Abstract:
The individual locker assembly for refrigerators is intended for use in the workplace for employees to secure their perishable foods and beverages. The locker assembly is also suitable for installation in refrigerators in medical offices and the like for the secure storage of controlled medications and the like that must be refrigerated. The locker assembly has a series of panels and dividers installable in an existing refrigerator unit, with the panels and dividers defining a series of individual lock boxes, each having its own lockable door. Alternatively, a specially configured refrigerator has an open front and a series of individual lock boxes installed therein. Each lock box is in contact with other boxes and/or the walls, floor, and top panels of the refrigerator, and is thermally sealed thereto. Each lock box has its own lockable door. The refrigerator includes a system for automating the lock box rental transactions.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATION 
       [0001]    This application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/028,769, filed on Feb. 16, 2011. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    1. Field of the Invention 
         [0003]    The present invention relates to storage containers and the like, and particularly to an individual locker assembly for refrigerators. The lockers are installable within a standard or custom refrigerator and are individually securable to protect the contents therein. 
         [0004]    2. Description of the Related Art 
         [0005]    Refrigerators are commonly found in cafeteria and kitchenette areas in the workplace to allow employees to place perishable items therein for their lunches and snacks. While most employees are honest about such matters, there often seems to be one or more people who abuse the privilege of refrigerated storage for their goods, and who will take others&#39; food and beverages stored in the refrigerator. In some instances, this has led to arguments and accusations as to whose goods were taken by whom. This is clearly disruptive in the workplace and has on occasion resulted in the employer installing surveillance equipment, sometimes resulting in official punishment or even the threat of job termination of employees by employers who become aware of such problems. 
         [0006]    Another area in which refrigerators are commonly used in the workplace is in the medical field. Refrigerators are generally provided in medical offices, hospitals, and the like, and even veterinary offices for the proper storage of medicines and the like that require cold storage. Many of these medications require prescriptions to be legally dispensed, and while the vast majority of the staff having access to such supplies may very well be trustworthy, there is always some chance that such medicines and drugs may fall into the wrong hands if they are not properly secured. In some instances such refrigeration units for medical supplies are provided with a lock for the door. While this provides the desired security for those drugs and medications that require such, at least some of the supplies contained within the refrigerator may not need such security. This requires the person who needs such non-secure supplies to look up someone who has a key to unlock the refrigerator, each time such access is required. 
         [0007]    Various secured refrigeration and freezer units have been developed in the past, ranging from commercial frozen food lockers to other smaller units. An example of such is found in French Patent No. 2,689,221, published on Oct. 1, 1993. This publication describes (according to the drawings and English abstract) an integrated refrigerated storage system having a plurality of separately lockable compartments and a single rearwardly disposed refrigeration unit. 
         [0008]    None of the above inventions and patents, taken either singly or in combination, is seen to describe the instant invention as claimed. Thus, an individual locker assembly for refrigerators solving the aforementioned problems is desired. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0009]    The individual locker assembly for refrigerators comprises a series of top, bottom, side, and rear panels having another series of horizontal shelves and vertical dividers installing therein. The various panels, shelves and dividers define a plurality of individual storage units within the assembly. The panels, shelves and dividers have ventilation holes therethrough to provide for chilled air circulation throughout all of the compartments. Intermediate shelves and dividers have mating slots for engagement with one another. The two side panels and the rear panel have shelf support brackets extending inwardly therefrom. 
         [0010]    Each unit has its own separably lockable front door. The locks may be of any practicable type, e.g., combination, key, external hasp and padlock, etc, Doors with integral locks may include provision for coin operation of the locks, if desired. 
         [0011]    Spring-biased posts or pins extend from the upper and lower edges of the various vertical panels to engage mating holes in the upper and lower panels of the refrigeration unit, thereby locking the locker assembly in place within the refrigerator. The refrigerator may be a conventional unit, the locker assembly being installed in the refrigerator compartment once the refrigerator shelves have been removed, or the refrigerator may comprise a custom-configured unit devoid of a freezer compartment and configured for the installation of the locker assembly therein. The locker assembly may be assembled from a series of individual horizontal and vertical panels, or may alternatively be formed as an integral unit ready for installation in a compatible refrigerator. 
         [0012]    Additional embodiments comprise a large refrigerator having an open front, with a series of individual lock boxes installed therein. The front panels of the individual boxes are in contact with one another, with appropriate thermal insulation being provided between adjacent boxes and/or the top, bottom, and side panels of the refrigerator to seal the front of the refrigerator thermally. In this embodiment the individual units are preferably opened electronically, with the customers or users gaining access by means of credit card accounts or prearranged payments for rental of the units. A financial transaction system for operating the individual refrigerator lock boxes is also disclosed. 
         [0013]    These and other features of the present invention will become readily apparent upon further review of the following specification and drawings. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0014]      FIG. 1  is an environmental, perspective view of an individual locker assembly for refrigerators according to the present invention, the locker assembly being shown installed in a refrigerator. 
           [0015]      FIG. 2  is an exploded perspective view showing an alternative embodiment of an individual locker assembly for refrigerators according to the present invention, the assembly being shown removed from the interior of a refrigerator. 
           [0016]      FIG. 3  is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary individual locker assembly for refrigerators according to the present invention, showing its various components. 
           [0017]      FIG. 4  is a partial perspective view of an individual locker assembly for refrigerators according to the present invention, broken away and partially in section to show details thereof. 
           [0018]      FIG. 5  is a front, side, and top perspective view of an exemplary refrigerator unit containing a plurality of individual locker assemblies for refrigerators according to the present invention. 
           [0019]      FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view of an individual locker assembly for refrigerators according to the present invention, adapted for installation in the refrigerator unit of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0020]      FIG. 7  is a detail perspective view of the computer screen, card swipe slot, and community storage compartment door of the refrigerator unit of  FIG. 5 . 
           [0021]      FIG. 8  is a flowchart briefly describing the steps in a financial transaction method for accessing one of the individual locker assemblies for refrigerators according to the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0022]    Similar reference characters denote corresponding features consistently throughout the attached drawings. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0023]    The individual locker assembly for refrigerators comprises various embodiments of a locker assembly that provides for the secure individual storage of food, medication, and/or other articles within a refrigerator. The assembly includes a plurality of individually and independently openable and lockable units. Each of the units permits the person having access thereto to securely store and access materials therein as desired, without concern that others may take any such goods belonging to the person having access to the unit. 
         [0024]      FIG. 1  of the drawings is an illustration of an exemplary individual locker assembly  10 , showing the assembly  10  installed in a refrigerator R 1 . The refrigerator R 1  may be a specialized unit devoid of a separate freezer compartment, as the locker assembly  10  comprises a unitary construction when assembled and would generally only be installed within the portion of the refrigerator having temperatures above freezing. However, alternative constructions of the individual locker assembly may be configured for installation in conventional refrigerators having separate freezer compartments, as shown in  FIG. 2  and discussed further below. 
         [0025]    The individual locker assembly  10  is constructed from a plurality of horizontal and vertical panels to define a corresponding series of individual storage compartments  12 . In the example of  FIG. 1 , a series of ten horizontal panels comprising a bottom panel, top panel, and eight intermediate shelves, and a set of six vertical panels comprising a left side panel, right side panel, rear panel, and three intermediate vertical panels, define a nine-by-four matrix of thirty-six individual storage compartments  12 , each identified by a unique number. Alternatively, the locker assembly  10  (and the locker assembly  110  of  FIG. 2 ) may be formed (e.g., molded, etc.) as a single integral structure, if desired. 
         [0026]    Each storage compartment  12  has its own separate independently lockable door extending across the front opening. Each door is shown selectively secured by a push-button combination lock  14  in the example of  FIG. 1 , although other types of locks may be used. Opening the main door D 1  of the refrigerator R 1  provides access to all of the individual doors and locks of the locker assembly  10 , allowing any individual assigned to any one of the units or compartments to access the lock and door thereto. 
         [0027]      FIG. 2  provides an exploded perspective view of an alternative embodiment of an individual locker assembly  110  separated from its refrigerator R 2 , while  FIG. 3  provides an exploded perspective view of the individual components forming the locker assembly  110 . The individual locker assembly  110  includes laterally opposed first and second side panels  112  and  114 , a rear panel  116 , a bottom panel  118 , an opposite top panel  120  (removed in  FIG. 2  to show the interior of the assembled locker assembly  110 ), one or more intermediate dividers, e.g., three such dividers  122   a  through  122   c  in the example of  FIG. 3 , and one or more intermediate shelves, e.g., five such shelves  124   a  through  124   e  in the example of  FIG. 3 . These various panels and shelves define a matrix comprising four compartments wide by six compartments high, or a total of twenty-four compartments. These compartments are designated by the reference numeral  126  in  FIG. 2 . The topmost row of compartments  126  is shown in  FIG. 2  due to the removal of the top panel  120  in the drawing. It will be seen that the number of compartments may be adjusted, depending upon the number of intermediate panels and shelves used. 
         [0028]    Each of the two side panels  112 ,  114  and the rear panel  116  have lower edges  128 ,  130 , and  132 , and opposite upper edges  134 ,  136 , and  138 . The bottom panel  118  spans the lower edges  128  through  132  of the side and rear panels  112  through  116 , and the top panel spans the upper edges  134  through  138  of the side and rear panels. The upper and lower edges  128  through  138  of the side panels  112 ,  114  and the rear panel  116  also have a plurality of pins  140  extending therefrom. The pins  140  are urged outward from their respective edges by resilient springs or other suitable means. The refrigerators in which the individual locker assemblies are installed are adapted for such installation by having a corresponding plurality of locker engagement assembly receptacles or sockets S in their lower interior panels LP and upper interior panels UP, as shown in the exemplary refrigerator R 2  of  FIG. 2 . The pins  140  lock into these corresponding receptacles or sockets S in the upper and lower interior panels LP and UP of the refrigerator, thus securing the individual locker assembly within the refrigerator. The pins  140  may be withdrawn for removal of the locker assembly, if desired, by opening the individual compartment doors along the upper and lower rows of compartments to access the pins. 
         [0029]    Each of the intermediate dividers has a plurality of shelf engagement slots  142 , which correspond in number to the number of intermediate shelves, that extend from the rear edge medially to about the middle of the divider. Similarly, each of the intermediate shelves has a plurality of divider engagement slots  144  therein, which correspond in number to the number of intermediate dividers, that extend from the front edge medially to about the middle of the shelf. The slots  144  in the intermediate shelves, e.g., shelves  124   a  through  124   e , are slid into the slots  142  of the intermediate dividers, e.g., dividers  122   a  through  122   c , to interlock to form an orthogonal matrix of shelves and dividers. Each of the dividers  122   a  through  122   e  and the parallel side panels  112  and  114  includes flanges  146  (e.g., angles attached to the surfaces of the dividers and panels, with one leg thereof extending laterally) or other shelf supports that extend from about the middle of the divider or panel to the front to support the edges of the shelves in the front half of the assembly  110 . Similarly, the rear panel  116  includes a plurality of flanges  148  on its front face to support the rearward edges of the shelves. 
         [0030]    Each of the compartments  126  formed by the assembly of the various panels and shelves has a front having a door  150  selectively extending thereacross. The doors  150  are preferably formed of a transparent plastic material to enable the users of the device to see what foods or other materials they have left in their individual locker compartments (if any) prior to unlocking and opening their compartments. The doors  150  are pivotally attached to an adjacent forward edge of one of the side panels, e.g., the second side panel  114 , or to the forward edge of one of the intermediate panels  122   a  through  122   c , using a conventional hinge arrangement. The hinge components affixed to the side and intermediate panels may include upwardly extending pintles that engage corresponding passages in lugs along the hinge attachment side or edge of each door, allowing the doors  150  to be lifted from the pintles for removal when the entire individual locker assembly  110  is removed from its refrigerator. Much the same structure is provided for the doors of the locker assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 . The opposite edge of each door includes some means for locking the door to the front of the corresponding side panel or intermediate panel, depending upon the location of the door. In the example of  FIG. 1  the locks  14  are pushbutton combination locks, as described further above in the discussion of the individual lock assembly  10  of  FIG. 1 . In the example of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , each lock  152  comprises a key actuated lock. It will be seen that any practicable lock may be installed. 
         [0031]      FIG. 4  provides a perspective view of another exemplary individual locker assembly, broken away so that portions of the second side panel  214 , rear panel  216 , intermediate panels  222   b  and  222   c , and intermediate shelves  224   c ,  224   d , and  224   e  are visible. The reference numerals of the components illustrated in  FIG. 4  correspond to like components in the locker assembly  110  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , but with the leftmost (hundreds) digit being a  2  in the example of  FIG. 4 , rather than a 1 as in the example of  FIGS. 2 and 3 . The side panel  214  and intermediate panels  222   b ,  222   c  also have resiliently disposed pins  240  extending upward to engage corresponding receptacles in the upper interior panel of the refrigerator. A variety of different locks are shown installed on the doors  250  of the locker assembly portion illustrated in  FIG. 4 . For example, a pushbutton combination lock  254  is illustrated as the locking means for the upper right door in  FIG. 4 . Alternatively, a key-type lock  252  is installed on the door immediately below the pushbutton combination lock  254 . The vertical row of doors that close off the compartments between the intermediate dividers  222   b  and  222   c  each has a coin-operated key-type lock  256  installed therein. In some instances it may be desirable for the owner or operator of the locker assembly to collect some payment for the use of the device, and the installation of coin-operated locks will permit such collection. It will be seen that such coin-operated locks are conventional, and for that matter other types of coin-operated locks (dial or pushbutton combination, etc.) may be installed with any of the embodiment of the individual locker assembly. In addition, or in lieu of the above lock types, a simple hasp and staple  258  may be installed, with the user of each locker compartment providing his or her own lock (combination or key-type padlock, etc.). It should be noted that the various types of locks illustrated in  FIG. 4  would not likely be used with a single individual locker assembly, as shown in  FIG. 4 . Rather,  FIG. 4  is used to show the variety of different lock types that may be used with the locker assembly. 
         [0032]    The individual locker assemblies in any of their embodiments may be provided as a series of individual flat panels to be assembled to form the completed structure, or may alternatively be formed as a unitary structure ready for installation in a compatible refrigerator. The individual locker assemblies may be constructed to provide any practicable number of individual compartments therein, the sizes of the compartments depending upon the spacing between shelf and divider slots and flanges and the corresponding supports and flanges of the side and rear panels. The various panels, dividers, and shelves are preferably formed of sheet plastic for economy and durability, although other materials (e.g., sheet metal, wood, composite sheet material) may be used. Each of the various vertical panels, i.e., side panels, rear panel, and dividers, is provided with a plurality of ventilation passages therethrough, e.g., passages  160  of the individual locker assembly  110  of  FIGS. 2 and 3 , or passages  260  of the locker assembly portion illustrated in  FIG. 4 . Such ventilation passages provide for the circulation of cold air through all of the compartments of the device, thereby keeping food and/or other goods that require refrigeration, fresh until used. 
         [0033]      FIGS. 5 through 7  illustrate various aspects of another embodiment of the individual locker assemblies for refrigerators, while  FIG. 8  provides a flowchart of the basic steps in a method of renting and accessing one of the locker assemblies.  FIG. 5  provides a perspective view of a refrigerator  310  having a plurality of individual lock boxes  312  installed therein. The refrigerator has a closed back panel  314 , closed top panel  316 , closed bottom panel  318 , and closed left and right side panels  320  and  322 . The front panel  324  is open to provide for the installation of the lock boxes  312  therethrough and into the interior of the refrigerator  310 . The refrigerator  310  is otherwise conventional, having a conventional compressor, evaporator coils, and other refrigeration components installed therein, e.g., behind the lower ventilation or kick panel  326  of the lower portion of the front panel  324 , or other location according to manufacture. 
         [0034]      FIG. 6  of the drawings provides an exploded view of a single one of the individual lock boxes  312 . The individual lock box  312  illustrated in  FIG. 6  is exemplary, all of the other lock boxes being of substantially the same configuration. The lock box  312  includes a locker body  328  having an open front  330  and a thermally insulated door frame  332  therearound. The door frame  332  is somewhat larger than the cross-sectional dimensions of the locker body  328 , and abuts tightly against the adjacent door frames of the adjacent lock boxes  312  to form a thermally insulated lock box assembly  334  that forms a tight thermal seal within the open front panel  324  of the refrigerator  310 , as shown in  FIG. 5 . 
         [0035]    Each individual lock box  312  includes a selectively openable door assembly  336  installed upon the door frame  332  to selectively open and close the open front  330  of the locker box body  328 . The door assembly  336  is constructed of a thermally insulated open back  338  having a thermally insulated front panel  340  secured thereto. The front panel  340  may serve as an advertising panel, if desired. A hinge  342  secures the door assembly to the door frame  332 . A striker plate  344  is attached to the door frame  332  opposite the hinge  342 , and serves to latch the door assembly  336  closed or to allow the door assembly  332  to be opened in the conventional manner. 
         [0036]    An electronic controller  346  is installed upon the back panel of each of the individual lock boxes  312 . Each controller  346  communicates electronically with a central processing unit, as is known in the art. The controller  346  includes one or more lights  348  therein (e.g., LEDs, etc.) that are positioned to show through a clear or translucent window  350  installed in the back panel of the lock box body  328 . The controller  346  actuates the lights  348  whenever the door assembly  336  is opened, as is conventional in refrigerators. An electromechanical door latch assembly  352  is installed in the door  336 , and communicates electronically with the controller  346  by means of a cable  354 . The door latch assembly  352  includes a solenoid  356  that communicates mechanically with the striker plate  344  to allow the door assembly  336  to be opened. The solenoid  356  receives an electrical signal from the controller  346  when the controller  346  receives the appropriate signals relating to proper actuation codes, etc., as described further below in the discussion of the method of operation of the system. 
         [0037]    The system receives information from a user or renter by means of a conventional computer installed in the refrigerator  310 . The computer preferably includes a touch screen  358  located in the front panel  324  of the refrigerator, generally as shown in  FIGS. 5 and 7 . The touch screen  358  provides the required data entry means for the system. Alternatively, a separate keypad or the like (not shown) may be provided. A credit card reader  360  is also provided to allow a renter to swipe his or her card therethrough to enable the financial transaction to allow the renter to rent one of the individual lock boxes  312 . Additional volume in the refrigerator  310  is provided for a community access box  362 , which may be adjacent to the computer screen  358  or elsewhere in the assembly. The community access box  362  is constructed substantially like the lock boxes  312 , i.e., having an insulated door frame and a thermally insulated door disposed therein. However, the community access box  362  is not locked, but may be opened by anyone to access perishable commodities that might be used by renters of the lock boxes, e.g., milk or cream for coffee, condiments such as mayonnaise and ketchup, etc. 
         [0038]      FIG. 8  of the drawings provides a flowchart briefly describing the basic steps in the method of making financial rental transactions for access and use of one of the individual lock boxes  312 . A step-by-step menu may be provided on the touch screen  358 , to guide a prospective renter through the process. Initially, a prospective renter enters and confirms his or her name using the data entry means (touch screen, etc.), generally as indicated by the first step  400  of  FIG. 8 . The prospective renter then enters and confirms his or her email address in order to receive rental renewal reminders and/or other information relating to the system, generally as indicated by the second step  402  of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0039]    At this point, the prospective renter selects one of the individual lock boxes  312  from those that are available, generally as indicated by the third step  404  of  FIG. 8 . Notification of available lock boxes may be provided on screen or by appropriate lighting indicators on each individual lock box. The prospective renter then enters and confirms a personal identification number (PIN), as indicated by the fifth step  406  of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0040]    When the identity of the prospective renter and a specific lock box have been established by the system in accordance with steps  400  through  406  as described above, the system will require input of a credit card number for payment, generally as indicated by the fifth step  408 . Means are provided for a person who does not have or does not wish to use a credit card to rent one of the lock boxes, as described further below. Assuming that the prospective renter wishes to use a credit card, the card is entered or swiped through the reader  360  ( FIGS. 5 and 7 ) to enter the card number, generally as indicated by the sixth step  410  of  FIG. 8 . The prospective renter will then be requested to enter the expiration date of the card, as indicated by the seventh step  412 , the security code from the back of the card, as indicated by the eighth step  414 , and the billing postal ZIP code for confirmation purposes, as indicated by the ninth step  416  of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0041]    The credit card and associated data entered as indicated in steps  410  through  416  will either be accepted or rejected, generally as indicated by the tenth step  418  of  FIG. 8 . If the card is not accepted by the system, the prospective renter has the option of entering a different or alternate credit card, as indicated by the eleventh step  420  of  FIG. 8 . The prospective renter may then enter the card expiration date, security number, and ZIP code as indicated by the seventh through ninth steps  412  through  416 , as in the first credit card entry attempt. When the credit card has been accepted, a menu will be displayed to instruct the renter to open the selected locker, generally as indicated by the twelfth step  422  of  FIG. 8 . 
         [0042]    There may be situations in which the prospective renter is unwilling or unable to make the financial transaction for rental by means of a credit card. In such situations, the prospective renter may arrange for rental by prepayment to the controlling authority (e.g., franchise holder for the refrigerator  310  and its lock boxes  312 , etc.), generally as indicated by the thirteenth step  424  of  FIG. 8 . In this situation, the prospective renter makes prepayment by suitable means (mailing a check, etc.) to the controlling authority. When the controlling authority has verified payment, the authority transmits an access code to the renter, e.g., to the email address provided by the prospective renter in the second step  402 . The renter may then go to the refrigerator  310  and its lock boxes  312  and select the prepaid member menu on the computer screen  358 , generally as indicated by the fifteenth step  428  of  FIG. 8 . The prepaid member menu will request that the renter enter his or her previously assigned access code (from the fourteenth step  426 , further above), generally as indicated by the sixteenth step  430 . Once this has been accomplished, the screen will display the open locker menu as provided at this stage for credit card payment users or renters, generally as indicated by the twelfth step  422 . 
         [0043]    Both credit card payment users or renters and prepayment users or renters will then be instructed to enter the previously selected locker number from the third step  404 , as indicated by the seventeenth step  432  of  FIG. 8 . The user will then be instructed to enter his or her previously selected PIN from the fourth step  406 , generally as indicated by the final, eighteenth step  434  of  FIG. 8 . The computer then sends a signal to the appropriate controller  346  of the selected individual lock box  312  ( FIG. 6 ), which, in turn, sends a signal to the corresponding latch assembly solenoid  356  to allow the door assembly  336  to be opened. 
         [0044]    Accordingly, the computer and its touch screen  358  and card reader  360  provide a system for fully automating the rental and use of the refrigerator  310  and its lock boxes  312 . This greatly reduces the labor involved in such a system to only occasional maintenance and cleanout of unrented units, and other periodic maintenance as required. The resulting labor savings in turn reduces the overhead costs of operation of the device, thereby providing reductions in rental costs to the renters or users of the system. The use of advertising space on or in the door panels  340  of the individual lock boxes  312  provides further income for the controlling authority of the device, thus providing further potential savings for the renter or user. 
         [0045]    It is to be understood that the present invention is not limited to the embodiments described above, but encompasses any and all embodiments within the scope of the following claims.