Refrigerator vacuum storage system

Abstract

A vacuum storage system in a refrigerator includes a bin or drawer unit removably received in a housing. The vacuum storage system may be utilized in a storage configuration or in a vacuum sealing configuration to remove air from one or more food preservation containers having one-way evacuation valves. A switch on a control interface actuates a vacuum source and a front wall of the bin or drawer unit seals against the cabinet. Air is drawn from the storage space via a hose in communication with the vacuum source and air pressure within the storage space is reduced below atmospheric pressure, whereby air is simultaneously evacuated from the containers housed in the storage space. At a predetermined pressure, a control deactivates the vacuum source and an equalizing valve is opened to return the storage space to atmospheric pressure.

1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a machine compartment;   a food storage compartment; and   a vacuum storage system within the food storage compartment adapted to be utilized in a storage configuration or a vacuum sealing configuration, said vacuum storage system including:
 a cabinet; 
 a bin unit supported for movement between retracted and extended positions into and out of the cabinet, said bin unit including a plurality of interconnected walls defining a storage space, one of the plurality of interconnected walls constituting a front wall which is adapted to seal against the cabinet when the bin unit assumes the retracted position; 
 a vacuum source in communication with the storage space inside of the cabinet for reducing air pressure within the storage space below atmospheric pressure during an evacuation event; and 
 a control system for establishing the evacuation event through activation of the vacuum source wherein, upon placing one or more vacuum sealing containers having associated one-way evacuation valves in the bin unit, sealing the front wall of the bin unit against the cabinet and actuating the vacuum source, the air pressure in the storage space is reduced below atmospheric pressure to simultaneously causing air pressures in the one or more vacuum sealing containers to be reduced below atmospheric pressure, whereupon de-activation of the vacuum source enables the pressure in the storage space to increase while the sealing containers remain under vacuum conditions. 
   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum source is located in the machine compartment of the refrigerator. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum storage system further includes environmental controls for regulating a desired temperature within the storage space. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum storage system further includes a plurality of vacuum sealing containers each provide with a one-way valve. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the main control of the vacuum storage system includes a user control interface having at least one status indicator for the evacuation event. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum storage system further includes a shelf positioned in the bin unit and dividing the storage space into multiple storage compartments. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator of  claim 6 , wherein the shelf includes a plurality of fluid flow apertures. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the vacuum storage system further includes a seal located on the periphery of the front wall of the bin unit. 
     
     
         9 . A vacuum storage system for a refrigerator food storage compartment including:
 a cabinet;   a bin unit slidably supported for movement between retracted and extended positions into and out of the cabinet, said bin unit including a plurality of interconnected walls defining a storage space, one of the plurality of interconnected walls constituting a front wall which is adapted to seal against the cabinet when the bin unit assumes the retracted position;   a vacuum source in communication with the storage space inside of the cabinet for reducing air pressure within the storage space below atmospheric pressure during an evacuation event; and   a control system for establishing the evacuation event through activation of the vacuum source wherein, upon placing one or more vacuum sealing containers having associated one-way evacuation valves in the bin unit, sealing the front wall of the bin unit against the cabinet and actuating the vacuum source, the air pressure in the storage space is reduced below atmospheric pressure to simultaneously causing air pressures in the one or more vacuum sealing containers to be reduced below atmospheric pressure, whereupon de-activation of the vacuum source enables the pressure in the storage space to increase while the sealing containers remain under vacuum conditions.   
     
     
         10 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 9 , further including environmental controls for regulating a desired temperature within the storage space. 
     
     
         11 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 9 , further including a plurality of vacuum sealing containers each provide with a one-way valve. 
     
     
         12 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 9 , wherein the main control includes a user control interface having at least one status indicator for the evacuation event. 
     
     
         13 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 9 , further including a shelf positioned in the bin unit and dividing the storage space into multiple storage compartments. 
     
     
         14 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 13 , wherein the shelf includes a plurality of fluid flow apertures. 
     
     
         15 . The vacuum storage system of  claim 9 , further including a seal located on the periphery of the front wall of the bin unit.