WO2018001502A1

WO2018001502A1 - Refrigerator with improved preservation of vegetables and fruits

Info

Publication number: WO2018001502A1
Application number: PCT/EP2016/065460
Authority: WO
Inventors: Aylin MET; Halime Esin AKIN; Ismail GERZELI; Ismet Arsan; Tolga Nurettin AYNUR
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2016-07-01
Filing date: 2016-07-01
Publication date: 2018-01-04
Anticipated expiration: 2019-01-01
Also published as: TR201709309A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator (1) comprising: a compartment (2) for refrigerating vegetables and fruits stored therein; an illuminating unit (3) which comprises one or more light sources (4) that are adapted to illuminate the compartment (2) with light for extending the shelf life of the vegetable and the fruits stored therein; and a control unit for controlling the illuminating unit (3).

Description

REFRIGERATOR WITH IMPROVED PRESERVATION OF VEGETABLES AND FRUITS

The present invention relates to a refrigerator, in particular to refrigerator which uses the illumination technology for extending the shelf life of the vegetables and the fruits.

Refrigerators using the illumination technology for preserving the freshness and the nutrition of foods are commonly known in the art. Such a refrigerator generally comprises a compartment for refrigerating the vegetables and the fruits stored therein; an illuminating unit which comprises one or more light sources that are adapted to illuminate the compartment with light for extending the shelf life of the vegetables and the fruits stored therein; and a control unit for controlling the illuminating unit.

US2008066475 (A1) discloses a refrigerator which uses the illumination technology for food preservation.

A problem with the above prior art refrigerator is that the vegetables and the fruits stored therein cannot be suffiently treated with the appropriate light, and thus the freshness and the nutrition thereof cannot be satisfactorily preserved.

An objective of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator which solves the problems of the prior art in a cost-effective way and which enables an improved preservation of the vegetables and the fruits stored inside the compartment.

This objective has been achieved by the refrigerator as defined in claim 1. Further achievements have been attained by the subject-matters respectively defined in the dependent claims.

In the refrigerator of the present invention, the illuminating unit comprises one or more sheet diffusers which are arranged to diffuse the light of the illuminating unit into the compartment.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the vegetables and the fruits which are stored inside the compartment can be homogenously treated with the appropriate colored light by virtue of the sheet diffusers, and thus the freshness and the nutrition of the vegetables and the fruits can be more effectively and uniformly preserved throughout the entire compartment. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the shelf life of the vegetables and the fruits stored inside the compartment can be more efficiently extended by virtue of the sheet diffusers. In particular, the intensity of the illumination can be comparatively reduced, and thus the energy efficiency of the refrigerator can be further improved. In addition, the number of light sources can be comparatively decreased, and thus the production costs can be reduced both in terms of labor and material. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that any glaring illumination inside the compartment can be prevented by virtue of the sheet diffusers, and thus the user can be confronted with a calmer illumination. Thereby, the user satisfaction can be further increased.

In an embodiment, two sheet diffusers are respectively disposed above and below the drawer. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the light can be homogeneously diffused into the drawer, and thus the freshness and the nutrition of the vegetables and the fruits can be more effectively and uniformly preserved throughout the entire drawer.

In another embodiment, the light sources are arranged into close proximity to the sheet diffusers above and below the drawer. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the light can be more effectively diffused into the drawer.

In another embodiment, the surface area of the sheet diffuser completely overlaps the drawer. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the light can be effectively diffused into the entire drawer.

In another embodiment, the sheet diffuser over the drawer is attached to the underside of the shelf above the drawer. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the sheet diffuser can be easily assembled into the compartment.

In other alternative embodiments, the light sources are disposed onto the side walls and/or onto the rear wall of the compartment. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the light sources can be easily assembled into the compartment.

In another embodiment, all the light sources of the illuminating unit emit white light. In alternative versions of this embodiment, one or more color filter sheets each having one or more filter sections with different colors are used to filter the light of the illuminating unit, and let the colored light pass into the compartment. Herein the colors of the filter sections are determined with the kind of the vegetable and fruit to be preserved in the compartment. The colors of the filter sections comprises for instance blue. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the need for light sources with different colors has been obviated, and thus the production and assembly costs can be reduced both in labor and material.

In other alternative embodiments, one or more color filter sheets are disposed above and below the drawer between the sheet diffusers. Herein, the colors of the filter sections above and below the drawer are mutually associated. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the vegetables and fruits inside the drawer can be effectively treated with the appropriate colored light.

In other alternative embodiments, the drawer is separated through of a seperator into two or more drawer sections which are respectively associated with the different colors of the filter sections. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the vegetables and the fruits to be treated with a particular colored light can be sorted into the respective drawer section of the drawer.

In another embodiment, the drawer sections are provided with indications which respectively indicate the kind of the fruits/vegetables which are to be stored therein for an effective treatment. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can easily select the correct drawer section when sorting the vegetables and the fruits.

In another embodiment, the drawer can be closed/opened through a cover. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the vegetables and the fruits can be kept fresh inside the drawer.

In another embodiment, the cover is provided in form of a transparent or translucent colorless piece. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the user can see through the cover the original color of the vegetables and the fruits inside the drawer.

In other alternative embodiments, one or more color filter sheets over the drawer are provided in form of the cover or the cover sections for closing/opening the drawer or the drawer sections respectively. These embodiments are particularly advantageous as the need for a separate cover can be obviated, and thus the production costs can be reduced both in terms of material and labor.

In another embodiment, the filter sections over and under the drawer are obtained through painting the transparent or translucent colorless material of the cover and the drawer respectively. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the production costs can be reduced both in terms of material and labor.

In another embodiment, one or more strips of white light emitting diodes are used as the light sources. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the light sources can be easily assembled into the compartment.

In another embodiment, the illuminating unit is activated between 8 to 16 hours per day. This embodiment is particularly advantageous as the vegetables and the fruits inside the compartment can be energy efficiently and effectively preserved.

Additional features and additional advantageous effects of the refrigerator of the present invention will become more apparent with the detailed description of the embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 – is a schematic partial front view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 2 – is a schematic partial front view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 – is a schematic partial front view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 4 – is a schematic partial front view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 5 – is a schematic partial front view of a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention.

The reference signs appearing on the drawings relate to the following technical features.

Refrigerator
Compartment
Illuminating unit
Light source (Strip of white LEDs)
Sheet diffuser
Drawer
Shelf
Side wall
Rear wall
Color filter sheet
Filter section
Separator
Drawer section
Indication
Cover
Cover section

The refrigerator (1) comprises: a compartment (2) for refrigerating the vegetables and fruits stored therein; an illuminating unit (3) which comprises one or more light sources (4) that are adapted to illuminate the compartment (2) with light for extending the shelf life of the vegetables and the fruits stored therein; and a control unit (not shown) for controlling the illuminating unit (3) (Fig. 1 to Fig. 5).

In the refrigerator (1) of the present invention, the illuminating unit (3) further comprises: one or more sheet diffusers (5) which are arranged to diffuse the light of the illuminating unit into the compartment (2) (Fig.1 to Fig. 5).

In an embodiment, the refrigerator (1) further comprises: a drawer (6) for storing the vegetables and the fruits. In this embodiment, the drawer (6) is disposed into the compartment (2). In this embodiment, one sheet diffuser (5) is disposed above the drawer (6) and one sheet diffuser (5) is disposed below the drawer (6) (Fig. 1 to Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, the light sources (4) are disposed in close proximity of the sheet diffusers (5) at the levels matching the top of the drawer (6) and the bottom of the drawer (6) (Fig. 1 to Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, each sheet diffuser (5) has a surface area which completely overlaps the drawer (6) (Fig. 1 to Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, the refrigerator (1) further comprises: a shelf (7) for supporting the articles to be refrigerated. In this embodiment, the shelf (7) is disposed into the compartment (2) above the drawer (6). In this embodiment, the sheet diffuser (5) over the drawer (6) is attached to the underside of the shelf (7) (Fig. 1 to Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, the light sources (4) are disposed onto the side walls (8) of the compartment (2) and onto the rear wall (9) of the compartment (2) (Fig. 1 to Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, the refrigerator (1) further comprises: one or more color filter sheets (10) each having one or more filter sections (11) with different colors which are arranged to filter the light of the illuminating unit (3), and let the colored light pass into the compartment (2). In this embodiment, the light sources (4) are adapted to emit only white light. The greyscales in the drawings show filter sections (11) with different colors (Fig. 1 to Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, one or more color filter sheets (10) are disposed below the diffuser sheet (5) over the drawer (6) and/or one or more color filter sheets (10) are disposed above the diffuser sheet (5) under the drawer (6) respectively such that the colors of the filter sections (11) above and below the drawer (6) are mutually associated (Fig. 1 to Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, the refrigerator (1) further comprises: one or more separators (12) for separating the drawer (6) into two or more drawer sections (13) which are respectively associated with the different colors of the filter sections (11) (Fig. 2, Fig. 4 and Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, the refrigerator (1) further comprises one or more indications (14) which are indicative of the kind of the fruits/vegetables which are to be stored in the respective drawer section (13) that is adapted for the treatment with the associated colored light. In this embodiment, the indications (14) are disposed onto the respective drawer sections (13) (Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, the refrigerator (1) further comprising: a cover (15) for closing/opening the drawer (6) (Fig. 1 to Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, the cover (15) comprises a transparent or translucent colorless material (Fig. 1 and Fig. 2).

In another embodiment, the color filter sheet (10) over the drawer (6) is adapted to define cover (15) (Fig. 3).

In another embodiment, the cover (15) comprises cover sections (16) for separately closing/opening the drawer sections (13). In this embodiment, the color filter sheets (10) over the drawer (6) are adapted to define the cover sections (16) respectively (Fig. 4 and Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, the filter sections (10) over the drawer (6) are obtained through painting the transparent or translucent colorless material of the cover (15) (Fig. 3 to Fig. 5).

In another embodiment, the filter sections (10) under the drawer (6) are obtained through painting the transparent or translucent colorless material of the drawer (15).

In another embodiment, the light sources (4) comprise one or more strips of white light emitting diodes (4).

In another embodiment, the control unit is adapted to activate the illuminating unit (3) for predetermined duration which preferably ranges between 8 to 16 hours per day.

A major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the vegetables and the fruits which are stored inside the compartment (2) can be homogenously treated with the appropriate colored light by virtue of the sheet diffusers (5), and thus the freshness and the nutrition of the vegetables and the fruits can be more effectively and uniformly preserved throughout the entire compartment (2). Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that the shelf life of the vegetables and the fruits stored inside the compartment (2) can be more efficiently extended by virtue of the sheet diffusers (5). In particular, the intensity of the illumination can be comparatively reduced, and thus the energy efficiency of the refrigerator (1) can be further improved. In addition, the number of light sources (4) can be comparatively decreased, and thus the production costs can be reduced both in terms of labor and material. Another major advantageous effect of the present invention is that any glaring illumination inside the compartment (2) can be prevented by virtue of the sheet diffusers (5), and thus the user can be confronted with a calmer illumination. Thereby, the user satisfaction can be further increased. Other advantageous effects of the present invention can be taken from the above described embodiments.

Claims

A refrigerator (1) comprising: a compartment (2) for refrigerating vegetables and fruits stored therein; an illuminating unit (3) which comprises one or more light sources (4) that are adapted to illuminate the compartment (2) with light for extending the shelf life of the vegetable and the fruits stored therein; and a control unit for controlling the illuminating unit (3), characterized in that the illuminating unit (3) further comprises: one or more sheet diffusers (5) which are arranged to diffuse the light of the illuminating unit into the compartment (2).
The refrigerator (1) according to claim 1, characterized by further comprising: a drawer (6) for storing the vegetables and the fruits, wherein the drawer (6) is disposed into the compartment (2), and wherein one sheet diffuser (5) is disposed above the drawer (6) and/or one sheet diffuser (5) is disposed below the drawer (6).
The refrigerator (1) according to claim 2, characterized in that the light sources (4) are disposed in close proximity to the sheet diffusers (5) at the levels matching the top of the drawer (6) and/or the bottom of the drawer (6).
The refrigerator (1) according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the sheet diffuser (5) has a surface area which completely overlaps the drawer (6).
The refrigerator (1) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, characterized by further comprising: a shelf (7) for supporting the articles to be refrigerated, wherein the shelf (7) is disposed into the compartment (2) above the drawer (6), and wherein the sheet diffuser (5) over the drawer (6) is attached to the underside of the shelf (7).
The refrigerator (1) according to any one claims 1 to 5, characterized in that the light sources (4) are disposed onto the side walls (8) of the compartment (2) and/or onto the rear wall (9) of the compartment (2).
The refrigerator (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 6, characterized by further comprising: one or more color filter sheets (10) each having one or more filter sections (11) with different colors which are arranged to filter the light of the illuminating unit (3), and let the colored light pass into the compartment (2), wherein the light sources (4) are adapted to emit white light.
The refrigerator (1) according to claim 7, where dependent on claim 2, characterized in that one or more color filter sheets (10) are disposed below the sheet diffuser (5) over the drawer (6) and/or one or more color filter sheets (10) are disposed above the sheet diffuser (5) under the drawer (6) respectively such that the colors of the filter sections (11) above and below the drawer (6) are mutually associated.
The refrigerator (1) according to claim 8, characterized by further comprising: one or more separators (12) for separating the drawer (6) into two or more drawer sections (13) which are respectively associated with the different colors of the filter sections (11).
The refrigerator (1) according to claim 9, characterized by further comprising one or more indications (14) which are indicative of the kind of the fruits/vegetables which are to be stored in the respective drawer section (13), wherein the indication (14) is disposed onto the respective drawer section (13) that is adapted for treatment with the associated colored light.
The refrigerator (1) according to any one of claim 1 to 10, where dependent on claim 2, characterized by further comprising: a cover (15) for closing/opening the drawer (6).
The refrigerator (1) according to claim 11, characterized in that the cover (15) comprises a transparent or translucent colorless material.
The refrigerator (1) according to claim 11 or 12, where dependent claim 8, characterized in that the color filter sheet (10) over the drawer (6) is adapted to define the cover (15).
The refrigerator (1) according to claim 11 or 12, where dependent on claim 9, characterized in that the cover (15) comprises cover sections (16) for separately closing/opening the drawer sections (13), wherein the color filter sheets (10) over the drawer (6) are adapted to define the cover sections (16) respectively.
The refrigerator (1) according to claim 13 or 14, where dependent on claim 12, characterized in that the filter sections (10) over the drawer (6) are obtained through painting the transparent or translucent colorless material of the cover (15).