DE102016123840A1 - Refrigerated counter and method for operating a refrigerated counter - Google Patents

Abstract

The variability of use of a refrigerated display case can be increased by a method of operating the refrigerated display case in which a goods room is transferred from a self-service state to an operating state by attaching a goods protection to a customer side for protection of the goods space from contamination or unwanted access by customers , and is transferred from the operating state to the self-service state, by removing to the customer side the goods protection in a sufficient for self-service.

Description

The invention relates to a refrigerated display with a goods room and with an operator side and a customer side, the goods space is accessible in an operating state of the operator side in a sufficient extent to operate and to the customer side from contamination or from unwanted access by customers protective goods protection having. Likewise, the invention relates to a method for operating a refrigerated display.

Such arrangements are for example from the DE 10 2012 018 155 A1 known, wherein the goods protection by a vertically upwardly facing wall, which then merges into a horizontal area, is formed and the customer serves to protect the goods located in the goods space, which in particular possible contamination, such as coughing or carelessness by a customer to reduce to a minimum. From the operator side, such a strict protection of goods is not provided, as there trained personnel is used and also a quick access to the corresponding goods to be guaranteed. In deviating, well-known on the market modifications, for example, can be provided as a product protection and an upwardly extending, curved to the operator side wall with a horizontal operator-side tray at its upper end.

As a rule, the corresponding walls of the goods protection are transparent, so that a customer can make a choice as unhindered as possible.

Such refrigerated counters are used in particular as meat, cheese and / or fish counter or for baking and confectionery to be cooled application and thus serve in particular the presentation and sale of perishable goods, especially if this is not packaged or taken as the pack Goods should be presented there.

Corresponding refrigerated counters are often designed as Umluftkühltheken, as well as in the DE 10 2012 018 155 A1 disclosed, but this is ultimately not necessary.

It is an object of the present invention to increase the versatility of such refrigerated counters.

The object of the invention is achieved by a refrigerated display and by a method for operating a refrigerated display with the features of the independent claims. Further, possibly also independent thereof, advantageous embodiments can be found in the subclaims and the following description.

Thus, the variability of use of a refrigerated counter with a goods space and with an operator side and a customer side, the goods space in an operating state of the operator side in a sufficient extent to operate is accessible and to the customer side from contamination or unwanted access by customers protective goods protection, increase if the refrigerated display case by a self-service state in which the goods space from the customer side is sufficiently accessible in a self-sufficient, characterized.

Also, the versatility of use of a refrigerated display case can be increased by a method of operating the refrigerated display in which a goods room is transferred from a self-service state to an operating state by attaching to the customer side a goods protection to protect the goods compartment from contamination or unwanted access by customers is transferred, and is transferred from the operating state in the self-service state by the goods protection is removed in a self-sufficient extent to the customer side.

The invention is based on the basic knowledge that the constructive differences between refrigerated counters, where trained personnel packs open or unpackaged goods in a customer meeting and then passes them to the customer, and self-service refrigerated counters, where customers automatically remove corresponding packaged goods, although traditional and off However, the operational variability of a refrigerated display, which has both an operating state and a self-service state, is much higher, the hygienic requirements can be readily taken into account that in the self-service state only packaged goods are offered to the customer, while is ensured in the operating state that a sufficient goods protection is provided by the customer.

Such a configuration makes it possible, especially in the case of long opening times, for the corresponding refrigerated counters not to have to be staffed forcibly during the entire opening hours, or to accept that dark areas or dead areas occur in a self-service market. Since clearing work, for example, to clean the goods room, are necessary anyway, if the operator of a conventional refrigerated display case for open goods stops the operation of the corresponding refrigerated counter, requires a conversion of the corresponding refrigerated counter in the self-service state and equipping the respective refrigerated counter with packaged goods only a small extra effort, in which case the refrigerated counter is still available for a long time as an integral part of the corresponding self-service market, in their self-service state, to offer goods.

In particular, it is possible that still unsold loose or open goods that would otherwise be stored separately in conventional refrigerated counters for long periods of separate storage before or at the end of the operating state and then presented in self-service condition at the refrigerated counter and at best from Customer is bought. In this way, ultimately, the storage of such goods can be simplified or eliminated, especially if it can be assumed that after 12 or more hours the goods are no longer available for sale anyway.

In particular, in more complex Kühltenkensystemen or lines there is also the possibility of such refrigerated counters in combination with conventional refrigerated counters or in combination in different states, such as a refrigerated counter in operating condition and another refrigerated counter in self-service, to operate in this way with minimal staffing costs To be able to present customers as flexibly as possible goods.

On the operator side, the refrigerated display preferably has a worktop for operating personnel, so that, for example, scales or the like or utensils necessary for operation can be stored there. In itself, such worktops for refrigerated counters, in which open or contaminable goods are offered, well known. In conjunction with self-service refrigerated counters or refrigerated counters, which have a self-service state, such worktops are not provided so far. Here, the worktop is a clear sign to the outside, where the operator side can be found, since only the operator is dependent on such a worktop.

The goods space may have a Warenraumwandung on the customer side, which is present both in the operating state and in the self-service state. Such Warenraumwandung allows one hand, a better cooling of the goods, since less air in particular forward, the goods room can leave, which can be particularly advantageous for Umluftkühltheken. On the other hand, such Warenraumwandung is not mandatory, especially in the self-service state, necessary, since in modern refrigerated counters energy losses in this regard prove to be relatively low.

Such Warenraumwandungen are often transparent, so that a look at the goods is not difficult. Also, such Warenraumwandungen often serve the protection of price tags and the like, which makes sense especially in the self-service state, with a transparent Warenraumwandung accordingly facilitates readability and the ability to arrange. In different embodiments, of course, opaque Warenraumwandungen can be provided accordingly.

Corresponding refrigerated counters must be thoroughly cleaned regularly, which is particularly important in interaction with openly presented goods of considerable importance. For this purpose, such refrigerated counters often have a maintenance condition, in which the goods space, and in particular the goods space facing the goods protection, for personnel who want to perform cleaning activities or is easily accessible. In a suitable embodiment of the self-service state, the self-service state can also serve as a maintenance condition, since - as already explained above - the goods room in the self-service state of the customer is accessible, which already facilitates any cleaning or other maintenance, such as the installation of price tags considerably , In particular, any Warenraumwandungen or side walls of the goods space can be easily accessible even in the self-service state for personnel who performs cleaning activities. Serves the self-service state as a maintenance condition, further separate measures, such as folding Warenraumwandungen and the like can be omitted and thus saved costs accordingly.

For the transition from the operating state in the self-service state, it is advantageous to relocate certain modules, in particular assemblies of goods protection. Thus, in particular, the protection of goods can be designed to be at least partially displaceable or openable, so that the goods space can be accessed by the customer in the event of correspondingly displaced or opened product protection and consequently the self-service state can be achieved. Likewise, cumulatively or alternatively, a payment table may be at least partially displaceable, which is particularly advantageous if the payment days constitute part of the goods protection. Accordingly, it is advantageous for a goods protection wall provided on the customer side to be displaceable or openable in order to be able to represent the self-service state in the case of a correspondingly displaced or opened goods protection wall.

A corresponding shift back again allows the transition to the operating state.

Preferably, for assemblies that are to be relocated for a transition from the operating state to the self-service state, provided in the self-service storage positions on the refrigerated display, so that the corresponding assemblies do not have to be removed from the refrigerated display and elsewhere, which in particular also space reasons or from For reasons of ease of handling but also for reasons of hygiene can be beneficial. For example, holders or storage compartments may be provided at the respective refrigerated counter in order to be able to store components to be removed accordingly.

It is understood that such storage positions, for example, in conjunction with suitable bearings, which are provided on the refrigerated display, can be achieved. If necessary, such bearings are provided only shortly before the corresponding modules are to be brought into their storage positions, which can be done for example by attaching appropriate bearing body or by pulling or folding out such bearing body. For example, such bearing bodies can be provided via plug-in systems or sliding systems.

Accordingly, it is advantageous if assemblies that are to be relocated for a transition from the operating state to the self-service state, are firmly but displaceably connected to the remaining refrigerated counter. Accordingly, no additional storage bins need to be provided for these assemblies. A corresponding fixed but displaceable connection can be provided for example by hinges, rotary guides, sliding slides, sliding arrangements and the like.

Accordingly, it is advantageous if, during the transfer of the refrigerated counter in the self-service state, modules to be displaced are displaced into a storage position provided at the refrigerated counter. This can be done for example by a folding or rotary movement or by a pivoting movement or by a sliding or Gleitschiebebewegung.

Preferably, the respective storage position is provided in the direction of the customer side of the worktop. This has the advantage that any items, such as goods, cutting boards, bag holders and the like, which are arranged by the operator on the countertop and needed there, do not necessarily have to be relocated when the refrigerated counter is transferred to its self-service state. If the respective storage position provided in the direction of the customer side of the countertop, enough space remains on the countertop, which is particularly uncritical when the operator side anyway no longer needs to be accessed in the goods room, since then the refrigerated counter is in self-service condition.

In particular, for hygienic reasons, it is advantageous if open goods are removed from the goods space before a transition to the self-service state. Then contamination of these goods can be avoided. For example, such open goods can be removed and packaged before a transition to the self-service state and then returned to the goods area so that they can then be taken directly by the customer in the self-service state.

It is understood that before a transition to the self-service state, a cleaning of the goods space is advantageously carried out to remove any remnants of goods, the sight of which or their touch is uncomfortable for customers.

It is also advantageous if the goods space is cleaned after completion of the self-service state to remove any contamination that might have occurred during the self-service state.

Likewise, it is advantageous if packaged goods are removed before the goods space is transferred to the operating state, so that such packaged goods can not contaminate open goods.

It is also advantageous if open goods are only spent after a transition of the refrigerated counter in the operating state in the goods room in order to reduce the risk of contamination to a minimum. It can not always be ruled out that during such maintenance operations, customers try to use themselves "even more quickly", which can only be reliably avoided when the operating state has been established.

It is understood that the features of the solutions described above or in the claims can optionally also be combined in order to implement the advantages in a cumulative manner.

Further advantages, objects and features of the present invention will be explained with reference to the following description of exemplary embodiments, which are shown in particular in the appended drawing. In the drawing show:

1 a first refrigerated counter in a schematic section in the operating state;

2 the refrigerated counter 1 in self-service condition;

3 an alternative to the refrigerated counter 1 and 2 in self-service condition;

4 a third refrigerated counter in self-service condition;

5 a fourth refrigerated counter in self-service condition;

6 a fifth refrigerated counter in self-service condition;

7 the refrigerated counter 6 in the operating state;

8th a sixth refrigerated counter in the operating state; and

9 the refrigerated counter 8th in self-service condition.

The refrigerated counters shown in the figures 1 each have a goods room 2 and are configured in a conventional manner as Umluftkühltheken. In this respect, cold air sweeps over goods in a manner known per se 21 in the goods room 2 are arranged, the goods space 2 above a counter body 3 is arranged, through which the air circulates and in which the air is cooled.

It is understood that in the different embodiments of circulating air cooling counters deviating counter forms as refrigerated counters 1 can be used.

The refrigerated counters 1 each have an operator side 4 and a customer side 5 on, being in an operating state 51 the goods room 2 is accessible so that operators from the operator side 4 the goods room 2 with goods 21 equip and also presented goods 21 and can deliver to customers.

Here are the refrigerated counters 1 each in the operating state 51 with a goods protection 6 provided, which prevents the goods 21 from the customer side 5 can be contaminated.

The counter body 3 the refrigerated counters 1 is on the ground 8th , which accordingly also a horizontal 7 Are defined.

At the refrigerated counters 1 On the one hand, goods protection is provided by a protective wall 10 and on the other hand through a payday 16 formed, possibly also on a payday 16 can be waived if a suitable goods protection 6 is provided to others. It is understood, for example, that in a different embodiment of the product protection 6 can be provided by a curved wall. Likewise, on a payday 16 waived entirely or other assemblies are used as a payday.

At the server side 4 is also a worktop 17 provided, which facilitates the operation of operators and on which, for example, scales or other useful for operating or necessary utensils, such as knives, inserts, bag or foil holder or similar things can be stored. It is understood that in different embodiments on a countertop 17 can be dispensed with, as long as a clear operator side 4 and this opposite a kundeeite 5 is defined or definable.

In the 1 and 2 illustrated refrigerated counter 1 has a goods protection 6 on which a firm connection between the Warenschutzwandung 10 and the payday 16 provides what may be realized, for example by gluing. The payday 16 is in this embodiment by means of a pivot bearing 22 on a prop 23 arranged, which in turn on the counter body 3 is attached.

The support 23 still carries a support in this embodiment 12 on which the payday 16 in the operating state 51 comes to rest in order to stabilize them.

Due to the pivot bearing 22 can the payday 16 together with the goods protection wall 10 be placed in a storage position in which they are stored 9 , which in this embodiment of the worktop 17 fixed bearing supports 13 includes, is hung up. In this way, the goods protection 6 opened so that the goods room 2 from the customer side 5 accessible.

It is understood that in different embodiments, the bearing 9 may also be designed differently, with corresponding bearing supports, for example, sunk in the counter body or on a side wall 20 of the goods room 2 can be provided.

The side wall 20 serves in particular to provide customer access or any contamination from the customer side around the goods protection wall 10 and the payday 16 around to prevent from the side.

It is understood that the side walls 20 if necessary, especially if this between individual refrigerated counters 1 serve as a delimitation, also movable, in particular together with the movable components of the goods protection 6 mobile, can be trained. Likewise, it is conceivable, the side walls 20 in the counter corpus 3 retractable design.

In addition, the refrigerated counter points 1 to 1 and 2 another goods room wall 18 on which at the customer side 5 on the prop 23 is attached and from the counter body 3 starting one piece upwards.

In the in 2 illustrated self-service state 52 can over the Warenraumwandung 18 away into the goods room 2 be grasped, the Warenraumwandung 18 on the one hand a cold protection and on the other hand a goods security or securing of goods in the room 2 located price tags serves.

As can be seen immediately, remains between the bearing supports 13 of the camp 9 on the countertop 17 enough space to keep objects on the worktop 17 also in self-service condition 52 to be able to keep.

This in 3 illustrated embodiment substantially corresponds to the embodiment according to 1 and 2 However, the bearing is 9 instead of the bearing supports 13 extendible supports 14 which has in the supports 23 stored extendable and up to the worktop 17 can be extended on which they are then supported. Also this arrangement leaves in the self-service state 52 enough space on the worktop 17 to be able to store items there.

Otherwise, this corresponds to 3 illustrated embodiment of the embodiment according to 1 and 2 so that a repetitive description of identical or equivalent components is dispensed with.

Also the refrigerated counter after 4 essentially corresponds to the embodiments according to 1 to 3 so that here too a repetitive description of identical modules or identically acting modules is dispensed with.

In deviation to the embodiments according to 1 to 3 indicates the refrigerated counter 4 a bearing body 15 on which at the supports 23 is attached and which in conjunction with the pivot bearings 22 make sure the payday 16 in the self-service state 52 is held approximately horizontally. In this arrangement, can be dispensed with a separate handle of bearing supports or extendable supports, as to bring the refrigerated display 1 in the self-service state 52 only the goods protection 6 to be opened by that the payday 16 and the Warenschutzwandung 10 around the pivot bearing 22 be pivoted until the payday 16 and the pivot bearing 22 on the bearing body 15 support.

In the 5 The illustrated refrigerated display also corresponds essentially to the refrigerated counter 4 , but where on the Warenschutzwandung 10 a bearing body 15 is provided and the warehouse 9 on an extendable rail 19 is provided, each in the support 23 slides. In this way, as in the embodiments after 1 to 3 especially the pivot bearing 22 in comparison to the embodiment according to 4 relieved of excessive forces.

Also the embodiment according to 6 and 7 corresponds essentially to the embodiments of the 1 to 5 , here in the columns 23 one guide groove each 24 is provided, in which a sliding guide 25 slidably running, which at the bottom of the Warenschutzwandung 10 is provided. In addition, in the payday 16 a handle 26 provided so that the assembly of payday 16 and Warenschutzwandung 10 over the handle 26 from the operating state 51 goes out and towards the server side 4 can be pulled.

By the sliding guide 25 of the embodiment according to 6 and 7 for the assembly made of payday 16 and Warenschutzwandung 10 a rotational movement relative to the supports 23 allows, the corresponding module can easily to the operator side 4 pulled and, like in 6 shown, in the self-service state 52 at the customer's edge of the worktop 17 to be stored on the same, taking to secure on the countertop 17 another advantage 27 is provided.

This design leaves enough space on the worktop 17 in order to be able to continue to store the equipment needed there, even if the refrigerated counter 1 to 6 and 7 in self-service condition 52 located. It is understood that in a different embodiment, for example, on the support 23 another support 12 be provided, which instead of the worktop 17 to stabilize the Warenschutzwandung 10 or the payment days 16 in the self-service state 52 is used, similar to this example, the refrigerated counter 1 to 4 is shown as an example. Likewise, it is conceivable, for example, the sliding guide 25 such that they are in the self-service state 52 a rotation between the columns 23 and the Warenschutzwandung 10 or the payment days 16 no longer possible, so that a corresponding stabilization of this assembly by the guide 24 and the sliding guide 25 he follows.

In the 8th and 9 illustrated refrigerated counter 1 dispenses with a rigid connection between the payment days 16 and the Warenschutzwandung 10 and sees a swivel instead 28 in front. The swivel 28 opposite edges of the payday 16 and the Warenschutzwandung 10 each have a sliding guide 25 on that in a guide grooves 24 the supports 23 slidably guided, wherein at this refrigerated counter 1 the guide grooves 24 each with extendible rails 19 but this is not absolutely necessary and only the extension of the access area from the customer side 5 here in the goods room 2 in self-service condition 52 serves.

In a different embodiment, for example, instead of the extendable rails 19 only a longer horizontal arm of the support 23 with a correspondingly longer guide groove 24 be provided.

For transfer to the self-service state 52 (please refer 9 ) become the sliding guides 25 both the payday 16 as well as the Warenschutzwandung 10 in the horizontal area of the guide groove 24 spent and shifted as far as possible to the operator side. For a transition back to the operating state 51 (please refer 8th ) becomes the Warenschutzwandung 10 transferred to a vertical position, so that the payday 16 then arranged horizontally. The extendable rail 19 can then back in the prop 23 can be introduced, which may optionally be provided here suitable drivers.

At the in 8th and 9 illustrated refrigerated counter 1 is on a complementary Warenraumwandung 18 unlike the refrigerated counters 1 to 1 to 7 has been dispensed with. Also was the Warenschutzwandung 10 to the counter corpus 3 been pulled down, which in the embodiments according to 1 to 7 is not provided, however, if necessary, may be provided, even if then the Warenraumwandung 18 then in the operating state 51 to the customer side 5 no longer fulfills a key function. It is understood that even with a the in 8th and 9 illustrated embodiment corresponding cooling counter one of Warenraumwandung 18 corresponding Warenraumwandung may be provided if, for example, the Warenschutzwandung 10 should be shorter.

At the refrigerated counters after 1 . 2 . 4 . 5 . 8th and 9 is the goods protection wall 10 each with an insert pocket 11 in which, in particular in the self-service state 52 Depositors can be inserted, for example, to specifically point out the presence of a self-service suitable cooling counter. Other advertising can be provided there.

It is understood that corresponding insert pockets 11 not necessarily be provided, or that in the refrigerated counters 1 to 3 . 6 and 7 Such inserts pockets can be provided.

Depending on the concrete implementation, the insert pockets 11 also in the operating state 51 be used accordingly, for example, for advertising or pricing.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMBERS

1

refrigerated cabinet

2

goods space

3

counter body

4

operator side

5

customer page

6

goods protection

7

horizontal

8th

ground

9

camp

10

Warenschutzwandung

11

insert pocket

12

In stock

13

bearing support

14

extendible support

15

bearing body

16

number floor

17

countertop

18

Warenraumwandung

19

extendable rail

20

sidewall

21

Would

22

pivot bearing

23

support

24

guide

25

slide

26

Handle

27

head Start

28

swivel

51

operating condition

52

Self-service state

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

• DE 102012018155 A1 [0002, 0005]

Claims (14)

Refrigerated counter ( 1 ) with a goods room ( 2 ) as well as with an operator side ( 4 ) and a customer side ( 5 ), whereby the goods space ( 2 ) in an operating state ( 51 ) from the operator side ( 4 ) is accessible to a sufficient extent to operate and to the customer side ( 5 ) Protecting goods against contamination or unwanted access by customers ( 6 ), characterized by a self-service state ( 52 ), in which the goods space ( 2 ) from the customer side ( 5 ) is accessible to a sufficient extent for self-service. Refrigerated counter ( 1 ) according to claim 1, characterized by a worktop ( 17 ) for operators on the operator side ( 4 ). Refrigerated counter ( 1 ) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by a both in the operating state ( 51 ) as well as in the self-service state ( 52 ) on the customer side ( 5 ) provided Warenraumwandung ( 18 ). Refrigerated counter ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the self-service state ( 52 ) also serves as a maintenance condition. Refrigerated counter ( 1 ) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that, for assemblies intended for transition from the operating state ( 51 ) into the self-service state ( 52 ) are to be relocated in the self-service state ( 52 ) Storage positions at the refrigerated counter ( 1 ) are provided or that assemblies, for a transition from the operating state ( 51 ) into the self-service state ( 52 ), but firm with the remaining refrigerated counter ( 1 ) are connected. Refrigerated counter ( 1 ) according to claims 2 and 5, characterized in that the storage positions in the direction of the customer side ( 5 ) from the worktop ( 17 ) are provided. Refrigerated counter ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the goods protection ( 6 ) is at least partially displaced or openable. Refrigerated counter ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that a payment table ( 16 ) is at least partially displaced. Refrigerated counter ( 1 ) according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that one on the customer side ( 5 ) provided Warenschutzwandung ( 10 ) is displaceable or openable. Method for operating a refrigerated counter ( 1 ), in which a goods room ( 2 ) of a self-service state ( 52 ) into an operating state ( 51 ) is transferred to a customer page ( 5 ) a goods protection ( 6 ) for the protection of the goods space ( 2 ) from contamination or from unwanted access by customers, and from the operating state ( 51 ) into the self-service state ( 52 ) is transferred to the customer side ( 5 ) the goods protection ( 6 ) is removed to a sufficient extent for self-service. Operating method according to claim 10, characterized in that during the transfer of the goods space ( 2 ) into the self-service state ( 52 ) the goods protection ( 6 ) at least partially in the direction of the operator side ( 4 ) and transferred to the operating state ( 51 ) the goods space ( 2 ) from the operator side ( 4 ) is made available in an extent sufficient for operating. Operating method according to claim 10 or 11, characterized in that when transferring into the self-service state ( 52 ) to be relocated assemblies in one at the refrigerated counter ( 1 ), preferably in relation to a worktop ( 17 ) in the direction of the customer side ( 5 ), intended storage position to be shifted. Operating method according to one of claims 10 to 12, characterized in that before a transition into the self-service state ( 52 ) open goods ( 21 ) from the goods room ( 2 ) are removed. Operating method according to one of claims 10 to 13, characterized in that only after a transition to the operating state open goods ( 21 ) in the goods room ( 2 ) and the goods space ( 2 ) is preferably cleaned beforehand.

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