REFRIGERATOR MODULE UTILITIES ENABLED VIA CONNECTION

• Main Authors: BRADLEY ROBERT RYAN, KENDALL JAMES W, TENBARGE ANDREW M, KUEHL STEVEN J, LECLEAR DOUGLAS D, LUCAS ALAN S, ALLARD PAUL B, VONDERHAAR JOHN J, WU GUOLIAN
• Format: Patent
• Language: English
• Published: 12.05.2016
• Subjects: APPARATUS FOR MAKING BEVERAGES; BLASTING; BOARDS, SUBSTATIONS, OR SWITCHING ARRANGEMENTS FOR THE SUPPLYOR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; COFFEE MILLS; COLD ROOMS; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; CONVERSION OR DISTRIBUTION OF ELECTRIC POWER; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT COVERED BY ANY OTHERSUBCLASS; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; ELECTRICITY; ENGINEERING ELEMENTS AND UNITS; FRAMES, CASINGS, OR BEDS OF ENGINES OR OTHER MACHINES ORAPPARATUS NOT SPECIFIC TO AN ENGINE, MACHINE, OR APPARATUSPROVIDED FOR ELSEWHERE; FURNITURE; GENERAL MEASURES FOR PRODUCING AND MAINTAINING EFFECTIVEFUNCTIONING OF MACHINES OR INSTALLATIONS; GENERATION; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; HEATING; HUMAN NECESSITIES; ICE-BOXES; KITCHEN EQUIPMENT; LIGHTING; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; REFRIGERATORS; SPICE MILLS; STANDS OR SUPPORTS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL; THERMAL INSULATION IN GENERAL; WEAPONS

A connection system includes a feature module that supplies various functionalities, a portable countertop stand having an upright section that selectively receives the feature module and an umbilical connecting the portable stand to an external appliance to deliver utilities to the portable countertop stand. A utility port selectively delivers at least one utility to the feature module when engaged with the upright section. A utility receiver removably engages the utility port by hand without the use of tools and selectively receives a predetermined set of utilities when the feature module engages the upright surface. A connection interface detects when the feature module is engaged with the upright section and the predetermined utility set required by the engaged feature module. After the feature module is engaged, the connection interface prompts the utility port to release the predetermined utility set to the feature module.