WO2008130199A2

WO2008130199A2 - A grain keeper for a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2008130199A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002320
Authority: WO
Inventors: Mun Jae Jang; Ill Shin Kim
Original assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Current assignee: LG Electronics Inc
Priority date: 2007-04-24
Filing date: 2008-04-24
Publication date: 2008-10-30
Anticipated expiration: 2009-10-24
Also published as: JP2010500530A; WO2008130199A3; JP4896223B2

Abstract

A grain keeper for a refrigerator is disclosed. A grain keeper for a refrigerator includes a grain box (30) for keeping grain therein, the grain box (30), having an opening (36) through which grain is introduced, a closable member (31) for opening and closing the opening (36) of the grain box (30), a shelf (33) provided at a predetermined portion of the grain box (30), the shelf (33) having keeping space.

Description

A GRAIN KEEPER FOR A REFRIGERATOR Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a grain keeper for a refrigerator. More specifically, the present invention relates to a grain keeper for a refrigerator to refrigerate and keep grain in a fresh state. Background Art

[2] According to conventional grain keeping, a container for keeping grain is closed airtight to be kept at a normal temperature, or grain is kept in a grain keeping apparatus such as a rice chest. Disclosure of Invention Technical Problem

[3] However, such the apparatus and keeping method has limitation of keeping grain at a normal temperature. If grain is kept at a normal temperature, freshness of grain will deteriorate in comparison with refrigerating of grain.

[4] Accordingly, users put in vinyl packs or common keeping containers grain and keep them in a refrigerator to maintain freshness of grain. This may cause inconvenience to users. Technical Solution

[5] To solve the problems, an object of the present invention is to provide a grain keeper for a refrigerator so that a user can keep grain in the refrigerator and that the user can take out the kept grain conveniently. As a result, user convenience may be improved and freshness of grain may be maintained for a relatively long time.

[6] Another object is to allow the user to identify the state of the grain more easily.

[7] A still further object is to provide a grain keeper capable of maintain its structure even if outer shock is applied.

[8] A still further object is to provide a grain keeper capable of having keeping space in which other storage objects may be put, rather than the space in which grain is refrigerated.

[9] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a grain keeper for a refrigerator may include a grain box for keeping grain therein, the grain box having an opening through which grain is introduced; a closable member for opening and closing the opening of the grain box; a shelf provided at a predetermined portion of the closable member, the shelf having keeping space for the grain to be kept therein.

[10] The grain keeper may further include a closable member fixing part to fix the closable member by close contact with the closable member such that the closable member maintains an opening state without moving further.

[11] The closable member may include a plate for covering the opening of the closable member, and a hinge shaft formed at both sides of the plate, further wherein a rotation groove is formed at both opposite sides of the opening for the hinge shaft to be rotatably inserted.

[12] The closable member may be rotatably provided at a front portion of the opening to open and close a front of the opening of the grain box and the closable member fixing part may include a first magnetic substance provided at the closable member and a second magnetic substance provided at a front surface of the shelf, the second magnetic substance corresponding to the first magnetic substance.

[13] The closable member may be rotatably provided at a front portion of the opening of the grain box to open and close the front of the opening In addition, the closable member fixing part may include a fixing hook formed at a front portion of the shelf and a hooking part in which the fixing hook is insertedly hooked if the closable member is opened, the hooking part corresponding to the fixing hook.

[14] The closable member may be slidingly movable at an upper portion of the opening to open and close the opening of the grain box, slidingly moving

[15] The closable member may include a lower cover provided at the opening the lower cover comprising a communication hole in communication with the opening and a guide rail, a movable plate coupled to the guide rail of the lower cover to slidingly move, the movable plate selectively opening and closing the opening and an upper cover provided on the movable plate to cover the movable plate.

[16] The grain keeper may further include an operational knob provided at the movable plate, and a through hole provided at the upper cover to form a motion range of the operational knob. The through hole, the communication hole and the opening may be in communication if the movable plate performs the opening of the opening

[17] The shelf may be formed in at least one storage container shape having an open top, the shelf being detachable from the grain box. The shelf may include a first shelf separately mounted on the grain box, and a second shelf separately mounted at an open portion of the first shelf.

[18] The grain keeper may further include a first hooking rib provided at a rim of the opening of the grain box such that the first shelf is installed at the grain box. [19] A step may be formed at a predetermined portion of the second shelf in which the first shelf is inserted, such that the second shelf is securely mounted at the first shelf. [20] The grain keeper may further include a transparent member coupled to the grain box, the transparent member formed of transparent material so that an inside of the grain box may be visually identified. [21] The grain keeper may further include a front opening formed at a front of the grain box, the front opening in which the transparent member is securely inserted; and a cover rib formed at the transparent member to cover a gap of the coupling portion between the transparent member and the front opening such that grain is prevented from being stuck in the coupling portion. [22] The cover rib may include a first cover rib extended backward from a rear surface of the transparent member, and a second cover rib extended downward a predetermined distance from an end of the first cover rib to cover the gap of the coupling portion between the grain box and the transparent member. [23] The grain keeper may further include an insert groove formed at the front opening for the transparent member to be inserted therein; and a fixing rib extended downward from a lower surface of the transparent member to be inserted in the insert groove. [24] In addition, the grain keeper may further include a plurality of fixing protrusions provided at the fixing rib, spaced apart from a predetermined distance from each other; a fixing groove provided in the insert groove for the fixing protrusion to be inserted therein. [25] The grain keeper may further include a guide rail formed at both inner sides of the front opening to guide the insertion of the transparent member. [26] The grain keeper may further include a sealing member provided at a coupling portion between the grain box and the transparent member to prevent external humidity from penetrating through the coupling portion.

Advantageous Effects

[27] The present invention has following advantageous effects.

[28] First, user convenience may be enhanced and freshness of grain may be maintained for a longer time, because it is more convenient to refrigerate grain according to the grain keeper for a refrigerator of the present invention. [29] Furthermore, the grain keeper of the present invention may secure keeping space for other keeping objects rather than keeping space for grain. As a result, inner space utility of the refrigerator may be improved. [30] A still further, in case grain is put in the grain box, a user can visually identify an amount and kind of grain from an outside of the grain box through a transparent member. As a result, user convenience may be improved and high class exterior may be achieved additionally. [31] A still further, various kinds of grains may be kept separately but they may be taken out conveniently according to the grain keeper of the present invention. [32] Lastly, even if a door of a refrigerator is closed too strongly or external shock is applied to the refrigerator, the grain keeper is positioned in a housing continuously and structural safety may be secured.

Brief Description of the Drawings [33] The accompanjing drawings, which are included to provide further understanding of the disclosure and are incorporated in and constitute a part of this application, illustrate embodiments of the disclosure and together with the description serve to explain the principle of the disclosure. [34] In the drawings:

[35] HG. 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator having a grain keeper mounted therein; [36] HG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a grain keeper in which a closable member according to a first embodiment of the present invention is provided; [37] HG. 3 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a grain keeper in which a closable member according to a second member is provided; [38] HG. 4 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a third embodiment of a closable member of the present invention; [39] HG. 5 is a side sectional view illustrating an operation of the closable member according to the first embodiment; [40] HG. 6 is a side view illustrating an operation of the closable member according to the second embodiment; [41] HGS. 7 to 9 are plane views illustrating an operation of the closable member according to the third embodiment; [42] HG. 10 is a front perspective view illustrating a grain keeper in which a shelf according to the present invention is provided; [43] HG. 11 is a side sectional view illustrating that a keeping object is put on a second shelf according to the present invention; [44] HG. 12 is a side sectional view illustrating that a keeping object is put on a first shelf according to the present invention; [45] HG. 13 is a front perspective view illustrating a grain keeper in which a transparent member is provided;

[46] HG. 14 is a side sectional view illustrating the grain keeper in which the transparent member is provided; and

[47] FIG. 15 is a plane sectional view illustrating the grain keeper in which the transparent member is provided.

[48]

Mode for the Invention

[49] Reference will now be made in detail to the specific embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers will be used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like parts.

[50] As shown in HG. 1, a refrigerator according to the present invention includes a body 10 in which a refrigerator compartment 12 and a freezer compartment (not shown) are formed and doors 14 and 15 rotatably coupled to a front of the body 10 to open and close the refrigerator compartment 12 and the freezer compartment, respectively.

[51] A grain keeper 20 is provided in the door 14 opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 12.

[52] The grain keeper 20 is provided in an inner lower portion of the door 12, considering a position for grain to be put and taken out easily. The grain keeper 20 includes a grain box 30, a grain discharging part 60 and a grain drawing part 300. Grain is put and preserved in the grain box 30. The grain discharging part 60 discharges the grain of the grain box 30 downward. The grain drawing part 300 is coupled to a lower portion of the grain discharging part 60 to hold the grain discharged from the grain discharging part 60 before the grain being drawn out.

[53] A shelf 33 is detachably provided on the grain box 30 and a closable member 31 is provided in front of the shelf 33 to open and close an opening (36, see HG. 2) of the grain box 30.

[54] A closable member fixing part 380 (381 and 382) may be provided at the closable member 31 and the shelf 33 to maintain an opening state of the closable member 31 when the closable member is opened. Here, the closable member fixing part will be described later.

[55] As shown in HG. 2, the shelf 33 is provided at the opening 36 formed at a top of the grain box 30. The shelf 33 is configured of a first shelf 34 and a second shelf 35 and the closable member 31 is rotatably coupled to a front portion of the opening 36, infront of the shelf 33.

[56] An inner space of the grain box 30 is partitioned by a partition 37 so that various kinds of grains may be put and kept in the grain keeping box 30 separately. In the drawing the inner space of the grain keeping box 30 is partitioned into two spaces and the present invention is not limited thereto, for example, into plural spaces.

[57] A transparent member 38 is provided in a front portion of the grain box 30 for a user to identify an amount and a kind of grain held in the grain box 30 and whether the grain is insufficient.

[58] The grin discharged from the grain box 30 is dropped and kept in the grain drawing part 300 by an operation of the grain discharging part 60. Here, the grain discharging part 60 includes an operational button 62 installed at a front plate 40 of the grain box 30 and when the user pushes the operational button 62, the grain of the grain box 30 is dropped into the grain drawing part 300.

[59] As mentioned above, the grain drawing part 300 is coupled to the lower portion of the grain discharging part 60. The grain drawing part 300 includes a grain drawing box 310 and a housing 320. The grain is dropped in the grain drawing box 310. The grain drawing box 310 is held in the housing 320, slidingly movable.

[60] A first securing member 16 that is projection shaped is provided at an inner side surface 15 of the door 14. A second securing portion 30a, 33a, 60a and 100a that is groove shaped is provided at both side surfaces of the shelf 33, the grain box 30, the grain discharging part 60 and the grain drawing part 300, respectively. Then the first securing member 16 is inserted in each of the second securing portion 30a, 33a, 60a and 100a.

[61] The closable member 31 includes a plate portion 3 Ib for covering the opening 36 and a hinge shaft 31a provided at both opposite sides of the plate portion 31b. A rotation groove 36a is provided at both opposite sides of the opening 36 such that the hinge shaft 31a is rotatably inserted in the rotation groove 36a.

[62] As mentioned above, the closable member fixing part 380 is provided at the top of the closable member 31 and the front surface of the shelf 33 to maintain the opening state of the closable member 31. here, the closable member 31 is configured of magnetic substance having a magnetic force and it includes a first magnetic substance 381 provided at the closable member 31 and a second magnetic substance 382 provided at the front surface of the shelf 33, corresponding to the first magnetic substance 381.

[63] Here, the first and second magnetic substance 381 and 382 may be attached to an outer surface of the shelf 33 or held in the shelf 33.

[64] HG. 3 illustrates a second embodiment and this embodiment is identical to the first embodiment except the closable member fixing part 380 of the first embodiment. Thus, identical configurations will be omitted.

[65] The closable member 384 of this embodiment is hook-shaped or groove-shaped.

Specifically, the closable member fixing part 384 is provided at a center portion of the top of the closable member 31. The closable member fixing part 384 includes a hooking part 385 and a fixing hook 386. The hooking part 385 is provided at a center portion of the top of the closable member 31 , having a groove formed therein. The fixing hook 386 is provided at a front surface of the shelf 33, corresponding to the hooking part 385 such that the fixing hook 386 is inserted in the hooking part 385.

[66] In this embodiment, the position of the hooking part 385 and the fixing hook 386 may be at the shelf 33 and it may be vice versa.

[67] FIG. 4 illustrates a third embodiment of the present invention. A closable member

400 is provided at a top of the opening 36 of the grain box 30 and the closable member 400 slidingly opens and closes the opening 36.

[68] Specifically, the closable member 400 includes a lower cover 410 coupled to the top of the opening 36, a movable plate 420 positioned on the lower cover 410 to be sliding movable, and an upper cover 430 provided on the movable plate 420 to be coupled to the upper cover 410.

[69] A communication hole 411 and 412 may be provided at the lower cover 410 to communicate with the opening 36. The communication hole 411 and 412 is configured of a first communication hole 411 and a second communication hole 412 provided on the partitioned spaces of the grain box 30 to correspond the plural spaces of the grain box 30 partitioned by the partition 37, respectively.

[70] A guide rail 413 is provided in front and rear of the communication hole 411 and

412 to guide the motion of the movable plate 420 and the guide rail 413 extends in a right and left direction of the lower cover 410.

[71] An operational knob 421 is provided at an upper portion of the movable plate 420 that moves according to the guide of the guide rail 413. Because of the operational knob 421, a user may move the movable plate 420 smoothly.

[72] A through hole 431 is provided at the upper cover 430 provided on the guide rail

413 to limit the motion range of the operational knob 431 which results in limiting the motion range of the movable plate 420. preferably, the though hole 431 is provided at a center portion of the upper cover 430 to communicate with the first and second com- munication hole 411 and 412 and the opening 36.

[73] According to this structure, the operational knob 421 passes through the through hole 431 to be exposed upward and a user grabs the exposed portion to sliding move in a right and left direction such that the through hole 431, the communication hole 411 and 412 and the opening 36 are in communication. Hence, the user introduces grain and sliding moves the operational knob 421 again such that the movable plate 420 closes the communication hole 411 and 412 and the opening 36.

[74] The role of the closable member fixing part is substantially performed by the movable plate 420 and the role of fixing the position of the movable plate 420 is substantially performed by the lower cover 410 and the upper cover 430.

[75] Next, in reference to corresponding drawings, the operation of the closable member will be described.

[76] As shown in HG. 5, if the user tries to introduce grain into the grain box 30, the only thing the user has to do is to lift the closable member 31 upward.

[77] then, the first magnetic substance 381 provided at the closable member 31 and the second magnetic substance 382 provided at the front surface of the shelf 33 are attached to each other by the magnetic force, such that the closable member 31 may not rotate forward and move downward during the introduction of the grain.

[78] After the introduction of the grain, the user grabs the closable member 31 again and pulls it down forwardly such that the attachment between the first and second magnetic substance 381 and 382 is loosen by the user s force. As a result, the closable member 31 closes the opening 36.

[79] As shown in FIG. 6, once the user rotatably lift up the front of the closable member

31 and pushes the closable member 31 backward, the fixing hook provided in the front portion of the shelf 33 is inserted in the hooking part 385.

[80] Then, the opening state of the closable member 31 is continuously maintained by the engagement between the fixing hook 386 and the hooking part 385.

[81] HGS. 7 to 9 shows the sliding motion of the closable member and HG. 7 illustrates a state in that the movable plate 420 is closing the first and second communication hole 41 l and 412.

[82] Here, if the movable plate 420 closes the first and second communication hole 411 and 412, the opening (36, see HG. 4) is closed and accordingly the communication of an inside of the grain box (30, see HG. 4) with an outside is stopped.

[83] As shown in HG. 8, if the user grabs the operational knob 421 and slidingly moves the movable plate 420 in a right direction, the second communication hole 412 is opened only to open the opening (36, see FIG. 4). Then, the user introduces grain through the opening 36.

[84] HG. 9 illustrates an open state of the first communication hole 411. At this time, if the user grabs the operational knob 421 and slidingly moves the movable plate 420 in a left direction, the user introduces the grain through the first communication hole 411 and the opening 36.

[85] At this time, if the movable plate 420 is opened, the opening state may be maintained until the user moves the plate. This is because a predetermined friction force is acting between the upper cover 430 and the lower cover (410, see FIG. 4).

[86] As shown in FIG. 10, the shelf 33 is configured of the first shelf 34 and the second shelf 35.

[87] The first shelf 34 is inserted in a rear portion of the opening 36 and thus it is installed at the upper portion of the grain box 30. A first keeping space 34a is formed in the first shelf 34 to keep a keeping object thereon. A first hooking rib 34b is provided at a rim of the first keeping shelf 34. When the hooking rib 34b is engaged to the rim of the opening 36, the first shelf 34 is fixedly secured to the opening 36. In addition, when lifting the first shelf 34, the user engages his finger to the first hooking rib 34b and thus the first shelf 34 may be employed as a grip.

[88] A second shelf 35 is installed on the first shelf 34. A second keeping space 35a is formed in the second shelf 35 and a second hooking rib 35b is formed at an upper rim of the second shelf 35 as a grip.

[89] A step 35c is formed at a lower portion of the second shelf 35. The step 35c is formed so that lower widths of the second shelf 35 in a forward and backward direction (Wl) and in a right and left direction (W2) are narrower than upper widths in a forward and backward direction (W3) and in a right and left direction (W4).

[90] The reason why the step 35c is formed is that the lower portion of the second shelf

35 is inserted in the first shelf 34 and that the securing insert is maintained.

[91] As a result, the forward-and-backward width (W3) and the right-and-left width

(W4) of an outer lower portion of the second shelf 34 are corresponding to a forward- and-backward width (W5) and a right-and-left width (W6) of an inner keeping space 34a of the first shelf 34.

[92] The second shelf 35 is relatively higher than the first shelf 34 to keep the objects having various heights.

[93] A sealing member 39 is provided under the first shelf 34 and the sealing member 39 fills up gap between the rim of the opening 36 and the lower portion of the first shelf 34 to prevent humidity drawn from an outside of the grain keeper 20.

[94] The inner space of the grain box 30 is partitioned by a partition 37 to keep plural kinds of grains. The drawings of the embodiment illustrates that the inner space is partitioned into two spaces and it may be partitioned into more spaces.

[95] Here, a rear portion of the partition 37 is lower than a front portion of the partition

37. Since the first shelf 34 is installed at an upper rear portion of the partition 37, the rear portion is lower, as much as the depth of the insertion of first shelf 34, than the upper portion.

[96] Visual measurement of the kind and oversupply of grain is possible if the first and second shelf 34 and 35 are formed of transparent material. It is preferable that the first and second shelf 34 and 35 are formed of a kind of material that is transparent with a predetermined rigid and strength, for example, acryl resin. However, the first and second shelf 34 and 35 may be formed of any material that is transparent with a predetermined rigid and strength rather than acryl resin.

[97] Next, a state in that the keeping object is kept in the grain keeper according to the present invention will be described.

[98] As shown in HG. 11 , grain (G) is held in the grain box 30. The closable member 31 is provided at the front portion of the opening 36 and the first shelf 34 and the second shelf 35 provided on the first shelf 34 are positioned at the rear portion of the opening 36.

[99] The first hooking rib 34b of the first shelf 34 is mounted at the rim of the opening

36 and the step 35c is securely mounted on the first hooking rib 34b of the first shelf 34.

[100] In this state, the keeping object (S) having a predetermined height is put in the second keeping space 35a of the second shelf 35 and thus the object (S) is kept safely in the second shelf 35.

[101] The sealing member 39 is provided between the first hooking rib 34b and the rim of the opening to prevent the humidity from leaking the portion between them.

[102] Alternatively, the sealing member may be provided between the lower portion of the closable member 31 and the rim of the opening

[103] HG. 12 illustrates a state in that a keeping object (S ) is kept if only the first shelf

34 is installed on the grain box 30. in this case, the keeping object (S ) may be kept in the first keeping space 34a of the first shelf 34 even if the second shelf 35 cannot be used because of its loss or damage.

[104] As shown in FIG. 13, the transparent member 38 that is window-shaped is provided at the front side of the grain box 30 for the user to identify the amount and kind of the grain kept in the grain box 30 visually. Here, the transparent member 38 may be formed of transparent or semitransparent material. [105] From now on, the coupling between the grain box 30 and the transparent member

38 will be described. [106] A front opening 400 is formed at an upper front portion of the grain box and the transparent member 38 is coupled to the front opening 400. An insert groove 402 is provided at a lower portion of the front opening 400 and some portion of the transparent member 38 is inserted in the groove 402. [107] A guide rail 404 is provided at a front inner surface of the grain box 30 to guide and support the both sides of the grain box 30. [108] A fixing rib 450 and a cover rib 452 are provided at a lower portion of the transparent member 38. the fixing rib 450 extends downward to be inserted in the insert groove 402 and the cover rib 452 is spaced apart a predetermined distance in rear of the fixing rib 450 to close the gap of the coupling portion between the transparent member 38 and the front opening 400. [109] A sealing member 460 is fastened to the fixing rib 450 to prevent outer humidity from leaking through the coupling portion between the transparent member 38 and the front opening 400. [110] In the meantime, there is a bent portion at both opposite sides of the guide rail 404 and the bent portion is bent toward a rear side so that the bent portion is inserted in the guide rail 404. in addition, there is a step 456 at the both opposite sides of the transparent member 38 and the both sides of the transparent member 38 is not projected forward further than both opposite rims of the front opening 404. [Ill] As shown in FIG. 14, the fixing rib 450 of the transparent member 38 extends downward to a predetermined length and a fixing protrusion 450a is formed in rear of the fixing rib 450. [112] The cover rib 452 is configured of a first cover rib 453 and a second cover rib 454.

The first cover rib 453 extends backward from a lower rear side of the transparent member 38 and the second cover rib 454 extends downward from an end of the first cover rib 453. [113] The sealing member 460 is provided between the rim of the front opening 400 and the lower surface of the transparent member 38. [114] A fixing groove 402a is provided at the insert groove 402 and the fixing protrusion

450a is securely inserted in the fixing groove 402a. [115] As a result, when the transparent member 38 is coupled to the grain box 30, the sealing member 460 is inserted in the fixing rib 450 and the fixing rib 450 is inserted in the insert groove 402. Then, the fixing rib 450 is inserted in the insert groove 402 and at this time the fixing protrusion 450a is inserted in the fixing groove 402a.

[116] According to this assembly process, the cover rib 452 automatically closes the gap formed at the coupling portion between the transparent member 38 and the grain box 30, specifically, the gap formed in the grain box 30. Because of the closing of the cover rib 452, a kind of grain having a narrow diameter, for example, hulled millet may be prevented from being stuck in the gap.

[117] As shown in FIG. 15, the bent portion 454 provided at both sides of the transparent member 38 is securely inserted in the guide rail 404 and the step 456 is formed adjacent to the bent portion 454 of the transparent member 38. As a result, the transparent member 38 may be secured to the both opposite sides of the front opening 400, such that the front of the grain box 30 and the front of the transparent member 38 may level out.

[118] Because of the guide rail 404 for securing the both sides of the transparent member

38, the transparent member 38 may be prevented from moving forward and backward.

[119] It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention. Thus, it is intended that the present invention cover the modifications and variations of this invention provided they come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents. Industrial Applicability

[120] The present invention has an industrial applicability.

[121] First, user convenience may be enhanced and freshness of grain may be maintained for a longer time, because it is more convenient to refrigerate grain according to the grain keeper for a refrigerator of the present invention.

[122] Furthermore, the grain keeper of the present invention may secure keeping space for other keeping objects rather than keeping space for grain. As a result, inner space utility of the refrigerator may be improved.

[123] A still further, in case grain is put in the grain box, a user can visually identify an amount and kind of grain from an outside of the grain box through a transparent member. As a result, user convenience may be improved and high class exterior may be achieved additionally.

[124] A still further, various kinds of grains may be kept separately but they may be taken out conveniently according to the grain keeper of the present invention. [125] Lastly, even if a door of a refrigerator is closed too strongly or external shock is applied to the refrigerator, the grain keeper is positioned in a housing continuously and structural safety may be secured. [126] [127]

Claims

[1] A grain keeper for a refrigerator comprising: a grain box for keeping grain therein, the grain box having an opening through which grain is introduced; a closable member for opening and closing the opening of the grain box; a shelf provided at a predetermined portion of the closable member, the shelf having keeping space for the grain to be kept therein.

[2] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising a closable member fixing part to fix the closable member by close contact with the closable member such that the closable member maintains an opening state without moving further.

[3] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closable member comprises, a plate for covering the opening of the closable member, and a hinge shaft formed at both sides of the plate, further wherein a rotation groove is formed at both opposite sides of the opening for the hinge shaft to be rotatably inserted.

[4] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closable member is rotatably provided at a front portion of the opening to open and close a front of the opening of the grain box, further wherein the closable member fixing part comprises a first magnetic substance provided at the closable member and a second magnetic substance provided at a front surface of the shelf, the second magnetic substance corresponding to the first magnetic substance.

[5] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closable member is rotatably provided at a front portion of the opening of the grain box to open and close the front of the opening further wherein the closable member fixing part comprises a fixing hook formed at a front portion of the shelf and a hooking part in which the fixing hook is insertedly hooked if the closable member is opened, the hooking part corresponding to the fixing hook.

[6] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the closable member is slidingly movable at an upper portion of the opening to open and close the opening of the grain box, slidingly moving

[7] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 5, wherein the closable member comprises, a lower cover provided at the opening the lower cover comprising a communication hole in communication with the opening and a guide rail, a movable plate coupled to the guide rail of the lower cover to slidingly move, the movable plate selectively opening and closing the opening and an upper cover provided on the movable plate to cover the movable plate.

[8] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 6, further comprising an operational knob provided at the movable plate, and a through hole provided at the upper cover to form a motion range of the operational knob, wherein the through hole, the communication hole and the opening are in communication if the movable plate opens the opening

[9] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shelf is formed in at least one storage container shape having an open top, the shelf being detachable from the grain box, further wherein the shelf comprises, a first shelf separately mounted on the grain box, and a second shelf separately mounted at an open portion of the first shelf.

[10] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 9, further comprising a first hooking rib provided at a rim of the opening of the grain box such that the first shelf is installed at the grain box.

[11] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 9, wherein a step is formed at a predetermined portion of the second shelf in which the first shelf is inserted, such that the second shelf is securely mounted at the first shelf.

[12] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a transparent member coupled to the grain box, formed of transparent material so that an inside of the grain box may be visually identified.

[13] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a front opening formed at a front of the grain box, the front opening in which the transparent member is securely inserted; and a cover rib formed at the transparent member to cover a gap of the coupling portion between the transparent member and the front opening such that grain is prevented from being stuck in the coupling portion.

[14] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 13, wherein the cover rib comprises, a first cover rib extended backward from a rear surface of the transparent member, and a second cover rib extended downward a predetermined distance from an end of the first cover rib to cover the gap of the coupling portion between the grain box and the transparent member. [15] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: an insert groove formed at the front opening for the transparent member to be inserted therein; and a fixing rib extended downward from a lower surface of the transparent member to be inserted in the insert groove. [16] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 15, further comprising: a plurality of fixing protrusions provided at the fixing rib, spaced apart from a predetermined distance from each other; a fixing groove provided in the insert groove for the fixing protrusion to be inserted therein. [17] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 16, further comprising a guide rail formed at both inner sides of the front opening to guide the insertion of the transparent member. [18] The grain keeper as claimed in claim 12, further comprising a sealing member provided at a coupling portion between the grain box and the transparent member to prevent external humidity from penetrating through the coupling portion.