Patent Application
20230408183
The present disclosure relates to an appliance such as a refrigerator.
In order to keep food fresh, a low temperature must be maintained within a refrigerator to reduce the reproduction rate of harmful bacteria. Refrigerators circulate refrigerant and change the refrigerant from a liquid state to a gas state by an evaporation process in order cool the air within the refrigerator. During the evaporation process, heat is transferred to the refrigerant. After evaporating, a compressor increases the pressure, and in turn, the temperature of the refrigerant. The gas refrigerant is then condensed into a liquid and the excess heat is rejected to the ambient surroundings. The process then repeats.
A refrigerator shelf system includes a refrigerator having a liner wall and a shelf. The liner wall defines an internal cavity, defines a recess extending outward from the internal cavity, and has mounting protrusions extending into the recess. The shelf has mounting tabs extending therefrom. The mounting tabs are configured to engage the mounting protrusions when the shelf is transitioned to a horizontal position to secure the horizontal position of the shelf and facilitate the shelf supporting at least one item. The mounting tabs are configured disengage the mounting protrusions when the shelf is transitioned to a vertical position to facilitate adjusting a height of the shelf.
A refrigerator shelf system includes a refrigerator having a liner wall and a shelf. The liner wall defines a recess and has pairs of opposing protrusions extending into the recess. The shelf has locks extending therefrom. The locks are configured to engage the pairs of opposing protrusions when the shelf is transitioned to a horizontal position to secure the horizontal position of the shelf and facilitate the shelf supporting at least one item. The locks are configured to disengage the pairs of opposing protrusions when the shelf is transitioned to a vertical position to facilitate adjusting a height of the shelf.
A refrigerator shelf system includes a refrigerator having a liner wall and a shelf. The liner wall defines a cavity. The shelf has a stationary portion secured to the liner wall and a receiving portion rotatably secured to the stationary portion. The receiving portion is configured to transition between a horizontal position to support at least one item and a vertical position that is adjacent to the stationary portion.
Embodiments of the present disclosure are described herein. It is to be understood, however, that the disclosed embodiments are merely examples and other embodiments may take various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to scale; some features could be exaggerated or minimized to show details of particular components. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the embodiments. As those of ordinary skill in the art will understand, various features illustrated and described with reference to any one of the figures may be combined with features illustrated in one or more other figures to produce embodiments that are not explicitly illustrated or described. The combinations of features illustrated provide representative embodiments for typical applications. Various combinations and modifications of the features consistent with the teachings of this disclosure, however, could be desired for particular applications or implementations.
Referring to
One or more shelves 15 may be secured to the walls 13 within the fresh food compartment 12. One or more drawers 17 may be slidably secured to the shelves 15 or the walls within the fresh food compartment 12. More specifically, the drawers 17 may be slidably secured to the shelves 15 or the walls within the fresh food compartment 12 via tracks or rails. One or more of the drawers 17 may be either a pantry drawer 19 or a crisper drawer 21. Crisper drawer 21 may more specifically be drawers defining a storage space that is kept at a desired humidity that may be different from the remainder of the fresh food compartment 12, but that is optimal for maintaining freshness of fruits and vegetables.
The refrigerator 10 may have one or more doors 16, 18 that provide selective access to the interior volume of the refrigerator 10 where consumables may be stored. As shown, the fresh food compartment doors are designated 16, and the freezer door is designated 18. It may also be shown that the fresh food compartment 12 may only have one door 16. The doors 16 may be rotatably secured to the walls 13 by one or more hinges.
It is generally known that the freezer compartment 14 is typically kept at a temperature below the freezing point of water, and the fresh food compartment 12 is typically kept at a temperature above the freezing point of water and generally below a temperature of from about 35° F. to about 50° F., more typically below about 38° F.
The doors 16 may each include an exterior panel 20 and an interior panel 22 that is disposed on an internal side of the respective exterior panel 20 of each door 16. The interior panels 22 may be configured to face the fresh food compartment 12 when the doors 16 are in closed positions (See
The refrigerator 10 may also have a water inlet that is fastened to and in fluid communication with a household water supply of potable water. Typically, the household water supply connects to a municipal water source or a well. The water inlet may be fluidly engaged with one or more of a water filter, a water reservoir, and a refrigerator water supply line. The refrigerator water supply line may include one or more nozzles and one or more valves. The refrigerator water supply line may supply water to one or more water outlets; typically one outlet for water is in the dispensing area and another to an ice tray. The refrigerator 10 may also have a control board or controller that sends electrical signals to the one or more valves when prompted by a user that water is desired or if an ice making cycle is required.
Such a controller may be part of a larger control system and may be controlled by various other controllers throughout the refrigerator 10, and one or more other controllers can collectively be referred to as a “controller” that controls various functions of the refrigerator 10 in response to inputs or signals to control functions of the refrigerator 10. The controller may include a microprocessor or central processing unit (CPU) in communication with various types of computer readable storage devices or media. Computer readable storage devices or media may include volatile and nonvolatile storage in read-only memory (ROM), random-access memory (RAM), and keep-alive memory (KAM), for example. KAM is a persistent or non-volatile memory that may be used to store various operating variables while the CPU is powered down. Computer-readable storage devices or media may be implemented using any of a number of known memory devices such as PROMs (programmable read-only memory), EPROMs (electrically PROM), EEPROMs (electrically erasable PROM), flash memory, or any other electric, magnetic, optical, or combination memory devices capable of storing data, some of which represent executable instructions, used by the controller in controlling the refrigerator 10.
The doors 16 may also include storage bins 24 that are able to hold food items or containers. The storage bins 24 may be secured to the interior panels 22 of each door 16. Alternatively, the storage bins 24 may integrally formed within or defined by the interior panels 22 of each door 16. In yet another alternative, a portion of the storage bins 24 may be secured to the interior panels 22 of each door 16, while another portion of the storage bins 24 may be integrally formed within or defined by the interior panels 22 of each door 16. The storage bins 24 may include shelves (e.g., a lower surface upon, which a food item or container may rest upon) that extend from back and/or side surfaces of the interior panels 22 of each door 16.
Referring to
The folding shelves 26 are also adjustable vertically between a plurality of positions (e.g., see
The folding shelves 26 each include a plate or planar portion 44 that is configured to support items (e.g., food items) and locks, locking features, or locking mechanisms 46 that extend outward from each side of the planar portion 44 along a back side of the planar portion 44. Each locking mechanism 46 includes a forward extending tab or protrusion 48 and a rearward extending tab or protrusion 50 that are offset from each other forming a Z-shape. Each forward extending tab or protrusion 48 forms a pair with one of the rearward extending tabs or protrusions 50. Each forward extending tab or protrusion 48 and each rearward extending tabs or protrusions 50 may be referred to as mounting protrusions. Each forward extending protrusion 48 is configured to engage one of the inwardly extending protrusions 36 while the rearward extending protrusion 50 is configured to engage one of the outwardly extending protrusions 38 from one of the arranged pairs of the plurality of protrusions 34 in order to secure the folding shelves 26 in the operational position at one of the vertical positions or heights (e.g., see
The spacing or distance D1 between the protrusions 34 with each pair of protrusions is greater than the spacing or distance D2 between the top and the bottom of the locking mechanisms 46, according to the orientation of the locking mechanism 46 as shown in
Referring to
The receiving portion 56 is configured to rotate relative to stationary portion 54 and the inner liner (or adjacent inner wall 13) from a stowed position 58 to an operational position 60. In the stowed position 58, the receiving portion 56 is rotated to a vertical position that is adjacent to the stationary portion 54 such that additional space is provided for large items that may be stored on a corresponding shelf 15 that is below the folding shelf 52. If the item or items on the correspond shelf 15 that is below the folding shelf 52 is sufficiently small, such that there is no interference between such a small item 62 and the receiving portion 56 while in the operational position 60, the receiving portion 56 may be transitioned to the operational position 60 so that additional items 64 may be stored on the folding shelf 52 (or more specifically on the receiving portion 56) within the space that is above the said small item 62 that is disposed on the correspond shelf 15 that is below the folding shelf 52. In the operation position 60, the receiving portion 56 may be oriented horizontally to provide a platform for supporting items (e.g., food items).
The stationary portion 54 may include through holes 66 that are configured to receive fasteners. The fasteners may extend through the through holes 66, through the inner liner (or adjacent inner wall 13), and engage an anchor on the opposing side of the inner liner (or adjacent inner wall 13) in order to secure the folding shelf 52 to the inner liner (or adjacent inner wall 13). The stationary portion 54 may alternatively or additionally include hangers 68 that define keyed orifices 70. The hangers 68 may engage protrusions that extend from the inner liner (or adjacent inner wall 13) in order to secure the stationary portion 54 to the inner liner (or adjacent inner wall 13). Such protrusions that extend from the inner liner (or adjacent inner wall 13) may have head portions and neck portions that engage the keyed orifices 70 to prevent the stationary portion from being pulled away from the inner liner (or adjacent inner wall 13). For example, the protrusion may include the head of a fastener and a shank of the fastener.
When in the operational position 60, a support plate 71, which is part of the receiving portion 56, includes an upward facing surface 72 that operates as a platform for supporting items (e.g., food items). A ridge 74 may extend upward from an outer periphery of the support plate 71. The ridge 74 may function to prevent items that are disposed on top the upward facing surface 72 from slipping off of the support plate 71. The receiving portion 56 also includes a stopper 76 that functions to retain the receiving portion 56 in the operational position 60. More specifically, the stopper 76 may be an elongated plate, strip of material, or sill that is offset from the support plate 71 and is configured to engage a lower surface 78 of the stationary portion 54 when the receiving portion 56 is in the operational position 60. The engagement between the stopper 76 and the lower surface 78 of the stationary portion 54 prevents further downward rotation of the receiving portion 56 once the receiving portion 56 is in the operational position 60. Gravity may maintain the receiving portion 56 in the operational position 60 due to the cantilevered arrangement of the receiving portion 56 when in the operational position 60. The cantilevered arrangement of the receiving portion 56 when in the operational position 60 also functions to maintain engagement between the stopper 76 and the lower surface 78 of the stationary portion 54 (e.g., the cantilevered arrangement of the receiving portion 56 maintains a force between the stopper 76 and the lower surface 78 of the stationary portion 54). A cable or wire 79 may extend between the receiving portion 56 and the stationary portion 54 to further support maintaining the receiving portion 56 in the operational position 60 or may be used in lieu of the stopper 76 to maintain the receiving portion 56 in the operational position 60.
The receiving portion 56 may also include snaps 80 and the stationary portion 54 may include pins or protrusions 82 that extend outward from the sides of the stationary portion 54. Alternatively, the stationary portion 54 may include the snaps 80 while the receiving portion 56 includes the protrusions 82. The snaps 80 and protrusions 82 may be disposed on each opposing side of the folding shelf 52. The snaps 80 include hooks 84 that engage the protrusions 82 to retain the receiving portion 56 in the stowed position 58. The hooks 84 may be secured to the receiving portion 56 via biasing portions 86 that are flexible to allow for engagement and disengagement between the hooks 84 and the protrusions 82 so that the receiving portion 56 can transition between the stowed position 58 and the operational position 60. The biasing portions 86 may be designed to only flex when an external force that exceeds a threshold is applied to the receiving portion 56 to transition the receiving portion 56 from the stowed position 58 to the operational position 60. In the absence of such an external force that exceeds a threshold, the hooks 84 remain in engagement with the protrusions 82 to retain the receiving portion 56 in the stowed positioned 58.
Referring to
The receiving portion 92 is configured to rotate relative to stationary portion 90 and the inner liner (or adjacent inner wall 13) from a stowed position (not shown) to an operational position 94. In the stowed position, the receiving portion 92 is rotated to a vertical position that is adjacent to the stationary portion 90 such that the additional space is provided for large items that may be stored on a corresponding shelf 15 that is below the folding shelf 88. If the item on the correspond shelf 15 that is below the folding shelf 88 is sufficiently small, such that there is no interference between such a small item and the receiving portion 92 while in the operational position 94, the receiving portion 92 may be transitioned to the operational position 94 so that additional items may be stored on the folding shelf 88 (or more specifically on the receiving portion 92) within the space that is above the said small item that is disposed on the correspond shelf 15 that is below the folding shelf 88. In the operation position 94, the receiving portion 92 may be oriented horizontally to provide a platform for supporting items (e.g., food items).
The receiving portion 92 includes a frame 96 that is configured to receive interchangeable plates 98. Each interchangeable plates 98 may be shaped to receive varying or various items. A first 100 of the interchangeable plates 98 may have an upper surface that is textured to increase the friction between the first 100 of the interchangeable plates 98 and items 102 that are stored on top of the first 100 of the interchangeable plates 98. The increase in friction helps to prevent the items 102 from slipping off the first 100 of the interchangeable plates 98. A second 104 of the interchangeable plates 98 may be shaped to receive a bottle 106. More specifically, the second 104 of the interchangeable plates 98 may have a recessed area 108 that matches a portion of a cylindrical shape of the bottle 106 such that the recessed area 108 operates to retain the bottle 106. A third 110 of the interchangeable plates 98 may be shaped to receive two cans 112. More specifically, the third 110 of the interchangeable plates 98 may have two recessed areas 114 that each match a portion of a cylindrical shape of one of the cans 112 such that each recessed area 114 operates to retain one of the cans 112. The recessed areas 114 may be angled such that the cans 112 are angled once received therein. A fourth 116 of the interchangeable plates 98 may be shaped to receive a plurality of eggs 118. More specifically, the fourth 116 of the interchangeable plates 98 may define a plurality of tapered orifices 120 that each match a portion of a shape of an egg 118 such each tapered orifice 120 operates to retain one of eggs 118.
It should be understood that any reference herein to a horizontal orientation or a vertical orientation may be a reference to a substantially horizontal orientation or a substantially vertical orientation. A substantially horizontal orientation may include any incremental orientation that is between exactly horizontal and 15° from exactly horizontal. A substantially vertical orientation may include any incremental orientation that is between exactly vertical and 15° from exactly vertical.
It should be understood that the designations of first, second, third, fourth, etc. for any component, state, or condition described herein may be rearranged in the claims so that they are in chronological order with respect to the claims. Furthermore, it should be understood that any component, state, or condition described herein that does not have a numerical designation may be given a designation of first, second, third, fourth, etc. in the claims if one or more of the specific component, state, or condition are claimed.
The words used in the specification are words of description rather than limitation, and it is understood that various changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the disclosure. As previously described, the features of various embodiments may be combined to form further embodiments that may not be explicitly described or illustrated. While various embodiments could have been described as providing advantages or being preferred over other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more desired characteristics, those of ordinary skill in the art recognize that one or more features or characteristics may be compromised to achieve desired overall system attributes, which depend on the specific application and implementation. As such, embodiments described as less desirable than other embodiments or prior art implementations with respect to one or more characteristics are not outside the scope of the disclosure and may be desirable for particular applications.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. provisional application Ser. No. 63/353,748 filed Jun. 20, 2022, the disclosure of which is hereby incorporated in its entirety by reference herein.
| Number | Date | Country | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 63353748 | Jun 2022 | US |
