Stand-alone ice making appliances are provided. An appliance includes a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water, and a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume. The appliance further includes an ice maker which is in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water from the pump. The appliance further includes a filter, the filter including a filter medium operable to remove contaminants from water flowing through the filter medium, the filter positioned upstream of the ice maker in a flow direction of water from the second storage volume to the ice maker.

A portable insulating device kit may be configured to fit within a smaller container for easier shipment. In one example, the assembly may include a base, a top wall having an opening, an inner liner configured to extend into the opening of the top wall to form an interior cavity defining a volumetric storage capacity and an exterior wall. The container can have a flat configuration defining a length, height, and width. The base, the top wall, the inner liner, and the exterior wall may be configured to be assembled into a portable insulating device. The volume of the container may be less than the volumetric storage capacity of the assembled portable insulating device, and the base, the inner liner, and the exterior wall are configured to be detached from one another and shipped in the container.

The present invention relates to an ice making apparatus comprising a casing, ice trays, an ice receptacle, a retainer for rotatably supporting the ice trays and one or more than one knob for respectively twisting the ice trays either simultaneously or singly. In the ice making apparatus of the present invention, the retainer selectively supports either one of a plurality of exchangeable covers enabling a single or simultaneous twist type ice making apparatus. One exchangeable cover has a plurality of bearings.

An ergonomic cooler providing quick and easy access to ice through a side ice access. The exposure of the ice to debris is reduced. The interior compartments have modular configurations. Ice is accessed with a scoop or utensil with minimal wrist movement.

An ergonomic cooler providing quick and easy access to ice through a side ice access. The exposure of the ice to debris is reduced. The interior compartments have modular configurations. Ice is accessed with a scoop or utensil with minimal wrist movement.

A stand-alone ice making appliance includes a container defining a first storage volume for receipt of ice, a water tank defining a second storage volume for receipt of water, and a pump in fluid communication with the second storage volume. The appliance includes a reservoir defining a third storage volume, the third storage volume in fluid communication with the pump for receiving water that is actively flowed from the water tank. The appliance includes an ice maker which is in fluid communication with the third storage volume for receiving water from the reservoir, the ice maker including a sealed refrigeration system in thermal communication with the casing. The appliance includes a chute extending between the ice maker and the container for directing ice produced by the ice maker towards the first storage volume. The appliance includes a heating element, the heating element activatable to heat the casing.

A domestic refrigeration appliance includes a refrigerator compartment set to a first target temperature by a regulation or control unit, an ice maker compartment being separated from the refrigerator compartment by an inner insulation layer and set to a second target temperature by the regulation or control unit and an ice maker in the ice maker compartment. The regulation or control unit can switch between a normal ice making mode and a reduced-power ice making mode in which the target temperature in the ice maker compartment lies between the target temperature in the refrigerator compartment and the target temperature in the ice maker compartment in the normal ice making mode.

A domestic refrigeration appliance includes a refrigerator compartment set to a first target temperature by a regulation or control unit, an ice maker compartment being separated from the refrigerator compartment by an inner insulation layer and set to a second target temperature by the regulation or control unit and an ice maker in the ice maker compartment. The regulation or control unit can switch between a normal ice making mode and a reduced-power ice making mode in which the target temperature in the ice maker compartment lies between the target temperature in the refrigerator compartment and the target temperature in the ice maker compartment in the normal ice making mode.

An ice maker includes a casing that defines a chamber. The casing extends between a top portion and a bottom portion. An extruder die is mounted to the casing at the top portion of the casing. A motor is positioned above the extruder die. An auger is disposed within the chamber of the casing. The auger is coupled to a shaft of the motor with a threaded connection such that the auger is rotatable with the motor along a rotational direction within the chamber of the casing. The threaded connection between the auger and the shaft of the motor is wound opposite the rotational direction of the auger. A related refrigerator appliance is also provided.

Refrigerator appliances are provided. A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber and a freezer chamber, and a door for accessing one of the fresh food chamber or the freezer chamber. The refrigerator appliance further includes an ice making assembly disposed within one of the fresh food chamber, the freezer chamber or the door. The ice making assembly includes an ice maker, a container defining a storage volume for receipt of ice produced by the ice maker, and a chute extending between the ice maker and the container for directing the ice produced by the ice maker towards the storage volume. The chute includes a body defining a passage therethrough. The ice making assembly further includes a sensor positioned to transmit sensing signals through the chute, the sensor in communication with the ice maker.