Unit Includes Movable Wall Section, E.g., Door Patents (Class 62/449)
  • Patent number: 11953257
    Abstract: A refrigerator including a housing mounted at a rear surface of a door to define a storage space of food, a basket disposed inside the housing, a duct extending to the housing from one side of an evaporator to supply cold air generated by the evaporator into the storage space of the housing, and a fan assembly coupled to the duct to allow the cold air to be forcibly supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2023
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jihyun Im, Yoomin Park, Jindong Kim
  • Patent number: 11946648
    Abstract: In one aspect, a cooking appliance includes a cabinet forming a cavity configured to provide a food accommodation space; at least one door covering the cavity; a handle rotatably coupled to the door; and a handle supporter disposed inside the door and configured to rotatably support the handle relative to the door. In another aspect, a cooking appliance includes a drawer configured to be withdrawn from or inserted into the cooking appliance; a first rail disposed on the drawer; a second rail disposed on a frame of the cooking appliance and configured to accommodate a sliding motion of the first rail; a link component disposed at the first rail; a sliding control assembly disposed at the second rail and configured to accommodate the link component to automatically insert the drawer into the frame and to mitigate an impact of the drawer being fully inserted into the frame.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2021
    Date of Patent: April 2, 2024
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Euisu Jung, Hwichang Son, Moonho Choi
  • Patent number: 11885559
    Abstract: A refrigerator may include a storage compartment, an inner door which comprises an opening having a size corresponding to a size of the storage compartment, a plurality of door guards, and an outer door which open and close the storage compartment, wherein the inner door comprises a control unit may control an internal environment of the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 31, 2022
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2024
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hyun Joo Kim, Yong Man Seo, In-Sung Hwang, Bok Hyun Jang, Tae Youl Lee, Jeong Won Choi
  • Patent number: 11832041
    Abstract: A door cover defines an upper surface of a door of a refrigerator. The door cover includes a microphone pocket in which a microphone mount is provided and a separate speaker pocket in which a speaker mount is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 25, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 28, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: O Min Kwon, Hyungkyu Park
  • Patent number: 11781805
    Abstract: A refrigerator water dispenser includes a shelf having a lower surface. A water dispenser tube is disposed adjacent to the shelf for dispensing water into a container. An actuator support is operably coupled to the lower surface of the shelf. A load cell is disposed on the actuator support, wherein the load cell sends a signal in response to movement by the actuator support. A controller is operably coupled to the load cell, wherein the controller activates a water dispensing sequence to dispense water via the water dispenser tube in response to the signal from the load cell.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 2, 2022
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Atishkumar S. Dhage, Vikas C. Mruthyunjaya, Caroline Ruella Paiva Torres, Henrique Keiji Arai Yamaki, Ravi Joshi
  • Patent number: 11779135
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator is characterized by enabling at least a part of a refrigerator door to be selectively transparent by a user's operation, such that the user sees through an inside of the refrigerator while the refrigerator door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2023
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jisu Park, Taehoon Choi
  • Patent number: 11717095
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator is characterized by enabling at least a part of a refrigerator door to be selectively transparent by a user's operation, such that the user sees through an inside of the refrigerator while the refrigerator door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 22, 2022
    Date of Patent: August 8, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jisu Park, Taehoon Choi
  • Patent number: 11692757
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator including a cabinet, a storage compartment provided in the cabinet to form a single space in which a storage item is stored, a single door for opening or closing the space formed by the storage compartment, a first cold air supply duct and a second cold air supply duct provided respectively on left and right sides of the single storage compartment, the first cold air supply duct and the second cold air supply duct supplying different amounts of cold air, and a storage unit for being pushed into or pulled from the storage compartment in a front-and-rear direction along with the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 28, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 4, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Tackwon Han, Junsoo Han
  • Patent number: 11668130
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a food storage chamber. A door is positioned on the cabinet and is movable between a closed position and an open position. A door opener includes a casing, a gear box, a sliding nut movable relative to the gear box, and a finger extending through the gear box. The finger is movable with the sliding nut. The door opener also includes a sensor. The finger extends outside of the casing to contact an inner surface of the door when the door is in the closed position and the door opener is in a zero position. The sensor is configured to detect movement of the door opener from the zero position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 8, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 6, 2023
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: Tanner Davis Gunn, Michael Goodman Schroeder
  • Patent number: 11644217
    Abstract: An apparatus includes a drain pan configured to receive liquid condensate from a horizontal evaporator coil above the drain pan and a drain pan extension coupled to the drain pan. A pin on the front and rear sides of the drain pan extension is fitted and movable within a corresponding notch in the front and rear sides of the drain pan. The drain pan extension is securably configurable in a first configuration and a second configuration. In the first configuration, the drain pan extension extends above the drain pan at a first angle relative to the drain pan. In the second configuration, at least a portion of the drain pan extension extends beyond the left pan side of the drain pan at a angle, which may be selected for improved capture of liquid condensate from the horizontal evaporator coil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 13, 2021
    Date of Patent: May 9, 2023
    Assignee: Advanced Distributor Products LLC
    Inventors: John Bauer, Michael Denley
  • Patent number: 11629893
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage space, a cryogenic freezing compartment provided in the storage space, and a thermoelectric module assembly disposed at one side of the cryogenic freezing compartment so that the cryogenic freezing compartment is cooled to a temperature less than that of the storage space. The cryogenic freezing compartment includes a cryogenic case into which an insulation material is filled to be thermally insulated from the storage space and in which a cryogenic freezing space is defined, a case door opening and closing the cryogenic case, and a rail assembly connecting the cryogenic case to the case door and extending and contracted in multi-stages to allow the case door to be slid to be inserted and withdrawn. The rail assembly is mounted on the cryogenic case outside the cryogenic freezing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 22, 2020
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2023
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yoomin Park, Jinho Son, Hozin Song
  • Patent number: 11589687
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator is characterized by enabling at least a part of a refrigerator door to be selectively transparent by a user's operation, such that the user sees through an inside of the refrigerator while the refrigerator door is closed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 21, 2021
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Jisu Park, Taehoon Choi
  • Patent number: 11536070
    Abstract: A dish treating appliance includes a cabinet defining an interior with an access opening. A door is hingedly mounted to the cabinet for pivoting movement about a pivot axis between closed and opened positions to selectively close and open the access opening. A door opener includes a housing mounted to the cabinet and defining a pin opening facing the door. An opening pin is located within the housing and aligned with the pin opening. A lever is rotatably mounted to the housing to define a rotation axis and is selectively operably coupled to the opening pin. An actuator having a reciprocating shaft is connected to the lever.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 27, 2022
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventor: Mariusz Stanislaw Drzazga
  • Patent number: 11515814
    Abstract: To provide a motor drive control device capable of determining the rotational direction of a motor using a simple configuration with a reduced number of lead wires from position sensors, and a method for controlling the motor drive control device. A control circuit unit of a motor drive control device includes a first comparator configured to compare the magnitudes of a first positive Hall signal and a first negative Hall signal output from a first Hall element, thereby generating a first position detection signal; a second comparator configured to compare the magnitudes of a second negative Hall signal output from a second Hall element and the first negative Hall signal, thereby generating a second position detection signal; and a rotational direction determination unit configured to compare the transitions of the first position detection signal and the second position detection signal, thereby determining the rotational direction of a motor.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 1, 2021
    Date of Patent: November 29, 2022
    Assignee: MINEBEA MITSUMI Inc.
    Inventors: Masato Aoki, Takahiro Suzuki, Tomotaka Sakuma
  • Patent number: 11472624
    Abstract: Devices, systems, and methods are provided for heating and cooling substances, such as food and beverages. A portable device may have an exterior surface and an interior surface, with one or more heating elements positioned at least partially between the exterior surface and the interior surface, and with one or more cooling elements positioned at least partially between the exterior surface and the interior surface. The portable device may include one or more power sources operatively connected to the one or more heating elements and the one or more cooling element, and may include at least one processor that controls, based on the one or more power sources, activation of one of the one or more heating elements or the one or more cooling elements at a time.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: October 18, 2022
    Inventor: Sugar Ray Alexander
  • Patent number: 11448000
    Abstract: The present invention discloses an automatic door opening device and a refrigerator having the same. The automatic door opening device comprises a base, a driving source member, two mechanical clutch gear sets and two pushing members, wherein the mechanical clutch gear set comprises a mechanical master gear, a mechanical slave gear, and a mechanical clutch member; in an initial state, the mechanical master gear is partially meshed with the mechanical clutch member which is separated from the mechanical slave gear; in a door body opening process, the mechanical master gear drives the mechanical slave gear to be in a transmission state; and after the door body is opened, the mechanical clutch gear set is recovered to an initial connection state.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 27, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 20, 2022
    Assignee: QINGDAO HAIER JOINT STOCK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Xueli Cheng, Bin Fei, Yazhou Shang, Jinlin Liu
  • Patent number: 11339602
    Abstract: A refrigerator is configured to enable a user to open doors of the refrigerator easily. The refrigerator performs a method for controlling the doors to prevent from opening due to a malfunction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 24, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sunghun Lee, Dongjeong Kim
  • Patent number: 11320191
    Abstract: A vacuum adiabatic body according to the present invention includes a reinforcing member which is provided at a peripheral portion of at least one plate member so as to reinforce the strength of the plate member providing the vacuum adiabatic body; and a drain pipe which penetrates a third space except for the reinforcing member and through which water passes. According to the present invention, the strength of the vacuum adiabatic body increases and a penetration path of the defrost water can be secured.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 11, 2018
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2022
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Myoungju Kang, Bongjin Kim, Hyeunsik Nam
  • Patent number: 11255118
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet including an outer case forming an external appearance and a storage compartment, a refrigerator door coupled to the cabinet to open or close the storage compartment, an installation bracket coupled to the outer case inside the outer case, a door opening device installed in the installation bracket outside the outer case and including a push member for opening or closing the refrigerator door, and a buffer member disposed a coupling portion between the door opening device and the installation bracket.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 22, 2022
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jihyun Im, Dongjeong Kim, Heejun Lee
  • Patent number: 11125005
    Abstract: One or more embodiments of an automatic switching device and a refrigeration device is provided. The automatic switching device includes an ejection structure including a transmission gear and a rack matching the transmission gear in transmission. The automatic switching device includes a driving device, connected to the transmission gear and used for driving the transmission gear to rotate, so as to drive the rack to extend forwards to open a door body or retract backwards to close the door body. The automatic switching device further includes an auxiliary control device including an inductor arranged on the rack, a first induction switch and a second induction switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 18, 2019
    Date of Patent: September 21, 2021
    Assignees: HEFEI HUALING CO., LTD., HEFEI MIDEA REFRIGERATOR CO., LTD., MIDEA GROUP CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Yao
  • Patent number: 11112169
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a smart home controller refrigerator and a control method therefor, the smart home controller refrigerator, according to one embodiment of the present invention, comprising: a control unit comprising a control protocol communication unit for receiving control information for controlling a home appliance in a home, an operation protocol communication unit for generating an operation signal calculated from the control information, and a signal transmission unit for transmitting the operation signal to the home appliance; at least one storage space; and at least one door for controlling the opening/closing of the at least one storage space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 7, 2017
    Date of Patent: September 7, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sang Oh Kim, Jungsang Yun, Dul Lae Min
  • Patent number: 11009289
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a main body having a storage compartment, a first door rotatably installed at a first side of the main body to open and close a first portion of the storage compartment, and a second door rotatably installed at a second side of the main body to open and close a second portion of the storage compartment. A first camera may be installed at the first door to take a picture of an interior of the first storage compartment during rotation of the first door, and a second camera may be installed at the second door to take a picture of the interior of the first storage compartment during rotation of the second door. A controller may combine plural pictures taken by the first camera and the second camera into a single corrected image of a region of the first compartment spanning from the first door to the second door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2020
    Date of Patent: May 18, 2021
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Inhwan Ryu, Minjoo Cha, Hyein Yang
  • Patent number: 10927587
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprises: a cabinet including a storage compartment, a door opening or closing the storage compartment, a door opening device including a push rod moving from an initial position to a door opening position for opening the door and a motor providing power to the push rod, and a controller controlling the motor. The controller allows the motor to rotate at a first opening speed for opening the door of the refrigerator. The controller changes a rotation speed of the motor to a second opening speed lower than the first opening speed before the push rod contacts the door of the refrigerator or the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 27, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2021
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Heejun Lee, Dongjeong Kim, Seungyoon Cho
  • Patent number: 10890373
    Abstract: A buffer tank for panel cooling device is provided and includes a tank body and a carry mechanism provided in the tank body. The carry mechanism has a first slide rail, a second slide rail and a plurality of supporting frames, the first slide rail and the second slide rail are opposite to each other and fixed in the tank body, the supporting frames are arranged on the first slide rail and the second slide rail, and the supporting frames are configured to be moveable relative to the first slide rail and the second slide rail. In the disclosure, the fixed supporting frame in the buffer tank is changed to be a supporting frame intelligently driven to scroll. When cleaning and maintaining the buffer tank or handling the buffer tank fragments, the supporting frames are rolled together and are all abutted to provide enough working space to enhance operation safety.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 24, 2018
    Date of Patent: January 12, 2021
    Assignee: WUHAN CHINA STAR OPTOELECTRONICS TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Teng Shen
  • Patent number: 10746460
    Abstract: A beverage cooling assembly for rapidly cooling a beverage container includes a cylinder for insertably receiving a beverage container. A base is rotatably coupled to the cylinder and a cooling unit is positioned within the base. A plurality of bristles is provided and each of the bristles is coupled to and extends inwardly on the cylinder. Each of the bristles is comprised of a thermally conductive material and each of the bristles is in thermal communication with the cooling unit such that the cooling unit cools the bristles when the cooling unit is turned on. Moreover, each of the bristles frictionally engages the beverage container when the beverage container is positioned in the cylinder. In this way the cooling unit cools the beverage container when the beverage container is positioned in the cylinder.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 15, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 18, 2020
    Inventor: Robert Dorus
  • Patent number: 10739061
    Abstract: A temperature homogenizing container and a refrigerator having same. The container comprises a body and an accommodating space that is enclosed by the body. The body comprises several capillary tube cavities provided therein and allowing flow of a heat exchange medium. A micro-tooth structure is provided on the inner wall of each capillary tube cavity. The heat exchange medium may flow in the capillary tube cavities along an extension direction of the capillary tube cavities. By setting the container body to comprise several capillary tube cavities therein, the temperature homogenizing effect and heat exchange efficiency of the container are improved; by providing the micro-tooth structure, the heat exchange efficiency is further improved; the temperature difference of different areas in the container is reduced, and temperature homogenization in the container is achieved.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: August 11, 2020
    Assignees: QINGDAO HAIER SPECIAL REFRIGERATOR CO., LTD., QINGDAO HAIER JOINT STOCK CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Bin Fei, Xueli Cheng, Xuan Ji, Xiaobing Zhu
  • Patent number: 10718552
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage space, a cryogenic freezing compartment provided in the storage space, and a thermoelectric module assembly disposed at one side of the cryogenic freezing compartment so that the cryogenic freezing compartment is cooled to a temperature less than that of the storage space. The cryogenic freezing compartment includes a cryogenic case into which an insulation material is filled to be thermally insulated from the storage space and in which a cryogenic freezing space is defined, a case door opening and closing the cryogenic case, and a rail assembly connecting the cryogenic case to the case door and extending and contracted in multi-stages to allow the case door to be slid to be inserted and withdrawn. The rail assembly is mounted on the cryogenic case outside the cryogenic freezing space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2018
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yoomin Park, Jinho Son, Hozin Song
  • Patent number: 10544982
    Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage compartment, an inner case (10) configured to define an external appearance of the storage compartment, a first door pivotably installed to the cabinet, the first door being configured to open or close one side of the storage compartment, a second door pivotably installed to the cabinet, the second door being configured to open or close a remaining side of the storage compartment, the second door having a pillar (100) configured to be rotated so as to come into contact with the first door, and a transfer member (1000) provided inside the inner case (10) so as to guide rotation of the pillar (100) by detecting rotation of the second door, and the pillar (100) is spaced apart from both a top wall of the inner case and a bottom wall of the inner case (10) so as not to come into contact with the inner case (10) in a state in which the second door seals the storage compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 18, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 28, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyunbum Kim, Jindong Kim, Jihyun Im, Sanggyun Lee
  • Patent number: 10458695
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerator comprising a cabinet having a storage chamber; an inner case forming the exterior of the storage chamber; a first door pivotally provided to the cabinet and opening and closing one side of the storage chamber; a second door having a pillar rotated so as to come into contact with the first door, pivotally provided to the cabinet, and opening and closing the other side of the storage chamber; and a driving member provided at a lower end of the second door so as to move together with the second door, and operating the pillar so as to fold or unfold the pillar, wherein the pillar has a first catching protrusion and a second catching protrusion, which are selectively caught by the driving member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2017
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Hyunbum Kim, Younseok Lee, Heejun Lee, Seongwon Gwon
  • Patent number: 10393424
    Abstract: The present invention provides a refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having a storage chamber; an inner case that forms the exterior of the storage chamber; a first door rotatably installed on the cabinet so as to expose/cover one side of the storage chamber; a second door having a pillar that rotates such that the same can contact the first door, the second door being rotatably installed on the cabinet so as to expose/cover the other side of the storage chamber; and a transfer member provided on the inner case so as to sense the rotation of the first door and to guide the rotation of the pillar.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 12, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 27, 2019
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Heejun Lee, Hyunbum Kim, Seongwon Gwon
  • Patent number: 10253554
    Abstract: For the purpose of improving a usability, a home appliance door, in particular a home chiller appliance door, is proposed: The home appliance door has an inner wall section; an outer wall section; a valve connecting the inner wall section and the outer wall section; and a cover element which is separate from and fixed to the valve and at least partly covers the inner wall section.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 23, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH
    Inventors: Muharrem Uemit Caglin, Semih Cakil, Tanzer Yildizgoecer
  • Patent number: 10119751
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet forming a storage space, a main door that opens and closes the storage space while defining an opening part that is in communication with the storage space, a sub-door mounted to the main door and configured to open and close the opening part, the sub-door including a panel assembly for allowing selective viewing of an inside of the opening part, a detection device for detecting an operation of a user, a lighting unit inside the refrigerator that turns on based on user operation to allow selective viewing of the inner side of the opening part, and a display unit inside the refrigerator at a position corresponding to the panel assembly that becomes visible and displays an operation state of the refrigerator when the lighting unit turns on.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 5, 2017
    Date of Patent: November 6, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Kwanghyun Choi
  • Patent number: 9972284
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body defining a storage compartment that is divided into a plurality of storage sections, and a door coupled to the main body to selectively open or close the storage compartment. The door includes a door glass having at least one transparent display area, and a door frame surrounding one or more edges of the door glass and configured to protect the door glass. The transparent display area is configured to display, based on being touched by a user, information on food stored in one or more of the plurality of storage sections that corresponds to the touched transparent display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 10, 2015
    Date of Patent: May 15, 2018
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jaeyoung Lee, Seungcheol Baek, Jeonghwa Yang, Eunjung Suh, Eungyeong Gwon
  • Patent number: 9625204
    Abstract: A refrigerator is discussed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet that includes a storage compartment. The refrigerator further includes a first door hinged on a first edge of the cabinet and configured to open and close a first portion of the storage compartment. The refrigerator further includes a first basket assembly supported by a first hinge mounted at a first inner wall of the storage compartment. The refrigerator further includes a first locking device configured to selectively couple the first basket assembly to the first door. The refrigerator further includes a first release device configured to release the first locking device and accessible from a first inner surface of the door and a first outer surface of the door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 25, 2016
    Date of Patent: April 18, 2017
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Minsub Kim, Kyukwan Choi, Kyusuh Park
  • Publication number: 20150121918
    Abstract: The refrigerator includes a compressor compressing a refrigerant, a condenser condensing the refrigerant compressed in the compressor, and a dryer in which the refrigerant condensed in the condenser is introduced. The dryer removes impurities or moisture of the refrigerant. A flow adjustment part is provided on an outlet-side of the dryer to switch or control a flow direction of the refrigerant. A plurality of evaporators is connected to the flow adjustment part, and the plurality of evaporators includes a first evaporator and a second evaporator. A first refrigerant passage extends from the flow adjustment part to the first evaporator, and a second refrigerant passage extends from the flow adjustment part to the second evaporator. A guide tube extends from the dryer to one side of at least one evaporator of the plurality of evaporators to guide the refrigerant to be cooled.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 3, 2014
    Publication date: May 7, 2015
    Inventors: Sangbong LEE, Jangseok Lee, Hyoungkeun Lim, Myungjin Chung, Minkyu Oh, Youngsu Jeong, Younggyu An
  • Patent number: 9016031
    Abstract: The door is made with a triple-lite insulated glass unit and a frame of aluminum rails. The insulated glass unit has a stepped cross-section with the outer glass lite being larger than the inner glass lites. An opaque non-conductive ceramic frit forms a rectangularly shaped border to mask the mounting of the inner glass lite(s). An electrically conductive coating on the outer glass lite is insulated from the aluminum rails of the frame by a plastic strip disposed between the outer glass lite and each rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 23, 2014
    Date of Patent: April 28, 2015
    Assignee: Thermoseal Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard Chubb, Ralph Wearsch
  • Patent number: 9003825
    Abstract: A refrigerator door includes the ability to mount a variety of modules requiring utilities, such as electricity and fluids, within adjustable locations in the door of the refrigerator. The door includes a conduit extending in at least one direction and including one or more plug-in connectors for allowing a module with a mating connector to be positioned on the door for supplying operating utilities to the module. This allows the purchaser of the refrigerator to add components and accessories to the refrigerator after purchase or select desired features at the time of purchase.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 21, 2013
    Date of Patent: April 14, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Paul B. Allard, James W. Kendall, John J. Vonderhaar, Guolian Wu, Alan S. Lucas, Andrew M. Tenbarge
  • Patent number: 8966926
    Abstract: A bottom mount refrigerator is provided with a pantry compartment that is accessible from outside the refrigerator by pulling open an easy access pantry drawer without the need to first open the fresh food compartment or the freezer compartment. A divider between the pantry compartment and the fresh food compartment is formed by a secondary mullion and a transparent shelf. The secondary mullion is provided with a light source for illuminating the contents of the pantry drawer. A light source at the rear of the pantry compartment shines generally forwardly and upwardly to illuminate the fresh food compartment.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2009
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Steven G. Herndon, Todd E. Kniffen, Bill J. Koons
  • Patent number: 8966931
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes: an icemaker case on a door; an icemaker door on the icemaker case, the icemaker door being rotatable; a holding part on the icemaker case; and a lever assembly. The lever assembly is coupled to the icemaker door to be rotatable in order to engage or disengage with the holding part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chang-Woan Yang
  • Patent number: 8955352
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator. The present invention improves a structure of a door and a storage basket, thereby making it possible to facilitate the storage and a drawing out of articles.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: February 17, 2015
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Su Won Lee, Hyeung Ju Kim, Kyung Eun Lee
  • Publication number: 20150033786
    Abstract: An appliance such as a refrigerator or freezer comprising a base having a drawer, a foldable step assembly received in the drawer is disclosed. The step assembly is configured to rise out of the drawer into an extended position to provide a step when the drawer is open.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2013
    Publication date: February 5, 2015
    Inventors: Luke Mansfield, Ran Merkazy, Jerome Wouters, Ori Jacobi, Avner Sadot, Ouli Hanuna
  • Publication number: 20150013352
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a freezer and method for fabricating a freezer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 9, 2013
    Publication date: January 15, 2015
    Inventors: Goran MICIC, Simon CLARK, Elliot ROTHBERG
  • Patent number: 8925341
    Abstract: An ice cube container of an ice maker for household purposes includes a bottom, front and rear wall sections arranged on opposite ends of the bottom, and two sidewall sections interconnecting the end wall sections. The front and rear wall sections have each a length which is shorter than a length of the side wall sections. Arranged on one of the sidewall sections is a removal handle to allow easy removal of ice cubes. The ice cube container is removably received in a receptacle of a freezer compartment drawer of a refrigeration appliance in only one way in which the removal handle of the ice cube container faces the center of the freezer compartment drawer when the ice cube container is inserted in the receptacle.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 13, 2009
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgerate GmbH
    Inventors: Thomas Benz, Alexander Görz, James Jenkins, Matthew Ricket
  • Patent number: 8911041
    Abstract: A water-filter mounting structure for a refrigerator has a filter receiving section provided below a dispenser that is mounted at a door for selectively opening and closing a storage space and discharges water or ice to the outside. A water filter mounted in the filter receiving section purifies water supplied from a water supplying source. It is possible to minimize reduction in a storage capacity, loss in cold air and damage to the water filter and improve product compatibility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2006
    Date of Patent: December 16, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Oh-Chul Kwon, Jun-Heon Kim
  • Publication number: 20140342064
    Abstract: A crisper drawer for postponing postharvest produce deterioration having a drawer housing that substantially defines the size and shape of the crisper drawer and fits within a residential refrigerator. A chamber within the drawer housing is cooled by the refrigerator. An ozone generator provides gaseous ozone to the chamber, and an ethylene scrubber reduces levels of ethylene in the chamber. An ozone level control with the ozone generator controls ozone levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 15, 2013
    Publication date: November 20, 2014
    Inventor: Vincent Arrigo
  • Publication number: 20140331695
    Abstract: A storage container incorporates a housing defining a cavity therein. At least one support rail extends from the housing within the cavity having a plurality of encoded first moieties. At least one refrigerant brick having mating encoded second moieties configured to be received into the encoded first moieties couples the refrigerant brick within the cavity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 9, 2013
    Publication date: November 13, 2014
    Inventors: James P. Schalla, Michael J. Burgess, Mark G. Mehlhaff
  • Patent number: 8875949
    Abstract: A beverage dispenser that uses a slurry ice heat transfer approach to achieve a lower cost solution for controlling the temperature of a beverage to be dispensed. A cost effective heat transfer approach can be achieved by replacing the cold plate or refrigeration system of prior art beverage dispensers with a slurry ice bath. The invention provides a hopper into which a slurry ice bath is created. The hopper has an access door for receiving ice and an interior valve for dispensing either carbonated water or still water to form a slurry ice bath. Coils containing a beverage to be dispensed are submersed in the slurry ice bath. The slurry ice causes heat to transfer from the coils, thereby maintaining the coils at a certain temperature.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 20, 2012
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: Cornelius, Inc.
    Inventors: Scott Sevcik, Andrew Tobler
  • Patent number: 8869493
    Abstract: The door is made with a multi-lite insulated glass unit and a frame of aluminum rails. The insulated glass unit has a stepped cross-section with the outer glass lite being larger than the inner glass lites. An opaque non-conductive ceramic frit forms a rectangularly shaped border to mask the mounting of the inner glass lite(s). An electrically conductive coating on the outer glass lite is insulated from the aluminum rails of the frame by a plastic strip disposed between the outer glass lite and each rail.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2014
    Assignee: Thermoseal Industries, L.L.C.
    Inventors: Richard Chubb, Ralph Wearsch
  • Patent number: 8844311
    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.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Michael A. Bowen, Lawrence J. Ertz, Bruce A. Kopf, Dean A. Martin, Scott W. Leimkuehler, Chad J. Rotter
  • Publication number: 20140216096
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment. A door is pivotally coupled with the cabinet. A cooling system is disposed solely in the door and is in fluid communication with the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment. The cooling system maintains a temperature of the refrigerator compartment at a different temperature than the freezer compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2013
    Publication date: August 7, 2014
    Applicant: WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
    Inventors: DOUGLAS D. LECLEAR, ANDREW D. LITCH, GUOLIAN WU