Patent Publication Number: US-2019170426-A1

Title: Reduced size refrigeration unit with increased storage area

Description:
This application claims the benefit of priority under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e)(1) of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 62/591,864, filed Nov. 29, 2017, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to a refrigeration unit, in particular, refrigeration units that are sized to be used in smaller areas and/or can be supported on table tops and the like. 
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     While refrigeration units are in general well known, they can have a wide variety of storage plans within the interior. It is a preferable attribute of most, if not all, refrigeration units that the storage volume is increased so as to contain as many products, such as food, as needed by a user. 
     In the case of refrigeration units that are of a smaller size that can be supported on a table top and the like, size constraints have forced the elements of the refrigeration unit that enable cooling, such as the condenser coils and the compressor, to be housed in a compartment that takes up space within the interior of the refrigerator. Thus, the volume within the interior of the refrigerator is not optimized. 
     An example of this is shown in the schematic drawings in  FIGS. 1-4 .  FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a typical refrigeration unit  100  that is of a smaller size, such as a height of approximately 33.25 inches, width of approximately 23.5 inches, and a depth of approximately 23.0 inches. The refrigeration unit  100  has a door  102  that is attached via a hinge  104  to a main storage housing  106  as shown in  FIGS. 1-2 . The main storage housing  106  can be thought of as being a shell that has an interior lining  108  and an exterior housing or lining  110 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , the interior lining  108  can support various types of shelves that support items to be contained within the refrigeration unit  100 . As shown in  FIGS. 1-3 , there are sides of the exterior lining  110  that face the ambient atmosphere and define left and right vertical side walls  111 ,  113 , a rear vertical wall  115 , and a top wall  117  that are integral with one another. There is a space between the interior lining  108  and the exterior lining  110  that contains heat transfer coils and insulation (not shown). In order to lessen the overall footprint of the main storage housing  106 , several refrigeration components, such as a compressor and condenser coils, are positioned in a space  112  that is so sized that it lessens the amount of overall space to hold items for refrigeration as shown in  FIG. 3 . 
     With the above description and  FIGS. 1-10  in mind, certain terms will be defined to be used for the refrigeration units described throughout this application so as to aid the reader in understanding the invention. For example, “front” will regard the side of the refrigeration unit at which the door is present when in the closed position on the refrigeration unit. “Rear” denotes the side of the refrigeration unit opposite the front side or the door when the door is in the closed position. “Left” denotes the side of the refrigeration unit that is to the left when viewing the exterior of the door when it is in the closed position. “Right” denotes the side of the refrigeration unit that is opposite to the left side. “Bottom” denotes the side of the refrigeration unit towards which the gravitational field generated by the Earth flows substantially perpendicular to the side and is the side located nearest the center of the Earth. “Top” denotes the side of the refrigeration unit that is opposite to the bottom side. 
     The above concepts are shown in  FIGS. 1-4 . In  FIG. 4 , a rectangular bottom base  114  is shown that is attached to the bottom of the exterior lining  110  of the refrigeration unit  100 . The base  114  has a thickness of approximately 0.0516 inches, a width, W, of approximately 23.5 inches, and a depth, D, of approximately 23.0 inches. The base  114  is made of a durable material, such as steel. Extending vertically with respect to the edges of the base  114  are integrally attached rectangular-like brackets  116 . 
     Upon the base  114 , a number of refrigeration components are positioned. For example, a compressor  118  is attached to the base  114  by four tabs  120  with retaining pins (two shown) that extend through openings of corresponding support pads  122  integrally formed with the compressor  118 . A possible process for attachment of a support pad  122  of the compressor  118  to the base  114  is shown in  FIGS. 5A-C . In particular, each support pad  122  is integrally formed with and extends away from a lower portion of a tank  124  of the compressor  118 . Each support pad  122  has a grommet  123  which passes through an outer opening of the support pad  122  and is attached to the support pad  122 . When attached, a portion of the grommet  123  is positioned above the opening and a portion is positioned below the opening as shown in  FIG. 5A . As shown in  FIG. 5A , openings of the support pad  122  and grommet  123  are positioned over a vertical portion  125  of an L-shaped tab  120  that has a planar foot  127  integrally attached to the base  114 . Next, the support pad  122  and grommet  123  are lowered until a section of vertical portion  125  extends through the openings of the grommet  123  and the support pad  122  as shown in  FIG. 5B . 
     Next, a washer  129  is placed on the top surface of the grommet  123  so that the vertical portion  125  extends through the opening of the washer  129  as shown in  FIG. 5B . At this stage of the process, a portion of retaining pin  131  is inserted through an opening  133  formed in the vertical portion  125  and another portion of the retaining pin  131  clampingly engages the vertical portion  125 , 
     The tank  124  of the compressor  118  receives/stores a pressurized refrigerant. The refrigerant is pressurized to such an extent that it turns into a hot gas. The hot gas is expelled from the tank  124  and sent via a conduit  142 ,  143  to a condenser in the form of a condenser coil  130  (arrows in  FIG. 4  denote flow of refrigerant). The condenser coil  130  is formed from a tube. 
     Prior to reaching the condenser coil  130 , the hot gas travels through conduit  142  to heat transfer coils (not shown) positioned between the interior lining  108  and the exterior lining  110  of the main storage housing  106 . Preferably, the heat transfer coils are placed against the wall of the interior lining  108  so that they receive heat from the interior of the refrigeration unit  100  that is adjacent to the interior lining  108 . Note that the portion of the conduit within the refrigeration unit  100  is partially surrounded by insulation. 
     During its trip from the tank  124  to the heat transfer coils, the gas cools to such an extent that the gas has a temperature that is less than the temperature within the interior of the refrigeration unit  100 . Accordingly, heat will flow from the interior of the refrigeration unit  100  to the gas within the heat transfer coils. Such heated gas then flows through conduit  143  and on to condenser coil  130 , as shown in  FIG. 4 . 
     Note that the maximum height of the compressor  118 , as measured in a vertical direction, V, from the bottom base  114  to a top portion of the refrigeration unit  100  is 7.0 inches. The compressor  118  is positioned at the right side and rear portion of the bottom base  114 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 4 , the condenser coil  130  forms a serpentine pattern with three columns and eight rows of elongated, Q-shaped portions of the coil  130 . Horizontal wires  132  (592 in number) are attached/fused to each of the portions as shown in  FIG. 4  in a well-known manner, such as welding. The condenser coil  130  is attached to the bottom base  114  by screws (not shown). In addition, brackets  134  are attached to a bracket  116  and are attached to the coil  130  by being welded/fused thereto. Note that the wires  132  and the wall  138  described later act as an air deflector. A U-shaped bracket  136  is attached to the top surface of the base  114 , but is not attached to the coil  130 . The bracket  136  defines a drain cup in a well-known manner and has a height of approximately 3.25 inches. The drain cup collects moisture/water generated during a defrost cycle of the refrigeration unit  100 , wherein the collected moisture/water is dissipated to the ambient atmosphere. Since the collected moisture/water is in direct contact with the base  114 , the dissipation of the moisture/water aids in carrying away heat from the base  114 . 
     Note that the maximum height of the condenser coil  130 , as measured in the vertical direction V is 7.25 inches. The condenser coil  130  forms a rectangular-like footprint on the bottom base  114  that has a width of approximately 20.5 inches and a depth of approximately 18.0 inches. As shown in  FIG. 4 , the condenser coil  130  is positioned at the left side and rear portion of the bottom base  114 . 
     Positioned between the compressor  118  and the condenser coil  130  is a metal wall  138  that is attached to the bottom base  114  and rises vertically from the bottom base  114 . The wall  138  has a vertical height, as measured in the vertical direction V, of approximately 7.5 inches. Not shown is that the wall  138  has an opening with a fan positioned within the opening and approximately centered on the condenser coil  130 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 3 , the bottom portion  139  of the exterior lining  110  has a z-type shape, a bottom portion  141  of the interior lining  108  is parallel to and is spaced from the bottom portion  139  of the exterior lining  110  by approximately 2.25 inches. The upper level  143  of the bottom portion  139  runs parallel to the base  114  and is positioned approximately 9.85 inches above the base  114  so that there is a clearance of approximately 3.00 inches from the top of the tank  124  to the upper level  143 . The lower level  145  of the bottom portion  139  is offset below the upper level  143  by approximately 2.0 inches. The base  114  is attached to the bottom portion  139  by vertical walls that are attached to the base  114  and the bottom portion  139 , wherein such vertical walls form/define a skirt  147  below the main storage housing  106 . The skirt  147  hides the refrigeration components on the base  114  from view and allows for access to the refrigeration components by removal of one or more of the vertical walls that form the skirt  147 . 
     In operation, the gas received from conduit  142  travels within the interior passage formed along the entire path of the condenser coil  130 . Having the gas travel the serpentine path of the condenser coil  130  allows for heat from the gas to be fed to the ambient atmosphere. The use of the previously mentioned fan that is adjacent to the coil  130  aids in the expulsion of heat from the condenser coil  130 . With the expulsion of heat, the gas cools down sufficiently within the condenser coil  130  so that a portion of it becomes a liquid. The liquid and gas are sent from the coil  130  via a conduit  149  to a drier  140  which condenses the remaining gas into a liquid in a well-known manner. In particular, the drier  140  uses a desiccant to remove moisture from the system if present. The liquid is then fed to the compressor  118  which pressurizes the liquid to turn it into a gas so that it can repeat the cycle via conduits  142  and  143  as explained previously. 
     The end effect is that heat is absorbed by the refrigerant within the refrigeration unit  100  and carried away to the compressor  108 . Thus, the interior of the refrigeration unit  100  becomes colder due to the loss of heat. 
     It is an objective of the present invention to reduce the size of the space containing refrigeration components so that the amount of overall space for holding items for refrigeration is increased. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     One aspect of the present invention regards a refrigeration unit including an exterior lining that includes a first exterior side surface, a second exterior side surface facing the first exterior side surface, a rear exterior surface attached to the first exterior side surface and the second exterior surface. The exterior lining further includes a bottom exterior surface and a top exterior surface facing the bottom exterior surface, wherein the top exterior surface and the bottom exterior surface are each attached to the first exterior side surface, the second exterior side surface and the rear exterior surface. The refrigeration unit further including an interior lining that includes a first interior side surface facing the first exterior side surface, a second interior side surface facing the first interior side surface and the first exterior side surface and a rear interior surface facing the rear exterior surface and attached to the first interior side surface and the second interior surface. The interior lining further including a bottom planar-like interior surface, a top interior surface facing the bottom interior surface, wherein the top interior surface and the bottom interior surface are each attached to the first interior side surface, the second interior side surface and the rear interior surface. The refrigeration unit further includes a bottom base, wherein the bottom exterior surface is positioned between the bottom base and the bottom planar-like interior surface. The refrigeration unit including a condenser positioned between the bottom base and the bottom exterior surface, wherein the bottom planar-like surface extends to the first interior side surface, the second interior side surface, and the rear interior surface. The refrigeration unit is oriented within a gravitational field generated by the Earth so that the gravitational field flows from the top interior surface to the bottom base. 
     A second aspect of present invention regards a refrigeration unit system that includes a refrigeration unit that includes an exterior lining that includes a first exterior side surface, a second exterior side surface facing the first exterior side surface, and a rear exterior surface attached to the first exterior side surface and the second exterior surface. The exterior lining further includes a bottom exterior surface and a top exterior surface facing the bottom exterior surface, wherein the top exterior surface and the bottom exterior surface are each attached to the first exterior side surface, the second exterior side surface and the rear exterior surface. The refrigeration unit further including an interior lining that includes a first interior side surface facing the first exterior side surface, a second interior side surface facing the first interior side surface and the first exterior side surface and a rear interior surface facing the rear exterior surface and attached to the first interior side surface and the second interior surface. The interior lining further including a bottom planar-like interior surface, a top interior surface facing the bottom interior surface, wherein the top interior surface and the bottom interior surface are each attached to the first interior side surface, the second interior side surface and the rear interior surface. The refrigeration unit includes a bottom base, wherein the bottom exterior surface is positioned between the bottom base and the bottom planar-like interior surface. The refrigeration unit including a condenser positioned between the bottom exterior surface and the bottom base. The bottom planar-like surface extends to the first interior side surface, the second interior side surface, and the rear interior surface. The refrigeration system further includes a support surface upon which the bottom base lies and the support surface is subjected to an entire weight of the refrigeration unit. 
     A third aspect of the present invention regards a refrigeration unit including an exterior lining that includes a bottom exterior surface and a top exterior surface facing the bottom exterior surface. The refrigeration unit further including an interior lining that includes a bottom planar-like interior surface and a top interior surface facing the bottom interior surface. The refrigeration unit including a bottom base, wherein the bottom exterior surface is positioned between the bottom base and the bottom planar-like interior surface. The refrigeration unit includes a condenser positioned between the bottom base and the bottom exterior surface, wherein the refrigeration unit is oriented within a gravitational field generated by the Earth so that the gravitational field flows from the top interior surface to the bottom base. 
     A fourth aspect of the present invention regards a refrigeration unit system that includes a refrigeration unit that includes an exterior lining that includes a bottom exterior surface and a top exterior surface facing the bottom exterior surface. The refrigeration unit further including an interior lining that includes a bottom planar-like interior surface and a top interior surface facing the bottom interior surface. The refrigeration unit including a bottom base, wherein the bottom exterior surface is positioned between the bottom base and the bottom planar-like interior surface. The refrigeration unit includes a condenser positioned between the bottom base and the bottom exterior surface, wherein the refrigeration unit is oriented within a gravitational field generated by the Earth so that the gravitational field flows from the top interior surface to the bottom base. The refrigeration system further includes a support surface upon which the bottom base lies and the support surface is subjected to an entire weight of the refrigeration unit. 
     One or more aspects of the present invention provide the advantage of providing increased storage within the interior of refrigeration units of smaller sizes. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       The various features, advantages and other uses of the present apparatus will become more apparent by referring to the following detailed description and drawing in which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a known refrigeration unit, wherein the door is in a closed position; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of the refrigeration unit of  FIG. 1 , wherein the door is in an open position; 
         FIG. 3  is a cross-sectional view of a side of the refrigeration unit of  FIG. 1 ; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view of a bottom base of the refrigeration unit of  FIG. 1  with refrigeration components present; 
         FIGS. 5A-C  are pictures showing a possible process for attaching a compressor to the bottom base of  FIG. 4  the is a perspective view of a bottom base of the refrigeration unit of  FIG. 1  with refrigeration components present; 
         FIG. 6  is a perspective view of an embodiment of a refrigeration unit in accordance with the present invention, wherein the door is in a closed position; 
         FIG. 6A  is a schematic front cross-sectional view of the refrigeration unit of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view of the refrigeration unit of  FIG. 6 , wherein the door is in an open position; 
         FIG. 7A  is a perspective and schematic view of an exterior lining to be used with the refrigeration unit of  FIGS. 6-7 ; 
         FIG. 7B  is a perspective and schematic view of an interior lining to be used with the refrigeration unit of  FIGS. 6, 7, and 7A ; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view of a side of the refrigeration unit of  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view of a bottom base of the refrigeration unit of  FIG. 6  with refrigeration components present; 
         FIG. 9A  is top and schematic view of the bottom base and refrigeration components of  FIG. 9 ; and 
         FIG. 10  schematically shows an embodiment of a refrigeration system that includes the refrigeration unit of  FIGS. 6-9 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     As shown in the exemplary drawing figures, a refrigeration unit is shown, wherein like elements are denoted by like numerals. 
       FIGS. 6-10  show an embodiment of a refrigeration unit  200  that has a height of approximately 33.25 inches, a width or length of approximately 23.5 inches, and a depth of approximately 23.0 inches. It should be noted that other sizes for the refrigeration unit  200  are possible. For example, the height can range from 32 inches to 34 inches, the width or length can vary from 15.0 inches to 36.0 inches, and the depth can vary from 21.0 inches to 23.0 inches. 
     The refrigeration unit  200  has a door  201  that is attached via a hinge  203  to a main storage housing  205  as shown in  FIGS. 6-7 . The main storage housing  205  can be thought of as being a shell that has an interior housing or lining  278  and an exterior housing or lining  202  as schematically shown by the front cross-sectional view of  FIG. 6A . There is a space between the interior lining  278  and the exterior lining  202  that contains heat transfer coils and insulation (not shown). 
     The exterior lining  202  is made of a durable material, such as stainless steel, vinyl coated carbon steel or galvanized steel. As shown in  FIGS. 6, 7 and 7A , the exterior lining  202  of the main storage housing  205  includes a first exterior side surface  204  and a second exterior side surface  206  that is positioned opposite to and faces the first exterior side surface  204 . Preferably, the first and second exterior side surfaces  204 ,  206  are identical in shape. For example, the first and second exterior side surfaces  204 ,  206  may be rectangular in shape with a vertical height H, as measured along vertical direction V, ranging from 32.0 inches to 34.0 inches and a depth D ranging from 21.0 inches to 23.0 inches. The first and second exterior side surfaces  204 ,  206  have a thickness ranging from 0.020 inches to 0.060 inches. The first and second exterior side surfaces  204 ,  206  are preferably arranged parallel to one another and separated from one another by a distance ranging from 15.0 inches to 36.0 inches. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7A and 8 , the exterior lining  202  includes a rear exterior surface  208  that has vertical side edges  210  and  212  integrally attached to a rear vertical edge  214  of the first exterior side surface  204  and a rear vertical edge  216  of the second exterior side surface  206 , respectively. Preferably, the rear exterior surface  208  is rectangular in shape with a height that is the same as the height H of the first and second exterior side surfaces  204 ,  206 . The rear exterior surface  208  has a length L ranging from 15.0 inches to 36.0 inches and has a thickness ranging from 0.020 inches to 0.060 inches. The rear exterior surface  208  is preferably positioned at a right angle to each of the first and second exterior side surfaces  204 ,  206 . 
       FIGS. 6-9  show that the exterior lining  202  includes a bottom exterior surface  218 , and a top exterior surface  220  that is positioned opposite to and faces the bottom exterior surface  218 . Preferably, the bottom and top exterior surfaces  218 ,  220  are nearly identical in shape and size. For example, the bottom and top exterior surfaces  218 ,  220  may be rectangular in shape with a length L ranging from 15.0 inches to 36.0 inches and a width that is the same as the width of the first and second exterior side surfaces  204 ,  206 . The bottom and top exterior surfaces  218 ,  220  have a thickness ranging from 0.020 inches to 0.060 inches. 
     The bottom and top exterior surfaces  218 ,  220  are preferably arranged parallel to one another and separated from one another by a distance equal to the vertical height H of the first and second exterior side surfaces  204 ,  206 . 
     Side edges  222 ,  224  of the bottom exterior surface  218  are integrally attached with bottom edges  226 ,  228  of the first and second exterior side surfaces  204 ,  206 , respectively. A rear edge  230  of the bottom exterior surface  218  is integrally attached with a bottom edge  232  of the rear exterior surface  208 . The bottom exterior surface  218  is preferably perpendicular to each of the first and second exterior side surfaces  204 ,  206  and the rear exterior surface  208 . 
     Side edges  234 ,  236  of the top exterior surface  220  are integrally attached with top edges  238 ,  240  of the first and second exterior side surfaces  204 ,  206 , respectively. A rear edge  242  of the top exterior surface  220  is integrally attached with a top edge  244  of the rear exterior surface  208 . The top exterior surface  220  is preferably perpendicular to each of the first and second exterior side surfaces  204 ,  206  and the rear exterior surface  208 . 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7, 7B and 8 , placed within the exterior housing  202  is the interior lining  278 . As shown in  FIGS. 6, 7 and 8 , the interior lining  278  can support various types of shelves that support items to be contained within the refrigeration unit  200 . The interior lining  278  is made of a durable material, such as high impact polystyrene (HIPS), plastic, or stainless steel. The interior lining  278  includes a first interior side surface  280  and a second interior side surface  282  that is positioned opposite to and faces the first interior side surface  280 . Preferably, the first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282  are identical in shape. For example, the first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282  may be rectangular in shape with a height ranging from 22.0 inches to 24.0 inches and a width ranging from 16.0 inches to 20.0 inches. The first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282  have a thickness ranging from 0.050 inches to 0.200 inches. The first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282  are preferably arranged parallel to one another and separated from one another by a distance ranging from 11 inches to 20 inches. In another embodiment, the first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282  are separated from one another by approximately 28 inches and a vertical wall is positioned between and parallel to the interior side surfaces  280 ,  282  so that two cavities are defined with each cavity having a width of approximately 14 inches. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 7B and 8 , the interior lining  278  includes a rear interior surface  284  that has vertical side edges  286  and  288  integrally attached to a rear vertical edge  290  of the first interior side surface  280  and a rear vertical edge  292  of the second interior side surface  282 , respectively. Preferably, the rear interior surface  284  is rectangular in shape with a height that is the same as the height of the first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282 . The rear interior surface  284  has a length ranging from 11.0 inches to 20.0 inches and has a thickness ranging from 0.050 inches to 0.200 inches. The rear interior surface  284  is preferably positioned at a right angle to each of the first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282 . 
       FIGS. 7B and 8  show that the interior lining  278  includes a bottom, planar-like interior surface  294  and a top interior surface  296  that is positioned opposite to and faces the bottom interior surface  294 . Preferably, the bottom and top interior surfaces  294 ,  296  are identical in shape and size. For example, the bottom and top interior surfaces  294 ,  296  may be rectangular in shape with a length L ranging from 11.0 inches to 20.0 inches and a width that is the same as the first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282 . The bottom and top interior surfaces  294 ,  296  have a thickness ranging from 0.050 inches to 0.200 inches. The bottom and top interior surfaces  294 ,  296  are preferably arranged parallel to one another and separated from one another by a distance equal to the vertical height of the first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282 . 
     The side edges  298 ,  300  of the bottom interior surface  294  are integrally attached with the bottom edges  302 ,  304  of the first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282 , respectively. The rear edge  306  of the bottom interior surface  294  is integrally attached with the bottom edge  308  of the rear interior surface  284 . The bottom interior surface  294  is preferably perpendicular to each of the first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282  and the rear interior surface  284 . As shown in  FIGS. 7B and 8 , the bottom planar-like interior surface  294  extends to the first interior side surface  280 , the second interior side surface  282 , and the rear interior surface  284 . 
     The side edges  310 ,  312  of the top interior surface  296  are integrally attached with the top edges  314 ,  316  of the first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282 , respectively. The rear edge  318  of the top interior surface  296  is integrally attached with the top edge  320  of the rear interior surface  284 . The top interior surface  296  is preferably perpendicular to each of the first and second interior side surfaces  280 ,  282  and the rear interior surface  284 . 
     The interior lining  278  is attached to the exterior lining  202  by holding the two linings in a nested manner so that the interior lining  278  is nested within the exterior lining  202 . By such holding, a volume of space positioned between the two nested linings is formed. Next, a foam is injected into the volume of space, wherein the foam expands into the entire volume of space and cures/hardens resulting in the linings being attached to one another via the foam. Note that conduits and heat transfer coils are positioned within the volume of space prior to injecting the foam into the volume of space. 
     Once the interior lining  278  is attached to the exterior lining  202 , the first interior side surface  280  is parallel to, facing and spaced from the first exterior side surface  204  by approximately 1.75 inches. Similarly, the second interior side surface  282  is parallel to, facing and spaced from the second exterior side surface  206  by approximately 1.75 inches. The rear interior surface  284  is parallel to, facing and spaced from the rear exterior surface  208  by approximately 1.0 inches. In addition, the top interior surface  296  is parallel to, facing and spaced from the top exterior surface  220  by approximately 1.75 inches. The bottom, planar-like interior surface  294  is parallel to, facing and spaced from the bottom exterior surface  218  by approximately 7 inches. 
     Between the bottom exterior surface  218 , a bottom base  217 , and a skirt  221  is defined a storage volume of space S as shown in  FIGS. 6A, and 8  that stores components of the refrigeration unit  200 , such as the condenser  248  and the coils  260 . The space S has a vertical height of approximately 5.0 inches, a length of approximately 18.5 inches, and a width of approximately 15.0 inches to 36.0 inches. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 , a door  322  is attached to the exterior lining  202  by a pair of hinges  322 ,  324  that are attached to the exterior front face of the refrigeration unit  200 . Thus, the hinged door  322  is movable to an open position (see  FIG. 7 ) that provides access to a volume of space defined by the interior lining  278  and to a closed position (see  FIG. 6 ) wherein access to the volume of space is denied. Note that the rear portion  326  of the door  322  may include one or more shelves to hold products. In addition, when the door  322  is at the closed position the volume of space defined by the interior lining  278  is substantially sealed off from the exterior environment so that a temperature range of 33° F.-70° F. can be generated within the volume of space. 
     As shown in  FIGS. 9 and 9A , a number of refrigeration components are positioned on the upper surface  246  of a rectangular bottom base  217 . As will be described later, the bottom base  217  is attached to the bottom of the exterior lining  202  of the refrigeration unit  200 . The bottom base  217  has a thickness of approximately 0.050 inches, a width of approximately 23.5 inches, and a depth of approximately 23.0 inches. The bottom base  217  is made of a durable material, such as steel. Extending vertically with respect to the edges of the base  217  are integrally attached rectangular-like brackets  219 . 
     A compressor  248  is attached to the bottom base  217  by four tabs  250  with retaining clips (two shown) that extend through openings of corresponding support pads  252  integrally formed with the compressor  248 . Adjacent to the compressor  248  is a housing  249  that contains electronics for running the compressor  248 . The compressor  248  has a tank  254  for receiving/storing a pressurized refrigerant, such as the substances known by the trade names of R134a and R600a. The refrigerant is pressurized to such an extent that it turns into a hot gas. The hot gas is expelled from the tank  256  and sent via a conduit (not shown) to a heat exchange coil within the volume of space formed between the interior lining  278  and the exterior lining  202 , then to a condenser in the form of a condenser coil  260 , and then from the condenser coil  260  back to the compressor  248  in a manner similar to that described with respect to the refrigeration unit  100  of  FIGS. 1-4 . 
     Note that the maximum height of the compressor  248 , as measured in the vertical direction, V is 5.0 inches. The compressor  248  is positioned at the right side and rear portion of the bottom surface  218 . 
     As shown in  FIG. 9 , the condenser coil  260  is formed from a tube so as to define a serpentine pattern with two exterior rows  262 ,  264  of four elongated, Ω-shaped portions of the coil  260  that face the front and rear of the refrigeration unit  200 . Between the rows  262 ,  264  are three interior rows  266 ,  268 ,  270  of seven columns of elongated, a-shaped portions of the coil  260 , wherein the rows face the left and right sides of the refrigeration unit  200 . Horizontal wires  271  are attached/fused to each of the portions via welding as shown in  FIG. 9 . The condenser coil  260  is attached to the bottom base  217  by retaining clips or screws. In addition, a vertical metal wall  272  is attached to the bottom base  217  and is attached to the coil  260  by a spot welding process. The wall  272  acts an air deflector that separates the air inlet from the air exhaust. A U-shaped bracket  274  is attached to the bottom base  217  and has an opening that receives a fan  276  that helps to convey heat generated by the coils  260  away from the coils  260 . Adjacent to the fan is a drain cup  251  that functions similarly to the drain cup  136  of  FIG. 4 . Note that the wall  272  and the bracket  274  each has a height of approximately 5.0 inches. 
     Note that the maximum height of the condenser coil  260 , as measured in the vertical direction V is 5.0 inches. The condenser coil  260  forms a rectangular-like footprint on the bottom base  217  that has a length of approximately 10.0 inches and a width of approximately 6.0 inches. As shown in  FIG. 9 , the condenser coil  260  is positioned at the left side and front portion of the bottom base  217 . 
     When comparing refrigeration units  100  and  200  of  FIGS. 1-9A , there are some notable differences. For example, the maximum height of a component positioned on the bottom base  114  of the refrigeration unit  100  is 7.5 inches, while the maximum height of a component positioned on the bottom base  217  of the refrigeration unit  200  is no more than 5.0 inches. Thus, the lower vertical dimensions of the refrigeration components of the refrigeration unit  200  essentially allows for the upper level  143  of the bottom portion of the refrigeration unit  100  to be lowered and thus increase the storage volume within the refrigeration unit  200  when compared with the storage volume of the refrigeration unit  100 . 
     The bottom base  217  is attached to the bottom exterior surface  218  of the exterior lining  202  by vertical walls that are attached to the surface  218  and the bottom base  217 , wherein such vertical walls form/define a skirt  221  below the main storage housing  106 . The skirt  221  hides the refrigeration components on the bottom base  217  from view and allows for access to the refrigeration components by removal of one or more of the vertical walls that form the skirt. 
     It is envisioned that the above described refrigeration unit  200  will be positioned so that the bottom base  217  lies directly on a support surface  328 , such as a floor or a table top. In an alternative embodiment, each corner of the bottom base  217  includes a foot that extends downward from a bottom surface of the bottom base  217  so that the feet engage the support surface  328 . Each foot can be adjustable in how much it extends from the bottom surface so that the refrigeration unit  200  can be leveled on the support surface  328 . In the above scenarios, the refrigeration unit  200  and the support surface  328  define a refrigeration system  330 . 
     As schematically shown in  FIG. 10 , the gravitational field, g, generated by the Earth flows from the top  329  of the exterior lining  202  to both the bottom of the exterior lining  202  and the bottom base  217  so that the support surface  328  is subjected to the entire weight of the refrigeration unit  200 . The gravitational field g is directed towards the center of the Earth and is approximately perpendicular to the bottom planar like interior surface. 
     While the invention has been described in connection with what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred embodiment, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be limited to the disclosed embodiments but, on the contrary, is intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims, which scope is to be accorded the broadest interpretation so as to encompass all such modifications and equivalent structures as is permitted under the law.