Patent Publication Number: US-11384976-B2

Title: Easy open drawer/door with a rotating handle

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 15/376,159, filed Dec. 12, 2016, entitled “EASY OPEN DRAWER/DOOR WITH A ROTATING HANDLE,” which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/271,451, filed Dec. 28, 2015, entitled “EASY OPEN DRAWER/DOOR WITH A ROTATING HANDLE,” which are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     The present disclosure relates to a refrigerator, and in particular, to a refrigerator that uses a handle to activate a pushing device installed on a drawer or door of a refrigerator by using a mechanism to transfer movement from the handle to the pushing device to separate the door from the refrigerator main body. 
     BACKGROUND 
     A refrigerator is an apparatus for storing foods or other materials at low temperatures to preserve the food or material in a refrigerated or frozen state according to the type and condition of desired preservation. Depending on the type of refrigerator, various types of doors for opening and closing the cabinet space are used. These doors typically have a graspable handle installed to allow a user to more easily open and close the door by grasping the door handle and pivoting the door to selectively open and close the cabinet space. 
     When a user grasps a door handle to open the cabinet space of a refrigerator, a pulling force must be exerted that is sufficient enough to release the coupling force between the gasket of the door and the main body of the refrigerator. The seal of the door gasket along the main body is often increased because of the drop in pressure within the refrigerator due to temperature differences so that the door and the main body are pressed and/or sealed more firmly together. In many instances, the weight and seal of the refrigerator door to the main body can make the act of opening the door difficult or inconvenient for some users. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE 
     According to one aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator includes a refrigerator body having an interior storage space, a door coupled to the refrigerator body to open and close the interior storage space, a door handle coupled to the door in a pivotally rotatable manner, and an opening actuator coupled to the door handle wherein the opening actuator applies a force to the refrigerator body to open the interior storage space. The opening actuator includes a front bezel, a pivot handle plate coupled to the door handle, a casing enclosing an actuator mechanism and one or more pushers that extend and retract against a front wrapper side of the refrigerator body, an intermediate attachment coupling the pivot handle plate to the casing, and a back bezel. 
     According to a second aspect of the present disclosure, a door opening actuator for actuator for a refrigerator is provided. The door opening actuator includes a front bezel, a pivot handle plate, an intermediate attachment, a casing, and a back bezel. A door handle includes a grip portion coupled to the opening actuator through the pivot handle plates. The casing encloses an actuator mechanism that extends and retracts a pusher against a front wrapper side of the refrigerator to open a door pivotally coupled to the refrigerator to open and close an interior space. 
     According to a third aspect of the present disclosure, a method for installing an opening actuator in a refrigerator door is provided. The method includes determining a distance between a pair of mounting holes on a door handle, determining a mounting profile for the door handle, selecting a casing providing the desired distance between the pair of mounting holes on the door handle, selecting a pivot handle plate that can be coupled to the mounting profile of the door handle, selecting a front bezel and an intermediate attachment to couple with the pivot handle plate and casing, coupling the door handle to the pivot handle plate, and coupling the front bezel and the intermediate attachment to the door handle and the casing. An actuator mechanism extends and retracts a pusher against a front cabinet wrapper side of the refrigerator. 
     These and other features, advantages, and objects of the present invention will be further understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art by reference to the following specification, claims, and appended drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of a refrigerator according to one aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view of a pocket handle having a top actuation; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a pocket handle having a linear actuation; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of a pocket handle having a bottom actuation; 
         FIG. 5  is a front perspective view of a protruding handle with a Z lever mechanism having a straight extending pusher arm; 
         FIG. 6  is a front perspective view of an isolated Z lever mechanism with a retracted straight extending pusher arm; 
         FIG. 7  is a front perspective view of an isolated Z lever mechanism with an extended straight extending pusher arm; 
         FIG. 8  is an exploded view of a Z lever mechanism having a straight extending pusher arm; 
         FIG. 9  is a front perspective view of a protruding handle having a pulley mechanism for a rotating pusher arm; 
         FIG. 10  is a front perspective of an actuator mechanism using a pulley mechanism with a retracted rotating pusher arm; 
         FIG. 11  is a front perspective view of the actuator mechanism using a pulley mechanism with an extended rotating pusher arm; 
         FIG. 12  is an exploded view of an actuator mechanism using a pulley mechanism with a rotating pusher arm; 
         FIG. 13  is a front perspective view of a protruding handle coupled to an actuator mechanism using a pulley mechanism having straight extending pusher arms; 
         FIG. 14  is a front perspective view of a pulley mechanism having a retracted straight extending pusher arm; 
         FIG. 15  is a front perspective view of an actuator mechanism using a pulley mechanism with an extended straight extending pusher arm; 
         FIG. 16  is an exploded view of the pulley mechanism having a straight extending pusher arm; 
         FIG. 17  is a front perspective of a protruding handle having an actuator mechanism using a sheathed cable mechanism using straight extending pusher arms; 
         FIG. 18  is a front perspective of the sheathed cable mechanism having a retracted straight extending pusher arm; 
         FIG. 19  is a front perspective of the sheathed cable mechanism having an extended straight extending pusher arm; 
         FIG. 20  is a perspective view of a refrigerator body according to one aspect of the present disclosure; 
         FIGS. 21A-21C  are exploded views of various protruding handles and their coupling to an opening actuator; 
         FIG. 22  is a modular approach to fitting a door handle to the appropriately fitted opening actuator according to one aspect of the present disclosure; and 
         FIG. 23  shows a series of steps regarding a pre-foam assembly method for coupling an open actuator to a door according to one aspect of the present disclosure. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As required, detailed embodiments of the present disclosure are disclosed herein. However, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the disclosure that may be embodied in various and alternative forms. The figures are not necessarily to a detailed design and some schematics may be exaggerated or minimized to show function overview. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to variously employ the present disclosure. 
     For purposes of description herein the terms “upper,” “lower,” “right,” “left,” “rear,” “front,” “vertical,” “horizontal,” and derivatives thereof shall relate to the device as oriented in  FIG. 1 . However, it is to be understood that the device may assume various alternative orientations and step sequences, except where expressly specified to the contrary. It is also to be understood that the specific devices and processes illustrated in the attached drawings, and described in the following specification are simply exemplary embodiments of the inventive concepts defined in the appended claims. Hence, specific dimensions and other physical characteristics relating to the embodiments disclosed herein are not to be considered as limiting, unless the claims expressly state otherwise. 
     As used herein, the term “and/or,” when used in a list of two or more items, means that any one of the listed items can be employed by itself, or any combination of two or more of the listed items can be employed. For example, if a composition is described as containing components A, B, and/or C, the composition can contain A alone; B alone; C alone; A and B in combination; A and C in combination; B and C in combination; or A, B, and C in combination. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1-23 , a refrigerator  10  includes a refrigerator body  14  having an interior storage space  18 . A door  22  is coupled to the refrigerator body  14  to open and close the interior storage space  18 . A door handle  26  is coupled to the door  22  in a pivotally rotatable manner and an opening actuator  30  is coupled to the door handle  26  where the opening actuator  30  applies a force to the refrigerator body  14  to open the interior storage space  18 . The opening actuator  30  includes a front bezel  34 , a pivot handle plate  38  coupled to the door handle  26 , a casing  42  enclosing an actuator mechanism  46 , and a pusher arm  50  that extends and retracts against a front wrapper side  54  of the refrigerator body  14 . An intermediate attachment  58  couples the pivot handle plate  38  to the casing  42  and a back bezel  62 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 1 , the refrigerator  10  has the refrigerator body  14  enclosing the interior storage spaces  18  and is pivotally or slidingly coupled to one or more doors  22 . The term “door  22 ,” as defined herein, includes a refrigerator door  66 , a freezer door  70 , a refrigerator drawer, a freezer drawer, and/or a crisper drawer. In some embodiments, the door  22  may be pulled out towards the user as shown by the freezer door/drawer  70 . The door  22  has a door handle  26 , which may include a protruding handle  74  and/or a pocket handle  78 , to rotate and push/pull the door  22  open or closed so a user can access the interior storage space  18 . The refrigerator  10  may include one or more doors  22  to access one or more interior storage spaces  18  which may include a refrigerator storage space or a freezer storage space. The doors  22  may optionally include an ice and/or water dispenser. 
     The refrigerator doors  66  and freezer doors  70  disclosed herein may be used in a variety of configurations including French door, side-by-side, top freezer, bottom freezer, counter depth, compact, built-in, single door refrigerator, single door freezer, and other types of refrigerators and/or freezers. The disclosure herein describing embodiments for any refrigerator and/or freezer door  70  applies equally as well to the other&#39;s application. 
     The refrigerator may have any of a known cooling system including a compressor, condenser, expansion valve, evaporator, conduits, and other related components (not shown). Alternatively, the refrigerator  10  may comprise thermoelectric components (not shown), or other suitable arrangements depending on the intended use. 
     Any reference to the opening actuator  30  being coupled to the door handle  26  to open the door  22  of the refrigerator  10  to access the interior storage space  18  may be also used to at least partially describe refrigerator/freezer drawers. The drawer may be coupled to the refrigerator body  14  or other structure located in the interior storage space  18  of the refrigerator  10 . Some non-limiting examples of drawers may include a refrigerator drawer, a freezer drawer, and/or a pantry drawer. The description and each of the embodiments described below regarding the door  22  and door handle  26  may be substituted for drawer and drawer handle applications. 
     The opening actuator device  30  disclosed herein for an easy open drawer/door with a rotating handle is operated through a combination of three different components. The three different components contained in these devices are: 1) the type of door handle  26 ; 2) the type of actuator mechanism  46  to transfer movement from the door handle  26  to the pusher arm  50 ; and 3) the type of movement for the pusher arm  50 . Regarding the first component, the door handle  26  may include the protruding handle  74  ( FIGS. 5, 9, 13, 17, and 21A-21C ) and/or the pocket handle  78  ( FIGS. 2-4 ) to rotate and push/pull the door  22  open or closed so a user can access the interior storage space  18 . For the second component, three different sample actuator mechanisms  46  are disclosed herein to transfer movement from the door handle  26  to the pusher: a Z lever mechanism ( FIGS. 5-8 and 22-23 ); 2) a pulley mechanism ( FIGS. 9-16 ); and 3) a sheathed cable mechanism ( FIGS. 17-19 ). Regarding the third component, there are two examples for the types of pusher arm  50  movement described herein: the straight extending pusher arm ( FIGS. 5-8, 13-19, and 22 ) and the rotating pusher arm ( FIGS. 9-12 ). The various types of pusher arms  50  may extend out against the front wrapper side  54  of the refrigerator body  14  to break the seal of a gasket  128  ( FIG. 5 ) around the edge of the door  22 . In other embodiments, the various types of pusher arms  50  may extend out and push against a refrigerator liner (not shown) to break the seal of the gasket  128  around the edge of the door  22 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 2-4 , the refrigerator door  66  may have various embodiments of the pocket handle  78 . In  FIG. 2 , the pocket handle  78  has a pocket bottom grip  82  having a top pivot point  86 . A user would reach their hand into a pocket receiving area  90  enclosed by a pocket wall  94  to pull on the pocket bottom grip  82  and rotate it towards a handle backstop  98 . The pocket bottom grip  82  having the top pivot point  86  would have a top actuation mechanism for engaging the opening actuator  30  ( FIG. 5 ). In  FIG. 3 , the pocket handle  78  has a pocket handle grip  102  with a center mount  106  coupled to a channel  104 . The user would pull the pocket handle grip  102  in a linear direction towards the handle backstop  98  with the center mount  106  sliding along and positioned in the channel  104 . The pocket handle grip  102  does not rotate and would have a linear actuation mechanism for engaging the opening actuator  30 . In  FIG. 4 , the pocket handle  78  has a pocket handle top grip  110  with a bottom pivot point  114 . The user can rotate the pocket handle top grip  110  counterclockwise around the bottom pivot point  114  to engage the opening actuator  30 . The pocket handle top grip  110  having the bottom pivot point  114  would have a bottom actuation mechanism for engaging the opening actuator  30 . 
     In some embodiments, the two examples of door handles  26  used with the opening actuator  30  are the protruding handle  74  and the pocket handle  78 . These types of handle  74  can be made from any suitable material for a desired feel, weight, and look for the user. The protruding handle  74  may be made into any shape or length and can be connected to an outside surface of the door  22  in any position. In some non-limiting embodiments, the protruding handle  74  is coupled in a vertical position along an edge of the door while in other embodiments the protruding handle  74  is coupled in a horizontal position along a top or bottom edge of the door. In other embodiments, the protruding handle  74  can be placed near the center of the door. Regardless of the construction or location of the door handle  26 , the door handle  26  is connected to the opening actuator  30  to transfer movement from the door handle  26  to pusher arm  50 . This connection between the door handle  26  and the opening actuator  30  can be made at a single point with one discrete opening actuator  30  to transfer movement from the door handle  26  to the pusher arm  50 . The door handle  26  may also be coupled to two opening actuators  30 , for example, at each end of the protruding handle  74  on the door  22  or drawer. One or more opening actuators  30  can be coupled to the protruding handle  74  in a variety of different locations. In some embodiments, the protruding handle  74  is coupled to two opening actuators  30  and in other embodiments the protruding handle  74  is connected to just one opening actuator  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 5 , the freezer door  70  is constructed from a door wrapper  118  and a door liner  122  having a side trim  126  coupling the wrapper  118  and liner  122 . In some embodiments, the side trim  126  may be comprised of the door wrapper  118  extending around from the outside surface of the freezer door  70  to couple the door liner  122 . The freezer door  70  additionally has the protruding handle  74  coupled to the opening actuator  30  where the actuator mechanism  46  is a Z lever mechanism  130 . The Z lever mechanism  130  has a straight extending pusher arm  170  ( FIG. 8 ) that extends out against the front wrapper side  54  ( FIG. 20 ) of the refrigerator body  14  ( FIG. 1 ) to break the seal of the gasket  128  around the edge of the freezer door  70  in contact with the front wrapper side  54  of the refrigerator body  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 5-8 , the Z lever mechanism  130  includes a pivot handle plate  134  having a handle plate  138  and a pivot handle shaft  142 . The pivot handle plate  134  is positioned inside a pivot handle mount  146  and an upper casing  148  with the pivot handle shaft  142  positioned inside a pivot shaft receiving member  150 . The pivot handle plate  134  is coupled to the protruding handle  74  through a screw lug  154  and a screw lug receiving member  158  where the pivot handle plate  134  can have the handle plate  138  in a retracted position  162  or an extended position  166 . When the handle plate  138  is in the retracted position  162 , the straight extending pusher arm  170  is also in a retracted pusher arm position  174 . In the retracted pusher arm position  174  the pivot handle plate  134  rests or is positioned against one or more spacing members  178 . When the handle plate  138  is in the extended position  166 , the straight extending pusher arm  170  is also in an extended pusher arm position  182 . A lower casing  186  is coupled to the upper casing  148  through a plurality of coupling members  190  to enclose a lever  194 . The lever  194  is made up of a lever body  198 , a fulcrum member  202 , and a handle pivot arm  206  for transferring motion imparted by the pivot handle plate  134 . The lever  194  is coupled to the straight extending pusher arm  170 . The fulcrum member  202  of the lever  194  is positioned in an upper  210  and a lower  214  fulcrum receiving member formed in the upper and lower casing  148 ,  186 , respectively. A spring  218  is additionally enclosed by the upper and lower casings  148 ,  186  where the spring  218  is positioned and partially compressed between a plunger spring wall  222  and a spring housing wall  226 . The spring  218  strength or spring  218  constant can be tuned to enhance the user&#39;s sensorial experience through touch. An adjustment of the spring  218  can be used to modify the resistance or retraction of the door handle  26  or for a better sensorial experience for the user interfacing with the door handle  26 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 9 , the freezer door  70  is constructed from the door wrapper  118  and the door liner  122  with the side trim  126  connecting the wrapper  118  and liner  122 . The freezer door  70  additionally has the protruding handle  74  coupled to the opening actuator  30 . The opening actuator  30  has the actuation mechanism  46  which includes a pulley mechanism  230  with a rotating pusher arm  234 . The pulley mechanism  230  initiates the rotating pusher arm  234  to rotate and push against the front wrapper side  54  ( FIG. 20 ) of the refrigerator body  14  ( FIG. 1 ) to break the seal of the gasket  128  around the edge of the freezer door  70  in contact with the front wrapper side  54  of the refrigerator body  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 9-12 , the pulley mechanism  230  includes a pivot handle plate  238  having a handle plate  242  and a pivot handle shaft  246 . The pivot handle plate  238  is positioned inside a pivot handle mount  250  and an upper casing  254  with the pivot handle shaft  246  positioned inside a pivot shaft receiving member  256 . The pivot handle plate  238  is coupled to the protruding handle  74  through a screw lug  262  and a screw lug receiving member  266 . The pivot handle plate  238  can have the handle plate  242  in a retracted handle plate position  270  or in an extended handle plate position  274 . In the retracted handle plate position  270 , the rotating pusher arm  234  is in a retracted position  282  or is rotated out of the way, and the pivot handle plate  238  rests or is positioned on one or more spacing members  286 . If the handle plate  242  is in the extended handle plate position  274 , the rotating pusher arm  234  is in an extended plunger position  290  or is rotated out in contact with the front wrapper side  54  ( FIG. 20 ) of the refrigerator body  14  ( FIG. 1 ). A bottom casing member  294  is coupled to a pulley casing cover  298  and a plunger casing cover  302  through a plurality of coupling members  306 . The casing  42  made by these casing pieces  294 ,  298 ,  302  contains a first pulley  310  and a second pulley  314  mounted on a first pulley boss  318  and a second pulley boss  322  with a flexible cable  326  positioned around the two pulleys  310 ,  314  and coupled to the pivot handle plate  238  and a plunger actuator  330 . An extension spring  334  is positioned on a top and bottom spring mount  338 ,  342  to apply tension to the plunger actuator  330  which controls the articulating or rotating pusher arm  234 . The extension spring  334  strength or extension spring  334  constant can be tuned to enhance the user&#39;s sensorial experience through touch. An adjustment of the extension spring  334  can be used to modify the resistance or retraction of the door handle  26  or for a better sensorial experience for the user interfacing with the door handle  26  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 13 , the freezer door  70  is constructed from the door wrapper  118  and the door liner  122  with the door side trim  126  connecting the wrapper  118  and liner  122 . The freezer door  70  additionally has the protruding handle  74  coupled to the opening actuator  30 . The opening actuator  30  has the actuator mechanism  46  which includes a pulley mechanism  346  and a straight extending pusher arm  350 . The pulley mechanism  346  extends the straight extending pusher arm  350  to push directly outwards against the front wrapper side  54  ( FIG. 20 ) of the refrigerator body  14  ( FIG. 1 ) to break the seal of the gasket  128  around the edge of the freezer door  70  in contact with the front wrapper side  54  of the refrigerator body  14 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 13-16 , the pulley mechanism  346  has a pivot handle plate  354  with a handle plate  358  and a pivot handle shaft  362 . The pivot handle plate  354  is positioned inside a pivot handle mount  366  and an upper casing member  418  with the pivot handle shaft  362  positioned inside a pivot shaft receiving member  378 . The pivot handle plate  354  is coupled to the protruding handle  74  through a screw lug  382  and a screw lug receiving member  386 . The pivot handle plate  354  can have the handle plate  358  in a retracted position  390  or in an extended handle plate position  394 . In the retracted handle plate position  390 , a straight extending pusher arm  350  is in a retracted plunger position  402  and the pivot handle plate  354  rests or is positioned on one or more spacing members  406 . In the extended handle plate position  394 , the straight extending pusher arm  350  is in an extended plunger position  410  to be in contact with the front wrapper side  54  ( FIG. 20 ) of the refrigerator body  14  ( FIG. 1 ). A bottom casing member  414  couples the upper casing member  418  through a plurality of coupling members  422 . The casing  42  made by these casing pieces  414 ,  418  contains a flexible cable receiving area  426  for a flexible cable  430 , the straight extending pusher arm  350 , a first pulley  434 , and a second pulley  438 . The first and second pulleys  434 ,  438  are mounted on a first pulley boss  442  and a second pulley boss  446 , respectively, with the flexible cable  430  positioned around the first and second pulleys  434 ,  438  and coupled to the pivot handle plate  354  and a cable connecting member  450 . A spring  454  is compressed and positioned in a spring receiving area  458  between a plunger spring wall  462  and a spring stopping wall  466 . The spring  454  strength or spring  454  constant can be tuned to enhance the user&#39;s sensorial experience through touch. An adjustment of the spring  454  can be used to modify the resistance or retraction of the door handle  26  or for a better sensorial experience for the user interfacing with the door handle  26  ( FIG. 1 ). 
     Referring now to  FIG. 17 , the freezer door  70  is made from the door wrapper  118  and the door liner  122  which are coupled through the door side trim  126  connecting the wrapper  118  and liner  122 . The freezer door  70  additionally includes the protruding handle  74  coupled to the opening actuator  30 . The opening actuator  30  has the actuator mechanism  46  which includes a sheathed cable mechanism  470  and a straight extending pusher arm  474  where the straight extending pusher arm  474  pushes directly outwards against the front wrapper side  54  ( FIG. 20 ) of the refrigerator body  14  ( FIG. 1 ) to break the seal of the gasket  128  around the edge of the freezer door  70  in contact with the front wrapper side  54  of the refrigerator body  14 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 17-19 , the sheathed cable mechanism  470  has a pivot handle plate  478  with a handle plate  482  and a pivot handle shaft (not shown) positioned in a pivot shaft receiving member  490 . The pivot handle plate  478  is coupled to the protruding handle  74  through a screw lug  494  and a screw lug receiving member  498  while the pivot handle plate  478  can have the handle plate  482  in a retracted handle plate position  502  or an extended handle plate position  506 . In the retracted handle plate position  502  a straight extending pusher arm  474  is in a retracted plunger position  512  and the pivot handle plate  478  rests or is positioned on one or more spacing members (not shown). In the extended handle plate position  506 , the straight extending pusher arm  474  is an extended plunger position  514 . The pivot handle plate  478  is positioned in an upper casing  518  with a top cable fastener  520  that is coupled together through a plurality of coupling members  522  while a bottom cable fastener  524  and the straight extending pusher arm  474  are positioned in a lower plunger casing member  526 . The straight extending pusher arm  474  is positioned in the lower plunger casing  526  having a plunger casing cover  528 . A sheathed cable  530  has a flexible cable  534  positioned inside a flexible sheath  538  where the flexible sheath  538  may be made from a thermoplastic or thermoset polymer. 
     The disclosure herein encompasses any combination using the options discussed herein regarding the door handle  26 , actuator mechanism  46 , and type of pusher arm  50  movement. For example, in some embodiments, the protruding handle  74  may be used with the Z lever mechanism  130  and the straight extending pusher arm  170  (see  FIGS. 5-8 ). In other embodiments, the protruding handle  74  may be used with the Z level mechanism  130  and the rotating pusher arm  234 . In other embodiments, the protruding handle  74  may be used with the pulley mechanism  230  and the rotating pusher arm  234  (see  FIGS. 9-12 ). In other embodiments, the protruding handle  74  may be used with the pulley mechanism  346  and the straight extending pusher arm  350  (see  FIGS. 13-16 ). In still other embodiments, the protruding handle  74  may be used with the sheathed cable mechanism  470  and the rotating pusher arm  234 . In yet other embodiments, the protruding handle  74  may be used with the sheathed cable mechanism  470  and the straight extending pusher arm  474  (see  FIGS. 17-19 ) 
     In some embodiments, the pocket handle  78  (top actuation, linear actuation, or bottom actuation) may be used with the Z lever mechanism  130  and the straight extending pusher arm  170 . In other embodiments, the pocket handle  78  (top actuation, linear actuation, or bottom actuation) may be used with the Z lever mechanism  130  and the rotating pusher arm  234 . In other embodiments, the pocket handle  78  (top actuation, linear actuation, or bottom actuation) may be used with the pulley mechanism  230  and the rotating pusher arm  234 . In other embodiments, the pocket handle  78  (top actuation, linear actuation, or bottom actuation) may be used with the pulley mechanism  230  and the straight extending pusher arm  170 . In other embodiments, the pocket handle  78  (top actuation, linear actuation, or bottom actuation) may be used with the sheathed cable mechanism  470  and the rotating pusher arm  234 . In other embodiments, the pocket handle  78  (top actuation, linear actuation, or bottom actuation) may be used with the sheathed cable mechanism  470  and the straight extending pusher arm  474 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 20 , the refrigerator body  14  includes a body wrapper  542 , a body liner  546 , and the front wrapper edge  54 . The front wrapper side  54  extends around the perimeter of the interior storage space  18  of the refrigerator body  14 . The front wrapper edge  54  may not include any edges or surfaces formed by a mullion separating one or more interior storage spaces  18 . 
     Referring now to  FIGS. 21A-21C , a modular approach and mounting method is provided to couple the protruding handle  74  having a variety of different lengths and connecting portions ( 74   a - 74   c ) to an actuator attachment portion  558  ( FIG. 22 ) of the opening actuator  30  positioned in the door  22 . As discussed above, the protruding handle  74  has a handle connecting portion  550  and a handle length  554  depending on the desired design and use of the protruding handle  74  on the door  22 . In general, the handle connecting portion  550  is coupled to the front bezel  34 , the door wrapper  118 , the intermediate attachment  58 , and the pivot handle plate  38 . Depending on the handle connecting portion  550  and the handle length  554 , a variety of different designs for the actuator attachment portion  558  of the opening actuator  30  may be required. For example, in  FIG. 21A , a handle connecting portion  550   a  has a lengthened triangular shape that requires the same lengthened triangular shape in a front bezel  34   a , a wrapper foam tape  120   a , an intermediate attachment  58   a , and a pivot handle plate  38   a . In another embodiment shown in  FIG. 21B , a protruding handle  74   b  may have a shortened triangular connecting portion  550   b  and a shortened handle length  554   b . As a result, the actuator attachment portion  558  will require the same shortened triangular shape in a front bezel  34   b , a wrapper foam tape  120   b , an intermediate attachment  58   b , and a pivot handle plate  38   b . In yet another embodiment shown in  FIG. 21C , a protruding handle  74   c  may have a shorter length handle length  554   c  and a rectangular handle connecting portion  550   c . As a result, a front bezel  34   c , a wrapper foam tape  120   c , an intermediate attachment  58   c , and a pivot handle plate  38   c , must all have the rectangular shape to couple the opening actuator  30  to the protruding handle  74   c  at a given length. 
     Referring now to  FIG. 22 , the modular approach and mounting method is exemplified according to one aspect of the current disclosure. In this modular approach, three different alternatives are shown for the actuator attachment portion  558  and two different alternatives are given for the actuator mechanism  46 . For the actuator attachment portion  558 , the three different options include a) a lengthened triangular attachment portion  558   a, b ) a shortened triangular attachment portion  558   b , and  c ) a rectangular attachment portion  558   c . Each of the actuator attachment portions  558  includes the front bezel  34   a - 34   c , the screw lug  154   a - 154   c , the wrapper foam tape  120   a - 120   c , the pivot handle plate  38   a - 38   c , and the intermediate attachment  58   a - 58   c . The shape of the handle connecting portion  550  on the protruding handle  74  ( FIGS. 21A-21C ) will determine which of the three actuator attachment portions  558  will be used. In addition, the handle length  554  of the protruding handle  74  ( FIGS. 21A-21C ) will determine which of the two actuator mechanisms  46  will be used. Actuator mechanism  46   a  includes a shortened lever  194   a  and surrounding casing  42   a  while the actuator mechanism  46   b  has a longer lever  194   b  and casing  42   b  for the protruding handle  74  having a shorter length. In both options, the actuator mechanism  46   a - 46   b  includes a casing  42   a - 42   b , a top casing  148   a - 148   b , a lever  194   a - 194   b , a pusher arm  170   a - 170   b , a bottom casing  186   a - 186   b , a liner foam tape  122   a - 122   b , and a back bezel  62   a - 62   b . The protruding handle  74  having a shorter length would likely be used with the longer actuator mechanism  46   b  while the protruding handle  74   b  with a longer length would likely be used with the actuator mechanism  46   a  having a shorter length. The wrapper and liner foam tape portions  120   a - 120   c  and  122   a - 122   b  are coupled to the inside of the door wrapper  118  and the door liner  122 , respectively, to help prevent foam leaks. Using this modular approach to couple the opening actuator  30  to the protruding handle  74  gives designers and users the opportunity to custom build the refrigerator  10  with the desired functionality and aesthetics desired to easily open the door  22  with the opening actuator  30 . 
     Referring now to  FIG. 23 , a pre-foam assembly method is shown for coupling the opening actuator  30  to the door  22 . First, the opening actuator  30  and its respective components are selected using the modular approach as previously described. Second, the opening actuator  30  is coupled to the door wrapper  118  and the pusher arm  50  is positioned in a door panel  562 . Third, a plurality of locators  564  may be coupled to the door wrapper  118  to help maintain the positioning of the opening actuator  30 . Forth, the back bezel  62  is coupled to the door panel  562  with one or more snaps  566  provided on the back bezel  62  to help lock the positioning of the opening actuator  30 . Fifth, the front bezel  34  has a plurality of snaps  570  that are used to couple the front bezel  34  to the door wrapper  118  further locking the position of the opening actuator  30  as shown in the sixth step. Seventh, the protruding handle  74  is coupled to the opening actuator  30  using the screw lug  154  and the screw lug receiving member  158  (shown in  FIG. 7 ). 
     Referring to  FIGS. 21A to 23 , a method for installing the opening actuator  30  in the door  22  is provided. The method includes determining a distance between a pair of mounting holes on the door handle  26 , determining a mounting profile for the door handle  26 , selecting the casing  42  providing the desired distance between the pair of mounting holes on the door handle  26 , selecting the pivot handle plate  38  that can be coupled to the mounting profile of the door handle  26 , selecting the front bezel  34  and the intermediate attachment  58  to couple with the pivot handle plate  38  and casing  42 , coupling the door handle  26  to the pivot handle plate  38 , and coupling the front bezel  34  and the intermediate attachment  58  to the door handle  26  and the casing  42 . The actuator mechanism  46  extends and retracts the pusher arm  50  against the front wrapper side  54  of the refrigerator  10 . 
     It is understood that the descriptions outlining and teaching the opening actuator  30  and the modular approach and mounting method previously discussed herein, which can be used in any combination, apply equally well to the method described in  FIGS. 21A to 23 , where applicable, further disclosing the method for installing the opening actuator  30  in the door  22 . 
     In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. For the purposes of describing and defining the present teachings, it is noted that the terms “substantially” and “approximately” are utilized herein to represent the inherent degree of uncertainty that may be attributed to any quantitative comparison, value, measurement, or other representation. The term “substantially” and “approximately” are also utilized herein to represent the degree by which a quantitative representation may vary from a stated reference without resulting in a change in the basic function of the subject matter at issue. 
     It is to be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the particular embodiments described below, as variations of the particular embodiments may be made and still fall within the scope of the appended claims. It is also to be understood that the terminology employed is for the purpose of describing particular embodiments, and is not intended to be limiting. Instead, the scope of the present disclosure will be established by the appended claims. 
     It will be understood by one having ordinary skill in the art that construction of the described device and other components is not limited to any specific material. Other exemplary embodiments of the device disclosed herein may be formed from a wide variety of materials, unless described otherwise herein. 
     For purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” (in all of its forms, couple, coupling, coupled, etc.) generally means the joining of two components (electrical or mechanical) directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or movable in nature. Such joining may be achieved with the two components (electrical or mechanical) and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two components. Such joining may be permanent in nature or may be removable or releasable in nature unless otherwise stated. 
     It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of the device as shown in the exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present innovations have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject matter recited. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements shown as multiple parts may be integrally formed, the operation of the interfaces may be reversed or otherwise varied, the length or width of the structures and/or members or connector or other elements of the system may be varied, the nature or number of adjustment positions provided between the elements may be varied. It should be noted that the elements and/or assemblies of the system may be constructed from any of a wide variety of materials that provide sufficient strength or durability, in any of a wide variety of colors, textures, and combinations. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present innovations. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the desired and other exemplary embodiments without departing from the spirit of the present innovations. 
     It will be understood that any described processes or steps within described processes may be combined with other disclosed processes or steps to form structures within the scope of the present device. The exemplary structures and processes disclosed herein are for illustrative purposes and are not to be construed as limiting. 
     The above description is considered that of the illustrated embodiments only. Modifications of the device will occur to those skilled in the art and to those who make or use the device. Therefore, it is understood that the embodiments shown in the drawings and described above is merely for illustrative purposes and not intended to limit the scope of the device, which is defined by the following claims as interpreted according to the principles of patent law, including the Doctrine of Equivalents.