DE102009045058A1 - Storage container for use in domestic cooling device for storing kitchen herbs, has container lid including clamping element e.g. suspension strip, with which container is suspended at retaining point - Google Patents

Abstract

The container (13) has a container lid for closing an opening of the container. The container lid has a clamping element e.g. suspension strip, with which the container is suspended at a retaining point (11). The clamping element is formed in circumferential sided a lid edge of the container lid. The lid edge overlaps a container-side wall limiting the opening. The clamping element forms a base side opened recess between the circumferential wall section and the container-side wall. An insert part is formed from elastic material e.g. silicone, with respect to the lid.

Description

The invention relates to a storage container for herbs according to the preamble of claim 1 and a refrigerator, in particular household refrigeration appliance, according to claim 14.

Fresh kitchen herbs are usually cut and combined into a bunch. The herb bundle can be placed in a container of water or stored in a vegetable container of a refrigerator, in particular together with the vegetables.

From the US 6,138,828 a generic storage container for herbs or the like is known, which has a container lid for closing a container opening of the storage container. For safe stowage of the tubular storage container it can be held together with other storage containers in a base support. The base support can be stored together with the storage containers in a cooling compartment of the refrigerator, so that the herbs stay fresh longer.

From the US 200 301 27350 A1 is a storage container for herbs known, which is also closed with a lid. From the JP 200218883 A a storage container is known which can be suspended from a suspension bar in a refrigeration device. From the JP 8005231 A a storage container is known, which can be releasably secured via a clip connection to a support wall.

The object of the invention is to provide a storage container for herbs or the like, as well as a refrigerator, in particular domestic refrigeration appliance, in which the storage container can be stored to save space and secure in place.

Under refrigeration device is in particular a household refrigeration appliance understood, ie a refrigerator, which is used for household management, such as a refrigerator or a Kühlgefrierkombination.

The object is solved by the features of claim 1 and of claim 14. Preferred embodiments of the invention are disclosed in the subclaims.

The storage container is designed for the storage of herbs or the like. The herbs are, in particular, kitchen herbs, ie herbs that are used in food preparation. These herbs are mostly cut and grouped together. The storage container is equipped with a container lid for closing a container opening of the storage container. The storage container can therefore be placed in a position of use directly about on a kitchen worktop, so that the herbs stored therein for the preparation of food are tangible. Preferably, the herbs stored in the storage container are also accessible when the storage container is closed with the container lid.

According to the invention, the container lid has at least one hook element. In a non-use position of the storage container can be hung on designated support points, in particular a suspension bar, which is provided in a refrigerator.

In addition, the hook element according to the invention is formed directly on the container lid. When unscrewed container lid therefore at the same time the hook element is removed from the storage container, whereby handling of the storage container is not affected by the hook element.

The hook element may be formed in a simple embodiment on a peripheral lid edge of the container lid. The lid edge may overlap a container side wall bounding the container opening for a substantially watertight closure of the storage container. Characterized a contact surface is provided between the lid edge and container side wall, which prevents spilling over of water from the container.

The hook element may in particular be a peripheral wall section of the lid edge. The peripheral wall portion may extend from the edge of the lid down and engage behind the suspension bar, for example. For this purpose can be formed as an undercut a bottom open recess between the radially outer peripheral wall portion and the container side wall, can protrude into the Einhängeleiste.

The lid edge of the container lid may also have at least one, preferably a plurality of recesses open on the bottom side, which can limit the above-mentioned hook element in the circumferential direction.

In order to make a handling or storage of the storage container more flexible, a number of hook elements can be provided on the container lid, which are distributed in the circumferential direction formed on the container lid. Preferably, therefore, several down protruding peripheral wall sections may be formed on the lid edge, which are spaced apart in the circumferential direction by the bottom side open recesses. Each of these peripheral wall sections each forms a hook element. In this way, the storage container can be hung in different positions of rotation in the suspension bar.

The storage container may preferably be formed rotationally symmetrical, wherein the container side wall tapers slightly in the direction of a container bottom. The container lid can be connected to its container edge, such as a screw or bayonet connection, with the container opening limiting container side wall.

For this purpose, the lid edge may have on its inside a mounting portion for attachment to the container side wall. Subsequently, the lid edge can be extended with a peripheral wall projecting on the bottom side. The peripheral wall may be spaced from the container side wall to form the bottom open recess.

For holding a herbal collar, the container lid may have at least one receiving opening on its upper side into which small parts, in particular the herbal collar, can be inserted. The herbs can therefore dive with their stems in the water in the storage container, which are guided through the receiving opening into the container interior.

The receiving opening may be formed in a separate from the container lid insert. The insert part can be integrated in the container lid, for example in two-component injection molding technology. For a dimensionally stable design of the container lid may have a lid edge as a supporting structural part, which formed from a rigid plastic. In contrast, the insert part may be formed from a material which is elastically yielding compared to the container lid, for example silicone. The insert may be designed as an example disk-shaped and be held in the lid edge.

Preferably, the herbs protruding from the storage container can be shielded from external environmental influences by an additional protective hood. For storage-safe positioning of the protective cover, the container lid may have a positioning aid on an upper side. The positioning aid may preferably be an edge web formed on the upper side of the container lid. This can surround the protective cover on the outside as limit stop. The edge web can be closed annularly guided around the lower edge of the guard.

Thus, the storage options of a storage container can be made flexible within a refrigerator, the refrigeration device may have on its door inside the door instead of conventional door cabinets a suspension bar. The suspension bar may alternatively be supported on a door rack on the appliance door inside. On the suspension bar of the storage container according to the invention can be hung and positioned freely along the Einhängeleiste. This results in a flexible arrangement of the storage container, wherein the order system can be designed on the appliance door inside by the end customer at will. In particular, in such a refrigeration device, at least one storage container is hung on the suspension bar of the appliance door.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention with reference to the accompanying figures will be described.

Hereinafter, an embodiment of the invention will be described with reference to the accompanying figures.

Show it:

1 a refrigeration device with the door open;

2 in an enlarged perspective view of a suspension bar with arranged underneath door racks;

3 in another perspective partial view of the suspension bar with hinged storage container;

4 the hinged storage container in a side sectional view; and

5 the storage container in isolation.

In the 1 a refrigerator is shown, whose device body the refrigerator 1 limited, via a front open feed opening 3 is accessible. The refrigeration device has a laterally hinged appliance door 5 on that in the 1 is shown in its open position. The inside 7 the appliance door 5 is formed by an interior trim part, which may be made by thermoforming process of thermoplatic plastic. At the appliance door inside 7 are lateral vertical spars 9 molded, between which three superimposed suspension rails 11 extend. At the hanging rails 11 are freely positionable storage containers 13 hooked. These are along the hanging rails 11 slidably guided.

On the sides facing each other 15 the vertical bars 9 are each trunnions 17 molded, of which only one in the 3 indicated by dashed lines. The trunnions 17 form support points for both in the 2 shown door racks 19 as well as for the hangers 11 , For this purpose, both the door racks 19 as well as the hangers 11 sidewalls at their longitudinal ends 21 on, on the outside of each a downwardly open U-profile 23 is formed. The door rack 19 and / or the suspension bar 11 can with their lateral U-profiles 23 on the trunnions 17 be attached detachably.

Like from the 2 shows, stands the door rack 19 with a supernatant s ₁ from the inside 7 the appliance door 5 from. The supernatant s ₁ is dimensioned such that the front wall 25 the door compartment 19 not with that in the 1 refrigerated goods carriers shown 26 in the fridge 1 can collide.

In contrast to the door rack 19 extends according to the 2 the suspension bar arranged above it 11 with a much reduced overhang s ₂ away from the door of the appliance 7 , The supernatant s _{2 of} the suspension bar 11 is dimensioned such that the front wall 27 roughly flush with the front 28 the vertical bars 9 concludes. This is the suspension bar 11 unlike the key holder 19 a free space upstream, according to the 2 from the hinged storage box 13 is taken. In the 2 the storage container protrudes 13 with a supernatant s ₃ from the suspension bar 11 from, with its protruding front vertex against the front wall 25 the arranged underneath door rack 19 is reset.

Like from the 2 and 3 further shows, is the suspension bar 11 formed in an angular cross-section, wherein the already mentioned vertical front wall 27 the suspension bar 11 at its lower edge in a horizontally running bottom wall 29 passes. This is in the installation position of the suspension bar 11 to the inside 7 the appliance door 5 introduced, leaving a gap 31 between the front wall 27 and the inside 7 the appliance door 5 closed down. If necessary, therefore, in the interspace 31 additional refrigerated goods are added.

According to the 2 and 3 go both the front wall 27 as well as the angled bottom wall 29 laterally in the two side walls 21 above. The suspension bar 11 is therefore roughly cup-shaped, whereby the inherent rigidity of the suspension bar 11 is increased advantageous.

As is apparent from the figures, each of the storage containers 13 in the circumferential direction with a series of hook elements 33 educated. Due to the circumferentially distributed hook elements 33 can the storage box 13 in different angular positions on the suspension bar 11 be hung.

According to the 4 is the storage box 13 rotationally symmetric about a central axis 35 formed, with one to the container bottom 37 slightly tapered container sidewall 38 , The container sidewall 38 is cylindrical at its upper end with an external thread 39 forms. On the external thread 39 is a container lid 41 screwed.

The container lid 41 covered with its top 42 a container opening of the storage container 13 , The lid top 42 goes on its outer periphery in a lid edge 44 above, the opening edge of the container sidewall 38 overlaps.

The annular lid edge 44 has inside at the transition to the top 42 an executed with increased material strength screw section 45 with an internal thread 43 on, which engages with the external thread 39 the container sidewall 38 is. The lid edge 44 goes in the further axial course down into a thin-walled peripheral wall 46 above. The peripheral wall 46 moves the container sidewall 38 frame-like and is to form a bottom open, in cross-section U-shaped recess 47 from the container sidewall 38 spaced.

Like from the 3 further, are in the peripheral wall 46 bottom open and circumferentially distributed recesses 49 educated. Between the recesses 49 are each wall sections of the peripheral wall 46 arranged. These wall sections can each act as a hook element 33 the suspension bar 11 to intervene as it is in the 3 shown while the front wall 27 the suspension bar 11 by two adjacent, the hook element 33 limiting recesses 49 is guided.

According to the 4 is the container lid 41 executed in two parts, with the already mentioned annular edge of the lid 44 and an insert 54 that the lid top 42 forms. The lid edge 44 is made as a structural member made of a rigid plastic material, while the insert part 54 made of a plastic soft component, such as silicone. In the insert part 54 are recording slots 55 , incorporated, which converge in a star shape.

For holding the insert 54 points the lid edge 44 inside two in the axial direction spaced-apart, circumferential edge webs 51 on, which are aligned radially inward. Between the two edge bars 51 an annular groove is formed, in which the outer periphery of the disc-shaped insert part 54 is used. The container lid thus formed 41 can be manufactured by the two-component injection molding process.

Like from the 5 As can be seen, the herbs can with their stems through the receiving opening 55 in the storage box 13 be plugged so that the herb stems are in the storage container 13 filled water can be immersed.

To protect the in the storage container 13 inserted herbs is on the top 42 of the container lid 41 a protective hood shown in dashed lines 56 attached, which is rotationally symmetrical and the herbs wrapped circumferentially. The protective hood 56 is made of transparent plastic material.

Like from the 5 shows, is the protective hood 56 with its lower edge directly on the insert made of elastically yielding material 54 supported, which is a particularly non-slip support surface for the guard 56 provides. The upper edge bar 51 the lid edge 44 bounded radially on the outside, the lower edge of the guard 56 , The edge bridge 51 therefore acts as a lateral movement stop, a certain position-safe mounting of the guard 56 on the storage box 13 guaranteed.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

refrigerator

3

loading port

5

door

7

Appliance door lining

9

vertical spars

11

suspension rails

13

Storage containers

15

Insides of the spars

17

supporting journal

19

door racks

21

side walls

23

U-profile

25

Front wall of the door compartment

27

Front wall of the suspension bar

29

bottom wall

31

gap

28

Holm Frontal

33

hook elements

35

central axis

37

container bottom

38

Container side wall

39

external thread

41

container lid

43

inner thread

44

cover edge

45

attachment section

46

outer peripheral wall

47

recess

49

bottom open recess

51

edge webs

53

horizontal wall section

54

insert

55

receiving openings

56

guard

s ₁

Overhang of the door compartment

s ₂

Overhang of the suspension bar

s ₃

Overhang of the storage container

QUOTES INCLUDE IN THE DESCRIPTION

This list of the documents listed by the applicant has been generated automatically and is included solely for the better information of the reader. The list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions.

Cited patent literature

• US 6138828 [0003]
• US 20030127350 A1 [0004]
• JP 200218883 A [0004]
• JP 8005231 A [0004]

Claims (14)

Storage container for herbs or the like, with a container lid ( 41 ) for closing a container opening of the storage container ( 13 ), characterized in that the container lid ( 41 ) at least one hook element ( 33 ), with which the storage container ( 13 ) at a support point ( 11 ), in particular a suspension bar, can be suspended. Storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that the hook element ( 33 ) on a peripheral lid edge ( 44 ) of the container lid ( 41 ) is trained. Storage container according to claim 2, characterized in that the lid edge ( 44 ) a container opening limiting the container opening ( 38 ) overlaps. Storage container according to claim 2 or 3, characterized in that the hook element ( 33 ) a peripheral wall portion of the lid edge ( 44 ), and in particular between the peripheral wall portion and the container side wall (FIG. 38 ) a bottom open recess ( 47 ) is formed. Storage container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid edge ( 44 ) of the container lid ( 41 ) at least one, preferably a plurality of bottom open recesses ( 49 ), which in the circumferential direction, the hook element ( 33 ) limit. Storage container according to claim 5, characterized in that the storage container ( 13 ) with its recesses ( 49 ) on the suspension bar ( 11 ) can be plugged. Storage container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the lid edge ( 44 ) of the container lid ( 41 ), in particular by means of a screw or bayonet connection, on which the container opening bounding container side wall ( 38 ) is attachable. Storage container according to claim 7, characterized in that the lid edge ( 44 ) on its inside a fastening portion ( 45 ) for fastening the container lid ( 41 ) on the container side wall ( 38 ), and / or a peripheral wall ( 46 ), which form the bottom open recess ( 47 ) from the container side wall ( 38 ) is spaced. Storage container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container lid ( 41 ), in particular on its upper side ( 42 ), at least one receiving opening ( 55 ) for insertion of small parts, especially herbs, has. Storage container according to claim 9, characterized in that the receiving opening ( 55 ) in an insert ( 54 ) is formed, which as a separate component in the container lid ( 41 ) is integrated. Storage container according to claim 10, characterized in that the insert part ( 54 ) from a compared to the container lid ( 41 ) elastically yielding material is formed. Storage container according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container lid ( 41 ) on its upper side ( 42 ) a positioning aid ( 51 ) for the correct positioning of a protective hood ( 56 ), which from the storage container ( 13 ) Protects small parts. Storage container according to claim 12, characterized in that the positioning aid ( 51 ) one at the top ( 42 ) of the container lid ( 41 ) trained movement stop is the protective hood ( 56 ) in particular surrounds on the outside. Refrigerating appliance, in particular household refrigerating appliance, with a door ( 5 ), on the inside ( 7 ) at least one suspension bar ( 11 ) is formed, on which a storage container ( 13 ), in particular according to one of the preceding claims, can be suspended.

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