STORAGE SYSTEMS

摘要

A system for storing articles can have at least two operating modes. In the first mode, gases are evacuated from the system whereby the articles are stored at a pressure less than the pressure at the exterior of the system. In the second mode, gases are evacuated while the system is open to the admittance of gases from the exterior of the system whereby the articles are ventilated by the admitted gases. The system also can have a third operating mode wherein both the first and second modes are rendered inoperative. The storage system can function so that when the articles are stored in the first mode, gases are intermittently removed from the system whereby the pressure at which the articles are stored is maintained at less than the pressure at the exterior of the system. The storage system can be located in a refrigeration appliance such as a household refrigerator.

主权项

1. A storage system comprising:
a storage compartment the interior of which is adapted to be sealed off from the admittance of gases from outside the interior of the storage compartment; a gas evacuation system in gas flow communication with the interior of the storage compartment, the gas evacuation system being capable of functioning selectively in an active state wherein the gas evacuation system removes gases from the interior of the storage compartment and in an idle state wherein the gas evacuation system does not remove gases from the interior of the storage compartment; an automatically controlled valve arrangement, separate from the gas evacuation system, in gas flow communication with the interior of the storage compartment, the valve arrangement being capable of functioning selectively in an open state wherein gases from outside the interior of the storage compartment can be admitted through the valve arrangement to the interior of the storage compartment and a closed state wherein gases from outside the interior of the storage compartment are prevented from being admitted to the interior of the storage compartment through the valve arrangement, wherein the gas evacuation system can be selectively placed in an active state and the valve arrangement selectively, concurrently placed in a closed state, whereby gases are removed from the interior of the storage compartment and the pressure within the interior of the storage compartment is reduced to a selected pressure less than the pressure outside the interior of the storage chamber when the interior of the storage chamber is otherwise sealed off from the admittance of gases from outside the storage compartment, wherein the storage compartment comprises an external housing and a holding compartment for holding articles to be stored in the storage compartment, the interior of the holding compartment being in gas flow communication with the gas evacuation system and the valve arrangement, and the holding compartment being movable between the interior of the external housing and the exterior of the external housing, and a seal sealing off the interior of the holding compartment from the exterior of the external housing when the holding compartment is substantially completely contained within the interior of the external housing, wherein the holding compartment and the external housing have surfaces that engage one another when the interior of the holding compartment is substantially entirely contained within the external housing and the seal is positioned between the engaging surfaces of the holding compartment and the external housing, and wherein the seal is attached at one of the engaging surfaces of the holding compartment and the external housing and includes a first portion that first contacts the one of the engaging surfaces of the holding compartment and the external housing to which the seal is not attached when the engaging surfaces are brought together and a second portion, the first portion of the seal being more pliable and thinner than the second portion of the seal.