Patent ID: 8528346

Claim:
A refrigerator comprising: a food storage compartment including a drawer unit with a storage space and an adjustable perforated platform, the drawer unit being operable between a substantially air-tight retracted position and an open extended position, wherein the operable movement of the adjustable perforated platform is independent of the operable movement of the drawer unit between the substantially air-tight retracted position and the open extended position; a vacuum source in communication with the storage space of the drawer unit and operable to reduce air pressure inside the drawer unit during an evacuation event when the drawer unit is in the air-tight retracted position; a heat sealing unit disposed within the drawer unit adapted to seal a flexible bag; a hard removable container disposed inside the storage space and including a valve that opens to allow depressurization of the hard removable container during the evacuation event; and a control system operable to activate the vacuum source and initiate the evacuation event when the drawer unit has been placed in the air-tight retracted position, and operable to activate the heat sealing unit at least when the drawer unit has been placed in the air-tight retracted position.