Patent · US Active

Refrigerator with plug-in power supply

US7736179B2 · kind B2 · utility

23Cited by

5References

19Claims

0Family size

Assignee

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION · US

Inventors

Lori A. Cook · Evansville, US
Ronald W. Guess · Evansville, US
Douglas D. Leclear · Benton Harbor, US
Frank W. Maglinger · Evansville, US
Patrick S. Streeter · Evansville, US
Ralph Tate, Jr. · Evansville, US
Andrew M. Tenbarge · Three Rivers, US

Key dates

Filing date	Aug 18, 2008
Grant date	Jun 15, 2010
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Dec 18, 2028

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10S439/929
WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A plug-in power supply for a refrigerator used to charge portable electronic devices includes an auxiliary power supply mounted in an auxiliary power supply compartment, and a removable module, having an electrical connector, mounted in an electrical connector cup. A portable electronic device is charged by placing the device in the connector cup and coupling the device to the electrical connector. Power is then supplied from the auxiliary power supply to the portable electronic device.

Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.