US 12,298,067 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 May 22, 2023, as Appl. No. 18/321,246.
Application 18/321,246 is a continuation of application No. 17/391,257, filed on Aug. 2, 2021, granted, now 11,703,274.
Application 17/391,257 is a continuation of application No. 16/176,192, filed on Oct. 31, 2018, granted, now 11,112,168, issued on Sep. 7, 2021.
Prior Publication US 2023/0288136 A1, Sep. 14, 2023
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)] 20 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A refrigerating appliance comprising:
a plurality of cabinets that define a plurality of respective interior cavities, wherein the plurality of respective interior cavities includes corresponding temperature stratifications;
a temperature sensing network that monitors the corresponding temperature stratifications of the plurality of respective interior cavities;
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 corresponding temperature stratifications, the corresponding temperature stratifications relating to respective vertical and lateral locations within the plurality of respective interior cavities, collectively, 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 a plurality of temperature levels of the corresponding temperature stratifications;
a temperature control system in communication with the plurality of respective interior cavities 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 corresponding temperature stratifications are selectively adjustable using the temperature control system to adjust a size of the primary storage location within a continuous interior cavity of the plurality of respective interior cavities, wherein the respective vertical and lateral locations are defined by a plurality of shelves; and
a visual indicia disposed within the continuous interior cavity that identifies the primary storage location of the item to be stored.