Air flow system for refrigerator freezer compartment
US5911750A · kind A · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jun 4, 1997 |
| Grant date | Jun 15, 1999 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Jun 4, 2017 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC F)Mechanical Engineering; Lighting; Heating
- CPC primaryF25D2400/04
- WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
An air flow system for the freezer compartment of a refrigerator includes air inlets located at an upper rear portion of the freezer compartment which direct a supply of cooling air forward and against both top and side walls of the compartment. The air then flows along an upper portion of the compartment toward a front thereof where it is re-directed downward and rearward. The bottom wall of the freezer compartment is provided with a plurality of upstanding, laterally spaced ribs upon which food items can be supported. Since the ribs are spaced, numerous channels are formed which extend from the front portion of the compartment to adjacent the rear wall. A gap is preferably created between the rear wall and the ends of the ribs such that air is permitted to flow laterally along a lower rear portion of the compartment. Air outlets or returns are also provided in the lower rear portion of the compartment for recycling of the air. With this arrangement, an effectively distributed and enhanced circulating flow of cooling air is created to efficiently maintain stored food items at a desired temperature.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.