US5230220A
Expired / Lapsed
US
⏱️ 0.0 years remaining
Sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus for use in a refrigerator
Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co Ltd
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Filing: 1992-05-11
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Granted: 1993-07-27
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Expires: 2012-05-11
Abstract
Abstract A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus for a refrigerator comprises an air intake section for introducing air thereinto, a sterilizing/deodorizing section including a discharge lamp to remove floating bacteria, odors, and the like contained in the air which passes through the intake section, a discharge section for discharging purified air. The apparatus is operated automatically by a temperature sensor or by an odor detector.
Inventors
- 👤 Sung C. Kang
- 👤 Kyung M. Kim
Bibliographic Details
Application Number
—
Jurisdiction
US
Data Source
google_patents
Last Synchronized
2026-10-27 21:25
CPC Classifications
A; A61; A61L; A61L9/00; A61L9/16; A61L9/18; A61L9/20; A61L9/015; F; F25; F25D; F25D17/00; F25D17/04; F25D17/042; F25D2317/00; F25D2317/04; F25D2317/041; F25D2317/0415; F25D2317/0416; F25D2700/00; F25D2700/06
Claims Analysis
Total Claims: 16
Claim 1
Independent Claim
111 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus for a refrigerator comprising: an air intake for receiving air from the inside space of a refrigerator; a sterilizing/deodorizing section communicating with said intake for receiving air therefrom; said sterilizing/deodorizing section including means for sterilizing bacteria and deodorizing odors contained in the air; a residual ozone removing section communicating with said sterilizing/deodorizing section for receiving air through and having an ozone removing catalyst for converting non-oxidized ozone into oxygen; an outlet communicating with said ozone-removing section for discharging air back into the inside space of the refrigerator; and air circulating means for circulating air through said inlet, said sterilizing/deodorizing section, said residual ozone removing section, and said outlet.
Claim 2
Dependent Claim
111 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus for a refrigerator comprising: an air intake for receiving air from the inside space of a refrigerator; a sterilizing/deodorizing section communicating with said intake for receiving air therefrom; said sterilizing/deodorizing section including means for sterilizing bacteria and deodorizing odors contained in the air; a residual ozone removing section communicating with said sterilizing/deodorizing section for receiving air through and having an ozone removing catalyst for converting non-oxidized ozone into oxygen; an outlet communicating with said ozone-removing section for discharging air back into the inside space of the refrigerator; and air circulating means for circulating air through said inlet, said sterilizing/deodorizing section, said residual ozone removing section, and said outlet.
Claim 3
Dependent Claim
29 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 1 including an air discharging section defining said outlet, said air circulating means comprising a motor-driven fan disposed in said air discharging section.
Claim 4
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sterilizing deodorizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said means for sterilizing and deodorizing comprises a discharge lamp for generating ultraviolet rays.
Claim 5
Dependent Claim
23 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said discharge lamp generates ultraviolet rays having wave lengths of 185 nm and 254 nm.
Claim 6
Dependent Claim
24 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said sterilizing/deodorizing section includes ultraviolet ray shielding plates for preventing leakage of the generated ultraviolet rays.
Claim 7
Dependent Claim
22 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sterilizing/deodorizing section includes a window to allow a user to visually observe operation.
Claim 8
Dependent Claim
18 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said sterilizing/deodorizing section has a length less than 150 mm.
Claim 9
Dependent Claim
17 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 1 including control means for automatically energizing said air circulating means.
Claim 10
Dependent Claim
60 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control means includes a mechanism for flowing air within said refrigerator space, said mechanism including a temperature sensing switch and a timer, said mechanism being connected to actuate said air circulating means and said means for sterilizing bacteria and deodorizing odors when said mechanism flows cold air within said refrigerator space.
Claim 11
Dependent Claim
20 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said control means includes means for detecting odors in said refrigerator space.
Claim 12
Dependent Claim
43 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 10 including a housing in which said air intake, said sterilizing/deodorizing section, said residual ozone removing section; said outlet, and said air circulating means are housed, said odor detecting means mounted on the outside of said housing.
Claim 13
Dependent Claim
72 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 10, wherein said odor detecting means includes means for generating a voltage output in accordance with detected odors, said control means further including comparing means for comparing the output voltage of said odor detecting means with a reference voltage, and a switching means controlled by said comparing means for applying a voltage to said means for sterilizing and deodorizing means and to said air circulating means.
Claim 14
Dependent Claim
14 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said switching means comprises a relay.
Claim 15
Dependent Claim
75 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 8, wherein said air circulating means includes a motor; said means for sterilizing and deodorizing comprising a discharge lamp for generating ultraviolet rays; said control means comprising an operating switch connected in series to said motor; said discharge lamp including electrodes; each of said electrodes connected in series to a respective resistor; said electrodes and said resistors connected in parallel to each other to said motor through a ballast.
Claim 16
Dependent Claim
32 words
A sterilizing/deodorizing apparatus according to claim 14, wherein said resistors, said ballast, and said means for sterilizing and deodorizing being assembled on a substrate; said substrate being surrounded by ultraviolet shielding plates.
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USPTO Annuity & Maintenance Windows
| Annuity Stage | Window Opens | Payment Deadline | Surcharge Period Until | Estimated Fee | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3.5 Years (Year 4) | 1996-07-26 | 1997-01-25 | 1997-07-27 | $2000.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 7.5 Years (Year 8) | 2000-07-26 | 2001-01-25 | 2001-07-27 | $3760.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |
| 11.5 Years (Year 12) | 2004-07-26 | 2005-01-25 | 2005-07-27 | $7700.00 | Window Closed / Lapsed |