US2795474A - Rotating receptacle structure for household refrigerators - Google Patents

Description

June 11, 1957 R. CARBARY ROTATING RECEPTACLE STRUCTURE FOR HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATORS Filed June 5, 1954 INVENTOR.

RICHARD J. CARBARY HIS ATTORNEY ROTATING RECEPTACLE STRUCTURE FOR HOUSEHOLD REFREGERATORS Richard J. Carbary, Syracuse, N. Y., assignor to General Electric Company, a corporation of New York Application June 3, 1954, Serial No. 434,247

3 Claims. (Cl. 312-305) My invention relates to storage receptacles for use in household refrigerators and more particularly to rotatable receptacle structures for such use.

Heretofore rotatable shelves have been provided within household refrigerator cabinets in order to increase the accessability to the contents of the cabinets. Through the rotation of these shelves any portion thereof may be brought to the front of the cabinet to allow the ready removal of stored foodstuffs. However, the vegetable pans or other storage receptacles included in these rotating shelf refrigerators have not ordinarily been provided with a rotatable mount. Because of the dhficulties encountered with the covers of these pans or receptacles, it has heretofore been advantageous to use sliding rather than rotating receptacles, even though the rotating receptacles are much easier to move to an outward accessible position. Specifically with vegetable pans these diflicnlties stem from the fact that the pan must, of course, be uncovered in its outward position if access to its contents is to be had but it must be re-covered when it is returned to its normal position if loss of moisture from the vegetables is to be prevented. For a satisfactory structure both the uncovering and the re-covering of the pan should be accomplished automatically.

Accordingly, it is a primary object of my invention to provide a new and improved rotatable receptacle structure for use in household refrigerators.

it is another object of my invention to provide an improved rotatable receptacle structure for use in household refrigerators, in which the receptacle is automatically uncovered as it is rotated outwardly from its normal position and automatically recovered as it returns to its normal position.

It is a further object of my invention to provide an improved rotatable receptacle structure for use in household refrigerators, in which a storage shelf of the refrigerator is adapted to act as a moisture retaining cover for the receptacle.

My invention also has as its object the provision of an improved rotatable receptacle structure adapted for use in household refrigerators, which is inexpensive to manufacture and assemble within the refrigerator.

In carrying my invention into effect in one preferred form thereof, I provide a rotatable receptacle structure which includes an open-topped receptacle having an arcuate side wall. This open-topped receptacle is mounted within the storage compartment of the refrigerator by suitable means, which preferably include a vertically extending shaft secured to the compartment liner. Above the open-topped receptacle there is mounted a solid shelf. This shelf has a more or less straight front edge and in my preferred embodiment has an arcuate rear and side edge. Further it includes an arcuate flange depending from its bottom surface. In fact in my preferred embodiment this flange comprises a depending rim which runs along the arcuate edge of the shelf. The depending flange extends downwardly, outside of, and below the brim of Patented June H, 1957 the arcuate side wall of the receptacle when the shelf and the receptacle are in their normal positions within the compartment; and due to this overlapping of the top of the receptacle by the flange the shelf acts as a moisture retaining cover for the receptacle. The shelf and its flange or rim, however, do not hinder the rotation of the receptacle to an outward accessible position. Rather the upper edge of the receptacle can move freely within the arcuate flange. The edge merely describes a smaller arc than that of the flange or rim and concentric therewith, and the receptacle can move out from under the shelf as it rotates outwardly and back under the shelf and inside the flange as it rotates inwardly. Thus the result is that the receptacle is automatically uncovered as it is moved outwardly from its normal position within the refrigerator and is automatically re-covered when it is returned to its normal position.

In my preferred embodiment I support the open-topped receptacle by means of a supporting frame which is rotatably mounted on the aforesaid vertical shaft; and in order to rotate the receptacle 1 provide handle means which are attached to the frame. This handle means includes a plate which is positioned in front of the receptacle and which has an inwardly inclined top portion covering the front portion of the receptacle. This plate thus cooperates with the shelf in preventing loss of moisture from the contents of the receptacle when the receptacle is in its normal position within the refrigerator.

The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of my invention are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. My invention itself, however, both as to its organization and mode of operation may be best understood by reference to the following description taken in'conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a fragmentary elevation view, partially in section and partially broken away, of a preferred embodiment of my new and improved rotatable receptacle structure mounted within a refrigerator cabinet; and

Fig. 2 is a horizontal sectional view of the refrigerator cabinet of Fig. 1, partially broken away and looking down on the rotatable receptacle structure.

Referring now to the drawing, I have illustrated therein the lower portion of a refrigerator cabinet which includes an outer metal wall 1 and an inner metal wall or liner 2, the space between thewalls being filled with a suitable heat insulating material 3. The walls are formed to provide a door opening 4 at the front of the cabinet, and the space between the walls in the area of the door is closed by a breaker strip 5 of suitable heat insulating material. The space 6 defined by the liner comprises the food storage compartment of the cabinet and the door opening 4, of course, provides access to that compartment. The openin 4 may be closed by any suitable insulated door, as for example the insulated door 7.

Within the food storage compartment 6 there is mounted a preferred embodiment of my new and improved rotatable receptacle structure. In this preferred embodiment the rotatable receptacle structure is rotatably mounted by means of a threaded shaft 8 which extends vertically upward within the compartment. This shaft 8 may also be used if desired to mount a plurality of rotatable shelves as well as the receptacle structure. For example, in my preferred embodiment the shelf 9 is so mounted.

For mounting the receptacle structure there is positioned around the shaft 8 a collar or hub member 10. This hub is not mounted in threaded engagement with the shaft but rather may be freely rotated therearound. For its vertical or thrust support it rests on a boss 11 that is firmly attached to the refrigerator liner, which boss in my preferred embodiment also serves to mount the shaft 8. In order to provide for free rotation of the hub 10 a nylon washer may be interposed between it and the boss 3 11 and a nylon bushing may be placed between the hub and the shaft 8.

As may be best seen in Fig. 2 the hub 1t} has mounted thereon by any suitable means, as for example by screws (not shown), a plurality of spoke members 12 which radiate outwardly therefrom. These spoke members 12, which rotate with the hub, form a semi-circular frame on which receptacles or pans may be placed. In order to add rigidity to the frame the spoke members 12 are joined together at their outer ends by means of an arcuate frame member 13. This arcuate frame member 13 incidentally is coaxial with the shaft 8 so it will always remain spaced from liner 2. no matter what its position of rotation;

On this supporting frame so formed by members 12 and 13 are positioned a pair of open-topped receptacles or pans 14 and 15. Specifically, the bottom of each of these receptacles rests on the supporting frame. Extending upwardly from its bottom each of the receptaclesin" cludes a straight front wall, an arcuate side wall concentric with the shaft 8 and an inner wall which includes a concave portion allowing clearance for the shaft 8; More specifically the pan 14- includes a front wall 16, an arcuate side wall 17 and an inner wall 18 having a concave portion 19 for shaft clearance. The corresponding walls of the pan 15 are similarly numbered with thesubscript a. As shown in the diagram both of the receptacles 14 and 15 are completely open at their tops so that access may be had to their contents. Further in my preferred embodiment the top edges of the receptacles are slanted downwardly in the front portions thereof. For example in receptacle 14 the arcuate wall 17 and the inner wall 18 slant downwardly at their forward portions to the front wall 16, so that the front wall 16 is somewhat lower than the side and inner walls through their greater extent. The slanted portion 20 of arcuate side wall 17 is clearly shown in Fig. 1.

It will be noted by reference to the diagram that in addition to allowing for shaft clearance the concave portions 19 and 1% also serve to locate the receptacles 14 and 15 in positive positions on the supporting frame. Since they each partially surround the center shaft 8 they provide a reference whereby the receptacles are psitioned at particular predetermined positions on the supporting frame. As will be more fully explained hereinafter this positive positioning is very desirable in order to prevent the receptacles from bending against the novel cover means provided for them.

Due to their positioning on the rotatable frame the receptacles 14 and 15 of course rotate with the frame whenever it is moved. In the diagram the supporting frame.

and the receptacles are shown in their normal positions within the refrigerator, and it will be seen that one receptacle or the other wdl be moved outwardly from this position depending upon the direction in which they are rotated. Moreover if the rotation is continued through 180 from the normal position, both receptacles will be moved to an outward position no matter in which direction the rotation occurred. When either or both of the receptacles are moved to an outward position, access may then be had to their contents through their open tops. Since the receptacles only rest on the supporting frame and are not attached thereto they may, of course, be removed from the refrigerator for cleaning-or other purposes.

But in order for the contents of the receptacles 14 and 15 to retain their moisture, as if for example the receptacles 14 and 15 were used as vegetable pans, means must be provided whereby the recptacles are automatically uncovered as they are moved to an outward position and automatically re-covered as they are moved back to their normal position within the refrigerator. According to my invention I have provided new and improved means for accomplishing this result. Specifically in my preferred embodiment, this means comprises the shelf 9 which is mounted on the-vertical shaft Sabovethe 'receptaclesr It should be understood, however, that the shelf could be mounted by other means as well as by the shaft 8.

For mounting the shelf 9 the shaft 8 has threaded thereon a collar or hearing 21. This collar or hearing is ordinarily locked against rotation by any suitable means, as for example the set screw 22; The frame members 7 23 of the shelf rest on this collar and are freely rotatable with respect to it.

In other words they rotate on the collar as a thrust bearing. In order to prevent tilting of the shelf it is provided with adecorative hub 24 which surrounds the shaft 8 like the bearing 21. The hub 24 is, however, not threaded to the shaft 8 but rather is firmly secured to the shelf and rotates therewith. in fact a nylon bushing may be provided between it and the shaft 8 to aid in the rotation.

The shelf 9 has a more or less straight front edge 25 and an arcuate rear and side edge 26, and in my preferred embodiment it may be rotated outwardly from the normal position shown in order to provide access to any articles stored thereon. But in accordance with my invention, this shelf as Well as serving as a means for storing articles also acts as a moisture retaining cover for the rotatable receptacle 14 and 15. Merely positioning the shelf above the receptacles-would, however, not provide a sutficient moisture trap to prevent the contents of the receptacles from losing their moisture. Therefore, I have provided novel means on the shelf for retaining the moisture within the receptacles. This novel means comprises a depending rib or flange 27 on the shelf which extends downwardly therefrom. This flange 27 extends downwardly, outside of, and below the brims of the arcuate side walls 17 and 17a of the receptacles 14 and 15. In other words, its lower edge lies below and outside of the upper edges of the arcuate side walls of the receptacles. Thus it provides a tortuous path between the receptacles and the rest of the food storage compartment. This acts as an effective means for preventing vapor migration and thus moisture loss from the contents of the receptacles.

In order to allow for the rotation of the receptacles into and out of the food storage compartment, the depending flange of the shelf is itself given an arcuate configuration. Specifically it comprises an are taken on the same center as the arcuate sides 17 and 17a of the receptacle, i. c. it comprises an arc taken around the vertical shaft 8. Therefore, the upper edges of the receptacles can move freely within the depending flange. The edges of the receptacles merely describe smaller arcs than that of the flange and concentric therewith. There can thus be no friction or contact between the receptacles and the shelf or its flange to hinder rotation. The positive reference provided by the concave portions 19 and 19a of the receptacles, of course, insures that the receptacles are properly positioned on the supporting frame to effect this result. It will be noted that in my preferred embodiment the flange 27 comprises a depending rim formed on the arcuate edge of the shelf. Where a shelf such as the shelf 9 having an arcuate rear and side edge is used, the easiest and cheapest method of providing the moisture retaining flange thereon is to form it, as here shown, as a depending lip running around that arcuate edge.

It will also be noted that in my preferred embodiment the front edge 25 of the shelf 9 lies somewhat rearwardly of the front edges 16 and 16a of the receptacles. Such a configuration is not necessary to my invention but may advantageously be used for various reasons, as if for example it is desired to leave room to mount a door shelf on the inner liner of the door 7. However, with the front edge of the shelf lying inwardly of the front edge of the receptacles, the forward or slanted portions of the receptacles are not covered by the shelf.

In order to cover the forward slanted portions of the receptacles and also in order to provide means for rotating the supporting frame and receptacles, I have provided decorativehandle means which'are securedto the supthey are in their normal positions.

porting frame. Thus as is clearly shown in Fig. 1, I have provided in my preferred embodiment a decorative cover plate 28 which is secured to tte supporting frame by any suitable means, as for example the screws 29. This decorative plate extends across the front of the receptacles completely covering them from view when they are in their normal position. This plate 28 may be embossed or otherwise decorated so as to provide an attractive front for the receptacle structure. Preferably it is also used as a handle for the receptacle structure. A recess or other suitable means may be provided thereon in order to allow the housewife to grip it.

The plate 28, however, in addition to serving as a decorative handle means, also as mentioned above cooperates with the shelf to prevent loss of moisture from the contents of the receptacle. Thus the plate 28 includes an inwardly inclined top portion 30 which covers the slanted front portion of the receptacle. Specifically, the portion 30 of the plate 28 is slanted inwardly to a point below the front edge 25 of the shelf so that it overlies substantially all of the slanted front portions of the receptacles not inclosed by the depending flange 27 of the shelf. The slanted portion 30 of the plate thus joins with the flange 27 in providing an effective means for preventing loss of moisture from the contents of the receptacles.

It will be noted that the ends of the plate 28 are of a curved configuration and that the plate 28 itself is slightly shorter than the front edge of the shelf 9. Thus when the receptacle structure is rotated the plate 28 will move inwardly inside of the flange 27 without binding thereagainst. In other words, the plate 28 is so formed that it too will not hinder rotation of the receptacles.

In summation, it will be seen that I have provided an improved rotatable receptacle structure wherein opentopped receptacles are completely covered in their normal position within the refrigerator so that the moisture of their contents is not allowed to escape. But since the covering shelf remains stationary as the receptacles are rotated, the operation of this structure is such that the receptacles are automatically uncovered as they are moved outwardly from their normal positions within the refrigerator and are automatically re-covered by the shelf when they are returned to their normal positions. Thus the receptacles are always open when in their outward positions in order that access may be had to their contents, but yet are always covered to prevent moisture loss when Due to the arcuate configuration of the depending moisture retaining flange of the shelf, no obstruction whatsoever is offered to the rotation of the receptacles by the moisture retaining means. Further, in my preferred embodiment the moisture retaining plate 28 for the front portion of the receptacles is short enough that it too may rotate within the depending flange of the shelf, and thus it too can offer no hindrance to rotation of the receptacles.

Since a shelf is used as the moisture retaining cover for the receptacles, my new and improved rotatable receptacle structure is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and assemble. Since the shelf will be provided anyway for supporting foodstuffs, the expense of a separate cover is avoided. The only additional expense incident to my structure so far as the shelf is concerned is the provision of the depending flange thereon. Also it will be seen that through my improved structure very inexpensive receptacles can be used. Since the receptacles themselves are not secured in any way to the shaft but rather merely rest on a supporting frame, inexpensive molded plastic receptacles may be used. These molded plastic receptacles are much less expensive to produce than are the rigid metal receptacles commonly used heretofore as vegetable pans.

While in accordance with the patent statutes I have described what at present is considered to be the preferred embodiment of my invention, it will be obvious to those in the art that various changes and modifications may be made therein without departing from the invention, and it is, therefore, aimed in the appended claims to cover all such changes and modifications as fall within the true spirit and scope of my invention.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. In a refrigerator having a food storage compartment, a rotatable receptacle structure comprising a vertically extending shaft mounted in said compartment, a supporting frame rotatably mounted on said shaft, an open-topped receptacle removably supported on said frame to be rotatably supported thereby, said receptacle having an arcuate side wall, a solid shelf mounted on said shaft above said receptacle, said shelf having a straight front edge and an arcuate rear and side edge and including a depending rim along said arcuate edge, said depending rim extending downwardly outside of and below the brim of said arcuate side wall of said receptacle when said shelf and said receptacle are in their normal positions within said compartment, whereby said shelf acts as a moisture retaining cover for said receptacle without hindering rotation of said receptacle to an outer accessible position, and handle means mounted on said frame for turning said frame and said receptacle, said means including a plate positioned in front of said receptacle and having an inwardly inclined top portion covering the front portion of said receptacle thereby to cooperate with said shelf to prevent loss of moisture from the contents of said receptacle.

2. In a refrigerator having a food storage compartment, a rotatable receptacle structure comprising an open-topped receptacle having an arcuate side wall, means rotatably mounting said receptacle within said compartment, a solid shelf mounted in said compartment above said receptacle, said shelf having a straight front edge and an arcuate rear and side edge and including a depending rim along said arcuate edge, said depending rim extending downwardly outside of and below the brim of said arcuate side Wall of said receptacle when said shelf and said receptacle are in their normal positions within said compartment, whereby said shelf acts as a moisture retaining cover for said receptacle without hindering the rotation of said receptacle to an outward accessible position, and handle means mounted on said frame for turning said frame and said receptacle, said means including a plate positioned in front of said receptacle and having an inwardly inclined top portion covering the front portion of said receptacle thereby to cooperate with said shelf to prevent loss of moisture from the contents of said receptacle.

3. In a refrigerator having a food storage compartment, a rotatable receptacle structure comprising an open-topped receptacle having an arcuate side wall, means rotatably mounting said receptacle in said food storage compartment, a solid shelf mounted in said food storage compartment above said receptacle, said shelf having a depending arcuate flange, said depending flange extending downwardly outside of and below the brim of said arcuate side Wall of said receptacle when said shelf and said receptacle are in their normal positions within said compartment, whereby said shellf acts as a moisture retaining cover for said receptacle without hindering the rotation of said receptacle to an outward accessible position, and handle means for turning said receptacle secured to said means mounting said receptacle, said handle means including a plate positioned in front of said receptacle and having an inwardly inclined top portion covering the front portion of said receptacle thereby to cooperate with said shelf to prevent loss of moisture from the contents of said receptacle.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 107,880 Comstock Oct. 4, 1870 2,605,160 Boddy July 29, 1952 2,746,830 Fonda et a1. May 22,

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