Refrigerator air duct

Abstract

Provided is a refrigeration appliance ( 2 ) that includes a fresh food compartment ( 8 ) and a freezer compartment ( 4 ). An opening ( 16 ) is provided between the freezer compartment and the fresh food compartment to allow air to flow from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment and an air tower ( 10 ) located within the fresh food compartment is adapted to deliver air from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigeration appliance comprising:
 a freezer compartment maintaining air at a temperature of zero degrees Centigrade or less and a fresh food compartment maintaining air at a temperature greater than zero degrees Centigrade;   an opening between the freezer compartment and fresh food compartment, the opening configured to allow air to flow from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment;   an air tower adapted to be located within the fresh food compartment, the air tower configured to be in fluid communication with the fresh food compartment and freezer compartment; and   a damper door adapted to be secured within the air tower and configured to pivot between a closed position and an open position, wherein the closed position of the damper door partially restricts flow through the air tower;   wherein air is adapted to flow from the freezer compartment through the air tower and into the fresh food compartment before flowing through the opening from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the air tower is attached to a liner within the fresh food compartment. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 2 , wherein the air tower includes at least one air passageway. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 3 , wherein air flows through the air passageway between the liner of the fresh food compartment and the air tower. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the at least one air passageway includes at least one opening, wherein air is adapted to flow from the air passageway through the opening and into the fresh food compartment. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 3 , wherein the air passageway includes at least one fin for directing the flow of air towards the top of the fresh food compartment. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the air tower includes a supporting ledge, wherein air is adapted to flow through the ledge. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the fresh food compartment further includes a recessed floor. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 1 , wherein the damper door in a closed position allows air to flow from the freezer compartment to the fresh food compartment through the air tower. 
     
     
         10 . A refrigeration appliance comprising:
 a freezer compartment maintaining air at a temperature of zero degrees Centigrade or less and a fresh food compartment maintaining air at a temperature greater than zero degrees Centigrade;   an opening between the freezer compartment and fresh food compartment, the opening configured to allow air to flow from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment;   an air tower adapted to be located within the fresh food compartment, the air tower configured to be in fluid communication with the fresh food compartment and freezer compartment, wherein the air tower includes a connection means for removably attaching the air tower to a wall of the fresh food compartment; and   a damper door adapted to be secured within the air tower and configured to pivot between a closed position and an open position, wherein the closed position of the damper partially restricts flow through the air tower;   wherein air is adapted to flow from the freezer compartment through the air tower and into the fresh food compartment before flowing through the opening from the fresh food compartment to the freezer compartment.   
     
     
         11 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the air tower is attached to a liner within the fresh food compartment. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 11 , wherein the connection means includes a snap fastener and a threaded fastener. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the air tower includes at least one air passageway. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 13 , wherein the air tower includes an open space allowing for a mounting structure to be inserted through the open space and attached to the liner. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigeration appliance of  claim 10 , wherein the air tower is attached within the fresh food compartment after a foaming process has occurred.