Abstract:
An apparatus for storing food includes one or more food storage chambers, and a cooling device and fan unit located behind the food storage chambers. The apparatus also includes an ice maker, and a fan and associated ducting to convey cool air from the cooling device to the ice maker. The fan for conveying cool air to the ice maker can be a box type fan where the motor of the fan is located within a blade unit of the fan, to thereby save space which would otherwise be occupied by a fan having an external motor. In some embodiments, the fan can be mounted such that the axis of the blade unit is oriented horizontally such that no portion of the fan unit protrudes into the storage space of the food storage chambers.

Description:
BACKGROUND 
       [0001]    1. Field 
         [0002]    This application claims the benefit of the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2007-0112340, filed on Nov. 5, 2007, which is hereby incorporated by reference as if fully set forth herein. 
       BACKGROUND 
       [0003]    1. Field 
         [0004]    The present disclosure relates to a food storage device and methods for manufacturing the same. Although the present invention is suitable for a wide scope of applications, it is particularly suitable for enhancing space utilization efficiency and for lowering manufacturing costs by reducing steps of a duct assembly process. 
         [0005]    2. Background 
         [0006]    A refrigerator/freezer is a globally-used food storage device. A refrigerator normally includes a freezing chamber and a cooling chamber. Typically, the cooling chamber is maintained at a temperature of approximately 3˜4° C. to keep food and vegetables fresh for a considerably long time. The freezing compartment is maintained at a temperature below 0° C. to keep meat or food in a frozen state. 
         [0007]    In a refrigerator, an evaporator together with a compressor, a condenser, and an expansion valve are used to generate cool air. The cold air is then blown into each storage room to keep an inner space of the storage rooms at specific temperatures. Ducts are provided to guide the cold air generated from the evaporator into the storage rooms. 
         [0008]    However, an assembly process for configuring the ducts can get complicated. Also, the space for storing food within the storage rooms is decreased by the volume of the ducts. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0009]    The embodiments will be described in detail with reference to the following drawings, in which like reference numerals refer to like elements, and wherein: 
           [0010]      FIG. 1  is a front view of a first embodiment of a food storing apparatus; 
           [0011]      FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a duct unit of a food storing apparatus; 
           [0012]      FIG. 3A  is a side view of the food storing apparatus of  FIG. 1  showing the duct unit of  FIG. 2  installed therein; 
           [0013]      FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional diagram of the duct unit shown in  FIG. 3A ; 
           [0014]      FIG. 4A  is a rear perspective diagram of the duct unit; 
           [0015]      FIG. 4B  is a perspective diagram of the duct unit after an evaporator has been installed; 
           [0016]      FIG. 4C  is a rear diagram of the duct unit; 
           [0017]      FIG. 5  is a rear diagram of a scroll part of the duct unit; 
           [0018]      FIG. 6  is a front diagram of the upper portion of the food storing apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0019]      FIG. 7  is a rear perspective diagram showing the upper cooling chamber and a scroll part of a duct and fan of the food storing apparatus shown in  FIG. 1 ; 
           [0020]      FIG. 8  is a side view of the cooler and scroll part shown in  FIGS. 6 and 7 ; 
           [0021]      FIG. 9A  is a perspective diagram to explain a dead volume when a scroll part is located above or below the cooler; 
           [0022]      FIG. 9B  is a perspective diagram to explain a dead volume when a scroll part is placed at one side of a cooler; 
           [0023]      FIG. 10A  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of a portion of a cold-air supplying mechanism for an icemaker viewed from a backside of the food storing apparatus; 
           [0024]      FIG. 10B  is a side view of the icemaker cold-air supplying mechanism shown in  FIG. 10A ; 
           [0025]      FIG. 10C  is a perspective diagram illustrating the mechanism for supplying cold air to an icemaker provided in an upper part of a door; 
           [0026]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective diagram of a fan unit of a food storing apparatus; 
           [0027]      FIG. 11B  is a schematic diagram of another embodiment of a cold-air supplying mechanism for an icemaker viewed from a backside of the food storing apparatus; 
           [0028]      FIG. 11C  is a side view of the icemaker cold-air supplying mechanism shown in  FIG. 11B ; 
           [0029]      FIG. 12A  is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of an icemaker cold-air supplying mechanism viewed from a backside of the food storing apparatus; and 
           [0030]      FIG. 12B  is a side view of the icemaker cold-air supplying mechanism shown in  FIG. 12A . 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0031]    Reference will now be made in detail to preferred embodiments, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts. 
         [0032]      FIG. 1  is a front diagram of a first embodiment of a food storing apparatus. Referring to  FIG. 1 , the apparatus  100  for storing food includes at least one storage room for storing food therein. Multiple storage rooms can be formed by partitioning an inner space of the apparatus  100 . Generally, the food storing apparatus  100  includes a pair of storage rooms or three storage rooms. Of course, the food storing apparatus  100  can include more storage rooms. 
         [0033]    The food storing apparatus can be categorized into a top mount type and a dual gate type in accordance with locations of the plurality of the storage rooms. For instance, the dual gate type food storing apparatus is configured to be partitioned into a left storage room and a right storage room. Doors for opening/closing each of the storage rooms are hinged to the lateral sides of the apparatus. 
         [0034]    The top mount type food storing apparatus is configured to be partitioned into an upper storage room and a lower storage room. A door of the upper storage room is hinged to a lateral side of the apparatus. A door of the lower storage room typically has a drawer configuration to be pulled out or pushed in to open/close the corresponding storage room. 
         [0035]    The food storing apparatus  100  shown in  FIG. 1  has the top mount type configuration. However, alternate embodiments may have the dual gate type configuration, or still other different storage room configurations. 
         [0036]    The food storing apparatus  100  according to the present invention includes a first storage room  110 , a second storage room  130 , and a third storage room  150 , which are vertically partitioned from each other. Each of the storage rooms is preferably maintained at a specific temperature required for each storage state of food. For instance, if the second storage room  130  is used as a freezing compartment, it is maintained at a temperature below 0° C. to keep meat or food in a frozen state. If the third storage room  150  is used as a cooling chamber, it is maintained at a temperature range between 3˜4° C. to keep food or vegetable in a fresh state. 
         [0037]    Some embodiments, like the one shown in  FIG. 1 , can include a switching room, which is capable of varying its internal temperature. The switching room can be used as a freezing compartment or a cooling chamber in accordance with a request made by a user. 
         [0038]    In this embodiment the second storage room  130  is used as a freezing compartment and the third storage room  150  is used as a cooling chamber. The first storage room  110  is used as a switching room and it can be configured to be maintained at a variable temperature in accordance with a user&#39;s request. Typically, a temperature of each of the freezing compartment and the cooling chamber can only be varied within a small range. 
         [0039]    Referring to  FIG. 1 , the second storage room  130  is provided to a lower part of the food storing apparatus  100 , while the third storage room  150  is provided to an upper part of the food storing apparatus  100 . And, the first storage room  110  is provided between the second and third storage rooms  130  and  150 . The food storing apparatus  100  can also include an upper frame  102  and a lower frame  104 . In this case, the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130  are mounted on the lower frame  104 , while the third storage room  150  is mounted on the upper frame  102 . The lower frame  104  is partitioned into an upper part and a lower part to configure independent spaces for the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130 , respectively. 
         [0040]    As mentioned in the foregoing description, drawer type doors (not shown in the drawing) would typically be mounted on the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130 . The drawers could then be pulled out or pushed in to open/close the corresponding rooms. A door of the third storage room  150  would usually be hinged to a lateral side of the upper frame  102 . 
         [0041]    A first cooler  140  for generating cold air and a first scroll part  230  having a first blowing fan  232  can be mounted on a backside wall of the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130 . In this case, the first cooler  140  can include an evaporator. The blowing fan  232  would generate a flow of air that passes over the evaporator and that is then delivered into the first and second storage rooms. 
         [0042]    First and second outlets  212  and  222  are formed to discharge the cold air generated from the first cooler  140  into the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130 , respectively. A first inlet  214  and a second inlet (not shown in the drawing) can be provided to return the cold air to the first cooler  140 . 
         [0043]    A guide  250  which forms an intake passage for collecting the cold air from the second storage room  130  is provided between a mechanical room (not shown in the drawing) provided to the lower part of the lower frame  104  and the second storage room  130 . In this case, an inlet for the cold air collected from the second storage room  130  is omitted in the drawing. 
         [0044]    The mechanical room provides a space for accommodating a compressor (not shown in the drawing), a condenser (not shown in the drawing) and the like. 
         [0045]    A cold air circulation mechanism of an apparatus for storing food according to the present invention will be explained in detail later. 
         [0046]      FIG. 2  is a perspective diagram of the duct unit of the lower portion of the food storing apparatus.  FIG. 3A  is a lateral diagram of the duct unit, and  FIG. 3B  is a cross-sectional diagram of the duct unit.  FIG. 4A  is a perspective diagram of the duct unit with the cooler removed,  FIG. 4B  is a perspective diagram of the duct unit with the cooler installed, and  FIG. 4C  is a rear diagram of the duct unit.  FIG. 5  is a rear diagram of a scroll part of the duct unit. 
         [0047]    The duct unit  200  includes a first duct part  210  guiding cold air to the first storage room  110 , a second duct part  220  guiding cold air to the second storage room  130 , and a scroll part  230  from which the first and second duct parts diverge from each other. In preferred embodiments, the first duct part  210 , the second doctor part  220  and the scroll part are constructed as one body. 
         [0048]    Since the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130  are provided to the lower frame  104 , a partition  160  is included to partition the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130  from each other. The partition  160  is provided in parallel with a middle part of the lower frame  104  to enable the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130  to be vertically partitioned from each other within the lower frame  104 . Optionally, the partition  160  is configured to be adjustable vertically to extend either the first storage room  110  or the second storage room  130  in accordance with a usage or purpose of the first or second storage room  110  or  130 . 
         [0049]    Preferably, the partition  160  is made of an insulating material. For instance, an inner portion of the partition  160  is formed porous to interrupt heat transfer using air insulation in the pores. The partition  160  is configured to have a thickness suitable for insulation efficiency. Since the partition  160  is made of the insulating material, heat exchange is prevented from taking place between the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130 . Hence, each of the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130  can be maintained at different temperature ranges in accordance with food stored therein. Typically, one of the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130  would be maintained at a constant internal temperature and the other is used as a switching room whose internal temperature is variable in accordance with a user request. 
         [0050]    In other words, one of the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130  would be either a freezing compartment or a cooling chamber, which is maintained at a constant temperature. The other is used as a switching room which can be selectively configured as a freezing compartment or a cooling chamber. 
         [0051]    The switching room can also be maintained at a prescribed temperature which is lower than a cooling storage temperature but higher than a freezing temperature. This can help to keep vegetables or fruits fresh for a long term. And, the switching room is usable to store ‘Kimchi’ and the like therein. Owing to the advantage in coping with a user request actively, the switching room is now widely used. 
         [0052]    Optionally, both of the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130  are usable as switching rooms. In particular, both of the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130  can be configured to be maintained at a specific temperature range and can be also used as freezing compartments or cooling chambers identically. 
         [0053]    For instance, the first storage room  110  could be used as a freezing compartment and the second storage room  130  could be used as a cooling chamber. Alternatively, both of the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130  can be identically used as freezing compartments or cooling chambers. 
         [0054]    In the present embodiment, the first storage room  110  is used as a switching room and the second storage room  130  is used as a freezing compartment. In order to vary or maintain a temperature of the switching room efficiently, it is preferable that the second storage room  130  is used as the freezing compartment. It is efficient to adjust a temperature of a switching room using a damper provided to a duct. This makes it possible for both rooms to share a single cooler for supplying cold air. Of course, as mentioned in the foregoing description, since both of the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130  are usable as switching rooms, the second storage room  130  is not limited to only being a freezing chamber. 
         [0055]    The duct unit  200  includes a first duct part  210  guiding cold air to the first storage room  110 , a second duct part  220  guiding cold air to the second storage room  130 , and a scroll part  230  from which the first and second duct parts  220  diverge from each other. In the following description, the scroll part  230  will be referred to as the first scroll part  230 . 
         [0056]    The duct unit  200  may further include a blowing fan  232  provided to the first scroll part  230  to generate a flow of cold air. In the following description, the blowing fan  232  will be referred to as the first blowing fan  232 . 
         [0057]    Preferably, the first blowing fan  232  has a box fan type configuration. The box fan has its motor mounted inside a scroll-type fan blade unit. This allows the box fan to be very thin. The first blowing fan  232 , as shown in  FIG. 3B , is configured to blow cold air in a radial direction by sucking the cold air in an axial direction. The first scroll part  230  has a streamlined shape to efficiently guide the flow of cold air. The cooler used in this duct unit will be referred to as the first cooler  140  in the following description. 
         [0058]    The first blowing fan  232  is provided to a central part of the internal space of the first scroll part  230 . And, an opening is provided to the first scroll part  230  to suck cold air in an axial direction of the first blowing fan  232 . Thus, cold air which passes through the first cooler  140 , is sucked by a sucking force of the first blowing fan  232  in an axial direction of the first blowing fan  232  and is then blown in a radial direction off the first blowing fan  232 . 
         [0059]    The first duct part  210  is connected to one side of the first scroll part  230  in the radial direction of the first blowing fan  232 , and the second duct part  220  is connected to the other side of the first scroll part  230  in the radial direction of the first blowing fan  232 . The first duct part  210  communicating with one side of the first scroll part  230  guides the cold air blown in the radial direction of the first blowing fan  232  to the first storage room  110 , while the second duct part  220  communicating with the other side of the first scroll part  230  guides the cold air blown in the radial direction of the first blowing fan  232  to the second storage room  130 . 
         [0060]    A direction for connecting the first scroll part  230  to each of the first and second duct parts  210  and  220  can be decided in accordance with positions of the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130 . In the present embodiment, since the first storage room  110  is placed over the second storage room  130 , the first duct part  210  is connected to an upper side of the first scroll part  230  and the second duct part  220  is connected to a lower side of the first scroll part  230 . 
         [0061]    When the first and second duct parts  210  and  220  directly diverge from the first scroll part  230 , lengths of the first and second duct parts  210  and  220  are decreased. This, in turn, reduces a space occupied by the ducting, which prevents a reduction in the inner volume of the storage rooms. As a result, a space for storing food, i.e., a space usable by a user is increased. 
         [0062]    The first duct part  210 , the second duct part  220  and the first scroll part  230  of the duct unit  200  can be built in one body. Alternatively, the duct unit  200  can be completed by assembling various members that are separately manufactured. 
         [0063]    Preferably, the duct unit  200  further includes a first damper  216  for adjusting a flow of the cold air through the first duct part  210 . As mentioned in the foregoing description, when the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130  are configured to be a switching room and a constant temperature room, respectively, the amount of cold air guided to the first storage room  110  can be adjusted by the first damper  216  to enable temperature variations of the first storage room  110 . The first damper  216  is configured to turn on/off a passage of the cold air guided to the first storage room  110  by the first duct part  210  or to adjust a quantity of the cold air supplied to the first storage room  110  by lowering or raising an opening ratio of the passage. It is preferable that the first damper  216  is built on the first duct part  210  in one body of the duct unit  200 . 
         [0064]    In alternate embodiments, a damper or flow control mechanism could be installed on just the second duct part  220  to selectively control the temperature of the second storage room  130 . In still other embodiments, a damper or flow control mechanism could be provided in both the first duct portion  210  and the second duct portion  220  so that the temperatures in both the first and second storage rooms can be selectively and independently controlled. This would also allow cool air to be temporarily diverted to one of the rooms to quickly cool food items that have just been introduced to one of the storage rooms. 
         [0065]    The food storing apparatus  100  can further include a light source (not shown in the drawing) and/or a heater (not shown in the drawing) to quickly raise a temperature of the first storage room  110  after it has been kept at a low temperature. For instance, the light and/or heater could be used to warm the switching room up to above freezing after the room has been used as a freezing chamber. 
         [0066]    The duct unit  200  can further include at least one first outlet  212  opening into the first storage room  110 . The first outlet  212  can be formed on a case  219  of the duct unit  200  to discharge the cold air guided by the first duct part  210  into the first storage room  110 . And, it is a matter of course that the at least one first outlet  212  should communicate with the first duct part  210 . 
         [0067]    Because the first duct part  210  is connected to an upper side of the first scroll part  230 , to guide the cold air to an upper part of the duct unit  200 , the at least one first outlet  212  is preferably provided to the upper side of the case  219 . Since it is advantageous that the cold air is discharged from an upper side of the first storage room  110  to perform cold air circulation efficiently, a position of the at least one first outlet  212  is preferably provided at an upper part of the first storage room  110 . One or more first outlets  212  can be provided, as suitable for a volume of the first storage room  110 . 
         [0068]    In the present embodiment, three first outlets  212 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , are arranged in the middle of an upper part of the case  219 . In this embodiment, the first outlets  212  are in parallel with each other. However, in alternate embodiments, other numbers and arrangements of the first outlets could be used. Also the first outlets can be positioned at different locations. 
         [0069]    One or more inlets  214  can be provided to the lower side of the first storage room  110 . The inlets  214  may also be formed on the case  219 . The inlets  214  will suck the cold air out of the first storage room  110 . 
         [0070]    Because it is advantageous that the cold air is sucked from the lower part of the first storage room  110 , to perform cold air circulation efficiently, the at least one inlet  214  is preferably located in a lower part of the first storage room  110 . Any number of inlets  214  can be provided, as suitable for the volume of the first storage room  110 . In the present embodiment, two first inlets  214 , as shown in  FIG. 2 , are provided to both lower sides of the case  219 . However, in other embodiments, other numbers and locations of the first inlets  214  could be used. 
         [0071]    In addition, one or more return ducts  218  can be provided to guide the cold air sucked via the first inlets  214  to the first cooler  140 . The return ducts  218  communicate with the first inlets  214  and preferably guide the cold air sucked via the first inlets  214  to a lower part of the first cooler  140 . In the present embodiment, a pair of the return ducts  218 , as shown in  FIG. 4A  or  FIG. 4B , are provided to both sides of a rear part of the case  219 , respectively. In particular, a pair of the return ducts  218  are connected to the first inlets  214  provided to both of the lower sides of the case  219  to guide the cold air to the lower part of the first cooler  140 , respectively. 
         [0072]    At least one or more second outlets  222  can be provided to one side of the second storage room  130  of the case  219  to discharge the cold air guided by the second duct part  220  into the second storage room  130 . Because the second duct part  220  is connected to the lower side of the first scroll part  230  to guide the cold air to the lower part of the duct unit  200 , it is preferable that the at least one second outlet  222  is provided to the lower side of the case  219 . 
         [0073]    Since it is advantageous that the cold air is discharged from an upper side of the second storage room  130 , to perform cold air circulation efficiently, the at least one second outlet  222  is preferably provided to an upper part of the second storage room  130 . The at least one outlet  222  is preferably provided to an upper part of the second storage room  130  in the vicinity of the partition  160 . One or more second outlets  222  can be provided, as suitable for a volume of the second storage room  130 . 
         [0074]    The cold air discharged from the second outlet  222  lowers the temperature within the second storage room  130  and is then sucked back into the lower part of the first cooler  140  via a passage between the guide  250  and a mechanical room  107 . 
         [0075]    Meanwhile, the food storing apparatus  100  according to the present invention can include a constructing space part  120  provided to a wall stretching over the first and second storage rooms  110  and  130 , and centering on the partition  160 . The constructing space part  120  would accommodate the first cooler  140  therein. The constructing space part  120  can include a predetermined space configured to accommodate the first cooler  140  therein such that the frame is recessed from the rear wall. Alternatively, the constructing space part  120  can include a predetermined space occupied by the first cooler  140  such that the first cooler  140  is supported by a prescribed support body to adhere closely to the rear wall while the rear wall stays flat. 
         [0076]    In any case, the duct unit  200  is assembled to block a front side of the constructing space part  120 . As the duct unit  200  blocks the constructing space part  120  for accommodating the first cooler  140  therein, the constructing space part  120  does not have any cold air passage communicating with the first or second storage room  110  or  130  except the aforesaid cold air flow passages. And, an insulating member  217  is provided within the case  219  of the duct unit  200  to cut off heat exchange between the constructing space part  120  and each of the storage rooms  110  and  130 , particularly the first storage room  110 . 
         [0077]    Thus, the duct unit  200  is manufactured in a manner that the first duct part  210 , the second duct part  220 , the first scroll part  230  and the damper are constructed in one body. The duct unit  200  is attached to or actually forms part of the rear wall side of the first and second storage rooms. The duct unit  200  also forms the front side of the constructing space part  120  for accommodating the first cooler  140  therein. As a result, a process for manufacturing the food storing apparatus  100  can be simplified. 
         [0078]    In the present embodiments, the cooler is accommodated in the constructing space part  120  and it can extend over portions of at least two storage rooms. The duct unit  200  is installed to block the front side of the constructing space part  120 , and the partition  160  for partitioning the frame into the respective storage rooms is then installed. Hence, the assembly process can be accomplished in a simple manner. As a result, assembly productivity can be enhanced. 
         [0079]    Arrangements of a cooler and a scroll part provided for the third storage room of the food storing apparatus will now be explained in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.  FIG. 6  is a front diagram showing a cooler, a scroll part and a duct for the third storage room of the food storing apparatus.  FIG. 7  is a rear perspective diagram of these parts.  FIG. 8  is a side view of these parts.  FIG. 9A  is a perspective diagram to explain a dead volume when a scroll part is mounted above or below a cooler.  FIG. 9B  is a perspective diagram to explain a dead volume when the scroll part is mounted at one side of the cooler. 
         [0080]    A second cooler  340  is provided to the third storage room  150  to generate cold air. The second cooler  340  is provided to a rear wall side of the upper frame  102  and can be separated from the third storage room  150  by a cover  342 . 
         [0081]    A second blowing fan  332  is mounted to one side of the second cooler  340  to blow the cold air generated from the second cooler  340  into the third storage room  150 . The second blowing fan  332  is provided to a central portion of an inner space of the second scroll part  330 . Preferably, the second blowing fan  332  is a box fan type, in which the motor is mounted inside the blade assembly, to thereby reduce a thickness of the fan. 
         [0082]    Preferably, the second blowing fan  332 , as shown in  FIG. 7 , is configured to enable the cold air to be sucked in an axial direction and to be blown in a radial direction. The second blowing fan  332  generates a flow cold air in conjunction with the second cooler  340 . The cold air is sucked in the axial direction of the second blowing fan  332  by the sucking force of the second blowing fan  332  and is then blown in the radial direction. 
         [0083]    The second scroll part  330  is provided at one side of the second cooler  340 . In particular, the second scroll part  330  can be provided next to a left or right side of the second cooler  340 . The second scroll part  330  has a streamlined configuration to efficiently guide cold air generated by the cooler. And, a space for enabling the cold air to flow is provided within the second scroll part  330 . 
         [0084]    The second scroll part  330  is connected to a third duct part  310  and is configured to cross over a rear wall of the upper frame  102  in a vertical direction. The cold air generated from the second cooler  340  is sucked into the second scroll part  330  by the second blowing fan  332 , guided by the third duct part  310 , and then discharged into the third storage room  150 . In order to discharge the cold air into the third storage room  150 , a third outlet  312  is provided. The cold air discharged from the third outlet  312  plays a role in lowering a temperature within the third storage room  150 . 
         [0085]    The third duct part  310  can be provided over or under the second cooler  340  and the second scroll part  330 . In the present embodiment, the third duct part  310 , as shown in  FIG. 6 , is placed over the second cooler  340  and the second scroll part  330 . The cold air blown in the radial direction of the second blowing fan  332  from the second scroll part  330  is guided to the third storage room  150  by the third duct part  310 . 
         [0086]    The second cooler  340  and the second scroll part  330  are provided to a lower side of a rear wall of the upper frame  102  and are isolated from the third storage room  150  by a cover  342 . Preferably, at least one second inlet  314  is provided on the cover  342  at the lower side of the second cooler  340 . 
         [0087]    The cold air discharged into the third storage room  150  via the at least one third outlet  312  lowers a temperature within the third storage room  150 , is sucked into the at least one inlet  314 , and is then guided to the lower side of the second cooler  340 . The cold air having passed through the second cooler  340  passes through the third duct part  310 , the third outlet  312  and back into the third storage room. 
         [0088]    If the second scroll part  330  is mounted to one side of the second cooler  340 , a dead volume formed by a space occupied by the second cooler  340  and the second scroll part  330  can be reduced as compared to conventional arrangements. In conventional arrangements, the second scroll part  330  is provided over the second cooler  340 . As a result, both lateral spaces next to the second cooler  340 , as shown in  FIG. 9A , form a dead volume unusable for a user. Since a height of a cold-air supply system including the cooler, the scroll part and the duct part is increased, an inner volume of the storage room is reduced overall. 
         [0089]    However, in the present embodiment, because the second scroll part  330  is located in a space beside the second cooler  340 , a height of the dead volume provided next to both sides of the second cooler  340 , as shown in  FIG. 9B , is reduced. 
         [0090]    For instance, when the second scroll part  330  is placed over the second cooler  340 , a dead volume is generated up to ½ the total height of the third storage room  150 . On the other hand, if the second scroll part  330  is located beside the second cooler  340 , a dead volume is generated up to only about ⅓ of the total height of the third storage room. Hence, the dead volume is reduced. 
         [0091]    In alternate embodiments, the second scroll part  330  can be provided above or below the second cooler  340 , and the third duct part  310  can be mounted to a horizontal side of the second cooler  340 . This arrangement would have the same overall effect of reducing the dead volume of the third storage room. 
         [0092]    A mechanism for supplying cold air to an icemaker of the food storing apparatus will now be explained in detail as follows. 
         [0093]      FIG. 10A  is a schematic cross-sectional diagram of an icemaker cold-air supplying mechanism viewed from a backside of the food storing apparatus.  FIG. 10B  is a side view of the icemaker cold-air supplying mechanism shown in  FIG. 10A .  FIG. 10C  is a perspective diagram of a mechanism for supplying cold air to an icemaker provided in an upper door. 
         [0094]    Referring to  FIGS. 10A to 10C , a first cooler  140   a  is provided to a lower part of a rear wall of the food storing apparatus  100 . A first blowing fan  232   a  blows cold air generated by the first cooler  140   a  into a first storage room  110   a  and a second storage room  130   a  as described above. The first blowing fan  232   a  is provided within a first scroll part  230   a.    
         [0095]    An ice-making fan unit  430   a  is provided next to one side of the first scroll part  230   a . The ice-making fan unit  430   a  includes an ice-making fan  432   a  for blowing cold air and a motor  434   a  for providing a rotational force to the ice-making fan  432   a.    
         [0096]    The cold air blown by the ice-making fan  432   a  flows via a connecting duct  162   a  provided within the partition  160   a . In this case, the connecting duct  162   a  is configured to communicate with a cold-air supplying duct  410   a  provided within a sidewall of the food storing apparatus  100 . The cold air is guided to an icemaker  450   a  mounted in an upper door  109   a  via the cold-air supplying duct  410   a . An inside of the sidewall is formed of an insulating material  106   a , and the cold-air supplying duct  410   a  is formed within the insulating material  106   a.    
         [0097]    In particular, referring to  FIG. 10C , the cold air guided by the cold-air supplying duct  410   a  is introduced into the icemaker  450   a  via a first cold air outlet  412   a  and a first cold air inlet  452   a . The first cold air outlet  412   a  and the first cold air inlet  452   a  are configured to communicate with each other when the upper door  109   a  is closed. Packing is provided to each entrance of the outlet  412   a  and the inlet  452   a  to achieve air-tightness when the first cold air outlet  412   a  and the first cold air inlet  452   a  communicate with each other. 
         [0098]    The cold air guided into the icemaker  450   a  freezes water accommodated in an ice-making tray  456   a  provided within the icemaker  450   a . The cold air is then discharged outside the icemaker  450   a  via a second cold air outlet  454   a  and a second cold air inlet  422   a . Like the first cold air outlet and inlet  412   a  and  452   a , the second cold air outlet  454   a  and the second cold air inlet  422   a  are configured to communicate with each other when the upper door  109   a  is closed. Packing is provided to each entrance of the outlet  454   a  and the inlet  422   a  to achieve air-tightness when the second cold air outlet  454   a  and the second cold air inlet  422   a  communicate with each other. 
         [0099]    The cold air discharged from the icemaker  450  returns to an inside of a storage room via a cold-air return duct  420   a  arranged in parallel with the cold air supplying duct  410   a . Of course, the cold air return duct  420   a  is provided within the insulating material  106   a  of the sidewall as well. 
         [0100]    In the above described embodiment, a portion of the ice-making fan unit  430   a , as shown in  FIG. 10B , projects forward toward the second storage room  130   a . As a result, an inner volume of the storage room is reduced as much as the projected portion of the ice-making fan unit  430   a . In addition, the connecting duct  162   a  provided within the partition  160   a  degrades the insulation performance of the partition  160   a.    
         [0101]      FIG. 11A  is a perspective diagram of an ice-making fan unit of an alternate embodiment of a food storing apparatus.  FIG. 11B  is a schematic diagram of the icemaker cold-air supplying mechanism viewed from a backside of a food storing apparatus.  FIG. 11C  is a side view of the icemaker cold-air supplying mechanism. 
         [0102]    Referring to  FIGS. 11A to 11C , an apparatus  100  for storing food includes a cooler  140   b  for generating cold air, a cold air supplying duct  410   b  provided to one side of the apparatus  100  to guide at least one portion of the cold air generated from the cooler to an icemaker  450   a  (cf.  FIG. 10C ), and an ice-making fan unit  430   b  directly connected to the cold air supplying duct  410   b  to generate a flow of cold air. 
         [0103]    Preferably, the ice-making fan  432  has a box fan type configuration having a fan and a motor  434   b  built in one body. The ice-making fan  432   b , as shown in  FIG. 11A , is preferably configured to suck the cold air in an axial direction and to blow the sucked cold air in a radial direction. 
         [0104]    The ice-making fan unit  430   b  has a streamlined configuration to efficiently guide the cold air generated by the cooler. A space for enabling the cold air to flow therein is provided within the ice-making fan unit  430   b . The motor  434   b  is mounted inside a fan blade unit of the ice-making fan unit  430   b , and an opening is formed to suck the cold air in an axial direction of the ice-making fan  432   b . A connecting part  436   b  is provided to one side of the fan, and it extends in the radial direction. The connecting part  436   b  guides the blown cold air to the cold air supplying duct  410   b.    
         [0105]    Preferably, the connecting part  436   b  is connected to the cold air supplying duct  410   b  at a sidewall of the food storing apparatus  100 . In particular, the ice-making fan unit  430   b  is directly connected to the cold air supplying duct  410   b  at the sidewall via the connecting part  436   b , instead of being connected to the cold air supplying duct  410   b  by a separate connecting duct  162   a  provided within the partition  160   b , as in the embodiment shown in  FIG. 10A  and  FIG. 10B . Because it is not necessary to have a separate connecting duct  162   a , insulation performance of the partition  160   b  can be prevented from being lowered. 
         [0106]    The ice-making fan unit  430   b  can be installed in a manner that a rotational axis of the ice-making fan  432   b  is vertical. As a result, the portion projected toward the second storage room  130   b  becomes much smaller, and the inner volume of the second storage room can be greater than in the embodiment shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . 
         [0107]      FIG. 12A  is a perspective diagram of another embodiment of an icemaker cold-air supplying mechanism viewed from a backside of a food storing apparatus.  FIG. 12B  is a side view of the icemaker cold-air supplying mechanism. 
         [0108]    Referring to  FIG. 12A  and  FIG. 12B , a rotational shaft of the ice-making fan  432   c  in this embodiment is oriented horizontally. In this case, the ice-making fan unit  430   c  has the same structure as shown in  FIG. 11A . The ice-making fan unit  430   c  is provided to one side within the constructing space part  120   c . A connecting part of the ice-making fan unit  430   c  is connected to a cold air supplying duct  410   c  at a sidewall of the first storage room  110   c . Here again, a connecting duct inside the partition need not be provided. Thus, insulation performance of the partition  160   c  is not reduced. 
         [0109]    Since the ice-making fan unit  430   c  is entirely accommodated within the constructing space part  120   c , an inner volume of the first storage room  110   c  is not decreased in any way by the fan unit for supplying cold air to the ice maker. Meanwhile, the cold air, which has been supplied to an icemaker (cf. ‘ 450   b ’ in  FIG. 10C ) via the ice-making fan unit  430   c  and the cold air supplying duct  410   c , can be collected by a cold air return duct  420   c . In this case, the cold air return duct  420   c  is preferably configured to guide the cold air collected from the icemaker to the second storage room  130   c . Since the first storage room  110   c  is used as a switching room, if the switching room is set to a relatively high temperature such as a cool storage temperature, the first storage room  110   c  avoids being affected by the cold air collected at a relatively low temperature from the icemaker. 
         [0110]    Temperature sensors (not shown in the drawings) can be provided within each of the icemaker (cf. ‘ 450   b ’ in  FIG. 10C ), the first storage room  110   c  and the second storage room  130   c . Each of the storage rooms  110   c  and  130   c  has a reference temperature set suitable for a corresponding usage. And, the temperature sensors provided within the storage rooms  110   c  and  130   c  and the icemaker (cf. ‘ 450   b ’ in  FIG. 10 ) measure inner temperatures thereof, respectively. 
         [0111]    A control unit (not shown in the drawings) for controlling overall functions of the food storing apparatus  100  compares the measured storage room temperatures to the reference temperatures of each of the storage rooms. The control unit may also compare the inner temperature of the icemaker to a preset ice-making temperature. 
         [0112]    If the storage room temperature is higher than the reference temperature, the control unit activates a blowing fan, which provides cold air to each of the storage rooms. If the storage room temperatures are lower than the reference temperatures, the control unit activates the ice-making fan unit  430   c  to blow the cold air to the icemaker (cf. ‘ 450   b ’ in  FIG. 10C ). As noted above, a damper may be provided to a duct for guiding the cold air to the first and/or second storage room  110   c  or  130   c  to turn on/off a passage, or to adjust a quantity of the supplied cold air. 
         [0113]    Accordingly, the present invention provides the following effects or advantages. 
         [0114]    First of all, since a duct for guiding cold air to different storage rooms directly diverges from a scroll part provided with a blowing fan, a total length of the duct is decreased. 
         [0115]    Secondly, since a space occupied by a duct within a food storage apparatus is reduced, a volume of a storage room for keeping food therein can be increased. 
         [0116]    Thirdly, since a duct unit including a duct, a damper and a scroll part is built in one body, a manufacturing process can be simplified. 
         [0117]    Fourthly, product assembly difficulty is lowered to enhance work productivity. 
         [0118]    Any reference in this specification to “one embodiment,” “an embodiment,” “example embodiment,” etc., means that a particular feature, structure, or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the invention. The appearances of such phrases in various places in the specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Further, when a particular feature, structure, or characteristic is described in connection with any embodiment, it is submitted that it is within the purview of one skilled in the art to effect such feature, structure, or characteristic in connection with other ones of the embodiments. 
         [0119]    Although a number of illustrative embodiments have been described, it should be understood that numerous other modifications and embodiments can be devised by those skilled in the art that will fall within the spirit and scope of the principles of this disclosure. More particularly, variations and modifications are possible in the component parts and/or arrangements of the subject combinations which would fall within the scope of the disclosure, the drawings and the appended claims. In addition to variations and modifications in the component parts and/or arrangements, alternative uses will also be apparent to those skilled in the art.