Refrigerator Patents (Class 312/116)
  • Patent number: 11913710
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet having a storage space, and a door configured to open and close the storage space, in which the door includes a frame assembly configured to open and close the storage space, and a panel assembly detachably coupled to the frame assembly and configured to form a front outer appearance of the door, the frame assembly includes an upper extension part extending forward and a first coupling part provided on the upper extension part, the panel assembly includes a front panel, and an upper bracket coupled to a rear upper part of the front panel and having a second coupling part coupled to the first coupling part, and the panel assembly moves upward in a state where the second coupling part of the panel assembly is positioned below the first coupling part, so that the second coupling part is coupled to the first coupling part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2023
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2024
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Daekil Kang, Jongmoon Jang, Hyunae Lim, Dongwoo Park, Seongyong Yoo
  • Patent number: 11497324
    Abstract: A method for mounting a cover with a plurality of slidable lids (7) onto a storage compartment (2) of a refrigerated merchandising storage unit (1) is disclosed, comprising the steps of providing two or more cover cassettes (6), each comprising one or more slidable lids (7) and mounting the two or more cover cassettes (6) on top of the storage compartment (2). Furthermore, a refrigerated merchandising storage unit (1), a cover of which is mounted using such a method, is disclosed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: November 15, 2022
    Assignee: REHAU-BEHR A/S
    Inventors: Søren Olesen, Jesper Grauballe Rasmussen
  • Patent number: 11103090
    Abstract: Exemplary embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a shelf assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 20, 2018
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2021
    Assignee: Walmart Apollo, LLC
    Inventor: Sunshine Rae Hester-Redmond
  • Patent number: 11071267
    Abstract: Described herein are example portable indoor hydroponic garden assemblies and associated methods of use. The portable indoor hydroponic garden assemblies can include features that facilitate hydroponic gardening in an indoor environment, including structural features that enhance the indoor environment itself, such as through sounds, smells, textures, sights, and so on. In an example, the portable indoor hydroponic garden system includes a tiered growing assembly housed fully within an enclosure. The tiered growing assembly can include a group of trays defining tiers that are recessed from one another, allowing water or other fluid to flow from tray to tray, creating waterfall features there between that can aerate the water and emit a pleasurable sound to the indoor environment. The enclosure can be climate controlled and thus adaptable to a variety of indoor conditions to grow desired plants, including embodiments using programmable heating and lighting systems.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 27, 2019
    Date of Patent: July 27, 2021
    Inventor: Peter A. Kondorf
  • Patent number: 10976332
    Abstract: There is provided a receptacle carrier unit and automated analyzer capable of suppressing generation of temperature nonuniformities among liquid aliquots received in plural receptacles without increasing the parts count. The receptacle carrier unit has a turntable, a turntable drive, a cool box, a cooling portion, and a control section. The control section controls the turntable drive, based on the number and installation locations of the receptacles installed in the cool box and on temperature distribution information, to homogenize the effects that the individual receptacles receive from the cool box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2019
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2021
    Assignee: JEOL Ltd.
    Inventor: Hideaki Yamamoto
  • Patent number: 10914503
    Abstract: A heat pump system includes a heat exchanger coil and a heater configured to transfer heat to the heat exchanger coil. The heat pump system also includes a controller communicatively coupled to the heater. The controller is configured to activate the heater in response to determining that a detected temperature of the heat exchanger coil is below a threshold temperature for a threshold time period.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2018
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2021
    Assignee: Johnson Controls Technology Company
    Inventor: Jay C. Walser
  • Patent number: 10856672
    Abstract: 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: Grant
    Filed: January 17, 2020
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2020
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Eun Joo Lee, Hang Bok Lee
  • Patent number: 10716241
    Abstract: An air flow distribution system for cooling server racks includes at least one server rack partially defining a hot aisle and a cold aisle, a first air foil disposed above the server rack, and a second air foil disposed above the first air foil. The first air foil and the second air foil are configured to receive air from the hot aisle, and to form turbulent wake patterns in the cold aisle partially defined by the server rack. The air flow distribution system may include a convex ceiling member above the second air foil. A corresponding method includes causing air to be directed between a first air foil disposed above a server rack and a second air foil disposed above the first air foil to form turbulent wake patterns in the cold aisle. An electrical enclosure assembly includes a receptacle and a cover member configured as an air foil.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 29, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2020
    Assignee: INERTECH IP LLC
    Inventors: Earl Keisling, John Costakis, Gerald McDonnell
  • Patent number: 10432001
    Abstract: The stackable shelf system for charging electrical devices is a furniture item. The stackable shelf system for charging electrical devices comprises a bracket, a plurality of shelves, and a power distribution circuit. The bracket provides vertical support for the plurality of shelves. The plurality of shelves forms a plurality of horizontal surfaces, which support and store one or more electrically powered devices. The power distribution circuit provides an ac port and a dc port to each shelf contained within the plurality of shelves. Each ac port and each dc port provide a source of electrical power for use by the one or more electrically powered devices. The power distribution circuit further comprises a daisy chain link that allows multiple instantiations of the stackable shelf system for charging electrical devices to be connected to an external power source using a single electrical connection.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2018
    Date of Patent: October 1, 2019
    Inventor: Vanessa Bellis
  • Patent number: 10383459
    Abstract: Display cases may include deflectors and fans. The deflectors may alter air currents generated by fans to provide an air current to display portions of the display case. In some implementations, the altered air current may have a first portion with a velocity that is greater than a velocity of a second portion, where the first portion is closer to a display portion of the display case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 28, 2017
    Date of Patent: August 20, 2019
    Assignee: Kysor Warren EPTA US Corporation
    Inventors: Kapil Das Sahu, Michael J. Schuetter, Darshan U. Shinde
  • Patent number: 10352609
    Abstract: One embodiment of an improved portable ice cooler that eases access to the cooled contents by integrating in a single apparatus an adjustable ice containment device, a front door, a window, internal lighting and a specialized external contour. The benefits these features provide are a significant reduction in the discomfort and difficulty currently encountered when placing, locating, and removing contents from a current state of the art ice cooler that is accessed from the top or front. The ice containment device further offers the capability of holding a desired level of retraction to the ice within the cooler. The provision for retraction of the ice and thereby the ability to adjust both the proximity of the ice to the items in the cooler as well as the weight of the ice upon those items can be utilized to cool fragile objects.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 7, 2016
    Date of Patent: July 16, 2019
    Inventor: Roger Mark Kriesel
  • Patent number: 10345034
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a structure in which, when a first door or a second door is opened, a lamp installed at sidewalls of an opening in the first door emits light so that food stored in a door guard disposed in the opening can be illuminated. The refrigerator includes a main body having a storage compartment; a first door that is rotatably disposed in front of the main body and opens/closes the storage compartment, and has an opening formed therein, where at least one door guard is disposed in the opening; a second door that is rotatably disposed in front of the first door, opens/closes the opening, and is rotated in the same direction as the first door; and a lamp installed at the sidewalls of the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 9, 2019
    Assignee: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Joong Ho Kim, Youn Tae Shin, Wan Hyeong Lee
  • Patent number: 10288340
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance is provided including a freezer chamber divided into a first compartment and a second compartment by a removable mullion. A first evaporator cover is positioned within the first compartment to define a first evaporator chamber and a second evaporator cover is positioned within the second compartment to define a second evaporator chamber. A crossover duct is defined in the mullion for providing fluid communication between the first evaporator chamber and the second evaporator chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 14, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Keith Besore, Brian Michael Schork, Christopher Edward O'Malley
  • Patent number: 10281190
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance is provided including a freezer chamber divided into a first compartment and a second compartment by a removable mullion. An evaporator is positioned within an evaporator chamber and a diverter assembly is configured for selectively directing cooled air from the evaporator chamber into the freezer chamber. The diverter assembly includes a diverter housing defining a plenum chamber and a damper pivotally mounted within the plenum chamber for selectively directing the cooled air through a first outlet into the first compartment and a second outlet into the second compartment. Diverter assembly may further include a fan for urging cooled air through the plenum chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: May 7, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Keith Besore, Christopher Edward O'Malley, Brian Michael Schork
  • Patent number: 10274242
    Abstract: A refrigerator appliance is provided including a freezer chamber divided into a first compartment and a second compartment by a removable mullion. A refrigeration system includes a single evaporator coil having a first evaporator section in series with a second evaporator section. The first evaporator section is positioned in the first freezer compartment to maintain the temperature in that compartment at a fixed, low temperature (e.g., 0° F.). The second evaporator section is positioned in the second freezer compartment which is a “convertible” compartment capable of maintaining temperatures between the freezer and fresh food compartment temperatures (e.g., between about 0° F. and 37° F.).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 9, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2019
    Assignee: Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.
    Inventors: John Keith Besore, Brent Alden Junge, Stephanos Kyriacou
  • Patent number: 10034559
    Abstract: A merchandise display system for storing and dispensing merchandise is provided. The merchandise display system includes an outer housing, a transparent front door, a refrigeration unit, and a door that includes an extended canopy. The merchandise display system also includes a front grille for a refrigeration system having a surface adjacent a curved surface.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2017
    Date of Patent: July 31, 2018
    Assignee: PEPSICO, INC.
    Inventors: Christian Stolarz, Praveen Kumar Nooli, Martin Broen, Stephen Lim
  • Patent number: 9775259
    Abstract: A glass cover board structure comprises a top cover and a bottom plate, wherein, the top cover comprises a top plate and a plurality of side wall plates used in surrounding the top plate, the side wall plates at least comprise end surfaces, the bottom plate comprises a contacting area, and the end surfaces are adhesive to the contacting area. In the present invention, design a traditional planar glass cover board into a concave-shape glass cover board, remove assembling gaps to a rear cover of an electronic product when assembling the rear cover, and assemble the gaps at an invisible area after processing printing art to the glass cover board to achieve objects of raising appearing of electronic product.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 4, 2015
    Date of Patent: September 26, 2017
    Assignee: Shenzhen China Star Optoelectronics Technology Co., Ltd
    Inventor: Yanxue Zhang
  • Patent number: 9756965
    Abstract: A refrigerator for storing food includes a multiple-glazed refrigerator door which is configured to be pivotable or slidable, and an access opening which is configured to be closed by the multiple-glazed refrigerator door. The multiple-glazed refrigerator door comprises edge-side spacer elements, a transparent vertical edge, a vertical transparent spacer element comprising a transparent material arranged at the transparent vertical edge of the multiple-glazed refrigerator door, at least one of a horizontal frame element and a vertical frame element configured to have the multiple-glazed refrigerator door be mounted thereon, and at least two transparent glass panes which are spaced apart from each other via the edge-side spacer elements. The access opening is arranged in a vertical plane. No supporting vertical frame element is arranged at the transparent vertical edge of the multiple-glazed refrigerator door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 4, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2017
    Assignee: REMIS GESELLSCHAFT FUER ENTWICKLUNG UND VERTRIEB TECHNISCHER ELEMENTE MBH
    Inventors: Paul Isfort, Simon Swiderski
  • Patent number: 9664835
    Abstract: A luminous multiple glazing unit of a door of furniture notably refrigerated includes a first sheet of mineral glass or organic glass, a second sheet separated from the first sheet by peripheral spacer, a peripheral light source with a source support, a light extraction device for extracting the guided light to form at least one luminous zone, the source support being in a housing surrounded by material, forming a framing, including an assembly element, covered by a cap, the cap and the diode support being removable from the glazing unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2012
    Date of Patent: May 30, 2017
    Assignee: SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE
    Inventors: Christophe Kleo, Bastien Grandgirard, Alexandre Richard, Adèle Verrat-Debailleul, Pascal Bäuerle
  • Patent number: 9532660
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandise display system for storing and dispensing merchandise. The merchandise display system includes an outer housing, an inner support, a transparent front door, a refrigeration unit, a front door assembly, and a plurality of windows. The merchandise display system further includes a plurality of shelves for supporting merchandise within the display system. The refrigeration unit may be positioned at the top of the merchandise display system and may be removable. The outer housing of the refrigeration unit may be manufactured in a variety of colors. Each of the colors may be indicative a type of merchandise stored within the merchandise display system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 3, 2017
    Assignee: PEPSICO, INC.
    Inventors: Emad Jafa, Antonio Jose Fernandes Ribeiro, José Roberto Montero, Jose Miguel Gutierrez, Jose Alfonso Gonzalez Santamaria, Edith Nancy Treviño Garcia, Rodrigo Guadarrama, César Eduardo Avendaño Acero, Dimas Alberto Diaz Zaleta
  • Patent number: 9462896
    Abstract: A door for a refrigerated merchandiser defining a product display area. The door includes a first glass panel, a second glass panel, and a third glass panel. The first glass panel is in communication with an environment surrounding the refrigerated merchandiser, and has a first surface arranged to face the environment and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second glass panel is positioned adjacent the first glass panel, and has a third surface arranged to face the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The third glass panel is positioned adjacent the second glass panel and is in communication with the product display area. The third glass panel has a fifth surface arranged to face the fourth surface and a sixth surface opposite the fifth surface and arranged to face the product display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 21, 2016
    Date of Patent: October 11, 2016
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Craig S. Reichert, Timothy D. Anderson
  • Patent number: 9339124
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled display case is convertible between a full-service mode and a self-service mode and defines a temperature-controlled space therein. A base has a back side and a front side and supports temperature-controlled food products within the temperature-controlled space. A back frame is coupled adjacent to the back side of the base and provides one or more openings for back-side access to the food products during the full-service mode. A top frame is supported by the back frame and a linkage has one end pivotally coupled to the top frame. A front panel has a top portion pivotally coupled to the linkage and is movable between a deployed position for the full-service mode with the front panel adjacent to the front of the base, and a stowed position for the self-service mode with the front panel disposed atop the top frame to provide front-side access to the food products.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2013
    Date of Patent: May 17, 2016
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Carter, David W. Hoaglin
  • Patent number: 9282831
    Abstract: A food display counter (10) in which the chamber (14) for housing food products is closed at the upper part by a fixed longitudinal panel (22) and by a mobile longitudinal panel (24) which are arranged coplanar in a horizontal plane and the mobile panel in its open position is in a horizontal plane superimposed with respect to the fixed panel. The mobile panel is fixed at its ends respectively to a control device (27) which includes an electrical actuator (30) actuating to and fro a slider (36) with vertical guides (46), a horizontal guide (34) fixed to a sheet (28) supporting the actuator (30), same case applying to a plate (50) which supports the mobile panel and it also has a bearing (58) cooperating with an oblique cam (60) which is fixed to the sheet and determines the execution of the opening and closing movement of the mobile panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2016
    Assignee: CIERREESSE S.r.l.
    Inventors: Santo Scibetta, Ettore Racchelli
  • Patent number: 9157675
    Abstract: A temperature controlled display device includes a body portion at least partially defining an interior space for storing refrigerated or frozen objects therein. The display device includes a frame coupled to the body portion, where the frame defines at least one opening and a door is coupled thereto for movement between a closed position and open position to permit access to the interior space through the opening. The frame includes two parallel vertical members and two parallel horizontal members. A lighting device is coupled to an interior surface of at least one of the vertical members, to illuminate the interior space. A thermally conductive member is disposed within the vertical member and extends at least partially along the length of the vertical members to transfer heat from the lighting device to an exterior surface of the vertical member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 4, 2011
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2015
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventors: Larry C. Howington, Larry W. Eget
  • Publication number: 20150137670
    Abstract: The present application provides an insulated foam panel for a refrigerated display case. The insulated foam panel may include a polyurethane foam core, a number of polystyrene support rails surrounding the polyurethane foam core in whole or in part, and a pair of liners positioned about the polyurethane foam core.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 14, 2014
    Publication date: May 21, 2015
    Inventors: Chandrashekhara Chikkakalbalu, Kevin Simmons
  • Publication number: 20150115782
    Abstract: A cooling appliance or refrigeration unit having at least one refrigeration compartment that is contained in a housing and is accessible from above via at least one laterally movable sliding lid containing a transparent window, which has a heat-reflecting inner coating and at least in its front longitudinal region, via an outwardly convex curvature perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, comes to an end in a longitudinal edge that has a front frame. An effortless sliding action with a simultaneously reliable seal is achieved by the front frame having a bearing surface that is oriented horizontally relative to a vertical direction of gravity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2013
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventor: Reinhold Resch
  • Publication number: 20150115783
    Abstract: A chiller for an aircraft galley is disclosed having a housing defining an interior space, the housing including dividers to segregate the interior space into separate chambers. The chambers are enclosed by a pair of doors on a front of the housing that allow a user to gain access to the chambers, a first door providing access to at least one chamber and a second door providing access to at least one different chamber. A side door is also provided that permits access to at least one chamber, wherein at least one chamber is not accessible through said side door.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 9, 2015
    Publication date: April 30, 2015
    Inventors: William J. Godecker, James R. Forbes, Michael Kemery
  • Patent number: 8991945
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area. The case includes a canopy defining an electrical raceway, and a panel defining aesthetic fascia for the canopy. The panel is coupled to the canopy and movable between a first position enclosing the electrical raceway and a second position providing access to the electrical raceway. The panel is self-supported in the second position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Date of Patent: March 31, 2015
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Michael A. Grill
  • Patent number: 8931857
    Abstract: A chiller for an aircraft galley is disclosed having a housing defining an interior space, the housing including dividers to segregate the interior space into separate chambers. The chambers are enclosed by a pair of doors on a front of the housing that allow a user to gain access to the chambers, a first door providing access to at least one chamber and a second door providing access to at least one different chamber. A side door is also provided that permits access to at least one chamber, wherein at least one chamber is not accessible through said side door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2013
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2015
    Assignee: B/E Aerospace, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. Godecker, James R. Forbes, Michael Kemery
  • Patent number: 8925338
    Abstract: The present application and the resultant patent provide a chest cooler for dispensing a number of products. The chest cooler may include an outer frame, a number of product compartments within the outer frame, an upper door, and a front door. The front door may include a transparent panel. Some or all of the products are accessible via either the upper door or the front door and visible through the transparent panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: January 6, 2015
    Assignee: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventor: Jurgen Roekens
  • Publication number: 20140345316
    Abstract: A modular cooler assembly is disclosed herein. According to an embodiment, the modular cooler assembly may be configured to house one or more beverage containers therein. In some instances, the modular cooler assembly may include a number of panels. The panels may be interconnected by way of a number of joints. In certain embodiments, at least one of the panels may be configured to be opened and closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 15, 2014
    Publication date: November 27, 2014
    Applicant: The Coca-Cola Company
    Inventors: Vinayak S. Godbole, Anish Mehta
  • Publication number: 20140327348
    Abstract: Disclosed is a rotating shelf structure for a showcase, which is positioned in the showcase casing and is adapted to allow easy supplementation, from the outside, of a sold product by rotating a shelf that has products placed on display thereon such that a first-in first-out arrangement is possible, and which additionally minimises the weight of the shelf itself while being durable and involves a structure allowing smooth cold-air circulation while the rotation is also smooth.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 17, 2012
    Publication date: November 6, 2014
    Applicant: SEIDAE INDUSTRIAL CO., LTD
    Inventor: Deok-Rae Kim
  • Patent number: 8845045
    Abstract: A temperature-controlled case is provided including a frame and a door coupled to the frame and pivotable about a pivot axis between a closed position and an open position. The door includes a passage that interchangeably receives a door closure control assembly at one of the top or the bottom of the door, and an electrical connectivity system at the other of the top or the bottom of the door. The electrical connectivity system includes a first electrical connector coupled to the door, and a second electrical connector coupled to the frame so that the first and second electrical connectors are engaged when the door is coupled to the frame. The door closure control assembly includes a torsion spring that is fixed at one end to the door and fixed at another end to the frame, so that when the door is opened the torsion spring provides an increasing force to urge the door toward the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 9, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2014
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventor: Steven O. Stubblefield
  • Publication number: 20140265756
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area and a door coupled to the case to provide access to the product display area. The door includes a glass panel assembly including a glass panel, and a conductive coating applied to the glass panel and defining a serpentine conductive path on the glass panel. The merchandiser also includes a power supply in electrical communication with the conductive coating to heat the glass panel along the serpentine conductive path.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Inventors: John M. Rasch, Rick M. LaMontagne
  • Publication number: 20140265755
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area. The case includes a canopy defining an electrical raceway, and a panel defining aesthetic fascia for the canopy. The panel is coupled to the canopy and movable between a first position enclosing the electrical raceway and a second position providing access to the electrical raceway. The panel is self-supported in the second position.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 12, 2013
    Publication date: September 18, 2014
    Applicant: HUSSMANN CORPORATION
    Inventor: HUSSMANN CORPORATION
  • Patent number: 8833875
    Abstract: A wine presenter is provided for presenting one or more bottles of wine. The wine presenter has a base portion configured to support the wine presenter, a foot portion operatively coupled to a bottom side of the base portion and configured to rest the wine presenter on a surface, and an elongated portion having a bottom end, a top end, a front side, and a back side. The elongated portion is operatively coupled to the base portion at the bottom end and extends in an orthogonal direction from the base portion and the elongated portion has one or more grooves configured to hold at least a portion of a wine bottle. The wine presenter is configured to hold one or more wine bottles on both the front side and the back side of the elongated portion of the wine presenter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 22, 2011
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: BSH Home Appliances Corporation
    Inventors: Ziya Arslankiray, Phelan Miller, Laura Ringemann, Andrew Roberson
  • Patent number: 8820859
    Abstract: An ice cream dipping cabinet includes a cabinet portion, a machine room portion, a cooling room portion, a hot-air vent, a L-shaped recess portion, and a cold-air intake. The cabinet portion provides an inner compartment. The machine room portion is installed in a lower portion of the inner compartment of the cabinet portion. The cooling room portion is cooled by refrigeration and accessible through the top opening. The hot-air vent is provided through the rear wall of the cabinet portion, and the hot-air vent vents hot air from the machine room portion to outside. The L-shaped recess portion is provided between the front wall and the bottom floor of the cabinet portion, and the L-shaped recess portion comprises a horizontal surface and a vertical surface. The cold-air intake is provided through the L-shaped recess portion, and the cold-air intake guides cold air from outside to the machine room portion.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2013
    Date of Patent: September 2, 2014
    Inventor: Brian S. Kim
  • Patent number: 8801116
    Abstract: A frame assembly can be configured to couple one or more doors to a refrigeration case having an opening. The frame assembly can be mounted outside the opening of the refrigeration case, which can reduce the amount of energy needed for heating the frame assembly and doors to prevent condensation. Mounting the frame assembly outside the opening can also improve the uniformity of light used to illuminate goods displayed in the refrigeration case. Mounting the frame assembly outside the opening can also allow for the use of larger doors. In some embodiments, and adapter can be used to mount the frame assembly outside the opening. In some embodiments, refrigeration units having a frame assembly mounted in the opening can be retrofitted to include a frame assembly that is mounted outside the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: Anthony Inc.
    Inventors: William Pack, Ryan Wach, Matthew Rolek, Mark Sandnes, Paul Artwohl, John Roche
  • Patent number: 8794721
    Abstract: A cover for a merchandising storage unit for displaying of goods with a storage compartment, which cover includes at least one lid having a rear part and a front part, and which is displaceable towards an open position by displacing the lid away from an access side of the storage compartment, wherein the lid in a closed position is arranged at an angle in relation to horizontal, the cover having a rail system having at least a right rail arrangement and a left rail arrangement for guiding the at least one lid, wherein each rail arrangement includes a first track for guiding the front part of the lid and having a front part and a rear part, and a second track for guiding the rear part of the lid and having a front part, and a rear part, wherein the second track is separate to said first track.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 4, 2012
    Date of Patent: August 5, 2014
    Assignee: Behr A/S
    Inventor: Uffe P. E. Pedersen
  • Patent number: 8764130
    Abstract: A frame assembly can be configured to couple one or more doors to a refrigeration case having an opening. The frame assembly can be mounted outside the opening of the refrigeration case, which can reduce the amount of energy needed for heating the frame assembly and doors to prevent condensation. Mounting the frame assembly outside the opening can also improve the uniformity of light used to illuminate goods displayed in the refrigeration case. Mounting the frame assembly outside the opening can also allow for the use of larger doors. In some embodiments, and adapter can be used to mount the frame assembly outside the opening. In some embodiments, refrigeration units having a frame assembly mounted in the opening can be retrofitted to include a frame assembly that is mounted outside the opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 11, 2013
    Date of Patent: July 1, 2014
    Assignee: Anthony Inc.
    Inventors: William Pack, Ryan Wach, Matthew Rolek, Mark Sandnes, Paul Artwohl, John Roche
  • Publication number: 20140132128
    Abstract: A refrigerator with rotating and segmented shelving has a cabinet with at least one round internal compartment, a shaft centered within the compartment, and segments connecting to the shaft. The invention may also provide a motor connected to the shaft for rotating it and the shelving. Preferably, the shaft has a square cross section that receives up to four segments in a common plane. The shaft uses connections that receive the segments. Alternatively, the shaft has a round cross section for up to six segments upon a common plane. Each segment has a narrow nose that fits into the connection upon the shaft and an opposite wide edge outwardly towards the cabinet. Alternatively the cabinet or a door is at least partially transparent. A user may arrange shelf segments at different planes, thus accommodating foods and beverages of varying heights.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 9, 2012
    Publication date: May 15, 2014
    Inventor: Gary J. Simon
  • Patent number: 8695362
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case that has a product display area for supporting food product, an opening for providing customer access to the product display area, and an air passageway in fluid communication with the product display area to direct an airflow into the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a door coupled to the case over the opening and including a charged glass pane, and a charge device in fluid communication with the air passageway to alter the polarity of the airflow to create a charged airflow. The charged glass pane and the charged airflow have the same polarity such that the glass pane is insulated from the charged airflow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Ted W. Sunderland
  • Patent number: 8672427
    Abstract: According to certain aspects of the disclosure, embodiments of a product merchandiser incorporating a video display is described. The product merchandiser described herein contemplates the use of a rear projector video system for display of video on a reflective film that is adhered to a glass or other transparent exposed surface on the merchandiser. Aspects of the merchandiser provided herein provide a cost-effective, durable, flexible/adaptable to different merchandiser sizes, and non-static means of displaying advertising or other promotions via video directly on an exposed surface of a product merchandiser.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 25, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 18, 2014
    Assignee: PepsiCo, Inc.
    Inventor: Marcus Hammonds
  • Patent number: 8668292
    Abstract: There is provided a door of a refrigerator including: a door assembly which defines the appearance of the refrigerator door; an exterior member which is provided ahead of the door assembly to emit light; a connection member which connects the exterior member to the door assembly; a connection space which is formed between the door assembly and connection member; and a light-emitting means which is disposed at the connection space and emits light to the exterior member. There is an advantage in that it is possible to prevent dazzling of users, since the exterior member is not exposed to the outside and light is emitted via an end of the exterior member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 11, 2014
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Chanju Pae
  • Patent number: 8613161
    Abstract: A door assembly that includes a a frame having an upper portion and a lower portion, an electrical hinge mounted to the upper portion of the frame, a gravity hinge mounted to the lower portion of the frame and a door pivotably mounted to the frame by the electrical hinge and the gravity hinge. The electrical hinge pin has a hinge pin part having a plurality of electrical conductors extending downwardly therefrom. The gravity hinge also includes a hinge pin part. The door includes a laminated package having first, second and third layers adhered to one another. At least one of the layers includes an electro-conductive coating thereon that is in electrical communication with the electrical hinge. The door also includes a rail secured adjacent a hinge side edge of the laminated package. The rail includes a tunnel defined therein that includes a top opening that receives the hinge pin part of the electrical hinge and a bottom opening that receives the hinge pin part of the gravity hinge.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 20, 2008
    Date of Patent: December 24, 2013
    Assignee: Anthony, Inc.
    Inventors: Jeffery W. Nicholson, Paul J. Artwohl, Donald J. Sokol
  • Patent number: 8561419
    Abstract: An island merchandiser including a first merchandiser module, a second merchandiser module, a third merchandiser module, and a fourth merchandiser module. The first merchandiser module includes a product display area maintained within a temperature range at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The second merchandiser module is positioned next and coupled to the first merchandiser module. The third merchandiser module is positioned next and coupled to the first merchandiser module and the second merchandiser module. The fourth merchandiser module is positioned next to the first merchandiser module and the second merchandiser module opposite the third merchandiser module. The island merchandiser also includes a first insulation panel positioned between the first and second merchandiser modules and the third merchandiser module, and a second insulation panel positioned between the first and second merchandiser modules and the fourth merchandiser module.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 2, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 22, 2013
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Moisses Navarro, Diego Wood, Raymond P. Twohy, Kevin A. Moody, Michael A. Gillett, Anand Ganesh Rajagopalan, Robert Mullen, Al Arrosagaray
  • Publication number: 20130187520
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case that has a product display area for supporting food product, an opening for providing customer access to the product display area, and an air passageway in fluid communication with the product display area to direct an airflow into the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a door coupled to the case over the opening and including a charged glass pane, and a charge device in fluid communication with the air passageway to alter the polarity of the airflow to create a charged airflow. The charged glass pane and the charged airflow have the same polarity such that the glass pane is insulated from the charged airflow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 19, 2012
    Publication date: July 25, 2013
    Applicant: HUSSMANN CORPORATION
    Inventor: Ted W. Sunderland
  • Patent number: 8469228
    Abstract: A dispenser of containers. A carousel is rotatably mounted to a main frame about a vertical axis of rotation and has a plurality of container compartments arranged around the axis and along the length of the axis. A driver mounted to the main frame rotates the carousel around the axis in a single direction and a lock limits rotation of the carousel in any direction when engaged.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 24, 2011
    Date of Patent: June 25, 2013
    Assignee: SLEEGERS Engineered Products, Inc.
    Inventor: Joseph L. Adams
  • Patent number: 8430460
    Abstract: A merchandiser includes a case defining a product display area, and a lid disposed over the product display area and substantially enclosing at least a portion of the product display area. The lid is movable between an open position providing access to the product display area and a closed position limiting access to the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a handle assembly that has a handle coupled to and rotatable relative to the lid as the lid moves between the open position and the closed position.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 29, 2011
    Date of Patent: April 30, 2013
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Estefania Erro, Asier Esnal
  • Publication number: 20130047646
    Abstract: A merchandise display system including one or more display units is described. The merchandise display system may include a base unit having a refrigeration unit that cools one or more display units. The refrigeration unit may be removable from the base unit. The one or more display units may attach to another display unit or a base unit. The display units may be stackable on top of one another. The display units may also be configured to attach to the base unit. The one or more display units may include one or more doors, which allow access to display units. The display units may include a C-shaped panel that forms the side walls and back wall of each of the display units.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 25, 2012
    Publication date: February 28, 2013
    Applicant: PEPSICO, INC.
    Inventor: PEPSICO, INC.