CA2603856A1 - Humidity control lid - Google Patents

Humidity control lid Download PDF

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Publication number
CA2603856A1
CA2603856A1 CA002603856A CA2603856A CA2603856A1 CA 2603856 A1 CA2603856 A1 CA 2603856A1 CA 002603856 A CA002603856 A CA 002603856A CA 2603856 A CA2603856 A CA 2603856A CA 2603856 A1 CA2603856 A1 CA 2603856A1
Authority
CA
Canada
Prior art keywords
lid
bin
refrigerator
pathway
shelf
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
CA002603856A
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Bruno Sintive
Roland Brodie Matthews
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Fisher and Paykel Appliances Ltd
Original Assignee
Individual
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Individual filed Critical Individual
Publication of CA2603856A1 publication Critical patent/CA2603856A1/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D25/00Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/02Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
    • F25D25/024Slidable shelves
    • F25D25/025Drawers
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/042Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/08Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation using ducts
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D23/00General constructional features
    • F25D23/12Arrangements of compartments additional to cooling compartments; Combinations of refrigerators with other equipment, e.g. stove
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/042Air treating means within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/045Air flow control arrangements
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/04Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments
    • F25D2317/041Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments by purification
    • F25D2317/0413Treating air flowing to refrigeration compartments by purification by humidification
    • F25D2317/04131Control means therefor
    • FMECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25DREFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/06Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
    • F25D2317/061Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation through special compartments

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)

Abstract

A vegetable bin (4) or a refrigerator comprises a floor, enclosing side walls and a substantially open top. The vegetable bin is placed within a refrigerated space beneath a lower shelf (6) to be cooled. The vegetable bin is furt provided with a lid (5) to cover said open top, and said lid is suspended underneath the lower shelf directly above t vegetable bin. In one condition the lid substantially seals the vegetable bin to help keep the vegetables fresh. In another condition the lid is lifted up a small amount at a rear portion of the lid, by operating control means (11), in order to allow the air within the vegetable container to exchange with the air of the refrigerated space. The air pathway is opened between the lid and the upper perimeter of the vegetable bin and is preferably located toward th rear of the refrigerated space proximate a circulating fan (8).

Description

"HUMIDITY CONTROL LID"

BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION
6 Field of the Invention The present invention relates to vegetable bins for use within a refrigerator and more particularly to vegetable bins that are capable of keeping produce fresh for long periods of time.
Background 12 Vegetables and/or fruit are often kept in a lidded food compartment or a food bin in a refrigerator in order to maintain a relatively high level of humidity within the bin to keep the food fresh longer. Lidded food bins are also lalown to help keep the atmospheric conditions within the bin comparatively stable and reduce the changes that may occur when the refrigerator door is repeatedly opened and closed during nornial use.. A problem with lidded vegetable bins of the prior art is that they may keep the humidity level within the bin too high for some types of 18 produce and may also lead to excessive "rain out" of moisture. As the vegetables and fruit are generally still respiring, the water produced may increase the relative humidity within the vegetable bin until it becomes saturated and cause water droplets to condense and foi-ni on the cold under surface of the vegetable bin lid. In order to keep the vegetables or fi=uit as fresh as possible and to prolong the edible life of the produce, it is not desirable to allow the condensate to drip onto the vegetables or fruit in the bin. Conversely, it is not desirable to allow the relative 24 humidity of the air within the bin to reduce too far as this may also shorten the shelf life of the fresh produce within the vegetable bin.
The preferred atmospheric conditions within the vegetable/fruit bin can vary depending on the type of fresh produce stored in the bin. Further, the atmospheric conditions outside the refrigerator and those within the refrigerated space but outside the vegetable bin can also affect the conditions within the bin, especially if the air within the bin is allowed to elchange with air 30 outside the bin. Some prior art vegetable bins are provided with small vents on the front in order to be accessible to the user and to allow some air to exchange between the bin and the refrigerated space. The vegetable bins are not par-ticularly effective because they do not allow much of the circulating air to exchange.

-~-Prior art docurnent WO 2004/033312 discloses a refrigerator and vegetable box wherein the vegetable box includes a lid for covering the opening of the vegetable box and keepitig the fresh produce witliin fi=esh. The lid of this prior art document discloses a series of vents theretluough and a plurality of opening and closing nzembers for opening and closing the cooling vents in the vegetable box cover. The vegetable box cover or lid is supported fi=onz an above 6 shelf and the above shelf includes control means which co-operate with the opening and closing members located within the vents of the vegetable box lid. While the method and apparatus disclosed in this prior art document may be effective in exchanging air between the vegetable box and the refrigerator cabinet, the mechanism is complex requiring a number of moving parts and complex shapes which co-operate together with a necessarily high degree of manufacturing tolerance in order to enable the invention.
12 Therefore it is desirable to provide the user of the refrigerator and vegetable bin with a new way of varying the atmospheric conditions experienced within the vegetable bin, in order that the fi=eshness and shelf life of the produce can be optimised for different types of produce to be stored, and for varying atmospheric conditions outside the vegetable bin.
Further, it is desirable that the method and mechanism of controlling and/or varying the atmospheric conditions within the bin are simple and effective in order to improve reliability and/or reduce 18 the cost.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Accordingly it is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator and/or vegetable bin which goes some way to overcoming the above problems or which will at least provide the public with a usefiil choice.

24 In a first aspect the invention may broadly be said to consist in a refi=igerator comprising:
a refrigerated space having at least one shelf, a bin disposed inside said refrigerated space and located below said at least one shelf, said bin comprising a floor, enclosed sides and a substantially open top, a bin lid located between said shelf and said bin, and suspended from said shelf and substatitially covering and sealing said open top of said bin, 30 means for selectively holding the lid with at least part of the lid perimeter in an elevated condition out of contact with said lid, with a pathway between said elevated lid perimeter and said bin for communicating gasses between said refrigerated space and the inside of said bin, when said bin is in a fiilly stored position.

Preferably, wherein said bin when in said stored position, said lid has two operating conditions, and when said lid is in said first operating condition said lid substantially seals said open top of said bin, and when in said second operating condition at least a porCion of said lid is held away from said 6 bin and a fluid pathway is opened between said bin and said lid.

Preferably said pathway is located toward the rear of said refi=igerator.

Preferably said pathway is proxiniate to a cool air circulating vent in said refrigerator, and said refrigerator fiu-ther includes at least a fan within said vent.

Preferably said means for holding said lid is associated with said shelf and includes a control camming surface which co-operates with a camming surface of said lid to open said pathway.

Alternatively said holding means operates via a lever to open said pathway.

Alternatively said holding means is an actuator which acts directly on said lid to move said lid away from said bin and open said pathway.

Preferably, said lid includes a plurality of grooves on an underside and said grooves are adapted for retaining condensed water, and said lid is disposed at a slight angle from horizontal 24 so said lid is sloped toward a draining area.

Preferably said refrigerator includes more than one said bin located side by side.

Preferably said bin or said bins are located on a drawer for improved withdrawal and insertion from the refrigerator.

In a fin-ther aspect the invention consists in a refrigerator comprising:
a refrigerated space having at least one shelf, a bin disposed inside said refi=igerated space and located below said at least one shelf, said bin comprising a floor, enclosed sides and a substantially open top, a bin lid located between said shelf and said bin, and suspended frorn said shelf, wherein said lid has at least two operating conditions, and when in said first operating condition, with said bin in a stored position, said lid is directly above said bin and substantially seals said open top, and when in said second operating condition, with said bin in a stored position, at least a 6 portion of said lid is held away fr=om said bin such that a fluid pathway is opened between said refrigerated space and said bin.

Preferably said pathway is opened by action of camming surfaces associated with said lid and an actuator.
Alternatively said pathway is opened by action of a lever.

To those skilled in the art to which the invention relates, many changes in construction and widely differing embodiments and applications of the invention Nvill suggest themselves without depar-ting from the scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The disclosures and the descriptions herein are purely illustrative and are not intended to be in any sense limiting.

[s BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the invention will now be described by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic illustration of a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the :4 present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a vegetable bin and lid according to an embodirnent of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a corner of the vegetable bin, lid and shelf of Figure 2.
Figure 4 is an exploded assembly view of the actuator mechanism for lifting a vegetable bin lid according to an ernbodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Preferred embodiments of the present invention will now be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings. Witll reference to Figure 1, a refrigerator 1 is sliown including a fresh food refrigerated space 3 and a frozen food refrigerated space 2, althougli it will be appreciated that other configurations are also applicable. The refrigerator 1 includes a refrigeration cycle (not shown) for refrigerating the air within the refrigerator to cool the interior.
6 One or more fans 8 may preferably be included within the refrigerator in order to circulate the air within the refi=igerated fresh food space 3 and/or frozen food space 2.

The fresh food compartment 3 includes a plurality of shelves 6,7 for supporting articles of food to be stored. Beneath lower shelf 6, is at least one vegetable bin 4 for storing fresh vegetables and keeping them fresh. The bin 5 is preferably made from plastic and includes a floor, enclosed sides and a substantially open top. The bin may be substantially the entire width 12 of the refrigerated space 3 or, alternatively there may be inore than one bin, side by side across the width of compartment 3. A niultiple bin configuration has the potential advantage that different kinds of fresh produce can be stored in each bin, and different atxnospheric conditions can be maintained to suit the varying produce types and their respective needs. The vegetable bin(s) 4 may be supported on a support drawer 9 in order to allow the bin to be smoothly and easily pulled out of the refrigerated cabinet 3. Alternatively, the vegetable bin may be supported 18 directly on the floor of the refrigerated fresh food compartment 3.

In order to substantially seal the bin 4 to keep vegetables fresh, the lower shelf 6 supports a hanging lid or cover 5 over the bin or bins 4. There may be a single lid 5, capable of substantially sealing one or more vegetable bins 4, or there may be provided individually suppoi-ted lids for each of the bins 4. For simplicity, a preferred embodiment includes a single lid 5 provided for both bins as shown in Figure 2. The lid 5 of Figure 2, is supported along its 24 front edge by a engaging with a lip 10 on the front edge of shelf 6. At the rear of the shelf, the lid 5 is supported by a series of hooks which engage with a complementary series of loops associated with the shelf 6 or vice versa. In this way the lid 5 is moveably supported from above by shelf 6 such that the lid remains proximate to the shelf when the bin(s) 4 are removed, but remains able to move vertically within a constrained range. Altei7iatively, the lid may be supported by flexible straps.
30 As illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the sides of the bin 4 may be tapered down towards the rear portion in order to allow the bins to be more easily removed by tilting thein up upon withdrawal. This feature is useful if for some reason the refi=igerator doors are not fiilly open and cause an obstruction preventing the bins from being completely withdrawn by pulling straight out. In such a case, in order to maintain a seal with the upper perimeter of the vegetable bin tivalls, the rear portion of the lid 5 is shaped to coinplement the shape of the vegetable bin. The tapered rear portion of the vegetable bin may also be helpfiil to allow the bin to be inserted into the space under the lid and be pushed in without impacting the lid.
Alternatively, when the vegetable bin is not inserted under the lid, it may also be desirable to bias the lid into a position where the front edge is raised higher in order that the bin can easily be inserted into position 6 without impacting the lid. The lid inay be biased by a resilient biasing means or alteriiatively niay be supported eccentrically in such a way that its own weight pulls the rear edge downwards about at least one pivot and thereby raises the fi=ont edge slightly to aid insertion of the vegetable bin under the lid.
With reference to the figures, the lid 5 is preferably constructed from a light weight plastics material and is supported in such a way that it can be raised and lowered in the vertical 12 direction a small way and thereby allow a small ainount of travel in order that the bin 4 can be slid into and out of position easily. In a normal sealing condition when the bin 4 is inserted into the refrigerated space 3 below the lower shelf 6; as the bin 4 is being pushed in, the rear portions of the bin can slide against and raise the lid slightly guiding into place.
Once completely pushed in, the complementary shapes of the lid 5 and the upper perimeter of the bin 4 allow the lid to descend and rest on the bin to substantially for7n a seal under the weight of the lid 5.
1 S In some situations with the lid 5 sealing the top of the vegetable bin 4, the atmospheric coiiditions within the bin may become too humid and thereby shorten the shelf life of the bin contents. In other situations however, the re-circulation of air within the refrigerated space via the fan(s) 8 may lead to the produce stored in the vegetable bin drying out and spoiling prematurely due to the exchange of moist air within the bin 4 and the dry air circulating in refrigerated space 3. A prefeiTed situation is to enable a user to control aiid vary the amount of 24 air (if any) which is allowed to exchange between the vegetable bin 4 and refrigerated space 3.
In order to allow a user to vary and/or control the atmospheric conditions within the vegetable bin 4, the present invention provides a simple mechanism for lifting the lid 5 so that a varying amount of air within the vegetable bin 5 can be replaced by air circulating within the refrigerated spaces. In this way the communication of air tlu=ough the opened passage enables the huinidity within the vegetable bin to be varied between approximately 85 ro relative hwnidity and 100%
30 relative humidity in order to optimise the conditions within the vegetable bin 4 according to the type of fresh produce stored. It is preferred that the method of lifting or holding the lid is discreet and easily accessible and operable by a user with the bins in their stored position. The following describes some examples of prefei7=ed embodiments of the present invention. The examples are given for illustrative purposes and are not meant to be limiting within the metes and bounds of the invention.

Lid 5 when in a first operating condition engages overtop the open top of vegetable bin 5 and substantially seals the vegetable bin 5. In this einbodiment when the vegetable bin is pushed 6 under the lid or cover 5, the lid or cover may be slightly lifted and rest on the upper perimeter of the vegetable bin walls to form a seal, though it may be imperfect, between the vegetable bin 4 and the lid or cover 5. Alternatively, in a second opera.ting condition, with the bin 4 pushed in, the lid 5 can be raised up a small amount such that a gap exists between the lid and the perimeter of the vegetable bin walls in at least a region of the perimeter, and opens a patliway into and out of the vegetable bin, tlu=ough which air can communicate and exchange between the bin 4 and 12 the refrigerated space 3.

Vi7ith reference to Figures 2 to 4 a prefeiTed embodiment of a mechanism for lifting lid 5 and opening a pathway between refrigerated space 3 and vegetable bin 4 will now be described.
One or more controls 11 are preferably located discretely on the front or upper front edge of lower shelf 6. Controls 11 consists of a sliding element which slides within a track associated 18 with the front edge moulding 12 of the shelf 6. A protruding portion of the controls 11 passes tlu=ough a slot aperture 13 in the front of moulding 12. In this way a user can slide the control means into positions of far left, far right, and any position therebetween.
Referring to Figure 4, an elongate control member 15 includes control 11 and runs in track 14 which is provided by a corner moulding 16 which is attached to the front and side edges of shelf 6 as illustrated in Figures 2 and 3. When flexible control inember 15 is fitted into track 14, it will be readily 24 appreciated that horizontal sliding motion of the control 11 ~vithin the control aperture 13 will result in movement of the elongate control member within track 14. As illustrated in Figure 4, translation of the control member 15 around the corner within track 14, will result in an end portion or control tab 17 of control member 15 being translated forwards and/or backwards with respect to the refrigerated space 3. It will be readily apparent to those skilled in the art that this siniple sliding inechanism allows a left to right translation of control 11 to be converted into a 30 front to back translation of control tab 17 at a location distant from control 11 on the rear side of the lid. With reference to Figure 2 and 3 it can be seen that a number of guides in the form of protrusions and/or recesses 18, 19 may also be provided to ensure that the elongate control member 15 moves within track 14 smoothly and consistently in a substantially constrained inazuier.

-s-As described previously, lid 5 is loosely supported at its front edge via a lip 10 and supported loosely at its rear by a series of hooks and loops. The lid 5 may be fi.irther supported at its sides by control tab 17 of the control member 15. The lid 5 preferably also includes at each side a ramp or camniing surface 20. In use, with the bins 4 located beneath the shelf 6 and fully 6 pushed in on drawer 9, the suspended lid 5 is positioned directly above the open top of bin 4.
Referring to Figure 2, with the control 11 located in a position closest to a centre line of the refrigerated space (first operating condition), the complementary camming surfaces of control tab 17 are retracted and makes no effectual contact with canuning surface 20 so that no resulting movement of the lid 5 occurs. In this position the lid 5 foi-ms a substantial seal over the open top of the vegetable bins 4 under its own weight. In a second operating condition however, when the 12 control 11 is slid towards the outside of the refrigerator space (second operating condition), the flexible elongate control member 15 slides within track 14 and control tab 17 moves to its second operating condition. The camming surface 20 of lid 5 is positioned such that when control tab 17 is in this second operating condition, the camming surface of control tab 17 interacts with the camming surface 20 of the lid 5 to urge the vegetable bin lid 5 away from the perimeter of the vegetable bin 4 (at least at a portion located near a rear corner) opening a 13 passage way which allows fluid conununication and air exchange between the vegetable bin 4 and the refrigerated space 3.
With reference to Figure 1, it can be seen that the refrigerator 1 includes a fan passageway for distributing refrigerated air around the interior space and a fan 8 within the passage. It is preferable to provide the opening passage between the lid 5 and the bin perimeter 4 described above toward the rear of the refrigerated space and, at a location proximal to an outlet 24 vent of refi=igerated air. Further effectiveness of the present invention can be realised by having sonie of the air emerging from the vent directed over the vegetable bin lid 5 and some of the air directed tlu-ough the passage between the lid 5 and the bin 4 (if any). This configuration leads to higli effectiveness while still maintaining discrete controls which are readily accessible by a user fi=oni the front of the bin.

;0 It will be appreciated that movement of control means 11 to positions intermediate of its first and second operating condition describe above, will result in the raising and/or lowering of the lid 5 to a position intei-mediate between its first substantially sealed condition and its second maJxiinally lifted condition. In this way it will be appreciated that the user has great control over the amount of air which exchanges between the bin and the refrigerated space.
With reference to Figure 2 it is noted that one or other camrning surfaces 17 or 20 may have a sttbstantially smooth ranip surface in order to provide essentially continuous variation in lid heiglit, or alternatively may incltide a series of steps so that the result of the position of control tab17 is a number of discrete lid positions. Further, carnnZing surface 20 may also include guide portions to ensure that control tab 17 engages consistently and is constrained to act on the caniining surface by 6 reducing the potential for miss-alignment.
It will be readily appreciated by those skilled in the art that the illustrative embodiment of the present invention described above is only one way of actuating the desired lifting of the lid witli respect to the vegetable biti 4. Many other mechanisms which provide canlming surfaces, being either linear, stepped, lobed, or curve-linear may be provided in order to act on the lid 5 and hold it in a position which allows a fluid passage between the lid 5 and the bin 4 to comniunicate with 12 the bin interior and refrigerated cabinet respectively. Further, it is envisaged that variations in the type of inoven-ient utilised to actuate the lid lifting of the present invention may be substituted without departing from the present invention. For example, the sliding of the control 11, may be replaced by a ttirning niotion or the sliding may operate in a different piane or direction than that described by way of exainple (i.e. horizontal). The essence of the present invention is that the lid 5 is raised in order that a passageway between the bin 4 and the lid 5 is 18 opened. Preferably the location of the opening is near the rear of the refrigerator and close to a vezlt where air is circulated tlu=ough. It this way many options for actuation pi=esent themselves such as:

= Caniining surfaces included as part of the operating meclianism = Opening of the vent gap may occur by actuating a control knob or lever etc or alternatively, the pushing in/pulling out motion of the bin itself may operate the lifting of 24 the lid = The lid may be directly actuated by a motorised actuator and controlled manually or alter-natively controlled autoinatically by a control unit in response to measured conditions within the vegetable bin or refrigerated space or according to user settings.

= The user may turn lcnobs or operate levers to result in a lifting inotion of the lid 30 It will be appreciated that the humidity control of the present invention may be configurable to provide a number of options relating to how many storage bins 4 are provided and how many lids 5 are provided for each storage bin. Further it will be readily appreciated that controls 11 may be provided independently on both sides of a single lid 5 such as illustrated in Figure 2 or otlierwise. These controls 11 nlay be actuated independently or altei-natively may be coupled together. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the relevant art that independent or coupled controls 11, together with varying combinations of camming surface orientations will result in various combinations of lifting or lowering the lid in different parts of the bin and/or bins. It may in some circumstances for example be preferable to have a single control that loNvers one side of the lid while at the same time raises another portion.
However, in the 6 prefei7=ed embodiment there are provided independent controls 11, wllich act on a single lid 5, which spans two bins 4. In this configuration, each bin can be maintained at similar or different atmospheric conditions according to what is optimal for the produce stored in each bin.

The lid or cover may also be provided as known in the ar-t with a plurality of linear or otherwise oriented grooves such that the underside of the lid acts as a condensate collector. The 12 dimensions, spacings and disposition of the grooves are such that condensate collecting on the downwardly facing portion as well as the walls of the grooves tends to niigrate to the upwardly disposed bases of the grooves under water surface tension. It may be desirable to provide the grooves at a slight angle relative to horizontal when positioned over the food bin. For example, the lid may be constructed such that the tilt of the grooves is a small angle of approximately 2-5 .
Therefore, any accumulation of condensate in the grooves can be drained in use to a draining 1 S area under gravity. The lifting of one or more corners of the lid to control the relative humidity level within the bin ~vill clearly change the relative angle of the lid with respect to horizontal, at least in pot-rions of the lid. It is envisaged that the sliglit angle may be increased or decreased via the action of raising the lid. However, given that the prefen=ed raising occurs toward the rear of the lid and the prefen=ed draining area is also at the rear, then raising of the lid is will alter the slop of the lid toward the liorizontal. Becatise the raising of the lid is likely to also decrease the 24 relative humidity of the air in the vegetable bin, the draining angle nlay become less important even if a slight angle is still maintained.

There are many different ways of providing the lid and/or grooves at a slight angle which are envisaged. The embodiment shown if Figure 2 is just one of these.
Preferably, the loose hooks hold the lid in the required disposition such that grooves are provided on a slight tilt towards the rear inside face of the refrigerator. Accordingly, condensate fornling as a result of 0 vegetables or fruit in the bin respiring is collected in the channels and can slowly drain to the draining area where it can evaporate or drain to the back of the refrigerator.

Claims (21)

1. A refrigerator comprising:
a refrigerated space having at least one shelf, a bin disposed inside said refrigerated space and located below said at least one shelf, said bin comprising a floor, enclosed sides and a substantially open top, a bin lid located between said shelf and said bin, and suspended from said shelf and substantially covering and sealing said open top of said bin, means for selectively holding the lid with at least part of the lid perimeter in an elevated condition out of contact with said lid, with a pathway between said elevated lid perimeter and said bin for communicating gases between said refrigerated space and the inside of said bin, when said bin is in a fully stored position.
2. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein said bin when in said stored position, said lid has two operating conditions, and when said lid is in said first operating condition said lid substantially seals said open top of said bin, and when in said second operating condition at least a portion of said lid is held away from said bin and a fluid pathway is opened between said bin and said lid.
3. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein said pathway is located toward the rear of said refrigerator.
4. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein said pathway is proximate to a cool air circulating vent in said refrigerator, and said refrigerator further includes at least a fan within said vent.
5. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said means for holding said lid is associated with said shelf and includes a control camming surface which co-operates with a camming surface of said lid to open said pathway.
6. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims I to 4, wherein said holding means operates via a lever to open said pathway.
7. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein said holding means is an actuator which acts directly on said lid to move said lid away from said bin and open said pathway.
8. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 5 or claim 7, wherein said holding means includes a flexible band and said band is movable within a track.
9. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein said lid includes a plurality of grooves on an underside and said grooves are adapted for retaining condensed water, and said lid is disposed at a slight angle from horizontal so said lid is sloped toward a draining area.
10. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said refrigerator includes more than one said bin located side by side.
11. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 10, wherein said bin or said bins are located on a drawer for improved withdrawal and insertion from the refrigerator.
12. A refrigerator comprising:
a refrigerated space having at least one shelf a bin disposed inside said refrigerated space and located below said at least one shelf, said bin comprising a floor, enclosed sides and a substantially open top, a bin lid located between said shelf and said bin, and suspended from said shelf, wherein said lid has at least two operating conditions, and when in said first operating condition, with said bin in a stored position, said lid is directly above said bin and substantially seals said open top, and when in said second operating condition, with said bin in a stored position, at least a portion of said lid is held away from said bin such that a fluid pathway is opened between said refrigerated space and said bin.
13. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 12, wherein said pathway is located toward the rear of said refrigerator.
14. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 12 or claim 13, wherein said pathway is proximate to a cool air circulating vent in said refrigerator, and said refrigerator further includes at least a fan within said vent.
15. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein said pathway is opened by action of camming surfaces associated with said lid and an actuator.
16. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein said holding means is an actuator which acts directly on said lid to move said lid away from said bin and open said pathway.
17. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 15 or claim 16, wherein said actuator includes a flexible band moveable in a track.
18. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 14, wherein said pathway is opened by action of a lever.
19. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 121 to 18, wherein said lid includes a plurality of grooves on an underside and said grooves are adapted for retaining condensed water, and said lid is disposed at a slight angle from horizontal so said lid is slope toward a draining area.
20. A refrigerator as claimed in any one of claims 12 to 19, wherein said refrigerator includes more than one said bin located side by side.
21. A refrigerator as claimed in claim 20, wherein said bin or said bins are located on a drawer for improved withdrawal and insertion from the refrigerator.
CA002603856A 2005-04-04 2006-03-30 Humidity control lid Abandoned CA2603856A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US66796605P 2005-04-04 2005-04-04
US60/667,966 2005-04-14
PCT/NZ2006/000062 WO2006107217A1 (en) 2005-04-04 2006-03-30 Humidity control lid

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CA2603856A1 true CA2603856A1 (en) 2006-10-12

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US (1) US20090199587A1 (en)
CN (1) CN100538227C (en)
AU (1) AU2006231363B2 (en)
CA (1) CA2603856A1 (en)
DE (1) DE112006000823T5 (en)
GB (1) GB2440288A (en)
NZ (1) NZ562264A (en)
WO (1) WO2006107217A1 (en)

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DE112006000823T5 (en) 2008-02-14
GB0719787D0 (en) 2007-11-21
AU2006231363B2 (en) 2010-05-27
NZ562264A (en) 2010-09-30
CN100538227C (en) 2009-09-09
WO2006107217A1 (en) 2006-10-12
US20090199587A1 (en) 2009-08-13
CN101203721A (en) 2008-06-18
GB2440288A (en) 2008-01-23
GB2440288A8 (en) 2008-03-05
AU2006231363A1 (en) 2006-10-12

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