U.S. patent application number 13/438224 was filed with the patent office on 2013-10-03 for crisper pan guide system for a domestic refrigerator.
This patent application is currently assigned to WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is KERRY O. AUSTIN, ANTHONY D. HAMILTON, FRANK W. MAGLINGER, JEFFREY N. WILSON. Invention is credited to KERRY O. AUSTIN, ANTHONY D. HAMILTON, FRANK W. MAGLINGER, JEFFREY N. WILSON.
Application Number | 20130257254 13/438224 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49233974 |
Filed Date | 2013-10-03 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130257254 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
AUSTIN; KERRY O. ; et
al. |
October 3, 2013 |
CRISPER PAN GUIDE SYSTEM FOR A DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR
Abstract
A domestic refrigerator includes a cabinet having a
temperature-controlled compartment defined therein, and a plate
positioned in the temperature-controlled compartment including a
first rail and a first roller secured to an inner surface of the
plate. A pan is positioned adjacent to the inner side of the plate.
The pan includes an outer flange extending toward the inner surface
of the plate, and a second rail extending vertically from the outer
flange. The second rail is positioned in the groove defined in the
first roller. A second roller is secured to the pan, and the second
roller has a groove defined therein. The first rail of the plate is
positioned in the groove of the second roller.
Inventors: |
AUSTIN; KERRY O.;
(Evansville, IN) ; HAMILTON; ANTHONY D.;
(Newburgh, IN) ; MAGLINGER; FRANK W.; (Evansville,
IN) ; WILSON; JEFFREY N.; (Evansville, IN) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
AUSTIN; KERRY O.
HAMILTON; ANTHONY D.
MAGLINGER; FRANK W.
WILSON; JEFFREY N. |
Evansville
Newburgh
Evansville
Evansville |
IN
IN
IN
IN |
US
US
US
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
BENTON HARBOR
MI
|
Family ID: |
49233974 |
Appl. No.: |
13/438224 |
Filed: |
April 3, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/404 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 25/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/404 |
International
Class: |
F25D 25/00 20060101
F25D025/00 |
Claims
1. A domestic refrigerator comprising: a cabinet having a
temperature-controlled compartment defined therein, a plate
positioned in the temperature-controlled compartment, the plate
including (i) a lower flange having a rail extending upwardly
therefrom, and (ii) an upper flange having a rail extending
downwardly toward the rail of the lower flange, a roller secured to
the plate, the roller of the plate having a groove defined therein,
a pan including a rail positioned in the groove of the roller of
the plate, the pan having a storage chamber defined therein and
being movable relative to the plate between (i) a closed position
in which a user is prevented from accessing the storage chamber,
and (ii) an open position in which the user is permitted to access
the storage chamber, and a roller secured to the pan, the roller of
the pan having a groove defined therein, wherein (i) the rail of
the lower flange of the plate and the rail of the upper flange of
the plate are positioned in the groove of the roller of the plan,
and (ii) the roller of the pan is configured to roll along the rail
of the lower flange of the plate and the rail of the upper flange
of the plate when the pan is moved between the closed position and
the open position.
2. The domestic refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the groove of the
roller of the plate is vertically aligned with the rail of the
lower flange of the plate and the rail of the upper flange of the
plate.
3. The domestic refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the pan includes:
a pan body having the roller of the plan secured at an upper end
thereof, and an outer flange extending outwardly from the pan body
below the upper end, the outer flange having the rail of the pan
extending downwardly therefrom.
4. The domestic refrigerator of claim 3, wherein: the pan body has
a front end and a rear end, the plate has a front end positioned
adjacent to the front end of the pan body when the pan is in the
closed position, the roller of the plate is secured to the front
end of the plate, and the roller of the pan is secured to the rear
end of the pan body.
5. The domestic refrigerator of claim 4, wherein: the outer flange
extends from a first side of the pan body, and the pan includes
another outer flange that extends outwardly from second side wall
of the pan body, the another outer flange having a rail extending
downwardly therefrom.
6. The domestic refrigerator of claim 5, wherein the domestic
refrigerator further comprises: another plate positioned in the
temperature-controlled compartment opposite the plate, and a roller
secured to the another plate, the roller of the another plate
having a substantially smooth cylindrical outer surface, wherein
(i) the cylindrical outer surface of the roller of the another
plate engages a bottom surface of the rail of the another outer
flange, and (ii) the roller of the another plate is configured to
be rotated by the rail of the another outer flange when the pan is
moved between the closed position and the open position.
7. The domestic refrigerator of claim 6, wherein the domestic
refrigerator further comprising: a another roller secured at an
upper end of the second side wall of the pan body, the roller of
the second side wall of the pan body having a cylindrical outer
surface, and the another plate includes a flange that extends
toward the plate, wherein the cylindrical outer surface of the
another roller of the second side wall of the pan body is
configured to roll along a substantially planar upper surface of
the flange of the another plate when the pan is moved between the
closed position and the open position.
8. The domestic refrigerator of claim 6, further comprising: a
cover panel coupled to the plate and the another plate, and a tab
extending downwardly from a front end of the cover panel into the
storage chamber of the pan, wherein a gap is defined between the
tab and the plate, the gap being sized to receive a side wall of
the pan body and the roller of the plate.
9. The domestic refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the rail of the
lower flange of the plate includes: a first rail section, a second
rail section spaced apart from the first rail section, and a third
rail section extending downwardly from an upper end secured to the
first rail section to a lower end attached to the second rail
section.
10. The domestic refrigerator of claim 9, wherein the pan includes
a stop configured to engage the plate to prevent the roller of the
plan from engaging the second rail section.
11. A domestic refrigerator, comprising: a cabinet having a
temperature-controlled compartment defined therein, a plate
positioned in the temperature-controlled compartment, the plate
includes a rail, a roller secured to an inner surface of the plate,
the roller of the plate having a groove defined therein, a pan
positioned adjacent to the inner surface of the plate, the pan
having (i) a storage chamber defined therein, (ii) an outer flange
extending toward the inner surface of the plate, and (iii) a rail
extending vertically from the outer flange, the rail of the pan
being positioned in the groove defined in the roller of the plate,
and a roller secured to the pan, the roller of the pan having a
groove defined therein, wherein the rail of the plate is positioned
in the groove of the roller of the pan.
12. The domestic refrigerator of claim 11, wherein the plate
includes another rail positioned above the rail of the plate, the
another rail being positioned in the groove of the roller of the
pan.
13. The domestic refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the plate
includes: an upper flange extending from the inner surface, the
upper flange having the rail extending downwardly therefrom, and a
lower flange extending from the inner surface below the upper
flange, the lower flange having the another rail of the plate
extending upwardly therefrom.
14. The domestic refrigerator of claim 11, further comprising: a
cover panel secured to an upper end of the plate, and a tab
extending downwardly from a front end of the cover panel into the
storage chamber of the pan, wherein a gap is defined between the
tab and the plate, the gap being sized to receive the roller of the
pan.
15. The domestic refrigerator of claim 11, wherein: the pan has a
front end and a rear end, the plate has a front end positioned
adjacent to the front end of the pan, the roller of the plate is
secured to the front end of the plate, and the roller of the pan is
secured to the rear end of the pan.
16. A pan system for a domestic refrigerator, comprising: a plate
having a track defined therein, a roller secured to the plate, the
roller of the plate having a groove defined therein, another plate
positioned opposite the plate, a roller secured to the another
plate, the roller of the another plate having a substantially
smooth outer surface, a pan positioned between the plate and the
another plate, the pan including (i) a side wall having a flange
extending outwardly therefrom and a rail extending vertically from
the flange, and (ii) another side wall having another flange
extending outwardly therefrom and a rail extending vertically from
the another flange, and a roller secured to the pan, wherein (i)
the rail of the flange of the pan is received in the groove of the
roller of the plate, (ii) a bottom surface of the rail of the
another flange of the pan engages the substantially smooth outer
surface of the roller of the another plate, and (iii) the another
roller of the pan is positioned in the track of the plate.
17. The pan system of claim 16, wherein the plate includes an upper
rail and a lower rail that define the track, and the another roller
of the pan has a groove defined therein that is sized to receive
the upper rail and the lower rail.
18. The pan system of claim 16, further comprising: another roller
secured to the another side wall of the pan, wherein (i) the
another plate includes a flange that extends toward the plate, and
(ii) the another roller of the another side wall of the pan engages
a substantially planar upper surface of the flange of the another
plate.
19. The pan system of claim 16, wherein: the another roller of the
pan is secured to an upper end of the side wall of the pan, and the
flange of the side wall is positioned below the upper end of the
side wall.
20. The pan system of claim 16, wherein the pan includes a panel
secured to the side wall and the another side wall, and a handle
attached to the panel.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED U.S. PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] Cross-reference is made to co-pending U.S. Utility patent
application Ser. No. 13/438,159 entitled "CRISPER PAN SYSTEM FOR A
DOMESTIC REFRIGERATOR," which was filed on Apr. 3, 2012
(SUB-01426-US-NP), which is assigned to the same assignee as the
present application and which is hereby incorporated by
reference.
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0002] The present disclosure relates generally to a domestic
refrigerator and more particularly to a crisper pan guide system
for a domestic refrigerator.
BACKGROUND
[0003] A domestic refrigerator is a device used to store food items
in a home at preset temperatures. A domestic refrigerator typically
includes one or more temperature-controlled compartments in which
food items may be preserved for later consumption. A domestic
refrigerator may have crisper pans, bins, or drawers positioned in
the temperature-controlled compartment into which food items may be
placed for storage.
SUMMARY
[0004] According to one aspect of the disclosure, a domestic
refrigerator is disclosed. The refrigerator includes a cabinet
having a temperature-controlled compartment defined therein, and a
plate positioned in the temperature-controlled compartment. The
plate includes a first flange having a first rail extending
upwardly therefrom, and a second flange having a second rail
extending downwardly toward the first rail. The refrigerator also
includes a first roller that has a groove defined therein and is
secured to the plate, and a pan including a third rail positioned
in the groove of the first roller. The pan has a storage chamber
defined therein and is movable relative to the plate between a
closed position in which a user is prevented from accessing the
storage chamber, and an open position in which the user is
permitted to access the storage chamber. A second roller is secured
to the pan and has a groove defined therein. The first rail and the
second rail are positioned in the groove of the second roller, and
the second roller is configured to roll along the first rail and
the second rail when the pan is moved between the closed position
and the open position.
[0005] In some embodiments, the groove of the first roller may be
vertically aligned with the first rail and the second rail. In some
embodiments, the pan may include a pan body having the second
roller secured at an upper end thereof, and an outer flange
extending outwardly from the pan body below the upper end. The
outer flange may have the third rail extending downwardly
therefrom. Additionally, in some embodiments, the pan body may have
a front end and a rear end, and the plate may have front end
positioned adjacent to the front end of the pan body when the pan
is in the closed position. The first roller may be secured to the
front end of the plate, and the second roller may be secured to the
rear end of the pan body.
[0006] In some embodiments, the outer flange may be a first outer
flange that extends from a first side of the pan body, and the pan
may include a second outer flange that extends outwardly from a
second side wall of the pan body. The second outer flange may have
a fourth rail extending downwardly therefrom.
[0007] In some embodiments, the plate may be a first plate. The
domestic refrigerator may further include a second plate positioned
in the temperature-controlled compartment opposite the first plate,
and a third roller secured to the second plate. The third roller
may have a substantially smooth cylindrical outer surface. In some
embodiments, the cylindrical outer surface of the third roller may
engage a bottom surface of the fourth rail of the pan, and the
third roller may be configured to be rotated by the fourth rail
when the pan is moved between the closed position and the open
position.
[0008] In some embodiments, the domestic refrigerator may further
include a fourth roller secured at an upper end of the second side
wall of the pan body. The fourth roller may have a cylindrical
outer surface. The second plate may include a third flange that
extends toward the first plate. The cylindrical outer surface of
the fourth roller may be configured to roll along a substantially
planar upper surface of the third flange when the pan is moved
between the closed position and the open position.
[0009] In some embodiments, the domestic refrigerator may include a
cover panel coupled to the first plate and the second plate, and a
tab extending downwardly from a front end of the cover panel into
the storage chamber of the pan. A gap may be defined between the
tab and the first plate, the gap being sized to receive a side wall
of the pan body and the first roller.
[0010] Additionally, in some embodiments, the first rail may
include a first rail section, a second rail section spaced apart
from the first rail section, and a third rail section extending
downwardly from an upper end secured to the first rail section to a
lower end attached to the second rail section. In some embodiments,
the pan may include a stop configured to engage the plate to
prevent the second roller from engaging the second rail
section.
[0011] According to another aspect, a domestic refrigerator
includes a cabinet having a temperature-controlled compartment
defined therein, and a plate positioned in the
temperature-controlled compartment that includes a first rail. A
first roller is secured to an inner surface of the plate, and the
first roller has a groove defined therein. A pan is positioned
adjacent to the inner side of the plate. The pan has a storage
chamber defined therein, an outer flange extending toward the inner
surface of the plate, and a second rail extending vertically from
the outer flange. The second rail is positioned in the groove
defined in the first roller. A second roller is secured to the pan.
The second roller has a groove defined therein. The first rail of
the plate is positioned in the groove of the second roller.
[0012] In some embodiments, the plate may include a third rail
positioned above the first rail. The third rail may be positioned
in the groove of the first roller. In some embodiments, the plate
may include a first flange extending from the inner surface. The
first flange may have the first rail extending downwardly
therefrom. The plate may also include a second flange extending
from the inner surface below the first flange. The second flange
may have the second rail extending upwardly therefrom.
[0013] In some embodiments, the domestic refrigerator may include a
cover panel secured to an upper end of the plate and a tab
extending downwardly from a front end of the cover panel into the
storage chamber of the pan. A gap may be defined between the tab
and the plate, the gap being sized to receive the second
roller.
[0014] In some embodiments, the pan may have a front end and a rear
end, and the plate may have a front end positioned adjacent to the
front end of the pan. The first roller may be secured to the front
end of the plate, and the second roller may be secured to the rear
end of the pan.
[0015] According to another aspect, a pan system for a domestic
refrigerator is disclosed. The pan system includes a first plate
having a track defined therein, a first roller secured to the first
plate that has a groove defined therein, a second plate positioned
opposite the first plate, and a second roller secured to the second
plate that has a substantially smooth outer surface. A pan is
positioned between the first plate and the second plate. The pan
includes a first side wall having a first flange extending
outwardly therefrom and a first rail extending vertically from the
first flange, and a second side wall having a second flange
extending outwardly therefrom and a second rail extending
vertically from the second flange. A third roller is secured to the
pan. The first rail of the pan is received in the groove of the
first roller, a bottom surface of the second rail of the pan
engages the substantially smooth outer surface of the second
roller, and the third roller is positioned in the track of the
first plate.
[0016] In some embodiments, the first plate may include an upper
rail and a lower rail that define the track, and the third roller
may have a groove defined therein that is sized to receive the
upper rail and the lower rail. In some embodiments, the pan system
may include a fourth roller secured to the second side wall of the
pan. The second plate may include a third flange that extends
toward the first plate, and the fourth roller may engage a
substantially planar upper surface of the third flange.
[0017] In some embodiments, the third roller may be secured to an
upper end of the first side wall of the pan, and the first flange
may be positioned below the upper end of the first side wall.
Additionally, in some embodiments, the pan may include a panel
secured to the first side wall and the second side wall, and a
handle may be attached to the panel.
[0018] According to another aspect, a domestic refrigerator
includes a cabinet having a temperature-controlled compartment
defined therein, a first plate positioned in the
temperature-controlled compartment that includes a first rail, and
a second plate positioned opposite the first plate. The second
plate includes a second rail. The refrigerator also includes a
bracket positioned between the first plate and the second plate, a
first side pan positioned between the bracket and the first plate,
a second side pan positioned between the bracket and the second
plate, and a middle pan moveably coupled to the bracket. A first
roller is secured to the first side pan and has a groove engaged
with the first rail to locate the first side pan relative to the
middle pan. A second roller is secured to the second side pan and
has a groove engaged with the second rail to locate the second side
pan relative to the middle pan. A first distance is defined between
the first side pan and the middle pan, a second distance is defined
between the second side pan and the middle pan, and the first
distance is substantially equal to the second distance.
[0019] In some embodiments, the bracket may include a first side
wall positioned between the first side pan and the middle pan, and
a second side wall positioned between the second side pan and the
middle pan. The first side wall and the second side wall may define
a compartment within the bracket. The middle pan may include a body
and a front panel secured to the body at a front end thereof. The
body may have a storage chamber defined therein. The middle pan may
be moveable between a closed position in which the body is
positioned in the compartment and user-access to the storage
chamber is prevented, and an open position in which the body
extends outwardly from the compartment and user-access to the
storage chamber is permitted.
[0020] In some embodiments, the bracket may include a first flange
extending from the first side wall into the compartment and a
second flange extending from the second side wall into the
compartment. The first flange and the second flange may confront
the body of the middle pan to position the body between the first
side wall and the second side wall.
[0021] In some embodiments, the domestic refrigerator may include a
third roller attached to a lower end of the first side wall, and a
fourth roller attached to a lower end of the second side wall. The
middle pan may include a first outer flange extending from the body
having a substantially planar bottom surface that is engaged with
the third roller, and a second outer flange extending from the body
having a substantially planar bottom surface that is engaged with
the fourth roller.
[0022] In some embodiments, the first side pan may include a body
having a storage chamber defined therein and a front panel secured
to the body at a front end thereof. In some embodiments, the second
side pan may include a body having a storage chamber defined
therein and a front panel secured to the body of the second side
pan at a front end thereof. The first distance may be defined
between the front panel of the first side pan and the front panel
of the middle pan, and the second distance may be defined between
the front panel of the second side pan and the front panel of the
middle pan.
[0023] In some embodiments, the storage chamber of the first side
pan may have a first volume, the storage chamber of the second side
pan may have a second volume substantially equal to the first
volume, and the storage chamber of the middle pan may have a third
volume that is less than the first volume and the second volume. In
some embodiments, the domestic refrigerator may include a cover
panel having a first end secured to the first plate and a second
end secured to the second plate. The bracket may be secured to the
cover panel between the first end and the second end.
[0024] In some embodiments, the first plate may include a first
flange having the first rail extending upwardly therefrom, and a
second flange having a third rail extending downwardly toward the
first rail. The third rail may be positioned in the groove of the
first roller of the first side pan.
[0025] In some embodiments, the domestic refrigerator may include a
third roller secured to the first plate. The third roller may have
a groove defined therein, and the first side pan may include an
outer flange having a fourth rail extending downwardly therefrom.
The fourth rail may be positioned in the groove defined in the
third roller.
[0026] According to another aspect, a domestic refrigerator
includes a cabinet having a temperature-controlled compartment
defined therein, a cover panel positioned in the
temperature-controlled compartment, a first plate secured to a
first end of the cover panel that has a first rail, and a second
plate secured to a second end of the cover panel opposite the first
end. The second plate has a second rail. A bracket is secured to
the cover panel between the first end and the second end, and the
bracket has a plurality of sidewalls that define a compartment
therein. The domestic refrigerator also includes a first side pan
having a first roller secured thereto that is engaged with the
first rail of the first plate and a second side pan having a second
roller secured thereto that is engaged with the second rail of the
second plate. The domestic refrigerator also includes a middle pan
including a body moveably coupled to the bracket. The body is
moveable between a first position in which the body is positioned
in the compartment, and a second position in which the body extends
outwardly from the compartment.
[0027] In some embodiments, the bracket may include a third roller
attached to a front end of a first side wall, and a fourth roller
attached to a front end of a second side wall. The middle pan may
include a first outer flange extending from the body having a
substantially planar bottom surface that is engaged with the third
roller, and a second outer flange extending from the body having a
substantially planar bottom surface that is engaged with the fourth
roller.
[0028] In some embodiments, the middle pan may include a fifth
roller secured to a back end of the first outer flange, and a sixth
roller secured to a back end of the second outer flange. The
bracket may include a first inner flange extending from the first
side wall into the compartment having a substantially planar bottom
surface that is engaged with the fifth roller, and a second inner
flange extending from the second side wall into the compartment
having a substantially planar bottom surface that is engaged with
the sixth roller.
[0029] In some embodiments, the first inner flange and the second
inner flange confront the body of the middle pan to position the
body between the first side wall and the second side wall. In some
embodiments, the first roller may have a groove defined therein,
and the second roller may have a groove defined therein.
[0030] The first rail of the first plate may be positioned in the
groove of the first roller to locate the first side pan relative to
the middle pan and the second rail of the second plate may be
positioned in the groove of the first roller to locate the second
side pan relative to the middle pan.
[0031] In some embodiments, a first distance may be defined between
the first side pan and the middle pan, and a second distance may be
defined between the second side pan and the middle pan. The second
distance may be substantially equal to the first distance.
[0032] In some embodiments, a storage system for a refrigerator
includes a cover panel, a first plate secured to a first end of the
cover panel including a first rail, a second plate secured to a
second end of the cover panel including a second rail, and a
bracket positioned between the first plate and the second plate.
The storage system also includes a first side pan positioned
between the bracket and the first plate, a second side pan
positioned between the bracket and the second plate, and a middle
pan moveably coupled to the bracket between the first side pan and
the second side pan. A first roller is secured to the first side
pan and has a groove engaged with the first rail to locate the
first side pan relative to the middle pan. A second roller is
secured to the second side pan and has a groove engaged with the
second rail to locate the second side pan relative to the middle
pan. A first distance is defined between the first side pan and the
middle pan, a second distance is defined between the second side
pan and the middle pan, and the first distance is substantially
equal to the second distance.
[0033] In some embodiments, the first plate may include a first
flange having the first rail extending upwardly therefrom, and a
second flange having a third rail extending downwardly toward the
first rail. In some embodiments, the third rail may be positioned
in the groove of the first roller of the first side pan.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0034] The detailed description particularly refers to the
following figures, in which:
[0035] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator
including one embodiment of a crisper pan system;
[0036] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the crisper pan
system of FIG. 1 showing a plurality of crisper pans and a
frame;
[0037] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a roller secured to a
crisper pan of the pan system of FIG. 2;
[0038] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of another roller secured to
the frame of FIG. 2;
[0039] FIG. 5 is a partial perspective view of the frame of the pan
system of FIG. 2;
[0040] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional front elevation view of the pan
system of FIG. 2.
[0041] FIG. 7 is a front elevation view of the pan system of FIG.
2;
[0042] FIG. 8 is a side elevation view of the pan system of FIG. 2
showing one side of a crisper pan in a retracted position;
[0043] FIG. 9 is a side elevation view of a support bracket of the
pan system of FIG. 2 showing another side of the crisper pan of
FIG. 8 in the retracted position;
[0044] FIG. 10 is a view similar to FIG. 8 showing the crisper pan
in an extended position; and
[0045] FIG. 11 is a cross-sectional, front elevation view of the
crisper pan and the frame of FIG. 2.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0046] While the concepts of the present disclosure are susceptible
to various modifications and alternative forms, specific exemplary
embodiments thereof have been shown by way of example in the
drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be
understood, however, that there is no intent to limit the concepts
of the present disclosure to the particular forms disclosed, but on
the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications,
equivalents, and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope
of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
[0047] Referring to FIG. 1, a home appliance is shown as a domestic
refrigerator appliance 10 (hereinafter refrigerator 10). The
refrigerator 10 includes a cabinet 12 and a lower frame 14 that
supports the cabinet 12. The refrigerator cabinet 12 defines a
temperature-controlled, refrigerated compartment 18 into which a
user may place and store food items such as milk, cheese, produce,
etcetera. The refrigerated compartment 18 is operable to maintain
stored food items at a predefined temperature. The refrigerator 10
includes an upper shelf 20 and a middle shelf 22 positioned within
the refrigerated compartment 18.
[0048] The refrigerator 10 includes a pair of doors 24 that are
hinged to the front of the refrigerator cabinet 12 via hinge
assemblies 26. The doors 24 permit user access to the refrigerated
compartment 18 such that food items may be placed in and retrieved
from the refrigerator 10. A handle 28 is located on a front panel
of each door 24, and the user may use each handle 28 to pull its
corresponding door 24 open. Each door 24 also includes a back panel
30 and a number of shelves 32 extending from back panel 30, which
are positioned in the refrigerated compartment 18 when the door 24
is closed.
[0049] As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator cabinet 12 also defines
a freezer compartment 34, which is independently operable to
maintain food items stored therein at a certain temperature. The
refrigerator 10 includes a drawer 36 that permits user access to
the freezer compartment 34 such that food items may be placed in
and retrieved from shelves and drawers positioned therein. When the
drawer 36 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 1, user access to
the freezer compartment 34 is prevented. A handle 38 is located on
the drawer 36, and the user may use the handle 38 to pull the
drawer 36 open. It will be appreciated that in other embodiments
the freezer compartment may be positioned above or side-by-side
with the refrigerated compartment 18. It will be further
appreciated that in other embodiments the refrigerator 10 may not
have a freezer compartment.
[0050] The cabinet 12 of the refrigerator 10 includes a number of
side walls 40 that extend upwardly from a bottom wall 42 to a top
wall 44. The walls 40, 42, 44 cooperate to define the refrigerated
compartment 18. The cabinet 12 has an open front side 46 that
defines an access opening 48, which provides user access to the
shelves 20, 22, 32 of the refrigerator 10 when either of the doors
24 is open. When the doors 24 are closed, an outer edge 50 of the
back panel 30 of each door 24 seals the access opening 48, thereby
preventing the user from accessing the shelves 20, 22, 32 and
preventing chilled air from escaping through the access opening
48.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 1, the refrigerator 10 has a storage drawer
52 that is positioned in the bottom wall 42 of the cabinet 12, and
a crisper pan system 60 that is positioned above the storage drawer
52 in the refrigerated compartment 18. The crisper pan system 60
includes a frame 62 secured to the side walls 40 of the
refrigerator cabinet 12 and a plurality of crisper pans 64
supported by the frame 62. Each crisper pan 64 has a storage
chamber 66 (see FIG. 2) defined therein into which food items may
be placed for later consumption. As described in greater detail
below, the crisper pans 64 are configured to extend from and
retract into the frame 62 to selectively permit user access to the
storage chambers 66.
[0052] Referring now FIG. 2, the plurality of crisper pans 64 of
the pan system 60 include a pair of side pans 68 and a middle pan
70. In the illustrative embodiment, the side pans 68 include a side
pan 72 positioned on one side of the middle pan 70 and a side pan
74 positioned on the other side of the middle pan 70. The
configuration of the side pan 72 is described in greater detail
below, but it should be appreciated that, in the illustrative
embodiment, the side pan 74 has an identical configuration. As a
result, the side pan 72 is interchangeable with the side pan 74 and
may be positioned in the frame 62 on either side of the middle pan
70.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 2, the side pan 72 includes a front panel
76 and a pan body 78 extending rearward from the front panel 76.
The front panel 76 of the side pan 72 has an outer shell 80 that is
secured to the pan body 78. A handle 82 is formed in the outer
shell 80, which may be used to extend and retract the side pan 72.
The front panel 76 also includes a face plate 84 that is secured to
the outer shell 80. In the illustrative embodiment, the face plate
84 is formed from clear polypropylene to permit the user to view
the contents of the storage chamber 66 of the side pan 72 when the
side pan 72 is retracted into the frame 62. The pan body 78 and the
outer shell 80 are formed from injection molded polypropylene that
is opaque or colored. In other embodiments, the pan body 78 and the
outer shell 80 may be formed from a clear or frosted polymeric
material. It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments
the pan body 78, the shell 80, and the face plate 84 may be formed
as a single monolithic component.
[0054] The pan body 78 of the side pan 72 includes a pair of side
walls 90, 92 that extend between the front panel 76 and a rear wall
96. An access opening 98 is defined at the upper end 100 of the pan
body 78, and the walls 90, 92, 96 have inner surfaces 102, 104, 106
that extend downwardly from the opening 98 to a bottom surface 108
of the pan body 78. As shown in FIG. 2, the surfaces 102, 104, 106,
108 cooperate to define the storage chamber 66 of the side pan 72.
The opening 98 provides user access to the storage chamber 66 when
the side pan 72 extends outward from the frame 62.
[0055] The pan body 78 of the side pan 72 also includes a pair of
upper flanges 110 that extend from the upper end 100 thereof. As
shown in FIG. 2, the upper flanges 110 include a flange 112
extending from the side wall 90 and another flange 114 extending
from the side wall 92 between the front panel 76 and the rear wall
96 of the pan body 78. Each upper flange 110 has a back end 116
that is positioned adjacent to the rear wall 96 of the pan body 78.
A rectangular slot 118 is defined in the back end 116 of each
flange 110.
[0056] The side pan 72 includes a pair of rollers 120 that are
configured to engage the frame 62, as described in greater detail
below. In the illustrative embodiment, the pair of rollers 120
includes a roller 122 positioned in the slot 118 defined in the
flange 112 and another roller 124 positioned in the slot 118
defined in the opposite flange 114. As shown in FIG. 3, each roller
120 has a body 126 including a cylindrical outer surface 128, and a
pair of inner walls 130, 132 that extend inwardly from the
cylindrical outer surface 128 to a cylindrical inner wall 134. The
walls 130, 132, 134 define a groove 136 in each roller 120.
[0057] Each roller 120 is attached to the pan body 78 of the side
pan 72 via a joint 138. The joint 138 includes a cylindrical pin
140 that extends through a bore 142 defined in the body 126 of the
roller 120. The pin 140 is received in a pair of holes (not shown)
defined in each of the flanges 110, 112 and the pan body 78 to
attach the roller 120 thereto. Each roller 120 is configured to
rotate about an axis 144 defined by the pin 140 when the side pan
72 is moved between the extended position and the retracted
position, as described in greater detail below.
[0058] As shown in FIGS. 2 and 3, the side pan 72 also includes a
pair of stops 146 configured to engage a portion of the frame 62 to
inhibit forward movement of the side pan 72. In the illustrative
embodiment, each stop 146 includes a shoulder 148 extending upward
from each of the upper flanges 110, 112. It should be appreciated
that in other embodiments the stop may include a tab, pin, or other
structure configured to engage a corresponding structure of the
frame.
[0059] Returning to FIG. 2, the pan body 78 of the side pan 72 also
includes a pair of lower flanges 150 positioned below the upper
flanges 110. Like the upper flanges 110, one lower flange 152
extends outwardly from the side wall 90 of the pan body 78 and
another lower flange 154 (see FIG. 6) extends outwardly from the
side wall 92. The configuration of the lower flange 152 is
described in greater detail below, but, in the illustrative
embodiment, the configuration of the lower flange 154 is identical
to the configuration of the lower flange 152.
[0060] The lower flange 152 of the pan body 78 includes a front
section 156 and a rear section 158 that is slanted or inclined
relative to the front section 156. As shown in FIG. 2, the lower
flange 152 has a top surface 160 and a bottom surface 162 that is
positioned opposite the top surface 160. A plurality of support
ribs 164 extend between the side wall 90 and the top surface 160 of
the flange 152. In the illustrative embodiment, each support rib
164 has a triangular shape. It should be appreciated that in other
embodiments each rib may be formed in a rectangular, oblong, or
other geometric shape. The front section 156 of the lower flange
152 also has a notch 166 defined therein. As shown in FIG. 2, the
notch 166 is positioned between the front panel 76 and the first
support rib 164 of the pan body 78.
[0061] The side pan 72 (and hence the side pan 74) includes a pair
of guide rails 168 configured to engage the frame 62. The guide
rails 168 include a guide rail 170 extending downwardly from the
bottom surface 162 of the lower flange 152 and another guide rail
172 extending downwardly from the bottom surface 162 of the lower
flange 154. Each of the guide rails 170, 172 has a rectangular
cross-section (see FIG. 6) and extends the length of the lower
flanges 152, 154, respectively. It should be appreciated that in
other embodiments the cross-section of each guide rail may be
oblong, rounded, or some other geometric shape. A notch 174 is
defined in the bottom surface 176 of each of the guide rails 170,
172.
[0062] As described above, the pan system 60 of refrigerator 10
also includes a middle pan 70 that is positioned between the side
pans 72, 74 in the frame 62. As described above, each of the pans
70, 72, 74 has a storage chamber 66 into which items may be placed
for storage. In the illustrative embodiment, the volume of the
storage chamber of the middle pan 70 is less than the volume of
storage chambers of the side pans 72, 74. As such, the middle pan
70 has less storage capacity than either of the side pans 72,
74.
[0063] The middle pan 70 of the refrigerator 10 includes a front
panel 180 and a pan body 182 extending rearward from the front
panel 180. The front panel 180 of the middle pan 70 has an outer
shell 184 that is secured to the pan body 182. As shown in FIG. 2,
the outer shell 184 includes a handle 186, which may be used to
extend and retract the middle pan 70. The front panel 180 also
includes a face plate 188 that is secured to the outer shell
184.
[0064] In the illustrative embodiment, the face plate 188 is formed
from clear polypropylene to permit the user to view the contents of
the storage chamber 66 of the middle pan 70 when the middle pan 70
is retracted into the frame 62. The pan body 182 and the outer
shell 184 are formed from injection molded polypropylene that is
opaque or colored. In other embodiments, the pan body 182 and the
outer shell 184 may be formed from a clear or frosted polymeric
material. It should also be appreciated that in other embodiments
the pan body 182, the shell 184, and the face plate 188 may be
formed as a single monolithic component.
[0065] The pan body 182 of middle pan 70 includes a pair of side
walls 190, 192 that extend between the front panel 180 and a rear
wall 196. An access opening 198 is defined at the upper end 200 of
the pan body 182, and the walls 190, 192, 196 have inner surfaces
202, 204, 206 that extend downwardly from the opening 198 to a
bottom surface 208 of the pan body 182. As shown in FIG. 2, the
surfaces 202, 204, 206, 208 cooperate to define the storage chamber
66. The opening 198 provides user access to the storage chamber 66
when the middle pan 70 extends from the frame 62.
[0066] The pan body 182 of the middle pan 70 also includes a pair
of lower flanges 210, 212 that extend therefrom. The lower flange
210 extends outwardly from the side wall 190 and the other lower
flange 212 (see FIG. 6) extends outwardly from the side wall 192.
The configuration of the flange 210 is described in greater detail
below, but, in the illustrative embodiment, the configuration of
the flange 212 is identical to the configuration of the flange
210.
[0067] The flange 210 has a top surface 214 and a bottom surface
216 that is positioned opposite the top surface 214. A plurality of
support ribs 218 extend between each of the side walls 190, 192 and
the top surface 214 of the flange 210. In the illustrative
embodiment, each support rib 218 has a triangular shape. It should
be appreciated that in other embodiments each rib may be formed in
a rectangular, oblong, or other geometric shape.
[0068] The flange 210 of the middle pan 70 also has a back end 220
that is positioned adjacent to the rear wall 196 of the pan body
182. The bottom surface 216 of the flange 210 includes a convex
section 222 that is positioned adjacent to the back end 220 of the
flange 210. The section 222 defines a rib 224 that extends
downwardly from the lower flange 210. As shown in FIG. 2, the
middle pan 70 also includes a slot 226 that is defined at the back
end 220 of each flange 210, which extends through the top surface
214 and the bottom surface 216 thereof.
[0069] The middle pan 70 has a pair of rollers 228, 230 secured
thereto. As shown in FIG. 2, the roller 228 is positioned in the
slot 226 of the flange 210, and the roller 230 (see FIG. 8) is
positioned in the slot 226 defined in the other flange 212 of the
middle pan 70. Each of the rollers 228, 230, like the rollers 120
of the side pans 72, 74, has a cylindrical outer surface 232 and a
groove 234 defined therein.
[0070] Each of the rollers 228, 230 is attached to the pan body 182
of the middle pan 70 via a joint 236. The joint 236, like the joint
138 of the side pans 72, 74, includes a cylindrical pin 140 that
extends through a bore (not shown) defined in the roller. The pin
140 is received in a pair of holes (not shown) defined in the
flange 210 and the pan body 182 to attach the roller thereto. Each
of the rollers 228, 230 is configured to rotate about an axis 238
defined by the pin 140 when the middle pan 70 is moved between the
extended position and the retracted position, as described in
greater detail below.
[0071] As described above, the pan system 60 of refrigerator 10
also includes a frame 62 that supports the crisper pans 64. The
frame 62 includes a cover panel 240, a pair of mounting plates 242,
244, and a support bracket 246 positioned between the mounting
plates 242, 244. As shown in FIG. 2, the cover panel 240 includes
an outer frame 248 and a cover plate 250 that is secured to the
outer frame 248. The mounting plates 242, 244 are secured at the
ends 252, 254, respectively, of the outer frame 248, and the
support bracket 246 is secured to the outer frame 248 between the
ends 252, 254.
[0072] The outer frame 248 of the cover panel 240 has a front beam
256 that is positioned adjacent to the open front side 46 of the
cabinet 12 when the pan system 60 is positioned in the refrigerated
chamber 18. An alignment tab 258 extends downwardly from the front
beam 256 at one end 252 of the outer frame 248. Another alignment
tab 260 extends downwardly from the front beam 256 at the other end
254 of the outer frame 248. As described in greater detail below,
the alignment tabs 258, 260 guide the installation of the side pans
68 in the frame 62.
[0073] In the illustrative embodiment, the outer frame 248 of the
cover panel 240 is formed from injection-molded opaque
polypropylene. In other embodiments, the outer frame 248 may be
colored or formed from a clear or frosted polymeric material. The
cover plate 250 is formed from clear polypropylene to permit the
user to view the contents of the storage chambers 66 of the crisper
pans 64 when the pans 64 are retracted into the frame 62. In other
embodiments, the cover plate 250 may be formed from glass. It
should also be appreciated that in other embodiments the outer
frame 248 and the cover plate 250 may be formed as a single
monolithic component.
[0074] As described above, the mounting plate 242 of the frame 62
is secured at the end 252 of the outer frame 248 of the cover panel
240. The other mounting plate 244 is secured at the opposite end
254 of the outer frame 248. In the illustrative embodiment, the
mounting plates 242, 244 are formed from injection molded
polypropylene that is opaque or colored. In other embodiments, the
mounting plates 242, 244 may be formed from a clear or frosted
polymeric material. The configuration of the mounting plate 242 is
described in greater detail below, but it should be appreciated
that the mounting plate 244 has a configuration that mirrors the
configuration of the mounting plate 242.
[0075] As shown in FIG. 2, the mounting plate 242 of the frame 62
includes a main body 270 and a front wall 272 that extends
outwardly from the front end 274 of the main body 270. The mounting
plate 242 is configured to be secured to one of the sidewalls 40 of
the refrigerator cabinet 12, and, in the illustrative embodiment,
the mounting plate 242 includes a notch 276 defined in the back end
278 of the main body 270. The notch 276 is sized to receive a peg
(not shown) extending outwardly from the side wall 40 of the
refrigerator cabinet 12.
[0076] The main body 270 of the mounting plate 242 has an inner
surface 280 that faces the support bracket 246 of the frame 62. As
shown in FIG. 5, the mounting plate 242 includes a guide track 282
extending from the inner surface 280. The guide track 282 of the
mounting plate 242 is configured to receive the roller 122 of the
side pan 72, as described in greater detail below.
[0077] The guide track 282 is defined between a lower flange 284
extending from the inner surface 280 and an upper flange 286
positioned above the lower flange 284. The lower flange 284
includes an upper surface 290 having a plurality of surface
sections 292. The surface sections 292 include a front support
section 294, a rear surface section 296, and a middle surface
section 298 that connects the surface sections 294, 296. The
surface sections 294, 296 of the upper surface 290 extend
substantially horizontally and the middle surface section 298 is
slanted or inclined. The middle surface section 298 has a lower end
300 connected to the front surface section 294 and an upper end 302
connected to the rear surface section 296.
[0078] The upper flange 286 of the mounting plate 242 has a lower
surface 304 that extends parallel to the rear surface section 296
of the lower flange 284. As shown in FIG. 5, a tab 306 extends
downwardly from the lower surface 304 of the upper flange 286
toward the upper surface 290 of the lower flange 284. In the
illustrative embodiment, the tab 306 is aligned vertically with the
lower end 300 of the middle surface section 298 of the lower flange
284.
[0079] The guide track 282 of the mounting plate 242 includes a
pair of guide rails 310, 312 that extend from the lower flange 284
and the upper flange 286, respectively. Each of the guide rails
310, 312 has a rectangular cross-section and is sized to be
positioned in the groove 136 of the roller 122 of the side pan
72.
[0080] As shown in FIG. 5, the guide rail 310 includes a front rail
section 314 extending upwardly from the front surface section 294
of the lower flange 284. The guide rail 310 also includes a rear
rail section 318 extending upwardly from the rear surface section
296 of the lower flange 284, and a middle rail section 320
extending upwardly from the middle surface section 298. The middle
rail section 320 is slanted or inclined and has a lower end 322
connected to the front rail section 314 and an upper end 324
connected to the rear rail section 318.
[0081] The guide rail 312 of the guide track 282 extends downwardly
from the lower surface 304 of the upper flange 286 parallel to the
rear rail section 318 of the guide rail 310. The guide rail 312 is
vertically aligned with the guide rail 310 such that both guide
rails 310, 312 may be positioned in the groove 136 of the roller
122 of the side pan 72, as described in greater detail below.
[0082] The mounting plate 242 also includes a roller 326 configured
to receive the guide rail 170 of the side pan 72. As shown in FIG.
5, the roller 326 has a cylindrical outer surface 328, and a pair
of inner walls 330, 332 that extend inwardly from the cylindrical
outer surface 328 to define a groove 334 in the roller 326. In the
illustrative embodiment, the groove 334 is aligned vertically with
the guide rails 310, 312 of the guide track 282.
[0083] The roller 326 is attached to the main body 270 of the
mounting plate 242 via a joint 336. The joint 336 includes a
cylindrical pin 338 that extends through the roller 326. The pin
338 is received in a pair of holes (not shown) defined in the main
body 270 to attach the roller 326 thereto. The roller 326 is
configured to rotate about an axis 340 defined by the pin 338 when
the side pan 72 is moved between the extended position and the
retracted position from the frame 62, as described in greater
detail below.
[0084] Returning now to FIG. 2, the frame 62 includes a support
bracket 246 configured to receive the pan body 182 of the middle
pan 70. In the illustrative embodiment, the support bracket 246 is
formed from injection molded polypropylene that is opaque or
colored. In other embodiments, the support bracket 246 may be
formed from a clear or frosted polymeric material. As shown in FIG.
2, the support bracket 246 has a bottom wall 342 and a plurality of
outer walls 344 that extend upwardly from the bottom wall 342. The
walls 342, 344 cooperate to define a compartment 346 in the bracket
246. An open front side 348 of the bracket 246 defines an access
opening 350 sized to receive the pan body 182 of the middle pan
70.
[0085] The outer walls 342 of the support bracket 246 include a
rear plate 352 and a pair of side plates 354, 356 that extend
between the front side 348 of the bracket 246 and the rear plate
352. Each of the side plates 354, 356 includes a front mounting arm
358 and a rear mounting arm 360 configured to engage the outer
frame 248 of the cover panel 240 and secure the support bracket 246
to the cover panel 240. Each of the side plates 354, 356 has an
inner surface 362 that faces the compartment 346 and an outer
surface 364 positioned opposite the inner surface 362. As shown in
FIG. 2, each outer surface 364 faces one of the side pans 72, 74
when the side pans 72, 74 are coupled to the frame 62.
[0086] The support bracket 246 of the frame 62 includes an inner
roller support 366 extending from the inner surface 362 of the side
plate 354 and another inner roller support 368 (see FIG. 6)
extending from the inner surface 362 of the side plate 356. Each of
the roller supports 366, 368 is sized to receive one of the rollers
228, 230 of the middle pan 70. In the illustrative embodiment, the
inner roller support 368 has a configuration that mirrors the
configuration of the inner roller support 366, which is described
in greater detail below.
[0087] As shown in FIG. 2, the inner roller support 366 is defined
by an upper flange 370 and a lower flange 372. The upper flange 370
has a top surface 374 and a substantially planar bottom surface 376
positioned opposite the top surface 374. A plurality of support
ribs 380 extend between the inner surface 362 of the side plate 354
and the top surface 374 of the upper flange 370. The lower flange
372 has a substantially planar top surface 378 and a bottom surface
382 that is positioned opposite the top surface 378. A plurality of
support ribs 384 extend between the bottom wall 342 and the bottom
surface 382 of each lower flange 372. When the middle pan 70 is
coupled to the support bracket 246, the roller 230 is positioned
between the flanges 370, 372 and is configured to roll along the
surfaces 374, 378 of the flanges 370, 372, respectively, as the
middle pan 70 is moved between the extended position and the
retracted position.
[0088] As shown in FIG. 2, a pair of rollers 390 is secured to the
bottom wall 342 of the bracket 246 adjacent to the front side 268.
Each roller 390, like the rollers 120 of the side pans 72, 74, has
a cylindrical outer surface 392 and a groove 394 defined therein,
and each roller 390 is configured to rotate about an axis 396. When
the middle pan 70 is coupled to the support bracket 246, the
rollers 390 engage the bottom surfaces 216 of the flanges 210, 212
of the middle pan 70. As the middle pan 70 is moved between the
extended position and the retracted position, the engagement
between the flanges 210 of the middle pan 70 and the rollers 390 of
the support bracket 246 causes the rollers 390 to be rotated about
their respective axes 396.
[0089] The support bracket 246 of the frame 62 includes an outer
roller support 398 extending from the outer surface 364 of the side
plate 356 and another outer roller support 400 (see FIG. 6)
extending from the outer surface 364 of the side plate 354. Each of
the roller supports 398, 400 is sized to receive one of the rollers
120 of the side pans 72, 74. The outer roller support 398 is
described in greater detail below, but it should be appreciated
that, in the illustrative embodiment, the outer roller support 400
has a configuration that mirrors the configuration of the outer
roller support 398.
[0090] As shown in FIG. 9, the outer roller support 398 of the
support bracket 246 is defined by a lower flange 402 and an upper
flange 404 positioned above the lower flange 402. The lower flange
402 includes an upper surface 406 and a lower surface 408
positioned opposite the upper surface 406. A plurality of support
ribs 384 extend between the outer surface 364 of the side plate 356
and the lower surface 408 of each lower flange 402. The upper
surface 406 of the lower flange 402 includes a front section 410, a
rear section 412, and a middle section 414 connecting the sections
410, 412. As shown in FIG. 9, the sections 410, 412 extend
substantially horizontally and the middle section 414 of the upper
surface 406 is slanted or inclined. The middle section 414 has a
lower end 416 connected to the front section 410 and an upper end
418 connected to the rear section 412.
[0091] The upper flange 404 of the support bracket 246 has a lower
surface 420 that extends parallel to the rear section 412 of the
upper surface 406 of the lower flange 402. A tab 422 extends
downwardly from the lower surface 420 of the upper flange 404
toward the upper surface 406 of the lower flange 402. In the
illustrative embodiment, the tab 422 is aligned vertically with the
lower end 416 of the middle section 414 of the upper surface
406.
[0092] Returning to FIG. 2, the support bracket 246 also includes a
pair of rollers 430 that are secured to the outer surfaces 364 of
the side plates 354, 356, respectively. A roller housing 432
extends outwardly from each of the side plates 354, 356 adjacent to
the front side 348 of the support bracket 246. Each roller 430 is
positioned in a slot 434 defined in each housing 432.
[0093] As shown in FIG. 4, each roller 430 has a body 436 including
a cylindrical outer surface 438. In the illustrative embodiment,
the outer surface 438 of each roller 430 is substantially smooth.
The body 436 of each roller 430 is attached to the support bracket
246 via a joint 440. The joint 440 includes a cylindrical pin 442
that extends from the body 436. The pin 442 is received in a pair
of slots 444 defined in the housing 432. The roller 430 is
configured to rotate about an axis 446 defined by the pin 442.
[0094] Referring now to FIG. 6, the crisper pans 64 are shown
positioned in the frame 62. The pan body of the side pan 72 is
positioned between the support bracket 246 and the mounting plate
242, and pan body of the side pan 74 is positioned between the
support bracket 246 and the mounting plate 242. The roller 122 of
the side pan 72 is positioned in the guide track 282 of the
mounting plate 242, and the roller 124 of the side pan 72 is
positioned in the outer roller support 398 of the support bracket
246. As shown in FIG. 6, the cylindrical outer surface 128 of the
roller 122 engages the upper surface 290 of the lower flange 284
and the lower surface 304 of the upper flange 286 of the mounting
plate 242.
[0095] The guide track 282 of the mounting plate 242 includes the
guide rails 310, 312, which extend from the surfaces 290, 304,
respectively. As shown in FIG. 6, the guide rails 310, 312 are
positioned in the groove 136 of the roller 122. Additionally, the
side pan 72 also has a lower flange 152, which is engaged with the
roller 326 of the mounting plate 242. The bottom surface 162 of the
lower flange 152 engages the cylindrical outer surface 328 of the
roller 326. The side pan 72 also includes a guide rail 170 that
extends downwardly from the lower flange 152. The guide rail 170 is
received in the groove 334 of the roller 326. The engagement
between the guide rail 170 and the roller 326 together with the
engagement between the roller 122 and the guide rails 310, 312
guides or directs the movement of the side pan 72 as the side pan
72 is advanced between the retracted position and the extended
position. In that way, the rollers 122, 326 and the guide rails
170, 310, 312 act as a guide system for the side pan 72.
[0096] As shown in FIG. 6, the roller 124 of the side pan 72 is
positioned in the outer roller support 398 of the support bracket
246. The cylindrical outer surface 128 of the roller 124 engages
the upper surface 406 of the lower flange 402 and the lower surface
408 of the upper flange 404. As described above, the side pan 72
also includes a guide rail 172, which is engaged with the roller
430 of the support bracket 246. As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom
surface 176 of the guide rail 172 engages the cylindrical outer
surface 438 of the roller 430.
[0097] The other side pan 74 of the pan system 60 is positioned
between the support bracket 246 and the other mounting plate 244 of
the frame 62. The roller 124 of the side pan 74 is positioned in
the guide track 282 of the mounting plate 244 and the roller 122 of
the side pan 74 is positioned in the outer roller support 400 of
the support bracket 246. The cylindrical outer surface 128 of the
roller 124 engages the upper surface 290 of the lower flange 284
and the lower surface 304 of the upper flange 286 of the mounting
plate 244. The mounting plate 244, like the mounting plate 242,
also includes a guide track 282 and a pair of guide rails 310, 312
that extend from the surfaces 290, 304, respectively, of the
mounting plate 244.
[0098] As shown in FIG. 6, the guide rails 310, 312 are positioned
in the groove 136 of the roller 124 of the side pan 74.
Additionally, the side pan 74 has a lower flange 154, which is
engaged with the roller 326 of the mounting plate 244. The bottom
surface 162 of the lower flange 154 engages the cylindrical outer
surface 328 of the roller 326. The side pan 74, like the side pan
72, includes a guide rail 172 that extends downwardly from the
lower flange 154. The guide rail 172 of the side pan 74 is received
in the groove 334 of the roller 326. The engagement between the
guide rail 172 and the roller 326 together with the engagement
between the roller 124 and the guide rails 310, 312 guides or
directs the movement of the side pan 74 as the side pan 74 is
advanced between the retracted position and the extended position.
In that way, the rollers 124, 326 and the guide rails 172, 310, 312
act as a guide system for the side pan 74.
[0099] As shown in FIG. 6, the roller 122 of the side pan 74 is
positioned in the outer roller support 400 of the support bracket
246. The cylindrical outer surface 128 of the roller 122 engages
the upper surface 406 of the lower flange 402 and the lower surface
408 of the upper flange 404. The side pan 74, like the side pan 72,
includes a guide rail 170 that extends from the lower flange 152.
As shown in FIG. 6, the bottom surface 176 of the guide rail 170
engages the cylindrical outer surface 438 of the roller 430.
[0100] As shown in FIG. 6, the middle pan 70 of the pan system 60
is coupled to the support bracket 246 between the side pans 72, 74.
The pan body 182 of the middle pan 70 is positioned in the
compartment 346 defined in the support bracket 246, and the roller
230 of the middle pan 70 is positioned in the inner roller support
366 of the support bracket 246. The cylindrical outer surface 232
of the roller 230 engages the top surface 374 of the lower flange
372 and the bottom surface 376 of the upper flange 370 of the
support bracket 246. The other roller 228 of the middle pan 70 is
similarly positioned in the inner roller support 368 of the support
bracket 246. The cylindrical outer surface 232 of the roller 228
engages the top surface 374 of the lower flange 372 and the bottom
surface 376 of the upper flange 370.
[0101] As described above, the support bracket 246 also includes a
pair of rollers 390 positioned in the compartment 346. Each roller
390 has a cylindrical outer surface 392 that engages the bottom
surface 216 of the corresponding lower flange 210, 212 of the
middle pan 70. When the middle pan 70 is moved between the extended
position and the retracted position, each roller 390 is rotated
about its axis 396.
[0102] As shown in FIG. 6, each upper flange 370 of support bracket
246 has a tip 448 positioned in the compartment 346. When the
middle pan 70 is coupled to the frame 62, the pan body 182 of the
middle pan 70 is positioned between the tips 448 of the upper
flange 370. The tips 448 of the upper flanges 370 confront the pan
body 182 to locate the middle pan 70 in a predetermined lateral
position within the frame 62. Additionally, the engagement between
the rollers 122, 326 and the guide rails 310, 312, 170 locates the
side pan 72 in a predetermined lateral position relative to the
frame 62. The engagement between the rollers 124, 326 and the guide
rails 310, 312, 172 similarly locates the side pan 74 in a
predetermined lateral position relative to the frame 62.
[0103] As shown in FIG. 7, a gap 450 is defined between the front
panel 76 of the side pan 72 and an edge 452 of the front panel 180
of the middle pan 70. Additionally, a gap 454 is defined between
the front panel 76 of the side pan 74 and an edge 456 of the front
panel 180 of the middle pan 70. Because the lateral positions of
the crisper pan 64 within the frame 62 are fixed, the gaps 450, 454
have fixed predetermined sizes. As shown in FIG. 7, the gaps 450,
454 are substantially equal in size so that the side pans 72, 74
are equally spaced apart from the middle pan 70.
[0104] As described above, the crisper pans 64 are configured to
extend and retract from the frame 62 to selectively permit user
access to the storage chambers 66 of the crisper pans 64. To move
the middle pan 70 from the retracted position to the extended
position, a user grasps the handle 186 of the middle pan 70 and
pulls forward. As the middle pan 70 is moved forward, the roller
228 is rotated about its axis 238 and is advanced along the inner
roller support 368. Similarly, the roller 230 is rotated about its
axis 238 and is advanced along the inner roller support 366. As the
bottom surfaces 216 of the lower flanges 210, 212 of the middle pan
70 slide along the rollers 390 of the support bracket 246, the
rollers 390 are rotated about their respective axes 396. When the
middle pan 70 is in the extended position, the ribs 224 of the
lower flanges 210, 212 engage the rollers 390, thereby inhibiting
additional forward movement of the middle pan 70.
[0105] Referring now to FIGS. 8 and 9, the side pan 72 is shown in
a retracted position such that user access to the storage chamber
66 is prevented. In the retracted position, the front panel 76 of
the side pan 72 is positioned adjacent to the front wall 272 of the
mounting plate 242. As shown in FIG. 8, the front panel 76 also
engages the front end 274 of the main body 270. The pan body 78 of
the side pan 72 is positioned below the cover panel 240.
[0106] As shown in FIG. 8, the roller 122 of the side pan 72 is
located in the guide track 282 at the rear end 460 thereof. The
cylindrical outer surface 128 of the roller 122 engages the upper
surface 290 of the lower flange 284 and the lower surface 304 of
the upper flange 286. As described above, the guide rails 310, 312
are positioned in the groove 136 of the roller 122 to direct the
travel of the roller 122 when the side pan 72 is moved between the
retracted position and the extended position.
[0107] As described above, the side pan 72 also has a lower flange
152, which is engaged with the roller 326 of the mounting plate
242. As shown in FIG. 8, the bottom surface 162 of the lower flange
152 engages the cylindrical outer surface 328 of the roller 326. As
described above, a guide rail 170 extends downwardly from the lower
flange 152. The guide rail 170 of the side pan 72 is received in
the groove 334 of the roller 326 to direct the movement of the side
pan 72 between the retracted position and the extended position. In
the retracted position, the roller 334 is positioned in the notches
166, 174 defined in the lower flange 152 and the guide rail 170,
respectively, to retain the side pan 72 in the retracted
position.
[0108] Referring now to FIG. 9, the other side of the side pan 72
is shown with the side plate 354 of the support bracket 246. The
roller 124 of the side pan 72 is positioned in the outer roller
support 398 of the support bracket 246. The cylindrical outer
surface 128 of the roller 124 engages the upper surface 406 of the
lower flange 402 and the lower surface 408 of the upper flange 404.
As described above, the side pan 72 also includes a guide rail 172,
which is engaged with the roller 430 of the support bracket 246. As
shown in FIG. 9, the bottom surface 176 of the guide rail 172
engages the cylindrical outer surface 438 of the roller 430. In the
retracted position, the roller 430 is positioned in the notch 174
defined in the guide rail 172 of the side pan 72 to retain the side
pan 72 in the retracted position.
[0109] To move the side pan 72 from the retracted position shown in
FIGS. 8 and 9 to the extended position shown in FIG. 10, a user
grasps the handle 82 of the side pan 72 and pulls in the direction
indicated by arrow 462 in FIG. 8. As the side pan 72 is pulled
forward, the lower flange 152 and the guide rail 170 slide along
the roller 326, thereby causing the roller 326 to rotate about the
axis 340 and to disengage from the notches 166, 174. Additionally,
the roller 122 of the side pan 72 rotates about the axis 144 and
advances forward along the track 282. On the opposite side of the
pan 72, the guide rail 172 slides along the roller 430 of the
support bracket 246, thereby causing the roller 430 to rotate about
the axis 446 and disengaging the roller 430 from the notch 174. The
roller 124 of the side pan 72 also rotates about its axis 144 and
advances forward along the roller support 398. As the side pan 72
is moved between positions, the engagement between the rollers 122,
326 and the guide rails 310, 312, 170 limits the side-to-side
motion of the pan 72.
[0110] When the side pan 72 is in extended position shown in FIG.
10, user access to the storage chamber 66 is permitted. The
shoulder 148 extending from the upper flange 112 of the side pan 72
engages the tab 306 of the mounting plate 242. On the opposite side
of the pan 72, the shoulder 148 extending from the other upper
flange 114 of the side pan 72 also engages the tab 422 of the
support bracket 246. The engagement between the shoulders 148 and
the tabs 306, 422 inhibits additional forward movement of the side
pan 72. As shown in FIG. 10, the shoulders 148 and the tabs 306,
422 prevent the roller 430 from engaging the middle surface section
298 of the lower flange 284.
[0111] It should be appreciated that the operation of the side pan
74 is similar to the operation of the side pan 72. When the side
pan 74 is in the retracted position, the roller 334 of the mounting
plate 244 is positioned in the notches 166, 174 defined in the
lower flange 152 and the guide rail 172, respectively, to retain
the side pan 74 in the retracted position. Additionally, the roller
430 is positioned in the notch 174 defined in the guide rail 170 of
the side pan 74. When the side pan 74 is moved from the retracted
position to the extended position, the engagement between the
rollers 124, 326 and the guide rails 310, 312, 172 limits the
side-to-side motion of the pan 74.
[0112] Referring now to FIG. 11, the side pan 72 is aligned with
the cover panel 240 and the mounting plate 242 during installation
of the side pan 72. To do so, the side pan 72 is angled downward so
that the rear wall 96 clears the alignment tab 258. The side wall
90 is positioned in a gap 464 defined between the alignment tab 258
and the inner surface 280 of the mounting plate 242. As shown in
FIG. 11, the gap 464 is sized such that the roller 122 of the side
pan 72 is aligned with the guide rails 310, 312 of the mounting
plate 242 and the guide rail 170 of the side pan 72 is aligned with
the roller 326 of the mounting plate 242. When the side pan 72 is
properly aligned with the frame 62, the side pan 72 may be moved
backward to engage the rollers 122, 326 with the guide rails 310,
312, 170.
[0113] Similarly, during installation of the side pan 74, the side
pan 74 is angled downward so that the rear wall 96 of the side pan
74 clears the alignment tab 260 of the frame 62. Similar to the
side pan 72, the side wall 92 of the side pan 74 is positioned in
the gap 464 defined between the alignment tab 260 and the inner
surface 280 of the mounting plate 244. The roller 124 of the side
pan 74 is aligned with the guide rails 310, 312 of the mounting
plate 244 and the guide rail 172 of the side pan 74 is aligned with
the roller 326 of the mounting plate 244. When the side pan 74 is
properly aligned with the frame 62, the side pan 74 may be moved
backward to engage the rollers 124, 326 with the guide rails 310,
312, 172.
[0114] It should be appreciated that the combination of rollers
120, 326, 430, the guide tracks 282, and the roller supports 398,
400 may be implemented in a pan system having only two pans. For
example, the middle pan 70 may be omitted and the support bracket
246 replaced by a central plate including the roller supports 398,
400 and the rollers 430. Additionally, in other embodiments, the
inner roller supports 366, 368 of the support bracket 246 may be
replaced by guide tracks similar to the guide tracks 282 of the
mounting plates 242, 244.
[0115] There are a plurality of advantages of the present
disclosure arising from the various features of the method,
apparatus, and system described herein. It will be noted that
alternative embodiments of the method, apparatus, and system of the
present disclosure may not include all of the features described
yet still benefit from at least some of the advantages of such
features. Those of ordinary skill in the art may readily devise
their own implementations of the method, apparatus, and system that
incorporate one or more of the features of the present invention
and fall within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as
defined by the appended claims.
* * * * *