Patent ID: 8127561

Claim:
A refrigerator comprising: a food storage compartment including a drawer unit with a storage space, the drawer unit being operable between a substantially air-tight retracted position and an 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 retracted position; a sealing unit including: a base connected to an interior portion of the drawer unit; a sealing bracket hingedly-connected to the base and operable between a raised position and a lowered position, the sealing bracket adapted to abut the base when in the lowered position; a heat sealing bar disposed on one of the base and the sealing bracket; 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.