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US4948567A Expired / Lapsed US ⏱️ 0.0 years remaining

Deodorizer for refrigerators or the like

Assignee: Toshiba Corp
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Filing: 1989-02-15
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Granted: 1990-08-14
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Expires: 2009-02-15
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Abstract

Abstract A deodorizer for refrigerators or the like includes a deodorizing element composed of an adsorbent adsorbing odor components contained in the air in a storage compartment containing foodstuffs and a catalyzer oxidizing and decomposing the odor components adsorbed by the adsorbent, and a heater energized and deenergized for applying heat to the deodorizing element. The odor components contained in the air in the storage compartment are adsorbed by the adsorbent of the deodorizing element during the heater deenergization period. When the heater is energized to apply heat to the deodorizing element, the odor components adsorbed by the adsorbent are drawn out from the adsorbent and brought into contact with the catalyzer. The odor components are oxidized and decomposed by the catalyzer.

Inventors

  • 👤 Kousuke Atarashiya

Bibliographic Details

Application Number —
Jurisdiction US
Data Source google_patents
Last Synchronized 2026-10-29 21:34
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L2/00; A61L2/02; B; B01; B01D; B01D53/00; B01D53/34; B01D53/74; B01D53/86; B01D53/8668; A61L9/00; B01D53/02; F; F25; F25D; F25D17/00; F25D17/04; F25D17/042; F25D2317/00; F25D2317/04; F25D2317/041; F25D2317/0415

Claims Analysis

Total Claims: 3
Claim 1
Independent Claim 158 words
In a refrigerator, including a heat-insulated cabinet for storing foodstuffs, a refrigerating means for refrigerating air in the heat-insulated cabinet, a heating means disposed adjacent to the refrigerating means for applying heat to the refrigerating means for removal of frost adherent thereto, a means for providing intermittent energizing of said heating means for a predetermined period, and a means for circulating air along a circulation path, said circulation path including a duct, said duct being in fluid communication with said heat-insulated cabinet, wherein the improvement comprises: a deodorizer comprising: (a) a deodorizing element disposed in said duct of said circulation path, said deodorizing element having an adsorbent for adsorbing odor components from said heat-insulated cabinet, and (b) a catalyzing layer for oxidizing said odor components adsorbed by said adsorbent, said catalyzing layer covering the deodorizing element and being integral therewith, wherein said deodorizer is intermittently heated by said heating means during said intermittent energizing of said heating means.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim 158 words
In a refrigerator, including a heat-insulated cabinet for storing foodstuffs, a refrigerating means for refrigerating air in the heat-insulated cabinet, a heating means disposed adjacent to the refrigerating means for applying heat to the refrigerating means for removal of frost adherent thereto, a means for providing intermittent energizing of said heating means for a predetermined period, and a means for circulating air along a circulation path, said circulation path including a duct, said duct being in fluid communication with said heat-insulated cabinet, wherein the improvement comprises: a deodorizer comprising: (a) a deodorizing element disposed in said duct of said circulation path, said deodorizing element having an adsorbent for adsorbing odor components from said heat-insulated cabinet, and (b) a catalyzing layer for oxidizing said odor components adsorbed by said adsorbent, said catalyzing layer covering the deodorizing element and being integral therewith, wherein said deodorizer is intermittently heated by said heating means during said intermittent energizing of said heating means.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim 49 words
In a refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the improvement further comprises said catalyzing layer being arranged between the heating means and the adsorbent so that the temperature of the catalyzing layer is increased prior to that of the adsorbent during said intermittent energizing of said heating means.

References Cited (Backward Citations)

US2765046A Cited
US2988432A Cited
GB1060396A Cited
GB1243352A Cited
GB1473701A Cited
GB2014299A Cited
JPS5697520A Cited
US4343765A Cited

USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows

Annuity Stage Window Opens Payment Deadline Surcharge Period Until Estimated Fee Status
3.5 Years (Year 4) 1993-08-13 1994-02-12 1994-08-14 $2000.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
7.5 Years (Year 8) 1997-08-13 1998-02-12 1998-08-14 $3760.00 Window Closed / Lapsed
11.5 Years (Year 12) 2001-08-13 2002-02-12 2002-08-14 $7700.00 Window Closed / Lapsed

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