US20130300276A1

US20130300276A1 - Drawer assembly for a refrigerator appliance

Info

Publication number: US20130300276A1
Application number: US13/466,207
Authority: US
Inventors: Bart Andrew Nuss
Original assignee: General Electric Co
Current assignee: General Electric Co
Priority date: 2012-05-08
Filing date: 2012-05-08
Publication date: 2013-11-14

Abstract

A drawer assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The drawer assembly includes a bin and a sealing plate configured for sealing the bin when the bin is in a closed position. By sealing the bin, the sealing plate can increase the useful life of food items stored within the bin.

Description

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter relates generally to drawer assemblies for appliances, e.g., refrigerator or freezer appliances.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Generally, refrigerator appliances include a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items for storage. The refrigerator appliance can also include storage components mounted within the chilled chamber. For example, shelves, drawers, bins, and other components can be mounted within the chilled chamber. Such components can receive food items in order to facilitate storage and/or organization of food items within the chilled chamber. In particular, certain refrigerator appliances include fresh food drawers that are configured for extending the shelf life of fresh food (e.g., vegetables, cheeses, etc.) stored therein.
Fresh food drawers can be useful because certain conditions within a refrigerator appliance can have a detrimental effect on the shelf life of fresh food items. For example, an atmosphere within the refrigerator appliance is often relatively dry, e.g., due to condensation of water vapor on an evaporator of the refrigerator's cooling system. Thus, water within the fresh food items can evaporate rapidly within the chilled chamber. Such evaporation can spoil the fresh food items or otherwise render them unusable.
To facilitate storage of fresh food items, fresh food drawers can physically isolate the fresh food items stored therein from the remaining atmosphere of the chilled chamber. However, presently fresh food drawers generally provide a poor seal and, thus, poor isolation from the dry atmosphere of the chilled chamber.
Accordingly, a refrigerator appliance with features for improving storage of fresh food items would be useful. In particular, a refrigerator appliance with features for providing improved isolation of fresh food items from a dry atmosphere of the refrigerator appliance would be useful. Further, a drawer with features for providing a more reliable seal in order to facilitate storage of food items therein would be useful.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present subject matter provides a drawer assembly for a refrigerator appliance. The drawer assembly includes a bin and a sealing plate configured for sealing the bin when the bin is in a closed position. By sealing the bin, the sealing plate can increase the useful life of food items stored within the bin. Additional aspects and advantages of the invention will be set forth in part in the following description, or may be apparent from the description, or may be learned through practice of the invention.
In a first exemplary embodiment, a drawer assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The drawer assembly extends between a top and a bottom along a vertical direction. The drawer assembly further extends between a front and a back along a transverse direction. The transverse direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The drawer assembly includes a first guide rail defining a first plurality of guides. The first plurality of guides extends longitudinally along the vertical and transverse directions on the first guide rail. A second guide rail is spaced apart from the first guide rail along the horizontal direction. The second guide rail defines a second plurality of guides. The second plurality of guides extends longitudinally along the vertical and transverse directions on the second guide rail. A bin is slidingly mounted between the first guide rail and the second guide rail. The bin has a lip positioned adjacent a top of the bin. A sealing plate is positioned above the bin on the vertical direction. A first plurality of bosses is fixed to a first side of the sealing plate. The first plurality of bosses is received within the first plurality of guides of the first guide rail. A second plurality of bosses is fixed to a second side of the sealing plate. The second plurality of bosses is received within the second plurality of guides of the second guide rail.
In a second exemplary embodiment, a drawer assembly for a refrigerator appliance is provided. The drawer assembly extends between a top and a bottom along a vertical direction. The drawer assembly further extends between a front and a back along a transverse direction. The transverse direction is perpendicular to the vertical direction. The drawer assembly includes a first guide rail and a second guide rail spaced apart from the first guide rail. A first plurality of bosses is fixed to the first guide rail. A second plurality of bosses is fixed to the second guide rail. A bin is slidingly mounted between the first guide rail and the second guide rail. The bin has a lip positioned adjacent a top of the bin. A sealing plate is positioned above the bin on the vertical direction. The sealing plate defines a first plurality of guides and a second plurality of guides. The first plurality of guides receives the first plurality of bosses. The second plurality of guides receives the second plurality of bosses.
In a third exemplary embodiment, a refrigerator appliance is provided. The refrigerator appliance extends between a top and a bottom along a vertical direction. The refrigerator appliance also extends between a first side and a second side along a horizontal direction. The refrigerator appliance further extends between a front and a back along a transverse direction. The transverse direction is perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal directions. The refrigerator appliance includes a cabinet that defines a chilled chamber for receipt of food items. The chilled chamber of the cabinet has a pair of opposing sidewalls spaced apart along the horizontal direction. Each sidewall of the pair of opposing sidewalls defines a plurality of guides that extend along the vertical and transverse directions. A bin is slidingly mounted within the chilled chamber of the cabinet between the pair of opposing sidewalls. The bin has a lip positioned adjacent a top of the bin. A sealing plate is positioned above the bin along the vertical direction. A plurality of bosses is fixed to the sealing plate. The plurality of bosses is received within the plurality of guides. The sealing plate is positioned immediately adjacent a top of the bin when the bin is in a closed position. The sealing plate is spaced apart from the top of the bin along the vertical direction when the bin is in an open position.
These and other features, aspects and advantages of the present invention will become better understood with reference to the following description and appended claims. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof, directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended figures, in which:

FIG. 1 provides a front view of a refrigerator appliance according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter.

FIG. 2 provides a front view of the refrigerator appliance of FIG. 1 with refrigerator doors of the refrigerator appliance shown in an open configuration to reveal a fresh food chamber of the refrigerator appliance.

FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of a drawer assembly according to an exemplary embodiment of the present subject matter with an exemplary bin of the drawer assembly shown in a closed position.

FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of the drawer assembly of FIG. 3 with the bin of the drawer assembly shown in an open position.

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of the drawer assembly of FIG. 3 taken along the 5-5 line shown in FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of the drawer assembly of FIG. 5 with the bin of the drawer assembly shown in the open position.

FIG. 7 provides a cross-sectional view of the drawer assembly of FIG. 5 with the bin of the drawer assembly shown removed from a guide rail of the drawer assembly.

FIG. 8 is a side view of the bin shown in FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a top view of a sealing plate shown in FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Reference now will be made in detail to embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that various modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit of the invention. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment can be used with another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.
FIG. 1 is a front view of an exemplary embodiment of a refrigerator appliance 100. Refrigerator appliance 100 extends between a top 101 and a bottom 102 along a vertical direction V. Refrigerator appliance 100 also extends between a first side 105 and a second side 106 along a horizontal direction H.
Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a cabinet or housing 120 defining an upper fresh food chamber 122 and a lower freezer chamber 124 arranged below the fresh food chamber 122 on the vertical direction V. As such, refrigerator appliance 100 is generally referred to as a bottom mount refrigerator. In the exemplary embodiment, housing 120 also defines a mechanical compartment (not shown) for receipt of a sealed cooling system (not shown). Using the teachings disclosed herein, one of skill in the art will understand that the present invention can be used with other types of refrigerators (e.g., side-by-sides) or a freezer appliance as well. Consequently, the description set forth herein is for illustrative purposes only and is not intended to limit the invention in any aspect.
Refrigerator doors 126, 128 are rotatably hinged to an edge of housing 120 for accessing fresh food compartment 122. A freezer door 130 is arranged below refrigerator doors 126, 128 for accessing freezer chamber 124. In the exemplary embodiment, freezer door 130 is coupled to a freezer drawer (not shown) slidably coupled within freezer chamber 124.
Refrigerator appliance 100 includes a dispensing assembly 110 for dispensing water and/or ice. Dispensing assembly 110 includes a dispenser 114 positioned on an exterior portion of refrigerator appliance 100. Dispenser 114 includes a discharging outlet 134 for accessing ice and water. A single paddle 132 is mounted below discharging outlet 134 for operating dispenser 114. A user interface panel 136 is provided for controlling the mode of operation. For example, user interface panel 136 includes a water dispensing button (not labeled) and an ice-dispensing button (not labeled) for selecting a desired mode of operation such as crushed or non-crushed ice.
Discharging outlet 134 and paddle 132 are an external part of dispenser 114, and are mounted in a recessed portion 138 defined in an outside surface of refrigerator door 126. Recessed portion 138 is positioned at a predetermined elevation convenient for a user to access ice or water enabling the user to access ice without the need to bend-over and without the need to access freezer chamber 124. In the exemplary embodiment, recessed portion 138 is positioned at a level that approximates the chest level of a user.
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of refrigerator appliance 100 having refrigerator doors 126, 128 in an open position to reveal the interior of the fresh food chamber 122. As such, certain components of dispensing assembly 110 are illustrated. Dispensing assembly 110 includes an insulated housing 142 mounted within refrigerator chamber 122. Due to the insulation which encloses insulated housing 142, the temperature within insulated housing 142 can be maintained at levels different from the ambient temperature in the surrounding fresh food chamber 122.
The insulated cavity is constructed and arranged to operate at a temperature that facilitates producing and storing ice. More particularly, the insulated cavity contains an ice maker for creating ice and feeding the same to a container 160 that is mounted on refrigerator door 126. As illustrated in FIG. 2, container 160 is placed at a vertical position on refrigerator door 126 that will allow for the receipt of ice from a discharge opening 162 located along a bottom edge 164 of insulated housing 142. As door 126 is closed or opened, container 160 is moved in and out of position under insulated housing 142.
Operation of the refrigerator appliance 100 can be regulated by a controller (not shown) that is operatively coupled to user interface panel 136 and/or paddle 132. Panel 136 provides selections for user manipulation of the operation of refrigerator appliance 100 such as e.g., selections between whole or crushed ice, chilled water, and/or other options as well. In response to user manipulation of the user interface panel 136, the controller operates various components of the refrigerator appliance 100. The controller may include a memory and one or more microprocessors, CPUs or the like, such as general or special purpose microprocessors operable to execute programming instructions or micro-control code associated with operation of refrigerator appliance 100. The memory may represent random access memory such as DRAM, or read only memory such as ROM or FLASH. In one embodiment, the processor executes programming instructions stored in memory. The memory may be a separate component from the processor or may be included onboard within the processor.
The controller may be positioned in a variety of locations throughout refrigerator appliance 100. In the illustrated embodiment, the controller may be located within the control panel area of door 126. In such an embodiment, input/output (“I/O”) signals may be routed between the controller and various operational components of refrigerator appliance 100. In one embodiment, the user interface panel 136 may represent a general purpose I/O (“GPIO”) device or functional block. In one embodiment, the user interface 136 may include input components, such as one or more of a variety of electrical, mechanical or electro-mechanical input devices including rotary dials, push buttons, and touch pads. The user interface 136 may include a display component, such as a digital or analog display device designed to provide operational feedback to a user. The user interface 136 may be in communication with the controller via one or more signal lines or shared communication busses.
A drawer assembly 200 is mounted within the fresh food chamber 122. Drawer assembly 200 is configured for receipt and storage of food items, e.g., that are susceptible to damage from prolonged exposure to a relatively dry atmosphere within fresh food chamber 122. As an example, fresh food times such as vegetables can “dry out” or in some other manner become damaged during prolonged exposure to the relatively dry atmosphere within fresh food chamber 122. By disposing such food items within drawer assembly 200, such food items can be isolated from the dry atmosphere of fresh food chamber 122 and, thus, the useful life of such food items can be extended.
The exemplary embodiment of drawer assembly 200 shown in FIG. 2 is provided by way of example only. Other configurations for drawer assembly 200 are within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, drawer assembly 200 may be situated within freezer chamber 124. Also, drawer assembly may have any suitable size. For example, drawer assembly 200 may span across fresh food chamber 122. Similarly, multiple drawer assemblies (e.g., two, three, or more) may be disposed within fresh food chamber 200 in any suitable configuration.
FIG. 3 illustrates a perspective view of drawer assembly 200 removed from refrigerator appliance 100 (FIG. 2). In FIG. 3, a bin or basket 230 of drawer assembly 200 is shown in a closed position. FIG. 4 illustrates a perspective view of drawer assembly 200 of FIG. 3. In FIG. 4, bin 230 is shown in an open position. As may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, drawer assembly 200 extends between a top 201 and a bottom 202 along vertical direction V and also extends between a first side 205 and a second side 206 along horizontal direction H. Drawer assembly 200 further extends between a front 203 and a back 204 along a transverse direction T. Transverse direction T is substantially perpendicular to horizontal and vertical directions H and V. Thus, vertical direction V, horizontal direction H, and transverse direction T are orthogonally oriented such that vertical direction V, horizontal direction H, and transverse direction T form an orthogonal directional system.
Bin 230 defines a storage volume 235 (FIG. 4), e.g., for receipt of food items for storage. Bin 230 may shift between the open and closed positions in order to access storage volume 235 by sliding along the transverse direction T. As an example, with bin 230 in the closed position shown in FIG. 3, a user can insert his or her fingers into a handle 239 defined by a front panel 233 of bin 230 and pull bin 230 outwardly along the transverse direction T in order to slide bin 230 into the open position shown in FIG. 4 in which the user can insert food items into storage volume 235.
Bin 230 includes slide rails 236 that are mounted on opposing sides of bin 230 (another matching slide rail is mounted on an opposing side of bin 230 from slide rail 236 shown in FIG. 4). Slide rails 236 are mounted to bin 230 such that slide rails 236 extend longitudinally in the transverse direction T. Further, drawer assembly 200 includes a first guide rail or slide track 210 and a second guide rail or slide track 220 that are spaced apart along the horizontal direction H. Slide rails 236 are received by first and second guide rails 210 and 220 such that bin 230 is slidingly mounted between first and second guide rails 210 and 220 and bin 230 can slide between the open and closed position. Thus, bin 230 hangs from first and second guide rails 210 and 220. Other mechanisms can be used to mount bin 230 within refrigerator appliance 100, e.g., drawer slides.
First and second guide rails 210 and 220 may be fixed within refrigerator appliance 100 (FIG. 2) in any suitable manner. For example, first and second guide rails 210 and 220 may be integrally molded to housing 120 (FIG. 2) within fresh food chamber 122. Alternatively, fasteners (e.g., screws or bolts) may secure first and second guide rails 210 and 220 to housing 120. Similarly, glue, snap-fit mechanisms, interference-fit mechanisms, or any suitable commination thereof may secure first and second guide rails 210 and 220 to housing 120 or other components of refrigerator appliance 100. As an example, first and second guide rails 210 and 220 may be secured to opposing sidewalls 170 (FIGS. 5 and 6) of housing 120. As may be seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, first guide rail 210 defines a first plurality of guides 212.
A sealing plate 240 is also mounted to first and second guide rails 210 and 220. Sealing plate 240 is disposed above bin 230 along the vertical direction V and is configured for selectively sealing bin 230 as discussed in greater detail below.
FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view of drawer assembly 200 taken along the 5-5 line shown in FIG. 3. In FIG. 5, bin 230 is shown in the closed position. FIG. 6 illustrates a cross-sectional view of drawer assembly 200 of FIG. 5 with bin 230 of drawer assembly 200 shown in the open position. As may be seen in FIGS. 5 and 6, second guide rail 220 defines a second plurality of guides 222.
As shown in FIGS. 3 and 5, first and second plurality of guides 212 and 222 may be slots that extend longitudinally along first and second guide rails 210 and 220 respectively. In particular, first and second plurality of guides 212 and 222 extend longitudinally along the vertical and transverse directions V and T on first and second guide rails 210 and 220 respectively. Further, first and second plurality of guides 212 and 222 define a slope S along the vertical and transverse directions V and T, and the slope S is downwardly moving in a direction along transverse direction T away from front panel 233.
A plurality of bosses 250 are mounted to sealing plate 240 and extend away from sealing plate 240 along the horizontal direction H (FIGS. 5 and 6). Plurality of bosses 250 may be, e.g., pins or projections. Plurality of bosses 250 is received within first and second plurality of guides 212 and 222. As an example, a first plurality of bosses 252 (FIG. 9) may be received within first plurality of guides 212, and a second plurality of bosses 254 (FIG. 9) may be received within second plurality of guides 222 so that bosses and guides are located on both sides of drawer assembly 200. Displacement of plurality of bosses 250 (and, in turn, sealing plate 240) is guided by first and second plurality of guides 212 and 222 as described in greater detail below.
Sealing plate 240 further includes a ledge 270 that extends downwardly along the vertical direction V from a back 244 of sealing plate 240. A biasing member 272 is mounted to ledge 270 and a back wall 172 of fresh food chamber 122 such that biasing member 272 extends between ledge 270 and back wall 172. Biasing member 272 urges ledge 270 away from back wall 172 along the transverse direction T when bin 230 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 5. Thus, as discussed in greater detail below, due to biasing member 272, ledge 270 is spaced further from back wall 172 along the transverse direction T when bin 230 is in the open position shown in FIG. 6 compared to when bin 230 is in the closed position shown in FIG. 5. In FIGS. 5 and 6, biasing member 272 is shown as a spring. However, biasing member 272 may be any other suitable mechanism, e.g., a linear actuator.
A catch assembly 280 is configured for selectively maintaining bin 230 in the closed position despite biasing member 272 urging bin 230 to the open position (via ledge 270). As may be seen in FIG. 6, catch assembly 280 includes a tab 282 mounted to second guide rail 220 and a recess 284 defined by slide rail 236. As shown in FIG. 5, when tab 282 is positioned within recess 284, bin 230 is held in the closed position by catch assembly 280 despite biasing member 272 urging such components apart. Other suitable mechanisms may be used to selectively maintaining bin 230 in the closed position, e.g., a ball spring or a bolt such as a slam bolt.
As discussed above, bin 230 is shown in the closed position in FIG. 5. In the closed position, biasing member 272 is charged by the position of bin 230 such that biasing member 272 urges bin 230 and sealing plate 240 away from back wall 172. Further, bosses 250 are disposed at a bottom portion 224 of second plurality of guides 222 (and at a bottom portion 224 first plurality of guides 212 shown in FIG. 3) when bin 230 is the closed position. Further, in the closed position, sealing plate 240 is disposed on top of bin 230 such that sealing plate 240 seals bin 230.
As discussed above, bin 230 is shown in the open position in FIG. 6. From the closed position shown in FIG. 5, a user can shift bin to the open position by inserting his or her fingers in to handle 239 and pulling bin 230 away from back wall 172 along the transverse direction T. Tab 282 will deflect out of recess 284 such that catch assembly 280 releases bin 230 and permits movement of bin 230 along the transverse direction T. As bin 230 shifts to the open position, biasing member 272 pushes ledge 270 away from back wall 172 such that sealing plate 240 displaces away from back wall 172 along the transverse direction T. Further, biasing member 272 urges bosses 250 to slide up slope S of first and second pluralities of guides 212 and 222 such that sealing plate 240 displaces away from bin 230 along the vertical direction V. Thus, in the open position, sealing plate 240 is spaced apart from bin 230 along the vertical direction V such that sealing plate 240 does not interfere with sliding of bin 230.
Conversely, as bin 230 shifts back to the closed position shown in FIG. 5 from the open position shown in FIG. 6, a back 237 of bin 230 engages with ledge 270 to charge biasing member 272. Further, as ledge 270 is pushed towards back wall 172 along the transverse direction T by bin 230, bosses 250 slide down slope S of first and second pluralities of guides 212 and 222 such that sealing plate 240 displaces towards bin 230 along the vertical direction V until sealing plate 240 sits on bin 230. Further, as bin 230 reaches the closed position, tab 282 will snap into recess 284 such that catch assembly 280 holds bin 230 in the closed position by hindering movement of bin 230 along the transverse direction T.
FIG. 7 provides a cross-sectional view of the drawer assembly of FIG. 5 with bin 230 of drawer assembly 200 shown dismounted from second guide rail 220 (and first guide rail 210 shown in FIG. 3). As may be seen in FIG. 7, tab 282 of catch assembly 280 is mounted to second guide rail 220 with a leg 286 such that tab 282 is cantilevered by leg 282. Thus, leg 286 bends in order to permit tab 282 to deflect along the horizontal direction H (FIG. 3) into and out of recess 284. Recess 284 is defined by slide rail 236 of bin 230. Slide rail 236 also defines a channel 288 that guides tab 282 towards recess 284 as bin 230 shifts open and closed.
FIG. 8 is a side view of bin 230 shown in FIG. 7. FIG. 9 is a top view of sealing plate 240 shown in FIG. 3. As may be seen in FIG. 8, bin 230 includes a lip 234 positioned at a top 231 of bin 230. Lip 234 is positioned immediately adjacent sealing plate 240 when bin 230 is in the closed position.
As may be seen in FIG. 9, sealing plate 240 includes a gasket 242. Gasket 242 is shaped to match lip 234 (FIG. 8) of bin 230. Gasket 242 may cooperatively engage with lip 234 to seal storage volume 235 of bin 230, e.g., from an atmosphere of fresh food chamber 122.
As will be understood by those skilled in the art, the drawer assembly 200 shown within FIGS. 2-8 is provided by way of example only. Thus, other configurations of drawer assembly 200 are within the scope of the present subject matter. For example, bosses 250 may be mounted to first and second guide rails 210 and 220 rather than sealing plate 240. In turn, first and second pluralities of guides 212 and 222 may be defined by sealing plate 240 (e.g., brackets or hangers (not shown) mounted to sealing plate 240).
This written description uses examples to disclose the invention, including the best mode, and also to enable any person skilled in the art to practice the invention, including making and using any devices or systems and performing any incorporated methods. The patentable scope of the invention is defined by the claims, and may include other examples that occur to those skilled in the art. Such other examples are intended to be within the scope of the claims if they include structural elements that do not differ from the literal language of the claims, or if they include equivalent structural elements with insubstantial differences from the literal languages of the claims.

Claims

1. A drawer assembly for a refrigerator appliance, the drawer assembly extending between a top and a bottom along a vertical direction, the drawer assembly further extending between a front and a back along a transverse direction, the transverse direction being perpendicular to the vertical direction, the drawer assembly comprising:

a first guide rail defining a first plurality of guides, the first plurality of guides extending longitudinally along the vertical and transverse directions on said first guide rail;

a second guide rail spaced apart from said first guide rail said second guide rail defining a second plurality of guides, the second plurality of guides extending longitudinally along the vertical and transverse directions on said second guide rail;

a bin having a pair of slide rails mounted on opposite sides of said bin, each slide rail of the pair of slide rails received by a respective one of said first guide rail and said second guide rail such that said bin is slidingly mounted to said first guide rail and said second guide rail;

a sealing plate positioned above said bin on the vertical direction;

a first plurality of bosses fixed to a first side of said sealing plate, said first plurality of bosses received within the first plurality of guides of said first guide rail; and

a second plurality of bosses fixed to a second side of said sealing plate, said second plurality of bosses received within the second plurality of guides of said second guide rail.

2. The drawer assembly of claim 1, wherein said sealing plate further comprises a biasing member that urges said sealing plate towards the front of the drawer assembly along the transverse direction when said bin is in a closed position.

3. The drawer assembly of claim 1, wherein said sealing plate further comprises a gasket disposed on a bottom surface of said sealing plate, said gasket being complementary in shape to a lip of said bin.

4. The drawer assembly of claim 1, wherein said sealing plate further comprises a ledge that extends downwardly from a bottom surface of said sealing plate, said ledge configured for engagement with a back of said bin.

5. The drawer assembly of claim 4, wherein said sealing plate further comprises a biasing member mounted to said ledge, said biasing member urging said sealing plate towards the front of the drawer assembly along the transverse direction when said bin is in a closed position.

6. The drawer assembly of claim 1, wherein said sealing plate is positioned immediately adjacent a top of said bin when said bin is in a closed position, wherein said sealing plate is spaced apart from the top of said bin along the vertical direction when said bin is in an open position.

7. The drawer assembly of claim 1, further comprising a catch for securing said bin in a closed position.

8. A drawer assembly for a refrigerator appliance, the drawer assembly extending between a top and a bottom along a vertical direction, the drawer assembly further extending between a front and a back along a transverse direction, the transverse direction being perpendicular to the vertical direction, the drawer assembly comprising:

a first guide rail;

a first plurality of bosses fixed to said first guide rail;

a second guide rail spaced apart from said first guide rail;

a second plurality of bosses fixed to said second guide rail;

a bin having a pair of slide rails mounted on opposite sides of said bin, each slide rail of the pair of slide rails received by a respective one of said first guide rail and said second guide rail such that said bin is slidingly mounted to said first guide rail and said second guide rail, said bin having a lip positioned adjacent a top of said bin;

a sealing plate positioned above said bin on the vertical direction, said sealing plate defining a first plurality of guides and a second plurality of guides, said first plurality of guides receiving said first plurality of bosses, said second plurality of guides receiving said second plurality of bosses.

9. The drawer assembly of claim 8, wherein said sealing plate further comprises a biasing member that urges said sealing plate towards the front of the drawer assembly along the transverse direction when said bin is in a closed position.

10. The drawer assembly of claim 8, wherein said sealing plate further comprises a gasket disposed on a bottom surface of said sealing plate, said gasket being complementary in shape to the lip of said bin.

11. The drawer assembly of claim 8, wherein said sealing plate further comprises a ledge that extends downwardly from a bottom surface of said sealing plate, said ledge configured for engagement with a back of said bin.

12. The drawer assembly of claim 11, wherein said sealing plate further comprises a biasing member mounted to said ledge, said biasing member urging said sealing plate towards the front of the drawer assembly along the transverse direction when said bin is in a closed position.

13. The drawer assembly of claim 8, wherein said sealing plate is positioned immediately adjacent the top of said bin when said bin is in a closed position, wherein said sealing plate is spaced apart from the top of said bin along the vertical direction when said bin is in an open position.

14. The drawer assembly of claim 8, further comprising a catch for securing said bin in a closed position.

15. A refrigerator appliance, the refrigerator appliance extending between a top and a bottom along a vertical direction, the refrigerator appliance also extending between a first side and a second side along a horizontal direction, the refrigerator appliance further extending between a front and a back along a transverse direction, the transverse direction being perpendicular to the vertical and horizontal directions, the refrigerator appliance comprising:

a cabinet defining a chilled chamber for receipt of food items, the chilled chamber of said cabinet having a pair of opposing sidewalls spaced apart along the horizontal direction;

a pair of guide rails positioned within the chilled chamber of said cabinet, each guide rail of the pair of guide rails mounted to a respective one of the pair of opposing sidewalls and, defining a plurality of guides that extend along the vertical and transverse directions;

a bin positioned within the chilled chamber of said cabinet, said bin having a pair of slide rails mounted on opposite sides of said bin, each slide rail of the pair of slide rails received by a respective one of said pair of guide rails such that said bin is slidingly mounted to said pair of guide rails, said bin having a lip positioned adjacent a top of said bin;

a sealing plate positioned above said bin along the vertical direction; and

a plurality of bosses fixed to said sealing plate, said plurality of bosses received within the plurality of guides;

wherein, said sealing plate is positioned immediately adjacent the top of said bin when said bin is in a closed position, wherein said sealing plate is spaced apart from the top of said bin along the vertical direction when said bin is in an open position.

16. The refrigerator appliance of claim 15, wherein said sealing plate further comprises a biasing member that urges said sealing plate towards the front of the refrigerator appliance along the transverse direction when said bin is in a closed position.

17. The refrigerator appliance of claim 15, wherein said sealing plate further comprises a gasket disposed on a bottom surface of said sealing plate, said gasket being complementary in shape to the lip of said bin.

18. The refrigerator appliance of claim 15, wherein said sealing plate further comprises a ledge that extends downwardly from a bottom surface of said sealing plate, said ledge configured for engagement with a back of said bin.

19. The refrigerator appliance of claim 18, wherein said sealing plate further comprises a biasing member mounted to said ledge, said biasing member urging said sealing plate towards the front of the refrigerator appliance along the transverse direction when said bin is in a closed position.

20. The refrigerator appliance of claim 15, further comprising a catch for securing said bin in a closed position.