Closure Structure Patents (Class 312/405)
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Patent number: 10684061Abstract: A refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention comprises an opening unit configured such that, when a second door rotates in order to open a second storing chamber, the second door is separated from a first door. The opening unit comprises: a latch hook provided on the second door so as to be selectively inserted into a latch slot formed on the front surface of the first door; a pressing portion provided on a door handle provided on the front surface of the second door, the pressing portion comprising a guide protrusion having a sloping surface formed on one side thereof; and a link portion having a contact portion formed on one end thereof so as to contact the sloping surface and to move upward/downward along the sloping surface, the other end of the link portion contacting the latch hook.Type: GrantFiled: April 28, 2017Date of Patent: June 16, 2020Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jaeyoung Kim, Seonil Yu
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Patent number: 10648218Abstract: A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a food storage chamber. A door is positioned on the cabinet and is movable between a closed position and an open position. A door opener includes an outer case fixedly mounted to the cabinet. The door opener also includes an inner case within the outer case that is movable relative to the outer case. A finger extends from the door opener towards the door. The door opener also includes a sensor that detects relative movement between the inner case and the outer case. The finger is positioned in contact with an inner surface of the door when the door is in the closed position and the door opener is in a zero position. The sensor detects movement of the inner case from the zero position of the door opener towards the back portion of the cabinet along the transverse direction.Type: GrantFiled: May 31, 2019Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.Inventors: Michael Goodman Schroeder, Stephanos Kyriacou
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Patent number: 10646603Abstract: Ultraviolet radiation is directed within an area. The target wavelength ranges and/or target intensity ranges of the ultraviolet radiation sources can correspond to at least one of a plurality of selectable operating configurations including a virus destruction operating configuration and a bacteria disinfection operating configuration. Each configuration can include a unique combination of the target wavelength range and target intensity range.Type: GrantFiled: March 30, 2018Date of Patent: May 12, 2020Assignee: Sensor Electronic Technology, Inc.Inventors: Michael Shur, Alexander Dobrinsky
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Patent number: 10619395Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage compartment, a door configured to open and close the storage compartment, and a door opening device configured to open the door. The door opening device includes a driving unit and a pushing member configured to be pushed out by the driving unit to thereby open the door. The pushing member includes a first rack configured to be driven by the driving unit in a first direction, and a second rack configured to be driven by the driving unit in the first direction. The first rack is slidably coupled to the second rack to thereby move relative to the second rack.Type: GrantFiled: February 11, 2019Date of Patent: April 14, 2020Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hyunbum Kim, Dongjeong Kim, Sunghun Lee
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Patent number: 10605518Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet, a main-door, the main-door, a sub-door, a restraint device that protrudes from a rear surface of the sub-door, a latch device located at the main-door and configured to selectively restrict movement of the restraint device, and an operation device located at the sub-door and configured to release the restraint device from the latch device. The latch device includes a latch configured to restrict movement of the restraint device from the latch based on rotation of the latch, a stopper configured to engage a side of the latch and limit movement of the latch, a pusher configured to push the stopper to cause the stopper to rotate, and an elastic member connected to the latch and to the stopper. The latch is configured to, based on rotation of the stopper, rotate and release restraint between the latch and the stopper.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2019Date of Patent: March 31, 2020Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventor: Kihyun Park
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Patent number: 10591208Abstract: A cooling appliance includes a main body, a first door and a second door connected to the main body, and a user interface unit. The first door has a front surface and an inner side portion facing a side surface of the second door. The first door includes an inclined side portion located between the front surface and the inner side portion of the first door. The user interface unit is disposed at the inclined side portion. A user interface unit for a cooling appliance is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: November 28, 2016Date of Patent: March 17, 2020Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Xuehua Mao, Xiangfei Yang
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Patent number: 10584058Abstract: Coated articles include two or more functional infrared (IR) reflecting layers optionally sandwiched between at least dielectric layers. The dielectric layers may be of or including silicon nitride or the like. At least one of the IR reflecting layers is of or including titanium nitride (e.g., TIN) and at least another of the IR reflecting layers is of or including indium-tin-oxide (ITO).Type: GrantFiled: August 26, 2019Date of Patent: March 10, 2020Assignee: Guardian Glass, LLCInventors: Brent Boyce, Yiwei Lu, Guowen Ding, Cesar Clavero, Daniel Schweigert, Minh Le
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Patent number: 10577843Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage compartment, a refrigerator door configured to open and close the storage compartment, a hinge assembly configured to couple the refrigerator door to the cabinet. The hinge assembly includes a first link rotatably coupled to the cabinet and a second link rotatably coupled to the refrigerator door. The refrigerator further includes a door opening device provided at the cabinet, and the door opening device includes a pushing member configured to push one of the first link or the second link to thereby open the refrigerator door.Type: GrantFiled: December 11, 2017Date of Patent: March 3, 2020Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Sunghun Lee, Dongjeong Kim, Jinho Chang
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Patent number: 10544983Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment; an inner door rotatably provided at the main body; and an outer door configured to open and close the storage compartment together with the inner door and rotatably provided at the inner door, wherein the inner door includes a connector seating portion disposed at an upper portion of the inner door and configured to connect a first electric wire extending from the main body to the inner door to a second electric wire extending from the outer door to the inner door. Connections between the electric wires are improved so as not to be influenced by the inner and outer doors such that durability of the electric wires can be improved.Type: GrantFiled: December 28, 2017Date of Patent: January 28, 2020Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.Inventors: Jeong Hyun Lee, Seang Won Lee, Yang-Yeol Gu, Seok Jun Yoon
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Patent number: 10392689Abstract: Coated articles include two or more functional infrared (IR) reflecting layers optionally sandwiched between at least dielectric layers. The dielectric layers may be of or including silicon nitride or the like. At least one of the IR reflecting layers is of or including zirconium nitride (e.g., ZrN) and at least another of the IR reflecting layers is of or including indium-tin-oxide (ITO).Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLCInventors: Yiwei Lu, Guowen Ding, Cesar Clavero, Daniel Schweigert, Guizhen Zhang, Scott Jewhurst, Daniel Lee
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Patent number: 10392300Abstract: Coated articles include two or more functional infrared (IR) reflecting layers optionally sandwiched between at least dielectric layers. The dielectric layers may be of or including silicon nitride or the like. At least one of the IR reflecting layers is of or including titanium nitride (e.g., TiN) and at least another of the IR reflecting layers is of or including indium-tin-oxide (ITO).Type: GrantFiled: February 23, 2017Date of Patent: August 27, 2019Assignee: GUARDIAN GLASS, LLCInventors: Brent Boyce, Yiwei Lu, Guowen Ding, Cesar Clavero, Daniel Schweigert, Minh Le
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Patent number: 10281200Abstract: Disclosed are various embodiments for determining whether food in a refrigerator has spoiled. An application executing on a computing device receives an image from a refrigerator of a compartment of the refrigerator. The application then analyzes the image to identify a food item in the image. Subsequently, the application analyzes the image to identify a potentially spoiled area of the food item. The application then compares the potentially spoiled area of the food item to a model of a spoiled food item. Afterwards, the application determines that the identified food item has spoiled based at least in part on a comparison of the potentially spoiled area of the identified food item to the model of the spoiled food item.Type: GrantFiled: March 14, 2016Date of Patent: May 7, 2019Assignee: Amazon Technologies, Inc.Inventor: Simon Kurt Johnston
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Patent number: 10203148Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator having only a second door opened/closed or having both of a first door and a second door opened/closed using one handing by allowing a latch device to fix the second door to the first door or release the second door from being fixed to the first door. The refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment, a first door that is rotatably disposed in front of the main body and has an opening formed therein, a second door that is rotatably disposed in front of the first door to open/close the opening, a handle coupled to a front side of the second door to open/close the first door and the second door, and a latch device allowing the second door to be fixed and released to/from the first door.Type: GrantFiled: November 10, 2016Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Hyung Bum Lee, Beom Gon Kim, Su Hyeong Son, Woo Yeol Yoo, Wan Hyeong Lee, Youn Tae Shin, Ji Sick Hwang
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Patent number: 10202792Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage compartment, a door configured to open and close the storage compartment, and a door opening device configured to open the door. The door opening device includes a driving unit and a pushing member configured to be pushed out by the driving unit to thereby open the door. The pushing member includes a first rack configured to be driven by the driving unit in a first direction, and a second rack configured to be driven by the driving unit in the first direction. The first rack is slidably coupled to the second rack to thereby move relative to the second rack.Type: GrantFiled: November 15, 2017Date of Patent: February 12, 2019Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Hyunbum Kim, Dongjeong Kim, Sunghun Lee
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Patent number: 10119219Abstract: A laundry treating apparatus comprises a cabinet forming a profile, provided with a laundry opening; a door having an inner frame arranged toward the laundry opening and an outer frame coupled to the inner frame and arranged toward the outside of the cabinet, and opening and closing the laundry opening; a hinge part having a first pivot rotating the door along a first rotational direction and a second pivot rotating the door along a second rotational direction different from the first rotational direction; a pivot switching member movable to rotatably fix the door to any one of the first pivot and the second pivot; and a pressing piece provided in the door and pressed by a user to move the pivot switching member, wherein the pressing piece includes a pressing point pressed by the user, and the pressing point is provided at an upper end of the pressing piece.Type: GrantFiled: March 20, 2015Date of Patent: November 6, 2018Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Changheon Lee, Jaeseok Kim, Incheol Kang, Soowon Park, Hyuntae Lee, Inho Hwang, Hyeokjong Lee, Kihyuk Kim
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Patent number: 10034546Abstract: A device for mounting a sensor, comprising: a bracket formed with at least one guide hole therein; at least one support rod each passing through a mounting hole in a housing of the sensor and the guide hole in the bracket and mounted on the housing of the sensor and the bracket; and at least one elastic element each disposed on the support rod, so that the sensor is movable relative to the bracket along the support rod against the elastic element. Other brackets can be used. The sensor senses when a cabinet door is closed and sealed.Type: GrantFiled: September 24, 2014Date of Patent: July 31, 2018Assignees: CommScope Connectivity Belgium BVBA, ADC Czech Republic s.r.o., ADC Telecommunications (Shanghai) Distribution Co., Ltd.Inventors: Kristof Vastmans, Mojmir Bombera, Zhaoyang (Carlson) Tong, Lin Lin
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Patent number: 10030904Abstract: A refrigerator door includes an inner door liner, a front wall and a user interface housing connected to the front wall. The user interface housing, the inner door liner, the front wall and a heat insulation layer are combined together. The user interface housing has an accommodating space for accommodating a user interface electrical module. The user interface electrical module can be placed into the accommodating space or removed from the accommodating space from a side of the door. The door has a handle groove and a handle piece detachably connected to the door. The handle groove and the handle piece are located within the user interface housing and the handle piece divides the handle groove from the accommodating space. The user interface housing includes a concave portion being opened forward and the handle groove is accessible though the concave portion. A refrigerator having the door is also provided.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2015Date of Patent: July 24, 2018Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Christoph Becke, Max Eicher, Klaus Foersterling, Christine Hartwein, Andreas Kessler, Philipp Kleinlein, Ralph Staud, Thomas Tischer
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Patent number: 10018404Abstract: A refrigerator includes a door having a user interface electrical module, an accommodating space accommodating the user interface electrical module, a handle groove, and a concave portion being open towards a front surface and a side surface of the door in such a way that the handle groove is accessible to a user through the concave portion. The door includes a user interface housing. The accommodating space, the handle groove and the concave portion are located within the user interface housing and are successively disposed side by side along a depth direction of the handle groove.Type: GrantFiled: July 16, 2015Date of Patent: July 10, 2018Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Christoph Becke, Max Eicher, Klaus Foersterling, Christine Hartwein, Andreas Kessler, Philipp Kleinlein, Ralph Staud, Thomas Tischer
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Patent number: 9999144Abstract: A double-shaft hinge and an electronic device are provided. The double-shaft hinge includes a transmission device, and a first rotation shaft and a second rotation shaft in parallel with each other. The transmission device includes a first transmission member sleeved on the first rotation shaft and circumferentially fixed on the first rotation shaft, a second transmission member sleeved on the second rotation shaft and circumferentially fixed on the second rotation shaft, and a third transmission member. The third transmission member is arranged between the first transmission member and the second transmission member, and has one end engaged with the first transmission member, and another end engaged with the second transmission member. The first transmission member and the second transmission member are connected by the third transmission member to be rotatable with respect to each other in opposite directions simultaneously.Type: GrantFiled: September 30, 2016Date of Patent: June 12, 2018Assignee: Lenovo (Beijing) Co., Ltd.Inventor: Jun Xu
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Patent number: 9976795Abstract: A refrigerator includes a door having a user-interface electrical module, a door liner, a front wall being located in front of the door liner and having a first opening, a side wall, and a thermal insulation space being located between the door liner and the front wall and being filled with a heat insulation layer. The side wall has a second opening in communication with the first opening. The door includes a user-interface housing which closes the first opening and the second opening relative to the thermal insulation space and includes a receiving space for receiving the user-interface electrical module and a concave portion being open towards the first opening and the second opening to permit access to a handle groove within the user-interface housing.Type: GrantFiled: July 17, 2015Date of Patent: May 22, 2018Assignee: BSH Hausgeraete GmbHInventors: Christoph Becke, Max Eicher, Klaus Foersterling, Christine Hartwein, Andreas Kessler, Philipp Kleinlein, Ralph Staud, Thomas Tischer
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Patent number: 9885204Abstract: A hinge for a refrigerator includes a hinge support configured to be mounted on a front surface of a cabinet of the refrigerator, where the hinge support has a plate shape and defining a coupling hole, a hinge bracket including an insertion part configured to be inserted into the coupling hole, where the hinge bracket is coupled to the hinge support along a longitudinal direction of the hinge support, and a hinge pin that is configured to mount to the hinge bracket and that is configured to allow a door of the refrigerator to rotate about the hinge pin. The hinge support includes a bracket support that at least partially surrounds the coupling hole and protrudes from a front surface of the hinge support, the bracket support being configured to provide support to the hinge support.Type: GrantFiled: July 14, 2016Date of Patent: February 6, 2018Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Myeongha Yi, Jongshin Lee, Hanhyo Kim, Raeyoung Park
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Patent number: 9752819Abstract: A refrigerator includes a rotating bar configured to seal a gap between one pair of doors. The rotating bar includes a case provided with an accommodating space; a cover to cover the accommodating space, and having heat conduction blocking parts at both sides thereof; a heat insulation member accommodated in the accommodating space; a metallic plate positioned between the heat conduction blocking parts; and a heat generating member configured to be attached to a rear surface of the metallic plate. An insertion protrusion with an inclined surface is configured to be downwardly movable when the inclined surface is collided with the guide part. Sealing members made of rubber are disposed at vertical end portions of the rotating bar, the sealing members to cover gaps formed at the vertical end portions of the rotating bar when the first door is closed.Type: GrantFiled: October 16, 2015Date of Patent: September 5, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sung Mo Kim, Jee Hoon Lee, Myoung Hun Kim, Hak Gyun Bae, Hee Tae Shon, Jong Hoon Oh, Sinn Bong Yoon, Kun Eui Hong
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Patent number: 9631857Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator which allows a pivoting bar to pivot to seal a gap between a pair of doors regardless of whether the door at which the pivoting bar is not installed between the pair of doors is open or closed. The refrigerator includes a guide device which induces the pivoting bar to pivot. Here, the guide device includes a rack that is moved forward and backward linearly depending on opening and closing of the second door and includes a second magnet built therein, a pinion gear engaged with the rack and pivoting when the rack is moved linearly, and a guide unit which includes a guide groove guiding a guide protrusion and is engaged with the pinion gear to move linearly in a direction opposite to that of the rack to allow the pivoting bar to pivot when the pinion gear pivots.Type: GrantFiled: July 7, 2016Date of Patent: April 25, 2017Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Seok Jun Yoon, Young Jae Song, Seung Yong Yang, Sung Sik Moon, Ho June Jeon, Kyung Han Jeong
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Patent number: 9516956Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator, which includes a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and a door assembly. The freezing compartment is adjacent to the refrigerating compartment. The door assembly selectively opens the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment. The door assembly includes a glass member defining a frontal exterior thereof and allowing an inside of the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment to be seen therethrough when the door assembly is closed, a deposition treated layer formed on a rear surface of the glass member to allow light to partially pass through the glass member, and a transparent plate spaced a predetermined distance from the glass member. Gas for insulation is injected in a space formed between the glass member and the transparent plate, and the space is sealed.Type: GrantFiled: November 5, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Eun Joo Lee, Hang Bok Lee
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Patent number: 9516955Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator, which includes a refrigerating compartment, a freezing compartment, and a door assembly. The freezing compartment is adjacent to the refrigerating compartment. The door assembly selectively opens the refrigerating compartment and the freezing compartment. The door assembly includes a glass member defining a frontal exterior thereof and allowing an inside of the refrigerating compartment or the freezing compartment to be seen therethrough when the door assembly is closed, a deposition treated layer formed on a rear surface of the glass member to allow light to partially pass through the glass member, and a transparent plate spaced a predetermined distance from the glass member. Gas for insulation is injected in a space formed between the glass member and the transparent plate, and the space is sealed.Type: GrantFiled: October 29, 2015Date of Patent: December 13, 2016Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Eun Joo Lee, Hang Bok Lee
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Patent number: 9506687Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigeration device, comprising: a shell (1) having an open top portion; a door body (2) configured to open and close the shell (1) and pivotally connected to the top portion of the shell (1), in which the door body (2) comprises a door liner (21), a groove (211) recessed upwardly is formed on a lower surface of the door liner (21); a door seal (3), in which an upper portion of the door seal (3) is snapped in the groove (211), a lower portion of the door seal (3) is pressed against the top portion of the shell (1) hermetically when the door body (2) is closed, and an air passage (4) is formed between the door seal (3) and the groove (211) when the door body (2) is subjected to an upward external force.Type: GrantFiled: June 8, 2013Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignees: Hefei Hualing Co., Ltd., Hefei Midea Refrigerator Co., Ltd.Inventors: Pingfang Li, Hong Zuo
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Patent number: 9506689Abstract: A pivoting mullion for a temperature-controlled storage device is provided. The pivoting mullion includes a mullion body pivotally attached to a display case door of the temperature-controlled storage device. The mullion body is rotatable relative to the display case door between a first position when the display case door is open and a second position when the display case door is closed. The mullion body is configured to provide a support surface against which the display case door rests when the mullion body is in the second position and the display case door is closed. The pivoting mullion further includes a lighting element fixed to the mullion body and configured to activate when the display case door is closed. Activation of the lighting element illuminates items within the temperature-controlled storage device such that the items are visible through the display case door when the display case door is closed.Type: GrantFiled: July 10, 2014Date of Patent: November 29, 2016Assignee: Anthony InternationalInventors: Frank J. Carbajal, Paul J. Artwohl, Jeffery W. Nicholson
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Patent number: 9500402Abstract: There is disclosed a refrigerator door including a front panel for defining a front exterior appearance thereof, a door liner for defining a rear exterior appearance thereof, a frame for defining both lateral exterior appearance thereof, the frame formed of steel, a support portion provided in an inner portion of the frame to support the front panel, the support portion formed of steel, an upper cap decorative portion for sealing upper portions of the front panel and the door liner, a lower cap decorative portion for sealing lower portions of the front panel and the door liner, and a coupling member provided in an inner portion of the frame to couple the upper cap decorative portion and the lower cap decorative portion to each other, the coupling member formed of steel, wherein the support portion is welded to the frame and the coupling member is welded to the frame.Type: GrantFiled: January 23, 2014Date of Patent: November 22, 2016Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Junghun Kim, Sungwoo Choi
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Patent number: 9383135Abstract: A refrigerator including a main body provided with storage chambers, doors to open and close the storage chambers, upper hinge modules to enable one side of the upper end of each door to be rotatably installed on the main body. Main body hinge receipt parts are depressed on the upper surface of the main body to embed rear ends of the upper hinge modules in the upper surface of the main body and door hinge receipt parts are depressed on the rear surfaces of the doors to receive front ends of the upper hinge modules, and thus the main body is located at a height corresponding to the height of the doors, thereby allowing the main body provided with the storage chambers having a wider volume to be used in the refrigerator having a designated height.Type: GrantFiled: August 9, 2011Date of Patent: July 5, 2016Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sung Cheul Park, Jae Sek Oh, Sang Gyu Jung, Mu Yeol Sun
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Patent number: 9322591Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet that defines a first storage compartment; a first door that is opened or closed to allow or prevent access to an interior of the first storage compartment; a storing device coupled to the first door to define a second storage compartment, wherein, when the first door is closed, the second storage compartment is disposed in the first storage compartment; and a second door connected to the first door and configured to be opened or closed to allow or prevent access to an interior of the second storage compartment, wherein the interior of the second storage compartment is accessible when the first door is closed and the second door is opened, wherein the first door includes a plurality of first coupling parts to which the storing device is coupled, wherein the storing device includes: a frame; and a basket installed on the frame, wherein each of the frame and the basket includes at least one second coupling part interacting with at least one of the plurality of first coupling parType: GrantFiled: January 29, 2015Date of Patent: April 26, 2016Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seungjin Oh, Jonghwa Lee, Changbong Choi, Manho Park, Kiyoung Lim
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Patent number: 9303915Abstract: Disclosed herein is a door of a refrigerator in which a vacuum insulation is positioned in the inner core of the door to be spaced apart from the top face, bottom face, front face, rear face and both lateral faces of the door, and a foam insulation is uniformly disposed in the remaining space in the door.Type: GrantFiled: April 29, 2013Date of Patent: April 5, 2016Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Joong Ho Kim, Jong Hoon Oh, Youn Tae Shin, Young Bae Hong
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Patent number: 9243836Abstract: A heat insulation door for a refrigerator able to realize 3 dimensional effects and with excellent heat insulation is presented. A heat insulation door for a refrigerator having 3 dimensional shapes in accordance with the present invention comprises, an outer panel forming an outer surface of a door for a refrigerator that has 3 dimensional shapes, a groove type vacuum heat insulation material located inside the outer surface and having at least one groove, and a foamed vacuum insulation material filled inside, and has excellent 3 dimensional effects superior to printing effects, and has advantages of being able to secure excellent heat insulation properties.Type: GrantFiled: December 27, 2012Date of Patent: January 26, 2016Assignee: LG HAUSYS, LTD.Inventor: Yun Jung Kim
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Patent number: 9229420Abstract: A cover open/close mechanism, which is included in an image forming apparatus, includes a cover having a free end and disposed movable between a closed state that a part of the apparatus body is covered and an open state that the covered part is exposed, a cover rotating shaft about which the cover rotates in a receding direction when the cover moves from the closed state to the open state, a support member rotating shaft disposed parallel to the cover rotating shaft, a cover rotating shaft support member to support the cover rotating shaft and to change a position of the cover rotating shaft with respect to the apparatus body by rotating about the support member rotating shaft, and a biasing member to bias the cover rotating shaft support member in a manner in which the cover rotating shaft support member rotates in an approaching direction.Type: GrantFiled: February 25, 2014Date of Patent: January 5, 2016Assignee: Ricoh Company, Ltd.Inventors: Mami Akiyama, Yuki Sato, Shiro Akama, Yuta Ueda, Hidehiko Maeda
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Patent number: 9188382Abstract: A refrigerator includes a rotating bar configured to seal a gap between one pair of doors. The rotating bar includes a case provided with an accommodating space therein while having one surface thereof open, a heat insulation member accommodated in the accommodating space, a cover configured to cover the one surface of the case that is open, and a metallic plate being coupled to an outer side of the cover. The cover includes a heat conduction blocking part being protruded to both sides of the metallic plate while having a bent-shape cross section so as to prevent heat from being transmitted to both side surfaces of the rotating bar after being heat conducted along the metallic plate.Type: GrantFiled: July 25, 2013Date of Patent: November 17, 2015Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sung Mo Kim, Jee Hoon Lee, Myoung Hun Kim, Hak Gyun Bae, Hee Tae Shon, Jong Hoon Oh, Sinn Bong Yoon, Kun Eui Hong
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Patent number: 9170045Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet that defines a first storage compartment; a first door that is opened or closed to allow or prevent access to an interior of the first storage compartment; and a storing device coupled to the first door to define a second storage compartment. When the first door is closed, the second storage compartment is disposed in the first storage compartment. The refrigerator also includes a second door connected to the first door and configured to be opened or closed to allow or prevent access to an interior of the second storage compartment. The interior of the second storage compartment is accessible when the first door is closed and the second door is opened.Type: GrantFiled: January 28, 2014Date of Patent: October 27, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Seungjin Oh, Jonghwa Lee, Changbong Choi, Manho Park, Kiyoung Lim
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Patent number: 9151534Abstract: A refrigerator including a home bar is provided. The refrigerator may include a latch assembly that releasably couples a door of the home bar to a door of the refrigerator to selectively provide access to an interior of the home bar without opening the main refrigerator door. The latch assembly may include a holder provided in one of the home bar door or the main refrigerator door, and a latch provided in the other of the home bar door or the main door. The latch may be selectively coupled to the holder to lock and unlock the home bar door. The latch locks the holder by changing elastic rotation of the latch in one direction into elastic restoring rotation in a second, reverse direction as the holder is moved forward into the latch. The latch unlocks the holder as the holder is moved farther forward, and the latch and the holder are decoupled from each other while the latch is elastically rotated in response to backward motion of the holder out of the latch.Type: GrantFiled: November 12, 2013Date of Patent: October 6, 2015Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.Inventors: Jaeyoul Lee, Seungho Lee
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Patent number: 9134062Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment, first and second doors opening or closing the storage compartment, and a pillar configured to block cool air from leaking between the first and second doors. The refrigerator also includes a hinge that rotatably connects the pillar to the first door and a holder disposed on the storage compartment and configured to guide rotation of the pillar. The hinge includes a rotation shaft that enables the pillar to rotate with respect to the first door and a rotation restriction unit that is configured to contact the holder and, based on the contact with the holder, move the rotation shaft in a direction parallel to an extension direction of the rotation shaft. The rotation restriction unit selectively restricts the rotation of the pillar with respect to the first door.Type: GrantFiled: November 27, 2013Date of Patent: September 15, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Yongki Jung, Jinhong Park, Munjae Jang
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Patent number: 9127879Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator having a door opening unit (100), and more particularly is a refrigerator which provides easier opening of a door that is used to open and close a storage compartment. The refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment, a door coupled to the main body in a slidingly movable manner to open and close the storage compartment, a handle (120) provided at the door in a pivotally rotatable manner, and a door opening unit (100) connected to the handle (120) to come into contact with the main body. The door opening unit (100) serves to move the door by applying pressure to the main body via pivotal rotation of the handle (120), thereby opening the storage compartment.Type: GrantFiled: November 2, 2012Date of Patent: September 8, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jungyeon Hwang, Seonkyu Kim, Seungjin Yoon, Woonkyu Seo, Daesung Lee
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Patent number: 9097052Abstract: A refrigerator, includes a cabinet having a refrigerating compartment therein; a door pivotably coupled with the cabinet to open or close the refrigerating compartment; and an auxiliary door-opening device. The auxiliary door-opening device includes: a swing arm, a servo driver which is disposed on the cabinet, has an output shaft coupled with the swing arm, and is configured to drive the swing arm to swing between a first predetermined position in which the swing arm pushes the door to separate from the cabinet and a second predetermined position in which the door is closed onto the cabinet; and a controller configured to actuate the servo driver when receiving a door-opening instruction, so that the servo driver drives the swing arm to move to the first predetermined position and then to return to the second predetermined position.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2011Date of Patent: August 4, 2015Assignees: HEFEI MIDEA REFRIGERATOR CO., LTD., HEFEI HUALING CO., LTD.Inventors: Hao Chen, Yanping Xu
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Patent number: 9074810Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator including a pantry part in a refrigerator compartment. Since the pantry part can slide forward, and then, rotate, an object can be conveniently put in or taken out from the refrigerator.Type: GrantFiled: April 21, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.Inventors: Jungyeon Hwang, Jinwon Kang, Myungdong You, Woonkyu Seo, Hanjin Jung, Eunjoo Lee, Hangbok Lee
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Patent number: 9074717Abstract: A highly reliable vacuum heat insulating material having excellent processability, usability and heat insulating performance and a heat insulating box using the vacuum heat insulating material are provided.Type: GrantFiled: June 15, 2011Date of Patent: July 7, 2015Assignee: MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC CORPORATIONInventors: Kyoko Nomura, Syuichi Iwata, Hiroshi Nakashima
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Patent number: 9071907Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vacuum insulated cabinet structure having side walls that are formed from a tube that has been folded/deformed into a structure having an “O” shape with vertically enlarged front and rear openings. The interior of the tube may be filled with silica powder or other filler, and a vacuum is formed within the tube. An insulated rear panel may be utilized to close off the rear opening of the vacuum insulated cabinet structure.Type: GrantFiled: March 15, 2013Date of Patent: June 30, 2015Assignee: Whirpool CorporationInventors: Steven J. Kuehl, Axel Julio Ramm, Guolian Wu, James W. Kendall, Nihat Cur, Paul B. Allard
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Patent number: 9046297Abstract: The present invention relates to a refrigerator/freezer having doors in turn having seals, with the seals in the closed state of the doors sealing the region between the doors, the seal of at least one door movable into a position at least regionally having larger spacing from the seal of the other door than in the closed position, at least one cam moving on opening and closing the door, and the cam contacting both the door and the seal to move the seal from the first to second position when the door is opened.Type: GrantFiled: April 12, 2012Date of Patent: June 2, 2015Assignee: Liebherr-Hausgeräte Lienz GmbHInventor: Richard Stocker
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Publication number: 20150145399Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body, a storage chamber provided in the main body, and a door opening and closing the storage chamber, wherein the door includes a front panel comprising a front portion forming a front exterior of the door, an edge portion bent from the front portion and a side portion bent from the edge portion and forming a side exterior, a rear panel coupled to a rear side of the front panel, an insulation material provided at an inner space defined by the front panel and the rear panel, and a decorative member coupled to the edge portion and forming an exterior. Due to such a configuration, the edge portion of the door has enhanced aesthetic appeal.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 26, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sun Hwan JOO, Seung Yong YANG, Sang Gyu JUNG
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Publication number: 20150145400Abstract: A refrigerator having an improved structure so as to easily assemble a detachable door and a main body. The refrigerator includes a main body that forms an appearance of the refrigerator, a storage chamber that is provided inside the main body, a door that is rotatably coupled to the main body to open and close an opened front surface of the storage chamber, and a hinge bracket that connects the main body and the door. Here, the hinge bracket may include a first hinge that is coupled to the main body and a second hinge that is coupled to the door and detachably coupled to a front side of the first hinge.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 25, 2014Publication date: May 28, 2015Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jee Hoon LEE, Yong Soo Kyong, Jea Won Lee, Kyung Han Jeong
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Publication number: 20150137674Abstract: A refrigerator may prevent an internal door from being opened together by an inertial force when an external door is opened, and may also prevent the external door from being opened together by an inertial force when the internal door is opened. The refrigerator includes a main body, a storage chamber provided in the main body so that a front surface thereof is opened, an internal door rotatably provided at a front surface of the main body so as to open and close the storage chamber and having an opening part in which a plurality of door guards are provided, an external door rotatably provided at a front surface of the internal door so as to open and close the opening part, and an internal door opening prevention device allowing or preventing opening of the internal door according to whether the external door is opened or closed.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Sung Pil Choi, Dong In Shin, Hyo Seok Noh, Young Kyu Moon, Mu Yeol Sun
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Publication number: 20150135763Abstract: An apparatus, system and method for natural refrigeration comprising a naturally refrigerated cooler and ice bin containing an ice bin with a refrigerator compartment suspended within it. The ice bin and cooler compartment are configured such that when ice cubes and the resulting cold water are loaded into the ice bin, the ice cubes and resulting cold water surround the refrigerator compartment and act to remove heat from inside the refrigerator compartment.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 11, 2014Publication date: May 21, 2015Inventor: Richard Y. Lee
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Publication number: 20150130344Abstract: A refrigerator includes a main body having a storage chamber; a drawer type door; a first storage unit movable in association with closing and opening operations of the drawer type door, each of side walls of the first storage unit having a first roller supporting surface; a second storage unit having first roller members mounted to a front region of the second storage unit, the first roller members being seated on the first roller supporting surfaces of the first storage unit to enable rolling movement thereof, a protrusion extending downwardly from a bottom surface of the second storage unit, and second roller members provided on both sides of the second storage unit to move along guide surfaces provided on an interior of the storage chamber. The protrusion is configured to prevent the first roller members from laterally leaving the first roller supporting surfaces.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 23, 2015Publication date: May 14, 2015Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.Inventors: Jeong Man NAM, Gi Joong JEONG
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Publication number: 20150123533Abstract: Refrigeration units and door systems for refrigeration units are provided. A door system for a refrigeration unit includes an outer frame and at least two sliding doors having the same size. Each door can include inner, outer, upper and lower sides that can have side outer surfaces presenting a seal profile that permits each door to seal when in a closed position. Each door can include pins extending outward from side outer surfaces of the upper and lower sides. The door system can include two parallel running rails within the outer frame. Each rail can include an upper sliding groove in which the pins of the sliding door run when the sliding doors move to an open position and a plurality of seating grooves that open up to the upper sliding grooves and extend downward from the upper sliding grooves in which the sliding doors reside in a closed position.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 11, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventor: Jorge Gonzalez Rivas
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Publication number: 20150123534Abstract: Disclosed is a refrigerator including a cabinet defining a first storage area to store food, a door connected to the cabinet by first hinge members, so as to be rotatable about a first rotary shaft located at the front portion of the cabinet, and opening and closing the first storage area, a gasket provided on the door, and a container defining a second storage area received in the first storage area and being rotatable by a second hinge member installed on the cabinet.Type: ApplicationFiled: October 30, 2014Publication date: May 7, 2015Inventors: Hyunbum KIM, Jihyun IM, Jindong KIM