# US 10,119,742 B2 · Flat top modular cooling system ice and air delivery > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,119,742 B2 - Document ID: US10119742B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 13/475,117 - Filed: 2012-05-18 - Published: 2013-11-21 - Granted: 2018-11-06 - Earliest claimed: 2012-05-18 - Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation - Applicants: Rameet Singh Grewal; Steven J. Kuehl; Andrew D. Litch; Douglas D. Leclear; Lorraine J. Westlake; Guolian Wu - Inventors: Rameet Singh Grewal; Steven J. Kuehl; Andrew D. Litch; Douglas D. Leclear; Lorraine J. Westlake; Guolian Wu - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10119742B2 ## CPC - F25D 11/00: Self-contained movable devices, e.g. domestic refrigerators - F25C 5/22: {particularly adapted for household refrigerators} - F25D 19/00: Arrangement or mounting of refrigeration units with respect to devices {or objects to be refrigerated, e.g. infrared detectors} - F25C 5/185: with freezing trays - F25C 2400/04: Ice guide, e.g. for guiding ice blocks to storage tank - F25D 23/04: with special compartments, e.g. butter conditioners - F25D 2317/061: through special compartments - F25D 2317/062: along the inside of doors - F25D 2317/0666: from the freezer - F25D 2317/067: characterised by air ducts - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) - F25C: PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE ## Abstract A refrigerator includes a cabinet having at least one door. A removable cooling module is coupled with an outer periphery of the cabinet. The removable cooling module includes an ice maker. A duct is in communication with the removable cooling module. Ice is produced by the ice maker and transferred through the duct to the refrigerator. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having at least one door; a removable cooling module coupled with a top wall of the cabinet, the removable cooling module having an ice maker; a chute defined at least partially within the at least one door and defining an opening within a top portion of the at least one door, the chute extending in front of and above the top wall of the cabinet when the at least one door is disposed in an open position and a closed position such that the chute is in communication with the removable cooling module and ice is produced by the ice maker and transferred through the chute to an ice dispenser of the refrigerator; an ice dispensing interface between the chute and the ice maker; and a gasket disposed forwardly of the cabinet and contacting the door and the removable cooling module when the door is in the closed position, wherein the gasket is configured to limit a loss of cooled air through the chute. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: an interior of the refrigerator defining a refrigerating compartment and a freezing compartment, and wherein the removable cooling module is disposed on the top wall of the cabinet. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the chute conveys cooled air from the removable cooling module to the refrigerator interior. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the removable cooling module further includes a refrigerator compartment interface and a freezer compartment interface. ### Claim 5 (depends on 2) The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the removable cooling module interfaces with a plurality of passageways for separating air transfer between the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment. ### Claim 6 (depends on 2) The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein a duct is at least partially disposed in a central wall of the refrigerator that separates the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment. ### Claim 7 (depends on 2) The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the chute relays ice from the removable cooling module to an ice storage bin disposed in the freezing compartment. ### Claim 8 (depends on 2) The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the freezing compartment is located beneath the refrigerating compartment. ### Claim 9 (depends on 2) The refrigerator of claim 2, wherein the freezing compartment is located above the refrigerating compartment. ### Claim 10 (depends on 6) The refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment are located in a side-by-side configuration. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the chute relays ice to an ice dispenser disposed in the at least one door of the refrigerator. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) The refrigerator of claim 1, further comprising: an ice bin disposed above the top wall of the cabinet. ### Claim 13 (depends on 4) The refrigerator of claim 4, wherein the ice dispensing interface and the freezing compartment airflow interface are coextensive. ### Claim 14 (depends on 1) The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the top portion of the at least one door is disposed outwardly of a forward portion of the cabinet. ### Claim 15 (depends on 1) The refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the chute and the ice dispensing interface are arranged in a vertical orientation, the vertical orientation perpendicular to the top wall of the cabinet. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The refrigerator of claim 15, wherein the gasket is arranged with the chute and the ice dispensing interface in the vertical orientation. ### Claim 17 A refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having at least one door; a removable cooling module having an ice maker and coupled with a top, external surface of the cabinet; a chute defined at least partially within the at least one door and defining an opening within a top portion of the at least one door, the chute extending in front of and above the top, external surface of the cabinet when the at least one door is disposed in an open position and a closed position such that the chute is in communication with the removable cooling module and ice is produced by the ice maker and transferred through the chute to an ice dispenser of the refrigerator; an ice dispensing interface between the chute and the ice maker; and a gasket assembly disposed between the chute and the ice dispensing interface, wherein the gasket assembly is disposed above the top, external surface of the cabinet.