EP0505171A2 - Collecteur de condensat - Google Patents

Collecteur de condensat Download PDF

Info

Publication number
EP0505171A2
EP0505171A2 EP92302346A EP92302346A EP0505171A2 EP 0505171 A2 EP0505171 A2 EP 0505171A2 EP 92302346 A EP92302346 A EP 92302346A EP 92302346 A EP92302346 A EP 92302346A EP 0505171 A2 EP0505171 A2 EP 0505171A2
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
condensate
grooves
lid
over
condensate collector
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Granted
Application number
EP92302346A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Other versions
EP0505171B1 (fr
EP0505171A3 (en
Inventor
Swee Hock Yeoh
Andrew Malcolm Mcmullen
Joseph Deans
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd
Original Assignee
Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd
Fisher and Paykel Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd, Fisher and Paykel Ltd filed Critical Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd
Publication of EP0505171A2 publication Critical patent/EP0505171A2/fr
Publication of EP0505171A3 publication Critical patent/EP0505171A3/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP0505171B1 publication Critical patent/EP0505171B1/fr
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical
Expired - Lifetime legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • 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
    • F25D21/00—Defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water
    • F25D21/14—Collecting or removing condensed and defrost water; Drip trays
    • 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
    • F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
    • F25D25/024—Slidable shelves
    • F25D25/025—Drawers
    • 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
    • F25D2321/00—Details or arrangements for defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2321/14—Collecting condense or defrost water; Removing condense or defrost water
    • F25D2321/144—Collecting condense or defrost water; Removing condense or defrost water characterised by the construction of drip water collection pans
    • F25D2321/1441—Collecting condense or defrost water; Removing condense or defrost water characterised by the construction of drip water collection pans inside a refrigerator
    • 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
    • F25D2321/00—Details or arrangements for defrosting; Preventing frosting; Removing condensed or defrost water, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2321/14—Collecting condense or defrost water; Removing condense or defrost water
    • F25D2321/147—Collecting condense or defrost water; Removing condense or defrost water characterised by capillary, wick, adsorbent, or evaporation elements
    • 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
    • F25D2500/00—Problems to be solved
    • F25D2500/02—Geometry problems

Definitions

  • This invention relates to a condensate collector and has been designed particularly though not necessarily solely for use in association with a refrigerator fruit or vegetable bin.
  • Vegetables and fruit are often kept in a lidded food compartment in a refrigerator. As these vegetables and fruit are generally still respiring, the water produced may cause water droplets to condense and form on the cold upper surface of the vegetable bin lid. These droplets are then able to fall back onto the fruit and vegetables thus resulting in rotting and spoilage thereof. This is disadvantageous.
  • the invention consists in a condensate collector comprising a member having a downwardly facing portion disposed substantially horizontally in use and having a plurality of spaced apart, drainable elongate grooves on said downwardly facing portion; the dimensions, spacings and disposition of said grooves being such that condensate collecting on said portion and walls of said grooves tends to migrate to the upwardly disposed bases of said grooves, any accumulation of said condensate being drained in use to a draining area.
  • the invention in a lidded food compartment for use in a refrigerator comprising a container and a lid positionable over said container, said lid having a downwardly facing portion having a plurality of spaced apart, drainable, elongate grooves on said downwardly facing portion; the dimensions, spacings and disposition of said grooves being such that condensate collecting on said portion and walls of said grooves tends to migrate to the upwardly disposed bases of said grooves, any accumulation of said condensate being drained in use to a draining area.
  • the invention in yet a further aspect relates to a method of collecting and removing condensate from a selected area in a refrigerator comprising the step of positioning a lid over a food container in a refrigerator, said lid having a downwardly facing portion and having a plurality of spaced apart, drainable, elongate grooves on said downwardly facing portion wherein the dimensions, spacings and disposition of said grooves are such that condensate collecting on said portion and walls of said grooves tends to migrate to the upwardly disposed bases of said grooves, any accumulation of said condensate being drained in use to a draining area in said refrigerator.
  • the invention relates to a cover of a self supporting material capable of stable location over foodstuffs positioned on a supporting surface or tray, said cover defining an inner face having at least one downwardly open channel formed therein to extend from over a covered foodstuff in use to a lower position from which condensate collected in said channel(s) over the food can run under gravity which is not over the foodstuff, the channel configuration(s) in cross section being shaped and dimensioned to ensure condensate is retained in the channel by water tension yet can run there along under gravity.
  • the invention consists in combination, a tray onto which a foodstuff can be positioned, and a cover positionable over a foodstuff positioned on the tray, said cover being of a self supporting material and being capable of stable location over said tray, said cover defining an inner face having at least one downwardly open channel to extend from over a covered foodstuff on said tray in use to a lower position from which condensate collected in said channel(s) can run under gravity to a position not over said foodstuff, the channel configuration(s) in cross-section being shaped and dimensioned to ensure condensate is retained in the channel(s) by water tension yet can run there along under gravity.
  • the invention relates to a condensate collector.
  • the condensate collector can be used in any situation where condensate is formed and it is desirable to remove the condensate to a selected area.
  • the condensate collector comprises a lid or cover 1 being positionable over a food container (such as a vegetable bin 2) in a refrigerator 24.
  • a food container such as a vegetable bin 2
  • a refrigerator 24 In the embodiment of Fig 5, two vegetable/fruit bins 2 are shown. Of course, a single tray or bin 2 could be provided.
  • the lid or cover 1 is formed from plastics material.
  • the condensate collector has a member 3 defining a downwardly facing portion 4 and is disposed substantially horizontally in use.
  • a shelf 5 is provided in the refrigerator 24 and the lid or cover 1 can be affixed to the shelf 5 via loose hooks 6.
  • Flat portions 7 may be provided at the front edge 20 and side edges 19 of the lid or cover 1. These portions 7 are able to rest on the peripheral edge of the food container 2.
  • the lid or cover 1 is lifted slightly (by about 1mm for example) and this creates a seal, though imperfect, between the vegetable bin 2 and the portions 7 of the lid or cover 1.
  • the lid 1 can be formed so as to be substantially engageable with the vegetable bin 2.
  • the condensate collector has a plurality of spaced apart, drainable elongate grooves or channels 9 on the downwardly facing portion 4 thereof.
  • the grooves 8 are positioned substantially side-by-side.
  • the grooves or channels 9 may be provided in a rectangular pattern or in a circular pattern on the downwardly facing portion 4 of the lid 1.
  • Figs 2 & 3 show one preferred embodiment of the invention wherein the grooves 9 can be formed in plastic by vacuum forming.
  • the grooves 9 have an upwardly disposed base 10 and a pair of side walls 11 extending downwardly from the base 10.
  • the cross sectional width A of the upwardly disposed base 10 is preferably less than the distance B between the proximal ends of the side walls 11.
  • the distance B may for example be in the range between about 1.6mm to about 2.8mm so that a droplet of water is able to be retained in the groove or channel 9 and will not tend to be displaced downwardly by gravity.
  • the distance A may for example be between about 1.5mm and 2.5mm in the embodiment of Fig 2 & 3.
  • the downwardly extending ridges or junctions 12 between adjacent grooves 9 may form part of the downwardly facing portion 4.
  • small droplets of condensate forming on the ridges 12 tend to be drawn into the channels 9 and towards the upwardly disposed bases 10 thereof by water tension. It is desirable to maximise the area of plastic available in the channel 9 so that the condensate will be drawn therein under water tension.
  • the angle C between side walls 11 of adjacent grooves 9 may, for example, be between about 15° to 30°. Preferably, the angle C is about 25°.
  • Fig 4 shows an alternative form of the invention.
  • This shows a plurality of adjacent channels 9 which may be formed in plastic by injection moulding for example.
  • the side walls 11 of the channels 9 are arranged in substantially inverted V-shaped formation.
  • the angle D between the walls 11 of the V-shape may for example be between 15 to 30° and is preferably 25°.
  • the internal apex of the V-shape or upwardly disposed base 10 of the groove 9 may have an extended surface area wherein the extended surface area can comprise a flat surface blended into the walls 11 of the grooves 9 or can comprise a curved surface of substantially semi-circular shape. This facilitates ease of cleaning the channels 9.
  • the junctions 12 may be of radiused or planar shapes as this reduces the risk of physical damage to the thin sections between the channels 9.
  • the depth E of the inverted V-shape may be between about 1mm to about 4mm.
  • the distance F depends on the angle D and depth E chosen.
  • the dimensions, spacings and disposition of the grooves 9 are such that condensate collecting on the downwardly facing portion 4 as well as the walls 11 of the grooves 9 tends to migrate to the upwardly disposed bases 10 of the grooves 9 under water tension.
  • the lid 1 may be constructed such that the tilt of the grooves 3 is a small angle of between about 2-3°. Therefore, any accumulation of condensate in the grooves 9 can be drained in use to a draining area under gravity.
  • the draining area may be formed on a downwardly extending portion of the lid 1.
  • a downwardly extending baffle 13 may be provided which extends transversely to the grooves 9.
  • the length of each groove 9 is longer than the length of the bin 2 from the front face 21 to the rear face 22 thereof (by about 10% for example).
  • the ends of the grooves 9 in the overlapping area 14 extend away from the open area of the bin 2 so droplets do not fall on food located in the bin 2.
  • the side walls 19 of the lid 1 may taper from the overlapping area 14 to the front edge 20 of the lid 1.
  • the front wall 21 of the bin 2 may similarly be longer than the rear wall 22 of the bin 2.
  • a locating member 23 may be provided in the refrigerator 24 to locate the vegetable bin 2 in the designed disposition.
  • the loose hooks 6 hold the lid 1 in the required disposition such that the grooves 9 are provided on a slight tilt towards the rear inside face of the refrigerator 24. Accordingly, condensate forming a result of vegetables or fruit in the bin 2 respiring is collected in the channels 9 and can slowly drain to the draining area 13 where it can evaporate or drain to the back of the refrigerator 24.
  • the lid 1 may normally be provided horizontally and may be manually tilted so as to drain the condensate from the grooves 9 and the lid 1 can then be removed for cleaning.
  • a condensate collector which, surprisingly, can store substantial amounts of condensate formed when, for example, vegetables or fruit contained within a vegetable bin in a refrigerator respire.
  • the condensate collector can be made self-draining which is desirable.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Removal Of Water From Condensation And Defrosting (AREA)
  • Bipolar Transistors (AREA)
  • Superconductors And Manufacturing Methods Therefor (AREA)
  • Apparatus For Radiation Diagnosis (AREA)
  • Solid-Sorbent Or Filter-Aiding Compositions (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
EP92302346A 1991-03-19 1992-03-18 Collecteur de condensat Expired - Lifetime EP0505171B1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
NZ237482 1991-03-19
NZ237482A NZ237482A (en) 1991-03-19 1991-03-19 Condensate collector tray with v-shaped grooves

Publications (3)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP0505171A2 true EP0505171A2 (fr) 1992-09-23
EP0505171A3 EP0505171A3 (en) 1993-01-13
EP0505171B1 EP0505171B1 (fr) 1997-06-04

Family

ID=19923535

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP92302346A Expired - Lifetime EP0505171B1 (fr) 1991-03-19 1992-03-18 Collecteur de condensat

Country Status (6)

Country Link
EP (1) EP0505171B1 (fr)
JP (1) JPH0571856A (fr)
AT (1) ATE154121T1 (fr)
AU (1) AU653790B2 (fr)
DE (1) DE69220117T2 (fr)
NZ (1) NZ237482A (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6173580B1 (en) 1998-04-24 2001-01-16 Max Rosenburg Refrigerator crisper drawer liner for preventing the spoilage of produce stored in a refrigerator drawer
WO2001017368A2 (fr) * 1999-09-03 2001-03-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Compartiment a legumes de refrigerateur
US6883336B2 (en) * 2003-01-13 2005-04-26 Crossd Holdings, LTD Air conditioning condensation drainage system
CN102080917A (zh) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-01 Lg电子株式会社 冰箱和用于冰箱的储存装置
WO2011026726A3 (fr) * 2009-09-02 2011-06-30 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Appareil de froid et contenant encastrable pour ce dernier

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102004063087B4 (de) 2003-12-31 2008-02-14 Lg Electronics Inc. Ablaufkonstruktion für einen Kühlschrank mit einer integrierten Einrichtung
DE102005045325A1 (de) 2005-09-22 2007-03-29 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Auszugkasten für ein Kältegerät
CN102235788B (zh) * 2011-08-11 2013-07-24 山东宏泰电器有限公司 冷柜用冷凝水蒸发装置
CN111174511B (zh) * 2019-11-08 2021-09-21 青岛海尔电冰箱有限公司 直冷冰箱及其接水盘组件

Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2267486A (en) * 1940-09-24 1941-12-23 John B West Hydrator
US2275324A (en) * 1940-03-04 1942-03-03 James G Scott Means for and the method of refrigeration
US2377941A (en) * 1943-03-06 1945-06-12 Admiral Corp Refrigerator
US2670611A (en) * 1949-05-11 1954-03-02 Electrolux Ab Refrigerator having provisions for collecting moisture
US2750759A (en) * 1952-07-30 1956-06-19 Gen Electric Sloping baffle for a refrigerator
US2755158A (en) * 1953-11-25 1956-07-17 Gen Electric Support means for a meat container
DE1006441B (de) * 1956-02-02 1957-04-18 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Vorrichtung zum Auffangen von Kondenswasser, insbesondere Tropfplatte unter Verdampfern von Kaelteanlagen, wie Kuehlschraenken od. dgl.
US3108455A (en) * 1962-05-14 1963-10-29 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerator with meat storage receptacle
US4949847A (en) * 1986-04-07 1990-08-21 Matsushita Refrigeration Company Storage receptacle

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
JPS4915987U (fr) * 1972-04-10 1974-02-09

Patent Citations (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2275324A (en) * 1940-03-04 1942-03-03 James G Scott Means for and the method of refrigeration
US2267486A (en) * 1940-09-24 1941-12-23 John B West Hydrator
US2377941A (en) * 1943-03-06 1945-06-12 Admiral Corp Refrigerator
US2670611A (en) * 1949-05-11 1954-03-02 Electrolux Ab Refrigerator having provisions for collecting moisture
US2750759A (en) * 1952-07-30 1956-06-19 Gen Electric Sloping baffle for a refrigerator
US2755158A (en) * 1953-11-25 1956-07-17 Gen Electric Support means for a meat container
DE1006441B (de) * 1956-02-02 1957-04-18 Bbc Brown Boveri & Cie Vorrichtung zum Auffangen von Kondenswasser, insbesondere Tropfplatte unter Verdampfern von Kaelteanlagen, wie Kuehlschraenken od. dgl.
US3108455A (en) * 1962-05-14 1963-10-29 Gen Motors Corp Refrigerator with meat storage receptacle
US4949847A (en) * 1986-04-07 1990-08-21 Matsushita Refrigeration Company Storage receptacle

Cited By (10)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6367276B1 (en) 1919-09-03 2002-04-09 Lg Electronics Inc. Vegetable compartment in refrigerator
US6173580B1 (en) 1998-04-24 2001-01-16 Max Rosenburg Refrigerator crisper drawer liner for preventing the spoilage of produce stored in a refrigerator drawer
WO2001017368A2 (fr) * 1999-09-03 2001-03-15 Lg Electronics Inc. Compartiment a legumes de refrigerateur
WO2001017368A3 (fr) * 1999-09-03 2001-08-02 Eun Jeong Kim Compartiment a legumes de refrigerateur
US6883336B2 (en) * 2003-01-13 2005-04-26 Crossd Holdings, LTD Air conditioning condensation drainage system
WO2011026726A3 (fr) * 2009-09-02 2011-06-30 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Appareil de froid et contenant encastrable pour ce dernier
CN102498357A (zh) * 2009-09-02 2012-06-13 Bsh博世和西门子家用电器有限公司 致冷器具及其内置容器
CN102498357B (zh) * 2009-09-02 2015-09-09 Bsh家用电器有限公司 致冷器具及其内置容器
CN102080917A (zh) * 2009-11-30 2011-06-01 Lg电子株式会社 冰箱和用于冰箱的储存装置
CN102080917B (zh) * 2009-11-30 2013-05-08 Lg电子株式会社 用于冰箱的储存装置

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
ATE154121T1 (de) 1997-06-15
DE69220117D1 (de) 1997-07-10
DE69220117T2 (de) 1997-09-18
NZ237482A (en) 1995-02-24
EP0505171B1 (fr) 1997-06-04
JPH0571856A (ja) 1993-03-23
EP0505171A3 (en) 1993-01-13
AU653790B2 (en) 1994-10-13
AU1299192A (en) 1992-09-24

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