Storage container and refrigerator having the same

Abstract

A refrigerator includes a main body, a storage compartment provided in the main body and including a storage space, a partition plate to divide the storage space, and a storage container supported by the partition plate. The storage container includes a container body defining the external appearance of the storage container and having a top opening, a thickness reinforced portion formed at the lower part of the container body to prevent temperature of the lower part of the container body from rapidly changing by cold air of the storage compartment, and a thermal insulating member provided in a space between the thickness reinforced portion and the container body.

1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a main body;   a storage compartment provided in the main body and including a storage space;   a partition plate to divide the storage space; and   a storage container supported by the partition plate,   wherein the storage container includes
 a container body defining the external appearance of the storage container and having a top opening; 
 a thickness reinforced portion formed at the lower part of the container body to prevent temperature of the lower part of the container body from rapidly changing by cold air of the storage compartment; and 
 a thermal insulating member provided in a space between the thickness reinforced portion and the container body. 
   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the thickness reinforced portion connects a lateral surface and a bottom surface of the container body to each other. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the thickness reinforced portion is formed of a curved surface connecting a point on the lateral surface of the container body, which is located at the height between one third and two thirds the height of the lateral surface of the container body on the basis of the bottom surface of the container body, to a point on the bottom surface of the container body, which is located at the width between one third and two thirds the width of the bottom surface of the container body on the basis of one lateral surface of the container body. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator according to  claim 3 , wherein the container body further includes an auxiliary thermal insulating member to enclose the lateral surface and the bottom surface of the container body. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom surface of the container body is provided with a first boss array. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the lateral surface of the container body is provided with a second boss array to assure uniform temperature distribution within the container body. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the partition plate is provided with a third boss array to prevent the bottom surface of the container body and the partition plate from coming into close contact with each other. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the thickness reinforced portion is integrally formed with the container body. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator according to  claim 8 , wherein the lower part of the lateral surface of the container body has a greater thickness than the upper part of the lateral surface. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator according to  claim 9 , wherein the edge of the bottom surface of the container body has a greater thickness than the central of the bottom surface. 
     
     
         11 . A storage container comprising:
 a container body having a top opening; and   a cover to open or close the opening,   wherein the container body includes
 a lateral surface provided with a thickness reinforced portion to provide the lower part of the container body with a greater thickness than the upper part of the container body; 
 a bottom surface connected to the thickness reinforced portion such that the edge thereof has a greater thickness than the center thereof; and 
 a thermal insulating member provided in a space between the lateral surface and the bottom surface of the container body. 
   
     
     
         12 . The storage container according to  claim 11 , further comprising a boss array protruding from the lateral surface of the container body or the bottom surface of the container body. 
     
     
         13 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a main body;   a storage compartment provided in the main body and including a storage space; and   a storage container arranged in the storage space,   wherein the storage container includes
 an inner case configured such that a distance between facing lateral surfaces thereof decreases downward; and 
 an outer case coupled around the inner case to define a space in a lower region of the storage container along with the inner case; and 
 a thermal insulating member provided in the space. 
   
     
     
         14 . The refrigerator according to  claim 13 , wherein a sidewall of the storage container formed by coupling the inner case and the outer case to each other has a greater thickness in the lower part of the storage container than the upper part of the storage container. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerator according to  claim 13 , further comprising a partition plate to support the storage container,
 wherein a bottom surface of the outer case is provided with a first boss array.   
     
     
         16 . The refrigerator according to  claim 13 , wherein a lateral surface of the outer case is provided with a second boss array to increase a contact area between the outer case and cold air. 
     
     
         17 . The refrigerator according to  claim 13 , wherein the inner case and the outer case are made of the same material. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerator according to  claim 13 , wherein the inner case and the outer case are integrally formed with each other. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigerator according to  claim 13 , wherein the outer case includes a flange provided at an outer surface of the outer case.