Humidity control lid

Abstract

A vegetable bin ( 4 ) or a refrigerator comprises a floor, enclosing side walls and a substantially open top. The vegetable bin is placed within a refrigerated space beneath a lower shelf ( 6 ) to be cooled. The vegetable bin is furt provided with a lid ( 5 ) to cover said open top, and said lid is suspended underneath the lower shelf directly above t vegetable bin. In one condition the lid substantially seals the vegetable bin to help keep the vegetables fresh. In another condition the lid is lifted up a small amount at a rear portion of the lid, by operating control means ( 11 ), in order to allow the air within the vegetable container to exchange with the air of the refrigerated space. The air pathway is opened between the lid and the upper perimeter of the vegetable bin and is preferably located toward th rear of the refrigerated space proximate a circulating fan ( 8 ).

1 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a refrigerated space having at least one shelf,   a bin removably disposed inside said refrigerated space and located below said at least one shelf, said bin comprising a floor, enclosed sides and a substantially open top defining a perimeter,   a bin lid located between said shelf and said bin, and suspended from said shelf and substantially covering and scaling said open top of said bin,   a lid actuator for selectively raising the lid such that at least part of the lid is in an elevated condition out of contact with said bin perimeter to open a pathway between said elevated lid and said bin perimeter for communicating gases between said refrigerated space and the inside of said bin, when said bin is in a fully stored position.   
   
   
       2 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lid, when said bin is in said stored position, has two operating conditions, and
 when said lid is in said first operating condition said lid substantially seals said open top of said bin, and   when in said second operating condition at least a portion of said lid is held away from said bin perimeter and a fluid pathway is opened between said bin and said lid.   
   
   
       3 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said pathway is located toward the rear of said refrigerated space. 
   
   
       4 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 2 , wherein said fluid pathway is proximate to a cool air circulating vent in said refrigerated space, and said refrigerator further includes at least a fan to blow cool air from said vent. 
   
   
       5 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lid actuator is associated with said shelf and includes a control camming surface which co-operates with a camming surface of said lid to open said pathway. 
   
   
       6 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lid actuator operates via a lever to open said pathway. 
   
   
       7 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lid actuator acts directly on said lid to move said lid away from said bin and open said pathway. 
   
   
       8 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 5 , wherein said lid actuator means includes a flexible band and said band is movable within a track. 
   
   
       9 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said lid includes a plurality of grooves on an underside and said grooves are adapted for retaining condensed water, and said lid is disposed at a slight angle from horizontal so said lid is sloped toward a draining area. 
   
   
       10 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein said refrigerator includes more than one said bin located side by side. 
   
   
       11 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 10 , wherein said bin or said bins are located on a drawer for improved withdrawal and insertion from the refrigerator. 
   
   
       12 . A refrigerator comprising:
 a refrigerated space having at least one shelf,   a bin removably disposed inside said refrigerated space and located below said at least one shelf, said bin comprising a floor, enclosed sides and a substantially open top,   a bin lid located between said shelf and said bin, and suspended from said shelf,   wherein said lid has at least two operating conditions, and   when in said first operating condition, with said bin in a stored position, said lid is directly above said bin and substantially seals said open top, and   when in said second operating condition, with said bin in a stored position, at least a portion of said lid is held away from said bin such that a fluid pathway is opened between said refrigerated space and said bin.   
   
   
       13 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said fluid pathway is located toward a rear of said refrigerated space. 
   
   
       14 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 12  or  claim 13 , wherein said fluid pathway is proximate to a cool air circulating vent in said refrigerated space, and said refrigerator further includes at least a fan within said vent. 
   
   
       15 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said fluid pathway is opened by action of camming surfaces associated with said lid and an actuator. 
   
   
       16 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said an actuator acts directly on said lid to move said lid away from said bin and open said fluid pathway. 
   
   
       17 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 15 , wherein said actuator includes a flexible band moveable in a track. 
   
   
       18 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said fluid pathway is opened by action of a lever. 
   
   
       19 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said lid includes a plurality of grooves on an underside and said grooves are adapted for retaining condensed water, and said lid is disposed at a slight angle from horizontal so said lid is slope toward a draining area. 
   
   
       20 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein said refrigerator includes more than one said bin located side by side. 
   
   
       21 . A refrigerator as claimed in  claim 20 , wherein said bin or said bins are located on a drawer for improved withdrawal and insertion from the refrigerator.