U.S. patent application number 09/683194 was filed with the patent office on 2003-05-29 for refrigerator pan organizer.
Invention is credited to Berezovskiy, Oleg, Boulard, Norman J., Falk, Donald G..
Application Number | 20030098635 09/683194 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 24742952 |
Filed Date | 2003-05-29 |
United States Patent
Application |
20030098635 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Berezovskiy, Oleg ; et
al. |
May 29, 2003 |
Refrigerator pan organizer
Abstract
An organizer for a refrigeration appliance storage pan is
provided. The organizer includes a base having opposite first and
second surfaces and a plurality of openings extending therethrough,
and an upstanding wall received in at least one of said openings
and dividing one of said first and second surfaces into separate
areas.
Inventors: |
Berezovskiy, Oleg;
(Louisville, KY) ; Boulard, Norman J.;
(Louisville, KY) ; Falk, Donald G.; (Louisville,
KY) |
Correspondence
Address: |
JOHN S. BEULICK
C/O ARMSTRONG TEASDALE, LLP
ONE METROPOLITAN SQUARE
SUITE 2600
ST LOUIS
MO
63102-2740
US
|
Family ID: |
24742952 |
Appl. No.: |
09/683194 |
Filed: |
November 29, 2001 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/408 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 25/021 20130101;
A47B 88/994 20170101; F25D 2400/06 20130101; F25D 23/069 20130101;
A47B 96/04 20130101; A47B 88/90 20170101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/408 |
International
Class: |
A47B 096/04 |
Claims
1. An organizer for a refrigeration appliance storage pan, said
organizer comprising: a base comprising opposite first and second
surfaces and a plurality of openings extending therethrough; and an
upstanding wall received in at least one of said openings and
dividing one of said first and second surfaces into separate
areas.
2. An organizer in accordance with claim 1, said wall engaging at
least two of said openings.
3. An organizer in accordance with claim 2, said openings
comprising a plurality of slots extending substantially equidistant
from one another, said wall comprising at least two extensions for
engagement with adjacent slots in said base.
4. An organizer in accordance with claim 3, said wall comprising
first and second lateral sides, and a pair of said extensions
extending adjacent each of said first and said second lateral
sides.
5. An organizer in accordance with claim 1, said wall comprising a
top end and a bottom end, said bottom end thicker than said top
end.
6. An organizer in accordance with claim 1, said base comprising an
outer periphery, and at least one recessed handle formed into said
outer periphery.
7. A storage pan assembly for a refrigeration appliance, said pan
assembly comprising: a pan comprising a bottom wall; and an
organizer comprising: a removable base supported on said bottom
wall and comprising first and second opposing side surfaces and a
plurality of openings through said first side surface; and a
dividing wall coupled to said base first surface and selectively
positionable relative to said openings.
8. A storage pan assembly in accordance with claim 7, said wall
comprising a bottom end and at least one extension depending
therefrom, said extension engaged to one of said openings.
9. A storage pan assembly in accordance with claim 8, said bottom
end comprising a first extension and a second extension, said first
extension engaged to one of said slots in said base, and second
extension engaged to another of said slots in said base.
10. A storage pan assembly in accordance with claim 7 wherein said
base comprises an outer periphery, said outer periphery comprising
at least one recessed handle portion.
11. A storage pan in accordance with claim 7 wherein said openings
comprise elongated slots extending substantially parallel to said
wall.
12. A refrigerator storage pan assembly comprising: a pan
comprising a bottom wall and first and second side walls extending
therefrom; and an organizer within said pan, said organizer
comprising: a removable base supported on said bottom wall between
said lateral sides of said pan, said base comprising a support
surface elevated above said pan bottom wall and a plurality of
elongated openings therethrough; and a dividing wall partially
inserted into at least one of said elongated openings and dividing
said support surface into separate areas between said pan side
walls.
13. A refrigerator storage pan assembly in accordance with claim
12, said base comprising at least one recessed handle portion
adjacent one of said pan side walls.
14. A refrigerator storage pan assembly in accordance with claim
12, said base openings comprising a plurality of extended slots
extending substantially parallel to said pan side walls.
15. A refrigerator storage pan assembly in accordance with claim 14
wherein said slots are substantially equally spaced from one
another.
16. A refrigerator storage pan assembly in accordance with claim
12, said dividing wall configured for selective attachment to said
openings such that a position of said wall relative to said pan
side walls is adjustable.
17. A refrigeration appliance comprising: a cabinet comprising a
liner; and at least one storage pan positioned within said liner,
said storage pan comprising: a bottom wall; a base supported on
said bottom wall and comprising a surface in spaced apart
relationship to said bottom wall; and a wall selectively engageable
to said first surface so as to adjust relative positions of said
wall and said base.
18. A refrigeration appliance in accordance with claim 17, said
base comprising a recessed handle portion for removing said base
from said pan.
19. A refrigeration appliance in accordance with claim 17, said
base further comprising a plurality of extended openings
therethrough for attachment of said base.
20. A refrigeration appliance in accordance with claim 19, said
wall comprising at least one extension depending therefrom for
insertion into one of said slots.
Description
BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
[0001] This invention relates generally to drawer organizers, and,
more specifically, to an organizer for a slide-out refrigerator
storage drawer or pan.
[0002] Known refrigerators include a cabinet housing including an
outer case and one or more inner liners therein that defines a
fresh food compartment and a freezer compartment. The fresh food
compartment and freezer compartments are closed by separate access
doors hingedly attached to the case. A number of storage shelves,
baskets, and drawers are employed in the fresh food compartment to
organize food. See, for example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,729,997. One such
food storage feature is commonly known as a crisper drawer that is
intended to store fruits and vegetables therein and maintain
freshness while avoiding spoilage. Conventional crisper drawers
are, however, disadvantaged in several respects.
[0003] For example, most crisper drawers are relatively large and
cumbersome to clean, and typically must be removed from the
refrigerator to clean them effectively. Further, due to elevated
humidity levels in the crisper drawer, fruit and vegetables
contacting the bottom of a pan tend to deteriorate and rot quickly,
thereby accelerating bacteria and mold growth in the drawer. In
addition, a variety of items are often placed in the drawer at the
same time, and larger, heavier items, such as pineapples, may
damage smaller, lighter items, such as peaches. Each of the
foregoing issues tends to increase as the quantity of fruit and
vegetables in the drawer increases.
[0004] While a crisper drawer liner has been employed to address at
least some of these issues, see, for example, U.S. Pat. No.
6,173,580 B1, it does so with limited success, and a more effective
solution is desired.
SUMMARY OF INVENTION
[0005] In one aspect, an organizer for a refrigeration appliance
storage pan is provided. The organizer comprises a base comprising
opposite first and second surfaces and a plurality of openings
extending therethrough, and an upstanding wall received in at least
one of said openings and dividing one of said first and second
surfaces into separate areas.
[0006] In another aspect, a storage pan assembly for a
refrigeration appliance is provided. The pan assembly comprises a
pan comprising a bottom wall and an organizer comprising a
removable base supported on said bottom wall and comprising first
and second opposing side surfaces and a plurality of openings
through said first side surface. A dividing wall is coupled to said
base first surface and the wall is selectively positionable
relative to said openings.
[0007] In still another aspect, a refrigerator storage pan assembly
is provided. The assembly comprises a pan comprising a bottom wall
and first and second side walls extending therefrom, and an
organizer within said pan. The organizer comprises a removable base
supported on said bottom wall between said lateral sides of said
pan. The base comprises a support surface elevated above said pan
bottom wall and a plurality of elongated openings therethrough. A
dividing wall is partially inserted into at least one of said
elongated openings and divides said support surface into separate
areas between said pan side walls.
[0008] In yet another aspect, a refrigeration appliance is provided
that comprises a cabinet comprising a liner and at least one
storage pan positioned within said liner. The storage pan comprises
a bottom wall, and a base supported on said bottom wall and
comprising a surface in spaced apart relationship to said bottom
wall. A wall is selectively engageable to said first surface so as
to adjust relative positions of said wall and said base.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary
refrigerator.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pan organizer for the
refrigerator shown in FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional exploded view of the organizer
shown in FIG. 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of a portion of the
organizer shown in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of the organizer shown in
FIGS. 2-4 in a refrigerator pan.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0014] FIG. 1 illustrates an exemplary refrigeration appliance 100
in which the present invention may be practiced. In the embodiment
described and illustrated herein, appliance 100 is a side-by-side
refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the
present invention are equally applicable to other types of
refrigerators, freezers, and refrigeration appliances.
Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative
purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention in any
aspect.
[0015] Refrigerator 100 includes a fresh food storage compartment
102 and a freezer storage compartment 104. Freezer compartment 104
and fresh food compartment 102 are arranged side-by-side within an
outer case 106 and defined by inner liners 108 and 110 therein. A
space between case 106 and liners 108 and 110, and between liners
108 and 110, is filled with foamed-in-place insulation. Outer case
106 normally is formed by folding a sheet of a suitable material,
such as pre-painted steel, into an inverted U-shape to form top and
side walls of case. A bottom wall of case 106 normally is formed
separately and attached to the case side walls and to a bottom
frame that provides support for refrigerator 100. Inner liners 108
and 110 are molded from a suitable plastic material to form freezer
compartment 104 and fresh food compartment 102, respectively.
Alternatively, liners 108, 110 may be formed by bending and welding
a sheet of a suitable metal, such as steel. The illustrative
embodiment includes two separate liners 108, 110 as it is a
relatively large capacity unit and separate liners add strength and
are easier to maintain within manufacturing tolerances. In smaller
refrigerators, a single liner is formed and a mullion spans between
opposite sides of the liner to divide it into a freezer compartment
and a fresh food compartment.
[0016] A breaker strip 112 extends between a case front flange and
outer front edges of liners 108, 110. Breaker strip 112 is formed
from a suitable resilient material, such as an extruded
acrylo-butadiene-styrene based material (commonly referred to as
ABS).
[0017] The insulation in the space between liners 108, 110 is
covered by another strip of suitable resilient material, which also
commonly is referred to as a mullion 114. Mullion 114 also
preferably is formed of an extruded ABS material. Breaker strip 112
and mullion 114 form a front face, and extend completely around
inner peripheral edges of case 106 and vertically between liners
108, 110. Mullion 114, insulation between compartments, and a
spaced wall of liners separating compartments, sometimes are
collectively referred to herein as a center mullion wall 116.
[0018] Shelves 118 and slide-out storage drawers 120, sometimes
referred to as storage pans, normally are provided in fresh food
compartment 102 to support items being stored therein. A bottom
drawer or pan 122 is commonly referred to as a crisper drawer and
is intended for storage of fruit and vegetables. It is understood,
however, that the present invention may be employed in any of
storage pans 120 in addition to, or in lieu of, pan 122.
[0019] Refrigerator 100 is controlled by a microprocessor (not
shown in FIG. 1) according to user preference via manipulation of a
control interface 124 mounted in an upper region of fresh food
storage compartment 102 and coupled to the microprocessor. A shelf
126 and wire baskets 128 are also provided in freezer compartment
104. In addition, an ice maker 130 may be provided in freezer
compartment 104.
[0020] A freezer door 132 and a fresh food door 134 close access
openings to fresh food and freezer compartments 102, 104,
respectively. Each door 132, 134 is mounted by a top hinge 136 and
a bottom hinge (not shown) to rotate about its outer vertical edge
between an open position, as shown in FIG. 1, and a closed position
(not shown) closing the associated storage compartment. Freezer
door 132 includes a plurality of storage shelves 138 and a sealing
gasket 140, and fresh food door 134 also includes a plurality of
storage shelves 142 and a sealing gasket 144.
[0021] In accordance with known refrigerators, refrigerator 100
also includes a machinery compartment (not shown) that at least
partially contains components for executing a known vapor
compression cycle for cooling air. The components include a
compressor (not shown), a condenser (not shown), an expansion
device (not shown), and an evaporator (not shown ) connected in
series and charged with a refrigerant. The evaporator is a type of
heat exchanger which transfers heat from air passing over the
evaporator to a refrigerant flowing through the evaporator, thereby
causing the refrigerant to vaporize. The cooled air is used to
refrigerate one or more refrigerator or freezer compartments via
fans (not shown in FIG. 1). Collectively, the vapor compression
cycle components in a refrigeration circuit, associated fans, and
associated compartments are referred to herein as a sealed system.
The construction of the sealed system is well known and therefore
not described in detail herein, and the sealed system is operable
to force cold air through the refrigerator.
[0022] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a pan organizer 150 for use
in storage pan 122 (shown in FIG. 1). As is explained more fully
below, storage pan organizer 150 facilitates preservation of fruits
and vegetables, for example, within pan 122 while facilitating
clean up and maintenance of pan 122.
[0023] Organizer 150 includes a base 152 and an upstanding
partition wall 154 attached thereto. Base 150 in one embodiment is
a generally flat plate having a substantially rectangular
configuration and opposite top and bottom surfaces 156, 158. A
plurality of extended slots or openings 160 extend through base 152
from top surface 156 to bottom surface 158 both to facilitate
drainage of water and juice from items, such as fruits and
vegetables, stored on or above base top surface 156 and to
selectively position wall 154 relative to base 152, as further
described below. In an illustrative embodiment, slot openings 160
extend substantially parallel to one another and are approximately
equally spaced from adjacent slot openings 160. Base 152 further
includes a generally rectangular outer periphery 162 including
opposite front and back sides 164, 166 extending substantially
parallel to one another, and opposite lateral sides 168, 170
extending between front and back sides 164, 166. Lateral sides 168,
170 each include inwardly curved handle portions 172, 174 that are
recessed from base lateral sides 168, 170 so that base 152 may be
easily installed and removed from storage pan 122 by gripping
handle portions 172, 174.
[0024] In an illustrative embodiment, raised ribs 176, 178 extend
adjacent and substantially parallel to front and back sides 164,
166, and wall 154 extends between front and back ribs 176, 178.
Base top surface 156 and bottom surface 158 are each substantially
flat such that base bottom surface 158 rests upon and is supported
by a bottom floor or bottom surface of a storage pan, and further
such that base top surface 156 extends above and substantially
parallel to base bottom surface 158. It is contemplated, however,
that in alternative embodiments, base top surface 156 and/or bottom
surface 158 may include some curvature to facilitate drainage of
moisture through base openings 160.
[0025] Wall 154 is attached to base 152 and extends upward from
base top surface 156 in a substantially perpendicular orientation
relative to base top surface 152 such that when base 152 is
situated horizontally in a storage drawer or pan, wall 154 forms an
upstanding divider that partitions base top surface 156 into
separate areas. In an illustrative embodiment, wall includes a
relatively thick base portion 176 that is coupled to base 152 and a
thinner divider portion 178 extending upwardly from wall base
portion 176. A rounded top wall portion 180 extends above wall
divider portion 178 between opposite ends of divider portion 178
and includes a cutout through which a rounded handle 184 extends.
By gripping wall handle 184, wall 154 may inserted into and removed
from base 152 in a variety of positions to change or adjust an area
of base top surface 156 that extends on either side of wall
154.
[0026] In one embodiment, organizer base 152 and wall 154 are each
fabricated from known materials, such as plastic for example, that
are suitable for a refrigeration environment. Organizer base 152
and wall 154 are each formed according to known methods and
techniques, including but not limited to injection molding
techniques and a variety of fabrication processes known in the art
without departing from the scope of the instant claims.
[0027] FIG. 3 is a cross sectional exploded view of organizer 150
illustrating organizer wall 154 including an outwardly flared base
portion 176 depending downwardly from wall divider portion 178. A
pair of extensions 190 depend from an inner surface 192 of wall
base portion 176 and extend generally parallel to and equidistant
from a longitudinal axis 194 of wall 154. Wall extensions 190
extend a distance below wall bottom surface 196 such that when wall
bottom surface 196 contacts organizer base top surface 156,
extensions penetrate base top surface 156 through base slot
openings 160 such that wall extensions 190 are received within
adjacent slot openings 160 through base top surface 156. In an
illustrative embodiment, wall extensions 190 are dimensioned
slightly larger than openings 160 so as to create an interference
fit between wall 154 and base 152.
[0028] As should now be apparent, wall 154 may be engaged to any
two adjacent slot openings 160 to provide an appropriate area on
base top surface 156 on either side of wall 154. Because the
illustrated embodiment includes eight slot openings 160 extending
though base 152, wall 154 is positionable in seven different
positions between adjacent openings 160 on base 154 by engaging
wall base extensions 190 into a selected pair of adjacent base slot
openings 160. It is recognized that greater or fewer numbers of
slot openings 160 may be employed to further refine or restrict
positioning of wall 154 relative to base 152.
[0029] FIG. 4 is a bottom perspective view of organizer wall 154
illustrating extensions 190 protruding beneath wall bottom surface
196 and beyond wall base portion 176. As illustrated in FIG. 5,
extensions 190 are cylindrically shaped pegs sized and dimensioned
for press-fit insertion into base 152 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3). It
is contemplated however, that extensions 1 90 may include
rectangular, square, or other polygonal shapes, in addition to
other curved shapes or combinations of curved and polygonal shapes
to engage base openings 160 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3) with a secure
interference fit. It is likewise appreciated that base openings 160
may likewise be modified to engage differently configured wall
extensions 190 projecting beneath wall base bottom surface 196.
[0030] In addition, while in an illustrative embodiment, wall 154
includes four extensions 190 situated in pairs adjacent either end
of wall 154 to secure wall 154 to base 152 at both ends thereof,
greater or fewer numbers of extensions 190 may be employed in
alternative embodiments. For example, one extension 190 may depend
from wall 154 at each end thereof rather than the two extensions
illustrated at each end of wall 154 depicted in FIG. 4, and each
extension 190 in such an embodiment may engage the same or
different slot opening 160 in base 152 (shown in FIGS. 2 and 3).
Moreover, additional extensions may be employed between the
illustrated extensions 190 to further secure organizer wall 154 to
base 152.
[0031] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of organizer 150 situated
within a refrigerator storage pan 200 which in different
embodiments, may be one of pans 120 (shown in FIG. 1) or pan 122
(also shown in FIG. 1).
[0032] Pan 200 includes a bottom 202, opposing lateral sides 204,
206 extending from bottom 202, and front and back sides 208, 210
that define an open sided box-like container. Organizer 150 is
contained within pan 200, i.e., between lateral sides 204, 206 and
front and back sides 208, 210, and organizer base 152 is resting
upon and supported by pan bottom 202. Organizer wall 154 is coupled
to base 152 and effectively divides storage pan 154 into two
separate areas above base 152.
[0033] Thus, for example, organizer wall 154 may be used to
partition pan 200 into two different storage spaces for fruit and
vegetable storage above organizer base top surface 156. Large heavy
items, for example, may therefore be placed on one side of
organizer wall 154 while smaller, more delicate items may be placed
on the other side of organizer wall 154. For example, a pineapple
may be placed on one side of organizer wall 154 and peaches may be
placed on the other side of organizer wall 154 while substantially
eliminating the large and course pineapple from contacting the
lighter and more delicate peaches and damaging them within pan 200.
Also, organizer wall may be positioned in various places relative
to organizer base 152 so that more peaches or more pineapples, as
may be desired, may be accommodated in storage pan 200. These
principles may be extended to a large variety of fruits and
vegetables, and by properly positioning organizer wall 154 relative
to base 152 and with strategic loading of fruits and vegetables
into pan 200 after organizer wall 154 is appropriately positioned,
pan 200 may be optimally loaded with selected fruits and
vegetables.
[0034] It is contemplated that the benefits of pan organizer 150
may extend beyond fruits and vegetables, and that organizer wall
154 may be employed to optimally store packaged food and food
containers of various sizes within pan 200. Still further, it is
contemplated that more than one wall 154 could be employed with
base 152 to further subdivide pan 200 into separate storage areas
for different items.
[0035] Items are located within pan 200 above pan bottom 202 on
organizer base top surface 156, and base openings 160 allow for
drainage of moisture from fruits, vegetables and items stored in
pan 200 above organizer base top surface 156. Thus, unlike
conventional food storage drawers, food items are isolated from
pools of moisture and juices that may accelerate storage of food
items in pan 200. In addition, for cleaning purposes, organizer 250
is easily removable from pan 200 by gripping base handle portions
172, 174 adjacent pan lateral sides 204, 206. Most sediment is
retained on base top surface 156 which may be relatively easily
cleaned once removed from pan 200. Pan bottom 202 may then be wiped
clean and organizer 150 replaced for use, thereby facilitating
relatively easy cleaning of pan 200 without conventional removal of
pan 200 from a refrigeration appliance, such as refrigerator 100
(shown in FIG. 1).
[0036] While the invention has been described in terms of various
specific embodiments, those skilled in the art will recognize that
the invention can be practiced with modification within the spirit
and scope of the claims.
* * * * *