# US 7,743,623 B2 · Ice making and storing system > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 7,743,623 B2 - Document ID: US7743623B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 11/939,605 - Filed: 2007-11-14 - Published: 2008-06-26 - Granted: 2010-06-29 - Earliest claimed: 2006-12-22 - Assignees: Whirlpool Corporation - Inventors: James Charles Leslie Guarino; Marcus Roland Fischer; Jeffrey J. Anselmino - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US7743623B2 ## CPC - F25C 5/185: with freezing trays - F25C 5/22: {particularly adapted for household refrigerators} - F25C 5/24: {for storing bins (ice bins F25C5/182)} - F25C 2400/10: Refrigerator units - F25D 23/028: {Details} - F25C: PRODUCING, WORKING OR HANDLING ICE - 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) ## Abstract An ice making and storing system which may be mounted in a refrigeration appliance. The ice making and storing system includes an ice making mechanism, a removable ice storage receptacle positioned adjacent to the ice making mechanism, an insulated cover for the ice making mechanism with a portion engageable with the ice storage receptacle to provide a thermally tight seal between the cover and the ice storage receptacle. ## Claims ### Claim 1 An ice making and storing system comprising: an ice making mechanism, a removable ice storage receptacle positioned below the ice making mechanism, the receptacle having a top opening defined by a top edge, an insulated cover for the ice making mechanism, and a chute movable between an open position and a closed position extending between the insulated cover and the ice storage receptacle having a bottom edge sized to telescopically engage with the top edge of the receptacle such that the top and bottom edges overlap in the closed position of the chute, and interfering elements positioned on the chute and the receptacle to define the closed position of the chute relative to the receptacle once the edges have been moved into an overlapping position, wherein a thermally tight seal is formed between the chute and the ice storage receptacle when the chute is in the closed position. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The ice making and storing system according to claim 1, wherein the movable chute is vertically slidable relative to the cover and the receptacle. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The ice making and storing system according to claim 1, wherein the interfering elements comprise a flange carried on the chute sized and arranged to overlie and engage the top edge of the receptacle. ### Claim 4 (depends on 3) The ice making and storing system according to claim 3, wherein the flange includes a resilient seal member. ### Claim 5 (depends on 4) The ice making and storing system according to claim 4, wherein the chute further includes a lip portion defining the bottom edge of the chute sized and arranged to extend into the top opening. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The ice making and storing system according to claim 1, wherein the ice storage receptacle comprises a clear portion to permit viewing of a level of ice held in the receptacle. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The ice making and storing system according to claim 1, wherein the ice storage receptacle is insulated. ### Claim 8 (depends on 7) The ice making and storing system according to claim 7, wherein the ice storage receptacle is formed with a double wall and an insulating gas in a sealed space between the double walls. ### Claim 9 An ice making and storing system comprising: an ice making mechanism, an ice storage receptacle positioned adjacent to the ice making mechanism and having an opening defined by an edge, an insulated cover enclosing the ice making mechanism and not the ice storage receptacle but having a portion movable between an open position and a closed position with an opening defined by an edge telescopically engageable with the ice storage receptacle such that the edges of the receptacle and the cover portion overlap when the cover portion is in the closed position to provide a thermally tight labyrinth seal between the cover and the ice storage receptacle, and interfering elements positioned on the cover portion and the receptacle to define the closed position of the cover portion relative to the receptacle once the edges have been moved into an overlapping position. ### Claim 10 (depends on 9) The ice making and storing system according to claim 9, wherein the ice storage receptacle is removable from below the ice making mechanism. ### Claim 11 (depends on 9) The ice making and storing system according to claim 9, wherein the insulated cover comprises a flange sized and arranged to surround and engage the receptacle opening. ### Claim 12 (depends on 11) The ice making and storing system according to claim 11, wherein the flange includes a resilient seal member. ### Claim 13 (depends on 11) The ice making and storing system according to claim 11, wherein the cover further includes a lip portion sized and arranged to extend into the receptacle opening. ### Claim 14 (depends on 9) The ice making and storing system according to claim 9, wherein the ice storage receptacle comprises a clear plastic portion to permit viewing of a level of ice held in the receptacle. ### Claim 15 (depends on 9) The ice making and storing system according to claim 9, wherein the ice storage receptacle is insulated. ### Claim 16 (depends on 15) The ice making and storing system according to claim 15, wherein the ice storage receptacle is formed with a double wall and an insulating gas in a sealed space between the double walls. ### Claim 17 A refrigeration appliance comprising: a refrigerated compartment to be maintained at a temperature above the freezing point of water, an ice making mechanism located within the refrigerated compartment, an ice storage receptacle positioned adjacent to the ice making mechanism and also located within the refrigerated compartment, the receptacle having an opening defined by an edge, an insulated cover enclosing and thermally isolating the ice making mechanism and not the ice storage receptacle from the refrigerated compartment, but having a portion movable between an open position and a closed position with an opening defined by an edge telescopically engageable with the ice storage receptacle such that the edges of the receptacle and the cover portion overlap when the cover portion is in the closed position to provide a thermally tight labyrinth seal between the cover and the ice storage receptacle, and interfering elements positioned on the cover portion and the receptacle to define the closed position of the cover portion relative to the receptacle once the edges have been moved into an overlapping position. ### Claim 18 (depends on 17) The refrigeration appliance according to claim 17, wherein the ice storage receptacle is formed with a double wall and an insulating gas in a sealed space between the double walls. ### Claim 19 (depends on 17) The refrigeration appliance according to claim 17, wherein the insulated cover comprises a movable chute with a flange sized and arranged to surround and engage the receptacle opening. ### Claim 20 (depends on 17) The refrigeration appliance according to claim 17, wherein the cover further includes a lip portion sized and arranged to extend into the receptacle opening.