Maytag Corporation

Whirlpool Corporation

Michael Scot Carden

Thomas Carl Anell

John Phillip Myers

Kurt C Senner

Kenton John Widmer

An icemaker assembly for a refrigerator includes a support bracket having at least one support arm and a rear panel section, a bin slidably attached to the at least one support arm, an icemaker unit having an ice mold is also supported by the at least one support arm within the freezer compartment. The icemaker assembly also includes a fan mounted to the rear panel portion of the support bracket. The fan is selectively operable to direct an airflow onto the icemaker unit in order to speed ice production. Operation of the fan is tied to activation of a water inlet valve. A controller is coupled to the fan and the water inlet valve such that once the water inlet valve opens, fresh water enters the ice mold and the control activates the fan to hasten the production of ice.

Icemaker assembly for a refrigerator

A refrigerator includes a cabinet within which is arranged an upper fresh food compartment and a lower freezer compartment. A freezer basket is slidingly supported in the freezer compartment, preferably for concurrent movement with a freezer door. The freezer basket is coupled to a lifting mechanism that selectively shifts the freezer basket from a first or lowered position to a second or raised position in order to facilitate removal of items from the freezer basket. The lifting mechanism can be formed by a mechanical, electrical or pneumatic system.

Bottom mount refrigerator having an elevating freezer basket

To allow for easier opening of a refrigerator door, a pressure relief system is provided to relieve a pressure differential or vacuum that develops due to operation and use of the refrigerator. The pressure relief system includes a check valve having an orifice with a flexible membrane. An insulation portion of the pressure relief valve, which is foamed into the cabinet, spans from the fresh food compartment to a top of the cabinet and directs air towards the rear cabinet liner for moisture condensing measures. The pressure relief assembly also includes an adapter which mounts to the cabinet top and provides a mounting surface for an air return assembly.

Growing community of inventors

Williamsburg, IA, United States of America

Michael Scot Carden