Whirlpool Corporation

Kate E Presnell

Kevin Michael Chase

Tony Lee Koenigsknecht

Jerold Michael Visin

Douglas David Leclear

Thomas Dell Spicer

An appliance including an ice manipulation reservoir capable of receiving ice having a base, wherein the base includes a first level and a second level, with the first level descending gradually to the second level. A first ice modification member is disposed inside the ice manipulation reservoir adjacent the first level of the base, and a second ice modification member is disposed inside the ice manipulation reservoir adjacent the second level of the base. A motor is operably connected with the ice manipulation reservoir and includes an output shaft. An impeller is connected with the output shaft proximate to the plurality of ice modification members, with the impeller being operable between a first directional rotation, and a second directional rotation.

Modular bucket and door architecture to deliver three ice functions

An appliance including a module-receiving cavity disposed in the appliance. Also included is a removable module disposed in the module-receiving cavity, and at least one ice modification member disposed inside the removable module. A motor is operably connected with the removable module and includes an output shaft that extends into the removable module. An impeller is connected with the output shaft proximate to the at least one ice modification member, the impeller being operable between a first ice manipulating condition defined by a first directional rotation of the impeller, and a second ice manipulating condition defined by a second directional rotation of the impeller. An ice chute is located proximate the ice modification member for dispensing ice.

A refrigerator including a cabinet having a cabinet door pivotally connected thereto. A primary ice bin is disposed on one of the cabinet and the cabinet door and includes a primary gate operable between a closed position and an open position. A secondary ice bin is disposed on the other of the cabinet and the cabinet door. The secondary ice bin includes a secondary gate operable between a closed position and an open position. The secondary gate operably engages with the primary gate to form an ice overflow route when the primary gate and the secondary gate are in the open position. An ice maker is disposed inside the cabinet and adapted to dispense ice into the primary ice storage bin.

Growing community of inventors

Kalamazoo, MI, United States of America

Kate E Presnell