Storage container for a refrigerator appliance with supplemental storage features

Abstract

A storage container for a refrigerator appliance is provided. A supplemental storage shelf is mounted to the storage container. The supplemental storage shelf is configured for selective positioning along a vertical direction relative to the storage container. In such a manner, the supplemental storage shelf can be easily or conveniently stored when not in use.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A refrigerator appliance comprising:
 a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage;   a door mounted proximate said cabinet and configured for permitting selective access to the chilled chamber of said cabinet, said door extending between a top portion and a bottom portion along a vertical direction;   a storage container supported on said door and defining a storage volume for receipt of food items, said storage container having a bottom panel; and   a supplemental shelf mounted to said storage container and configured for selective positioning along the vertical direction relative to the bottom panel of said storage container.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a window mounted proximate said storage cabinet and providing selective access to the storage volume of said storage container. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said supplemental bottom shelf is configured for selective adjustment between a storage position and a functional position, wherein said supplemental shelf is positioned immediately adjacent the bottom panel of said storage container in the storage position, wherein said supplemental shelf is spaced apart from the bottom panel of said storage container in the functional position. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said supplemental shelf comprises a support extending away from said supplemental shelf along the vertical direction, said support received by said storage container in order to mount said supplemental shelf to said storage container. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 4 , wherein said support comprises a pair of legs slidably received within a pair of cavities defined by said storage container. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 5 , wherein said legs extend along the vertical direction by about a height of said container. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said storage container includes a latching mechanism for selectively securing said supplemental shelf in a storage position, said supplemental shelf positioned immediately adjacent said storage container in the storage position. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said storage container is mounted to said door at the top portion of said door. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 8 , further comprising a shelf mounted to said door below said storage container along the vertical direction. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 9 , wherein said supplemental shelf comprises a container support configured for assisting with supporting a container disposed on said shelf. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 1 , wherein said storage container is configured for selective mounting to said door at a plurality of locations on said door, said plurality of locations distributed on said door along the vertical direction. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerator appliance of  claim 1 , further comprising a hook mounted to said supplemental shelf. 
     
     
         13 . A storage container for a refrigerator appliance, the storage container extending between a top section and a bottom section along a vertical direction, the storage container also extending between a first side and a second side along a lateral direction, the storage container further extending between a front and a back along a transverse direction, the vertical, lateral, and transverse directions are mutually perpendicular, the storage container comprising:
 a bottom panel;   a pair of opposing sidewalls extending away from said bottom panel along the vertical direction, said opposing sidewalls positioned on the first and second sides of the storage container respectively;   a top panel positioned away from said bottom panel along the vertical direction; and   a supplemental shelf mounted adjacent said bottom panel and configured for selective positioning along the vertical direction relative to said bottom panel.   
     
     
         14 . The storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said storage container defines a storage volume, a window of said storage container providing selective access to the storage volume of said storage container. 
     
     
         15 . The storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said supplemental shelf is configured for selective adjustment between a storage position and a functional position, wherein said supplemental shelf is positioned immediately adjacent the bottom panel of said storage container in the storage position, wherein said supplemental shelf is spaced apart from the bottom panel of said storage container in the functional position. 
     
     
         16 . The storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said supplemental shelf comprises a support extending away from said supplemental shelf along the vertical direction, said support received by said storage container in order to mount said supplemental shelf to said storage container. 
     
     
         17 . The storage container of  claim 16 , wherein said support comprises a pair of legs positioned adjacent the first side and the second side of said storage container respectively, said pair of legs slidably received within a pair of cavities defined by said opposing sidewalls respectively. 
     
     
         18 . The storage container of  claim 17 , wherein said legs extend along the vertical direction by about a height of the storage container. 
     
     
         19 . The storage container of  claim 13 , wherein said storage container includes a latching mechanism for selectively securing said supplemental shelf in a storage position, said supplemental shelf positioned immediately adjacent said storage container in the storage position. 
     
     
         20 . The storage container of  claim 13 , further comprising a hook mounted to said supplemental shelf.