Apparatus for cooling and storing produce

• US 7,515,292 B2
• Filed: 06/10/2005
• Issued: 04/07/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 11/25/2000
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Original Assignee: Silverbrook Research Pty Limited
• Inventors: Silverbrook, Kia, Lapstun, Paul
• Primary Examiner(s): Popovici; Dov
• Assistant Examiner(s): Pham; Thierry L
• Application Number:
  US11/149,160
• Publication Number:
  US 20050225800A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,397 Days
• Field of Search: 358/1.15, 358/1.1, 358/1.9, 358 111- 118, 361680-681, 621/26, 622/31, 623/31
• US Class Current: 358/1.15
• CPC Class Codes: B41J 29/02 Framework

Abstract

Apparatus for storing and cooling produce, the apparatus including first and second storage compartments, each storage compartment being accessible by way of a hinged door and a printer. The printer includes a printer module provided in the door of the first storage compartment and a collector provided in the door of the second storage compartment, the collector being positioned so as to receive a printed document generated by the printer module.

Claims

1. Apparatus for storing and cooling produce, the apparatus including:

first and second compartments for separately storing and cooling produce, each compartment being accessible by way of a respective hinged door; and

a printer including;

a printer module provided in the door of the first compartment, the printer module including a media store storing pages of media in a vertically disposed manner and a pagewidth printhead arranged vertically beneath the media store for printing on vertically disposed pages of media as they pass the pagewidth printhead from the media store;

a collector provided in the door of the second compartment, the collector being positioned at an interface of the doors of the first and second compartments so as to receive the vertically disposed printed pages of media generated by the printer module and hold the printed pages of media in said vertically disposed manner; and

a page binder positioned between the printer module and the collector for binding multiple printed pages to thereby form the printed document, the page binder being configured to apply adhesive to each printed page as it passes from the printhead without interrupting the movement of the page past the printhead.

2. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first compartment is positioned above the second compartment.

3. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the first and second compartments are adapted to store foods at respective first and second temperatures.

4. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the apparatus includes a consumables access hatch provided in the first door for allowing access to consumables requiring periodic replacement.

5. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer is for printing visible information and substantially invisible coded data.

6. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer is adapted to communicate with a computer system to determine information to be printed on the pages of media.

7. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printed pages includes coded data printed thereon, the coded data being at least partially indicative of at least one interactive element, the printer including a communication module for receiving indicating from a sensing device, the sensing device, when placed in an operative position relative to the printed document, senses at least some of the coded data, and generating the indicating data using the sensed coded data, the indicating data being at least partially indicative of the interactive element.

8. Apparatus according to claim 7, wherein the printer includes a second communications module for transferring the indicating data to a computer system.

9. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein printer includes:

a first communications module for communicating with a sensing device; and

,

a second communications module for communicating with a computer system.

10. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the printer:

receives at least a page description from a computer system, the page description describing a layout of visible information; and

,

prints, using the page description, visible information on media.

11. Apparatus according to claim 10, wherein the printer:

receives at least a map from the computer system, the map describing an arrangement of coded data; and

,

prints, using the map, coded data on the media.

12. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein the printer:

receives data indicative of an interactive element;

generates, using the received data and the map, coded data indicative of the interactive element; and

,

prints the coded data on the media.

13. Apparatus according to claim 11, wherein at least some of the visible information extends over a zone of an interactive element, at least some of the coded data being provided within the zone, such that when a sensing device is placed in an operative position with respect to the zone, the sensing device can sense at least some of the coded data within the zone.

14. Apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the appliance includes at least one sensor for measuring operating parameters of the apparatus, the at least one sensor being coupled to the printer to allow the printer to provide a printed document including information relating to the operating parameters.

15. An apparatus according to claim 14, wherein the pages of media include at least one interactive element relating the operating parameters, the interactive element allowing a user to interact with the printed media using a sensing device to thereby control at least one operating parameter of the apparatus.