Patent Publication Number: US-9897372-B2

Title: Integrated lighting system for the interior liner of an appliance

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims priority to and the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 62/136,709, filed on Mar. 23, 2015, entitled “INTEGRATED LIGHTING SYSTEM FOR THE INTERIOR LINER OF AN APPLIANCE,” the entire disclosure of which is hereby incorporated herein by reference. 
    
    
     FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     The device is in the field of lighting systems for kitchen appliances, more specifically, a lighting system for a kitchen appliance that is integrated within the interior liner of the appliance. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to at least one aspect, an integrated lighting system for a kitchen appliance includes a refrigerated appliance having a cabinet structure including a plurality of sidewalls and a back wall that define an interior compartment. An appliance door is coupled to the cabinet structure and is operable between open and closed positions. The appliance door includes an inner door liner, an outer door wrapper and an insulation layer disposed within a cavity defined between the inner door liner and the outer door wrapper. The inner door liner has a compartment surface that defines at least one bin receptacle. The compartment surface further defines the interior compartment when the appliance door is in the closed position. A bin is selectively received by a corresponding bin receptacle of the at least one bin receptacle, the corresponding bin receptacle including a bin divider defined by the inner door liner and extending away from the outer door wrapper. The bin divider cooperates with the bin to define sub compartments of the bin when the bin is coupled to the corresponding bin receptacle. A lighting assembly is coupled to the bin divider and is typically configured to selectively illuminate the bin when received by the corresponding bin receptacle and at least a portion of the interior compartment at least when the appliance door is in the open position. 
     According to at least another aspect, an integrated lighting system for an appliance door includes an inner door liner, an outer door wrapper coupled to the inner door liner to define a cavity, and an insulation layer disposed therein. A bin is selectively received by a corresponding bin receptacle. The corresponding bin receptacle includes a medial bin divider defined by the inner door liner and extends away from the outer door wrapper. The medial bin divider cooperates with the bin to define sub compartments of the bin when the bin is coupled to the corresponding bin receptacle. A lighting assembly is coupled to the medial bin divider and is typically configured to selectively deliver a predetermined illumination to at least a portion of the bin receptacle. A cover member supports the lighting assembly and includes a fastening portion that couples the lighting assembly to the inner door liner at the medial bin divider. 
     According to at least another aspect, an appliance includes a cabinet structure including a plurality of sidewalls and a back wall that define an interior compartment. An appliance door is operably coupled with the cabinet structure and operable between open and closed positions. The appliance door includes an inner door liner having a protrusion extending therefrom. The protrusion defines an interior volume. The door liner and the protrusion at least partially define the interior compartment when the appliance door is in the closed position. An outer door wrapper is coupled to the inner door liner to define a door cavity. The door cavity is in communication with the interior volume of the protrusion. An insulation layer is disposed within the door cavity. The insulation layer extends at least partially into the interior volume. A lighting assembly is coupled to the protrusion and is typically configured to selectively deliver a predetermined illumination to at least a portion of the door liner and at least a portion of the interior compartment. A cover member that supports the lighting assembly includes a fastening portion that couples the lighting assembly to the inner door liner at the protrusion. 
     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 
       The foregoing summary, as well as the following detailed description of the invention, will be better understood when read in conjunction with the appended drawings. For the purpose of illustrating the invention, there are shown in the drawings, certain embodiment(s) which are presently preferred. It should be understood, however, that the invention is not limited to the precise arrangements and instrumentalities shown. Drawings are not necessary to scale. Certain features of the invention may be exaggerated in scale or shown in schematic form in the interest of clarity and conciseness. 
         FIG. 1  is a top perspective view of an appliance incorporating an embodiment of the liner integrated lighting system; 
         FIG. 2  is a top perspective view of an appliance door incorporating the liner integrated lighting system within a bin receptacle for the appliance door and the lighting assembly removed; 
         FIG. 3  is a top perspective view of the appliance door of  FIG. 2  with the lighting assembly installed upon the medial bin divider; 
         FIG. 4  is a cross-sectional view of the bin and medial bin divider of  FIG. 2  taken along line IV-IV; 
         FIG. 5  is a cross-sectional view of the lighting assembly of  FIG. 3 , taken along line V-V; 
         FIG. 6  is a partially exploded top perspective view of the liner integrated lighting assembly of  FIG. 5 , with the lighting assembly removed from the medial bin divider; 
         FIG. 7  is a top perspective view of an aspect of the lighting assembly of the liner integrated lighting system; 
         FIG. 8  is a top plan view of the lighting assembly of  FIG. 7 ; 
         FIG. 9  is a front elevational view of the lighting assembly of  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 10  is an exploded perspective view of the lighting assembly of  FIG. 7 . 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Before the subject invention is described further, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiments of the invention 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 invention will be established by the appended claims. 
     Where a range of values is provided, it is understood that each intervening value, to the tenth of the unit of the lower limit unless the context clearly dictates otherwise, between the upper and lower limit of that range, and any other stated or intervening value in that stated range, is encompassed within the invention. The upper and lower limits of these smaller ranges may independently be included in the smaller ranges, and are also encompassed within the invention, subject to any specifically excluded limit in the stated range. Where the stated range includes one or both of the limits, ranges excluding either or both of those included limits are also included in the invention. 
     In this specification and the appended claims, the singular forms “a,” “an” and “the” include plural reference unless the context clearly dictates otherwise. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1-10 , reference numeral  10  generally refers to a liner integrated lighting system that is at least partially integrated within an interior liner  12  of a kitchen appliance, according to one embodiment. The liner integrated lighting system  10  for the kitchen appliance includes a refrigerated appliance  14  having a cabinet structure  16  that includes a plurality of sidewalls  18  and a back wall  20  that cooperate to define an interior compartment  22 . An appliance door  24  is coupled to the cabinet structure  16  and operable between an open position  26  and a closed position. The appliance door  24  includes an inner door liner  28 , an outer door wrapper  30  and an insulation layer  32  that is disposed within a cavity  34  defined between the inner door liner  28  and the outer door wrapper  30 . The inner door liner  28  includes a compartment surface  36  that defines at least one bin receptacle  38 . The compartment surface  36  further defines the interior compartment  22  when the appliance door  24  is in the closed position (not shown). A bin  40  is selectively received by a corresponding bin receptacle  42  of the at least one bin receptacle  38 , the corresponding bin receptacle  42  includes a bin divider  44  defined by the inner door liner  28 , where the bin divider  44  extends in a direction away from the outer door wrapper  30 . The bin divider  44  cooperates with the bin  40  to define sub compartments  46  of the bin  40  when the bin  40  is coupled to the corresponding bin receptacle  42 . A lighting assembly  48  is coupled to the medial bin divider  44  where the lighting assembly  48  is configured to selectively illuminate the bin  40  when the bin  40  is received by the corresponding bin receptacle  42 , and also illuminate at least a portion of the interior compartment  22  at least when the appliance door  24  is in the open position  26 . 
     The bin divider  44  may be located at a medial location and thus will be referred to herein as a medial bin divider  44 , but could conceivably be positioned to one side or the other of a bin  40  or the bin receptacle  42 . The location would typically be a predetermined location at the time of manufacture due to, at least, the powering considerations, but conceivably a self-powered or inductive charging system could be employed to allow user location selectability within the bin  40  and/or the bin receptacle  42 . 
     It is contemplated that, while a top-mount single-door refrigerator is shown in the figures, the liner integrated lighting system  10  can be incorporated into a wide range of appliances having varying configurations. Such appliances can include, but are not limited to, single-door refrigerators, multi-door refrigerators, freezers, coffin-type refrigerators, wine or other specific-purpose refrigerators, dishwashers, warmers, ovens, vent hoods, and other similar household appliances. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-3 , the inner door liner  28  of the appliance door  24  can include a bin receptacle  38  extending substantially along the width of the inner door liner  28 . In this manner, the bin  40  can be coupled to the bin receptacle  38  to define a full-width bin  60  that extends substantially across the full width of the appliance door  24 . The medial bin divider  44  is incorporated into the bin receptacle  38  to subdivide the bin  40  into the smaller sub compartments  46 . In this manner, the medial bin divider  44  can substantially prevent lateral shifting of items disposed within the bin  40 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-4 , the medial bin divider  44  can be a protrusion  62  that includes an outer wall  64  that defines a divider inner volume  66 . In the various embodiments, the insulation layer  32  disposed within the cavity  34  defined between the inner door liner  28  and outer door wrapper  30  can at least partially extend into the divider inner volume  66 . In this manner, the medial bin divider  44  can be an insulated member. In addition to providing insulation, the insulation layer  32  that extends into the divider inner volume  66  can also provide additional structural integrity to the outer wall  64  that defines the medial bin divider  44 . 
     Referring again to the embodiment illustrated in  FIG. 4 , the medial bin divider  44  can include a medial bin support  70  that extends outward from a portion of the medial bin divider  44 . In this manner, the medial bin support  70  can extend at least partially under the bin  40  that can be disposed within one of the bin receptacles  38 . The medial bin support  70  provides vertical structural support to the bin  40  disposed within the bin receptacle  38 . This can be particularly useful where a bin  40  extends across the entire width of the inner door liner  28 . Full-width bins  60  for refrigerated appliances  14  can, in various embodiments, tend to bow downward when various items are disposed within the full-width bin  60 . 
     By way of example, and not limitation, where a gallon of milk or other substantially heavy refrigerated item is disposed within a full-width bin  60 , the weight of the heavy refrigerated item can tend to cause the full-width bin  60  to deflect downward as a result of the weight of the refrigerated item. It is contemplated that the medial bin support  70  can provide a supporting surface  72  that receives a mid-point  74  of the full-width bin  60  and substantially prevents the deflection of the full-width bin  60  when the various refrigerated items are placed within the full-width bin  60 . It is contemplated that the medial bin support  70  can include an outwardly extending flange  76  that extends under at least a portion of the full-width bin  60 . 
     In various alternate embodiments, the medial bin support  70  can include a pair of flanges that extend outward from the medial bin divider  44 , where the pair of flanges extend above and below a portion of the bin  40  and cooperatively position the mid-point  74  of the full-width bin  60  that is disposed within the bin receptacle  38 . In such an embodiment, the pair of flanges that define the medial bin support  70  can cooperate to substantially prevent downward deflection and also substantially prevent twisting that may occur as the full-width bin  60  is loaded with refrigerated items. 
     According to the various embodiments, the medial bin divider  44  and the medial bin support  70  can include a thickened portion of the inner door liner  28  that is configured to receive downward and rotational forces from the full-width bin  60  disposed within the bin receptacle  38 . It is also contemplated that the added structural support provided by the medial bin divider  44  and the medial bin support  70  can be implemented through the geometry of the medial bin divider  44  and the medial bin support  70 , such that the inner door liner  28  having a consistent thickness can be formed to include the medial bin divider  44 , without needing thickened portions, or substantially reinforced portions, to provide the structure of the medial bin divider  44  and the medial bin support  70 . 
     Referring again to the embodiments illustrated in  FIG. 1 , it is contemplated that the bin divider  44  and the bin support  70 , which are typically the medial bin divider  44  and the medial bin support  70 , can be implemented in conjunction with the full-width bins  60 , half-width bins  90 , and other supporting positions within the various bin receptacles  38  defined by the inner door liner  28  of the appliance door  24 . It is also contemplated that the bin divider  44  can be incorporated into portions of shelving positioned within the refrigerated appliance  14 , where the bin divider  44  extends at least partially over the top surface  102  of a shelf, and the bin support  70  extends partially underneath the shelf to subdivide and also support the shelf from below, or other storage member disposed within the refrigerated appliance  14 . 
     Referring again to the various embodiments illustrated in  FIGS. 1-5 , in addition to providing subdividing and support functionalities, the medial bin divider  44  can include the lighting assembly  48  for providing lighting to various portions of the refrigerated appliance  14 . The lighting assembly  48  can include at least one light fixture  92  that is attached to and/or in communication with an outer shell  94 . The outer shell  94  can be disposed over the at least one light fixture  92 . The outer shell  94  may include an at least partially translucent portion  96  that is not opaque and that can be selectively illuminated when the at least one light fixture  92  is activated. The at least partially translucent portion  96  can include a member that can have a range of translucency from at least partially translucent, to partially transparent, to transparent. 
     The level of translucency or transparency defined within the at least partially translucent portion  96  is intended to deliver illumination from the light fixture  92 , through a selected portion of the outer shell  92 , and to various areas at least proximate the appliance  14 . The level of translucency or transparency incorporated into the at least partially translucent portion  96  is used to provide a predetermined amount of light diffusion that can serve to incorporate any one or more of various lighting effects. Such effects can include, but are not limited to, a soft glow, a bright diffused light, patterned lighting, directed lighting, spot lighting, various throw ranges of lighting, combinations thereof, and other similar selectable lighting effects. 
     It is contemplated that the outer shell  94  can include a fastening portion  98  that selectively engages the outer wall  64  of the medial bin divider  44 . In order to receive the lighting assembly  48 , the medial bin divider  44  can include a lighting assembly receptacle  100  that can be disposed proximate a top surface  102  of the medial bin divider  44 . The lighting assembly  48  can include one or more tabs  104  that extend downward from the outer shell  94  to engage tab receptacles  106  defined within the lighting assembly receptacle  100  of the medial bin divider  44 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-6 , the lighting assembly  48  can be coupled to a power source  118  and a control  122  that is configured to deliver electrical current  120  from the power source  118  to the lighting assembly  48 . The delivery of the electrical current  120  can be based upon a selective input that is delivered to the control  122 . According to the various embodiments, the power source  118  for the lighting assembly  48  can be the same power source  118  that delivers electrical current  120  to the refrigerated appliance  14 , such as a plug coupled to an electrical wall outlet for a residential structure. In addition, it is contemplated that the power source  118  for the lighting assembly  48  can be positioned locally, such as a battery  124  positioned within a portion of the lighting assembly  48  for providing electrical current  120  to the various light fixtures  92  disposed within the lighting assembly  48 . 
     In embodiments where the power source  118  is disposed outside of the lighting assembly  48 , such as the residential electrical outlet, the electrical current  120  can be delivered to the lighting assembly  48  through at least one wire  126  that is run through at least a portion of the cabinet structure  16 . In such an embodiment, the appliance door  24  can include at least one hinge  128  that extends from the cabinet structure  16  to hingedly couple the appliance door  24  to the cabinet structure  16 . Wiring for the lighting assembly  48  can be run through a hollow door hinge harness  130  that is disposed within the at least one hinge  128 . It is contemplated that the at least one wire  126  can extend from the hollow door hinge harness  130  to a grommet  132  disposed within a portion of the medial bin divider  44 . The grommet  132  can extend through at least a portion of the outer shell  94  of the medial bin divider  44 . In the various embodiments, the grommet  132  can be positioned within a portion of the lighting assembly receptacle  100  such that when the lighting assembly  48  is attached to the lighting assembly receptacle  100  of the medial bin divider  44 , the lighting assembly  48  can be connected to the at least one wire  126  proximate the grommet  132 . 
     According to the various embodiments, the lighting assembly  48  can include one or more electrical contacts. An electrical contact may be a screw  140 , that receives the at least one wire  126  extending from the grommet  132 . In such an embodiment, the lighting assembly  48  can be hard wired prior to installation and subsequently attached to the lighting assembly receptacle  100 , where the at least one wire  126  is attached to the lighting assembly  48  in a substantially permanent fashion. It is also contemplated that the lighting assembly  48  can include an electrical contact that engages a current-providing contact disposed proximate the grommet  132 . In such an embodiment, the current-providing contact can be placed in electrical communication with the at least one wire  126  that extends through the cavity  34  and to the grommet  132 , where the at least one wire  126  is connected to the current-providing contact. The current-providing contact then provides electrical current  120  to the lighting assembly  48  when the electrical contact of the lighting assembly  48  engages the current-providing contact of the medial bin divider  44  disposed proximate the grommet  132 . In such an embodiment, the lighting assembly  48  can be conveniently removed, replaced, or otherwise manipulated without having to remove and reattach various wires  126  for providing electrical current  120  to the various light fixtures  92  of the lighting assembly  48 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 4-6 , it is contemplated that the grommet  132  can provide lateral support for the wire  126  that extends through the appliance door  24  and provides power to the lighting assembly  48 . The grommet  132  can substantially position and laterally secure the at least one wire  126  in a predetermined position  150  such that the wire  126  does not substantially move during operation of the refrigerated appliance  14 , where such movement of the wire  126  can affect the integrity of the insulation layer  32  disposed within cavity  34  defined between the inner door liner  28  and the outer door wrapper  30 . Accordingly, the grommet  132  can provide for manipulation of the lighting assembly  48  while keeping the wire  126  in the substantially fixed predetermined position  150 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 1-6 , the control  122  that is configured to deliver electrical current  120  from the power source  118  to the lighting assembly  48  can be operated based on a passive or selective input that is delivered to the control  122 . In this manner, the illumination  160  provided by the lighting assembly  48 , which can include at least two lighting colors, can be selectively activated based upon the passive or selected input delivered to the control  122 . It is contemplated that the input delivered to the control  122  can include various passive and active inputs that can include, but are not limited to, the temperature of an area disposed within the refrigerated appliance  14 , the temperature of an area external of the refrigerated appliance  14 , the time of day, a length of time that the appliance door  24  has been continuously opened, a system signal from a portion of the refrigerated appliance  14 , the activation of a mechanical or electrical portion of the refrigerated appliance  14 , a specific user input, a randomized color sequence, a predetermined color sequence, activation of a function of the refrigerated appliance  14  (such as dispensing water, dispensing ice, and other functions), movement of a portion of the refrigerated appliance  14  (such as a drawer, or other movable portion of the refrigerated appliance  14 ), movement sensors disposed within the appliance (such that the user reaching into various portions of the refrigerated appliance  14  can activate different illumination sequences of the lighting assembly  48 ), mood lighting based upon physiological input of the user (such as body temperature, heartrate, grip strength, speed of movement and others) and other various user inputs that may be received. Sources of user input may include portable personal computing devices that can include, but are not limited to, touch-sensitive tablets, personal computer display screens operably connected to a personal computer phone or other device such as a wearable computerized glasses or a computerized watch that includes physiological sensors for detecting any one or more various physical status characteristics, as described above, and transmitting this information, or an input based upon this information to the control  122 . Where temperatures are used to deliver an input to the control  122 , temperature sensors can be incorporated into the appliance  14 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-10 , the plurality of light fixtures  92  of the lighting assembly  48  can be selectively operated, individually or in concert, to provide predetermined illumination  160  that includes at least two different visible wavelengths of illumination  160 . It is also contemplated that the various light fixtures  92  of the lighting assembly  48  can include light emitting diode (LED) fixtures  162  that can be included within a circuit board positioned within a portion of the lighting assembly  48 . According to the various embodiments, the LED fixtures  162  can be of a plurality of colors, such that the individual color of each LED can be activated to provide illumination  160  in the form of these predetermined colors. It is also contemplated that the LED fixtures  162  of varying colors can be activated in combination to provide light-based color mixing to various portions of the refrigerated appliance  14 . Additionally, the intensity of the illumination  160  provided by the LED fixtures  162  can also be varied such that infinite color combinations can be provided to portions of the refrigerated appliance  14 . In order to regulate the color combinations, the control  122  can selectively and independently regulate the flow of electrical current  120  to each of the LED fixtures  162  of the lighting assembly  48 . As discussed above, the amount of electrical current  120  delivered to each LED fixture  162  can be controlled based upon the various passive and active inputs that are delivered to the control  122  from various portions of the refrigerated appliance  14  as well as areas outside of the refrigerated appliance  14 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-10 , it is contemplated that the outer shell  94  of the lighting assembly  48  can include a transparent lens  170  that extends over at least a portion of the light fixtures  92  of the lighting assembly  48 . According to the various embodiments, it is contemplated that the lens  170  of the lighting assembly  48  can include various surface conditions to provide varying lighting effects for the refrigerated appliance  14 . Such surface conditions of the lens  170  can include, but are not limited to, clear, frosted, prismatic, tinting, etching and other similar surface conditions that can diffuse, deflect, refract, or otherwise manipulate the various patterns of illumination  160  delivered by the light fixtures  92  of the lighting assembly  48 . In addition to these surface conditions, the lens  170  can include various indicia, such as logo patterns, that can be projected by the light fixtures  92  as the illumination  160  travels through the lens  170 . In such an embodiment, various patterns, such as a company logo, monogram, phrase, graphic, or other image or indicia can be projected onto a nearby surface either within the refrigerated appliance  14  or external to the refrigerated appliance  14 . 
     According to various embodiments, it is also contemplated that a pattern of LED lights can be implemented to convey various information through the lens  170  and which can be projected onto a surface either within the refrigerated appliance  14  or external to the refrigerated appliance  14 . Such information can include, but is not limited to, a temperature of the refrigerated appliance  14 , time, external temperature, other status information regarding the refrigerated appliance  14 , miscellaneous information, various patterns, or other indicia that can be provided by a plurality of LEDs and projected through the lens  170  onto an area on or around the refrigerated appliance  14 . 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 3-10 , the lighting assembly  48  can include a substrate member  180  that can serve as one of the primary structural formations of the lighting assembly  48 . The various light fixtures  92  can be disposed upon the substrate member  180 , where the various light fixtures  92  can include, but are not limited to, incandescent lights, halogen lights, fluorescent lights, LED lights, or other similar light fixtures  92 . Where the light fixture  92  is one or more LED fixtures  162 , each LED fixture  162  can be included within a printed circuit board  182  that can be disposed upon the substrate member  180 . The printed circuit board  182  can include various circuitry, as well as the control  122 , that can be used to operate the various patterns of illumination  160  of the lighting assembly  48 . The printed circuit board  182  can also include a battery  124  or other independent power source  118  that can be used to provide electrical current  120  to the LED fixtures  162 . A cover portion  184  of the outer shell  94  can be disposed over the printed circuit board  182 , where the cover portion  184  includes a plurality of apertures  186  through which the LED fixtures  162  can provide illumination  160  for the lighting assembly  48 . It is also contemplated that the substrate member  180  and the cover portion  184  can cooperate to form a fixing aperture  188  through which a fastener, such as the screw  140 , can be extended to engage the cover portion  184  with the substrate member  180 . In this manner, the printed circuit board  182  can be substantially securely positioned between the cover portion  184  and the substrate member  180 , such as with the screw  140 , to contain and substantially protect the printed circuit board  182  from damage, debris, and other potential harm. 
     Referring again to  FIGS. 6-10 , the cover portion  184  can include a channel  200  that can be disposed proximate the apertures  186  through which illumination  160  can be delivered. Within this channel  200 , the lens  170  can be disposed, such that the lens  170  can be positioned within the channel  200  so that the top surface  202  of the lens  170  is substantially coplanar with an upper surface  204  of the cover portion  184 . Accordingly, the lens  170  and cover portion  184  can define the outer shell  94  that has a substantially continuous external surface  206 . 
     In order to secure the lens  170  to the outer shell  94 , the lens  170  can include at least one of the tabs  104  that engages a portion of the cover portion  184  proximate the channel  200 . Additionally, the lens  170  can also include one of the tabs  104  of the outer shell  94  that engages the tab receptacle  106  of the lighting assembly receptacle  100  of the medial bin divider  44 . In this manner, the outer shell  94  and the lens  170  can be independently secured to the lighting assembly receptacle  100  such that both the lens  170  and the outer shell  94  are positioned in a substantially fixed position relative to the medial bin divider  44 . Because the lens  170  is independently secured to the medial bin divider  44 , there may not be a need for independent adhesives to secure the lens  170  to the cover portion  184  and adhesives may be omitted. Where the lens  170  is substantially transparent, adhesives may show through the lens  170  and diminish the aesthetic appeal of the lighting assembly  48 . It is also contemplated that the lens  170  can include separate tabs  104  that directly engage the cover portion  184 . The cover portion  184 , in turn, can directly engage the lighting assembly receptacle  100  of the medial bin divider  44 . 
     According to the various embodiments, where the lens  170  includes a surface finish that is at least partially translucent, but not transparent, adhesives may be implemented to secure the lens  170  to the cover portion  184 . Where the lens  170  is translucent, adhesives may not show through the lens  170  that may detract from the aesthetics of the lighting assembly  48 . In various alternate embodiments, the outer shell  94  can be made of a substantially unitary piece that can have various translucent portions  96  and transparent portions that can cooperate to conceal various mechanical portions of the lighting assembly  48  and also allow for the delivery of various illumination  160  from the light fixtures  92  to be delivered to various portions of the refrigerating appliance. 
     It should be understood that the lighting assembly  48  can be made to encompass an infinite number of configurations to capture various aesthetic details desired by the user of the refrigerated appliance  14 . It is contemplated that the lighting assembly  48  can be substantially removable and replaceable where certain vanity-type lighting assemblies can be installed that reflect various user preferences. 
     Referring again to  FIG. 1 , it is contemplated that the various embodiments of the lighting assembly  48  can be disposed in alternate portions of the inner door liner  28 . Such portions can include a vertical divider  214  within the inner door liner  28 , where the lighting assembly  48  can be attached to a portion of the vertical divider  214  so as to appear integral with the vertical divider  214 . It is also contemplated that the inner door liner  28  can include the protrusion  62  that extends therefrom, where the protrusion  62  defines an interior volume. Such a protrusion  62  can be distal from a medial bin divider  44  or other divider within the refrigerated appliance  14  and can be configured to be a dedicated light fixture  92  that can provide lighting to various portions of the refrigerated appliance  14 . Such a protrusion  62  for providing lighting can be disposed at a top portion  216  of the inner door liner  28  of the appliance door  24 , such that lighting can be shed in a downward direction for illuminating various internal portions of a refrigerated appliance  14 , or shedding light downward towards the floor surrounding the refrigerated appliance  14 . In various alternate embodiments, it is contemplated that the various light fixtures  92  of the lighting assembly  48  can provide the predetermined illumination  160  in a generally upward direction. It is further contemplated that the lighting assembly  48  can be formed as part of a liner integrated lighting system  10  that can be disposed within the liner of a cabinet as well as the liner of the appliance door  24 . 
     According to the various embodiments, the lighting assembly  48  can be made of any one of various materials that can include, but are not limited to, glass, plastic, metal, composite, combinations thereof, and other similar substantially rigid materials that can be used within a refrigerated appliance  14 .