# US 10,371,432 B2 · Freshness-preserving container for food with a low-pressure generating unit, and domestic refrigerator with such a freshness-preserving container > Agents: this data is available as JSON from the patentgrep API and MCP server — see https://patentgrep.com/llms.txt - Number: US 10,371,432 B2 - Document ID: US10371432B2 - Status: Granted - Kind: B2 - Application number: 15/516,460 - Filed: 2015-09-30 - Published: 2018-07-12 - Granted: 2019-08-06 - Earliest claimed: 2014-10-02 - Assignees: BSH Hausgeraete GmbH - Applicants: Bsh Hausgeraete GmbH - Inventors: Roland Benitsch; Juergen Fink; Bernd Pfister - Web page: https://patentgrep.com/patent/US10371432B2 ## CPC - F25D 17/042: {Air treating means within refrigerated spaces (air conditioning in general F24F)} - A23B 2/708: in a controlled atmosphere, e.g. partial vacuum, comprising only CO2, N2, O2 or H2O - A23B 2/805: {Materials not being transported through or in the apparatus with or without shaping, e.g. in the form of powders, granules or flakes} - F25D 23/028: {Details} - F25D 25/025: {Drawers} - A23V 2002/00: Food compositions, function of food ingredients or processes for food or foodstuffs - F25D 23/04: with special compartments, e.g. butter conditioners - F25D 2317/043: by creating a vacuum in a storage compartment - F25D: REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR (refrigerated showcases A47F3/04; thermally-insulated vessels for domestic use A47J41/00; refrigerated vehicles, see the appropriate subclasses of classes B60 - B64; containers with thermal insulation in general B65D81/38; heat-transfer, heat-exchange or heat-storage materials, e.g. refrigerants, or materials for the production of heat or cold by chemical reactions other than by combustion C09K5/00; thermally-insulated vessels for liquefied or solidified gases F17C; air-conditioning or air-humidification F24F; refrigeration machines, plants, or systems F25B; cooling of instruments or comparable apparatus without refrigeration G12B) - A23B: PRESERVATION OF FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES; CHEMICAL RIPENING OF FRUIT OR VEGETABLES - A23V: INDEXING SCHEME RELATING TO FOODS, FOODSTUFFS OR NON-ALCOHOLIC BEVERAGES AND LACTIC OR PROPIONIC ACID BACTERIA USED IN FOODSTUFFS OR FOOD PREPARATION ## Abstract A freshness-preserving container for food, includes a shell with a cover which can be sealingly placed on the shell. The freshness-preserving container has a mechanically operating low-pressure generating unit with which an air pressure that is reduced compared to the surrounding area outside of the freshness-preserving container can be adjusted in the freshness-preserving container. The low-pressure generating unit has an actuating element which can be moved relative to the freshness-preserving container, and air can be suctioned out of the freshness-preserving container dependent on the movement of the actuating element. A domestic refrigerator including a freshness-preserving container is also provided. ## Claims ### Claim 1 A freshness-preserving container for food, the freshness-preserving container comprising: a shell defining a front of the freshness-preserving container; a cover configured to be placed on and sealed to said shell; and a mechanically operating low-pressure generating unit for adjusting an air pressure in the freshness-preserving container being reduced as compared to an air pressure in a surrounding area outside of the freshness preserving container; said low-pressure generating unit having an actuation element being movable relative to the freshness-preserving container for suctioning air out of the freshness-preserving container as a function of a movement of said actuation element; said actuation element being accessible from said front of the freshness-preserving container and being configured to be actuated across said front of the freshness-preserving container; and said actuation element being constructed as a pusher to be gripped by a user, causing air to be automatically suctioned out of the freshness-preserving container as a function of a movement of said actuation element initiated by the user. ### Claim 2 (depends on 1) The freshness-preserving container according to claim 1, wherein said actuation element of said low-pressure generating unit is a linearly displaceable piston. ### Claim 3 (depends on 1) The freshness-preserving container according to claim 1, wherein: said low-pressure generating unit is a mechanically operating pump having an actuation element housing; and said actuation element is a piston being moveably mounted in said actuation element housing for suctioning air out of the freshness-preserving container as a function of a displacement of said piston. ### Claim 4 (depends on 1) The freshness-preserving container according to claim 1, wherein said low-pressure generating unit is integrated into said shell of the freshness-preserving container. ### Claim 5 (depends on 1) The freshness-preserving container according to claim 1, wherein said low-pressure generating unit is non-destructively detachable and removable from the freshness-preserving container. ### Claim 6 (depends on 1) The freshness-preserving container according to claim 1, wherein said shell of the freshness-preserving container has a recess formed therein, and said low-pressure-generating unit is received in said recess. ### Claim 7 (depends on 1) The freshness-preserving container according to claim 1, wherein said shell has dimensions, and said low-pressure-generating unit in said recess does not project from said dimensions of said shell. ### Claim 8 (depends on 1) The freshness-preserving container according to claim 1, wherein said low-pressure generating unit is disposed below said shell. ### Claim 9 (depends on 1) The freshness-preserving container according to claim 1, wherein said shell has a side wall, and said low-pressure generating unit is disposed laterally adjacent said side wall of said shell. ### Claim 10 (depends on 1) The freshness-preserving container according to claim 1, which further comprises an air pipe connecting said low-pressure generating unit to an opening in said shell. ### Claim 11 (depends on 1) The freshness-preserving container according to claim 1, which further comprises a display unit disposed on at least one of said shell or said cover for displaying the air pressure in the freshness-preserving container. ### Claim 12 (depends on 1) A domestic refrigerator, comprising: a receiving compartment for food; and a freshness-preserving container according to claim 1 disposed in said receiving compartment. ### Claim 13 (depends on 12) The domestic refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein said freshness-preserving container is non-destructively removable from said receiving compartment. ### Claim 14 (depends on 12) The domestic refrigerator according to claim 12, wherein: said shell of said freshness-preserving container is configured to be displaced in and relative to said receiving compartment; said low-pressure generating unit is coupled to said shell; and said actuation element of said low-pressure generating unit is automatically actuated a function of the displacement of said shell. ### Claim 15 (depends on 14) The domestic refrigerator according to claim 14, wherein: said actuation element of said low-pressure-generating unit is a piston disposed in a fixed position in said receiving compartment; said low-pressure-generating unit has an actuation element housing connected to said shell in a fixed position, said actuation element housing receiving said actuation element; and said actuation element housing is configured to be displaced relative to said actuation element as a function of the displacement of said shell resulting in air being suctioned from said freshness-preserving container.