Patents Assigned to Refrigerator Manufacturers, Inc.
  • Automatic sliding door system for refrigerator unit
    Publication number: 20010030606
    Abstract: An automatic sliding door system especially well suited for use in walk-in freezer or refrigerator units includes an exterior sensor unit for detecting opening conditions on the exterior of a freezer or refrigerator unit, and an interior sensor unit for detecting opening conditions in the interior of the freezer or refrigerator unit. Each sensor unit comprises both a motion sensor and a presence detector. The motion sensor detects motion towards the sliding doors, and opens the doors as they are approached. Once motion is detected, the motion sensor tracks the motion no matter whether towards or away from the door, and keep the doors open so long as the motion is present. The presence detector of each sensor unit detects a change in the ambient conditions directly underneath the doorway, and keeps the door open when the ambient conditions change. The right and left side doors that are opened and closed simultaneously and in synchronism using a pulley mechanism connected to both the right and left side doors.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 5, 2001
    Publication date: October 18, 2001
    Applicant: Refrigerator Manufacturers, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Jaffe, John Riddle, Richard Becker
  • Automatic sliding door system for refrigerator unit
    Patent number: 6225904
    Abstract: An automatic sliding door system especially well suited for use in walk-in freezer or refrigerator units includes an exterior sensor unit for detecting opening conditions on the exterior of a freezer or refrigerator unit, and an interior sensor unit for detecting opening conditions in the interior of the freezer or refrigerator unit. Each sensor unit comprises both a motion sensor and a presence detector. The motion sensor detects motion towards the sliding doors, and opens the doors as they are approached. Once motion is detected, the motion sensor tracks the motion no matter whether towards or away from the door, and keep the doors open so long as the motion is present. The presence detector of each sensor unit detects a change in the ambient conditions directly underneath the doorway, and keeps the door open when the ambient conditions change. The right and left side doors that are opened and closed simultaneously and in synchronism using a pulley mechanism connected to both the right and left side doors.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 29, 1999
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2001
    Assignee: Refrigerator Manufacturers, Inc.
    Inventors: Lawrence Jaffe, John Riddle, Richard Becker