U.S. patent application number 14/557694 was filed with the patent office on 2016-06-02 for multi-level drawer organization system for a refrigerating appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION. The applicant listed for this patent is Whirlpool Corporation. Invention is credited to JULIA B. BURKE, DANIEL CHOW, NATHANIEL D. KELLY, AMAR YASHWANTRAO PATIL, TODD J. TUNZI.
Application Number | 20160153704 14/557694 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 56078961 |
Filed Date | 2016-06-02 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160153704 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
BURKE; JULIA B. ; et
al. |
June 2, 2016 |
MULTI-LEVEL DRAWER ORGANIZATION SYSTEM FOR A REFRIGERATING
APPLIANCE
Abstract
A multi-level drawer system includes a refrigerating appliance
having a back wall and a plurality of sidewalls that define a
freezer compartment having an interior volume. The freezer
compartment includes a freezer drawer that is slidably operable
within the freezer compartment between extended and retracted
positions. The interior volume is accessible when the freezer
drawer is distal from the retracted position. A first storage
drawer is slidably operable within the freezer drawer between a
plurality of first-drawer positions when the freezer drawer is
distal from the retracted position. A second storage drawer is
positioned above the first storage drawer and slidably operable
between a plurality of second-drawer positions when the freezer
drawer is distal from the retracted position. A third-tier storage
member is disposed on the second storage drawer and is slidably
operable between a plurality of third-tier positions relative to
the second storage drawer.
Inventors: |
BURKE; JULIA B.; (Chicago,
IL) ; CHOW; DANIEL; (St. Joseph, MI) ; KELLY;
NATHANIEL D.; (St. Joseph, MI) ; PATIL; AMAR
YASHWANTRAO; (Benton Harbor, MI) ; TUNZI; TODD
J.; (St. Joseph, MI) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Whirlpool Corporation |
Benton Harbor |
MI |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Benton Harbor
MI
|
Family ID: |
56078961 |
Appl. No.: |
14/557694 |
Filed: |
December 2, 2014 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/404 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/069 20130101;
A47B 88/70 20170101; A47B 88/75 20170101; F25D 23/021 20130101;
A47B 2210/175 20130101; A47B 2210/07 20130101; F25D 25/025
20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 25/02 20060101
F25D025/02; F25D 23/00 20060101 F25D023/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-level drawer system for a refrigerating appliance, the
multi-level drawer system comprising: a refrigerating appliance
having a back wall and a plurality of sidewalls that define a
freezer compartment having an interior volume, wherein the freezer
compartment includes a freezer drawer, the freezer drawer being
slidably operable within the freezer compartment between an open
extended position and a closed retracted position, the interior
volume being accessible when the freezer drawer is distal from the
retracted position; a first storage drawer slidably operable by
hand and without the use of tools within the freezer drawer and
operable between a plurality of first-drawer positions at least
when the freezer drawer is distal from the retracted position; a
second storage drawer positioned above the first storage drawer and
slidably operable within the freezer drawer between a plurality of
second-drawer positions when the freezer drawer is extended away
from the retracted position; and a third-tier storage member
slidably disposed on at least a portion of the second storage
drawer and slidably operable by hand and without the use of tools
between a plurality of third-tier positions relative to the second
storage drawer.
2. The multi-level drawer system of claim 1, wherein the first and
second storage drawers are independently operable.
3. The multi-level drawer system of claim 1, wherein the second
storage drawer includes a front angled portion that extends upward
and rearward from a front edge of the second storage drawer.
4. The multi-level drawer system of claim 3, wherein the front
angled portion slopes upward from a front edge of the second drawer
to a central portion of the second drawer located between the front
edge and a rear wall of the second drawer, wherein the third-tier
storage member slidably engages the second drawer rearward of the
front angled portion, and wherein the front angled portion defines
a closed-drawer access through which an inner portion of the second
storage drawer can be accessed at least when the second storage
drawer is completely within the freezer compartment.
5. The multi-level drawer system of claim 1, wherein the first
storage drawer includes at least one first-drawer divider that is
configured to define a plurality of first-drawer compartments
within the first storage drawer, and wherein the at least one
first-drawer divider is at least partially translucent.
6. The multi-level drawer system of claim 5, wherein the second
storage drawer includes at least one second-drawer divider that is
configured to define a plurality of second-drawer compartments
within the second storage drawer, and wherein the at least one
second-drawer divider is at least partially translucent.
7. The multi-level drawer system of claim 6, wherein the at least
one first storage drawer divider includes at least one front-back
lower divider and at least one left-right lower divider, and
wherein the at least one second storage drawer divider includes at
least one front-back upper divider and at least one right-left
upper divider.
8. The multi-level drawer system of claim 1, wherein the third-tier
storage member is at least partially translucent, and wherein the
third-tier storage member is operable when the second storage
drawer is in any of the plurality of second drawer positions.
9. A tiered organizational system for a refrigerating appliance,
the tiered organizational system comprising: a freezer compartment
of a refrigerating appliance, the freezer compartment having a rear
wall, a plurality of sidewalls and an interior volume, wherein the
plurality of sidewalls define a freezer opening for accessing the
interior volume, and wherein the freezer compartment includes an
operable door panel moveable between open and closed positions, the
interior volume being accessible when the operable door panel is in
an open position; a first storage drawer slidably operable in
relation to the freezer compartment between a plurality of first
storage drawer positions when the operable door panel is in the
open position; and a second storage drawer having a plurality of
sides and an inner portion, and positioned superior to the first
storage drawer and operable in relation to the freezer compartment
between a plurality of second storage drawer positions when the
operable door panel is in the open position, the plurality of sides
defining an upper rim including a level rear portion and an angled
front portion, wherein the angled front portion extends downward at
an angle from the level rear portion to a lowered front edge of the
upper rim.
10. The tiered organizational system of claim 9, wherein the angled
front portion defines a closed-drawer access through which the
inner portion of the second storage drawer is accessible at least
when the second storage drawer is fully disposed within the freezer
compartment.
11. The tiered organizational system of claim 9, further
comprising: a third-tier storage member disposed on at least a
portion of the second storage drawer proximate the level rear
portion and slidably operable between a plurality of third-tier
positions relative to the second storage drawer.
12. The tiered organizational system of claim 9, wherein the first
and second storage drawers are independently operable between an
open and a closed position.
13. The tiered organizational system of claim 9, wherein the first
and second storage drawers each include at least one divider that
is at least partially translucent, and wherein each of the first
and second storage drawers includes a side having at least one air
flow channel.
14. The tiered organizational system of claim 13, wherein the at
least one divider includes at least one storage bin defining a
plurality of bin-dividing walls, and wherein the at least one
storage bin is at least partially translucent.
15. The tiered organizational system of claim 11, wherein the
third-tier storage member is at least partially translucent and is
operable when the second storage drawer is in any of the plurality
of second storage drawer positions.
16. A tiered organizational system for installation in a freezer
compartment of a refrigerating appliance, the tiered organizational
system comprising: a lower storage drawer configured to be slidably
operable in relation to a freezer compartment between a plurality
of second-drawer positions; an upper storage drawer having a
plurality of sides and an inner portion, and positioned superior to
the lower storage drawer, the upper storage drawer configured to be
operable in relation to the freezer compartment between a plurality
of first-drawer positions, wherein the plurality of sides defines
an upper rim including a level rear portion and an angled front
portion, wherein the angled front portion extends downward at an
angle from the level rear portion to a lowered front edge of the
upper rim; and a third-tier storage member disposed on at least a
portion of the upper storage drawer proximate the level rear
portion and slidably operable between a plurality of third-tier
positions relative to the upper storage drawer.
17. The tiered organizational system of claim 16, wherein the lower
and upper storage drawers are independently operable between
respective open and closed positions.
18. The tiered organizational system of claim 16, wherein the lower
and upper storage drawers each include at least one air flow
channel and at least one divider that is at least partially
translucent.
19. The tiered organizational system of claim 18, wherein the at
least one divider includes at least one dividing bin defining a
plurality of bin walls, and wherein the at least one dividing bin
is at least partially translucent.
20. The tiered organizational system of claim 16, wherein the
third-tier storage member is at least partially translucent and is
operable when the upper storage drawer is in any of the plurality
of upper drawer positions.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The invention is in the field of refrigerating appliances,
and more specifically, organizational systems for refrigerating
appliances having multiple tiers.
BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0002] An aspect of the present invention is generally directed
toward a multi-level drawer system for a refrigerating appliance
that includes a refrigerating appliance having a back wall and a
plurality of sidewalls that define a freezer compartment having an
interior volume. The freezer compartment includes a freezer drawer.
The freezer drawer is slidably operable within the freezer
compartment between an open extended position and a closed
retracted position. The interior volume is accessible when the
freezer drawer is distal from the retracted position. A first
storage drawer is slidably operable within the freezer drawer and
is operable between a plurality of first-drawer positions at least
when the freezer drawer is distal from the retracted position. A
second storage drawer is positioned above the first storage drawer
and slidably operable within the freezer drawer between a plurality
of second-drawer positions when the freezer drawer is extended away
from the retracted position. A third-tier storage member is
disposed on at least a portion of the second storage drawer and is
slidably operable between a plurality of third-tier positions
relative to the second storage drawer.
[0003] According to another aspect of the present invention, a
tiered organizational system for a refrigerating appliance includes
a freezer compartment of a refrigerating appliance. The freezer
compartment has a rear wall, a plurality of sidewalls and an
interior volume. The plurality of sidewalls defines a freezer
opening for accessing the interior volume. The freezer compartment
includes an operable door panel moveable between open and closed
positions. The interior volume is accessible when the operable door
panel is the open position. A first storage drawer is slidably
operable in relation to the freezer compartment between a plurality
of first storage-drawer positions when the operable door panel is
in the open position. A second storage drawer has a plurality of
sides and an inner portion, and is positioned superior to the first
storage drawer and is operable in relation to the freezer
compartment between a plurality of second storage-drawer positions
when the operable door panel is in the open position. The plurality
of sides of the second storage drawer defines an upper rim
including a level rear portion and an angled front portion. The
angled front portion extends downward at an angle from the level
rear portion to a lowered front edge of the upper rim.
[0004] Yet another aspect of the present invention includes a
tiered organizational system for installation in a freezer
compartment of a refrigerating appliance that includes a lower
storage drawer configured to be slidably operable in relation to a
freezer compartment between a plurality of lower storage drawer
positions. An upper storage drawer has a plurality of sides and an
inner portion, and is positioned superior to the first storage
drawer. The upper storage drawer is configured to be operable in
relation to the freezer compartment between a plurality of upper
storage drawer positions, wherein the plurality of sides of the
upper storage drawer defines an upper rim including a level rear
portion and an angled front portion, wherein the angled front
portion extends downward at an angle from the level rear portion to
a lowered front edge of the upper rim. A third-tier storage member
is disposed on at least a portion of the upper storage drawer
proximate the level rear portion and slidably operable between a
plurality of third-tier positions relative to the upper storage
drawer.
[0005] These and other features, advantages, and objects of the
present invention will be further understood and appreciated by
those skilled in the art by reference to the following
specification, claims, and appended drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0006] The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed
description of the invention, will be better understood when read
in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of
illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings,
certain embodiment(s) which are presently preferred. It should be
understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the
precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Drawings are not
necessary to scale. Certain features of the invention may be
exaggerated in scale or shown in schematic form in the interest of
clarity and conciseness.
[0007] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator
containing one embodiment of the multi-level drawer system
contained within a freezer drawer of a refrigerating appliance with
the freezer drawer in the open position;
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side perspective view of the multi-level drawer
system of FIG. 1;
[0009] FIG. 3 is a top perspective view of a lower first storage
drawer of an alternate embodiment of the multi-level drawer system
for a refrigerating appliance showing a plurality of dividers
contained therein;
[0010] FIG. 4 is a top perspective view of an upper second storage
drawer of an alternate embodiment of the multi-level drawer system
for a refrigerating appliance, having a plurality of interior
dividers and a third-tier storage member slidably disposed
thereon;
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top perspective view of another alternate aspect
of the slidably multi-level drawer system installed within a
freezer drawer of a refrigerating appliance with the upper second
storage drawer in a forward position relative to the freezer
compartment of the refrigerating appliance;
[0012] FIG. 6 is a top perspective view of the multi-level drawer
system of FIG. 5 with the upper second storage drawer in a rearward
position within the refrigerating appliance and the lower first
storage drawer in a forward position relative to the freezer
compartment;
[0013] FIG. 7 is a top perspective view of an upper second storage
drawer of another alternate aspect of the multi-level drawer system
for a refrigerating appliance with the internal dividers and
third-tier storage member removed therefrom;
[0014] FIG. 8 is a partially exploded top perspective view of the
upper second storage drawer of FIG. 7 shown with a low divider
installed therein and an ice storage bin removed;
[0015] FIG. 9 is a top perspective view of the upper second storage
drawer of FIG. 7 having a plurality of dividers installed
therein;
[0016] FIG. 10 is a front perspective view for a refrigerator
containing another embodiment of the multi-level drawer system
contained within a freezer drawer of the refrigerating appliance
with the freezer drawer in the open position;
[0017] FIG. 11 is a side perspective view of the multi-level drawer
system of FIG. 10;
[0018] FIG. 12 is a top perspective view of the multi-level drawer
system of FIG. 10;
[0019] FIG. 13 is a top plan view of the multi-level drawer system
of FIG. 10;
[0020] FIG. 14 is a top perspective view of the multi-level drawer
system of FIG. 11 with the upper second storage drawer in a
rearward positon within the refrigerating appliance and the lower
first storage drawer in a forward position relative to the freezer
compartment;
[0021] FIG. 15 is a top plan view of the multi-level drawer system
of FIG. 14;
[0022] FIG. 16 is a top perspective view of the multi-level drawer
system of FIG. 11, with the multi-level drawer system removed from
the freezer drawer of the refrigerator;
[0023] FIG. 17 is a top perspective view of the upper second
storage drawer of the multi-level drawer system of FIG. 16, with
the third-tier storage member in an aft position;
[0024] FIG. 18 is a top perspective view of the upper second
storage drawer of FIG. 17 with the third-tier storage member moved
forward relative to the upper second storage drawer;
[0025] FIG. 19 is a top perspective view of the lower first storage
drawer of the multi-level drawer system of FIG. 16;
[0026] FIG. 20 is a top perspective view of the lower first storage
drawer of FIG. 19 showing dividers in an ice storage bin in
alternate configurations;
[0027] FIG. 21 is an alternate top perspective view of the lower
first storage drawer of FIG. 19; and
[0028] FIG. 22 is another alternate top perspective view of the
lower first storage drawer of the multi-level drawer system of FIG.
19.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0029] Before the subject invention is described further, it is to
be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular
embodiments of the invention described below, as variations of the
particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope
of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the
terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular
embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Instead, the scope
of the present invention will be established by the appended
claims.
[0030] Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that
each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit
unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper
and lower limit of that range, and any other stated or intervening
value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention.
The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may
independently be included in the smaller ranges, and are also
encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically
excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes
one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those
included limits are also included in the invention.
[0031] In this specification and the appended claims, the singular
forms "a," "an" and "the" include plural reference unless the
context clearly dictates otherwise.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, reference numeral 10 generally
refers to a multi-level drawer system installed within a
refrigerating appliance, such as the freezer compartment of the
refrigerating appliance according to one embodiment. The
multi-level drawer system 10 includes a refrigerating appliance 12
having a back wall 16 and a plurality of sidewalls 18 that define a
freezer compartment 14 with an interior volume 20. The freezer
compartment 14 includes a freezer drawer 22, wherein the freezer
drawer 22 is slidably operable within the freezer compartment 14
between an open extended position 24 and a closed retracted
position (not shown). The interior volume 20 of the freezer
compartment 14 is accessible when the freezer drawer 22 is extended
away from the retracted position 26. A first storage drawer 28 is
slidably operable within the freezer drawer 22 and operable between
the plurality of first-drawer positions. The first storage drawer
28 is operable at least when the freezer drawer 22 is distal from
the retracted position 26.
[0033] A second storage drawer 30 is positioned above the first
storage drawer 28 and is slidably operable within the freezer
drawer 22 between a plurality of second-drawer positions including
forward and rearward positions 32, 34 relative to the freezer
drawer 22. As with the first storage drawer 28, the second storage
drawer 30 is operable between the forward and rearward positions
32, 34 when the freezer drawer 22 is distal from the retracted
position 26. A third-tier storage member 36 is disposed on at least
a portion of the second storage drawer 30 and is slidably operable
between a plurality of third-tier positions relative to the second
storage drawer 30. According to various embodiments, the first and
second storage drawers 28, 30 are independently operable with
respect to one another.
[0034] Referring again to FIGS. 1, 2 and 10-15, the multi-level
drawer system 10 can be adapted for use within a French-door
refrigerator having a pull-out freezer drawer 22. In such an
embodiment, the multi-level drawer system 10 is configured to be
installed within the freezer drawer 22 of the refrigerating
appliance 12. In this manner, as the freezer drawer 22 is moved
between the extended position 24 and the retracted position 26, the
user of the refrigerating appliance 12 can operate the first and
second storage drawers 28, 30 and the third-tier storage member 36
between a plurality of configurations to store and access various
foodstuffs kept within the multi-level drawer system 10 for easy
access when needed.
[0035] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 14-16 and 19-22, the first
storage drawer 28 of the multi-level drawer system 10 can include
at least one first-drawer divider 50 that is configured to define a
plurality of first-drawer compartments 52 within the first storage
drawer 28. It is contemplated that the first-drawer divider 50 can
include various types of partitions including, but not limited to,
a front-back lower divider 54 and/or a left-right lower divider 56.
According to various embodiments, the first storage drawer 28 can
include a permanent front-back lower divider 54 that extends the
full depth of the first storage drawer 28. In this manner, the
permanent front-back lower divider 54 of the first storage drawer
28 can separate the first storage drawer 28 into permanent left and
right first-drawer compartments 58, 60 that have predefined widths.
In such an embodiment, because the widths of the left and right
first-drawer compartments 58, 60 is fixed, the various left-right
lower dividers 56 for the first storage drawer 28 can also be
configured to have a fixed and consistent length for placement
within the left or right first-drawer compartments 58, 60. Within
the left and right first-drawer compartments 58, 60, the left-right
lower dividers 56 can be moved forward and rearward within the
respective left and right first-drawer compartments 58, 60 to
define lower sub-compartments 62 within the first storage drawer
28. In this manner, the various lower sub-compartments 62 of the
first storage drawer 28 can be configured to accommodate specific
package sizes of frozen foods to be disposed within the multi-level
drawer system 10.
[0036] Referring again to FIGS. 2, 3, 6, 14-16 and 19-22, it is
contemplated that at least one of the left-right lower dividers 56
can include a storage bin 70 made up of at least two bin-dividing
walls 72. The various bin-dividing walls 72 of the storage bin 70
can be spaced in a predetermined configuration to provide space for
larger items. Such larger items can include, but are not limited
to, a whole turkey, a large ham, and other large frozen food items.
According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that the
storage bin 70 disposed within the first storage drawer 28 can have
at least partially translucent or transparent bin-dividing walls 72
to allow a user to view items disposed within the storage bin 70
and behind the storage bin 70 without fully extending the first
storage drawer 28 out from the freezer compartment 14 of the
refrigerating appliance 12. It is also contemplated that the
various first-drawer dividers 50, including the front-back lower
dividers 54 and the left-right lower dividers 56 can also be at
least partially translucent or transparent to allow for viewing
through the various first-drawer dividers 50 contained within the
first storage drawer 28 of the multi-level drawer system 10. The
bin-dividing walls are typically conceivably solid, but could
conceivably have one or more apertures and be in the form of a wire
grid wall.
[0037] According to various embodiments, it is contemplated that
instead of a permanent front-back lower divider 54 being disposed
within the first storage drawer 28, the front-back lower divider 54
can be adjustable toward the left and right sides of the first
storage drawer 28. To accommodate this left and right movement of
the front-back lower divider 54, it is contemplated that the
left-right lower dividers 56 of the first storage drawer 28 can
also be adjustable to accommodate the various sizes of the left and
right first-drawer compartments 58, 60 created by the left and
right movement of the front-back lower divider 54. The left-right
lower dividers 56 can be lengthened and shortened through various
mechanisms that can include, but are not limited to, a plurality of
slidable panels, accordion-style extensions, extendable and
retractable arms, foldable panel portions that can extend the
left-right lower dividers 56, and other similar lengthening and
shortening mechanisms.
[0038] Referring now to FIGS. 2, 4-9, 11-13 and 16-18, according to
the various embodiments, the second storage drawer 30 can include a
front angled portion 90 that slopes upward from a front edge 92 of
the second storage drawer 30 to a central portion 94 of the second
storage drawer 30. The front angled portion 90 can extend across
the full width of the second storage drawer 30. The second storage
drawer 30 includes a plurality of walls 96 and an inner portion 98.
The second storage drawer 30 is positioned superior to the first
storage drawer 28. The plurality of walls 96 of the second storage
drawer 30 defines an upper rim 100 including a level rear portion
102 and the front angled portion 90. The front angled portion 90
extends downward at a predetermined angle (typically an angle X of
from about 85.degree. to about 45.degree. as shown in FIG. 4) from
the level rear portion 102 to the lower front edge 92 of the upper
rim 100 of the second storage drawer 30. According to the various
embodiments, the front angled portion 90 defines a closed-drawer
access 110 through which the inner portion 98 of the second storage
drawer 30 can be accessed at least when the second storage drawer
30 is completely within the freezer compartment 14 and the freezer
drawer 22 is in the extended position 24. In this manner, when the
freezer drawer 22 is moved to the open extended position 24, the
user can extend the first storage drawer 28 and leave the second
storage drawer 30 retracted within the freezer compartment 14 (as
illustrated in FIG. 6). In this configuration, the user can access
both the first storage drawer 28 and the second storage drawer 30
simultaneously. The closed-drawer access 110 defined by the front
angled portion 90 of the second storage drawer 30 allows the user
to view and reach into the inner portion 98 of the second storage
drawer 30 to see within, place items within, or remove items from
the inner portion 98 of the second storage drawer 30. The front
angled portion 90 presents items within the second storage drawer
30 to the user.
[0039] Referring again to FIGS. 2, 4-9, 11-13 and 16-18, in
addition to the front angled portion 90 of the second storage
drawer 30, a front wall 120 of the second storage drawer 30 can be
angled outward such that the front wall 120 extends from a base 122
of the second storage drawer 30 to the front edge 92 of the second
storage drawer 30, which is extended toward the door panel 124 of
the freezer drawer 22. Because the front wall 120 of the second
storage drawer 30 is angled toward the user, the user is allowed a
greater range of view of and access to the contents disposed within
the inner portion 98 of the second storage drawer 30 and still
retain the contents within the second storage drawer 30 when it is
actuated. The angled front wall 120 also makes it easier for the
user to remove items from within the inner portion 98 of the second
storage drawer 30 for use. The angled front wall 120 of the second
storage drawer 30, in combination with the closed-drawer access 110
defined by the front angled portion 90 of the second storage drawer
30, also provides a more convenient path for the user to place
items within the inner portion 98 of the second storage drawer
30.
[0040] Referring again to FIGS. 2, 4-9 and 16-18, the second
storage drawer 30 can include at least one second-drawer divider
130 configured to define a plurality of second-drawer compartments
132 within the inner portion 98 of the second storage drawer 30. As
shown in FIG. 8, these second-drawer dividers 130 can be any one or
more of various partitions that include, but are not limited to, a
short height front-back divider 134 (i.e., does not extend to the
height of the drawer), a tall front-back divider 136, an ice
storage bin 138 for a dedicated ice maker (not shown), right-left
upper dividers 140, and other various dividing panels for the
second storage drawer 30. According to the various embodiments, the
various second-drawer dividers 130 are typically solid and can be
at least partially translucent or transparent to provide a user the
opportunity to view items behind the various second-drawer dividers
130 by seeing through the at least translucent panels of the
second-drawer dividers 130. According to various embodiments, the
various second-drawer dividers 130 can be movable within the inner
portion 98 of the second storage drawer 30 to modify the sizes of
the various second-drawer compartments 132 and upper
sub-compartments 142 contained within the inner portion 98 of the
second storage drawer 30. As discussed above with respect to the
first-drawer dividers 50, the short and tall front-back dividers
134, 136 of the second storage drawer 30 can be either permanently
fixed or can be movable to the right and left within the inner
portion 98 of the second storage drawer 30. Additionally, the
right-left upper dividers 140 of the second storage drawer 30, in
cases where the short and tall front-back dividers 134, 136 are
movable within the second storage drawer 30, can be extendable and
retractable to accommodate the movement of the short and tall
front-back dividers 134, 136 and the changing sizes of upper left
and right compartments 144, 146 of the second storage drawer
30.
[0041] As illustrated in FIGS. 14-16 and 19-22, the first storage
drawer 28 can include the same or similar dividers as those
included in the second storage drawer 30. Accordingly, by way of
example, and not limitation, the first storage drawer 28 can
include a dedicated ice storage bin 138 that is operable within
grooves 190 defined within the lower storage drawer 28 and the
first drawer divider 50. Additionally, the first drawer dividers
50, as well as the second drawer dividers 130, can be fixed in
place by slots 192 defined within the walls 96 of the first and
second storage drawers 28, 30 and the first and second drawer
dividers 50, 130. In such an embodiment, the first and second
drawer dividers 28, 34 can be slidably engaged with various slots
192 to position the first and second storage drawers 28, 30 within
the respective first and second storage drawers 28, 30.
[0042] As illustrated in the embodiments of FIGS. 2-4, the sides of
the first and second storage drawers 28, 30 and the third-tier
storage member 36, can include air flow channels 148 that are
defined within the sides of the first and second storage drawers
28, 30 and the third-tier storage member 36. These air flow
channels 148 allow cooled air to circulate throughout the freezer
compartment 14 of the refrigerating appliance 12 when the freezer
drawer 22 is in the closed position. It is also contemplated that
the air flow channels 148 extend along a majority of each wall 96
such that a portion of each air flow channel 148 is in
communication with each of the adjacently positioned lower and
upper sub-compartments 62, 142. In this manner, air flow through
the entire freezer compartment 14 and into each of the lower and
upper subcompartments 72, 142 is achieved through the air flow
channels 148. It is also contemplated that the air flow channels
148 can be located in a back wall 96 of the first and/or second
storage drawers 28, 30 and the third-tier storage member 36 or in
any one or more of the first or second drawer dividers 50, 130 to
allow for air flow between the various compartments and
subcompartments of the first and second storage drawers 28, 30.
[0043] Referring now to FIGS. 1-2, 4-6, 12, 13 and 16-18, the
third-tier storage member 36 can be disposed in at least a portion
of the second storage drawer 30 such that the third-tier storage
member 36 is slidably operable within the second storage drawer 30
between a plurality of third-tier positions relative to the second
storage drawer 30. It is contemplated that the third-tier storage
member 36 is operable while the second storage drawer 30 is in any
of the plurality of second storage drawer positions. By way of
explanation, and not limitation, when the second storage drawer 30
is fully retracted within the freezer compartment 14, the
third-tier storage member 36 can be slidably extended outward from
the freezer compartment 14, to a fore position 172, so that the
user can access items placed upon or within the third-tier storage
member 36 without moving the position of the second storage drawer
30. When the second storage drawer 30 is in the fully forward
position 32 out of the freezer compartment 14, the third-tier
storage member 36 can be moved inward toward the freezer
compartment 14 to an aft position 174. In this manner, the
third-tier storage member 36 can be at least partially, or, in some
cases, fully disposed within the freezer compartment 14, without
changing the position of the second storage drawer 30.
[0044] In various embodiments, it is contemplated that at least a
portion of the third-tier storage member 36 can be at least
partially translucent, such that a user can see through the
third-tier storage member 36 and into the inner portion 98 of the
second storage drawer 30 to view items stored therein. It is
contemplated that the third-tier storage member 36 can include a
platform 160 having a perimetrical lip 162 extending around the at
least partially translucent platform 160 to substantially prevent
items from rolling off from the platform 160. According to various
alternate embodiments, the third-tier storage member 36 can include
vertical sides 164 that extend around and upward from the at least
partially translucent platform 160. Accordingly, where vertical
sides 164 are used, items can be substantially contained within the
third-tier storage member 36 without rolling, sliding or being
forced off from the platform 160 of the third-tier storage member
36.
[0045] Referring again to FIGS. 1-2, 4-6, 12, 13 and 16-18, it is
contemplated that the third-tier storage member 36 can be engaged
with the second storage drawer 30 through a sliding mechanism 166,
such as rollers 200, tracks, guides, slides, or other sliding
mechanisms 166 such that the third-tier storage member 36 can
easily slide between the plurality of third-tier positions relative
to the second storage drawer 30. These positions can include the
fore position 172 that is forward relative to the second storage
drawer 30 and the aft position 174 that is rearward relative to the
second storage drawer 30. According to various embodiments, it is
contemplated that the sliding mechanism 166 of the third-tier
storage member 36 can include a detent portion 168 that defines a
stowed position 170 of the third-tier storage member 36. In such an
embodiment, as the third-tier storage member 36 nears the detent
portion 168 of the sliding mechanism 166, the third-tier storage
member 36 is guided into the detent portion 168 and substantially
retained therein through the force of gravity. It is contemplated
that such a detent portion 168 is substantially minimal such that a
small amount of force exerted by the user can remove the third-tier
storage member 36 from the detent portion 168 for sliding between
the plurality of third-tier positions.
[0046] According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated
that the third-tier storage member 36 is configured to engage the
second storage drawer 30 rearward of the front angled portion 90
such that when the third-tier storage member 36 is in the stowed
position 170, the front portion 180 of the third-tier storage
member 36 is positioned at least partially behind, more typically
substantially behind, or most typically completely behind, the
front angled portion 90 of the second storage drawer 30 to allow
the user easy access through the closed-drawer access 110 defined
by the front angled portion 90 of the second storage drawer 30. It
is also contemplated that the third-tier storage member 36 can be
disposed on the second storage drawer 30 proximate the level rear
portion 102 of the upper rim 100 of the second storage drawer 30.
Again, the positioning of the third-tier storage member 36 within
the level rear portion 102 of the upper rim 100 allows the user
convenient access through the closed-drawer access 110 defined by
the front angled portion 90 of the second storage drawer 30.
[0047] According to the various embodiments, the multi-level drawer
system 10 can be installed within various refrigerating appliances
12 and can be used for refrigerator compartments, as well as
freezer compartments 14. However, the system including the angled
portion 90 uniquely assists a user accessing food items stored in
the freezer compartment of a French door bottom mount configuration
appliance. Additionally, it is contemplated that the multi-level
drawer system 10 can be installed within freezer compartments 14
that are accessed through mechanisms other than drawers. Such
access mechanisms can include, but are not limited to, side hinge
doors, top or bottom hinged doors, sliding panels, and other
similar access mechanisms. It is also contemplated that the first
and second storage drawers 28, 30 and the third-tier storage member
36 of the multi-level drawer system 10 can be removable from the
freezer compartment 14 by hand and without the use of tools for
replacement, repair, cleaning, transport, or other similar
purpose.
[0048] According to various embodiments, it is contemplated that
the first storage drawer 28 can include rollers 200 whereby the
first storage drawer 28 engages a portion of the freezer drawer 22
such that rollers 200 of the first storage drawer 28 allow the
first storage drawer 28 to slidably move along a portion of the
freezer drawer 22. It is also contemplated that the second storage
drawer 30 can include rollers 200 (shown in FIGS. 17-18) that allow
the second storage drawer 30 to roll between the forward and
rearward positions 32, 34. It is contemplated that the rollers 200
can be offset relative to the base 122 of the second storage drawer
30. In this manner, the base 122 can be tilted toward the rear to
tend to move items toward the rear of the second storage drawer 30.
The rollers 200 of the second storage drawer 30, in various
embodiments, can be configured to engage a roller guide 202 defined
within a top edge of the first storage drawer 28. In such a
configuration, it is contemplated that when a user pulls out the
second storage drawer 30, the rollers 200 of the second storage
drawer 30 will engage a front section of the first storage drawer
28 such that both the first and second storage drawers 28, 30 will
be extended out of the freezer compartment 14 of the refrigerating
appliance 12 simultaneously. It is further contemplated that in
such an embodiment, the second storage drawer 30 can be
independently retracted back into the freezer compartment 14 such
that portions of the first storage drawer 28 can be accessed.
According to various alternate embodiments, each of the first and
second storage drawers 28, 30 can include independent sliding
mechanisms 166 that engage the freezer compartment 14. In such an
embodiment, each of the first and second storage drawers 28, 30 can
be independently extended and retracted from the freezer
compartment 14.
[0049] It is also contemplated that the sliding mechanisms 166 of
the first and/or second storage drawers 28, 30 can be sloped either
forward or backward. In such an embodiment, the sliding mechanisms
166 can tend to bias the first and/or second drawers in a
predetermined position. Such a predetermined position can be within
the freezer compartment 14, extended with the freezer drawer 22 or
some other position.
[0050] According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated
that the various components of the multi-level drawer system 10 can
be made of various materials that can include, but are not limited
to, plastic, glass, metal, metal alloys, composite materials,
combinations thereof, and other similar materials. It should be
understood that the at least partially translucent components of
the multi-level drawer system 10 can be typically made of glass,
plexiglass, (poly (methyl methacrylate) or other food grade clear
plastic, or other similar material that is at least partially
translucent or transparent.
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