U.S. patent application number 15/091616 was filed with the patent office on 2017-10-12 for insulated and charged to-go bins for a refrigerator appliance.
The applicant listed for this patent is General Electric Company. Invention is credited to Anna Fenko, Alan Joseph Mitchell.
Application Number | 20170292756 15/091616 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 59999456 |
Filed Date | 2017-10-12 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170292756 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Fenko; Anna ; et
al. |
October 12, 2017 |
Insulated and Charged To-Go Bins for a Refrigerator Appliance
Abstract
A storage bin for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The
storage bin defines a storage compartment for receiving food
articles and may be removably received within a chilled chamber of
the refrigerator appliance. The storage bin may further include a
carrying handle, such that it is easily portable outside the
refrigerator appliance. The storage bin may have cold pack material
and/or insulating material in its walls such that the storage
compartment remains cool for a period of time after the storage bin
is removed from the refrigerator appliance. Due to the fact that
the storage bin is chilled and easily portable, it is ideal for
grocery shopping, for taking on a picnic, or for any other use
involving travel with food items that must remain cool during
transport.
Inventors: |
Fenko; Anna; (Louisville,
KY) ; Mitchell; Alan Joseph; (Louisville,
KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
General Electric Company |
Schenectady |
NY |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
59999456 |
Appl. No.: |
15/091616 |
Filed: |
April 6, 2016 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 11/006 20130101;
F25D 2303/0831 20130101; F25D 3/08 20130101; F25D 2303/0843
20130101; F25D 2400/10 20130101; F25D 2303/0845 20130101; F25D
25/025 20130101; F25D 2201/12 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 3/08 20060101
F25D003/08; F25D 25/02 20060101 F25D025/02; F25D 11/00 20060101
F25D011/00 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a
lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the refrigerator
appliance comprising: a cabinet defining a chilled chamber; a door
being rotatably hinged to the cabinet to provide selective access
to the chilled chamber; and a storage bin being removably
positioned within the chilled chamber, the storage bin comprising:
an outer shell defining one solid barrier configured to prevent the
flow of air through the outer shell; an inner shell joined with the
outer shell to form a cavity; and a cold pack material filling the
cavity.
2. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the cold pack
material is an antifreeze liquid or gel.
3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the storage bin
further comprises an insulating material positioned within the
cavity.
4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 3, wherein the insulating
material is insulating foam.
5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 3, wherein the insulating
material forms an outer foam insulation layer positioned adjacent
the outer shell and the cold pack material forms an inner cold pack
material layer positioned adjacent the inner shell.
6. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the storage bin
further comprises a detachable, insulated lid.
7. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the storage bin
further comprises a carrying handle that is received within a
recess defined by the storage bin when not in use.
8. (canceled)
9. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the inner shell
and the outer shell are formed from a waterproof material.
10. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the cabinet of
the refrigerator appliance defines storage bin supports for
removably receiving the storage bin.
11. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the refrigerator
appliance further comprises a separate solid plastic bin configured
for removably receiving the storage bin.
12. A storage bin for a refrigerator appliance, the refrigerator
appliance comprising a cabinet defining a chilled chamber and a
door rotatably hinged to the cabinet to provide selective access to
the chilled chamber, the storage bin comprising: an outer shell
defining a bottom wall and a plurality of sidewalls to define one
solid barrier configured to prevent the flow of air through the
outer shell; an insulating material positioned adjacent the outer
shell; a cold pack material positioned adjacent the insulating
material; and an inner shell positioned adjacent the cold pack
material and joined with the outer shell to encapsulate the
insulating material and the cold pack material, the inner shell
being configured for receiving food articles.
13. The storage bin of claim 12, wherein the cold pack material is
an antifreeze liquid or gel.
14. The storage bin of claim 12, wherein the insulating material is
insulating foam.
15. The storage bin of claim 12, wherein the storage bin further
comprises a detachable, insulated lid.
16. The storage bin of claim 12, wherein the storage bin further
comprises a carrying handle that is received within a recess
defined by the storage bin when not in use.
17. (canceled)
18. The storage bin of claim 12, wherein the inner shell and the
outer shell are formed from a waterproof material.
19. The storage bin of claim 12, wherein the cabinet of the
refrigerator appliance defines storage bin supports for removably
receiving the storage bin.
20. The storage bin of claim 12, wherein the refrigerator appliance
further comprises a separate solid plastic bin configured for
removably receiving the storage bin.
21. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the inner shell
comprises a thin layer of polypropylene fabric.
22. The storage bin of claim 12, wherein the inner shell comprises
a thin layer of polypropylene fabric.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator
appliances, and more particularly to chilled and portable storage
bins for refrigerator appliances.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Refrigerator appliances generally include a cabinet that
defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food articles for storage.
The refrigerator appliances can also include various storage
components mounted within the chilled chamber and designed to
facilitate storage of food items therein. Such storage components
can include racks, bins, shelves, or drawers that receive food
items and assist with organizing and arranging of such food items
within the chilled chamber.
[0003] However, conventional storage components are fixed within
the refrigerator appliance. Consequently, the process of
transporting cold food items from chilled storage at the grocery
store to a home refrigerator appliance can involve significant
handling, movement, and sorting of the food items. For example, a
typical consumer shopping for cold food items must go to the
grocery store, remove the items from chilled storage at the grocery
store, and place those items in a shopping cart. During checkout,
each item must be transferred from the cart to a grocery bag. The
grocery bags are typically placed in the back of the consumer's
vehicle and transported home before they are once again removed and
placed/sorted in the refrigerator.
[0004] Therefore, the current method for transporting cold food
items from chilled storage at grocery store to the consumer's home
refrigerator involves a substantial amount of handling,
transporting, and sorting of food items. Not only does this require
additional bags for transportation and increase the risk of damage
to the food items, but the food items are not chilled or insulated
during transport. Therefore, throughout the entire shopping and
transporting process, the temperature of cold food items will
slowly rise to the temperature of the ambient environment.
[0005] Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for
improving the transportation and storage of cold food items would
be useful. More particularly, a refrigerator appliance with storage
bins or other components that are versatile, easily portable, and
that remain cool for a period of time after being removed from the
refrigerator appliance would be particularly beneficial.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present subject matter provides a storage bin for a
refrigerator appliance. The storage bin defines a storage
compartment for receiving food articles and may be removably
received within a chilled chamber of the refrigerator appliance.
The storage bin may further include a carrying handle, such that it
is easily portable outside the refrigerator appliance. The storage
bin may have cold pack material and/or insulating material in its
walls such that the storage compartment remains cool for a period
of time after the storage bin is removed from the refrigerator
appliance. Due to the fact that the storage bin is chilled and
easily portable, it is ideal for grocery shopping, for taking on a
picnic, or for any other use involving travel with food items that
must remain cool during transport. Additional aspects and
advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the
following description, or may be apparent from the description, or
may be learned through practice of the invention.
[0007] In a first exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance
defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a
transverse direction is provided. The refrigerator appliance
includes a cabinet defining a chilled chamber, a door being
rotatably hinged to the cabinet to provide selective access to the
chilled chamber, and a storage bin being removably positioned
within the chilled chamber. The storage bin includes an outer
shell, an inner shell joined with the outer shell to form a cavity,
and an cold pack material filling the cavity.
[0008] According to another exemplary embodiment, a storage bin for
a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance
includes a cabinet defining a chilled chamber and a door rotatably
hinged to the cabinet to provide selective access to the chilled
chamber. The storage bin includes an outer shell defining a bottom
wall and a plurality of sidewalls, an insulating material
positioned adjacent the outer shell, a cold pack material
positioned adjacent the insulating material, and an inner shell
positioned adjacent the cold pack material and joined with the
outer shell to encapsulate the insulating material and the cold
pack material, the inner shell being configured for receiving food
articles.
[0009] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0010] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures.
[0011] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator
appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter.
[0012] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the exemplary
refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1, with the doors of the fresh food
chamber shown in an open position.
[0013] FIG. 3 provides a perspective view of a storage bin
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0014] FIG. 4 provides a cross sectional view of the exemplary
storage bin of FIG. 3, taken along Line 4-4 of FIG. 3.
[0015] FIG. 5A provides a top view of the exemplary storage bin of
FIG. 3.
[0016] FIG. 5B provides a side view of the exemplary storage bin of
FIG. 3.
[0017] FIG. 6 provides a partial perspective view of a storage bin
according to an alternative embodiment of the present subject
matter, the storage bin having a recessed storage slot for the
carrying handle.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0019] FIG. 1 provides a perspective view of a refrigerator
appliance 100 according to an exemplary embodiment of the present
subject matter. Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or
housing 102 that extends between a top 104 and a bottom 106 along a
vertical direction V, between a first side 108 and a second side
110 along a lateral direction L, and between a front side 112 and a
rear side 114 along a transverse direction T. Each of the vertical
direction V, lateral direction L, and transverse direction T are
mutually perpendicular to one another.
[0020] Housing 102 defines chilled chambers for receipt of food
items for storage. In particular, housing 102 defines fresh food
chamber 122 positioned at or adjacent top 104 of housing 102 and a
freezer chamber 124 arranged at or adjacent bottom 106 of housing
102. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to
as a bottom mount refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the
benefits of the present disclosure apply to other types and styles
of refrigerator appliances such as, e.g., a top mount refrigerator
appliance or a side-by-side style refrigerator appliance.
Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative
purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to
any particular refrigerator chamber configuration.
[0021] Refrigerator doors 128 are rotatably hinged to an edge of
housing 102 for selectively accessing fresh food chamber 122. In
addition, a freezer door 130 is arranged below refrigerator doors
128 for selectively accessing freezer chamber 124. Freezer door 130
is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within
freezer chamber 124. Refrigerator doors 128 and freezer door 130
are shown in the closed configuration in FIG. 1. One skilled in the
art will appreciate that other chamber and door configurations are
possible and within the scope of the present invention.
[0022] Refrigerator appliance 100 also includes a dispensing
assembly 140 for dispensing liquid water and/or ice. Dispensing
assembly 140 includes a dispenser 142 positioned on or mounted to
an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., on one of
refrigerator doors 128. Dispenser 142 includes a discharging outlet
144 for accessing ice and liquid water. An actuating mechanism 146,
shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet 144 for
operating dispenser 142. In alternative exemplary embodiments, any
suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate dispenser 142.
For example, dispenser 142 can include a sensor (such as an
ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. A control
panel 148 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For
example, control panel 148 includes a plurality of user inputs (not
labeled), such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensing
button, for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed
or non-crushed ice.
[0023] Discharging outlet 144 and actuating mechanism 146 are an
external part of dispenser 142 and are mounted in a dispenser
recess 150. Dispenser recess 150 is positioned at a predetermined
elevation convenient for a user to access ice or water and enabling
the user to access ice without the need to bend-over and without
the need to open refrigerator doors 128. In the exemplary
embodiment, dispenser recess 150 is positioned at a level that
approximates the chest level of a user. Refrigerator door 128 may
define an icebox compartment housing an icemaker and an ice storage
bin (not shown) that are configured to supply ice to dispenser
recess 150.
[0024] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of refrigerator appliance
100 shown with refrigerator doors 128 in the open position. As
shown in FIG. 2, various storage components are mounted within
fresh food chamber 122 to facilitate storage of food items therein
as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In particular,
the storage components may include bins 160 and shelves 162. Each
of these storage components are configured for receipt of food
items (e.g., beverages and/or solid food items) and may assist with
organizing such food items.
[0025] As illustrated, bins 160 may be mounted on refrigerator
doors 128 or may slide into a receiving space in fresh food chamber
122. In addition, bins 160 may be simply placed on shelves 162
within fresh food chamber 122. As will be described in detail
below, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject
matter, bins 160 may also include cold pack material and/or
insulating material, such that they can be used as portable,
insulated, and charged to-go bins that consumers can carry with
them to the supermarket, on a picnic, to a dinner party, or during
any other time when traveling with food items that must remain cool
during transport.
[0026] One skilled in the art will appreciate that the illustrated
storage components are used only for the purpose of explanation.
Other storage components may be used and may have different sizes,
shapes, and configurations. Aspects of the present disclosure may
be incorporated to such other storage components and may remain
within the scope of the present subject matter. In addition,
storage components such as bins 160 may be used in fresh food
chamber 122, freezer chamber 124, or in any other suitable location
within refrigerator appliance 100.
[0027] Storage bin 160 may generally include a bottom and a
plurality of sidewalls. For example, according to the example
embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3 through 5, storage bin 160
includes a bottom wall 170, a front wall 172, a rear wall 174, a
first sidewall 176, and a second sidewall 178. Together, walls
170-178 define a storage compartment 180, which may be configured
for receiving cold food items for storage. As illustrated, storage
bin 160 is substantially rectangular in cross-section, but one
skilled in the art will appreciate that other shapes, sizes, and
configurations of storage chamber 160 may be used and remain within
the scope of the present subject matter.
[0028] FIG. 4 illustrates a cross sectional view of the exemplary
storage bin of FIG. 3, taken along Line 4-4 of FIG. 3. According to
this illustrated example embodiment, storage bin 160 may include an
outer shell 182 and an inner shell 184. Outer shell 182 and inner
shell 184 may be joined together to define a cavity 186. In
addition, as will be described in detail below, a cold pack
material 188 and/or an insulating material 190 may be placed within
cavity 186 to enable storage bin 160 to be chilled and
portable.
[0029] Outer shell 182 and inner shell 184 may be constructed of or
with any suitable materials. In addition, outer shell 182 and inner
shell 184 may be formed from the same or different materials, and
may be formed as a single integral piece or from multiple parts
that are joined together. For example, outer shell 182 and inner
shell 184 may be constructed as a single, integral piece, or may be
constructed from several parts that are connected together using
any suitable mechanical fastener, such as screws, bolts, rivets,
etc. Similarly, glue, bonding, friction welding, snap-fit
mechanisms, interference-fit mechanisms, or any suitable
combination thereof be used to join outer shell 182 and inner shell
184. Other joining means are also possible.
[0030] According to the illustrated embodiment, both outer shell
182 and inner shell 184 are formed of a suitable plastic material.
For example, outer shell 182 may be made from injection-molded
plastic such as HIPS (high impact polystyrene--injection molding
grade) or ABS (injection molding grade). Alternatively, outer shell
182 may be a thermoformed liner or any other suitably rigid
material. Preferably, outer shell 182 and inner shell 184 are
constructed of a waterproof material that is easy to clean.
Regardless of the material used, outer shell 182 may define a rigid
frame for storage bin 160 and may define the general shape of
storage compartment 180.
[0031] Inner shell 184 may be constructed from the same material or
in the same manner as outer shell 182. However, according to the
illustrated embodiment, inner shell 184 is formed from a thinner
plastic material than outer shell 182. For example, inner shell 184
may be made from a thin thermoformed liner or a thin layer of
polypropylene fabric. In this manner, by reducing thickness of
inner shell 184, cold pack material 188 may be in closer proximity
to storage compartment 180. In addition, the cost of materials and
the weight of storage bin 160 may be reduced.
[0032] Referring now to FIG. 4, cold pack material 188 may be
placed within cavity 186 to assist maintaining a chilled storage
compartment 180 for at least some amount of time after storage bin
160 has been removed from fresh food chamber 122. As will be
understood by those skilled in the art, ambient air within fresh
food chamber 122 is maintained at a sufficiently low temperature to
keep cold food items fresh for an extended period of time. Notably,
by placing storage bin 160 inside fresh food chamber 122, cold pack
material 188 eventually reaches the same temperature as fresh food
chamber 122, or any other chamber in which storage bin 160 is
placed, e.g., freezer chamber 124.
[0033] Cold pack material 188 is generally any material that may be
chilled when placed in fresh food chamber 122 and can absorb heat
from the ambient environment to prevent that heat energy from
raising the temperature within storage compartment 180. Cold pack
material 188 may be, for example, an antifreeze liquid or gel, and
is typically storage in a plastic container to prevent leakage.
Cold pack material 188 is preferably a non-toxic material. For
example, according to one exemplary embodiment, cold pack material
188 may have the following composition: water (60 to 70 percent),
propylene glycol (20 to 35 percent), and sodium carboxymethyl
cellulose (less than 5 percent).
[0034] According to another alternative embodiment, cold pack
material 188 may be a phase change material ("PCM"). For example,
cold pack materials 188 may be PCMs having different compositions
depending on the temperature of the compartments in which they are
used. For example, PCMs comprised of paraffin wax and fatty acids
are available that freeze at temperatures common to fresh food
chamber 122. Similarly, water/ethylene and propylene glycol types
of PCM materials may be used in freezer chamber 124. One skilled in
the art will appreciate that these compositions are only exemplary,
that a variety of phase change materials are available depending on
the application, and such materials are within the scope of the
present subject matter.
[0035] Cold pack material 188 may be contained within a thin
plastic cover, e.g., made from polypropylene or another
thermoplastic polymer. One skilled in the art will appreciate that
other materials may be used for cold pack material 188, and such
materials are within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0036] According to the illustrated exemplary embodiment,
insulating material 190 may also be placed within cavity 186 to
assist with insulating storage compartment 180 from the ambient
environment. For example, insulating material 190 may be foam
panels may be attached to each wall 170-178 of outer shell 182
using an adhesive. Alternatively, expandable foam can be sprayed
into cavity 186 formed by outer shell 182 and inner shell 184. For
example, sprayed polyurethane foam may be injected into cavity 186
after outer shell 182 and inner shell 184 are assembled and either
before or after cold pack material 188 has been installed.
[0037] As shown in FIG. 6, storage bin 160 may further include a
lid 192 that is configured to permit selective access to storage
compartment 180 and to insulate storage compartment 180 from the
ambient environment. According to the exemplary embodiment, lid 192
is detachable and insulated. Lid 192 may be stored inside or
outside of fresh food chamber 122. If lid 192 is stored inside
fresh food chamber 122, it may further include cold pack material
188 and may be constructed similar to walls 170-178 of storage bin
160. Other configurations of lid 192 are possible and within the
scope of the present subject matter.
[0038] According to an exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 3
through 5, storage bin 160 may further include a carrying handle
200 for easy transportation of storage bin 160. Referring now
generally to FIGS. 3 through 5, the manner in which carrying handle
200 is mounted to storage bin 160 will be described in more detail.
Carrying handle 200 may be rotatably mounted to storage bin 160 by
a hinge assembly on each side of storage bin 160. According to the
illustrated embodiments, carrying handle 200 simply pivots down
into storage compartment 180 when not in use.
[0039] For example, according to the illustrated embodiment of
FIGS. 3 through 5, carrying handle 200 may be pivotally mounted to
storage bin 160 and using any suitable connection mechanism.
According to the illustrated exemplary embodiment, carrying handle
200 is pivotally connected using a pin joint 202. More
specifically, each end of carrying handle 200 may define an
aperture 204 configured to receive a pin 206. Pin 206 may pass
through storage bin 160, e.g., through outer shell 182 and inner
shell 184, through aperture 204 to pivotally secure carrying handle
200 to storage bin 160. Although the illustrated embodiment
illustrates carrying handle 200 being connected to storage bin 160
using a simple pin joint 202, one skilled in the art will
appreciate that any other suitable hinge mechanism may be used
according to alternative embodiments.
[0040] As shown in the illustrated embodiment, carrying handle 200
is a U-shaped handle pivotally connected at approximately the
center of each of first sidewall 176 and second sidewall 178.
However, carrying handle 200 may be any other suitable shape and
may be connected to storage bin 160 at any other suitable location
and in any other suitable manner. Indeed, one skilled in the art
will appreciate that the size, geometry, positioning, and even
number of carrying handles 200 may be adjusted as needed to
simplify portability of storage bin 160. For example, according to
an alternative embodiment two carrying handles may be used. The
first handle may be connected between sidewalls 176, 178 proximate
the front wall 172, the second handle may be connected between
sidewalls 176, 178 proximate the rear wall 174, and each handle may
be configured to fold into storage compartment 180. Other handle
configurations are also possible.
[0041] As shown in FIG. 6, a storage bin 210 according to an
alternative embodiment of the present subject matter may include a
recessed storage slot 212 for receiving a carrying handle 214. More
specifically, storage bin 210 may define recessed storage slot 212
that extends around an upper edge 216 of storage bin 210 and is
configured to receive carrying handle 214 when it is pivoted toward
upper edge 216 of storage bin 210. In this manner, recessed storage
slot 212 may provide quick and convenient storage of carrying
handle 214 such that carrying handle 214 does not interfere with
use of storage compartment 218. One skilled in the art will
appreciate that other methods and configurations for storing
carrying handles 200, 214 are possible and within the scope of the
present subject matter.
[0042] Storage bins 160, 210 may be configured in a variety of ways
to improve portability and convenience of use. Easy storage and
removal of storage bins 160, 210 within fresh food chamber 122 is
important for achieving this portability and convenience.
Therefore, storage bins 160, 210 may be configured to sit on a
shelf 162 or may be received within a separate plastic bin within
fresh food chamber 122. For example, such a plastic bin may be
permanently fixed in fresh food chamber 122 and storage bin 160 may
fit snugly within the permanent plastic bin. In this manner, for
example, before going to the grocery store, a consumer may remove
old food items from storage bin 160 and leave them in the permanent
plastic bin while making a trip to the store. After returning from
the store with new food items (which will be on the bottom of
storage compartment 180) the consumer will replace the old food
items back into storage compartment 180 on top of the new items
before replacing storage bin 160 back into the permanent plastic
bin. In this manner, a consumer will know to eat the older items
first before consuming the new items, thereby reducing spoilage and
deteriorated food quality.
[0043] Storage bin 160 may also be slidably received within fresh
food chamber 122. In this regard, for example, housing 102 may
define bin supports on opposite sides of fresh food chamber 122.
Storage bin 160 may be slidably received by such bin supports.
According to an exemplary embodiment, the bin supports may be
integrally formed with the sides of housing 102. However, according
to alternative exemplary embodiments, bin supports may instead be a
single part or a multi-part assembly formed from metal, plastic, or
any other suitably rigid material.
[0044] As one skilled in the art will appreciate, the above
described embodiment is used only for the purpose of explanation.
Modifications and variations may be applied, other configurations
may be used, and the resulting configurations may remain within the
scope of the invention. For example, a different construction of
storage bin 160 may be used, more than one carrying handle 194 may
be used, and the geometry and position of storage bin 160 within
refrigerator appliance 100 could be changed. One skilled in the art
will appreciate that such modification and variations may remain
within the scope of the present subject matter.
[0045] Although the description above describes storage bin 160 as
being configured inside fresh food chamber 122 of refrigerator
appliance 100, one skilled in the art will appreciate that
embodiments of the present subject matter may be alternatively
employed in freezer chamber 124 or any other suitable refrigerator
compartment. Indeed, other applications and modifications of the
present subject matter are possible and such applications are
considered to be within the scope of the present subject
matter.
[0046] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
* * * * *