The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Oct. 09, 2012
Filed:
Feb. 06, 2008
John J. Vonderhaar, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Douglas David Leclear, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Paul B. Allard, Stevensville, MI (US);
Kelly M. Hanson, Euclid, OH (US);
Michele E. Wilcox, Stevensville, MI (US);
Andrew Michael Tenbarge, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Karen J. Querfurth, Coloma, MI (US);
John J. Vonderhaar, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Douglas David LeClear, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
Paul B. Allard, Stevensville, MI (US);
Kelly M. Hanson, Euclid, OH (US);
Michele E. Wilcox, Stevensville, MI (US);
Andrew Michael Tenbarge, Saint Joseph, MI (US);
Karen J. Querfurth, Coloma, MI (US);
Whirlpool Corporation, Benton Harbor, MI (US);
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.