Refrigerator with improved uv treatment chamber

Abstract

The present invention pertains to a refrigerator ( 1 ) having a chamber where food items are preserved. The present invention more specifically pertains to a refrigerator ( 1 ) having a UV-C treatment compartment whose opening is effected by means of a lock. Said refrigerator ( 1 ) comprises an electronic control unit ( 9 ) for controlling said lock of said cover ( 7 ). A further lock is provided on said door ( 3 ).

1 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) comprising a compartment ( 2 ), a door ( 3 ) for accessing the compartment ( 2 ) in which a chamber ( 5 ) for preserving food items is disposed wherein said chamber ( 5 ) has a UV light source ( 6 ) for preventing microorganism growth in food items preserved within said chamber ( 5 ) and a cover ( 7 ) for effecting physical isolation of said chamber ( 5 ) from inner volume of the compartment ( 2 ) characterized in that; said cover ( 7 ) of said chamber ( 5 ) comprises a second locking means ( 8 ) for effecting closing of said cover ( 7 ) in a locked manner, said door ( 3 ) comprises a first locking means ( 4 ) for effecting closing of said door ( 3 ) in a locked manner, an electronic control unit ( 9 ) for controlling said first locking means ( 4 ) and said second locking means ( 8 ). 
     
     
         2 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 1  wherein said door ( 3 ) comprises a main control panel ( 10 ) in communication with said electronic control unit ( 9 ) and said cover ( 7 ) comprises an inner control panel ( 11 ) in communication with said electronic control unit ( 9 ), for executing different operation modes. 
     
     
         3 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 2  wherein said UV light source ( 6 ) is activatable on said inner control panel ( 11 ). 
     
     
         4 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein activation of said UV light source ( 6 ) is effectable after locking of said cover ( 7 ) by said electronic control unit ( 9 ). 
     
     
         5 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said inner control panel ( 11 ) is inactive upon activation of said UV light source ( 6 ). 
     
     
         6 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein activation of said UV light source ( 6 ) is effectable upon subsequent closing and automatic locking of said door ( 3 ). 
     
     
         7 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said UV light source ( 6 ) is deactivatable on said main control panel ( 10 ). 
     
     
         8 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein information in regards to operation status of said UV light source ( 6 ) is displayable on said main control panel ( 10 ). 
     
     
         9 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein activation of said UV light source ( 6 ) is programmable to a particular time on said inner control panel ( 11 ). 
     
     
         10 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein said cover ( 7 ) is made out of a transparent, UV-resistant and non UV permeable polymeric material. 
     
     
         11 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 10  wherein said cover ( 7 ) is encircled by an opaque sealing member ( 13 ) in the form of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM). 
     
     
         12 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 10 , wherein UV-sensitive silicon carbide photodiodes are provided in between said cover ( 7 ) and said sealing member ( 13 ). 
     
     
         13 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 1 , wherein visual and audible warnings are activated to inform the user about the current status of the UV light source ( 6 ), on said inner control panel ( 11 ) and/or main control panel ( 10 ). 
     
     
         14 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein said cover ( 7 ) is made out of a transparent, UV-resistant and non UV permeable polymeric material. 
     
     
         15 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 2 , wherein visual and audible warnings are activated to inform the user about the current status of the UV light source ( 6 ), on said inner control panel ( 11 ) and/or main control panel ( 10 ). 
     
     
         16 . A refrigerator ( 1 ) as set forth in  claim 3 , wherein activation of said UV light source ( 6 ) is effectable after locking of said cover ( 7 ) by said electronic control unit ( 9 ) and
 wherein said inner control panel ( 11 ) is inactive upon activation of said UV light source ( 6 ) and   wherein activation of said UV light source ( 6 ) is effectable upon subsequent closing and automatic locking of said door ( 3 ) and   wherein said UV light source ( 6 ) is deactivatable on said main control panel ( 10 ) and   wherein information in regards to operation status of said UV light source ( 6 ) is displayable on said main control panel ( 10 ) and   wherein activation of said UV light source ( 6 ) is programmable to a particular time on said inner control panel ( 11 ) and   wherein said cover ( 7 ) is made out of a transparent, UV-resistant and non UV permeable polymeric material and   wherein said cover ( 7 ) is encircled by an opaque sealing member ( 13 ) in the form of ethylene propylene diene monomer (EPDM) and   wherein UV-sensitive silicon carbide photodiodes are provided in between said cover ( 7 ) and said sealing member ( 13 ) and   wherein visual and audible warnings are activated to inform the user about the current status of the UV light source ( 6 ), on said inner control panel ( 11 ) and/or main control panel ( 10 ).