Patent ID: 8979621
Filing Date: 2015-03-17
Classification: E05B,E06B,F24F,F25D,Y10T

Abstract:
1. A system comprising a storage compartment, the storage compartment comprising an external housing and a drawer, the drawer being configured to fit within the external housing and hold articles to be stored therein, the system having at least two selectable modes of operation, the modes comprising: a first selectable mode of operation and a second selectable mode of operation, the first selectable mode of operation being configured to evacuate gas from within the drawer while the drawer is closed and sealed from an admittance of gases from an exterior of the storage compartment, the stored articles being stored during the first selectable mode of operation at a pressure less than a pressure at the exterior of the system, wherein whenever access is to be had to the articles being stored in the first selectable mode of operation, the system is operative to admit gases to the drawer, whereby the pressure within the drawer and the pressure outside the storage compartment are substantially equalized; the second selectable mode of operation being configured to evacuate gas from the drawer at the same time as gases from the exterior of the storage compartment are admitted to the drawer while the drawer is closed, the stored articles being ventilated during the second selectable mode of operation by the gases admitted to the drawer as those gases pass from the exterior of the storage compartment through the drawer and to the exterior of the storage compartment; and a controller for controlling each of the first selectable mode of operation, the second selectable mode of operation and the admission of gases to the drawer to equalize the pressure within the drawer and the pressure outside the storage compartment.