Refrigerator Appliance With Improved Produce Storage

Abstract

A method of operating a refrigerator appliance includes monitoring humidity within a food storage compartment of the refrigerator appliance and comparing the monitored humidity level with a predetermined humidity threshold. In response to the monitored humidity level dropping below the predetermined humidity threshold, a mist of water is sprayed into the food storage compartment for a predetermined spraying time. The method also includes activating an ultraviolet light source to direct ultraviolet light into the food storage compartment for a predetermined lighting time. At least a portion of the predetermined lighting time is concurrent with the predetermined spraying time. The method also includes waiting a predetermined rest time before repeating the step of spraying the mist of water into the food storage compartment in response to the monitored humidity level below the predetermined humidity threshold.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present subject matter relates generally to refrigerator appliances, and more particularly to systems and methods for providing improved shelf life for produce items stored in such refrigerator appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0002] Refrigerator appliances generally include a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber. A wide variety of food items may be stored within the chilled chamber. The low temperature of the chilled chamber relative to ambient atmosphere assists with increasing a shelf life of the food items stored within the chilled chamber.

[0003] Vegetables stored in a refrigerator appliance lose weight over time, in particular due to loss of water. However, storing the vegetables in an environment, e.g., inside a vegetable drawer, with higher humidity relative to the remainder of the chilled chamber may also entail reduced air circulation within the compartment in which the vegetables are stored. Such reduced air circulation may lead to foul smells developing within the compartment.

[0004] Accordingly, a refrigerator with features for extending the shelf life of produce, in particular, vegetables, would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0005] 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.

[0006] In an exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance defines a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction. The vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a food storage chamber. The food storage chamber extends between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, between a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction, and between a front portion and a back portion along the transverse direction. The refrigerator appliance also includes a drawer slidably mounted within the food storage chamber. The drawer includes a plurality of walls defining a food storage compartment. The refrigerator appliance also includes a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the food storage compartment. The spray nozzle is configured to direct a mist of water into the food storage compartment. The refrigerator appliance further includes a humidity sensor positioned and configured to monitor a humidity level within the food storage compartment. The refrigerator appliance also includes an ultraviolet light source in optical communication with the food storage compartment. The ultraviolet light source is configured to direct ultraviolet light into the food storage compartment. The refrigerator appliance further includes a controller. The controller is in operative communication with the spray nozzle, the humidity sensor, and the ultraviolet light source. The controller is configured for continually monitoring, with the humidity sensor, the humidity level in the food storage compartment and comparing the monitored humidity level with a predetermined humidity threshold. The controller is also configured for spraying a mist of water into the food storage compartment from the spray nozzle for a predetermined spraying time when the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold. The controller is further configured for activating the ultraviolet light source for a predetermined lighting time. At least a portion of the predetermined lighting time is concurrent with the predetermined spraying time. The controller is also configured for waiting for a predetermined rest time after the end of the predetermined spraying time and repeating the step of spraying the mist of water into the food storage compartment from the spray nozzle for the predetermined spraying time when the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold after the predetermined rest time.

[0007] In another exemplary embodiment, a method of operating a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet defining a food storage chamber and a drawer slidably mounted within the food storage chamber. The drawer includes a plurality of walls defining a food storage compartment. The refrigerator appliance also includes a humidity sensor positioned and configured to monitor a humidity level within the food storage compartment, and the method includes continually monitoring, with the humidity sensor, the humidity level in the food storage compartment and comparing the monitored humidity level to a predetermined humidity threshold. The method also includes spraying a mist of water into the food storage compartment from a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the food storage compartment. The spray nozzle is configured to direct a mist of water into the food storage compartment. The mist of water is sprayed into the food storage compartment for a predetermined spraying time when the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold. The method also includes activating an ultraviolet light source in optical communication with the food storage compartment. The ultraviolet light source is configured to direct ultraviolet light into the food storage compartment. The ultraviolet light source is activated for a predetermined lighting time, and at least a portion of the predetermined lighting time is concurrent with the predetermined spraying time. The method further includes waiting for a predetermined rest time after the end of the predetermined spraying time, and repeating the step of spraying the mist of water into the food storage compartment from the spray nozzle for the predetermined spraying time when the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold after the predetermined rest time.

[0008] 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

[0009] 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.

[0010] FIG. 1 provides a front view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

[0011] FIG. 2 provides a perspective view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1.

[0012] FIG. 3 provides a front view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 with doors thereof in an open position.

[0013] FIG. 4 provides a front view of a portion of a refrigerator appliance according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0014] FIG. 5 provides a section view of the portion of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 4.

[0015] FIG. 6 provides a front view of a portion of a refrigerator appliance according to one or more additional embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0016] FIG. 7 provides a section view of the portion of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 6.

[0017] FIG. 8 provides a perspective view of a drawer which may be incorporated into a refrigerator appliance in one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.

[0018] FIG. 9 provides a flow diagram of an exemplary method for operating a refrigerator appliance according to one or more exemplary embodiments of the present subject matter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0019] 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.

[0020] FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator appliance 100. FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the refrigerator appliance 100. FIG. 3 is a front view of the refrigerator appliance 100 with fresh food doors 128 thereof in an open position. 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 lateral direction L. As shown in FIG. 2, a transverse direction T may additionally be defined perpendicular to the vertical and lateral directions V and L. Refrigerator appliance 100 extends along the transverse direction T between a front portion 108 and a back portion 110.

[0021] Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 120 defining an upper fresh food chamber 122 (FIG. 3) and a lower freezer chamber or frozen food storage chamber 124 arranged below the fresh food chamber 122 along the vertical direction V. In some embodiments, an auxiliary food storage chamber (not shown) may be positioned between the fresh food storage chamber 122 and the frozen food storage chamber 124, e.g., along the vertical direction V. Because the frozen food storage chamber 124 is positioned below the fresh food storage chamber 122, 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.

[0022] Refrigerator doors 128 are each rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 120 for accessing fresh food chamber 122. It should be noted that while two doors 128 in a "French door" configuration are illustrated, any suitable arrangement of doors utilizing one, two or more doors is within the scope and spirit of the present disclosure. A freezer door 130 is arranged below refrigerator doors 128 for accessing freezer chamber 124. In the exemplary embodiment, freezer door 130 is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably mounted within freezer chamber 124. An auxiliary door 127 may be coupled to an auxiliary drawer (not shown) which is slidably mounted within the auxiliary chamber (not shown).

[0023] Operation of the refrigerator appliance 100 can be regulated by a controller 134 that is operatively coupled to a user interface panel 136. User interface panel 136 provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of refrigerator appliance 100 to modify environmental conditions therein, such as temperature selections, etc. In some embodiments, user interface panel 136 may be proximate a dispenser assembly 132. Panel 136 provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of refrigerator appliance 100 such as, e.g., temperature selections, selection of automatic or manual override humidity control (as described in more detail below), etc. In response to user manipulation of the user interface panel 136, the controller 134 operates various components of the refrigerator appliance 100. Operation of the refrigerator appliance 100 can be regulated by the controller 134, e.g., controller 134 may regulate operation of various components of the refrigerator appliance 100 in response to programming and/or user manipulation of the user interface panel 136.

[0024] The controller 134 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. It should be noted that controllers 134 as disclosed herein are capable of and may be operable to perform any methods and associated method steps as disclosed herein.

[0025] The controller 134 may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout refrigerator appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller 134 may be located within the door 128. 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. For example, the user interface 136 may include a touchscreen providing both input and display functionality. The user interface 136 may be in communication with the controller via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.

[0026] As may be seen in FIG. 3, a plurality of food storage elements, such as bins 138, shelves 142, and drawers 140 are disposed within the fresh food storage chamber 122. As will be described in more detail below, the drawers 140 may be configured for storing produce, such as fruits and vegetables, and, in particular, may be configured for providing improved shelf life of the produce. For example, in some embodiments, the refrigerator appliance may include two drawers 140, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 3, one of which is a vegetable drawer and the other is a fruit drawer, also as will be described in more detail below.

[0027] Using the teachings disclosed herein, one of skill in the art will understand that the present subject matter can be used with other types of refrigerators such as a refrigerator/freezer combination, side-by-side, bottom mount, compact, and any other style or model of refrigerator appliance. Accordingly, other configurations of refrigerator appliance 100 could be provided, it being understood that the configurations shown in the accompanying FIGS. and the description set forth herein are by way of example for illustrative purposes only.

[0028] Referring now to FIG. 8, an exemplary drawer 140 may include a food storage compartment 144. The food storage compartment 144 may be defined by a plurality of walls of the drawer 140. For example, the plurality of walls may include a front wall 146, a back wall 148, a left wall 150, and a right wall 152. Directional terms such as "left" and "right" are used herein with reference to the perspective of a user standing in front of the refrigerator appliance 100 to access items stored therein. One of the walls, e.g., the front wall 146 as in the illustrated example embodiment of FIG. 8, may include a vent aperture 154 defined in and through the wall, e.g., the front wall 146. In such embodiments, the vent aperture 154 may be unobstructed, for example, no shutter or slider or other mechanism for fully or partially shutting the vent aperture 154 may be provided. In particular, the drawer 140 may not include a humidity control knob, slider, or lever which adjusts the degree of openness of the vent aperture 154. The unobstructed vent aperture 154 may advantageously provide increased air circulation into and through the food storage compartment 144, thereby preventing or reducing the formation and/or accumulation of foul odors within the drawer 140. Moreover, as described in further detail below, the humidity within the food storage compartment 144 may be controlled by a spraying system without the need to open or close the vent aperture 154, e.g., while the vent aperture 154 remains fully open and unobstructed throughout the range of humidity levels provided within the food storage compartment 144.

[0029] As illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 7, in various embodiments, the refrigerator appliance 100 may include a spray nozzle 200 in fluid communication with the food storage compartment 144. For example, the spray nozzle 200 may be positioned and configured to direct a mist of water 1000 (FIGS. 5 and 6) into the food storage compartment 144. In such embodiments, the refrigerator appliance 100 may also include an ultraviolet (UV) light source 202 in optical communication with the food storage compartment 144. For example, the ultraviolet light source 202 may be positioned and configured to direct ultraviolet (UV) light 1002 (FIGS. 5 and 6) into the food storage compartment 144. In some embodiments, the refrigerator appliance 100 may further include a humidity sensor 160 (FIGS. 5 and 7) positioned and configured to monitor a humidity level within the food storage compartment 144.

[0030] Further, in at least some embodiments, the refrigerator appliance 100 may include two drawers 140, e.g., a fruit drawer 140 and a vegetable drawer 140. As illustrated in FIGS. 4 through 7, the spray nozzle 200 may be in fluid communication with the vegetable drawer 140 in order to spray the mist of water 1000 into the food storage compartment 144 thereof. In such embodiments, a second UV light source 202 may be provided in optical communication with the fruit drawer 140 to direct UV light 1002 into the food storage compartment 144 of the fruit drawer 140, while the refrigerator appliance 100 does not include a spray nozzle 200 in direct fluid communication with the fruit drawer 140.

[0031] In particular embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5, the spray nozzle 200 and the UV light source 202 may be mounted on the cabinet 120. For example, the spray nozzle 200 and the UV light source 202 may be mounted on an interior surface of a back wall of the cabinet 120 facing forwards, e.g., towards the front portion 108 of the refrigerator appliance 100 and, more immediately, towards the back wall 148 (FIG. 8) of the drawer 140. In such embodiments, the drawer 140 may include an aperture 156 which is aligned with the spray nozzle 200 in order to permit the mist of water 1000 to enter the food storage compartment 144 through the aperture 156, e.g., as illustrated in FIG. 5. Additionally, in such embodiments, the drawer 140, and in particular the walls 146, 148, 150, and 152 thereof, may comprise or consist of a suitable translucent material to permit the UV light 1002 from the UV light source 202 to travel through, e.g., the back wall 148, into the food storage compartment 144 of each drawer 140.

[0032] In additional exemplary embodiments, e.g., as illustrated in FIGS. 6 and 7, the spray nozzle 200 and the UV light source 202 may be mounted, e.g., clipped, to one or more of the shelves 142, such as to an underside of a shelf 142 that is directly above the drawer(s) 140. In such embodiments, the mist of water 1000 from the spray nozzle 200 and the UV light 1002 from the one or more UV light sources 202 may enter directly into the or each drawer 140. For example, in such embodiments, the mist of water 1000 from the spray nozzle 200 may travel directly and immediately from the spray nozzle 200 into the vegetable drawer 140, e.g., without having to pass through a wall of the drawer 140 or an aperture extending through such wall. Also by way of example, in such embodiments, the UV light 1002 from each UV light source 202 may travel directly and immediately from each UV light source 202 into the respective fruit drawer 140 or vegetable drawer 140.

[0033] In various embodiments, the UV light source 202 may be deactivated when one or both of the doors 128 is or are opened. The UV light source 202 may then be reactivated when both doors 128 are closed. For example, the controller 134 may be operable to detect the door(s) 128 opening and to deactivate the UV light source 202 in response to detecting that one or both doors 128 are open, and to reactivate the UV light source 202 after detecting that both doors 128 are closed.

[0034] Turning now to FIG. 9, embodiments of the present disclosure may include a method 300 of operating a refrigerator appliance, such as the exemplary refrigerator appliance 100 described above. For example, the refrigerator appliance may include a controller and a plurality of food storage drawers, as described above.

[0035] In some embodiments, the method 300 may include a step 310 of monitoring a humidity level within a food storage compartment, such as the exemplary food storage compartment 144 defined within drawer 140 as illustrated and as described above. Monitoring the humidity level may be continuously performed in some embodiments. The method 300 may then include a step 320 of determining whether the monitored humidity level is less than a predetermined humidity threshold. When the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold, the method 300 may, in some embodiments, proceed from step 320 to a step 330 of spraying a mist of water into the food storage compartment from a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the food storage compartment for a predetermined spraying time. For example, the step 320 may include comparing the monitored humidity level to the predetermined humidity threshold and the step 330 may be performed in response to the monitored humidity level being less than the predetermined humidity threshold.

[0036] As illustrated in FIG. 9, in some embodiments, the method 300 may also include a step 332 of activating an ultraviolet light source in optical communication with the food storage compartment, whereby ultraviolet light source directs ultraviolet light into the food storage compartment, for a predetermined lighting time. Also as illustrated in FIG. 9, the steps 330 and 332 may be performed concurrently, such as at least a portion of the predetermined lighting time may be concurrent with the predetermined spraying time.

[0037] After the predetermined spraying time has ended, the method 300 may then proceed to a step 340 of waiting for a predetermined rest time after the end of the predetermined spraying time before returning to the step 320 of determining whether the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold. Thus, the method 300 may, in some embodiments, repeat the step 330, et seq., when and because the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold after the predetermined rest time.

[0038] The predetermined rest time may be sufficient for the sprayed water to evaporate from the food storage compartment, e.g., compartment 144 described above. Thus, the predetermined rest time may be a function of, e.g., based at least in part on, the volume of the food storage compartment. Additionally, the predetermined rest time may also or instead be based at least in part on the average droplet size, e.g., the average volume of water droplets, produced by the spray nozzle. For example, the predetermined rest time may be based on an evaporation rate of the sprayed or misted water, and the predetermined rest time may be at least a minimum time taken for the water droplets to evaporate, such as based on the volume or mass (or both) of water that is sprayed into the food storage compartment during the predetermined spraying time. Further, the predetermined rest time, in combination with the dehumidification cycle of the refrigerator appliance in at least some embodiments, may be sufficient for the sprayed water to completely evaporate from the food storage compartment.

[0039] In embodiments where at least a portion of the predetermined lighting time is concurrent with the predetermined spraying time, the combined effects of the water and the UV light may be advantageous. For example, in such embodiments, the antimicrobial and disinfecting efficacy of the UV light may be improved by the presence of the water mist as compared to UV light alone.

[0040] In some embodiments, the predetermined spraying time may be a constant value which does not change from one operation or iteration to the next. In other embodiments, the predetermined spraying time may be variable. For example, the predetermined spraying time may vary based on an identity of the food item(s), e.g., vegetable(s), placed within the food storage compartment. In such embodiments, the method may also include and/or the refrigerator appliance may further be configured for identifying a food item and implementing or applying a value of the predetermined spraying time that is based on the identified food item.

[0041] In some embodiments, identification of the food item may be accomplished with a camera (not shown). For example, the refrigerator appliance may include a camera, and the step of identifying the food item may include identifying the food item based on an image captured by the camera. In some embodiments, the operation of the camera may be tied to the door opening, e.g., the camera may be operable and configured to capture an image each time the door is closed after detecting a door opening. The structure and operation of cameras are understood by those of ordinary skill in the art and, as such, the camera is not specifically illustrated or described in further detail herein for the sake of brevity and clarity. In such embodiments, the controller 134 of the refrigerator appliance 100 may be configured for image-based processing, e.g., to identify a food item based on an image of the food item, e.g., a photograph of the food item taken with the camera. For example, the controller 134 may be configured to identify the food item by comparison of the image to a stored image of a known or previously-identified food item.

[0042] In some embodiments, the method may also include detecting an opening of a door and pausing spraying the mist of water into the food storage compartment in response to detecting the opening of the door during the predetermined spraying time. For example, the ambient environment outside of and immediately around the refrigerator appliance will generally be more humid than the interior of the refrigerator appliance. As such, when the door is opened, the humidity in the food storage compartment may increase as a result of more humid air from outside the refrigerator appliance coming in, e.g., the air from the ambient environment is typically warmer than air within the refrigerator appliance and when such air enters the food storage chamber, e.g., 122, the air cools and condensation forms on surfaces within the food storage chamber, such as on the cabinet walls, shelves, and/or the walls of the drawer, including within the food storage compartment. Accordingly, continued spraying of the mist of water may not be needed during the time that the door of the refrigerator is open and for at least some time period thereafter. As such, the method may include waiting until after detecting a closing of the door before resuming the humidity control operations. For example, the method may include returning to the step of comparing the monitored humidity level with the predetermined humidity threshold after detecting the closing of the door after pausing the spraying of the mist of water in response to detecting the opening of the door during the predetermined spraying time. Moreover, when the method resumes spraying after the door is closed (and after the humidity level is again less than the predetermined humidity threshold), the spraying may, in some embodiments, be performed for less than the full amount of the predetermined spraying time. For example, rather than completely restarting the spraying step, the mist of water may be sprayed into the food storage compartment from the spray nozzle for a remainder of the predetermined spraying time based on how much of the predetermined spraying time had elapsed before the door was opened. As an example, if the predetermined spraying time is X seconds and the door is opened after Y seconds (Y is less than X), then, after the door is closed and after the monitored humidity level once again drops below the predetermined humidity threshold, the mist of water will be sprayed into the food storage compartment for X minus Y seconds, e.g., the remaining amount or portion of the predetermined spraying time when the door was opened.

[0043] Additionally, in some embodiments, the method may also include and/or the controller may also be configured for waiting for a predetermined period of time to elapse after detecting the closing of the door and before returning to the step of comparing the monitored humidity level with the predetermined humidity threshold. Waiting for the predetermined period of time to elapse after detecting the closing of the door and before returning to the step of comparing the monitored humidity level with the predetermined humidity threshold may advantageously allow the condensation process described above to complete, such that the humidity reading used in the comparing step may thereby more accurately reflect the influence of the outside air on the humidity within the food storage compartment as compared to immediately resuming the comparing step after the door closing is detected.

[0044] Those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that the present disclosure provides numerous advantages. For example, providing the mist of water into the food storage compartment may advantageously reduce or avoid wilting of vegetables therein, thereby providing extended shelf life for the vegetables. Additionally, the predetermined rest time may maintain the humidity level within the vegetable drawer at or below a level which can readily evaporate from the food storage compartment and allow time for such evaporation to occur. The benefits resulting from such rest time include eliminating the need to drain liquid water from the food storage compartment and reducing or eliminating the potential for bacteria growth in the food storage compartment. Moreover, the combination of UV light with the mist spray in particular may advantageously provide disinfection to the food storage compartment within each produce drawer to ensure that the fruits and vegetables therein are free from potentially harmful microbes that might otherwise flourish on the surfaces of the produce. It is to be understood that the UV light provides such advantages in both the fruit drawer and the vegetable drawer, but also that the combination of UV light and the mist of water in the vegetable drawer provides enhances disinfection capability of the UV light. The foregoing advantages are provided by way of example only, those of ordinary skill in the art will recognize that various embodiments of the present disclosure may also provide additional advantages and/or that some embodiments of the present disclosure may not necessarily provide each of the foregoing exemplary advantages. As such, none of the example advantages discussed in this paragraph are to be considered required or mandatory features of the present disclosure.

[0045] 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.

Claims

1. A refrigerator appliance defining a vertical direction, a lateral direction, and a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions being mutually perpendicular, the refrigerator appliance comprising: a cabinet defining a food storage chamber, the food storage chamber extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along the vertical direction, a first side portion and a second side portion along the lateral direction, and a front portion and a back portion along the transverse direction; a drawer slidably mounted within the food storage chamber, the drawer comprising a plurality of walls defining a food storage compartment; a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the food storage compartment, the spray nozzle configured to direct a mist of water into the food storage compartment; a humidity sensor positioned and configured to monitor a humidity level within the food storage compartment; an ultraviolet light source in optical communication with the food storage compartment, the ultraviolet light source configured to direct ultraviolet light into the food storage compartment; and a controller, the controller in operative communication with the spray nozzle, the humidity sensor, and the ultraviolet light source, the controller configured for: continually monitoring, with the humidity sensor, the humidity level in the food storage compartment; comparing the monitored humidity level with a predetermined humidity threshold; spraying a mist of water into the food storage compartment from the spray nozzle for a predetermined spraying time when the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold; activating the ultraviolet light source for a predetermined lighting time, wherein at least a portion of the predetermined lighting time is concurrent with the predetermined spraying time; waiting for a predetermined rest time after the end of the predetermined spraying time; and repeating the step of spraying the mist of water into the food storage compartment from the spray nozzle for the predetermined spraying time when the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold after the predetermined rest time.

2. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the drawer comprises a vent aperture in one wall of the plurality of walls and wherein the vent aperture is unobstructed.

3. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the predetermined rest time is proportional to the average volume of water droplets produced by the spray nozzle during the predetermined spraying time, whereby the water from the step of spraying the mist of water evaporates completely during the predetermined rest time.

4. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the predetermined spraying time is a constant value.

5. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured for identifying a food item and wherein the predetermined spraying time is variable based on the identified food item.

6. The refrigerator appliance of claim 5, further comprising a camera, wherein the controller is configured for identifying the food item based on an image captured by the camera.

7. The refrigerator appliance of claim 1, wherein the controller is further configured for detecting an opening of a door and pausing the spraying of the mist of water into the food storage compartment in response to detecting the opening of the door during the predetermined spraying time.

8. The refrigerator appliance of claim 7, wherein the controller is further configured for returning to the step of comparing the monitored humidity level with the predetermined humidity threshold after detecting a closing of the door after pausing the spraying of the mist of water into the food storage compartment in response to detecting the opening of the door during the predetermined spraying time, and wherein the controller is further configured for spraying the mist of water into the food storage compartment from the spray nozzle for a remainder of the predetermined spraying time when the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold after detecting the closing of the door.

9. The refrigerator appliance of claim 8, wherein the controller is further configured for waiting for a predetermined period of time to elapse after detecting the closing of the door and before returning to the step of comparing the monitored humidity level with the predetermined humidity threshold.

10. A method of operating a refrigerator appliance, the refrigerator appliance comprising a cabinet defining a food storage chamber and a drawer slidably mounted within the food storage chamber, the drawer comprising a plurality of walls defining a food storage compartment, the method comprising: continually monitoring, with a humidity sensor positioned and configured to monitor a humidity level within the food storage compartment, the humidity level in the food storage compartment; comparing the monitored humidity level to a predetermined humidity threshold; spraying a mist of water into the food storage compartment from a spray nozzle in fluid communication with the food storage compartment, the spray nozzle configured to direct a mist of water into the food storage compartment, for a predetermined spraying time when the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold; activating an ultraviolet light source in optical communication with the food storage compartment, the ultraviolet light source configured to direct ultraviolet light into the food storage compartment, for a predetermined lighting time, wherein at least a portion of the predetermined lighting time is concurrent with the predetermined spraying time; waiting for a predetermined rest time after the end of the predetermined spraying time; and repeating the step of spraying the mist of water into the food storage compartment from the spray nozzle for the predetermined spraying time when the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold after the predetermined rest time.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein the drawer comprises a vent aperture in one wall of the plurality of walls and wherein the vent aperture is unobstructed.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined rest time is proportional to the average volume of water droplets produced by the spray nozzle during the predetermined spraying time, whereby the water from the step of spraying the mist of water evaporates completely during the predetermined rest time.

13. The method of claim 10, wherein the predetermined spraying time is a constant value.

14. The method of claim 10, further comprising identifying a food item and wherein the predetermined spraying time is variable based on the identified food item.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the refrigerator appliance further comprises a camera, wherein the step of identifying the food item comprises identifying the food item based on an image captured by the camera.

16. The method of claim 10, further comprising detecting an opening of a door and pausing spraying the mist of water into the food storage compartment in response to detecting the opening of the door during the predetermined spraying time.

17. The method of claim 16, further comprising returning to the step of comparing the monitored humidity level with the predetermined humidity threshold after detecting a closing of the door after pausing the spraying of the mist of water in response to detecting the opening of the door during the predetermined spraying time, and further comprising spraying the mist of water into the food storage compartment from the spray nozzle for a remainder of the predetermined spraying time when the monitored humidity level is less than the predetermined humidity threshold after detecting the closing of the door.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising waiting for a predetermined period of time to elapse after detecting the closing of the door and before returning to the step of comparing the monitored humidity level with the predetermined humidity threshold.