TRANSPARENT TOUCH DISPLAYS FOR REFRIGERATOR DRAWERS

• US 20140139088A1
• Filed: 11/21/2012
• Published: 05/22/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 11/21/2012
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: SEELEY, MICHAEL S.
• Application Number:
  US13/683,391
• Publication Number:
  US 20140139088A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/404
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 17/042 Air treating means within refrigerated spaces air conditioning in general F24F
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2317/04131 Control means therefor
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 2400/361 Interactive visual displays
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 25/025 Drawers
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 29/00 Arrangement or mounting of control or safety devices

Abstract

Transparent touch displays for refrigerator drawers are disclosed. An example refrigerator drawer compartment to hold a refrigerator drawer includes a transparent panel forming a portion of the refrigerator drawer compartment, a transparent touch display embedded in the transparent panel to provide a user interface to control a function associated with the refrigerator drawer while allowing viewing of contents of the refrigerator drawer.

Claims

1. A refrigerator drawer compartment to hold a refrigerator drawer, comprising:

a transparent panel forming a portion of the refrigerator drawer compartment; and

a transparent touch display embedded in the transparent panel to provide a user interface to control a function associated with the refrigerator drawer while allowing viewing of contents of the refrigerator drawer.

2. A refrigerator drawer compartment as defined in claim 1, wherein the transparent touch display is to provide on the transparent touch display information associated with the drawer.

3. A refrigerator drawer compartment as defined in claim 2, wherein the information displayed comprises an ethylene level.

4. A refrigerator drawer compartment as defined in claim 2, wherein the information displayed comprises a warning that a temperature in the drawer has exceeded a threshold.

5. A refrigerator drawer compartment as defined in claim 1, wherein the transparent panel comprises a shelf that is to close an open face of the refrigerator drawer when the refrigerator drawer is in a closed position.

6. A refrigerator drawer compartment as defined in claim 1, wherein the function comprises at least one of a temperature or a humidity.

7. A refrigerator comprising:

a refrigerator cabinet;

a refrigerated compartment disposed within the refrigerator cabinet;

a drawer disposed within the refrigerated compartment; and

a transparent touch display forming a portion of the refrigerated compartment to provide a user interface that enables a user to control a function associated with the refrigerator drawer while allowing the user to view contents of the drawer.

8. A refrigerator as defined in claim 7, further comprising a controller operatively connected to the transparent touch display and configured to provide on the transparent touch display information associated with the drawer.

9. A refrigerator as defined in claim 8, wherein the information displayed comprises an ethylene level.

10. A refrigerator as defined in claim 8, wherein the information displayed comprises a warning that a temperature in the drawer has exceeded a threshold.

11. A refrigerator as defined in claim 7, wherein the transparent touch display is embedded in a shelf that is to close an open face of the refrigerator drawer when the refrigerator drawer is in a closed position.

12. A refrigerator as defined in claim 7, wherein the function comprises at least one of a temperature or a humidity.

13. A method comprising presenting on a transparent touch display embedded in a transparent portion of a refrigerator drawer compartment a user interface to enable a user to control a function associated with a refrigerator drawer while allowing viewing of contents of the refrigerator drawer.

14. A method as defined in claim 13, further comprising providing on the transparent touch display information associated with the refrigerator drawer.

15. A refrigerator as defined in claim 14, wherein the information displayed comprises an ethylene level.

16. A refrigerator as defined in claim 14, wherein the information displayed comprises a warning that a temperature in the drawer has exceeded a threshold.

17. A refrigerator drawer comprising:

a transparent panel forming a portion of the refrigerator drawer compartment; and

a transparent touch display embedded in a surface of the refrigerator drawer to provide a user interface to control a function associated with the refrigerator drawer while allowing viewing of contents of the refrigerator drawer.

18. A refrigerator drawer compartment as defined in claim 17, wherein the transparent touch display is to provide on the transparent touch display information associated with the drawer.

19. A refrigerator drawer compartment as defined in claim 18, wherein the information displayed comprises an ethylene level.

20. A refrigerator drawer compartment as defined in claim 18, wherein the information displayed comprises a warning that a temperature in the drawer has exceeded a threshold.