Abstract: A modular storage drawer assembly includes a molded drawer having bottom, side and rear walls and a front wall which is only partly as high as the side walls. A molded front module includes a rectangular frame. The drawer and frame include mating projections and openings to attach the frame to the drawer. The frame has a central opening and a panel is positioned over the opening. The frame and panel have interfitting edges and the panel includes a rib which protects the junction between the edges. The panel includes ventilation openings and a slide control member is mounted to selectively expose or close the openings.

Abstract: A mist-emitting apparatus for a vegetable crisper, having a sprayer attached to an upper portion of a housing. A portion of the housing defines a closable reservoir for a supply of water. Means are provided in the housing for operatively communicating with a lower portion of the reservoir to communicate the water under pressure to the sprayer at predetermined intervals for a predetermined period of time. The water, being communicated to the sprayer, is emitted as a mist. A false bottom extends laterally from a lower portion of the housing for supporting fruits and vegetables above the false bottom. The closable container may be a bag or a cavity in the sidewall of the vegetable crisper, separate from the housing and communicating through a tube that connects with a lower portion of the housing. When originally installed in a refrigerator, the sprayer attaches to an interior wall and extends into a vegetable crisper drawer.

Abstract: A system for and method of storing and automatically dispensing predetermined amounts of one or more food products from closed containers is described. The system preferably includes multi-compartment containers carried by a carrousel assembly and moved by a dispensing mechanism for automatically selecting the appropriate container and compartment for which food is dispensed. By using a control with memory for keeping inventory, the system can dispense any one of several food products on demand.

Abstract: A product-carrying tray 1 has longitudinally slotted end members 3 for sliding engagement on guide rails in a conveyor installation or storage unit. Transverse edges 2 of the tray are provided with coupling members 5 for interengagement with other like units also accommodated on the guide rails. In the illustrated embodiment, the coupling members 5 are defined by interengaging hook structures consisting of projecting portions 7 and laterally extending end portions 6. The tray of the invention is especially suited to accommodating food products within a storage or treatment chamber. The tray may however also serve as a product-carrying element in a conveyor installation. Apart from the hook-type interconnection illustrated, a multiplicity of other interconnecting arrangements may be provided, including, inter alia, alternative mechanical structures and magnetic coupling.

Abstract: A sprayer seated on at least a portion of the upper periphery of a vegetable crisper and periodically supplied with pressurized fluid for emitting through at least one orifice a spray over the vegetables held within the crisper for maintaining the freshness thereof. The sprayer preferably is an elongated ribbon-like member having a plurality of orifices and which cooperatively forms at least a partial seal between the upper peripheral edge of the crisper and a removable top.

Abstract: An inner cooled compartment for receiving articles to be preserved has a vacuum environment in it for the prolonged preservation of articles. Door closures for the compartment is associated with vacuum release valves to allow the closures to open. The inner compartment to be subject to vacuum may comprise a refrigerator area of a conventional household refrigerator or the freezer compartment thereof, or both. The vacuum storage hereof also has particular application to the vegetable tray compartment of a refrigerator and may contain a self-contained vacuum producing flexible container. The vacuum pump may be combined with the refrigerator operating structure or may be a separate outside mounted unit connected by a conduit into the compartments.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a vegetable storage drawer. A gas-absorbing member is disposed over the drawer for absorbing noxious gas emitted by vegetables. The gas-absorbing member is formed of zeolite, and an ultraviolet lamp is provided for periodically illuminating the gas-absorbing member to regenerate the latter.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigerating room, a vegetable room, and a vegetable box movably disposed in the vegetable room. The vegetable box includes an air inlet and an air outlet. A duct disposed on a wall of the vegetable box interconnects the air inlet and air outlet. A blower disposed in the duct circulates air from said outlet to said inlet. The duct carries seals which form air seals around the inlet and outlet when the vegetable box is closed. Temperature sensors automatically turn the blower on and off. A channel extends along a wall of the vegetable box and includes through-holes. The channel communicates with the air outlet.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a fresh food compartment with a rear wall, an evaporator refrigerating air and an air passageway directing a stream of refrigerated air to flow down the rear wall. An adjustable storage assembly includes a frame mounted adjacent the rear wall, a storage pan slideably mounted to the frame, a shroud surrounding the pan and an air deflector extending upwardly and upwardly of the rear of the shroud. An user operable handle mounted to the frame and connected to the shroud for adjusting the position of the shroud and the deflector relative to the stream of air.

Abstract: A refrigerator, freezer or the like comprises a cabinet (1), a pump (6) for producing vacuum and, in a refrigeration compartment (10) thereof, a container (17) closable in a vacuum-tight manner and able to be moved within said compartment (10), said container (17) comprising a lid (19) guided to open and close during its movement by elements (40) associated with said lid (19), which moves in guide tracks (41) provided in opposing walls (16) of said compartment (10) or in elements (42) associated with said walls (16), there being provided on said lid (19) mobile members (48) associated with pins (46, 50) acting as hinges about which, during the movement of said lid (19), said members (48) rotate under the action of a thrust exerted by pusher means (51), said movement taking (48), during their rotation about said pins (46, 50), exceed an equilibrium position beyond which the pusher means (51) act to provide independent guided movement of said lid (19).

Abstract: A refrigerator in which one of the horizontal grill-work shelves is replaced by a shallow, flat, water tank. The tank is supported by the same support brackets as the grill-work shelf it replaces. The tank bottom wall includes fore and aft extending grooves, for engagement by the support brackets. The upturned ledge at the free end of each support bracket engages a deeper groove portion at a front section of the main grooves, this groove portion extending short of the front edge of the tank. Thus, only partial forward withdrawal of the tank from the refrigerator chamber will be possible in the horizontal plane, accordingly with the play of the ledge along the deeper groove portion. This will prevent its accidental fall-out.

Abstract: A refrigerating apparatus is provided which comprises a cabinet (1) with a refrigeration compartment (10) closable by a door (12), which compartment is connected to an evacuating system comprising a vacuum pump (6) arranged in the cabinet and an evacuation pipe (8) between the vacuum pump and said compartment. The apparatus comprises a container (17) closable in a vacuum-tight manner and movable within said compartment (10), and means for detachably connecting the inner space of the container (17) with the pipe (8) of the evacuating system. The means comprise a container pipe (23) provided in a wall (24) of the container (17) through which the inner space of the container can be evacuated, and a hollow elastic element (25) connected to one of the ends of the pipes (8,23) facing each other to form a detachable seal against the other end.

Abstract: A comestible storage compartment for a refrigeration unit including a drawer slidably received in a supporting frame. The drawer is molded in the form of a tub having a bottom wall, side and end walls and a front wall lip. A front wall panel is disposed in a free standing relationship on the front wall lip approximate the forward edges of the side walls. A front wall cover is disposed over the front wall panel and is secured to the forward edges of the side walls to hold the panel on the lip.A lateral flange projects outwardly from the side walls and includes a downturned lip for defining a drawer track channel. Inwardly directed ribs extend longitudinally from the drawer frame and are disposed for spaced flow interrupting relationship with the lip on the lateral flanges.

Abstract: The egg storing and processing appliance comprises a single-piece casing, a storage drawer for eggs, a refrigeration system to preserve the eggs in the storage drawer and a dispensing and metering system for delivering a timed series of consecutive measured portions of eggs having an egg breaker immediately above a sieve for egg shells, a motor-driven mixer located immediately below the sieve and a funnel hopper located immediate below the mixer with a reciprocating substantially horizontal hopper door and with a door drive mechanism for measuring the egg portions, a dispensing spout connected to the funnel hopper outlet and a control unit for the door drive mechanism and the mixer.

Abstract: An air flow control mechanism for a glass top refrigerator container wherein a flexible actuator is routed from a lateral front slide in a guide slot or track that runs back along one side to a damper or shutter at the rear. Accordingly, a cold air inlet at the rear such as used in a meat keeper or crisper pan is actuated by a lateral front slide without having a mechanical linkage that passes across the middle of the frame thereby obstrucitng the view down into the container. The flexible band is coupled to an operator actuable lateral slide mechanism at the front, and the band at the back is coupled to a shutter which moves laterally in response to the motion of the slide mechanism so as to open and close the rear cold air inlet.

Abstract: A vegetable crisper has a container adapted to contain a body of water in a lower portion beneath a support (14). The crisper also has a spray head (24) and an electric pump (18) for pumping water from the container lower portion to the spray head through a filter (19).

Abstract: A crisper humidity control including a shelf having an aperture in the front and a space between the crisper pan and the shelf at the rear to provide flow-through ventilation when both are open. The shelf further includes a laterally slidable shutter for sealing off the front passageway and a damper flap for sealing off the back passageway. A damper actuator arm is linked between the damper flap and the front shutter so that both are operated in unison from a single laterally slidable operator actuable control knob.

Abstract: A refrigerator according to the present invention is so designed that the refrigerating chamber is divided by a partition plate into an upper cooling chamber and a lower cooling chamber in which a vegetable storing container in a sealed structure is accommodated, the vegetable storing container having a lid member attached with a humidity permeable film of gas permeability, whereby the humidity inside the vegetable storing container is maintained within a predetermined range suitable for preservation of vegetables, such that the vegetables are prevented from being dried to be withered and can be kept fresh for relatively a long period of time.

Abstract: An environmental control system for affording quick attachment and disconnection of a thermal control unit with respect to an aircraft fuselage. The fuselage includes a compartment communicating with the exterior of the aircraft for receiving the temperature control unit. The control unit is supported on a drawer-like mechanism positionable in the compartment by complementary interengaging guides which provide push-pull movement of the supported control unit into and out of the compartment. Complementary fluid connections and electrical connections on the thermal control unit and the aircraft fuselage are located for interconnection automatically in response to pushing the control unit into position in the fuselage compartment.

Abstract: A refrigerator includes a refrigeration chamber and a vegetable compartment communicating the refrigeration chamber through a cooled-air supply hole. A vegetable storage basket is arranged in the compartment such that it can be taken out through a front opening of the compartment. When the front opening is closed by a door, the basket is sealed and a cooled-air path, communicating with the cooled-air supply hole, is defined between the outer surface of the basket and the inner surface of the compartment. The basket has a moisture-permeable section located close to the supply port, for discharging moisture in the basket into the cooled-air flowing through the cooled-air path.

Abstract: A storage pan assembly for a refrigerator, having a humidity control therein, uses only four parts which are assembled together free of any fasteners. A plastic slide member snaps into place in a baffle housing to provide an adjustable baffle. The baffle in turn is held in assembled relation with a front panel, using a latching hook disposed thereon. The front panel slidably mounts on flanges located at the front of a storage pan to provide a storage pan assembly. Openings are provided through the front panel and storage pan, at the baffle, to provide an adjustable air passageway therebetween.

Abstract: A refrigerator-freezer has a separate controlled temperature compartment and method that includes a freezer air siphon for drawing air from a horizontal mid-portion of the freezer and mixing the freezer air within a plenum with air circulating through the separate compartment. An air return is provided to the freezer from the separate compartment, while an inlet in the plenum, at which is mounted a temperature sensor for controlling a fan, draws air from the compartment into the plenum for mixing and for recirculation.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided which has a compartment to be chilled below the temperature of the remainder of the main refrigerator compartment and which has an openable container therein. The container is provided with apertures therethrough near the front wall such that a stream of temperature conditioned air is caused to flow around the outer surface of the container within the compartment and to flow through the interior of the container, particularly across the inside surface of the front wall, to provide a minimal temperature gradient within the container.

Abstract: A refrigerator is provided with a separately cooled compartment having an air flow independent and segregated from an air flow which cools the main refrigerator compartment. A plate is positioned adjacent to the evaporator and one side of the plate forms a portion of an air passage for air being circulated with the separately cooled compartment. A condensate collection arrangement is provided to capture condensate from the side of the plate within the air passage and to direct the condensate into the condensate collection apparatus provided for the evaporator in the main refrigerator compartment so that only a single waste drain is required.

Abstract: Each module (1) of this device comprises a bin (4), two removable drawers (5) and a removable intermediate partition (7). When the two drawers are in position, tubes (2) of small height can be stored. When the upper drawer and the partition (7) are withdrawn, tubes (3) of greater height can be stored. Each drawer is provided with a grating (6) for laterally maintaining the tubes. Application in the storage of biological specimens in liquid nitrogen.

Abstract: A refrigerator, particularly the type having a frozen compartment, having a front door and at least one refrigerated module compartment accessible when the door is opened, the compartment receiving a removable food module. The module is divided both horizontally and vertically into a plurality of tray compartments, the vertical divisions corresponding to a multiplicity of consecutive days in a period. Such tray compartments are marked with indicia for designating the days in the period corresponding to the respective tray compartments. Trays are provided for the tray compartments, preferably in stacked configuration within each tray compartment, with each tray having food for preparation on the day designated for such tray compartment. Accordingly, the module may be removed at the end of the period and replaced with a like module containing food for a subsequent period of days. Each tray preferably contains food items preselected for providing a complete meal.

Abstract: A portable compact liquified gas refrigeration system and apparatus comprising a freezer housing, a liquid delivery system, a liner and a tray means. The freezer housing is constructed for being relatively light weight and having an interior cavity, a sloped door opening, rear venting ports, and a bottom wall member. The liner includes a plurality of elongate parallel tray support rails or tracks. The liquid delivery system includes a manifold within said cavity and a valve mechanism for controlling the flow of liquified gas to the manifold. The liner has a sloped end wall to facilitate tray removal from the freezer housing. The tray has a plurality of holes to enable liquified gas transference or flow between the tray and the liner.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a crisper pan with a back passageway that is always open and a front passageway that is adjustable so that the operator can adjust the amount of flow through ventilation to control the humidity in the pan. The lid for the pan also functions as a refrigerator shelf and the back passageway is defined by a gap between the lid and the back of the pan. The front passageway is defined by a front lid plenum having a floor with a plurality of ports. A slide gate positioned in the plenum has a plurality of windows which, by sliding laterally in the plenum, can be made to respectively align with the ports to enable flow through ventilation. Full or partial sealing of the ports is provided by sliding the slide gate laterally to alter the alignment of the windows with the ports.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a reversible cold air meat keeper for providing convenient access thereto regardless of the side of the refrigerator that the doors are hinged. The cold air is channeled into a plenum behind the back wall of the refrigerator compartment and there are at least two spaced ports communicating from the plenum into the chamber. The cold air meat keeper has a conduit extending from the rear wall thereof. In one predetermined mounting position of the meat keeper, the conduit removably couples with one of the ports for receiving cold air from the plenum. In the alternate predetermined mounting position of the meat keeper, the conduit removably couples with the other port for receiving cold air.

Abstract: A meat keeper compartment includes an adjustable air duct assembly which supplies cold air flow from the evaporator compartment of a top freezer type refrigerator into a meat keeper receptacle slidably mounted on a shelf which may be positioned at different levels or on different sides of the fresh food compartment of the refrigerator. The air duct assembly consists of an air deflector which receives cold air from the freezer through a slot in the partition between the freezer and fresh food compartment, a cold air outlet to deliver cold air into the meat keeper receptacle, an upper air duct having the back wall of the refrigerator form the back wall of the duct, a lower air duct which telescopes with the upper air duct for adjustment of the cold air outlet, and an adjustable air damper for regulation of the amount of cold air flow.

Abstract: Improved chilling apparatus for aircraft meal tray storage and/or serving carts utilizes a slidable tray type of bunker member for receiving dry ice or other cooling material. The bunker member is preferably of thermoformed plastic, is insulated on its bottom and sides, and has a channeled bottom which supports pieces of dry ice while permitting air to be circulated by a blower under the dry ice pieces as well as around and over them. At its downstream end, the bunker has an air flow turning surface and an air discharge opening through its bottom. At its upstream end, an opening directs return air which has passed over the meal trays to an angularly positioned blower located in the cart housing above the inlet end of the bunker.

Abstract: Chilling apparatus especially adapted for airline food tray serving carts has a small blower at one upper end of the inside of the cart which exhausts air across a pan of dry ice or other cooling material removably positioned on an upper shelf of the cart. Spacer means in the cart enclosure prevent the trays stacked therein from blocking a vertical air flow passage at each end of the cart. Thus, the chilled air is directed downwardly from the pan over the inside wall of a door on the cart. The chilled air then passes horizontally over at least a portion of the trays containing items to be chilled and is sucked upwardly along the other inside end wall of the cart to the blower inlet duct. The apparatus is very light in weight and can provide sufficiently uniform cooling to the items on each tray which must be chilled when a container on each tray is being simultaneously heated.

Abstract: A freezing unit for use in a cold chamber to effect freezing of a load of pre-cooked food packages at a rate more rapid than the freezing rate of that load that would take place in the chamber in the absence of the unit. The unit includes a vertical plenum provided with a perforated wall and having an open input and a closeable output. The food packages are stacked in a rack adjacent the perforated wall of the plenum, with air spaces between the packages. Cold air drawn from the chamber atmosphere at a temperature below the freezing point of the food is forced into the input of the plenum to produce a positive pressure therein when the output is closed, thereby causing the pressurized cold air to penetrate the perforated plenum wall and pass through the air spaces in the stack at high velocity, the air returning to the cold chamber whereby rapid cooling of the packages is effected.

Abstract: Apparatus and method for thawing frozen food for use in a refrigerator appliance with a storage compartment maintained at a temperature between 33.degree.-55.degree. F. There is provided a container for receiving a frozen food load to be thawed within the compartment. An electric fan is in air flow communication with the interior of the container and timer means are provided for energizing and then deenergizing the fan after a predetermined period of operating time whereby the frozen food load may be thawed and allowed to remain in the container subsequent to thawing, the temperature within said container being substantially at the temperature of the storage compartment thus preventing spoilage of the thawed food.

Abstract: A movable storage assembly for a refrigerator having a freezer compartment and fresh food compartment, the freezer compartment being separated by a partition interconnected by an air duct, with the air duct having an inlet opening in the freezing compartment and an air outlet opening in the fresh food compartment. The movable storage assembly includes a removable storage pan, a shroud for the pan having a bottom wall and two side walls and open at the front and rear. There is a cover for the pan secured to the shroud and the shroud and pan cooperate to provide an air flow path therebetween. An air director pivotally attached to the rear of the shroud is provided and there are controls, including a movable control mechanism assembly, a linkage member cooperating with the air director and the movable control mechanism assembly to move the air director to open and closed positions to regulate the amount of cold air flowing around the storage pan.

Abstract: A refrigerator having a humidity controlled pan assembly which includes a storage pan having an open top and a stationary cover inside the refrigerator for receiving the pan. A cover panel within the stationary cover is movable back and forth along the top of the pan by a movable control mechanism and linkage between the control mechanism and the cover panel that moves the cover panel back and forth along the top of the pan in response to movement of the control mechanism. With this arrangement, the user of the refrigerator may move the control mechanism to increase or decrease the amount of ventilation and, thus, control the humidity inside the pan.

Abstract: An air flow control assembly in a refrigerator having a freezer compartment on top and a fresh food compartment on the bottom separated by a partition and interconnected by an air duct located at the rear of the compartments. The air duct has an air inlet opening in the freezer compartment and an air outlet opening in the fresh food compartment. A movable damper opens and closes the air duct outlet opening and a storage pan is located in air flow communication with the air duct outlet opening. The storage pan has a stationary cover. There is a movable control mechanism located at the front of the storage pan, a push rod linkage member cooperating at one end with the damper to open and close the air duct outlet opening upon movement of the push rod linkage member and the other end is connected to the control mechanism for moving the push rod linkage member.

Abstract: A supporting frame and cover panel assembly adapted for slidably and sealingly supporting a food storage drawer in a generally airtight sealed environment for extended food storage. The assembly includes a rectangular one-piece frame supporting a cover panel in a locked manner by a pair of trim members. A seal, suitably affixed in the side members and a rearward member, are substantially coextensive therewith such that the seal extends into a path of the drawer when the drawer is moved from its open position to its closed position, whereby when the drawer is in its closed position the seal abuts the side and rear walls of the drawer. The front cross frame member includes means for effecting a sealed relationship with the front wall of the drawer when the drawer is in its closed position to complete the generally airtight sealed environment for the food in the drawer.

Abstract: A testing chamber is generally comprised of a support structure, drawers for holding the modular test trays, timer, power supplies, and air blower. The support structure supports a plurality of drawers in horizontal position with the drawers supporting a plurality of test trays in a horizontal, parallel alignment. When a particular test allows air flow, air is blown into the plenum of the support structure, and passes through outlets of the support structure and into mating air inlets of the plena of the drawers. Flapper valves provide control of the air flow at the support structure outlets. The air then passes through a diffusing medium covering the slots of the drawers and up through air passages in the test tray such that there is no direct impingement of air on the components mounted on the modules. The diffusing medium maintains the air flow through the slots of the drawers at a uniform velocity whether test trays are present or not.

Abstract: A bracket assembly is provided for securing an auxiliary cooling system to a main automobile cooling system. The bracket assembly provides two one piece wire rods having their ends attached one to the other to form a closed loop. The loops are elongated with two parallel arms interconnected by curved ends. The loops are mounted parallel one to the other on an automobile cooling unit. An auxiliary cooling unit is mounted to the brackets by bolt assemblies which are engaged through the loops formed by the rods. The auxiliary cooling system may be positioned relative to the main cooling system by sliding the unit along the longitudinal length of the loops. The auxiliary system is fixed in a desired position by engaging the bolt assembly to clamp the auxiliary cooling system to the bracket assembly.

Abstract: An airflow moisture control for use with a refrigerator food storage hydrator drawer cover and guide that enables the user to vary the amount of moisture therein by adjustable side vents. The manual control includes a damper and integral hinge pin with cooperating flexible arcuate fingers extending through the vents having surfaces thereon for engaging the edge portions of their associated vents so as to impart positioned stability for selectively rotating the damper in any one of a plurality of angularly related positions. The dampers are interchangeable for hingedly engaging the cover for either left or right side operation.

Abstract: An adjustable air deflector condensate directing tray and food receptacle shelf support cover for a refrigerator cabinet shelf. The cover includes side flanges, spaced to depend between shelf longitudinal openings, with the flanges having opposed trackways for receiving outwardly flared receptacle top flanges. The tray is releasably retained in the opposed trackways allowing same to initially protrude rearwardly of the removed shelf. Upon the cover and tray being assembled with the shelf and the shelf assembly being installed in the cabinet, tray stop members contact the cabinet rear wall to telescope the tray in the trackways thereby compensating for cabinet liner rear wall out of plane undulations providing a baffle for directing refrigerated air into the receptacle while condensate collected thereon is directed to the cabinet liner rear wall.