A modular refrigerator system includes a modular cabinet and a machine housing. The modular cabinet comprises at least two sections that are secured to each other and collectively define an internal cavity configured to receive perishable foodstuffs or other items that may need to be refrigerated. The machine housing defines a machine compartment having a refrigeration circuit disposed therein. The refrigeration circuit has an evaporator and a condenser. The machine housing is secured to the modular cabinet and has an interface that establishes fluid communication with the internal cavity of the modular cabinet.

In an example, a transformable cargo container for use with ground and air transportation vehicles is disclosed. The cargo container includes a main container body defining a storage chamber therein and including at least one inlet. The cargo container also includes a transformable assembly coupled to the main container body and positioned at an exterior of the main container body. The transformable assembly includes one or more supplemental containers and one or more supply ducts, at least one of the supplemental container(s) being configured to house refrigeration equipment. The transformable assembly is movable between an aircraft configuration and a ground configuration. Based on the transformable assembly being in either the aircraft configuration or the ground configuration, the refrigeration equipment is configured to supply coolant into the main container body via the supply duct(s) and the inlet(s).

A method for controlling an operation of a refrigeration appliance includes controlling a first cooling routine for a first compartment via a flow of a thermal exchange media to a first evaporator. The method further includes controlling a heating routine in response to a setpoint temperature being greater than the temperature of the first compartment. The heating routine includes activating a heating element and a fan in the first compartment over a first interval and deactivating the heating element and the fan over a second interval. The heating routine continues by activating the first interval and the second interval over alternating time periods. In response to the temperature of the first compartment being greater than or equal to a target temperature associated with the setpoint, the method may control the operation of the appliance by returning to the cooling routine.

A refrigerator appliance includes a housing, a mullion, and a biasing element. The housing defines an internal cavity and door frame that accesses the internal cavity. The mullion is disposed within the cavity and divides the cavity into a freezer compartment and a refrigerator compartment. A position of the mullion is adjustable within the cavity such that movement of the mullion away from the freezer compartment and toward the refrigerator compartment increases a volume of the freezer compartment and decreases a volume of the refrigerator compartment, and such that movement of the mullion away from the refrigerator compartment and toward the freezer the compartment decreases the volume of the freezer compartment and increases the volume of the refrigerator compartment. The biasing element is secured to the housing and the mullion. The biasing element is configured to bias the mullion toward the freezer compartment.

An improved portable cooler can be configured to provide access to its contents from multiple orientations while reducing the likelihood of water spillage or contamination. The improved portable cooler may optionally include one or more sliding compartments to allow access to the contents of the portable cooler when the cooler is arranged in any of a horizontal or vertical orientation.

A refrigeration appliance includes a liner having a rear wall that is contoured to define a first vertical recess therein. A partition divides the compartment into an upper and a lower compartment and includes a first protrusion disposed in the first vertical recess in the liner. A first opening extends through the first protrusion and is aligned with the first vertical recess in the liner. A temperature control system is positioned in the upper compartment and includes a vertical partition. At least one lower opening extends through a front surface of the vertical partition and fluidly communicates with an upper end of the first vertical recess in the liner and the first opening extending through the partition. An evaporator fan is disposed in the lower compartment.

This invention is directed to a kit of coolers that offers a number of improvements over the prior art. The coolers are modified to specifically accommodate frozen gel ice packs instead of ice cubes. Because there is no spill water, the coolers open with front-facing pull-out drawers. The coolers stack atop one another with interlocking parts. Easy transport is provided by a handle and wheels, which are attached to the bottom (main) bin. Internally, the cooler bins are compartmentalized horizontally or vertically with dividers. Hollow spaces within the walls and dividers of the bins accommodate frozen gel ice packs. Overall, the coolers are easier to pack and unpack, stack, load into a car, and transport on the ground than conventional ice chest coolers.

A refrigeration appliance including a compartment for storing food items. A partition divides the compartment into a first and a second compartments. The first compartment is disposed horizontally adjacent the second compartment and has a user-selectable target freezer temperature. An evaporator is disposed in the first compartment. An evaporator fan is disposed in the first compartment for conveying cooling air from the evaporator to the first and the second compartments. A temperature control module positioned in the second compartment. The temperature control module includes a body having front and rear surfaces. An air passage is formed in the body and extends between a side inlet opening of the body to at least one outlet opening on the front surface of the body. A heater assembly is disposed between the front and the rear surfaces of the body for heating air in the air passage.

A refrigerator having detachably adjacent cabinets is provided. The refrigerator includes a connection mechanism interposed between cabinets adjacent to each other and connecting the cabinets to each other and a manipulation portion configured to drive the connection mechanism by being manipulated from outside, wherein the connection mechanism is configured for the cabinet on one side is pulled toward the cabinet on the other side by a manipulation of the manipulation portion.

A refrigerator may include: a refrigerator compartment, a convertible compartment, an evaporator disposed in the convertible compartment; and a grill pan assembly forming a space where the evaporator is disposed by dividing the inside of the convertible compartment. The grill pan assembly may include an insulating member, a convertible compartment fan, a refrigerator compartment fan, and an opening device formed at the insulating member from the convertible compartment channel to the refrigerator compartment channel.