Refrigerator with a top surface having a notched profile for providing additional storage capacity

Abstract

Various embodiments provide a refrigerator that includes a temperature-controlled storage cavity, a front surface, a rear surface opposite the front surface, and a top surface. The temperature-controlled storage cavity includes a first storage area and a second storage area. At least a portion of the front surface provides access to the temperature-controlled cavity. The top surface includes a front portion adjacent and generally perpendicular to the front surface. The top surface includes a rear portion adjacent and generally perpendicular to the rear surface. The rear portion is below the front portion. The top surface includes a central portion connecting the front portion and the rear portion. The first storage area is below the rear portion and between the front surface and the rear surface. The second storage area is above the rear portion, below the front portion, and between the front surface and the central portion.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a temperature-controlled storage cavity comprising a first storage area and a second storage area,   a front surface, wherein at least a portion of the front surface provides access to the temperature-controlled storage cavity;   a rear surface opposite the front surface; and   a top surface comprising:
 a front portion adjacent and generally perpendicular to the front surface, 
 a rear portion adjacent and generally perpendicular to the rear surface, the rear portion being below the front portion, and 
 a central portion connecting the front portion and the rear portion, 
   wherein the first storage area is below the rear portion and between the front surface and the rear surface,   wherein the second storage area is above the rear portion, below the front portion, and between the front surface and the central portion.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the first storage area and the second storage area are contiguous. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , comprising a bottom surface generally perpendicular to the front surface and the rear surface. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator according to  claim 3 , wherein a height from the bottom surface to the front portion of the top surface is approximately eighty-four (84) inches. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator according to  claim 4 , wherein a height from the bottom surface to the rear portion of the top surface is approximately sixty-nine (69) inches. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator according to  claim 5 , wherein a height of the central portion from the rear portion to the front portion is approximately fifteen (15) inches. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein an angle between the front portion and the central portion is approximately ninety (90) degrees. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein an angle between the central portion and the rear portion is approximately ninety (90) degrees. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the front surface is taller than the rear surface. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator according to  claim 3 , comprising generally parallel side surfaces extending between the front surface and the rear surface and between the top surface and the bottom surface, the side surfaces comprising a notched profile that corresponds with the top surface. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein a depth of the rear portion from the central portion to the rear surface is between thirteen (13) and twenty-five (25) inches. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein a depth of the front portion from the front surface to the central portion is between eight (8) and twenty (20) inches. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the second storage area is one of:
 an ice maker,   a beverage storage compartment,   a refrigerated wine storage,   a medicine locker, or   a dairy storage.   
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the front surface and the temperature-controlled storage cavity are configured as one of:
 a side-by-side refrigerator and freezer,   a French door refrigerator top with bottom freezer drawer,   a top freezer and bottom refrigerator,   a top refrigerator with two door bottom freezer,   all freezer, or   all refrigerator.