Patent · US Active

Refrigerator with module receiving conduits

US8117865B2 · kind B2 · utility

70Cited by

19References

23Claims

0Family size

Assignee

WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION · US

Inventors

Paul B. Allard · Coloma, US
James W. Kendall · Rantoul, US
Alan S. Lucas · Mount Washington, US
Andrew M. Tenbarge · Three Rivers, US
John J. Vonderhaar · Three Rivers, US
Guolian Wu · Three Rivers, US

Key dates

Filing date	Mar 12, 2009
Grant date	Feb 21, 2012
Priority date	—
Expiry date	Sep 4, 2030

Classification

Technology area (CPC Y)Emerging Cross-Sectional Technologies
CPC primaryY10T29/53
WIPO fieldOther consumer goods
WIPO sectorOther fields

Abstract

A refrigerator includes the ability to mount a variety of modules requiring utilities, such as electricity and fluids, within adjustable locations in the door of the refrigerator. The door includes a conduit extending in at least one direction and including one or more plug-in connectors for allowing a module with a mating connector to be positioned on the door for supplying operating utilities to the module. This allows the purchaser of the refrigerator to add components and accessories to the refrigerator after purchase or select desired features at the time of purchase.

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