Thermoelectric temperature controlled refrigerator food storage compartment
AssigneeMaytag Corporation
InventorsXiaoyong Fu, Sheldon Wayne Mandel, Robert Stephen Mercille, Alvin V. Miller, William J. Vestal
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A food storage system mounted in a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator includes an enclosure, as well as a food receptacle slidably positioned in the enclosure. A thermoelectric (TE) device is employed to establish a flow of temperature controlled air for establishing a desired temperature in the food receptacle. In accordance with one embodiment, the thermoelectric device is positioned in a chamber defined behind the food receptacle. In another embodiment, the thermoelectric device comprises a module located atop the enclosure.
Claims17
In a refrigerator including a fresh food compartment, a food storage system comprising:
- an enclosure mounted within the fresh food compartment, said enclosure including an open frontal portion;
- a thermoelectric device, mounted to the enclosure, for developing a flow of temperature controlled air;
- and
- a food receptacle including a storage body having a front, bottom, side and rear walls, said food receptacle being slidably mounted for movement relative to the enclosure between a retracted position, wherein the storage body is arranged within the enclosure and the front wall extends across the open frontal portion of the enclosure, and an extended position, wherein the food receptacle is at least partially withdrawn from the enclosure to access the storage body, said food receptacle being adapted to receive the flow of temperature controlled air such that food items placed in the food receptacle are directly subjected to the flow of temperature controlled air entering the food receptacle.
A method of controlling a storage temperature for food items placed in a food receptacle, including a storage body having front, bottom, side and rear walls, slidably supported relative to an enclosure between a retracted position, wherein the storage body is arranged within the enclosure and the front wall extends across an open frontal portion of the enclosure, and an extended position, wherein the food receptacle is at least partially withdrawn from the enclosure to access the storage body, within a fresh food compartment of a refrigerator comprising:
- developing a flow of temperature controlled air by activating a thermoelectric device supported by the enclosure;
- and
- controlling the storage temperature for the food items by directing the flow of temperature controlled air into the food receptacle.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.