US 11,774,172 B2
Drawer in a refrigerator door
Paul Dubina, Columbia, SC (US); Andrew D. Brown, Anderson, SC (US); and Jason Burriss, Anderson, SC (US)
Assigned to Electrolux Home Products, Inc., Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed by Electrolux Home Products, Inc., Charlotte, NC (US)
Filed on Jun. 24, 2021, as Appl. No. 17/356,889.
Prior Publication US 2022/0412643 A1, Dec. 29, 2022
Int. Cl. F25D 23/02 (2006.01); F25D 25/02 (2006.01); E05C 1/12 (2006.01); F25D 23/04 (2006.01)
CPC F25D 25/025 (2013.01) [F25D 23/025 (2013.01); E05C 1/12 (2013.01); E05Y 2900/31 (2013.01); F25D 23/028 (2013.01); F25D 23/04 (2013.01); F25D 2323/02 (2013.01); F25D 2323/023 (2013.01)] 17 Claims
OG exemplary drawing
 
1. A refrigerator appliance, comprising:
a storage compartment including a drawer assembly;
a refrigerator door coupled to the storage compartment to restrict or grant access to the storage compartment, wherein the door defines an opening that is shaped and dimensioned to enable the drawer assembly to be extended or retracted therethrough;
wherein the drawer assembly further comprises:
a front panel with a handle; and
a container defining a storage space for food items;
wherein the handle is operable to selectively couple the container to the front panel such that the container may be extended or retracted through the opening in the refrigerator door, and
wherein the front panel comprises a switch and the handle further comprises a reciprocating rod including a first magnet disposed at a distal end thereof, said first magnet being configured to actuate the switch and an electromagnet to selectively couple the front panel to the container.