US3902331A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Ice dispensing system of household refrigerator
Assignee: General Electric Co
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Filing: 1974-02-19
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Granted: 1975-09-02
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Expires: 1994-02-19
Abstract
Abstract An improved ice dispensing system of a household refrigerator has an upwardly sloping ice receptacle and rotatable dispensing means for improved control of ice delivery.
Inventors
- 👤 Jr Howard D F True
- 👤 Robert B Gelbard
- 👤 Bob D Merryman
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-03 14:40
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25C; F25C5/00; F25C5/20; F25C5/22
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 8
Claim 1
Independent Claim
175 words
In a refrigerator having a freezing compartment and an automatic ice dispenser within the freezing compartment, said automatic ice dispenser comprising an ice mold, means for ejecting ice pieces from the mold, a receptacle for receiving the ice pieces from the mold, and a rotatable dispensing means positioned within the receptacle for moving the ice pieces through the receptacle and discharging said ice pieces from said receptacle, the improvement comprising: said receptacle having a floor having forward and rearward end portions with said floor extending upwardly and forwardly from said rearward end portion to said forward end portion; said receptacle dispensing means having an axis and forward and rearward end portions with the axis of said rotatable dispensing means extending upwardly and forwardly from said rearward end portion to said forward end portion; and an ice directing element connected to the mold and extending laterally outwardly and downwardly therefrom, said ice directing element being of curvilinear configuration having an upper surface extending generally downwardly and rearwardly as measured along the length of said directing element.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
175 words
In a refrigerator having a freezing compartment and an automatic ice dispenser within the freezing compartment, said automatic ice dispenser comprising an ice mold, means for ejecting ice pieces from the mold, a receptacle for receiving the ice pieces from the mold, and a rotatable dispensing means positioned within the receptacle for moving the ice pieces through the receptacle and discharging said ice pieces from said receptacle, the improvement comprising: said receptacle having a floor having forward and rearward end portions with said floor extending upwardly and forwardly from said rearward end portion to said forward end portion; said receptacle dispensing means having an axis and forward and rearward end portions with the axis of said rotatable dispensing means extending upwardly and forwardly from said rearward end portion to said forward end portion; and an ice directing element connected to the mold and extending laterally outwardly and downwardly therefrom, said ice directing element being of curvilinear configuration having an upper surface extending generally downwardly and rearwardly as measured along the length of said directing element.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
31 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, wherein the floor of the receptacle is at an angle in the range of about 5* to about 15* relative to the horizontal.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
70 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including a cold air supply source; first means for directing cold air from the cold air supply source into the freezing compartment, separating the cold air stream into at least first and second cold air streams and directing said first cold air stream along a first side of the mold and the second cold air stream along a top of the mold.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
34 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 3, wherein the first means includes means for separating a third cold air stream and directing said third cold air stream along a bottom of the mold.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
30 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including means for positioning the receptacle at a preselected location in the freezing compartment and maintaining said receptacle at said preselected location.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
24 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including a sheLf supporting the receptacle, said shelf having openings for the passage of air therethrough.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
51 words
An apparatus, as set forth in claim 1, including a pivotally movable ice sensing element for sensing the elevation of the ice pieces within the receptacle; and switching means for contacting the sensing element, pivoting said sensing element upwardly to an elevated position, and maintaining said element at said elevated position.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1978-09-01 | 1979-03-03 | 1979-09-02 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1982-09-01 | 1983-03-03 | 1983-09-02 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 1986-09-01 | 1987-03-03 | 1987-09-02 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |