U.S. patent application number 15/952319 was filed with the patent office on 2019-10-17 for side-by-side refrigerator appliance with freezer in door.
The applicant listed for this patent is Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc.. Invention is credited to John Keith Besore, Brent Alden Junge, Stephanos Kyriacou, Alan Joseph Mitchell, Lauren Nicole Platts, Michael C. Watanabe.
Application Number | 20190316826 15/952319 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 68160973 |
Filed Date | 2019-10-17 |
United States Patent
Application |
20190316826 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Platts; Lauren Nicole ; et
al. |
October 17, 2019 |
SIDE-BY-SIDE REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE WITH FREEZER IN DOOR
Abstract
A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a
chilled chamber including a fresh food portion a freezer portion. A
door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet at a front portion of the
chilled chamber. The door rotates between a closed position where
the door sealingly encloses the fresh food portion and the freezer
portion of the chilled chamber and an open position to permit
access to the fresh food portion and the freezer portion of the
chilled chamber. The door also includes an outer casing comprising
a thermally insulated wall that defines a freezer chamber and a
front panel rotatably mounted to the outer casing of the door such
that the front panel of the door permits access to the freezer
chamber.
Inventors: |
Platts; Lauren Nicole;
(Louisville, KY) ; Kyriacou; Stephanos;
(Louisville, KY) ; Mitchell; Alan Joseph;
(Louisville, KY) ; Besore; John Keith; (Prospect,
KY) ; Junge; Brent Alden; (Evansville, IN) ;
Watanabe; Michael C.; (Louisville, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Haier US Appliance Solutions, Inc. |
Wilmington |
DE |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
68160973 |
Appl. No.: |
15/952319 |
Filed: |
April 13, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 11/02 20130101;
F25D 2323/021 20130101; F25D 23/02 20130101; F25D 23/04 20130101;
F25C 5/22 20180101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 11/02 20060101
F25D011/02; F25D 23/04 20060101 F25D023/04; F25C 5/20 20060101
F25C005/20 |
Claims
1. A refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a
lateral direction and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral
and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the
refrigerator appliance comprising: a cabinet extending from a top
to a bottom along the vertical direction, the cabinet also
extending from a left side to a right side along the lateral
direction, the cabinet defining a chilled chamber, the chilled
chamber extending along the vertical direction between the top and
the bottom of the cabinet, along the lateral direction between the
left and right sides of the cabinet, and along the transverse
direction between a front portion and a back portion, the front
portion of the chilled chamber defining an opening for receipt of
food items, a partition within cabinet defining a fresh food
portion and a freezer portion of the chilled chamber; a door
rotatably mounted to the cabinet at the front portion of the
chilled chamber such that the door rotates between a closed
position where the door sealingly encloses the fresh food portion
and the freezer portion of the chilled chamber and an open position
to permit access to the fresh food portion and the freezer portion
of the chilled chamber, the door comprising an outer casing
comprising a thermally insulated wall that defines a freezer
chamber and a front panel rotatably mounted to the outer casing of
the door such that the front panel of the door permits access to
the freezer chamber.
2. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the partition is
oriented in a plane defined by the lateral and transverse
directions.
3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the freezer
portion is positioned below the fresh food portion along the
vertical direction.
4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the freezer
portion of the chilled chamber is operable at a lower temperature
than the freezer chamber.
5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the freezer
portion of the chilled chamber defines a height along the vertical
direction, the fresh food portion of the chilled chamber defines a
height along the vertical direction, and wherein the height of the
fresh food portion of the chilled chamber is approximately three
times the height of the freezer portion of the chilled chamber.
6. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the freezer
chamber extends along the vertical direction from a bottom of the
door to a top of the door.
7. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the door is a
first door, further comprising a second door mirrored with the
first door whereby the first door and the second door cooperatively
sealingly enclose the fresh food portion and the freezer portion of
the chilled chamber when the first door is in the closed position
and the second door is in a closed position.
8. The refrigerator appliance of claim 7, wherein the second door
comprises a dispenser recess in an exterior side of the second
door, the dispenser recess defining a height along the vertical
direction, and wherein the height of the dispenser recess is at
least about eight inches.
9. The refrigerator appliance of claim 8, further comprising an ice
making assembly positioned within a sub-compartment on an interior
side of the second door, the ice making assembly in communication
with the dispenser recess to provide ice to the dispenser
recess.
10. A refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, the
refrigerator appliance comprising: a cabinet extending from a top
to a bottom along the vertical direction, the cabinet defining a
chilled chamber, the chilled chamber extending along the vertical
direction between the top and bottom of the cabinet, the chilled
chamber also extending between a front portion and a back portion,
the front portion of the chilled chamber defining an opening for
receipt of food items, a partition within cabinet defining a fresh
food portion and a freezer portion of the chilled chamber; and a
door rotatably mounted to the cabinet at the front portion of the
chilled chamber such that the door rotates between a closed
position where the door sealingly encloses the fresh food portion
and the freezer portion of the chilled chamber and an open position
to permit access to the fresh food portion and the freezer portion
of the chilled chamber, the door comprising an outer casing
comprising a thermally insulated wall that defines a freezer
chamber, and a front panel rotatably mounted to the outer casing of
the door such that the front panel of the door permits access to
the freezer chamber.
11. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the partition
is a horizontal partition extending along a plane perpendicular to
the vertical direction.
12. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the freezer
portion is positioned below the fresh food portion along the
vertical direction.
13. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the freezer
portion of the chilled chamber is operable at a lower temperature
than the freezer chamber.
14. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the freezer
portion of the chilled chamber defines a height along the vertical
direction, the fresh food portion of the chilled chamber defines a
height along the vertical direction, and wherein the height of the
fresh food portion of the chilled chamber is approximately three
times the height of the freezer portion of the chilled chamber.
15. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the freezer
chamber extends from a bottom of the door to a top of the door and
extends from a left side of the door to a right side of the
door.
16. The refrigerator appliance of claim 10, wherein the door is a
first door, further comprising a second door mirrored with the
first door whereby the first door and the second door cooperatively
sealingly enclose the fresh food portion and the freezer portion of
the chilled chamber when the first door is in the closed position
and the second door is in a closed position.
17. The refrigerator appliance of claim 16, wherein the second door
comprises a dispenser recess in an exterior side of the second
door, the dispenser recess defining a height along the vertical
direction, and wherein the height of the dispenser recess is at
least about eight inches.
18. The refrigerator appliance of claim 17, further comprising an
ice making assembly positioned within a sub-compartment on an
interior side of the second door, the ice making assembly in
communication with the dispenser recess to provide ice to the
dispenser recess.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present disclosure relates generally to refrigerator
appliances.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Refrigerator appliances generally include a cabinet that
defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. One
or more insulated, sealing doors are provided for selectively
enclosing the chilled food storage chambers. Consumers generally
prefer chilled chambers that facilitate visibility and
accessibility of food items stored therein.
[0003] In certain refrigerator appliances, commonly referred to as
side-by-side style refrigerator appliance, the fresh food chamber
is positioned next to the freezer chamber within the cabinet. Such
a configuration can permit easy access to food items stored on
doors of the refrigerator appliances. However, the cabinet can be
deep and narrow such that accessing food items at a back of the
fresh food chamber and/or freezer chamber is difficult. Also,
side-by-side refrigerators typically provide a fresh food chamber
which is significantly larger, e.g., about fifty percent larger or
more, than the freezer chamber. For example, the fresh food chamber
may occupy about sixty percent or more of the cabinet width and the
freezer chamber may occupy only forty percent or less. Such
configurations can be difficult to accommodate larger frozen
items.
[0004] In other refrigerator appliances, commonly referred to as
bottom mount refrigerator appliances, the freezer chamber is
positioned below the fresh food chamber in the cabinet. Such a
configuration can provide a relatively wide fresh food chamber
and/or freezer chamber, e.g., as compared to the side-by-side
configuration. However, the depth of the fresh food chamber and the
freezer chamber can make accessing food items at a back of the
refrigerator appliance difficult.
[0005] Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for
assisting with accessing food items stored therein would be
useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] 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 an exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is
provided. The refrigerator appliance defines a vertical direction,
a lateral direction and a transverse direction. The vertical,
lateral and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The
refrigerator appliance also includes a cabinet that extends from a
top to a bottom along the vertical direction. The cabinet also
extends from a left side to a right side along the lateral
direction. The cabinet defines a chilled chamber. The chilled
chamber extends along the vertical direction between the top and
the bottom of the cabinet, along the lateral direction between the
left and right sides of the cabinet, and along the transverse
direction between a front portion and a back portion. The front
portion of the chilled chamber defines an opening for receipt of
food items. A partition is positioned within cabinet to define a
fresh food portion and a freezer portion of the chilled chamber. A
door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet at the front portion of
the chilled chamber such that the door rotates between a closed
position where the door sealingly encloses the fresh food portion
and the freezer portion of the chilled chamber and an open position
to permit access to the fresh food portion and the freezer portion
of the chilled chamber. The door includes an outer casing having a
thermally insulated wall that defines a freezer chamber and a front
panel rotatably mounted to the outer casing of the door such that
the front panel of the door permits access to the freezer
chamber.
[0008] In another exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is
provided. The refrigerator appliance defines a vertical direction.
The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that extends from a
top to a bottom along the vertical direction. The cabinet defines a
chilled chamber. The chilled chamber extends along the vertical
direction between the top and bottom of the cabinet. The chilled
chamber also extends between a front portion and a back portion.
The front portion of the chilled chamber defines an opening for
receipt of food items. A partition is positioned within cabinet to
define a fresh food portion and a freezer portion of the chilled
chamber. A door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet at the front
portion of the chilled chamber such that the door rotates between a
closed position where the door sealingly encloses the fresh food
portion and the freezer portion of the chilled chamber and an open
position to permit access to the fresh food portion and the freezer
portion of the chilled chamber. The door includes an outer casing
having a thermally insulated wall that defines a freezer chamber
and a front panel rotatably mounted to the outer casing of the door
such that the front panel of the door permits access to the freezer
chamber.
[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 front view of an exemplary refrigerator
appliance according to one or more embodiments of the present
subject matter.
[0012] FIG. 2 provides a front view of the refrigerator appliance
of FIG. 1 with a front panel of a door in an open position while
the door is in a closed position
[0013] FIG. 3 provides a front view of the refrigerator appliance
of FIG. 1 with a left door and a right door both in an open
position.
[0014] FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of a freezer portion
within the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.
[0015] FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of a tilt-out drawer as
may be incorporated into a refrigerator appliance according to one
or more embodiments of the present subject matter.
[0016] FIG. 6 provides a front section view of the refrigerator
appliance of FIG. 1.
[0017] FIG. 7 provides a right side section view of the
refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.
[0018] FIG. 8 provides a left side section view of the refrigerator
appliance of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0019] 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.
[0020] As used herein, the terms "first," "second," and "third" may
be used interchangeably to distinguish one component from another
and are not intended to signify location or importance of the
individual components. Terms such as "inner" and "outer" refer to
relative directions with respect to the interior and exterior of
the refrigerator appliance, and in particular the food storage
chamber(s) defined therein. For example, "inner" or "inward" refers
to the direction towards the interior of the refrigerator
appliance. Terms such as "left," "right," "front," "back," "top,"
or "bottom" are used with reference to the perspective of a user
accessing the refrigerator appliance. For example, a user stands in
front of the refrigerator to open the doors and reaches into the
food storage chamber(s) to access items therein.
[0021] As used herein, terms of approximation such as "generally,"
"about," or "approximately" include values within ten percent
greater or less than the stated value. When used in the context of
an angle or direction, such terms include within ten degrees
greater or less than the stated angle or direction, e.g.,
"generally vertical" includes forming an angle of up to ten degrees
in any direction, e.g., clockwise or counterclockwise, with the
vertical direction V.
[0022] FIGS. 1 through 3 provide perspective views of an exemplary
refrigerator appliance 100 according to one or more embodiments of
the present subject matter with doors 126, 128 (described in more
detail below) in various positions in FIGS. 1 through 3.
Refrigerator appliance 100 defines a vertical direction V, a
lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T, each mutually
perpendicular to one another. As may be seen in FIGS. 1 through 3,
refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 120 that
extends between a top 101 and a bottom 102 along a vertical
direction V, between a left side 104 and a right side 106 along the
lateral direction L, and between a front 108 and a rear 110 along
the transverse direction T. Housing 120 defines a chilled chamber
118 (FIG. 3) for receipt of food items for storage. As used herein,
the chamber may be "chilled" in that the chamber is operable at
temperatures below room temperature, e.g., less than about
seventy-five degrees Fahrenheit (75.degree. F.). In particular, the
chilled chamber 118 includes a fresh food portion 122 and a freezer
portion 124, as best seen in FIG. 6. For example, the fresh food
portion 122 may be operable within a temperature range above the
freezing point of water and below room temperature, such as between
approximately thirty-three degrees Fahrenheit (33.degree. F.) and
approximately sixty degrees Fahrenheit (60.degree. F.). Also by way
of example, the freezer portion 124 may be operable within a
temperature range including temperatures less than thirty-two
degrees Fahrenheit (32.degree. F.), such as between approximately
thirty degrees Fahrenheit (30.degree. F.) and approximately zero
degrees Fahrenheit (0.degree. F.). For example, a temperature of
the fresh food portion 122 may be about forty degrees Fahrenheit
(40.degree. F.) or about forty-five degrees Fahrenheit (45.degree.
F.) and a temperature of the freezer portion may be about fifteen
degrees Fahrenheit (15.degree. F.) or about twenty-five degrees
Fahrenheit (25.degree. F.). As may be seen in FIGS. 6 through 8,
the freezer portion 124 and the fresh food portion 122 may be
separated by a thermally insulated partition 200. The partition 200
may be a horizontal partition, e.g., partition 200 may extend along
a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction V, e.g., a plane
defined by the lateral direction L and the transverse direction T.
The thermally insulated partition 200 may permit or enhance
operation of the fresh food portion 122 and the freezer portion 124
at distinct temperatures. One of ordinary skill in the art will
recognize that the chilled chamber 118 and the various portions
thereof may be chilled by a sealed refrigeration system, such that
the chilled chamber 118, fresh food portion 122, and/or freezer
portion 124 may be operable at or about the temperatures described
above by providing chilled air from the sealed system. The
structure and function of such sealed systems are understood by
those of ordinary skill in the art and are not described in further
detail herein for the sake of brevity and clarity.
[0023] As may be seen in FIG. 3, the fresh food portion 122 and the
freezer portion 124 of the chilled chamber 118 extend along the
vertical direction V between the top 101 and the bottom 102 of the
cabinet 120 and along the lateral direction L between the left side
104 and the right side 106 of the cabinet 120. The chilled chamber
118 also extends along the transverse direction T between a front
portion 134 and a back portion 136 (FIG. 7). The front portion 134
of the chilled chamber 118 defines an opening 138 (FIG. 3) for
receipt of food items. The freezer portion 124 may be positioned
below the fresh food portion 122. For example, the freezer portion
124 may extend from a bottom of the chilled chamber 118 to the
partition 200 and the fresh food portion 122 may extend from the
partition 200 to a top of the chilled chamber 118.
[0024] Refrigerator doors 126 and 128 are rotatably mounted, e.g.,
hinged, to an edge of housing 120 for selectively accessing the
fresh food portion 122 and the freezer portion 124 of the chilled
chamber 118 within the housing 120. Refrigerator doors 126 and 128
may be mounted to the housing 120 at or near the front portion 134
of the chilled chamber 118 such that the doors 126 and 128 rotate
between a closed position (FIG. 1) and an open position (FIG. 3).
In the closed position of FIG. 1, the doors 126 and 128
cooperatively sealingly enclose the fresh food portion 122 and the
freezer portion 124. Additionally, one or more gaskets and other
sealing devices, which are not shown but will be understood by one
of ordinary skill in the art, may be provided to promote sealing
between the doors 126 and 128 and the cabinet 120. In the open
position of FIG. 3, the doors 126 and 128 permit access to the
fresh food portion 122 and the freezer portion 124. As may be seen
in FIG. 3, both the fresh food portion 122 and the freezer portion
124 of the chilled chamber 118 are accessible when any one or both
of the doors 126 and 128 are in the open position. The doors 126
and 128 may be generally mirrored, e.g., the overall shape and size
of each door 126 or 128 may be the same as the other door 126 or
128, with possible internal variations such as the dispenser recess
150 described below. Moreover, although not specifically shown, the
doors 126 and 128 are independently rotatable such that, e.g. the
right door 126 may be in the open position while the left door 128
is in the closed position, or vice versa.
[0025] Refrigerator doors 126, 128 are shown in the closed position
in FIGS. 1 and 2. One of the refrigerator doors, e.g., right door
126 as in the illustrated example, may include an outer casing 121
(FIG. 7) comprising a thermally insulated wall 125 (FIG. 3) that
defines a freezer chamber 123 and a front panel 127 rotatably
mounted to the outer casing 121 of the door 126 such that the front
panel 127 permits access to the freezer chamber 123, e.g., when the
door 126 is in the closed position, as shown for example in FIG. 2.
The freezer chamber 123 may be operable within a temperature range
including temperatures less than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit
(32.degree. F.), similar to freezer portion 124 as described
above.
[0026] As shown for example in FIGS. 2 and 3, various storage
components are mounted within fresh food portion 122, freezer
chamber 123, and freezer portion 124 to facilitate storage of food
items therein as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In
particular, the storage components may include various combinations
of bins 202, drawers 204, and shelves 206 mounted within fresh food
portion 122, freezer chamber 123, and freezer portion 124. Bins
202, drawers 204, and shelves 206 are configured for receipt of
food items (e.g., beverages and/or solid food items) and may assist
with organizing such food items.
[0027] As may be seen in FIGS. 1 and 2, 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 doors 126 and 128, such as left door
128 as in the illustrated exemplary embodiment. 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 user interface panel 148 is provided for
controlling the mode of operation. For example, user interface
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.
[0028] 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 on an exterior side
of one of the refrigerator doors 126 and 128, e.g., exterior side
129 (FIG. 8) of left door 128 as in the illustrated example
embodiment, 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 doors 126 and 128.
In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess 150 is positioned at
a level that approximates the chest level of a user.
[0029] As illustrated for example in FIG. 4, the freezer portion
124 may have a plurality of storage components positioned therein.
For example, one or more of such storage components may be slidably
mounted therein. In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in FIG. 4,
a plurality of drawers 131, 132, and 133 are slidably positioned
within the freezer portion 124, as well as a slidable tray 130. The
drawers 131, 132, and 133 may provide storage for larger items,
e.g., a frozen turkey, etc., as compared to items which may be
stored in the freezer chamber 123 within door 126. In the
illustrated example embodiments, a left drawer 131, a middle drawer
132, and a right drawer 133 are provided. Providing multiple
drawers 131, 132, and 133 rather than a single continuous drawer,
e.g., that extends across an entire width of the freezer portion
124 along the lateral direction L, advantageously permits
separation of frozen items stored in the drawers 131, 132, and 133
to prevent or reduce smaller items, e.g., a bag of frozen
vegetables, from being obscured under or behind larger items, e.g.,
the frozen turkey mentioned above or other similarly-sized items.
Additionally, providing multiple drawers may minimize openings of
the drawers. For example, left drawer 131 can be opened
independently of middle drawer 132 and right drawer 133, such that
frozen items in drawers 132 and 133 are not exposed to warmer air
when accessing an item in the left drawer 131. Any suitable number
of drawers, e.g., two, four, or more, may be provided.
[0030] The freezer drawers 131, 132, and 133 may be provided in any
suitable size. For example, the drawers 131, 132, and 133 may be
the same size, e.g., each about one-third of the width of the
freezer portion 124. In other embodiments, the drawers 131, 132,
and 133 may be different sizes. For example, as illustrated by FIG.
5, one drawer may be smaller and the other two drawers may be about
the same size. In such embodiments, the drawers 131, 132, and 133
may be arranged in any suitable order, for example, the middle
drawer 132 may be smaller than the left and right drawers 131 and
133. As may be seen in FIG. 5, the middle drawer 132 may occupy
about twenty percent (20%) of a width of the freezer portion 124
along the lateral direction L, and the left and right drawers 131
and 133 may each occupy about forty percent (40%) of the width of
the freezer portion 124 along the lateral direction L. In other
embodiments, the drawers 131, 132, and 133 may be each a different
size from every other, such that a small drawer, a medium drawer,
and a large drawer are provided. Also as shown in FIG. 4, a
slidable tray 130 may be slidably mounted in the freezer portion
124, e.g., above the drawers 131, 132, and 133 along the vertical
direction V, as illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0031] In addition to the various storage components discussed
above, e.g., bins 202, drawers 204, and shelves 206, the
refrigerator appliance 100 may also include one or more tilt-out
bins 208, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 5. As illustrated, the tilt-out
bins 208 may be pivotably mounted to an interior side of one of the
doors 126 and 128, such that the bins 208 may rotate between a
closed position, as shown in FIG. 3 and a tilted-out open position,
as shown in FIG. 5, where a lower one of the tilt-out bins 208 is
in the open position. For example, in some embodiments, the
tilt-out bins 208 may be provided on one of the doors 126 and 128,
at or near a bottom of the interior side of the door. Such
embodiments may advantageously provide ready and convenient access
to items typically accessed frequently by children, e.g., juice
boxes.
[0032] When provided in combination with the in-door freezer
chamber 123, the freezer portion 124 of the chilled chamber 118 may
be relatively smaller than a freezer chamber provided in typical
refrigerator appliances, such as typical bottom-mount
refrigerators, without significantly reducing the total storage
volume within the refrigerator appliance 100 available for frozen
items. Additionally, a user may be able to access frozen items
within the in-door freezer chamber 123 without having to bend over
to reach into freezer portion 124.
[0033] FIG. 6 provides a front section view of refrigerator
appliance 100, in particular, cabinet 120 of refrigerator appliance
100 including chilled chamber 118 and the fresh food portion 122
and freezer portion 124. As may be seen in FIG. 5, the freezer
portion 124 defines a height H.sub.Z along the vertical direction V
and the fresh food portion 122 defines a height H.sub.F along the
vertical direction V. In various embodiments, the height H.sub.F of
the fresh food portion 122 may be approximately three times the
height H.sub.Z of the freezer portion 124. For example, the height
H.sub.F of the fresh food portion 122 may be about forth-five
inches (45'') and the height H.sub.Z of the freezer portion 124 may
be about fifteen inches (15''). As noted above, the relatively
small size of the freezer portion 124 is supplemented by additional
frozen food storage within freezer chamber 123 defined in one of
the refrigerator doors 126 and 128.
[0034] As best seen in FIGS. 2, 3, and 7, the freezer chamber 123
and the door 126 may be generally coextensive. For example, as seen
in FIG. 7, the freezer chamber 123 and the door 126 may be
generally coextensive along the vertical direction, e.g. a vertical
height of the freezer chamber 123 may be about the same (excepting
the thickness of the thermally insulated walls defining the freezer
chamber 123) as a vertical height of the door 126. The freezer
chamber 123 may extend along the vertical direction V from a bottom
152 of the door 126 to a top 154 of the door 126. The freezer
chamber 123 and the door 126 may also be generally coextensive
along a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction V, e.g.,
at least one of the lateral direction L and the transverse
direction T, e.g., depending on the orientation of the door 126,
e.g. whether the door 126 is in the closed position or the open
position. For example, the door 126 may extend between a left side
156 and a right side 158, e.g., along the lateral direction L when
the door 126 is in the closed position, as illustrated in FIG. 1.
In such embodiments, the freezer chamber 123 may extend from the
left side 156 of the door 126 to the right side 158 of the door 126
such that the freezer chamber 123 is generally coextensive with the
door 126 along a direction perpendicular to the vertical direction
V, e.g., the lateral direction L when the door 126 is in the closed
position.
[0035] FIG. 8 provides a section view taken through left door 128.
As may be seen in FIG. 8, refrigerator appliance 100 includes a
sub-compartment 162 defined in left door 128. Sub-compartment 162
may be referred to as an "icebox." Sub-compartment 162 extends into
fresh food portion 122 when the left door 128 is in the closed
position. An ice maker or ice making assembly 160 and an ice
storage bin or ice bucket 164 are positioned or disposed within
sub-compartment 162. The ice making assembly 160 may be configured
to form ice pieces within the ice making assembly 160. The ice
making assembly 160 may be in communication with the ice bucket 164
such that ice pieces formed in the ice making assembly 160 may be
transferred to and stored in the ice bucket 164. Thus, ice is
supplied to dispenser recess 150 from the ice bucket 164 in
sub-compartment 162 on a back side of the left door 128.
[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 8, the dispenser recess 150 extends
along the vertical direction V between the ice box 162, in
particular a dispenser chute thereof, and a bottom of the door 128.
As such, the dispenser recess 150 defines a height H.sub.R along
the vertical direction V. In various example embodiments, the
height H.sub.R of the dispenser recess 150 may be about eight
inches (8'') or greater, such as about ten inches (10'') or
greater, such as about twelve inches (12'') or greater, such as
about sixteen inches (16'') or greater.
[0037] The present disclosure, in various embodiments, provides
several advantages. For instance, access to frozen items may be
improved due to, e.g., proximity of the freezer chamber 123 to the
front of the refrigerator appliance and the ability to store frozen
items in the freezer chamber 123 generally at any desired vertical
position. As another example, larger frozen items may be stored in
the freezer portion 124 within the cabinet 120 and smaller items
may be stored separately in the freezer chamber 123 such that the
smaller items are readily accessible and are less likely to become
buried under or obstructed by larger items in a single freezer
chamber. As another example, the present disclosure may also
advantageously permit a larger, e.g., taller, dispenser recess 150
in one of the doors, e.g., as described above. In another example,
the present disclosure may also or instead advantageously permit a
larger, e.g., deeper, ice box 162 with increased ice storage
capacity. Additionally, the present disclosure may provide a deep
freeze compartment, e.g., storage components in the freezer portion
124 may be opened less frequently, which permits operating and
maintaining the freezer portion 124 at a lower temperature even
than the freezer chamber 123. As mentioned above, the freezer
portion drawers 131, 132, and 133 are independently openable, such
that each particular drawer 131, 132, and 133 may be opened less
frequently than a single freezer drawer would be. For example, as
discussed above, the freezer portion 124 and the freezer chamber
123 may generally operate at similar temperatures below the
freezing point of water. In some instances, the freezer portion 124
may be at a lower temperature than the freezer chamber 123 when the
freezer portion 124 provides the deep freeze, e.g., a temperature
of the freezer chamber 123 may be about twenty-five degrees
Fahrenheit (25.degree. F.) and a temperature of the freezer portion
124 may be about fifteen degrees Fahrenheit (15.degree. F.) or
less, such as about ten degrees Fahrenheit (10.degree. F.) or less,
such as about zero degrees Fahrenheit (0.degree. F.). In such
examples, the deep freeze compartment may also provide a quick
freeze compartment, e.g., for rapidly freezing fresh-picked produce
or fresh meat, etc.
[0038] 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.
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