WO2008130200A2

WO2008130200A2 - A grain keeping apparatus for a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2008130200A2
Application number: PCT/KR2008/002321
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: JP4896224B2; JP2010500531A; WO2008130200A3

Abstract

A grain keeping apparatus for a refrigerator is disclosed. A grain keeping apparatus for a refrigerator according to the present invention may be capable of keeping grain therein in a fresh state for a relatively long time. The grain keeping apparatus for a refrigerator may be capable of allowing a user to take out grain conveniently. The grain keeping apparatus for a refrigerator includes a grain box (30) installed at the refrigerator to hold grain therein; a grain drawing part for holding grain discharged from the grain box (30) to be taken out; and a grain discharging part (60) provided between the grain box (30) and the grain drawing part to guide the grain discharged from the grain box to the grain drawing part.

Description

A GRAIN KEEPING APPARATUS FOR A REFRIGERATOR

Technical Field

[1] The present invention relates to a grain keeping apparatus for a refrigerator. More specifically, the present invention relates to a refrigerator having a grain keeping apparatus capable of refrigerating grain and taking out grain smoothly to enhance user convenience.

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 keeping apparatus for a refrigerator capable of keeping grain therein in a fresh state for a relatively long time. [6] Another object is to provide a grain keeping apparatus for a refrigerator capable of allowing a user to take out grain conveniently. [7] To achieve these objects and other advantages and in accordance with the purpose of the invention, as embodied and broadly described herein, a grain keeping apparatus for a refrigerator includes a grain box installed at the refrigerator to hold grain therein; a grain drawing part for holding grain discharged from the grain box to be taken out; and a grain discharging part provided between the grain box and the grain discharging part to guide the grain discharged from the grain box to the grain drawing part. [8] The grain keeping apparatus may further include a grain outlet formed at a lower portion of the grain box to guide the grain discharged into the grain discharging part. The grain discharging part may include a grain transfer unit provided at a lower portion of the grain outlet to hold and transfer the grain discharged throvgh the grain outlet, and a driving force generation unit connected with the grain transfer unit to generate a driving force for operating the grain transfer unit.

[9] The driving force generation unit may include an operational button exposed to a front plate provided at the lower portion of the grain box, the operational button being sliding movably coupled to the front plate; an extension extended from a predetermined portion of the operational button; a rack gear vertically provided at a rear surface of the extension to transfer the driving force to the grain discharging part, the rack gear connected with the grain discharging part; an elastic member having an end coupled to a projection projected from a rear surface of the operational button to elastically support the operational button such that the operational button returns to an original position by a restitution force of the elastic member if a pushing of the operational button is removed.

[10] The grain keeping apparatus may further includes a supporting member coupled to a rear portion of the front plate provided at the lower portion of the grain box to support and sliding move the driving force generation unit. Here, the supporting member may include a first supporting portion attached to the rear portion of the front plate to support a right-and-left portion of the operational button; a second supporting portion connected with the first supporting portion, the second supporting portion being spaced apart rearward from the rear portion of the front plate in a predetermined distance, to support the rear portion of the operational button; a first guide slit formed at a connection plate for connecting the first supporting portion with the second supporting portion to guide the vertical motion of the extension; and a second guide slit provided at the second supporting member to guide the vertical motion of the projection projected from the rear surface of the operational button.

[11] The grain keeping apparatus may further include a fixing member provided at a rear portion of the front plate provided at the lower portion of the grain box, the fixing member coupled to the supporting member to fix the supporting member, Here, the fixing member may include a first fixing member coupled to a side upper portion of the first supporting portion; and a second fixing member coupled to a side lower portion of the first supporting portion.

[12] The grain keeping apparatus may further include a first securing part provided at provided at an outer lower surface of the grain box, having a first securing hole; a second securing part provided at an rear upper surface of the second supporting portion, having a second securing hole corresponding to the first securing hole; and a securing member for passing through the first and second securing hole to secure the first and second securing part to each other.

[13] The grain transfer unit may include a casing coupled to the grain box, in communication with the grain outlet; a grain transfer container rotatably provided in the housing to hold the grain therein; a rotational shaft provided at the grain transfer container to support the grain transfer container rotatably installed at the casing; a gear connected with an end of the rotational shaft, in connection with the driving force generation unit, to transfer the driving force of the driving force generation unit to the grain transfer container, such that the grain transfer container is rotated in a vertical direction by the driving force; and a supporting curvature provided at the casing to form a keeping space for the grain together with the grain transfer container.

[14] The grain keeping apparatus may further include a cleaning member provided at the grain transfer container to move upward in contact with an inner surface of the casing to clean an inside of the casing.

[15] Here, the casing may include a first opening through which the grain discharged from the grain outlet is drawn into the grain transfer container; a second opening though which the grain held in the grain transfer container is discharged into the grain drawing part when a position of the grain transfer container is reversed.

[16] The grain keeping apparatus may further include a sealing member provided at the grain outlet to prevent the grain moved to the grain transfer unit from leaking.

[17] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, the grain discharging part slidingly controls the grain moved from the grain box to the grain drawing part.

[18] The grain box may include a grain outlet provided at a lower portion of the grain box; and a duct with an oblique surface provided adjacent to the grain outlet to move the grain to the grain outlet.

[19] The grain discharging part may include a case for defining an exterior appearance of the grain discharging part; a movable member slidingly movable in the case; and a guide rail provided in the case to guide the motion of the movable member.

[20] The grain keeping apparatus may further include an operational knob formed at the movable member to be a grip; and a guide slit provided at a front portion of the case to guide the motion of the movable member and to limit the motion range of the movable member.

[21] The grain keeping apparatus may further include a plurality of protrusions formed at a surface of the movable member, spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other, to adjust an opening of the movable member step by step to adjust a discharging amount of the grain; and a plurality of insert holes spaced apart a predetermined distance from the guide rail, each of the insert hole in which each of the protrusion is inserted.

[22]

Advantageous Effects

[23] The present invention has following advantageous effects.

[24] 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 keeping apparatus for a refrigerator of the present invention.

[25] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the grain may be taken out more simply by the pushing operation, compared with the process of taking out grain from the conventional container.

[26] A still further, the opening of the grain box is performed step by step according to the grain keeping apparatus of the present invention. As a result, it is prevented that too much amount of grain is dropped at a time. In addition, the opening is adjustable according to the user's intention. As a result, user convenience may be enhanced. Brief Description of the Drawings

[27] The accompanying 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.

[28] In the drawings:

[29] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a refrigerator having a grain keeping apparatus;

[30] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a grain keeping apparatus according to an exemplary embodiment;

[31] FIG. 3 is a rear exploded perspective view illustrating the grain keeping apparatus according to the embodiment;

[32] FIG. 4 is a rear exploded perspective view illustrating a grain discharging part of the grain keeping apparatus according to the embodiment;

[33] FIG. 5 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a grain transfer part of the grain keeping apparatus according to the embodiment;

[34] FIG. 6 is a side sectional view illustrating a state in that grain is kept in the grain keeping apparatus according to the embodiment; [35] FIG. 7 is a side sectional view illustrating that a rack gear is engaged to a gear in the state of FIG. 6; [36] FIG. 8 is a side sectional view illustrating that the grain is moved to a grain drawing part in the grain keeping apparatus according to the embodiment; [37] FIG. 9 is a side sectional view illustrating an engagement state between the rack gear and the gear in the state of FIG. 8; [38] FIG. 10 is a side sectional view illustrating that the grain is taken out from the grain keeping apparatus according to the embodiment; [39] FIG. 11 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a grain keeping apparatus according to a second embodiment; [40] FIG. 12 is a perspective view illustrating the grain keeping apparatus according to the second embodiment; [41] FIG. 13 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a grain discharging part of the grain keeping apparatus according to the second embodiment; [42] FIG. 14 is a perspective view illustrating a grain keeping apparatus according to a third embodiment; [43] FIG. 15 is an exploded perspective view illustrating a grain discharging part of the grain keeping apparatus according to the third embodiment; [44] FIG. 16 is a front view illustrating a grain discharging process in the grain keeping apparatus according to the second embodiment; and [45] FIG. 17 is a front view illustrating a grain discharging process in the grain keeping apparatus according to the third embodiment.

Mode for the Invention [46] 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. [47] As shown in FIG. 1, a refrigerator having a grain keeping apparatus 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.

[48] A grain keeping apparatus 20 is provided in the door 14 opening and closing the refrigerator compartment 12. [49] Here, the grain keeping apparatus 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 keeping apparatus 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.

[50] 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 (not shown) of the grain box 30.

[51] As shown in FIG. 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, in front of the shelf 33.

[52] 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.

[53] 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.

[54] 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 a driving force generation unit (61, see FIG. 3) having an operational button 62 installed at a front plate 40 of the grain box 30, and a grain transfer unit 150 connected with the driving force generation unit 61 to control the motion of the grain according to the operation of the driving force generation unit 61. The detailed explanation of the grain discharging part 60 will be described later.

[55] 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.

[56] 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.

[57] As shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the shelf 33 is configured of a first shelf 34 and a second shelf 35. A step is formed beneath the first shelf 34 and the step is inserted in the second shelf to couple the first shelf 34 to the second shelf 35.

[58] Here, the first and second shelf 34 and 35 are coupled and a keeping object may be kept in the first shelf 34. Alternatively, without the first shelf 34, a keeping object may be kept only in the second shelf 35.

[59] The closable member 31 is rotatably installed at a front portion of the shelf 33. At this time, a rotational shaft 31a is provided at both opposite sides of the closable member 31 and a rotational groove 32 is formed at both opposite sides of the grain box 30. Then, the rotational shaft 3 Ia is inserted in the rotational groove 32.

[60] A grain outlet 41 is formed at a bottom of the grain box 30 to discharge the grain kept in the grain box 30 downward. It is preferable that the number of the grain outlets 41 is as many as the number of the partitioned spaces of the grain box 30. A guide duct 43 having an oblique portion is formed adjacent to the grain outlet 41 to guide the grain into the grain outlet 41.

[61] A sealing member 44 is provided at the grain outlet 41 to prevent the grain from leaking through a gap between the grain outlet 41 and the grain discharging part 60.

[62] The configuration of the grain discharging part 60 will be described in detail.

[63] The grain discharging part 60 is positioned to be inserted in a button insert hole 42 formed at the front plate 40 extended downward from a front lower portion of the grain box 30. The grain discharging part 60 includes the driving force generation unit 61, a supporting member 70 and the grain transfer unit 150 which will be described later. The driving force generation unit 61 supplies a driving force to the grain transfer unit 150. The supporting member 70 supports the driving force generation unit 61 and guides the motion of the driving force generation unit 61. The grain transfer unit 150 transfers the grain to the grain drawing part 300 according to the operation of the driving force generation unit 61.

[64] Here, the driving force generation unit 61 includes an operational button 62, a rack gear 64, an extension 63, a first projection 65 and an elastic member 69. The operational button 62 is movable according to a user s pushing operation. The rack gear 64 is formed at the operational button 62. The extension 63 connects the operational button 62 with the rack gear 64. The first projection 65 is formed at a rear portion of the operational button 62. An end of the elastic member 69 is secured to the first projection and the other end of the elastic member 69 is secured to a second projection 75 formed at the supporting member 70. Here, the elastic member 69 elastically supports the operational button 62 to supply a restitution force by which the operational button 62 returns its original position if the pushing is stopped.

[65] The supporting member 70 for supporting the driving force generation unit 61 includes a first supporting portion 71 attached to a rear portion of the front plate 40 to support a right-and-left portion of the operational button 62 and a second supporting portion 72 connected with the first supporting portion to support a rear portion of the operational button 62, spaced apart rearward a predetermined distance from the rear portion of the front plate 40.

[66] In addition, the first and second supporting portion 71 and 72 are connected by a connection plate 73. A first guide slit 76 is formed at the connection plate 73 to guide a vertical motion of the extension 63 and a second guide slit 78 is formed at the second supporting portion 72 to guide a vertical motion of the first projection 65.

[67] A fixing member 90 is provided at the rear portion of the front plate 40 to fix the supporting member 70. The fixing member 90 includes a first fixing member 94 insertedly coupled to an upper portion of the first supporting portion 71, a second fixing member 96 insertedly coupled to a lower portion of the first supporting portion 71.

[68] An auxiliary structure is provided rather than the fixing member 90 to securely fix the supporting member 70 to a lower portion of the grain box 30. Such the structure may include a first securing part 100, a second securing part 104 and a securing member 106. The first securing part 100 is provided at an outer lower surface of the grain box 30, having a first securing hole 102. The second securing part 102 is provided at an rear upper surface of the second supporting portion 72, having a second securing hole 105 corresponding to the first securing hole 102. The securing member 106 passes through the first and second securing hole 102 and 105 to couple the fist and second securing part 100 and 104 each other.

[69] The grain transfer unit 150 includes a grain transfer container 151, a casing 152, a gear 157. The grain transfer container 151 is cylinder-shaped and it has an open portion. The casing 152 is coupled to a lower portion of the grain outlet 41 to hold the grain transfer container 151. the gear 157 is coupled to the grain transfer container 151 by a rotational shaft 155 and it is engaged to the rack gear 64 to transfer the driving force to the grain transfer container 151 according to the pushing operation of the operational button 62, such that the grain transfer container 151 may be rotated.

[70] A first and second coupling part 110 and 112 are provided at both upper sides of the grain outlet 41 and both upper sides of the caring 152 to couple the grain transfer container 150 to the lower portion of the grain outlet 41. The first and second coupling part 110 and 112 are coupled by coupling members 114, respectively, to couple the grain transfer container 150 to the grain outlet 41 securely.

[71] A protection casing 200 is provided at the lower portion of the grain box 30 to cover and protect the grain discharging part 60. The protection casing 200 is coupled to the front plate 40 and a side and rear end of the grain box 30.

[72] In addition, a discharge opening 201 is formed at a bottom of the projection casing

200 to be a passage of the grain that moves to the grain drawing part 300 by the grain transfer unit 150.

[73] The grain drawing part 300 provided under the projection casing 210 includes the grain drawing box 310 and the housing 320, as mentioned above. The grain drawing box 310 is sliding movable in the housing 320.

[74] As shown in FIG. 5, in the structure of the grain transfer unit 150, the grain transfer container 151 is provided in a cylinder shape with an empty inner space and an opening 151a is formed at an outer circumferential surface of the grain transfer container 151 so that a predetermined amount of grain may be introduced and kept in the grain transfer container 151.

[75] A first through hole 151b is formed at both opposite side surfaces of the grain transfer container 151 for the rotational shaft 155 to pass through.

[76] A supporting curvature 153 is formed at the casing 152 to hold the grain together with the grain transfer container 151. In addition, a first and second opening 154a and 154b may be formed at an upper portion and a lower portion of the casing 152, respectively. Here, the first opening 154a is in communication with the grain outlet (41, see FIG. 3) to be an introduction passage of the grain into the grain transfer container 151 and the casing 152. the second opening 154b is in communication with the grain drawing box (310, see FIG. 3) to be a discharging passage of the grain kept in the grain transfer container 151 and the casing 152 into the grain drawing box 300.

[77] A second through hole 154b is formed at both sides surfaces of the casing 152 an the rotational shaft 155 is inserted in the second through hole 154b., such that the grain transfer container 151 may be rotatably held in the casing 152.

[78] A shaft supporting member 156 is coupled to an end of the rotational shaft 155 to support the rotational shat 155 and to prevent the rotational shaft 155 from separating from the casing 152, and the gear is coupled to the other end of the rotational shaft 155.

[79] A square-shaped inert portion 157a is formed at a predetermined portion of the gear

157 and it is inserted in am accommodation portion 151c provided at a side of the grain transfer container 151 through the insert hole 153 formed at a side surface of the casing 153.

[80] As a result, as the gear 157 is rotating, the grain transfer container 151 is rotating by the coupling of the insert portion 157a and the accommodation portion 151.

[81] In the meantime, a cleaning member 159 formed of rubber is provided at a circumference of the opening 151a of the grain transfer container 151. when the grain transfer container 151 rotates to transfer the grain to the grain drawing box (310, see FIG. 3) an returns its original portion, the cleaning member 159 is in contact with an inner portion of the supporting curvature 153 and it moves from the lower portion of the supporting curvature 153 upward to lift grain crumbs which might remain in the supporting curvature 153, such that the crumbs may not be stuck between an inner circumferential surface of the supporting curvature 153 and an outer surface of the grain transfer container 151 but moved into the grain transfer container 151 automatically.

[82] Next, an operation of the grain keeping apparatus according to this embodiment will be described.

[83] As shown in FIG. 6, the user rotates the closable member 31 and opens the upper portion of the grain box 30 to introduce the grain (G). hence, the grain (G) passing through the opening 36 is held in the grain box 30, the grain transfer container 151 and the casing 152 of the grain transfer unit 150.

[84] In this state, the grain (G) is filled in the opening 151a of the grain transfer container 151 and a predetermined space formed by the inner circumferential surface of the supporting curvature 153 of the casing 152, as well as the inside of the grain box 30.

[85] As shown in FIG. 7, if the user does not push the operational button 62, the engagement between the lower portion of the rack gear 64 and an outer circumferential surface of the gear 157.

[86] As shown in FIG. 8, if the user pushes the operational button 62, the operational button 62 moves downward. As shown in FIG. 9, the rack gear 64 also moves downward and the gear 157 is engaged to the upper portion of the rack gear 64, such that the gear 157 rotates according to the motion of the rack gear 64. [87] The rotational motion of the gear 157 leads to the rotational motion of the grain transfer container 151. As the grain transfer container 151 rotates, the inner space of the grain transfer container 151 is shut off from the inner space of the grain box 30. At this time, the inner space of the grain transfer container 151 is in communication with the grain drawing box 310.

[88] Then, the grain (G) kept in the grain transfer container 151 is dropped into the grain drawing box 310 by gravity and held in the grain drawing box 310 to be taken out.

[89] As shown in FIG. 10, if the user removes his hand from the operational button 62, the operational button 62 moves upward to return its original position by the restitution force of the elastic member 69. The grain transfer container 151 returns to its original position by the rotation of the gear 157 and the inner space of the grain transfer container 151 is in communication with the inner space of the grain box 30. Hence, some of the grain remaining in the grain box 30 is introduced into the grain transfer container 151.

[90] Then, as the grain transfer container 151 returns to its original position, the cleaning member 159 moves upward from the lower portion of the supporting curvature 153 to lift the crumbs of grain remaining in the supporting curvature 153 upward such that the crumbs is moved into the grain transfer container 151.

[91] The user can fill the grain (G) in the grain box 30 as much as he/she wants by repeated performing of the above pushing. Also, even when plural kinds of grains are filled, each kind may be taken out separately.

[92] Next, a grain keeping apparatus according to a second embodiment will be described.

[93] As shown in FIG. 11, a grain discharging part 80 according to the second embodiment includes a case 81 that is box-shaped, a grain inlet hole 82 formed at an upper portion of the case 82 for the grain of the grain box 30 to be draw, a grain outlet hole (83, see FIG. 13) formed at a lower surface of the case 81 to discharge the grain through the grain inlet hole 82 to the grain drawing part 300, and a movable member 84 sliding movable at the case 81 to open and close the grain inlet hole 82 and the grain outlet hole 83 selectively.

[94] A grain drawing part 300 is provided under the grain discharging part 80. Here, the grain drawing part 300 includes a grain drawing box 310 for holding the dropped grain and a housing 320 in which the grain drawing box 310 is sliding movably held.

[95] FIG. 12 illustrates the grain keeping apparatus 20 according to the second embodiment and the movable member 84 of may be movable at a front portion of the grain discharging part 80 in a right-and-left direction.

[96] A scale mark 88 is provided at a front surface of the case 81 for the user to identify a distance of the right-and-left motion of the movable member 84 visually.

[97] FIG. 13 illustrates the detailed structure of the grain discharging part 80. Here, the case 81 is configured of an upper case 81a and a lower case 81b. The grain inlet hole 82 is formed at the upper case 81a and the grain outlet hole 83 is formed at the lower case 81b.

[98] A guide rail (90; 90a and 90b) is provided in the upper case 81a and the lower case

81b to guide the motion of the movable member 84. A guide slit 85 is provided at a front surface of the upper case 81 and the lower case 81b to limit the motion range of the movable member 84.

[99] An operational knob 84a and plural protrusion 84b are provided at the movable member 84. The operational knob 84a is employed as a grip and the protrusion 84b is projected from the surface of the movable member 84. Correspondingly, plural insert holes 92a and 92b are spaced apart a predetermined distance at the guide rail 90. Each of the protrusion 84b is inserted in each of the insert hole 92a and 92b.

[100] Here, when the user grabs the operational knob 84a to move the movable member

84 in a right-and-left direction, the protrusion 84b is inserted in the insert hole 92a and 92b, such that the user may adjust the outlet mount of grain step by step.

[101] FIG. 14 illustrates a grain keeping apparatus according to a third embodiment. As shown in FIG. 14, the motion of the movable member 184 of the grain discharging part 80 is adjustable at a side of the grain keeping apparatus.

[102] In the grain keeping apparatus of FIG. 4 there are provided two keeping spaces of the grain box 30 and two grain drawing boxes 310. Correspondingly, two movable members 184 are provided at both sides of the grain keeping apparatus 20, respectively.

[103] FIG. 15 illustrates the structure of the grain discharging part 80 according to the third embodiment. The case 181 for defining an exterior appearance of the grain keeping apparatus includes an upper case 181a and a lower case 181b. A grain inlet hole 182 is formed at the upper case 181a and the grain of the grain box (30, see FIG. 14) is introduced through the grain inlet hole 182. A grain outlet hole 183 is formed at the lower case 181b and the grain is discharged into the grain drawing box (310, see FIG. 14) through the grain outlet hole 183.

[104] The movable member 184 is provided in the case 181 and the movable member 184 is larger than the grain inlet hole 182 and the grain outlet hole 183, such that the movable member 184 may open and close the grain inlet and outlet hole 182 and 183. [105] There are provided at the movable member 184 an operational knob 184a as a grip and plural protrusions 184a provided at a surface of the movable member 184, spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other. The protrusion 184b is inserted in an insert hole 192a and 192b which will be described later, such that the movable member 184 may moves step by step and that the grain inlet hole 182 and the grain outlet hole

183 may be opened and closed step by step.

[106] A guide slit 185 is provided at a lower side surface of the upper case 181a and an upper side surface of the lower case 181b to guide the motion of the movable member

184 and to limit the motion range of the movable member 184.

[107] In addition, a guide rail (190; 190a and 190b) is provided in the upper case 181a and the lower case 181b to guide the motion of the movable member 184. Plural insert holes 192a and 192b corresponding to the protrusions 184b may be formed at a surface of the guide rail 190 and the protrusion 184b is inserted in the insert hole 192a and 192b.

[108] Next, an operation of the grain keeping apparatus according to the second embodiment will be described.

[109] As shown in FIG. 16, if the grain (G) is introduced into the grain box 30 in a state in that the movable member 184 closes the lower portion of the grain box 30, the grain (G) is securely held in the grain box 30.

[110] A grain outlet 41 and a duct 43 are provided at the lower portion of the grain box

30. The grain is discharged through the grain outlet 41 and the duct 43 has an oblique surface guides the motion of the grain to the grain outlet 41.

[111] In this state, if the user grabs the operational knob 84a of the movable member 84 to discharge the grain and moves the movable member 84 in an opening direction, a left direction in this embodiment, the grain outlet 41 of the grain box 30 is opened and the grain (G) kept in the grain box 30 is dropped into the grain drawing box 310.

[112] Here, since the user can adjust the opening of the movable member 84 step by step, an appropriate amount of grain may be discharged into the grain drawing box 310 at a predetermined speed.

[113] FIG. 17 illustrates an operation of a grain keeping apparatus according to a third embodiment. In a state in that a movable member 184 provided at a lower portion of a grain box 30 closes the lower portion of the grain box 30, the holding of the grain may be maintained.

[114] Here, a grain outlet 141 is formed at the lower portion of the grain box 30 and a duct 143 having an oblique surface is provided at the lower portion of the grain box 30 to guide the grain to the grain outlet 141.

[115] If a user should discharge the grain in need, the user moves an operational knob

184a of the movable member 184 in an opening direction, a rear direction in this embodiment. Hence, the movable member 184 is opened step by step by the insertion of the protrusion (184b, see FIG. 15) in the insert hole 192a and 192b, not opened at one time. As a result, it may be prevented that too much amount of grain is dropped into the grain drawing box 310 at a time.

[116] 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

[117] The present invention has an industrial applicability.

[118] 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 keeping apparatus for a refrigerator of the present invention.

[119] Furthermore, according to the present invention, the grain may be taken out more simply by the pushing operation, compared with the process of taking out grain from the conventional container.

[120] A still further, the opening of the grain box is performed step by step according to the grain keeping apparatus of the present invention. As a result, it is prevented that too much amount of grain is dropped at a time. In addition, the opening is adjustable according to the user s intention. As a result, user convenience may be enhanced.

[121]

[122]

Claims

[1] A grain keeping apparatus for a refrigerator comprising: a grain box installed at the refrigerator to hold grain therein; a grain drawing part for holding grain discharged from the grain box to be taken out; and a grain discharging part provided between the grain box and the grain discharging part to guide the grain discharged from the grain box to the grain drawing part.

[2] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising: a grain outlet formed at a lower portion of the grain box to guide the grain discharged into the grain discharging part, wherein the grain discharging part comprises, a grain transfer unit provided at a lower portion of the grain outlet to hold and transfer the grain discharged through the grain outlet, and a driving force generation unit connected with the grain transfer unit to generate a driving force for operating the grain transfer unit.

[3] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the driving force generation unit comprises, an operational button exposed to a front plate provided at the lower portion of the grain box, the operational button being sliding movably coupled to the front plate; an extension extended from a predetermined portion of the operational button; a rack gear vertically provided at a rear surface of the extension to transfer the driving force to the grain discharging part, the rack gear connected with the grain discharging part; an elastic member having an end coupled to a projection projected from a rear surface of the operational button to elastically support the operational button such that the operational button returns to an original position by a restitution force of the elastic member if a pushing of the operational button is removed.

[4] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 3, further comprising: a supporting member coupled to a rear portion of the front plate provided at the lower portion of the grain box to support and sliding move the driving force generation unit, wherein the supporting member comprises, a first supporting portion attached to the rear portion of the front plate to support a right-and-left portion of the operational button; a second supporting portion connected with the first supporting portion, the second supporting portion being spaced apart rearward from the rear portion of the front plate in a predetermined distance, to support the rear portion of the operational button; a first guide slit formed at a connection plate for connecting the first supporting portion with the second supporting portion to guide the vertical motion of the extension; and a second guide slit provided at the second supporting portion to guide the vertical motion of the projection projected from the rear surface of the operational button. [5] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in 4, further comprising: a fixing member provided at a rear portion of the front plate provided at the lower portion of the grain box, the fixing member coupled to the supporting member to fix the supporting member, wherein the fixing member comprise, a first fixing member coupled to a side upper portion of the first supporting portion; and a second fixing member coupled to a side lower portion of the first supporting portion. [6] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 4, further comprising: a first securing part provided at provided at an outer lower surface of the grain box, having a first securing hole; a second securing part provided at an rear upper surface of the second supporting portion, having a second securing hole corresponding to the first securing hole; and a securing member for passing through the first and second securing hole, to secure the first and second securing part to each other. [7] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the grain transfer unit comprises, a casing coupled to the grain box, in communication with the grain outlet; a grain transfer container rotatably provided in the housing to hold the grain therein; a rotational shaft provided at the grain transfer container to support the grain transfer container rotatably installed at the casing; a gear connected with an end of the rotational shaft, in connection with the driving force generation unit, to transfer the driving force of the driving force generation unit to the grain transfer container, such that the grain transfer container is rotated in a vertical direction by the driving force; and a supporting curvature provided at the casing to form a keeping space for the grain together with the grain transfer container. [8] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 7, further comprising: a cleaning member provided at the grain transfer container to move upward in contact with an inner surface of the casing to clean an inside of the casing. [9] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein the casing comprises, a first opening through which the grain discharged from the grain outlet is drawn into the grain transfer container; a second opening though which the grain held in the grain transfer container is discharged into the grain drawing part when a position of the grain transfer container is reversed. [10] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 2, further comprising: a sealing member provided at the grain outlet to prevent the grain moved to the grain transfer unit from leaking. [11] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grain discharging part slidingly controls the grain moved from the grain box to the grain drawing part. [12] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the grain box comprises, a grain outlet provided at a lower portion of the grain box; and a duct with an oblique surface provided adjacent to the grain outlet to move the grain to the grain outlet. [13] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 12, wherein the grain discharging part comprises, a case for defining an exterior appearance of the grain discharging part; a movable member slidingly movable in the case; and a guide rail provided in the case to guide the motion of the movable member. [14] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 13, further comprising: an operational knob formed at the movable member to be a grip; and a guide slit provided at a front portion of the case to guide the motion of the movable member and to limit the motion range of the movable member. [15] The grain keeping apparatus as claimed in claim 14, further comprising: a plurality of protrusions formed at a surface of the movable member, spaced apart a predetermined distance from each other, to adjust an opening of the movable member step by step to adjust a discharging amount of the grain; and a plurality of insert holes spaced apart a predetermined distance from the guide rail, each of the insert hole in which each of the protrusion is inserted.