CN1359463A

CN1359463A - Refrigerator storage tray

Info

Publication number: CN1359463A
Application number: CN00809344A
Authority: CN
Inventors: L·查德威克
Original assignee: STORAGE INTERNATIONAL CO
Current assignee: STORAGE INTERNATIONAL CO
Priority date: 1999-06-21
Filing date: 2000-06-15
Publication date: 2002-07-17
Also published as: AU6121500A; RU2002101938A; NZ515076A; WO2000078187A3; MXPA01013185A; EP1187543A2; JP2004506862A; BR0010317A; WO2000078187A2; ZA994076B; TR200103686T2; KR20020041786A; IL147173A0; CA2371868A1; AP2001002334A0

Abstract

A storage tray for use in a refrigerator, the tray including a body which has a plurality of openings in the body, and formations on the body which are slidingly engageable with guides.

Description

Refrigerator storage tray

Background of invention

The present invention relates generally to the storage of the material in refrigerator, refrigerating chamber etc., refrigerator, refrigerating chamber etc. generally are called " refrigerator " hereinafter.

Refrigerator usually is provided with independent big compartment drawer and fixing shelf.Employed typical refrigerator has a large amount of less article, and these less article install on the shelf in proper order.Therefore when article must be when take out the inner end of shelf, must unloading the preceding, article are able to approaching required article.This may be a bothersome process.

U.S. Pat 5182923 has been described a refrigerator unit that is used for food, and it is used for storing and supplying salad etc.When lid was risen, this unit provided picking and placeing of from top to various food disc.

U.S. Pat 5527016 relates to a kind of carousel, is used for the transmission of freezing drop of the liquid reagent of biological specimen.

U.S. Pat 5305615 has also been described a kind of carousel, but it is the distribution that is used for frozen food.

U.S. Pat 4831841 shows a kind of cooling system that is used for commodity machinery, and it has used a rotary drum.

International Application No. WO 99/56071 shows the medicine refrigeration drawer into column structure.

The device of the above-mentioned type is generally arranged for specific purposes or cooling and customize, can not solve the problem of being mentioned, and promptly the food in typically refrigerator such as household electric refrigerator or other article conveniently picks and places.

Summary of the invention

The present invention relates to a kind of storage tray, this pallet can address the above problem to small part.

The invention provides a kind of storage tray that is used in the refrigerator, this pallet comprises a main body and on main body or interior a plurality of structures, this structure defines recipient, or container can engage with this structure.

This structure can be on main body or interior opening, can be passage, rib, flange etc., perhaps has any other suitable shape or form.

This structure can limit and the integrally formed corresponding opening of main body, inlet, mouth, recipient.Perhaps, a plurality of containers can engage with structure respectively.

Opening can form like this, and promptly they can have identical size or at least two different sizes.

The main body of storage tray can form holds at least one drawer, and this drawer is installed on the main body, and can slide with respect to main body and move.

Can provide at least one lid, in order to cover at least one cell therefor or recipient.As required, each container or recipient can be covered directly or indirectly by one or more lids.Lid can with the such sealed engagement of main body, even cell therefor or recipient are effectively isolated and sealing.As mentioned above, recipient can integrally form with pallet, and the mouth of each recipient can limit a corresponding opening.

As used herein, just to avoiding confusion, one of word " recipient " expression and the integrally formed compartment of tray main body, fixator or analog, and one of word " container " expression can with body portion from compartment, fixator or analog.

Recipient can be limited to the interior corresponding recesses of upper surface of pallet.

Perhaps, as mentioned above, the container of separation can engage with the structure in the pallet or be inserted in the structure and go.In one embodiment, structure is the mouth of corresponding recipient, and container is to be shaped like this, and they can be easily inserted in the recipient.

Preferably, container is to become gradient like this, and promptly as the case may be, it is easy that container is engaged with corresponding recipient, structure or opening.

The present invention also provides the combination of the pallet of a refrigerator and aforementioned type, and pallet is installed on the refrigerator, is used for sliding with respect to refrigerator moving.

In a form of the present invention, refrigerator comprises a shelf, and tray support is on this shelf and can slide mobile with respect to shelf.This pallet can be by at least one fixing guiding element guiding movement on the top of the shelf.

Of the present invention one multi-form in, in fact pallet has formed a shelf, preferably, shelf can be with respect to the refrigerator sliding motion.

The container that can engage with pallet (shelf just) can be with respect to the pallet sliding motion.Tray main body can have slip rib or other structure, and each container can have the complementary structure that engages.

Of the present invention one multi-form in, combination comprises that at least one has the slide mechanism of at least the first and second parts that can slide relatively, first parts are fixed on the refrigerator, and second parts are fixed on the pallet like this, and promptly pallet can be with respect to the refrigerator sliding motion.

Pallet can be made with any suitable material, for example, and molded the forming of its available a kind of suitable plastic materials, and for example except opening, can be sheet.With grid material for example woven wire or plastic silk screen to make pallet also be possible.In the case, opening can be limited by the hole in the grid.

The present invention also extends to a storage tray that is used in the refrigerator, and pallet comprises that has the main body that a plurality of containers hold structure on main body, and the installation constitution that assembles or install main body in refrigerator.

In a form of the present invention, it is corresponding opening or groove in the main body that container holds structure, and a plurality of containers insert wherein respectively at least in part.

Of the present invention one multi-form in, it is guiding element structure that container holds structure, a plurality of containers can be slidably engaged with it respectively.

Preferably, installation constitution allows main body with respect to the refrigerator sliding motion.

Description of drawings

By embodiment the present invention is further specified below with reference to accompanying drawings, wherein:

Fig. 1 be one according to the present invention a kind of perspective view of form;

Fig. 2 is the perspective view of second kind of form according to the present invention;

Fig. 3 is the side view of a slide mechanism, and this mechanism is fit to use with pallet of the present invention;

Fig. 4 is the end-view of slide mechanism shown in Figure 3;

Fig. 5 is the perspective view of a kind of multi-form pallet according to the present invention;

Fig. 6 be one can with the recipient of tray engages shown in Figure 5;

Fig. 7 shows an extension mechanism that uses with pallet, and this mechanism is fitted on the refrigerator after being;

Fig. 8 is the end-view of a different slide mechanism;

Fig. 9 is a shelf formula pallet slip layout drawing;

Figure 10 shows the pallet of being made by grid according to the present invention; With

Figure 11 represents another modification of the present invention.

The specific embodiment

Fig. 1 of accompanying drawing shows the pallet 10 of a kind of form according to the present invention, and this pallet is to make with any suitable material.For example this pallet can be annotated with the PVC mould like this and form, and promptly it is a sheet-form.

This pallet comprises a main body 12, this main body 12 have a bottom 14 and one around sidewall 16.

Many inwalls 18 are transverse to the bottom, for example form 6 little compartments or recipient 20 and an independent big recipient 22.Each recipient has one corresponding mouthful or opening 23.

In order effectively to utilize free space, the pallet of type shown in Figure 1 is sized to be fitted in the inside of a domestic refrigerator (not shown), and is not shown.This pallet is positioned on the common shelf of refrigerator inside slidably, and can be pushed, and it is all rested on the shelf maybe can extract a required length out from shelf, and if desired, can all take out from refrigerator.The lock bolt of any appropriate format or hook-shaped configurations (not shown) can be used for preventing that this pallet from all extracting out unintentionally from the shelf.

Perhaps this pallet can engage with guiding element or the sliding structure on being fixed on refrigerator, thereby it does not rest on the shelf.

Different recipients

20 and 22 is used for the storage of individual articles.This recipient makes article keep each other separating.The basic benefit that application brought by pallet is, no longer needs the shelf in the refrigerator to take out article in turn, with the article of the inner end that picks and places shelf.All these are essential, promptly extract pallet out, select required article, then pallet are reapposed on the shelf.

Pallet can comprise a handle 24, and this handle is positioned at the front of sidewall, so that the operation of pallet and sliding motion.

Article can directly be placed on the container 30 that maybe can use customization in

recipient

20 and 22, as shown in Figure 1.Each container 30 is designed to be used for directly hold food or liquid, its size is to determine like this, promptly equipped and closely enter in the corresponding recipient 20 by corresponding mouthful or opening 23, thereby this recipient serves as a container on tray main body and holds structure.The sidewall 32 of container can be tapered a little, so that container is inserted in the recipient.Container can be used in combination with a removable lid 34.

Fig. 2 shows a pallet multi-form according to the present invention 40.This pallet has a bottom 42 and a sidewall 44.

This pallet has a top board 46, is formed with a plurality of openings 48 at this top board of one side.Each opening forms the mouth of the corresponding recipient 50 of rectangular dimension.In the case, recipient forms with two sizes at least.

Each recipient has a removable lid 52, and this lid 52 is transparent, so can see the content of recipient.For example, will place in each recipient that a removable food containers replaces food is directly put into also is possible in the recipient.

Front 54 at wall 44 forms two openings 56 and 58.These openings hold the

drawer

60 and 62 that the remainder with pallet is slidably engaged respectively.

The same with the situation of Fig. 1 embodiment, pallet can be contained on the common shelf in the refrigerator.Perhaps pallet is connected on the refrigerator by slide mechanism 64, and this slide mechanism 64 will further illustrate in Fig. 3 and 4.

Each slide mechanism comprises three

retractable member

66,68 and 70, and many rollers 72 and 74.Parts 68 can move in the parts 70, straddle on the roller 74 with sliding action, and parts 66 can move in the parts 68 with sliding action in a kind of similar mode, move on roller 72.As shown in Figure 4, parts 70 can be connected on the madial wall 76 of refrigerator by securing member 78, and the outer end 80 of parts 66 is fixed on the wall 44 of pallet by a securing member 82.

If the use slide mechanism, pallet just is not supported on the shelf of refrigerator inside so, and is only supported by slide mechanism.When needed, pallet can take out with near container or recipient from refrigerator, then with sliding action its original position of restoring.

The pallet of the application of the invention, the article that pick and place in the refrigerator easily to be provided.Pallet can be made into different size and dimensions, can be used for almost any refrigerator to guarantee them, and mode is to guarantee effective use of free space.

Fig. 5 shows a pallet 90, and molded the forming of this a kind of suitable plastic materials of pallet 90 usefulness is formed with many rectangular configuration or opening 92.Fig. 6 shows a container 94, and container 94 is in many similar containers (not shown), can insert respectively in the opening of pallet shown in Figure 5.

Each container has one and goes up rib 96, and this rib places on the periphery of the opening that container inserts, thereby the mouth 98 that keeps container is a little on the upper surface of pallet.

Being preferably transparent lid 91 can engage with recipient.

Pallet has roller or the sliding part 100 that engages with the unshowned guiding element that is installed in refrigerator inside on its side.Perhaps, pallet has the slide mechanism on the relative side that is fixed to pallet shown in Fig. 3 and 4.Perhaps allow pallet in refrigerator, to move and extract out, where necessary to allow near needed container.During use, the handle 102 in pallet front is convenient to the motion of pallet.Arrange that according to the slip of being adopted the optional retainer 104 that uses is all extracted out unintentionally from its installation site to prevent pallet.

Pallet of the present invention can be made into and closely is fitted in refrigerator inside, particularly as original-pack equipment, so that space utilization reaches maximum.Yet, the needs of service or back mounting arrangements are arranged after sale, for this purpose, pallet can be made in a size range, but even so, also things can not be arranged to, and guarantees that pallet can be easily and be fitted in the inside of refrigerator effectively.Fig. 7 shows a kind of possible scheme that addresses this problem.

In Fig. 7, the pallet 120 of the described general type relevant with Fig. 5 forms with side flange 122.Guide rail 124 is installed on the bolt 126, and bolt is for example bonding or be fixed to by suitable securing member on the inner surface of sidewall 128 of refrigerator.Guide rail 124 locks onto on the bolt by corresponding lock nut 130.Significantly, guide rail can be shifted to sidewall 128 or move apart sidewall 128, therefore, can regulate reasonably, to consider to be used for pallet 120 is installed in the free space of refrigerator inside.

Fig. 8 shows the pallet 140 that has side flange 142, and flange 142 is fitted in slit shape guide rail 144 inside, and guide rail 144 is fixed on the sidewall 146 of refrigerator.If side flange 142 original dimensions are excessive, can repair or cut into and make pallet can effectively be installed to the size of refrigerator inside.

Fig. 9 shows a posture pallet slip and arranges, the pallet 160 that wherein has a side 162 that extends downwards is installed on the grid beam or metal wire frame 164 of installing as original-pack standard device in refrigerator 166.Each limit ends at the ball 168 that the bottom longitudinal extension enlarges, and ball 168 is slidably engaged in the passage 170 of sliding part 172.Lower passage 174 in this sliding part is clamped on the wire 176 of shelf 164.Thereby pallet 160 is on the top of shelf, be in some sense " station " on its side, be suspended in guide rail on relative, this guide rail is fixed on the wall of refrigerator, does not therefore rely on the inner width of refrigerator.Note also that pallet 160 or shelf 164 should have the bolt structure (not shown) of any appropriate format, prevent that pallet from unexpectedly pulling off from shelf.

In previous examples, pallet is to form and have a sheet form with a kind of plastic material is molded.But pallet is not limited thereto, in other words, pallet can with a kind of different materials for example silk screen make.For example Figure 10 shows a pallet 180, and this pallet is made by the silk screen 182 with a plurality of apertures, forms the big opening 184 that holds corresponding container 186 in pallet 180, is similar to the layout of Fig. 5 and 6.Wire tray is similar to the pallet 160 of Fig. 9, and it has the limit 188 of downward extension, and this limit 188 is slidably engaged with the guiding element 190 that is fixed to the upper surface of shelf (not shown).

Figure 11 shows another form of the present invention, and wherein, pallet 200 has a main body 202, and this main body is for example made by woven wire, has many parallel guide wires 204, and wire 204 is positioned on the horizontal support piece 206.

Pallet can be fixed on the position (not shown) of refrigerator inside, is installed on the refrigerator with perhaps can utilizing the relative sliding motion of technology described.The container 208 of many customizations engages with tray main body, only shows one of them container here.Each container is to form with a kind of plastic material is molded, and has many grooves 210 on its lower surface, and this groove 210 engages with guiding element 204 respectively.Groove can engage with clamping action with guide rail, and it allows above-mentioned sliding action but prevents that container is disengaged with guide rail unintentionally.Perhaps use a kind of dissimilar maintaining body for this reason.Container can comprise internal partition 212.

The layout of Figure 11 is used in the same way with pallet of having described and container (or recipient), and shows confers similar advantages.

Claims

1, a kind of storage tray that is used in the refrigerator, described pallet comprise a main body and on main body or in a plurality of structures, described structure defines the container that recipient maybe can engage.

2, pallet according to claim 1 is characterized in that, described structure comprises the opening in the main body.

3, pallet according to claim 2 is characterized in that, described opening forms with two kinds of different sizes at least.

According to claim 2 or 3 described pallets, it is characterized in that 4, described opening defines the respective openings or the mouth of recipient, recipient is integrally formed with main body.

5, pallet according to claim 4 is characterized in that, it comprises that at least one is used to cover the lid of at least one corresponding recipient.

6, according to claim 2 or 3 described pallets, it is characterized in that, itself and a plurality of container combination, container removably engages with corresponding opening.

7, pallet according to claim 6 is characterized in that, container is configured as to be convenient to container and to engage with corresponding opening.

According to claim 6 or 7 described pallets, it is characterized in that 8, container inserts in the opening, thereby the opening of container is a little on the upper surface of pallet.

9, according to any one described pallet in the claim 1 to 8, it is characterized in that it comprises at least one drawer, this drawer is installed on the main body, and can be with respect to the main body sliding motion.

According to any one described pallet in the claim 1 to 9, it is characterized in that 10, it forms with a kind of plastic material is molded.

11, according to any one described pallet in the claim 1 to 9, it is characterized in that it is made by a kind of grid material.

12, refrigerator and according to the combination of any one described pallet in the claim 1 to 11, described pallet is installed on the refrigerator, is used for sliding with respect to refrigerator moving.

13, combination according to claim 12 is characterized in that, described refrigerator comprises a shelf, and described tray support and can slide move with respect to shelf on the top of the shelf.

14, combination according to claim 13 is characterized in that, it comprises the guiding element that is fixed on the shelf, and pallet and described guiding element are slidably engaged.

15, combination according to claim 12 is characterized in that, it comprises the guiding element on the wall that is fixed to refrigerator, and pallet and described guiding element are slidably engaged.

16, combination according to claim 12, it is characterized in that, it comprises that at least one has the slide mechanism of at least the first and second parts that can slide relatively, described first parts are fixed on the refrigerator, and described second parts are fixed on the pallet like this, and are mobile thereby pallet can slide with respect to refrigerator.

17, a kind of storage tray that is used in the refrigerator, described pallet comprises a structure that has the main body of a plurality of openings and slidably engage with guiding element in main body on main body.

18, pallet according to claim 17 is characterized in that, it engages with a plurality of containers, and described container removably engages with opening.

19, a kind of storage tray that is used in the refrigerator is characterized in that, described pallet comprises that has a main body and the installation constitution that is used for main body is installed or is assembled to refrigerator inside that a plurality of containers hold structure on main body.

20, pallet according to claim 19 is characterized in that, it is corresponding opening or groove in the main body that described container holds structure, and a plurality of containers to small part can be inserted in corresponding opening or the groove respectively.

21, pallet according to claim 19 is characterized in that, it is guide formation that described container holds structure, and described a plurality of containers can be slidably engaged with guide formation respectively.

According to claim 19,20 or 21 described pallets, it is characterized in that 22, described installation constitution allows main body with respect to the refrigerator sliding motion.