US20130111936A1 - Refrigerator With Individualized Locking Drawers - Google Patents
Refrigerator With Individualized Locking Drawers Download PDFInfo
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- US20130111936A1 US20130111936A1 US13/658,475 US201213658475A US2013111936A1 US 20130111936 A1 US20130111936 A1 US 20130111936A1 US 201213658475 A US201213658475 A US 201213658475A US 2013111936 A1 US2013111936 A1 US 2013111936A1
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- Prior art keywords
- refrigerator
- drawer
- freezer
- drawers
- door
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
- F25D23/028—Details
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D13/00—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms
- F25D13/02—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms with several cooling compartments, e.g. refrigerated locker systems
- F25D13/04—Stationary devices, e.g. cold-rooms with several cooling compartments, e.g. refrigerated locker systems the compartments being at different temperatures
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- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
- F25D23/025—Secondary closures
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- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
A refrigerator with individualized locking drawers is similar in size and shape to a standard refrigerator, with a plurality of drawers in the refrigerator compartment that can be personalized. The drawers have a locking mechanism, a name placard displaying the user's name, a use frequency display, and a spoilage display. A digital control interface on the refrigerator door allows users to register for and manage drawers, and a network connection device allows users to manage their drawer through a website interface or a mobile application. A community storage shelf below the individual drawers and shelves on the inside face of the refrigerator door provides space for large items or community items, and a freezer compartment below the refrigerator compartment provides storage for items that require lower temperatures than the refrigerator compartment.
Description
- The current application claims a priority to the U.S. Provisional Patent application Ser. No. 61/557,467 filed on Nov. 9, 2011.
- The present invention relates generally to an apparatus for a refrigerator. More particularly, the present invention is a refrigerator which provides personal locking compartments for use by multiple individuals.
- A refrigerator, colloquially known as a fridge, is a common household appliance that consists of a thermally insulated compartment and a mechanical, electronic, or chemical heat pump that transfers heat from the inside of the fridge to its external environment so that the inside of the fridge is cooled to a desired temperature below the ambient temperature of the room. A fridge is useful for storing food, since lower temperatures in a confined volume lowers the reproduction rate of bacteria, which has the result of reducing the rate of food spoilage. A fridge typically maintains a temperature a few degrees above the freezing point of water. Many refrigerators also include a freezer compartment separate from the refrigerator compartment that maintains a temperature below the freezing point of water.
- Refrigerators exist in many places of employment for the use of the employees who bring their meals to work. The refrigerators that are used in these multi-person environments are standard refrigerators that generally include multiple shelves, a few drawers, a door with shelving and a freezer with one or more shelves. This standard refrigerator design is widely used throughout the world in, to name a few, homes, schools and places of employment.
- The design and function of the standard refrigerator has been improved in various ways over the years; however, there is not a refrigerator that specifically exists for exclusive use by multiple individuals in a multi-person office environment. Because the conventional refrigerator storage space is communal, items may be mistakenly or intentionally taken or misplaced which can cause distrust or unrest among those sharing the storage space. In addition, there is a considerable amount of food waste that occurs due to individuals forgetting that they have place food items in the fridge.
- It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator that eliminates the possibility of conflict or animosity in an office caused by one person misplacing or disturbing another person's food items by providing compartmentalized and personalized storage drawers that secure individuals' items against misuse, and to reduce instances of wasted food by having drawers that notify a person when they have forgot they have food in a drawer.
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FIG. 1 is a perspective view of the present invention with the refrigerator door and the freezer drawer closed. -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the present invention with the refrigerator door, the freezer drawer and one of the plurality of refrigerator drawers open. -
FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the present invention without the refrigerator door, the freezer drawer and the refrigerator drawers. -
FIG. 4 is a side cross-sectional view of the present invention without the refrigerator door and with only one of the refrigerator drawers, with the refrigerator drawer and the freezer drawer opened. -
FIG. 5 is a perspective view of one of the refrigerator drawers. -
FIG. 6 is a block diagram of the electrical connections between the refrigerator chipset and other electronic components in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 7 is a block diagram of the electrical connections between the drawer chipset and the other electronic components in the preferred embodiment of the present invention. -
FIG. 8 is a block diagram of the electrical connections between the refrigerator chipset and other electronic components in an alternate embodiment of the present invention. - All illustrations of the drawings are for the purpose of describing selected versions of the present invention and are not intended to limit the scope of the present invention.
- The present invention is a refrigerator with a number of individually controlled locking drawers and a communal shelf in the
refrigerator compartment 1, and afreezer compartment 4. The present invention is similar in size to a typical refrigerator, but may be larger or smaller. - Referring to
FIGS. 1 , 2, 3, 4, and 6, the present invention generally comprises arefrigerator compartment 1, arefrigerator door 2, a plurality ofhinges 3, afreezer compartment 4, afreezer drawer 5, aback enclosure 6, adrawers section 7, a plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8, astorage shelf 9, a plurality of cooling tubes, arefrigerator temperature sensor 11, afreezer temperature sensor 12, arefrigerator power source 13, arefrigerator chipset 14, and anetwork connection device 15. - As can be seen in
FIGS. 2-4 , therefrigerator compartment 1 is a rectangular cuboid with one open face in a manner typical of refrigerators and is the primary storage space of the present invention. Therefrigerator compartment 1 is positioned within theback enclosure 6. Therefrigerator compartment 1 is cooled to a typical refrigerator temperature, approximately 35 to 40 degrees Fahrenheit, and therefrigerator compartment 1 comprises insulating materials that impede heat transfer between the inside of therefrigerator compartment 1 and the outside environment. The refrigerator's dimensions can be described in a manner common to refrigerators. The horizontal direction normal to the open face of therefrigerator compartment 1 is hereinafter known as depth. The vertical direction parallel to the force due to gravity is hereinafter known as height, and the horizontal direction perpendicular to both the depth and the height is hereinafter known as width. - The
refrigerator door 2 is a thick rectangular structure that functions to block the entirety of the open face of therefrigerator door 2 to prevent cold air from escaping therefrigerator compartment 1. Therefrigerator door 2 is connected at one extremity of the width ofrefrigerator door 2 to a matching extremity of the width of theback enclosure 6 by the plurality ofhinges 3 adjacent to the open face of therefrigerator compartment 1, about which therefrigerator door 2 rotates to open and close therefrigerator door 2. Therefrigerator door 2 comprises insulating materials that impede heat transfer between the inside of therefrigerator compartment 1 and the outside environment. - The
freezer compartment 4, similarly to therefrigerator compartment 1, is a rectangular cuboid with one open face. Thefreezer compartment 4 has similar dimensions to therefrigerator compartment 1 except for the height. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thefreezer compartment 4 is positioned adjacently below therefrigerator compartment 1, though in alternate embodiments thefreezer compartment 4 may be positioned above or beside therefrigerator compartment 1. Thefreezer compartment 4 is connected within theback enclosure 6. Thefreezer compartment 4 is cooled to a temperature below 32 degrees Fahrenheit, and thefreezer compartment 4 comprises insulating materials that impede heat transfer between the inside of thefreezer compartment 4 and the outside environment. - The
freezer drawer 5 is a box-shaped container that traverses into thefreezer compartment 4 utilizing wheels and wheel tracks or another method in such a way that thefreezer drawer 5 can be drawn out horizontally to access items stored within thefreezer drawer 5. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, thefreezer compartment 4 does not utilize thefreezer drawer 5 to store items within thefreezer compartment 4, but instead comprises a hinged door similar to therefrigerator door 2. - The
back enclosure 6 is the outer covering of the present invention that encloses and supports the majority of the components of the present invention including common components necessary for refrigeration, such as a compressor, condenser, and evaporator, as well as therefrigerator power source 13,refrigerator chipset 14, and thenetwork connection device 15. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, therefrigerator chipset 14 andnetwork connection device 15 are positioned within therefrigerator door 2. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, theback enclosure 6 is perimetrically connected to therefrigerator compartment 1 and thefreezer compartment 4, though in alternate embodiments theback enclosure 6 may have different dimensions or different placements as appropriate. Theback enclosure 6 comprises insulating materials that impede heat transfer between the inside of therefrigerator compartment 1 and thefreezer compartment 4 and the outside environment. - Referring to
FIGS. 3-4 , thedrawers section 7 comprises a plurality ofvertical dividers 71, a plurality ofhorizontal dividers 72, a plurality ofdrawer cubbies 73, and a plurality ofdivider locking interfaces 74. Thedrawers section 7 is a framework of interconnected dividers positioned within therefrigerator compartment 1, the empty space of which between the plurality ofvertical dividers 71 and the plurality ofhorizontal dividers 72 delineates the plurality ofdrawer cubbies 73 that receive the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8. - Referring to
FIGS. 4-5 , each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 is an elongated, box-shaped container that traverses into the depth of the plurality ofdrawer cubbies 73. The plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 is made out of clear plastic similar to existing refrigerator drawers. Each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 is supported by tracks in the molding of the plurality ofvertical dividers 71 such that each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 may be drawn out horizontally to access the contents in a manner common to refrigerator drawers. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, therefrigerator compartment 1 may include, but is not limited to, a range of 20 to 50 of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8, depending on the dimensions of the present invention. The following description of dimensions is not intended to limit the present invention, but rather to demonstrate the spirit of the present invention. Each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 preferably has the dimensions of 6 inches in width, 8 inches in height and 18 inches in depth. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, horizontal rows of drawers may be removed and replaced with a standard refrigerator shelf to adjust the number of drawers and capacity for community items. - The
storage shelf 9 is a flat horizontal surface similar to standard refrigerator shelves. Thestorage shelf 9 traverses the width of therefrigerator compartment 1 and is positioned within therefrigerator compartment 1 between thedrawers section 7 and thefreezer compartment 4, providing a community shelf for storing items that do not belong to any individual person. Thestorage shelf 9 is supported at each lateral extremity by tracks in the side molding of the inside of therefrigerator compartment 1. - In one embodiment of the present invention, the temperature of each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8 is independently controlled by the plurality of cooling tubes. One of the plurality of cooling tubes is positioned within each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8. The plurality of cooling tubes is connected to the main refrigeration system of the present invention. The cooling of each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 by the plurality of cooling tubes is controlled by therefrigerator chipset 14. Therefrigerator chipset 14 controls the temperature and/or mass flow rate or other variables related to the air flow through each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8. In this embodiment, each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 comprises a drawer temperature sensor that is connected to the drawer chipset or therefrigerator chipset 14. Each individual user is able to modify the temperature of their drawer through adigital control interface 26, or through thenetwork connection device 15 by a website interface or a mobile phone or tablet device application. For example, each user is able to send a text message or an email to the refrigerator administrator to inform them that they will be out of town and to throw away or not throw away the contents of the drawer. The refrigerator administrator is a person who has a special account associated with the present invention that has special privileges related to modifying or controlling user accounts or other aspects of the present invention that other users are not provided with. - One method of implementing control of the temperature of each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8 independently of each other by the plurality of cooling tubes is to have the plurality of cooling tubes extending from the back of therefrigerator compartment 1 in a pattern such that one of each of the plurality of cooling tubes is associated with one of the plurality ofdrawer cubbies 73. Each of the plurality of cooling tubes traverses through a hole in the back of one of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 when the said one of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 is in the closed position. Each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 may be lined with insulating material in order to facilitate more precise temperature control of each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 and to reduce heat exchange interference among drawers. If necessary, a second tube may be utilized to allow egress of air from the drawer. - Referring to
FIGS. 6 and 8 , therefrigerator temperature sensor 11 is any previously known apparatus capable of measuring temperature in typical refrigerator temperatures and electronically communicating the temperature to therefrigerator chipset 14. Therefrigerator temperature sensor 11 is positioned within therefrigerator compartment 1. - The
freezer temperature sensor 12 is any previously known apparatus capable of measuring temperature in typical freezer temperatures and electronically communicating the temperature to therefrigerator chipset 14. Thefreezer temperature sensor 12 is positioned within thefreezer compartment 4. - The
refrigerator power source 13 is any source of electrical power that suits the application of the present invention, preferably a dedicated three-pronged power cord designed to plug into a standard 15 amp, 120 volt wall power outlet. Therefrigerator power source 13 is electrically connected to thedigital control interface 26, any typical necessary refrigerator components and any other electronic components which require electrical power in specific embodiments of the present invention. For example, in one embodiment of the present invention, therefrigerator power source 13 is also electrically connected to thehand sanitizer dispenser 25 that is motion sensor operated. In the case that each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 do not comprise adrawer power source 82, therefrigerator power source 13 is also electrically connected to thename placard 88 for each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 that is a digital screen, and other components of each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 that require electrical power, such as theusage frequency display 810 and thespoilage display 812. - The
refrigerator chipset 14 is a component or combination of components of the electronic variety such as, but not limited to, circuit boards, wires, storage devices, and processors necessary to facilitate the translation of electrical input signals into desired effects and electrical output signals in the operation of the system. The chipset receives electrical inputs from various sources, such as, but not limited to, therefrigerator temperature sensor 11, thefreezer temperature sensor 12, thenetwork connection device 15, and thedigital control interface 26, processes the input, and sends electrical output signals to various appropriate electrical components as dictated by the chip set's programming. Therefrigerator chipset 14 either has its own storage device for storing data, or therefrigerator chipset 14 is connected to a separate network storage device or cloud storage device through thenetwork connection device 15. - If the
refrigerator chipset 14 does not receive a signal from ausage sensor 89 of one of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 for an extended period of time, therefrigerator chipset 14 notifies the user and/or refrigerator administrator through thenetwork connection device 15. If therefrigerator chipset 14 detects, through therefrigerator temperature sensor 11 or thefreezer temperature sensor 12, that the temperature of therefrigerator compartment 1 or thefreezer compartment 4 is greater or lower than a set value by a set margin, therefrigerator chipset 14 contacts the refrigerator administrator through thenetwork connection device 15 with a malfunction message. - The
network connection device 15 is an electrical component that allows therefrigerator chipset 14 to communicate with a digital network such as the Internet. Thenetwork connection device 15 may be an ethernet port or a radio transceiver that utilizes well-known wireless radio communication technology to establish and maintain a connection to a wireless local area network, preferably utilizing the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers' 802.11 standards, or another appropriate communication method. Therefrigerator chipset 14 is able to utilize the network connection to communicate with a network in order to send and receive messages and commands from users or the administrator regarding the status of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 or other characteristics. - Referring to
FIGS. 1-2 , therefrigerator door 2 comprises a plurality ofdoor shelves 23, aninside door surface 21 and anoutside door surface 22. Theinside door surface 21 and theoutside door surface 22 are positioned parallel and opposite to each other on therefrigerator door 2. When therefrigerator door 2 is closed, theinside door surface 21 is adjacent to therefrigerator compartment 1 so that the plurality ofdoor shelves 23 is refrigerated when the present invention is in use. The outside surface is on the opposite side of therefrigerator door 2, so that when therefrigerator door 2 is closed the outside surface is exposed to the environment. - The
refrigerator door 2 also comprises arefrigerator door handle 24, thehand sanitizer dispenser 25, and thedigital control interface 26. The plurality ofdoor shelves 23 is positioned on theinside door surface 21 and is for storing condiments, bottles, or other taller or community items. Therefrigerator door handle 24 is a protrusion connected to theoutside door surface 22 opposite the plurality ofhinges 3 for a user to grip in order to open therefrigerator door 2 by rotating therefrigerator door 2 about the plurality ofhinges 3. Thehand sanitizer dispenser 25 is a well-known device that pumps sanitizing solution from a reservoir through an egress tube onto a user's hand. Thehand sanitizer dispenser 25 is positioned on theoutside door surface 22, adjacent to therefrigerator door handle 24. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thehand sanitizer dispenser 25 has a previously known method of replacing or refilling the reservoir of hand sanitizer, such as, but not limited to, a push button release. Thehand sanitizer dispenser 25 may use any desired previously known method or mechanism for dispensing hand sanitizer solution, including, but not limited to, a manual hand pump mechanism or automatic dispensing of hand sanitizer solution triggered by a motion detector. - The
digital control interface 26 is positioned on theoutside door surface 22. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thedigital control interface 26 comprises a liquid crystal display (LCD) touch screen, or any other known technology that facilitates a digital touch screen. Thedigital control interface 26 displays the current status of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8. Thedigital control interface 26 displays available drawers and prompts users to register an available drawer. A user selects an available drawer by touching the drawer on thedigital control interface 26, and then selects their name from a list of all registered users, or enters their name as a new entry. The user is then prompted to enter a password, such as a four-digit numerical password or other combinations of alphanumeric or symbolic characters. Each user also enters contact information, such as, but not limited to, their name, telephone number, and/or e-mail address through thedigital control interface 26, which is stored in therefrigerator chipset 14 or on a separate network database. - Referring to
FIGS. 2 and 4 , thefreezer drawer 5 comprises afreezer drawer shell 56, afreezer door 57 and a freezer drawer handle 58. Thefreezer drawer shell 56 is the box-shaped physical enclosure that holds items and comprises the majority of thefreezer drawer 5. Thefreezer drawer shell 56 is approximately a rectangular cuboid, with one open face at the top for placing items within and retrieving items from thefreezer drawer shell 56. Thefreezer drawer shell 56 is preferably made of clear plastic, or another suitable material. - The
freezer door 57 is a thick rectangular structure connected to thefreezer drawer shell 56 that comprises insulating material to prevent heat exchange from thefreezer compartment 4 to the outside environment when thefreezer drawer 5 is closed. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thefreezer door 57 is opened by applying a linear horizontal force on thefreezer door 57. In an alternate embodiment of the present invention, thefreezer door 57 is opened by rotating thefreezer door 57 about a hinge connection to thefreezer compartment 4 in a manner similar to therefrigerator door 2. - The freezer drawer handle 58 is a protrusion connected to the
freezer door 57 opposite thefreezer drawer shell 56 for a user to grip in order to open thefreezer door 57 and access items inside thefreezer drawer shell 56. - Referring to
FIGS. 2-4 , the geometry of thedrawers section 7 is generally defined by the horizontal rows of drawer cells. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, each row of thedrawers section 7 shelving is independently removable in order to replace the row with a standard refrigerator shelf if additional community storage space is desired, for events such as a potluck, for example. Each row of thedrawers section 7 comprises a T-bar shape, with one flat, horizontal shelf being supported at each lateral extremity by tracks in the inside molding of therefrigerator compartment 1, and the plurality ofvertical dividers 71 hanging vertically from the horizontal shelf at equal spacing from each other. The horizontal shelf portions of the T-bar shapes are the plurality ofhorizontal dividers 72, and the vertical hanging portions are the plurality ofvertical dividers 71. Preferably, each row of thedrawers section 7 has a mechanism to lock the row in place within therefrigerator compartment 1, such as matching eyelets through which a padlock is engaged, or a pin connection interface with the side or back molding of the inside of therefrigerator compartment 1. - Each of the plurality of
drawer cubbies 73 is associated with one of the plurality of divider locking interfaces 74, such that each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 may be independently locked to thedrawers section 7 within one of the plurality ofdrawer cubbies 73. In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of divider locking interfaces 74 comprises adivider eyelet 741. In another embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of divider locking interfaces 74 comprises a pin receiving hole, a latch receiving cavity, or another appropriate interface depending on the type of the plurality of drawer locking interfaces. - Each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8 is removably positioned within one of the plurality ofdrawer cubbies 73. - Referring to
FIGS. 4 , 5 and 7, each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 comprises adrawer shell 84, adrawer chipset 81, adrawer power source 82, adrawer liner 83, anopening 85, a refrigerator drawer handle 86, adrawer locking interface 87, aname placard 88, ausage sensor 89, ausage frequency display 810, aspoilage sensor 811, and aspoilage display 812. Thedrawer shell 84 comprises afirst face 841 and asecond face 842. - The
first face 841 and thesecond face 842 are vertical faces of thedrawer shell 84 positioned opposite theopening 85 from each other. Thefirst face 841 is the face the user sees and interacts with to unlock or open the drawer. When therefrigerator door 2 is closed, thefirst face 841 is positioned between theinside door surface 21 and theopening 85. The refrigerator drawer handle 86 is connected on thefirst face 841 opposite theopening 85. - The
drawer chipset 81 is a component or combination of components of the electronic variety such as, but not limited to, circuit boards, wires, and processors necessary to facilitate the translation of electrical input signals into desired effects and electrical output signals in the operation of the system. Thedrawer chipset 81 receives electrical inputs from and sends electrical outputs to various sources, such as, but not limited to, thedigital control interface 26, theusage sensor 89, theusage frequency display 810, thespoilage sensor 811, thespoilage display 812, a digitally controlled locking mechanism, and thename placard 88 in the case that thename placard 88 is a digital touch screen, as dictated by the chipset's programming. Thedrawer chipset 81 is preferably positioned adjacent to or within thesecond face 842. Thedrawer chipset 81 is electronically connected to therefrigerator chipset 14 by either a previously known wireless radio frequency communication device, or by a wired connection. - In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality of
refrigerator drawers 8 does not comprise adrawer chipset 81, and any comprised electronic components of each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 are electronically connected to and controlled by therefrigerator chipset 14, as can be seen inFIG. 8 . - The
drawer power source 82 may be any electrical power source that is useful and appropriate for providing electrical power to the electronic components of each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8, such as, but not limited to, a battery or multiple batteries, an arrangement of photovoltaic cells, or having the electronic components of each of the plurality of refrigerator electrically connected to therefrigerator power source 13. In one embodiment of the present invention, each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 does not comprise adrawer power source 82, and any comprised electronic components of each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 are electrically connected to therefrigerator power source 13. - The
drawer liner 83 is a disposable liner made of cloth or other materials with absorption and odor neutralizing qualities in order to counteract spills or rotting and/or pungent food. Thedrawer liner 83 is laid on the bottom of each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 opposite theopening 85 in the drawer. - The
drawer shell 84 is the box-shaped physical enclosure that holds items and comprises the majority of each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8. Thedrawer shell 84 is approximately a rectangular cuboid. Thedrawer shell 84 is preferably made of clear plastic, or another suitable material. Theopening 85 is the top face of thedrawer shell 84 that is empty or negative space for placing items within and retrieving items from thedrawer shell 84. In one embodiment of the present invention, thedrawer shell 84 has a pattern of holes or cutouts, preferably approximately ¾ inch holes, on the side walls andsecond face 842 in order to facilitate air flow throughout therefrigerator compartment 1. - In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
drawer locking interface 87 is a pin or latch that is pushed or otherwise moved into contact with one of the plurality ofdivider locking interfaces 74 in order to secure the drawer in place. In another embodiment of the present invention, thedrawer locking interface 87 may also comprise adrawer eyelet 871 which, when the drawer is in the closed position, is concentrically positioned with amatching divider eyelet 741 so that a lock may be inserted through thedrawer eyelet 871 and thedivider eyelet 741 to secure the two eyelets together. Thedrawer locking interface 87 may utilize a number of other previously known locking systems, such as a push-button lock interface 872, a rotary combination lock, a digital lock control system, a key lock system, a fingerprint scanner, a key card reader, a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag reader, or any other suitable mechanism or technology. Where appropriate, such as with a digital locking interface, fingerprint scanner, magnetic card reader, or RFID system, the locking system is electronically connected to and controlled by either thedrawer chipset 81 or therefrigerator chipset 14 and powered by thedrawer power source 82 or therefrigerator power source 13. Multiple locking systems may be incorporated in the same embodiment. - The name placard 88 is a sign positioned on the first side opposite the
opening 85 that announces current ownership of each of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8. The name placard 88 may utilize a number of methods for displaying an assigned user's name, including, but not limited to, a dry-erase board or whiteboard, a digital screen, or another well-known or suitable technology that allows a user's name to be temporarily displayed. In the embodiment where thename placard 88 is a digital screen, the digital screen may be electronically connected to and controlled by thedrawer chipset 81 or therefrigerator chipset 14 and powered by thedrawer power source 82 or therefrigerator power source 13. - The
usage sensor 89 is an electronic component that detects the use of one of the plurality ofrefrigerator drawers 8 by producing an electrical signal when the drawer is opened. In one embodiment of the present invention, theusage sensor 89 is a button at the back of therefrigerator compartment 1 that is depressed by a protrusion on thesecond face 842 opposite theopening 85 when the drawer is closed, and which released upon opening the drawer. In another embodiment of the present invention, theusage sensor 89 is a motion sensor. In another embodiment of the present invention, theusage sensor 89 is a laser distance sensor, or any other sensor useful for recognizing when a drawer has been opened. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, upon detecting that the drawer has been opened, theusage sensor 89 sends a signal to thedrawer chipset 81 or to therefrigerator chipset 14. - In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the
usage frequency display 810 is a light emitting diode (LED) text display that shows the last date and/or time the drawer was opened, or time elapsed sincelast opening 85, utilizing a matrix of LEDs or a matrix of LED segments. Theusage frequency display 810 is controlled by thedrawer chipset 81, if used, or therefrigerator chipset 14, if thedrawer chipset 81 is not included. Theusage frequency display 810 is positioned on thefirst face 841 opposite theopening 85. Theusage frequency display 810 is powered by any suitable power source, including, but not limited to, a battery, thedrawer power source 82, therefrigerator power source 13, a matrix of photovoltaic cells, or another power source. Theusage frequency display 810 is only comprised in embodiments of the present invention that do not include thedigital control interface 26. In embodiments that include thedigital control interface 26, theusage sensor 89 is electronically connected to therefrigerator chipset 14, which stores usage data for each of the plurality of drawers and displays said data on thedigital control interface 26. - The
spoilage sensor 811 detects whether the contents of the drawer have gone bad or begun rotting. Thespoilage sensor 811 may be any suitable, previously known technology that detects spoiled food. In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, thespoilage sensor 811 is a molecularly imprinted polymer (MIP) that may be adhered to the inside of thedrawer shell 84 that may be tailored to selectively detect a particular amine, multiple amines or other substances or characteristics such as, but not limited to, pH or methane concentrations in the drawer. Thespoilage sensor 811 is preferably located on thefirst face 841 opposite the refrigerator drawer handle 86. Thespoilage sensor 811 may be electronically connected to the appropriate chipset in order to facilitate adigital spoilage display 812. - The
spoilage display 812 shows the spoilage status of the contents of the drawer. In one embodiment of the present invention, thespoilage sensor 811 is a sticker or strip with MIP material that changes color depending on the concentration of detected substances in the drawer. For example, agreen spoilage display 812 represents unspoiled drawer contents, yellow represents mild spoilage, and red represents heavy spoilage. In another embodiment of the present invention, thespoilage display 812 is a digital display, such as, but not limited to, an LED matrix or screen, or liquid crystal display (LCD) screen that receives a signal from the appropriate chipset upon receipt of a spoilage signal from thespoilage sensor 811 and displays a message such as “Spoiled” or “Rotten”. - Although the invention has been explained in relation to its preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that many other possible modifications and variations can be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as hereinafter claimed.
Claims (20)
1. A refrigerator with individualized locking drawers comprises,
a refrigerator compartment;
a refrigerator door;
a plurality of hinges;
a freezer compartment;
a freezer drawer;
a back enclosure;
a drawers section;
a plurality of refrigerator drawers;
a storage shelf;
a refrigerator temperature sensor;
a freezer temperature sensor;
a refrigerator chipset;
a network connection device;
the refrigerator door comprises an inside door surface, an outside door surface, a plurality of door shelves, a refrigerator door handle, a hand sanitizer dispenser, and a digital control interface;
the drawers section comprises a plurality of vertical dividers, a plurality of horizontal dividers, a plurality of drawer cubbies, and a plurality of divider locking interfaces; and
each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers comprises a drawer shell, a drawer chipset, a drawer liner, an opening, a refrigerator drawer handle, a drawer locking interface, a name placard, a usage frequency display, a spoilage sensor, and a spoilage display.
2. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers as claimed in claim 1 comprises,
the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment being adjacently positioned to each other within the back enclosure;
the refrigerator compartment being connected within the back enclosure;
the refrigerator door being positioned adjacent to the refrigerator compartment opposite the back enclosure;
the refrigerator door being connected by the plurality of hinges to the back enclosure;
the refrigerator temperature sensor being positioned within the refrigerator compartment; and
the refrigerator chipset and the network connection device being positioned within the back enclosure.
3. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers as claimed in claim 1 comprises,
the freezer drawer comprises a freezer drawer shell, a freezer door and a freezer drawer handle;
the freezer compartment being connected within the back enclosure;
the freezer drawer shell being positioned between the freezer door and the back enclosure;
the freezer door being connected to the freezer drawer shell opposite the back enclosure;
the freezer drawer traversing into the freezer compartment;
the freezer drawer handle being connected to the freezer door opposite the freezer drawer; and
the freezer temperature sensor being positioned within the freezer compartment.
4. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers as claimed in claim 1 comprises,
the drawers section being positioned within the refrigerator compartment;
the plurality of vertical dividers being equally spaced apart from each other;
the plurality of horizontal dividers being equally spaced apart from each other;
the plurality of vertical dividers perpendicularly intersecting the plurality of horizontal dividers;
the plurality of drawer cubbies being delineated by the plurality of vertical dividers and the plurality of horizontal dividers;
the plurality of refrigerator drawers traversing into the plurality of drawer cubbies; and
the storage shelf being positioned within the refrigerator compartment between the drawers section and the freezer compartment.
5. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers as claimed in claim 1 comprises,
the inside door surface being positioned parallel and opposite to the outside door surface;
the plurality of door shelves being positioned on the inside door surface;
the refrigerator door handle being connected to the outside door surface opposite the plurality of hinges; and
the hand sanitizer dispenser and the digital control interface being positioned on the outside door surface.
6. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 1 comprises,
the opening being positioned adjacent to the drawer shell;
the drawer shell comprises a first face and a second face;
the first face and the second face being oriented parallel to each other;
the first face and the second face being oppositely positioned from each other;
the second face being positioned between the first face and the back enclosure;
the second face and the opening of each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers traversing into each of the plurality of cubbies;
the opening being perpendicularly positioned between the first face and the second face;
the drawer liner being positioned opposite the opening;
the refrigerator drawer handle, the name placard, the usage frequency display, and the spoilage display being positioned on the first face opposite the opening; and
the spoilage sensor being positioned on the first face adjacent to the opening.
7. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 1 comprises,
the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected to the digital control interface, the network connection device, the refrigerator temperature sensor, and the freezer temperature sensor.
8. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 1 comprises,
the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected to the drawer chipset for each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers.
9. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 1 comprises,
the drawer chipset being electronically connected to the name placard, the drawer locking interface, the usage sensor, the usage frequency display, the spoilage sensor, and the spoilage display.
10. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 1 comprises,
the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected to the name placard, the drawer locking interface, the usage sensor, the usage frequency display, the spoilage sensor, and the spoilage display for each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers.
11. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 1 comprises,
the plurality of divider locking interfaces being engaged with the drawer locking interface for each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers.
12. A refrigerator with individualized locking drawers comprises,
a refrigerator compartment;
a refrigerator door;
a plurality of hinges;
a freezer compartment;
a freezer drawer;
a back enclosure;
a drawers section;
a plurality of refrigerator drawers;
a storage shelf;
a refrigerator temperature sensor;
a freezer temperature sensor;
a refrigerator chipset;
a network connection device;
the refrigerator door comprises an inside door surface, an outside door surface, a plurality of door shelves, a refrigerator door handle, a hand sanitizer dispenser, and a digital control interface;
the drawers section comprises a plurality of vertical dividers, a plurality of horizontal dividers, a plurality of drawer cubbies, and a plurality of divider locking interfaces;
each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers comprises a drawer shell, a drawer chipset, a drawer liner, an opening, a refrigerator drawer handle, a drawer locking interface, a name placard, a usage frequency display, a spoilage sensor, and a spoilage display;
the drawers section being positioned within the refrigerator compartment;
the plurality of vertical dividers being equally spaced apart from each other;
the plurality of horizontal dividers being equally spaced apart from each other;
the plurality of vertical dividers perpendicularly intersecting the plurality of horizontal dividers;
the plurality of drawer cubbies being delineated by the plurality of vertical dividers and the plurality of horizontal dividers;
the plurality of refrigerator drawers traversing into the plurality of drawer cubbies;
the opening being positioned adjacent to the drawer shell;
the drawer shell comprises a first face and a second face;
the first face and the second face being oriented parallel to each other;
the first face and the second face being oppositely positioned from each other;
the second face being positioned between the first face and the back enclosure;
the second face and the opening of each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers traversing into each of the plurality of cubbies;
the opening being perpendicularly positioned between the first face and the second face;
the drawer liner being positioned opposite the opening;
the refrigerator drawer handle, the name placard, the usage frequency display, and the spoilage display being positioned on the first face opposite the opening;
the spoilage sensor being positioned on the first face adjacent to the opening;
the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected to the digital control interface, the network connection device, the refrigerator temperature sensor, and the freezer temperature sensor; and
the plurality of divider locking interfaces being engaged with the drawer locking interface for each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers.
13. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers as claimed in claim 12 comprises,
the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment being adjacently positioned to each other within the back enclosure;
the refrigerator compartment being connected within the back enclosure;
the refrigerator door being positioned adjacent to the refrigerator compartment opposite the back enclosure;
the refrigerator door being connected by the plurality of hinges to the back enclosure;
the refrigerator temperature sensor being positioned within the refrigerator compartment;
the refrigerator chipset and the network connection device being positioned within the back enclosure;
the freezer drawer comprises a freezer drawer shell, a freezer door and a freezer drawer handle;
the freezer compartment being connected within the back enclosure;
the freezer drawer shell being positioned between the freezer door and the back enclosure;
the freezer door being connected to the freezer drawer shell opposite the back enclosure;
the freezer drawer traversing into the freezer compartment;
the freezer drawer handle being connected to the freezer door opposite the freezer drawer;
the freezer temperature sensor being positioned within the freezer compartment;
the inside door surface being positioned parallel and opposite to the outside door surface;
the plurality of door shelves being positioned on the inside door surface;
the refrigerator door handle being connected to the outside door surface opposite the plurality of hinges;
the hand sanitizer dispenser and the digital control interface being positioned on the outside door surface; and
the storage shelf being positioned within the refrigerator compartment between the drawers section and the freezer compartment.
14. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 12 comprises,
the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected to the drawer chipset for each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers.
15. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 12 comprises,
the drawer chipset being electronically connected to the name placard, the drawer locking interface, the usage sensor, the usage frequency display, the spoilage sensor, and the spoilage display.
16. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 12 comprises,
the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected to the name placard, the drawer locking interface, the usage sensor, the usage frequency display, the spoilage sensor, and the spoilage display for each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers.
17. A refrigerator with individualized locking drawers comprises,
a refrigerator compartment;
a refrigerator door;
a plurality of hinges;
a freezer compartment;
a freezer drawer;
a back enclosure;
a drawers section;
a plurality of refrigerator drawers;
a storage shelf;
a refrigerator temperature sensor;
a freezer temperature sensor;
a refrigerator chipset;
a network connection device;
the refrigerator door comprises an inside door surface, an outside door surface, a plurality of door shelves, a refrigerator door handle, a hand sanitizer dispenser, and a digital control interface;
the drawers section comprises a plurality of vertical dividers, a plurality of horizontal dividers, a plurality of drawer cubbies, and a plurality of divider locking interfaces;
each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers comprises a drawer shell, a drawer chipset, a drawer liner, an opening, a refrigerator drawer handle, a drawer locking interface, a name placard, a usage frequency display, a spoilage sensor, and a spoilage display;
the refrigerator compartment and the freezer compartment being adjacently positioned to each other within the back enclosure;
the refrigerator compartment being connected within the back enclosure;
the refrigerator door being positioned adjacent to the refrigerator compartment opposite the back enclosure;
the refrigerator door being connected by the plurality of hinges to the back enclosure;
the refrigerator temperature sensor being positioned within the refrigerator compartment;
the refrigerator chipset and the network connection device being positioned within the back enclosure;
the freezer drawer comprises a freezer drawer shell, a freezer door and a freezer drawer handle;
the freezer compartment being connected within the back enclosure;
the freezer drawer shell being positioned between the freezer door and the back enclosure;
the freezer door being connected to the freezer drawer shell opposite the back enclosure;
the freezer drawer traversing into the freezer compartment;
the freezer drawer handle being connected to the freezer door opposite the freezer drawer;
the freezer temperature sensor being positioned within the freezer compartment;
the drawers section being positioned within the refrigerator compartment;
the plurality of vertical dividers being equally spaced apart from each other;
the plurality of horizontal dividers being equally spaced apart from each other;
the plurality of vertical dividers perpendicularly intersecting the plurality of horizontal dividers;
the plurality of drawer cubbies being delineated by the plurality of vertical dividers and the plurality of horizontal dividers;
the plurality of refrigerator drawers traversing into the plurality of drawer cubbies;
the storage shelf being positioned within the refrigerator compartment between the drawers section and the freezer compartment;
the inside door surface being positioned parallel and opposite to the outside door surface;
the plurality of door shelves being positioned on the inside door surface;
the refrigerator door handle being connected to the outside door surface opposite the plurality of hinges;
the hand sanitizer dispenser and the digital control interface being positioned on the outside door surface;
the opening being positioned adjacent to the drawer shell;
the drawer shell comprises a first face and a second face;
the first face and the second face being oriented parallel to each other;
the first face and the second face being oppositely positioned from each other;
the second face being positioned between the first face and the back enclosure;
the second face and the opening of each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers traversing into each of the plurality of cubbies;
the opening being perpendicularly positioned between the first face and the second face;
the drawer liner being positioned opposite the opening;
the refrigerator drawer handle, the name placard, the usage frequency display, and the spoilage display being positioned on the first face opposite the opening;
the spoilage sensor being positioned on the first face adjacent to the opening;
the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected to the digital control interface, the network connection device, the refrigerator temperature sensor, and the freezer temperature sensor; and
the plurality of divider locking interfaces being engaged with the drawer locking interface for each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers.
18. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 17 comprises,
the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected to the drawer chipset for each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers.
19. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 17 comprises,
the drawer chipset being electronically connected to the name placard, the drawer locking interface, the usage sensor, the usage frequency display, the spoilage sensor, and the spoilage display.
20. The refrigerator with individualized locking drawers in claim 17 comprises,
the refrigerator chipset being electronically connected to the name placard, the drawer locking interface, the usage sensor, the usage frequency display, the spoilage sensor, and the spoilage display for each of the plurality of refrigerator drawers.
Priority Applications (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US13/658,475 US20130111936A1 (en) | 2011-11-09 | 2012-10-23 | Refrigerator With Individualized Locking Drawers |
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
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US201161557467P | 2011-11-09 | 2011-11-09 | |
US13/658,475 US20130111936A1 (en) | 2011-11-09 | 2012-10-23 | Refrigerator With Individualized Locking Drawers |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
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US20130111936A1 true US20130111936A1 (en) | 2013-05-09 |
Family
ID=48222774
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
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US13/658,475 Abandoned US20130111936A1 (en) | 2011-11-09 | 2012-10-23 | Refrigerator With Individualized Locking Drawers |
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US (1) | US20130111936A1 (en) |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |