Oscillating and gyrating stir stick for an ice container

Abstract

A refrigerator is provided that includes an ice making system, that generally includes an ice maker for making ice, and an ice container for holding the formed ice. The ice making system may be positioned anywhere within the refrigerator, and it may be a modular ice system. The shape of the ice container limits the amount of useable space taken up by the system. The ice container includes a stir stick positioned within the ice container. The stir stick is configured to rotate and oscillate in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the stir stick to provide movement of the stir stick into the full area of the ice container. The rotation and oscillation of the stir stick prevents ice from melting and clumping in the corners of the ice container, while also aiding in directing the ice towards a dispensing aperture of the ice container.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerator, comprising:
 a cabinet;   a door for providing access to within the cabinet;   an ice maker for making ice operably connected to the cabinet;   an ice container positioned adjacent the ice maker; and   a stir stick positioned within the ice container, the stir stick configured to oscillate while rotating in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the stir stick.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1  wherein the stir stick comprises a rod. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator of  claim 2  wherein the rod is bent along its length to protrude outwardly from the axis of the rod. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator of  claim 1  wherein the stir stick is positioned at the center of the ice container. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 1  wherein the ice container is rectangular-shaped. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator of  claim 1  wherein the stir stick includes a generally vertical portion at a bottom wall of the ice container. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator of  claim 6  wherein the stir stick rotates about the generally vertical portion of the stir stick. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator of  claim 7  wherein the generally vertical portion of the stir stick extends through an aperture in the bottom wall of the ice container. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator of  claim 8  further comprising a motor positioned under the bottom wall of the ice container. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator of  claim 9  wherein the stir stick is operably connected to the motor such that the motor rotates and oscillates the stir stick. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator of  claim 1  wherein at least a portion of the stir stick is configured to extend into a corner of the ice container while the stir stick rotates and oscillates. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator of  claim 1  wherein the stir stick is configured to reach the full area of the ice container to stop freeze-up of ice cubes in the ice container. 
     
     
         13 . An ice making system, comprising:
 an ice maker;   an ice container adjacent the ice maker, the ice container comprising first, second, third, and fourth walls; and   a stir stick positioned within the ice container, the stir stick configured to rotate while oscillating in a direction generally perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the stir stick.   
     
     
         14 . The ice making system of  claim 13  further comprising a bottom member adjacent the ice container. 
     
     
         15 . The ice making system of  claim 14  wherein the stir stick is operably connected to the bottom member. 
     
     
         16 . The ice making system of  claim 15  further comprising a motor positioned within the bottom member and operably connected to the stir stick to provide rotation and oscillation to the stir stick. 
     
     
         17 . The ice making system of  claim 16  wherein the stir stick comprises a plurality of bends along its length. 
     
     
         18 . The ice making system of  claim 17  wherein at least one of the plurality of bends of the stir stick is configured to extend into a corner of the ice container as the stir stick rotates and oscillates. 
     
     
         19 . The ice making system of  claim 18  wherein the stir stick comprises a generally vertical portion extending into the bottom member. 
     
     
         20 . A method of breaking ice clumps and preventing freeze-up of ice in an ice container, comprising:
 providing an ice container including a stir stick operably connected to the ice container, the stir stick extending within the ice container and comprising a plurality of bends along its length;   rotating the stir stick within the ice container; and   oscillating or gyrating the stir stick while rotating to extend the bends of the stir stick to reach the full area within the ice container.