Abstract:
A refrigerator includes a cabinet defining a wine storage chamber, a door for the wine storage chamber, a pantry in the wine storage chamber, a rail guide located at an inner surface of the cabinet, and a draw-out rail located at the pantry. The pantry includes a first supporter for a wine glass, a second supporter for a wine bottle, a space defined between the first and second supporters, a first outlet at a front of the space, and a second outlet at a lateral side of the space.

Description:
CROSS REFERENCES RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     This application is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/265,560, filed Oct. 21, 2011, now pending, which is a U.S. National Phase of International Patent Application No. PCT/KR2009/004968, filed Sep. 3, 2009, which claims priority under 35 U.S.C. 119 and 35 U.S.C. 365 to Korean Patent Application No. 10-2009-0041054, filed on May 12, 2009, all of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Field of the Invention 
     The present invention relates to a refrigerator, and more particularly, to a refrigerator that facilitates keeping and drawing out a container for storing wine. 
     2. Description of the Related Art 
     In general, a refrigerator is provided with a plurality of storage chambers in which stored goods are received in order to keep foods in a refrigerated or frozen state and one side of each of the storage chambers is opened so as to store and draw out the foods. In addition, doors that selectively shield the storage chambers are provided in front of the storage chambers. 
     Meanwhile, the storage chambers may include a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber. In general, the freezing chamber may maintain a storage temperature of −18° C. to −20° C. and the refrigerating chamber may maintain a storage temperature of 2° C. to 5° C. 
     Stored goods such as meat and fishes that should be frozen are kept in the freezing chamber and stored goods such as vegetables that should be refrigerated are kept in the refrigerating chamber. 
     However, according to the refrigerator in the related art, since storage temperature environments appropriate for various stored goods are not satisfied, the storing condition of some stored goods are deteriorated. In particular, in the case where a stored good is sensitive to the storage temperature, such as wine is kept in the refrigerator, the taste and aroma of wine are deteriorated due to even a small difference in temperature. 
     Meanwhile, wine is sensitive to vibration. Therefore, when a wine bottle is shaken, aging of wine is promoted, thereby deteriorating the quality of wine. 
     According to the refrigerator in the related art, when the refrigerator is vibrated due to closing the door of the refrigerator in the state where the wine bottle is kept in the refrigerator, wine is shaken, thereby deteriorating the quality. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is contrived to solve the above-mentioned problems. It is a first object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator that is provided with a storage chamber for separately storing wine. 
     Further, it is a second object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator that can control a storage temperature depending on the kind of stored wine. 
     Further, it is a third object of the present invention to provide a refrigerator that can protect wine from vibration which may be generated while operating the refrigerator. 
     In order to achieve the above-mentioned objects, a refrigerator according to an embodiment of the present invention includes: a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber; a wine storage compartment that is formed between the freezing chamber and the refrigerating chamber and forms a storage chamber of a wine storage container; a wine door that selectively shields the storage chamber; a storage unit that is drawably provided in the wine storage compartment; and a holder that is formed in the wine storage compartment for holding the wine storage container and has a shape corresponding to the wine storage container. 
     Further, a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention includes: at least one input unit into which a command is inputted depending on the kind of stored wine; a memory unit that memorizes a present temperature value corresponding to the command inputted by the input unit; a display unit that displays the command inputted by the input unit or the temperature value memorized in the memory unit; a temperature sensing unit that senses the temperature of a wine storage compartment; a cool air supplying unit that is formed in the wine storage compartment and selectively supplies cool air; and a control unit that allows the cool air supplying unit to be selectively opened by comparing the preset temperature value with the current temperature sensed by the temperature sensing unit. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a refrigerator showing a state where a wine door is opened according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a configuration of a rail assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a rail assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a configuration a wine storage compartment according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 7 ; and 
         FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a state where a second storage unit is drawn out according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS 
     Hereinafter, detailed embodiments of the present invention will be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. However, the spirit of the present invention is not limited to the proposed embodiments but another embodiment may be easily proposed by those skilled in the art who understand the spirit of the present invention within the same spirit of the present invention. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view showing an external appearance of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 2  is a perspective view of a refrigerator showing a state where a wine door is opened according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 1 and 2 , the refrigerator  1  according to the embodiment of the present invention includes a main body  10  that forms a storage chamber and a refrigerator door that selectively shields the main body  10 . 
     A refrigerating chamber for keeping the stores in a refrigeration state and a freezing chamber for keeping the stores in a freezing state are formed in the storage chamber. In addition, the refrigerator door includes a refrigerating chamber door  20  that selectively shields the refrigerating chamber and a freezing chamber door  30  that is installed below the refrigerating chamber door  20  and selectively shields the freezing chamber. 
     The refrigerating chamber door  20  may be rotatably joined to the front of the main body  10  and the freezing chamber door  30  may be drawably joined to the front of the main body  10 . However, the joining formations of the doors  20  and  30  will not be limited to the embodiment of the present invention. 
     Further, although the refrigerating chamber is provided above the freezing chamber in the figures, the refrigerating chamber may be provided below the freezing chamber unlike this. 
     Meanwhile, a wine storage compartment  100  that forms a storage chamber for storing wine is provided in the main body  10 . The wine storage compartment  100  is separately provided with being partitioned from the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber. For this, a partitioning part  15  that partitions the wine storage compartment  100  from the refrigerating chamber or the freezing chamber may be provided in the main body  10 . 
     In addition, the wine storage compartment  100  may be formed between the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber. 
     Wine is stored in the wine storage compartment  100  and the wine storage chamber  100  includes a storage basket  120  provided to be drawable to the front and a wine door  110  rotatably joined to the front the storage basket  120 . Herein, the storage basket  120  as a component for storing wine will be able to be referred to as “storage unit”. 
     Further, the wine door  110  may be formed by a glass door so as to let an inner space of the storage basket  120  be seen from the outside. 
     A plurality of holders  130  to which a wine bottle  50  as a wine storage container is held are formed in the storage basket  120 . The plurality of holders  130  may be partitioned with a shape in which each holder is recessed downwards. In addition, the plurality of wine bottles  50  may be held to the holder  130  to be arranged in line. 
     A hinge portion  112  rotatably joined to the lower end of the wine storage compartment  100  is provided in the wine door  110 . The hinge portion  112  protrudes from both sides of the wine door  110  and may be inserted into the main body  10 . 
     In addition, a door handle  115  operable by a user for opening the door  110  is formed on the front surface of the wine door  110 . When the user pulls the door handle  115 , the wine door  110  may rotate forward around the hinge portion  112 . 
     Further, a magnetic member  63  that applies magnetic force to the wine door  110  in a state where the wine door  110  is closed is provided in the main body  10 . A portion of the wine door  110  corresponding to the magnetic member  63  may be made of a steel material. 
     Meanwhile, a rail assembly  150  that guides drawing in and out of the storage basket  120  is provided in the wine storage compartment  110 . The rail assembly  150  may be provided at least one surface of the storage basket  120  and the inner surface of the main body  10 . 
     Hereinafter, a configuration of the rail assembly  150  will be described with reference to the figures. 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view showing a configuration a rail assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention and  FIG. 4  is an exploded perspective view of a rail assembly according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 3 and 4 , the rail assembly  150  according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a rail guide  151  that is provided on the inner surface of the main body  10  to guide movement of the storage basket  120 , a draw-out rail  153  that is provided to be movable forward and rearward on the rail guide  151 , and a fixation member  155  that joins the draw-out rail  153  to the storage basket  120 . 
     More specifically, the rail guide  151  has a substantial “           ” shape and may be joined to the inner surface of the main body  10 . Herein, the rail guide  151  may be formed integrally with the main body  10 .
     In addition, an intermediate rail  152  that is provided to be movable forward and rearward with a shape corresponding to the rail guide  151  is provided inside of the rail guide  151 . The intermediate rail  152  is disposed to be inserted into a concave groove of the rail guide  151 . 
     The draw-out rail  153  is movably provided inside of the intermediate rail  152  and is disposed to be inserted into a concave groove of the intermediate rail  152 . Further, a fastening hole  153   a  to which a screw S is fastened is formed in the draw-out rail  153 . The screw S may be fixed to the storage basket  120  through the fastening hole  153   a.    
     Further, the fixation member  155  for fixing the draw-out rail  153  is provided between the draw-out rail  153  and the storage basket  120 . A joining hole  155   a  through which the screw S passes is formed in the fixation member  155 . The screw S may be fixed to the storage basket  120  through the joining hole  155   a.    
     An operation of the rail assembly  150  will be described below. 
     While the storage basket  120  is drawn out forward, the draw-out rail  153  is firstly drawn out together with the storage basket  120 . In addition, when the draw-out rail  153  is completely drawn out, the intermediate rail  152  may be drawn out forward along the rail guide  151 . 
     That is, the draw-out rail  153  and the intermediate rail  152  may be sequentially drawn out throughout two steps. 
     In contrast, while the storage basket  120  is drawn in to an internal storage chamber  102  of the wine storage compartment  100 , the draw-out rail  153  may be firstly drawn in to the inside of the intermediate rail  152  and thereafter, the intermediate rail  152  may be drawn in to the inside of the rail guide  151 . 
       FIG. 5  is a diagram showing a configuration a wine storage compartment according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 5 , the storage basket  120  according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a basket body  121  that forms an external appearance and the holder  130  provided in the basket body  121  to which the wine bottle  50  is held. 
     More specifically, the holder  130  is formed to be recessed downward from the basket body  121 . The recession size and shape correspond to the wine bottle  50 . The holder  130  includes an upper holder  130   a  to which one side of the wine bottle  50  is held and a lower holder  130   b  to which the other side of the wine bottle  50  is held. 
     The upper portion of the wine bottle  50 , that is, a neck portion of the bottle may be held to the upper holder  130   a  and the lower portion of the wine bottle  50  may be held to the lower holder  130   b.    
     Vibration reducing members that reduce predetermined vibration in a state where the wine bottle  50  is placed are provided in the holders  130   a  and  130   b . The vibration reducing members include a first vibration reducing member  141  provided in the upper holder  130   a  and a second vibration reducing member  142  provided in the lower holder  130   b.    
     The first and second vibration reducing members  141  and  142  are interposed between the holder  130  and the wine bottle  50  to absorb shock transmitted from the holder  130  to the wine bottle  50 . 
     The first vibration reducing member  141  may be a little thick to closely contact the neck portion of the wine bottle  50 . That is, in a state where the wine bottle  50  is held to the holder  130 , the neck portion of the wine bottle  50  may closely contact the holder  130  by the first vibration reducing member  141 . 
     Meanwhile, the second vibration reducing member  142  may be formed to closely contact the lower portion of the wine bottle  50 . In general, since the lower portion of the wine bottle has a radius larger than the neck portion, the second vibration reducing member  142  will be able to have a thickness thinner than the first vibration reducing member  141 . 
     However, the sizes and shapes of the vibration reducing members  141  and  142  are not limited to any one. If the upper portion and the lower portion of the wine bottle  50  can closely contact the holder  130  with ease, various embodiments may be proposed. 
     The vibration reducing members  141  and  142  may be made of a rubber or sponge material so as to absorb predetermined vibration and may be attached to the holder  130 . 
     Meanwhile, in the embodiment, although the vibration reducing members are provided in the upper portion and the lower portion of the holder  130 , the vibration reducing members may be provided at another position or throughout the entire surface of the holder  130 . 
     Further, the vibration reducing member may be interposed between the basket  120  and the holder  130 . In this case, while the basket  120  is drawn in and out, vibration generated between the basket  120  and the holder  130  will be able to be absorbed in the vibration reducing members. 
       FIG. 6  is a block diagram showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to a first embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIG. 6 , the refrigerator  1  according to the first embodiment of the present invention includes a first input unit  161  and a second input unit  162  that can be selectively operated depending on the kind of stored wine, a memory  164  that memorizes a preset temperature value by inputting a command in the input units  161  and  162 , a display unit  163  that displays the command inputted by the input units  161  and  162 , a temperature sensing unit  160  that senses the temperature of the storage chamber  102  of the wine storage compartment  100 , a cool air supplying unit  165  that is provided in the storage chamber  102  and selectively supplies cool air depending on a value sensed by the temperature sensing unit  160 , and a control unit  170  that controls operations of the components  160 ,  161 ,  162 ,  163 , and  165 . 
     More specifically, the input units  161  and  162  can be selectively operated depending on the kind of wine. For example, when the stored wine is white wine, the first input unit  161  can be selected and when the stored wine is red wine, the second input unit  162  can be selected. 
     In general, the white wine is preferably stored in the range of approximately 10° C. to 15° C. and the red wine is preferably stored in the range of approximately 15° C. to 20° C. 
     Therefore, when the white wine is selected through the first input unit  161 , the temperature of the storage chamber  102  can be controlled to be maintained at any one value in the range of 10° C. to 15° C., i.e., approximately 12° C. In contrast, when the red wine is selected through the second input unit  162 , the temperature of the storage chamber  102  can be controlled to be maintained at any one value in the range of 15 to 20° C., i.e., approximately 18° C. 
     Of course, the temperature value (12° C., 18° C., or others) that should be maintained depending on the kind of wine may be previously set and the set temperature value may be memorized in the memory  164 . 
     Although not shown in the figure, the refrigerator may further include another input unit that allows the user to directly input the set temperature of the storage chamber  102  except for the input units  161  and  162 . 
     When a predetermined command is inputted by the input units  161  and  162 , the kind of stored wine may be displayed on the display unit  163  on the basis of the inputted command. In addition, the temperature value stored in the memory  164  may be displayed on the display unit  163  depending on the kind of wine. 
     The temperature sensing unit  160  senses the internal temperature of the storage chamber  102  and transfers the result to the control unit  170 . The control unit  170  can compare a current temperature value sensed by the temperature sensing unit  160  with a predetermined set temperature in accordance with the command inputted by the input units  161  and  162 . 
     If the set temperature value is lower than the current temperature value, the control unit  170  opens the cool air supplying unit  165  to supply the cool air to the storage chamber  102 . 
     In contrast, if the set temperature value is higher than the current temperature value, the control unit  170  closes the cool air supplying unit  165  to stop supplying the cool air. 
     Further, a heater  168  for increasing the internal temperature of the storage chamber  102  can be provided in the storage chamber  102 . When the set temperature value is higher than the current temperature value, the heater  168  is activated to transfer predetermined heat to the storage chamber  102 , such that the temperature of the storage chamber  102  can be increased to the set temperature. 
     As described above, since the temperature of the storage chamber  102  of the wine storage compartment  100  can be controlled independently from the refrigerating chamber and the freezing chamber, wine can be stored under the optimal temperature condition. 
     Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will be described. Since the second embodiment has the difference in the configuration of the wine storage compartment as compared to the first embodiment, the difference will mainly be described and the same elements as the first embodiment refer to the same descriptions and reference numerals of the first embodiment. 
       FIG. 7  is a perspective view showing a configuration of a refrigerator according to a second embodiment of the present invention,  FIG. 8  is a cross-sectional view taken along line I-I′ of  FIG. 7 , and  FIG. 9  is a perspective view showing a state in which a second storage unit is drawn out according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
     Referring to  FIGS. 7 to 9 , the main body  10  according to the second embodiment of the present invention includes a wine bottle  250  that stores wine and a wine storage compartment  200  in which a wine glass  223  provided to put and drink wine is kept. 
     The wine storage compartment  200  may be disposed at one side of a refrigerating chamber  11  separately from the refrigerating chamber  11 . The wine storage compartment  200  and the refrigerating chamber  11  may be partitioned from each other by a partitioning part  201 . 
     A plurality of storage units that keep the wine bottle  250 , the wine glass  223  and a wine door  205  that selectively shields a storage space  202  are provided in the wine storage compartment  200 . 
     More specifically, the plurality of storage units include a first storage unit  210  in which the wine bottle  250  and the wine glass  223  are held and drawably provided and a second storage unit  230  that is drawably provided at one side of the first storage unit  210  and the wine bottle  250  is held. 
     A plurality of storages in which the wine bottle is kept are provided in the first storage unit  210 . The plurality of storages include an upper storage  211  and a lower storage  212  that is disposed spaced from the upper storage  211  by a predetermined distance downward. 
     However, although not shown in the figure, the plurality of storages may be configured to be disposed in a horizontal direction. 
     A configuration in which the wine bottle  250  is held to the upper and lower storages  211  and  212  refers to the configuration of the storage basket  120  described in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     Further, a hanger unit  220  holding the wine glass  223  is provided at one side of each of the upper and lower storages  211  and  212 . The hanger unit  220  can be drawn out together with the upper and lower storages  211  and  212 . 
     The hanger unit  220  includes an insertion unit  225  that is formed on the front surface of the hanger unit  220  and is inserted with the wine glass  223 , a support surface  227  that supports the wine glass  223 , and a guide unit  228  that guides movement to the support surface  227  in the state where the wine glass  223  is inserted into the insertion unit  225 . 
     The insertion unit  225  is opened on the front surface of the hanger unit  220  and extends toward the rear side of the hanger unit  220 . The guide unit  228  is formed at both sides of the top of the hanger unit  220  and may extend toward the rear side. 
     Further, the support surface  227  is recessed downward from the top of the hanger unit  220  and may be formed in plural. The plurality of support surfaces  227  may be arranged spaced from each other in the front and rear direction. 
     The wine glass  223  may move rearward in the state where the wine glass  223  is supported on the top of the hanger unit  220 . At this time, both sides of the wine glass  223  may be guided by the guide unit  228 . In addition, when the wine glass  223  reaches the support surface  227 , the wine glass  223  may be held on the support surface  227  while slightly moving downward. 
     As described above, since the wine glass  23  can be maintained at the same temperature as the temperature of wine, it is possible to prevent the temperature of wine from being changed in spite of pouring wine into the wine glass  223 . 
     Meanwhile, a configuration of a rail assembly that allows the first storage unit  210  to be drawn out refers to the configuration of the rail assembly  150  described in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a detailed description will be omitted. 
     Meanwhile, the second storage unit  230  includes a plurality of storages  231 ,  232 , and  233  in which the wine bottle  250  is kept. The storages  231 , 232 , 233  may be arranged spaced from each other in the upper and lower direction. 
     A partitioning plate  236  that partitions a plurality of stored wine bottles  250  is provided in each of the storages  231 ,  232 , and  233 . The partitioning plate  236  can prevent the plurality of wine bottles  250  from colliding with each other. In particular, the partitioning plate  236  can prevent collisions caused due to vibration generated while the second storage unit  230  is drawn in and out. 
     Meanwhile, a configuration in which the wine bottle  250  is held to the storages  231 ,  232 , and  233  refers to the configuration of the storage basket  120  described in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, a detailed description thereof will be omitted. 
     In the embodiment, although the first storage unit  210  and the second storage unit  230  are separately drawn out, the storage units  210  and  230  may be integrally formed and drawn out at the same time. 
     In addition, although the wine bottle and the wine glass are drawn out at the same time as the first storage unit  210  is drawn in and out, another storage unit to which the wine glass  223  is separately held may be provided. That is, various embodiments of arrangement of the wine bottle  250  and the wine glass  223  can be implemented. 
     By the above-mentioned configuration, wine can be stored at proper temperature and can be safely stored against vibration caused by drawing in and out the storage basket or the storage unit. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, since a refrigerator is provided with a wine storage compartment keeping wine separately from a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, the refrigerator has an advantage of independently controlling temperature in accordance with the characteristic of wine. In addition, the refrigerator can appropriately control the temperature in accordance with the kind of wine. 
     Further, since an anti-vibration member is provided in the wine storage compartment, it is possible to protect wine from vibration of the refrigerator. 
     In addition, since a wine glass is kept in the refrigerator to be controlled at appropriate temperature, it is possible to prevent the quality of wine from being deteriorated due to the temperature of the wine glass. 
     Consequently, since a user who habitually uses wine can keep and drink wine under optimal conditions, the reliability to the product can be improved. 
     According to an embodiment of the present invention, since a refrigerator is provided with a wine storage compartment keeping wine separately from a freezing chamber and a refrigerating chamber, the refrigerator has an advantage of independently controlling temperature in accordance with the characteristic of wine.