Patent Publication Number: US-9429354-B2

Title: Refrigerator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION 
     This application claims the benefit of Korean Patent Application No. 2014-0101984, filed on Aug. 7, 2014 in the Korean Intellectual Property Office, the disclosure of which is incorporated herein by reference. 
     BACKGROUND 
     Embodiments of the present invention relate to a refrigerator having an improved structure to improve preservability of food. 
     In general, refrigerators are home appliances that have storage compartments to store food and cold air supplying units to supply cold air to the storage compartments, which helps to store the food freshly. 
     The type of a refrigerator may be classified by storage compartment and door shape. Specifically, a refrigerator, in which storage compartments are vertically partitioned by horizontal partitions, may be classified into a top mounted freezer (TMF). A TMF-type has a freezer compartment formed at an upper portion and refrigerator compartment formed at a lower portion thereof. A bottom mounted freezer (BMF) type has a freezer compartment formed at a lower portion and a refrigerator compartment formed at an upper portion thereof. 
     In addition, a refrigerator may be classified as a side by side (SBS) type. A SBS-type refrigerator has a storage compartment horizontally partitioned by a vertical partition, where a freezer compartment is formed at one side thereof and a refrigerator compartment is formed at the other side thereof. A French door refrigerator (FDR) type has storage compartments vertically partitioned by horizontal partitions, where a refrigerator compartment is formed at an upper portion and a freezer compartment is formed at a lower portion. Typically, the refrigerator compartment at the upper portion of the FDR-type refrigerator are opened or closed by a pair of doors. 
     Storage members for storing food may be installed inside storage compartments of refrigerators. The storage members may be configured to be put into closed state or taken out in an open state. 
     In general, when food is required to be kept fresh, sealability improvement of the storage members is required to maintain appropriate humidity. When the appropriate humidity is not maintained, the food inside the storage members loses its moisture and may lose its freshness. In addition, when the smell of food stored inside storage compartments and the smell of food stored inside a storage member are mixed, inherent flavor of the food may be lost. 
     SUMMARY 
     It is an aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a refrigerator which allows an improved structure to improve sealability of a storage member. 
     It is another aspect of embodiments of the present invention to provide a refrigerator which allows an improved structure to improve water capturability of a storage member. 
     In accordance with one aspect of embodiments of the present invention, a refrigerator includes a storage compartment including a front side provided to be opened, a storage member provided inside the storage compartment to be put into or taken out toward the front of the storage compartment, a storage member cover coupled to the storage member to selectively open or close a storage space of the storage member, and a rail which guides movement of the storage member cover, and includes a step to control a sealing state of the storage space of the storage member according to the movement of the storage member cover. 
     In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the refrigerator may further include a sealing member provided between the storage member and the storage member cover to improve sealability of the storage space of the storage member. The sealing member may be coupled to the storage member cover. The sealing member may include a pleat portion having a plurality of pleats and coupled to the storage member cover, and an adhesion portion which is connected to the pleat portion and adheres to the storage member to be separable according to the movement of the storage member cover. 
     The adhesion portion may be connected to the pleat portion to be inclined toward an outside of the sealing member with respect to a coupling direction of the storage member cover. The rail may be provided on a side surface of the storage member to extend in a front and rear direction of the storage compartment. 
     A roller which moves along the rail may be coupled to the storage member cover, and the rail may include a first section provided toward a front of the storage compartment, and a second section which is connected to the first section toward a rear of the storage compartment and positioned at an upper level than the first section in a coupling direction of the storage member cover. 
     The storage member cover may adhere to the storage member to seal the storage space of the storage member when the roller is positioned at the first section. The storage member cover may be spaced apart from the storage member to open the storage space of the storage member when the roller is positioned at the second section. 
     In accordance with another aspect of embodiments of the present invention, the refrigerator may further include a sealing member coupled to the storage member cover to improve sealability of the storage space of the storage member, and the sealing member may adhere to the storage member downward in the coupling direction of the storage member cover to seal the storage space of the storage member when the roller is positioned at the first section. 
     The sealing member may be spaced apart from the storage member upward in the coupling direction of the storage member cover to prevent the sealing member from being abraded due to a contact with the storage member while the roller moves along the second section. 
     A stopper may be provided at the second section to restrict movement of the roller. 
     The rail may be integrally formed with the storage member to be positioned at a side surface of the storage member. 
     A water trapping pattern may be formed in a surface of the storage member cover facing the storage space of the storage member. The water trapping pattern may have a shape recessed upward in a coupling direction of the storage member cover. 
     The water trapping pattern may include a plurality of water trapping portions which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other and have a hexagonal column shape recessed upward in a coupling direction of the storage member cover. 
     In accordance with another aspect of embodiments of the present invention, a refrigerator includes a storage compartment including a front side provided to be opened, a storage member provided inside the storage compartment to be put into or taken out toward the front of the storage compartment, a storage member cover coupled to the storage member to selectively open or close a storage space of the storage member and including a water trapping pattern formed in a surface facing the storage space of the storage member, a sealing member provided between the storage member and the storage member cover to improve sealability of the storage space of the storage member, and a rail which guides movement of the storage member cover, and includes a slope to control a sealing state of the storage space of the storage member according to the movement of the storage member cover. 
     The water trapping pattern may have a shape recessed upward in a coupling direction of the storage member cover. The water trapping pattern may include a plurality of water trapping portions which are disposed to be spaced apart from each other. 
     A surface of the plurality of water trapping portions facing the storage space of the storage member may be formed in a hexagonal shape to have wide contact area with water drops trapped in the plurality of water trapping portions. The water trapping pattern may further include bridges which connect the plurality of water trapping portions each other and have a narrower width than the plurality of water trapping portions to prevent water drops trapped in the plurality of water trapping portions from being combined. Recessed degrees of the plurality of water trapping portions and the bridges may be different from each other. 
     A roller which moves along the rail may be coupled to the storage member cover, and the rail may include a first section provided toward a front of the storage compartment, a second section which is provided toward a rear of the storage compartment and positioned at an upper level than the first section in a coupling direction of the storage member cover, and a slope section connecting the first section and the second section. 
     The sealing member may be coupled to the storage member cover to face the storage space of the storage compartment, and the sealing member may adhere to the storage member to seal the storage space of the storage member when the roller is positioned at the first section. The sealing member may be spaced apart from the storage member upward in the coupling direction of the storage member cover to prevent the sealing member from being abraded due to a contact with the storage member while the roller moves along the second section. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       These and/or other aspects of embodiments of the invention will become apparent and more readily appreciated from the following description of the embodiments, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings of which: 
         FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a storage member of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating a storage member cover of the refrigerator seen from one side, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the storage member cover of the refrigerator seen from another side, according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the storage member cover and a sealing member of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating the enlarged sealing member in  FIG. 6 ; 
         FIG. 8  is a bottom view illustrating a panel included in the storage member cover of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 9  is a view showing graphs which compare water trappability according to various patterns formed in a panel which is included in the storage member cover of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the storage member cover of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention is closed; 
         FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the storage member cover of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention is opened; and 
         FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to another embodiment of the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
     Reference will now be made in detail to the embodiments of the present invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein like reference numerals refer to like elements throughout. Meanwhile, terms in the below description “front end” “back end” “upper portion” “lower portion” “upper end”, “lower end” and the like are defined based on the drawings, and shapes and positions are not limited by the terms above. 
       FIG. 1  is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention, and  FIG. 2  is a cross-sectional view illustrating the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention. 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 1 and 2 , a refrigerator  1  may include a main body  10  forming an exterior, a storage compartment  20  provided inside the main body  10  and having an opened front side, doors  30  pivotably coupled to the main body  10  to open and close the opened front side of the storage compartment  20 , and hinge modules  40  disposed for the doors  30  to be rotatably coupled to the main body  10 . Each of the hinge modules  40  may include an upper hinge  41  and a lower hinge  43 . 
     The main body  10  may include an inner case  11  forming the storage compartment  20  and an outer case  13  forming the exterior. An insulating material  15  may be foamed between the inner case  11  and the outer case  13  to minimize or prevent cold air of the storage compartment  20  from being discharged or escaping the storage compartment  20 . 
     In addition, the main body  10  may include a partition  17  which partitions the storage compartment  20  into a refrigerator compartment  21  and a freezer compartment  23 . The refrigerator compartment  21  and the freezer compartment  23  may be respectively formed at left and right sides in the storage compartment  20 , but the positions of the refrigerator compartment  21  and the freezer compartment  23  are not limited thereto. A machine compartment  29 , in which a compressor  51  to compress a refrigerant and a condenser (not shown) to condense the compressed refrigerant are installed, may be provided at a lower back side of the main body  10 . 
     The refrigerator  1  may further include at least one shelf  25  and at least one storage member  100  provided inside the storage compartment  20  to store food and the like. The at least one storage member  100  may be opened or closed in connection with user operation of handle  140  and/or cover handle  220  of a storage member cover  200  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). 
     The storage compartment  20  may be accessed by a user by opening or closing the door  30  that is pivotably coupled to the main body  10 . In addition, the refrigerator compartment  21  and the freezer compartment  23  partitioned by the partition  17  may be respectively opened or closed by a refrigerator compartment door  31  and a freezer compartment door  33 . 
     The refrigerator compartment door  31  and the freezer compartment door  33  may be pivotably coupled to the main body  10  by the hinge modules  40  including the upper hinges  41  provided at an upper portion of the main body  10  and the lower hinges  43  provided at a lower portion of the main body  10 . 
     At least one door shelf  35  may be provided at a rear side (or inside) of the refrigerator compartment door  31  and the freezer compartment door  33  to store food and the like. 
     The refrigerator  1  may further include a cold air supply unit provided to supply cold air to the storage compartment  20 . The cold air supply unit may include the compressor  51 , the condenser (not shown), an evaporator  53 , a blower fan  55 , and a cold air duct  57 . The compressor  51  and the condenser (not shown) may be installed in the machine compartment  29 . The evaporator  53 , the blower fan  55 , and the cold air duct  57  may be installed at a rear side of the storage compartment  20 . 
       FIG. 3  is a perspective view illustrating a storage member of refrigerator  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, reference numerals which are not shown are referred to  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 3 , the refrigerator  1  may further include the at least one storage member  100 . The at least one storage member  100  may be provided inside the storage compartment  20  and may be put into or taken out of the storage compartment  20 . Specifically, the at least one storage member  100  may be provided inside the storage compartment  20  to be put into or taken out toward a front of the storage compartment  20 . 
     A storage space  110  may be formed to store food inside the at least one storage member  100 . The at least one storage member  100  may include a casing  120  to form an exterior. The storage space  110  may be formed inside the casing  120 . The casing  120  may have an opened side. Specifically, a front side and an upper side of the casing  120  may be opened. 
     The at least one storage member  100  may further include a front panel  130 , along with the casing  120 , forming the exterior of the at least one storage member  100 . The front panel  130  may be coupled to the opened front side of the casing  120 . A handle  140  may be provided on the front panel  130  so that a user easily withdraws the at least one storage member  100  from the storage compartment  20 . The handle  140  may be provided on the front panel  130  so that a user easily holds it. Specifically, the handle  140  may be provided on the front panel  130  to protrude toward the front of the storage compartment  20 . However, a shape of the handle  140  is not limited to the above example, and may be changed variously. 
     At least one of the front panel  130  and the casing  120  may be formed of a transparent material. A transparent material may allow a user may confirm a food storage state in the storage space  110  from an outside thereof. 
     The exterior of the at least one storage member  100  may be formed by coupling the casing  120  and the front panel  130 . Alternatively, the exterior of the at least one storage member  100  is formed by the casing  120  and the front panel  130  which are integrally formed. 
     The at least one storage member  100  may further include a contact surface  150 . The contact surface  150  may be formed at an opened upper side of the at least one storage member  100 . Specifically, the contact surface  150  may be formed along an edge of the upper side of the at least one storage member  100 . 
     In another aspect, the contact surface  150  may be formed on the at least one storage member  100  to face the storage member cover  200 . When the storage member cover  200  seals the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 , the storage member cover  200  may be in contact with or adhere to the contact surface  150 . Alternatively, when a sealing member  260  (refer to  FIG. 5 ) seals the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 , the sealing member  260  may be in contact with or adhere to the contact surface  150 . 
     The refrigerator  1  may further include rails  160  to guide movement of the storage member cover  200  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). The rail  160  may be provided on a side surface of the at least one storage member  100  to extend in a front and rear ‘Direction A’ of the storage compartment  20 . The rail  160  may be provided on an outer surface of the at least one storage member  100  or an inner surface of the storage compartment  20 . It is preferable that the rail  160  may be provided on the outer surface of the at least one storage member  100 . When it is required that the storage member cover  200  moves in the ‘Direction A’ of the front and rear of the storage compartment  20  along the rail  160  provided on the outer surface of the at least one storage member  100 , the storage member cover  200  has a structure which may completely cover the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . Thus, it is effective to maintain the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  in a sealed state. 
     The rail  160  may be integrally formed with the at least one storage member  100 . That is, the rail  160  may be integrally formed with the at least one storage member  100  to be positioned at the side surface of the at least one storage member  100 . 
     The rail  160  may have a step to adjust a sealed state of the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  according to the movement of the storage member cover  200 . 
     In addition, the rail  160  may have a slope to adjust a sealed state of the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  according to the movement of the storage member cover  200 . 
     The rail  160  may include a first section  161  and a second section  162 . 
     The first section  161  may be provided on the side surface of the at least one storage member  100  toward the front of the storage compartment  20 . The second section  162  may be provided on the side surface of the at least one storage member  100  toward a rear of the storage compartment  20 . The second section  162  may be connected to the first section  161 . The first section  161  and the second section  162  may be disposed at different levels in a coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . Specifically, the second section  162  may be disposed at an upper level than the first section  161  in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . 
     A stopper  164  may be provided at the second section  162  to restrict the movement of the storage member cover  200 . Specifically, the stopper  164  may be provided at the second section  162  to restrict movement of a roller  250  (refer to  FIG. 4 ). The stopper  164  may be provided to restrict the movement of the storage member cover  200 , and also to prevent the storage member cover  200  from being tilted toward the rear of the storage compartment  20  while the storage member cover  200  moves toward the rear of the storage compartment  20 . 
     The stopper  164  may have a shape protruding from the rail  160 . Specifically, the stopper  164  may have a shape protruding upward from the second section  162  in the coupling direction B′ of the storage member cover  200 . 
     Alternatively, the stopper  164  may have a shape recessed from the rail  160 . Specifically, the stopper  164  may have a shape recessed downward from the second section  162  in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . 
     Alternatively, the stopper  164  may have a shape which connects the rail  160  and a guide rail  170 . Specifically, the stopper  164  may have a shape which connects the rail  160  and the guide rail  170  in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . At this time, the stopper  164  may have a curved surface to correspond to a shape of the roller  250  coupled to the storage member cover  200 . Specifically, the stopper  164  may have a curved surface convex toward the rear of the storage compartment  20 . 
     The rail  160  may further include a slope section  163 . The slope section  163  may connect the first section  161  and the second section  162 . That is, the slope section  163  may connect the first section  161  positioned at a lower level in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200  and the second section  162  positioned at an upper level in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . The slope section  163  may have a shape tilted toward the rear of the storage compartment  20  based on the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . 
     The refrigerator  1  may further include the guide rail  170 , along with the rail  160 , which guides the movement of the storage member cover  200 . The guide rail  170 , along with the rail  160 , may guide the movement of the roller  250  coupled to the storage member cover  200 . 
     The guide rail  170  may be disposed to be spaced apart from the rail  160 . The guide rail  170  may be disposed to be spaced apart from the rail  160  in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . 
     The guide rail  170  may be provided on the side surface of the at least one storage member  100  to extend in the direction ‘A’ of the front and rear of the storage compartment  20 . The guide rail  170 , along with the rail  160 , may be provided on the side surface of the at least one storage member  100 . The guide rail  170  may be disposed at an upper level of the rail  160  in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . 
     The guide rail  170  may be disposed in parallel along with the rail  160 . Specifically, the guide rail  170  may be disposed in parallel along with the second section  162  of the rail  160 . 
     The rail  160  may extend more than the guide rail  170  toward the front of the storage compartment  20 . In other words, the guide rail  170  may be disposed to face at least one of the slope section  163  and the second section  162 . That is, the guide rail  170  may be disposed at an upper level of at least one of the slope section  163  and the second section  162  in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . It is preferable that the guide rail  170 , along with the rail  160 , be disposed at an upper level of the second section  162  to guide the movement of the roller  250  which moves in the direction ‘A’ of the front and rear of the storage compartment  20 . In other words, when the guide rail  170  is positioned at an upper level of the first section  161  in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 , the guide rail  170  may interfere or restrict the movement of the roller  250  which moves between the first section  161  and the second section  162 . Thus, the guide rail  170  may be disposed at the upper level of the second section  162  in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . 
     The first section  161  of the rail  160  may allow the storage member cover  200  to seal the storage space  110  of the at least one of storage member  100 . The second section  162  of the rail  160  may allow the storage member cover  200  to move in the direction ‘A’ of the front and rear of the storage compartment  20  to open or close the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . The guide rail  170 , along with the second section  162 , may relate to that the storage member cover  200  moves in the direction ‘A’ of the front and rear of the storage compartment  20 . 
       FIG. 4  is a perspective view illustrating the storage member cover  200  of the refrigerator  1  seen from one side, according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 5  is a perspective view illustrating the storage member cover  200  of the refrigerator  1  seen from another side, according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 6  is an exploded perspective view illustrating the storage member cover  200  and a sealing member  260  of the refrigerator  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, for reference numerals which are not shown in  FIGS. 4 to 6  refer to  FIGS. 1 to 3 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 4 to 6 , the refrigerator  1  may further include the storage member cover  200 . The refrigerator  1  may include a number of the storage member covers  200  corresponding in number to the at least one storage member  100 . That is, refrigerator  1  may further include at least one storage member cover  200 . 
     The storage member cover  200  may be coupled to the at least one storage member  100  to be able to selectively open and close the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . Specifically, the storage member cover  200  may be coupled to a top surface of the opened casing  120  to be able to move along the rail  160 . 
     The storage member cover  200  may include a frame  210 . The frame  210  may form an exterior of the storage member cover  200 . The frame  210  may include a frame opening  211 . The frame opening  211  may be provided in a middle of a top surface of the frame  210 . 
     In addition, the frame  210  may further include a roller coupling unit  212 . The roller coupling unit  212  may be provided on a side surface of the frame  210 . The roller coupling unit  212  may be provided to protrude downward from the side surface of the frame  210  in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . The roller coupling unit  212  may be provided at a front of the frame  210 . 
     The frame  210  may include a plurality of fixtures  213 . The plurality of fixtures  213  may be provided along a periphery of the frame opening  211 . The plurality of fixtures  213  may be provided on one surface of the frame  210  which faces the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . The plurality of fixtures  213  may couple to a plurality of fixing holes  231  formed at a panel  230 . 
     The storage member cover  200  may further include a cover handle  220 . The cover handle  220  may be provided on the storage member cover  200  so that a user may open or close the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . Specifically, the cover handle  220  may be provided on the frame  210  of the storage member cover  200  to protrude upward in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . The cover handle  220  may be provided at a front of the storage member cover  200 . That is, the cover handle  220  may be provided at a front of the frame  210 . The cover handle  220  may be integrally formed with the storage member cover  200 . That is, the cover handle  220  may be integrally formed with the frame  210 . 
     The storage member cover  200  may further include the panel  230 . The panel  230  may be coupled to the frame  210 . Specifically, the panel  230  may be coupled to the frame  210  so that a part of the panel  230  is exposed to an outside thereof through the frame opening  211  of the frame  210 . The panel  230  may be coupled to a bottom of the frame  210  in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 5 , a water trapping pattern  240  may be formed at the panel  230 . Specifically, the water trapping pattern  240  may be formed on a surface of the panel  230  facing the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . The water trapping pattern  240  may be described below in detail. 
     The plurality of fixing holes  231  may be formed in the panel  230 . The plurality of fixing holes  231  may be formed along a circumference of the water trapping pattern  240 . The panel  230  may be coupled to the frame  210  by the plurality of fixtures  213  of the frame  210  being inserted into the plurality of fixing holes  231  of the panel  230 . 
     A sealing member coupling portion  232  may be formed on the panel  230 . The sealing member coupling portion  232  may be formed along a circumference of the water trapping pattern  240 . The sealing member coupling portion  232  may be formed between the water trapping pattern  240  and the plurality of fixing holes  231 . The sealing member coupling portion  232  may have a recessed shape. 
     It is possible that the frame  210  and the panel  230  are integrally formed. The roller  250  which moves along the rail  160  may be coupled to the storage member cover  200 . The roller  250  may be rotatably coupled to the roller coupling unit  212  of the frame  210 . The storage member cover  200  may move in the direction ‘A’ of the front and rear of the storage compartment  20  according to the movement of the roller  250  along the rail  160 . 
     The refrigerator  1  may further include the sealing member  260 . Fruits or vegetables retaining lots of moisture may be stored or kept inside the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . It is important to maintain humidity in the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  in order to maintain freshness of the fruits or vegetables. 
     In order to maintain humidity in the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 , a sealing structure may be applied to the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . The sealing structure of the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  may be basically implemented by coupling of the at least one storage member  100  and the storage member cover  200 . The sealing member  260  may be provided between the at least one storage member  100  and the storage member cover  200  to improve the sealability of the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . 
     The sealing member  260  member may be coupled to the storage member cover  200 . Specifically, the sealing member  260  may be coupled to the sealing member coupling portion  232  provided on the panel  230 . 
     The sealing member  260  may formed of an elastic material. The sealing member  260  may include at least one material of a rubber and silicone. However, a material of the sealing member  260  is not limited to a rubber or silicone. 
     A structure of the sealing member  260  will be described below in detail.  FIG. 7  is a perspective view illustrating the enlarged sealing member in  FIG. 6 . Hereinafter, for reference numerals which are not shown in  FIG. 7  refer to  FIGS. 1 to 6 . 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 7 , the sealing member  260  may include a pleat portion  261  and an adhesion portion  262 . A plurality of pleats may be formed at the pleat portion  261 . In addition, the pleat portion  261  may be coupled to the storage member cover  200 . Specifically, the pleat portion  261  may be coupled to the sealing member coupling portion  232  provided on the panel  230 . 
     The adhesion portion  262  may be connected to the pleat portion  261 . In addition, the adhesion portion  262  may adhere to the at least one storage member  100  so that the adhesion portion  262  may be separated therefrom according to the movement of the storage member cover  200 . Specifically, the adhesion portion  262  may adhere to the contact surface  150  of the at least one storage member  100  so that the adhesion portion  262  may be separated from the contact surface  150  according to the movement of the storage member cover  200  which moves along the rail  160  in the direction ‘A’ of the front and rear of the storage compartment  20 . The adhesion portion  262  may be connected to the pleat portion  261  so that the adhesion portion  262  is inclined in a direction of an outside of the sealing member  260  with respect to the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . 
       FIG. 8  is a bottom view illustrating a panel  230  included in the storage member cover  200  of the refrigerator  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention.  FIG. 9  is a view showing graphs which compare water trappability according to various patterns formed in the panel which is included in the storage member cover of the refrigerator according to one embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, for reference numerals which are not shown in  FIGS. 8 and 9  refer to  FIGS. 1 to 7 . In addition, since the panel  230  was already described through the  FIGS. 4 to 6 , hereinafter, the water trapping pattern  240  will be mainly described. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 8 , the water trapping pattern  240  may be formed on a surface of the storage member cover  200  facing the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . That is, the water trapping pattern  240  may be formed on a surface of the panel  230  facing the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . 
     When the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  has a sealing structure, water drops may be formed on the storage member cover  200 . That is, the water drops may be formed on the storage member cover  200  due to dew condensation phenomena. As the water drops formed on the storage member cover  200  become bigger, the water drops may drop into the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  due to gravity. At this time, vegetables or fruits stored in the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  may turn mushy due to water drops dropped from the storage member cover  200 . The water trapping pattern  240  may be formed on the storage member cover  200  so that vegetables and fruits stored in the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  are prevented from turning mushy by water drops formed on the storage member cover  200  as described above. 
     The water trapping pattern  240  may have a shape recessed upward in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200  (refer to  FIG. 5 ). The water trapping pattern  240  may include a plurality of water trapping portions  241 . The plurality of water trapping portions  241  may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other. That is, the plurality of water trapping portions  241  may be disposed to be spaced apart from each other to prevent moisture (water drops) trapped in the plurality of water trapping portions  241  from being combined. 
     The plurality of water trapping portions  241  may have a column shape. The plurality of water trapping portions  241  may have the column shape having a polygonal or circular section. In one embodiment, it is preferable that the plurality of water trapping portions  241  have a hexagonal column shape recessed upward in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . As shown from graphs in  FIG. 9 , the hexagonal column shape may maximize the maximum amount of water to be trapped in the plurality of water trapping portions  241  than a reference shape. In addition, the hexagonal column shape stands to have much less amount of moisture (water drops) to be dropped out of the plurality of water trapping portions  241  due to a shock than the reference shape. The reference shape may have a quadrangular pyramid shape. 
     The results of the experiment illustrated in  FIG. 9  may be described using a contact area or surface tension between the plurality of water trapping portions  241  and moisture (water drops) trapped in the plurality of water trapping portions  241 . That is, when the plurality of water trapping portions  241  has the hexagonal column shape, since a contact area between the plurality of water trapping portions  241  and moisture (water drops) trapped in the plurality of water trapping portions  241 . In other words, a water tension between the plurality of water trapping portions  241  and moisture (water drops) trapped in the plurality of water trapping portions  241  is greater, the water trappability of the plurality of water trapping portions  241  is excellent. 
     Widths of the plurality of water trapping portions  241  may decrease upward in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . However, it is possible that a width of the plurality of water trapping portions  241  maintains constant in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . 
     In another aspect, a surface of the plurality of water trapping portions  241  facing the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  may be formed in a hexagonal shape to have a wide contact area with moisture (water drops) trapped or collected in the plurality of water trapping portions  241 . 
     The water trapping pattern  240  may further include bridges  242 . 
     The bridges  242  may connect the plurality of water trapping portions  241  each other. In addition, the bridges  242  may have narrower widths than the plurality of water trapping portions  241  to prevent moisture (water drops) trapped or collected in the plurality of water trapping portions  241  from being combined. 
     Each of the bridges  242  may have a square column shape, but the shape of the bridge  242  is not limited thereto. In addition, the bridge  242  may have a shape recessed upward in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 . Recessed degrees of the plurality of water trapping portions  241  and the bridges  242  may be different from each other. It is preferable that recessed degrees of the plurality of water trapping portions  241  be greater than that of the bridges  242 . 
       FIG. 10  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the storage member cover  200  of the refrigerator  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention is closed.  FIG. 11  is a perspective view illustrating a state in which the storage member cover  200  of the refrigerator  1  according to one embodiment of the present invention is opened. Hereinafter, reference numerals which are not shown are referred to  FIGS. 1 to 9 . 
     As illustrated in  FIGS. 10 and 11 , the storage member cover  200  may move in the direction ‘A’ of the front and rear of the storage compartment  20  according to the movement of the roller  250  along the rail  160 . When the storage member cover  200  moves toward the front of the storage compartment  20 , the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  is in a closed state. When the storage member cover  200  moves toward the rear of the storage compartment  20 , the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  is in an opened state. 
     When the roller  250  is positioned at first section  161  of the rail  160 , the storage member cover  200  may adhere to the at least one storage member  100  to seal the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . In other words, when the roller  250  is positioned at the first section  161  of the rail  160 , the sealing member  260  may adhere to the at least one storage member  100  downward in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200  to seal the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . That is, when the roller  250  is positioned at the first section  161  of the rail  160 , the storage member cover  200  or the sealing member  260  may adhere to the contact surface  150  of the at least one storage member  100 . When the roller  250  is positioned at the first section  161  of the rail  160 , the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  maintains a closed state, specifically, a sealed state. 
     When the roller  250  is positioned at the second section  162  of the rail  160 , the storage member cover  200  may be spaced apart from the at least one storage member  100  so that the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  is opened. In other words, the sealing member  260  may be spaced apart from the at least one storage member  100  upward in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200  to prevent from being abraded by contact with the at least one storage member  100  while the roller  250  moves along the second section  162  of the rail  160 . That is, when the roller  250  is positioned at the second section  162  of the rail  160 , the storage member cover  200  or the sealing member  260  may be spaced apart from the contact surface  150  of the at least one storage member  100 . When the roller  250  is positioned at the second section  162  of the rail  160 , the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  maintains an opened state. 
     Opening and closing processes of the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100  will be briefly described as below. When a user pulls the handle  140  toward a front of the storage compartment  20 , the at least one storage member  100  and the storage member cover  200  are drawn together. After that, the user moves the storage member cover  200  up in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200 , and the user pushes the storage member cover  200  toward the rear of the storage compartment  20 . The user takes desired vegetables or fruits out of the opened storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . After that, when the user pushes the at least one storage member  100  toward the rear of the storage compartment  20 , the storage member cover  200  moves toward the front of the storage compartment  20  along the rail  160 . The storage member cover  200  moves down in the coupling direction ‘B’ of the storage member cover  200  in the storage compartment  20  to seal the storage space  110  of the at least one storage member  100 . 
       FIG. 12  is a perspective view illustrating a refrigerator  1  according to another embodiment of the present invention. Hereinafter, for reference numerals which are not shown in  FIG. 12  refer to  FIGS. 1 to 11 . In addition, duplicated descriptions described in the  FIGS. 1 to 11  will not be repeated. 
     As illustrated in  FIG. 12 , at least one storage member  100  and a storage member cover  200  according to another embodiment of the present invention may be also applied to a kimchi refrigerator  1   a  including a plurality of kimchi storage compartments  300 . 
     The at least one storage member  100  and the storage member cover  200  according to another embodiment of the present invention may be applied to any type of refrigerators  1 . As is apparent from the above description, in a refrigerator  1  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a sealing member  260  is disposed between a storage member  100  and a storage member cover  200  to improve sealability of a storage space  110  of the storage member  100  and, in turn, maintain the humidity inside the storage space  110  of the storage member  100 . 
     Since a storage member cover  200  is designed for a user to directly open or close the storage member cover  200 , the user can use the storage member  100  and the storage member cover  200  in a state in which the user recognizes a sealing function of the storage member cover  200  for the storage member  100 . 
     Since a rail  160  including a step or a slope is disposed, sealability of a storage space  110  of a storage member  100  can be controlled according to movement of a storage member cover  200 , which moves along the rail  160 . 
     Since rail  160  may include a step or a slope is disposed, the sealing member  260  can be prevented from being abraded or damaged due to contact with a storage member while a storage member cover moves along the rail. Since a water trapping pattern  240  capable of trapping water drops at a storage member cover  200  due to sealing of storage space  110  of storage member  100 , the freshness of food stored in the storage space of the storage may be maintained. 
     Although the present invention has been described with reference to specific embodiments and drawings, the present invention is not limited thereto. It is apparent by those skilled in the art that various modifications and alternations may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention and equivalents of the appended claims.