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  Refrigerator with cladding and visual effectsUSPTO Application #: 20070241645Title: Refrigerator with cladding and visual effects Abstract: The present disclosure provides a cooler having a front side defining an opening for allowing retrieval of product from the cooler and a first, right exterior side and a second, left exterior side. A grill is located below the door opening having openings for allowing air to pass through. A light is located behind and adjacent to the louvers for casting light downwardly onto the flooring in front of the cooler to create a visual effect. (end of abstract) Agent: Polster, Lieder, Woodruff & Lucchesi - St. Louis, MO, US Inventor: Steven L. Trulaske USPTO Applicaton #: 20070241645 - Class: 312116000 (USPTO) The Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20070241645. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] The present application claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60/789,414, filed Apr. 5, 2006, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0002] The invention relates to refrigerators. More specifically, the invention relates to a refrigerator incorporating visual effects. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0003] Refrigerating merchandisers are well known and typically comprise a refrigerator body having a front glass door to show the product that is for sale within, while maintaining the proper temperature of the interior of the refrigerator. In the past, it has also been common to include advertising on the exterior for what is being sold within the cooler, particularly by displaying the major brand of product, commonly soda, that is held within. [0004] The function of the labeling is to create attention for the refrigerator/merchandiser to attract and draw in consumers. To that end, a merchandiser that incorporates more items of interest or more interesting items or effects, without becoming an annoyance within the environment in which it is placed, is generally desired. [0005] Moreover, when the refrigerator/merchandiser is converted to a different brand, this generally creates an issue as to relabeling of the merchandiser. Therefore, there is a need for a refrigerator/merchandiser that may be easily converted between brands. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0006] The present invention provides a cooler having a front side defining an opening for allowing retrieval of product from the cooler and a first, right exterior side and a second, left exterior side. A grill is located below the door opening having openings for allowing air to pass through. A light is located behind and adjacent to the louvers for casting light downwardly onto the flooring in front of the cooler to create a visual effect rather than upwardly. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0007] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0008] FIG. 2 is a front perspective view of a grill according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0009] FIG. 3 is a rear perspective view of the grill according to an embodiment of the present invention; [0010] FIG. 4 is a partial front perspective view of a refrigerator with the grill removed and having a light installed according to an embodiment of the present invention; and [0011] FIG. 5 is a partial front perspective view of a refrigerator with the grill removed showing a mounting flange for a light according to an embodiment of the present invention. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT [0012] While this invention is susceptible of embodiment in many different forms, there is shown in the drawings and will herein be described in detail preferred embodiments of the invention with the understanding that the present disclosure is to be considered as an exemplification of the principles of the invention and is not intended to limit the broad aspect of the invention to the embodiments illustrated. [0013] The preferred embodiment of the present invention comprises a refrigerator/merchandiser comprising an easily removable cladding material that provides the function of attracting the interest of a potential consumer and is easily replaceable. Moreover, the preferred embodiment includes ground effect lighting that provides a point of interest for attracting a potential consumer. [0014] In that regard, the preferred embodiment is shown in FIG. 1 of the drawings. In FIG. 1, there is provided a refrigerator or cooler 10 having a swinging front door 12 with a clear glass front. The refrigerator 10 defines a right side 14 and a left side 16. Behind the front door 12 and within the refrigerator 10 is a volume that is maintained at a desired temperature. Cans 18 placed upon shelving 20 fill this volume in accordance with the prior art. [0015] The sides 14 and 16 of the refrigerator 10 are covered by a cladding material 22, preferably made from a light weight material such as aluminum or plastic. The cladding material 22 shown in FIG. 1 comprises, in the embodiment shown, diamond plating-type material to provide an eye-catching point of interest to attract a consumer. The cladding material 22 is preferably attached to the both sides 14 and 16 of the refrigerator 10 by one or more mechanical fasteners 24, most preferably a rivet. Rivets are preferred because the rivet can be removed by drilling it out to remove the cladding, but not so easily removed that the rivet can readily be removed by a thief or vandal. The cladding material 22 may also be attached with a double-sided tape or light adhesion glue. [0016] The cladding material 22 may optionally have a cutout 26 to display a graphic 28 on the side 14 or 16 of the refrigerator 10 or the cladding material 22, itself, may not include a cutout and have a graphic applied directly to the cladding material 22. In either instance, the cladding material 22 may be easily removed from the sides 14 or 16 of the refrigerator 10 and replaced by cladding material 22 having a different graphic so that a refrigerator 10 may be quickly converted to different branding. [0017] It is important to note that the cladding material itself does not form a structural part of the refrigerator 10, but rather is an additional item applied directly to the refrigerator 10 sides 14 and 16. If the cladding material 22 were a structural member, the cladding would be more difficult to remove. [0018] Further, below the front door 12 is located a louvered grill 30, shown in FIGS. 2 and 3 and in phantom view in FIG. 5. The grill 30 most preferably comprises a curved front 32 that is bowed outwardly. Louvers 34 allow air to pass through openings created by the louvers 34 in the grill 30 to reach a refrigeration condenser 36 (FIG. 4) located behind the louvers 34. Continue reading... Full patent description for Refrigerator with cladding and visual effects Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Refrigerator with cladding and visual effects patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. 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