Ice making and storage system for a refrigerator

US6050097A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION · US

Inventors

• Mark H. Nelson · Berrien Springs, US
• Jim J. Pastryk · Sawyer, US
• Verne Myers · Fort Wayne, US
• Daryl L. Harmon · Evansville, US
• Andrew M. Oltman · Evansville, US
• Gregory Gene Hortin · Henderson, US
• James Peterson · Fort Collins, US
• Victor W. Cuthbert · Sodus, US
• Steven Tolliver · Newburgh, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Dec 28, 1998
• Grant date: Apr 18, 2000
• Expiry date: Dec 28, 2018

Classification

• Technology area (CPC F): Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
• CPC primary: F25C2700/02
• WIPO field: Thermal processes and apparatus
• WIPO sector: Mechanical engineering

Abstract

A refrigerator having a cabinet which defines a freezer compartment having an access opening and a closure member for closing the access opening. An ice maker is disposed within the freezer compartment for forming ice pieces. An ice storage bin is mounted to the closure member below the ice maker for receiving ice from the ice maker. An ice level sensing finger extends from the ice maker into the ice storage bin for sensing the level of ice within the storage bin. A lever is pivotably connected to the ice maker and biased toward the closure member for lifting the ice level sensing finger out of the ice storage bin when the closure member is opened. The lever further operates to prevent the dispensing of ice pieces when the closure member is open.