Patent application number | Description | Published |
20090193760 | REFRIGERATOR DOOR VACUUM PRESERVATION SYSTEM - A refrigerator includes a hands-free vacuum preservation system mounted on a door of the refrigerator comprising a main body portion having a slot therein for receiving an open end of a plastic bag. Sensors within the slot detect the presence of the bag and a retaining device is actuated to punch holes in the bag and retain the bag in position for a vacuum sealing event. An intake port within the system communicates with a vacuum source to remove air from the bag, and a heat sealer seals the bag closed. In a preferred embodiment, once sensors located on the main body portion detect the presence of a consumer's hand, the retaining device releases the bag. The resultant vacuum sealed bag can be stored in a conventional manner, or by hanging the bag from hooks extending through the holes formed therein by the retaining device. | 08-06-2009 |
20090194193 | REFRIGERATOR VACUUM STORAGE SYSTEM - A vacuum storage system in a refrigerator includes a bin or drawer unit removably received in a housing. The vacuum storage system may be utilized in a storage configuration or in a vacuum sealing configuration to remove air from one or more food preservation containers having one-way evacuation valves. A switch on a control interface actuates a vacuum source and a front wall of the bin or drawer unit seals against the cabinet. Air is drawn from the storage space via a hose in communication with the vacuum source and air pressure within the storage space is reduced below atmospheric pressure, whereby air is simultaneously evacuated from the containers housed in the storage space. At a predetermined pressure, a control deactivates the vacuum source and an equalizing valve is opened to return the storage space to atmospheric pressure. | 08-06-2009 |
20090293511 | APPLIANCE FEATURE MODULE ENABLED BY ENERGY OR MATERIALS SOURCED FROM THE HOST APPLIANCE - A modular utility supply unit that includes a utility supply module housing having removable engageability to a surface of an appliance. Also included is at least one refillable reservoir capable of storing a plurality of utilities and receiving at least one utility from the appliance when the utility supply unit is operably engaged to the appliance. Further included is an interface capable of engaging a plurality of feature modules, where the interface includes a recognition device that prompts the utility supply unit to provide the engaged feature module with at least one of the storage utilities within the utility supply from at least one of the refillable reservoirs. | 12-03-2009 |
20090302724 | PARK PLACE REFRIGERATOR MODULE UTILITIES ENABLED VIA CONNECTION - A connection system for connecting an encoded domestic appliance feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the encoded feature module and the utility source. The connection system includes a utility source that has a coupler capable of removably engaging an encoded domestic appliance feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one encoded domestic appliance feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device that operates to detect when the encoded feature module is connected to the utility source, where one or more predetermined utilities are transferred between the utility source and the feature module based upon which feature module is connected to the utility source, and where the detection and recognition device may be a reed switch, a DIP switch, and a comparator circuit | 12-10-2009 |
20100101432 | MODIFIED ATMOSPHERE FOR FOOD PRESERVATION - An appliance system including a module removably mounted to an appliance, one or more removable gas canisters operably connected to the module, and a food retaining enclosed space operably connected to the module. The one or more gas canisters supply a modified atmosphere in the food retaining enclosed space to produce a modified atmosphere that enhances preservation of the food contained in the food retaining enclosed space. A method of modifying the atmosphere in a food storage space for food includes the steps of: providing a module capable of being removably engaged to an appliance and typically receiving power from the appliance and at least one removable gas canister; operatively connecting or otherwise engaging the module with the appliance; operatively connecting or otherwise engaging the module to a food storage area having an existing atmosphere; and removing at least a portion of the existing atmosphere from the food storage space and replacing it with a modified food storage atmosphere using at least one of the at least one removable gas canisters to supply the modified atmosphere to the food storage area. | 04-29-2010 |
20100126117 | REFRIGERATOR DOOR VACUUM PRESERVATION SYSTEM - A refrigerator includes a hands-free vacuum preservation system mounted on a door of the refrigerator comprising a main body portion having a slot therein for receiving an open end of a plastic bag. Sensors within the slot detect the presence of the bag and a retaining device is actuated to punch holes in the bag and retain the bag in position for a vacuum sealing event. An intake port within the system communicates with a vacuum source to remove air from the bag, and a heat sealer seals the bag closed. In a preferred embodiment, once sensors located on the main body portion detect the presence of a consumer's hand, the retaining device releases the bag. The resultant vacuum sealed bag can be stored in a conventional manner, or by hanging the bag from hooks extending through the holes formed therein by the retaining device. | 05-27-2010 |
20100273622 | SPLIT VACUUM BAG - A storage bag includes a first flexible sheet and a second flexible sheet overlying and bonded to the first flexible sheet proximate a portion of an outer periphery of the first flexible sheet to form an open-mouthed bag having first and second sides. A first intermediate wall extends between and substantially across the first flexible sheet and the second flexible sheet. A first compartment is defined by the space between the first side of the open-mouthed bag and the intermediate wall. A second compartment is defined by the space between the second side of the open-mouthed bag and the intermediate wall. | 10-28-2010 |
20100287974 | INSULATION PANELS APPLIED TO OR AS A FEATURE MODULE - A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining an open storage space and having a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall. Each of the rear wall, first side wall, second side wall, top wall, and bottom wall include an interior liner and an exterior wrapper. A door is disposed on the cabinet operable between an open position and a closed position. The door includes an interior liner and an exterior wrapper. At least one pocket is disposed in at least one of the rear wall, first side wall, second side wall, top wall, bottom wall, and door between the interior liner and the exterior wrapper. The at least one pocket includes an access opening. A removable insulation panel is disposed in the pocket. | 11-18-2010 |
20110010923 | METHOD OF MAKING AN APPLIANCE DOOR - A method of making an appliance door includes inserting a door pan into a fixture having first and second forming molds. An inner door liner is placed over the door pan. The first and second forming molds are pressed together. A mold cavity is formed between the door pan and the inner door liner. An insulative material is injected into the mold cavity defined by the space between the door pan and the inner door liner. The inner door liner is secured to the door pan to form a base door. A removable decorative exterior skin is extended over the base door. | 01-20-2011 |
20110110706 | ADJUSTABLE CONNECTOR SYSTEM FOR CONNECTION TO A MODULAR APPLIANCE - An adjustable connector system for use in an appliance is provided, wherein the adjustable connector system includes a channel disposed on a surface of the appliance, an access aperture defined by a surface adjacent the channel, and a utility enabled connector at least partially received in the channel, and extending from the access aperture, wherein the utility enabled connector includes an elongated member configured to at least partially extend along the channel, and extend from the access aperture, and an interface adapted to supply at least one utility to a modular appliance configured to be removably attached to one of a plurality of removable attachment locations on the appliance. | 05-12-2011 |
20110315693 | INSULATION PANELS APPLIED TO OR AS A FEATURE MODULE - A refrigerator includes a rear wall, a first side wall, a second side wall, a top wall, and a bottom wall that are permanently attached to define a cabinet. The cabinet includes an interior liner and an exterior wrapper. A door is pivotally connected with the cabinet and includes an interior liner and an exterior wrapper. A pocket is disposed in at least one of the rear wall, first side wall, second side wall, top wall, bottom wall, and door between the interior liner and the exterior wrapper. The pocket includes an access opening disposed at an edge of one of the rear wall, first side wall, second side wall, top wall, and bottom wall. A removable insulation panel is disposed in the pocket. | 12-29-2011 |
20120137501 | METHOD OF FORMING CONDUIT RECEIVING PASSAGEWAYS IN A REFRIGERATOR - A method of forming a passageway in an insulated door of a refrigerator includes the steps of forming a conduit by inserting a mandrel in the space between a door liner and outer skin, filling the space with foam insulation, and removing the mandrel. In one embodiment, the mandrel is encased with a polymeric skin prior to the inserting step, such that, when the mandrel is removed, the skin remains at the boundary of the passageway so formed. In another embodiment, the method includes mounting fluid and/or electrical conduits to an inside surface of the door liner and subsequently injecting the foam insulation to surround the conduits. In yet another embodiment, fluid and/or electrical conduits are mounted to an outer surface of the door liner. A cover is then positioned over the conduits. | 06-07-2012 |
20120227323 | METHOD OF MAKING AN APPLIANCE DOOR - A method of making an appliance door includes inserting a door pan into a fixture having first and second forming molds. An inner door liner is placed over the door pan. The first and second forming molds are pressed together. A mold cavity is formed between the door pan and the inner door liner. An insulative material is injected into the mold cavity defined by the space between the door pan and the inner door liner. The inner door liner is secured to the door pan to form a base door. A removable decorative exterior skin is extended over the base door. | 09-13-2012 |
20120326588 | REFRIGERATOR VACUUM STORAGE SYSTEM - A vacuum storage system in a refrigerator includes a bin or drawer unit removably received in a housing. The vacuum storage system may be utilized in a storage configuration or in a vacuum sealing configuration to remove air from one or more food preservation containers having one-way evacuation valves. A switch on a control interface actuates a vacuum source and a front wall of the bin or drawer unit seals against the cabinet. Air is drawn from the storage space via a hose in communication with the vacuum source and air pressure within the storage space is reduced below atmospheric pressure, whereby air is simultaneously evacuated from the containers housed in the storage space. At a predetermined pressure, a control deactivates the vacuum source and an equalizing valve is opened to return the storage space to atmospheric pressure. | 12-27-2012 |