US2536287A - Portable refrigerator - Google Patents

Description

J. C. HIGGINS ET AL Jan. 2, 1951 PORTABLE REFRIGERATOR 4 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 3, 1948 llll m II fi m Jan. 2, 1951 J. c. HIGGINS ET AL PORTABLE REFRIGERATOR 4 SheetsSheet 3 Filed March 3, 1948 fluewioro",

715, fira/razi JJ aZ/ Patented Jan. 2, 1951 PGRTABLE REFRIGERA'LQR Joseph C. Higgins and Manfredli. Pollak, Chicago, 111.; said Pollak assignor to said Higgins Application March 3, 1948, Serial No. 12,867

This invention relates to improvementsin automatic refrigerators; particularly, to those types of refrigerators employing mechanisms for compressing, condensing and circulating a cooling medium whereby to effect and maintain adequaterefrigerating temperatures within the storage compartments thereof.

More particularly, it is an object of the invention to provide a refrigerator whose construction, design and size are such that the same is It is also an object of the invention to provide a constructionally cheap, practical and sturdy form of housing for the refrigerator, affording novel operating mechanism receiving and refrigerating compartments, each of which are conveniently and quickly accessible.

A further object of the invention is to provide a portable refrigerator whose refrigerating or storage compartment or chamber has an advantageous and novel form of article support adjustably and removably received therein and usa" ble in a manner to facilitate convenient and immediate access thereto for selective placement and/or selective removal of articles on and from the same.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator whose refrigerating chamber and article supporting means are so constructed and so relatively arranged as to ensure thoroughly effectual and constant refrigerating temperatures in and throughout the chamber whereby to effect positive and efficient preservation of foodstuffs, etc., placed therein and thereon.

' A still further object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator of the character above stated,

whose refrigerating area or storage chamber may be easily, quickly and simply increased in size, at the option of a user, as and when'desired, all

'without detrimentally affecting its operating efiiciency, its compactness, it space occupying requirements, or its attractiveness of appearance. Another and equally important object of the invention is to provide a refrigerating housing whose operating mechanism receiving and reand entirely secure manner and to prevent the '1 Claims. (01. 62-116) taining compartment is constructed to effect and maintain a uniform exchange of air therethrough transmission of objectionable and/or detrimental vibratory movement to the storage compartmen of the refrigerator. The foregoing, as well as other objects, advantages and meritorious teachings of our invention, will be in part obvious and in part pointed out in the following detailed disclosure thereof, when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, it being understood that the form of invention presented herein is precise and what is now considered to be the best mode of embodying its principles, but that modifications and changes may be made in specific embodiments without departing from its essential features. In the drawings: ii Figure 1 is a vertical transverse section throng the improved refrigerator, taken on the line |-.l of Figure 2, looking in the direction in-which the arrows point.

Figure 2 is a top plan view of the same with th cover or lid removed.

Figure 3 is atransverse section taken on the line '3-3 of Figure 1, looking in the direction in which the arrows point.

Figure 4 is a fragmentary vertical transverse section taken through the lower housing of the refrigerator, showing the mechanical refrigerating assembly therein, together with a portion of the bottom of the refrigerator upper housing; Figure 5 is an enlarged detail in vertical section through a form of supporting and handling device for use in connection with the refrigerator evaporator or freezing member.

Figure 6 is a transverse section taken onthe line 6-6 of Figure 5, looking in the direction in which the arrows point, and Figure 7 is a fragmentary elevational view, partly in section, showing an extension compartment for use in connection with the upper housing of the refrigerator whereby to increase its cubic content area. Referring in detail to the drawings, the iniproved refrigerator, generally, comprises a crosssectionally circularly shaped lower or base housing l constructed of suitable sheet material, as for example, aluminum, steel, plastic, etc.; a refrigerating housing 2, preferably of cross-section- .ally circular shape and of a diameter and height somewhat greater than the housing I, also made of sheet material, as ab0ve, and a coveror lid.3 for its open upper end.

The lower housing I receives and supports therein a mechanical refrigerating assembly, including a motor-compressor 4, acondenser 5 and 3 a capillary coil 6, all interconnected and intercommunicating, as hereinafter described.

The lower end of the lower housing is formed with a continuous and inwardly disposed lateral supporting flange I having relatively spaced feet 8 fixedly received on its under side. The upper end of the housing is completely open.

A substantially U-shaped sheet-like bracket 9 is received within .the housing I, being fixedly connected-at its flanged upper ends In to appropriate portions of the lower side of the bottom (hereinafter described) of the upper housin 2. Vertical legs I I are connected, as at I2, to ,anextended end portion of the horizontal base of the bracket 9 and have supporting bearing onadjacent portions of the lateral flange 'l of the housing I (see Figures 1 and 3 of the drawings). .13. sheet-like rectangular leg I3, havin its opposite ends flanged, as at I4, is received and vertically disposed within the housing I and, as shown in Figures 1 and 3 .of the drawings, is arranged at substantially right angles to the opposite and vertical sides of the U-shaped bracket Bat-a point in proximity to the remainin end of its horizontal base, i. .e., opposite the vertical legs I I. -The flanged lower endof this leg I3 is suitably engaged with and connected to portions of the lateral supporting flange of the housing I, while :its .upper flanged end I4 secured-to appropriate portions of the above indicated bottom of the up- .per housing 2. Thus, it is .apparent that said housing 2wi ll be effectually and firmly supported ,by and from the lower housing I ,in vertically spaced relation thereto; moreover, that the horizontal base of the U-shaped bracket 9 affords an effectual support forthe motor-compressor 4, as presently described. If-desiredthe rectangularly shaped leg I3 may be of reticulated formation, whereby to offer the least possible impedance to the passage and circulation Qf air into and through the lower housing I.

gInorder that the motorecompressor 4 will be .seourely'supported ,by the bracket 9 within the housing I, the basal portion of said bracket is 1orm e d'with-,a circular opening of shape and size su h as to p i o s g r cep o -of the lower part ofsaid motor-compressor .therei-nandtherethrough; .an annular and upwardly extending flange 15 being formed on said basal portion of the bracket -:9 about said opening whereby to --;snnsly n a about .an 'adiacen or on f th :member 4. in a manner ind ca ed in F ures 3 and 4 of the drawings. A cup-,like retainer I6 zreceives therein and supports the .basal portion of the motorompre d is e u 1 y though detachably connected to the base ,of saidbracket '3, ,by means of screws I I ,or other suitable ,fastening devices. At this point, itshouldbenoted that the-spacing f the base of the ,U shaped bracket I aboveor from the lateral flange I of the lower housing I is such as to efiectually accommodate the lower and extended end portion of themotorcompressor 4, and too, to .eifectits complete enclosure or reception within said lower'housing "I. The condenser 5, preferably of circulating coil and heat dissipating construction, .is provided with a supporting frame I8. Said condenser, with its frame I8, is received within the housing :I ina somewhat oblique position. Bracket-plates I9, connected'at and along their opposite sides "to appropriate portions of the sides of the frame I8, as at 20, are extended from thecondenser frame I 8 inwardly into juxtaposed relation to: and engagement withthe inner-sides of the vertical orextension portions of the Ueshaped'bracket 9 and are fixedly connected thereto by screws, bolts or other appropriate securing devices 2 I. In consequence, it will be seen that a firm and solid supporting of the condenser 5 by and from the U-shaped bracket 9 is efiected.

A cooling medium supply and circulating pipe 22 is connected to and communicates with the outlet port of the motor-compressor 4 and with the inlet port of the condenser 15. Aisecondaand outlet pipe 23 is connected to the outlet end or port of the condenser 5 and extends through the lower portion of the lower housing I, and thence upwardly into engagement, by means of a suitable reducer fitting 24, with the adjacent end of the .vertically positioned capillary coil 6 also within said lower housing I. The upper end of the capillary coil 6, whose cross-sectional area is less than that of the pipe 23, for reasons well understood in the art, extends upwardly from and beyond the open upper end of the housing I, as indicated at 25. and passes through the vhereinbefore :indi- .cated bottom of the .upperhousing2 into-engagement and communication with the refrigerator evaporator, .to be presently described.

The refrigerating housing 2 consists of a tubular-cross-sectionally circular bodylorshell 26-,open at its opposite ends, having .a-second and similar body or shell 2,! arrangedwithinand concentrically of the same. ,Both bodies may e made of aluminum, steel orother material, or they may be constructed -of a suitable plastic material. .11 made of metal, their exposed surfaces ,may be paint, porcelain or otherwise ,coated 0r finished. while if of plastic, they maybe suitably colored, such-as ,conditions or preference .may dictate.

The diameter and height .of the ,body .26 greater than that of .the bodyi'l, whereby the latter will becompletely received within the former ands,- circumferential spacing willbe effected entirely thereabout. Heatinsulatingmaterial.28 is arranged in this circumferential space, for an obvious purpose.

The space between the upper and juxtaposed ends of the upper housing shells 26 .and 21 :is closed by a ring .29, of metal .01 other suitable .material, having annularly flanged and shouldered opposite sides .29. Said ring is snugly received in said space and is locked therein .byrengaging rivets 30, or their equivalents, through the inner annular flange 29' and ed-jacentportions of the body 2'! .(seeFigures 1 and 37,-). Thus, the heat insulation 28 is protected, .andalso, the upper end portions :of the shells 26 and 21 are fixedly retained in spaced relation, irrespective f the insulation zfit erebetween- ;A bo t m. or -'D ..fica an n er bottom .34 consisting of a circularly shaped sheet of metal, plastic ,or pther suitable material, ;of a diameter greater than that of the shell 21,;but :less than'the d eter of the shell .26. s p sitioned adj c n and eng ed over he ,lowerend-Qf the sh ll :23. which. as wi l e not onrei rence .t Figure :1 of th drawin s, spa ed upwa dly of the we end o the shell .26. This inner tt m 3;! formed or I otherwise provided with a downwardly ext ndin m rsmalann ar p rio efianee 0r -.co1.1ar 3 I whos l werend laterally flan ed a at 32,. By m ans'of sa d inner bottom and its collar and flan .32.. the lower nds of "the shells 25 and :21, are e fectually closed an brid ed; additionall the adjacen end of the heat insulation 1213 is covered-and protected, and

the lower portions :of :said shells are fixed y reitaincd-in spaced relation. Itiwin :be i'here note 7 that xfixed conneetionris reflected between the :in-

tier bottom 3| and the lower end of the shell: 2'! by means of angle brackets 33, which ai'eiastened to appropriate adjacent portions of said bottom and shell by fastening devices 34 and 3 5.

It is preferable that the inner bottom 3|] shall be so formed as to incline toward its center from the outer marginal portions thereof whereby to effect, at times, the positive collection and retention of condensed moisture which may become present during operation of the improved refrigerator.

Heat insulation 28', of suitable thickness, is placed beneath and in contact with the entire lower surface of the inner bottom 3| andis bonded 0r united with the heat insulation 28 between the shells 26 and 2'! by passing through the perforations in the collar 3 l A primary or lower bottom 36, consisting of a circularly shaped sheet of metal, plastic or other suitable material of gauge or thickness greater than that of the inner bottom 3|, is arranged within the open lower end portion of the shell 23, and as shown in Figure l of the drawings, is engaged completely over or covers the entire lower surface of the heat insulation 28'. This lower bottom 36, as is also clearly shown in said Figure 1 of the drawings, is of a size or diameter such as will permit its rather snug receptionwithin said open lower end of the shell 26, and'hence,

it extends completely over the flange 32 of the colla 3| into contact with or proximity to the adjacent inner surface portion of said shell 26. Angle brackets 3! are arranged, in relative spaced relation, about the inner side of the lower portion of the shell 26 and are fixedly connected to ciated that firm, secure and solid connection will i be effected between the bottom structure and the side wall structure of the upper housing 2.

Hand holds 49, or their equivalents, are fixed to upper portions of the outer side of the upper and refrigerating housing 2, for an obvious purpose.

To provide refrigerating temperatures within the upper housing 2, an evaporator 4| is fixedly mounted therein, preferably resting on its'inner bottom 3| adjacent a portion of its inne side wall, as constituted by the shell 21 (see Figures 1 and 2). Said evaporator comprises a crosssectionallyrectangularly shaped and somewhat elongated receptacle, open at the top, whose-side walls and bottom are hollow and channeled by means of bafile-depressions 4| therein, whereby to effect and maintain in and therethrough a circulatory turbulence of the refrigerant fluid supplied from the capillary coil 6 in the lower housing To improve or increase the operational efficiency of the evaporator 4|, wing-like plates '42 and 42 are extended upwardly and laterally from the normally outer side wall thereof, in the manner shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings. Said plates extend to a point near but below the open top of the housing 2 and are juxtapositionedwith relation to the aforesaid portion of its inner side wall. The relative positioning of these plates 42 and 42', on'the evaporator 4|, is such that whereas they will increase the refrigerating potential thereof, they will not interfere with or impede convenient and full access to its interior. Refrigerant fluid inlet and outlet ports are formed, respectively, in the evaporator bottom and the upper free end of the plate 42. The extended portion of the capillary coil 6 is connected to the inlet port, while a fluid return pipe 43 is connected to the outlet port and extends downwardly therefrom through the bottom structure of the upper housing 2 into and through the lower housing where it is connected to the fluid return port or fitting of the motor-compressor 4, as at 44.

With a view toward providing means for conveniently and effectually supporting matters-to be refrigerated within the refrigerating chamber of the upper and refrigerating housing 2, we provide a tray-like device which consists of a semicircularly shaped bottom 45 made of suitable sheet material, as for example, metal, plastic, etc., whose outer marginal portion is upwardly flanged or rimmed, as at 45, and whose body is formedwith a plurality of interconnecting radially and circularly disposed upwardly directed depressions or ribs, generally identified by the numeral 46. A vertically disposed lifting rod 41 has its lower end connected to an intermediate or substantially central portion of the semi-circularly shaped bottom 45, as indicated at 48. The height or length of this lifting rod 41 is somewhat less than the height of the refrigerating chamber within the upper housing 2, and a handle or knob 49 is affixed to its upper and free end. The diameter of the semi-circularly shaped bottom 45 of the tray device is such as will permit of its rather snug though convenient reception in the refrigerating chamber of the upper housing 2 and, of course, its supporting contact and engagement with the inner bottom 3| there"- of, as shown in Figures 1 and 2 of the drawings.

Obviously, the tray device may be, as desired, removed or partially removed from the refrigerating chamber of the upper housing 2 by engaging the knob 49 of the lifting rod 41, and then drawing the device upwardly from or through the open upper end of said upper housing 2.

A plurality of complementally constructed and shaped wire baskets or containers, generally identified herein by the numeral 50, are provided to the upper and refrigerating housing 2.- It will be noted that these baskets 50 are of segmental cross-sectional shape, and hence, that two of the same may be arranged on the semi-circularly shaped bottom 45 about the centrally located lifting rod 41. The upper and open ends of each of these baskets are outwardly flared, as at 5|. In consequence, tiers of such baskets may be stacked on the tray device in relative nested engagement and relationship, in the manner clearly shown in Figure 1. The lower or bottom portions of the upper baskets will, obviously, be nestingly engaged and retained in the outwardly flared portions 5| of the open upper ends of those baskets immediately therebelow, and hence, will be prevented from having undesirable lateral shifting movement, one with relation to the other. Various matters may, as will be understood, be placed in the wire baskets 50 received and supported on the bottom 45 of the tray device, whereupon said device is then lowered into the refrigerating chamber of the upper housing 2.

Because of the semi-circular shape and size of the bottom 45 of the tray device, it will be seen that it may be lowered into or moved upwardly through the refrigerating chamber of the upper housing 2 by the walls of the evaporator 7,- 4 1, without. interferences it. being: noted in this connectionthat the: segmentally shaped cut-away portion. of said bottom substantially embracingly engages about said. walls of the. evaporator, in themanner clearly shown in. Figureziof the. drawings. The flanged or rimmed. outer marginal portion 45 of the. tray device bottom. 45 funcvice; such as illustrated. by Figure of the accompanying drawings, may be employed. Said device consists of a sheetmaterial constructed perforated bottom 52,. marginally flanged or ribbed, as at- 53;. The. shape and: size of this bottom 52 is. such as. will. permit of its rather snug and slidable. reception. within the cross-sectionally rec.- tangularly shaped evaporator Iii, via its open. top.

A, lifting rod 53, of. suitable length and. knobbed on: its free. and upper end, as at 54,. has. its lower end fixedly connected to an intermediate portion .of the bottom 52, as at. 5.5. The length or height of. this. lifting rod 53, preferably, is greater than theheight'of the evaporator 4 5 ,hr order that convenient' engagement. therewith may be effected. A plurality of perforated trays 56, of. shape and size: corresponding to that of the bottom 52, are

.fixedly secured, in substantially equi-spaced vertical. relation, to the lifting rod. 53,. as generally indicated. by the numeral. 5'1. The bottom 52 and each of the. trays 5.6 may be and preferably are formed with upwardly pressed ribs 58,. the purpose of which will be presently described.

A plurality of flexible plastic cups 59, four to a'tray 56 and. bottom 52, are provided for use in connection with. the above described and. second tray like device. Water or. other liquid or matter may beplaced. in the cups 59 which: are then placed out the bottom Stand/the tray 56 in the manner indicated in dotted lines in Figure 6 of the drawings, whereupon said tray-like device is lowered into the evaporator 41 until its bottom 52 comes into. supporting. engagement with the evaporator bottom. The contents of. said cups ihnay be frozen or congealed to the particularly desired degree; When it. is desired to. remove the some. the knob 5410f the lifting rod 53. ofv said tray-like device, and the device, is then drawn upwardly from. and out of the evaporator 4|. Since: the cups. 5.9 will. rest on. the ribs 58 of the bottom. .52 and trays 5. 3, it will be: understood that a. minimum of contact, is .efiected, and thus,

their adhesion, as. by freezing thereonto, will be reduced. to minimum; thus, the cups may be conveniently and readily moved and flexed for removal of. congealed or. frozen. contents, as

required;

A- circular cover or lid, hereinbcfcre identified by the. numeral 3,. is provided for the open 1 ncl end of the upper and refrigerating housing 2-.

It consists of relatively opposed and circularly 1 :shaped sheet.- material constructcd bodies, of appropriate size, flanged at and about the-marginal portions. thereof, as indicated at 69;. These flanged portions are interconnected. by welding at other suitable means, whereupon a: rubber. or

have. shown an extension device, generally indicated by the numeral 62:, for the upper and, re frigel'ating housing 2 of our improved refrigerator. Theutility of this device 62 is to increase the contents storage area of. said upper housing 2 whereby a greater amount of matter, for refrigeration, may be stored.

The extension 82- consists of a double walled cross-sectionally circularly shaped tubular body, whose inside and outside diameters correspond to those of the upper and refrigerating housing-2, and whose height may correspond or vary, such as conditions or preference may dictate. Heat insulation 63 is arranged between the inner and outer walls of the extension and said walls may be and preferably are constructed of materials like those of the shells 25 and 21 of the upper housing 2.

A channeled ring-like and shouldered closure fi l is engaged with and over the normally lower end of the extension 62 and. the adjacent end of the heat insulation 63. An annular coupling neck 85, whose diameter is less than. the inside diameter of the upper housing 2 and the extension 62, is positioned adjacent and in said normally lower end of the extension and has. the

outer portion of its laterally flanged upper end 86 clampingly secured between the lower end of the extension inner wall and the adjacent shoulder of the closure ring 64. Connecting screws 51 are passed through spaced portions of the closure ring 64. upwardly through the. heat insulation. 63 between the extension walls. and are threadedly engaged. with angle brackets 58 secured, as at 69; to. the lower end and outer side portionsof the extension inner wall. The closure ring is thus fixedly connected to the extension, andmoreover, its shoulder engaging the flanged upper end 65 of the coupling neck 65: is securely clamped thereon.

A circular sealing gasket ill, of rubber or other suitable material, is snugly engaged over and about the outer periphery of the coupling neck and ensures themaking and maintaining. of a fluid-tight connection (for obvious reasons) between the lower end of the extension 52 and the upper end of the upper and refrigerating housing 2 when the former is. superimposed. on the latter, in the manner shown in Figure '1 of the drawings.

The upper end of the double walled extension t2, has a channeled ring-like and shouldered closure H engaged with and over the same and adjacent portions of the heat. insulation 63. The side walls of said closure H are snugly received between the ext-nsion walls, and its. shouldered portions abuttingly engage the adjacent ends of the extension walls. -Rivets T2 are engaged through appropriate and adjacent. portions. of the inner wall of the closure ii and the extension inner wall and fixedly secure said closure in its assembled relation.

When the extension 62- is. sup rimposedonthe upper and refrigerating housing 2, the cover or lid 3, which has been removed from the latter, is closingly engaged with and over the upper end of said extension.

If desired, a circularly shaped wire constructed or other form of reticulated piece 13, whose diameter is greater than that of the coupling neck 65, is removably laid on and over the upper end of said neck. It will provide an effectual bottom for the extension 62, and so, will satisfactorily support articles and/or matters placed therein, allowing convenient access to be had to the interior of the upper housing 2, in that said extension 62 can be unitarily removed therefrom without disturbing its particular contents.

A tray-like device and its container accessories, similar to that hereinbefore described and used in the. upper housing 2, may be advantageously used in the extension 62.

Hand holds 14 may be and preferably are provided to the extension 62 for an obvious purpose.

The operationand mode of usage of the refrigerator, it is believed, will be understood from a reading of the foregoing description. However, in general review thereof, it may be stated that a sufiicient quantity of refrigerating fluid is supplied to the mechanical refrigerating assembly, heretofore described. The motor-compressor 4 is operated, causing said fluid to be compressed thereby and expelled from the same in gaseous form via the pipe 22 into and through the condenser 5, where it is condensed and liquified, then discharged in fluid form (under adequate pressure) through the outlet pipe 23 into and through the capillary coil 6, thence, at a materially reduced pressure, into and through the-channels of the evaporator 4| and its winglike plates 42 and 42. Heat exchange is efiected within the chamber of the upper and refrigerating housing 2, and thereby, the temperature of said chamber is suitably lowered and maintained. Following circulation of the liquid refrigerant through the evaporator and its plates, the same is outletted into the return pipe 43 and returned to the motor-compressor 4 for recompression, etc.

The refrigerating temperature within the chamber of the refrigerating housing 2 may be either increased or decreased, as desired or required, by increasing and/or prolonging the period and velocity of operation of the motorcompressor 4.

An adequate and continuous supply of air is provided to the refrigerating assembly within the lower housing I, such air and its exchange being into and from said lower housing through the way or annular port at the top thereof, i. e., the annular space between the top of the lower housing I and the bottom of the upper housing 2 which is supported on and by said lower housing, and through the open lower end of the lower housing.-

In normal use of the refrigerator, only the refrigerating housing 2 is employed. Articles or matters to be refrigerated may be placed in the wire baskets D or certain ones thereof. These baskets may then be arranged on the bottom 45 of the tray-like device which is lowered into the chamber of said housing: Access may be se1ectively had to the basketed refrigerated matters by removing the closure or lid 3 from the refrigerator housing 2, engaging the knob 49 of the tray-like device lifting rod 41, and raising the same to effect its removal or partial removal. Obviously. if it is desired to have access to certain of the upper baskets 50, the tray-like device need be lifted only to a height sufficient to expose the same above the open end of the upper housing 2.

Should it be desired to place and refrigerate articles of larger bulk and size within the refrigerating housing 2, the above referred to traylike device and the wire baskets 50 may be removed therefrom.

On those occasions when a refrigerating area or space greater than that of the refrigerating housing 2 is required, the extension device 62 is endwise engaged and mounted on the upper end of said housing following removal of the lid therefrom and its placement over the upper open end of said device, as shown in Figure I of the drawmg. hence, adequate refrigeration of thisincreased refrigerating chamber area, the operation of the tents from the upper housing 2 in order that access may be had to the latter.

It will be understood and appreciated that whereas water may be cube frozen in the various flexible cups 59 on the tray-like device 52-5354-56, when the latter is placed in the evaporator 4|, various other matters may be' placed in said evaporator and on said device,

or the device ma be removed from the evapora-;

tor and matters placed directly therein.

While we have herein shown and described our improved portable refrigerator as being cross-sectionally circular in shape, the same may be constructed in other and different cross-sectional shapes, viz., cross-sectionally rectangular,

etc., without in any manner departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Moreover, the materials from which the housings I and 2 and the extension device 62 are made, may be widely varied, or difierent combinations of construction materials may well be used for their production or productions.

At those times whenit shall become desirable to defrost the interior of the upper and refrigerating housing 2, operation of the mechanical refrigerating assembly may be ceased or reduced to a minimum, thus lowering the internal temperature of said housing. Thereupon, melting of the frost or ice within the-refrigerating chamber of this housing will be effected and the liquid resulting therefrom will flow to its bottom and will collect substantially centrally of the more or less cupped bottom member 3|, away from the points of connection of said bottom member with the housing shell 21, and so, avoid possible seepage of the same thereby into engagement with the heat insulation 28. The thus collected liquid may be readily removed by tilting or inverting the housing 2 along with the housing I to such an angle as to cause its immediate,.fp0uring from the open upper end of the housing 2. Additionally, it may be here noted that by reason of a minimum area contact between the bottom member 45 of the tray-like device and the lowermost wire baskets 5U, adhesion of said baskets, by freezing or frosting, will be reduced to minimum, and so, such baskets may To effect a greater heat exchange, and

In such an befreel and easily removed;.;as: and when desired. By thev same token,, due to the formation of the bottom of. the evaporator 41, a minimum of: engagement or contact will be efiected between said bottom and. the bottom 52 of the tray-like device provided for reception in the evaporator.

We claim:

1. In a refrigerator, a, housing including. walled bodies, one of said bodies having a bottom and a way therein for access. to its interior, a. closure for; said. way, the other oi; said bodies having an open end, and means-in and. supported by the other body at the bottom thereof extended from its open end andlsupporting'said-first body in' spaced relation thereto;

2; In a refrigerator, a: housing including walled bodies, one of said bodies. having" a; bottom and a way therein, for access to. its interior,. aclosure for'said way, the." other of. said. bodies having open ends; and means in and supported by said other body at the bottom thereof extending fromits upper open end and supporting said first mentioned body in. vertically spaced relation thereto.

3;. Ina refrigerator; a housing including, relativel-y vertically opposed walled bodies, the: upper one. of said bodies being. of a. cross-sectional area greater than the lower. of said bodies and having a bottom and a way formed therein for access to its. interior, a closure for said way; the other of said bodies having an upper open end spaced'from 5; A. refrigerator; comprising a lower housing.

and an upper housing, said upper housing having a bottom therein and away in the same for access: to its, interior; a. closure for said way, an:

evaporator in the upperthoirsing, wing-like plates extended upwardly. and laterally from the outer wall of said evaporator and junta-positioned: with relation: toadjacent portionsrof. the upper 110115- m rwall, said lower housing having an open; upper end, a. mechanical refrigeratingv assemblyin said lower housing connected to, and communicating.'

with the evaporator-in said upper housing, and

means in said lower housing connected to'thc" same and extending through its. open end engaged with and supporting said upper housing.

6. A refrigerator, comprising relatively vertically' opposed upper and'lower housings, means inand. connected to said lower housing, engaged with and supporting said upper housing thereabove, a mechanical refrigerating assembly in said lower housing, .said upper housing having. arefrigerating chamber within the same, an evaporator in said refrigerating chamberconnected to and communicating with said refrigerating assembly in the lower housing, wing-like plates extended upwardly and. lateral-ly'from the outer wall housing having a refrigerating compartment therein formed with an opening; for access there.- to, a closure for said compartment, said lower housing having an open upper end spaced from the bottom. of the upper housing, supporting means. in said lower. housing, portions of which are extended through and above. its open upper end and supportingly engaged with an adjacent portion of said upper-housing for supporting the same in spaced relation. thereto and; to its said open upper end, a mechanical refrigerating as:- sembly within said lower housing partially supported by said supporting. means. in th same, an

evaporator in the refrigerating compartment of said upper housing connected to and communieating with said. refrigerating assembly, and wing like plates extended upwardly and laterally from and beyond the'outer wall. of said evaporator and juxtapositioned with relation to adjacent portions of the upper housing wall.

. I JOSEPHC. HIGGINS.

MANFRED J. POLLAK.

EEFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 2,162,945 Evans. June. 20, 1939 2,273,948 Forslund Feb. 24,1942 2,319,522 Schweller May 18, 1943" 2,356,778

Morrison Aug. 29, I944

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