Abstract:
A refrigerator includes a multiple slide crisper system. More specifically, a universal crisper pan and support frame for a refrigerator can be used with various, distinct glide arrangements, including friction, roller or ball bearing glides. For frictional sliding movement, crisper pan side walls slide directly upon molded inner rails on the frame. With the roller system, various rollers are fitted to a rear portion of the crisper pan through the use of pins, while commensurate rollers are mounted at front portions of the frame. When using ball bearing glides for a precision slide support, the glides are preferably mounted to the support frame at an acute angle to the axis of travel of the friction and roller glide systems.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/536,842 filed Jan. 16, 2004. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention pertains to the art of refrigerators and, more particularly, to a crisper system which enables a single crisper drawer, pan or bin to be slidably supported in any one of at least three distinct ways. 
     2. Discussion of the Prior Art 
     In the art of refrigerators, particularly household refrigerators, it is often desirable to create varying humidity and/or temperature controlled storage zones to enhance the preservation of different food items. For instance, it is common to accommodate the storage requirements for certain food items, such as dairy products, meats, fruits and vegetables, by forming separately enclosed storage areas within a fresh food compartment. In most instances, these storage areas are designed to be maintained at temperature and/or humidity levels which are different from the control levels of the remainder of the fresh food compartment. 
     In particular, it is known to provide a crisper pan at the bottom portion of a fresh food compartment, wherein the crisper pan is slidably mounted in one of various distinct ways. In each case, the overall mounting arrangement includes a support frame, which can also establish a shelf within the fresh food compartment, and a crisper pan slidably supported from the frame. Depending upon the particular manner in which the crisper pan is to be slidably supported, both a unique support frame and a unique crisper pan are employed. Therefore, when a certain slide system is selected, such as a friction, roller or ball bearing glide system, a dedicated support frame/crisper pan combination is utilized. 
     When utilizing a roller glide system, multiple rollers must be supported on each of the crisper pan and the support frame. In the art, it is common to employ one of two types of fastening arrangements for the rollers. The first arrangement utilizes screws. Most often, both the crisper pan and the support frame are molded of a plastic material, such as polycrystal styrene. When driving a screw into styrene, extreme care must be taken to avoid cracking of the material. The second fastening arrangement employs a snap-fit attachment for the rollers. Unfortunately, although assembly is more reliable, such a roller arrangement has not been found to be particularly robust. Specifically, it has been found that the wheel of the roller often ends up dragging, instead of rolling. Obviously, this defeats the potential advantage of using rollers instead of a friction glide system. 
     Although designing dedicated combination support frame and crisper pan systems is plausible and commonplace, it would be beneficial to provide a universal support frame and crisper pan system wherein a single support frame can be utilized with a single crisper pan while enabling the crisper pan to be slidably supported by the support frame through a selected one of friction, roller and ball bearing glide arrangements. Therefore, there exists a need in the art of refrigerators for a multiple slide crisper system which will enable a single crisper drawer, pan or bin to be slidably supported in any one of at least three distinct ways, including the use of friction, roller or ball bearing glide systems. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a versatile crisper system for a refrigerator. More specifically, a universal crisper pan and support frame for a refrigerator can be used with multiple, distinct glide arrangements, including friction, roller or ball bearing glides. For frictional sliding movement, crisper pan side walls slide directly upon molded inner rails on the frame. In addition, a stop arrangement, including engaging stop elements, is provided between the crisper pan and the support frame to limit the permissible degree of travel of the crisper pan into and out of the fresh food compartment. 
     With the roller system, various rollers are fitted to a rear portion of the crisper pan through the use of pins, while commensurate rollers are mounted at front portions of the frame. In the most preferred embodiment, the rollers are made of nylon, while the pins are formed from acetal. These materials cooperate to create a superior bearing arrangement. In this manner, the pan is slidably supported through the rollers at multiple fore-to-aft locations through a simple and reliable configuration. Preferably, the stop arrangement employed with the friction slide system is also utilized with the roller support arrangement. 
     When using ball bearing glides for a precision slide support, the glides are mounted to the support frame at an acute angle to the axis of travel of the friction and roller glide systems. With this arrangement, as the crisper pan moves forward, the pan rises enough to clear the stop elements on the crisper pan and support frame, while the ball bearing glides themselves have built-in stops. In addition, the angling enhances the closing of the crisper pan. 
     Additional objects, features and advantages of the present invention will become more readily apparent from the following detailed description of preferred embodiments when taken in conjunction with the drawings wherein like reference numerals refer to corresponding parts in the several views. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator incorporating a versatile refrigerator crisper system constructed in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a partial perspective view of a refrigerator fresh food liner incorporating the versatile refrigerator crisper system of the present invention in a lower portion thereof; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view of a support frame portion of the refrigerator crisper system of the invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an enlarged perspective view of a front left corner of the support frame of  FIG. 3 ; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view of a crisper pan portion of the refrigerator crisper system of the invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an enlarged perspective view of a rear corner portion of the crisper pan of  FIG. 5 ; 
         FIG. 7  is an upper right perspective view illustrating the overall refrigerator crisper system assembled in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view illustrating the refrigerator crisper system in accordance with a second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 9  is an enlarged perspective view of a front left corner of the support frame of  FIG. 8  in accordance with the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view of the crisper pan constructed in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view of a snap-in roller employed in accordance with the second embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 12  is a top view of the roller of  FIG. 11 ; 
         FIG. 13  is a side elevational view of the crisper pan of  FIG. 10  in accordance with the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 14  is an enlarged perspective view of a rear corner portion of the crisper pan of  FIG. 10  in accordance with the second embodiment; 
         FIG. 15  is a perspective view illustrating the overall refrigerator crisper system assembled in accordance with the second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the crisper pan and support frame used in combination with a roller bearing glide system in accordance with a third embodiment of the invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a perspective view of the support frame having mounted thereon a roller bearing glide arrangement in accordance with the third embodiment; 
         FIG. 18  is a perspective view illustrating the overall refrigerator crisper system assembled in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention; and 
         FIG. 19  is a side view depicting mounting details of the refrigerator crisper system to the liner of  FIG. 1  in accordance with the third embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     With initial reference to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a refrigerator constructed in accordance with the present invention is generally shown at  2 . Refrigerator  2  is shown to include a cabinet shell  4  within which is secured a liner  6 . As shown, liner  6  includes top, bottom, rear and opposing side walls  7 - 11  that collectively define a fresh food compartment  12 . In the embodiment shown, bottom wall  8  includes a first substantially horizontal portion  14  which leads to an angled portion that extends to and connects with rear wall  9  through a second substantially horizontal portion  16 . Angled portion  15  creates an offset in liner  6  to accommodate, for example, various refrigerator components including a compressor (not shown). In a manner known in the art, liner  6  is provided with a plurality of support elements indicated generally at and  21  which are provided on opposing side walls  10  and  111  respectively. Support elements  20  and  21  are adapted to support, for example, a shelf  22 , as well as additional storage units one of which is shown supporting a shelf  23 . In any event, the particular details of the additional storage units will be provided more fully below. In addition, refrigerator  2  is shown to include a door  27  which is adapted to selectively close fresh food compartment  12 . In a manner known in the art, door  27  is provided with a plurality of bins  29 - 32  for supporting various food stuffs or other items. 
     In accordance with the invention, refrigerator  2  is provided with a universal crisper drawer system indicated generally at  34 . In the embodiment shown, crisper drawer system  34  includes a support frame  37  and a crisper bin or pan  39 . Of course, additional crisper drawer systems could be provided, such as indicated at  40 . As will be discussed more fully below, support frame  37  and crisper pan  39  are configured such that crisper pan  39  is shiftably mounted relative to support frame  37  through a variety of distinct glide systems. Thus, depending upon particular model design requirements or consumer needs, a single crisper pan  39  and support frame  37  can be configured to accept a variety of glide systems without the need to substantially alter either component. 
     Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 3 and 4  in describing support frame  37  configured in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention. As shown, support frame  37  includes a front edge portion  44 , as well as back and opposing side wall portions  45 - 47  which collectively define an opening  48 . In the embodiment shown, extending from front, back and opposing side wall portions  44 - 47  about opening  48  is a first inner ledge  50 . In a manner known in the art, first inner ledge  50  is provided so as to support for example shelf  23 . In addition to first inner ledge  50 , back wall  45  is provided with a second or inner support ledge  51 . As will be discussed more fully below, second support ledge  51  is adapted to partially support crisper pan  39 . Back wall  45  is also provided with a pair of gussets  54  and  55  which provide increased structural support for support frame  37  that enable crisper pan  39  to store heavy items such as potatoes and the like. 
     As best shown in  FIG. 3 , opposing side wall portions  46  and  47  are provided with corresponding first and second inner rails  61  and  62  which, as will be detailed more fully below, can be configured for receiving various glide systems. In accordance with the invention, first and second inner rails  61  and  62  include a first pair of glide elements  70 . In the embodiment shown, first pair of glide elements  70  is constituted by a longitudinal rib  71  having a corresponding glide surface  72 . In addition to first pair of glide elements  70 , support frame  37  includes a first pair of mounting elements  73  (see  FIG. 4 ), as well as a second pair of mounting elements indicated generally at  75 . Furthermore, in order to limit the overall outward travel of crisper pan  39 , support frame  37  is provided with a pair of end or travel stops  80  and  81  which are arranged on a front portion (not separately labeled) of first and second inner rails  61  and  62 . 
     Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 5 and 6  in describing a preferred construction of crisper pan  39 . As shown, crisper pan  39  includes a front wall  85 , a rear wall  86 , bottom wall  87  having a plurality of raised portions, one of which is indicated at  89 , as well as a pair of opposing side walls  91  and  92  which collectively define a storage cavity  95 . In a manner known in the art, front wall  85  includes a handle  98  which enables a consumer to grasp and selectively withdraw crisper pan  39  from support frame  37 . Also, rear wall  86  is provided with a flange  100 . 
     In a manner analogous to that set forth above with respect to support frame  37 , crisper pan  39  is provided with a first pair of glide members, one of which is indicated at  108 , that cooperate with first pair of glide elements  70  to form a first glide system indicated generally at  110  in  FIG. 7 . In addition to first pair of glide members  108 , crisper pan  39  includes a first pair of mounting members  112  defined by an opening  118  provided at an upper rear portion of crisper pan  39 . Each opening  118  is bisected by a second opening  120 , the function of which will become more fully evident below. Crisper pan  39  also includes a second pair of mounting members, indicated generally at  125 , which are formed on opposing side walls  91  and  92 . With this arrangement, it should be understood that crisper pan  39  is slidably supported upon support frame  37 . That is, glide members  108  rest directly upon first pair of glide elements  70  allowing a consumer to readily withdraw crisper bin  39  from refrigerator  2 , while outward travel of crisper bin  39  is limited by stops  80  and  81 . 
     In accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention illustrated in  FIGS. 8-15 , support frame  37  is provided with a second pair of glide elements  140  which, in the embodiment shown, take the form of wheels or rollers  142  and  143 . In accordance with the invention, each wheel/roller  142 ,  143  includes an integral bearing or pin  144  ( FIGS. 11 and 12 ) which is adapted to cooperate with first pair of mounting elements  73  ( FIG. 4 ) so as to properly position second pair of glide elements  140  with respect to support frame  37 . Pin  144  includes first and second hook members  146  and  147  that snap-fittingly engage with first pair of mounting elements  73 . Also, each wheel/roller includes a hub  148  and a roller surface  149 . 
     In a similar manner, crisper pan  39  includes a second pair of glide members  150  which take the form of wheels/rollers  152  and  153  that are rotatably mounted to the first pair of mounting members  112  with a corresponding pin  154 ,  155 . Second pair of glide elements  140  cooperate with second pair of glide members  150  to form a second glide system  160  illustrated in  FIG. 15 . As best shown in  FIG. 14 , wheel  153  is positioned within opening  118  and thereafter secured with pin  155  through second opening  120 . Pin  155  serves not only to retain wheel  148  within opening  118  but also provides a bearing or axle surface so that wheel  148  can rotate freely. In accordance with the invention, each wheel  142 ,  143  and  152 ,  153  is formed from nylon, while pins  144  and  154 ,  155  are preferably formed from acetal. In this manner, wheels  142 ,  143  and  152 ,  153  can be secured to first pair of mounting elements  73  and first pair of mounting members  112 , respectively, without creating stress on either frame  27  or pan  39 . That is, forming pins  144 ,  154  and  155  from acetal provides a more robust bearing and attachment method with a limited likelihood that pins  144 ,  154  and  155  will crack or otherwise damage mating structure. In any event, each wheel/roller  152 ,  153  projects through a lower portion of first pair of mounting members  112  to ride along glide surface  72  when crisper pan  39  is shifted relative to frame  37 . Likewise, wheel/rollers  142 ,  143  ride along first pair of glide members  108 . 
     In accordance with the above described embodiment, crisper pan  39  is supported on glide element  70  through wheels  142 ,  143  and  152 ,  153 . That is, wheels  142 ,  143  and  152 ,  153  facilitate the sliding of crisper bin pan  39  relative to support frame  37 . As crisper pan  39  is withdrawn from support frame  37 , wheels  142  and  143  support a forward portion of crisper pan  39 , while wheels  152  and  153  support a rear portion thereof. Actually, wheels  142  and  143  glide along mounting members  125  as crisper pan  39  is withdrawn from support frame  37  so as to provide a continued, rolling support as crisper pan  39  is withdrawn from support frame  37 . 
     Reference will now be made to  FIGS. 16-19  in describing a third embodiment of the present invention. As shown, crisper pan system  34  is provided with a third pair of glide elements  190 . Third pair of glide elements  190  are constituted by first and second glide rails  192 ,  193  that are interconnected with a third pair of glide members  196 . Third pair of glide members  196  include third and fourth guide rails  198  and  199 . In a manner analogous to that described above, third pair of glide elements  190  and third pair of glide members  196  cooperate to form a third glide system  202  which takes the form of extensible glide rails. As best shown in  FIG. 16 , first and second glide rails  192  and  193  are interconnected to third and fourth glide rails  198  and  199  through intermediate glide rails  209  and  210 . In this manner, crisper pan  39  can be withdrawn entirely from refrigerator  2  while still being fully supported by frame  37 . In any event, each of third and fourth mounting rails  198  and  199  includes a corresponding attachment element  205 ,  206 , with attachment elements  205  and  206  being adapted to receive second pair of mounting members  125 . With this arrangement, crisper pan  39  is detachably mounted to rails  198  and  199  while, at the same time, being shiftable relative to frame  37 . 
     In accordance with this embodiment of the invention, first and second glide rails  192  and  193  are interconnected to the third pair of mounting elements  75  in a manner that ensures third glide system  202  extends at an acute angle to the direction of travel of crisper pan  39 . The acute angle enables crisper pan  39  to be withdrawn from crisper pan system  34  without interfering with travel stops  80  and  81 , i.e., crisper pan  39  clears travel stops  80  and  81  when extended. In the most preferred embodiment, the acute angle is approximately 1°. More specifically, third glide system  202  is provided with integrated travel limiters (not shown). Accordingly, travel stops  80  and  81  become redundant. However, the location of travel stops  80  and  81  can interfere with the movement of crisper pan  39 . Thus, positioning third glide system  202  at an angle relative to support frame  37  enables the use of stop elements  80  and  81  with first and second glide systems  110  and  160  without requiring their removal when third glide system  202  is employed. 
     Based on the above, it should be understood that the present invention enables a manufacturer to utilize a universal, single support frame with a variety of glide systems depending on particular design requirement and/or consumer needs. Thus, the need for separate or distinct support frames and crisper pans for each type of mounting arrangement is eliminated. In this manner, the overall design of the refrigerator can be simplified, while simultaneously reducing warehousing and manufacturing costs. Although described with reference to preferred embodiments of the invention, it should be readily understood that various changes and/or modifications can be made to the invention without departing from the spirit thereof. For instance, while shown mounted in the fresh food compartment, the crisper drawer system could also be incorporated into a freezer compartment of a refrigerator. In addition, the crisper drawer system could be provided in other refrigerator cabinet styles, such as top mount and bottom mount refrigerators. Finally, it should be understood that the term crisper bin in accordance with the invention encompasses any type of bin, pan or drawer employed in a refrigerator, with or without a separate humidity control. In general, the invention is only intended to be limited by the scope of the following claims.