MX2008013817A

MX2008013817A - Freezer frost abatement device.

Info

Publication number: MX2008013817A
Application number: MX2008013817A
Authority: MX
Inventors: Thomas H Powers; John W Crump
Original assignee: Multisorb Tech Inc
Priority date: 2006-04-27
Filing date: 2007-04-27
Publication date: 2009-01-26
Also published as: WO2007127961A3; BRPI0710713A2; WO2007127961A2; CN101479543A; RU2008146736A; EP2013555A2; RU2426959C2; EP2013555A4

Abstract

A frost resistant freezer includes a freezer chamber, a door, a cooler, and a desiccant. The freezer chamber has a volume. The door provides access to the freezer chamber. The cooler cools air within the freezer chamber from a first temperature within the chamber immediately following closure of the door to a second, quiescent temperature during a cooling period. The desiccant is disposed within the freezer chamber and is selected to absorb moisture from the freezer chamber at a rate sufficient to reduce the relative humidity within the freezer chamber to a value low enough to prevent the formation of frost within the freezer chamber at the quiescent temperature.

Description

DEVICE FOR ELIMINATION OF FROST IN A REFRIGERATOR REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

[0001] This application claims the priority of the Provisional Patent Application E.U. No. 60 / 795,638, called the Frost Elimination Device in the Refrigerator.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] This invention relates to the reduction of humidity in a closed space. Specifically, the invention relates to a method and an apparatus that considerably reduces the formation of frost on the internal surface of a refrigerator and the contents inside this refrigerator, and the elimination of frost that is formed.

[0003] It is known that the formation of frost in the refrigerator becomes a nuisance over time. As time passes, more and more frost accumulates on the internal surface of the refrigerator and its contents, considerably reducing the usable space inside the refrigerator. In addition, refrigerator frost also has a tendency to cause loss of flavor of food, and can cause discoloration in certain food items. Accordingly, users are given the task of quickly removing frost from the freezer, using techniques such as placing hot items in the refrigerator, crushing the ice with an ice pick, and the like. Once the frost is eliminates, however, the problem is not solved because over time the frost will accumulate again and the process of removing frost must be repeated.

[0004] In addition to the above-mentioned discomfort, the presence of frost in the refrigerator can also have other harmful effects in the refrigerator. Over time, as the frost forms, the openings through which the air enters can be blocked, which causes excessive stress on the compressor and the refrigerator mechanism, in general. This causes excessive energy consumption, deficiencies and potential failures. In case the frost is allowed to accumulate even more, there is a risk that the frost will get into the mechanical components of the refrigerator, and eventually cause failures. In each of these cases, the end result is at least excessive light bills, expensive repairs or replacement of the entire refrigerator.

[0005] The frost of the refrigerator is formed inside the refrigerator in two ways, in general. The first way in which the frost of the refrigerator is formed is caused when the refrigerator is opened. When it opens, humid and relatively hot air from the external environmental flows enters the interior of the refrigerator. Given the drastic difference in temperature between the inside of the refrigerator and the ambient air, the moisture present in the external air quickly condenses and becomes a mist as the air cools. When the refrigerator is closed, the mist does not have Where to go and slowly deposited on any available surface, forming and finally creating a layer of ice or frost.

[0006] The second source of frost formation in the refrigerator is sublimation. Typically, when items are placed in the refrigerator, including ice cubes and the like, moisture can sublimate from these items, and freeze again like frost on other surfaces of the refrigerator or in the contents inside the refrigerator.

[0007] Refrigerator frost is a known problem, and there are currently two standard methods for removing frost from the refrigerator. However, none is particularly efficient.

[0008] The first method to eliminate frost from the refrigerator is the traditional method that includes the elimination of all the contents of the refrigerator, turning off the device and allowing the ice to melt. In this method, the melting of the ice can be facilitated, still further using a heating agent, for example, hot water, an electric frying pan or the like. Of course, this method is not ideal since it requires the elimination of the contents of the refrigerator and repositioning this content so that it does not thaw. In addition, this method also requires a lot of time.

[0009] The other method for removing frost from the refrigerator that is commonly formed in refrigerators known as "frost-free" refrigerators. In the method employed by said refrigerators, the temperature of the refrigerator actually rises for a predetermined time either to melt or sublimate the frost formed in the refrigerator. While this method is somewhat effective, it requires additional complex mechanical components integrated into the refrigerator. This can increase the overall cost of buying and repairing the refrigerator. This method also consumes more energy due to the required heat cycles.

[0010] Based on the foregoing, it is clear that a method and apparatus for eliminating frost formation from the refrigerator is necessary in this technology. This method and this device should require minimal user interaction. There is also a need for a technology consisting of a method and apparatus to eliminate the frost formation of the refrigerator without additional energy consumption and the inherent costs thereof.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0011] This invention focuses on the above-mentioned needs for technology, offering a device for removing frost in the refrigerator and a method for removing frost from the "refrigerator using a desiccant.

[0012] In one aspect of this invention, a frost-resistant refrigerator includes a refrigerator chamber, a door, a cooler and a desiccant. The refrigerator's chamber has a volume. The door gives access to the refrigerator's chamber. The chiller cools the air inside the refrigerator chamber from an initial temperature inside the chamber immediately after the door is closed, to a second stable temperature during the cooling period. The desiccant is discarded inside the refrigerator chamber and selected to absorb moisture from the refrigerator chamber at a sufficient speed to reduce the relative humidity inside the refrigerator chamber to a temperature low enough to essentially prevent the formation of frost inside the refrigerator chamber, at a stable temperature.

[0013] In another aspect of this invention, a method for controlling the formation of frost in a refrigerator that has a refrigerator chamber and a cooler to cool the air inside the refrigerator chamber, at a stable temperature, is responsible for cooling of air inside the refrigerator chamber at a stable temperature, at a relative initial humidity, admitting hot air and humidity inside the refrigerator chamber, and re-cooling the air inside the refrigerator chamber to the stable temperature, to the instead it simultaneously reduces the relative humidity of the air inside the refrigerator chamber.

[0014] These and other features of the invention should be understood with respect to the appended Figures and the following description, wherein the present invention is exemplified and described.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES AND DRAWINGS

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the preferred way of practicing the present invention;

[0016] Figure 2 is a graph showing moisture adsorbed with time for various desiccant materials according to the preferred embodiments of the invention; Y

[0017] Figure 3 is a graph illustrating moisture adsorbed with time for additional desiccant materials according to the further preferred embodiments of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0018] Preferred forms of carrying out the invention will now be described, with reference to the Figures, that accompany it, as necessary.

[0019] As described above in more detail, frost formation in the refrigerators is problematic. As exemplified in Figure 1, a refrigerator 2 generally includes a cavity 4 where food and similar items are stored, and a cooling mechanism 6 in communication with the cavity 4 to lower and maintain the temperature of the cavity of the body. refrigerator 4, at a stable temperature, essentially at freezing or lower temperature. Normally, the cavity is sealed essentially to the outside. However, when the cavity is accessed, for example, by opening a door 8 of the refrigerator 2, the seal breaks and the humid and relatively hot air rushes into the cavity, displacing a portion of the air that previously filled the cavity. This relatively hotter air causes a haze and simultaneously raises the temperature in the cavity 4, of. such that the cooling mechanism 6 must lower the temperature of the cavity when resealing it. To the extent that the temperature of the refrigerator 2 decreases in this way, the relative humidity of the air rises, and if the air becomes saturated, frost forms on the internal surfaces of the articles and / or the articles that are stored. Found inside the refrigerator 2.

[0020] The inventors developed a way to eliminate frost formation in the refrigerator. Specifically, the inventors discovered that, by placing a package of desiccant 10 inside a refrigerator, the moisture inside the refrigerator can be adsorbed and / or absorbed before being deposited as frost. Specifically, the desiccant material preferably maintains the relative humidity in the refrigerator below 100% while the cooling mechanism returns the temperature of the cavity to the stable temperature. A properly selected desiccant can also reduce the relative humidity inside the refrigerator to encourage sublimation of the frost that is already in the refrigerator. refrigerator. Sublimation of ice usually occurs when the refrigerator closes for a short period. Once it is sublimated, the resulting moisture is adsorbed / absorbed by the desiccant composition.

[0021] In a preferred form of carrying out the invention, the desiccant is placed in a package, for example, in a bag or sachet. The package is permeable to moisture, in such a way that the environmental humidity of the refrigerator can pass through the package and be absorbed by the desiccant.

[0022] Preferably, a package of desiccant, according to the present invention, includes an adsorbent, which may be in any number of adsorbents, including, clay, activated clay, silica gel, whose pores may be of. normal or wide size, salt or molecular sieve.

[0023] Tables 1 and 2 show the indices of variation of absorbencies of various compositions, with the passage of time, as proved by the inventors. In Table 1, formula 1 is clay, 1 (A) and 1 (B) designate two different packages of said formula; Formula 2 is silica gel and 2 (A) and 2 (B) designate two different packages of said formula; Formula 3 is Transorb®; 3 (A) and 3 (B) designate two different packages of said formula; and formula 4 is a molecular sieve; 4 (A) and 4 (B) designate two different packages of said formula. Table 2 is used to exemplify a fifth formula consisting of a wide-pored silica gel of 16 units. 5 (A) in said table is that fifth formula, while 5 (B) is a silica gel of 16 units, provided for comparison.

[0024] In these tests a refrigerator with standard main unit with an average temperature of 0 ° F was used. The external environment had an average temperature of 77 ° F or 50% relative humidity. For each of the tests exemplified, the desiccants were initially weighed and placed in the refrigerator. They were then weighed periodically to determine the amount of moisture that had been adsorbed by the desiccant. On the "days when the weight was made", for example, on the days when the desiccant packages were weighed, the refrigerator door opened eight times, for three seconds each time. On alternate days, when the weight was not taken, the door opened three times, three seconds each time. The inventors calculated that approximately 500 mg of moisture was introduced each time the refrigerator was opened.

Table 1: Absorption capacities of desiccant formulas Time Weight of the formula (g) transeur urrido) (days) 1 (A) 1 (B) 2 (A) 2 (B) 3 (A) 3 (B) 4 (A) 4 (B) 0 548.11 544.32 459.66 461.36 205.3 205.7 480.02 476.31 3 556.21 548.73 467.9 470.22 207.99 208.59 494.78 485.38 5 561.55 553.14 472.27 475.04 209.25 209.77 501.25 491.58 7 566.09 557.14 476.55 477.'73 211.09 211.07 507.47 497.53 10 573.05 563.21 484.72 481.08 213.46 212.84 516.33 507.84 12 577.37 566.92 490.02 483.75 215. 7 214 521.49 512 14 580.08 569.92 492.65 485.92 217.24 214.81 525.74 517.14 17 585.98 577.12 499.62 490.54 221.29 216.99 534.29 525.44 19 587.83 579.02 500.6 491.82 222.3200 217.53 534.68 528.24 21 591.51 582.88 504.68 494.69 223.76 218.49 541.27 532.39 16 597.66 590.35 513.77 503.4 226.96 220.64 549.15 538.72 18 599.67 593.73 517.73 506.24 227.38 222.23 552.79 543.48 31 604 598.42 521.26 510.99 229.05 224.11 557.08 548.07 33 606.61 601.33 524.95 513.97 231.02 224.66 559.99 552.26 35 610.34 603.43 527.42 517.36 231.8 225.51 561.47 556.33 38 614.37 608.98 532.2 523.39 235.13 227.27 567.86 561.7 40 615.37 613.11 534.6 526.61 236.3 227.83 569.74 564.47 42 618.14 616.54 537.33 529.7 236.68 228.29 571.11 566.34 47 623.27 621.64 542.82 536.53 238.22 231.42 573.03 569.58 49 625.52 624.45 545.92 539.22 239.54 232.38 573.77 570.48 52 630.33 626.6 549: 78 543.55 240.56 233.91 574.88 572.04 56 635.35 632.14 552.84 548.79 242.22 235.72 575.27 572.77 61 641.98 635.97 558.92 555.06 244.01 238.02 575.96 573.73 63 643.53 638.21 .560.29 557.26 245.62 239.26 575.95 573.83 66 645.72 641.17 563.29 561 247.59 240.85 576.19 574.1 68 647.64 643.77 565.03 563.52 248.67 242.09 576.35 574.35 70 '649.49 645.54 567 566.1 249.58 243.26 576 574.51 73 652.5 648 569.3 569.9 252.7 245 576.8 574.9 77 655.48 652 572.54 575.53 257.49 247.25 575.85 574.84 80 657.11 654.37 574.78 578.29 260.4 248.59 575.58 574.87 82 658.69 656.29 576.47 580.62 262.84 249.7 575.62 574.82 84 659.76 657.87 578.28 582.5 26 .98 250.64 575.62 574.79 87 661.33 659.69 580.53 585.37 268.4 252.24 575.58 574.87 89 662.07 660.58 582.86 587.19 270.98 253.39 575.7 574.9 91 663.36 661.43 584.94 589.11 273.2 254.5 575.52 574.98 94 664.23 662.34 587.19 590.76 275.87 255.76 575.47 574.67 96 665.12 663.26 588.98 592.17 278.13 256.88 575.43 574.73 101 666.6 664.68 591.78 595.04 282.44 259.01 575.36 574.63 103 667.52 665.19 593.11 596.37 284.48 260.02 575.51 574.67 108 668.9 666.36 595.38 598.87 289.23 262.48 575.56 574.77 110 669.69 666.71 596.24 599.76 291.41 263.6 575.35 574.77 112 670.47 667.41 597.9 601.3 293.81 264.62 575.35 574.77 115 670.68 667.65 598.5 601.78 295.94 265.81 575.35 574.77 117 671.21 668.1 599.43 602.49 298.22 266.92 575.35 574.77 119 676.6 668.4 600.09 603.09 300.15 267.8 575.35 574.77 131 672.71 669.73 602.21 605.03 311.47 273.24 575.35 574.77 136. 673.97 670.38 602.86 | 605.51 314.8 274.92 575.35 574.77 138 674.27 670.61 603.01 605.71 316.65 275.86 575.35 574.77 140 674.62 670.91 603.32 605.87 318.16 276.68 575.35 574.77 143 675.02 671.15 603.14 605.01 320.33 278.16 575.35 574.77 145 675.21 671.39 603.29 606.17 321.49 279.14 575.35 574.77 147 673.35 671.55 603.45 606.47. 323.27 280.09 575.35 574.77 167 673.35 671.55 603.45 606.47 324.04 281.69 575.35 574.77 193 673. 5 675.99 603.45 606.47 324.04 281.69 575.35 574.77 218 673.35 677.21 603.45 606.47 324.04 281.69 575.35 574.77 249 674.09 678.03 598.63 603.61 362.13 339.87 575.35 574.77 Table 2: Absorption capacities of the wide-pored molecular sieve Elapsed time Weight of the formula (g) (days) 5 (A) 5 (B) 0 458.66 459.48 1 462.07 464.52 4 469.23 473.78 8 503.24 527.12 29 505: 19 530.57 34 511.15 541.5 41 517.05 551.84 48 523.51 563.1 55 528.07 570.66 62 532.92 578.29 69 538.32 586.26 76 542.61 593.03 83 546.4 598.1 90 550.06 603.4 97 555.95 607.86 110 562.08 612.96 117 564.71 614.17 131 569.43 614.92 145. 575.12 614.58 152 578.21 614.37 ¡161 580.94 61 .22 166 582.17 613.75? 73 584.45 613.29 180 587.11 613.17 187 589.43 612.57 191 592.74 612.52 205 594.91 612.74

[0025] Figure 1 is a graphic representation of the data contemplated in Table 1, and Figure 2 is a graphic representation of the data contemplated in the Table 2. In Figure 1, the graph for each of the Formulas 1 to 4 are averages of the samples (A) and (B) of the respective formula.

[0026] As exemplified in Tables 1 and 2, and in Figures 1 and 2, the vermiculite gel appears to be the most effective for adsorbing moisture under the conditions of the refrigerator (eg, between approximately 9 ° F and - 5 ° F). In addition, the gel with vermiculite lasted longer, for example, continued adsorbing moisture for longer. Among the wide-pore and normal pore silica gel, those with normal pore appear to have greater adsorption, at least, in the 77-day test period, represented in Table and Figure 2.

[0027] Table 3 is similar to Table 2, but exemplifies the absorption of moisture by a sixth formula consisting of a wide pore silica gel of 8 units in potassium chloride. This formula is represented by 6 (A) in Table 2, while 6 (B) represents a silica gel of 8 units, provided for comparison. Table 3: Absorption capacities of the wide-pored molecular sieve Elapsed time Weight of the formula (g) (days) 6 (A) 6 (B) 0 379.09 379.77 2 384.58 385.29 4 389.1 390.83 7 394.03 398.06 10 396.35 402.36 12 396.35 402.36 17 399.47 407.02 19 420.99 408.15 26 426.85 410.52, 30 426.91 420.37 37 454.36 427.53 51 470.25 437.38 65 486.91 447.96 72 492.73 451.91 81 499.26 456.93 86 501.37 459.57 93 502.84 463.49 100 504.3 466.84 107 503.69 470.14 119 504.91 475.64 133 504.82 480.56

[0028] Other formulations for eliminating frost formation in the refrigerator can also be used according to the present invention. Such alternative formulas may include humectant salts, for example, calcium chloride. The adsorbent can be mixed or impregnated with said salt. The stabilizers, such as cellulose and vermiculite materials, can also be added to the adsorbent material, according to the way in which the invention is put into practice. Said stabilizers will keep any excess material that could have become a stable solution. Each and every combination of salt and stabilizers can be used.

[0029] Additional additives may also be used to achieve varied results. For example, resins and binders can be added to allow easy molding, casting or material formation in a new form. Absorbers that emit aromas or absorb odor can also be used. In addition, if the environment must be controlled, oxygen senders or absorbers can also be added or carbon dioxide absorbers, and no coating interferes with the effectiveness of the invention.

[0030] The inventors have also tried other formulas, some include multiple additives, as described above. Table 4 contains a list of the formulas tested (including formulas 1-5, described above): Table 4: Desiccant formulas for use in frost removal from the refrigerator Formula Composition 1 Clay 2 Silica gel 3 Transorb (name commercial) (vermiculite and calcium chloride) 4 Molecular sieve 5 Wide pore silica gel 6 Dry potassium chloride 7 Solka-Floc (tradename) 20 FCC calcium chloride, 52% ON 8 Solka-Floc 20 FCC and chloride calcium, 2: 2 9 Wide-pore silica gel and calcium chloride, 2: 1 10 Calcium chloride silica gel in wide-pore silica gel 11 Potassium chloride and silica gel in width, 2: 1 12 Solka -Floc 900 FCC and calcium chloride, 2: 1 13 Extrapolated formula 8, 52% Solka-Floc and 48% calcium chloride 14 Solka-Floc 900 FCC 20% and calcium chloride 80% 15 Solka-Floc 20 FCC 66% and 33% calcium chloride 16 Solka-Floc 900 FCC 33%, 20% calcium chloride, wide pore silica gel 66% 17 Solka-Floc 900 FCC 20%, calcium chloride 20%, silica gel with wide pore 60% 18 Silica gel 80% and calcium chloride 20% 19 Silica gel 80% wide and calcium chloride 20% 20 Potassium Chloride 20% and 80% wide pore silica gel 21 Calcium Chloride 20%, Solka-Floc 20% and 60% silica gel

[0031] Tables 5 and 6 show the results of the tests performed using the formulas set forth in Table 4. Specifically, said tables show an initial weight (in grams) of a desiccant material and the subsequent weights of the same desiccant. Based on these weights, a common feature of the technology could immediately obtain the rate of variation of the absorption of each formula. In each of the examples in Table 5 and 6, a refrigerator with a standard main unit with an average temperature of 0 ° F (between -5 ° F and 9 ° F) was used. The external environment had an average temperature of 77 ° F and 50% relative humidity. On the days when the desiccant package was measured, the refrigerator opened eight times, for three seconds each time. On alternate days when the weight was not taken, the door opened three times, for three ~ seconds each time. The inventors calculate that approximately 500 mg of moisture was introduced each time the refrigerator was opened.

Table 5: Absorption capacities of the desiccant formulas Tiem; Weight of the formula (g) -po (dia) 7 8 9 11 12 14 15 16 0 354.71 266.82 453.34 454.18 93.94 417.68 458.68 480.24 1 269.06 456 456.88 96.23 483.35 2 271.83 458.99 460.17 99.15 3 470.28 479.01 488.03 5 363.03 480.77 489.86 7 365.97 279.76 462.34 467.09 107.93 495.01 504.01 10 514.78 522.04 12 373.05 13 505.77 14 289.63 480.62 473.78 115.95 539.16 548.69 18 378.98 21 298.02 490.43 479.25 122.03 22 540.6 24 592.78 601.06 35 530.65 307.14 498.17 483.89 127.91 38 657.91 653.63 47 317.53 515.36 490.69 134.6 687.91 673.03 547.73 (45?) (45?) 61 558.71 326.45 527.04 495.7 139.84 77 746.13 712.13 589.67 91 776.34 723.42 608.32 117 809.61 760.44 637.89

[0032] As exemplified in the tables, the different formulations will result in varying amounts of moisture adsorption in the same refrigerator. A currently preferred formula for the desiccant is the Formula 19, consisting of 80% wide pore silica gel and 20% calcium chloride.

[0033] Preferably, the desiccants, according to the invention, will continue to adsorb moisture from any point, between about 30 days and 180 days. At the end of the operational life, which can be indicated on the package or the like, the desiccant is discarded and replaced with a new package. The duration of the desiccant is preferably several months, so that the user can easily remember when to replace the desiccant.

[0034] The preferred desiccant will also adsorb, preferably, between about 20% to 50% of its moisture weight, at a relative humidity between about 45% and 55% at a temperature between -5 ° F and 9 ° F. As exemplified in the previous tables, some of the tested formulas fall within this range.

[0035] The components of the desiccant are preferably contained in a package. The material that forms the package must be easily penetrated by the water vapor of the environment. Some suitable materials could be any nonwoven, porous or microporous, semipermeable or permeable material, or other acceptable film. The presently preferred material is a porous nonwoven material, such as TYVEK®. In each of the tests described above, the formula was placed in a TYVEK® bag. As is easily understood, the porosity of the package will influence the adsorption capacity of the desiccant composition. In particular, the moisture will adsorb slower when the pores of the package are relatively smaller than when the pores are relatively larger. If a package is not used, the highest adsorption rate will be obtained.

[0036] The desiccant package of the invention preferably operates at a variety of temperatures from about -20 ° F to about 20 ° F, although the above described packages will also operate at a temperature variation of about -40 ° F. at approximately 30 ° F. The packages are also operable in environments with varying relative humidity ranging from approximately 20% to approximately 99%, but preferably between about 45% and about 55% relative humidity is used. Depending on the formula used for the desiccant material, the package can adsorb moisture from about 30 days to about 270 days. However, the preferred operating life in the desiccant is from about 60 days to about 180 days, preferably. The life of the desiccant will also vary depending on at least the type of adsorbent or mixture used, the materials used, the relative humidity and the temperature.

[0037] In a preferred method of using the desiccant package according to the invention, the user obtains a package: and places the package in the refrigerator. The package keeps the environment free of frost in the refrigerator during the suggested operating life, and it is discarded and replaced at the end of the operating life.

[0038] Various different formulations of the desiccant were previously described. As will be appreciated, different formulas may be used depending on the desired results. For example, a different formula could be useful depending on the desired absorption index or the desired shelf life of the desiccant package. Characteristics such as the equilibrium of the relative humidity of the desiccant, the temperature inside and outside the refrigerator, and the relative humidity inside and outside the refrigerator can all be considerations in designating the effective desiccant package according to the invention. For example, in some cases as the embodiment of the invention is put into practice, it is convenient to use a package of desiccant that keeps the relative humidity inside the refrigerator exactly below 100%, for example, between 90% and 99% relative humidity . In this manner as the embodiment of the invention is put into practice, the desiccant does not adsorb more moisture than necessary to maintain the environment free of frost. Other ways in which the embodiment of the invention is put into practice are also contemplated, and where it is convenient that the relative humidity of the refrigerator is reduced, considerably, for example, between 40% and 50%, to allow a more effective sublimation and / or more fast, as well as the adsorption of water vapor. In addition, as described above, the composition of the package will also have some effect on the characteristics of the desiccant package, in general.

[0039] While the invention has been described up to now to be usable in a refrigerator environment, the invention can also be used in any environment to help combat the formation of condensation or frost on surfaces. For example, the device can also be used in air conditioning ducts, and the like.

[0040] The adsorbent material may be in powder form contained in a pack, or it may have some other form. For example, the material can be formed in a structure, placed in a basket, solid block format by means of a binder, resin or by compression; formed on a sheet by means of a binder, resin or compression, compressed in any form, synthesized in any form, molded in any form, coated with another substance or formed in a corrugated sheet. As will be understood, a desiccant material formed in accordance with any of these methods will not require a package, bag or sachet.

[0041] The inventors also contemplate that a refrigerator could be made with a special receptacle or holder for a package of desiccant. In this way, the desiccant package, according to the invention, can be formed to be placed in the holder or in the receptacle.

[0042] In another alternate manner, as the invention can perform, the desiccant material is formed by a plurality of sheets in a package. Each sheet has preferably on the upper surface the exposed desiccant and the arranged lower surface next to the upper surface of the next package sheet. When the top sheet reaches the end of its useful life, the sheet is removed, revealing the next sheet of the package, in particular, the following desiccant sheets. The removed sheet will preferably be discarded. In this way the invention is put into practice, an identifying agent can also be incorporated, such as an agent that changes color, it can also be incorporated in each sheet to indicate to the user that the exposed sheet has reached the end of its useful life; for example, because the desiccant has become saturated. Also in this manner in practicing the invention, a barrier layer can be provided between the sheets and / or on top of the topsheet, and the barrier layer will be peelable to expose and activate the underlying desiccant. The lower part of the last sheet also preferably has a peelable adhesive or the like for securing the desiccant pack on an internal surface of the refrigerator.

[0043] · The various ways of practicing the invention mentioned above are representative, and are provided as an example. The various ways in which the invention can be put into practice are not intended to limit the scope of the invention. The variations and modifications are apparent based on a reading of the foregoing description, and are included within the scope of the invention. It is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the claims included herein.

Claims

CLAIMS 1. A frost-resistant refrigerator comprising: a refrigerator chamber with a first volume; a door that provides access to the refrigerator's chamber; a cooler for cooling air inside the refrigerator chamber, starting from an initial temperature inside the chamber immediately after the door is closed, to a second stable temperature during the cooling period; and a desnt disposed within the chamber of the refrigerator selected to absorb the moisture from the refrigerator chamber at a rate sufficient to reduce the relative humidity inside the refrigerator chamber to a value low enough to prevent frost formation inside the refrigerator. the camera of the refrigerator at a stable temperature.
2. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 1, where the desnt is selected to keep the relative humidity inside the refrigerator chamber, at a stable temperature close to 100% but below this percentage.
3. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 1 where the desnt is selected to reduce the relative humidity inside the refrigerator to less than 100% during the time it takes the cooler to reduce the temperature inside said refrigerator chamber, to the stable temperature .
4. The frost-resistant refrigerator in Clause 2 where the desnt is selected to reduce the relative humidity inside the refrigerator to the stable temperature, at a value that causes the sublimation of the frost inside the refrigerator to the area where it is produced.
5. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 1 where the desnt is selected in such a way that it has sufficient moisture absorption capacity to allow it to continue to absorb moisture in sufficient quantities to prevent frost formation for a period of at least 60 days .
6. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 1 where the desnt is selected in such a way that it has sufficient moisture absorption capacity to allow it to continue to absorb moisture in sufficient quantities to prevent frost formation for a period of at least 60 days .
7. He; frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 1 where the desnt is selected in such a way that it has sufficient moisture absorption capacity to allow it to continue to absorb moisture in sufficient quantities to prevent the formation of frost for a period of at least 90 days.
8. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 1 where the desnt is selected in such a way that it has sufficient moisture absorption capacity to allow it to continue to absorb moisture in sufficient quantities to prevent frost formation for a period of at least 120 days .
9. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 1 where the desnt is selected in such a way that it has sufficient moisture absorption capacity to allow it to continue to absorb moisture in sufficient quantities to prevent frost formation for a period of at least 180 days .
10. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause one wherein the desnt is selected to absorb between about 20% and about 47% of its moisture weight at a relative humidity between about 45 and about 55% at a temperature between about -5 ° and +? ° F.
11. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 10 where the desnt is selected in such a way as to provide absorption characteristics between approximately 60 and 180 days.
12. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 10 where the desnt contains silica gel.
13. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 11 where the desnt consists of a package of non-woven polyester.
14. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 13 where the desnt consists of approximately 448 g of silica gel.
15. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 14 where the desiccant is selected such that it has the capacity to absorb at least about 125 g of moisture in approximately 234 days.
16. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 1 where the desiccant is characterized by an effective relative humidity of more than 50%.
17. The frost-resistant refrigerator of Clause 1 where the desiccant is characterized by an effective relative humidity of more than 75%.
18. The frost-resistant fridge of Clause 1 where the desiccant is characterized by an effective relative humidity of more than 85%.
19. A method to control the formation of frost in a refrigerator that has a refrigerator chamber and a cooler to cool the air inside the refrigerator chamber to a stable temperature that consists of the steps: cool the air inside the refrigerator chamber at a stable temperature, at a first relative humidity; that admits hot air and humidity in the refrigerator's chamber; and that it re-freshens the air inside the refrigerator chamber at a stable temperature while simultaneously reducing the relative humidity of the air inside the refrigerator chamber.
20. The method of Clause 19 where the step of reducing the relative humidity of the air inside the refrigerator chamber consists of reducing the relative humidity to a level sufficient to allow the formation of frost inside a chamber of the refrigerator.
21. The method of Clause 19 where the step of reducing the relative humidity of the air inside the refrigerator chamber consists in reducing the relative humidity to a sufficient level that promotes sublimation inside the refrigerator chamber.
22. The method of Clause 19 where the step to reduce the relative humidity of the air inside the refrigerator chamber consists of having a desiccant material inside the chamber.