A method and system are provided that include features for operating an appliance in an odor removal cycle. In one aspect, an appliance has a housing defining a sealable volume and includes an ozone generator, an ozone detection device, and a controller. In an odor removal cycle, the controller causes the ozone generator to inject, at a predetermined injection interval, predefined dosages of ozone into the sealable volume of the appliance. The controller monitors the concentration level within the sealable volume after each injection based on inputs received from the ozone detection device. The controller ascertains when the concentration level reaches a maximum concentration level threshold, and when this occurs, the controller can cease the injections and can activate one or more ozone removal devices to remove the ozone from the sealable volume to a safe level.

An surface sanitizing system for cleaning a portion of an ice machine with a bipolar ions, wherein, said surface sanitizing system comprises a plugs, a power lines, an ion generation power module, a two or more brush cables, a two brushes a brush container and a mounting clip. Said plugs selectively attaches to a power source and provides electricity for running said surface sanitizing system. Said power lines selectively attach said plugs to said ion generation power module. Said two or more brush cables selectively attach said ion generation power module to said two brushes. A female containment portions selectively holds said two brushes within a portion of said brush container. Said two brushes selectively attach to a portion of said two or more brush cables. Said brush container selectively clips into said mounting clip. Said mounting clip selectively attaches to a portion of an ice maker.

A vending machine that automatically heats frozen foods, to provide customers with rapidly heated food. The vending machine has separate freezing and heating units, which are highly effective for their respective functions and yet sufficiently insulated from each other so as not to affect the quality of the food. In addition, the vending machine has a mechanism to transmit the food from the freezing to the heating unit for rapid heating, and to a pickup unit for the customer to pickup the food.

A refrigerator appliance and methods of operation are provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, a storage bin, a lid, an ozone passage, an air conduit, an air handler, and an ozone filter. The storage bin may include a plurality of walls defining a storage volume. The lid may be positioned on the storage bin to selectively cover the storage volume in a closed position. The ozone passage may be defined through at least one of the plurality of walls in fluid communication with the storage volume. The air conduit may be disposed in selective fluid communication with the ozone passage. The air handler may be disposed in fluid communication with the air conduit to direct ozone through the ozone passage. The ozone filter may be disposed in fluid communication with the air conduit to filter ozone passing from the storage volume through the air conduit.

An surface sanitizing system for cleaning a portion of an ice machine with a bipolar ions, wherein, said surface sanitizing system comprises a plugs, a power lines, an ion generation power module, a two or more brush cables, a two brushes a brush container and a mounting clip. Said plugs selectively attaches to a power source and provides electricity for running said surface sanitizing system. Said power lines selectively attach said plugs to said ion generation power module. Said two or more brush cables selectively attach said ion generation power module to said two brushes. A female containment portions selectively holds said two brushes within a portion of said brush container. Said two brushes selectively attach to a portion of said two or more brush cables. Said brush container selectively clips into said mounting clip. Said mounting clip selectively attaches to a portion of an ice maker.

A refrigerator appliance and methods of operation are provided herein. The refrigerator appliance may include a cabinet, a storage bin, a lid, an ozone passage, an air conduit, an air handler, and an ozone filter. The storage bin may include a plurality of walls defining a storage volume. The lid may be positioned on the storage bin to selectively cover the storage volume in a closed position. The ozone passage may be defined through at least one of the plurality of walls in fluid communication with the storage volume. The air conduit may be disposed in selective fluid communication with the ozone passage. The air handler may be disposed in fluid communication with the air conduit to direct ozone through the ozone passage. The ozone filter may be disposed in fluid communication with the air conduit to filter ozone passing from the storage volume through the air conduit.

Disclosed herein are an apparatus, method and system for storing perishable items that degrade in the presence of oxygen and/or humidity and that are frequently accessed by a consumer. The apparatus comprises an openable insulated vessel with precisely controlled internal temperature and humidity, which becomes airtight when closed, and a corona ozone generator with an oxygen gas feed tank and fan within the insulated airtight enclosure, which converts ambient oxygen trapped within the airtight enclosure into ozone by circulating the enclosed volume of air through the corona ozone generator after the vessel is opened and then closed. Also disclosed is a refrigerated embodiment of the apparatus, which may be self-contained and transportable. The apparatus is network connected to allow for remote control and monitoring and sends alerts to web applications or mobile applications when monitored parameters substantially vary from their settings.

Disclosed herein are an apparatus, method and system for storing perishable items that degrade in the presence of oxygen and/or humidity and that are frequently accessed by a consumer. The apparatus comprises an openable insulated vessel with precisely controlled internal temperature and humidity, which becomes airtight when closed, and a corona ozone generator with an oxygen gas feed tank and fan within the insulated airtight enclosure, which converts ambient oxygen trapped within the airtight enclosure into ozone by circulating the enclosed volume of air through the corona ozone generator after the vessel is opened and then closed. Also disclosed is a refrigerated embodiment of the apparatus, which may be self-contained and transportable. The apparatus is network connected to allow for remote control and monitoring and sends alerts to web applications or mobile applications when monitored parameters substantially vary from their settings.

A refrigerator includes a storage compartment having a front opening and an air sanitation device mounted on a top wall of the storage compartment. The air sanitation device includes: a housing, an air channel located in the housing, a fan, and an air detection device and/or an air purification device located in the air channel. The housing includes a front wall facing the front opening, a rear wall, an upper wall, a lower wall, and a pair of side walls. The air channel includes an air inlet and an air outlet. The fan is configured to force air to enter the air channel from the air inlet, and then be discharged out from the air outlet. The air inlet is located on at least one of the side walls, and the air outlet is located on the rear wall.

A refrigerator has an air sanitation device. The air sanitation device includes: a housing; an air channel located in the housing and having an air inlet and an air outlet; a fan located in the air channel, to force air to enter the air channel from the air inlet, and then be discharged out of the air channel from the air outlet; and an air detection device and/or an air purification device located between the air inlet and an inlet of the fan.