Abstract:
A refrigerator appliance having a cabinet that includes a freezer chamber. A freezer drawer is slidably received within the cabinet. A pair of freezer doors is mounted at the front of the freezer drawer. The doors facilitate improved access to food items stored within the freezer chamber by providing quicker access to frequently used items, increased visibility to items stored in compartments on the doors, and reduced energy losses.

Description:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
       [0001]    The subject matter of the present disclosure relates generally to refrigerator appliances. 
       BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
       [0002]    Refrigerator appliances generally include a cabinet that defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. Certain refrigerator appliances include a fresh food chamber for storage of food items above the freezing temperature of water and a freezer chamber for storage of food items below the freezing temperature of water. The fresh food chamber and the freezer chamber can be positioned at various locations relative to each other within the cabinet. Consumers generally prefer chilled chambers that facilitate visibility and accessibility of food items stored therein. However, the arrangement of the fresh food chamber and the freezer chamber within the refrigerator appliances&#39; cabinet can affect food items&#39; visibility and accessibility. 
         [0003]    In certain refrigerator appliances, commonly referred to as side-by-side style refrigerator appliances, the fresh food chamber is positioned next to the freezer chamber within the cabinet. Such a configuration can permit easy access to food items stored on doors of the refrigerator appliances. However, the cabinet can be deep and narrow such that accessing food items at a back of the fresh food chamber and/or freezer chamber can be difficult. 
         [0004]    In other refrigerator appliances, commonly referred to as bottom mount refrigerator appliances, the freezer chamber is positioned below the fresh food chamber in the cabinet. Such a configuration can provide a wide fresh food chamber and/or a wide freezer chamber. However, bottom freezer configurations typically have a thick door and an insulating dyke to prevent heat transfer. More specifically, the dyke extends around the periphery of the inside of the freezer door frame to ensure proper insulation and to reduce a large outflow of cool air—i.e., “cold spill”—when the freezer door is opened. A recess or volume within the dyke can be used to store food items, but the dyke obscures the visibility of items stored in the recess and can result in cumbersome access, as the door must be opened all the way and the user must reach around the dyke. 
         [0005]    In addition, drawer style bottom freezers typically contain one or two large sliding bins where food items are placed. However, smaller food items can sometimes be lost or difficult to access when placed among many larger items. For example, smaller items tend to fall to the bottom of the bins, such that larger items must first be removed before reaching the small items. Similarly, opening the freezer door to find frequently accessed food items can result in significant energy losses. 
         [0006]    Accordingly, a refrigerator having a bottom freezer with improved accessibility would be useful. Further, a freezer door that allows for quicker access to frequently used items, improved visibility and access to items stored in the recess of the dyke, and separate storage for smaller items would be particularly beneficial. 
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       [0007]    The present subject matter provides a refrigerator appliance having a cabinet that includes a freezer chamber. A freezer drawer is slidably received within the cabinet. A pair of freezer doors is mounted at the front of the freezer drawer. The doors facilitate improved access to food items stored within the freezer chamber by providing quicker access to frequently used items, increased visibility to items stored in compartments on the doors, and reduced energy losses. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention. 
         [0008]    In a first exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a fresh food chamber for receipt of fresh food articles and a freezer chamber for receipt of frozen food articles. The freezer chamber is positioned below the fresh food chamber and extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction, and a front portion and a back portion along the transverse direction. A freezer drawer is slidably mounted within the freezer chamber such that the freezer drawer is disposed within the freezer chamber when the freezer drawer is in a closed position and is at least partially disposed outside the freezer chamber when the freezer drawer is in an open position. The closed position and the open position are separated from each other along the transverse direction. A pair of freezer doors is rotatably mounted at a front portion of the freezer drawer, and each freezer door has an open position and a closed position to permit selective access to the freezer drawer. 
         [0009]    In a second exemplary embodiment, a drawer assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The drawer assembly includes a freezer drawer slidably mounted within a freezer chamber such that the freezer drawer is disposed within the freezer chamber when the freezer drawer is in a closed position and is at least partially disposed outside the freezer chamber when the freezer drawer is in an open position. The closed position and the open position are separated from each other along the transverse direction. A pair of freezer doors is rotatably mounted at a front portion of the freezer drawer, and each freezer door has an open position and a closed position to permit selective access to the freezer drawer. A frame is positioned at the front portion of the freezer drawer, and each of the pair of freezer doors are rotatably connected with the frame. 
         [0010]    These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention. 
     
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         [0011]    A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures. 
           [0012]      FIG. 1  provides a front elevation view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter with the doors and drawer shown in the closed position. 
           [0013]      FIG. 2  provides a front elevation view of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of  FIG. 1  with the doors of the exemplary refrigerator appliance shown in an open position. 
           [0014]      FIG. 3  provides a perspective view of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of  FIG. 1  with the drawer and the doors of the exemplary refrigerator appliance in the open position. 
           [0015]      FIG. 4  provides a side view of the exemplary refrigerator appliance of  FIG. 1  with the freezer drawer and the freezer doors of the exemplary refrigerator appliance in the open position. 
           [0016]      FIGS. 5 through 11  provide front elevation views of various handle and door configurations that may be employed in an exemplary refrigerator appliance of the present subject matter. 
       
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
       [0017]    Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. 
         [0018]      FIG. 1  provides a front, elevation view of a refrigerator appliance  100  according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter with refrigerator doors  102 , freezer drawer  104 , and freezer doors  130 ,  132  of the refrigerator appliance  100  shown in a closed position.  FIG. 2  provides a front, elevation view of refrigerator appliance  100  with refrigerator doors  102 , freezer drawer  104 , and a pair of freezer doors  130 ,  132  of refrigerator appliance  100  shown in an open position. Refrigerator appliance  100  defines a vertical direction V, a lateral direction L, and a transverse direction T (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ), each mutually perpendicular to one another. As discussed in greater detail below, refrigerator appliance  100  includes features for assisting with accessing food items stored therein. 
         [0019]    As may be seen in  FIGS. 1, 2 and 3 , refrigerator appliance  100  includes a housing or cabinet  108  that extends between a top  110  and a bottom  112  along the vertical direction V, between a first side  114  and a second side  116  along the lateral direction L, and between a front side  118  and a rear side  120  along the transverse direction T (see, e.g.,  FIG. 3 ). 
         [0020]    As depicted, cabinet  108  defines chilled chambers for receipt of food items for storage. In particular, cabinet  108  defines fresh food chamber  122  ( FIG. 2 ) positioned at or adjacent top  110  of cabinet  108  and a freezer chamber  124  ( FIG. 3 ) arranged at or adjacent bottom  112  of cabinet  108 . As such, refrigerator appliance  100  is generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator. It is recognized, however, that the benefits of the present disclosure apply to other types and styles of refrigerators such as, for example, a top mount refrigerator, a side-by-side style refrigerator, or a freezer appliance. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to be limiting in any aspect to a particular refrigerator chamber configuration. 
         [0021]    Refrigerator doors  102  are rotatably mounted to cabinet  108 , e.g., such that doors  102  permit selective access to fresh food chamber  122  of cabinet  108 . As shown in the illustrated embodiment, refrigerator doors  102  include a first refrigerator door  126  rotatably mounted to cabinet  108  at first side  114  of cabinet  108  and a second refrigerator door  128  rotatably mounted to cabinet  108  at second side  116  of cabinet  108 . 
         [0022]    In addition, a freezer drawer  104  is arranged below refrigerator doors  102  for selectively accessing items stored in freezer chamber  124 . As discussed in greater detail below, freezer drawer  104  is slidably mounted to cabinet  108  and can be selectively moved in and out of freezer chamber  124  along transverse direction T. Freezer doors  130 ,  132  may be coupled to the freezer drawer  104 . More specifically, freezer doors  130 ,  132  include a first freezer door  130  and a second freezer door  132  rotatably mounted at a front portion  172  ( FIGS. 3 and 4 ) of the freezer drawer  104  on the first side  114  and second side  116 , respectively. 
         [0023]    Referring specifically to  FIG. 2 , various storage components are mounted within fresh food chamber  122  to facilitate storage of food items therein as will be understood by those skilled in the art. In particular, the storage components include bins  134 , drawers  136 , and shelves  138  that are mounted within fresh food chamber  122 . Bins  134 , drawers  136 , and shelves  138  are configured for receipt of food items (e.g., beverages and/or solid food items) and may assist with organizing such food items. As an example, drawers  136  can receive fresh food items (e.g., vegetables, fruits, and/or cheeses) and increase the useful life of such fresh food items. 
         [0024]    Similarly, a variety of support baskets, bins, drawers, or other containers may be received within freezer chamber  124  for receipt and storage of food items in freezer chamber  124 . For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , a freezer drawer  104  may define a storage volume  162 , e.g., for receipt of food items for storage. Freezer drawer  104  may shift between the open and closed positions in order to access storage volume  162  by sliding freezer drawer  104  along the transverse direction T. In this regard, freezer drawer  104  includes drawer slides  164  that are mounted on opposing sides of freezer drawer  104  (another matching drawer slide is mounted on an opposing side of freezer drawer  104  from drawer slide  164  shown in  FIG. 3 ). Drawer slides  164  are mounted to freezer drawer  104  such that drawer slides  164  extend longitudinally in the transverse direction T. In this manner, the freezer drawer  104  may be disposed within the freezer chamber  124  (i.e., the retracted position) when the freezer drawer  104  is in a closed position and may slide out such that the freezer drawer  104  is at least partially disposed outside the freezer chamber  124  when the freezer drawer  104  is in an open position (i.e., the extended position). One skilled in the art will appreciate that other mechanisms can be used to freezer drawer  104  within the freezer chamber  124  of refrigerator appliance  100 . 
         [0025]    Also shown in  FIG. 3 , the refrigerator appliance  100  may further comprise a secondary bin  166  that is slidably mounted within the freezer chamber  124 . In this regard, the secondary bin  166  may have its own set of drawer slides  168 . However, in an alternative embodiment, the secondary bin  166  may sit within a track on the top of the freezer drawer  104 . For example, the secondary bin  166  may have a set of wheels that rolls along a top side of the freezer drawer  104 . In this manner, the secondary bin  166  may move relative to the freezer drawer  104  when the freezer drawer  104  is in the open position. Thus, when the freezer drawer  104  is open, the secondary bin  166  may remain in the freezer chamber  124  or may be extended along with the freezer drawer  104 . 
         [0026]    Drawer slides  164  may be fixed within refrigerator appliance  100  in any suitable manner. For example, drawer slides  164  may be integrally molded to cabinet  108  ( FIG. 2 ) within freezer chamber  124 . Alternatively, fasteners (e.g., screws or bolts) may secure drawer slides  164  to cabinet  108 . Similarly, glue, snap-fit mechanisms, interference-fit mechanisms, or any suitable combination thereof may secure drawer slides  164  to cabinet  108  or other components of refrigerator appliance  100 . As an example, drawer slides  164  may be secured to opposing sidewalls of cabinet  108 . 
         [0027]    The exemplary embodiment of freezer drawer  104  shown in  FIG. 2  is provided by way of example only. Other configurations for freezer drawer  104  are within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, although the illustrated embodiment shows one freezer drawer  104  and one secondary bin  166 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that more or fewer bins and drawers may be used if desired, and these bins and drawers can be configured as needed depending on the application. Also, freezer drawer  104  and secondary bin  166  may have any suitable size. For example, freezer drawer  104  may span across freezer chamber  124 . Similarly, multiple drawer assemblies (e.g., two, three, or more) may be disposed within freezer chamber  124  in any suitable configuration. 
         [0028]    As best shown in  FIG. 3 , freezer drawer  104  includes a frame  170  positioned at a front portion  172  of the freezer drawer  104 . Each of the pair of freezer doors  130 ,  132  are rotatably connected with the frame  170 . For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the frame  170  is attached to the front portion  172  of the freezer drawer  104  and has a pair of notches  174 ,  175  extending vertically along each lateral side of the frame  170 , respectively. Freezer doors  130 ,  132  are rotatably mounted to the frame  170  at vertically extending notches  174 ,  175  respectively. In this manner, freezer doors  130 ,  132  may be rotated between an open position and a closed position within a plane that includes both the lateral (L) and transverse (T) directions to permit selective access to the freezer chamber  124  of the cabinet  108 . In certain embodiments, freezer doors  130 ,  132  may be received in the vertically extending notches  174 ,  175  such that a front surface  176  of the freezer doors  130 ,  132  is flush with a front surface  178  of the frame  170  when the freezer doors  130 ,  132  are in the closed position. Notably, it is possible to access the freezer chamber  124  by opening the freezer doors  130 ,  132  without having to open or slide out the freezer drawer  104 . Such allows quicker access to items stored in the front of freezer chamber  124 —particularly to items stored on freezer doors  130 ,  132 . 
         [0029]    The frame  170  may define a recess  180  for complementary receipt of the freezer doors  130 ,  132  in the closed position. The recess  180  may be, for example, an area within the freezer chamber  124  that is defined at least partially by a width W 1  of the frame  170  along transverse direction T ( FIG. 4 ). In some embodiments, the recess  180  may be further defined by an insulating dyke  182  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 4 ) which is attached to the frame  170  to provide additional insulation and volume for recess  180 . 
         [0030]    As explained above, a dyke  182  is commonly used in bottom mount refrigerators to provide additional insulation and to prevent “cold spill” when the freezer drawer  104  is opened. For this exemplary embodiment, as shown in  FIG. 4 , dyke  182  extends by a width W 2  along transverse direction T from frame  170  towards freezer drawer  104 . Like frame  170 , dyke  182  can be constructed by an outer shell that encloses insulative material. The width W 1  of the frame  170  and added width W 2  of dyke  182  can enclose a significant volume of freezer storage area, including recess  180 . As one skilled in the art will appreciate, visibility and access to this area may be difficult or cumbersome in conventional bottom mount refrigerators. 
         [0031]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , each of the freezer doors  130 ,  132  may include a plurality of storage bins  184 , e.g., for storing frozen food items. The storage bins  184  may be supported on one or more of the pair of freezer doors  130 ,  132  and may be received into the recess  180  of the frame  170  when the freezer doors  130 ,  132  are in the closed position. In this manner, the freezer doors  130 ,  132  provide selective access to the recess  180  in the freezer chamber  124  and to the frozen food items stored in the plurality of storage bins  184 . Although the illustrated embodiment shows two storage bins  184  on each of the freezer doors  130 ,  132 , one skilled in the art will appreciate that a different number, type, or configuration of food storage containers are also possible and within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, in some embodiments, the storage bins  184  may be fixed within the recess  180  instead of being supported on the freezer doors  130 ,  132 . 
         [0032]    In addition, frame  170  may define at least one opening  186  ( FIG. 3 ) between the recess  180  of the frame  170  and a compartment (e.g., storage volume  162 ) of the freezer drawer  104 . In this manner, the storage volume  162  of the freezer drawer  104  may be accessed by opening one or more of the freezer doors  130 ,  132  without having to slide out the freezer drawer  104 . Frame  170  and dyke  182  surround opening  186  so as to form a periphery around opening  186 . 
         [0033]    Additionally, in some embodiments, a divider panel  188  may be positioned at a front portion  172  of the freezer drawer  104  between a storage compartment  162  of the freezer drawer  104  and the recess  180  of the frame  170 . This divider panel  188  may serve to keep items in the freezer drawer  104  from falling into the recess  180  and to keep frozen food items stored in the storage bins  184 . In the exemplary embodiment illustrated in  FIGS. 2 and 3 , the divider panel  188  may include a series of apertures  190  to permit cooling air to reach the recess  180 . Alternatively, the divider panel  188  may be solid and other means for delivering cooling air to the recess  180  may be provided. 
         [0034]    As shown in  FIG. 3 , a mullion  192  may be disposed within the frame  170  of the freezer drawer  104  to provide a sealing surface for receipt of the freezer doors  130 ,  132 . The mullion  192  may further serve to divide the opening  186  between the recess  180  of the frame  170  and the storage compartment  162  of the freezer drawer  104  into a pair of openings. Similarly, the mullion  192  may divide the recess  180  into a pair of recesses. As shown in the illustrated embodiment, the mullion  192  is a vertically oriented member that divides the recess  180  approximately in half In other embodiments, the mullion  192  may be an integral part of one or more of the freezer doors  130 ,  132 . The mullion  192  can be constructed from an outer shell or layer of material with insulation enclosed therein. 
         [0035]    The cabinet  108 , refrigerator doors  102 , freezer drawer  104 , and freezer doors  130 ,  132  of refrigerator appliance  100  can be constructed in any suitable manner. For example, cabinet  108  may include an outer case  200  and an inner liner  202 . Outer case  200  and inner liner  202  are components of cabinet  108  and are assembled together to form cabinet  108 . Outer case  200  is exposed such that outer case  200  can correspond to an outermost layer of cabinet  108 . Outer case  200  may be formed by folding a sheet of a suitable material, such as stainless steel or painted steel, into an inverted U-shape to form top and side walls of outer case  200 . Inner liner  202  is positioned within outer case  200  and defines fresh food chamber  122  and freezer chamber  124  of cabinet  108 . Inner liner  202  can be formed from any suitable material, such as molded plastic. Insulating material (not shown), such as rigid polyurethane foam, is disposed between outer case  200  and inner liner  202  in order to insulate fresh food chamber  122  and freezer chamber  124  and provide structural rigidity for cabinet  108 . The refrigerator doors  102 , freezer drawer  104 , and freezer doors  130 ,  132  may be similarly constructed. For example, each freezer door  130 ,  132  may have an outer casing  200 , insulating material (not shown), and inner liner  202 . In addition, the inner liner  202  may be configured to receive a variety of trays, bins, shelves, and other support structures such as those discussed above. 
         [0036]    Refrigerator appliance  100  also includes a dispensing assembly  204  for dispensing liquid water and/or ice. Dispensing assembly  204  includes a dispenser  206  positioned on or mounted to an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance  100 , e.g., on one of the refrigerator doors  130 ,  132 . Dispenser  206  includes a discharging outlet  208  for accessing ice and liquid water. An actuating mechanism  210 , shown as a paddle, is mounted below discharging outlet  208  for operating dispenser  206 . In alternative exemplary embodiments, any suitable actuating mechanism may be used to operate dispenser  206 . For example, dispenser  206  can include a sensor (such as an ultrasonic sensor) or a button rather than the paddle. A user interface panel  212  is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, user interface panel  212  includes a plurality of user inputs (not labeled), such as a water dispensing button and an ice-dispensing button, for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice. 
         [0037]    Discharging outlet  208  and actuating mechanism  210  are an external part of dispenser  206  and are mounted in a dispenser recess  214 . Dispenser recess  214  is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice or water and enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over and without the need to open refrigerator doors  130 ,  132 . In the exemplary embodiment, dispenser recess  214  is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user. 
         [0038]    Operation of the refrigerator appliance  100  can be regulated by a controller (not shown) that is operatively coupled to user interface panel  212 . In response to user manipulation of the user interface panel  212 , the controller operates various components of the refrigerator appliance  100 . The controller may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of refrigerator appliance  100 . The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor. 
         [0039]    The controller may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout refrigerator appliance  100 . In the illustrated embodiment, the controller may be located within the control panel area of the refrigerator doors  130 ,  132 . In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the controller and various operational components of refrigerator appliance  100 . In one embodiment, the user interface panel  212  may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, the user interface  212  may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface  212  may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The user interface  212  may be in communication with the controller via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses. 
         [0040]    Refrigerator doors  102 , freezer drawer  104 , and freezer doors  130 ,  132  may be moved between the open and closed position using a variety of hand grips and/or handles. For example, freezer drawer  104  may include a handle  230  defined by or on a frame  170  of freezer drawer  104 . A user can pull on handle  230  to adjust freezer drawer  104  between a closed position ( FIG. 1 ) and an open position ( FIG. 2 ). In the closed position, freezer drawer  104  closes access to freezer chamber  124  within cabinet  108 . Conversely, freezer drawer  104  permits access to freezer chamber  124  within cabinet  108  when freezer drawer  104  is in the open position. With freezer drawer  104  in the closed position shown in  FIG. 1 , a user can grab handle  230  and pull freezer drawer  104  outwardly along the transverse direction T in order to slide freezer drawer  104  into the open position shown in  FIGS. 2-3 , thereby providing access to the storage volume  162  and allowing a user to insert food items therein. 
         [0041]    Similarly, each of the pair of freezer doors  130 ,  132  may have a handle for opening and closing the freezer doors  130 ,  132 . For example, as shown in  FIGS. 2 through 4 , each of the freezer doors  130 ,  132  has a pocket handle  236 , as discussed in more detail below. Various forms of pocket handles may be used to move the freezer doors  130 ,  132  between an open and closed position. Pocket handles are generally integral to the door and are created by forming a recess in a door body. For example, a hand grip recess may be created on the side or front surface of a door, thereby allowing a user to manipulate the door. Pocket handles  236  may be, for example, recessed portions in the top of the first freezer door  130  and the second freezer door  132  where the user can insert one or more fingers to grip and pull the door open. The pocket handles  236  may be different sizes, depths, and locations so as to enable a user to grip the door. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , pocket handles  236  may be used to open and close each of the pair of freezer doors  130 ,  132 . 
         [0042]    In some cases, pocket handles may be used in conjunction with a recessed portion in an adjacent door. In this regard, the adjacent door may be configured to allow the user to place a hand into a pocket handle on the side of the door. In this manner, a user can reach a pocket handle that would otherwise be blocked by the adjacent door. For example, as shown in  FIG. 3 , pocket handles  236  may be used to open and close each of the pair of freezer doors  130 ,  132 . In order to allow a user to reach pocket handles  236 , a handle recess  238  may be formed in the frame  170 . A user may thereby reach a top side of each of the pair of freezer doors  130 ,  132  in order to grip the pocket handle  236 . By contrast, the pocket handle may be formed within the front surface of a freezer door  130 ,  132  (see, e.g.,  FIG. 7 ), so that a recess in the adjacent door is not necessary. 
         [0043]    Now referring to  FIGS. 5 through 11 , various handle configurations that may be employed in an exemplary refrigerator appliance will be described. One skilled in the art will appreciate that these handle configurations are non-limiting examples of handle configurations, and their description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention in any way. 
         [0044]    For example,  FIG. 5  illustrates a handle configuration similar to that shown in the exemplary refrigerator of  FIG. 1 . In this regard, a horizontal handle  230  extends across the upper, front surface  178  of the frame  170  of the freezer drawer  104 . Pulling this horizontal handle  230  will cause the entire freezer drawer  104  to slide out along its drawer slides  164 . Underneath the horizontal handle  230 , a handle recess  238  in the frame  170  of the freezer drawer  104  allows a user to access pocket handles (not shown in  FIG. 5 ) on each of the first freezer door  130  and the second freezer door  132 . As discussed above, the pocket handles may be, for example, recessed portions in the top of the first freezer door  130  and the second freezer door  132  where the user can insert one or more fingers to grip and pull the door open. The pocket handles may be different sizes, depths, and locations so as to enable a user to grip the door. 
         [0045]      FIG. 6  illustrates a handle configuration (similar to  FIG. 5 ) where the freezer drawer  104  may be opened and closed using a single horizontal handle  230  disposed on the frame  170  of the freezer drawer  104 . Vertically oriented door handles  254  may be used to open and close the first freezer door  130  and the second freezer door  132 .  FIG. 7  illustrates a handle configuration identical to  FIG. 6 , except that the first freezer door  130  and the second freezer door  132  are operated using recessed pocket handles  256  located on the front of each of the pair of freezer doors  130 ,  132 . 
         [0046]    As shown in  FIG. 8 , a handle configuration according to an example embodiment may comprise a three-piece horizontal handle that may be used to operate the freezer drawer  104  and freezer doors  130 ,  132 . Specifically, the left handle  258  may be pulled to open the first freezer door  130 , the right handle  260  may be pulled to open the second freezer door  132 , and the center handle  262  may be pulled to open the freezer drawer  104 .  FIG. 9  shows a handle configuration similar to that shown in  FIG. 8 , except that a recessed handle is used for the left handle  258 , right handle  260 , and center handle  262  instead of a horizontal handle. 
         [0047]      FIGS. 10 through 11  illustrate handle configurations with an upward-oriented recessed handle  264  that is defined in frame  170  of the freezer drawer  104  for opening and closing the freezer drawer  104 . The first freezer door  130  and the second freezer door  132  are opened and closed using respective handles that are either vertically oriented ( FIG. 10 ) or horizontally oriented ( FIG. 11 ). As mentioned above, these handle configurations are intended only as examples, and different combinations of handle types, configurations, and orientations are contemplated as within the scope of the present subject matter. 
         [0048]    This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.