Refrigerator with beer chilling compartment

Abstract

An exemplary refrigerator apparatus (10) includes an enclosure (12) that bounds an interior area (14) of the refrigerator. An opening (16) to the interior area is controlled by a door (18) that is rotatably movable between a door open position and a door closed position. The interior area includes a beer chilling compartment (26). At least one circuit (46) of the refrigerator is operative to maintain beer containers in the beer chilling compartment at a selected temperature below the freezing temperature of water and above the freezing temperature of beer. Beer containers are housed in an interior area (66) of a drawer (64) that facilitates chilling the beer containers to the desired temperature.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Exemplary arrangements relate to refrigerators that hold items at below room temperature. Specifically, exemplary arrangements relate to a refrigerator with a beer chilling compartment that is operative to maintain beer holding containers below the freezing temperature of water and above the freezing temperature of beer.BACKGROUND

[0002] Refrigerators can be used to maintain numerous different items at temperatures below room temperature. Maintaining items below room temperature may slow or prevent spoilage of food items.

[0003] Beverages may be held in refrigerators. Beverages may be held in refrigerators to slow or prevent spoilage and sometimes to maintain the beverage below room temperature to make it more enjoyable to consume.

[0004] People often enjoy beer cold. Many people believe that beer is more enjoyable if it is colder than the temperature commonly maintained within the interior area of a refrigerator. However, if a refrigerator has a freezer compartment for holding frozen foods, the temperatures in the freezer compartment may cause the beer to freeze which makes it unsuitable for consumption and may also cause breakage of the beer containers.

[0005] Refrigerators may benefit from improvements.SUMMARY

[0006] Exemplary arrangements include an apparatus. The apparatus includes a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes an enclosure which bounds an interior area of the refrigerator. The enclosure includes an opening through which the interior area may be accessed from outside the refrigerator. A door is movably mounted in operative connection with the enclosure. The refrigerator door is movable between a door closed position in which the door fully closes the opening and a door open position in which the interior area is accessible from outside the enclosure through the opening.

[0007] The exemplary refrigerator includes an interior area with a beer chilling compartment. The beer chilling compartment is configured to maintain beer containers at a selected temperature below the freezing temperature of water and above the freezing temperature of beer. The exemplary beer chilling compartment is vertically bounded by a horizontally extending refrigerant evaporator and a horizontally extending plate that is vertically disposed from the evaporator.

[0008] The exemplary beer chilling compartment includes a drawer. The drawer has an interior area adapted to hold a plurality of beer holding containers. The beer holding containers each have a circular cross section and may be containers such as bottles and cans. The drawer is configured to hold the beer holding containers generally horizontally in the drawer interior area. As used herein generally horizontally refers to an arrangement in which the central axis of the cylindrical beer holding container extends at an acute angle of 45° or less.

[0009] The exemplary drawer is movably mounted in operative supported connection with the enclosure. The door is movable along the drawer movement direction between an outward position and a back position. In the outward position of the drawer, and with the door in the door open position, the drawer extends outward from the beer chilling compartment and through the opening. With the drawer in the back position the drawer interior area is fully within the beer chilling compartment.

[0010] Exemplary different arrangements of the refrigerator and beer chilling compartment, as well as drawer arrangements for holding beer holding containers are described in the following Detailed Description and shown in the appended drawing figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front top right perspective view of an exemplary refrigerator enclosure with the refrigerator door in the door open position.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front view of the refrigerator with the refrigerator door in the door open position.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view of the exemplary beer chilling compartment with the drawer therein shown in a back position.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the components which make up the cooling system utilized in an exemplary arrangement.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of circuitry used in an exemplary arrangement.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a front top left perspective view of the exemplary chilling compartment with the drawer partially extended therefrom through the opening to the interior area.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the drawer partially extended from the beer chilling compartment.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a front left perspective view of the refrigerator enclosure with the door not shown.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a front left perspective view of the drawer shown in an extended position.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a front view of the exemplary drawer.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a front top right perspective view of the exemplary drawer shown outside the refrigerator.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a bottom front right perspective view of the exemplary drawer.

[0023] FIG. 13 is a top view of the exemplary drawer.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a top front right perspective view of the exemplary drawer and support assembly for the drawer.

[0025] FIG. 15 is an exploded view showing the exemplary drawer and the guides and crossbar on which the drawer is movably supported.

[0026] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the side wall flange of the drawer and the guide flange of the support guide.

[0027] FIG. 17 is a top front right perspective view of the drawer shown holding beer containers in the form of cans.

[0028] FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 showing the drawer holding a plurality of beer containers in the form of tall cans.

[0029] FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 17 showing the drawer holding a plurality of beer containers in the form of bottles.

[0030] FIG. 20 is a top front right perspective view of a refrigerator similar to the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 with an alternative beer chilling compartment arrangement.

[0031] FIG. 21 is a front top right perspective of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 20 with an alternative exemplary drawer of the alternative beer chilling compartment in an outward extended position.

[0032] FIG. 22 is a front right perspective view of the further exemplary drawer in the outward extended position.

[0033] FIG. 23 is a front view of the interior area of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 20.

[0034] FIG. 24 is a front view of the alternative beer chilling compartment with the further drawer shown in the back position.

[0035] FIG. 25 is a front left perspective view of the refrigerator enclosure with the further drawer in the outward extended position with the door of the refrigerator enclosure not shown.

[0036] FIG. 26 is a front left perspective view of the further drawer in an outward extended position.

[0037] FIG. 27 is a top front right perspective view of the further drawer and a support assembly for the drawer.

[0038] FIG. 28 is an exploded view showing the exemplary further drawer and the guides and crossbar of the support assembly on which the drawer is movably supported.

[0039] FIG. 29 is a top front right perspective view of the further drawer.

[0040] FIG. 30 is a top front right perspective view of the further drawer shown holding a plurality of beer containers in the form of cans.

[0041] FIG. 31 is a top front right perspective view of a further refrigerator similar to the refrigerators shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 20 but with a further alternative beer chilling compartment arrangement.

[0042] FIG. 32 is a front top right perspective view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 31 with a further alternative exemplary drawer of the further alternative beer chilling compartment in an outward extended position.

[0043] FIG. 33 is a front right perspective view of the further alternative exemplary drawer in the outward extended position.

[0044] FIG. 34 is a front view of the interior area of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 31.

[0045] FIG. 35 is a front view of the further alternative beer chilling compartment and the further alternative drawer in the back position.

[0046] FIG. 36 is a front left perspective view of the further alternative refrigerator enclosure with the further alternative drawer in the outward extended position with the door of the refrigerator enclosure not shown.

[0047] FIG. 37 is a front left perspective view of the further alternative drawer in an outward extended position.

[0048] FIG. 38 is a top front right perspective view of the further alternative drawer and a support assembly for the drawer.

[0049] FIG. 39 is an exploded view showing the exemplary further alternative drawer and the guides and crossbar of the support assembly on which the drawer is movably supported.

[0050] FIG. 40 is a top front right perspective view of the further alternative drawer.

[0051] FIG. 41 is a top front right perspective view of the further alternative drawer holding a plurality of beer containers in the form of cans.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 there is shown therein a refrigerator generally indicated 10. The refrigerator 10 includes an enclosure 12. The enclosure 12 bounds an interior area 14. The enclosure includes an opening 16. A door 18 is rotatably movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the enclosure through hinges 20. The door is rotatably movable between a door open position and a door closed position. In the door open position as shown in FIG. 1 the interior area 14 is accessible from outside the enclosure 12. In a door closed position the door 18 fully closes the opening 16 and prevents access to the interior area 14.

[0053] The exemplary refrigerator 10 includes a plurality of shelves 22 within the interior area. The exemplary shelves 22 are selectively positionable to facilitate the storage of food items within the interior area of the refrigerator. The exemplary refrigerator further includes a plurality of storage areas 24 on the interior side of the door 18. Of course it should be understood that this arrangement of storage shelves and storage areas within the refrigerator 10 while useful, is exemplary and in other arrangements different types of storage structures may be utilized.

[0054] The exemplary refrigerator 10 further includes a beer chilling compartment 26. The exemplary beer chilling compartment 26 is positioned in an upper portion of the interior area 14. The exemplary beer chilling compartment is bounded vertically by an evaporator 28 of the cooling system utilized in the exemplary refrigerator. In the exemplary arrangement the evaporator 28 is a generally planar evaporator in which refrigerant material expands to absorb heat and provide cooling. As used herein generally planar refers to an arrangement in which a majority of a structure extends in a single flat plane. The exemplary evaporator 20 extends horizontally and curves upwardly on the left side of the interior area as shown in FIG. 2. The exemplary beer chilling compartment 26 is further bounded by a horizontally extending plate 30. The horizontally extending plate 30 is vertically disposed upward away from the evaporator 28. In the exemplary arrangement the plate 30 comprises a top interior wall that upwardly bounds the interior area 16.

[0055] In the exemplary arrangement a divider 32 is positioned vertically below the evaporator 28. The exemplary divider 32 helps to prevent the underside of the evaporator from coming into contact with items which may be stored below the beer chilling compartment 26 in the refrigerator. The exemplary divider may also serve as a tray which serves to hold water which condenses on the evaporator and falls downward. In exemplary arrangements portions of the divider 32 may include air flow openings therethrough to facilitate the flow of air and the maintenance of the desired temperatures within the beer chilling compartment 26 and the remainder of the interior area of the refrigerator.

[0056] In the exemplary arrangement a temperature sensor 34 is positioned in the beer chilling compartment 26. A manually adjustable thermostat 36 is also positioned in the beer chilling compartment. As represented schematically in FIG. 4, the evaporator 28 is part of a heat transfer system 38 which is operative to remove heat from the beer chilling compartment and the interior area of the refrigerator. The exemplary heat transfer system includes a compressor 40 which is operative to pump a refrigerant material that is in the vapor state to a condenser 42. In the condenser the refrigerant releases heat to the external environment as represented by Arrow HO. The release of heat from the refrigerant causes the refrigerant to change phase and become a liquid.

[0057] The liquid refrigerant then passes through an expansion device 44 such as an expansion valve and enters the evaporator 28. In the evaporator the refrigerant absorbs heat as represented by Arrow HI. The absorption of heat causes the refrigerant to change phase from a liquid to a vapor. From the evaporator 28 the vapor again returns to the compressor 40 to repeat the cycle. Of course it should be understood that the heat transfer system 38 is shown schematically and additional components will be included in exemplary systems.

[0058] The exemplary refrigerator includes at least one circuit 46 which is schematically shown in FIG. 5. The exemplary circuitry is operative to maintain the temperature within the beer chilling compartment in a range between the freezing temperature of water (32° F.-0° C.) and the freezing temperature of beer (about 23° F.-5° C.). When used herein to refer to a temperature the word about refers to a temperature stated plus or minus 2° F.

[0059] In the exemplary arrangement the at least one circuit 46 includes a controller 48. The exemplary controller includes one or more circuits which are operative to communicate electrical signals with sensors and other devices, and control the operation of devices within the refrigerator. In the exemplary arrangement the controller 48 includes at least one circuit including a processor schematically indicated 50 and at least one data store schematically indicated 52. In exemplary arrangements the processor may include a processor suitable for carrying out circuit executable instructions that are stored in one or more associated data stores. The processor includes or is in connection with a nonvolatile storage medium including instructions that include a basic input / output system (“BIOS”). For example, the processor may correspond to one or more of the combination of a CPU, FPGA, ASIC or other integrated circuit or other type of circuit that is capable of processing data and instructions. The data stores may correspond to one or more of volatile or nonvolatile memory such as random access memory, flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, solid-state memory, programmable read-only memory or other mediums that are operative to store circuit executable instructions and data. Circuit executable instructions that may be carried out through operation of at least one processor may include instructions in any of a plurality of programming languages and formats including without limitation, routines, subroutines, programs, threads of execution, objects, scripts, methodologies and functions which carry out the actions that are described herein. Structures for processors and media suitable for holding circuit executable instructions may include, correspond to and utilize the principles described in the textbook entitled Microprocessor Architecture, Programming, and Applications with the 8085 by Ramesh S. Gaonker, Sixth Edition (Penram International Publishing 2013) which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0060] In exemplary arrangements the circuitry may include suitable interfaces and components such as an interface 54 which enables receipt of signals by the controller 48 corresponding to signals from the at least one temperature sensor 34 that is positioned in the beer chilling compartment 26. The circuitry may further include an interface 56 that enables the controller to communicate with the thermostat 36. An interface 58 is utilized for purposes of controller communication with the compressor 40. In exemplary arrangements the interface 58 provides signals from the controller that cause the compressor to operate and to cease operation on a controlled basis so as to maintain the beer chilling compartment 26 within the desired temperature range. As can be appreciated, in some exemplary arrangements the at least one data store 52 includes data corresponding to each of the freezing temperature water and the freezing temperature beer. In the exemplary arrangement, the circuit executable instructions in the at least one data store that are carried out through operation of the controller 48 cause the temperature within the beer chilling compartment to be maintained within the suitable temperature range regardless of the setting of the thermostat.

[0061] In the exemplary arrangement the at least one circuit is in operative connection with at least one wireless transceiver 60. In the exemplary arrangement the wireless transceiver may include circuitry and components that communicate wireless signals with a portable wireless device 62. In exemplary arrangements the portable wireless device may comprise a smart phone, tablet or other suitable device which is operable by the user. The wireless transceiver may be operable to communicate wireless signals through radio frequency (RF) signals with a portable wireless device that is in fairly close proximity to the refrigerator, such as via Bluetooth or near field communication (NFC). Alternatively or in addition the wireless transceiver 60 may be operative to communicate via Wi-Fi or other type signals so as to enable local or large area network communication with the portable wireless device.

[0062] In exemplary arrangements the controller 48 is operative to communicate with the portable wireless device to provide signals which enables the user of the portable wireless device 62 to receive data corresponding to information about the temperature in the beer chilling compartment. Further in some exemplary arrangements the controller 48 is operative to wirelessly receive communications from the portable wireless device 62 which are operative to cause the current setting of the thermostat to be changed responsive to inputs from the portable device user. For example if the user remotely wishes to change the setting of the thermostat so that the beer chilling compartment is at a lower or higher temperature within the permissible programmed range stored in the at least one data store of the controller, the user of the portable wireless device may do so through inputs sent remotely from the device. Of course it should be understood that the at least one circuit and devices in operative connection therewith are schematically shown, simplified, and are merely exemplary of such circuits and components that may be utilized in connection with exemplary refrigerator arrangements.

[0063] Exemplary arrangements may operate in different ways. For example, in some exemplary arrangements the at least one data store in operative connection with the controller may include data corresponding to a stored temperature value which corresponds to a value at which beer with a low alcohol content will freeze. For purposes of this disclosure low alcohol content beer shall be considered to be a beer has an alcohol content not exceeding 3% alcohol. For such beer the freezing temperature has been determined to average 27° F. (−2.5° C.). The at least one circuit in some exemplary arrangements may include a data store with data corresponding to this stored temperature value of 27° F. (−2.5° C.). The at least one circuit operates in accordance with its stored circuit executable instructions to cause the temperature in the beer chilling compartment to be maintained at the set selected temperature value that is set within the settable temperature range using the thermostat, except in circumstances where the set selected temperature of the thermostat is below the stored temperature value, in which circumstances the at least one circuit maintains the beer chilling compartment at a temperature corresponding to the stored temperature value. In some such exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit is operable to prevent the temperature in the beer chilling compartment from being below the freezing temperature of low alcohol beer that corresponds to the stored temperature value. This minimizes the risk that any type of beer that is stored in the beer chilling compartment will freeze and cause the containers thereof to be damaged and leak.

[0064] Alternative arrangements may include further features to enable a user of the refrigerator to set the temperature that is to be maintained in the beer chilling compartment at a temperature that is below the freezing temperature of low alcohol content beer. For example in some exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit of the refrigerator may be in operative connection with at least one input device 184 which is schematically indicated in FIG. 5. In some exemplary arrangements the at least one input device may include a keypad, touchscreen, microphone or other suitable device for receiving user provided inputs. In some exemplary arrangements the wireless transceiver 60 may serve as an input device.

[0065] In some exemplary arrangements the at least one input device is adapted to receive at least one input corresponding to one or more of a brand of beer, a type of beer and / or an alcohol content of a beer to be stored in the beer chilling compartment. The at least one circuit is in operative connection with the at least one input device. The at least one data store includes data corresponding to the one or more receivable inputs through the input device corresponding to brands of beer, types of beer and / or alcohol content of beer. The at least one circuit operates responsive to the stored circuit executable instructions and the at least one input that is received through the at least one input device to determine a chilling temperature at which beer corresponding to the at least one input can be maintained without freezing. The at least one circuit then operates in accordance with its circuit executable instructions to maintain the beer chilling compartment at the determined chilling temperature for the particular brand, type and / or alcohol content of the beer that corresponds to the at least one user input.

[0066] In some exemplary arrangements the at least one input device may include the wireless transceiver and the portable wireless device. The portable wireless device may further include the stored data and at least one circuit which is operative to determine the suitable chilling temperature for a beer that corresponds to the at least one input which corresponds to one or more of a brand, type and / or alcohol content of the beer to be stored. In such exemplary arrangements the circuitry of the portable wireless device may be operative to determine the chilling temperature of the beer corresponding to the at least one input and communicate with the wireless transceiver 62 to control the thermostat or otherwise cause the at least one circuit of the refrigerator to maintain the beer chilling compartment at the determined temperature. In some exemplary arrangements the beer chilling temperature may be determined through use of the portable wireless device through circuit executable instructions that reside in a separate software program or app which may be utilized to communicate and set the temperature of the beer chilling compartment.

[0067] In other exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit may be in operative connection with at least one output device schematically indicated 186. In exemplary arrangements the at least one output device is suitable for causing user perceivable outputs. This may include for example a visual display. Other exemplary output devices may include indicator lights and / or an audio speaker. In some exemplary arrangements the wireless transceiver 60 may serve as an output device.

[0068] Further in alternative arrangements the at least one circuit may be in operative connection with at least one sensor schematically indicated 188. The exemplary at least one sensor 188 is operative to detect that the beer chilling compartment is accessible from outside the refrigerator. In some exemplary arrangements the at least one sensor may comprise a switch or other sensor that is operative to detect that the drawer holding the beer containers has been moved outward from the back position within the enclosure so that the interior area of the drawer is accessible to a user such as to add or remove beer containers therefrom. In alternative arrangements other types of sensors that detect other conditions that indicate that the beer chilling compartment has become accessible may be used.

[0069] In some arrangements the at least one circuit may be operative to maintain the beer chilling compartment at the chilling temperature determined as appropriate for the brand, type and / or alcohol content of the beer that correspond to the at least one input through the at least one input device, which the user is storing in the beer chilling compartment. In some exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit is operative while maintaining the beer chilling temperature based on the at least one input, to determine responsive to the at least one sensor that the beer chilling compartment within a refrigerator has become externally accessible. This may be indicative that the user is placing a different brand, type and / or alcohol content beer in the interior area of the drawer within the beer chilling compartment. In the exemplary arrangement responsive at least in part to the determination that the beer chilling compartment has become externally accessible, the at least one circuit is operative to provide at least one output through the at least one output device. The at least one output is indicative that a change in the chilling temperature may be necessary.

[0070] For example in some exemplary arrangements a display output may provide output text advising the user that if they have placed a different brand, type or alcohol content beer in the chilling compartment, they may need to change the chilling temperature to correspond to the different beer. Alternatively or in addition the at least one output device may include a flashing warning light that is operative to indicate to the user that a change in the beer chilling temperature may be necessary. In other exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit may provide at least one audible output through a speaker or other audible output device that informs the user through an audible message or sound of the possible need to change the beer chilling temperature. Alternatively or in addition the at least one circuit may cause wireless signals to be output through the wireless transceiver, which signals are operative to cause the portable wireless device or other receiving device to provide at least one output that is operative to indicate to the user that a change in the chilling temperature may be necessary. In some exemplary arrangements multiple outputs may be provided to indicate to the user of the possible need to change the chilling temperature.

[0071] In exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit may be operative to receive at least one input from the user through the at least one input device to indicate that there is no need to change the chilling temperature. This input may be provided through the at least one input device in response to a visual or audible output provided through the at least one output device. In some exemplary arrangements the user may provide at least one input indicative that the chilling temperature is to be adjusted and may do so by providing at least one input through the at least one input device. This may be done by providing inputs of the types previously discussed such as changing the set temperature of a thermostat or providing at least one input corresponding to one or more of a brand, type or alcohol content of a different beer being stored.

[0072] Alternatively or in addition in some exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit may operate responsive to not receiving at least one input from the user in response to the visual or audible outputs indicating that there may be a need for a change in the chilling temperature within a set time after providing the output, to operate in accordance with stored circuit executable instructions to cause the chilling temperature in the beer chilling compartment to be adjusted upward to correspond to at least one stored temperature value in the at least one data store. This stored temperature value may correspond for example, to a stored temperature value corresponding to low alcohol beer like that previously discussed. Alternatively in some arrangements the stored temperature value may correspond to the freezing temperature of water 32° F. (0° C.). As can be appreciated, having the at least one circuit operate in this manner may avoid the situation where the user has inadvertently placed a beer with a higher freezing temperature (or other beverage) in the beer chilling compartment which will freeze at the previously determined chilling temperature and causing the container to break and leak.

[0073] Of course it should be understood that these exemplary arrangements while useful, are exemplary and other arrangements other approaches may be used to maintain the beer chilling compartment at a user desired beer chilling temperature that is appropriate for the particular beer being stored.

[0074] The exemplary beer chilling compartment 26 has a drawer 64 movably positioned therein. The exemplary drawer as previously discussed, is movable between a back position and an outward position which is also referred to herein as an extended position. The exemplary drawer 64 is shown in the back position FIG. 1 in which the interior area of the drawer which houses the beer holding containers is fully housed within the beer chilling compartment 26. As used herein the beer holding containers may be alternatively referred to as beer containers, beer cans or beer bottles. The drawer 64 is movable to the outward position as is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 for example, in which the drawer extends outward through the opening 16 when the door 18 is in the door open position. In the exemplary arrangement in the extended outward position of the drawer, the beer containers in the interior area thereof are accessible from outside the refrigerator.

[0075] The exemplary drawer 64 is configured to facilitate the cooling of the beer containers that are housed within an interior area 66 of the drawer 64. The exemplary drawer 64 includes a wire frame 68 such as is shown in FIG. 11. The exemplary wire frame includes a plurality of rods which comprise relatively heavy wires, rigid material strips and / or other similar members that are joined together in fixed relation to provide the structures which form at least portions of the bottom wall, front wall and / or back wall which bounds the interior area 66 of the drawer.

[0076] The exemplary wire frame 68 includes a pair of side wire portions 70, 72. The side wire portions extend horizontally and are horizontally spaced apart. The side wire portions extend in parallel relation with the drawer movement direction which is represented by Arrow D. A plurality of horizontally spaced drawer rods 74 in the form of heavy wires that are circular in transverse cross section extend horizontally between and in fixed operative engagement with the each of the side wire portions 70, 72. The plurality of parallel, horizontally spaced drawer rods form a bottom wire portion of the wire frame 68 which serve as an air permeable bottom wall which bounds the lower side of the interior area 66 of the drawer 64.

[0077] The exemplary wire frame 68 includes a front wire portion 78. The exemplary front wire portion includes a front rod 76 that extends vertically above the side wire portions 70, 72. The front rod 76 is connected to the respective side wire portions through upward extending wire portions 80, 82. Wire frame 68 further includes a back wire portion 84. The back wire portion is positioned away from the front wire portion 78 in the drawer movement direction. The back wire portion 84 includes a back rod 86 that extends vertically above and horizontally between the side wire portions 70, 72 and vertically above the drawer rods 74. The back rod 86 is connected to the side wire portions through upward extending wire portions 88, 90. As can be appreciated the exemplary wire frame 68 is configured to include numerous air flow openings between the rod and wire structures to facilitate the cooling of beer containers that are housed within the interior area 66 of the drawer 64.

[0078] The exemplary drawer 64 further includes a pair of horizontally disposed vertically extending side walls 92, 94. Side wall 92 extends vertically upward from side wire portion 70 of the wire frame 68. Side wall 92 is in fixed attached connection with the wire frame 68 through wire portions 70, 80 and 88. Side wall 92 terminates vertically upward at an inward extending side wall flange 96. The exemplary side wall includes a generally planar portion 98 that extends parallel to the drawer movement direction. The planar portion 98 of side wall 92 includes a plurality of side wall openings 100. The exemplary side wall openings 100 are configured to enable air flow through the planar portion 98 of the side wall while preventing beer holding containers from passing through the side wall so as to maintain the beer containers within the interior area 66 of the drawer 64.

[0079] The exemplary side wall 94 is a similar configuration to side wall 92. Side wall 94 is in fixed operative connection with wire portions 72, 82 and 90 of the wire frame 68. Side wall 94 includes a planar portion 102 that extends parallel to the drawer movement direction and includes a plurality of side wall openings 104 which are similar to side wall openings 100. Side wall 94 terminates upwardly at a side wall flange 106.

[0080] The exemplary drawer 64 further includes a rod frame 108. Rod frame 108 includes a centered front handle portion 110. The handle portion 110 extends at the center of the drawer and vertically above the front rod 76. In the back position of the drawer the front handle portion extends vertically upward in intermediate horizontal relation between the drawer interior area 66 and the opening 16 of the enclosure 12. Front handle portion 110 includes a handle bar 111 that is configured to be manually grasped by the user to facilitate movement of the drawer. In the exemplary arrangement the upward extending rod portions 112, 114 along with the front rod 76 and upward extending wire portions 80, 82 define a front wall 116 of the drawer interior area 66 which is operative to maintain the beer containers within the interior area. As can be appreciated the exemplary front wall 116 is adapted to maintain the beer containers within the interior area 66. The exemplary front wall 116 also includes openings 118 therein that enable viewing of the beer containers within the drawer when the drawer is in the back position. In some arrangements the openings may also facilitate air flow and cooling of beer containers within the interior area 66.

[0081] The exemplary rod frame 108 further includes divergent horizontally extending legs 120, 122. Divergent leg 120 extends from upward rod portion 114, below the drawer rods 74 and horizontally outward toward side wall 92. The exemplary divergent leg 120 is joined in fixed operative connection with each of the drawer rods 74 of the wire frame 68. Divergent leg 122 extends from upward rod portion 112, below the drawer rods 74 and toward side wall 94. Divergent leg 122 is joined in fixed connection with each of the drawer rods 74.

[0082] The exemplary divergent leg 120 terminates rearwardly in an upward extending stop rod leg portion 124. Stop rod leg portion extends vertically above back rod 86. Stop rod leg portion 124 terminates in a horizontally outward directed drawer stop projection 126. As shown in FIG. 10 for example, drawer stop projection 126 is generally at the vertical level of side wall flange 96 of side wall 92. As later explained the stop rod leg portion 124 and drawer stop projection 126 are operative to limit the outward travel of the drawer 64 to the outward position.

[0083] Divergent leg 122 terminates rearwardly in an upward extending stop rod leg portion 128. Similar to stop rod leg portion 124, stop rod leg portion 128 terminates in a horizontally outward extending drawer stop projection 130. In the exemplary arrangement the back wire portion 84 including back rod 86, upward extending wire portions 88, 90 and stop rod leg portions 124, 128 define a rear wall 132 of the drawer 64. Similar to the front wall 116, rear wall 132 is operative to hold the beer containers within the drawer interior area. The exemplary rear wall 132 also includes a plurality of air flow openings 134. In some arrangements such air flow openings 134 facilitate the flow of air through the interior area 66 of the drawer 64 which enhances the cooling of the beer containers that are held in the interior area. Of course it should be understood that this drawer configuration is useful, but is also exemplary and in other arrangements other drawer components and configurations may be used.

[0084] In exemplary arrangements the drawer 64 is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the horizontally extending plate 30 which bounds the upper end of the interior area 14 through a support 136 that is shown in FIG. 14-16. In the exemplary arrangement the support 136 includes guides 138140. The exemplary guides are elongated members that extend parallel to the drawer movement direction. The exemplary support 136 further includes a crossbar 142. Each exemplary guide 138, 140 is in operatively attached connection with the horizontally extending plate 30 through suitable fasteners 144 such as screws. As each of the guides have a mirror image configuration only guide 138 will be described herein in detail.

[0085] Each guide includes a horizontally extending mounting flange 146. In the exemplary arrangement the mounting flange is in abutting engagement with the horizontally extending plate 30 and is held thereto via fasteners 144 that extend through openings in the mounting flange. The guide further includes a vertically downward extending guide leg 148. In the operative position guide leg 148 extends downward in the beer cooling compartment from the mounting flange. In a vertical transverse cross-section as shown in FIG. 16 the guide leg terminates downwardly at a horizontally extending guide flange 150. The exemplary guide flange 150 is elongated parallel to the drawer movement direction and has positioned thereon a plurality of bearing guides 152. In exemplary arrangement the bearing guides 152 may comprise one or more suitable bearing structures that facilitate the movement of a side wall flange in abutting engagement therewith. In exemplary arrangements the bearing guides 152 may comprise discrete blocks or strips or other suitable structures of a low friction material such as nylon which facilitates the abutting sliding movement of a drawer flange. Of course it should be understood that in other arrangements other suitable bearing guide structures such as buttons, rollers, or rails may be used.

[0086] Each exemplary guide is in operative movable connection with a respective side wall flange of a drawer side wall. As the side wall flanges 96 and 106 are mirror images, only side wall flange 96 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 16 the side wall flange includes a horizontally extending top portion 154. The top portion extends inward toward the other side wall of the drawer. As can be appreciated from FIG. 16, the lower wall of the top portion 154 is in movable abutting engagement with the bearing guides 152.

[0087] The exemplary top portion 154 of the side wall flange 96 terminates inwardly in a downward extending side rail portion 156. In the exemplary arrangement side rail portion 156 extends in intermediate horizontal relation of the bearing guides 152 and the guide leg 148 of the immediately adjacent guide 138. As a result in the exemplary configuration the bearing guides 152 are positioned and held horizontally between the side rail portion 156 and the planar portion 98 of the side wall 92. This exemplary arrangement helps to hold the drawer 64 in engagement with the guides and in the desired horizontal position within the beer chilling compartment.

[0088] In the exemplary arrangement the crossbar 142 extends horizontally within the beer chilling compartment. The crossbar is vertically disposed from, and has a top surface that extends generally parallel to, the horizontally extending plate 30. The crossbar is fixed to the interior wall of the enclosure at a back end 158 of the beer chilling compartment. As can be appreciated the back end 158 of the compartment is opposed from a front end 160 of the beer chilling compartment that is immediately adjacent to the opening 16 of the interior area 14. In the exemplary arrangement the crossbar 142 is held in operatively fixed engagement with the back wall bounding the interior area through suitable fasteners or other fastening means.

[0089] In the exemplary arrangement the crossbar 142 in the operative position includes a pair of vertically extending slots 162, 164. In the exemplary arrangement each slot 162, 164 is configured to receive and engage therein a rearward extension of a respective guide leg. The exemplary crossbar further includes in its upper surface a pair of recesses166, 168. Recess 164 is configured to engagingly underlie a rearward extension of the mounting flange of guide 138 while recess 168 is configured to engagingly underlie a rearward projection of the mounting flange of guide 140. As a result in the exemplary arrangement the crossbar 142 provides support for the guides 140, 138 adjacent to the back end 158 of the compartment. Of course it should be understood that this arrangement of support 136 is operative to suspend the drawer 64 and the beer containers therein within the beer chilling compartment so as to facilitate air flow therethrough and the cooling of the beer containers. It should be understood that while this exemplary arrangement is useful, in other arrangements other configurations and components may be used.

[0090] In the exemplary drawer support arrangement stops are provided to assure that the drawer 64 is not inadvertently moved in the drawer movement direction outward beyond the outward position. In the exemplary arrangement each respective guide includes a respective guide stop. As shown for example in FIG. 9 guide 140 includes a guide stop 170. In the exemplary arrangement the guide stop 170 comprises a deformable tab on the vertically extending guide leg of each respective guide. In exemplary arrangements the guide stop comprises a projection comprising a deformable tab 172 that extends horizontally outward from a cut out in the guide leg.

[0091] As represented in FIG. 9 the exemplary tabs such as tab 172 extends horizontally outward and toward the center of the beer chilling compartment from the guide leg of the respective guide. The guide stop is configured to engage a respective drawer stop portion such as drawer stop portion 130 that extends horizontally outward from the stop rod leg portion 128 of the rod frame 108.

[0092] As can be appreciated this exemplary stop arrangement enables the drawer to be installed by engaging the side wall flanges of the drawer side walls and the horizontally extending guide flanges and moving the drawer inwardly along the drawer movement direction into the interior area of the enclosure. The drawer stop projections 126, 130 moving inwardly are able to deform the respective tabs of the guide stops such that the drawer stop projections can move rearwardly inward of the stops. Thereafter when the drawer is moved toward the outward position the drawer stop projections will engage the guide stops and prevent the drawer from moving outward beyond the outward position. However if it is desired to remove the drawer 64 from the enclosure this can be done by depressing the tabs on the guides to enable the drawer stop projections to move outward beyond the guide stops. Of course while it should be understood that this arrangement for providing stops of the drawer is useful, in other arrangements other approaches may be used.

[0093] FIG. 17-19 show beer holding containers positioned within the interior area 66 of the exemplary drawer 64. As shown in FIG. 17 beer cans 176 having a circular transverse cross-section can be positioned to extend horizontally within the interior area 66 of the drawer. It should be appreciated that in this exemplary configuration of the cans 176 the central axis 178 of each respective can extends horizontally within the interior area. However it should be understood that in other arrangements the interior area of the drawer may be configured so that the cans extend generally horizontally which for purposes of this disclosure includes having the central axis of the containers extending at an acute angle of no greater than 45°.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 17 in which beer containers which are standard sized cans 176 are positioned in the exemplary interior area 66 of the drawer, 12 standard sized beer cans may be positioned securely within the interior area. This enables suitably chilling the beer holding containers.

[0095] Alternatively as shown in FIG. 18 the interior area 66 of the exemplary drawer 64 may hold larger beer containers such as tall cans 180. These large cans are also circular in transverse cross-section and can also be positioned in the exemplary interior area with the central axis thereof extending horizontally. As shown in FIG. 18 in the exemplary arrangement the interior area 66 can hold up to eight of the tall beer cans 178.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 19 beer containers in the form of bottles 182 may alternatively be positioned in the interior area 66 of the drawer 64. In the exemplary arrangement the bottles 182 have a circular cross-section and may be positioned within the interior area of the drawer with the central axis of each bottle extending in a horizontal direction. In this exemplary arrangement for the size of bottles shown, the interior area is operative to hold at least seven bottles.

[0097] Of course it should be appreciated that the interior area 66 of the drawer 64 may hold different sizes and configurations of beer containers as may be desired by the user. In addition the user may utilize the interior area of the drawer to hold cans of different sizes and bottles simultaneously. Numerous different beer holding containers may be housed within the drawer of the beer chilling compartment.

[0098] The exemplary refrigerator arrangement enables the beer enthusiast to chill beer to a desired temperature that is below the freezing temperature of water but above the freezing temperature of beer. The exemplary circuitry associated with the exemplary refrigerator enables the user to set the temperature in the beer chilling compartment, but prevents the user from setting the temperature so that the beer freezes and causes the beer holding containers to be damaged.

[0099] FIG. 20-30 show an alternative refrigerator 190 which has a beer chilling compartment 192. Refrigerator 190 may be similar to refrigerator 10 previously discussed except as otherwise indicated. Refrigerator 190 has an interior area 194 in which shelves similar to shelves 22 may be positioned. The shelves are not shown in the interior area. The refrigerator also has a door 196 which is similar to door 18.

[0100] The beer chilling compartment 192 is configured to house an alternative drawer 198. The alternative drawer is movably mounted in operative supported connection with the refrigerator enclosure and is movable between the back position as shown in FIG. 20 and the outward extended position as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

[0101] The exemplary drawer 198 includes horizontally disposed side walls 200, 202. Each side wall includes a plurality of side wall openings 204 to facilitate air flow through the side walls to facilitate cooling. Side wall 200 terminates upwardly in a side wall flange 206. Side wall flange 206 is similar in transverse cross-section to side wall flange 96 previously described. Exemplary side wall 200 terminates at the lower end in an in turned leg 208. Similarly side wall 202 terminates upwardly in a side wall flange 210. Side wall 202 terminates downwardly in an in turned leg that extends inwardly in the drawer and is the mirror image of in turned leg 208.

[0102] The exemplary drawer 198 includes a back wall 212. The exemplary back wall includes horizontally extending back wall leg 214 and a vertically extending back wall leg 216. In the exemplary arrangement the horizontally extending back wall leg 214 is in attached connection with each of the in turned legs 208 of the side walls 200, 202. In exemplary arrangements the back wall 212 is in fixed engagement with the in turned legs through suitable fasteners 218 such as screws or rivets.

[0103] The exemplary drawer 198 further includes a front wall 220. In the exemplary arrangement the front wall 220 has a horizontally extending leg that is similar to and that may be the mirror image of back wall leg 214. The horizontally extending leg of the front wall is also joined in fixed relation to the in turned legs of the side walls 200, 202 using suitable fasteners. The exemplary front wall 220 includes a vertically extending portion 222. Vertically extending portion 222 extends vertically upward to the level of the side wall flanges 206, 210. The exemplary vertically extending portion 222 includes a pair of cutouts 224 and 226 on the lateral horizontal sides thereof. In some exemplary arrangements the height of the front wall and the cutouts may enable viewing of the beer containers within the drawer.

[0104] The exemplary front wall 220 further includes a handle projection 228. The handle projection extends downward and is adapted to be grasped by a user's fingers to move the drawer between the back and outward positions. The exemplary handle projection 228 extends below the in turned legs of the side walls 200, 202 a sufficient distance to extend across a majority of a vertical gap between the upper surface of the evaporator and the in turned legs of the side walls. In the exemplary arrangement this configuration of the handle projection 228 helps to reduce the amount of cold air that escapes from the beer chilling compartment when the door of the refrigerator is opened but the drawer 198 is not extended.

[0105] The exemplary drawer 198 further includes a plurality of horizontally extending drawer rods 230. In the exemplary arrangement the rods 230 are comprised of a pair of adjacent straight flat strips that extend between the back wall leg 214 on the back wall 212 and the inward extending leg on the front wall 220. The exemplary rods 230 are held in fixed attached connection with the horizontally extending legs through suitable fasteners 232 such as rivets. In the exemplary arrangement horizontal spaces 234 extend in the direction of drawer movement and between the rods 230. Horizontal spaces 236 extend between an in turned leg of a side wall and the closest horizontally adjacent rod 230. In the exemplary arrangement the horizontal spaces 234, 236 have a horizontal width that is adapted to engage the cylindrical side wall of a beer holding container that is positioned in a horizontal space with the axis of the container extending parallel to the door movement direction. The exemplary horizontal spaces are adapted so that the cylindrical outer wall of each beer holding container is engaged by the horizontally disposed strips or an in turned leg and a strip that bounds the space in two horizontally spaced apart locations on the cylindrical side wall with the side wall extending downward in the space between the locations in which strips and / or legs engage the cylindrical side wall. This exemplary configuration helps hold the containers in position within the drawer.

[0106] The exemplary side walls 200, 202, the back wall 212 and the front wall 220 are adapted to bound an interior area 238 of the drawer 198. In the exemplary arrangement the strips 230 and in turned legs 208 provide an air permeable bottom or lower wall which bounds the interior area. The air permeable lower wall and the openings 204 in the side walls facilitate cooling air flow to the beer holding containers within the drawer interior area. The exemplary back wall 212 may also be of a relatively low height so as to enable air to pass between the interior area of the drawer and the surrounding area of the beer chilling compartment when the drawer is in the back position, or in alternative arrangements may include openings to facilitate air flow therethrough.

[0107] Similar to drawer 64 previously discussed, drawer 198 is supported within the interior area of the refrigerator via a support 240. The exemplary support 240 includes a pair of guides 242 and 244. Exemplary guide 242 may be similar to guide 138 previously discussed. Likewise the exemplary guide 244 may be similar to guide 140. The support 240 further includes a crossbar 246. The crossbar 246 of the exemplary arrangement may be similar to crossbar 142 previously discussed.

[0108] In the exemplary arrangement the guides 242, 244 include guide stop projections which may be similar to guide stops 170 previously discussed. The back wall 212 includes a pair of vertically extending door stop projections 248. The vertically extending door stop projections and the guide stop projections are operative to serve as stops to prevent the drawer 198 from being moved outward beyond the outward position to avoid the drawer from disengaging the guides. The stop projections 248 are adapted to engage the guide stop projections on the guides 242, 244 to prevent the drawer from being extended outward beyond the outward extended position. However, similar to the previously described arrangements the guide stop projections may be deformable so as to enable the drawer to be mounted in engagement with the guides and to be disengaged from the guides when desired. Of course it should be understood that this arrangement while useful, is exemplary and in other arrangements other approaches may be used.

[0109] In the exemplary arrangement the drawer 198 is configured to enable the interior area 238 holding the beer holding containers to provide more effective chilling and maintenance of the beer containers at the set temperature. The exemplary support 240, the side walls 200, 202 and the front wall 220 of the drawer are adapted so as to enable the interior area 238 of drawer 198 when in the back position within the refrigerator enclosure, to be set back away from the opening to the refrigerator enclosure while still enabling the drawer in the outward position to extend sufficiently outward from the enclosure so the beer containers are readily removable from the interior area of the drawer. To facilitate the ability of the drawer to be set back within the interior area 194 of the refrigerator enclosure, the cutouts 224, 226 in the front wall 220 are positioned to enable the forward ends of the guides 242, 244 to extend therein when the drawer is in the back position. This is shown for example in FIG. 24. The ability to have the interior area of the drawer in the beer chilling compartment 192 further set back away from the opening of the refrigerator along with the air impermeable front wall 220 and the handle projection 228 of the front wall 220, may help to minimize the loss of cold air from the beer chilling compartment when the refrigerator door is opened without the beer chilling compartment being accessed. This exemplary arrangement facilitates chilling and helps to maintain the beer chilling compartment at the desired temperature.

[0110] FIG. 30 shows the exemplary drawer 198 with beer holding containers in the form of cans 250 positioned in the interior area 238. In this exemplary arrangement the central axis of the cylindrical cans extend parallel to the drawer movement direction represented by Arrow D. The cylindrical side walls 252 of the cans are positioned horizontally spaced apart from each horizontally immediately adjacent can by virtue of the horizontal width of the horizontal spaces 234, 236. The spacing along with the air permeable bottom wall and side walls of the drawer facilitate chilling of the beer holding containers. Further as previously discussed, the solid and non-air permeable configuration of the exemplary front wall 220 helps to avoid the loss of cold air from the beer chilling compartment 192 when the refrigerator door is opened but the drawer 198 is not extended.

[0111] Of course it should be understood that this arrangement while useful, is exemplary and in other arrangements other approaches may be used.

[0112] FIGS. 31 through 41 show a further alternative exemplary arrangement of a refrigerator 254 that includes a beer chilling compartment 256. Refrigerator 254 may be similar to refrigerators 10 and 190 previously described except as otherwise indicated. The refrigerator 254 includes an enclosure 258 which bounds an interior area 260. The refrigerator enclosure includes an opening, the access to which from outside the refrigerator is controlled by a door 261. The refrigerator further includes a plurality of shelves 262 which are positioned in the interior area 260 of the refrigerator outside of the beer chilling compartment.

[0113] A drawer 264 that is adapted for holding beer holding containers is movably mounted in operative supported connection with the enclosure. The drawer is movable between a back position such as is shown in FIGS. 31 and 34 and outward (extended) position as shown for example in FIGS. 32 and 33.

[0114] As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 the exemplary drawer 264 includes a pair of side walls 266, 268. Similar to the side walls of the previously described drawers 64 and 198, side walls 266, 268 include a plurality of side wall openings 272 to facilitate air flow therethrough. Also like the previously described side walls, side wall 266 and side wall 268 include upper ends with respective side wall flanges 272, 274. The side wall flanges are movable in engagement with guides 276, 278 of a support 280. The support 280 further includes a crossmember 282. The support, guides and crossmember may be similar to those previously described herein.

[0115] The exemplary drawer 264 further includes a rod frame 284. The exemplary rod frame 284 is comprised of rods which have the form of heavy wires with a circular cross-section. The exemplary rod frame includes side wire portions 286. Each side wire portion 286 extends along the direction of drawer movement and in engagement with a respective in turned leg 288 that extends inward at the bottom of each respective side wall 266, 268. In the exemplary arrangement each side wire portion 286 extends above the in turned leg. Integrally formed with each side wire portion 286 is an upward extending back wire portion 290. Each exemplary back wire portion is held in engagement with the respective immediately adjacent side wall by a bracket 292. The bracket is held in place by releasable fasteners 294 such as screws.

[0116] The rod frame 284 further includes a bottom wire portion that comprises a plurality of drawer rods 296 which may be alternatively referred to as bottom rods. In the exemplary arrangement the drawer rods extend horizontally intermediate of the side wire portions 286. Each of the drawer rods is comprised of heavy wire of circular cross-section and extends in the drawer movement direction parallel to each of the side walls. Each of the drawer rods 296 includes a horizontally extending straight portion 298 and an upward extending back portion 300. In the exemplary arrangement the drawer rods are arranged in pairs 302 such that the rods in each pair are in closely spaced horizontal relation. The rod pairs 302 are spaced apart from other rod pairs in a direction perpendicular to the direction of drawer movement such that the rod pairs bound elongated horizontal spaces 304 adapted for holding beer holding containers therein. The rod pairs that are horizontally closest to the side wire portions 286, with such side wire portions bound elongated horizontal spaces 306.

[0117] The exemplary horizontal spaces 304 have a horizontal width perpendicular to the direction of drawer movement that is adapted to cause the outer cylindrical wall of each beer holding container to be engaged with the straight portions of the drawer rods in a manner similar to that discussed in connection with the rods 230 of drawer 198. Similarly the horizontal spaces 306 are similarly sized to enable the outer cylindrical wall of each beer holding container to be engaged with a straight portion 298 of a drawer rod and a side wire portion 286. In the exemplary arrangement the outer cylindrical wall of each respective beer holding container is engaged in horizontally disposed apart locations to support the container while enabling the cylindrical outer wall to extend downward below the drawer rods and side wire portions. As a result the drawer rods 296 and the side wire portions 286 bound an air permeable bottom wall of the drawer 264.

[0118] In the exemplary arrangement the upward extending back portions 300 of the drawer rods are engaged in fixed relation with a back rod 308. The back rod of the exemplary arrangement comprises a heavy wire of circular cross-section and may be alternatively referred to as a back wire portion. In the exemplary arrangement the back rod is joined in fixed relation with a respective back wire portion 290 at each of its outermost horizontal ends. In the exemplary arrangement the upward extending back portions 300 and the back wire portions are engaged with the back rod 308 via welding or similar joining methods. In the exemplary arrangement the upward extending back portions 300, the back rod 308 and back wire portion 290 comprise a vertically extending back wall 310 of the drawer 264. The exemplary back wall 310 is air permeable while operative to maintain the beer holding containers within the drawer interior area.

[0119] The exemplary drawer further includes a front plate 312. The front plate extends between the side walls 266, 268 at the front of the drawer 264. The front plate 312 is held in engaged relation with the side walls through fasteners 314. In the exemplary arrangement the inner surface of the front plate 312 is in engaged relation with the forward ends of the straight portions 298 of the drawer rods 296. This is accomplished in exemplary arrangements through welding or other joining methods. As a result the front plate 312, the side walls 266, 268 and the back wall 310 bound interior area 316 of the drawer 264.

[0120] The exemplary drawer further includes a front wall 318. The exemplary front wall 318 is in attached connection with the front plate 312 through an adhesive or other suitable fasteners. The exemplary front wall 318 extends above the front plate 312 and is transparent. This enables the user to view the beer holding containers within the interior area 316 when the refrigerator door is open and when the drawer is in the back position.

[0121] The exemplary front wall 318 further includes a lower outward extending handle projection 320. Similar to a handle projection 228 previously discussed, handle projection 320 extends downward below the side walls 266, 268 which helps to block air flow out of the beer chilling compartment when the refrigerator door 261 is opened but the drawer 264 is maintained in the back position. The exemplary handle projection 228 further facilitates the front wall 218 being manually grasped to facilitate moving the drawer 264 between the outward and back positions.

[0122] The exemplary front wall 318 further includes cutouts 322, 324 at the upper horizontal outward edges thereof. Cutouts 322, 324 operate in a manner similar to cutouts 224 and 226 of the front wall 220 previously described to enable the guides 276, 278 to extend therein when the drawer is in the back position. This enables the beer chilling compartment 256 and the drawer 264 in the back position to be set back further in the interior area 260 of the enclosure from the opening to the interior area. This may further facilitate chilling of beer holding containers and maintaining desired temperatures in the beer chilling compartment for the reasons that were previously discussed in connection with the prior arrangement. This exemplary arrangement also enables the drawer to be extended further outward to enable easier access to beer holding containers in the drawer interior area.

[0123] The exemplary drawer 264 further includes a pair of drawer stop projections 334. The exemplary drawer stop projections 334 are each in fixed operatively attached connection with a respective one of the brackets 292. In the exemplary arrangement the drawer stop projections 334 operate in a manner like that previously discussed to provide stops that prevent the drawer 264 from being pulled outward beyond extended position. This is accomplished in the exemplary arrangement by the engagement of the drawer stop projections 334 with respective guide stop projections on the guides 276, 278 which in the exemplary arrangement may be similar to the guide stop projections previously described. It should be understood however that this arrangement while useful, is exemplary and in other arrangements other drawer stops may be used.

[0124] In the exemplary arrangement the beer chilling compartment 256 is further bounded by an airflow blocking baffle 326. As shown in FIG. 35 in the exemplary arrangement the airflow blocking baffle 326 is positioned at the front of the beer chilling compartment 256 and is adapted to be in generally aligned relation with the front wall 318 when the drawer is in the back position. The airflow blocking baffle 326 is operative to minimize the air gap on the left side of the front wall as shown. Similar to the downward extending annular projection 320 on the front wall 318, the baffle 326 is operative to minimize the loss of cold air from the beer chilling compartment when the door 261 of the refrigerator is opened but the beer chilling compartment is not accessed. In the exemplary arrangement the airflow blocking baffle 326 is in fixed attached connection with the enclosure. The baffle 326 is positioned on a horizontal side of the exemplary beer chilling compartment from the structure in the beer chilling compartment that supports input and output devices such as the thermostat control knob and a display. These structures block air flow on an opposed side of the beer chilling compartment from the baffle 326 in the exemplary arrangement.

[0125] Of course it should be understood that these structures while useful, are exemplary and in other arrangements other structures may be used.

[0126] FIG. 41 shows the exemplary drawer 264 with a plurality of beer holding containers in the form of cans 328 positioned therein. In the exemplary arrangement the cylindrical outer walls 330 of the beer holding containers are supported by the rod frame and held within the interior area 316 by the side walls 266, 268, the back wall 310 and the front plate 312. The transparent front wall 318 facilitates viewing by the user of the beer holding containers within the interior area 316 when the refrigerator door is open and the drawer is in the back position. The exemplary arrangement further facilitates the placement and removal of beer holding containers within the interior area of the drawer and the beer chilling compartment while assuring that the beer holding containers are maintained at the desired temperature.

[0127] Thus the exemplary arrangements achieve improved operation, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of prior devices and systems, and attain useful results described herein.

[0128] In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions and illustrations herein are by way of examples in the new and useful concepts are not limited to the features shown and described.

[0129] Having described features, discoveries and principles of the exemplary arrangements, the manner in which they are constructed and operated, and the advantages and useful results attained, the new and useful features, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems, equipment, operations, methods, processes and relationships are set forth in the appended claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0052]Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 there is shown therein a refrigerator generally indicated 10. The refrigerator 10 includes an enclosure 12. The enclosure 12 bounds an interior area 14. The enclosure includes an opening 16. A door 18 is rotatably movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the enclosure through hinges 20. The door is rotatably movable between a door open position and a door closed position. In the door open position as shown in FIG. 1 the interior area 14 is accessible from outside the enclosure 12. In a door closed position the door 18 fully closes the opening 16 and prevents access to the interior area 14.

[0053]The exemplary refrigerator 10 includes a plurality of shelves 22 within the interior area. The exemplary shelves 22 are selectively positionable to facilitate the storage of food items within the interior area of the refrigerator. The exemplary refrigerator further includes a plurality of storage areas 24 on the in...

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] Exemplary arrangements relate to refrigerators that hold items at below room temperature. Specifically, exemplary arrangements relate to a refrigerator with a beer chilling compartment that is operative to maintain beer holding containers below the freezing temperature of water and above the freezing temperature of beer.BACKGROUND

[0002] Refrigerators can be used to maintain numerous different items at temperatures below room temperature. Maintaining items below room temperature may slow or prevent spoilage of food items.

[0003] Beverages may be held in refrigerators. Beverages may be held in refrigerators to slow or prevent spoilage and sometimes to maintain the beverage below room temperature to make it more enjoyable to consume.

[0004] People often enjoy beer cold. Many people believe that beer is more enjoyable if it is colder than the temperature commonly maintained within the interior area of a refrigerator. However, if a refrigerator has a freezer compartment for holding frozen foods, the temperatures in the freezer compartment may cause the beer to freeze which makes it unsuitable for consumption and may also cause breakage of the beer containers.

[0005] Refrigerators may benefit from improvements.SUMMARY

[0006] Exemplary arrangements include an apparatus. The apparatus includes a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes an enclosure which bounds an interior area of the refrigerator. The enclosure includes an opening through which the interior area may be accessed from outside the refrigerator. A door is movably mounted in operative connection with the enclosure. The refrigerator door is movable between a door closed position in which the door fully closes the opening and a door open position in which the interior area is accessible from outside the enclosure through the opening.

[0007] The exemplary refrigerator includes an interior area with a beer chilling compartment. The beer chilling compartment is configured to maintain beer containers at a selected temperature below the freezing temperature of water and above the freezing temperature of beer. The exemplary beer chilling compartment is vertically bounded by a horizontally extending refrigerant evaporator and a horizontally extending plate that is vertically disposed from the evaporator.

[0008] The exemplary beer chilling compartment includes a drawer. The drawer has an interior area adapted to hold a plurality of beer holding containers. The beer holding containers each have a circular cross section and may be containers such as bottles and cans. The drawer is configured to hold the beer holding containers generally horizontally in the drawer interior area. As used herein generally horizontally refers to an arrangement in which the central axis of the cylindrical beer holding container extends at an acute angle of 45° or less.

[0009] The exemplary drawer is movably mounted in operative supported connection with the enclosure. The door is movable along the drawer movement direction between an outward position and a back position. In the outward position of the drawer, and with the door in the door open position, the drawer extends outward from the beer chilling compartment and through the opening. With the drawer in the back position the drawer interior area is fully within the beer chilling compartment.

[0010] Exemplary different arrangements of the refrigerator and beer chilling compartment, as well as drawer arrangements for holding beer holding containers are described in the following Detailed Description and shown in the appended drawing figures.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0011] FIG. 1 is a front top right perspective view of an exemplary refrigerator enclosure with the refrigerator door in the door open position.

[0012] FIG. 2 is a front view of the refrigerator with the refrigerator door in the door open position.

[0013] FIG. 3 is a front view of the exemplary beer chilling compartment with the drawer therein shown in a back position.

[0014] FIG. 4 is a schematic view of the components which make up the cooling system utilized in an exemplary arrangement.

[0015] FIG. 5 is a schematic view of circuitry used in an exemplary arrangement.

[0016] FIG. 6 is a front top left perspective view of the exemplary chilling compartment with the drawer partially extended therefrom through the opening to the interior area.

[0017] FIG. 7 is a view similar to FIG. 6 showing the drawer partially extended from the beer chilling compartment.

[0018] FIG. 8 is a front left perspective view of the refrigerator enclosure with the door not shown.

[0019] FIG. 9 is a front left perspective view of the drawer shown in an extended position.

[0020] FIG. 10 is a front view of the exemplary drawer.

[0021] FIG. 11 is a front top right perspective view of the exemplary drawer shown outside the refrigerator.

[0022] FIG. 12 is a bottom front right perspective view of the exemplary drawer.

[0023] FIG. 13 is a top view of the exemplary drawer.

[0024] FIG. 14 is a top front right perspective view of the exemplary drawer and support assembly for the drawer.

[0025] FIG. 15 is an exploded view showing the exemplary drawer and the guides and crossbar on which the drawer is movably supported.

[0026] FIG. 16 is a cross-sectional view of the side wall flange of the drawer and the guide flange of the support guide.

[0027] FIG. 17 is a top front right perspective view of the drawer shown holding beer containers in the form of cans.

[0028] FIG. 18 is a view similar to FIG. 17 showing the drawer holding a plurality of beer containers in the form of tall cans.

[0029] FIG. 19 is a view similar to FIG. 17 showing the drawer holding a plurality of beer containers in the form of bottles.

[0030] FIG. 20 is a top front right perspective view of a refrigerator similar to the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1 with an alternative beer chilling compartment arrangement.

[0031] FIG. 21 is a front top right perspective of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 20 with an alternative exemplary drawer of the alternative beer chilling compartment in an outward extended position.

[0032] FIG. 22 is a front right perspective view of the further exemplary drawer in the outward extended position.

[0033] FIG. 23 is a front view of the interior area of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 20.

[0034] FIG. 24 is a front view of the alternative beer chilling compartment with the further drawer shown in the back position.

[0035] FIG. 25 is a front left perspective view of the refrigerator enclosure with the further drawer in the outward extended position with the door of the refrigerator enclosure not shown.

[0036] FIG. 26 is a front left perspective view of the further drawer in an outward extended position.

[0037] FIG. 27 is a top front right perspective view of the further drawer and a support assembly for the drawer.

[0038] FIG. 28 is an exploded view showing the exemplary further drawer and the guides and crossbar of the support assembly on which the drawer is movably supported.

[0039] FIG. 29 is a top front right perspective view of the further drawer.

[0040] FIG. 30 is a top front right perspective view of the further drawer shown holding a plurality of beer containers in the form of cans.

[0041] FIG. 31 is a top front right perspective view of a further refrigerator similar to the refrigerators shown in FIG. 1 and FIG. 20 but with a further alternative beer chilling compartment arrangement.

[0042] FIG. 32 is a front top right perspective view of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 31 with a further alternative exemplary drawer of the further alternative beer chilling compartment in an outward extended position.

[0043] FIG. 33 is a front right perspective view of the further alternative exemplary drawer in the outward extended position.

[0044] FIG. 34 is a front view of the interior area of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 31.

[0045] FIG. 35 is a front view of the further alternative beer chilling compartment and the further alternative drawer in the back position.

[0046] FIG. 36 is a front left perspective view of the further alternative refrigerator enclosure with the further alternative drawer in the outward extended position with the door of the refrigerator enclosure not shown.

[0047] FIG. 37 is a front left perspective view of the further alternative drawer in an outward extended position.

[0048] FIG. 38 is a top front right perspective view of the further alternative drawer and a support assembly for the drawer.

[0049] FIG. 39 is an exploded view showing the exemplary further alternative drawer and the guides and crossbar of the support assembly on which the drawer is movably supported.

[0050] FIG. 40 is a top front right perspective view of the further alternative drawer.

[0051] FIG. 41 is a top front right perspective view of the further alternative drawer holding a plurality of beer containers in the form of cans.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0052] Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 there is shown therein a refrigerator generally indicated 10. The refrigerator 10 includes an enclosure 12. The enclosure 12 bounds an interior area 14. The enclosure includes an opening 16. A door 18 is rotatably movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the enclosure through hinges 20. The door is rotatably movable between a door open position and a door closed position. In the door open position as shown in FIG. 1 the interior area 14 is accessible from outside the enclosure 12. In a door closed position the door 18 fully closes the opening 16 and prevents access to the interior area 14.

[0053] The exemplary refrigerator 10 includes a plurality of shelves 22 within the interior area. The exemplary shelves 22 are selectively positionable to facilitate the storage of food items within the interior area of the refrigerator. The exemplary refrigerator further includes a plurality of storage areas 24 on the interior side of the door 18. Of course it should be understood that this arrangement of storage shelves and storage areas within the refrigerator 10 while useful, is exemplary and in other arrangements different types of storage structures may be utilized.

[0054] The exemplary refrigerator 10 further includes a beer chilling compartment 26. The exemplary beer chilling compartment 26 is positioned in an upper portion of the interior area 14. The exemplary beer chilling compartment is bounded vertically by an evaporator 28 of the cooling system utilized in the exemplary refrigerator. In the exemplary arrangement the evaporator 28 is a generally planar evaporator in which refrigerant material expands to absorb heat and provide cooling. As used herein generally planar refers to an arrangement in which a majority of a structure extends in a single flat plane. The exemplary evaporator 20 extends horizontally and curves upwardly on the left side of the interior area as shown in FIG. 2. The exemplary beer chilling compartment 26 is further bounded by a horizontally extending plate 30. The horizontally extending plate 30 is vertically disposed upward away from the evaporator 28. In the exemplary arrangement the plate 30 comprises a top interior wall that upwardly bounds the interior area 16.

[0055] In the exemplary arrangement a divider 32 is positioned vertically below the evaporator 28. The exemplary divider 32 helps to prevent the underside of the evaporator from coming into contact with items which may be stored below the beer chilling compartment 26 in the refrigerator. The exemplary divider may also serve as a tray which serves to hold water which condenses on the evaporator and falls downward. In exemplary arrangements portions of the divider 32 may include air flow openings therethrough to facilitate the flow of air and the maintenance of the desired temperatures within the beer chilling compartment 26 and the remainder of the interior area of the refrigerator.

[0056] In the exemplary arrangement a temperature sensor 34 is positioned in the beer chilling compartment 26. A manually adjustable thermostat 36 is also positioned in the beer chilling compartment. As represented schematically in FIG. 4, the evaporator 28 is part of a heat transfer system 38 which is operative to remove heat from the beer chilling compartment and the interior area of the refrigerator. The exemplary heat transfer system includes a compressor 40 which is operative to pump a refrigerant material that is in the vapor state to a condenser 42. In the condenser the refrigerant releases heat to the external environment as represented by Arrow HO. The release of heat from the refrigerant causes the refrigerant to change phase and become a liquid.

[0057] The liquid refrigerant then passes through an expansion device 44 such as an expansion valve and enters the evaporator 28. In the evaporator the refrigerant absorbs heat as represented by Arrow HI. The absorption of heat causes the refrigerant to change phase from a liquid to a vapor. From the evaporator 28 the vapor again returns to the compressor 40 to repeat the cycle. Of course it should be understood that the heat transfer system 38 is shown schematically and additional components will be included in exemplary systems.

[0058] The exemplary refrigerator includes at least one circuit 46 which is schematically shown in FIG. 5. The exemplary circuitry is operative to maintain the temperature within the beer chilling compartment in a range between the freezing temperature of water (32° F.-0° C.) and the freezing temperature of beer (about 23° F.-5° C.). When used herein to refer to a temperature the word about refers to a temperature stated plus or minus 2° F.

[0059] In the exemplary arrangement the at least one circuit 46 includes a controller 48. The exemplary controller includes one or more circuits which are operative to communicate electrical signals with sensors and other devices, and control the operation of devices within the refrigerator. In the exemplary arrangement the controller 48 includes at least one circuit including a processor schematically indicated 50 and at least one data store schematically indicated 52. In exemplary arrangements the processor may include a processor suitable for carrying out circuit executable instructions that are stored in one or more associated data stores. The processor includes or is in connection with a nonvolatile storage medium including instructions that include a basic input / output system (“BIOS”). For example, the processor may correspond to one or more of the combination of a CPU, FPGA, ASIC or other integrated circuit or other type of circuit that is capable of processing data and instructions. The data stores may correspond to one or more of volatile or nonvolatile memory such as random access memory, flash memory, magnetic memory, optical memory, solid-state memory, programmable read-only memory or other mediums that are operative to store circuit executable instructions and data. Circuit executable instructions that may be carried out through operation of at least one processor may include instructions in any of a plurality of programming languages and formats including without limitation, routines, subroutines, programs, threads of execution, objects, scripts, methodologies and functions which carry out the actions that are described herein. Structures for processors and media suitable for holding circuit executable instructions may include, correspond to and utilize the principles described in the textbook entitled Microprocessor Architecture, Programming, and Applications with the 8085 by Ramesh S. Gaonker, Sixth Edition (Penram International Publishing 2013) which is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.

[0060] In exemplary arrangements the circuitry may include suitable interfaces and components such as an interface 54 which enables receipt of signals by the controller 48 corresponding to signals from the at least one temperature sensor 34 that is positioned in the beer chilling compartment 26. The circuitry may further include an interface 56 that enables the controller to communicate with the thermostat 36. An interface 58 is utilized for purposes of controller communication with the compressor 40. In exemplary arrangements the interface 58 provides signals from the controller that cause the compressor to operate and to cease operation on a controlled basis so as to maintain the beer chilling compartment 26 within the desired temperature range. As can be appreciated, in some exemplary arrangements the at least one data store 52 includes data corresponding to each of the freezing temperature water and the freezing temperature beer. In the exemplary arrangement, the circuit executable instructions in the at least one data store that are carried out through operation of the controller 48 cause the temperature within the beer chilling compartment to be maintained within the suitable temperature range regardless of the setting of the thermostat.

[0061] In the exemplary arrangement the at least one circuit is in operative connection with at least one wireless transceiver 60. In the exemplary arrangement the wireless transceiver may include circuitry and components that communicate wireless signals with a portable wireless device 62. In exemplary arrangements the portable wireless device may comprise a smart phone, tablet or other suitable device which is operable by the user. The wireless transceiver may be operable to communicate wireless signals through radio frequency (RF) signals with a portable wireless device that is in fairly close proximity to the refrigerator, such as via Bluetooth or near field communication (NFC). Alternatively or in addition the wireless transceiver 60 may be operative to communicate via Wi-Fi or other type signals so as to enable local or large area network communication with the portable wireless device.

[0062] In exemplary arrangements the controller 48 is operative to communicate with the portable wireless device to provide signals which enables the user of the portable wireless device 62 to receive data corresponding to information about the temperature in the beer chilling compartment. Further in some exemplary arrangements the controller 48 is operative to wirelessly receive communications from the portable wireless device 62 which are operative to cause the current setting of the thermostat to be changed responsive to inputs from the portable device user. For example if the user remotely wishes to change the setting of the thermostat so that the beer chilling compartment is at a lower or higher temperature within the permissible programmed range stored in the at least one data store of the controller, the user of the portable wireless device may do so through inputs sent remotely from the device. Of course it should be understood that the at least one circuit and devices in operative connection therewith are schematically shown, simplified, and are merely exemplary of such circuits and components that may be utilized in connection with exemplary refrigerator arrangements.

[0063] Exemplary arrangements may operate in different ways. For example, in some exemplary arrangements the at least one data store in operative connection with the controller may include data corresponding to a stored temperature value which corresponds to a value at which beer with a low alcohol content will freeze. For purposes of this disclosure low alcohol content beer shall be considered to be a beer has an alcohol content not exceeding 3% alcohol. For such beer the freezing temperature has been determined to average 27° F. (−2.5° C.). The at least one circuit in some exemplary arrangements may include a data store with data corresponding to this stored temperature value of 27° F. (−2.5° C.). The at least one circuit operates in accordance with its stored circuit executable instructions to cause the temperature in the beer chilling compartment to be maintained at the set selected temperature value that is set within the settable temperature range using the thermostat, except in circumstances where the set selected temperature of the thermostat is below the stored temperature value, in which circumstances the at least one circuit maintains the beer chilling compartment at a temperature corresponding to the stored temperature value. In some such exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit is operable to prevent the temperature in the beer chilling compartment from being below the freezing temperature of low alcohol beer that corresponds to the stored temperature value. This minimizes the risk that any type of beer that is stored in the beer chilling compartment will freeze and cause the containers thereof to be damaged and leak.

[0064] Alternative arrangements may include further features to enable a user of the refrigerator to set the temperature that is to be maintained in the beer chilling compartment at a temperature that is below the freezing temperature of low alcohol content beer. For example in some exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit of the refrigerator may be in operative connection with at least one input device 184 which is schematically indicated in FIG. 5. In some exemplary arrangements the at least one input device may include a keypad, touchscreen, microphone or other suitable device for receiving user provided inputs. In some exemplary arrangements the wireless transceiver 60 may serve as an input device.

[0065] In some exemplary arrangements the at least one input device is adapted to receive at least one input corresponding to one or more of a brand of beer, a type of beer and / or an alcohol content of a beer to be stored in the beer chilling compartment. The at least one circuit is in operative connection with the at least one input device. The at least one data store includes data corresponding to the one or more receivable inputs through the input device corresponding to brands of beer, types of beer and / or alcohol content of beer. The at least one circuit operates responsive to the stored circuit executable instructions and the at least one input that is received through the at least one input device to determine a chilling temperature at which beer corresponding to the at least one input can be maintained without freezing. The at least one circuit then operates in accordance with its circuit executable instructions to maintain the beer chilling compartment at the determined chilling temperature for the particular brand, type and / or alcohol content of the beer that corresponds to the at least one user input.

[0066] In some exemplary arrangements the at least one input device may include the wireless transceiver and the portable wireless device. The portable wireless device may further include the stored data and at least one circuit which is operative to determine the suitable chilling temperature for a beer that corresponds to the at least one input which corresponds to one or more of a brand, type and / or alcohol content of the beer to be stored. In such exemplary arrangements the circuitry of the portable wireless device may be operative to determine the chilling temperature of the beer corresponding to the at least one input and communicate with the wireless transceiver 62 to control the thermostat or otherwise cause the at least one circuit of the refrigerator to maintain the beer chilling compartment at the determined temperature. In some exemplary arrangements the beer chilling temperature may be determined through use of the portable wireless device through circuit executable instructions that reside in a separate software program or app which may be utilized to communicate and set the temperature of the beer chilling compartment.

[0067] In other exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit may be in operative connection with at least one output device schematically indicated 186. In exemplary arrangements the at least one output device is suitable for causing user perceivable outputs. This may include for example a visual display. Other exemplary output devices may include indicator lights and / or an audio speaker. In some exemplary arrangements the wireless transceiver 60 may serve as an output device.

[0068] Further in alternative arrangements the at least one circuit may be in operative connection with at least one sensor schematically indicated 188. The exemplary at least one sensor 188 is operative to detect that the beer chilling compartment is accessible from outside the refrigerator. In some exemplary arrangements the at least one sensor may comprise a switch or other sensor that is operative to detect that the drawer holding the beer containers has been moved outward from the back position within the enclosure so that the interior area of the drawer is accessible to a user such as to add or remove beer containers therefrom. In alternative arrangements other types of sensors that detect other conditions that indicate that the beer chilling compartment has become accessible may be used.

[0069] In some arrangements the at least one circuit may be operative to maintain the beer chilling compartment at the chilling temperature determined as appropriate for the brand, type and / or alcohol content of the beer that correspond to the at least one input through the at least one input device, which the user is storing in the beer chilling compartment. In some exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit is operative while maintaining the beer chilling temperature based on the at least one input, to determine responsive to the at least one sensor that the beer chilling compartment within a refrigerator has become externally accessible. This may be indicative that the user is placing a different brand, type and / or alcohol content beer in the interior area of the drawer within the beer chilling compartment. In the exemplary arrangement responsive at least in part to the determination that the beer chilling compartment has become externally accessible, the at least one circuit is operative to provide at least one output through the at least one output device. The at least one output is indicative that a change in the chilling temperature may be necessary.

[0070] For example in some exemplary arrangements a display output may provide output text advising the user that if they have placed a different brand, type or alcohol content beer in the chilling compartment, they may need to change the chilling temperature to correspond to the different beer. Alternatively or in addition the at least one output device may include a flashing warning light that is operative to indicate to the user that a change in the beer chilling temperature may be necessary. In other exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit may provide at least one audible output through a speaker or other audible output device that informs the user through an audible message or sound of the possible need to change the beer chilling temperature. Alternatively or in addition the at least one circuit may cause wireless signals to be output through the wireless transceiver, which signals are operative to cause the portable wireless device or other receiving device to provide at least one output that is operative to indicate to the user that a change in the chilling temperature may be necessary. In some exemplary arrangements multiple outputs may be provided to indicate to the user of the possible need to change the chilling temperature.

[0071] In exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit may be operative to receive at least one input from the user through the at least one input device to indicate that there is no need to change the chilling temperature. This input may be provided through the at least one input device in response to a visual or audible output provided through the at least one output device. In some exemplary arrangements the user may provide at least one input indicative that the chilling temperature is to be adjusted and may do so by providing at least one input through the at least one input device. This may be done by providing inputs of the types previously discussed such as changing the set temperature of a thermostat or providing at least one input corresponding to one or more of a brand, type or alcohol content of a different beer being stored.

[0072] Alternatively or in addition in some exemplary arrangements the at least one circuit may operate responsive to not receiving at least one input from the user in response to the visual or audible outputs indicating that there may be a need for a change in the chilling temperature within a set time after providing the output, to operate in accordance with stored circuit executable instructions to cause the chilling temperature in the beer chilling compartment to be adjusted upward to correspond to at least one stored temperature value in the at least one data store. This stored temperature value may correspond for example, to a stored temperature value corresponding to low alcohol beer like that previously discussed. Alternatively in some arrangements the stored temperature value may correspond to the freezing temperature of water 32° F. (0° C.). As can be appreciated, having the at least one circuit operate in this manner may avoid the situation where the user has inadvertently placed a beer with a higher freezing temperature (or other beverage) in the beer chilling compartment which will freeze at the previously determined chilling temperature and causing the container to break and leak.

[0073] Of course it should be understood that these exemplary arrangements while useful, are exemplary and other arrangements other approaches may be used to maintain the beer chilling compartment at a user desired beer chilling temperature that is appropriate for the particular beer being stored.

[0074] The exemplary beer chilling compartment 26 has a drawer 64 movably positioned therein. The exemplary drawer as previously discussed, is movable between a back position and an outward position which is also referred to herein as an extended position. The exemplary drawer 64 is shown in the back position FIG. 1 in which the interior area of the drawer which houses the beer holding containers is fully housed within the beer chilling compartment 26. As used herein the beer holding containers may be alternatively referred to as beer containers, beer cans or beer bottles. The drawer 64 is movable to the outward position as is shown in FIGS. 8 and 9 for example, in which the drawer extends outward through the opening 16 when the door 18 is in the door open position. In the exemplary arrangement in the extended outward position of the drawer, the beer containers in the interior area thereof are accessible from outside the refrigerator.

[0075] The exemplary drawer 64 is configured to facilitate the cooling of the beer containers that are housed within an interior area 66 of the drawer 64. The exemplary drawer 64 includes a wire frame 68 such as is shown in FIG. 11. The exemplary wire frame includes a plurality of rods which comprise relatively heavy wires, rigid material strips and / or other similar members that are joined together in fixed relation to provide the structures which form at least portions of the bottom wall, front wall and / or back wall which bounds the interior area 66 of the drawer.

[0076] The exemplary wire frame 68 includes a pair of side wire portions 70, 72. The side wire portions extend horizontally and are horizontally spaced apart. The side wire portions extend in parallel relation with the drawer movement direction which is represented by Arrow D. A plurality of horizontally spaced drawer rods 74 in the form of heavy wires that are circular in transverse cross section extend horizontally between and in fixed operative engagement with the each of the side wire portions 70, 72. The plurality of parallel, horizontally spaced drawer rods form a bottom wire portion of the wire frame 68 which serve as an air permeable bottom wall which bounds the lower side of the interior area 66 of the drawer 64.

[0077] The exemplary wire frame 68 includes a front wire portion 78. The exemplary front wire portion includes a front rod 76 that extends vertically above the side wire portions 70, 72. The front rod 76 is connected to the respective side wire portions through upward extending wire portions 80, 82. Wire frame 68 further includes a back wire portion 84. The back wire portion is positioned away from the front wire portion 78 in the drawer movement direction. The back wire portion 84 includes a back rod 86 that extends vertically above and horizontally between the side wire portions 70, 72 and vertically above the drawer rods 74. The back rod 86 is connected to the side wire portions through upward extending wire portions 88, 90. As can be appreciated the exemplary wire frame 68 is configured to include numerous air flow openings between the rod and wire structures to facilitate the cooling of beer containers that are housed within the interior area 66 of the drawer 64.

[0078] The exemplary drawer 64 further includes a pair of horizontally disposed vertically extending side walls 92, 94. Side wall 92 extends vertically upward from side wire portion 70 of the wire frame 68. Side wall 92 is in fixed attached connection with the wire frame 68 through wire portions 70, 80 and 88. Side wall 92 terminates vertically upward at an inward extending side wall flange 96. The exemplary side wall includes a generally planar portion 98 that extends parallel to the drawer movement direction. The planar portion 98 of side wall 92 includes a plurality of side wall openings 100. The exemplary side wall openings 100 are configured to enable air flow through the planar portion 98 of the side wall while preventing beer holding containers from passing through the side wall so as to maintain the beer containers within the interior area 66 of the drawer 64.

[0079] The exemplary side wall 94 is a similar configuration to side wall 92. Side wall 94 is in fixed operative connection with wire portions 72, 82 and 90 of the wire frame 68. Side wall 94 includes a planar portion 102 that extends parallel to the drawer movement direction and includes a plurality of side wall openings 104 which are similar to side wall openings 100. Side wall 94 terminates upwardly at a side wall flange 106.

[0080] The exemplary drawer 64 further includes a rod frame 108. Rod frame 108 includes a centered front handle portion 110. The handle portion 110 extends at the center of the drawer and vertically above the front rod 76. In the back position of the drawer the front handle portion extends vertically upward in intermediate horizontal relation between the drawer interior area 66 and the opening 16 of the enclosure 12. Front handle portion 110 includes a handle bar 111 that is configured to be manually grasped by the user to facilitate movement of the drawer. In the exemplary arrangement the upward extending rod portions 112, 114 along with the front rod 76 and upward extending wire portions 80, 82 define a front wall 116 of the drawer interior area 66 which is operative to maintain the beer containers within the interior area. As can be appreciated the exemplary front wall 116 is adapted to maintain the beer containers within the interior area 66. The exemplary front wall 116 also includes openings 118 therein that enable viewing of the beer containers within the drawer when the drawer is in the back position. In some arrangements the openings may also facilitate air flow and cooling of beer containers within the interior area 66.

[0081] The exemplary rod frame 108 further includes divergent horizontally extending legs 120, 122. Divergent leg 120 extends from upward rod portion 114, below the drawer rods 74 and horizontally outward toward side wall 92. The exemplary divergent leg 120 is joined in fixed operative connection with each of the drawer rods 74 of the wire frame 68. Divergent leg 122 extends from upward rod portion 112, below the drawer rods 74 and toward side wall 94. Divergent leg 122 is joined in fixed connection with each of the drawer rods 74.

[0082] The exemplary divergent leg 120 terminates rearwardly in an upward extending stop rod leg portion 124. Stop rod leg portion extends vertically above back rod 86. Stop rod leg portion 124 terminates in a horizontally outward directed drawer stop projection 126. As shown in FIG. 10 for example, drawer stop projection 126 is generally at the vertical level of side wall flange 96 of side wall 92. As later explained the stop rod leg portion 124 and drawer stop projection 126 are operative to limit the outward travel of the drawer 64 to the outward position.

[0083] Divergent leg 122 terminates rearwardly in an upward extending stop rod leg portion 128. Similar to stop rod leg portion 124, stop rod leg portion 128 terminates in a horizontally outward extending drawer stop projection 130. In the exemplary arrangement the back wire portion 84 including back rod 86, upward extending wire portions 88, 90 and stop rod leg portions 124, 128 define a rear wall 132 of the drawer 64. Similar to the front wall 116, rear wall 132 is operative to hold the beer containers within the drawer interior area. The exemplary rear wall 132 also includes a plurality of air flow openings 134. In some arrangements such air flow openings 134 facilitate the flow of air through the interior area 66 of the drawer 64 which enhances the cooling of the beer containers that are held in the interior area. Of course it should be understood that this drawer configuration is useful, but is also exemplary and in other arrangements other drawer components and configurations may be used.

[0084] In exemplary arrangements the drawer 64 is movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the horizontally extending plate 30 which bounds the upper end of the interior area 14 through a support 136 that is shown in FIG. 14-16. In the exemplary arrangement the support 136 includes guides 138140. The exemplary guides are elongated members that extend parallel to the drawer movement direction. The exemplary support 136 further includes a crossbar 142. Each exemplary guide 138, 140 is in operatively attached connection with the horizontally extending plate 30 through suitable fasteners 144 such as screws. As each of the guides have a mirror image configuration only guide 138 will be described herein in detail.

[0085] Each guide includes a horizontally extending mounting flange 146. In the exemplary arrangement the mounting flange is in abutting engagement with the horizontally extending plate 30 and is held thereto via fasteners 144 that extend through openings in the mounting flange. The guide further includes a vertically downward extending guide leg 148. In the operative position guide leg 148 extends downward in the beer cooling compartment from the mounting flange. In a vertical transverse cross-section as shown in FIG. 16 the guide leg terminates downwardly at a horizontally extending guide flange 150. The exemplary guide flange 150 is elongated parallel to the drawer movement direction and has positioned thereon a plurality of bearing guides 152. In exemplary arrangement the bearing guides 152 may comprise one or more suitable bearing structures that facilitate the movement of a side wall flange in abutting engagement therewith. In exemplary arrangements the bearing guides 152 may comprise discrete blocks or strips or other suitable structures of a low friction material such as nylon which facilitates the abutting sliding movement of a drawer flange. Of course it should be understood that in other arrangements other suitable bearing guide structures such as buttons, rollers, or rails may be used.

[0086] Each exemplary guide is in operative movable connection with a respective side wall flange of a drawer side wall. As the side wall flanges 96 and 106 are mirror images, only side wall flange 96 will be described in detail. As shown in FIG. 16 the side wall flange includes a horizontally extending top portion 154. The top portion extends inward toward the other side wall of the drawer. As can be appreciated from FIG. 16, the lower wall of the top portion 154 is in movable abutting engagement with the bearing guides 152.

[0087] The exemplary top portion 154 of the side wall flange 96 terminates inwardly in a downward extending side rail portion 156. In the exemplary arrangement side rail portion 156 extends in intermediate horizontal relation of the bearing guides 152 and the guide leg 148 of the immediately adjacent guide 138. As a result in the exemplary configuration the bearing guides 152 are positioned and held horizontally between the side rail portion 156 and the planar portion 98 of the side wall 92. This exemplary arrangement helps to hold the drawer 64 in engagement with the guides and in the desired horizontal position within the beer chilling compartment.

[0088] In the exemplary arrangement the crossbar 142 extends horizontally within the beer chilling compartment. The crossbar is vertically disposed from, and has a top surface that extends generally parallel to, the horizontally extending plate 30. The crossbar is fixed to the interior wall of the enclosure at a back end 158 of the beer chilling compartment. As can be appreciated the back end 158 of the compartment is opposed from a front end 160 of the beer chilling compartment that is immediately adjacent to the opening 16 of the interior area 14. In the exemplary arrangement the crossbar 142 is held in operatively fixed engagement with the back wall bounding the interior area through suitable fasteners or other fastening means.

[0089] In the exemplary arrangement the crossbar 142 in the operative position includes a pair of vertically extending slots 162, 164. In the exemplary arrangement each slot 162, 164 is configured to receive and engage therein a rearward extension of a respective guide leg. The exemplary crossbar further includes in its upper surface a pair of recesses166, 168. Recess 164 is configured to engagingly underlie a rearward extension of the mounting flange of guide 138 while recess 168 is configured to engagingly underlie a rearward projection of the mounting flange of guide 140. As a result in the exemplary arrangement the crossbar 142 provides support for the guides 140, 138 adjacent to the back end 158 of the compartment. Of course it should be understood that this arrangement of support 136 is operative to suspend the drawer 64 and the beer containers therein within the beer chilling compartment so as to facilitate air flow therethrough and the cooling of the beer containers. It should be understood that while this exemplary arrangement is useful, in other arrangements other configurations and components may be used.

[0090] In the exemplary drawer support arrangement stops are provided to assure that the drawer 64 is not inadvertently moved in the drawer movement direction outward beyond the outward position. In the exemplary arrangement each respective guide includes a respective guide stop. As shown for example in FIG. 9 guide 140 includes a guide stop 170. In the exemplary arrangement the guide stop 170 comprises a deformable tab on the vertically extending guide leg of each respective guide. In exemplary arrangements the guide stop comprises a projection comprising a deformable tab 172 that extends horizontally outward from a cut out in the guide leg.

[0091] As represented in FIG. 9 the exemplary tabs such as tab 172 extends horizontally outward and toward the center of the beer chilling compartment from the guide leg of the respective guide. The guide stop is configured to engage a respective drawer stop portion such as drawer stop portion 130 that extends horizontally outward from the stop rod leg portion 128 of the rod frame 108.

[0092] As can be appreciated this exemplary stop arrangement enables the drawer to be installed by engaging the side wall flanges of the drawer side walls and the horizontally extending guide flanges and moving the drawer inwardly along the drawer movement direction into the interior area of the enclosure. The drawer stop projections 126, 130 moving inwardly are able to deform the respective tabs of the guide stops such that the drawer stop projections can move rearwardly inward of the stops. Thereafter when the drawer is moved toward the outward position the drawer stop projections will engage the guide stops and prevent the drawer from moving outward beyond the outward position. However if it is desired to remove the drawer 64 from the enclosure this can be done by depressing the tabs on the guides to enable the drawer stop projections to move outward beyond the guide stops. Of course while it should be understood that this arrangement for providing stops of the drawer is useful, in other arrangements other approaches may be used.

[0093] FIG. 17-19 show beer holding containers positioned within the interior area 66 of the exemplary drawer 64. As shown in FIG. 17 beer cans 176 having a circular transverse cross-section can be positioned to extend horizontally within the interior area 66 of the drawer. It should be appreciated that in this exemplary configuration of the cans 176 the central axis 178 of each respective can extends horizontally within the interior area. However it should be understood that in other arrangements the interior area of the drawer may be configured so that the cans extend generally horizontally which for purposes of this disclosure includes having the central axis of the containers extending at an acute angle of no greater than 45°.

[0094] As shown in FIG. 17 in which beer containers which are standard sized cans 176 are positioned in the exemplary interior area 66 of the drawer, 12 standard sized beer cans may be positioned securely within the interior area. This enables suitably chilling the beer holding containers.

[0095] Alternatively as shown in FIG. 18 the interior area 66 of the exemplary drawer 64 may hold larger beer containers such as tall cans 180. These large cans are also circular in transverse cross-section and can also be positioned in the exemplary interior area with the central axis thereof extending horizontally. As shown in FIG. 18 in the exemplary arrangement the interior area 66 can hold up to eight of the tall beer cans 178.

[0096] As shown in FIG. 19 beer containers in the form of bottles 182 may alternatively be positioned in the interior area 66 of the drawer 64. In the exemplary arrangement the bottles 182 have a circular cross-section and may be positioned within the interior area of the drawer with the central axis of each bottle extending in a horizontal direction. In this exemplary arrangement for the size of bottles shown, the interior area is operative to hold at least seven bottles.

[0097] Of course it should be appreciated that the interior area 66 of the drawer 64 may hold different sizes and configurations of beer containers as may be desired by the user. In addition the user may utilize the interior area of the drawer to hold cans of different sizes and bottles simultaneously. Numerous different beer holding containers may be housed within the drawer of the beer chilling compartment.

[0098] The exemplary refrigerator arrangement enables the beer enthusiast to chill beer to a desired temperature that is below the freezing temperature of water but above the freezing temperature of beer. The exemplary circuitry associated with the exemplary refrigerator enables the user to set the temperature in the beer chilling compartment, but prevents the user from setting the temperature so that the beer freezes and causes the beer holding containers to be damaged.

[0099] FIG. 20-30 show an alternative refrigerator 190 which has a beer chilling compartment 192. Refrigerator 190 may be similar to refrigerator 10 previously discussed except as otherwise indicated. Refrigerator 190 has an interior area 194 in which shelves similar to shelves 22 may be positioned. The shelves are not shown in the interior area. The refrigerator also has a door 196 which is similar to door 18.

[0100] The beer chilling compartment 192 is configured to house an alternative drawer 198. The alternative drawer is movably mounted in operative supported connection with the refrigerator enclosure and is movable between the back position as shown in FIG. 20 and the outward extended position as shown in FIGS. 21 and 22.

[0101] The exemplary drawer 198 includes horizontally disposed side walls 200, 202. Each side wall includes a plurality of side wall openings 204 to facilitate air flow through the side walls to facilitate cooling. Side wall 200 terminates upwardly in a side wall flange 206. Side wall flange 206 is similar in transverse cross-section to side wall flange 96 previously described. Exemplary side wall 200 terminates at the lower end in an in turned leg 208. Similarly side wall 202 terminates upwardly in a side wall flange 210. Side wall 202 terminates downwardly in an in turned leg that extends inwardly in the drawer and is the mirror image of in turned leg 208.

[0102] The exemplary drawer 198 includes a back wall 212. The exemplary back wall includes horizontally extending back wall leg 214 and a vertically extending back wall leg 216. In the exemplary arrangement the horizontally extending back wall leg 214 is in attached connection with each of the in turned legs 208 of the side walls 200, 202. In exemplary arrangements the back wall 212 is in fixed engagement with the in turned legs through suitable fasteners 218 such as screws or rivets.

[0103] The exemplary drawer 198 further includes a front wall 220. In the exemplary arrangement the front wall 220 has a horizontally extending leg that is similar to and that may be the mirror image of back wall leg 214. The horizontally extending leg of the front wall is also joined in fixed relation to the in turned legs of the side walls 200, 202 using suitable fasteners. The exemplary front wall 220 includes a vertically extending portion 222. Vertically extending portion 222 extends vertically upward to the level of the side wall flanges 206, 210. The exemplary vertically extending portion 222 includes a pair of cutouts 224 and 226 on the lateral horizontal sides thereof. In some exemplary arrangements the height of the front wall and the cutouts may enable viewing of the beer containers within the drawer.

[0104] The exemplary front wall 220 further includes a handle projection 228. The handle projection extends downward and is adapted to be grasped by a user's fingers to move the drawer between the back and outward positions. The exemplary handle projection 228 extends below the in turned legs of the side walls 200, 202 a sufficient distance to extend across a majority of a vertical gap between the upper surface of the evaporator and the in turned legs of the side walls. In the exemplary arrangement this configuration of the handle projection 228 helps to reduce the amount of cold air that escapes from the beer chilling compartment when the door of the refrigerator is opened but the drawer 198 is not extended.

[0105] The exemplary drawer 198 further includes a plurality of horizontally extending drawer rods 230. In the exemplary arrangement the rods 230 are comprised of a pair of adjacent straight flat strips that extend between the back wall leg 214 on the back wall 212 and the inward extending leg on the front wall 220. The exemplary rods 230 are held in fixed attached connection with the horizontally extending legs through suitable fasteners 232 such as rivets. In the exemplary arrangement horizontal spaces 234 extend in the direction of drawer movement and between the rods 230. Horizontal spaces 236 extend between an in turned leg of a side wall and the closest horizontally adjacent rod 230. In the exemplary arrangement the horizontal spaces 234, 236 have a horizontal width that is adapted to engage the cylindrical side wall of a beer holding container that is positioned in a horizontal space with the axis of the container extending parallel to the door movement direction. The exemplary horizontal spaces are adapted so that the cylindrical outer wall of each beer holding container is engaged by the horizontally disposed strips or an in turned leg and a strip that bounds the space in two horizontally spaced apart locations on the cylindrical side wall with the side wall extending downward in the space between the locations in which strips and / or legs engage the cylindrical side wall. This exemplary configuration helps hold the containers in position within the drawer.

[0106] The exemplary side walls 200, 202, the back wall 212 and the front wall 220 are adapted to bound an interior area 238 of the drawer 198. In the exemplary arrangement the strips 230 and in turned legs 208 provide an air permeable bottom or lower wall which bounds the interior area. The air permeable lower wall and the openings 204 in the side walls facilitate cooling air flow to the beer holding containers within the drawer interior area. The exemplary back wall 212 may also be of a relatively low height so as to enable air to pass between the interior area of the drawer and the surrounding area of the beer chilling compartment when the drawer is in the back position, or in alternative arrangements may include openings to facilitate air flow therethrough.

[0107] Similar to drawer 64 previously discussed, drawer 198 is supported within the interior area of the refrigerator via a support 240. The exemplary support 240 includes a pair of guides 242 and 244. Exemplary guide 242 may be similar to guide 138 previously discussed. Likewise the exemplary guide 244 may be similar to guide 140. The support 240 further includes a crossbar 246. The crossbar 246 of the exemplary arrangement may be similar to crossbar 142 previously discussed.

[0108] In the exemplary arrangement the guides 242, 244 include guide stop projections which may be similar to guide stops 170 previously discussed. The back wall 212 includes a pair of vertically extending door stop projections 248. The vertically extending door stop projections and the guide stop projections are operative to serve as stops to prevent the drawer 198 from being moved outward beyond the outward position to avoid the drawer from disengaging the guides. The stop projections 248 are adapted to engage the guide stop projections on the guides 242, 244 to prevent the drawer from being extended outward beyond the outward extended position. However, similar to the previously described arrangements the guide stop projections may be deformable so as to enable the drawer to be mounted in engagement with the guides and to be disengaged from the guides when desired. Of course it should be understood that this arrangement while useful, is exemplary and in other arrangements other approaches may be used.

[0109] In the exemplary arrangement the drawer 198 is configured to enable the interior area 238 holding the beer holding containers to provide more effective chilling and maintenance of the beer containers at the set temperature. The exemplary support 240, the side walls 200, 202 and the front wall 220 of the drawer are adapted so as to enable the interior area 238 of drawer 198 when in the back position within the refrigerator enclosure, to be set back away from the opening to the refrigerator enclosure while still enabling the drawer in the outward position to extend sufficiently outward from the enclosure so the beer containers are readily removable from the interior area of the drawer. To facilitate the ability of the drawer to be set back within the interior area 194 of the refrigerator enclosure, the cutouts 224, 226 in the front wall 220 are positioned to enable the forward ends of the guides 242, 244 to extend therein when the drawer is in the back position. This is shown for example in FIG. 24. The ability to have the interior area of the drawer in the beer chilling compartment 192 further set back away from the opening of the refrigerator along with the air impermeable front wall 220 and the handle projection 228 of the front wall 220, may help to minimize the loss of cold air from the beer chilling compartment when the refrigerator door is opened without the beer chilling compartment being accessed. This exemplary arrangement facilitates chilling and helps to maintain the beer chilling compartment at the desired temperature.

[0110] FIG. 30 shows the exemplary drawer 198 with beer holding containers in the form of cans 250 positioned in the interior area 238. In this exemplary arrangement the central axis of the cylindrical cans extend parallel to the drawer movement direction represented by Arrow D. The cylindrical side walls 252 of the cans are positioned horizontally spaced apart from each horizontally immediately adjacent can by virtue of the horizontal width of the horizontal spaces 234, 236. The spacing along with the air permeable bottom wall and side walls of the drawer facilitate chilling of the beer holding containers. Further as previously discussed, the solid and non-air permeable configuration of the exemplary front wall 220 helps to avoid the loss of cold air from the beer chilling compartment 192 when the refrigerator door is opened but the drawer 198 is not extended.

[0111] Of course it should be understood that this arrangement while useful, is exemplary and in other arrangements other approaches may be used.

[0112] FIGS. 31 through 41 show a further alternative exemplary arrangement of a refrigerator 254 that includes a beer chilling compartment 256. Refrigerator 254 may be similar to refrigerators 10 and 190 previously described except as otherwise indicated. The refrigerator 254 includes an enclosure 258 which bounds an interior area 260. The refrigerator enclosure includes an opening, the access to which from outside the refrigerator is controlled by a door 261. The refrigerator further includes a plurality of shelves 262 which are positioned in the interior area 260 of the refrigerator outside of the beer chilling compartment.

[0113] A drawer 264 that is adapted for holding beer holding containers is movably mounted in operative supported connection with the enclosure. The drawer is movable between a back position such as is shown in FIGS. 31 and 34 and outward (extended) position as shown for example in FIGS. 32 and 33.

[0114] As shown in FIGS. 38 and 39 the exemplary drawer 264 includes a pair of side walls 266, 268. Similar to the side walls of the previously described drawers 64 and 198, side walls 266, 268 include a plurality of side wall openings 272 to facilitate air flow therethrough. Also like the previously described side walls, side wall 266 and side wall 268 include upper ends with respective side wall flanges 272, 274. The side wall flanges are movable in engagement with guides 276, 278 of a support 280. The support 280 further includes a crossmember 282. The support, guides and crossmember may be similar to those previously described herein.

[0115] The exemplary drawer 264 further includes a rod frame 284. The exemplary rod frame 284 is comprised of rods which have the form of heavy wires with a circular cross-section. The exemplary rod frame includes side wire portions 286. Each side wire portion 286 extends along the direction of drawer movement and in engagement with a respective in turned leg 288 that extends inward at the bottom of each respective side wall 266, 268. In the exemplary arrangement each side wire portion 286 extends above the in turned leg. Integrally formed with each side wire portion 286 is an upward extending back wire portion 290. Each exemplary back wire portion is held in engagement with the respective immediately adjacent side wall by a bracket 292. The bracket is held in place by releasable fasteners 294 such as screws.

[0116] The rod frame 284 further includes a bottom wire portion that comprises a plurality of drawer rods 296 which may be alternatively referred to as bottom rods. In the exemplary arrangement the drawer rods extend horizontally intermediate of the side wire portions 286. Each of the drawer rods is comprised of heavy wire of circular cross-section and extends in the drawer movement direction parallel to each of the side walls. Each of the drawer rods 296 includes a horizontally extending straight portion 298 and an upward extending back portion 300. In the exemplary arrangement the drawer rods are arranged in pairs 302 such that the rods in each pair are in closely spaced horizontal relation. The rod pairs 302 are spaced apart from other rod pairs in a direction perpendicular to the direction of drawer movement such that the rod pairs bound elongated horizontal spaces 304 adapted for holding beer holding containers therein. The rod pairs that are horizontally closest to the side wire portions 286, with such side wire portions bound elongated horizontal spaces 306.

[0117] The exemplary horizontal spaces 304 have a horizontal width perpendicular to the direction of drawer movement that is adapted to cause the outer cylindrical wall of each beer holding container to be engaged with the straight portions of the drawer rods in a manner similar to that discussed in connection with the rods 230 of drawer 198. Similarly the horizontal spaces 306 are similarly sized to enable the outer cylindrical wall of each beer holding container to be engaged with a straight portion 298 of a drawer rod and a side wire portion 286. In the exemplary arrangement the outer cylindrical wall of each respective beer holding container is engaged in horizontally disposed apart locations to support the container while enabling the cylindrical outer wall to extend downward below the drawer rods and side wire portions. As a result the drawer rods 296 and the side wire portions 286 bound an air permeable bottom wall of the drawer 264.

[0118] In the exemplary arrangement the upward extending back portions 300 of the drawer rods are engaged in fixed relation with a back rod 308. The back rod of the exemplary arrangement comprises a heavy wire of circular cross-section and may be alternatively referred to as a back wire portion. In the exemplary arrangement the back rod is joined in fixed relation with a respective back wire portion 290 at each of its outermost horizontal ends. In the exemplary arrangement the upward extending back portions 300 and the back wire portions are engaged with the back rod 308 via welding or similar joining methods. In the exemplary arrangement the upward extending back portions 300, the back rod 308 and back wire portion 290 comprise a vertically extending back wall 310 of the drawer 264. The exemplary back wall 310 is air permeable while operative to maintain the beer holding containers within the drawer interior area.

[0119] The exemplary drawer further includes a front plate 312. The front plate extends between the side walls 266, 268 at the front of the drawer 264. The front plate 312 is held in engaged relation with the side walls through fasteners 314. In the exemplary arrangement the inner surface of the front plate 312 is in engaged relation with the forward ends of the straight portions 298 of the drawer rods 296. This is accomplished in exemplary arrangements through welding or other joining methods. As a result the front plate 312, the side walls 266, 268 and the back wall 310 bound interior area 316 of the drawer 264.

[0120] The exemplary drawer further includes a front wall 318. The exemplary front wall 318 is in attached connection with the front plate 312 through an adhesive or other suitable fasteners. The exemplary front wall 318 extends above the front plate 312 and is transparent. This enables the user to view the beer holding containers within the interior area 316 when the refrigerator door is open and when the drawer is in the back position.

[0121] The exemplary front wall 318 further includes a lower outward extending handle projection 320. Similar to a handle projection 228 previously discussed, handle projection 320 extends downward below the side walls 266, 268 which helps to block air flow out of the beer chilling compartment when the refrigerator door 261 is opened but the drawer 264 is maintained in the back position. The exemplary handle projection 228 further facilitates the front wall 218 being manually grasped to facilitate moving the drawer 264 between the outward and back positions.

[0122] The exemplary front wall 318 further includes cutouts 322, 324 at the upper horizontal outward edges thereof. Cutouts 322, 324 operate in a manner similar to cutouts 224 and 226 of the front wall 220 previously described to enable the guides 276, 278 to extend therein when the drawer is in the back position. This enables the beer chilling compartment 256 and the drawer 264 in the back position to be set back further in the interior area 260 of the enclosure from the opening to the interior area. This may further facilitate chilling of beer holding containers and maintaining desired temperatures in the beer chilling compartment for the reasons that were previously discussed in connection with the prior arrangement. This exemplary arrangement also enables the drawer to be extended further outward to enable easier access to beer holding containers in the drawer interior area.

[0123] The exemplary drawer 264 further includes a pair of drawer stop projections 334. The exemplary drawer stop projections 334 are each in fixed operatively attached connection with a respective one of the brackets 292. In the exemplary arrangement the drawer stop projections 334 operate in a manner like that previously discussed to provide stops that prevent the drawer 264 from being pulled outward beyond extended position. This is accomplished in the exemplary arrangement by the engagement of the drawer stop projections 334 with respective guide stop projections on the guides 276, 278 which in the exemplary arrangement may be similar to the guide stop projections previously described. It should be understood however that this arrangement while useful, is exemplary and in other arrangements other drawer stops may be used.

[0124] In the exemplary arrangement the beer chilling compartment 256 is further bounded by an airflow blocking baffle 326. As shown in FIG. 35 in the exemplary arrangement the airflow blocking baffle 326 is positioned at the front of the beer chilling compartment 256 and is adapted to be in generally aligned relation with the front wall 318 when the drawer is in the back position. The airflow blocking baffle 326 is operative to minimize the air gap on the left side of the front wall as shown. Similar to the downward extending annular projection 320 on the front wall 318, the baffle 326 is operative to minimize the loss of cold air from the beer chilling compartment when the door 261 of the refrigerator is opened but the beer chilling compartment is not accessed. In the exemplary arrangement the airflow blocking baffle 326 is in fixed attached connection with the enclosure. The baffle 326 is positioned on a horizontal side of the exemplary beer chilling compartment from the structure in the beer chilling compartment that supports input and output devices such as the thermostat control knob and a display. These structures block air flow on an opposed side of the beer chilling compartment from the baffle 326 in the exemplary arrangement.

[0125] Of course it should be understood that these structures while useful, are exemplary and in other arrangements other structures may be used.

[0126] FIG. 41 shows the exemplary drawer 264 with a plurality of beer holding containers in the form of cans 328 positioned therein. In the exemplary arrangement the cylindrical outer walls 330 of the beer holding containers are supported by the rod frame and held within the interior area 316 by the side walls 266, 268, the back wall 310 and the front plate 312. The transparent front wall 318 facilitates viewing by the user of the beer holding containers within the interior area 316 when the refrigerator door is open and the drawer is in the back position. The exemplary arrangement further facilitates the placement and removal of beer holding containers within the interior area of the drawer and the beer chilling compartment while assuring that the beer holding containers are maintained at the desired temperature.

[0127] Thus the exemplary arrangements achieve improved operation, eliminate difficulties encountered in the use of prior devices and systems, and attain useful results described herein.

[0128] In the foregoing description certain terms have been used for brevity, clarity and understanding. However, no unnecessary limitations are to be implied therefrom because such terms are used for descriptive purposes and are intended to be broadly construed. Moreover the descriptions and illustrations herein are by way of examples in the new and useful concepts are not limited to the features shown and described.

[0129] Having described features, discoveries and principles of the exemplary arrangements, the manner in which they are constructed and operated, and the advantages and useful results attained, the new and useful features, devices, elements, arrangements, parts, combinations, systems, equipment, operations, methods, processes and relationships are set forth in the appended claims.

Examples

Embodiment Construction

[0052]Referring now to the drawings and particularly to FIG. 1 there is shown therein a refrigerator generally indicated 10. The refrigerator 10 includes an enclosure 12. The enclosure 12 bounds an interior area 14. The enclosure includes an opening 16. A door 18 is rotatably movably mounted in operatively supported connection with the enclosure through hinges 20. The door is rotatably movable between a door open position and a door closed position. In the door open position as shown in FIG. 1 the interior area 14 is accessible from outside the enclosure 12. In a door closed position the door 18 fully closes the opening 16 and prevents access to the interior area 14.

[0053]The exemplary refrigerator 10 includes a plurality of shelves 22 within the interior area. The exemplary shelves 22 are selectively positionable to facilitate the storage of food items within the interior area of the refrigerator. The exemplary refrigerator further includes a plurality of storage areas 24 on the in...

Claims

1. Apparatus comprising:a refrigerator includingan enclosure, wherein the enclosure bounds an interior area of the refrigerator,wherein the enclosure includes an opening to the interior area, a door, wherein the dooris rotatably movably mounted in operative connection with the enclosure,is movable between a door closed position in which the door fully closes the opening, and a door open position in which the interior area is accessible from outside the enclosure through the opening,wherein the interior area includes a beer chilling compartment, wherein the beer chilling compartmentis configured to maintain beer holding containers at a selected temperature below the freezing temperature of water and above the freezing temperature of beer,is vertically bounded bya horizontally extending refrigerant evaporator, anda horizontally extending plate that is vertically disposed from the evaporator,a drawer, wherein the drawerincludes a drawer interior area adapted to hold a plurality of beer holding containers, wherein each beer holding container has a circular cross section and extends generally horizontally in the drawer interior area,is movably mounted in operative supported connection with the enclosure with the drawer interior area vertically intermediate of the evaporator and the horizontally extending plate,is movable along a drawer movement direction between an outward position in which with the door in the open position, the drawer interior area extends outward from the beer chilling compartment through the opening, and a back position in which the drawer interior area is fully within the beer chilling compartment.

2. The apparatus according to claim 1and further including at least one circuit,wherein the at least one circuit is operative to maintain the beer chilling compartment at a temperature between 23° F. (−5° C.) and 32° F. (0°C).

3. The apparatus according to claim 1and further including,at least one circuit,a thermostat, wherein the thermostat is in operative connection with the at least one circuit and is settable to a selected temperature between 23° F. (−5° C.) and 32° F. (0° C.),wherein the circuitry is operative responsive at least in part to the thermostat to maintain the beer chilling compartment at the selected temperature.

4. The apparatus according to claim 1and further includingat least one circuit, wherein the circuit includes a data store including data corresponding to a stored temperature value,a thermostat, wherein the thermostat is in operative connection with the at least one circuit and is selectively settable to any temperature within a temperature range,wherein the at least one circuit is operative tomaintain the beer chilling compartment at the thermostat set selected temperature except when the set selected temperature is below the stored temperature value in which circumstance the at least one circuit maintains the beer chilling compartment at the stored temperature value.

5. The apparatus according to claim 1and further includingat least one circuit, wherein the at least one circuit includes a data store including data corresponding to a stored temperature value corresponding to a freezing temperature of beer having an alcohol content not exceeding 3%,a thermostat, wherein the thermostat is in operative connection with the at least one circuit and is selectively settable to any temperature within a temperature range,wherein the at least one circuit is operative tomaintain the beer chilling compartment at the thermostat set selected temperature except when the set selected temperature is below the stored temperature value in which circumstance the at least one circuit maintains the beer chilling compartment at the stored temperature value.

6. The apparatus according to claim 1and further includingat least one input device, wherein the at least one input device is adapted to receive at least one input corresponding to one or more of a brand of beer, a type of beer or an alcohol content in a beer,at least one circuit, wherein the at least one circuit is in operative connection with the at least one input device,wherein the at least one circuit is operative responsive at least in part to the at least one input todetermine a chilling temperature at which beer corresponding to the at least one input can be maintained without freezing, andmaintain the beer chilling compartment at the chilling temperature.

7. The apparatus according to claim 1and further includingat least one input device, wherein the at least one input device is adapted to receive at least one input corresponding to one or more of a brand of beer, a type of beer of an alcohol content in a beer,at least one sensor, wherein the at least one sensor is operative to detect that the beer chilling compartment is externally accessible from outside the refrigerator,an output device, wherein the output device is operative to provide user perceivable outputs,at least one circuit, wherein the at least one circuit is in operative connection with the at least one input device, the at least one sensor and the output device,wherein the at least one circuit is operative to causeresponsive at least in part to the at least one input todetermine a chilling temperature at which beer having an alcohol content corresponding to the at least one input can be maintained without freezing, andmaintain the beer chilling compartment at the chilling temperature,wherein while the beer chilling compartment is being maintained by the at least one circuit at the chilling temperature, responsive at least in part to the at least one sensor, further determine that the beer chilling compartment has become externally accessible,responsive at least in part to the further determination provide at least one output through the output device indicative that a change in a chilling temperature may be necessary.

8. The apparatus according to claim 1and further including,a settable thermostat,a wireless transceiver, andat least one circuit, wherein the at least one circuit is in operative connection with the thermostat and the wireless transceiver,wherein the at least one circuit is operativeresponsive at least in part to wireless signals received through the wireless transceiver to set the thermostat at a selected temperature, andto maintain the beer chilling compartment at the selected temperature.

9. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded by a pair of horizontally disposed vertically upward extending side walls,wherein each of the side wallsextends parallel to the drawer movement direction,includes a plurality of side wall openings,wherein the side wall openings in each respective side wall are adapted to enable air flow through the respective side wall and to prevent a beer holding container from passing through the respective side wall.

10. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded bya pair of horizontally disposed vertically upward extending side walls, anda vertically upward extending front wall,wherein each of the side wallsextends parallel to the drawer movement direction, andincludes a plurality of side wall openings,wherein the side wall openings in each respective side wall are adapted to enable air flow through the respective side wall and to prevent a beer holding container from passing through the respective side wall,wherein the front wallextends transverse to the drawer movement direction, andis adapted to prevent a beer holding container from passing through the front wall.

11. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded bya pair of horizontally disposed vertically upward extending side walls,a vertically upward extending front wall, anda vertically upward extending back wall that is horizontally disposed from the front wall along the drawer movement direction,wherein each of the side wallsextends parallel to the drawer movement direction, andincludes a plurality of side wall openings,wherein the side wall openings in each respective side wall are adapted to enable air flow through the respective side wall and to prevent a beer holding container from passing through the respective side wall,wherein the front wallextends transverse to the drawer movement direction,in the door open position and with the drawer in the back position enables beer holding containers within in the interior area of the drawer to be viewable, and is adapted to prevent a beer holding container from passing through the front wall,wherein the back wallextends transverse to the drawer movement direction,is adapted to enable air flow through the drawer interior area, andis adapted to prevent a beer holding container from passing through the back wall.

12. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded bya pair of horizontally disposed vertically upward extending side walls,a vertically upward extending front wall,a vertically upward extending back wall that is horizontally disposed from the front wall along the drawer movement direction, anda horizontally extending bottom wall that extends intermediate of the front wall and the back wall,wherein each of the side wallsextends parallel to the drawer movement direction, andincludes a plurality of side wall openings,wherein the side wall openings in each respective side wall are adapted to enable air flow through the respective side wall and to prevent a beer holding container from passing through the respective side wall,wherein the front wallextends transverse to the drawer movement direction, andis adapted to prevent a beer holding container from passing through the front wall,wherein the back wallextends transverse to the drawer movement direction, andis adapted to prevent a beer holding container from passing through the back wall,wherein the bottom wallincludes a plurality of bottom wall openings,wherein the bottom wall openings are configured to enable air flow through the bottom wall and to prevent a beer holding container from passing through the bottom wall.

13. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded by a pair of vertically extending horizontally disposed side walls, wherein each side wall extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,wherein each side wall terminates upwardly at a respective horizontally extending side wall flange,wherein the horizontally extending plate is positioned vertically above the evaporator,and further comprising:a pair of horizontally extending guides, wherein each respective guideis in fixed operative connection with the horizontally extending plate,extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,includes a horizontally extending guide flange,wherein each respective guide flange extendsbelow the horizontally extending plate, andin parallel underlying relation of a respective side wall flange,wherein the drawer is movable along the drawer movement direction with each respective side wall flange in operative supported connection with a respective guide flange.

14. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded by a pair of vertically extending horizontally disposed side walls, wherein each side wall extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,wherein each side wall terminates upwardly at a respective horizontally extending side wall flange,wherein each respective side wall flange of the respective side wall extends toward the other side wall,wherein the horizontally extending plate is positioned vertically above the evaporator,and further comprising:a pair of horizontally extending guides, wherein each respective guideis in fixed operative connection with the horizontally extending plate,extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,includes a horizontally extending guide flange,wherein each respective guide flange extendsfrom the respective guide toward the other guide,below the horizontally extending plate, andin parallel underlying relation of a respective side wall flange,wherein the drawer is movable along the drawer movement direction with each respective side wall flange in operative supported connection with a respective guide flange.

15. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded by a pair of vertically extending horizontally disposed side walls, wherein each side wall extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,wherein each side wall terminates upwardly at a respective horizontally extending side wall flange,wherein the horizontally extending plate is positioned vertically above the evaporator,and further comprising:a pair of horizontally extending guides, wherein each respective guideis in fixed operative connection with the horizontally extending plate,extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,includes a horizontally extending guide flange,wherein each respective guide flange extendsbelow the horizontally extending plate, andin parallel underlying relation of a respective side wall flange, a plurality of bearing guides,wherein at least one bearing guide extends vertically between each respective immediately adjacent side wall flange and guide flange,wherein the drawer is movable along the drawer movement direction with each respective side wall flange in operative supported connection with a respective guide flange and movable in engagement with at least one bearing guide.

16. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded by a pair of vertically extending horizontally disposed side walls, wherein each side wall extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,wherein each side wall terminates upwardly at a respective horizontally extending side wall flange,wherein each respective side wall flange of the respective side wall includes a top portion that extends horizontally toward the other side wall and terminates horizontally inwardly toward the other side wall in a vertically downward extending side rail portion,wherein the horizontally extending plate is positioned vertically above the evaporator,and further comprising:a pair of horizontally extending guides, wherein each respective guideis in fixed operative connection with the horizontally extending plate,extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,includes a horizontally extending guide flange,wherein each respective guide flange extendsbelow the horizontally extending plate,horizontally from the respective guide toward the other guide,in parallel underlying relation of the top portion of a respective side wall flange,a plurality of bearing guides, wherein at least one bearing guide extendsvertically intermediate of each respective guide flange and each respective top portion, andhorizontally from the respective side rail portion of the immediately adjacent side wall flange,wherein the drawer is movable along the drawer movement direction with each respective side wall flange in operative supported connection with a respective guide flange and with each respective top portion in engaged relation with at least one bearing guide.

17. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded by a pair of vertically extending horizontally disposed side walls, wherein each side wall extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,wherein each side wall terminates upwardly at a respective horizontally extending side wall flange,wherein the drawer includes at least one door stop projection,wherein the horizontally extending plate is positioned vertically above the evaporator,and further comprising:a pair of horizontally extending guides, wherein each respective guideis in fixed operative connection with the horizontally extending plate,extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,in vertical cross section includesa horizontally extending guide flange, anda vertically downward extending guide leg, wherein the guide leg extends downward below the horizontally extending plate and above the guide flange,wherein each respective guide flange extends in parallel underlying relation of a respective side wall flange,wherein at least one vertically downward extending guide leg of at least one guide includes a guide stop projection,wherein the drawer is movable along the drawer movement direction with each respective side wall flange in operative supported connection with a respective guide flange, and wherein movement of the drawer outward from the beer chilling compartment along the drawer movement direction through the opening is stopped in the outward position by engagement of the at least one drawer stop projection and the at least one guide stop projection.

18. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded by a pair of vertically extending horizontally disposed side walls, wherein each side wall extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,wherein each side wall terminates upwardly at a respective horizontally extending side wall flange,wherein the drawer includes at least one drawer stop projection, wherein the at least one drawer stop projection extends above the drawer interior area,wherein the horizontally extending plate is positioned vertically above the evaporator,and further comprising:a pair of horizontally extending guides, wherein each respective guideis in fixed operative connection with the horizontally extending plate,extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,in vertical cross section includesa horizontally extending guide flange, anda vertically downward extending guide leg, wherein the guide leg extends downward in intermediate relation below the horizontally extending plate and above the guide flange,wherein each respective guide flange extends in parallel underlying relation of a respective side wall flange,wherein at least one vertically downward extending guide leg of at least one guide includes a guide stop projection, wherein each guide stop projection comprises a deformable tab that is extends horizontally outward from the guide leg,wherein the drawer is movable along the drawer movement direction with each respective side wall flange in operative supported connection with a respective guide flange, and wherein movement of the drawer outward from the beer chilling compartment along the drawer movement direction through the opening is stopped in the outward position by engagement of the at least one drawer stop projection and the at least one guide stop projection.

19. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded bya pair of vertically extending horizontally disposed side walls, wherein each side wall extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,wherein each side wall terminates upwardly at a respective horizontally extending side wall flange, anda plurality of horizontally extending drawer rods, wherein the drawer rodsextend horizontally intermediate of the side walls,are horizontally spaced apart from one another,wherein a pair of immediately horizontally adjacent drawer rods are adapted to respectively engage horizontally separated areas on a circular outer wall of a single beer holding container to hold the container in supported engagement with the pair of drawer rods,wherein the drawer includes at least one drawer stop projection,wherein the horizontally extending plate is positioned vertically above the evaporator,and further comprising:a pair of horizontally extending guides, wherein each respective guideis in fixed operative connection with the horizontally extending plate,extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,in vertical cross section includesa horizontally extending guide flange, anda vertically downward extending guide leg, wherein the guide leg extends downward in intermediate relation below the horizontally extending plate and above the guide flange,wherein each respective guide flange extends in parallel underlying relation of a respective side wall flange,wherein at least one respective vertically downward extending guide leg of each respective guide includes a guide stop projection, wherein each respective guide stop projection comprises a deformable tab that extends horizontally outward from the respective guide leg,wherein the drawer is movable along the drawer movement direction with each respective side wall flange in operative supported connection with a respective guide flange, and wherein movement of the drawer outward from the beer chilling compartment along the drawer movement direction through the opening is stopped in the outward position by engagement of the at least one drawer stop projection and the guide stop projections.

20. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded by a pair of vertically extending horizontally disposed side walls, wherein each side wall extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,wherein each side wall terminates upwardly at a respective horizontally extending side wall flange,wherein each respective side wall flange of the respective side wall extends toward the other side wall,wherein the horizontally extending plate is positioned vertically above the evaporator,and further comprising:a crossbar, wherein the crossbarextends horizontally within the beer chilling compartment and perpendicular to the drawer movement direction, andis in fixed operative connection with the enclosure at a back end of the beer chilling compartment opposed of a front end of the beer chilling compartment that is immediately adjacent to the opening to the interior area,a pair of horizontally extending guides, wherein each respective guideextends transverse to and is in operatively engaged relation with the crossbarextends parallel to the drawer movement direction,includes a horizontally extending mounting flange, wherein the mounting flange is in fixed operative connection with the horizontally extending plate,includes a horizontally extending guide flange,wherein each respective guide flange extendsfrom the respective guide toward the other guide,below the horizontally extending mounting flange, andin parallel underlying relation of a respective side wall flange,wherein the drawer is movable along the drawer movement direction with each respective side wall flange in operative supported connection with a respective guide flange.

21. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded by a wire framewherein the wire frame includesa pair of horizontally extending, horizontally disposed side wire portions, wherein each side wire portion extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,a front wire portion, wherein the front wire portion extendsvertically above and horizontally between the side wire portions,immediately adjacent to the opening to the interior area when the drawer is in the back position,a back wire portion, wherein the back wire portion is disposed and extends away from the front wire portion in the drawer movement direction,vertically above and horizontally between the side wire portions,a bottom wire portion, wherein the bottom wire portion includes a plurality of drawer rods,wherein the drawer rods extend horizontally between and in fixed operatively engaged relation with each of the side wire portions.

22. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded by a wire frame and the pair of horizontally disposed vertically upward extending side walls,wherein the wire frame includesa pair of horizontally extending, horizontally disposed side wire portions, wherein each side wire portion extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,a back wire portion, wherein the back wire portionextends vertically above and horizontally between the side wire portions,a bottom wire portion, wherein the bottom wire portion includes a plurality of drawer rods,wherein the drawer rods extend horizontally between the side wire portions, wherein each of the side wallsextends above a respective side wire portion and parallel to the drawer movement direction,includes a plurality of side wall openings,wherein the side wall openings in each respective side wall are configured to enable air flow through the respective side wall and to prevent a beer holding container from passing through the respective side wall,terminates upwardly at a horizontally extending side wall flange,wherein the drawer is movably mounted in operative supported connection with the enclosure through operative movable engagement of each side wall flange with the horizontally extending plate.

23. The apparatus according to claim 1wherein the drawer interior area is bounded bya pair of vertically extending horizontally disposed side walls, wherein each side wall extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,wherein each side wall terminates upwardly at a respective horizontally extending side wall flange, anda plurality of horizontally extending drawer rods, wherein the drawer rodsextend horizontally intermediate of the side walls,are spaced apart from one another along the drawer movement direction,wherein the drawer includes a rod frame, wherein the rod frame includesa manually engageable front handle portion, wherein the front handle portionextends in horizontally centered relation of the drawer and vertically upward intermediate of the drawer interior area and the opening of the enclosure when the drawer is in the back position,a pair of divergent horizontally extending rod frame legs, wherein each of the rod frame legsextend away from the handle portion underneath the drawer rods and horizontally outward toward a respective one of the side walls,terminates at an opposed end of the drawer from the handle portion in a respective upward extending stop rod leg portion,wherein each stop rod leg portion includes a horizontally directed drawer stop projection, wherein the respective drawer stop projection extends above the drawer interior area,wherein the horizontally extending plate is positioned vertically above the evaporator,and further comprising:a thermostat, wherein the thermostat is settable at any selected temperature in a range between 23° F. (−5° C.) and 32° F. (0° C.),at least one circuit, wherein the at least one circuit is in operative connection with the thermostat,wherein the at least one circuit is operative responsive at least in part to the thermostat to maintain the beer chilling compartment at the selected temperature,a pair of horizontally extending guides, wherein each respective guideis in fixed operative connection with the horizontally extending plate,extends parallel to the drawer movement direction,in vertical cross section includesa horizontally extending guide flange, anda vertically downward extending guide leg, wherein the guide leg extends downward in intermediate relation below the horizontally extending plate and above the guide flange,wherein each respective guide flange extends in parallel underlying relation of a respective side wall flange,wherein each respective vertically downward extending guide leg of each respective guide includes a guide stop projection, wherein each respective guide stop projection comprises a deformable tab that is extends horizontally outward from the respective guide leg,wherein the drawer is movable along the drawer movement direction with each respective side wall flange in operative supported connection with a respective guide flange, and wherein movement of the drawer outward from the beer chilling compartment along the drawer movement direction through the opening is stopped in the outward position by engagement of the drawer stop projections and the guide stop projections.

24. Apparatus comprising:a refrigerator includingan enclosure, wherein the enclosure bounds an interior area of the refrigerator,wherein the enclosure includes an opening to the interior area, a door, wherein the dooris rotatably movably mounted in operative connection with the enclosure,is movable between a door closed position in which the door fully closes the opening, and a door open position in which the interior area is accessible from outside the enclosure through the opening,a beer chilling compartment within the interior area,wherein the beer chilling compartment includes thereina horizontally extending refrigerant evaporator,a drawer, wherein the drawerincludes a drawer interior area adapted to hold a plurality of beer holding containers, wherein each beer holding container has a circular cross section and extends generally horizontally in the drawer interior area,is movably mounted in operative supported connection with the enclosure and is movable within the beer chilling compartment along a drawer movement direction between an outward position in which with the door in the open position, the drawer interior area extends outward from the beer chilling compartment through the opening, and a back position in which the drawer interior area is fully within the beer chilling compartment,at least one circuit, wherein the at least one circuit is operative to maintain the beer chilling compartment at a selected temperature that is below the freezing temperature water and above the freezing temperature of beer.

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