Abstract:
ABSTRACT A refrigerator comprising a refrigerator housing defining first, second, and third compartments separated by insulated walls, a refrigeration system supplying cold air to the first, second, and third compartments, first, second, and third sensors operative to detect temperature in a respective one of the first, second, and third compartments and control circuitry in electrical communication with the sensors, the control circuitry controlling flow of the cold air into each of the first, second, and third compartments so as to facilitate maintaining a respective desired temperature therein, where the desired temperature of each of the first, second, and third compartments is variable and may be set by a user independently with respect to each other.

Description:
CLAIM OF PRIORITY 
       [0001]    The present application claims the benefit of the U.S. provisional application filed on Jan. 29, 2007 by Wuesthoff et al. for REFRIGERATOR HAVING COMPARTMENT CAPABLE OF CONVERTING BETWEEN REFRIGERATION AND FREEZING TEMPERATURES (Ser. No. 60/887,107), the entire disclosure of which is incorporated by reference herein. 
     
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    The present invention relates to refrigerators. More particularly, the present invention relates to a refrigerator having a compartment capable of converting from a refrigeration area to a freezer area and back. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0003]    Most refrigerators for household use include at least one area for refrigerating items and at least one area for freezing items. Refrigeration areas typically operate within the range of temperatures from 34 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit, while freezer areas generally operate within the range of temperatures from 0 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit. Depending on certain factors, such as overall refrigerator configuration and size, the refrigeration and freezer areas can be partitioned and arranged in a number of manners. For example, in one configuration, the refrigeration area may occupy a left portion of the refrigerator, while the freezer area may occupy a right portion, or vice versa. In an alternate configuration, the refrigeration area may occupy an upper portion of the refrigerator, while the freezer area may occupy a lower portion, or vice versa. 
         [0004]    Additionally, doors or drawer fronts may be used to enclose and define the refrigeration and freezer areas. In one instance, one or more doors may enclose the refrigeration area, while one or more drawers may define the freezer area. The reverse may also be true. 
         [0005]    Regardless of how the refrigeration and freezer areas are configured or what structures are used to enclose each area, the refrigeration area and the freezer area are established at the time the refrigerator is designed and fixed when it is manufactured. At that point, the purchaser of a household refrigerator is unable to change which area will be the refrigeration area and which area will be the freezer area. Likewise, the purchaser is unable to increase the size of either the refrigeration area or the freezer area depending on the purchaser&#39;s current needs. The purchaser is also unable to use a portion or all of the refrigeration area as a freezer area, or vice versa. 
         [0006]    Typically, household refrigerators include a refrigeration system that includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator connected together by coils and tubes. Refrigerant flows throughout the refrigeration system via the coils and tubes. The refrigerant enters the compressor, where it is pressurized, the result of which is an increase in the temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigerant is transferred to the condenser, where it is condensed and cooled by flowing through a number of coils across which air passes. Energy in the form of heat is transferred from the refrigerant to the air and removed from the system. The refrigerant then enters the expansion device where it undergoes an abrupt reduction in pressure, the result of which is a decrease in the temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigerant then passes through coils typically adjacent to the areas to be cooled. Fans and/or other devices circulate the areas&#39; air over the coils where heat energy is transferred from the circulated air to the refrigerant, which results in a decrease in temperature of the air in the enclosed area and an increase in temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigerant then passes to the compressor and begins the cycle again. 
         [0007]    During normal usage, the refrigeration system described above continues to cycle through the refrigeration process in order to maintain the temperature within the various areas of the refrigerator at a desired level. When the actual temperature rises above the desired level in a certain area, the refrigeration system of some refrigerators continues to operate as normal in an attempt to lower the temperature of that area. Other refrigerators include a variable speed compressor in the refrigeration system, which allows the system to change the rate at which refrigerant passes through the refrigeration cycle. The faster the flow rate of the refrigerant, the greater the amount of refrigerant that flows through the system&#39;s coils during a specific period of time. This allows a greater amount of heat energy to be transferred from the air in the area to be cooled to the refrigerant, thereby decreasing the temperature of the air at a greater pace. When the desired temperature is established in the refrigerator&#39;s areas, the compressor returns to a normal speed. Under some conditions, it is desirable for the compressor to operate at a rate slower than normal. 
         [0008]    Refrigerators typically use baffles to control the flow of cold air from the refrigeration system to the refrigerator&#39;s areas. Generally, each of the refrigerator&#39;s areas includes at least one port allowing cold air to pass into the area and at least one vent allowing circulated air to pass out of the area. Baffles connected to each port open and close the particular port to respectively allow or prevent cold air from entering the corresponding area. Controlling the flow of cold air in this manner allows the refrigeration system to maintain the temperature of each area at a relatively stable level. 
         [0009]    Household refrigerators normally include controls and sensors to adjust and regulate the temperature of the refrigeration and freezer areas. Depending on the type of controls, the refrigerator&#39;s user can select a specific temperature, a temperature range, or a number indicative of a relative temperature, such as choosing the number “2” from a range of 1 to 5. Each selection, including the numeric range, correlates to a specific temperature or temperature range for that area of the refrigerator. As described above, when the temperature of one or more areas rises to a temperature that is greater than an established difference between the current temperature and the selected temperature for an that area, the refrigeration system continues to cycle in an attempt to cool that area. In other refrigerators, the refrigeration system increases the speed of the compressor to more rapidly chill the desired area. 
         [0010]    The baffles described above control which areas receive the cold air by opening the ports corresponding to the areas for which the temperature should be lowered and by closing the ports corresponding to areas currently maintaining a suitable temperature. The baffles keep the open ports open until the temperature of the corresponding area has reached an acceptable level. If one area has reached a suitable temperature level but the temperature in other areas remains higher than acceptable, baffles close the corresponding ports that are associated with the areas that have reached a suitable temperature level. The refrigeration system&#39;s compressor continues to operate until all areas have reached a suitable temperature. In a refrigerator that includes a variable speed compressor, the refrigeration system is capable of operating at different rates depending on the difference between the desired temperature and the actual temperature in the various areas. In older refrigerators, when all areas have reached a suitable temperature, and, therefore, no additional sections need to be cooled, the refrigeration system deactivates. In other refrigerators employing variable speed compressors, the refrigeration system may decrease the speed of the compressor to a point where the refrigeration system is capable of maintaining the desired temperature in each of the refrigerator areas. The refrigeration system of yet other refrigerators may only be able to operate continuously at one speed in an attempt to maintain the desired temperature. 
         [0011]    The refrigeration system described above is intended to maintain the refrigerator&#39;s interior at a temperature below the temperature of ambient air in the room where the refrigerator has been placed. Maintaining a set temperature is somewhat straightforward when the refrigeration and freezer areas are sealed and remain unopened. Depending on the refrigerator&#39;s construction, some heat energy may be exchanged between the air within the refrigerator&#39;s interior and the ambient air through the refrigerator&#39;s external housing. Due to modem refrigerator constructions, a large amount of heat energy will generally not be exchanged in this manner. 
         [0012]    Conversely, an exchange of heat energy automatically takes place when the refrigerator is opened due to the difference in temperature between the ambient air and the air in the refrigerator&#39;s interior. Because heat energy travels from higher temperatures to lower temperatures, any air of a temperature lower than the ambient air will begin to increase in temperature. In this scenario, the temperature of the air inside the refrigerator begins to rapidly increase. Similarly, because the cold air within the refrigerator has a lower temperature, it is denser than that of the ambient air causing refrigerated air to leave the refrigerator while ambient air enters it. Given a sufficient amount of time, the temperature of the air within the refrigerator will increase to that of the ambient air. This also causes an increase in temperature of the items stored in the refrigerator. 
         [0013]    The refrigeration system must operate continuously, or, in the case of a system including a variable speed compressor, must operate at a speed higher than normal in order to counteract the increase in temperature described above. If any part of the refrigerator&#39;s interior remains exposed, the air within the refrigerator will continue to absorb heat energy and its temperature will rise to the temperature of the ambient air. Continuous operation of the refrigeration system puts a strain on the system&#39;s components and reduces the components&#39; useful life. Additionally, this continuous operation consumes an inefficient amount of energy. Thus, an unobstructed exchange of heat energy from the ambient air to the refrigerated air, as well as the introduction of ambient air into the interior of the refrigerator, causes the refrigeration system to operate inefficiently. 
         [0014]    A user places items in the refrigeration and freezer areas of a refrigerator in order to keep the item&#39;s temperature below a particular level, generally to preserve the item. Refrigerators employ a range of structures to facilitate the placement and removal of various items by the user. For example, bottles of soda and wine create an inefficient use of space due to the necessary arrangement of shelves above the bottle to accommodate their height when placed vertically on a lower shelf. When placed horizontally on a shelf, bottles are able to roll and move around on the refrigerator&#39;s shelf. In order to efficiently store these bottles, some refrigerators include a support consisting of at least one semi-circular bracket that holds the bottle horizontally above a shelf. Such supports, however, create an inefficient use of space when not in use due to the space occupied and made unavailable by the support. 
         [0015]    Likewise, bins attached to the interior of a refrigerator door facilitate access to items frequently used and removed from a refrigerator. The configuration and manner of attachment of these bins to the refrigerator door may vary. In some instances, such bins can be attached to different locations along the width and height of the door&#39;s interior. These bins generally occupy the entire space that exists horizontally between the inside of the closed refrigerator door and the adjacent refrigerator shelves making the size of the bin bulky and difficult to carry when removed from the door. The user must either remove each item from the bin that the user intends to use at the moment or must remove the entire bin, which may be awkward to carry and/or contain unwanted items. Additionally, refrigerators lack adequate support to efficiently store irregularly-shaped items, such as a pizza box. 
         [0016]    Refrigerators include other structures to better preserve certain items, including dairy bins to preserve dairy products, such as butter. Generally, dairy bins are attached to the interior of a refrigerator door near the top portion of the door and include a partially cylindrical cover that rotates about its axis to provide access to the contents contained in the dairy bin. Due to the bin&#39;s location and arrangement, it can be difficult to remove the bin&#39;s contents. 
         [0017]    Items required to be kept frozen, such as ice cream, are stored in the freezer areas of a refrigerator. The desired temperature in which to store some items, such as ice cream, however, can be lower than other items stored in the freezer. In these situations, the user commonly sets the temperature of the freezer at a particular level to maintain an ideal temperature for the majority of items in order to prevent freezer burn or other damaging effects to these items. This creates a tendency to cause other items that require lower temperatures, such as ice cream, to be softer than desired. As an illustration, ice cream may become softer than otherwise intended if stored at a higher temperature level desirable for storing other freezer items. Freezers lack an area directed to storing certain items whose ideal storage temperature is generally lower than the majority of other items stored in the freezer. 
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
       [0018]    The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing considerations, and others, of prior art construction and methods. 
         [0019]    In this regard, one aspect of the invention provides a refrigerator comprising a refrigerator housing defining first, second, and third compartments separated by insulated walls, a refrigeration system supplying cold air to the first, second, and third compartments, first, second, and third sensors operative to detect temperature in a respective one of the first, second, and third compartments, and control circuitry in electrical communication with the sensors, the control circuitry controlling flow of the cold air into each of the first, second, and third compartments so as to facilitate maintaining a respective desired temperature therein, where the desired temperature of each of the first, second, and third compartments is variable and may be set by a user independently with respect to each other. 
         [0020]    According to another aspect, the present invention also provides a refrigeration apparatus comprising a refrigerator housing defining first, second, and third compartments in which food items are stored, a refrigeration system, a first aperture defined by the housing to provide fluid communication between the refrigeration system and the first compartment, a first mechanism being configured to vary the first aperture, a second aperture defined by the housing to provide fluid communication between the refrigeration system and the second compartment, a second mechanism being configured to vary the second aperture, control circuitry operatively connected to the first mechanism and the second mechanism, where the control circuitry directs the first mechanism to vary the first aperture and directs the second mechanism to vary the second aperture in order to facilitate maintaining the first compartment at a first desired temperature and the second compartment at a second desired temperature. 
         [0021]    A further aspect of the present invention provides a refrigeration apparatus comprising a generally rectangular area defined by two side walls, a back wall, a top wall, a base, and a door and a device attached to an inside surface of the top wall for producing an air curtain, where the device expels air downward toward the base when the door is opened. 
         [0022]    In another aspect, there is provided a rack suspended from an underside of a shelf for supporting at least one container, the rack comprising a back support attached to the underside of the shelf having a vertical support and a horizontal flange, the vertical support and the horizontal flange having at least one first curve, wherein the vertical support and the horizontal flange are constructed to receive a bottom of the container at the first curve and a front support attached to the underside at at least one connection point and having at least one second curve, the second curve opposite the first curve and constructed to receive a portion of the container, where the front support is adapted to pivot at the connection point such that the front support may be attached horizontally to the underside of the shelf and stored. 
         [0023]    One aspect of the invention provides A bin attached to a refrigerator door for storing a plurality of items, the bin comprising a back portion attached to the refrigerator door and configured to store a first set of the items, the back portion comprising a support structure and a front portion configured to store a second set of the items, the front portion adapted to be maintained in position on the support structure but removable therefrom, where the front portion may be separated from the back portion by vertically lifting the hollow portion away from the support structure. 
         [0024]    According to another aspect, the present invention also provides a dairy bin for a refrigerator comprising a first side support, a cover comprising a first cover end and a first plurality of gear teeth attached to the first cover end, wherein the first cover end is pivotally attached to the first side support such that the cover is able to rotate in a generally cylindrical manner, and a tray comprising a first tray end, the first tray end being slideable such that the tray is able to slide forward and backward in a generally horizontal manner, where the first tray end defines a first plurality of slots in which respective of said gear teeth are received. 
         [0025]    A further aspect of the present invention provides a refrigeration apparatus comprising an ice maker and an ice bin located underneath the ice maker, where a portion of a top surface of the ice bin defines a ledge for supporting a container. 
     
    
     
         [0026]    The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
         BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
         [0027]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which: 
           [0028]      FIG. 1  is an isometric front view of a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0029]      FIG. 2  is a partial isometric view of the refrigerator of  FIG. 1 , with a door and drawer open to reveal internal structures; 
           [0030]      FIG. 3  is an enlarged isometric view of the refrigerator of  FIG. 1  showing the access drawer of a convertible compartment open; 
           [0031]      FIG. 4  is a partial isometric view of the top of the refrigerator of  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0032]      FIG. 5   a  is a diagrammatic view illustrating operation of a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0033]      FIGS. 5   b ,  6   a ,  6   b , and  6   c  are isometric views of different areas of a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0034]      FIG. 7  is an enlarged isometric view of a refrigerator panel in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0035]      FIG. 8  is an isometric view of a refrigerator compartment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0036]      FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b  are enlarged isometric views of a bottle rack of a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention in extended and retracted positions, respectively; 
           [0037]      FIG. 10  is an enlarged isometric view of a refrigerator bin in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; 
           [0038]      FIG. 11  is an enlarged isometric view of a refrigerator bin in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and 
           [0039]      FIG. 12  is an enlarged isometric view of a portion of a refrigerator&#39;s freezer area in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
       
    
    
       [0040]    Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention. 
       DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
       [0041]    Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the description which follows and, in part, will be apparent from the description, or may be learned by practice of the invention. 
         [0042]      FIGS. 1 through 5   b  illustrate a refrigerator  10  constructed in accordance with an embodiment of the invention. Refrigerator  10  includes a housing  12  having a top wall  14 , left wall  16 , right wall  18 , back wall  20 , and bottom  22 . Housing  12  defines an upper portion  24  and a lower portion  26  separated by a horizontal wall  28 . A vertical wall  30  divides upper portion  24  into a freezer area, i.e., compartment,  32  on the left and a refrigeration area  34  on the right. Freezer door  36  and refrigerator door  38  are attached to housing  12  and enclose freezer area  32  and refrigeration area  34 , respectively. The front side  40  of top wall  14  includes a panel  42 . Freezer temperature controls (not shown) and refrigerator temperature controls (collectively denoted as temperature controls  44 ) located on panel  42  are revealed when freezer door  36  and refrigerator door  38  are opened. As one skilled in the art will appreciate, temperature controls  44  are in electronic communication with control circuitry. Freezer area  32 , refrigeration area  34 , and lower portion  26  each include a temperature sensor, examples of which are temperature sensors  48  located in freezer area  32  ( FIG. 5   b ) and temperature sensor  50  ( FIG. 2 ) located in refrigeration area  34 , respectively. It should be understood that additional sensors may be used depending on the size and configuration of refrigerator  10 . These temperature sensors are also connected to the control circuitry, at least some of which in this case is housed under a cover  52  located on the exterior of top wall  14 . A drawer  54  is attached to housing  12  and occupies the space corresponding to lower portion  26 . As will be described in more detail below with reference to  FIG. 7 , freezer door  36  includes an ice and water dispenser  56  having a control panel  58 . 
         [0043]    Refrigeration area  34  also includes a variety of other structures, such as shelves  60 , a variety of bins  62 , an air curtain device  64 , a bottle rack  66 , a separable bin  68 , and a dairy bin  70 . It should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art that a number of combinations and constructions of shelves, bins, racks, and trays may be employed without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. In general, the construction of refrigerator shelves and removable bins should be understood in the art and are, therefore, not discussed in further detail except as they relate to aspects of the present invention. The construction and function of air curtain device  64 , bottle rack  66 , separable bin  68 , and dairy bin  70  are described in more detail below with respect to  FIGS. 8 ,  9   a ,  9   b ,  10 , and  11 , respectively. 
         [0044]      FIG. 5   a  is a diagrammatic illustration showing the general airflow of refrigerator  10  to maintain the desired temperatures of the refrigerator&#39;s various areas.  FIG. 5   b  is an isometric view of freezer area  32  with a rear covering  72  ( FIG. 6   a ) removed to depict several components of the refrigeration system of refrigerator  10 . The control circuitry is operatively connected to the refrigeration system. As described above, general aspects of refrigeration systems, their various components, and manner of operation should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art and are, therefore, not described in further detail. Thus, reference will be made to only certain components of the refrigeration system of refrigerator  10  for simplicity.  FIGS. 6   a ,  6   b , and  6   c  are isometric views of the various areas of refrigerator  10  illustrating the manner of airflow of each area to maintain the desired temperature of that area. 
         [0045]    Referring now to  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  6   a , freezer area  32  includes several components of the refrigeration system of refrigerator  10 , such as a fan  74  and refrigeration coils  76 . A rear covering  72  ( FIG. 6   a ) separates a space in the rear of freezer area  32  between back wall  20  of housing  12  and the covering from a space in the forward part of the area between the covering and freezer door  36 . For simplicity, this space between housing  12  and covering  72  is referred to as cooling area  78 , while the space between covering  72  and freezer door  36  is referred to as frozen food area  80 . Fan  74  and coils  76  are attached to back wall  20  of housing  12  at the rear of freezer area  32 . Thus, fan  74  and coils  76  are enclosed by covering  72  and contained in cooling area  78 . 
         [0046]    Refrigeration area  34  is in fluid communication with cooling area  78  of the refrigeration system via an aperture. In the presently-described embodiment, the aperture is shown as an air port  82  defined at a location near the top of vertical wall  30  to provide an air passage between cooling area  78  and refrigeration area  34 . A damper  84  ( FIG. 5   a ) connected in registry with port  82  is capable of opening and closing the port. A return vent  86  is located near the bottom of vertical wall  30  to provide a return air passage between refrigeration area  34  and cooling area  78 . 
         [0047]    A ventilation channel  88  located at the rear of freezer area  32  extends vertically down the back corner formed by walls  16  and  20  through horizontal wall  28  into lower portion  26 . Lower portion  26  is in fluid communication with cooling area  78  of the refrigeration system via an aperture defined between ventilation channel  88  and the lower portion. In the presently-described embodiment, the aperture is shown as a port  92  defined in the horizontal wall  28 . An opening  90  at the top of ventilation channel  88  and port  92  provide an air passage between cooling area  78  and lower portion  26 . A damper  94  connected in registry with port  92  is capable of opening and closing the port. A return vent  96  is defined in horizontal wall  28  near the left, front section of lower portion  26  and provides an air passage between the lower portion and cooling area  78 . 
         [0048]    Frozen food area  80  is in fluid communication with cooling area  78  of the refrigeration system via one or more apertures. In the presently-described embodiment, such apertures are shown in  FIG. 6   a  as air ports  98  and  100  incorporated in rear covering  72 , which provide an air passage between cooling area  78  and frozen food area  80 . In another embodiment, rear covering  72  additionally includes dampers connected in registry with ports  98  and  100 , which are capable of opening and closing the ports. Dampers such as these, as well as dampers  84  and  94 , should be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art and are, therefore, not discussed in further detail. Rear covering  72  includes a return vent  102  located at the base of frozen food area  80  that provides an air passage between the frozen food area and cooling area  78  for recirculation. 
         [0049]    Referring to  FIG. 7 , dispenser  56  includes recess  104  and a paddle  106  concavely shaped to receive a typical drinking glass. An opening  108  is located at the top of recess  104  to be aligned with a drinking glass when the glass is placed against the paddle. In this embodiment, control panel  58  includes the following buttons: light button  110 , control lock button  112 , water select button  114 , ice cube select button  116 , ice crush select button  118 , extra ice button  120 , temperature adjust up button  122 , temperature adjust down button  124 , and hold buttons  126  and  128 . Control panel  58  additionally includes a display  130 , all of which are in electric communication with the control circuitry. The structure and operation of water and ice dispensers should be understood to one of ordinary skill in the art and, therefore, is not discussed in further detail. 
         [0050]    Referring to  FIG. 2 , in operation, the user sets the desired temperature for frozen food area  80  and refrigeration area  34  using temperature controls  44 . Temperature sensors in each part of the refrigerator, such as temperature sensor  48  in freezer area  32  and temperature sensor  50  in refrigeration area  34 , measure the temperature of the corresponding area and transmit the information to the control circuitry. When the control circuitry determines the temperature in one or more areas has risen to an unacceptable level in comparison to the desired temperature set by the user, the circuitry operates to reduce the temperature in such area. 
         [0051]    Referring to  FIGS. 5   a  and  5   b , increasing the speed of the refrigeration system causes cold refrigerant to flow more rapidly through coils  76 . Fan  74  operates to draw warmer air over coils  76  causing the colder refrigerant in the coils to absorb heat energy from the warmer air, thereby cooling the air. Also referring to  FIG. 6   b , if the control circuitry determines the temperature of refrigeration area  34  has risen to an unacceptable level, the circuitry instructs damper  84  to open port  82 . As a result, cold air will flow into refrigeration area  32  (as denoted by arrows  132  and  134 ). Air introduced into refrigeration area  34  via port  82  causes air within the area to exit via vent  86  (as denoted by arrows  134  and  136 ). The air exiting refrigeration area  34  enters cooling area  78  to begin the process again (as denoted by arrows  138 ). Temperature sensor  50  continues to measure and transmit temperature information to the control circuitry. When the control circuitry determines the temperature within refrigeration area  34  has lowered to an acceptable level, the circuitry instructs damper  84  to close port  82  in order to prevent additional cold air from cooling area  78  flowing into refrigeration area  34 . 
         [0052]    In another embodiment, the control circuitry can instruct damper  84  to partially close port  82  in order to reduce the amount of cold air from cooling area  78  flowing into refrigeration area  34  based on the temperature information received from temperature sensor  50 . The damper may then be instructed to close the port once the temperature in refrigeration area  34  has reached an acceptable level. 
         [0053]    Similar to above and referring to  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  6   a , in another embodiment, if the control circuitry determines the temperature of frozen food area  80  has risen to an unacceptable level, the circuitry instructs dampers within rear covering  72  to open ports  98  and  100  allowing the cold air from cooling area  78  to flow into frozen food area  80  (as denoted by arrows  140  and  142 ). Air introduced into frozen food area  80  via ports  98  and  100  causes air within the area to re-circulate via vent  102 . The air exiting frozen food area  80  enters cooling area  78  to begin the process again. Temperature sensor  48  continues to measure and transmit temperature information to the control circuitry. When the control circuitry determines the temperature within frozen food area  80  has lowered to an acceptable level, the circuitry instructs the dampers within rear covering  72  to close ports  98  and  100  in order to prevent cold air from cooling area  78  flowing into frozen food area  80 . 
         [0054]    In another embodiment, the control circuitry can instruct dampers within rear covering  72  to partially close ports  98  and  100  in order to reduce the amount of cold air from cooling area  78  flowing into frozen food area  80  based on the temperature information received from temperature sensor  48 . The dampers may then be instructed to close the ports once the temperature in the area has reached an acceptable level. 
         [0055]    Referring again to  FIG. 7 , control panel  58  includes certain buttons used to set the temperature of lower portion  26 . The currently selected temperature setting for lower portion  26  is shown on display  130 . In order to change the selected temperature, the user simultaneously depresses hold buttons  126  and  128  for a predetermined period of time, such as 3 seconds, in order to activate temperature adjust buttons  122  and  124 . The user may increase the desired temperature setting for lower portion  26  by pressing temperature adjust up button  122  and may decrease the desired temperature setting by pressing temperature adjust down button  124 . In one embodiment, available temperature settings for lower portion  26  shown on display  130  may include acronyms such as “RF” for refrigeration or “SC” for super chill. In another embodiment, available temperature settings for lower portion  26  may include complete words such as “refrigerator” or “freezer.” In yet another embodiment, available temperature settings for lower portion  26  may include “fresh food,” “refrigerator,” “soft freeze,” or “hard freeze.” In yet another embodiment, available temperature settings for lower portion  26  may include an exact temperature setting, such as thirty degrees (“30°”) Fahrenheit, or a relative numeral setting within a range, such as “2” out of the range of 1 to 5. It should be apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art that a number of combinations and selections for available settings may be selected and programmed without departing from the scope of the present invention. 
         [0056]    When the user has selected the desired temperature setting, the user presses lock button  112 , which deactivates temperature adjust buttons  122  and  124  and sets the desired temperature setting at the control circuitry. At this point, if the temperature of lower portion  26  is greater than the selected temperature by an unacceptable amount, the control circuitry increases the speed of the refrigeration system or otherwise operates in a manner that reduces the temperature. 
         [0057]    Now referring to  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  6   c , once the control circuitry has increased the refrigeration system&#39;s speed, it instructs damper  94  to open port  92  allowing cold air from cooling area  78  to flow into lower portion  26  (as denoted by arrows  144  and  146 ). Air introduced into lower area  26  via port  92  displaces air within the area, causing it to exit via vent  96  (as denoted by arrows  148 ). The air exiting lower portion  26  enters cooling area  78  to begin the process again. The temperature sensor (not shown) in lower portion  26  continues to measure and transmit temperature information to the control circuitry. When the control circuitry determines the temperature within lower portion  26  has lowered to an acceptable level, the circuitry instructs damper  94  to close port  92  in order to restrict or prevent additional cold air from cooling area  78  flowing into lower portion  26 . 
         [0058]    In another embodiment, the control circuitry can instruct damper  94  to partially close port  92  in order to reduce the amount of cold air from cooling area  78  flowing into lower portion  26  based on the temperature information received from the temperature sensor. The damper may then be instructed to close the port once the temperature in the lower portion has reached an acceptable level. 
         [0059]    When the control circuitry determines that the temperature within refrigeration area  34 , frozen food area  80 , and lower portion  26 , have all reached acceptable levels, the circuitry returns the speed of the refrigeration system of refrigerator  10  to normal. The temperature sensors, such as temperature sensors  48  and  50 , continue to monitor and transmit the temperature level of each area to the control circuitry. 
         [0060]    As described above, the refrigeration system of refrigerator  10  preferably includes a variable speed compressor  101  ( FIG. 5A ), the speed of which is controlled by the control circuitry. This circuitry sets the speed of the motor of compressor  101  depending on the difference by which the actual temperature of at least one of frozen food area  80 , refrigeration area  34 , or lower portion  26  is greater than its desired temperature. The increase in speed of the motor set by the control circuitry is related to the difference between the actual temperature and the desired temperature of the certain area. For example, the control circuitry will preferably cause the speed of the motor of compressor  101  to operate at a higher rate when the actual temperature of lower portion  26  is 5 degrees higher than the desired temperature than when the actual temperature is 2 degrees higher than the desired temperature. By way of another example, when the user selects a setting for lower portion  26  corresponding to a temperature or temperature range for a freezer area (i.e., from 0 to 12 degrees Fahrenheit) using control panel  58  and the previous setting for the lower portion corresponded to a temperature or temperature range for a refrigerator area (i.e., from 34 to 44 degrees Fahrenheit), the control circuitry causes variable speed compressor  101  to operate continuously at a very high rate in order to rapidly decrease the temperature of the air in lower portion  26 . In this specific situation, the control circuitry instructs damper  84  to close port  82  and dampers in rear covering  72  to close ports  98  and  100  so that all the air being cooled in cooling area  78  is sent through port  90 , down channel  88 , through port  92 , and into lower portion  26 . This causes the temperature of lower portion  26  to drop rapidly. 
         [0061]    In another embodiment, temperature controls  44  allow the user to set the temperature for frozen food area  80  and refrigeration area  34  to any desired temperature or temperature range. For example, the user may desire refrigeration area  34  to operate as a freezer and accordingly uses temperature controls  44  to set the desired temperature to below freezing. The refrigeration system operates as described above in order to decrease the temperature of the air within refrigeration area  34  to the desired level, thereby converting the refrigeration area into a freezer. 
         [0062]    Referring to  FIG. 8 , refrigeration area  34  includes an air curtain device  64 , which is located at the front topmost portion of area&#39;s interior and is attached to underside of top wall  14 . A water filter  150 , which filters water flowing into the refrigerator and to dispenser  56  to be used for drinking, is located adjacent to air curtain device  64 . The operation of such water filters should be understood by one of ordinary skill in the art and is, therefore, not discussed in further detail. When refrigerator door  38  is opened, fans within air curtain device  64  draw air in from vents at the rear of the device and expel air through slit-like vents  152  at the front of the device vertically downward toward the base of refrigeration area  34  (as denoted by arrows  154 ). When refrigerator door  38  is open, operation of air curtain device  64  creates a barrier of circulated air at the front of refrigeration area  34  planar with the location of refrigerator door  38  when the door is shut. The barrier creates a virtual air wall, or “curtain,” which obstructs the exchange of heat energy between the ambient air and the air within refrigeration area  34 . This obstruction of heat energy exchange decreases the rate at which the temperature of the air inside refrigeration area  34  would otherwise increase when refrigerator door  38  was opened under normal conditions. 
         [0063]    Referring to  FIGS. 9   a  and  9   b , refrigeration area  34  includes bottle rack  66  comprising a back support  156  and a front support  158 . Back support  156  is attached to and suspends vertically downward from the underside of a shelf, such as shelf  60 , and includes a vertical support piece  160  and a horizontal flange piece  162 . Vertical support piece  160  and horizontal flange piece  162  include a number of curves, each constructed to receive the bottom end of an item shaped like a bottle. Front support  158  is also attached to the underside of shelf  60  at points  164  and  166  and suspends vertically downward therefrom. Front support  158  also exhibits a number of curves, each constructed to receive the mid or neck portion of an item shaped like a bottle. As shown specifically in  FIG. 9   b , front support  158  is adapted to pivot at points  164  and  166  (as denoted by arrow  168  and phantom lines  170 ) allowing it to attach horizontally to the underside of shelf  60  where it can be stored. 
         [0064]    In operation, a user pivots front support  158  down into its vertical position as shown in  FIG. 9   a  and depicted by phantom lines  170  in  FIG. 9   b . An item, such as a 2-liter bottle of soda or a bottle of wine, is passed between shelf  60  and front support  158  until the item&#39;s base reaches vertical support  160 . The user then places the item&#39;s base against vertical support  160  and sets the item on horizontal flange  162  within one curve of back support  156 . The user then rests the mid or neck portion of the item on a corresponding curve of front support  158 . When not in use, front support  158  may be pivoted upward and attached to the underside of shelf  60  (as denoted by arrow  168 ) providing a user with more space below the shelf. 
         [0065]    Referring to  FIG. 10 , separable bin  68  is attached to the interior of refrigerator door  38  and comprises a back support  172  and a removable front  174 . Back support  172  includes a container area  176  and a support tray  178 , which is formed to fit within the base of removable front  174  (as denoted by phantom lines  180 ). Likewise, removable front  174  includes its own container area  182 , which is defined by an outside surface  184  having a hollow portion formed to receive support tray  178 . 
         [0066]    In operation, the user places items in container area  176 . Other items frequently removed from refrigerator  10  by the user are placed in container area  182 . Instead of removing items one-by-one from container area  182 , the user vertically lifts outside surface  184  thereby separating removable front  174  from support tray  178 . The user then carries removable front  174  to transport the items stored in container area  182  to a desired location. When finished with the items stored in container area  182 , the user vertically replaces removable front  174  back down onto support tray  178 . 
         [0067]    Referring to  FIG. 11 , dairy bin  70  includes support sides  186  (only one support side of the bin is shown for simplicity) attached to the interior of refrigerator door  38 . A cover  188  consists of a partially cylindrical section  190  formed with perpendicular sides  192  (only one side of the cover is shown for simplicity). Side  192  is secured to support side  186  at point  194  such that point  194  is coaxial with partially cylindrical section  190  giving cover  188  the ability to rotate (as denoted by arrow  196 ) about it axis. Side  192  includes gear teeth (collectively denoted at  198 ). A tray  200  is slideably attached to the base of support sides  186  so that the tray is able to move forward and backward in the horizontal plane (as denoted by arrow  202 ) and includes recesses (collectively denoted at  204 ) formed to receive gear teeth  198 . 
         [0068]    A user of refrigerator  10  can either vertically raise cover  188  or horizontally slide tray  200  forward to access the items stored in dairy bin  70 . When cover  188  is raised, side  192  rotates in a counterclockwise motion so that gear teeth  198  engage recesses  204 . As gear teeth  198  rotate counterclockwise with side  192 , they push recesses  204  forward, thereby causing tray  200  to slide forward horizontally. Likewise, when tray  200  is slid horizontally forward, recesses  204  engage gear teeth  198 . As tray  200  slides forward, recesses  204  pull gear teeth  198  causing side  192  to rotate counterclockwise about point  194 . This rotation also causes cover  188  to raise. 
         [0069]    When tray  200  is slid in the opposite direction, recesses  204  move backward with the tray. Because gear teeth  198  are engaged with recesses  204 , this movement causes gear teeth  198 , and thus side  192 , to rotate in the clockwise direction. This lowers cover  188  onto tray  200  to close dairy bin  70 . Likewise, if the user lowers cover  188 , side  192  rotates clockwise causing gear teeth  198  to also rotate clockwise. As gear teeth  198  rotate, they pull recesses  204  back toward the inside surface of refrigerator door  38 . Thus, it should be understood that a dairy bin capable of being opened by either moving tray  200  or cover  188  is disclosed. 
         [0070]      FIG. 12  illustrates a portion of frozen food area  80  ( FIG. 6   a ) with the addition of an ice maker  205 . Ice maker  205  is attached to rear covering  72  near the covering&#39;s top. An ice bin  206  located underneath ice maker  205  and attached to rear covering  72  extends horizontally from the covering to the front of freezer food  80  and is used to store ice produced by the maker. The front of ice maker  205  and the top of ice bin  206  preferably define a ledge at  208 . A removable L-shaped shelf  210  is located on the top of ice bin  206  and attached to the front of ice maker  205 . The right side of ice bin  206  and vertical wall  30  define a narrow space  212  extending from the bottom of the ice bin to the underside of top wall  14 . A curved support  214  is attached to ice bin at the foot of space  212 . 
         [0071]    As explained above with reference to  FIGS. 5   a ,  5   b , and  6   a , cold air produced by the refrigeration system of refrigerator  10  is transferred from cooling area  78  through ports  98  and  100  into frozen food area  80  as denoted by arrows  140  and  142 . Ice maker  205  and ice bin  206  are located in the space between ports  98  and  100  causing the area occupied by the ice maker and bin to exhibit a temperature lower than the surrounding air in freezer area  80 . Because L-shaped shelf  210  is located in this area, the temperature of the air in the space occupied by the shelf is lower than the surrounding air in frozen food area  80 . Items which the user wishes to store at a temperature lower that the average temperature of frozen food area  80 , such as ice cream, can be stored on L-shaped shelf  210  (as denoted by phantom lines  216 ). 
         [0072]    Depending on the size and configuration of refrigerator  10 , some irregularly shaped items may be unable to adequately fit horizontally in frozen food area  80 , such as frozen pizza boxes. Because of its spatial characteristics, space  212  is ideal for storing such items (as shown in phantom lines). Users avoid having to remove and rearrange the contents of such items to fit within a regular storage container in order to place the contents in frozen food area  80 . Instead, such items can be placed on support  214 , which is designed to act as a foundation for such items. The user may set the item on curved support  214  and push item toward the rear of frozen food area  80 . The item can be easily removed when desired. 
         [0073]    While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention have been shown and described, it should be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of the present invention are included within the scope and spirit thereof. The embodiments depicted are presented by way of example only and are not intended as limitations upon the present invention. Thus, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in this art that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments since modifications can be made. Therefore, it is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall within the scope and spirit thereof.