MODULAR INTERCONNECTING REFRIGERATOR UNITS

Abstract

A modular interconnecting refrigeration system assembling two or more individual sub-units in place to function and appear as a larger refrigeration unit. Individual sub-units are easily carried though the smaller openings of older buildings. Assembled sub-units may integrate utility systems (electricity, water, data) and coolant systems (coolant, ventilation).

Claims

1. An apparatus comprising: two or more sub-units, wherein each sub-unit has an exterior body, an interior refrigeration compartment, a rear exterior surface, a front exterior surface, two side surfaces, a top exterior surface, a bottom exterior surface, a mating surface, a mechanical interlock to securely attach two or more sub-units, and a utility systems connection.

2. The apparatus of claim 1 wherein the utility systems connection includes one or more selections from the group consisting of: electricity, water, drain, gas and data.

3. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the two or more sub-units further feature a coolant systems connection.

4. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the coolant systems connection includes one or more selections from the group consisting of: ventilation, coolant, cold air, meat keeper orifice.

5. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the two or more sub-units are connected by a wireless data connection.

6. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the utility systems connections are integrated directly on the mating surfaces of the two or more sub-units.

7. The apparatus of claim 6 wherein the two or more sub-units feature a leveling device, wherein the leveling device function to align the integrated utility systems connections and the mechanical interlock of the two or more sub-units.

8. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the leveling device is selected from the group consisting of: leveling feet, leveling castors and leveling bolts.

9. The apparatus of claim 7 wherein the leveling device changes the height of the utility systems connections integrated directly on the mating surfaces of the two or more sub-units.

10. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the utility systems connections are made by attaching one or more flexible connectors to one or more connection ports on the two or more sub-units.

11. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the one or more flexible connectors include a flow stop mechanism functioning to prevent liquids or gases from escaping the one or more connection ports once disconnected from the one ore more flexible connectors.

12. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the one or more connection ports are located on the mating surfaces of the two or more sub-units.

13. The apparatus of claim 11 wherein the mating surfaces of the two or more sub-units further include a cavity of sufficient size to conceal the one or more flexible connectors.

14. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the one or more connection ports are located on the rear exterior surface.

15. The apparatus of claim 10 wherein the one or more connection ports are located behind an access panel in the front exterior surface.

16. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the two or more sub-units connect between the side exterior surfaces.

17. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the two or more sub-units connect between the top exterior surface and the bottom exterior surface.

18. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the exterior body has a width of thirty inches or less.

19. The apparatus of claim 2 wherein the exterior body has a width between 24 inches and 30 inches.

20. The apparatus of claim 3 wherein the two or more sub-units share a control interface.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0018] Preferred and alternative examples of the present invention are described in detail below with reference to the following Figure drawings:

[0019] FIG. 1 is a front-view showing two individual adjacent sub-units sharing utility and/or cooling systems connections;

[0020] FIG. 2 is a front-view showing two individual adjacent sub-units sharing utility and/or cooling systems connections, where one sub-unit features two separate refrigeration compartments;

[0021] FIG. 3 is a front-view showing at least three individual interconnected sub-units in top-and-bottom and side-by-side configuration;

[0022] FIG. 4 is a front-view showing two individual adjacent sub-units featuring integrated interlocking utility and/or data connections;

[0023] FIG. 5 is a rear-view showing two individual interconnected sub-units featuring three flexible connectors and two mechanical latches;

[0024] FIG. 6 is a front-view showing two individual adjacent sub-units, each featuring rolling casters.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] The invention shown in FIG. 1 is a modular interconnecting refrigerator system, featuring two 101 sub-units. Each sub-unit has exterior features including: 102 side exterior surfaces, a 103 top exterior surface, a 104 bottom exterior surface. Connected modules are linked by at least one 105 utility systems connection (such as electricity, water, gas, drain and data). In a further embodiment, 106 coolant systems connections are made between connected modules (cold air vents, high and low pressure coolant lines, meat keeper orifice).

[0026] In one embodiment, two refrigerator modules can be connected and configured so that one is cooled to freezer-level temperatures creating a side-by-side refrigerator/freezer system. These two or more modules can be designed to share utility systems, or can further share their cooling systems elements, allowing shared use of a single compressor system.

[0027] The invention shown in FIG. 2 is a modular interconnecting refrigerator system, as in FIG. 1 featuring two 201 sub-units. Each refrigeration unit has at least one 202 refrigeration compartment inside. Connected modules are linked by at least one 205 utility systems connection (such as electricity, water, drain or data). In a further embodiment, 206 coolant systems connections are made between connected modules (cold air vents, high and low pressure coolant lines).

[0028] The invention shown in FIG. 3 is a modular interconnecting refrigerator system connecting multiple 301 sub-units, combining both 302 stacked configuration with the top of one unit mating to the bottom of another unit and 303 side-by-side configuration with the adjacent sides of two units mating. Further 304 sub-units may be connected. In one embodiment of the invention each sub-unit could be full-height, appearing as a tall, narrow refrigerator when separated and a larger unit once connected. However, as FIG. 3 depicts, by allowing stacking as well as side-by-side connections, the individual units can be designed smaller still (shorter and lighter). Such an embodiment would be ideal for food-service installations (including temporary installations such as seasonal catering or larger festival events).

[0029] The invention shown in FIG. 4 is a modular interconnecting refrigerator system connecting multiple 401 sub-units. In this particular embodiment, the utility system connections and optional coolant system connections are integrated in the mating surfaces of adjacent sub-units. This can be accomplished, for example, by 402 male and 403 female connectors that align and interconnect during the mechanical attachment of adjacent units.

[0030] The invention shown in FIG. 5 is a modular interconnecting refrigerator system connecting multiple 501 sub-units. In this particular embodiment, the adjacent sub-units are secured by multiple 502 mechanical interlocks (which can be latches, locking latches, magnetic connectors or simple screw & plate connectors). Furthermore, in this particular embodiment, the utility system connections and optional coolant system connections are achieved by attaching 504 flexible connectors to integrated 503 connection ports.

[0031] The invention shown in FIG. 6 is a modular interconnecting refrigerator system connecting multiple 601 sub-units. In this particular embodiment, the adjacent sub-units are connected at a 602 mating surface with multiple 605 utility system connections and 606 coolant system connections. In this particular embodiment, the sub-units are mounted on 603 rolling castors allowing the sub-units to easily be positioned. In a further embodiment, the castors can be leveling castors, allowing the sub-units to easily be leveled before mechanical interconnection and systems interconnection is achieved. This is especially important if the sub-units are installed on uneven surfaces and if the units feature utility system connections and/or coolant systems connections that are integrated in the mating surfaces.