refrigerator

Abstract

To provide a refrigerator that hardly gives a feeling of strangeness to a user even if the user actually sees a foreign body.SOLUTION: A storage cabinet 1 that is a refrigerator comprises: a second storage chamber 9 in which a front opening can be opened and closed by a rotary type door 2b, and a light source 23 is arranged; and a first storage chamber 8 in which a front opening can be opened and closed by a drawer type door 5a capable of moving together with a container 5b, an internal structure has a darker color than that of the second storage chamber 9, and a recycled material component made of a recycled material having the darker color is arranged. The first storage chamber 8 is arranged below the second storage chamber 9. A wall surface 74 in the first storage chamber 8 comprises the recycled material component.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present disclosure relates to refrigerators. [Background technology]

[0002] Recycled materials (recycled resins) made from used resins have been used for a long time, but in response to growing interest in the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs), attempts are being made to increase the amount of recycled resin used in home appliances. Claim 1 of Patent Document 1 describes "a recycled resin molded product comprising: a recycled material made by melting and recycling plastic components recovered from dismantled or disassembled used products; a resin molded product that uses recycled resin material obtained by molding the recycled material as a design part or exterior part; and a recycled part that displays the weight of the resin molded product made from the recycled material and is incorporated into the product in a recyclable manner." [Prior art documents] [Patent documents]

[0003] [Patent Document 1] Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2006-150946 Summary of the Invention [Problem to be solved by the invention]

[0004] Patent Document 1 describes the use of recycled resin from plastic parts in refrigerator storage cases (paragraph 0035). Recycled resin usually contains foreign matter that is generated or mixed in during the recycling process. However, the technology described in Patent Document 1 only describes a technique for hiding foreign matter, and does not take into consideration the premise that foreign matter will be visible. The problem to be solved by the present disclosure is to provide a refrigerator that is unlikely to cause discomfort to users even when they actually see a foreign object. [Means for solving the problem]

[0005] The refrigerator of the present disclosure comprises a second storage compartment having a front opening that can be opened and closed by a pivoting door and in which a light source is disposed, and a first storage compartment having a front opening that can be opened and closed by a pull-out door that can move together with a container, an internal structure that is darker in color than the second storage compartment, and in which recycled material parts made from dark-colored recycled materials are disposed. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0006] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 is a front view of the storage and appliance of the present disclosure. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. [Figure 3A] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container provided in the second freezing compartment. [Figure 3B] FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of part B in FIG. 3A. [Figure 4] 10 is a perspective view of the upper container of the containers provided in the second freezer compartment, viewed from below. FIG. [Figure 5] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a container installed on a middle level among the containers provided in the second freezer compartment in another embodiment. [Figure 6] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a container attached to a refrigerator door. [Figure 7] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a container provided in the vegetable compartment. [Figure 8] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a storage box according to another embodiment of the present disclosure. [Figure 9] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a storage system. [Figure 10] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a control device. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0007] Hereinafter, modes for carrying out the present disclosure (hereinafter referred to as "embodiments") will be described with reference to the drawings. In the following description of one embodiment, other embodiments applicable to the first embodiment will also be described as appropriate. The present disclosure is not limited to the following embodiments, and different embodiments may be combined or modified as desired without significantly impairing the effects of the present disclosure. Furthermore, the same components will be given the same reference numerals, and redundant descriptions will be omitted. Furthermore, components having the same functions will be given the same names. The contents shown are merely schematic, and for convenience of illustration, changes may be made from the actual configuration within the scope of not significantly impairing the effects of the present disclosure, and some components may be omitted or modified between drawings.

[0008] FIG. 1 is a front view of a storage cabinet 1 and an electrical appliance 300 of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view taken along line AA in FIG. 1. An example of the electrical appliance 300 of the present disclosure is a storage cabinet 1 such as a refrigerator. The storage cabinet 1 includes the components shown in the figure, specifically, for example, a storage compartment 7, which includes a first storage compartment 8 and a second storage compartment 9. At least one first storage compartment 8 is provided, and in the example shown, it includes an ice making compartment 3 (FIG. 8), a first freezer compartment 4, a second freezer compartment 5, and a vegetable compartment 6. At least one second storage compartment 9 is provided, and in the example shown, it includes a refrigerator compartment 2. In the example shown, the storage cabinet 1 includes, from top to bottom, a refrigerator compartment 2, an ice making compartment 3 and a first freezer compartment 4 arranged on the left and right, a second freezer compartment 5, and a vegetable compartment 6. Refrigerating compartment 2, ice-making compartment 3, first freezing compartment 4, second freezing compartment 5 and vegetable compartment 6 are all examples of storage compartment 7 (FIG. 2), and each has an opening (not shown) at the front (front side).

[0009] The opening of ice making compartment 3, located on the left side in FIG. 1, is exposed or closed by pulling out or pushing in drawer door 3a. The opening of first freezing compartment 4, located on the right side in FIG. 1, is exposed or closed by pulling out or pushing in drawer door 4a. The opening of second freezing compartment 5 is exposed or closed by pulling out or pushing in drawer door 5a. The opening of vegetable compartment 6 is exposed or closed by pulling out or pushing in drawer door 6a. Thus, storage compartment 7, which is classified as first storage compartment 8, is opened and closed by drawer doors 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a.

[0010] On the other hand, the opening of the refrigeration compartment 2, which is classified as the second storage compartment 9, is exposed or closed by rotating the rotating doors 2a and 2b. The doors 2a and 2b rotate around a rotation shaft that extends vertically.

[0011] Storage compartment 7 includes walls 71 (FIG. 8) arranged on the left and right sides, a wall 72 arranged on the rear side (back side), a wall 73 forming the floor, and a wall 74 forming the top. Because the front side (front face) is open as described above, no wall is provided. Therefore, storage compartment 7 is formed in an area defined by walls 71, 72, 73, and 74. Wall 72 can refer to, for example, the rear wall that can be visually observed by a user from outside the opening. Therefore, wall 72 may be, for example, the rear wall of the inner box of storage cabinet 1 (so-called refrigerator) as shown in FIG. 8, or it may be an air passage component (e.g., a panel) provided on the rear side (back face) of storage compartment 7 for supplying cool air as shown in FIG. 2.

[0012] Containers 21 for storing beverages and the like are provided inside doors 2a, 2b. Refrigerating compartment 2 is provided with shelves 22 that extend horizontally and on which food and the like are placed. Shelves 22 (an example of a resin member) contain foreign matter (described below) and extend horizontally inside refrigerating compartment 2. Shelves 22 are disposed within refrigerating compartment 2 above wall surface 73 and spaced apart from wall surface 73. Shelves 22 are also made of translucent recycled material containing foreign matter. The resin member may be disposed in front of the wall surface. Shelves 22 are treated to reduce the visibility of foreign matter to a user who comes into view by visually inspecting shelf 22. The recycled material containing foreign matter and the treatment to reduce the visibility of foreign matter will be described below with reference to FIG. 3A.

[0013] The storage facility 1 is provided with light sources 23 in each of the space 221 above the shelf 22 and the space 222 below the shelf 22. The light sources 23 provided in the spaces 221, 222 can brighten the spaces 221, 222. In particular, if the shelf 22 is translucent, for example, the light from the light source 23 provided in the space 221 above the shelf 22 is unlikely to reach the space 222 below, making the space 222 dark. However, even in this case, both the spaces 221, 222 can be brightened. Note that if the shelf 22 is translucent, the shelf 22 can have a dark gray color (gray close to black), for example. In this case, the upper and lower wall surfaces 73, 74, the left and right wall surfaces 71, and the rear wall surface 72 of the refrigerator compartment 2 preferably have a color close to dark gray (for example, black). Furthermore, by illuminating the shelf 22 from two light sources 23 located near the top and bottom of the shelf 22, foreign objects on the shelf 22 sandwiched between the two light sources 23 can be made less noticeable.

[0014] The light sources 23 are provided on the left and right wall surfaces 71 (Fig. 8) of the refrigerator compartment 2. However, for the uppermost space, the light sources 23 may be provided on the wall surface 74, which is the top surface. Also, the light sources 23 may be provided closer to the opening of the storage compartment 7 than the front end of the shelf 22. This makes it possible to brighten the space in front of the shelf 22 and the chilled compartment 15.

[0015] Compressor 80 is disposed behind vegetable compartment 6. Chilled compartment 15 is provided above heat-insulating partition wall 12a. At least one of exterior wall surface 151 and the exterior of front lid 152 (wall surface), which define the upper side of chilled compartment 15, is black. Evaporator 105a generates cold air to be supplied to refrigerator compartment 2. Evaporator 105b cools ice making compartment 3, first freezer compartment 4, second freezer compartment 5, and vegetable compartment 6. The cold air generated by evaporator 105a is supplied to refrigerator compartment 2 by driving fan 112a. Fan 112b supplies cold air to at least ice making compartment 3, first freezer compartment 4, and second freezer compartment 5 out of ice making compartment 3, first freezer compartment 4, second freezer compartment 5, and vegetable compartment 6. Vegetable compartment 6 may be cooled by evaporator 105a.

[0016] Storage facility 1 includes a box body 10 that divides storage compartment 7, and the above-mentioned walls 71, 72, 73, and 74 are formed on the inside of box body 10. Box body 10 contains insulation such as foam insulation or vacuum insulation. Refrigerator compartment 2 is separated from first freezer compartment 4 and ice making compartment 3 by an insulated partition wall 12a. Second freezer compartment 5 is separated from vegetable compartment 6 by an insulated partition wall 12b. Ice making compartment 3, first freezer compartment 4, second freezer compartment 5, and vegetable compartment 6 are provided with an ice making compartment container (not shown) and containers 4b, 5b, and 6b. Container 5b (an example of a resin member) is located in second freezer compartment 5 above wall surface 73 (FIG. 2) and spaced apart from wall surface 73.

[0017] FIG. 3A is a perspective view of container 5b provided in second freezer compartment 5. FIG. 3A illustrates a state in which a user pulls out door 5a (FIG. 2), causing container 53 connected to door 5a and container 52 supported by container 53 to be pulled out toward the front. Container 5b includes, in order from top to bottom, container 51, container 52, and container 53. Container 51 may be supported above container 52 by a member different from container 52, for example, rails (not shown) provided on the left and right wall surfaces 71, or may be supported by container 52. Therefore, when a user pulls out container 51 toward the front in the state shown in FIG. 3A, container 51 is pulled out toward the front.

[0018] Container 52 is slidably supported on the upper end of the side wall of container 53. Container 51 is slidably supported relative to box body 10 (FIG. 2). When door 5a is pulled out, container 53 connected to door 5a and container 52 supported by container 53 are also pulled out, as described above. Therefore, a user who pulls out door 5a first looks at bottom surface 523, which is the inside of container 52, as indicated by line of sight E. Therefore, bottom surface 523 comes into the user's field of vision.

[0019] The container 5b can be made of a translucent recycled material containing foreign matter. The container 5b can be made of, for example, polystyrene, but is not limited to, this. The recycled material is a resin recycled by heating, melting, or the like, waste plastic. The waste plastic is preferably a hygienic resin with little foreign matter, a clear origin, and specific examples thereof include resin derived from home appliances (white goods such as refrigerators). The waste plastic may also be resin collected from marine plastic before it flows into the ocean. Other examples of home appliances include washing machines, vacuum cleaners, air conditioners, televisions, etc.

[0020] FIG. 3B is an enlarged view of portion B in FIG. 3A. In FIG. 3B, for simplicity of illustration, the container 52 is illustrated as colorless and transparent, but in the example of the present disclosure, the container 52 has a gray hue, as described below. FIG. 3B is a diagram schematically illustrating a recycled material containing foreign matter. The foreign matter contained in the recycled material has a color such as black or gray. The foreign matter is, for example, carbide of resin generated during melting of the resin, particles of metal (e.g., iron), etc. The foreign matter may be unavoidable impurities that are mixed in during recycling, or may be additives intentionally added to improve performance, for example.

[0021] In the example shown in FIG. 3B, the foreign matter is black granular and is scattered throughout container 52. While the foreign matter is depicted as being regularly arranged in FIG. 3B for convenience of illustration, in reality, it is typically arranged irregularly. The foreign matter is small enough to be difficult to detect with the naked eye at a glance at bottom surface 523. However, when the user focuses on container 52, the foreign matter is large enough to be noticeable by a user. Therefore, the foreign matter is small enough that it is difficult for a user to notice it at a glance from a distance and a normal viewing direction consistent with normal use, but is noticeable upon closer inspection. For example, in the case of container 52, the normal viewing direction is the direction from above container 5b toward container 5b when door 5a (FIG. 2) is opened to pull out container 5b. For example, in the case of shelf 22 (FIG. 2), the normal viewing direction is the horizontal direction, diagonally upward, or diagonally downward as viewed from a user normally standing in front of storage 1 when doors 2a and 2b (FIG. 2) are opened. The size of the foreign matter is not specifically limited to this numerical range, but may be, for example, 50 μm or more and 5 mm or less in diameter at its longest point.

[0022] In addition, as a method for determining whether a resin is a recycled material (recycled resin), for example, an index of whether the strength is lower than the strength of a part calculated based on the design conditions of a part made from virgin material can be considered. If the strength is lower, it can be determined that the resin used is recycled resin.

[0023] Returning to FIG. 3A , in the example of the present disclosure, the middle container 52 (an example of a resin member) is made of the above-mentioned recycled material and has translucency. Having translucency means being transparent or translucent. The container 52 is an example of a first member, but the first member may also be a shelf. The translucent container 52 is treated to reduce the visibility of foreign objects to a user who comes into view by visually inspecting the container 52. This makes it difficult for the user to notice the foreign object and reduces the sense of discomfort. Furthermore, because the container 52 is translucent, the inside of the lower container 53 can be visually inspected through the bottom surface 523 of the container 52, making it easier for the user to check the contents (foodstuffs, etc.) stored in the container 53, thereby improving operability.

[0024] The processing may be carried out by coloring to give a desired color tone, or by surface processing such as graining. Usually, by giving a dark color tone, the light transmittance decreases, making the material translucent and approaching opaque.

[0025] The container 52 is configured to be transparent or translucent, for example, having the same or similar color as the foreign matter contained in the container 52 (for example, a typical foreign matter), or a gray color. This makes it difficult for a user looking at the container 52 to notice the foreign matter. In the example of the present disclosure, the container 52 has, for example, a gray color. The container 52 may have a gray color by, for example, including a gray pigment, or by being coated with gray paint. In the case of coating, it is preferable to coat the container 52 thinly enough to allow the user to see the foreign matter and to be able to see the container 53 below through the bottom surface 523 of the container 52.

[0026] A color that is the same as or similar to that of the foreign substance refers to, for example, the same or similar Munsell color value. "Similar" refers to a range in which a user would be unlikely to notice the foreign substance at a glance, such as, but not limited to, within 60° on the Munsell color wheel. "Transparent" or "semi-transparent" refers to transparency equivalent to or greater than PANTONE (registered trademark) T705-1-4 (thinnest part). Therefore, "semi-transparent" does not necessarily mean a light transmittance of 50% when the light transmittance of a transparent material is 100%.

[0027] The bottom surface 531 (FIG. 2; an example of a wall surface) of the container 53 arranged on the lower level is located behind the line of sight E of a user observing the bottom surface 523 of the container 52 from above. The bottom surface 531 has the same or a similar color as the foreign matter contained in the container 52, or a gray or black color. The presence of such a bottom surface 531 behind the line of sight E makes the foreign matter contained in the container 52 less noticeable. In the example of the present disclosure, the foreign matter is black, the container 53 including the bottom surface 531 is black, and the container 52 including the bottom surface 523 is gray. It can be said that the black color of the bottom surface 531 is closer to black than the gray color of the container 52. The bottom surface 531 is preferably opaque. Note that, as in this example, the wall surface is not limited to the above-described wall surfaces 71, 72, 73, and 74 (FIGS. 2 and 8), and may be a surface (wall surface) constituting a structure (including a container, shelf, etc.) such as the container 53.

[0028] The container 53 can be made of, for example, a virgin resin material. However, the container 53 may also be made of, for example, a recycled resin material. When using a virgin material, it is easy to ensure the load-bearing capacity when supporting one or both of the containers 51 and 52. When using a recycled material, the bottom surface 531 of the container 53 is blacker than the container 52 and is preferably opaque, so that even if a foreign object is contained in the container 53, it is less noticeable.

[0029] Note that by making container 52 transparent or translucent and making container 53 a color closer to black than container 52, it is possible to make it easier to see what is contained in container 53. Furthermore, it is possible to ensure a contrast between the shadows of the contents stored in container 52 and the surrounding area, thereby creating a sense of luxury. Although gray is preferable for container 52, it is not necessarily prohibited to make container 52 colorless, since there is a black or nearly black container 53 behind container 52. It is also not necessarily prohibited to make container 53 a gray color similar to that of container 52. Furthermore, as a gray color, for example, container 52 can be a smoky gray with a slight bluish tint, which will further harmonize with container 53.

[0030] Container 51, which is placed on the upper level, is made of recycled material containing foreign matter. Container 51 is an example of the second member, but the second member may also be a shelf. Bottom surface 511 of container 51 is opaque, unlike bottom surface 523 of container 52. Therefore, when a user looks at bottom surface 511, they cannot see containers 52 and 53 placed below bottom surface 511. To make it difficult for a user to see bottom surface 511, the second member is preferably placed in an area, for example, within 150 cm, preferably within 130 cm, vertically above the installation surface of storage facility 1.

[0031] FIG. 4 is a perspective view from below of container 51, which is installed in the upper tier of containers 5b provided in second freezer compartment 5 (FIG. 2). Container 51 has ribs 513 on surface 512 opposite to bottom surface 511 (FIG. 3A), which is the surface visible to the user. Instead of ribs 513, unevenness (not shown) may be provided. Providing ribs 513 improves the strength of container 51. In particular, recycled materials are weaker than virgin materials, so providing ribs 513 improves the durability of container 51. Furthermore, because bottom surface 511 is opaque, even if a user visually inspects bottom surface 511, the user cannot see ribs 513 arranged on surface 512 opposite bottom surface 511. This improves the design of container 51. Furthermore, because the bottom surface 511 opposite to surface 512 on which ribs 513 are provided is smooth, bottom surface 511 is easy for the user to clean. In the example of the present disclosure, the container 51, including the bottom surface 511, has a black color. A similar rib structure may be provided on the container 53 in the case where the container 53 is opaque at the bottom.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a container 52 installed in the middle of the containers 5b included in the second freezer compartment 5 (FIG. 2) in another embodiment. The container 52 includes a first portion 521 and a second portion 522. The first portion 521 has at least one of color, pattern, and shading, and includes a portion larger than the foreign matter contained in the recycled material. That is, the first portion 521 can have a portion larger than the size of the foreign matter, and it is preferable that the entire area of ​​the first portion 521 is larger than the size of the foreign matter. Specifically, for example, and not limited to this example, if the foreign matter is a circle with a diameter of 5 mm in a planar view, the first portion 521 can have a portion with a length greater than 5 mm (e.g., a 4 mm × 6 mm rectangle), and it is preferable that the entire area is greater than 5 mm (e.g., a circle with a diameter of 6 mm). By having the first portion 521 larger than the size of the foreign matter, the user focuses on the portion larger than the foreign matter, thereby drawing attention to the first portion 521 and making the foreign matter less noticeable. Furthermore, since the entire area of ​​first portion 521 is larger than the size of the foreign matter, the foreign matter can be easily covered in its entirety by first portion 521, making the foreign matter less noticeable.

[0033] The second portion 522 has different characteristics from the first portion 521 (for example, a different color, pattern, or shade), and is configured with an area larger than the foreign matter contained in the recycled material. By providing the first portion 521 and the second portion 522, a user who visually inspects the first portion 521 and the second portion 522 will focus on either one of the portions configured with an area larger than the foreign matter. This makes it possible to make the foreign matter contained in the container 52 less noticeable.

[0034] The first portion 521 and the second portion 522 are formed on the bottom surface 523 of the container 52. The first portion 521, which has, for example, a darker hue than the second portion 522, is formed on the bottom surface 523, and the second portion 522 is formed on the remaining portion, resulting in an overall marbled pattern. Furthermore, for example, the first portion 521 has a wavy pattern on the bottom surface 523. Therefore, a user who visually inspects the container 52 will usually focus on the first portion 521, which has a darker hue. Therefore, it is possible to make it difficult to notice foreign matter, which is an area smaller than the first portion 521 and the second portion 522, and to reduce the conspicuousness of the foreign matter.

[0035] The shapes of the first portion 521 and the second portion 522 are not limited to the example shown in FIG. 5 . For example, at least one of the color and the translucency may be different between the front and rear of the container 52. Typically, the rear of the container 52 is less visible to the user than the front. Therefore, increasing the translucency at the rear side can promote light incidence on the container 53 located below the container 52. On the other hand, coloring the front side, which is relatively visible, gray, for example, can make foreign objects less noticeable. In this way, the container 52 as a whole has at least one different color (hue) or translucency, forming a non-uniform appearance, which disperses the user's attention. In other words, an appearance that is not substantially a single color or a single translucency reduces the user's attention to foreign objects, resulting in the foreign objects being less noticeable. Non-uniform appearances are not particularly limited, in addition to the marbled and wave patterns described above, as long as they provide a sense of beauty to the user. Since foreign matter is usually distributed unevenly, a non-uniform (irregular) appearance such as marbled is preferred.

[0036] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a container 21 (an example of the second member) attached to the doors 2a and 2b (FIG. 2) of the refrigerator compartment 2. The container 21 is a so-called door pocket container, and as described above, for example, a beverage or the like is stored in the container 21. The container 21 is made of recycled materials containing foreign matter. The bottom surface 211 (FIG. 2) of the container 21 is opaque, similar to the bottom surface 511 of the container 51. In addition, a rib 213 is provided on a surface 212 opposite the bottom surface 211, which is the surface visible to the user. Instead of the rib 213, an uneven surface (not shown) may be provided. The provision of the rib 213 can improve the strength of the container 21. In particular, the container 21 attached to the doors 2a and 2b is not usually very large, but is likely to store a large amount of contents, such as a beverage. Therefore, the provision of the rib 213 on the container 21 can particularly enhance the strength improvement effect.

[0037] The side surface 214 of the container 21 is visible to the user and has translucency. This allows the beverage or the like contained inside the container 21 to be seen through the side surface 214, making it easy for the user to take out the desired beverage or the like using a label or the like attached to the beverage or the like as a clue. In addition, the label or the like can make foreign matter in the recycled material used on the side surface 214 less noticeable.

[0038] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the container 6b provided in the vegetable compartment 6. In FIG. 7, the container 61 (FIG. 2) of the container 6b that is supported on the upper end of the container 62 is not shown. Inside the container 61, a storage space 33 (FIG. 2) is formed. Inside the container 62, a storage space 32 is formed below the container 61 (FIG. 2). In front of the storage spaces 32 and 33, a storage space 31 is formed. The storage spaces 31, 32 are separated by a plate-like partition 34 extending vertically. The storage spaces 31, 32, 33 are used to store vegetables and the like.

[0039] Container 6b can be made of, for example, virgin resin, but may also be made of recycled resin. When container 6b is made of recycled resin, upper container 61 (an example of a resin member) and lower container 62 have the same relationship as middle container 52 and lower container 53 described with reference to FIG. 3A above. That is, container 61 has the same configuration as container 52. Therefore, container 61 is disposed in vegetable compartment 6 above bottom surface 621 (an example of a wall surface) of container 62, spaced apart from bottom surface 621, and is made of a translucent recycled material containing foreign matter. Container 61 is treated to reduce the visibility of foreign matter to a user who visually inspects bottom surface 611 (FIG. 2) of container 61 and finds the foreign matter. Furthermore, container 62 has the same configuration as container 53. Other than these, the same matters described with reference to FIG. 3A above for containers 52 and 53 are applicable, and therefore will not be repeated.

[0040] The divider 34 is, for example, transparent or translucent and has light-transmitting properties. This allows the user to see the inside of the storage space 32 from the storage space 31 side through the divider 34, improving workability. Furthermore, even if the container 61 is not completely transparent (i.e., translucent), light can be irradiated into the storage space 31 through the divider 34, allowing the vegetables and the like placed inside the storage space 31 to be seen from the outside.

[0041] The light transmittance of the partition 34 is preferably greater than that of at least the bottom surface 611 (FIG. 2) of the container 61. This can promote the incidence of light from the outside, making it easier to visually observe the inside of the storage space 31 through the partition 34. Note that the light transmittance is an index indicating the degree to which visible light passes through. The partition 34 may be made of recycled material containing foreign matter.

[0042] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the box body 10 of the storage cabinet 1 of the present disclosure in another embodiment. In the example shown in FIG. 8, a resin made from recycled materials is used for the wall surfaces separating the storage compartments 7. The upper wall surface 731 separating the refrigerator compartment 2 from the ice making compartment 3 and first freezer compartment 4 is made from a white recycled material. Although not shown in FIG. 8, the storage cabinet 1 shown in FIG. 8 can be equipped with, for example, a colorless and transparent shelf 22.

[0043] Lower wall surface 741 of the portion separating refrigerator compartment 2 from ice making compartment 3 and first freezer compartment 4 is made of black recycled material. Wall surfaces 711, 712 of the portion separating ice making compartment 3 from first freezer compartment 4 are made of gray recycled material. Upper wall surface 732 of the portion separating first freezer compartment 4 from second freezer compartment 5 is made of gray recycled material. Upper wall surface 733 of the portion separating second freezer compartment 5 from vegetable compartment 6 is made of gray recycled material. Lower wall surface 742 of the portion separating second freezer compartment 5 from vegetable compartment 6 is made of black recycled material.

[0044] The other wall surfaces 71, 72, 73, and 74 that make up the first storage chamber 8 have a black or gray color. The other wall surfaces 71, 72, and 74 that make up the second storage chamber 9 have a white color. Therefore, the interior of the first storage chamber 8 is uniformly dark in color, such as black or gray. On the other hand, the interior of the second storage chamber 9 is uniformly light in color, such as white, for example, a color lighter than the interior of the first storage chamber 8.

[0045] As described above, each of the first storage compartment 8 and the second storage compartment 9 has a color that gives a user a unified impression when the entire first storage compartment 8 and the entire second storage compartment 9 are viewed from the outside. As a result, the color of the storage compartment 7 is unified for each of the doors 2a, 2b, 3a, 4a, 5a, 6a, which open and close in different ways, so that the storage cabinet 1 as a whole gives a unified impression to the user.

[0046] The color of the second storage compartment 9 is lighter than the color of the first storage compartment 8. As described above, when the drawer-type doors 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a are drawn out, the containers 5b and the like connected thereto are also drawn out to the front. Since the interior of the first storage compartment 8, which is closed by the drawer-type doors 3a, 4a, 5a, and 6a, is uniformly dark in color, even if the interior of the first storage compartment 8 becomes dark, the containers 5b and the like are drawn out to the front for use, making the interior brighter during use. This prevents a decrease in workability. Meanwhile, the interior of the second storage compartment 9, which is exposed by opening the pivoting doors 2a and 2b, is uniformly light in color. This, combined with the light taken in by opening the doors 2a and 2b, brightens the interior, preventing a decrease in workability. The brightness of the color can be determined by the magnitude of the lightness.

[0047] Although the uniformity of the color tone will be somewhat reduced, this does not preclude the coloring of some of the walls inside the second storage compartment 9 in gray or black. From the viewpoint of ensuring brightness, it is preferable that most (for example, two or more) or all of the walls 731, 71, 72 in the second storage compartment 9 be white.

[0048] In the storehouse 1 shown in Figure 8, one of the storage chambers 7, the first storage chamber 8 or the second storage chamber 9, is provided with a resin member made of translucent recycled material containing foreign matter, and the other is provided with a resin member made of virgin material. As described above, the resin member placed in one storage chamber 7 is placed in front of or above the wall surface, within the storage chamber 7, spaced apart from the wall surface. In the illustrated example, the first storage chamber 8 is provided with a container 5b (Figure 3A) and the like, and the second storage chamber 9 is provided with a shelf 22 (Figure 2) made of virgin material.

[0049] 9 is a block diagram of a storage system 200. The storage system 200 includes a storage 1 and an information output device 100. The information output device 100 is a device that outputs information about the storage 1 to, for example, a user. The information output device 100 includes a calculation device 101, an input device 102, and an output device 103. The calculation device 101 outputs the time to clean resin members such as shelves 22 and containers 5b in a form that can be perceived by the user.

[0050] As described above, the resin member is processed to reduce the visibility of foreign matter. Therefore, even if dirt adheres to the resin member from the outside, it may become less noticeable, just like foreign matter, and the dirt may remain attached for a long period of time. Therefore, in the storage cabinet system 200, the arithmetic device 110 notifies the user when it is time to clean the resin member. This allows the user to recognize when it is time to clean, and the storage cabinet 1 can be kept hygienic. The notification of the time to clean to the user can be performed, for example, every time a predetermined period has elapsed since the start of use of the storage cabinet 1. Whether the period has elapsed can be determined based on a timer (not shown) installed inside the arithmetic device 101.

[0051] When suggesting the time to clean, it is not necessary to limit the suggestion to cleaning the first storage compartment 8, which is uniformly colored gray or black. Since the accumulation of dirt is thought to be independent of color, it is also possible to simultaneously suggest cleaning the second storage compartment 9. It is also possible to suggest cleaning the storage compartment 1 without limiting the range of storage compartments 7 for which cleaning is suggested. The storage compartment system 200 may receive and store, for example, via the information output device 100, the time of the last cleaning performed by the user, and output the time of the last cleaning when suggesting the time to clean. Furthermore, because dirt is less noticeable on black containers and therefore less noticeable to users, a recommendation to clean such containers may be output. Images of a clean black container and an image of a relatively dirty container may be output side by side. These images may be conceptual diagrams or diagrams prepared in advance as samples.

[0052] The production method for the storage system 200 (hereinafter referred to as the production method of the present disclosure) is a method of providing the information output device 100 with a program that causes the information output device 100 to function as a computing device 101 that outputs, in a form that can be perceived by the user, the timing for cleaning the container 5b (an example of a resin member) of the storage 1. By using the production method of the present disclosure, the user can, for example, download the program and use a mobile terminal (not shown) attached to the storage 1 or a mobile terminal (not shown) held by the user as the information output device 100.

[0053] 10 is a block diagram of the arithmetic device 101. The arithmetic device 101 includes, for example, a central processing unit (CPU) 1011, a random access memory (RAM) 1012, a ROM (Read Only Memory) 1013. The arithmetic device 101 is realized by a predetermined control program (for example, an information output method) stored in the ROM 1013 being loaded into the RAM 1012 and executed by the CPU 1011. The information output device 100 may be attached to the storage facility 1, or may be a terminal device such as a smartphone separately owned by the user.

[0054] In each of the above embodiments, the electrical appliance 300 is a storage cabinet 1 (e.g., a refrigerator), but in another embodiment, the electrical appliance 300 of the present disclosure is any one of a vacuum cleaner, a washing machine, a cooking appliance, or an air conditioner. In any of these, the electrical appliance 300 includes a wall surface and a resin member. The resin member is disposed in front of or above the wall surface and spaced apart from the wall surface, and is made of recycled material containing foreign matter. The resin member is treated to reduce the visibility of the foreign matter to a user who sees the foreign matter by visually inspecting the resin member.

[0055] In a vacuum cleaner, for example, the wall surface is the inner wall of a dust case made of double walls made of resin, and the resin member is the outer wall. The resin member is then subjected to the above-mentioned processing. In a washing machine, for example, the wall surface is the door having a double-wall portion through which the inside of the washing tub can be seen, and the wall surface is the inner wall of the double wall, and the resin member is the outer wall of the double wall. In a cooking appliance, for example, the wall surface is the door having a double-wall portion through which the inside can be seen, and the wall surface is the inner wall of the double wall, and the resin member is the outer wall of the double wall. In an air conditioner, for example, the wall surface is a liquid crystal display, and the resin member is a resin cover that covers the liquid crystal display. [Explanation of symbols]

[0056] 1. Storage 10 box body 100 Information output device 101 Arithmetic equipment 110 Arithmetic equipment 15 Chilled room 151 Wall 152 Lid 2 Refrigerator 200 Storage System 21 Container 211 bottom 212 sides 213 Ribs 214 Side 22 Shelves 221 Space 222 Space 23 Light source 2a Door 2b Door 3 Ice making room 300 Electrical Appliances 31 Storage space 32 Storage space 33 Storage space 34 Divider 3a door 4 First freezing room 4a Door 4b container 5 Second freezer compartment 51 Container 511 bottom 512 sides 513 Rib 52 Container 521 Part 1 522 Part 2 523 bottom 53 Container 531 bottom 5a Door 5b container 6 Vegetable compartment 61 Container 611 bottom 62 Container 621 bottom 6a Door 6b Container 7. Storage Room 71 Wall 711 Wall 712 Wall 72 Wall 73 Wall 731 Wall 732 Wall 733 Wall 74 Wall 741 Wall 742 Wall 8. First Storage Room (Storage Room) 9 Second Storage Room (Storage Room) E line of sight

Claims

1. a second storage chamber having a front opening that can be freely opened and closed by a pivoting door and in which a light source is disposed; The refrigerator is provided with a first storage compartment whose front opening can be freely opened and closed by a drawer-type door that can move together with the container, whose internal structure is darker in color than the second storage compartment, and in which recycled material parts made of the dark-colored recycled material are arranged.

2. 2. The refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein the first storage compartment is disposed below the second storage compartment, and an upper surface of the first storage compartment is provided with recycled material components.

Images