Description:The following specification describes and ascertains the nature of this invention and the manner in which it is to be performed:

Field of the invention
[0001] This disclosure relates to a removable storage unit in a household appliance.

Background of the invention
[0002] Modern refrigerators are designed to provide considerable latitude in how different kinds of foods are stored separately. Thus, it is common to find in such refrigerators provisions for mounting a variety in shelves, bins, and racks of different positions to separately support or contain assorted foods. Certain types of foods, e.g., fruits and vegetables, are best contained in bin-like compartments rather than on flat shelves or racks. It is desirable to have the bins covered to reduce the drying out of their contents due to cold dry air circulation in the refrigerator. One solution is to locate the bins directly beneath shelves that provide convenient support for other items such as milk cartons, fruit juice containers and the like. The practical problem then becomes one of providing the user easy access to what is in the bin beneath the shelf while permitting the shelf to serve effectively as a lid over the contents of the bin when access is not desired.

[0003] A EP patent application 2373942 discloses a refrigeration appliance, especially a household refrigeration appliance, comprising a cooling chamber in which at least one shelf is arranged. The refrigeration appliance is characterized in that the shelf has a rotatably mounted storage section and a fixed storage section.

Brief description of the invention:
[0004] It is an object of the invention to provide a removable storage unit in a household appliance.

[0005] The objects are solved by a removable storage unit in a household appliance having the features according to claims 1 and 10.

[0006] The invention relates to at least one storage unit in a household appliance. The household appliance comprises a compartment having multiple shelfs for storing items that needs refrigeration and a door for accessing the items stored in the compartment. The at least one storage unit comprises a slider base fitted on any one of the shelf of the appliance and a storage bin for storing the items . The at least one storage unit comprises a roller fixed on the slider base. The roller connects the storage bin and the slider base and facilitates the storage bin to move in/out of the slider base.

[0007] A feature of this invention is that, a supporting rod is fitted onto a bottom surface of the storage bin and the roller is connected at an open end of the supporting rod.

[0008] Another feature of this invention is that, the slider base comprises two cut-sections, a first section for accommodating the roller and a second cut-section for a movement of the roller along a length of the slider base.

[0009] Another feature of this invention is that, the at least one movable storage unit moves in/out of the slider base based on a movement of the roller in the second cut-section.

[0010] Another feature of this invention is that, the slider base comprises a protrusion made at one end , such that, the slider base along with the storage bin is fitted onto the shelf of the appliance.

[0011] Another feature of this invention is that , the at least two storage bins stacked vertically are fitted onto the slider base for storing the items.

[0012] Another feature of this invention is that, a bottom storage bin comprises a cut-section and a top storage bin comprises a corresponding protrusion for fitting into the cut-section of the bottom storage bin, when the storage bins are stacked vertically.

[0013] Another feature of this invention is that, the slider base and the storage bin together forms the at least one storage unit and the at least one storage unit is made removable.

[0014] Another feature of this invention is that, the slider base is fitted permanently onto one of the shelf of the appliance.

[0015] With the above disclosed removable storage bin, one can increase the storing capacity of the appliance. Small items and the items that require refrigeration can be stored in these removable storage units. The number of storage bins can be stacked vertically based on the requirement of the user. The dimensions (ie, the size and shape of the storage bins in the storage unit) is made according to the storage space availble in the shelf of the appliacne. The at least one storage unit disclosed in this invention provides a retrofit solution to the exisiting appliances. The disclosed storage unit can be used both in the refrigeration compartment as well as the freezer compartment for storing the items that require the refrigeration. The material that is used to made the storage unit enables the user to easily move in/out the storage unit from thee appliance.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
[0016] Figure 1 illustrates at least one storage unit in a household appliance in accordance with an embodiment of this invention; and
[0017] Figures 2(a) & 2(b) illustrates an exploded view of the at least one storage unit in the household appliance , in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0018] Figure 1 illustrates at least one storage unit in a household appliance in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. The household appliance 10 comprises a compartment 14 having multiple shelfs 16 for storing items that needs refrigeration and a door 18 for accessing the items stored in the compartment 14. The at least one storage unit 10 comprises a slider base 20 fitted on any one of the shelf 16 of the appliance 12 and a storage bin 22 for storing the items . The at least one storage unit 10 comprises a roller 24 fixed on the slider base 20 . The roller 24 connects the storage bin 22 and the slider base 20 and facilitates the storage bin 22 to move in/out of the slider base 20.

[0019] Further the construction of the at least one storage unit 10 is explained in detail. The storage bin 22 and the slider base 20 along with the roller 24 together forms the storage unit 10. The storage unit 10 comprises a supporting rod 26 fitted onto a bottom surface 28 of the storage bin 22 and the roller 24 is connected at an open end of the supporting rod 26. According to one embodiment of the invention, the supporting rod 26 and the roller 24 is made of same material, wherein such material is a rubber, a flexible plastic and the like. However, it is to be noted that, the material is not limited to the above mentioend one’s, but can be of any other material that is known to a person skilled in the art.

[0020] Figures 2(a) & 2(b) illustrates an exploded view of the at least one storage unit in the household appliance , in accordance with the present invention. According to one embodiment of the invention, the slider base 20 is permanently fitted on the shelf 16 of the appliance 10. The storage bins 22 of the storage unit 10 are fitted on the permanently slider base through the roller 24 . When the user of the appliance 10 wants to access the items present in the storage bin 22, the storage bin 22 present on the slider 20 base is pulled outside of the appliance 12 and the storage bin 22 moves along the length of the slider base 20 via the roller 24.

[0021] According to one embodiment of the invention, the slider base 20 comprises two cut-sections 30(a) & 30(b), a first section 30(a) for accommodating the roller 24 and a second cut-section 30(b) for a movement of the roller 24 along a length of the slider base 20. The roller 24 moves along the second cut-section 30(b) of the slider base 20. With the movement of the roller 24 , the storage bin 22 connected to the roller 24 also moves in/out of the appliance 12, as in when required. The at least one movable storage bin 22 moves in/out of the slider base 20 based on a movement of the roller 24 in the second cut-section 30(b).

[0022] The slider base 20 comprises a protrusion 32 made at one end , such that, the slider base 20 along with the storage bin 22 is fitted onto the shelf 16 of the appliance 10. The slider base 20 is made slidable onto the shelf 16 of the appliance 10 with the help of the protrusion 32. The protrusion 32 is made on a bottom surface of the slider base 20 of the at least one storage unit 10. With this kind of design, the disclosed storage unit 10 is made as a retrofit solution for the existing appliances 12.

[0023] According to one embodiment of the invention, the at least one storage unit 10 comprises one storage bin 22 fitted on the slider base 20. However, the number of storage bins 22 are made depends on the requirement from the user. The at least two storage bins 22 stacked vertically are fitted onto the slider base 20 for storing the items.For instance, if there are two storage bins 22 stacked vertically a bottom storage bin 22(a) comprises a cut-section and a top storage bin 22(b) comprises a corresponding cut-section for fitting into the cut-section of the bottom storage bin 22(a), when the storage bins 22 are stacked vertically. The slider base 20 and the storage bin 22 together forms the at least one storage unit 12 and the at least one storage unit 10 is made removable. Ie., the storage unit 10 can be removable from the appliance 12 for the replacement or for cleaning purposes.

[0024] The method of working of the at least one storage unit 10 is explained in detail. The storage unit 10 is fitted onto the shelf 16 of the appliance 12 with the help of the protrusion. The storage bins 22 fitted on the slider base 20 is made movable along the length of the slider base 20 with the help of the roller 24 in the second cut-section 30(b) of the slider base 20. When the user wants to store the items that require refrigeration, then the storage bin(s) 22 are pulled out of the appliance 10 manually. With the help of the roller 24, the storage bins 22 are moved out of the slider base 20. After accessing an interior storage space of the storage bin 22, the storage bin (s) 22 are made to push back into the appliance 12.During this movement, the roller 24 moves from the open end of the slider base 20 towards the closed end of the slider base 20.

[0025] With the above disclosed removable storage unit 10, one can increase the storing capacity of the appliance 12. Small items and the items that require refrigeration can be stored in these removable storage units 10. The number of storage bins 22 can be stacked vertically based on the requirement of the user. The dimensions (ie, the size and shape of the storage bins 22 in the storage unit 10) is made according to the storage space availble in the shelf 16 of the appliance 12. The at least one storage unit 10 disclosed in this invention provides a retrofit solution to the exisiting appliances 12. The disclosed storage unit 10 can be used both in the refrigeration compartment as well as the freezer compartment 14 for storing the items that require the refrigeration. The material that is used to made the storage unit 10 enables the user to easily move in/out the storage unit 10 from the appliance 12.

[0026] Embodiments explained in the description above are only illustrative and do not limit the scope of this disclosure. Many such embodiments and other modifications and changes in the embodiment explained in the description are envisaged. The scope of the invention is only limited by the scope of the claims.

List of Reference Signs

10 – at least one storage unit
12 – appliance
14 – compartment
16- shelf of the appliance
18- door of the appliance
20- slider base
22- storage bin
22(a)- bottom storage bin
22(b)- top storage bin
24- roller
26- supporting rod
28- bottom surface of the storage bin
30- cut-sections on the slider base
30(a)- first cut-section on the slider base
30(b)- second cut-section on the slider base
32- protrusion on slider base

, Claims:We Claim:
1. At least one storage unit (10) in a household appliance (12), said appliance (12) comprising :
- a compartment (14) having multiple shelfs (16) for storing items that needs refrigeration;
- a door (18) for accessing said items stored in said compartment (14);
characterized in that :
- a slider base (20) fitted on any one of said shelf (16) ;
- a storage bin (22) for storing said items ;
- a roller (24) fixed on said slider base (20), said roller (24) connects said storage bin (22) and said slider base (20) and facilitates said storage bin (22) to move in/out of said slider base (20).

2. The storage unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein a supporting rod (26) is fitted onto a bottom surface (28) of said storage bin (22) and said roller (24) is connected at an open end of said supporting rod (26).

3. The storage unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slider base (20) comprises two cut-sections (30), a first section (30(a)) for accommodating said roller (24) and a second cut-section (30(b)) for a movement of said roller (24) along a length of said slider base (20).

4. The storage unit (10) as claimed in claim 3, wherein said at least one movable storage unit (10) moves in/out of the slider base (20) based on a movement of said roller (24) in said second cut-section (30(b)).

5. The storage unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slider base (20) comprises a protrusion (32) made at one end , such that, said slider base (20) along with said storage bin (22) is fitted onto said shelf (16) of said appliance (12).

6. The storage unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least one storage bin (22) is fitted onto said slider base (20) for storing said items.

7. The storage unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein at least two storage bins (22) stacked vertically are fitted onto said slider base (20) for storing said items.

8. The storage unit (10) as claimed in claim 7, wherein a bottom storage bin (22(a)) comprises a cut-section and a top storage bin (22(b)) comprises a corresponding protrusion for fitting into said cut-section of said bottom storage bin (22(a)), when said storage bins (22) are stacked vertically.

9. The storage unit (10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slider base (20) and said storage bin (22) together forms said at least one storage unit (10) and said at least one storage unit (10) is made removable.

10. The storage unit(10) as claimed in claim 1, wherein said slider base (20) is fitted permanently onto one of said shelf (16) of said appliance (12).