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 tiltable storage box in a household appliance.

Background of the invention
[0002] Generally, refrigerators are adapted to store various foods at a low temperature in a fresh state for a long time in a storage chamber by supplying cold air generated from an evaporator of a cooling cycle to the storage chamber. The storage box provided on the door side of the refrigerator doesnt provide a larger space for storing soft vegetables or the like. The present invention gives a solution by providing a tiltable storage box fitted on the door liner of the refrigerator.

[0003] A patent US7472974 discloses a storage bin assembly for mounting to a household refrigerator door comprises a storage bin defining a recess and having an opening to provide access to the recess. The storage bin is movably mounted to the door for movement between an opened position where the recess can be accessed through the opening and a closed position where the opening is sealed with the door. The door can comprise a housing that supports the storage bin and seals with the storage bin when the storage bin is in the closed position. The storage bin can comprise a peripheral wall that defines the recess and terminates at an upper edge defining the opening.

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

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

[0006] The invention relates to a tiltable storage box in a household appliance. The tiltable storage box for storing at least one item is disclosed. The storage box comprises a front wall and at least one side wall. The storage box comprises an interior portion for storing at least one item by opening the front wall. The storage box compries at least one bracket fitted on the at least one side wall for mounting the storage box.

[0007] A feature of this invention is that, a lid positioned on top of the interior portion of the storage box. The lid provides an additional storage space for storing the at least one item.

[0008] Another feature of this invention is that, a damper fitted on the at least one side wall, such that the damper moves in a first slot formed in the at least one bracket when the storage box is opened/tilted for accessing at least one item.

[0009] Another feature of this invention is that, a supporting element fitted on the at least one side wall, such that the supporting element moves in a second slot formed on the at least one bracket when the storage box is opened/tilted for accessing at least one item.

[0010] Another feature of this invention is that, at least one hook formed on the at least one bracket, said at least one hook adapted to hold the storage box in an intact position.

[0011] Another feature of this invention is that, a protrusion made on the at least one bracket. The protrusion is fitted into a corresponding cut-section made on a bottom surface of the storage box, for holding the storage box and the at least one bracket together.

[0012] Another feature of this invention is that , an extension made on the bottom surface of the storage box for a smooth closing movement of the storage box.

[0013] Another feature of this invention is that , a protrusion made on each of said at least one bracket for sliding into a corresponding cut-section made on said lid , such that, a position of said lid is made intact on said interior region of said storage box by above disclosed arrangement.

[0014] Another feature of this invention is that, a snap made on storage box for automatic sliding from an open position to a closed position.

[0015] In another object of the invention, it provides a household appliance. The invention is related to a household applaince comprises at least one compartment for storing at least one item and a door for accessing the at least one item stored inside at least one compartment. The appliance comprises a tiltable storage box mounted on the door through at least one bracket fitted on either side of the storage box. The storage box comprises a front wall and at least one side wall, such that said at least one item is stored in an interior portion of said storage box by accessing said front wall.

[0016] With the above disclosed tiltable storage box in the household appliance 10, the user of the appliance 10 gets an additional storage space above storage box in the form of lid positioned on top of the storage box. The storage box can accomodate items like eggs, plums, peaches,lemons, soft veggies, salad vegetables and the like. The movable front wall in the storage box 16 helps in accesing the stored items withuot much hassle. The removal feature of the storage box 16 helps the user to replace the box in case of any damage and also to clean by pulling out of the appliance 10.

[0017]The storage box occupies the door side space of the appliance, thus not disturbing the storing space formed in the compartments. The new design of the storage box disclosed in the present invention, helps in better utilization of the door bins and provides a low cost effective solution that also works as a retrofit solution to the existing appliance. Depending on the requirement of the user, the size of the storage box can be modiified. The storage box not only used to store the edible items , but also one can store medicines, small beverage items and the like. The rear wall being smaller in dimensions than the front wall of the storage box, helps the user to open and close the box with much ease. The seggregation of items by using the above disclosed tiltable storage box is made easy for the user of the appliance.

Brief description of the accompanying drawings
An embodiment of the disclosure is described with reference to the following accompanying drawings.
[0018] Figure 1 illustrates a tiltable storage box in a household appliance, in accordance with an embodiment of this invention.
[0019] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the tiltable storage box in the household appliance, in accordance with the present invention; and
[0020] Figures 3(a)&3(b) illustrates the tiltable storage box container in accordance with the present invention.

Detailed description of the embodiments
[0021] Figure 1 illustrates a tiltable storage box a household applaince according to one embodiment of the invention. The household appliance 10 comprises at least one compartment 44 for storing at least one item 13. The applaince 10 comprises a door 46 for accessing the at least one item 13 stored inside at least one compartment 12. The appliane 10 comprises a tiltable storage box 12 mounted on the door 46 through at least one bracket 16 fitted on either side of the storage box 12. The storage box 12 comprises a front wall 14 and at least one side wall 16, such that the at least one item 13 is stored in an interior portion 18 of the storage box 12 by accessing the front wall 14.

[0022] Figure 2 illustrates an exploded view of the tiltable storage box in the household appliance, in accordance with the present invention. The tiltable storage box 12 for storing at least one item 13 is disclosed. The storage box 12 comprises a front wall 14 and at least one side wall 16. The storage box 12 comprises an interior portion 18 for storing at least one item 13 by opening the front wall 14. The storage box 12 compries at least one bracket 16 fitted on the at least one side wall 16 for mounting the storage box 12.

[0023]Further , the construction of the appliance 10 and the tiltable storage box 12 is explained in detail. According to one embodiment of the invention, the appliance 10 is a refrigerator. The appliance 10 is chosen from a group of appliances comprising a single door refrigerator, a mutli-door refrigerator and the like. The usage of the storage box 12 as mentioned in the present invention, is not limited to using in the refrigerator 10 , but can be any other place that can be removably mounted onto a shelf or a rack in any kind of household appliance 10 that is known in the state of the art. The tiltable storage box 12 is made of a flexible material like a flexible plastic, rubber and the like, such that, the tear and wear of the storage box 12 will be minimized while mounting the storage box 12 at the door 46 side of the appliance 10.

[0024] According to one embodiment of the invention, the storage box 12 comprises one front wall 14, one rear wall 15 and two side walls (16(a),16(b)). The front wall 14, the rear wall 15and the two side walls (16(a),16(b)) along with the interior portion 18 forms the storage box 12. For ease of understanding the side walls (16(a),16(b)) are referred as a first side wall 16(a) and a second side wall 16(b).The rear wall 15 is made smaller than the front wall 14 for temperature maintainence and for smooth movement of the storage box 12 from the tilted position/open position to the closed position. The sidewalls (16(a),16(b)) have an inclined top surfaces 48 formed from the front wall 14 to the rear wall 15.The storage box 12 comprises a cut-section 50 on the front wall 14 which acts as a handle for accessing the items 13 stored in the interior portion 18 of the storage box 12. According to one embodiment of the invention, a separate handle is fitted/made on the front wall 14 for opening and closing the storage box 12.

[0025] The storage box 12 comprises two brackets (17(a),17(b)) according to one embodiment of the invention. One brakcet 17(a) is fitted on the first side wall 16(a) and other bracket 17(b) on the second side wall 16(b). Each of the bracket 17(a) comprises two slots (24, 28) made one above the other. The upper slot is referred as first slot 24 and the lower slot is referred as second slot 28. Both the slots (24,28) are made in the form of a trajectory shape as shown in the figure 2. The storage box 12 comprises a damper 22 fitted on the at least one side wall 16, such that the damper 22 moves in a first slot 24 formed in the at least one bracket 17 when the storage box 12 is opened/tilted for accessing at least one item 13. Each of the side wall (16(a),16(b)) comprises the damper 22 made of silicon material (it can be any other flexible material as mentioned above), wherein the damper 22 moves in the trajectory path formed in the first slot 24 on each of the bracket (17(a),17(b)). During the opening and closing operations of the storage box 12, the damper 22 moves in the first slot 24 along with the storage box 12 , by providing a smooth movement.

[0026] The storage box 12 comprises a supporting element 26 fitted on the at least one side wall 16, such that the supporting element 26 moves in a second slot 28 formed on the at least one bracket (16(a),16(b)) when the storage box 12 is opened/tilted for accessing at least one item 13. According to one embodiment of the invention, the supporting element 26 is made below the damper 22 for an additional support during the movement of the storage box 12 from one operational state to another.ie., from the open state to close state and viceversa. [0027] The supporting element 26 moves in the second slot 28 in the trajectory path when the storage box 12 is accessed. According to one embodiment of the invention, the dimensions of the first slot 24 and the second slot 28 are different. The second slot 28 is made smaller than the first slot 24. The second slot 28 comprises an open portion, wherein the supporting element 26 is made to move in the open portion accordance with the movement of the storage box 12.

[0028] The at least one hook 30 made on the at least one bracket 17. The at least one hook 30 is adapted to hold the storage box 12 in an intact position. The at least one hook 30 which is formed in the shape of an inverted U or a hair pin , holds the storage box 12 when mounted at the door side 46 of the appliance 10. According to one embodiment of the invention, each of the bracket (17(a),17(b)) comprsies two hooks (30(a),30(b)) positioned one below the other, such that, the weight of the storage box 12 is divided, when mounted at the door side 46 of the appliance 10. It is to be noted that, the shape of the at least one hook (30(a),30(b))is not restricted to the above mentioned shapes but can be of any other shape that is known in the state of the art.

[0029] The storage box 12 comprises a lid 20 positioned on top of the interior portion 18 of the storage box 12. The lid 20 provides an additional storage space for storing the at least one item 13. The at least one bracket (16(a),16(b)) comprises a first protrusion 32 for sliding into a corresponding cut-section 34 made on the lid 20 , such that, a position of the lid 20 is made intact on the interior portion 18 of the storage box 12 by above disclosed arrangement. The additonal storage space available on the lid 20 , helps in storing small items 13 like sachets, medicines and the like.

[0030] The storage box 12 comprises an extension 38 made on the bottom surface 36 of the storage box 12 for a smooth closing movement of the storage box 12. The ends of the extension 38 is made as a center of gravity points, such that, the movement of the storage box 12 towards the door liner will be automatic. The extension 38 is made as an integral component of the storage box 12. The at least one item 13 that can be stored in lid 20 can be of small size like sachets, medicines, wherein the at least one item 13 that can be stored in the box 12 can be soft veggies, salad veggies, small beverages, ketchup bottles and the like or it can be any other item 13 that needs refrigeration.

[0031] According to one embodiment of the invention, the storage box 12 comprises a snap (not shown) for automatic sliding from an open position to a closed position. With the help of the snap, the storage box 12 is made to move back onto the door liner automatically.

[0032] Figures 3(a)&3(b) illustrates the tiltable storage box container in accordance with the present invention. A method working of the storage box 12 is explained in detail. The storage box 12 is operated in two states, one is an open state and other is a closed state. Figure 3 (a) illustrates the storage box 12 in the closed state and the figure 3 (b) illustrates the storage box in the open state. The storage box 12 is mounted on at least one nubbin 52 made on a door liner of the appliance 10. The at least one hook 30(a)/30(b) present on the at least one bracket 17(a)/17(b) of the storage box 12 is fitted on the nubbin 52 such that the position of the storage box 12 will be intact and wont be coming out during the change in the operational states.

[0033] The dimensions of the storage box 12 is made in such a way that, the storage box 12 will not disturb any other bins or vegetable holders when positioned at the door side of the appliance 10. The storage box 12 can be positioned/mounted on the at least one nubbin 52 using any one of the fitting techniques like snap fit technique.

[0034] When the user of the storage box 12 wants to store or access the at least one item 13 stored in the storage box 14, the storage box 14 is opened by using the cut-section 50 made on the front wall 14. When the front wall 14 is pulled out, the damper 22 and the supporting element 26 is moved in the first and the second slots (24,28) respectively along with the movement of the storage box 12. The lid 20 will be in its original position during this movement. The extension 38 provided at the bottom surface avoids the storage box 12 to fall down when opened.

[0035] Once the items 13 are stored or accessed, the storage box 12 is moved back and it will rest on the door liner. During this position, the storage box 12 rear wall 15 will be in contact with the door 46 liner of the appliance 10. Due to the extension 38 provided at the bottom surface 36, the storage box 12 moves backward automatically without much hassle. The dimensions of the lid 20 is made in such a way that, the interior portion 18 of the storage box 12 is completely covered during the close state.

[0036] With the above disclosed tiltable storage box in the household appliance 10, the user of the appliance 10 gets an additional storage space above storage box 12 in the form of lid 20 positioned on top of the storage box 12. The storage box 12 can accomodate items like eggs, plums, peaches,lemons, soft veggies, salad vegetables and the like. The movable /tiltable front wall 14 in the storage box 16 helps in accesing the stored items 13 withuot much hassle. The removal feature of the storage box 16 helps the user to replace the box in case of any damage and also to clean by pulling out of the appliance 10.

[0037]The storage box 12 occupies the door side space of the appliance 10, thus not disturbing the storing space formed in the compartments 44. The new design of the storage box 12 disclosed in the present invention, helps in better utilization of the door bins and provides a low cost effective solution that also works as a retrofit solution to the existing appliance. Depending on the requirement of the user, the size of the storage box 12 can be modified. The storage box 12 not only used to store the edible items 13 , but also one can store medicines, small beverage items and the like. The rear wall 15 being smaller in dimensions than the front wall 14 of the storage box 12, helps the user to open and close the box with much ease. The seggregation of items 13 by using the above disclosed tiltable storage box 12 is made easy for the user of the appliance 10.

[0038] It should be understood that 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 household appliance
12 tiltable storage box
13 at least one item
14 front wall
15 rear wall
16(a),16(b) at least one side wall
17 (a),17(b) at least one bracket
18 interior portion
20 lid
22 damper
24 first slot
26 supporting element
28 second slot
30(a),30(b) at least one hook
32 a first protrusion on at least one bracket
34 cut-section on the storage box
36 bottom surface of the storage box
38 extension on the storage box
40 a second protrusion on at least one bracket
42 cut-section on the lid
44 at least one compartment
46 door of the appliance
48 inclined top surfaces of the storage box
50 cut-section on the front wall
52 at least one nubbin on the appliance

, Claims:We Claim:

1. A tiltable storage box (12) for storing at least one item (13) , said storage box (12) comprising :
- a front wall (14) and at least one side wall (16);
- an interior portion (18) of said storage box (12) for storing at least one item (13) by opening said front wall (14);
- at least one bracket (17) fitted on said at least one side wall (16) for mounting said storage box (12).

2. The tiltable storage box (12) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a lid (20) positioned on top of said interior portion (18) of said storage box (12), said lid (20) provides an additional storage space for storing said at least one item (13).

3. The tiltable storage box (12) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a damper (22) fitted on said at least one side wall (16), such that said damper (22) moves in a first slot (24) formed in said at least one bracket (17) when said storage box (12) is opened/tilted for accessing at least one item (13).

4. The tiltable storage box (12) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a supporting element (26) fitted on said at least one side wall (16), such that said supporting element (26) moves in a second slot (28) formed on said at least one bracket (17) when said storage box (12) is opened/tilted for accessing at least one item (13).

5. The tiltable storage box (12) as claimed in claim 1, comprises at least one hook (30) formed on said at least one bracket (17), said at least one hook (30) adapted to hold said storage box (12) in an intact position.

6. The tiltable storage box (12) as claimed in claim 1, wherein comprises a first protrusion (32) made on said at least one bracket (17), said first protrusion (32) is fitted into a corresponding cut-section (34) made on a bottom surface (36) of said storage box (12), for holding said storage box (12) and said at least one bracket (17) together.

7. The tiltable storage box (12) as claimed in claim 1, comprises an extension (38) made on said bottom surface (36) of said storage box (12) for a smooth closing movement of said storage box (12).

8. The tiltable storage box (12) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a second protrusion (40) made on each of said at least one bracket (17) for sliding into a corresponding cut-section (42) made on said lid (20), such that, a position of said lid (20) is made intact on said interior portion (18) of said storage box (12) by above disclosed arrangement.

9. The tiltable storage box (12) as claimed in claim 1, comprises a cut-section (50) on the front wall (14) which acts as a handle for accessing the at least one item (13) stored in the interior portion (18) of the storage box (12).

10. A household appliance (10) comprising:
- at least one compartment (44) for storing at least one item (13);
- a door (46) for accessing said at least one stored item (13) inside said at least one compartment (44);
characterized in that:
- a tiltable storage box (12) mounted on said door (46) through at least one bracket (17) fitted on either side of said storage box (12);
said storage box (12) comprises a front wall (14) and at least one side wall (16), such that said at least one item (13) is stored in an interior portion (18) of said storage box (12) by accessing said front wall (14).