U.S. patent application number 13/466207 was filed with the patent office on 2013-11-14 for drawer assembly for a refrigerator appliance.
This patent application is currently assigned to GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY. The applicant listed for this patent is Bart Andrew Nuss. Invention is credited to Bart Andrew Nuss.
Application Number | 20130300276 13/466207 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 49548103 |
Filed Date | 2013-11-14 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130300276 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Nuss; Bart Andrew |
November 14, 2013 |
DRAWER ASSEMBLY FOR A REFRIGERATOR APPLIANCE
Abstract
A drawer assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The
drawer assembly includes a bin and a sealing plate configured for
sealing the bin when the bin is in a closed position. By sealing
the bin, the sealing plate can increase the useful life of food
items stored within the bin.
Inventors: |
Nuss; Bart Andrew;
(Fisherville, KY) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Nuss; Bart Andrew |
Fisherville |
KY |
US |
|
|
Assignee: |
GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY
Schenectady
NY
|
Family ID: |
49548103 |
Appl. No.: |
13/466207 |
Filed: |
May 8, 2012 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
312/404 ;
312/296 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 25/025
20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
312/404 ;
312/296 |
International
Class: |
F25D 25/00 20060101
F25D025/00; F25D 23/00 20060101 F25D023/00 |
Claims
1. A drawer assembly for a refrigerator appliance, the drawer
assembly extending between a top and a bottom along a vertical
direction, the drawer assembly further extending between a front
and a back along a transverse direction, the transverse direction
being perpendicular to the vertical direction, the drawer assembly
comprising: a first guide rail defining a first plurality of
guides, the first plurality of guides extending longitudinally
along the vertical and transverse directions on said first guide
rail; a second guide rail spaced apart from said first guide rail
said second guide rail defining a second plurality of guides, the
second plurality of guides extending longitudinally along the
vertical and transverse directions on said second guide rail; a bin
having a pair of slide rails mounted on opposite sides of said bin,
each slide rail of the pair of slide rails received by a respective
one of said first guide rail and said second guide rail such that
said bin is slidingly mounted to said first guide rail and said
second guide rail; a sealing plate positioned above said bin on the
vertical direction; a first plurality of bosses fixed to a first
side of said sealing plate, said first plurality of bosses received
within the first plurality of guides of said first guide rail; and
a second plurality of bosses fixed to a second side of said sealing
plate, said second plurality of bosses received within the second
plurality of guides of said second guide rail.
2. The drawer assembly of claim 1, wherein said sealing plate
further comprises a biasing member that urges said sealing plate
towards the front of the drawer assembly along the transverse
direction when said bin is in a closed position.
3. The drawer assembly of claim 1, wherein said sealing plate
further comprises a gasket disposed on a bottom surface of said
sealing plate, said gasket being complementary in shape to a lip of
said bin.
4. The drawer assembly of claim 1, wherein said sealing plate
further comprises a ledge that extends downwardly from a bottom
surface of said sealing plate, said ledge configured for engagement
with a back of said bin.
5. The drawer assembly of claim 4, wherein said sealing plate
further comprises a biasing member mounted to said ledge, said
biasing member urging said sealing plate towards the front of the
drawer assembly along the transverse direction when said bin is in
a closed position.
6. The drawer assembly of claim 1, wherein said sealing plate is
positioned immediately adjacent a top of said bin when said bin is
in a closed position, wherein said sealing plate is spaced apart
from the top of said bin along the vertical direction when said bin
is in an open position.
7. The drawer assembly of claim 1, further comprising a catch for
securing said bin in a closed position.
8. A drawer assembly for a refrigerator appliance, the drawer
assembly extending between a top and a bottom along a vertical
direction, the drawer assembly further extending between a front
and a back along a transverse direction, the transverse direction
being perpendicular to the vertical direction, the drawer assembly
comprising: a first guide rail; a first plurality of bosses fixed
to said first guide rail; a second guide rail spaced apart from
said first guide rail; a second plurality of bosses fixed to said
second guide rail; a bin having a pair of slide rails mounted on
opposite sides of said bin, each slide rail of the pair of slide
rails received by a respective one of said first guide rail and
said second guide rail such that said bin is slidingly mounted to
said first guide rail and said second guide rail, said bin having a
lip positioned adjacent a top of said bin; a sealing plate
positioned above said bin on the vertical direction, said sealing
plate defining a first plurality of guides and a second plurality
of guides, said first plurality of guides receiving said first
plurality of bosses, said second plurality of guides receiving said
second plurality of bosses.
9. The drawer assembly of claim 8, wherein said sealing plate
further comprises a biasing member that urges said sealing plate
towards the front of the drawer assembly along the transverse
direction when said bin is in a closed position.
10. The drawer assembly of claim 8, wherein said sealing plate
further comprises a gasket disposed on a bottom surface of said
sealing plate, said gasket being complementary in shape to the lip
of said bin.
11. The drawer assembly of claim 8, wherein said sealing plate
further comprises a ledge that extends downwardly from a bottom
surface of said sealing plate, said ledge configured for engagement
with a back of said bin.
12. The drawer assembly of claim 11, wherein said sealing plate
further comprises a biasing member mounted to said ledge, said
biasing member urging said sealing plate towards the front of the
drawer assembly along the transverse direction when said bin is in
a closed position.
13. The drawer assembly of claim 8, wherein said sealing plate is
positioned immediately adjacent the top of said bin when said bin
is in a closed position, wherein said sealing plate is spaced apart
from the top of said bin along the vertical direction when said bin
is in an open position.
14. The drawer assembly of claim 8, further comprising a catch for
securing said bin in a closed position.
15. A refrigerator appliance, the refrigerator appliance extending
between a top and a bottom along a vertical direction, the
refrigerator appliance also extending between a first side and a
second side along a horizontal direction, the refrigerator
appliance further extending between a front and a back along a
transverse direction, the transverse direction being perpendicular
to the vertical and horizontal directions, the refrigerator
appliance comprising: a cabinet defining a chilled chamber for
receipt of food items, the chilled chamber of said cabinet having a
pair of opposing sidewalls spaced apart along the horizontal
direction; a pair of guide rails positioned within the chilled
chamber of said cabinet, each guide rail of the pair of guide rails
mounted to a respective one of the pair of opposing sidewalls and,
defining a plurality of guides that extend along the vertical and
transverse directions; a bin positioned within the chilled chamber
of said cabinet, said bin having a pair of slide rails mounted on
opposite sides of said bin, each slide rail of the pair of slide
rails received by a respective one of said pair of guide rails such
that said bin is slidingly mounted to said pair of guide rails,
said bin having a lip positioned adjacent a top of said bin; a
sealing plate positioned above said bin along the vertical
direction; and a plurality of bosses fixed to said sealing plate,
said plurality of bosses received within the plurality of guides;
wherein, said sealing plate is positioned immediately adjacent the
top of said bin when said bin is in a closed position, wherein said
sealing plate is spaced apart from the top of said bin along the
vertical direction when said bin is in an open position.
16. The refrigerator appliance of claim 15, wherein said sealing
plate further comprises a biasing member that urges said sealing
plate towards the front of the refrigerator appliance along the
transverse direction when said bin is in a closed position.
17. The refrigerator appliance of claim 15, wherein said sealing
plate further comprises a gasket disposed on a bottom surface of
said sealing plate, said gasket being complementary in shape to the
lip of said bin.
18. The refrigerator appliance of claim 15, wherein said sealing
plate further comprises a ledge that extends downwardly from a
bottom surface of said sealing plate, said ledge configured for
engagement with a back of said bin.
19. The refrigerator appliance of claim 18, wherein said sealing
plate further comprises a biasing member mounted to said ledge,
said biasing member urging said sealing plate towards the front of
the refrigerator appliance along the transverse direction when said
bin is in a closed position.
20. The refrigerator appliance of claim 15, further comprising a
catch for securing said bin in a closed position.
Description
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to drawer
assemblies for appliances, e.g., refrigerator or freezer
appliances.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Generally, refrigerator appliances include a cabinet that
defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage.
The refrigerator appliance can also include storage components
mounted within the chilled chamber. For example, shelves, drawers,
bins, and other components can be mounted within the chilled
chamber. Such components can receive food items in order to
facilitate storage and/or organization of food items within the
chilled chamber. In particular, certain refrigerator appliances
include fresh food drawers that are configured for extending the
shelf life of fresh food (e.g., vegetables, cheeses, etc.) stored
therein.
[0003] Fresh food drawers can be useful because certain conditions
within a refrigerator appliance can have a detrimental effect on
the shelf life of fresh food items. For example, an atmosphere
within the refrigerator appliance is often relatively dry, e.g.,
due to condensation of water vapor on an evaporator of the
refrigerator's cooling system. Thus, water within the fresh food
items can evaporate rapidly within the chilled chamber. Such
evaporation can spoil the fresh food items or otherwise render them
unusable.
[0004] To facilitate storage of fresh food items, fresh food
drawers can physically isolate the fresh food items stored therein
from the remaining atmosphere of the chilled chamber. However,
presently fresh food drawers generally provide a poor seal and,
thus, poor isolation from the dry atmosphere of the chilled
chamber.
[0005] Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for
improving storage of fresh food items would be useful. In
particular, a refrigerator appliance with features for providing
improved isolation of fresh food items from a dry atmosphere of the
refrigerator appliance would be useful. Further, a drawer with
features for providing a more reliable seal in order to facilitate
storage of food items therein would be useful.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0006] The present subject matter provides a drawer assembly for a
refrigerator appliance. The drawer assembly includes a bin and a
sealing plate configured for sealing the bin when the bin is in a
closed position. By sealing the bin, the sealing plate can increase
the useful life of food items stored within the bin. Additional
aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part
in the following description, or may be apparent from the
description, or may be learned through practice of the
invention.
[0007] In a first exemplary embodiment, a drawer assembly for a
refrigerator appliance is provided. The drawer assembly extends
between a top and a bottom along a vertical direction. The drawer
assembly further extends between a front and a back along a
transverse direction. The transverse direction is perpendicular to
the vertical direction. The drawer assembly includes a first guide
rail defining a first plurality of guides. The first plurality of
guides extends longitudinally along the vertical and transverse
directions on the first guide rail. A second guide rail is spaced
apart from the first guide rail along the horizontal direction. The
second guide rail defines a second plurality of guides. The second
plurality of guides extends longitudinally along the vertical and
transverse directions on the second guide rail. A bin is slidingly
mounted between the first guide rail and the second guide rail. The
bin has a lip positioned adjacent a top of the bin. A sealing plate
is positioned above the bin on the vertical direction. A first
plurality of bosses is fixed to a first side of the sealing plate.
The first plurality of bosses is received within the first
plurality of guides of the first guide rail. A second plurality of
bosses is fixed to a second side of the sealing plate. The second
plurality of bosses is received within the second plurality of
guides of the second guide rail.
[0008] In a second exemplary embodiment, a drawer assembly for a
refrigerator appliance is provided. The drawer assembly extends
between a top and a bottom along a vertical direction. The drawer
assembly further extends between a front and a back along a
transverse direction. The transverse direction is perpendicular to
the vertical direction. The drawer assembly includes a first guide
rail and a second guide rail spaced apart from the first guide
rail. A first plurality of bosses is fixed to the first guide rail.
A second plurality of bosses is fixed to the second guide rail. A
bin is slidingly mounted between the first guide rail and the
second guide rail. The bin has a lip positioned adjacent a top of
the bin. A sealing plate is positioned above the bin on the
vertical direction. The sealing plate defines a first plurality of
guides and a second plurality of guides. The first plurality of
guides receives the first plurality of bosses. The second plurality
of guides receives the second plurality of bosses.
[0009] In a third exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is
provided. The refrigerator appliance extends between a top and a
bottom along a vertical direction. The refrigerator appliance also
extends between a first side and a second side along a horizontal
direction. The refrigerator appliance further extends between a
front and a back along a transverse direction. The transverse
direction is perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal
directions. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that
defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items. The chilled
chamber of the cabinet has a pair of opposing sidewalls spaced
apart along the horizontal direction. Each sidewall of the pair of
opposing sidewalls defines a plurality of guides that extend along
the vertical and transverse directions. A bin is slidingly mounted
within the chilled chamber of the cabinet between the pair of
opposing sidewalls. The bin has a lip positioned adjacent a top of
the bin. A sealing plate is positioned above the bin along the
vertical direction. A plurality of bosses is fixed to the sealing
plate. The plurality of bosses is received within the plurality of
guides. The sealing plate is positioned immediately adjacent a top
of the bin when the bin is in a closed position. The sealing plate
is spaced apart from the top of the bin along the vertical
direction when the bin is in an open position.
[0010] These and other features, aspects and advantages of the
present invention will become better understood with reference to
the following description and appended claims. The accompanying
drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this
specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and,
together with the description, serve to explain the principles of
the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention,
including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill
in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes
reference to the appended figures, in which:
[0012] FIG. 1 provides a front view of a refrigerator appliance
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject
matter.
[0013] FIG. 2 provides a front view of the refrigerator appliance
of FIG. 1 with refrigerator doors of the refrigerator appliance
shown in an open configuration to reveal a fresh food chamber of
the refrigerator appliance.
[0014] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a drawer assembly
according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter
with an exemplary bin of the drawer assembly shown in a closed
position.
[0015] FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the drawer assembly
of FIG. 3 with the bin of the drawer assembly shown in an open
position.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drawer assembly of
FIG. 3 taken along the 5-5 line shown in FIG. 3.
[0017] FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the drawer
assembly of FIG. 5 with the bin of the drawer assembly shown in the
open position.
[0018] FIG. 7 provides a cross-sectional view of the drawer
assembly of FIG. 5 with the bin of the drawer assembly shown
removed from a guide rail of the drawer assembly.
[0019] FIG. 8 is a side view of the bin shown in FIG. 7.
[0020] FIG. 9 is a top view of a sealing plate shown in FIG. 3.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the
invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the
drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the
invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be
apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and
variations can be made in the present invention without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features
illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with
another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is
intended that the present invention covers such modifications and
variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and
their equivalents.
[0022] FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a
refrigerator appliance 100. Refrigerator appliance 100 extends
between a top 101 and a bottom 102 along a vertical direction V.
Refrigerator appliance 100 also extends between a first side 105
and a second side 106 along a horizontal direction H.
[0023] Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 120
defining an upper fresh food chamber 122 and a lower freezer
chamber 124 arranged below the fresh food chamber 122 on the
vertical direction V. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is
generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator. In the
exemplary embodiment, housing 120 also defines a mechanical
compartment (not shown) for receipt of a sealed cooling system (not
shown). Using the teachings disclosed herein, one of skill in the
art will understand that the present invention can be used with
other types of refrigerators (e.g., side-by-sides) or a freezer
appliance as well. Consequently, the description set forth herein
is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the
invention in any aspect.
[0024] Refrigerator doors 126, 128 are rotatably hinged to an edge
of housing 120 for accessing fresh food compartment 122. A freezer
door 130 is arranged below refrigerator doors 126, 128 for
accessing freezer chamber 124. In the exemplary embodiment, freezer
door 130 is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably
coupled within freezer chamber 124.
[0025] Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a dispensing assembly
110 for dispensing water and/or ice. Dispensing assembly 110
includes a dispenser 114 positioned on an exterior portion of
refrigerator appliance 100. Dispenser 114 includes a discharging
outlet 134 for accessing ice and water. A single paddle 132 is
mounted below discharging outlet 134 for operating dispenser 114. A
user interface panel 136 is provided for controlling the mode of
operation. For example, user interface panel 136 includes a water
dispensing button (not labeled) and an ice-dispensing button (not
labeled) for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed
or non-crushed ice.
[0026] Discharging outlet 134 and paddle 132 are an external part
of dispenser 114, and are mounted in a recessed portion 138 defined
in an outside surface of refrigerator door 126. Recessed portion
138 is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a
user to access ice or water enabling the user to access ice without
the need to bend-over and without the need to access freezer
chamber 124. In the exemplary embodiment, recessed portion 138 is
positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a
user.
[0027] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of refrigerator appliance 100
having refrigerator doors 126, 128 in an open position to reveal
the interior of the fresh food chamber 122. As such, certain
components of dispensing assembly 110 are illustrated. Dispensing
assembly 110 includes an insulated housing 142 mounted within
refrigerator chamber 122. Due to the insulation which encloses
insulated housing 142, the temperature within insulated housing 142
can be maintained at levels different from the ambient temperature
in the surrounding fresh food chamber 122.
[0028] The insulated cavity is constructed and arranged to operate
at a temperature that facilitates producing and storing ice. More
particularly, the insulated cavity contains an ice maker for
creating ice and feeding the same to a container 160 that is
mounted on refrigerator door 126. As illustrated in FIG. 2,
container 160 is placed at a vertical position on refrigerator door
126 that will allow for the receipt of ice from a discharge opening
162 located along a bottom edge 164 of insulated housing 142. As
door 126 is closed or opened, container 160 is moved in and out of
position under insulated housing 142.
[0029] Operation of the refrigerator appliance 100 can be regulated
by a controller (not shown) that is operatively coupled to user
interface panel 136 and/or paddle 132. Panel 136 provides
selections for user manipulation of the operation of refrigerator
appliance 100 such as e.g., selections between whole or crushed
ice, chilled water, and/or other options as well. In response to
user manipulation of the user interface panel 136, the controller
operates various components of the refrigerator appliance 100. The
controller may include a memory and one or more microprocessors,
CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose
microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or
micro-control code associated with operation of refrigerator
appliance 100. The memory may represent random access memory such
as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one
embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored
in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the
processor or may be included onboard within the processor.
[0030] The controller may be positioned in a variety of locations
throughout refrigerator appliance 100. In the illustrated
embodiment, the controller may be located within the control panel
area of door 126. In such an embodiment, input/output ("I/O")
signals may be routed between the controller and various
operational components of refrigerator appliance 100. In one
embodiment, the user interface panel 136 may represent a general
purpose I/O ("GPIO") device or functional block. In one embodiment,
the user interface 136 may include input components, such as one or
more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical
input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads.
The user interface 136 may include a display component, such as a
digital or analog display device designed to provide operational
feedback to a user. The user interface 136 may be in communication
with the controller via one or more signal lines or shared
communication busses.
[0031] A drawer assembly 200 is mounted within the fresh food
chamber 122. Drawer assembly 200 is configured for receipt and
storage of food items, e.g., that are susceptible to damage from
prolonged exposure to a relatively dry atmosphere within fresh food
chamber 122. As an example, fresh food times such as vegetables can
"dry out" or in some other manner become damaged during prolonged
exposure to the relatively dry atmosphere within fresh food chamber
122. By disposing such food items within drawer assembly 200, such
food items can be isolated from the dry atmosphere of fresh food
chamber 122 and, thus, the useful life of such food items can be
extended.
[0032] The exemplary embodiment of drawer assembly 200 shown in
FIG. 2 is provided by way of example only. Other configurations for
drawer assembly 200 are within the scope of the present subject
matter. For example, drawer assembly 200 may be situated within
freezer chamber 124. Also, drawer assembly may have any suitable
size. For example, drawer assembly 200 may span across fresh food
chamber 122. Similarly, multiple drawer assemblies (e.g., two,
three, or more) may be disposed within fresh food chamber 200 in
any suitable configuration.
[0033] FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of drawer assembly 200
removed from refrigerator appliance 100 (FIG. 2). In FIG. 3, a bin
or basket 230 of drawer assembly 200 is shown in a closed position.
FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of drawer assembly 200 of
FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, bin 230 is shown in an open position. As may be
seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, drawer assembly 200 extends between a top
201 and a bottom 202 along vertical direction V and also extends
between a first side 205 and a second side 206 along horizontal
direction H. Drawer assembly 200 further extends between a front
203 and a back 204 along a transverse direction T. Transverse
direction T is substantially perpendicular to horizontal and
vertical directions H and V. Thus, vertical direction V, horizontal
direction H, and transverse direction T are orthogonally oriented
such that vertical direction V, horizontal direction H, and
transverse direction T form an orthogonal directional system.
[0034] Bin 230 defines a storage volume 235 (FIG. 4), e.g., for
receipt of food items for storage. Bin 230 may shift between the
open and closed positions in order to access storage volume 235 by
sliding along the transverse direction T. As an example, with bin
230 in the closed position shown in FIG. 3, a user can insert his
or her fingers into a handle 239 defined by a front panel 233 of
bin 230 and pull bin 230 outwardly along the transverse direction T
in order to slide bin 230 into the open position shown in FIG. 4 in
which the user can insert food items into storage volume 235.
[0035] Bin 230 includes slide rails 236 that are mounted on
opposing sides of bin 230 (another matching slide rail is mounted
on an opposing side of bin 230 from slide rail 236 shown in FIG.
4). Slide rails 236 are mounted to bin 230 such that slide rails
236 extend longitudinally in the transverse direction T. Further,
drawer assembly 200 includes a first guide rail or slide track 210
and a second guide rail or slide track 220 that are spaced apart
along the horizontal direction H. Slide rails 236 are received by
first and second guide rails 210 and 220 such that bin 230 is
slidingly mounted between first and second guide rails 210 and 220
and bin 230 can slide between the open and closed position. Thus,
bin 230 hangs from first and second guide rails 210 and 220. Other
mechanisms can be used to mount bin 230 within refrigerator
appliance 100, e.g., drawer slides.
[0036] First and second guide rails 210 and 220 may be fixed within
refrigerator appliance 100 (FIG. 2) in any suitable manner. For
example, first and second guide rails 210 and 220 may be integrally
molded to housing 120 (FIG. 2) within fresh food chamber 122.
Alternatively, fasteners (e.g., screws or bolts) may secure first
and second guide rails 210 and 220 to housing 120. Similarly, glue,
snap-fit mechanisms, interference-fit mechanisms, or any suitable
commination thereof may secure first and second guide rails 210 and
220 to housing 120 or other components of refrigerator appliance
100. As an example, first and second guide rails 210 and 220 may be
secured to opposing sidewalls 170 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of housing 120.
As may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, first guide rail 210 defines a
first plurality of guides 212.
[0037] A sealing plate 240 is also mounted to first and second
guide rails 210 and 220. Sealing plate 240 is disposed above bin
230 along the vertical direction V and is configured for
selectively sealing bin 230 as discussed in greater detail
below.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of drawer assembly 200
taken along the 5-5 line shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 5, bin 230 is
shown in the closed position. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional
view of drawer assembly 200 of FIG. 5 with bin 230 of drawer
assembly 200 shown in the open position. As may be seen in FIGS. 5
and 6, second guide rail 220 defines a second plurality of guides
222.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, first and second plurality of
guides 212 and 222 may be slots that extend longitudinally along
first and second guide rails 210 and 220 respectively. In
particular, first and second plurality of guides 212 and 222 extend
longitudinally along the vertical and transverse directions V and T
on first and second guide rails 210 and 220 respectively. Further,
first and second plurality of guides 212 and 222 define a slope S
along the vertical and transverse directions V and T, and the slope
S is downwardly moving in a direction along transverse direction T
away from front panel 233.
[0040] A plurality of bosses 250 are mounted to sealing plate 240
and extend away from sealing plate 240 along the horizontal
direction H (FIGS. 5 and 6). Plurality of bosses 250 may be, e.g.,
pins or projections. Plurality of bosses 250 is received within
first and second plurality of guides 212 and 222. As an example, a
first plurality of bosses 252 (FIG. 9) may be received within first
plurality of guides 212, and a second plurality of bosses 254 (FIG.
9) may be received within second plurality of guides 222 so that
bosses and guides are located on both sides of drawer assembly 200.
Displacement of plurality of bosses 250 (and, in turn, sealing
plate 240) is guided by first and second plurality of guides 212
and 222 as described in greater detail below.
[0041] Sealing plate 240 further includes a ledge 270 that extends
downwardly along the vertical direction V from a back 244 of
sealing plate 240. A biasing member 272 is mounted to ledge 270 and
a back wall 172 of fresh food chamber 122 such that biasing member
272 extends between ledge 270 and back wall 172. Biasing member 272
urges ledge 270 away from back wall 172 along the transverse
direction T when bin 230 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 5.
Thus, as discussed in greater detail below, due to biasing member
272, ledge 270 is spaced further from back wall 172 along the
transverse direction T when bin 230 is in the open position shown
in FIG. 6 compared to when bin 230 is in the closed position shown
in FIG. 5. In FIGS. 5 and 6, biasing member 272 is shown as a
spring. However, biasing member 272 may be any other suitable
mechanism, e.g., a linear actuator.
[0042] A catch assembly 280 is configured for selectively
maintaining bin 230 in the closed position despite biasing member
272 urging bin 230 to the open position (via ledge 270). As may be
seen in FIG. 6, catch assembly 280 includes a tab 282 mounted to
second guide rail 220 and a recess 284 defined by slide rail 236.
As shown in FIG. 5, when tab 282 is positioned within recess 284,
bin 230 is held in the closed position by catch assembly 280
despite biasing member 272 urging such components apart. Other
suitable mechanisms may be used to selectively maintaining bin 230
in the closed position, e.g., a ball spring or a bolt such as a
slam bolt.
[0043] As discussed above, bin 230 is shown in the closed position
in FIG. 5. In the closed position, biasing member 272 is charged by
the position of bin 230 such that biasing member 272 urges bin 230
and sealing plate 240 away from back wall 172. Further, bosses 250
are disposed at a bottom portion 224 of second plurality of guides
222 (and at a bottom portion 224 first plurality of guides 212
shown in FIG. 3) when bin 230 is the closed position. Further, in
the closed position, sealing plate 240 is disposed on top of bin
230 such that sealing plate 240 seals bin 230.
[0044] As discussed above, bin 230 is shown in the open position in
FIG. 6. From the closed position shown in FIG. 5, a user can shift
bin to the open position by inserting his or her fingers in to
handle 239 and pulling bin 230 away from back wall 172 along the
transverse direction T. Tab 282 will deflect out of recess 284 such
that catch assembly 280 releases bin 230 and permits movement of
bin 230 along the transverse direction T. As bin 230 shifts to the
open position, biasing member 272 pushes ledge 270 away from back
wall 172 such that sealing plate 240 displaces away from back wall
172 along the transverse direction T. Further, biasing member 272
urges bosses 250 to slide up slope S of first and second
pluralities of guides 212 and 222 such that sealing plate 240
displaces away from bin 230 along the vertical direction V. Thus,
in the open position, sealing plate 240 is spaced apart from bin
230 along the vertical direction V such that sealing plate 240 does
not interfere with sliding of bin 230.
[0045] Conversely, as bin 230 shifts back to the closed position
shown in FIG. 5 from the open position shown in FIG. 6, a back 237
of bin 230 engages with ledge 270 to charge biasing member 272.
Further, as ledge 270 is pushed towards back wall 172 along the
transverse direction T by bin 230, bosses 250 slide down slope S of
first and second pluralities of guides 212 and 222 such that
sealing plate 240 displaces towards bin 230 along the vertical
direction V until sealing plate 240 sits on bin 230. Further, as
bin 230 reaches the closed position, tab 282 will snap into recess
284 such that catch assembly 280 holds bin 230 in the closed
position by hindering movement of bin 230 along the transverse
direction T.
[0046] FIG. 7 provides a cross-sectional view of the drawer
assembly of FIG. 5 with bin 230 of drawer assembly 200 shown
dismounted from second guide rail 220 (and first guide rail 210
shown in FIG. 3). As may be seen in FIG. 7, tab 282 of catch
assembly 280 is mounted to second guide rail 220 with a leg 286
such that tab 282 is cantilevered by leg 282. Thus, leg 286 bends
in order to permit tab 282 to deflect along the horizontal
direction H (FIG. 3) into and out of recess 284. Recess 284 is
defined by slide rail 236 of bin 230. Slide rail 236 also defines a
channel 288 that guides tab 282 towards recess 284 as bin 230
shifts open and closed.
[0047] FIG. 8 is a side view of bin 230 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is
a top view of sealing plate 240 shown in FIG. 3. As may be seen in
FIG. 8, bin 230 includes a lip 234 positioned at a top 231 of bin
230. Lip 234 is positioned immediately adjacent sealing plate 240
when bin 230 is in the closed position.
[0048] As may be seen in FIG. 9, sealing plate 240 includes a
gasket 242. Gasket 242 is shaped to match lip 234 (FIG. 8) of bin
230. Gasket 242 may cooperatively engage with lip 234 to seal
storage volume 235 of bin 230, e.g., from an atmosphere of fresh
food chamber 122.
[0049] As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the
drawer assembly 200 shown within FIGS. 2-8 is provided by way of
example only. Thus, other configurations of drawer assembly 200 are
within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, bosses
250 may be mounted to first and second guide rails 210 and 220
rather than sealing plate 240. In turn, first and second
pluralities of guides 212 and 222 may be defined by sealing plate
240 (e.g., brackets or hangers (not shown) mounted to sealing plate
240).
[0050] This written description uses examples to disclose the
invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person
skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and
using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated
methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the
claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled
in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope
of the claims if they include structural elements that do not
differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include
equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from
the literal languages of the claims.
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