US 11,703,274 B2
Inventory indication mechanism utilizing visual indicia
Victor Carlotto, Giengen an der Brenz (DE)
Assigned to Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed by WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION, Benton Harbor, MI (US)
Filed on Aug. 2, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/391,257.
Application 17/391,257 is a continuation of application No. 16/176,192, filed on Oct. 31, 2018, granted, now 11,112,168.
Prior Publication US 2021/0356201 A1, Nov. 18, 2021
This patent is subject to a terminal disclaimer.
Int. Cl. F25D 27/00 (2006.01); F25D 11/02 (2006.01); F25D 31/00 (2006.01); G06Q 10/087 (2023.01)
CPC F25D 27/005 (2013.01) [F25D 11/02 (2013.01); F25D 31/007 (2013.01); G06Q 10/087 (2013.01); F25D 2331/803 (2013.01); F25D 2500/06 (2013.01); F25D 2700/123 (2013.01)] 19 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A refrigerating appliance comprising:
a cabinet that defines a continuous interior cavity that extends from a base of the cabinet to a top portion of the cabinet;
a temperature sensing network that monitors a temperature stratification of the continuous interior cavity, wherein the temperature stratification includes a plurality of temperature levels that correspond to respective vertical and lateral locations of the continuous interior cavity;
a controller that is configured to receive an input related to an item to be stored, wherein the controller is further configured to compare the input with the temperature stratification corresponding to the respective vertical and lateral locations of the continuous interior cavity, and wherein the controller is further configured to identify a primary storage location of the item to be stored based upon a comparison of the input and the plurality of temperature levels of the temperature stratification;
a temperature control system that is selectively operable to provide conditioned air to specific locations of the respective vertical and lateral locations, wherein the respective vertical and lateral locations of the temperature stratification are selectively adjustable using the temperature control system to adjust a size of the primary storage location within the continuous interior cavity, wherein the respective vertical and lateral locations are defined by a plurality of shelves and at least one vertical divider that extends between vertically adjacent shelves to define the temperature stratification with respect to the respective vertical and lateral locations of the continuous interior cavity; and
a visual indicia disposed within the continuous interior cavity that identifies the primary storage location of the item to be stored.