U.S. patent application number 13/658475 was filed with the patent office on 2013-05-09 for refrigerator with individualized locking drawers.
The applicant listed for this patent is Timothy John Olson. Invention is credited to Timothy John Olson.
Application Number | 20130111936 13/658475 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 48222774 |
Filed Date | 2013-05-09 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130111936 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Olson; Timothy John |
May 9, 2013 |
Refrigerator With Individualized Locking Drawers
Abstract
A refrigerator with individualized locking drawers is similar in
size and shape to a standard refrigerator, with a plurality of
drawers in the refrigerator compartment that can be personalized.
The drawers have a locking mechanism, a name placard displaying the
user's name, a use frequency display, and a spoilage display. A
digital control interface on the refrigerator door allows users to
register for and manage drawers, and a network connection device
allows users to manage their drawer through a website interface or
a mobile application. A community storage shelf below the
individual drawers and shelves on the inside face of the
refrigerator door provides space for large items or community
items, and a freezer compartment below the refrigerator compartment
provides storage for items that require lower temperatures than the
refrigerator compartment.
Inventors: |
Olson; Timothy John; (San
Diego, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Olson; Timothy John |
San Diego |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
48222774 |
Appl. No.: |
13/658475 |
Filed: |
October 23, 2012 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61557467 |
Nov 9, 2011 |
|
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|
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/127 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/025 20130101;
F25D 23/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/127 |
International
Class: |
F25B 49/00 20060101
F25B049/00; F25D 23/02 20060101 F25D023/02 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator with individualized locking drawers comprises, a
refrigerator compartment; a refrigerator door; a plurality of
hinges; a freezer compartment; a freezer drawer; a back enclosure;
a drawers section; a plurality of refrigerator drawers; a storage
shelf; a refrigerator temperature sensor; a freezer temperature
sensor; a refrigerator chipset; a network connection device; the
refrigerator door comprises an inside door surface, an outside door
surface, a plurality of door shelves, a refrigerator door handle, a
hand sanitizer dispenser, and a digital control interface; the
drawers section comprises a plurality of vertical dividers, a
plurality of horizontal dividers, a plurality of drawer cubbies,
and a plurality of divider locking interfaces; and each of the
plurality of refrigerator drawers comprises a drawer shell, a
drawer chipset, a drawer liner, an opening, a refrigerator drawer
handle, a drawer locking interface, a name placard, a usage
frequency display, a spoilage sensor, and a spoilage display.
2. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers as claimed
in claim 1 comprises, the refrigerator compartment and the freezer
compartment being adjacently positioned to each other within the
back enclosure; the refrigerator compartment being connected within
the back enclosure; the refrigerator door being positioned adjacent
to the refrigerator compartment opposite the back enclosure; the
refrigerator door being connected by the plurality of hinges to the
back enclosure; the refrigerator temperature sensor being
positioned within the refrigerator compartment; and the
refrigerator chipset and the network connection device being
positioned within the back enclosure.
3. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers as claimed
in claim 1 comprises, the freezer drawer comprises a freezer drawer
shell, a freezer door and a freezer drawer handle; the freezer
compartment being connected within the back enclosure; the freezer
drawer shell being positioned between the freezer door and the back
enclosure; the freezer door being connected to the freezer drawer
shell opposite the back enclosure; the freezer drawer traversing
into the freezer compartment; the freezer drawer handle being
connected to the freezer door opposite the freezer drawer; and the
freezer temperature sensor being positioned within the freezer
compartment.
4. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers as claimed
in claim 1 comprises, the drawers section being positioned within
the refrigerator compartment; the plurality of vertical dividers
being equally spaced apart from each other; the plurality of
horizontal dividers being equally spaced apart from each other; the
plurality of vertical dividers perpendicularly intersecting the
plurality of horizontal dividers; the plurality of drawer cubbies
being delineated by the plurality of vertical dividers and the
plurality of horizontal dividers; the plurality of refrigerator
drawers traversing into the plurality of drawer cubbies; and the
storage shelf being positioned within the refrigerator compartment
between the drawers section and the freezer compartment.
5. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers as claimed
in claim 1 comprises, the inside door surface being positioned
parallel and opposite to the outside door surface; the plurality of
door shelves being positioned on the inside door surface; the
refrigerator door handle being connected to the outside door
surface opposite the plurality of hinges; and the hand sanitizer
dispenser and the digital control interface being positioned on the
outside door surface.
6. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 1
comprises, the opening being positioned adjacent to the drawer
shell; the drawer shell comprises a first face and a second face;
the first face and the second face being oriented parallel to each
other; the first face and the second face being oppositely
positioned from each other; the second face being positioned
between the first face and the back enclosure; the second face and
the opening of each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers
traversing into each of the plurality of cubbies; the opening being
perpendicularly positioned between the first face and the second
face; the drawer liner being positioned opposite the opening; the
refrigerator drawer handle, the name placard, the usage frequency
display, and the spoilage display being positioned on the first
face opposite the opening; and the spoilage sensor being positioned
on the first face adjacent to the opening.
7. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 1
comprises, the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected
to the digital control interface, the network connection device,
the refrigerator temperature sensor, and the freezer temperature
sensor.
8. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 1
comprises, the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected
to the drawer chipset for each of the plurality of refrigerator
drawers.
9. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 1
comprises, the drawer chipset being electronically connected to the
name placard, the drawer locking interface, the usage sensor, the
usage frequency display, the spoilage sensor, and the spoilage
display.
10. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 1
comprises, the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected
to the name placard, the drawer locking interface, the usage
sensor, the usage frequency display, the spoilage sensor, and the
spoilage display for each of the plurality of refrigerator
drawers.
11. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 1
comprises, the plurality of divider locking interfaces being
engaged with the drawer locking interface for each of the plurality
of refrigerator drawers.
12. A refrigerator with individualized locking drawers comprises, a
refrigerator compartment; a refrigerator door; a plurality of
hinges; a freezer compartment; a freezer drawer; a back enclosure;
a drawers section; a plurality of refrigerator drawers; a storage
shelf; a refrigerator temperature sensor; a freezer temperature
sensor; a refrigerator chipset; a network connection device; the
refrigerator door comprises an inside door surface, an outside door
surface, a plurality of door shelves, a refrigerator door handle, a
hand sanitizer dispenser, and a digital control interface; the
drawers section comprises a plurality of vertical dividers, a
plurality of horizontal dividers, a plurality of drawer cubbies,
and a plurality of divider locking interfaces; each of the
plurality of refrigerator drawers comprises a drawer shell, a
drawer chipset, a drawer liner, an opening, a refrigerator drawer
handle, a drawer locking interface, a name placard, a usage
frequency display, a spoilage sensor, and a spoilage display; the
drawers section being positioned within the refrigerator
compartment; the plurality of vertical dividers being equally
spaced apart from each other; the plurality of horizontal dividers
being equally spaced apart from each other; the plurality of
vertical dividers perpendicularly intersecting the plurality of
horizontal dividers; the plurality of drawer cubbies being
delineated by the plurality of vertical dividers and the plurality
of horizontal dividers; the plurality of refrigerator drawers
traversing into the plurality of drawer cubbies; the opening being
positioned adjacent to the drawer shell; the drawer shell comprises
a first face and a second face; the first face and the second face
being oriented parallel to each other; the first face and the
second face being oppositely positioned from each other; the second
face being positioned between the first face and the back
enclosure; the second face and the opening of each of the plurality
of refrigerator drawers traversing into each of the plurality of
cubbies; the opening being perpendicularly positioned between the
first face and the second face; the drawer liner being positioned
opposite the opening; the refrigerator drawer handle, the name
placard, the usage frequency display, and the spoilage display
being positioned on the first face opposite the opening; the
spoilage sensor being positioned on the first face adjacent to the
opening; the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected to
the digital control interface, the network connection device, the
refrigerator temperature sensor, and the freezer temperature
sensor; and the plurality of divider locking interfaces being
engaged with the drawer locking interface for each of the plurality
of refrigerator drawers.
13. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers as claimed
in claim 12 comprises, the refrigerator compartment and the freezer
compartment being adjacently positioned to each other within the
back enclosure; the refrigerator compartment being connected within
the back enclosure; the refrigerator door being positioned adjacent
to the refrigerator compartment opposite the back enclosure; the
refrigerator door being connected by the plurality of hinges to the
back enclosure; the refrigerator temperature sensor being
positioned within the refrigerator compartment; the refrigerator
chipset and the network connection device being positioned within
the back enclosure; the freezer drawer comprises a freezer drawer
shell, a freezer door and a freezer drawer handle; the freezer
compartment being connected within the back enclosure; the freezer
drawer shell being positioned between the freezer door and the back
enclosure; the freezer door being connected to the freezer drawer
shell opposite the back enclosure; the freezer drawer traversing
into the freezer compartment; the freezer drawer handle being
connected to the freezer door opposite the freezer drawer; the
freezer temperature sensor being positioned within the freezer
compartment; the inside door surface being positioned parallel and
opposite to the outside door surface; the plurality of door shelves
being positioned on the inside door surface; the refrigerator door
handle being connected to the outside door surface opposite the
plurality of hinges; the hand sanitizer dispenser and the digital
control interface being positioned on the outside door surface; and
the storage shelf being positioned within the refrigerator
compartment between the drawers section and the freezer
compartment.
14. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim
12 comprises, the refrigerator chipset being electronically
connected to the drawer chipset for each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers.
15. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim
12 comprises, the drawer chipset being electronically connected to
the name placard, the drawer locking interface, the usage sensor,
the usage frequency display, the spoilage sensor, and the spoilage
display.
16. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim
12 comprises, the refrigerator chipset being electronically
connected to the name placard, the drawer locking interface, the
usage sensor, the usage frequency display, the spoilage sensor, and
the spoilage display for each of the plurality of refrigerator
drawers.
17. A refrigerator with individualized locking drawers comprises, a
refrigerator compartment; a refrigerator door; a plurality of
hinges; a freezer compartment; a freezer drawer; a back enclosure;
a drawers section; a plurality of refrigerator drawers; a storage
shelf; a refrigerator temperature sensor; a freezer temperature
sensor; a refrigerator chipset; a network connection device; the
refrigerator door comprises an inside door surface, an outside door
surface, a plurality of door shelves, a refrigerator door handle, a
hand sanitizer dispenser, and a digital control interface; the
drawers section comprises a plurality of vertical dividers, a
plurality of horizontal dividers, a plurality of drawer cubbies,
and a plurality of divider locking interfaces; each of the
plurality of refrigerator drawers comprises a drawer shell, a
drawer chipset, a drawer liner, an opening, a refrigerator drawer
handle, a drawer locking interface, a name placard, a usage
frequency display, a spoilage sensor, and a spoilage display; the
refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment being
adjacently positioned to each other within the back enclosure; the
refrigerator compartment being connected within the back enclosure;
the refrigerator door being positioned adjacent to the refrigerator
compartment opposite the back enclosure; the refrigerator door
being connected by the plurality of hinges to the back enclosure;
the refrigerator temperature sensor being positioned within the
refrigerator compartment; the refrigerator chipset and the network
connection device being positioned within the back enclosure; the
freezer drawer comprises a freezer drawer shell, a freezer door and
a freezer drawer handle; the freezer compartment being connected
within the back enclosure; the freezer drawer shell being
positioned between the freezer door and the back enclosure; the
freezer door being connected to the freezer drawer shell opposite
the back enclosure; the freezer drawer traversing into the freezer
compartment; the freezer drawer handle being connected to the
freezer door opposite the freezer drawer; the freezer temperature
sensor being positioned within the freezer compartment; the drawers
section being positioned within the refrigerator compartment; the
plurality of vertical dividers being equally spaced apart from each
other; the plurality of horizontal dividers being equally spaced
apart from each other; the plurality of vertical dividers
perpendicularly intersecting the plurality of horizontal dividers;
the plurality of drawer cubbies being delineated by the plurality
of vertical dividers and the plurality of horizontal dividers; the
plurality of refrigerator drawers traversing into the plurality of
drawer cubbies; the storage shelf being positioned within the
refrigerator compartment between the drawers section and the
freezer compartment; the inside door surface being positioned
parallel and opposite to the outside door surface; the plurality of
door shelves being positioned on the inside door surface; the
refrigerator door handle being connected to the outside door
surface opposite the plurality of hinges; the hand sanitizer
dispenser and the digital control interface being positioned on the
outside door surface; the opening being positioned adjacent to the
drawer shell; the drawer shell comprises a first face and a second
face; the first face and the second face being oriented parallel to
each other; the first face and the second face being oppositely
positioned from each other; the second face being positioned
between the first face and the back enclosure; the second face and
the opening of each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers
traversing into each of the plurality of cubbies; the opening being
perpendicularly positioned between the first face and the second
face; the drawer liner being positioned opposite the opening; the
refrigerator drawer handle, the name placard, the usage frequency
display, and the spoilage display being positioned on the first
face opposite the opening; the spoilage sensor being positioned on
the first face adjacent to the opening; the refrigerator chipset
being electronically connected to the digital control interface,
the network connection device, the refrigerator temperature sensor,
and the freezer temperature sensor; and the plurality of divider
locking interfaces being engaged with the drawer locking interface
for each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers.
18. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim
17 comprises, the refrigerator chipset being electronically
connected to the drawer chipset for each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers.
19. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim
17 comprises, the drawer chipset being electronically connected to
the name placard, the drawer locking interface, the usage sensor,
the usage frequency display, the spoilage sensor, and the spoilage
display.
20. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim
17 comprises, the refrigerator chipset being electronically
connected to the name placard, the drawer locking interface, the
usage sensor, the usage frequency display, the spoilage sensor, and
the spoilage display for each of the plurality of refrigerator
drawers.
Description
[0001] The current application claims a priority to the U.S.
Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/557,467 filed on Nov. 9,
2011.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for
a refrigerator. More particularly, the present invention is a
refrigerator which provides personal locking compartments for use
by multiple individuals.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0003] A refrigerator, colloquially known as a fridge, is a common
household appliance that consists of a thermally insulated
compartment and a mechanical, electronic, or chemical heat pump
that transfers heat from the inside of the fridge to its external
environment so that the inside of the fridge is cooled to a desired
temperature below the ambient temperature of the room. A fridge is
useful for storing food, since lower temperatures in a confined
volume lowers the reproduction rate of bacteria, which has the
result of reducing the rate of food spoilage. A fridge typically
maintains a temperature a few degrees above the freezing point of
water. Many refrigerators also include a freezer compartment
separate from the refrigerator compartment that maintains a
temperature below the freezing point of water.
[0004] Refrigerators exist in many places of employment for the use
of the employees who bring their meals to work. The refrigerators
that are used in these multi-person environments are standard
refrigerators that generally include multiple shelves, a few
drawers, a door with shelving and a freezer with one or more
shelves. This standard refrigerator design is widely used
throughout the world in, to name a few, homes, schools and places
of employment.
[0005] The design and function of the standard refrigerator has
been improved in various ways over the years; however, there is not
a refrigerator that specifically exists for exclusive use by
multiple individuals in a multi-person office environment. Because
the conventional refrigerator storage space is communal, items may
be mistakenly or intentionally taken or misplaced which can cause
distrust or unrest among those sharing the storage space. In
addition, there is a considerable amount of food waste that occurs
due to individuals forgetting that they have place food items in
the fridge.
[0006] It is therefore an object of the present invention to
provide a refrigerator that eliminates the possibility of conflict
or animosity in an office caused by one person misplacing or
disturbing another person's food items by providing
compartmentalized and personalized storage drawers that secure
individuals' items against misuse, and to reduce instances of
wasted food by having drawers that notify a person when they have
forgot they have food in a drawer.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with
the refrigerator door and the freezer drawer closed.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention with
the refrigerator door, the freezer drawer and one of the plurality
of refrigerator drawers open.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention
without the refrigerator door, the freezer drawer and the
refrigerator drawers.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the present
invention without the refrigerator door and with only one of the
refrigerator drawers, with the refrigerator drawer and the freezer
drawer opened.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the refrigerator
drawers.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the electrical connections
between the refrigerator chipset and other electronic components in
the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the electrical connections
between the drawer chipset and the other electronic components in
the preferred embodiment of the present invention.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the electrical connections
between the refrigerator chipset and other electronic components in
an alternate embodiment of the present invention.
DETAIL DESCRIPTIONS OF THE INVENTION
[0015] All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of
describing selected versions of the present invention and are not
intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
[0016] The present invention is a refrigerator with a number of
individually controlled locking drawers and a communal shelf in the
refrigerator compartment 1, and a freezer compartment 4. The
present invention is similar in size to a typical refrigerator, but
may be larger or smaller.
[0017] Referring to FIGS. 1, 2, 3, 4, and 6, the present invention
generally comprises a refrigerator compartment 1, a refrigerator
door 2, a plurality of hinges 3, a freezer compartment 4, a freezer
drawer 5, a back enclosure 6, a drawers section 7, a plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8, a storage shelf 9, a plurality of cooling
tubes, a refrigerator temperature sensor 11, a freezer temperature
sensor 12, a refrigerator power source 13, a refrigerator chipset
14, and a network connection device 15.
[0018] As can be seen in FIGS. 2-4, the refrigerator compartment 1
is a rectangular cuboid with one open face in a manner typical of
refrigerators and is the primary storage space of the present
invention. The refrigerator compartment 1 is positioned within the
back enclosure 6. The refrigerator compartment 1 is cooled to a
typical refrigerator temperature, approximately 35 to 40 degrees
Fahrenheit, and the refrigerator compartment 1 comprises insulating
materials that impede heat transfer between the inside of the
refrigerator compartment 1 and the outside environment. The
refrigerator's dimensions can be described in a manner common to
refrigerators. The horizontal direction normal to the open face of
the refrigerator compartment 1 is hereinafter known as depth. The
vertical direction parallel to the force due to gravity is
hereinafter known as height, and the horizontal direction
perpendicular to both the depth and the height is hereinafter known
as width.
[0019] The refrigerator door 2 is a thick rectangular structure
that functions to block the entirety of the open face of the
refrigerator door 2 to prevent cold air from escaping the
refrigerator compartment 1. The refrigerator door 2 is connected at
one extremity of the width of refrigerator door 2 to a matching
extremity of the width of the back enclosure 6 by the plurality of
hinges 3 adjacent to the open face of the refrigerator compartment
1, about which the refrigerator door 2 rotates to open and close
the refrigerator door 2. The refrigerator door 2 comprises
insulating materials that impede heat transfer between the inside
of the refrigerator compartment 1 and the outside environment.
[0020] The freezer compartment 4, similarly to the refrigerator
compartment 1, is a rectangular cuboid with one open face. The
freezer compartment 4 has similar dimensions to the refrigerator
compartment 1 except for the height. In the preferred embodiment of
the present invention, the freezer compartment 4 is positioned
adjacently below the refrigerator compartment 1, though in
alternate embodiments the freezer compartment 4 may be positioned
above or beside the refrigerator compartment 1. The freezer
compartment 4 is connected within the back enclosure 6. The freezer
compartment 4 is cooled to a temperature below 32 degrees
Fahrenheit, and the freezer compartment 4 comprises insulating
materials that impede heat transfer between the inside of the
freezer compartment 4 and the outside environment.
[0021] The freezer drawer 5 is a box-shaped container that
traverses into the freezer compartment 4 utilizing wheels and wheel
tracks or another method in such a way that the freezer drawer 5
can be drawn out horizontally to access items stored within the
freezer drawer 5. In an alternate embodiment of the present
invention, the freezer compartment 4 does not utilize the freezer
drawer 5 to store items within the freezer compartment 4, but
instead comprises a hinged door similar to the refrigerator door
2.
[0022] The back enclosure 6 is the outer covering of the present
invention that encloses and supports the majority of the components
of the present invention including common components necessary for
refrigeration, such as a compressor, condenser, and evaporator, as
well as the refrigerator power source 13, refrigerator chipset 14,
and the network connection device 15. In an alternate embodiment of
the present invention, the refrigerator chipset 14 and network
connection device 15 are positioned within the refrigerator door 2.
In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the back
enclosure 6 is perimetrically connected to the refrigerator
compartment 1 and the freezer compartment 4, though in alternate
embodiments the back enclosure 6 may have different dimensions or
different placements as appropriate. The back enclosure 6 comprises
insulating materials that impede heat transfer between the inside
of the refrigerator compartment 1 and the freezer compartment 4 and
the outside environment.
[0023] Referring to FIGS. 3-4, the drawers section 7 comprises a
plurality of vertical dividers 71, a plurality of horizontal
dividers 72, a plurality of drawer cubbies 73, and a plurality of
divider locking interfaces 74. The drawers section 7 is a framework
of interconnected dividers positioned within the refrigerator
compartment 1, the empty space of which between the plurality of
vertical dividers 71 and the plurality of horizontal dividers 72
delineates the plurality of drawer cubbies 73 that receive the
plurality of refrigerator drawers 8.
[0024] Referring to FIGS. 4-5, each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8 is an elongated, box-shaped container that
traverses into the depth of the plurality of drawer cubbies 73. The
plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 is made out of clear plastic
similar to existing refrigerator drawers. Each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8 is supported by tracks in the molding of the
plurality of vertical dividers 71 such that each of the plurality
of refrigerator drawers 8 may be drawn out horizontally to access
the contents in a manner common to refrigerator drawers. In the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the refrigerator
compartment 1 may include, but is not limited to, a range of 20 to
50 of the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8, depending on the
dimensions of the present invention. The following description of
dimensions is not intended to limit the present invention, but
rather to demonstrate the spirit of the present invention. Each of
the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 preferably has the
dimensions of 6 inches in width, 8 inches in height and 18 inches
in depth. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention,
horizontal rows of drawers may be removed and replaced with a
standard refrigerator shelf to adjust the number of drawers and
capacity for community items.
[0025] The storage shelf 9 is a flat horizontal surface similar to
standard refrigerator shelves. The storage shelf 9 traverses the
width of the refrigerator compartment 1 and is positioned within
the refrigerator compartment 1 between the drawers section 7 and
the freezer compartment 4, providing a community shelf for storing
items that do not belong to any individual person. The storage
shelf 9 is supported at each lateral extremity by tracks in the
side molding of the inside of the refrigerator compartment 1.
[0026] In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature
of each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 is independently
controlled by the plurality of cooling tubes. One of the plurality
of cooling tubes is positioned within each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8. The plurality of cooling tubes is connected
to the main refrigeration system of the present invention. The
cooling of each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 by the
plurality of cooling tubes is controlled by the refrigerator
chipset 14. The refrigerator chipset 14 controls the temperature
and/or mass flow rate or other variables related to the air flow
through each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8. In this
embodiment, each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8
comprises a drawer temperature sensor that is connected to the
drawer chipset or the refrigerator chipset 14. Each individual user
is able to modify the temperature of their drawer through a digital
control interface 26, or through the network connection device 15
by a website interface or a mobile phone or tablet device
application. For example, each user is able to send a text message
or an email to the refrigerator administrator to inform them that
they will be out of town and to throw away or not throw away the
contents of the drawer. The refrigerator administrator is a person
who has a special account associated with the present invention
that has special privileges related to modifying or controlling
user accounts or other aspects of the present invention that other
users are not provided with.
[0027] One method of implementing control of the temperature of
each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 independently of
each other by the plurality of cooling tubes is to have the
plurality of cooling tubes extending from the back of the
refrigerator compartment 1 in a pattern such that one of each of
the plurality of cooling tubes is associated with one of the
plurality of drawer cubbies 73. Each of the plurality of cooling
tubes traverses through a hole in the back of one of the plurality
of refrigerator drawers 8 when the said one of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8 is in the closed position. Each of the
plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 may be lined with insulating
material in order to facilitate more precise temperature control of
each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 and to reduce heat
exchange interference among drawers. If necessary, a second tube
may be utilized to allow egress of air from the drawer.
[0028] Referring to FIGS. 6 and 8, the refrigerator temperature
sensor 11 is any previously known apparatus capable of measuring
temperature in typical refrigerator temperatures and electronically
communicating the temperature to the refrigerator chipset 14. The
refrigerator temperature sensor 11 is positioned within the
refrigerator compartment 1.
[0029] The freezer temperature sensor 12 is any previously known
apparatus capable of measuring temperature in typical freezer
temperatures and electronically communicating the temperature to
the refrigerator chipset 14. The freezer temperature sensor 12 is
positioned within the freezer compartment 4.
[0030] The refrigerator power source 13 is any source of electrical
power that suits the application of the present invention,
preferably a dedicated three-pronged power cord designed to plug
into a standard 15 amp, 120 volt wall power outlet. The
refrigerator power source 13 is electrically connected to the
digital control interface 26, any typical necessary refrigerator
components and any other electronic components which require
electrical power in specific embodiments of the present invention.
For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, the
refrigerator power source 13 is also electrically connected to the
hand sanitizer dispenser 25 that is motion sensor operated. In the
case that each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 do not
comprise a drawer power source 82, the refrigerator power source 13
is also electrically connected to the name placard 88 for each of
the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 that is a digital screen,
and other components of each of the plurality of refrigerator
drawers 8 that require electrical power, such as the usage
frequency display 810 and the spoilage display 812.
[0031] The refrigerator chipset 14 is a component or combination of
components of the electronic variety such as, but not limited to,
circuit boards, wires, storage devices, and processors necessary to
facilitate the translation of electrical input signals into desired
effects and electrical output signals in the operation of the
system. The chipset receives electrical inputs from various
sources, such as, but not limited to, the refrigerator temperature
sensor 11, the freezer temperature sensor 12, the network
connection device 15, and the digital control interface 26,
processes the input, and sends electrical output signals to various
appropriate electrical components as dictated by the chip set's
programming. The refrigerator chipset 14 either has its own storage
device for storing data, or the refrigerator chipset 14 is
connected to a separate network storage device or cloud storage
device through the network connection device 15.
[0032] If the refrigerator chipset 14 does not receive a signal
from a usage sensor 89 of one of the plurality of refrigerator
drawers 8 for an extended period of time, the refrigerator chipset
14 notifies the user and/or refrigerator administrator through the
network connection device 15. If the refrigerator chipset 14
detects, through the refrigerator temperature sensor 11 or the
freezer temperature sensor 12, that the temperature of the
refrigerator compartment 1 or the freezer compartment 4 is greater
or lower than a set value by a set margin, the refrigerator chipset
14 contacts the refrigerator administrator through the network
connection device 15 with a malfunction message.
[0033] The network connection device 15 is an electrical component
that allows the refrigerator chipset 14 to communicate with a
digital network such as the Internet. The network connection device
15 may be an ethernet port or a radio transceiver that utilizes
well-known wireless radio communication technology to establish and
maintain a connection to a wireless local area network, preferably
utilizing the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers'
802.11 standards, or another appropriate communication method. The
refrigerator chipset 14 is able to utilize the network connection
to communicate with a network in order to send and receive messages
and commands from users or the administrator regarding the status
of the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 or other
characteristics.
[0034] Referring to FIGS. 1-2, the refrigerator door 2 comprises a
plurality of door shelves 23, an inside door surface 21 and an
outside door surface 22. The inside door surface 21 and the outside
door surface 22 are positioned parallel and opposite to each other
on the refrigerator door 2. When the refrigerator door 2 is closed,
the inside door surface 21 is adjacent to the refrigerator
compartment 1 so that the plurality of door shelves 23 is
refrigerated when the present invention is in use. The outside
surface is on the opposite side of the refrigerator door 2, so that
when the refrigerator door 2 is closed the outside surface is
exposed to the environment.
[0035] The refrigerator door 2 also comprises a refrigerator door
handle 24, the hand sanitizer dispenser 25, and the digital control
interface 26. The plurality of door shelves 23 is positioned on the
inside door surface 21 and is for storing condiments, bottles, or
other taller or community items. The refrigerator door handle 24 is
a protrusion connected to the outside door surface 22 opposite the
plurality of hinges 3 for a user to grip in order to open the
refrigerator door 2 by rotating the refrigerator door 2 about the
plurality of hinges 3. The hand sanitizer dispenser 25 is a
well-known device that pumps sanitizing solution from a reservoir
through an egress tube onto a user's hand. The hand sanitizer
dispenser 25 is positioned on the outside door surface 22, adjacent
to the refrigerator door handle 24. In the preferred embodiment of
the present invention, the hand sanitizer dispenser 25 has a
previously known method of replacing or refilling the reservoir of
hand sanitizer, such as, but not limited to, a push button release.
The hand sanitizer dispenser 25 may use any desired previously
known method or mechanism for dispensing hand sanitizer solution,
including, but not limited to, a manual hand pump mechanism or
automatic dispensing of hand sanitizer solution triggered by a
motion detector.
[0036] The digital control interface 26 is positioned on the
outside door surface 22. In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, the digital control interface 26 comprises a liquid
crystal display (LCD) touch screen, or any other known technology
that facilitates a digital touch screen. The digital control
interface 26 displays the current status of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8. The digital control interface 26 displays
available drawers and prompts users to register an available
drawer. A user selects an available drawer by touching the drawer
on the digital control interface 26, and then selects their name
from a list of all registered users, or enters their name as a new
entry. The user is then prompted to enter a password, such as a
four-digit numerical password or other combinations of alphanumeric
or symbolic characters. Each user also enters contact information,
such as, but not limited to, their name, telephone number, and/or
e-mail address through the digital control interface 26, which is
stored in the refrigerator chipset 14 or on a separate network
database.
[0037] Referring to FIGS. 2 and 4, the freezer drawer 5 comprises a
freezer drawer shell 56, a freezer door 57 and a freezer drawer
handle 58. The freezer drawer shell 56 is the box-shaped physical
enclosure that holds items and comprises the majority of the
freezer drawer 5. The freezer drawer shell 56 is approximately a
rectangular cuboid, with one open face at the top for placing items
within and retrieving items from the freezer drawer shell 56. The
freezer drawer shell 56 is preferably made of clear plastic, or
another suitable material.
[0038] The freezer door 57 is a thick rectangular structure
connected to the freezer drawer shell 56 that comprises insulating
material to prevent heat exchange from the freezer compartment 4 to
the outside environment when the freezer drawer 5 is closed. In the
preferred embodiment of the present invention, the freezer door 57
is opened by applying a linear horizontal force on the freezer door
57. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, the
freezer door 57 is opened by rotating the freezer door 57 about a
hinge connection to the freezer compartment 4 in a manner similar
to the refrigerator door 2.
[0039] The freezer drawer handle 58 is a protrusion connected to
the freezer door 57 opposite the freezer drawer shell 56 for a user
to grip in order to open the freezer door 57 and access items
inside the freezer drawer shell 56.
[0040] Referring to FIGS. 2-4, the geometry of the drawers section
7 is generally defined by the horizontal rows of drawer cells. In
the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each row of the
drawers section 7 shelving is independently removable in order to
replace the row with a standard refrigerator shelf if additional
community storage space is desired, for events such as a potluck,
for example. Each row of the drawers section 7 comprises a T-bar
shape, with one flat, horizontal shelf being supported at each
lateral extremity by tracks in the inside molding of the
refrigerator compartment 1, and the plurality of vertical dividers
71 hanging vertically from the horizontal shelf at equal spacing
from each other. The horizontal shelf portions of the T-bar shapes
are the plurality of horizontal dividers 72, and the vertical
hanging portions are the plurality of vertical dividers 71.
Preferably, each row of the drawers section 7 has a mechanism to
lock the row in place within the refrigerator compartment 1, such
as matching eyelets through which a padlock is engaged, or a pin
connection interface with the side or back molding of the inside of
the refrigerator compartment 1.
[0041] Each of the plurality of drawer cubbies 73 is associated
with one of the plurality of divider locking interfaces 74, such
that each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 may be
independently locked to the drawers section 7 within one of the
plurality of drawer cubbies 73. In one embodiment of the present
invention, each of the plurality of divider locking interfaces 74
comprises a divider eyelet 741. In another embodiment of the
present invention, each of the plurality of divider locking
interfaces 74 comprises a pin receiving hole, a latch receiving
cavity, or another appropriate interface depending on the type of
the plurality of drawer locking interfaces.
[0042] Each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 is removably
positioned within one of the plurality of drawer cubbies 73.
[0043] Referring to FIGS. 4, 5 and 7, each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8 comprises a drawer shell 84, a drawer
chipset 81, a drawer power source 82, a drawer liner 83, an opening
85, a refrigerator drawer handle 86, a drawer locking interface 87,
a name placard 88, a usage sensor 89, a usage frequency display
810, a spoilage sensor 811, and a spoilage display 812. The drawer
shell 84 comprises a first face 841 and a second face 842.
[0044] The first face 841 and the second face 842 are vertical
faces of the drawer shell 84 positioned opposite the opening 85
from each other. The first face 841 is the face the user sees and
interacts with to unlock or open the drawer. When the refrigerator
door 2 is closed, the first face 841 is positioned between the
inside door surface 21 and the opening 85. The refrigerator drawer
handle 86 is connected on the first face 841 opposite the opening
85.
[0045] The drawer chipset 81 is a component or combination of
components of the electronic variety such as, but not limited to,
circuit boards, wires, and processors necessary to facilitate the
translation of electrical input signals into desired effects and
electrical output signals in the operation of the system. The
drawer chipset 81 receives electrical inputs from and sends
electrical outputs to various sources, such as, but not limited to,
the digital control interface 26, the usage sensor 89, the usage
frequency display 810, the spoilage sensor 811, the spoilage
display 812, a digitally controlled locking mechanism, and the name
placard 88 in the case that the name placard 88 is a digital touch
screen, as dictated by the chipset's programming. The drawer
chipset 81 is preferably positioned adjacent to or within the
second face 842. The drawer chipset 81 is electronically connected
to the refrigerator chipset 14 by either a previously known
wireless radio frequency communication device, or by a wired
connection.
[0046] In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the
plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 does not comprise a drawer
chipset 81, and any comprised electronic components of each of the
plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 are electronically connected to
and controlled by the refrigerator chipset 14, as can be seen in
FIG. 8.
[0047] The drawer power source 82 may be any electrical power
source that is useful and appropriate for providing electrical
power to the electronic components of each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8, such as, but not limited to, a battery or
multiple batteries, an arrangement of photovoltaic cells, or having
the electronic components of each of the plurality of refrigerator
electrically connected to the refrigerator power source 13. In one
embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8 does not comprise a drawer power source 82,
and any comprised electronic components of each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8 are electrically connected to the
refrigerator power source 13.
[0048] The drawer liner 83 is a disposable liner made of cloth or
other materials with absorption and odor neutralizing qualities in
order to counteract spills or rotting and/or pungent food. The
drawer liner 83 is laid on the bottom of each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8 opposite the opening 85 in the drawer.
[0049] The drawer shell 84 is the box-shaped physical enclosure
that holds items and comprises the majority of each of the
plurality of refrigerator drawers 8. The drawer shell 84 is
approximately a rectangular cuboid. The drawer shell 84 is
preferably made of clear plastic, or another suitable material. The
opening 85 is the top face of the drawer shell 84 that is empty or
negative space for placing items within and retrieving items from
the drawer shell 84. In one embodiment of the present invention,
the drawer shell 84 has a pattern of holes or cutouts, preferably
approximately 3/4 inch holes, on the side walls and second face 842
in order to facilitate air flow throughout the refrigerator
compartment 1.
[0050] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
drawer locking interface 87 is a pin or latch that is pushed or
otherwise moved into contact with one of the plurality of divider
locking interfaces 74 in order to secure the drawer in place. In
another embodiment of the present invention, the drawer locking
interface 87 may also comprise a drawer eyelet 871 which, when the
drawer is in the closed position, is concentrically positioned with
a matching divider eyelet 741 so that a lock may be inserted
through the drawer eyelet 871 and the divider eyelet 741 to secure
the two eyelets together. The drawer locking interface 87 may
utilize a number of other previously known locking systems, such as
a push-button lock interface 872, a rotary combination lock, a
digital lock control system, a key lock system, a fingerprint
scanner, a key card reader, a radio frequency identification (RFID)
tag reader, or any other suitable mechanism or technology. Where
appropriate, such as with a digital locking interface, fingerprint
scanner, magnetic card reader, or RFID system, the locking system
is electronically connected to and controlled by either the drawer
chipset 81 or the refrigerator chipset 14 and powered by the drawer
power source 82 or the refrigerator power source 13. Multiple
locking systems may be incorporated in the same embodiment.
[0051] The name placard 88 is a sign positioned on the first side
opposite the opening 85 that announces current ownership of each of
the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8. The name placard 88 may
utilize a number of methods for displaying an assigned user's name,
including, but not limited to, a dry-erase board or whiteboard, a
digital screen, or another well-known or suitable technology that
allows a user's name to be temporarily displayed. In the embodiment
where the name placard 88 is a digital screen, the digital screen
may be electronically connected to and controlled by the drawer
chipset 81 or the refrigerator chipset 14 and powered by the drawer
power source 82 or the refrigerator power source 13.
[0052] The usage sensor 89 is an electronic component that detects
the use of one of the plurality of refrigerator drawers 8 by
producing an electrical signal when the drawer is opened. In one
embodiment of the present invention, the usage sensor 89 is a
button at the back of the refrigerator compartment 1 that is
depressed by a protrusion on the second face 842 opposite the
opening 85 when the drawer is closed, and which released upon
opening the drawer. In another embodiment of the present invention,
the usage sensor 89 is a motion sensor. In another embodiment of
the present invention, the usage sensor 89 is a laser distance
sensor, or any other sensor useful for recognizing when a drawer
has been opened. In the preferred embodiment of the present
invention, upon detecting that the drawer has been opened, the
usage sensor 89 sends a signal to the drawer chipset 81 or to the
refrigerator chipset 14.
[0053] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
usage frequency display 810 is a light emitting diode (LED) text
display that shows the last date and/or time the drawer was opened,
or time elapsed since last opening 85, utilizing a matrix of LEDs
or a matrix of LED segments. The usage frequency display 810 is
controlled by the drawer chipset 81, if used, or the refrigerator
chipset 14, if the drawer chipset 81 is not included. The usage
frequency display 810 is positioned on the first face 841 opposite
the opening 85. The usage frequency display 810 is powered by any
suitable power source, including, but not limited to, a battery,
the drawer power source 82, the refrigerator power source 13, a
matrix of photovoltaic cells, or another power source. The usage
frequency display 810 is only comprised in embodiments of the
present invention that do not include the digital control interface
26. In embodiments that include the digital control interface 26,
the usage sensor 89 is electronically connected to the refrigerator
chipset 14, which stores usage data for each of the plurality of
drawers and displays said data on the digital control interface
26.
[0054] The spoilage sensor 811 detects whether the contents of the
drawer have gone bad or begun rotting. The spoilage sensor 811 may
be any suitable, previously known technology that detects spoiled
food. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
spoilage sensor 811 is a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) that
may be adhered to the inside of the drawer shell 84 that may be
tailored to selectively detect a particular amine, multiple amines
or other substances or characteristics such as, but not limited to,
pH or methane concentrations in the drawer. The spoilage sensor 811
is preferably located on the first face 841 opposite the
refrigerator drawer handle 86. The spoilage sensor 811 may be
electronically connected to the appropriate chipset in order to
facilitate a digital spoilage display 812.
[0055] The spoilage display 812 shows the spoilage status of the
contents of the drawer. In one embodiment of the present invention,
the spoilage sensor 811 is a sticker or strip with MIP material
that changes color depending on the concentration of detected
substances in the drawer. For example, a green spoilage display 812
represents unspoiled drawer contents, yellow represents mild
spoilage, and red represents heavy spoilage. In another embodiment
of the present invention, the spoilage display 812 is a digital
display, such as, but not limited to, an LED matrix or screen, or
liquid crystal display (LCD) screen that receives a signal from the
appropriate chipset upon receipt of a spoilage signal from the
spoilage sensor 811 and displays a message such as "Spoiled" or
"Rotten".
[0056] Although the invention has been explained in relation to its
preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other
possible modifications and variations can be made without departing
from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter
claimed.
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