Refrigerator

Abstract

There is provided a refrigerator. The refrigerator include a drawer that is selectively drawn in a storage space, a storage container for storing foodstuffs, the storage container being received in the drawer, a container cover for closing the storage container, and an opening device that restricts the container cover when the drawer is drawn out by a predetermined distance, thereby slide-opening the storage container.

1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a drawer that is selectively drawn in a storage space;   a storage container for storing foodstuffs, the storage container being received in the drawer;   a container cover for closing the storage container; and   an opening device that restricts the container cover when the drawer is drawn out by a predetermined distance, thereby slide-opening the storage container.   
   
   
       2 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening device includes:
 a restricting projection extending rearward from the container; and   a restricting damper that is formed on a side of the storage space to selectively restrict the restricting projection.   
   
   
       3 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the restricting damper is formed of an elastic material. 
   
   
       4 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the restricting damper is provided with a projection receiving hole having a diameter less than a diameter of the restricting projection. 
   
   
       5 . The refrigerator according to  claim 2 , wherein the restricting damper is provided with a shock absorbing wrinkles for attenuating compression impact generated when the restricting damper is received in the restricting projection. 
   
   
       6 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , further comprising:
 a hook projection protruding from one of the container cover and the storage space; and   an interference projection protruding from the other of the container cover and the storage space,   wherein the hook and interference projections restrict the movement of the container cover out of the storage space when the storage container is drawn out.   
   
   
       7 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening device is designed to allow the storage container to be drawn out by elastic force stored by a spiral spring. 
   
   
       8 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening device comprises:
 a spiral spring provided on a side of the storage container;   a rack mounted on the container cover and provided with gear teeth; and   a pinion moving relative to the rack at a corresponding location to the rack and connected to a rotational center of the spiral spring to selectively compress the spiral spring.   
   
   
       9 . The refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the opening device comprises inclined portions formed on the storage container and the container cover to guide a slide motion of the container cover on the storage container. 
   
   
       10 . The refrigerator according to  claim 9 , wherein a stopper is formed on a location where the inclined portions contact each other to restrict the container cover when the container cover is drawn out by a predetermined distance. 
   
   
       11 . The refrigerator according to  claim 9 , wherein a friction reducing member is provided on a location where the inclined portions contact each other so that the container cover effectively slides on the storage container. 
   
   
       12 . The refrigerator according to  claim 11 , wherein the friction reduction member is formed of a plastic material containing oil or a roller. 
   
   
       13 . The refrigerator according to  claim 9 , further comprising a shaking preventing rib formed on a top of the storage container to prevent the container cover from moving leftward and rightward. 
   
   
       14 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a drawer that is selectively inserted in a storage space;   a storage container for storing foodstuffs, the storage container being received in the drawer;   a container cover for selectively closing the storage container; and   a restricting projection formed on a rear surface of the container cover; and   a restricting damper that is formed on a rear surface of the storage space corresponding to the restricting projection to receive the restricting projection,   wherein the restricting projection and the restricting damper restrict selectively the container cover when the storage cover slides out of the storage space.   
   
   
       15 . The refrigerator according to  claim 14 , wherein the restricting damper is provided with a plurality of shock absorbing wrinkles. 
   
   
       16 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a drawer that is selectively inserted in a storage space;   a storage container for storing foodstuffs, the storage container being received in the drawer;   a container cover for selectively closing the storage container;   a spiral spring provided on a side of the storage container;   a rack mounted on the container cover and provided with gear teeth; and   a pinion moving relative to the rack at a corresponding location to the rack and connected to a rotational center of the spiral spring to selectively compress the spiral spring.   
   
   
       17 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a drawer that is selectively inserted in a storage space;   a storage container for storing foodstuffs, the storage container being received in the drawer;   a container cover for selectively closing the storage container;   a container inclined portion formed on a side of the storage container and having an inclined surface;   a cover inclined portion formed on a side of the container cover and having an inclined surface corresponding to the inclined surface of the container inclined portion so that the storage container is opened by sliding on the container cover; and   a stopper that is formed between the container inclined portion and the cover inclined portion to restrict the container cover when the container cover is drawn out by a predetermined distance.   
   
   
       18 . The refrigerator according to  claim 17 , wherein the stopper is formed on each other container inclined portion and the cover inclined portion. 
   
   
       19 . The refrigerator according to  claim 17 , further comprising a friction reduction member that is disposed between the container inclined portion and the cover inclined portion to reduce friction between the container inclined portion and the cover inclined portion. 
   
   
       20 . The refrigerator according to  claim 17 , further comprising a shaking preventing rib that is formed on a top of the container inclined portion and protrudes upward along the container inclined portion to prevent the container cover from moving leftward and rightward.