Refrigerator with moisture adsorbing device

Abstract

The present invention relates to a refrigerator or freezer having a cabinet forming at least a freezer compartment, at least one door for opening and closing the cabinet, and an adsorbing device containing a desiccant material for collecting moisture from air inside the cabinet, wherein the adsorbing device is mounted inside the cabinet.

1 . A refrigeration apparatus comprising:
 a cabinet forming at least a freezer compartment;   at least one door for opening and closing the cabinet;   an evaporator; and   an adsorbing device containing a desiccant material for collecting moisture from air inside the cabinet,   wherein the adsorbing device is mounted inside the cabinet.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigeration apparatus of  claim 1 , further including a fresh food storage compartment and a mullion separating the fresh food storage compartment and freezer compartment and the adsorbing device is provided in the mullion. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigeration apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adsorbing device is placed in contact with the evaporator. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigeration apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adsorbing device is mounted at the bottom of the freezer compartment. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigeration apparatus of  claim 3 , wherein the adsorbing device is mounted to the evaporator using a removable support system. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigeration apparatus of  claim 1 , wherein the adsorbing device is removably mounted to the refrigeration apparatus. 
     
     
         7 . An adsorbing device comprising:
 an enclosure; and   a desiccant material,   wherein the adsorbing device is mounted inside a refrigeration apparatus, and the desiccant material adsorbs moisture from air inside the refrigeration apparatus.   
     
     
         8 . The adsorbing device of  claim 7 , wherein the enclosure is box-shaped and has openings to allow passage of air through the desiccant material. 
     
     
         9 . A method of defrosting an evaporator in a refrigeration apparatus having a cabinet including a food storage compartment and an adsorbing device inside the cabinet by adsorbing moisture from air inside the food storage compartment. 
     
     
         10 . The method of  claim 9 , wherein the adsorbing device further adsorbs frost present on the evaporator. 
     
     
         11 . The method of  claim 9 , further comprising the steps of:
 removing the adsorbing device;   regenerating the device; and   returning the device to the refrigeration apparatus.