US2412904A - Refrigerating apparatus - Google Patents

Description

Dtc. 17, R. H MONEY HAL REFRIGERATING APPARATUS original Filed Dec. 1o. 1941 2 sheets-sheet 1 75 25 lia @io/od. i

i INVENTOR. ROLAND H. MONEY AT ORNEV Dec. 17, 1946. R. H. MONEY ETAL REFRIGERATING APPARATUS 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Original Filed Dec. l0, 1941 nwENroR.4

ROLAND H. MGNEV JOHN um;

AT QRNEY lParental n. 17,1946 2,412,904

A UNITED STATES PATENTol-Fica 2,412,904 c maremma APPARATUS Roland H. Money, Mount Healthy, and John W. Craig, Cincinnati, Chio, assignors to The Crosley Corporation, Cincinnati, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Original application December 10, 1941, Serial No. 422,422. Divided and this application February 26, 1944, Serial No. 524.062

1 claims (ci. sz-ss) 4 2 This invention relates to refrigerators, and is with certain parts either omitted or broken away particularly concerned with cabinets and mechato show the underlying structure.

nisms for refrigerators of the household type. Figure 4 is a fragmentary view of the shutter The invention will be described in connection device shown in Figures 2 and 3, with the shutter with an electric refrigerator of the compression- 5 closed and with parts broken away to show the expansion type, but is not limited thereto. underlying structure.

An object of the invention is to provide ahouse- Figure 5 is a fragmentary section taken along hold refrigerator which is simple in design, ecoline 5-5 of Figure 3. nomical to manufacture, convenient and accessi- Figure 6 is a section along line 6-6 of Figure `4. ble to the user, and efficient in operation. 10 Figure 7 is a horizontal section through the Other objects are to provide separate compartrefrigerator and door, showing the breaker strip ments for the storage and preservation of foods l construction and door gasket. not requiring below freezing temperatures, to Figure 8 is a sectional view of the novel door provide substantially independent heat absorbing gasket utilized with the cabinet structure of the means within said compartments, and to promote invention.

high humidity conditions within one of said com- Referring now to Figures 1 to 5, the cabinet I0 partments `for the preservation of foods suscepcomprises a one-piece metallic casing il and an tible to damage by normal dry cold refrigerinner liner l2 also constructed of one piece and ation. preferably made of porcelain covered metal.

Another object is to provide a simple and use- Between the members Il and i2 is provided the ful shelf structure within and upon the inner side usual insulation i3, which may be made of rock A of the door of the refrigerator. In this respect wool or other fibrous silicate. There is provided the invention is an improvement over that dea primary evaporator i4, shelves i5-l9, meat scribed and claimed in the patent to West, Redrawer 20, crisper pan I9a, and door22. A reissue No. 19,008, dated November 21, 1933. frigerating mechanism or operating unit, not

AnotherK object is to provide a shelf or partiillustrated, is disposed at the bottom of the cabition between the aforesaid separateV compartment net to the rear of the vegetable bin 23. Within and to provide perforations therein which can be the evaporator may be horizontally disposed opened or closed at will. shelves Ma, Nb, Mc, one or more of which may A further object is to provide novel sealing be refrigerated, and evaporator doors 14d may means between the shelf or partition dividing the conveniently be provided. The evaporator doors respective refrigerator compartments and the repreferably are mounted on spring hinges Ille to frigerator door, and between the walls surroundkeep them closed and avoid interference with the ing the access opening of the refrigerator and the refrigerator door 22. door. f 35 The door 22 is preferably' recessed somewhat A still further object is to provide shelf conas at 24 after the fashion of the door described structions of simple and convenient design and in the West reissue patent referred to, and proof distinct utility. 1 viding a thickness |3a of insulation `between the This application is a division of our applicainner surface of said recess and the outer shell tion Serial No. 422,422, led December 10, 1941. 40 or covering of the door. t

The novel features that we consider character- Other features shown in Figures 1 and 2 comistic of our invention are set forth inthe appendprise breaker strips 25, strip 26, door shelves 21, ed claims; the invention itself, however, both as -21a, 2lb, 21e, 21d and 21e, retainers 28, door to its organization and method of accomplishgasket 29 and temperature control 30 to which ment together with additional objects and advanmore detailed reference will hereinafter be given. tages thereof will best be understood from the The cabinet is divided by the shelf or partition following description of a specific embodiment I'l,l preferably of glass, into an upper compartwhen read in conjunction with the accompanyment A for storing dry or enclosed foodstuffs and ing drawings, in which: A a lower compartment B for the storage of food- Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cabinet eon- 60 stuffs, such as leafy vegetables, requiring high structed in accordance with the principles of the humidity conditions. If desired` a temperature invention. differential between the two compartments may Figure 2 is a horizontal section taken alongcline VVbe maintained. Qpenings 36 are provided at the 2-2 of Figure 1, with the door closed. rear of said shelf and an adjustable shutter de Figure 3 is an enlarged view similar to Figure 2, 65 vice, hereinafterV to be more fully described, is

i arranged to regulate such openings. `Fast freez- The opposite sides of the shelves are supported by a pair of L-shaped brackets extending about the side and bottom of the evaporator and secured to the top and side wall of ythe cabinet preferably by screws and as shown inour copending application Serial No. 422,422, filed December 10, 1941. The shelves I and I6 rest upon angular lugs,

secured to the respective brackets, and the shelves may if desired, be heldin place by means of studs screwed into the brackets above the shelves, which, in conjunction with depending pins at the front and rear, prevent removal of the shelves.

Heat is absorbed from compartment B by a -secondary evaporator 3I insulated from the wall or liner I2 by a gasket member 3.2. The secondary evaporator may be connected to a secondary condenser (not shown), which in turn may be secured to the primary evaporator in the manner described and claimed in our Patent 2,301,313, dated November 10, 1942. y

In order to increase the rapidity with which heat may be absorbed by evaporator 3|, the same may be secured to, as by a metallic connection, a finned structure 33a, the ns 34 of which may l be formed byy doubling over a metallic sheet 33 as shown in Figure 3. The space 35 between the fins are advantageously used to direct a current of air upwardly or downwardly within the compartment and toward or away from the openings 36 disposed atthe rear of the shelf I1. The direction of the air current will depend on The shutter 31 provides for the ingress and [During such periods,7the shutterpslide may be `-conveniently adjusted to a partial 4or full open position to permit a movement of air between 'i the compartments. Any such movement tends to the temperature and humidity conditions within the compartment B.

It will be noted from an examination of Figures 3 to 5, that the illustrative shelf I1 consists of a glass panel Ila disposed in a frame I1b to the rear of which is provided a strip I1c in which openings 36 are provided. The shelf as a whole therefore may be considered a perforate shelf. Strip I1c may conveniently assume the form of an angle member having a depending portion adapted to be secured to liner I2. A sliding shutter 31 is provided with openings 31a arranged to register with the openings 36, and an upturned handle 31h may extend through a slot in the strip for regulating the extent of the open space between the two compartments. The strip I1c may be provided with a screw 33 on its lower v side and a slot 39 formed in the shutter 31 vper-- mits the sliding movement to take place.`

The secondary evaporator 43I operates at a refrigerating temperature high enough to substantiallyl eliminate frosting in the compartment B. The compartment B maintains a high degree of humidity to conserve the natural food moisture of its contents yet with a temperature sufiiciently low for safe storage. VThese conditionsare ideal for keeping certain classes of foodstuffs, for example, leafy vegetables, salads, fruits, and sliced meats which normally deteriorate when exposed to the dehydrating influence of the dry cold compartment A, a high percentage of the moisture derived from foods stored there being deposited on the evaporator I4 in the form of frost.

cause a partial dehydration of the air in cornpartment B.v The shutter adjustment is likewise of utility in maintaining proper humidity for various kinds of foodstuffs. It is to be noted that when there is a temperature diierential between the two compartments there will be some actual circulation of air therebetween, butwhen the temperature within the compartments is the same the movement of air will be derived from the difference in vapor pressure between thecompartments and will be of small magnitude..

The forward edge of the shelf I1 is provided with a resilient sealing strip. The strip 43, clamped within a groove formed along the edge of the frame |112,V is preferably of rubber for making a sealing union with the door shelf A21c when the door is closed. As shown in Figures 2, 3 and 5, for this purpose the door shelf 21e is conveniently provided with a closed bottom 4I, while the remaining shelves 21a, 21h, 21d and 21e disposed within the compartments A and B have their bottoms apertured as at 42 to permit free circulationof air Within the respective shelves.

The dividing shelf I1 may be made of glass to render the contents of the lower shelves visible from above and to facilitate cleaning. The plate may be marginally supported within the frame I1b upon a flange Ile of thev frame. The frame along its rear edge adjoins the apertured strip I1c, which is rigidly secured to the rearwall of the cabinet, and the side edges of the frame may be supported upon a plurality of studs 43 screwed into the side walls or liner of the cabinet.

Within the compartment B, directly beneath the dividing shelf I1 may be disposed a sliding shelf I8 supported along its opposite side edges within channels I8a secured to the side walls'of the refrigerator compartment. The channel includes at its forward end a lug I8b, engag'eable by a stop Isc in the form of a rod secured to the shelf, the rod having its end bent at right angles to form a stop, see Figure 5. The shelf may be latched in place by a pivoted latch pin i3d engaged against the lug as shown in Figure 5. When this structure is provided and it is desired to withdrawthe shelf, the latch pin is raised in an unlatching position permitting the shelf to be pulled outwardly. The bent portion of rod I3c engaging the lug IIIb ordinarily prevents accidental dislodgement of the shelf from the channels when the shelf is drawn out merely to remove articles therefrom. When it is desired to entirely remove the shelf, the rod Isc is sprung clear of the lug, thus permitting complete removal.

The door shelves 21a, 21h, 21o, 21d and 21e, each constitute a vertical member or rail 60 secured at opposite ends to the door liner or frame, each rail having at least one stiifening flange 6I, the

in erectedposltion, as shown inFigure l, serve as retainers primarily for bottles and the like. 'I'he racks are individually pivoted at their lower ends upon the bottom Il, for instance on lugs 63a struck `out from the bottom member 4| as shown in Figure 5. When not in use, the racks may be folded flat on the bottom of the shelf.

The inner and outer walls of the refrigerator cabinet are preferably of one piece stamped sheet metal construction, suitably finished in enamel or porcelain. In order to prevent the passage of heat from theouter shell or wall Il` to the interior liner I 2 across the -front of the cabinet, the continuity of the walls is interrupted by suitable heat insulating breaker strips 25 marginally framing the food storage compartment.

In order to secure the strips, the respective edges and outer shells are bent toward -each other, and outer wall ll including-a protruding longitudinal rib 65 upon which the doorl of the inner gasket seats. An angle iron or stile 66 is secured, as by welding, in. the corner behind the rib 65 to reinforce the same. i

The door of the refrigerator is adapted completely to overlie the front margin of the cabinet constituting the breaker strips 25, with the door gasket 29 seated upon the exterior frame extensions 65 of the outer wall. as detailed in Figures 7 and 8 The door gasket 29 is preferably of rub- `ber or other resilient material. tubular in cross section and extending around the marginal edge of the door. The tubular configuration lends additional resiliency to the gasket for maintaining a close sealing engagement with the marginal member 65 and molding strip 61. The gasket is secured by means of longitudinal tongue 14 integral therewith, extending within the interior of the door and clamped between the edge of the door liner 15 and a marginal flange 15a bent inwardly from the exterior shell of the door.

The door liner 15 forming the interior panel or face of the door. is of heat insulating material,

composition of the syny is secured by a series of screws 16 through the edge of the liner `engaged in a plurality of mounting plates 11 welded or otherwise secured to the marginal ange 15a. The plates 11 include a `semi-circular corrugation 16 to receive the tongue 14 of the gasket, as shown in Figure 8. The door gasket includes alongits` inner edge a iiap 'liloverlying and concealing the screws 16. In applying the screws, the flap is lifted back for access to the screws. Aftereach screw 16 is secured in place the flap 19 springs back into the position shown in Figures 7 and 8 thus effectively sealing the joint. It will be noted that means 16 not only locks the gasket and seals itin place but also serves to secure the inner liner 15 in its proper place within the door 22. The flap 19 for the door.

The door includes a suitable latching mechanism which may be of any desired construction. Figure 1, the stationary catch element 80 for the latch is mounted over the face of the breaker strip 25, the door having a recess 8l housing a strike to receive and engage the catch element when the door is closed. The catch element 80 is secured preferably by screws to a reinforcing plate 82. concealed beneath the breaker strips and secured to the respective margins of the shells.

A temperature control device is located at the front of the cabinet on a bracket 86 formed also serves as an additional sealv The control device may be of well known conpointer arm having one end struction having a pivotally connected in any desired manner to the temperature regulating apparatus of the riefrigerator system. The pointer is arranged to swing in an arc relative to the bracket 66 which may refrigerator for frosting.

The pointer arm lies directly beneath the sector plate 86 and has its outer end or pointer extended around and hooked over 'the edge of the plate for registry with the indicia thereon.

The'vegetable door 84 is v the bottom so that its upper portion pulls away from the cabinet along the line 81, a hand hold 88 being provided at the front of the door for this Y purpose. In order to provide clearance for the pointer, the top of the vegetable door has a semicircular cut-out sector complementary to the sector plate 86 and slightly larger than the plate to provide a narrow spacing therebetween for accommodating the pointer.` Since the pointer is formed of relatively thin flat metal, the spacing or clearance between the plate86 and the door may .be relativelyminute and inconspicuous for preserving a neat and finished appearance. 'I'he arrangement likewise facilitates manufacture and assembly, sinceit is slot or opening in plate 66 for traversing the pointer. If desired, the pointer may be provided with a lug or finger vhold Since the refrigeratingsystem forms no part of the present deemed necessary to illustrate the same in conjunction with the temperature regulator.

as desired. The top vshelf cessed for holding eggs.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent is:

1. In a refrigerator cabinet having a food storage compartment. the combination comprising a upper section and a heat absorbing unit for the lower section for respectively maintaining relatively low humidity conditions in the upper section and relatively higher humidity conditions in the lower section. a door for said food compartment, the door having a recessed portion interiorly thereof and having a plurality of storage preferablypivoted at not necessary to form a' to facilitate adjustment.-

' through a door, a heat vunit for the lower section,

animos shelves disposed within said recess. one of said door shelves being imperfora a strip disposed along ythe forward edge of said first mentioned horizontalperforate shelf for making a' sealing Vengagement with an edge of said lm perforate `door shelf when the door is closed, `and an adjustable device disposed along the rear edge of the first mentioned horizontal lperforate shelf for closing the perforations thereof.

2. kIn a refrigerator cabinet having a food storage compartment, the combination comprising a horizontal` perforateshelf within the compartment for dividing andlower sections, upper section l lower section for respectively maintaining relatively low humidity conditions inthe upper sec-v tion and relatively higher humidity conditions in the lower section, a door for said food compartment, the door having a recessed portion interiorly thereof and having a plurality of` storage shelves disposed within said recess', one of said door shelves being imperforate, means for permitting the circulation of air between certain other, of said door shelves, a resilient sealing strip disposed along the forward edge of said first mentioned horizontalmperforate shelf for making a sealing engagement with an edge of said imperv forate door shelf whenthe door is closed, and an adjustable device disposed along the rear edge of the first mentioned horizontal perforate shelf for closing the perforations thereof.

3. In a refrigerator cabinet having a food storage compartment, a door for the compartment, a horizontal perforate shelf within the compartment for dividing the same into respective upper and lower sections, both accessible from the front absorbing uniti for the upper section and a secondary heat absorbingy the secondary heat absorbing unit extending across the rear wall of the lower section and being insulated therefrom, said 4unit including a plurality of heat absorbing ns for conducting heat from said lower section and for directing circulating air, an adjustable device disposed along the rear edge of .said shelf above said fins fo!` controlling the openings between the respective sections, and a sealing strip disposed along the front edge for contact against a part of said door when the same is closed.

4. A refrigerator cabinet comprising in combination a food storage compartment divided horizontally by an imperforate partition forming upper and lower compartments, an evaporator in each compartment formaintaining different` conditions therein, a door for said compartments,

, a resilient sealing the same 'into respective upper. a heat absorbing unit for they and a heat absorbing unit for the` 8 an imperforate storage shelf disposed at least partially within said recess, said shelf including a vertical member serving as aretaining meansfor articles placed thereupon, said partition having' a resilient sealing member in its forward edge, oo cooperating with said vertical member when said door is closed, said partition, sealing member and shelf cooperating so that the conditions within each compartment of the cabinet may be maintained substantially independent of the other.

l 5. A vrefrigerator cabinet comprising in combination a food storage compartment, an imperforate partition disposed horizontally within said compartment, and dividing it into 4upper and lower sections, ak refrigerant evaporator within each section for absorbing heat therefrom, a door for` said compartment, a recess in said door, shelves in said recess, an intermediate shelf disposed adjacent said parttion, an imperforate bottom for said shelf, a resilient sealing member disposed between said intermediate shelf and said partition, and cooperating therewith whereby when said door is closed the respective sections may be separated from one another. f

6. A refrigerator cabinet comprising inl combination a fcod storage. compartment, an im-l perforate partition disposed horizontally within said compartment, and dividing it into upper and lower sections, an evaporator within each section, a door for said compartment, a recess in said door, shelves in said recess, an intermediate shelf disposed adj acent said partition, an imperforate bottom for said shelf, a resilient sealing member disposed between said intermediate shelf `and said partition, and cooperating therewith whereby when said door is closed the respective sections may be separated from one another, the other said door being recessed interioriy and having4 shelves having perforate bottoms whereby circulation of air within each separate section including the shelves therein is uninterrupted.

7. A refrigerator cabinet comprising in combination a food storage compartment, an imperforate partition disposed horizontally within said compartment, and Adividing it into upper and lower sections, a refrigerant evaporator for each section for absorbing heat therefrom, a door for said compartment, a recess in said door, shelves in said recess, an intermediate shelf disposed adjacent sad partition, an imperforate bottom for said shelf, a resilient sealing member disposed between said intermediate shelf and said partition,

and cooperating therewith whereby when said door is closed the respective sections may be separated from one another.

ROLAND H. MONEY a @JOHN w. cnam.

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