REFRIGERATED DOOR ASSEMBLY FOR A KITCHEN CABINET

Abstract

A cabinet includes a frame, a drawer, and a lid. The frame defines an internal cavity. The drawer is slidably secured to the frame and is configured to slide into and out of the internal cavity. The lid is slidably secured to a top of the drawer, is configured to transition between open and closed positions, and is configured create a seal along the top of the drawer when in the closed position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to refrigeration device configured to cool an interior space.

BACKGROUND

In order to keep food fresh, a low temperature must be maintained within a refrigeration device to reduce the reproduction rate of harmful bacteria. Refrigeration devices 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 refrigeration device. 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.

SUMMARY

A cabinet includes a frame, a drawer, and a lid. The frame defines an internal cavity. The drawer is slidably secured to the frame and is configured to slide into and out of the internal cavity. The lid is slidably secured to a top of the drawer, is configured to transition between open and closed positions, and is configured create a seal along the top of the drawer when in the closed position.

A food curing system includes a frame, a drawer, a lid, and a climate control system. The drawer is secured to a frame and is configured to transition into and out of the frame. The lid is secured to a top of the drawer, is configured to transition between open and closed positions, and is configured create a seal along the top of the drawer when in the closed position. The climate control system is configured to drive a temperature and a humidity of an internal space defined by the drawer toward desired values.

A refrigeration drawer assembly includes a slidable refrigeration drawer, a slidable lid, and a refrigeration control system. The slidable refrigeration drawer is configured to be received in a cabinet. The slidable lid is configured to seal at least one food item within the drawer and to maintain at least one environmental condition within the drawer. The refrigeration control system is configured to monitor at least one parameter of at least one food item positioned within the drawer and adjust at least one environmental condition of the drawer based on the at least one parameter.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is an isometric front view of a kitchen cabinet having a refrigerated door assembly with the refrigerated door assembly in a closed position;

FIG. 2 is an isometric front view of the kitchen cabinet with the refrigerated door assembly in an open position and a lid of the refrigerated door assembly in a closed position;

FIG. 3 is an isometric front view of the kitchen cabinet with the refrigerated door assembly in the open position and the lid of the refrigerated door assembly in an open position

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 5-5 in FIG. 2;

FIG. 6 illustrates a locking mechanism for the lid;

FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating a refrigerant circuit that is configured to cool the interior space within the refrigerated door assembly and a control system configured to control the climate within the refrigerated door assembly; and

FIG. 8 illustrates a control panel that is disposed along a front ledge of the refrigerated door assembly.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

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 FIGS. 1-6, a cabinet 10 (e.g., a kitchen cabinet) is illustrated. The cabinet 10 includes a frame 12 that defines an internal cavity 14. A drawer 16 is disposed within the internal cavity 14 and is slidably secured to the frame via drawer slides 18. The drawer 16 is configured to slide into and out of the cavity 14 via the drawer slides 18. Stated in other terms, the drawer 16 is configured to transition into and out of the frame 12 via the drawer slides 18. The drawer 16 is illustrated as being disposed within the cavity 14 in FIG. 1, with the exception of the facade or front panel 20 of the drawer 16 not being disposed within the cavity 14 in FIG. 1. The drawer 16 is illustrated as being at least partially disposed outside of the cavity 14 in FIGS. 2 and 3. The drawer slides 18 may include rails 22 that are secured to the frame 12 and runners 24 that are secured to the drawer 16. The runners 24 may be slidable into an out of the rails 22. Bearings (e.g., ball bearings) may be disposed between the runners 24 and rails 22 to reduce friction.

A lid 26 slidably secured to a top of the drawer 16. More specifically, the lid 26 is disposed within groves or slots 28 that are defined along tops of opposing side panels 30 of the drawer 16. The slots 28 each face inward relative to the drawer 16. Being disposed on opposing side panels 30 of the drawer 16, the slots 28 also face toward each other. The lid 26 is configured to transition between an open position (e.g., FIG. 3) and a closed position (e.g., FIG. 2) via sliding within the slots 28.

The lid 26 is also configured create a seal along the top of the drawer 16 when in the closed position. More specifically, the lid 26 may engage seals 32 that are disposed within the slots 28 to create a seal between the side panels 30 and the lid 26. The front panel 20 of the drawer 16 may also define a slot 34 and a front edge 36 of the lid 26 may engage a seal 38 that that is disposed within the slot 34 to create a seal between the front panel 20 and the lid 26. A trim component 40, such as a metallic strip, may be secured to the front edge 36 of the lid 26. An additional seal may be disposed along a back panel 42 of the drawer 16 that engages the lid 26 to create a seal between the back panel 42 and the lid 26. Alternatively, the seals (e.g., seals 32, seal 38, etc.) may be secured to the lid 26 and may engage the drawer panels to create seals along the top of the drawer 16.

The seals (e.g., seals 32, seal 38, etc.) may form a perimeter that extends along the entire top of the drawer 16 in order to isolate the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 from the external environment. More specifically, the lid 26 is configured to seal at least one food item 46 within the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 and to maintain at least one environmental condition (e.g., temperature, humidity, etc.) within the drawer 16 by creating such a seal and isolating the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 from the external environment.

The lid 26 may be made from a transparent material, such as glass, so that the contents of the drawer 16 (e.g., the at least one food item 46 disposed within the internal space 44) are visible when the drawer 16 is at least partially out of the internal cavity 14 and the lid 26 is in the closed position (e.g., FIG. 2). A locking device 48 may be configured to lock the lid 26 in the closed position. The locking device 48 may include a latch 50 that engages a striker 52. The latch 50 may be secured to the front panel 20 of the drawer 16 while the striker 52 is secured to the lid 26, as shown, or vice versa. A tumbler 54 may be connected to the latch 50. A key may be configured to engage the tumbler 54 to engage and disengage the latch 50 from the striker 52 in order to lock and unlock the lid 26, respectively.

The drawer 16 may remain sealed for “special cooking projects” while you are able to view the progress through the sealed window (i.e., the transparent lid 26). For example, it is important to closely control the temperature and humidity in the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16, if the drawer 16 is being utilized as a food curing or aging system that is facilitating the curing, aging, or drying of foods, such as meats. Sealing off the internal space 44 during such “special cooking projects” also provides odor control for spaces adjacent to the drawer 16, such as the space forming a kitchen. It is noted that internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 may be cooled during such “special cooking projects” as opposed to being heated. A raised wire rack 56 may also be place in bottom of drawer to allow airflow along bottom of food items 46.

Referring to FIGS. 7 and 8, a refrigeration or climate control system 58 configured to drive a temperature and a humidity of the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 toward desired values is illustrated. The climate control system 58 may be disposed adjacent to the drawer 16. For example, the climate control system 58 may be disposed in an adjacent cabinet or within a portion of the internal cavity 14 not occupied by the drawer. Alternatively, the climate control system 58 may be secured to the back panel 42 of the drawer 16.

FIG. 7 includes a diagram illustrating a refrigeration loop or circuit 60. The refrigeration circuit 60 may include an evaporator 62, a compressor 64, a condenser 66, a thermal expansion valve 68, and an accumulator 70. The refrigeration circuit 60 includes lines or tubes 72 that are configured to transport the refrigerant between the evaporator 62, compressor 64, condenser 66, thermal expansion valve 68, and accumulator 70. The refrigerant within the refrigeration circuit 60 is converted from a low-pressure gaseous form to a high-pressure gaseous form within the compressor 64. The refrigerant is directed from the compressor 64 to the condenser 66. Heat may be transferred from the refrigerant to an external medium. For example, the heat may be transferred from the condenser 66 to the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 if heating the internal space 44 is desired. A fan 74 may be configured to direct air across the condenser 66 to transfer heat to the external medium.

The refrigerant then flows from the condenser 66 to the thermal expansion valve 68 where the pressure of the liquid refrigerant is reduced to allow the liquid refrigerant to expand, which decreases the temperature of the liquid refrigerant. The liquid refrigerant is then directed to the evaporator 62 where the refrigerant changes state from a liquid to a gas, which requires heat. The evaporator 62 transfers heat from an external source (e.g., the ambient air) to the refrigerant. A fan 76 may be configured to direct air across the evaporator 62 to transfer heat from the external source to the refrigerant. The air flowing across the evaporator 62 may then be directed to the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 if cooling the internal space 44 is desired.

The refrigerant then flows from the evaporator 62 to the accumulator 70, and from the accumulator 70 back to the compressor 64. More, specifically, the accumulator 70 is located on a line or tube 72 of the refrigeration circuit 60 that is between the evaporator 62 and the compressor 64, which may be referred to as the suction line. The accumulator 70 prevents liquid refrigerant that did not evaporate in the evaporator 62 from flowing into the compressor 64. Liquid refrigerant is known to cause damage to compressors in refrigeration circuits, since the compressors are typically designed to compress a gaseous refrigerant and not a liquid refrigerant. Such a condition where liquid refrigerant enters a compressor is known as a “liquid hammer” or liquid slugging. The liquid refrigerant may also wash lubrication oil out of the compressor, which may cause damage to the moving parts within the compressor due to the lack of lubrication between the moving parts. An accumulator is utilized to prevent liquid refrigerant from flowing into the compressor in order prevent damage that may be caused to the compressor when the liquid refrigerant flows into the compressor.

The compressor 64, fan 74, fan 76, and any other component may be connected to and powered by an electrical power source, such as a battery. Alternatively, the compressor 64, fan 74, fan 76, and any other component or may be connected to the power grid. The climate control system 58 may be controlled by a controller 78. More specifically, the compressor 64, fan 74, fan 76, and any other component may be operated by an electrical actuator, such an electric motor, which may be powered by an electrical power source and may be controlled by the controller 78. The controller 78 may also be connected to a power source such as a battery or the power grid. The components of the climate control system 58 may be form a single unit that receives electrical power as a single unit.

The controller 78 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 70 in controlling the climate control system 58.

Control logic or functions performed by the controller 78 may be represented by flow charts or similar diagrams in one or more figures. These figures provide representative control strategies and/or logic that may be implemented using one or more processing strategies such as event-driven, interrupt-driven, multi-tasking, multi-threading, and the like. As such, various steps or functions illustrated may be performed in the sequence illustrated, in parallel, or in some cases omitted. Although not always explicitly illustrated, one of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that one or more of the illustrated steps or functions may be repeatedly performed depending upon the particular processing strategy being used. Similarly, the order of processing is not necessarily required to achieve the features and advantages described herein, but is provided for ease of illustration and description.

The control logic may be implemented primarily in software executed by a microprocessor-based controller, such as controller 78. Of course, the control logic may be implemented in software, hardware, or a combination of software and hardware in one or more controllers depending upon the particular application. When implemented in software, the control logic may be provided in one or more computer-readable storage devices or media having stored data representing code or instructions executed by a computer to control, the climate control system 58. The computer-readable storage devices or media may include one or more of a number of known physical devices which utilize electric, magnetic, and/or optical storage to keep executable instructions and associated calibration information, operating variables, and the like.

The controller 78 may be programmed to control the temperature and/or humidity within the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16. More specifically, the controller 78 may be programmed to operate the climate control system 58 to drive the temperature and the humidity of the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 toward desired values. If cooling and/or dehumidifying is desired, the controller 78 may operate fan 76 to direct air across the evaporator 62 and into the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16. If heating is desired, the controller 78 may operate fan 74 to direct air across the condenser 66 and into the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16.

Furthermore, the controller 78 may be programmed to monitor at least one parameter (e.g., weight) of at least one food item (e.g., food item 46) positioned within the drawer 16 and to adjust at least one environmental condition (e.g., temperature or humidity) within the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 based on the at least one parameter. For example, if the at least one food item 46 is meat that is curing and the weight of the meat is decreasing too slow during the curing process, the climate control system 58 may be adjusted to decrease the humidity in the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16. As another example, if the at least one food item 46 is meat that is curing and the weight of the meat is decreasing too quickly during the curing process, the climate control system 58 may be adjusted to increase the humidity in the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16.

A feedback sensor 80 may be configured to communicate a parameter to the controller 78 to adjust the operation the climate control system 58. For example, the feedback sensor 80 may be configured to measure the humidity within the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 and the controller 78 may be programmed to operate the climate control system 58 to drive the humidity toward a desired value.

As another example, the feedback sensor 80 may be configured to measure the temperature within the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 and the controller 78 may be programmed to operate the climate control system 58 to drive the temperature toward a desired value by either heating or cooling the air being directed into the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16. An additional feedback sensor 82 may be configured to measure the weight of an object (e.g., food item 46) disposed within the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 and to communicate the weight back to the controller 78, which may adjust climate control system 58 based on the weight of the object, a change in the weight of the object over specified period of time, or a rate at which the weight of the object changes.

Alternative methods of heating, cooling, or adjusting the humidity within the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16 may be utilized. For example, one or more thermoelectric devices that include a hot side and a cold side may be used to adjust the temperature within the within the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16.

Referring to FIG. 8, a control panel 84 that is disposed along a front ledge of the drawer 16 (i.e., the upper surface of the front panel 20 of the drawer 16) is illustrated. The control panel includes buttons, a touch screen, or some other human machine interface that allows a user to adjust the environmental conditions (e.g., temperature or humidity) within the internal space 44 defined within the drawer 16. For example, the control panel 84 may allow a use to set the humidity within the drawer, the temperature within the drawer 16, and/or allow a user to lock the drawer 16 electronically. If the drawer 16 is capable of being locked electronically, an actuator, such as a solenoid or small electric motor may be secured to the latch 50, and may operate to engage and disengage the latch 50 from the striker 52.

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.

Claims

1. A cabinet comprising:

a frame defining an internal cavity;

a drawer (i) slidably secured to the frame and (ii) configured to slide into and out of the internal cavity; and

a lid (i) slidably secured to a top of the drawer, (ii) configured to transition between open and closed positions, and (iii) configured create a seal along the top of the drawer when in the closed position.

2. The cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a lock configured to lock the lid in the closed position.

3. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the lid is transparent such that contents of the drawer are visible when the drawer it at least partially out of the internal cavity and the lid is in the closed position.

4. The cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a refrigeration loop configured to cool and dehumidify an internal space defined by the drawer.

5. The cabinet of claim 1 further comprising a controller programmed to operate the refrigeration loop to drive a temperature and a humidity of the internal space toward desired values.

6. The cabinet of claim 5 further comprising a feedback sensor configured to communicate a parameter to the controller to adjust the operation the refrigeration loop.

7. The cabinet of claim 6, wherein the feedback sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the internal space.

8. The cabinet of claim 6, wherein the feedback sensor is configured to measure a humidity of the internal space.

9. The cabinet of claim 6, wherein the feedback sensor is configured to measure a weight of object disposed within the internal space.

10. A food curing system comprising:

a frame

a drawer (i) secured to a frame and (ii) configured to transition into and out of the frame;

a lid (i) secured to a top of the drawer, (ii) configured to transition between open and closed positions, and (iii) configured create a seal along the top of the drawer when in the closed position; and

a climate control system configured to drive a temperature and a humidity of an internal space defined by the drawer toward desired values.

11. The food curing system of claim 10 further comprising a lock configured to lock the lid in the closed position.

12. The food curing system of claim 10, wherein the lid is transparent such that contents of the drawer are visible when the drawer it at least partially out of the internal cavity and the lid is in the closed position.

13. The food curing system of claim 10 further comprising a feedback sensor configured to communicate a parameter to the climate control system to adjust the operation the climate control system.

14. The food curing system of claim 13, wherein the feedback sensor is configured to measure a temperature of the internal space.

15. The food curing system of claim 13, wherein the feedback sensor is configured to measure a humidity of the internal space.

16. The food curing system of claim 13, wherein the feedback sensor is configured to measure a change in weight of object disposed within the internal space.

17. A refrigeration drawer assembly comprising:

a slidable refrigeration drawer configured to be received in a cabinet;

a slidable lid configured to seal at least one food item within the drawer and to maintain at least one environmental condition within the drawer; and

a refrigeration control system configured to (i) monitor at least one parameter of at least one food item positioned within the drawer and (ii) adjust at least one environmental condition of the drawer based on the at least one parameter.

18. The refrigeration drawer assembly of claim 17, wherein the refrigeration control system further includes (i) at least one feedback sensor configured to monitor the at least one parameter of the at least one food item or the at least one environmental condition of the drawer and (ii) is configured to adjust the at least one environmental condition of the drawer based on the monitored at least one parameter of the at least one food item or the monitored at least one environmental condition of the drawer.

19. The refrigeration drawer assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least one parameter is a weight of the at least one food item.

20. The refrigeration drawer assembly of claim 18, wherein the at least one environmental condition is a humidity within the drawer is a temperature within the drawer.