Storage container and refrigerator having the same

A storage container having a sensor unit and a refrigerator having the same. The storage container includes a container body; a container cover coupled to the container body; a sensor module disposed at least at one of the container body or the container cover; and a coupling member provided as to accommodate at least a portion of the sensor module, and detachably coupled to at least one of the container body or the container cover. The sensor unit is detachably coupled to the storage container, and thus a replacement of the sensor unit may be easily performed.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application claims the priority benefit of the Korean Patent Application No. 10-2014-0110811, filed on Aug. 25, 2014, in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference.

BACKGROUND

Embodiments of the present disclosure relate to a storage container and a refrigerator having the same, and more particularly, a storage container provided with a sensor unit (sensor), and a refrigerator having the same.

2. Description of the Related Art

In general, a refrigerator is an apparatus configured to store foods at a lower temperature. The refrigerator includes a freezing compartment in which foods are stored at a relatively lower temperature, and a refrigerating compartment in which foods are stored at a relatively higher temperature.

Cool air being supplied to the freezing compartment and the refrigerating compartment may be generated by use of heat-exchanging action of refrigerant. The refrigerant may be able to heat-exchange with respect to air while repeatedly circulating a refrigerant cycle of compression, condensation, expansion, and evaporation. The foods at an inner side the refrigerator may be stored at a desired temperature by supplying the air, having heat-exchanged with respect to the refrigerant, through a circulation fan.

The foods stored at an inner side the refrigerator as such may be decomposed or ripen according to characteristics of the each food. Various types of gases may be generated at the time of the ripening or the decomposition of the foods. For example, gases such as acetic acid, aldehyde acid, sulfur compounds, and alcohol may be generated at the time of when Kimchi is being ripe.

The degree of decomposition or ripening of the foods may be measured by use of a sensor module configured to measure subject gases, among the various gases that are being generated, that are considered indicators of the decomposition or the ripening of the foods. Therefore, various types of refrigerators having the sensor module are recently under development. However, the sensor module is required to be periodically replaced, and thus difficulty may be present in installing such.

SUMMARY

Therefore, it is an aspect of the present disclosure to provide a storage container having a sensor unit (sensor) detachably coupled to a storage body and the storage container.

It is another aspect of the present disclosure to provide a storage container having a sensor module configured to have colors thereof changed according to the status (condition) of stored foods, and configured to display the changed colors of the sensor module.

In accordance with one aspect of the present disclosure, a storage container includes a container body, a sensor module, and a coupling member. The container cover may be coupled to the container body. The sensor module may be disposed on at least one of the container body and the container cover. The coupling member may be provided as to accommodate at least a portion of the sensor module, and detachably coupled to the at least one of the container body and the container cover.

The coupling member may be rotatably detached from at least one of the container body and the container cover.

The coupling member may include a coupling protrusion extending in the shape of a spiral.

The at least one of the container body and the container cover may include a guide protrusion configured to guide the coupling protrusion.

The at least one of the container body and the container cover may include a concavo-convex container structure such that the coupling member is rotated and then fixed to a predetermined position, and the coupling member may include a concavo-convex coupling structure corresponding to the concavo-convex container structure.

The at least one of the container body and the container cover may include a coupling accommodation unit, and the coupling member may include a coupling insertion unit being inserted into the coupling accommodation unit.

The coupling insertion unit may include a coupling protrusion extendedly formed in the shape of a spiral, and the coupling accommodation unit may include a guide protrusion configured to guide the coupling protrusion such that the coupling insertion unit is rotated and then inserted into the coupling accommodation unit.

A sensor accommodation unit at which the sensor module is accommodated may be provided at an inner side of the coupling insertion unit.

The coupling member may include a sensor accommodation unit at which the sensor module is accommodated, and as to protect the sensor module accommodated at the sensor accommodation unit, the coupling member may further include a sensor cover coupled to one side of the sensor accommodation unit.

The sensor cover may be coupled to one side of the sensor accommodation unit, such that the sensor module is fixed to the sensor accommodation unit.

The sensor module may be detached together with the coupling member from the at least one of the container body and the container cover.

A sealing member may be disposed in between the at least one of the container body and the container cover and the coupling member.

A food accommodation unit may be formed as the container body and the container cover is coupled with respect to each other; and the coupling member may be coupled to an inner side surface of the at least one of the container body and the container cover such that the sensor module is positioned at the food accommodation unit.

The sensor module may be provided such that the colors thereof are changed according to the amount of subject gases, and the sensor module may be provided such that the color changes of the sensor module are displayed at an exterior appearance of the container body and the container cover.

At an exterior appearance of the container body and the container cover at which the color changes of the sensor module are displayed, color samples showing the colors of the sensor module that correspond to different status of the foods being accommodated at the food accommodation unit may be provided.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a storage container includes a container body, a container cover and a sensor unit. The container cover may be coupled to the container body as to form a food accommodation unit. The sensor unit may be provided as to display status of foods being accommodated at the food accommodation unit, and detachably coupled to one side of the container cover.

The sensor unit may include a sensor module configured to change colors thereof according to the status of the accommodated foods, and a coupling member provided as to accommodate the sensor module.

The sensor unit may be detachably coupled to an inner side surface of the container cover.

The sensor unit may be installed at an outer side surface of the container cover as to display the status of the foods accommodated at the food accommodation unit.

In accordance with another aspect of the present disclosure, a refrigerator includes a body, a storage compartment, and at least one storage container. The storage compartment may be formed in the body. The at least one storage container may be provided to accommodate food therein, and disposed in the storage compartment, wherein the at least one storage container may include: a sensor module disposed at an inner side of the at least one storage container status of the accommodated foods is measured; and a display unit disposed at an outer side of the at least one storage container such that the status of the foods being measured by the sensor module is displayed.

The sensor module may be provided with colors thereof changed according to the status of the accommodated foods.

At least a portion of the display unit may be provided in transparent material such that the color changes of the sensor module are displayed at an exterior appearance of the at least one storage container.

The refrigerator may further include color samples showing the colors of the sensor module that correspond to different status of the foods being accommodated.

The color samples may be adjacently disposed with respect to the display unit.

A sensor unit may be detachably coupled to a storage container, and thus a replacement of the sensor unit may be easily conducted.

In addition, the sensor unit is capable of providing convenience while disposed at an inner side the storage container as to accurately measure the status of food, and also while configured to display at an exterior appearance of the storage container of the status of the accommodated food.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1is a drawing illustrating a refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 2is a drawing illustrating a side cross-sectional view of the refrigerator in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As illustrated onFIG. 1andFIG. 2, a refrigerator includes a body10, and a storage compartment20formed at the body10. The storage compartment20may be provided in a plurality of units such that a front surface thereof is open at an inner side the body10.

In addition, the refrigerator includes a door30rotatably coupled to the body10as to open/close the open front surface of the storage compartment20, a storage unit40configured to be inserted into and withdrawn from by a sliding method while stored at the storage compartment20, and a sliding apparatus50configured to guide the storage unit40to be inserted into and withdrawn from by a sliding method.

The body10may include an inner case11forming the storage compartment20and an outer case13forming an exterior appearance. Insulation material15is foamed in between the inner case11and the outer case13as to prevent a leak of cool air of the storage compartment20.

In addition, the body10includes a cool air supplying apparatus configured to supply cool air at the storage compartment20. The cool air supplying apparatus may include a compressor61, a condenser (not shown), an expansion valve (not shown), an evaporator63, a draft fan65, and a cool air duct67. A machinery compartment29at which the compressor61and the condenser (not shown) configured to compress refrigerant and condense the compressed refrigerant, respectively, are installed is provided at a lower rear side of the body10.

The evaporator63, the draft fan65, and the cool air duct67are disposed at a rear wall of the storage compartment20, and the each of the evaporator63, the draft fan65, and the cool air duct67may be provided in plurality. The evaporator63is configured to generate cool air, the draft fan65is configured to lead the cool air generated at the evaporator63to the storage compartment20, and the cool air duct67is configured to guide the cool air generated at the evaporator63to the storage compartment20.

The storage compartment20is divided in a plurality of units by use of partition walls17, and may be vertically and sequentially divided into an upper compartment21, a middle compartment23, and a lower compartment25. The each storage compartment20is configured to store foods refrigerated or frozen. In addition, at the each storage compartment20, a storage container100provided as to accommodate foods may be disposed. The each storage compartment20as such will be described later.

The upper compartment21may be divided in a plurality of units as a plurality of shelves27is provided at the upper compartment21. The upper compartment21may be open/closed by use of the door30rotatably coupled to with respect to the body10.

The middle compartment23and the lower compartment25each may be open/closed by the storage unit40capable of slidingly moving with respect to the body10. The storage unit40includes a drawer-type door41, and an accommodation container43mounted at a lower surface of the drawer-type door41, and a handle41aa user may grasp may be provided at the drawer-type door41.

The accommodation container43may be provided as to be integrally formed with respect to the drawer-type door41, or may be separately manufactured with respect to the drawer-type door41as to be coupled to the drawer-type door41.

The storage unit40is inserted into and withdrawn from inner sides the middle compartment23and the lower compartment25by sliding method by use of the sliding apparatus50. The sliding apparatus50configured to slidingly move the storage unit40is provided with one side thereof coupled to each of the both side surfaces of an inner side the lower compartment25at which the storage unit40is accommodated, while the other side thereof coupled to each of the both side surfaces of the accommodation container43of the storage unit40.

On the drawing, the other side of the sliding apparatus50is illustrated to be coupled to the both side surfaces of the accommodation container43of the storage unit40. However, the other side of the sliding apparatus50may be structured to be coupled to a lower surface of the drawer-type door41instead of the both side surfaces of the accommodation container43, such that the sliding apparatus50may be structured to support the accommodation container43.

As described above, the storage container100is provided as to accommodate foods, and may be disposed at the each storage compartment20. The storage container100may be provided in a plurality of units, and may be provided in various shapes. Hereinafter, the storage container100in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure will be described.

FIG. 3is a drawing illustrating a storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 4is a drawing illustrating disassembled container body and container cover of the storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

The storage container100may include a container body110, and a container cover120being coupled to the container body110. The container body110may be provided such that an upper portion thereof is open as to accommodate foods. The container cover120may be able to form a food accommodation unit130by covering the upper portion of the container cover110.

As for a user to accommodate foods at the food accommodation unit130or to withdraw foods from the food accommodation unit130, the container cover120may be detachably coupled to the container body110. At least one of the container cover120and the container body110may include a container coupling unit112configured to couple the container cover120and the container body110into each other.

As illustrated onFIG. 4, the container body110includes the plurality of container coupling units112. The container coupling unit112is rotatably provided at an upper end portion of the container body110, and may be coupled to the container cover120by use of a hook method. In addition, the container coupling unit112may be used as a handle configured to be used for a user to grasp the storage container100.

The container cover120may include a container groove122into which at least a portion of the container coupling unit112is inserted. The food accommodation unit130may be formed, as the container coupling unit112is inserted into the container groove112and as the container body110and the container cover120are coupled to each other.

The container coupling unit112which is described above is provided as one example, and the container body110and the container cover120may be coupled to in various shapes. As illustrated onFIG. 3andFIG. 4, a display unit124and color samples126may be provided at the container cover120, and the display unit124and the color samples126will be described later.

FIG. 5is a drawing illustrating the container cover of the storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.FIG. 5is referred to as a drawing illustrating a rear surface of the container cover that is adjacent with respect to the food accommodation unit.

The storage container100may include a sensor unit (sensor)140disposed to at least one of the container body110and the container cover120. Hereinafter, a case of the sensor unit140being disposed at the container cover120will be described in detail, and the case may be applied to a case when the sensor unit140is disposed at the container body110or to a case when the sensor unit140is disposed at the container body110and the container cover120.

The sensor unit140may be detachably coupled to one side of the container cover120. Accordingly, a user may be able to separate and replace the sensor unit140from the container cover120.

The sensor unit140may include a sensor module150(FIG. 9) and a coupling member (coupler)160provided as to accommodate at least a portion of the sensor module150. In addition, a sensor cover180(FIG. 8) coupled to the coupling member160as to protect the sensor module150. FromFIG. 4toFIG. 8, the sensor module150accommodated at the coupling member160is not illustrated.

Hereinafter, a coupling of the sensor unit140and the container cover120will be described in detail.

FIG. 6is a drawing illustrating the container cover and a sensor unit of the storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 7is a drawing illustrating the disassembled storage cover and the sensor unit of the storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As described above, the sensor unit140is detachably coupled to the container cover120. As illustrated onFIGS. 5 to 7, the sensor unit140may be able to be coupled to a inner side surface of the container cover120. A settling member (a receiving member)170into which the sensor unit140is coupled may be provided at an inner side surface of the container cover120.

In detail, the coupling member160forming an exterior of the sensor unit140is detachably coupled to the settling member170. The coupling member160and the settling member170may be provided in the shapes corresponding with respect to each other.

The settling member170includes a coupling accommodation unit172depressedly formed, and the coupling member160may include a coupling insertion unit162(FIG. 8) being inserted into the coupling accommodation unit172. The coupling insertion unit162may be rotatably coupled to or rotatably separated with respect to the coupling accommodation unit172. That is, as illustrated onFIG. 6, th sensor unit140may be rotatably provided at the container cover120.

The coupling member160may include a coupling protrusion164extendedly formed in the shape of, for example, a spiral. The coupling protrusion164may be formed at an outer side of the coupling insertion unit162. The container cover120may include a guide protrusion174configured to guide the coupling protrusion164. The guide protrusion174is formed at an inner side of the coupling accommodation unit172, and may be skewedly disposed such that the coupling protrusion164may be rotatably inserted into.

At least a portion of the coupling member160may be rotatably inserted into the container cover120by use of the coupling protrusion164that is rotatably inserted along with the guide protrusion174. As for the coupling member160to be rotatably fixed to a predetermined position, the container cover120and the coupling member160may include a concavo-convex container structure176and a concavo-convex coupling structure166, respectively.

As illustrated onFIG. 7, the concavo-convex container structure176may be formed at an edge of the settling member170. The concavo-convex container structure176may be provided in the shape of a depressed groove, and the concavo-convex coupling structure166may be provided in the shape of a protrusion that corresponds with respect the shape of a depressed groove.

Thus, the coupling insertion unit163is correspondingly disposed at the coupling accommodation unit172, and the coupling protrusion164is rotated along the guide protrusion174. The coupling member160is fixed to the settling member170as the concavo-convex coupling structure166is inserted into the concavo-convex container structure176.

FIG. 8is a drawing illustrating the sensor unit of the storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure, andFIG. 9is a drawing illustrating the disassembled sensor unit of the storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure.

As describe above, the coupling member160is detachably coupled to the container cover120. Accordingly, the sensor module150accommodated at the coupling member160may be detached from the container cover120along with the coupling member160. Thus, a replacement and exchange of the sensor module150may be easily conducted.

As illustrated onFIG. 9, the sensor unit140may include the coupling member160, the sensor module150, and a sensor cover180. In addition, the sensor unit140may include a sealing member (sealer)190configured to closely attach the container cover120and the sensor unit140.

In a case when the sensor unit140is coupled to the container cover120, the sealing member190may be disposed in between the container cover120and the coupling member160. The sealing member190may be provided with flexible material such as rubber, and may be able to prevent the smell of foods from being delivered to an outside by reducing the gap in between the coupling member160and the container cover120. The sealing member190may be insertedly coupled to an outer side of the coupling insertion unit162.

A sensor accommodation unit168at which the sensor module150is accommodated may be provided at an inner side of the coupling insertion unit162. The sensor cover180is capable of protecting the sensor module150while coupled to one side of the sensor accommodation unit168. An insertion of foreign substance into the sensor accommodation unit168may be prevented by use of the sensor cover180.

The sensor cover180may include a sensor cover coupling unit (a sensor cover coupler)182being inserted into and mounted at an inner side of the sensor accommodation unit168. The sensor module150may be able to be fixed at the sensor accommodation unit168as the sensor cover coupling unit182is inserted into an inner side of the sensor accommodation unit168.

The sensor accommodation unit168is provided with a side surface thereof formed by use of the coupling insertion unit162, and is provided with one surface thereof formed by use of the sensor cover180while the one surface is adjacent with respect to the food accommodation unit130. Another one surface of the sensor accommodation unit168that is adjacent with respect to the food accommodation unit130is provided with an open state, and may be provided with a frame169having a predetermined shape.

The frame169is referred to as a portion being exposed to an exterior in a case when the container cover120is separated from the container body110by a user, and may be provided in various shapes as to enhance aesthetic appearance. In addition, the frame169is capable of protecting the sensor module150from making contact with respect to foreign substance.

The sensor module150is configured to measure the status (condition) of foods being accommodated at the food accommodation unit130, and may be provided as to display the status as such. For example, the sensor module150may be provided as a gas sensor module configured to measure particular gases. That is, the sensor module150is capable of measuring the status of foods by measuring the particular gases.

In a case of ripening or decomposition of foods, various types of gases are generated, and the amount and types of the generated gases are affected by the ripening of the foods and also by the seasonings and additional material that are added to the foods.

As for the elements of the gases, among the generated gases, that are closely related to the ripening of the foods are volatile organic acid and ammonia. The elements of the gases as such are not detected when foods are in fresh status while the density of the elements of the gases as such is increased in proportion to the degree of ripening as the ripening is proceeded.

For example, when Kimchi which is a type of fermented food is ripe, gases such as acetic acid, aldehyde, sulfur compounds, and alcohol are generated. At this time, the gas that is directly involved in the fermentation of the Kimchi is volatile organic acid that is generated as a by-product of micro-organism, for example, the acetic acid. The acetic acid is nearly not generated during an early period of the fermentation of the Kimchi, and is shown with gradual increase as the fermentation is proceeded.

Thus, the degree of fermentation of the Kimchi may be determined by measuring the amount of the acetic acid as such. In addition, the degree of ripening or decomposition may be determined from the elements of the gases that are generated in a case of the foods in general other than the fermented foods.

In a case of meat, amino acid is increased as protein is decomposed by use of micro-organism during a long-term, low-temperature storage period. During metabolic process, gases such as ammonia, sulfur compounds, aldehyde, and VOC (Volatile Organic Compound) are generated, and the degree of decomposition of the meat may be determined by measuring the amount of the ammonia.

FIG. 10is a drawing illustrating a sensor module of the storage container in accordance with an embodiment of the present disclosure. Referring toFIG. 10, the structure and operation principle of the sensor module will be described in detail.

The sensor module150may include a sensor housing152and a solution154being filled at an inside the sensor housing152.

A gas inlet unit (a gas inlet)156through which a subject gas to be measured may be formed at one side of the sensor housing152. The sensor housing152is structured of material having no gas permeability, and glass and various resins may be used.

A porous membrane158provided such that outside gas elements may be easily inlet while restraining evaporation of electrolyte as much as possible may be provided at the gas inlet unit156.

The porous membrane158is structured of material having gas permeability. For example, most gas-permeable resins having FEP (Fluorinated Ethylene Propylene) film, which is porous PTFE (Poly Tetra Fluoro Ethylene) film may be used.

The solution154is configured to perform a function of viscous layer of an epithelial tissue of a human body provided as to collect odor molecules in air. The solution154is capable of selectively collecting water-soluble gas.

As described above, the volatile organic acid gas or the ammonia gas may be used as significant indicators as to determine the degree of fermentation or ripening of foods. Thus, the sensor module140may consider the volatile organic acid gas or the ammonia gas as the subject gases. That is, the sensor module may be structured as to measure the density of the volatile organic acid gas or the ammonia gas.

The volatile organic acid gas or the ammonia gas are referred to as material having polarizability that are only water-soluble, and are capable of selectively collecting water-soluble molecules such as the volatile organic acid or the ammonia, excluding fat-soluble molecules such as the sulfur compound and the VOC, among various gas elements that are present in outside atmosphere of the sensor module140. That is, the solution154is capable of performing a role in filtering most of the sulfur compound and the VOC that are generates from foods.

The volatile organic acid or the ammonia both are provided to induce density change of hydrogen ion while disassociated at the time of when dissolved in the solution154. In a case of carboxylic acid (R—COOH), which is known to be a typical volatile organic acid, is provided to reduce the pH of the solution as hydrogen ion is generated when dissolved, and in a case of the ammonia (NH3), the pH of the solution is increased while hydrogen ion of the solution is reduced when dissolved in the solution.

The subject gas may be able to be measured by use of the changes in pH as such. The pH changes of the solution154may be measured by use of various methods, and for example, a pH indicator155provided with colors thereof changed according to the pH may be added to the solution154.

Thus, a mixed solution of the solution154and the pH indicator155may be filled at an inside the sensor housing152. The pH indicator155is provided with characteristic of changing colors thereof according to the degree of reactions with respect to the hydrogen ion in the solution.

For example, as the pH indicator155, 3 mM of sodium acetate buffer pH 7.6 having bromothymol blue and methyl red is exposed to the acetic acid. As a result of injecting the acetic acid gas by about 1 cc, as the amount of the acetic acid gas being injected is increased, the colors of the solution are changed to blue yellow, and red.

The result, which is obtained from a case of the bromothymol blue being presented with yellow when the pH of the solution is turned to about 6.0 after the bromothymol blue is presented with blue when the pH of the solution is about 7.6, is combined with the result, which is obtained from a case of the methyl red being presented with red when the pH of the solution is turned to about 4.8 after the methyl red is presented with yellow when the pH of the solution is about 6.0.

Thus, the inside the sensor housing152may be filled by mixing the proper pH indicator155with the solution154depending on the type of the subject gas being measured. At this time, the mixed solution of the solution154and the pH indicator155may be present in the state of gas or in the form of gel, and may be fixed at an inside the sensor housing152while absorbed to fiber provided at an inside th sensor housing152.

For example, in a case when the subject gas to be measured is the carboxylic acid, the bromothymol blue reagent in the range of about 0.001 wt % and about 0.1 wt % of the methyl red reagent in the range of about 0.001 wt % and 0.1 wt % may be independently or mixedly used.

In detail, in a case when the subject gas to be measured is acetic acid gas of the pKa of about 4.7, according to the example of the experiment above, the bromothymol blue reagent of about 0.02 wt % and the methyl red reagent of about 0.005 wt % are mixed with ethanol of about 10 wt % for reaction, and then dissolved in the solution154. The ethanol is being used as to dissolve the pH indicator155.

Or, in a case when the subject gas to be measured is the ammonia, thymol blue or phenolphthalein in the range of about 0.001 wt % and 0.1 wt % may be used, and in a case when a lower density of the ammonia is to be measured, cresol red or the bromothymol blue having similar density level may be used either independently or mixedly.

In detail, in a case when the subject gas to be measured is the ammonia of the pKa of about 9.3, since the pH indicator having the pH 9.3 band is used, the thymol blue provided with color changes in the range of about pH 8.0 and about pH 9.6 may be used. As to measure the thin density of the ammonia under ppm unit, the changes of colors are needed to be present even with a small change in the pH, and thus, in the case as such, the cresol red provided with color changes in the range of about pH 7.0 and about pH 8.8 or the bromothymol blue provided with color changes in the range of about pH 6.0 and about pH 7.6 may be used.

When the inside the sensor housing152is filled by mixing the proper pH indicator155and the solution154according to the subject gas, the subject gas that is present at outside atmosphere is introduced into an inside the sensor housing152as to induce the pH change of the solution154, and according to the pH change, the color of the pH indicator155is changed. Thus, by structuring the sensor housing152by use of transparent material, a user may be able to determine the density of the subject gas by observing the color change from an outside.

The density of the subject gas as such is related to the status of foods, and thus by observing the color changes of the sensor module150the status of the accommodated foods may be acknowledged.

The sensor module may be positioned at the food accommodation unit130as to introduce and measure the density of the subject gas. That is, the sensor module150is provided at an inside the storage container100, and is coupled to an inner side surface of the container cover120while being accommodated at the coupling member160.

In addition, as for a user to determine the status of the foods by observing the color changes of the sensor module150, the sensor module150may be provided as to display the color changes of the sensor module150at an exterior of the container cover120. That is, the sensor unit140may be installed as to display the status of the foods accommodated at the food accommodation unit130at an outer side surface of the container cover120.

As described above, the storage container100includes the display unit124, and the display unit124may be disposed at an outer side surface of the container cover120. In detail, as for the color changes of the sensor module150to be observed from an outer side of the storage container100, the display unit124may be provided with transparent material. As illustrated onFIG. 3andFIG. 4, the display unit124is provided at an outer side surface of the container cover120such that the sensor module150is projected through.

In addition, the color samples126having illustrated with the colors of the sensor module150may be provided at an outer side surface of the container cover120while the colors correspond with respect to the status of the each food accommodated at the food accommodation unit130. The color samples126may be adjacently disposed with respect to the display unit124such that a user may easily compare the colors of the sensor module150with the color samples126.

As for the color changes of the sensor module150to be illustrated at the display unit124, at least a portion of the container cover120, as well as the sensor cover180, may be provided with transparent material. Thus, the sensor unit140is detachably coupled to an inner side of the container cover120, and may be able to display the status of the foods at an outer side of the container cover120.