Insulation front of ice storage compartment

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a refrigerator cabinet, a fresh food compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet, a door for providing access to the fresh food compartment, and an ice storage bin at the door. The ice storage bin includes an ice storage bin body having a front, a back, a bottom, opposite sides, an open top, and a cover mounted to the top. Insulation is provided between the cover and the front of the ice storage bin. The ice storage bin may be pivotally mounted to the door and configured to tilt open to allow for access to ice disposed within the ice storage bin. The ice storage bin may be removable. The ice storage bin may be accessed directly from within the fresh food compartment.

1 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a refrigerator cabinet;   a fresh food compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet;   a door for providing access to the fresh food compartment;   an ice storage bin at the door, the ice storage bin comprising an ice storage bin body having a front, a back, a bottom, opposite sides, an open top, and a cover mounted to the front; and   wherein insulation is positioned between the cover and the front of the ice storage bin.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1  wherein the ice storage bin pivotally mounted to the door and configured to tilt open to allow for access to ice disposed within the ice storage bin. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator of  claim 1  further comprising a first nub on the first side of the ice storage bin and a second nub on the second side of the ice storage bin. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator of  claim 3  further comprising guide members on a mounting plate positioned on the door, the first and second nubs configured to fit into the guide members to provide for a first position wherein the ice storage bin is closed, a second position wherein the ice storage bin is tilted open to allow for access to ice disposed within the storage bin, and a third position wherein the nubs are beyond the guide members and the ice storage bin is removed from the door. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 4  wherein an insulated window is integrated into the front of the ice storage bin. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator of  claim 1  further comprising a handle on the front of the ice storage bin body. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator of  claim 6  wherein the handle is a recessed handle. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator of  claim 1  wherein the cover of the ice storage bin body extends below the bottom of the ice storage bin body. 
     
     
         9 . An ice storage bin, comprising:
 an ice storage bin body having a front, a back, a bottom, first and second opposite sides, an open top, and a cover mounted to the front;   wherein insulation is integrated between the front of the ice storage bin body and the cover.   
     
     
         10 . The ice storage bin of  claim 9  further comprising a first nub extending outwardly from the first side of the ice storage bin body and a second nub extending outwardly from the second side of the ice storage bin body, the first and second nub configured to fit within guide members associated with refrigerator door. 
     
     
         11 . The ice storage bin of  claim 9  wherein the cover of the ice storage bin body extends below the bottom of the ice storage bin body. 
     
     
         12 . The ice storage bin of  claim 9  wherein the ice storage bin body includes an insulated window to provide for viewing through the cover and the front of the ice storage bin body. 
     
     
         13 . The ice storage bin of  claim 9  further comprising an ice auger. 
     
     
         14 . The ice storage bin of  claim 9  further comprising an ice crushing assembly. 
     
     
         15 . A refrigerator comprising a fresh food compartment and the ice storage bin of  claim 9  operatively connected to a door of the fresh food compartment. 
     
     
         16 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a refrigerator cabinet;   a fresh food compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet;   a door for providing access to the fresh food compartment;   an ice storage bin at the door, the ice storage bin comprising an ice storage bin body having a front with integrated insulation, a back, a bottom, opposite sides, and an open top;   a first nub on the first side of the ice storage bin and a second nub on the second side of the ice storage bin;   first and second guide members associated with the door and configured to provide for a first position wherein the ice storage bin is closed, a second position wherein the ice storage bin is tilted open to allow for access to ice disposed within the storage bin, and a third position wherein the nubs are beyond the guide members and the ice storage bin is removed from the door.   
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator of  claim 16  further comprising a handle on the cover of the ice storage bin body. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerator of  claim 17  wherein the handle is a recessed handle. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigerator of  claim 16  wherein the cover of the ice storage bin body extends below the bottom of the ice storage bin body. 
     
     
         20 . The refrigerator of  claim 16  wherein the cover of the ice storage bin body includes an insulated window. 
     
     
         21 . The refrigerator of  claim 16  wherein the cover of the ice storage bin body being taller and longer than the back of the ice storage bin body. 
     
     
         22 . The refrigerator of  claim 16  wherein the first and second guide members being operatively connected to a mounting plate.