U.S. patent application number 11/013699 was filed with the patent office on 2005-06-23 for cosmetic storing unit of refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to LG Electronics Inc.. Invention is credited to Kwon, Yong-Chol.
Application Number | 20050132740 11/013699 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 34675870 |
Filed Date | 2005-06-23 |
United States Patent
Application |
20050132740 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Kwon, Yong-Chol |
June 23, 2005 |
Cosmetic storing unit of refrigerator
Abstract
A cosmetic storing unit comprises: a refrigerator main body
provided with a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment; a
refrigerator door mounted at the refrigerator main body; a cosmetic
storing case provided at an inner surface of the refrigerator door
and having a predetermined interior space; and a case door provided
at the refrigerator door, for opening or closing the cosmetic
storing case. Cosmetics can be stored therein for a long time
without quality deterioration and can be conveniently used.
Inventors: |
Kwon, Yong-Chol;
(Gyeongsangnam-Do, KR) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FLESHNER & KIM, LLP
P.O. BOX 221200
CHANTILLY
VA
20153
US
|
Assignee: |
LG Electronics Inc.
|
Family ID: |
34675870 |
Appl. No.: |
11/013699 |
Filed: |
December 17, 2004 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/441 ;
62/407 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/04 20130101;
F25D 2323/023 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
062/441 ;
062/407 |
International
Class: |
F25D 017/04; F25D
011/02 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Dec 19, 2003 |
KR |
94032/2003 |
Claims
What is claimed is:
1. A cosmetic storing unit comprising: a refrigerator main body
provided with a freezing compartment and a cooling compartment; a
refrigerator door mounted at the refrigerator main body; a cosmetic
storing case provided at an inner surface of the refrigerator door
and having a predetermined interior space; and a case door provided
at the refrigerator door, for opening or closing the cosmetic
storing case.
2. The cosmetic storing unit of claim 1, wherein a mirror is
attached to the refrigerator door.
3. The cosmetic storing unit of claim 2, wherein the mirror is
positioned above the case door.
4. The cosmetic storing unit of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic
storing case is made of a heat-transfer member so that its interior
space is cooled by conduction from the cool air in the refrigerator
main body.
5. The cosmetic storing unit of claim 1, wherein the case door is
provided with a transparent window so that cosmetics received in
the cosmetic storing case can be checked therethrough.
6. The cosmetic storing unit of claim 1, wherein the cosmetic
storing case comprises: a case portion having a hexagonal shape
whose one side is opened; and a coupling portion bent and extending
from an edge of the opened portion of the case portion and coupled
to an inner wall of the refrigerator door.
7. The cosmetic storing unit of claim 6, wherein one portion of the
case is provided with a heat-transfer portion for conduction from
the cool air.
8. The cosmetic storing unit of claim 1, wherein ribs for
preventing a movement of a cosmetic is provided on a bottom of the
cosmetic storing case.
9. The cosmetic storing unit of claim 1, wherein the case door is
hinged at a lower portion so that it can be opened from the upper
side to the lower side and closed from the lower side to the upper
side.
10. A cosmetic storing unit of a refrigerator comprising: a
cosmetic storing case provided at a refrigerator main body or a
refrigerator door and having an interior space maintained in a
cooled state by conduction from the cool air in the refrigerator
main body; and a case door for opening or closing the cosmetic
storing case.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0001] 1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and
particularly, to a cosmetic storing unit of a refrigerator which
allows cosmetics to be stored for a long time without quality
deterioration and to be conveniently used.
[0003] 2. Description of the Background Art
[0004] In general, a refrigerator stores meats, fish, vegetables
and the like in a fresh state. Such a refrigerator comprises a
refrigerator main body provided with a freezing compartment, a
cooling compartment, a vegetable compartment and the like; and a
door mounted at one side of the refrigerator main body, for opening
or closing the freezing compartment and the cooling
compartment.
[0005] The refrigerator main body includes a refrigerating cycle
system comprised of a compressor, a condenser, a capillary tube, an
evaporator and the like; a blower fan for forcibly flowing the cool
air formed by the evaporator; and a circulation path for guiding
the cool air formed at the evaporator so that the cool air passes
through the freezing compartment and the cooling compartment and
then is introduced toward the evaporator again.
[0006] The refrigerator is operated as follows.
[0007] When the freezing compartment or the cooling compartment is
at a set temperature or higher, the refrigerating cycle system is
operated. The evaporator forms the cool air by the operation of the
refrigerating cycle system, and the cool air formed by the
evaporator flows by the blower fan. The cool air formed at the
evaporator flows through the circulation passage, maintaining the
freezing compartment, the cooling compartment and the vegetable
compartment, which is provided with the cooling compartment, at a
set temperature.
[0008] The refrigerator is classified into a variety of types
according to a method of circulating the cool air, positions of the
freezing compartment and the cooling compartment and a structure of
the evaporator.
[0009] Recently, the refrigerator has become large to meet users'
desires, and various functions are added thereto to improve
convenience of a user. As one example, a wine refrigerator for
storing wine, maintaining its own flavor has been developed.
[0010] Meanwhile, a household refrigerator is commonly placed in a
kitchen or a living room. Also, housewives cook and wash dishes in
the kitchen. In order to protect their hands after cooking or
washing dishes, they use cosmetics.
[0011] Cosmetics are skin care products that protect and moisturize
a skin, thereby activating metabolism, and that prevents foreign
substances in the air from directly contacting with the skin.
[0012] Because such cosmetics are usually used for a long time,
there are many possibilities of using deteriorated one. If someone
uses a deteriorated cosmetic, sweat pores of a skin may be blocked,
the skin may become rough, and, even worse, skins diseases may be
caused. Therefore, it is preferable to store the cosmetics at a
cool place.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0013] Therefore, an object of the present invention is to provide
a cosmetic storing unit of a refrigerator which allows cosmetics to
be stored for a long time without quality deterioration and to be
conveniently used.
[0014] To achieve these and other advantages and in accordance with
the purpose of the present invention, as embodied and broadly
described herein, there is provided a cosmetic storing unit
comprising: a refrigerator main body provided with a freezing
compartment and a cooling compartment; a refrigerator door mounted
at the refrigerator main body; a cosmetic storing case provided at
an inner surface of the refrigerator door and having a
predetermined interior space; and a case door provided at the
refrigerator door, for opening or closing the cosmetic storing
case.
[0015] The foregoing and other objects, features, aspects and
advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from
the following detailed description of the present invention when
taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0016] The accompanying drawings, which are included to provide a
further understanding of the invention and are incorporated in and
constitute a unit of this specification, illustrate embodiments of
the invention and together with the description serve to explain
the principles of the invention.
[0017] In the drawings:
[0018] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator provided
with a cosmetic storing unit in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention;
[0019] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator whose door
is opened;
[0020] FIG. 3 is a sectional view showing a cosmetic storing unit
of the refrigerator in accordance with the present invention;
[0021] FIG. 4 is a sectional view showing a modified example of a
cosmetic storing case constituting the cosmetic storing unit of the
refrigerator in accordance with the present invention; and
[0022] FIG. 5 is a sectional view showing a modified example of a
case door constituting the cosmetic storing unit of the
refrigerator in accordance with the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0023] Reference will now be made in detail to the preferred
embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are
illustrated in the accompanying drawings.
[0024] FIG. 1 is a perspective view showing a refrigerator provided
with a cosmetic storing unit in accordance with one embodiment of
the present invention, FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the
refrigerator whose door is opened, FIG. 3 is a sectional view
showing a cosmetic storing unit of the refrigerator in accordance
with the present invention.
[0025] As shown, the refrigerator provided with the cosmetic
storing unit in accordance with a first embodiment includes: a
refrigerator main body 100 provided with a freezing compartment and
a cooling compartment; and a refrigerator door 200 mounted to the
refrigerator main body 100.
[0026] The refrigerator main body 100 is provided with a freezing
compartment (not shown) in which food items are stored in a frozen
state; a cooling compartment (R) in which food items are stored in
a cooled state; and a vegetable compartment (not shown) in which
vegetables or fruits are stored.
[0027] A freezing compartment door 210 for opening or closing the
freezing compartment is mounted at one side of the refrigerator
main body 100, and a cooling compartment door 220 for opening or
closing the cooling compartment (R) is mounted at the other side of
the refrigerator main body 100. Baskets 240 in which beverages or
other food items are stored are provided at an inner wall of the
freezing compartment door 210 and the cooling compartment door
220.
[0028] A cosmetic storing unit is provided at the cooling
compartment door 220. The cosmetic storing unit includes a cosmetic
storing case 250 coupled to the cooling compartment door 220 and
having a certain interior space; and a case door 260 for opening or
closing the cosmetic storing case 250.
[0029] A through hole 221 with a predetermined size is
penetratingly formed at the cooling compartment door 220, and the
cosmetic storing case 250 is coupled to an inner wall of the
cooling compartment door 220. The cosmetic storing case 250 is
provided with a hexagonal case portion 251 whose one side is
opened; and a coupling portion 252 bent and extending from an edge
of the opened portion of the case portion 251.
[0030] The cosmetic storing case 250 is coupled to the cooling
compartment door 220 by the coupling of the coupling portion 252 to
the inner wall of the cooling compartment door 220, and at this
time, the case portion 251 is placed inside the cooling compartment
(R). The through hole 221 of the cooling compartment door is placed
in the opened portion of the cosmetic storing case 250, and the
size of the through hole 221 of the cooling compartment door 220 is
the same as or smaller than that of the opened portion of the
cosmetic storing case 250.
[0031] In order to prevent a movement of cosmetics stored in the
cosmetic storing case 250, a rib 253 is provided on a bottom of the
cosmetic storing case 250. The rib 253 with certain thickness and
height is formed in plurality perpendicularly and parallel to the
bottom.
[0032] The cosmetic storing case 250 is made of a heat-transfer
member so as to be cooled by conduction from the cool air in the
refrigerator main body 100. Namely, the interior space of the
cosmetic storing case 250 is cooled not by the flow of the cool air
therein but by the conduction of the cool air in the cooling
compartment to the cosmetic storing case 250.
[0033] As a modified example of the cosmetic storing case 250, as
shown in FIG. 4, only a rear surface of the case portion 251 is
made of a heat-transfer member. Namely, only the rear surface of
the case portion 251 is made of a heat-transfer member, and other
portions are made of a heat-insulation member. Only the rear
surface of the case 251 becomes a heat-transfer portion (C) for
conduction from the cool air.
[0034] The case door 260 is mounted to the cooling compartment door
220 to open or close the through hole 221 of the cooling
compartment door 220. Namely, the case door 260 opens or closes the
cosmetic storing case 250 by opening or closing the through hole
221 of the cooling compartment door 220.
[0035] Preferably, the case door 260 is coupled to the cooling
compartment door 220 and is hinged at its lower portion so that it
can be opened from the upper side to the lower side and closed from
the lower side to the upper side.
[0036] As a modified example of the case door 260, as shown in FIG.
5, a transparent window 262 is provided so that cosmetics received
in the case can be checked therethrough.
[0037] Preferably, a mirror is attached to the cooling compartment
door 220. Preferably, the mirror 270 is positioned above the case
door 260. Meanwhile, the mirror 270 may be attached to the freezing
compartment door 210 besides the cooling compartment door 220.
[0038] The cosmetic storing unit in accordance with the present
invention may be installed at one side of the freezing compartment
door 210, the refrigerator main body 100 or the like besides the
cooling compartment door 220. Also, the cosmetic storing unit may
be installed in the freezing compartment, the cooling compartment
or the vegetable compartment formed in the refrigerator main body
100, but those compartments are not proper places to store the
cosmetics because a smell (scent) of the cosmetics may spread
therein. If the smell can be prevented from spreading in the
freezing compartment, the cooling compartment and the vegetable
compartment, the cosmetic storing unit may be mounted in the
refrigerator main body 100.
[0039] Hereinafter, the operation and the effect of the cosmetic
storing unit of the refrigerator in accordance with the present
invention will now be described.
[0040] First, an evaporator constituting a refrigerating cycle
system constituting the refrigerator forms the cool air by the
operation of the refrigerating cycle system, and the cool air
circulates and flows in the freezing compartment and the cooling
compartment by rotation of a blower fan (not shown) provided at the
refrigerator main body 100. In such a manner, the freezing
compartment and the cooling compartment is maintained at a set
temperature.
[0041] Food items are stored in the freezing compartment or the
cooling compartment, and other vegetables or fruits are stored in
the vegetable compartment. When using the stored food items, a user
opens the refrigerator door 200 and takes out the stored food
item.
[0042] And, a user stores cosmetics in the cosmetic storing case
250 after opening the case door 260 provided at the cooling
compartment door 220.
[0043] An interior space of the cosmetic storing case 250 is
maintained in a cooled state by conduction of the cool air in the
cooling compartment (R) to the cosmetic storing case 250, so that
the cosmetics stored in the cosmetic storing case 250 are
maintained in a cooled state. Thus, even though the cosmetics are
stored therein for a long time, their quality is not
deteriorated.
[0044] The cosmetic storing case 250 does not communicate with an
interior space of the refrigerator, but is formed as a hermetic
shape, thereby preventing introduction of a smell of the cosmetics
into the refrigerator.
[0045] Also, because the refrigerator door 220 is provided with the
mirror 270, a user which has taken out a cosmetic from the cosmetic
storing case 250 can apply the cosmetic, looking at the mirror.
[0046] As so far described, because cosmetics are stored in the
cosmetic storing unit of the refrigerator at a low temperature, the
cosmetics can be used for a long time without any quality
deterioration. Also, housewives can use cosmetics by taking out
them from the cosmetic storing unit provided at the refrigerator
placed in a kitchen where they cook and wash dishes, whereby
convenience in use is improved.
[0047] As the present invention may be embodied in several forms
without departing from the spirit or essential characteristics
thereof, it should also be understood that the above-described
embodiments are not limited by any of the details of the foregoing
description, unless otherwise specified, but rather should be
construed broadly within its spirit and scope as defined in the
appended claims, and therefore all changes and modifications that
fall within the metes and bounds of the claims, or equivalence of
such metes and bounds are therefore intended to be embraced by the
appended claims.
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