Ice maker and method, and refrigerator having the same

Abstract

Disclosed herein are an ice maker and method including an ice container to store ice, and a refrigerator having the same. The ice maker includes an ice making unit that receives water and produces ice from the water, a first ice container that receives the ice separated from the ice making unit, and an ice forwarding unit disposed at one side of the first ice container to guide the ice to be discharged to the outside.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . An ice maker comprises:
 an ice making unit to receive water and to produce ice from the water,   the ice making unit comprising:   an ice tray; and   an extension rib to guide the ice separated from the ice making tray to fall.   
     
     
         2 . The ice maker according to  claim 1 , wherein the extension rib is protruded upward from one side of the ice making tray. 
     
     
         3 . The ice maker according to  claim 2 , wherein the extension rib is integrally formed with the ice making tray. 
     
     
         4 . The ice maker according to  claim 2 , wherein the extension rib is separately formed and then connected to one side of the ice making tray. 
     
     
         5 . The ice maker according to  claim 1 , wherein the ice making unit further comprising:
 a first ice container to receive the ice from the ice making unit;   an ice forwarding opening disposed at one side wall of the first ice container and configured to horizontally discharge the ice; and   a second ice container detachably and horizontally connected to the first ice container and disposed beside the first ice container, the second ice container having a receiving portion formed at one side wall of the second ice container to forward the ice discharged from the ice forwarding opening within the first ice container.   
     
     
         6 . The ice maker according to  claim 5 , wherein the extension rib is configured to guide the ice separated from the ice making tray to fall near the ice forwarding unit so that transportation of the ice from the first ice container to the second ice container can be effectively achieved. 
     
     
         7 . The ice maker according to  claim 5 , wherein a bottom of the ice forwarding opening and a bottom of the receiving portion are disposed at a same height in a state that the second ice container is connected to the first ice container, such that the ice is discharged through the ice forwarding opening and received in the second ice container when the first ice container is filled with the ice to a predetermined height. 
     
     
         8 . An ice maker comprising:
 an ice making unit to receive water and to produce ice from the water;   a first ice container to receive the ice from the ice making unit;   an ice forwarding opening disposed at one side wall of the first ice container and configured to horizontally discharge the ice,   wherein the ice making unit comprising:   an ice tray; and   an extension rib protruded upward from one side of the ice making tray,   wherein the extension rib is configured to guide the ice separated from the ice making tray to fall near the ice forwarding unit.