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Refrigerator including multiple storage compartments

  • US 9,170,045 B2
  • Filed: 01/28/2014
  • Issued: 10/27/2015
  • Est. Priority Date: 01/04/2010
  • Status: Active Grant
First Claim
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1. A refrigerator, comprising:

  • a cabinet;

    a first storage area within the cabinet;

    a first door that has a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the first door being rotatably connected to the cabinet and configured to open and close at least a portion of the first storage area such that, when the first door is oriented in a closed position, the rear surface of the first door contacts a front surface of the cabinet, the first door including;

    a second storage area, andan access opening enabling access to the second storage area;

    a second door that has a front surface, a rear surface, an upper surface, a lower surface, a first side surface, and a second side surface, the second door being rotatably connected to the first door and configured to open and close the access opening such that, when the second door is oriented in a closed position, the rear surface of the second door contacts the front surface of the first door to close the access opening, the second door being thinner than the first door such that, when the first and second doors are oriented in closed positions, a distance between the front surface of the first door and the front surface of the second door is less than a distance between the front surface of the first door and the front surface of the cabinet; and

    a hinge assembly including;

    a first hinge that rotatably connects the upper surface of the first door to the cabinet, anda second hinge that rotatably connects the upper surface of the second door to the upper surface of the first door, wherein the first door and the second door are configured to be opened and closed by rotating in a same direction,wherein the first hinge comprises;

    a first coupling part fixed to the cabinet;

    a first extension extending from the first coupling part toward the first door; and

    a first hinge shaft coupled to the first extension and inserted in the upper surface of the first door,wherein the second hinge comprises;

    a second coupling part fixed to the first door;

    a second extension extending from the second coupling part; and

    a second hinge shaft coupled to the second extension and inserted in the upper surface of the second door,wherein the first hinge shaft is located at a position closer to the front surface of the first door than the rear surface of the first door and, when the second door is oriented in the closed position, the first hinge shaft is located at a position closer to the rear surface of the second door than the rear surface of the first door, andwherein the first and second doors have a relative orientation in which, when the first door and the second door are oriented in closed positions, the first side surface of the first door and the first side surface of the second door are substantially coplanar, the upper surface of the first door and the upper surface of the second door are substantially coplanar, and the second hinge shaft is positioned ahead of the first hinge shaft.

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