Plural Cooled Compartments Patents (Class 62/441)
  • Publication number: 20040216472
    Abstract: A kimchi refrigerator having a first storing unit to store function selecting information, and a control panel having a display displaying the function selecting information read from the first storing unit and a key input part to input functions selected by a user. The kimchi refrigerator includes a second storing unit to store detail function selecting information corresponding to each of the function selecting information, a voice output part to output the detail function selecting information read from the second storing unit; and a function selecting controller controlling the function selecting information and the detail function selecting information to be respectively displayed in the display and the voice output part based on manipulation of the key input part.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2004
    Publication date: November 4, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Sung-ho Cho
  • Publication number: 20040211212
    Abstract: A cold-storage appliance includes an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Publication date: October 28, 2004
    Inventor: Ian David Wood
  • Publication number: 20040206108
    Abstract: A cold-storage appliance includes an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 13, 2004
    Publication date: October 21, 2004
    Inventor: Ian David Wood
  • Publication number: 20040187510
    Abstract: A refrigerator designed to prevent inner surfaces of storage compartments thereof from being damaged during a manufacturing process. The refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an external appearance of the refrigerator having refrigerator and freezer compartments therein, a machine room provided on the top of the cabinet to house components required to constitute a refrigerating cycle, first and second evaporators to cool the refrigerator and freezer compartments, a first connecting pipe extended from the first evaporator and led to the machine room through a top wall of the refrigerator compartment, and a second connecting pipe extended from the second evaporator and led to the machine room through a top wall of the freezer compartment, whereby the first and second connecting pipes are connected to each other by a welding operation in the machine room.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 14, 2004
    Publication date: September 30, 2004
    Applicant: SAMSUNG ELECTRONICS CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Sang Gyu Jung
  • Publication number: 20040182105
    Abstract: A concentration cooling apparatus for a refrigerator, including a housing which is respectively mounted in one or more cold air guiding paths formed on a side wall of the chilling chamber to guide cold air to the side wall of the chilling chamber, a nozzle which is rotatably supported in the housing, for concentratedly injecting cold air to a region where a high temperature load is occurred in the chilling chamber, a temperature sensor which is mounted at the front of the nozzle, for sensing the region where the high temperature load is occurred, rotating together with the nozzle, and a nozzle driving portion for rotating the nozzle up and down as well as in the circumferential direction of the nozzle, can swiftly maintain a temperature inside of a chilling chamber as a uniform temperature by concentratedly discharging cold air into a region where a high temperature load is occurred inside the chilling chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 18, 2003
    Publication date: September 23, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Sok Nam, Seong Ho Cho, Yun Chul Jung, Jay Ho Choi
  • Publication number: 20040177641
    Abstract: A storage device in a kimchi refrigerator is disclosed. A prior art kimchi refrigerator is provided that uses the cover type together the drawer type. However, it also has inconvenience in storing and taking out the kimchi from the refrigerator. In other words, it has inconvenience in that the above mentioned prior art kimchi refrigerator as well as the prior art drawer type refrigerator should have a plurality of doors in storing many kinds of kimchi so that the users should open or close each door when taking in or out the kimchi therefrom. Furthermore, although the prior art kimchi refrigerator has an advantage of storing a large-sized kimchi, a small-sized kimchi, which is stored in a container to be directly eaten by the users, should be stored in an ordinary refrigerator, not in the kimchi refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 23, 2003
    Publication date: September 16, 2004
    Inventor: Jin-Hee Kim
  • Patent number: 6782710
    Abstract: A kid's zone compartment assembly for a refrigerator includes a compartment frame, a top tray, a cover for the top tray, a lower tray, and two tall package retainers. The top tray cover is pivotally hinged to the top tray. The cover is molded and configured in the likeness of a character, particularly an animal caricature. The various compartment components are carried by the compartment frame which, in turn, is supported by a fresh food compartment door liner of the refrigerator. The overall assembly defines a special place for the storage of food items dedicated for access by a child.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 31, 2004
    Assignee: Maytag Corporation
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Tamara Kappler, Todd E. Kniffen, Timothy M. Nugent, David J. Olberding, Robert Pohl, Ravi K. Sawhney, Eric Svenby, Dennis E. Winders, John Frank Zinni
  • Publication number: 20040144127
    Abstract: A refrigerator having a temperature controlled chamber partitioned from a refrigerator compartment and a freezer compartment. Air is circulated between the freezer compartment and the temperature controlled chamber through air inlet and outlet ports, thus cooling the temperature controlled chamber. An intake damper is installed in the air inlet port, and a fan is mounted at a rear portion of the temperature controlled chamber. The intake damper has a thin plate, thus opening the air inlet port in response to the air flowing into the temperature controlled chamber when the cooling fan is operated, and closing the air inlet port in response to a stoppage of flow of the air when the cooling fan stops. Further, a temperature sensor is mounted in the temperature controlled chamber to control operation of the fan, thus allowing an interior of the temperature controlled chamber to be maintained at a predetermined temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 26, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Gi Joong Jeong, Jong Dal Lee
  • Publication number: 20040144128
    Abstract: A refrigerator freezer having an upper refrigerator compartment and a lower below freezing freezer compartment. The upper compartment can be a convertible compartment selectively operable by the user as an above freezing refrigerator compartment or as a below freezing freezer compartment. The evaporator for supplying refrigerated air is located in the upper compartment along with an auxiliary heater and upper compartment thermostat to control the temperature in the upper compartment. A control discharges an amount of refrigerated air to the upper compartment for refrigerator operation and a larger amount of refrigerated air for freezer operation. The control also energizes the auxiliary heater under control of the upper compartment thermostat during refrigerator operation to assure above freezing temperatures in the upper compartment. A low ambient heater can be provided for the upper compartment for use of the refrigerator freezer in low ambient temperature conditions such as an unheated garage.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Inventors: Brent A. Junge, Thomas Wesley Arent, Todd Christopher Starr, Brian J. Stewart, Mark Allen Stout, Allan R. Steinkuhl, Duane A. Schmidt, Quynh Hoang, Dan V. Orman, Susan Ridgley Keil, Hairong H. Li
  • Publication number: 20040144125
    Abstract: Disclosed is a structure for discharging cold air in a refrigerator capable of uniformly distributing the cold air regardless of the upper part and the lower part of the refrigerator, by discharging the cold air in vertically downward direction. Therefore, temperature difference between the upper part and the lower part is reduced, so that temperature in the inside of the refrigerator could be uniformly maintained. Thanks to such structure having the foregoing advantages, additional equipment and space for supplying cold air to the shelf are not necessary any more like the case of the freezer or the cooling chamber according to the related art, having the structure where the discharging hole is formed on each shelf, so that the space of the refrigerator could be effectively used.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 8, 2003
    Publication date: July 29, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Hoon Yun, Moo Youl Kim, Sang Ho Seo, Dong Hoon Lee
  • Publication number: 20040139753
    Abstract: A freezing and thawing unit for small amounts of biopharmaceuticals and biologics. The freezing and thawing unit is reduced in scale, as compared to a corresponding commercial or large-scale process. The freezing and thawing unit can be used for testing, preservation and/or processing of small quantities of biopharmaceuticals and biologics.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2003
    Publication date: July 22, 2004
    Applicant: Integrated Biosystems, Inc.
    Inventors: Nicolas Voute, Richard Wisniewski, Eric K. Lee, Jonathan N. Webb
  • Publication number: 20040118141
    Abstract: A refrigerator comprises a cool air generating part supplying cool air to a storage compartment; upper and lower cabinets having first and second storage compartments; and a shaft rotatably supporting the upper and lower cabinets, respectively. With this configuration, the refrigerator is useable in all directions by a rotatable structure, is easily carried by wheels, and is useable as a table by a table member provided in an upper part of an upper cabinet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 22, 2003
    Publication date: June 24, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoon-young Kim, Gun-ho Hong
  • Publication number: 20040112081
    Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus with two compartments operating at two different temperatures wherein a freezer comprising a storing volume adapted to receive products to be stored at a temperature below 0° C., an evaporator within said storing volume and a compressor located outside said storing volume, is fitted with a storing box, adapted to receive products to be stored at a temperature above the temperature in the storing volume, located within the storing volume, said box being fitted with heating means.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 17, 2003
    Publication date: June 17, 2004
    Applicant: Good Humor-Breyers Ice Cream,Division of Conopco, Inc.
    Inventor: Wilhelmus Adrianus Theodorus Uijen
  • Publication number: 20040107725
    Abstract: This invention is to increase a floor area ratio of a freezing chamber and a utilization rate of heat transfer. A refrigerator is disclosed, which includes a cabinet having a storage space, a mullion provided in the cabinet to divide the storage space into a freezing chamber and a refrigerator chamber, the mullion having a cold airflow passage provided therein that is communicated with the freezing chamber and the refrigerator chamber, a double suction centrifugal blower provided in a middle space of the mullion and sucking air from the freezing chamber and the refrigerator chamber and exhausting to the cold airflow passage, an evaporator provided in the cold airflow passage for exchanging heat with the air exhausted from the double suction centrifugal blower, a top outlet and a bottom outlet exhausting air being passed through the evaporator to the freezing chamber and the refrigerator chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Sang Wook Lee
  • Publication number: 20040107726
    Abstract: In a refrigerator including a variable temperature storage formed in the chilling chamber so as to have a certain space; a heating room formed on a side of the variable temperature storage; a heating means installed in the heating room in order to generate heat in power supply; a first local circulating path in which cool air in the freezing chamber flows into a rear path through the variable temperature storage; an adjusting means for adjusting a quantity of cool air flowing into/out of the variable temperature storage through the first local circulating path; a second local circulating path in which heated air in the heating room passes the variable temperature storage and flows into the heating room again; and a temperature sensor for sensing a temperature in the variable temperature storage, because various ranges of temperature can be maintained in the refrigerator, it is possible to perform optimum-temperature storing according to kinds of foods, and accordingly various foods can be stored more freshly
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Bae Kim, Sang-Ho Park, Byeong-Gyu Kang, Youn-Chul Choi
  • Publication number: 20040107724
    Abstract: A cool air supplying apparatus of a refrigerator comprises a guide passage formed at a rear wall of a refrigerating chamber and provided with a plurality of discharge ports towards the refrigerating chamber for guiding cool air to a rear side of the refrigerating chamber, and a direction control unit installed at the guide passage for selectively opening and closing the discharge ports in order to control a discharge direction of cool air discharged into the refrigerating chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 2, 2003
    Publication date: June 10, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Sang-Bae Kim, Sang-Ho Park, Byeong-Gyu Kang, Youn-Chul Choi
  • Publication number: 20040104654
    Abstract: A cabinet for recessed refrigerators, which has an integrated single inner casing. The cabinet has an outer casing to define an appearance of the cabinet, the outer casing being a box-shaped body open at the front thereof, and an integrated single inner casing installed in the outer casing, with a predetermined space defined between the inner and outer casings. The integrated single inner casing defines therein at least two storage compartments open at the fronts thereof, with a partition wall formed between the at least two storage compartments to maintain a predetermined gap between the storage compartments. The cabinet according to the present invention has an improved appearance and a stable structure, in addition to reducing the number of elements thereof, and improving assembly efficiency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: June 3, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Jae Seung Lee, Myung Wouk Kim, Gi Joong Jeong, Jong Dal Lee, Sang-Gyu Jung, Ji Sick Hwang
  • Publication number: 20040089013
    Abstract: In an apparatus for fixing a printed circuit board of a refrigerator, since a printed circuit board is slid to be coupled with or separated from the inside of a support plate fixed at a lower portion of a refrigerator main body, the printed circuit board can be readily and conveniently replaced.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 30, 2003
    Publication date: May 13, 2004
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventor: Jung-Kqu Hwang
  • Publication number: 20040079105
    Abstract: A cold-storage appliance (2) includes an open-topped insulating container (16) defining an external surface; an insulating lid (22) adapted to close the open top of the container (16); a cooling means (24) adapted to cool the interior of the container (16); and a structure (4, 6) supporting the container (16), the lid (22) and the cooling means; wherein the container (16) is mounted to the structure (4) for movement relative to the structure (6) and the lid (22) to open the container (16) and afford access to its interior or to close the container (16). A circulating fan (340) or a heater (346) creating air currents to warm the external surface of the bin (16) warming of the external surfaces using heating elements (380).
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2003
    Publication date: April 29, 2004
    Inventor: Ian David Wood
  • Publication number: 20040060320
    Abstract: An Internet refrigerator with a heat sink uses cold air from the Internet refrigerator itself, without a CPU cooling fan on a main board. The Internet refrigerator includes a main board with a chip set thereon and a temperature sensor that detects a temperature of the main board. A heat sink plate faces a surface of the main board and absorbs heat generated from the chip set. A pipeline having both ends connected to an interior of a cooled compartment of the refrigerator is arranged to contact a lower surface of the main board at a portion thereof. Additionally, a cooling fan can be arranged in the cooled compartment of the refrigerator for introducing cold air from the cooled compartment of the refrigerator into the pipeline.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Applicant: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Young Hoon Roh, Jung Ho Kim, Jin Cheol Cho, Jae Won Chang, Sang Hyuk Kang, Sang Mahn Kim, Pan Su Kim
  • Publication number: 20040060319
    Abstract: A cold-storage appliance (2) includes an open-topped insulating container (16) defining an external surface; an insulating lid (22) adapted to close the open top of the container (16); a cooling means (24) adapted to cool the interior of the container (16); and a structure supporting the container (16), the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container (16) is mounted to the structure (4) for movement relative to the structure (6) and the lid (22) to open the container (16) and afford access to its interior or to close the container (16). A cold-storage appliance with air transfer valves (352, 356) that mitigate the piston effect experienced when opening and closing a drawer (4). Bellows (374) attached to the drawer (4) to maintain the vapour barrier.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 15, 2003
    Publication date: April 1, 2004
    Inventor: Ian David Wood
  • Publication number: 20040050078
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an auxiliary storage system for a refrigerator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: Young-Seok Choi, Byeong-Gyu Kang, Sang-Bae Kim
  • Publication number: 20040050079
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a first refrigeration chamber, a second refrigeration chamber in flow communication with said the first refrigeration chamber, a sealed system for producing desired temperature conditions in the first refrigeration chamber and the second refrigeration chamber, and a controller operatively coupled to the sealed system. The controller is configured to accept a plurality of user-selected inputs including at least a first refrigeration chamber temperature and a second refrigeration chamber temperature, and to execute a plurality of algorithms to selectively control the first refrigeration chamber at a temperature above the second refrigeration chamber and at a temperature below the second chamber. Various control algorithms are provided for maintaining desired temperature conditions in the refrigeration chambers.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: March 18, 2004
    Inventors: John S. Holmes, Robert Bultman, Jerry Queen, Wolfgang Daum, Richard Hornung, Rollie Herzog
  • Publication number: 20040040338
    Abstract: A refrigerator in which a machine room and an air cooling chamber having an evaporator, are placed at a top of a cabinet to maximize the storage capacity of lower sections of storage compartments. The refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a storage compartment therein. A top projection part is formed by projecting a rear portion of a top of the cabinet upward. The top projection part defines the air cooling chamber therein, such that the air cooling chamber extends upward from an upper portion of the storage compartment. The machine room is defined on the top of the cabinet at a position in front of the top projection part, and receives a compressor and a condenser therein.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 21, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd
    Inventors: Jae Seung Lee, Myung Wouk Kim, Gi Joong Jeong, Jong Dal Lee, Ji Sick Hwang, Sang Gyu Jung
  • Publication number: 20040040337
    Abstract: The invention relates to a refrigerator, which according to the invention contains at least one separate, thermally well-insulated and cooled compartment (5) with a drain pipe (10) for draining from the compartment (5) condensation-water formed during the cooling down of a hot receptacle (11) placed in the compartment (5).
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2003
    Publication date: March 4, 2004
    Inventor: Wanja Bellander
  • Publication number: 20040035142
    Abstract: A sectional refrigerator which comprises a plurality of cooling cabinets forming storage compartments with openings, and doors covering and uncovering the openings of the cooling cabinets, a cool air generating part generating cool air to refrigerate the storage compartments, and a cool air supplying part supplying the cool air generated in the cool air generating part into the storage compartments, wherein the plurality of cooling cabinets detachably connectable to each other in any orientation, forming a shape corresponding to a seating place of the sectional refrigerator. Thus, the present invention provides a refrigerator capable of change in size according to an area of a place for seating the refrigerator, and the present invention facilitates the utilization of the place the sectional refrigerator is seated on.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2003
    Publication date: February 26, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Won-jae Yoon, Jae-seung Lee, Gun-ho Hong
  • Publication number: 20040011075
    Abstract: A kid's zone compartment assembly for a refrigerator includes a compartment frame, a top tray, a cover for the top tray, a lower tray, and two tall package retainers. The top tray cover is pivotally hinged to the top tray. The cover is molded and configured in the likeness of a character, particularly an animal caricature. The various compartment components are carried by the compartment frame which, in turn, is supported by a fresh food compartment door liner of the refrigerator. The overall assembly defines a special place for the storage of food items dedicated for access by a child.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 16, 2002
    Publication date: January 22, 2004
    Inventors: Michael J. Eveland, Tamara Kappler, Todd E. Kniffen, Timothy M. Nugent, David J. Olberding, Robert Pohl, Ravi K. Sawhney, Eric Svenby, Dennis E. Winders, John Frank Zinni
  • Publication number: 20040007009
    Abstract: An appliance, such as a refrigerator, is provided with a door handle with colored caps for covering the door handle fasteners. The caps are exchangeable with other caps having different colors, as chosen by the consumer. The refrigerator also includes storage buckets, shelves and drawers with colored trim pieces which are exchangeable with different colored trim pieces, as well as a water dispenser having a colored actuation button and a colored sump tray, both of which can be exchanged with different colored buttons and trays.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventors: Forrest F. Wing, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, Thomas E. Gose, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni
  • Patent number: 6675606
    Abstract: A cooler is described including at least one combination ice pack and canteen. A container with a dispensing opening is partially filled with water, frozen, and then placed in the cooler along with cooler contents. The ice in the container maintains the cooler contents at a reduced temperature, so that the container serves as an ice pack. Melt-water resulting from melting of the ice while the container is in the cooler may be dispensed as drinking water, so that the container also serves as a canteen. A preferred combination ice pack and canteen comprises a flexible, substantially water-tight bag with an integral, flexible, re-sealable pour spout. The bag is partially filled and preferably arranged in a substantially flattened shape for freezing. Two such flattened ice packs may be placed above and below, or on either side of, the cooler contents.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2004
    Inventors: Birdsall L. Jones, Steen M. Jones
  • Publication number: 20040000162
    Abstract: A kimchi refrigerator which is capable of effectively using an interior storage space. The kimchi refrigerator includes a cabinet with two or more storage compartments provided in the cabinet storing kimchi and a machine room which is located in the cabinet and houses electrical devices. The machine room is arranged from a front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet at a position under one of the storage compartments, thus enlarging an interior storage space of one or more storage compartments under which the machine room is not located.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Publication date: January 1, 2004
    Applicant: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yo-Hyun Song
  • Patent number: 6666045
    Abstract: A kimchi refrigerator which is capable of effectively using an interior storage space. The kimchi refrigerator includes a cabinet with two or more storage compartments provided in the cabinet storing kimchi and a machine room which is located in the cabinet and houses electrical devices. The machine room is arranged from a front of the cabinet to the rear of the cabinet at a position under one of the storage compartments, thus enlarging an interior storage space of one or more storage compartments under which the machine room is not located.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 11, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 23, 2003
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yo-Hyun Song
  • Patent number: 6658879
    Abstract: A direct cooling type refrigerator includes: a main body with a certain space for keeping food items; a freezing chamber formed at an upper portion of the main body and keeping frozen food items; a refrigerating chamber sectioned by a barrier with the freezing chamber, formed at a lower portion of the main body and keeping refrigerated food items; a freezing chamber evaporator buried in a side wall of the freezing chamber and directly heat-exchanged with air inside the freezing chamber; and a refrigerating chamber evaporator buried in a side wall of the refrigerating chamber and directly heat-exchanged with air inside the refrigerating chamber.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Date of Patent: December 9, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jin-Koo Park, Yang-Kyu Kim, Se-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 6640581
    Abstract: Disclosed is a property box of a cabinet/wall-hanging type requiring low temperature. The property box of a cabinet/wall-hanging type requiring low temperature according to the present invention provides advantages of being attachable to a wall surface or a corner of living space such as a bedroom of a married couple, a dress room or a bathroom in a newly-built or an existing apartment, an ordinary house or in lodging so as to store and make easily available of cosmetics, pharmaceuticals, films, beverage, beer or wine requiring low temperature whenever necessary. When protection of a privacy is required, unlike the conventional refrigerator shared by others in a shared living space, the property box according to the present invention can be installed at a desired position, thereby achieving the protection of privacy and resolving the problem of narrowing the living space subsequent to installation of the property box.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2003
    Assignee: Yoo-Pyung Corporation
    Inventor: Moon Choi
  • Patent number: 6637235
    Abstract: A refrigerator which may allow vegetables kept more fresh by minimizing temperature fluctuations in a vegetable compartment. The refrigerator minimizes dehydration in food stored in the vegetable compartment, so that vegetables are kept fresh longer. The vegetable compartment is arranged so as to be surrounded by freezing temperatures, and cooled through radiation cooling without receiving blowing cool air thereto to minimize temperature fluctuations, so that vegetables may be keep more fresh. At the same time, the vegetable compartment is sealed so that convection does not occur thereby minimizing dehydration in food, so that food is allowed to be kept fresh longer. Furthermore, the refrigerator is provided with compartments whose temperatures may be set to freezing temperatures. The vegetable compartment is arranged so as to be surrounded by compartments whose temperatures are freezing temperatures via partition parts.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Date of Patent: October 28, 2003
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Katsumasa Sakamoto, Toshie Hiraoka, Keiji Ohya, Naho Misumi
  • Patent number: 6629429
    Abstract: There are provided, in the order from top, a refrigerating compartment (90), a vegetable compartment (91) and a freezing compartment (92), and a compressor (104) and a cooler (106) are disposed in side-by-side relation in a left and right direction at a location rearwardly of the freezing compartment (92). Also, a damper device (115) and a forced draft fan (114) are provided above the compressor (104) and the cooler (106), and an electronic control board (128) is provided rearwardly of the cooler (106). In addition, a chilly air discharge duct (116) and a chilly air suction duct (121) are provided at opposite ends of a deep region within the refrigerating compartment (90).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 19, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2003
    Assignee: Matsushita Refrigeration Company
    Inventors: Takao Kawamura, Yoshiki Ohashi, Akihiko Manabe
  • Publication number: 20030182953
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cooling system configured to cool a compartment is provided. The method includes receiving a temperature of the compartment from a temperature sensor, adjusting the received temperature to obtain a corrected temperature, and controlling the cooling system based on the corrected temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Publication date: October 2, 2003
    Inventors: Ziqiang Hu, Alexander Rafalovich
  • Patent number: 6625999
    Abstract: A method for controlling a cooling system configured to cool a compartment is provided.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 30, 2003
    Assignee: General Electric Company
    Inventors: Ziqiang Hu, Alexander Rafalovich
  • Patent number: 6622504
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cool air controlling apparatus for concentrically cooling a region in a refrigerator where a new load is stored. The apparatus comprises: the first cool air duct provided along a compartment wall of a refrigerator with a certain length for allowing the cool air introduced from a blowing chamber to flow therethrough; the second cool air duct having a variable length provided downward from a front end of the first cool air duct; length adjusting means connected to the second cool air duct for adjusting the length of the second cool air duct; and rotation adjusting means attached to a lower end of the second cool air duct for carrying out rotation and injecting the cool air. The entire temperature distribution is uniformly maintained in a refrigerating chamber thereby greatly reducing power consumption.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 23, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: In Won Lee, Jay Ho Choi, Seong Ho Cho, Young Sok Nam, In Seop Lee, Jae Yong Sung
  • Patent number: 6604452
    Abstract: A food processing system circulates a processing medium along a circulation path having first and second segments perpendicular to food product travel along a horizontal conveyor. In another aspect, desired sequencing is provided including reversal of orientation order of return and supply path segments of the circulating processing medium.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 8, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2003
    Assignee: Alkar-RapidPak, Inc.
    Inventors: Robert E. Hanson, Dennis F. Conohan, Brian G. Sandberg, Peter G. Senn, Dennis P. Roelke, David L. Brethorst, Glenn L. Leach, Christopher D. McLinn, Seth T. Pulsfus, Thomas J. Betley
  • Publication number: 20030140641
    Abstract: The invention relates to a cool air controlling apparatus for concentrically cooling a region in a refrigerator where a new load is stored. The apparatus comprises: the first cool air duct provided along a compartment wall of a refrigerator with a certain length for allowing the cool air introduced from a blowing chamber to flow therethrough; the second cool air duct having a variable length provided downward from a front end of the first cool air duct; length adjusting means connected to the second cool air duct for adjusting the length of the second cool air duct; and rotation adjusting means attached to a lower end of the second cool air duct for carrying out rotation and injecting the cool air. The entire temperature distribution is uniformly maintained in a refrigerating chamber thereby greatly reducing power consumption.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 24, 2002
    Publication date: July 31, 2003
    Applicant: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventors: In Won Lee, Jay Ho Choi, Seong Ho Cho, Young Sok Nam, In Seop Lee, Jae Yong Sung
  • Patent number: 6574984
    Abstract: A portable water dispensing module is mounted to a refrigerator door inner liner. The liner has side walls with aligned vertically spaced module supports. The water dispensing module comprises a reservoir having a fill chamber located above a main reservoir. The fill chamber has a lid that has an opening closed by a cap. The reservoir supports the fill chamber and has side walls with anchoring supports that releasably and matingly engage with the module supports on the liner side walls to mount the water dispensing module against the liner walls. A lower recessed portion of the front wall of the reservoir protects a spigot, mounted into the recess, from inadvertent contact with a user. The reservoir further includes recessed handle portions on the side walls located forward of the refrigerator door liner side walls and below the fill chamber to facilitate the portability of the water dispensing module from the refrigerator door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 7, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 10, 2003
    Assignee: Camco Inc.
    Inventors: Michael James McCrea, Dave Brown
  • Publication number: 20030094012
    Abstract: An air tunnel diverter for a refrigeration unit includes a plurality of leg members secured to a hub. The hub is generally formed to include a fitting through which cooler air is passed to the leg members and routed into the desired locations within the refrigeration unit. The leg members are placed on the fitting by sliding one end of the leg members onto a leg portion of the fitting. The fitting is then secured to the leg members by an overmolding process in which a soft flexible plastic is cast or otherwise applied around the connection. Installation is further simplified by providing the leg members with a flexible portion. The air tunnel diverter is preferably secured in the refrigeration unit by foam insulation.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: James H. Jenkins, Richard F. Seman
  • Publication number: 20030094009
    Abstract: A direct cooling type refrigerator includes: a main body with a certain space for keeping food items; a freezing chamber formed at an upper portion of the main body and keeping frozen food items; a refrigerating chamber sectioned by a barrier with the freezing chamber, formed at a lower portion of the main body and keeping refrigerated food items; a freezing chamber evaporator buried in a side wall of the freezing chamber and directly heat-exchanged with air inside the freezing chamber; and a refrigerating chamber evaporator buried in a side wall of the refrigerating chamber and directly heat-exchanged with air inside the refrigerating chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 20, 2002
    Publication date: May 22, 2003
    Inventors: Jin-Koo Park, Yang-Kyu Kim, Se-Young Kim
  • Patent number: 6564577
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a solenoid valve supporter of Kim-chi refrigerator that guarantees the original functions of the solenoid valve with very simplified structure for mounting a plurality of solenoid valves by positioning every solenoid valve corresponding to the evaporators on one supporter body with the same intervals and flowing and emitting the refrigerants into the plurality of solenoid valves through the supporter. The Kim-chi refrigerator comprise a solenoid valve supporter S for supporting the plurality of solenoid valves S1, S2, and S3 every corresponding to the plurality of evaporator 17.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 5, 2001
    Date of Patent: May 20, 2003
    Assignee: Mando Climate Control Corporation
    Inventor: Young-gil Lee
  • Publication number: 20030037564
    Abstract: A refrigerator airflow distribution assembly includes an airflow diverter in flow communication with freezer compartment air. The diverter includes a primary flow path and at least one diverter opening therethrough, and together with a cover forms a secondary flow path in flow communication with the first flow path through the diverter opening. Freezer compartment air is directed to the primary flow path, and a portion of the air in the primary flow path flows through the diverter openings and into the secondary flow path, and is introduced to the fresh food compartment through one or more vents in the cover. Metered airflow through the diverter reduces temperature gradients in the refrigerator, as well as provides a regulated temperature source for a storage drawer in the fresh food storage compartment.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 5, 2001
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Inventors: Jeffery Allen Tupis, Martin Christopher Severance, Arthur Wilson Scrivener, Gerald Eugene Sturgeon, Richard DeVos, Steven Gray
  • Publication number: 20030037565
    Abstract: A cooling air supplying device of a refrigerator is provided. According to the cooling air supplying device, it is possible to supply cooling air to the respective cells divided by shelves of a chilling chamber, to thus impartially supply the cooling air to the chilling chamber. Accordingly, it is possible to uniformly maintain the spread of temperature of the chilling chamber.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2002
    Publication date: February 27, 2003
    Applicant: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Sang Bae Kim, Young Seok Choi, Byung Gyu Kang
  • Publication number: 20030024254
    Abstract: An odorless refrigerator with a deodorizing function free from insufficient refrigeration, which is provided with a deodorizing device operable with a stable deodorizing performance for a long time, simply structured, small-sized, and provided at a low cost. The refrigerator includes a draft air duct as a passage of refrigerated air blown off forcibly by an inside fan to the compartments, a damper in the draft air duct and opens/closes to allow/prevent the supply of refrigerated air to the compartments, a bypass channel in the draft air duct between the damper and a cooling device for returning refrigerated air from the cooling device to the cooling device, and a deodorizing device in the by-pass channel for deodorizing refrigerated air supplied to the compartments. The refrigerated air inside the draft air duct between the damper and the cooling device is forcibly blown off through the bypass channel by closing the damper.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 25, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Junji Yoshida, Mutsumi Kato, Toshie Hiraoka, Keiji Ohya, Masao Araki
  • Publication number: 20030024265
    Abstract: A chiller compartment is provided that secures to the inside of a refrigerator door. The chiller compartment includes a pair of French doors that are connected by a linkage that causes the doors to simultaneously open or close. The doors retract within the chiller compartment when opened, thereby protecting the doors should the refrigerator door be closed while the chiller compartment doors are left open. The chiller compartment also includes a tray of sufficient height to secure tall beverages or food items and prevent such items from toppling out of the chiller compartment while the refrigerator door is opened or closed.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 15, 2002
    Publication date: February 6, 2003
    Inventors: Dennis E. Winders, Eric S. Svenby, Jonathan J. Tiemeier, David J. Olberding, Michael J. Eveland, Todd E. Kniffen, Ravi Kumar Sawhney, Timothy Mark Nugent, John Frank Zinni
  • Publication number: 20030019228
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is a system and methods for maintaining a controlled environment having at least one storage compartment which includes at least one portal and additional includes at least one individualized freezer drawer having a sealing means, each storage compartment is maintained at a constant temperature, at least one individualized freezer drawer is accessed the constant temperature in the remaining area within each storage compartment is not altered; and at least one floating temperature room which includes a plurality of portals, each floating temperature room is adjacent and accessible to each storage compartment by at least one portal; and at least one working room which includes a plurality of portals, each working room is adjacent and accessible to each floating temperature room by at least one portal, the temperature in each working room is maintained higher temperature than the temperature in each floating temperature room; and at least one anteroom, wherein each anteroom includes at least two
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 25, 2001
    Publication date: January 30, 2003
    Inventor: David Bilyeu
  • Publication number: 20030010056
    Abstract: A refrigerator which may allow vegetables kept more fresh by minimizing temperature fluctuations in a vegetable compartment. The refrigerator minimizes dehydration in food stored in the vegetable compartment, so that vegetables are kept fresh longer. The vegetable compartment is arranged so as to be surrounded by freezing temperatures, and cooled through radiation cooling without receiving blowing cool air thereto to minimize temperature fluctuations, so that vegetables may be keep more fresh. At the same time, the vegetable compartment is sealed so that convection does not occur thereby minimizing dehydration in food, so that food is allowed to be kept fresh longer. Furthermore, the refrigerator is provided with compartments whose temperatures may be set to freezing temperatures. The vegetable compartment is arranged so as to be surrounded by compartments whose temperatures are freezing temperatures via partition parts.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 2, 2002
    Publication date: January 16, 2003
    Applicant: MITSUBISHI DENKI KABUSHIKI KAISHA
    Inventors: Katsumasa Sakamoto, Toshie Hiraoka, Keiji Ohya, Naho Misumi