Refrigerator including food product management system
First Claim
1. A refrigerator comprising:
- a cabinet shell;
a liner arranged within the cabinet shell defining at least one refrigerated compartment; and
a food product management system including;
a container including a lid for storing foodstuffs in the at least one refrigerated compartment;
a tag provided on the container for indicating a storage duration of a food product placed in the container;
a timer operatively associated with the tag, said timer counting a passage of at least one of days, hours and minutes, said timer being automatically activated upon the tag being cooled to a predetermined temperature, which is below ambient temperature, and automatically deactivated when a temperature above the predetermined temperature is reached;
a computer operatively connected to the internet;
an RFID detector operatively connected to the computer;
an RFID unit located on the tag and containing information pertaining to at least one foodstuff parameter wherein, upon being placed in a refrigerator, said RFID unit is scanned by the RFID detector for the at least one foodstuff parameter, said computer being adapted to automatically generate an email notification to a consumer regarding the least one foodstuff parameter after a certain period of time on the timer has elapsed; and
an indicator arranged on the tag signaling passage of a predetermined time period, said indicator changing from a first state prior to the predetermined time period lapsing, to a second state upon reaching the predetermined time period.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerator includes at least one refrigerated compartment and a food product management system. The food product management system includes a container for storing foodstuffs in the at least one refrigerated compartment. The container includes a storage zone and a lid. A tag is arranged on the container to provide a consumer with an indication of whether a food item stored in the container is or is not spoiled. The tag can include a timer having a display, an indicator that changes state upon the passage of a predetermined time period and a computer that notifies a consumer, such as through an email, about a parameter associated with the food item in the container. The tag is affixed to the container with adhesive, snaps, clips, hooks and the like or, alternatively, simply integrally formed with the container.
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Citations
13 Claims
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1. A refrigerator comprising:
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a cabinet shell; a liner arranged within the cabinet shell defining at least one refrigerated compartment; and a food product management system including; a container including a lid for storing foodstuffs in the at least one refrigerated compartment; a tag provided on the container for indicating a storage duration of a food product placed in the container; a timer operatively associated with the tag, said timer counting a passage of at least one of days, hours and minutes, said timer being automatically activated upon the tag being cooled to a predetermined temperature, which is below ambient temperature, and automatically deactivated when a temperature above the predetermined temperature is reached; a computer operatively connected to the internet; an RFID detector operatively connected to the computer; an RFID unit located on the tag and containing information pertaining to at least one foodstuff parameter wherein, upon being placed in a refrigerator, said RFID unit is scanned by the RFID detector for the at least one foodstuff parameter, said computer being adapted to automatically generate an email notification to a consumer regarding the least one foodstuff parameter after a certain period of time on the timer has elapsed; and an indicator arranged on the tag signaling passage of a predetermined time period, said indicator changing from a first state prior to the predetermined time period lapsing, to a second state upon reaching the predetermined time period.
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2. A refrigerator comprising:
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a cabinet shell; a liner arranged within the cabinet shell defining at least one refrigerated compartment; and a food product management system including; a tag for indicating a storage duration of a food product; a timer operatively associated with the tag, said timer counting a passage of at least one of days, hours and minutes, said timer being automatically activated upon the tag being cooled to a predetermined temperature which is below ambient temperature and automatically deactivated when a temperature above the predetermined temperature is reached; and an indicator arranged on the tag signaling passage of a predetermined time period, said indicator changing from a first state prior to the predetermined time period lapsing, to a second state upon reaching the predetermined time period. - View Dependent Claims (3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8)
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9. A refrigerator comprising:
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a cabinet shell; a liner arranged within the cabinet shell defining at least one refrigerated compartment; and a food product management system including; a tag having a visual indicator for indicating a storage duration of a food product; a timer operatively associated with the tag, said timer counting a passage of at least one of days, hours and minutes, said timer being automatically activated upon the tag being cooled to a predetermined temperature which is below ambient temperature and automatically deactivated when a temperature above the predetermined temperature is reached; a computer operatively connected to the internet; an RFID detector operatively connected to the computer; and an RFID unit located on the tag and containing information pertaining to at least one foodstuff parameter wherein, upon being placed in a refrigerator, said RFID unit is scanned by the RFID detector for the at least one foodstuff parameter, said computer being adapted to automatically generate an email notification to a consumer regarding the least one foodstuff parameter. - View Dependent Claims (10, 11, 12, 13)
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Specification