Patent US4909040A successfully refreshed from Google Patents.
US4909040A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Automatic refrigeration apparatus provided with a sterilized storage compartment
Assignee: Industrie Zanussi SpA
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Filing: 1988-08-22
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Granted: 1990-03-20
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Expires: 2008-08-22
Abstract
Abstract An automatic refrigerator includes a sterilized storage compartment, normally kept at a food storage temperature, in which a blower provides forced ventilation. A germicide lamp, capable of generating ultraviolet radiations, is located in the flow path of the forced ventilation and is associated with a shielding device protecting the storage compartment from the radiations.
Inventors
- 👤 Flavio Feltrin
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-11-07 01:00
CPC Classifications
F; F25; F25D; F25D17/00; F25D17/04; F25D17/042; A; A61; A61L; A61L9/00; A61L9/16; A61L9/18; A61L9/20; F25D2317/00; F25D2317/04; F25D2317/041; F25D2317/0417
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 5
Claim 1
Independent Claim
102 words
An automatic refrigeration apparatus comprising: a sterilizing storage compartment which is normally kept at a food storage temperature, said compartment comprising material damageable by ultraviolet radiations and exposed at the interior of the compartment; blowing means capable of providing forced ventilation inside said storage compartment; germicide means for generating ultraviolet radiations disposed in said compartment in the flow path of said forced ventilation; and shield means disposed in said compartment over said germicide means for preventing the material forming said storage compartment from being exposed to said radiations, said shielding means consisting of material which is not damageable by the ultraviolet radiations.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
102 words
An automatic refrigeration apparatus comprising: a sterilizing storage compartment which is normally kept at a food storage temperature, said compartment comprising material damageable by ultraviolet radiations and exposed at the interior of the compartment; blowing means capable of providing forced ventilation inside said storage compartment; germicide means for generating ultraviolet radiations disposed in said compartment in the flow path of said forced ventilation; and shield means disposed in said compartment over said germicide means for preventing the material forming said storage compartment from being exposed to said radiations, said shielding means consisting of material which is not damageable by the ultraviolet radiations.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
47 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a refrigeration circuit capable of automatically performing cyclical evaporator defrost operations and including control means for operating said germicide means and said blowing means at the same time during at least a portion of periods of said defrost operations.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
55 words
An apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said shielding means is a housing mounted to said compartment, said housing having means defining inlet and outlet openings extending through the housing and substantially preventing ultraviolet radiations generated by said germicide means from irradiating said material, said flow path extending through said inlet and said outlet openings.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
15 words
An apparatus according claim 3, wherein said housing means is disposed over said blowing means.
References Cited (Backward Citations)
USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1993-03-19 | 1993-09-18 | 1994-03-20 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 1997-03-19 | 1997-09-18 | 1998-03-20 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2001-03-19 | 2001-09-18 | 2002-03-20 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |