: 8302423
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an ice-making device for a refrigerator and a refrigerator having the same. The ice-making device of the present invention comprises a water tank detachably mounted to a rear surface of a refrigerator door; an ice-making housing detachably mounted to the rear surface of the door below the water tank and provided with a predetermined installation space therein; an ice tray mounted into the installation space and formed with a plurality of ice-making grooves in which water supplied from the water tank is frozen into ice; a valve assembly operating to selectively supply water stored in the water tank to the ice tray when the water tank is installed or withdrawn; and an ice bank for storing ice made in the ice tray, wherein the ice bank is installed in the installation space to be received in or withdrawn out of the installation space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Moon-Seok Lee, O-Bong Choi, Sang-Bae Kim
  • Patent number: 8281610
    Abstract: An ice-making device for a refrigerator includes an ice maker for making ice, which is provided on a backside of a door of the refrigerator; and an ice maker cover for selectively opening or closing the ice maker. Fixing recesses are formed to be open downwardly on outsides of both sides of the ice maker cover, and receive fixing protrusions provided at corresponding positions on opposite sides of a pair of support steps that protrude rearward from both side ends of the backside of the door by a predetermined length and are formed to be elongated in an up and down direction. Play prevention steps are provided at lower ends of both sides of the ice maker cover and are seated on play prevention ribs provided to be elongated in a horizontal direction at corresponding positions of the opposite sides of the support steps below the fixing protrusions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 18, 2007
    Date of Patent: October 9, 2012
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Myung-Soo Kim, Yoon-Min Park, Oh-Chul Kwon, Jong-Gon Kim, Bon-Young Koo, Young-Hoon Gwak, Hyeon-Po Cho
  • Patent number: RE44132
    Abstract: In one aspect, an icemaker for making ice in a fresh food compartment of a bottom mount refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator comprises a freezer compartment comprising a freezer door, and a fresh food compartment located over the freezer compartment and comprising a fresh food door. The fresh food door comprises an ice dispenser. An ice maker is located in the fresh food compartment, and the ice maker comprises an ice mold, and a thermoelectric device for moving heat from the ice mold. The mold is positioned so that ice from the mold can be dispensed by the ice dispenser in the fresh food door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 18, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2013
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventor: David Joseph Najewicz