IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0402731
(2009-03-12)
|
등록번호 |
US-8584486
(2013-11-19)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
- Allard, Paul B.
- Johnson, Kelly I.
- Leclear, Douglas D.
- Querfurth, Karen J.
- Tenbarge, Andrew M.
- Wilcox, Michele E.
|
출원인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
1 인용 특허 :
25 |
초록
▼
An appliance system includes at least an appliance and a module. The appliance door(s) have an exterior surface and an interior surface having a door liner. The appliance door is closed to create an insulated area and the interior surface of the appliance door includes a module-engaging connector. T
An appliance system includes at least an appliance and a module. The appliance door(s) have an exterior surface and an interior surface having a door liner. The appliance door is closed to create an insulated area and the interior surface of the appliance door includes a module-engaging connector. The module is typically removably engaged within the appliance door and includes an insulated compartment within the module and a compartment door as well as a lock for the compartment door. The module also includes a utility connector that engages the appliance door and operably engages the module-engaging connector of the appliance door so that the module receives at least electrical power from the appliance.
대표청구항
▼
1. An appliance comprising: a rear wall section, a first side wall section, a second side wall section, a top, a bottom, and at least one appliance door, and having an interior;a refrigerator section being within the appliance interior and having the same or a smaller volume than the interior of the
1. An appliance comprising: a rear wall section, a first side wall section, a second side wall section, a top, a bottom, and at least one appliance door, and having an interior;a refrigerator section being within the appliance interior and having the same or a smaller volume than the interior of the appliance wherein the appliance door has an exterior surface and an interior surface having a door liner and wherein the appliance door closes to create an insulated area, and wherein the interior surface of the appliance door further comprises a module engaging connector; anda module removably engaged with the appliance door comprising: an insulated compartment within the module;an insulated compartment door;a lock for the insulated compartment door;a utility connector that engages the appliance door and operably engages the module engaging connector of the appliance door upon movement of the module into engagement with the appliance door such that the module receives at least electrical power from the appliance when the utility connector of the module and the module engaging connector of the appliance are operably connected to one another. 2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the appliance further comprises a computer control system operatively connected to the module and a sensor within the compartment, wherein the computer control system comprises a processor and a memory subsystem coupled to the processor where the memory subsystem stores code that, when executed based upon input received from the user, regulates the temperature and humidity of the compartment. 3. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the appliance door further comprises a cavity within the interior surface and wherein the module is sized to fit within the cavity. 4. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the module is capable of maintaining a storage effecting condition within the insulated compartment of the module, wherein the storage effecting condition is chosen from the group consisting of humidity, temperature, pressure, gas composition, and combinations thereof, and wherein temperature of the compartment is independently controlled and humidity of the insulated compartment is independently maintained by a humidity controller selected from the group consisting of a desiccant, a salt packet, and a heater. 5. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the door liner further comprises a cavity having an opening, and wherein the module engaging connector is disposed within the cavity, the refrigerator door further comprising a cover movably connected to the liner to cover the opening when the module is disengaged from the appliance door. 6. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the module includes a machine compartment for hardware and electrical components, and wherein the machine compartment is vented and insulated to prevent its operation from substantially affecting the temperatures of the refrigerator section of the appliance. 7. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the lock comprises a lock chosen from the group consisting of a mechanical lock and electrical lock, and wherein the lock may be opened using an opening device selecting from the group consisting of a key, a coded push button system, and a biometric reader. 8. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the module further comprises a power failure alarm operably connected with the electrical power from the appliance such that a break in the storage effecting condition caused by a power surge or failure results in notification to the user that medicine safety may be compromised. 9. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the appliance is capable of engaging a plurality of modules and wherein the module is capable of comprising a plurality of compartments for storing medicine, and wherein the module further comprises an illuminating device that operates independently from the appliance. 10. A portable medicine storage module comprising: a rear wall section defining interior and exterior sides, a first side wall section, and a second side wall section, a top, and a bottom, defining an interior;an insulated compartment within the module interior and having the same or a smaller volume than the interior;a door movable between an opened and closed position, wherein an opened position provides a user accessibility to the compartment and a closed position creates the insulated compartment;a lock for the door;a releasable utility connector for powering the module, the utility connector comprising one of a male and a female electrical connector disposed on the exterior side of the rear wall section and having engagability to the other of a male and a female electrical connector of a power source, wherein the module is supplied at least electrical power from the power source when the utility connector and the power source are operably connected to one another;at least one atmospheric controlling device, wherein the module is capable of independently maintaining a storage effecting condition within the insulated compartment, wherein the storage effecting condition is chosen from the group consisting of humidity, temperature, pressure, gas composition, and combinations thereof; andat least one bin or divider within the insulated compartment for medicine organization; and wherein:the module is designed and configured to be removably engaged with a door of a refrigerator. 11. The portable medicine storage module of claim 10, wherein the module further comprises a computer control system outside of the insulated compartment and within the module, and a sensor within the insulated compartment, wherein the computer control system comprises a processor and a memory subsystem coupled to the processor where the memory subsystem stores code that, when executed based upon input received from the user, regulates the temperature and humidity of the insulated compartment. 12. The portable medicine storage module of claim 10, wherein the humidity of the compartment is independently maintained by a humidity controller selected from the group consisting of a desiccant, a salt packet, or a heater. 13. The portable medicine storage module of claim 10, wherein the module is capable of maintaining a storage effecting condition within the compartment, wherein the storage effecting condition is chosen from the group consisting of humidity, temperature, pressure, gas composition, and combinations thereof, and wherein temperature of the compartment is independently controlled and wherein the humidity of the compartment is independently maintained by a humidity controller selected from the group consisting of a desiccant, a salt packet, and a heater. 14. The portable medicine storage module of claim 10, wherein the module is engageable with a surface, wherein the surface is a countertop stand, wall mount bracket, an exterior surface of an appliance door, or an interior surface of an appliance door, and wherein the module is capable of illumination independent of that of the surrounding environment. 15. A portable medicine storage module comprising: a rear wall section defining interior and exterior sides, a first side wall section, and a second side wall section, a top, and a bottom, defining an interior;an insulated compartment within the module interior and having the same or a smaller volume than the interior;a door movable between an opened and closed position, wherein an opened position provides a user accessibility to the compartment and a closed position creates the insulated compartment;a lock for the door;a releasable utility connector for powering the module, the utility connector comprising one of a male and a female electrical connector disposed on the exterior side of the rear wall section and having engagability to the other of a male and a female electrical connector of a power source, wherein the module is supplied at least electrical power from the power source when the utility connector and the power source are operably connected to one another;at least one atmospheric controlling device, wherein the module is capable of independently maintaining a storage effecting condition within the insulated compartment, wherein the storage effecting condition is chosen from the group consisting of humidity, temperature, pressure, gas composition, and combinations thereof; andat least one bin or divider within the insulated compartment for medicine organization; and wherein:the module defines a vertical axis and a horizontal axis, and the module further comprises at least one of a male electrical connector and a female connector configured to engage and electrically interconnect with the other of a male electrical connector and a female electrical connector upon downward movement of the module parallel to the vertical axis. 16. The portable medicine storage module of claim 15, wherein the lock is mechanical or electrical, and wherein the lock may be opened by selecting from the group consisting of a key, a coded push button system, and a biometric reader. 17. The portable medicine storage module of claim 15, wherein the module contains a power failure alarm, such that a break in the storage effecting condition caused by a power surge or failure results in notification to the user that medicine safety may be compromised. 18. An appliance comprising: a rear wall section, a first side wall section, a second side wall section, a top, a bottom, and at least one appliance door, and having an interior;a refrigerator section being within the appliance interior and having the same or a smaller volume than the interior of the appliance wherein the door has an exterior surface and an interior surface having a door liner and wherein the door closes to create an insulated area, the door liner including a generally vertical surface and a port area comprising a cavity having an opening that opens sidewardly through the generally vertical surface, the cavity having an upwardly-facing lower side, the door including a first electrical connector disposed on the lower side; anda module removably engaged with the appliance door comprising:an insulated compartment within the module;an insulated compartment door;a lock for the insulated compartment door;at least one atmospheric controlling device, wherein the module is capable of maintaining a storage effecting condition within the compartment and the storage effecting condition comprises a storage effecting condition chosen from the group consisting of humidity, temperature, pressure, gas composition, and combinations thereof and wherein:the module includes a horizontally extending connecting structure received in the cavity of the port area, the horizontally extending connecting structure having a second electrical connector that engages the first electrical connector upon downward movement of the connecting structure within the cavity of the port area, whereby the module is electrically connected to the appliance door and receives electrical power from the appliance door when the module is engaged with the appliance door, but not when the module is disengaged from the appliance door. 19. The appliance of claim 18, wherein the appliance door further comprises a port cover pivotably mounted to the door for movement between open and closed positions, the port cover selectively closing off the opening to the cavity when the port cover is in the closed position, and wherein the port cover is biased towards the closed position. 20. The appliance of claim 19, wherein the appliance door includes a cavity, and wherein the module is sized to fit within the cavity, and wherein the module includes an illumination device capable of independently illuminating the module compartment.
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