Refrigerator door structure

• US 4,921,315 A
• Filed: 10/18/1988
• Issued: 05/01/1990
• Est. Priority Date: 12/21/1987
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Original Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
• Inventors: Maczuzak, Michael J., Metcalfe, L. D., Deyo, Paul R., Bailey, Curtis J.
• Primary Examiner(s): Falk, Joseph
• Application Number:
  US07/259,330
• Time in Patent Office: 560 Days
• Field of Search: 312/138 A, 312/350, 312/242, 312/247, 312/306, 312/298, 312/321.5
• US Class Current: 312/321.5
• CPC Class Codes: A47B 96/16 Drawers or movable shelves coupled to doors
• CPC Class Codes: F25D 23/04 with special compartments, e.g. butter conditioners

Abstract

A refrigeration apparatus having a plurality of containers removably stored on the inner liner portion of the refrigeration apparatus door. A number of different forms of the containers is disclosed. The containers may be chosen by the user to have different desired heights and capacities commensurate with the user'"'"'s needs. The containers are preferably formed of materials permitting their removal from the refrigerated environment to heating or serving environments, as desired. Releasable locking structure is provided for retaining the containers in association with the door, notwithstanding the normal movement thereof in the ordinary use of the refrigeration apparatus. In one form, shallow containers are utilized as covers.

Claims

1. In a refrigeration apparatus having wall means defining a refrigerated space having an access opening, and a door movably mounted to said wall means for selectively closing said opening in a closed position of the door, said door having an inner portion confronting said storage space in said closed position, the improvement comprising:

a storage container having a removable cover;

housing means; and

mounting means for fixedly associating said housing means with said door inner portion selectively in any one of a plurality of different locations, said housing means defining a front opening pocket for removably receiving and fittedly retaining said storage container on said door in said any one of a plurality of different locations, said housing means defining a generally horizontally opening storage space.

2. The refrigeration apparatus of claim 1 further including means for guiding said storage container generally horizontally into and from said storage space.