REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE WITH MULTIPLE ZONE FLEXIBLE CHAMBER IN DOOR

Abstract

A refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber. A door is rotatably mounted to the cabinet at a front portion of the chilled chamber. The door rotates between a closed position and an open position. The door also includes an outer casing comprising a thermally insulated wall and a mullion positioned within the outer casing. A first flexible chamber and a second flexible chamber are defined by the outer casing and the mullion. A front panel is rotatably mounted to the outer casing of the door such that the front panel of the door permits access to the first flexible chamber and the second flexible chamber.

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 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 at least a portion of the chilled chamber and an open position to permit access to the chilled chamber, the door comprising an outer casing comprising a thermally insulated wall, a mullion positioned within the outer casing, a first flexible chamber defined by the outer casing and the mullion, a second flexible chamber defined by the outer casing and the mullion, 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 first flexible chamber and the second flexible chamber.

2. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the mullion is horizontal and extends along a plane defined by the lateral direction and the transverse direction.

3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the mullion is thermally insulated.

4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the mullion sealingly engages the front panel of the door when the front panel of the door is in a closed position.

5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the first flexible chamber and the second flexible chamber are selectively operable within one of a first temperature range and a second temperature range, the first temperature range greater than a freezing point of water and the second temperature range less than the freezing point of water.

6. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the first flexible chamber and the second flexible chamber are operable at distinct temperatures.

7. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, further comprising a partition within the cabinet defining a fresh food portion and a freezer portion of the chilled chamber.

8. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the chilled chamber is a fresh food chamber, further comprising a freezer chamber defined in the cabinet and spaced apart from the fresh food chamber along the vertical direction.

9. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the second flexible chamber extends along the vertical direction from a bottom of the door to the mullion and the first flexible chamber extends along the vertical direction from the mullion to a top of the door.

10. 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 chilled chamber when the first door is in the closed position and the second door is in a closed position.

11. 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; 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 at least a portion of the chilled chamber and an open position to permit access to the chilled chamber, the door comprising an outer casing comprising a thermally insulated wall, a mullion positioned within the outer casing, a first flexible chamber defined by the outer casing and the mullion, a second flexible chamber defined by the outer casing and the mullion, 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 first flexible chamber and the second flexible chamber.

12. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein the mullion is horizontal and extends along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction.

13. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein the mullion is thermally insulated.

14. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein the mullion sealingly engages the front panel of the door when the front panel of the door is in a closed position.

15. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein the first flexible chamber and the second flexible chamber are selectively operable within one of a first temperature range and a second temperature range, the first temperature range greater than a freezing point of water and the second temperature range less than the freezing point of water.

16. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein the first flexible chamber and the second flexible chamber are operable at distinct temperatures.

17. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, further comprising a partition within the cabinet defining a fresh food portion and a freezer portion of the chilled chamber.

18. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein the chilled chamber is a fresh food chamber, further comprising a freezer chamber defined in the cabinet and spaced apart from the fresh food chamber along the vertical direction.

19. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, wherein the first flexible chamber extends along the vertical direction from a top of the door to the mullion and the second flexible chamber extends along the vertical direction from the mullion to a bottom of the door.

20. The refrigerator appliance of claim 11, 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 chilled chamber when the first door is in the closed position and the second door is in a closed position.

Description

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 an exemplary refrigerator appliance according to one or more embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0012] FIG. 2 provides a view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 with a left door and a right door both in an open position.

[0013] FIG. 3 provides a right side section view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

[0014] FIG. 4 provides a perspective view of an exemplary refrigerator appliance according to one or more additional embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0015] FIG. 5 provides a perspective view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 4 with a front panel of a door in an open position while the door is in a closed position.

[0016] FIG. 6 provides a perspective view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 4 with a left door and a right door both in an open position.

[0017] FIG. 7 provides a right side section view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 4.

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] 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.

[0020] 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.

[0021] FIGS. 1, 2, 4, 5, and 6 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. 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, 2, 4, 5, and 6, 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 (FIGS. 2 and 6) 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 F.).

[0022] As may be seen in FIGS. 2 and 6, the chilled chamber 118 extends 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 (FIGS. 3 and 7). The front portion 134 of the chilled chamber 118 defines an opening 138 for receipt of food items.

[0023] In some embodiments, the chilled chamber 118 may be a single continuous chamber, e.g., a fresh food storage chamber 118 as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. In such embodiments, a separate freezer chamber 116 may be provided. For example, the refrigerator appliance 100 may include the freezer chamber 116 below the fresh food storage chamber 118, as illustrated for example in FIGS. 1 through 3. In other embodiments, e.g., as shown in FIGS. 4 through 7, the chilled chamber 118 may occupy all or approximately all of the interior volume of the cabinet 120. In such embodiments, the chilled chamber 118 may be divided into two or more portions operable at different temperatures. For example, the chilled chamber 118 may be divided into a fresh food portion 122 and a freezer portion 124, as illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 7.

[0024] As shown for example in FIGS. 2 and 6, various storage components may be mounted within the chilled chamber 118 (including, in some embodiments, the fresh food portion 122 and freezer portion 124 thereof), the first flexible chamber 300, and the second flexible chamber 302 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 the chilled chamber 118 and/or one or both flexible chambers 300 and 302. 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.

[0025] Refrigerator doors 126 and 128 are rotatably mounted, e.g., hinged, to an edge of housing 120 for selectively accessing the chilled chamber 118 within the housing 120. Refrigerator doors 126 and 128 may be mounted to the housing 120 at or near a front portion 134 of the chilled chamber 118 such that the doors 126 and 128 rotate between a closed position (FIGS. 1, 4, and 5) and an open position (FIGS. 2 and 6). In the closed position, the doors 126 and 128 cooperatively sealingly enclose the chilled chamber 118, e.g., the fresh food portion 122 and the freezer portion 124 in embodiments such as those illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 7. 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 the doors 126 and 128 permit access to the chilled chamber 118. In embodiments where a separate freezer chamber 116 is provided, the freezer chamber 116 may be spaced apart from the fresh food chamber 118 along the vertical direction V. For example, the freezer chamber 116 may be positioned below the fresh food chamber 118, as illustrated, or may be positioned above the fresh food chamber 118, e.g., in a top mount configuration. A freezer door 130 may be arranged adjacent to, e.g., below, refrigerator doors 126 and 128 for selectively accessing freezer chamber 116. Freezer door 130 may be coupled to a freezer drawer 132 (FIG. 3) slidably mounted within freezer chamber 116. In embodiments where the chilled chamber 118 is divided into a fresh food portion 122 and a freezer portion 124, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 6, 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. In such embodiments, freezer drawer 132 may be provided within the freezer portion 124 and is accessible when doors 126 and 128 are in the open position, e.g., as shown in FIG. 6. 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.

[0026] As may be seen in FIGS. 1, 4, and 5, 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. For example, ice may be stored in an ice box 162 (FIGS. 2 and 6) in one of the doors 126 or 128. 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.

[0027] 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., 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.

[0028] Refrigerator doors 126, 128 are shown in the closed position in FIGS. 1, 4 and 5. One of the refrigerator doors, e.g., right door 126 as in the illustrated example, may include an outer casing 121 (FIGS. 3 and 7) comprising a thermally insulated wall 125 (FIGS. 3 and 7) and a thermally insulated mullion 304, as illustrated, e.g., FIGS. 1 and 5, positioned within the outer casing 121. The outer casing 121 and the mullion 304 define a first flexible chamber 300 and a second flexible chamber 302. The door, e.g., right door 126, may also include a front panel 127 rotatably mounted to the outer casing 121 to selectively sealingly enclose or permit access to the first and second flexible chambers 300 and 302. For example, the front panel 127 may permit access to the flexible chambers 300 and 302 when the door 126 is in the closed position, as shown for example in FIGS. 1 and 5. As will be described in more detail below, the flexible chambers 300 and 302 may be selectively operable at a variety of temperatures.

[0029] In various embodiments, fresh food storage chamber 118 or 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 F.) and approximately sixty degrees Fahrenheit (60 F.). Also by way of example, the freezer chamber 116 or freezer portion 124 may be operable within a temperature range including temperatures below the freezing point of water, e.g., less than thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit (32 F.), such as between approximately thirty degrees Fahrenheit (30 F.) and approximately zero degrees Fahrenheit (0 F.). For example, a temperature of the fresh food storage chamber 118 or the fresh food portion 122 may be about forty degrees Fahrenheit (40 F.) or about forty-five degrees Fahrenheit (45 F.) and a temperature of the freezer chamber 116 or freezer portion 124 may be about fifteen degrees Fahrenheit (15 F.) or about twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit (25 F.). In various embodiments, a thermally insulated partition 200 may be provided within the cabinet 120, e.g., between the fresh food chamber 118 and the freezer chamber 116 (FIG. 3) or between the freezer portion 124 and the fresh food portion 122 (FIG. 7). The partition 200 may separate the distinct chambers or portions. 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 chamber 118 and the freezer chamber 116 or the fresh food portion 122 and the freezer portion 124 at distinct temperatures.

[0030] The flexible chambers 300 and 302 may be selectively operable as either fresh food storage chambers or freezer chambers, e.g., within one of a first temperature range and a second temperature range. For example, the first and second flexible chambers 300 and 302 may be operable as fresh food storage chambers wherein the chambers 300 and 302 each provide an internal temperature within one or more of the fresh food storage temperature ranges described above, e.g., above the freezing point of water and below room temperature, such as between approximately thirty-three degrees Fahrenheit (33 F.) and approximately sixty degrees Fahrenheit (60 F.). The flexible chambers 300 and 302 may also be selectively operable to provide internal temperatures below the freezing point of water, e.g., between approximately thirty degrees Fahrenheit (30 F.) and approximately zero degrees Fahrenheit (0 F.), as described above.

[0031] The flexible chambers 300 and 302 may be operable at distinct temperatures. For example, when both flexible chambers 300 and 302 are operating as fresh food storage chambers, the first flexible chamber 300 may be operable at a relatively warm temperature, such as about fifty degrees Fahrenheit (50 F.), e.g., for chilling wine, and the second flexible chamber may be operable at a relatively cool temperature, such as about thirty-seven degrees Fahrenheit (37 F.), e.g., for storing produce. As another example, when both flexible chambers 300 and 302 are operating as freezer chambers, the first flexible chamber 300 may provide a soft freeze, e.g., may be operable at a temperature such as about twenty-five degrees Fahrenheit (25 F.), and the second flexible chamber may provide a deep freeze, e.g., may be operable at a temperature such as about fifteen degrees Fahrenheit (15 F.) or less, such as about ten degrees Fahrenheit (10 F.) or less, such as about zero degrees Fahrenheit (0 F.) or less. In such examples, the deep freeze chamber may also provide a quick freeze, e.g., for rapidly freezing fresh-picked produce or fresh meat, etc. In yet another example, one of the flexible chambers 300 and 302 may be operated as a fresh food storage chamber, e.g., within a temperature range above the freezing point of water and below room temperature, as described above, while the other of the flexible chambers 300 and 302 is operated as a freezer chamber, e.g., within a temperature range including temperatures below the freezing point of water, as described above.

[0032] In various embodiments, the freezer chamber 116 or freezer portion 124 may also be selectively operable as a fresh food storage chamber. For example, when both flexible chambers 300 and 302 are operating as freezer chambers, the freezer chamber 116 or freezer portion 124 may be operated as a fresh food storage chamber.

[0033] One of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the various chambers or portions may be chilled by a sealed refrigeration system, such that, e.g., the first flexible chamber 300 and the second flexible chamber 302 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.

[0034] As best seen in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 7, the flexible chambers 300 and 302 may be generally coextensive with the door 126. For example, as seen in FIGS. 3 and 7, the flexible chambers 300, 302 and the door 126 may be generally coextensive along the vertical direction V, e.g., the flexible chambers 300 and 302 may collectively define a vertical height which may be about the same (excepting the thickness of the thermally insulated wall 125) as a vertical height of the door 126. The flexible chambers 300, 302 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 FIGS. 1 and 4. In such embodiments, the first flexible chamber 300 and the second flexible chamber 302 may each extend from the left side 156 of the door 126 to the right side 158 of the door 126 such that the flexible chambers 300 and 302 are each 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] The first flexible chamber 300 and the second flexible chamber 302 may be vertically arranged within the outer casing 121, e.g., with the first flexible chamber 300 above the second flexible chamber 302. For example, the mullion 304 which at least partially defines the flexible chambers 300 and 302 may be horizontal, e.g., the mullion 304 may extend along a plane perpendicular to the vertical direction V, such as a plane defined by the lateral direction L and the transverse direction T, whereby the flexible chambers 300 and 302 defined on opposite sides of the horizontal mullion 304 are vertically arranged. As mentioned above, the flexible chambers 300 and 302 may be generally coextensive along the vertical direction V with the door 126. For example, the flexible chambers 300 and 302 may collectively extend along the vertical direction V from a bottom 152 of the door 126 to a top 154 of the door 126. As illustrated, e.g., in FIGS. 1, 3, 5, and 7, the second flexible chamber 302 may extend along the vertical direction V from the bottom 152 of the door 126 to the mullion 304 and the first flexible chamber 300 may extend along the vertical direction V from the mullion 304 to the top 154 of the door 126.

[0036] As mentioned above, the front panel 127 may selectively sealingly enclose the first and second flexible chambers 300 and 302. For example, the front panel 127 may be rotatable between an open position (e.g., FIGS. 1 and 5) to provide access to the first and second flexible chambers 300 and 302 and a closed position, as shown, e.g., in FIGS. 3, 4, and 7. The sealing enclosure of the flexible chambers 300 and 302 by the front panel 127 may include sealing engagement between the mullion 304 and the front panel 127 when the front panel 127 is in the closed position. For example, the front panel 127 may include a resilient inner surface which abuts a front edge of the mullion 304 when the front panel 127 is in the closed position. As another example, a gasket or other sealing member as is generally understood in the art may also or instead be provided on one of the front panel 127 and the mullion 304.

[0037] Providing access to the flexible chambers 300 and 302 via the front panel 127 of the door 126 may advantageously increase accessibility of food items stored in the flexible chambers 300 and 302. For example, smaller food items such as a bag of frozen vegetables or a single-serving beverage container may be stored in the flexible chambers 300 and 302 to prevent or reduce such items from being obscured under or behind larger items such as a frozen turkey, frozen pizza, gallon of milk, etc., as compared to when only a single chamber or portion of the refrigerator appliance 100 is provided for storing fresh food or frozen items.

[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.