U.S. patent application number 12/356484 was filed with the patent office on 2010-07-22 for open lid display refrigerator.
Invention is credited to NATHAN LINDER, LEO WILLS.
Application Number | 20100180616 12/356484 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 42335863 |
Filed Date | 2010-07-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100180616 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
LINDER; NATHAN ; et
al. |
July 22, 2010 |
OPEN LID DISPLAY REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
An improved open lid display refrigerator for use in storing and
displaying refrigerated items for retail sale. The exterior of the
improved display refrigerator is characterized by a multiplicity of
panel portions operative to interchangeably receive and display
advertisements, and in particular advertisements for products that
can be aligned with a corresponding brand of products stored within
the refrigerator. The open lid display further includes a novel lid
that is condensation resistant and is further secured by a hinge
that minimizes the risk of injury to the arm or hand of a consumer.
Still further, the improved display refrigerator includes an
easily-accessible refrigeration unit that further may optionally
include low maintenance hardware that is exceptionally easy to
clean.
Inventors: |
LINDER; NATHAN; (West
Covina, CA) ; WILLS; LEO; (San Dimas, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
STETINA BRUNDA GARRED & BRUCKER
75 ENTERPRISE, SUITE 250
ALISO VIEJO
CA
92656
US
|
Family ID: |
42335863 |
Appl. No.: |
12/356484 |
Filed: |
January 20, 2009 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/248 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 3/0413
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/248 |
International
Class: |
A47F 3/04 20060101
A47F003/04 |
Claims
1. An open lid display refrigerator comprising: a freestanding
refrigerator portion having upwardly extending, front, rear and
opposed side portions defining a refrigerated interior and a top
open periphery, the front and side portions having exterior
surfaces adapted to receive and hold signage thereon; a transparent
lid hingingly affixed to the top open periphery of said
refrigerator portion and operative to transition between opened and
closed configurations, said transparent lid providing a transparent
covering about the top open periphery of the refrigerator portion;
and a refrigeration system disposed within the interior of said
refrigerator portion, said refrigeration system being accessible
via a removable panel formed upon the frontal exterior of said
refrigerator portion.
2. The open lid display refrigerator of claim 1 wherein said
transparent lid is provided with a handle to facilitate the lifting
thereof.
3. The open lid display refrigerator of claim 2 wherein said
transparent lid is affixed to said top open periphery of the
refrigerator portion by first and second hinges, said hinges
comprising a first section affixed to said transparent lid and a
second portion affixed to the top open periphery of said
refrigerator portion, said hinge sections being interconnected to
one another via a cylindrical rod extending from said hinge portion
affixed to said transparent lid into a cylindrical socket formed
upon said hinge member affixed to said open periphery of the
refrigerator portion, the cylindrical socket having a diameter
larger than said cylinder received therein.
4. The open lid display refrigerator of claim 2 wherein said
transparent lid is affixed to said top open periphery of the
refrigerator portion by first and second hinges, said hinges
comprising a first section affixed to said transparent lid and a
second portion affixed to the top open periphery of said
refrigerator portion, said hinge sections being interconnected to
one another via a cylindrical rod extending from said hinge portion
attached to the periphery of the refrigerator portion, and into a
cylindrical socket formed upon said hinge member affixed to said
transparent lid of the refrigerator portion, the cylindrical socket
having a diameter larger than said cylinder received therein.
5. The open lid display refrigerator of claim 1 wherein said
transparent lid defines an exterior surface and an interior surface
oriented to the interior of the open periphery of the refrigerator
portion, said interior side of said transparent lid being formed to
resist condensation forming thereupon.
6. The open lid display refrigerator of claim 5 wherein said
interior-facing surface of said transparent lid is formed to have a
curvature operative to resist condensation buildup.
7. The open lid display refrigerator of claim 1 wherein each
respective one of said front and opposed side exterior surface are
operative to receive and hold signage.
8. The open lid display refrigerator of claim 1 wherein said
interior of said refrigerator portion is operative to receive at
least two basket members to store and display refrigerated
items.
9. The open lid display refrigerator of claim 8 wherein said
interior of said refrigerator portion is operative to receive three
basket members operatively positionable within the interior to
define a row of three product-specific baskets.
10. The open lid display refrigerator of claim 9 wherein said front
exterior surface of said refrigeration portion is operative to
receive signage that is aligned with products stored within said
respective product-specific baskets within said refrigerator
portion.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] Not Applicable
STATEMENT RE: FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH/DEVELOPMENT
[0002] Not Applicable
BACKGROUND
[0003] The present invention is directed to an improved open lid
display refrigerator and more particularly, an open lid display
refrigerator for use in storing and displaying refrigerated items
for retail purchase that is substantially more effective in
displaying advertising materials, displaying and organizing
refrigerated products for purchase, is substantially easier to
service, enhances the ability for consumers to view the contents
stored within the refrigerator, and minimizes the risk of damage or
injury to consumers accessing such open lid display refrigerator
compared to prior art devices.
[0004] Open lid display refrigerators are well-known in the art.
Such refrigerators are situated in retail stores, typically by the
checkout counter, and are designed to attract consumer attention
and easily allow the contents of the refrigerator to be accessed
for purchase. Open lid refrigerators are particularly useful in
storing items such as canned or bottled beverages and refrigerated
desserts, such as ice cream, and displaying the same at counter
level, in order to entice consumers to make impulse purchases.
[0005] To achieve that end, the open lid display refrigerator must
ideally be able to allow consumers to clearly view refrigerated
items for purchase and further, allow the consumer to easily access
the refrigerated contents so as to make selecting and buying a
product as easy as possible. Typically, such refrigerators include
glass lids or sliding glass doors that can retract while allowing
access to the refrigerator. Alternatively, such refrigerators may
be provided with lids that can be lifted up by the consumer and the
contents of the refrigerator thereafter accessed.
[0006] Such conventional designs, however, suffer from several
drawbacks. First of all, by virtue of the glass construction that
the lids and sliding doors are fabricated from make such doors and
lids heavy to lift and move. Additionally, sliding glass doors must
necessarily be biased to a closed position to conserve
refrigeration and thus must be pulled in a retracted state to open
up the refrigerator while the contents are being accessed. Glass
lids, on the other hand, can be exceptionally heavy to lift and
have the tendency to drop on the consumer, most notably the head,
arm or hand thereof, as refrigerated items are removed from the
refrigerator for purchase. As a consequence, not only can a
consumer be injured by such sliding glass doors and lids, the
refrigerator, too, may be damaged and hence require repairs.
[0007] The disadvantages of utilizing glass for sliding doors and
lids for display refrigerators is further problematic insofar as
the same have a tendency to fog or collect condensation. As is well
known, condensation can readily build up upon glass surfaces,
especially when the interior of the refrigerator is repeatedly
accessed to allow warm air to enter into the refrigerator. Such
condensation obscures the visibility of the items inside the
refrigerator for retail purchase, and thus defeats the primary
objective of the display refrigerator. Still further, such
condensation can make the products displayed therein to appear
unsightly, and thus possibly dissuading consumers from making a
purchase.
[0008] There are further disadvantages with the design of
conventional open lid display refrigerators, particularly in regard
to the ability of the refrigerators to receive and neatly organize
the refrigerated products contained therein. In this respect, most
conventional display refrigerators are not provided with any means
of organizing products and consumers typically must rummage through
a variety of products in order to see if a desired product is even
available. There is much less provided display refrigerators that
enable advertisements or product information to be immediately and
interchangeably integrated about the exterior thereof that not only
provides information regarding the products contained within the
refrigerator, but also can be provided in a way that immediately
informs the consumers which products are available and how such
products are organized within the refrigerator.
[0009] Lacking even further is any type of open lid display
refrigerator that includes a refrigeration system that is of low
maintenance and easy to access. Due to the configuration of most
open lid display refrigerators to be situated at counter-level, the
refrigeration system incorporated therein must be situated behind
or in the rear of the refrigerator, which thus requires the
refrigerator to be pulled from its location in order for the
refrigeration system to be accessed. This is not only labor
intensive, but having to remove the display refrigerator can be
disruptive of retail operations. This disadvantage is further
compounded by virtue of the conventional design of most
refrigeration systems that use condenser coils, the latter
incorporating the use of fins or other protuberances that are
utilized to dissipate heat, typically via the application of a fan
situated in close proximity coils in order to dissipate heat
emanating from the coils via convection. As is well-known, to the
extent such condenser coils are not kept clean, the same can
quickly buildup dirt and debris that cannot only interfere with the
functioning of the refrigeration system but further can create an
unsightly appearance to consumers.
[0010] There is therefore a substantial need in the art for an
improved open lid display refrigerator that overcomes the
aforementioned disadvantages. There is especially a need in the art
for an improved open lid display refrigerator that cannot only be
eye catching to consumers and facilitate the ability of
refrigerated products for retail purchase to be neatly and easily
organized and easily viewed by consumers, but further can be done
so via a refrigeration and open lid system that is of substantially
lower maintenance, more consumer friendly, can enhance the ability
of refrigerated retail products to be more clearly and easily seen
and accessed, and can further substantially reduce potential damage
and injury associated with opening and closing the lid integrated
with such open lid display refrigerators. There is a further need
for such a display refrigerator that can effectively be utilized to
display advertisements and product information in a simple and
readily interchangeable fashion.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0011] The present invention specifically addresses and alleviates
the above-identified deficiencies in the art. In this regard, the
present invention is directed to an improved open lid display
refrigerator for use in displaying and storing refrigerated items
for retail purchase. The refrigerator includes a housing defining a
top open periphery within which refrigerated items may be stored,
organized and displayed. The exterior of the refrigerator is
provided with a plurality of panel sections that are operative to
receive advertisements and other retail display materials. In a
preferred embodiment, the refrigerator will be provided with a
forward facing panel that is operative to display product
advertisements that are aligned with like products stored within
the refrigerator. Along these lines, it is contemplated that the
improved open lid display refrigerator will include two or more
partitions, preferably formed as baskets positionable within the
refrigerator that will be sized to correspond with advertisements
positioned upon the front-facing panel of the refrigerator.
[0012] The improved refrigerator will further preferably include a
base-mounted refrigeration system that can be easily accessed from
the front, forward-facing portion thereof. In this regard, it is
contemplated that most or all serviceable components of the
improved open lid display refrigerator of the present invention may
be easily and readily accessed without requiring the display
refrigerator to be moved from its position in the retail setting.
In addition, it is contemplated that the refrigeration system
integrated as part of the improved display refrigerator of the
present invention may be either of a conventional design or may
preferably take the form of those as disclosed in Applicants'
co-pending patent application entitled IMPROVED DISPLAY
REFRIGERATOR, Ser. No. 12/356,470, filed Jan. 20, 2009, the
teachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by reference.
Such improved refrigeration system includes, among other things,
easily accessible condenser coils that further include a fin-free
design. Advantageously, the elimination of fins or other heat
dissipating structures as typically incorporated into condenser
coils are omitted which thus substantially reduce dust and debris
buildup and likewise eliminate or may substantially reduce the need
to integrate a condenser fan or other similar devices for
dissipating heat.
[0013] Affixed to the top open periphery of the refrigerator is a
novel transparent lid that is operative to provide a transparent
covering about the top open periphery of the refrigerator to enable
retail consumers to view the contents of the refrigerator. Unlike
other types of lids simply designed to conserve refrigeration,
however, the lid as integrated within the open lid display
refrigerator of the present invention is fabricated to
substantially reduce fog or condensation buildup that can interfere
with consumer's ability to view the contents within the
refrigerator and further, can cause the contents within the
refrigerator to appear unsightly. To achieve that end, the lid is
fabricated in a novel manner whereby the lid is fabricated from a
sheet of clear polymer material having a uniform thickness but
formed such that the lid has a surface contour that changes
gradually in a compound curve. Although optional, such compound
curve and contour shape enables the lid facing the interior side of
the refrigerator to be charged with high pressure nitrogen gas,
which as a consequence improves the insulation and eliminates
condensation.
[0014] The improved open lid display refrigerator further includes
a novel hinge mechanism that affixes the lid to the refrigerator.
Such hinge is characterized by a lid mounted portion and
refrigerator mounted portion that are interconnectable such that a
cylindrical rod extending from the lid portion is received into an
oversized cylindrical socket formed on the refrigerator portion.
Alternatively, the cylindrical rod may be formed on the
refrigerator mounted portion with the corresponding socket being
formed on the lid mounted portion. By providing a socket that
includes a greater diameter than the cylindrical rod received
therein, the lid will thus be allowed to lift or extend upwardly a
distance to the extent an obstruction, such as the arm or hand of
the consumer, extends within the refrigerator while the lid is
being closed. Unlike conventional lid attachment mechanisms, the
improved open lid display refrigerator of the present invention
substantially eliminates the potential for the lid to pinch or
crush upon an appendage of a consumer or other obstruction to the
extent the same extends into the refrigerator display while the lid
is being closed. Not only does the design of the present invention
substantially reduce risk of injury, it further reduces potential
damage that could occur to the lid and refrigerator to the extent
the lid is inadvertently closed upon an obstruction that causes the
lid, refrigerator and/or hinge interconnecting the two to
break.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0015] These and other features and advantages of the various
embodiments disclosed herein will be better understood with respect
to the following description and drawings, in which like numbers
refer to like parts throughout, and in which:
[0016] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an improved open lid display
refrigerator constructed in accordance with a preferred embodiment
of the present invention.
[0017] FIG. 2 is a partial exploded upper view of the improved open
lid display refrigerator of FIG. 1 further depicting product
display baskets positionable thereinside.
[0018] FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of the lid and interior
of the improved open lid display refrigerator illustrating an
improved hinge for interconnecting the lid with the
refrigerator.
[0019] FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line 4-4 of
FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0020] The detailed description set forth below is intended as a
description of the presently preferred embodiment of the invention,
and is not intended to represent the only form in which the present
invention may be constructed or utilized. The description sets
forth the functions and sequences of steps for constructing and
operating the invention. It is to be understood, however, that the
same or equivalent functions and sequences may be accomplished by
different embodiments and that they are also intended to be
encompassed within the scope of the invention.
[0021] Referring now to the Figures, and initially to FIG. 1, there
is perspectively illustrated an improved open lid display
refrigerator 10 constructed in accordance with a preferred
embodiment of the present invention. The open lid display
refrigerator 10 includes a refrigerator portion 12 defined by front
14, sides 16, 18 and rear 20 sidewalls that define an interior into
which refrigerated items for retail sale are displayed and made
accessible for purchase. To allow access to the open lid display
refrigerator 10 of the present invention there is further provided
a lid member 24 that extends about the opening defined by front 14,
sides 16, 18 and rear portion 20. The lid 24 is preferably affixed
to the upper periphery of refrigerator 12 via hinge members 26, 28
discussed in detail further below, that enable the lid portion to
be lifted by the consumer via handle 30 to obtain access to the
refrigerated items within the refrigerator 12, as well as maintain
the closed state as shown concealing the interior compartment and
preserving the refrigeration therein.
[0022] To enhance the visual attractiveness of the open lid display
refrigerator 10 of the present invention, as well as to serve as a
means for advertising and promotion, the refrigerator portion 12 is
preferably configured such that the front and sides 14, 16, 18 are
operative to receive signage and other types of graphics such as
advertisement 34 mounted upon side 16 and product signage 36
disposed upon front 14. With respect to front signage 36, it is
contemplated that the signage may include brands that are
partitioned in a manner that corresponds to how the refrigerated
products stored within the refrigerator 12 are sorted and
organized. In this regard, brand ad 1 depicted as 38 is partitioned
via graphics 40 that denote a discrete area corresponding to the
interior of the refrigerator 12 wherein such product may be stored
and located. In this regard, and unlike prior art display
refrigerators, the open lid display refrigerator 10 of the present
invention is adapted to receive not only advertisements, but is
further designed to have an interior storage system that
corresponds to signage that may be placed on the outside of the
refrigerator 12, and more particularly the front 14 thereof that
enables the consumers to readily identify what products are
available for purchase and where the same may be located in the
open lid display refrigerator 10 of the present invention. Along
these lines, it is contemplated that any spare exterior surface
area available as defined by the refrigerator 12, including the top
20 thereof, may be provided with signage or other advertisements,
such as 32, that thus enables the display refrigerators 10 to be
useful as advertising and marketing tools.
[0023] To further enhance the utility of the open lid display
refrigerators 10 of the present invention, it is contemplated that
the refrigeration system (not shown) may be positioned underneath
the refrigerator 12 and concealed within base portion 42 thereof.
In this regard, it is contemplated that the refrigeration system
incorporated within the display refrigerators 10 of the present
invention may be accessible through base portion 42, which thus
enables serviceable parts of the display refrigerator 10 to be
readily accessed from the front of the display refrigerator 10 and
thus does not require the display refrigerator 10 to be moved or
otherwise repositioned when it becomes necessary to service the
internal refrigeration system of the refrigerator 12.
[0024] Although not shown, it is contemplated that such
refrigeration systems as housed within base 42 may be any of a
variety of systems well-known in the art. It is further
contemplated that such refrigeration systems may take the form as
disclosed in Applicants' co-pending Patent Application entitled
IMPROVED DISPLAY REFRIGERATOR, Ser. No. 12/356,470, filed Jan. 20,
2009, the teachings of which are expressly incorporated herein by
reference. Along these lines, it is contemplated that such
refrigeration system will include a fin-free condenser coil design
which limits the amount of dust and debris that can build up on the
condenser coils and further, can eliminate or minimize the usage of
a fan in connection with the condenser coil as is typically
utilized to help cool the refrigerant in the condenser coils, as
well as the compressor used in connection with the refrigeration
system. To achieve that end, it is contemplated that the compressor
coil will be configured to extend in an expanded, open
configuration that provides enough air space about the condenser
coil such that heat is allowed to radiate therefrom that can be
easily dissipated in open air, as opposed to having to rely upon
fins or other protuberances fabricated from a heat conductive
material that are operative to dissipate the heat from the
refrigerant in the condenser coils as is conventional practice. In
this regard, such condenser coil is formed to have a spiral or
helical configuration that winds about a vertical axis. A plurality
of vertical support rods or wires is also provided to give the
compressor coil a cage-like configuration. Preferably, the
condenser coil and support structures are all fabricated from
aluminum to provide maximum heat transfer and dissipation. The open
cage configuration further provides sufficient air space to pass
through the condenser coils more so than prior art condenser coil
configurations. According to such configuration, the heat
dissipation may be so effective that the use of a fan as is
typically utilized to facilitate the dissipation of heat from the
condenser coil may be eliminated.
[0025] Housing the refrigeration system in base 42 further enables
other components of the refrigeration system, such as the
compressor, fan (if utilized) and drain pan to be easily and
readily accessed and does not require that the open lid display
refrigerator 10 be pulled out or otherwise moved out of position to
the extent any of those components need to be accessed.
[0026] Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown the exterior
components of the improved display refrigerator of the present
invention, and how the same are operative to receive advertising
materials on the exterior thereof, as well as provide easy access
and enhance storage and organization within the interior thereof.
As discussed above, the exterior portions of the refrigerator
section 12 will be operative to receive and display printed
advertising materials and the like. In this regard, front 14 will
be operative to receive display signage 36 whereas sides 16, 18
will be able to receive signage or advertising materials 34, 46
respectively. Additional signage 32 may be received upon any
surface area available on the top portion of the refrigerator as
illustrated in FIG. 1.
[0027] With respect to the interior 48 of the open lid display
refrigerator of the present invention, the same is preferably
configured to have an open, easily accessible interior within which
bins or wire baskets 44 or other similar types of items useful in
organizing and displaying refrigerated merchandise may be received.
As shown, wire baskets 44 may be aligned and positioned within the
interior 48 and operative to receive and hold a specific type of
refrigerated item for retail purchase. Although not mandatory, the
refrigerator section 12 will incorporate evaporator fans 50 into
the back or rear of the refrigerator that, per conventional design,
will blow air across evaporator coils (not shown) that is
distributed about the interior of the refrigerator section 12. Wire
baskets 44 facilitate the circulation of such refrigerated air.
Along these lines, the interior 48 is preferably configured to hold
two or more, and preferably three as shown, open wire baskets 44
within each of which may be stored and displayed a separate
consumer item. Moreover, and as illustrated in FIG. 1, signage 36
may be provided that aligns with respective ones of the baskets 44
to thus enable consumers to readily identify not only what product
is available for purchase, but where such item is located. As is
well-known in the art, conventional open lid display refrigerators
do not provide signage that corresponds to how refrigerated items
are stored and displayed within the refrigerator. Rather, most open
lid display refrigerators currently available have a multiplicity
of products scattered there throughout and requires consumers to
sort through various food and beverage items to find the desired
product. Such practice is not only wasteful insofar as the
refrigeration is wasted as the consumer rummages through the goods,
but further, the client rummaging through the merchandise can leave
such merchandise unsavory and undesirable for purchase. By neatly
organizing the contents to be stored and displayed within the open
lid display refrigerator 10 of the present invention such problem
is eliminated, particularly in view of the signage that immediately
directs the consumer's attention to the specific product stored and
refrigerated within the display refrigerator.
[0028] Referring still to FIG. 2, there is shown the lid 24 to be
utilized in connection with the improved open lid display
refrigerator 10 of the present invention. As illustrated, the same
will be formed from a transparent material, and preferably glass or
other suitable transparent polymer material. Among the preferred
materials include acrylic plastic and polycarbonate that are
formed, via injection molding, as planar sheets having a uniform
thickness. The lid 24 is further provided with a handle 30 and is
further provided with an insulated peripheral edge 46 to conserve
the refrigeration when the lid is closed.
[0029] Advantageously, the lid 24 is formed in a manner that
resists condensation, which in turn eliminates the tendency of the
transparent lid 24 to obscure the contents to be displayed within
the refrigeration section 12. To achieve that end, the lid 24 is
fabricated in a unique manner such that the cross-sectional
thickness of the lid 24 is provided with a unique curvature
operative not only to resist condensation but to further draw the
condensation away from the centermost portion of the lid 24 so as
to substantially minimize, if not eliminate, the potential for
condensation to obscure the contents stored within the display
refrigerator. More specifically, the lid 24 will preferably be
formed such that the surface contour thereof changes gradually in a
compound curve. Such compound curve and contour shape are operative
to enable the interior of lid 24 oriented towards refrigerator 12
to be charged with high pressure nitrogen gas, which in turn
improves insulation and eliminates condensation. For example, lids
24 formed from acrylic plastics and formed to have the compound
curve and contour shape and thereafter charged with high pressure
nitrogen has been shown to resist, if not eliminate, condensation
under conditions of 90 degrees Fahrenheit at 65 percent relative
humidity. As should be appreciated, however, the lid 24 need not
necessarily be charged with high pressure nitrogen gas, nor
necessarily formed to possess the aforementioned compound curve and
contour shape, and that fabricating the lid 24 from a simple sheet
of durable transparent material alone may be sufficient to
accomplish any of the objectives of the present invention.
[0030] The lid 24 is affixed to the refrigerator 12 via hinges 26,
28, each of which including subcomponents 26a, 26b and 28a, 28b, as
shown. In this regard, hinges 26, 28 are operative to not only
secure the lid 24 to the refrigerator portion 12, but also enable
the lid 24 to be utilized in a manner that substantially minimizes
any possibility of injury to a consumer and/or damage to the open
lid display refrigerator as the same is utilized to access
refrigerated contents. As shown, each hinge 26, 28 is provided with
a first refrigerator hinge portion 26a, 28a that is secured to the
refrigerator and a lid hinge portion 26b, 28b that is affixed to
the lid 24. Such arrangement, as shown in FIG. 3, illustrates that
the hinge portions 28a, 28b are interconnected to one another via a
rod/socket configuration, discussed more fully below with respect
to FIG. 4. Both hinge portions 28a, 28b (as well as 26a, 26b not
shown) are secured via fastener mechanisms 52, which may take any
of a variety of fastener mechanisms well-known to those skilled in
the art, including bolts, screws and the like.
[0031] The hinge mechanism further advantageously allows the lid
24, and more particularly the insulated periphery portion 46
thereof, to form a tight seal about the opening of refrigerator
section 12, as shown in FIG. 1, and transition to the open state as
illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3.
[0032] The hinge mechanism is preferably provided with an
interconnection between hinge portions, such as 28a and 28b, that
enables the hinge to provide some "give" or "lift" to the extent
the lid portion 24 is inadvertently closed on an object or an
appendage of a consumer reaching within the interior 48 of the
refrigerator 12. To provide such give or lift, and as shown in FIG.
4, the hinge portions 28a, 28b will be interconnected such that the
cylindrical rod, shown as 54 in FIG. 4, extending from hinge
portion 28b will be received within an oversized cylindrical socket
or chamber, shown as 56 in FIG. 4, as formed within hinge portion
28a. With respect to the latter, it is contemplated that for
manufacturing purposes, hinge portion 28a may be fabricated as two
components 28a, 28a' that cooperate to define the cylindrical
socket 56 and further cooperate to receive and interconnect to
refrigerator 12 via bolts 52 as shown, the latter having threaded
portions 52' that are designed to interconnect with apertures
formed within refrigerator 12. The cylindrical socket 56 is
provided with a larger diameter than the cylindrical cross section
defined by cylindrical rod 54 received therein such that a
distance, indicated by the letter "A" is provided that enables the
cylindrical rod 54 to advance upwardly to the extent an object or
other obstruction interferes with the ability of the lid 24 to
assume the closed configuration shown in FIG. 1. As will be readily
appreciated, given the fact that lid 24 will be continuously opened
and closed by consumers, which may include children, it is
contemplated that lid 24 may drop or fall upon the arms and hands
of individuals reaching within the interior compartment 48 of the
refrigerator 12. It is believed that given the light weight nature
of the lid 24, coupled with the novel hinge arrangement as shown in
connection with FIG. 4, will enable the lid to readily provide give
or be able to lift to at least some degree, reflected by distance
"A", so as to minimize the impact or ability of the lid to bear
down upon an obstruction. By providing such a novel hinge
arrangement between the lid 24 and refrigerator 12, it is believed
that damage to the lid/refrigerator and/or injury to a consumer is
substantially reduced.
[0033] Additional modifications and improvements of the present
invention may also be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the
art. Thus, the particular combination of parts and steps described
and illustrated herein is intended to represent only certain
embodiments of the present invention, and is not intended to serve
as limitations of alternative devices and methods within the spirit
and scope of the invention. For example, it will be readily
understood that the cylindrical rod 54 and cylindrical socket 56
within which it is received may be formed on either of the hinge
components 28a, 28b, as illustrated in FIG. 3 and FIG. 4. Likewise,
it is contemplated that a multiplicity of storage and organization
mechanisms can be readily incorporated into the interior 48 of the
refrigerator 12, and need not necessarily be limited to the three
wire baskets 44 arranged within the interior 48 as illustrated in
FIG. 2. Various other alternatives may be utilized with regard to
the type and placement of the refrigeration systems and various
components thereof that is integrated with the improved open lid
display refrigerator disclosed herein.
* * * * *