Countertop Positionable Refrigeration Device

A countertop positionable refrigeration device for countertop controlled storage of cosmetics includes a refrigerator, which is substantially cuboid. The refrigerator comprises a storage compartment having a volume of from 2.50 to 4.00 liters. The refrigerator has a height of between 20.0 and 30.0 cm, a width of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm, and a depth of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm. A plurality of shelves is selectively engageable to the refrigerator so that the shelves are positioned within the storage compartment. Items, such as cosmetics, are stowable upon the shelves and are cooled by the refrigerator.

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Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

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STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

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THE NAMES OF THE PARTIES TO A JOINT RESEARCH AGREEMENT

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INCORPORATION-BY-REFERENCE OF MATERIAL SUBMITTED ON A COMPACT DISC OR AS A TEXT FILE VIA THE OFFICE ELECTRONIC FILING SYSTEM

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STATEMENT REGARDING PRIOR DISCLOSURES BY THE INVENTOR OR JOINT INVENTOR

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BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION (1) Field of the Invention

The disclosure relates to refrigeration devices and more particularly pertains to a new refrigeration device for countertop controlled storage of cosmetics. The present invention discloses a refrigeration device comprising a portable, electrically powered refrigerator sized for countertop use and having a transparent door and a plurality of storage shelves for stowing and cooling cosmetics.

(2) Description of Related Art Including Information Disclosed Under 37 CFR 1.97 and 1.98

The prior art relates to refrigeration devices. What is lacking in the prior art is a refrigeration device comprising a portable, electrically powered refrigerator sized for countertop use and having a transparent door and a plurality of storage shelves for stowing and cooling cosmetics.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

An embodiment of the disclosure meets the needs presented above by generally comprising a refrigerator, which is substantially cuboid. The refrigerator comprises a storage compartment having a volume of from 2.50 to 4.00 liters. The refrigerator has a height of between 20.0 and 30.0 cm, a width of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm, and a depth of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm. A plurality of shelves is selectively engageable to the refrigerator so that the shelves are positioned within the storage compartment. The shelves are configured to stow items, such as cosmetics, and the refrigerator is configured to cool the items.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the disclosure in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are additional features of the disclosure that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims appended hereto.

The objects of the disclosure, along with the various features of novelty which characterize the disclosure, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S)

The disclosure will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is an isometric perspective view of a countertop positionable refrigeration device according to an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 3 is a side view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 4 is a top view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 7 is an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 8 is an in-use view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

FIG. 9 is an isometric perspective view of an embodiment of the disclosure.

 DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

With reference now to the drawings, and in particular to FIGS. 1 through 9 thereof, a new refrigeration device embodying the principles and concepts of an embodiment of the disclosure and generally designated by the reference numeral 10 will be described.

As best illustrated in FIGS. 1 through 9, the countertop positionable refrigeration device 10 generally comprises a refrigerator 12, which is substantially cuboid. The refrigerator 12 comprises a storage compartment 14 having a volume 16 of from 2.50 to 4.00 liters. The refrigerator 12 has a height 18 of between 20.0 and 30.0 cm, a width 20 of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm, and a depth 22 of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm. The storage compartment 14 may have a volume 16 of from 1.90 to 2.10 liters, with the refrigerator 12 having a height 18 of between 24.0 and 25.0 cm, a width 20 of between 18.0 and 19.0 cm, and a depth 22 of between 18.0 and 19.0 cm.

The refrigerator 12 comprises a housing 24, which defines an interior space 26 and which has an open front 28. A wall 30 is engaged to the housing 24 and is positioned in the interior space 26. The wall 30 defines the storage compartment 14 and a mechanical compartment 32 within the interior space 26. Insulation 34 is positioned in the mechanical compartment 32 and extends substantially over the wall 30. The insulation 34 is configured to limit heat transfer between the storage compartment 14 and the mechanical compartment 32.

A compressor 36 is engaged to the housing 24 and is positioned in the mechanical compartment 32. An evaporation coil 38 is positioned in the mechanical compartment 32 and is in thermal contact with the wall 30. The evaporation coil 38 is operationally engaged to and extends from the compressor 36. An opening 40 is positioned in the wall proximate to the evaporation coil 38. The opening 40 is configured to allow access to the evaporation coil 38. A panel 42 is selectively engageable to the wall 30 to close the opening 40.

A condenser coil 44 is positioned externally to the housing 24. The condenser coil 44 is operationally engaged to the evaporation coil 38 and the compressor 36. A refrigerant 46 is positioned in the evaporation coil 38, the condenser coil 44, and the compressor 36. The compressor 36 is positioned to compress the refrigerant 46 so that the refrigerant 46 expands within the evaporation coil 38. The evaporation coil 38 is configured to absorb heat from the storage compartment 14. The refrigerant 46 passes to the condenser coil 44 to be condensed prior to returning to the compressor 36.

A port 48 is engaged to the housing 24 and is operationally engaged to the compressor 36. The port 48 is configured to engage a plug of a power cord (not shown) to operationally engage the compressor 36 to a source of electrical current. The present invention also anticipates a rechargeable battery (not shown), which is positioned in the mechanical compartment 32 and which is operationally engaged to the port 48 and the compressor 36. The rechargeable battery would serve as an alternative or backup power source for the compressor 36.

A door 50 is hingedly engaged to the housing 24 and is positioned to selectively close the open front 28. The door 50 is substantially transparent. A handle 52 is engaged to the door 50. The handle 52 comprises a grasp 54, which is engaged to and which extends from the door 50, or a recess 56, which extends into the door 50. The grasp 54 and the recess 56 are configured for insertion of one or more digits of a hand of a user to hinge the door 50. An inner gasket 58 is engaged to the housing 24 and extends circumferentially around the open front 28. An outer gasket 60 is engaged to and extends circumferentially around the door 50. The outer gasket 60 sealably engages the inner gasket 58 upon hinging of the door 50 to close the open front 28.

A plurality of shelves 62, which comprises from two to four shelves 62, is selectively engageable to the refrigerator 12 so that the shelves 62 are positioned within the storage compartment 14. The shelves 62 are configured to stow items, such as cosmetics, and the refrigerator 12 is configured to cool the items.

A plurality of fasteners 64 is engaged to the refrigerator 12 and is positioned within the storage compartment 14. Respective fasteners 64 are configured to selectively engage a respective shelf 62 so that the respective shelf 62 is removably engaged to the respective fasteners 64 and positioned substantially parallel to a bottom 66 of the storage compartment 14. Each fastener 64 may comprise a rail 68, which is slidably engaged to a respective opposed side 70 of the storage compartment 14, or other fastening means, such as, but not limited to, channels, clips, and the like. The rail 68 is selectively positionable relative to the bottom 66 of the storage compartment 14, thereby allowing the user to selectively position the shelves 62 relative to the bottom 66 of the storage compartment 14.

A plurality of feet 72 is engaged to a lower end 74 of the refrigerator 12. The feet 72 are configured to elevate the lower end 74 of the refrigerator 12 from a surface upon which the refrigerator 12 is positioned. As shown in FIG. 7, the plurality of feet 72 comprises four feet 72, which are positioned singly proximate to each corner 76 of the lower end 74 of the refrigerator 12. Each foot 72 comprises a threaded rod 78, which is engaged to and which extends axially from a resilient disc 80, which comprises one or more of silicone, rubber, and elastomer. The threaded rod 78 is selectively threadedly insertable into a respective threaded channel 82, which extends into the lower end 74 of the refrigerator 12. The feet 72 thus are configured to level the refrigerator 12 on the surface.

In use, the refrigerator 12 is positioned in a desired location, such as on a bathroom vanity, as shown in FIG. 8, atop of a dresser, or the like. Power is provided by engaging the port 48 to a source of electrical current. The shelves 62 are positioned in the storage compartment 14 as suits the user for stowing their items. The items, such as cosmetics, then are positioned upon the shelves 62 and are cooled by the refrigerator 12.

With respect to the above description then, it is to be realized that the optimum dimensional relationships for the parts of an embodiment enabled by the disclosure, to include variations in size, materials, shape, form, function and manner of operation, assembly and use, are deemed readily apparent and obvious to one skilled in the art, and all equivalent relationships to those illustrated in the drawings and described in the specification are intended to be encompassed by an embodiment of the disclosure.

Therefore, the foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the disclosure. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limit the disclosure to the exact construction and operation shown and described, and accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the disclosure. In this patent document, the word “comprising” is used in its non-limiting sense to mean that items following the word are included, but items not specifically mentioned are not excluded. A reference to an element by the indefinite article “a” does not exclude the possibility that more than one of the element is present, unless the context clearly requires that there be only one of the elements.

Claims

1. A countertop positionable refrigeration device comprising:

a refrigerator, the refrigerator being substantially cuboid, the refrigerator comprising a storage compartment having a volume of from 2.50 to 4.00 liters, the refrigerator having a height of between 20.0 and 30.0 cm, a width of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm, and a depth of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm; and
a plurality of shelves selectively engageable to the refrigerator, such that the shelves are positioned within the storage compartment, wherein the shelves are configured for stowing of items and the refrigerator is configured for cooling the items.

2. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 1, wherein the storage compartment has a volume of from 1.90 to 2.10 liters, the refrigerator has a height of between 24.0 and 25.0 cm, a width of between 18.0 and 19.0 cm, and a depth of between 18.0 and 19.0 cm.

3. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 1, wherein the refrigerator comprises:

a housing defining an interior space, the housing having an open front;
a wall engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the wall defining the storage compartment and a mechanical compartment within the interior space;
insulation positioned in the mechanical compartment and extending substantially over the wall, wherein the insulation is configured for limiting heat transfer between the storage compartment and the mechanical compartment;
a compressor engaged to the housing and positioned in the mechanical compartment;
an evaporation coil positioned in the mechanical compartment and being in thermal contact with the wall, the evaporation coil being operationally engaged to and extending from the compressor;
a condenser coil positioned externally to the housing, the condenser coil being operationally engaged to the evaporation coil and the compressor;
a refrigerant positioned in the evaporation coil, the condenser coil, and the compressor, such that the compressor is positioned for compressing the refrigerant, such that the refrigerant expands within the evaporation coil, wherein the evaporation coil is configured for absorbing heat from the storage compartment, such that the refrigerant passes to the condenser coil for condensing prior to returning to the compressor;
a port engaged to the housing and being operationally engaged to the compressor, wherein the port is configured for engaging a plug of a power cord for operationally engaging the compressor to a source of electrical current;
a door hingedly engaged to the housing and being positioned for selectively closing the open front, the door being substantially transparent; and
a handle engaged to the door.

4. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 3, wherein the handle comprises a grasp engaged to and extending from the door or a recess extending into the door, wherein the grasp and the recess are configured for insertion of one or more digits of a hand of a user for hinging the door.

5. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 3, further including:

an inner gasket engaged to the housing and extending circumferentially around the open front; and
an outer gasket engaged to and extending circumferentially around the door, such that the outer gasket sealably engages the inner gasket upon hinging of the door for closing the open front.

6. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 3, further including:

an opening positioned in the wall proximate to the evaporation coil, wherein the opening is configured for accessing the evaporation coil; and
a panel selectively engageable to the wall for closing the opening.

7. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 1, wherein the plurality of shelves comprising from two to four shelves.

8. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 1, further including a plurality of fasteners engaged to the refrigerator and positioned within the storage compartment, respective fasteners being configured for selectively engaging a respective shelf, such that the respective shelf is removably engaged to the respective fasteners and positioned substantially parallel to a bottom of the storage compartment.

9. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 8, wherein each fastener comprises a rail slidably engaged to a respective opposed side of the storage compartment, such that the rail is selectively positionable relative to the bottom of the storage compartment.

10. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 1, further including a plurality of feet engaged to a lower end of the refrigerator, wherein the feet are configured for elevating the lower end of the refrigerator from a surface upon which the refrigerator is positioned.

11. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 10, wherein the plurality of feet comprising four feet positioned singly proximate to each corner of the lower end of the refrigerator.

12. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 10, wherein each foot comprises a threaded rod engaged to and extending axially from a resilient disc, such that the threaded rod is selectively threadedly insertable into a respective threaded channel extending into the lower end of the refrigerator, wherein the feet are configured for leveling the refrigerator on the surface.

13. The countertop positionable refrigeration device of claim 12, wherein the resilient disc comprises one or more of silicone, rubber, and elastomer.

14. A countertop positionable refrigeration device comprising:

a refrigerator, the refrigerator being substantially cuboid, the refrigerator comprising a storage compartment having a volume of from 2.50 to 4.00 liters, the refrigerator having a height of between 20.0 and 30.0 cm, a width of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm, and a depth of between 15.0 and 25.0 cm, the storage compartment having a volume of from 1.90 to 2.10 liters, the refrigerator having a height of between 24.0 and 25.0 cm, a width of between 18.0 and 19.0 cm, and a depth of between 18.0 and 19.0 cm, the refrigerator comprising: a housing defining an interior space, the housing having an open front, a wall engaged to the housing and positioned in the interior space, the wall defining the storage compartment and a mechanical compartment within the interior space, insulation positioned in the mechanical compartment and extending substantially over the wall, wherein the insulation is configured for limiting heat transfer between the storage compartment and the mechanical compartment, a compressor engaged to the housing and positioned in the mechanical compartment, an evaporation coil positioned in the mechanical compartment and being in thermal contact with the wall, the evaporation coil being operationally engaged to and extending from the compressor, a condenser coil positioned externally to the housing, the condenser coil being operationally engaged to the evaporation coil and the compressor, a refrigerant positioned in the evaporation coil, the condenser coil, and the compressor, such that the compressor is positioned for compressing the refrigerant, such that the refrigerant expands within the evaporation coil, wherein the evaporation coil is configured for absorbing heat from the storage compartment, such that the refrigerant passes to the condenser coil for condensing prior to returning to the compressor, a port engaged to the housing and being operationally engaged to the compressor, wherein the port is configured for engaging a plug of a power cord for operationally engaging the compressor to a source of electrical current, a door hingedly engaged to the housing and being positioned for selectively closing the open front, the door being substantially transparent, a handle engaged to the door, the handle comprising a grasp engaged to and extending from the door or a recess extending into the door, wherein the grasp and the recess are configured for insertion of one or more digits of a hand of a user for hinging the door, an inner gasket engaged to the housing and extending circumferentially around the open front, and an outer gasket engaged to and extending circumferentially around the door, such that the outer gasket sealably engages the inner gasket upon hinging of the door for closing the open front;
an opening positioned in the wall proximate to the evaporation coil, wherein the opening is configured for accessing the evaporation coil;
a panel selectively engageable to the wall for closing the opening;
a plurality of shelves selectively engageable to the refrigerator, such that the shelves are positioned within the storage compartment, wherein the shelves are configured for stowing of items and the refrigerator is configured for cooling the items, the plurality of shelves comprising from two to four shelves;
a plurality of fasteners engaged to the refrigerator and positioned within the storage compartment, respective fasteners being configured for selectively engaging a respective shelf, such that the respective shelf is removably engaged to the respective fasteners and positioned substantially parallel to a bottom of the storage compartment, each fastener comprising a rail slidably engaged to a respective opposed side of the storage compartment, such that the rail is selectively positionable relative to the bottom of the storage compartment; and
a plurality of feet engaged to a lower end of the refrigerator, wherein the feet are configured for elevating the lower end of the refrigerator from a surface upon which the refrigerator is positioned, the plurality of feet comprising four feet positioned singly proximate to each corner of the lower end of the refrigerator, each foot comprising a threaded rod engaged to and extending axially from a resilient disc, such that the threaded rod is selectively threadedly insertable into a respective threaded channel extending into the lower end of the refrigerator, wherein the feet are configured for leveling the refrigerator on the surface, the resilient disc comprising one or more of silicone, rubber, and elastomer.
Patent History
Publication number: 20230304719
Type: Application
Filed: Mar 23, 2022
Publication Date: Sep 28, 2023
Inventors: Alice Lewis (Great Falls, MT), Robert Lewis (Great Falls, MT)
Application Number: 17/701,874
Classifications
International Classification: F25D 11/00 (20060101); F25D 23/06 (20060101); F25D 25/02 (20060101); F25D 23/02 (20060101);