FIELD OF INVENTION
The present application relates generally to an appliance drawer. More particularly, it relates to an appliance drawer configured to redirect at least some of the airflow from a cold air dispensing unit.
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Refrigeration appliances, such as domestic refrigerators, are often provided with an air distribution system, such as an air duct or an air tower assembly, for the purpose of directing and dispersing cold air into one of the freezer and fresh food compartments. Often, the cold air is directed from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator. In bottom-mount refrigerators, the air tower extends vertically between the lower freezer compartment and the upper fresh food compartment to deliver cold air from an evaporator assembly located in the freezer compartment into the fresh food compartment. The air tower can discharge cold air into the fresh food compartment from one or more openings in the air tower.
In traditional refrigeration appliances, the cool air discharged into the fresh food compartment may not achieve a uniform distribution to every portion of the compartment. For example, drawer assemblies within the fresh food compartment may be relatively warmer than the interior of the main fresh food compartment due to reduced airflow. This can result in various issues, including relatively faster food spoilage stored in the drawer assemblies. Of course, there are other food products that may benefit from reduced airflow, and may degrade if the airflow into the drawer is too strong. Thus, it is desirable to provide a drawer assembly with adjustable airflow.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The following present a simplified summary of the invention in order to provide a basic understanding of some aspects of the invention. The summary does not represent an extensive overview of invention, nor is the summary intended to identify key or critical elements of the invention or delineate the scope of the invention. The sole purpose of the summary is to present certain concepts of the invention in a simplified form as a prelude to the description of the invention that is presented hereinafter.
In accordance with one aspect, an appliance drawer assembly is configured to redirect airflow from a cold air dispensing unit. The appliance drawer assembly comprises at least one drawer including first and second side walls, a rear wall, a front wall, and a bottom wall that together define an open storage area therein, wherein the rear wall is moveable relative to the side walls and front wall, and a pivot assembly is configured to pivot the rear wall from a first position to a second position, wherein the second position is relatively farther away from the front wall.
In accordance with a second aspect, a refrigeration appliance comprises a cabinet defining a storage space defined between first and second interior walls, and an interior rear face extending between the first and second interior walls, a drawer assembly including first and second side walls, a rear wall, a front wall, and a bottom wall that together define an open storage area therein, wherein the rear wall is pivotally coupled to at least one of the first and second side walls, and the rear wall is located adjacent the interior rear face of the cabinet, a top cover extending over the open storage area, and a pivot assembly configured to pivot the rear wall from a first position to a second position, the second position being relatively farther away from the front wall.
In accordance with a third aspect, a refrigeration appliance comprises a cabinet defining a storage space defined between first and second interior walls, and an interior rear face extending between the first and second interior walls, at least one drawer assembly including first and second side walls, a rear wall, a front wall, and a bottom wall that together define an open storage area therein, the rear wall being located adjacent the interior rear face of the cabinet, a top cover extending over the open storage area, and at least one scoop section integral to the rear wall, having a length that measures shorter than an entire length of the rear wall between the first and second side walls.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The foregoing and other aspects of the present disclosure will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present disclosure relates upon reading the following description with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:
FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of an example embodiment of the invention that comprises an interior of a fresh food compartment of a bottom-mount refrigerator;
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an example drawer assembly;
FIG. 3 is an exploded perspective view of the drawer assembly of FIG. 2;
FIG. 4A is a cross-sectional side view of the drawer assembly of FIG. 2, illustrated next to a rear wall of the fresh food compartment, wherein the rear wall of the drawer is closed;
FIG. 4B is a cross-sectional side view similar to FIG. 4A, wherein the rear wall of the drawer is open;
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of another example drawer assembly;
FIG. 5A is a detail view of an example adjustment mechanism for the example drawer assembly of FIG. 5
FIG. 6A is a perspective view of yet another example drawer assembly with a single fixed scoop; and
FIG. 6B is a perspective view of still yet another example drawer assembly with two fixed scoops.
FIGS. 7-10 are perspective views of example stiffening brackets for use in between an outer shell and inner liner of an appliance door.
FIGS. 11-18 are perspective views of example attachment assemblies for supporting a shelf or drawer within a refrigeration or freezer appliance
FIGS. 19-23 are perspective views of example drawer assemblies having roller track assemblies provided on each of the left-hand and right-hand side of the assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
Example embodiments that incorporate one or more aspects of the apparatus and methodology are described and illustrated in the drawings. These illustrated examples are not intended to be a limitation on the present disclosure. For example, one or more aspects of the disclosed embodiments can be utilized in other embodiments and even other types of devices. Moreover, certain terminology is used herein for convenience only and is not to be taken as a limitation.
Herein, when a range such as 5-25 (or 5 to 25) is given, this means preferably at least 5 and, separately and independently, preferably not more than 25. In an example, such a range defines independently at least 5, and separately and independently, not more than 25.
The present invention will now be described with reference to the drawings, wherein like reference numerals are used to refer to like elements throughout. It is to be appreciated that the various drawings are not necessarily drawn to scale from one figure to another or within a given figure. Also, the sizes of the components are somewhat arbitrarily drawn in order to facilitate an understanding of the drawings. In the following description, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the present invention, but it can be possible in certain instances to practice the present invention without those specific details. Additionally, the examples discussed are not intended to be a limit on the invention. For example, one or more aspects of the disclosed examples can be utilized in other examples and even other types of apparatus and devices.
Referring first to FIG. 1, there is illustrated an example embodiment of the present invention comprising a fresh food compartment, indicated generally at 10, of a bottom mount refrigerator (i.e., the freezer is located vertically-below the fresh food compartment). The present invention, however, is not limited to fresh food compartments of bottom-mount refrigerators and has application to other types of compartments provided with drawers. For example, the present invention can be employed at other kinds of refrigeration appliances including the fresh food or freezer compartments of household refrigerators other than bottom-mount refrigerators, such as a top-mount refrigerator (i.e., the freezer is located vertically-above the fresh food compartment), a single door upright refrigerator or freezer, a French-door bottom-mount refrigerator (i.e., a bottom-mount refrigerator that includes adjacent “French” style doors), a side-by-side refrigerator (i.e., the freezer compartment is on one side and the fresh food compartment is on the other side, opposite of the freezer compartment), etc.
The fresh food compartment 10 includes a compartment interior, indicated generally at 12, that comprises an interior first side face 14, an interior second side face 16 and an interior rear face 18 extending between the first and second side faces 14, 16. Secured to the back of the fresh food compartment 10 is a cold air dispensing unit 68 that provides cool airflow to the compartment 10. In one example, the cold air dispensing unit 68 is sometimes referred to as an “air tower” since it provides a plenum that contains cold air generated by an evaporator, and discharges the cold air via one or more discharge ducts into the fresh food compartment 10. In one example, as shown here, the air tower is in fluid communication with an evaporator in the bottom freezer compartment, and vertically extends upwards in the fresh food compartment to discharge the cold air. Often, the air tower is located on, in, or extensive with the rear wall of the fresh food compartment (i.e., interior rear face 18 of the liner). There is at least one shelf unit supported within the fresh food compartment 10 at the compartment interior 12. In FIG. 1 there are three shelf units, indicated generally at 20, installed at the compartment interior 12. The at least one shelf unit includes at least one of a shelf unit first edge located at the interior first side face 14, a shelf unit second edge located at the interior second side face 16 and a shelf unit rear edge located at the interior rear face 18. In the example of FIG. 1, each shelf unit 20 includes a shelf unit first side edge 22 located at the interior first side face 14, a shelf unit second side edge 24 located at the interior second side face 16 and a shelf unit rear edge, indicated generally at 26, located at the interior rear face 18. At least a portion of at least one of the shelf unit first side edge 22, the shelf unit second side edge 24 and the shelf unit rear edge 26 is spaced away from the interior first side face 14, the interior second side face 16 and the interior rear face 14 and the at least a portion of the shelf unit first side edge 22, a second gap between the interior second side face 16 and the at least a portion of the shelf unit second side edge 24 and a third gap between the interior rear face 18 and the at least a portion of the shelf unit rear edge 26. In the shown example, the relative positioning of the shelves defines cooled areas 1-6 identified in FIG. 1 by circled reference numbers. These are for illustrative purposes only to describe areas that the air tower attempts to cool uniformly.
Below the at least one shelf unit 20 can be a drawer assembly 28 shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. The drawer assembly 28 can be used to store fruit, vegetables, deli goods, or any other foodstuff to be cooled. In one embodiment, the drawer assembly 28 includes a first and second side wall 30, 32, a rear wall 40, a front wall 34, and a bottom wall or base 36 that together define an open storage area therein. The drawer can be positioned vertically-below a shelf unit 20 or a cover positioned between two drawers. The rear wall 40 can be pivotally fastened to the side walls 30, 32 of the drawer 28. In the shown example of FIG. 1, the drawer assembly 28 can be located below the lowest shelves which also provide an upper cover for the open storage area of the drawer. When the drawer is in a closed position, cold air flowing into the cooled areas 5-6 may be discouraged from also flowing into the open storage area of the drawer assembly 28 by the various walls.
As noted above, it is desirable to provide the drawer assembly with adjustable airflow so that the user can enable relatively more or less airflow into the open storage area. FIGS. 2 and 3 depict a perspective view of an example drawer assembly 28 with a pivot assembly 38 that can be used to adjust a position of the rear wall 40 to allow a user to adjust the amount of airflow into the drawer. In one embodiment, the pivot assembly 38 engages the rear wall 40 via a pin 42 or a rod. The rear wall 40 is pivotally attached to the side walls 30, 32 of the drawer by a pin or rod 50 positioned on either side to engage a corresponding hole 52 on either of the side walls 30, 32 and enable the rear wall 40 to pivot about the axis of the rods 50. Of course, the pin/rod and hole configuration could be reversed.
In one embodiment, the pivot assembly 38 includes a grip portion 46 and an arm portion 44 slidably coupled to one of the side walls 30, 32. As shown in FIGS. 2 and 4A-4B, the arm portion 44 may be located within the interior of the drawer and along the side wall 30. The arm portion 44 includes a pin 42 or other rotatable connection that engages the corresponding hole 41 of the rear wall, while the grip portion 46 engages a slot 48 on the top portion of the side wall 30. The grip portion 46 can have a projecting arm that extends downwardly therefrom and which is received within the slot 48. The pin 42 can be fixedly or removably engaged with the corresponding hole 41. Likewise, the grip portion 46 can also be fixedly or removably coupled with the slot 48 of the side wall 30. The grip portion 46 can comprise a smooth, rough, rigid, rippled, or grooved surface, and optionally include a rubber or other texturized component. During operation, a user can directly or indirectly slide the grip portion 46 toward the rear of the drawer 28. This causes the arm portion 44 to slide or translate rearward, which pushes the rear wall 40 backwards and results in the rear wall 40 pivoting away from the front the drawer assembly. In another embodiment, the grip portion 46 could be replaced with a rotatable wheel or the like for adjusting the angle of the rear wall 40. For example, the rotatable wheel could operate together with the arm portion 44 via a rack-and-pinion type gear system, whereby the rotatable wheel could have a spur gear and the arm portion 44 could have a suitable gear rack. Thus, rotation of the routable wheel would thereby cause linear motion of the arm portion 44 (similar to the motion shown in FIGS. 4A-4B) to thereby pivot the rear wall 40 toward or away from the front the drawer assembly. The rotatable wheel could be rotationally attached to the side wall 30 at a similar location as the shown slot 48, or at another suitable location that is readily accessible by the user. The arm portion 44 could be connected to the rear wall 40 via a similar pin 42 and hole 41, and could be located inside the drawer assembly, or could be located on an exterior wall of the drawer assembly. Optionally, the side wall of the drawer assembly could include supporting structure or guides to vertically hold the arm portion 44 against gravity and/or to assist in maintaining a linear motion pathway.
FIGS. 4A and 4B depict a cross-sectional side view of drawer assembly 28, wherein the rear wall 40 of the drawer is in a closed or open position, respectively. The drawer assembly 28 is illustrated next to a rear wall 18 of the fresh food compartment 10. In one embodiment, translation of the arm portion 44 described herein results in rearward pivoting of the rear wall 40. Thus, the rear wall 40 can move from a first position to a second position to enable increased airflow 55 into the drawer 28. As shown, the rear wall pivots beyond the rearmost edge of the shelf or cover 54 to increase an amount of otherwise blocked airflow 55. As shown schematically in FIG. 4A, when the rear wall 40 is in the closed position, one airflow 55 arrow enters the drawer assembly 28 while the other airflow 55 arrow shows airflow that bypasses the drawer and proceeds downwards along the rear wall 18. Optionally, in the closed position, the top edge of the rear wall 40 could be positioned beyond the rearmost edge of the shelf or cover 54 so as to permit at least a minimum amount of airflow to enter the drawer. Alternatively, in the closed position the top edge of the rear wall 40 could be positioned to be aligned with or even inside of the rearmost edge of the shelf or cover 54 to inhibit airflow into the drawer. As shown schematically in FIG. 4B, when the rear wall 40 is in the opened position, the top edge of the rear wall 40 could be positioned well beyond the rearmost edge of the shelf or cover 54 where both airflow 55 arrows enter the drawer assembly 28 so that relatively more airflow is now directed into the open storage compartment of the drawer assembly 28. Optionally, the top edge of the rear wall 40 could contact the rear wall 18 of the fresh food compartment 10 when at the maximum opened position, or alternatively a predetermined spacing gap could be maintained between the rear wall 40 and the rear wall 18 at the maximum opened position. The distance from the front to the back of the slot 48 defines an extension limit for the pivot assembly 38, and pivoting action of the rear wall 40. In one embodiment, the top edge of the rear wall can pivot a distance from a closed position preferably between 1.0 inch and 4.0 inches, more preferably between 1.5 inches and 3.5 inches, and most preferably between 2.0 inches and 3.0 inches. The pivot angle of the rear wall 40 can be from 0° to 50°, more preferably from 10° to 40°, and most preferably from 20° to 30°. In one example, the pivot assembly 38 can be infinitely adjustable between the closed and open positions of the rear wall 40. In another example, the grip portion 46 and/or slot 48 can include detents or other structure to define discrete adjustable settings between the closed and open positions of the rear wall 40.
Turning now to FIGS. 5-5A, another embodiment of a drawer assembly 28 with an example pivot assembly 56 will be described. As before, the rear wall 40 of the drawer assembly 28 is pivotally connected via a pin or rod 50 positioned on either side to engage a corresponding hole 52 on either of the side walls 30, 32 (or vice-versa). To enable adjustment of the rear wall 40, in one embodiment the pivot assembly 56 includes an interior side wall extension, such as a pin or rod 58, that engages a corresponding rear wall projection 66. The rear wall projection 66 can include at least two teeth-like projections 60 and at least one notch 62 in between to engage the pin or rod 58 from the side wall 30. For example, the projection 66 can include two, three, four, five, or six teeth 60, or any suitable number, with a notch 62 located between each tooth 60. In one embodiment, a user can grasp the rear wall 40 directly to pull or push the rear wall 40 to a desired position, such that the pin 58 engages a notch 62. Once in the desired position, the rear wall 40 can maintain the position until enough force is exerted on the wall 40 to displace the pin 58 from one notch 62, over a tooth 60, and to another notch 62, and so on until the rear wall 40 achieves a second desired position or a stop in the pivot assembly. Optionally, the last tooth 60 (at either or both ends of the series of teeth) can have an enlarged size to provide a stop that inhibits the pin 58 from bypassing it to thereby define a fully open or fully closed position of the rear wall 40. Due to the rotational pivoting action of the rear wall 40, the teeth 60 and notches 62 can be provided along a curved surface of the rear wall projection 66 to maintain coupling with the pin 58 and ensure the selected position of the rear wall 40.
In the example embodiment depicted in FIGS. 5-5A, the projection 66 includes four teeth 60 and three notches 62. Of course, more or less teeth and notches can be provided. In one embodiment, when the pin 58 of the side wall engages a first notch that is closest to the rear wall 40, which results in a closed position. A user can pull the rear wall 40 rearward so that the rod 58 passes from a first notch 62, over a second tooth 60, and engages a second, middle notch 62, such that the rear wall 40 is in a partially open position. A user can pull the rear wall 40 further rearward so that the pin 58 engages a third notch 62 that is closest to the front wall, such that the rear wall 40 is in a fully open position, as shown in FIG. 5. Thus, the teeth 60 and notches 62 can provide a series of detents that define discrete adjustable settings between the closed and open positions of the rear wall 40. It is further to be appreciated that the reverse construction can be provided, wherein the rear wall projection 66 of the rear wall 40 can include a pin that projects into an elongated recess of the side wall 30 that has the teeth 60 and notches 62 formed therein. Lastly, although shown on only one side wall 30, it is to be appreciated that the above-described adjustment structure (pin 58, teeth 60, notches 62) could optionally be provided on both side walls 30, 32 to provide greater rigidity to the rear wall 40.
Regardless of the type of pivot assembly, an open position of the rear wall 40 allows more airflow to enter the drawer 28 than when the rear wall 40 is in a closed position. Nevertheless, the closed position can still allow some airflow into the drawer 28 (i.e., see FIGS. 4A-4B). For example, the closed position may allow between 1% and 30% of the airflow into the drawer 28, preferably between 5% and 25% of the airflow into the drawer 28, and more preferably 10% to 20% of the airflow into the drawer 28 relative to the amount of the airflow entered through a fully open position.
FIGS. 6A and 6B illustrate a perspective view of still yet other example embodiments of a drawer assembly 28 with one and two scoops 64, respectively. In one embodiment, the drawer 28 assembly includes a rear wall 40 with one or more integral scoop(s) 64. The one or more scoops 64 can be fixed (as shown), or optionally can be moveable about an axis, independently of one another. In one embodiment, the scoop 64 gradually extends rearward in a curved or straight manner with straight or substantially straight sides that are parallel to one another. The scoop 64 can preferably extend rearwards at an angle from 0° to 60°, preferably from 10° to 50°, more preferably from 20° to 40°, or most preferably from 25° to 35° (e.g., 0°, 5°, 10°, 15°, 20°, 25°, 30°, 35°, 40°, 45°, 50°, 55°, 60°). If the drawer 28 includes more than one scoop, each scoop can extend at the same angle or different angles.
In one example, the rear wall 40 includes one integral scoop 64 centrally positioned (FIG. 6A). In yet another example, the rear wall includes two integral scoops, each extending from the side such that each scoop continues the length of the sidewall in a rearward direction (FIG. 6B). In one embodiment, the rearward extension begins from the bottom or point of the intersection between the rear wall 40 and the base 36, the mid-point of the rear wall 40, or anywhere between the bottom and top of the rear wall 40. In one embodiment, the top of the scoop forms a square shape, or rectangular shape such that the horizontal length is longer than the width of the scoop, or vice versa. Moreover, the horizontal length of the scoop 64 can be shorter than the length of the rear wall 40. In one example, the top of the scoop is continuous with the top perimeter of the drawer 28 such that the perimeter is not interrupted. The drawer 28 can include any number of scoops 64 integrated in any position along the rear wall such that the scoops 64 enable increased airflow into the drawer 28. In the example shown in FIG. 6B, the two outwards scoops 64 are located on the outward sides of the rear wall 40, while the center of the rear wall is relatively flat and upstanding. In this configuration, some increased airflow will enter the drawer from the scoops 64, while some airflow will bypass the drawer behind the center of the rear wall.
In another embodiment, a refrigerator cabinet can accommodate more than one drawer assembly 28. For example, the cabinet can accommodate at least two drawers 28, having a first drawer with one integral scoop 64 and a second drawer with two integral scoops 64, vertically positioned above one another. When positioned in this manner, the drawers 28 create a staggered scoop assembly wherein the scoop sections do not vertically overlap with one another, or if there is overlap, it is minimal. Otherwise stated, the first drawer can be placed above the second drawer, or vice versa, such that the central scoop of the first drawer is positioned in between the two scoops of the second drawer. This arrangement allows for airflow traveling from above the drawer assemblies to be evenly distributed throughout each of the scoops, without one blocking the other.
In a further embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 7-10, a door stiffening bracket is installed in an area between the outer shell and inner liner of a refrigerator door. The stiffening bracket enhances product quality and prevents visual defects (FIG. 7) from occurring as a result of a foaming operation. In particular, the stiffening bracket is intended to rigidify the interior face of the door and prevent liquid self-expanding foam from pulling on the skin of the door as it cures.
As shown in FIG. 8, an L-shaped bracket is installed onto an interior face (FIG. 9) of a refrigerator door prior to the foaming operation. The door stiffening bracket is located (FIG. 10) in between the inner door liner and the interior face of the door. The door stiffening bracket can be made from aluminum or low carbon steel, and can be adhered to the interior face of the door.
The door stiffening bracket will be permanently encapsulated within the door after the self-expanding foam has fully cured. Assembling the door stiffening bracket into refrigerators will lead to fewer manufacturing defects. In this way, both manufacturing quality and throughput will be improved.
In yet a further embodiment, as shown in FIGS. 11-18, an attachment assembly of a refrigeration appliance includes horizontally oriented elongated rails formed into opposing side walls of a refrigerator liner for supporting a shelf or drawer. The rails are positioned near a rear of the refrigerator liner and are generally V-shaped with a flat upper ledge and a sloped lower wall that extends from an outer edge of the ledge. The ledges of the corresponding rails on each side wall are positioned and configured to allow a cover assembly of a crisper assembly to rest thereon as shown in FIGS. 11 and 12.
Referring to FIG. 13, the attachment assembly also includes a front support for securing the cover assembly into the refrigerator cabinet. The front support includes a recess (FIG. 15) which is configured to receive a corresponding tab of the cover assembly (FIGS. 13 and 14). The front supports also include two counter-bored holes (FIG. 15) through which fasteners (e.g., clips, bolts, screws, etc.) are inserted to attach the front supports to the liner.
Referring to FIG. 16, the cover assembly includes side rails that are dimensioned and positioned to engage the rails of the attachment assembly for securing the cover assembly into the refrigerator cabinet. Each side rail includes a rail engagement feature formed on an outer surface of the rail. The rail engagement features are configured to engage the sloped lower walls of the rails to prevent the rear of the cover assembly from pivoting or moving upwards when the cover assembly is installed into the refrigerator cabinet, in particular, when a bin of the crisper assembly is extended from the refrigerator cabinet by a user.
In the embodiment shown in FIG. 17, the rail engagement feature is formed by a plurality of spaced-apart ribs. The plurality of ribs is configured to extend outwardly from the side rails such that an outer edge of the plurality of ribs engages the sloped lower wall of the rail.
The cover assembly is inserted into the refrigerator cabinet by sliding the cover assembly on the rails. In particular, the rail engagement features on the side rails of the cover assembly slide under the sloped lower walls of the rails. The cover assembly is inserted into the refrigerator cabinet until the tabs of the cover assembly are received into the recesses of the front supports (FIG. 18). In this respect, the front supports prevent the cover assembly from moving when the bin of the crisper assembly is extended from the refrigerator cabinet.
In a further embodiment, deli/crisper drawers used in French-door bottom mount refrigerators are shown in FIGS. 19-23. Conventional French-door bottom mount deli drawers use a steel slide system for the travel of the deli drawer in and out of the refrigerator unit. As illustrated in FIG. 19, a guide track for roller can be integrally formed into the side walls of the crisper bin.
Shown in FIGS. 20 and 21, the deli drawer assembly includes a transparent deli pan, a transparent fascia, and an extruded trim handle. As shown in FIG. 21, separate roller track assemblies with the necessary geometry are provided on each of the left-hand and right-hand side of the deli pan to encapsulate the rollers. These separate roller track assemblies are individually attached via fasteners to the sides of the deli drawer, and are not integrally formed with the drawer. A supporting geometry in the form of ribs and a screw boss is provided to the left and right rear sides of the clear deli pan for the attachment of the white roller track.
The elimination of the steel slides in the deli assembly provides a cost reduction compared to the current solution. Another advantage is the removal of all the visible ribs in the side of the deli pan with the addition of the roller track (white component) which contains all of the necessary “rolling” geometry for the wheels. The deli assembly provides a low-cost alternative to the current deli drawer solution, including a clear deli pan as opposed to a white pan. The fascia snaps together with the trim handle as shown in FIGS. 22 and 23.
In yet a further embodiment, the refrigeration appliance can be customizable. In one embodiment, each appliance module is about half the size of a current standard residential refrigerator and is configured to be stackable. These stackable modules can physically connect to another unit on either side, while each having its own cooling system and being completely self-reliant. The modules can be configured to have different functions, such as a freezer, a refrigerator, or any appliance with a temperature anywhere in between along the temperature scale. The modules can also have different types of openings, such as French doors, single drawer, multiple drawers, or a single door. These modules give a user control over the level of customization while minimizing manufacturing costs by designing everything around the same basic platform.
In a further embodiment, the refrigeration appliance includes an insulated cooler integrated with the refrigerator cabinet and cooling system. In one embodiment, the cooler is configured to fit neatly into a slot or housing in the refrigeration compartment, which allows it to function as storage when not being used for its transport capabilities. The cooler can be removed using a latch, which can also release a handle for easy carrying. In one embodiment, cold packs built into the cooler can be chilled, either from cold air from the compartment or by some direct connection with the air tower. In another embodiment, these cold packs can keep the cooler cold during transit. The cooler can remain in the refrigerator as storage meanwhile not taking up any additional space or impairing the functionality of the refrigerator. In this position, the cooler can accept items in advance of transport, and keep them cool and stored. Once the user desires to use the cooler, it can be removed and used in transport without any additional effort.
The invention has been described with reference to the example embodiments described above. Modifications and alterations will occur to others upon a reading and understanding of this specification. Examples of embodiments incorporating one or more aspects of the invention are intended to include all such modifications and alterations insofar as they come within the scope of the appended claims.
Patent Application
20210247123
