DK178071B1 - A foot operated door opening device, a cabinet and a method of operation thereof - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a foot operated door opening device and a cabinet including such a device. The device comprises a base unit mounted to the cabinet and pivotal coupled to a first and second element. The first element extends out from the cabinet door and is operated by the foot of a user. The second element is positioned between the front end and the door and pushes the door to an open position, when force is applied to the first element. The first and second elements are coupled together via safety mechanism which disengages the coupling. The second element is made of a material having a predetermined elasticity which allows it to apply a swiping movement on the door. This allows the door to be pushed further away from the front end and thereby providing easier access to the chamber. The safety mechanism protects the device in event of an overload by disengaging the coupling so that no force is transferred to the second element.

Description

A foot operated by opening device, a cabinet and a method of operation from the Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a door opening device for opening cabinet doors, such as doors of industrial freezer or cooler cabinets, where the device at least comprises - a base unit configured to be arranged relative to a front end of a cabinet having at least one hinged cabinet door; - a first element coupled to the base unit, wherein the first element is configured to pivot around a pivot line located in the base unit and to be operated by a user's foot; - a second element coupled to the first element for transferring force from the first element to the second element, the second element comprising a contact surface for contacting a contact surface on the door facing the front end, while the second element is configured to move the door from a closed position to an open position when the device is activated by the user.

The present invention also relates to a cabinet comprising at least one chamber configured to be closed off using one or more cabinet doors mounted to a front end of the cabinet via at least one set of hinges.

The present invention further relates to a method of operating a door opening device arranged relative to a cabinet having at least one cabinet door, the method comprising the steps of: - activating the device by applying force to a first element; - transferring the force from the first element to a second element via at least one coupling, e.g. and pivotal coupling; - moving the second element relative to a front end of the cabinet for opening the cabinet door and moving it to an open position.

Background of the Invention

In the food industry and bioscience industry today, industrial freezer cabinets and cooling cabinets are often used to freeze or cool various food articles during the preparation process or to store the prepared food articles thereafter. Hygiene is an important issue during the preparation process, as contamination of the food has been avoided.

Such cabinets are also used for large biological or medical materials or other items for research, testing or other purposes. Hand operated opening devices are often used to open these cabinets and are frequently operated by different users during a day which makes it an obvious place for indirect transfer of bacteria and other items. Furthermore, the user has to have a free hand to operate such opening devices. Various foot operated door opening devices are described in the literature which allows the user to open the door without having a free hand and reduces the risk of contaminating food articles. US 5622416 discloses a dual opening device for a cabinet with two doors where the device comprises an L-shaped pedal coupled to one end of a rod which at the other end is shaped to form a lever. The lever is placed between the front end of the cabinet and the door and pivots when the pedal is operated, thereby pushing the door to an open position. The rod may be coupled to the pedal by means of cylindrical bearings placed on the rod or by means of a T-shaped flange bolted to the pedal. The device does not comprise means for protecting the coupling during an overload of the pedal, meaning that the coupling will break or crack in the event of an overload. Furthermore, this configuration cannot be used if the space around the cabinet is limited. US 2006/0137247 A1 discloses a foot operated by opening device comprising an L-shaped lever coupled to a base unit. One arm is configured to act as a pedal while the other arm is configured to push the door to an open position. In this configuration, force applied to the pedal shaped arm is transferred directly to the other arm as they form part of the same lever element. This means that the lever arm will break if the pedal is overloaded. Only a limited amount of force or torque can be transferred to the door, since the arms only have a length of five centimeters or less. This means that doors, such as freezer or cooler doors, will only be opened partially meaning that the user has to use his foot or hand to further open the door. US 772060 discloses a door opening device having a floor mounted base unit with pivotal L-shaped lever which is connected to a user operated wire at one end. A spring element connects the base unit to a lower frame mounted unit having another pivotal lever which has a contact surface for contacting the door. Once the wire is pulled, the first lever pivots around the pivot point of the base unit causing the spring element to pivot the second lever around its pivot point. The applied force is continuously transferred from one lever to the other lever due to the spring element. Any excess force is absorbed into the spring element causing it to deform in the longitudinal direction. Thus, there is room for improvement of such systems as described above and there is a call for development of a new and improved device which is simple, effective and easy to install and operate.

Object of the Invention

It is an object of the invention to provide a door opening device capable of increasing the opening of the door when the pedal is operated.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door operating device with a safety mechanism that protects the device if the pedal is overloaded.

Another object of the invention is to provide a door operating device which can be adapted to fit a left-hinged door or a right-hinged door.

Description of the Invention

As mentioned above, the invention relates to a door opening device characterized in that the device further comprises a safety mechanism arranged between the first and second elements for disengaging the force transferring coupling between the two elements, the safety mechanism comprising a first coupling element located on the first element and a second coupling element located on the second element, the two coupling elements are configured to remain in engagement until the force exceeds a predetermined threshold, and the safety mechanism is configured to disengage the two coupling elements when the force applied to the first element exceeds the predetermined threshold.

This provides a door opening device with an integrated safety mechanism that protects the device in the event of an overload. The safety mechanism is configured to disengage the mechanical coupling between the two moving elements. This prevents the engaging parts of the clutch from braking when excessive force is applied to the pedal, i.e. the first element. This allows the first element to move relative to the liver, i.e. the second element, and also the base unit so that no force is transferred between the two elements. The safety mechanism may advantageously be configured so that the coupling can be engaged afterwards in a quick and simple manner. The safety mechanism may define the coupling between the first and second elements or be arranged at a radial distance from the first coupling and define a second coupling which allows the second element to follow the pivotal movement of the first element.

The base unit may comprise a mounting surface configured to be mounted to the front end of a cabinet using fastening means, such as screws, bolts, or an adhesive or adhesive layer. The cabinet may be any type of upright cabinet, including freezer or cooler cabinets, with at least one chamber configured to be closed off through one or more front end doors. The base unit may comprise two end flanges where the first and second elements are arranged between these end flanges. The first and second elements may be coupled to the end flanges at two respective pivot points defining a pivot line which the two elements may pivot around. The pivot line may be defined by a mounting element, such as a rod or bolt, configured to extend through the first and second elements and the end flanges. The mounting element may be secured relative to the base unit using fastening means, such as bolts, nuts, locking pins or the like. The base unit may have a length of 10-20 cm or 14-16 cm. The base unit may be made of plastic, such as polyester, metal, such as iron, steel or copper, or another suitable material. A spring system, such as a torsion spring or leaf spring, may be arranged relative to the second element for automatically pivoting the second element back to its initial position, when the force on the first element is removed. The spring system may be coupled to both the first and second elements and / or may partially extend into a recess in one or both elements. This allows the gap between the first and second elements to be reduced so that the device forms a compact configuration.

The safety mechanism may be defined by the first and second coupling elements where coupling elements may form part of the first and second elements or mounted to these using fastening means, such as bolts or screw, or adhered or welded together. The first coupling element may comprise at least a first contact surface for contacting at least a second contact surface of the second coupling element. The contact surfaces may be arranged in the same plane as the pivotal movement of the second element and / or in a plane defined by the pivot line or first element. This allows the coupling elements to act as a safety clutch or safety coupling limiting the maximum amount of force or torque capable of being transferred to the second element. When the force applied to the first element is below the threshold value, the coupling elements are engaged and the second element substantially follows the movement of the first element. When the applied force exceeds the threshold, the coupling elements are disengaged and the second element moves relative to the first element.

The first coupling element may be shaped as a projection and the second coupling element may be shaped as a recess, or vice versa. The first coupling element may have at least one planar and / or curved contact surface where the contact surface of the second coupling element is configured to follow the contours of the first coupling element. In a special embodiment, the contact surface of the first coupling element may be formed by two interconnected planar surfaces or by a concave surface. This allows the coupling elements to be forced / pushed out of engagement in the same plane as the pivotal movement of the second element and / or by offsetting the second element relative to the first element in a direction parallel to the pivot line.

In an advantageous embodiment, one of the coupling elements is configured as a movable element coupled to a spring system which in turn is coupled to the first or second element, whereas the spring system is configured to apply a spring force to the movable element for engagement the two coupling elements.

This allows the safety mechanism to be configured as a spring loaded bolt arranged inside a cavity of the first element where another spring system presses the bolt towards a recess located in the second element. The bolt may be shaped to form a spherical, cylindrical, triangular or square element. The recess may be shaped to follow the contour of the free end of the bolt. At least one planar contact surface may be arranged inside the recess for contacting at least one mating planar contact surface arranged at the free end of the bolt. This prevents the bolt from rotating inside the recess during engagement so that the second element follows the pivotal movement of the first element. The contact surfaces may be placed in an angled position, e.g. in an acute angle, relative to the longitudinal direction of the recess and bolt. This allows at least one of the contact surfaces to slide relative to the other contact surface, as the force applied to the first element exceeds the friction between the two surfaces, thereby sliding the two elements out of engagement. The bolt and cavity may be arranged in, e.g. integrated to, a side surface of the first element so that they extend perpendicularly to the pivot line. The bolt may be made of metal, such as copper, iron or steel, or a plastic material, such as thermoplastic.

The threshold value may be defined by the force of the spring system, such as the tension, compression or twisting force. A single spring may be located at the bottom of the cavity or along an inner surface of the cavity for pushing the bolt out of the cavity and towards the recess. One or two springs may be coupled to the bolt and the first element to pull the bolt out of the cavity and towards the recess. During disengagement, the bolt may be pushed partially or completely out of the recess so that the bolt may rotate inside the recess or be moved away from the recess. This allows the threshold value, i.e. the activation of the safety mechanism, to be adjusted by simply adjusting the force of the spring system.

The first element may be made from a single element or comprise a first housing element and a second housing element. The two housing elements define the top and bottom surface of the first element and may be coupled together using a click system, female and male coupling elements or fastening means, such as bolts, screws or the like. The housing elements may instead be adhered or welded together. The top and / or bottom surface may comprise friction enhancing means, such as tracks, projections, a layer of rubber, or the like. The first element may be made of plastic, such as polyester, metal, such as iron, steel or copper, or another suitable material.

In one embodiment, at least one stopping element may be arranged relative to the cavity and may extend at least partially into the cavity for defining a stop position of the movable element. The stopping element may be a tap or another movable element, e.g. a spring loaded bolt, arranged inside the cavity. A removable element, e.g. a pin or a treated bolt / screw capable of being activated by a tool, may be inserted or screwed into a cavity, e.g. a treated cavity, of the moveable element. The stopping element may alternatively be shaped to act as a spring, e.g. a leaf spring or a cantilever spring with a contact surface for contacting the moveable element. The spring is deformed, e.g. by applying external pressure, when the movable element is inserted and removed from the cavity. This prevents the bolt from accidentally being pushed or pulled out of the cavity and potentially hitting the user when the device is assembled or disassembled.

In one embodiment, the free end of the second element is configured to bend in an opposite direction relative to its pivotal movement, when force is applied to the first element, while the free end returns to its initial state, when the force is removed.

The second element may be made of at least a material having a predetermined rigidity or elasticity and / or have a configuration that allows the free end to bend or flex relative to its unloaded state defined by the longitudinal direction of the second element. The second element may be formed as an elongated lever or arm configured to be placed between the front end of the cabinet and the cabinet door. The second element may have a first contact surface for at least partially contacting a contact surface on the front end. A second contact surface located on opposite side of the second element may at least partially contact a contact surface on the cabinet door. The cross-sectional profile of the second element may be tapered off towards the free end.

The elasticity may be defined based on the elastic moduli, such as Young's modulus, of the material allowing the free end to be moved, i.e. bend, in an angular direction to a maximum allowable position. The maximum angular movement may be 1-10 degrees or 4-6 degrees. The second element may be made of polycarbonate, polyurethane, polyethylene, or another suitable material. This allows the free end to bend backwards as the second element pushes the door from its closed position towards an open position. The free end then returns to its initial position when the force on the first element is removed. This allows the second element to apply a swiping motion on the door, causing it to open more.

In an advantageous embodiment, the second element has a length of at least 10 cm.

The second element may have a length that is considerably longer than the length of any conventional liver. The length of the second element may be greater than the length of the first element. The first element may have a length of 5-20 cm or 10-15 cm. The second element may have a length of 10-30 cm or 15-25 cm. This allows the second element to push the door to an open position located further away from its closed position than the conventional door opening devices, thereby providing easier access to the chamber.

In an embodiment, the first and second elements are placed in a first configuration relative to the base unit for a right-hinged door or in a second configuration for a left-hinged door.

The door opening device may be prepared to fit both a right-hinged door and a left-hinged door. Two second coupling elements may be arranged on opposite side surface of the second element allowing it to be placed on either side of the first element during assembly / mounting. The top and bottom surfaces of the first element may have the same configuration allowing it to be turned over, i.e. rotated 180 degrees around its longitudinal direction, during assembly / mounting. The first coupling element or spring loaded bolt may then be arranged on a side surface of the first element. The opposite side may be prepared so that the spring loaded bolt may be installed on that side, or another first coupling element or spring loaded bolt may be arranged on that side. This allows the configuration of the device to be altered by simply changing the position and / or orientation of the two elements relative to the base unit.

In one embodiment, at least part of the first element is shaped like a pedal.

The first element may be configured as an elongated pedal where the free end is configured to be operated by a foot or as a planar element where a portion of the element is configured to be operated by a foot. The planar element may comprise a cut-out located in the middle so that it forms an O-shaped element. The pedal may be positioned so that it extends outwards from the bottom of the door. This allows the device to be mounted at or near the bottom of the cabinet so that only the part forming the pedal extends outwards from the front of the cabinet. This is desired if multiple cabinets are stacked side-by-side or the space around the cabinet is limited. The pedal may be configured to extend outwards from a side surface of the door. This is desired if the space below the cabinet or door is limited.

The first element may have a width at least corresponding to the width of an averaged sided foot of a human, e.g. 10-20 cm or 10-15 cm. This provides a suitable sur face area for the user to safely operate device with his foot. The second element may have a width of 1-3 cm or 2 cm. This allows it to be arranged relative to the peripheral edge of the cabinet so that it does not extend beyond the thickness of the cabinet walls. The housing of the first element may have a height of 0.5-3 cm or 1-2 cm allowing it to have a structural strength that prevents it from bending when force is applied.

As mentioned earlier, the invention also relates to a cabinet characterized in that at least one door opening device, as defined above, is mounted to the cabinet on an opposite side of the hinges, the second element of the device being positioned between the front end of cabinet and cabinet door.

The door opening device is well-suited to be used to open any type of upright cabinet having a single-hinged or double-hinged door. If the door is a double-hinged door, the two door opening devices may be mounted to the cabinet, one on each side. The cabinet may be a domestic or industrial cabinet for storing food, wines, cigars, clothing, articles for serving food, blood, biological samples or materials, etc. The door opening device may be mounted to the cabinet at the manufacturing site or at the installation site. Industrial cabinets are defined as any type of professional cabinets for professional use or self-service use. Domestic cabinets are defined as any type of commercial cabinets for domestic / household use. The front end of the cabinet may be prepared so that the base unit of the device can be positioned and mounted at or near a lower left or right comer. The base unit may be configured so that it can be mounted to the bottom of the cabinet instead.

The device may be assembled by first mounting the base unit to the cabinet. The movable element and the spring system of the safety mechanism may then be placed in the desired cavity and / or the first element may be positioned so that the top or bottom surface faces the door. The second element may then be positioned relative to the desired side surface of the first element and / or be turned over so that the free end extends along the contact surface of the door. The first and second elements may then be coupled to the base unit, e.g. via the mounting rod.

In an advantageous embodiment, the cabinet is an industrial freezer or cooler cabinet.

The invention is particularly suited for opening industrial cabinets, such as industrial freezers, refrigerators or other cooling cabinets. The increased opening of the cabinet due to the swiping effect and length of the second element allows for easier access to the freezing or cooling chamber. The foot operated device allows the user to open the cabinet even if he has no free hands thus, quicker access to the cabinet. This may reduce the total time for which the door is open, which is an issue for professional cabinets since the stored items typically have to be kept in optimal conditions constantly.

As mentioned earlier, the invention further relates to a method of operating a door opening device characterized in that the method further comprises at least one of the following steps: - disengaging the coupling elements between the first and second elements so that no force is transferred to the second element when the applied force exceeds a predetermined threshold; - resetting the device by moving, e.g. pivoting, one of the elements relative to the other element in an opposite direction until the coupling elements are brought into engagement again.

The door opening device may be operated in the same manner as a conventional door opening device, when the force applied is below the predetermined threshold. The integrated safe mechanism disengages the coupling elements thus, moving the movable element out of recess when the applied force exceeds the threshold. This stops the transfer of forces between the first and second elements and allows the first element to move relative to the second element, or vice versa. The device may be reset by simply moving or pivoting the first element back towards the second element thus, placing the movable element in the recess again. This protects the device in the event of an overload and prevents the coupling from breaking.

Description of the Drawing

An embodiment of the invention will now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of an embodiment of the door opening device according to the invention;

FIG. 2 shows the door opening device shown in fig. 1 in an assembled configuration;

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the safety mechanism in an engaged state;

FIG. 4 shows a cross section of the safety mechanism in a disengaged state;

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of a cabinet with the door opening device activated; spirit

FIG. 6 shows the cabinet of fig. 5 with the door opening device in a disengaged state.

In the following text, the figures will be described one by one, and the different parts and positions seen in the figures will be numbered with the same numbers in the different figures. Not all parts and positions indicated in a specific figure will necessarily be discussed together with that figure.

Position number list 1 Door opening device 2 Base unit 3 Mounting surface 4 Front end 5 Cabinet 6a, 6b End flanges 7 First element 8 Second element 9 First housing element 10 Second housing element 11 Mounting element 12 Nut 13 Through hole 14 Top surface 15 Bottom surface 16 Spring system 17 Tap 18 Spacer element 19 Recess 20 Pivotal movement 21 Cut-out 22 Tracks 23 First contact surface 24 Second contact surface 25 First coupling element 25a Recess 26 Second coupling element 27 Bending movement 28a, 28b Contact surfaces 29a, 29b Contact surfaces 30 Cavity 31 Moveable element 32 Spring system 33 Bottom surface 34 Screw 35 Hole 36 Cabinet door

Detailed Description of the Invention

FIG. 1 shows an exploded view of a door opening device 1 according to the invention. The door opening device 1 comprises a base unit 2 having a mounting surface 3 configured to be mounted to a front end 4 of a cabinet 5. The base unit 2 may comprise two end flanges 6a, 6b extending outwards from the base unit 2 in between which a first element 7 and a second element 8 may be arranged. The base unit 2 may be made of metal, such as steel.

The first element 7 may comprise a first housing element 9 configured to be coupled to a second housing element 10. The first housing elements 9, 10 may comprise one or more female and male coupling elements (not shown) for coupling the two elements 9, 10 together. The first element 7 may be made of a plastic material, such as polyester or another thermoplastic. A mounting element 11 in the form of a bolt may be used to couple the first and second elements 9, 10 to the end flanges 6a, 6b of the base unit 2. The mounting element 11 may have a treated end for mounting a mating treated nut 12 to the end. The housing elements 9, 10 may form a through hole 13 extending parallel to the base unit 2 for receiving the mounting element 11. The first housing element 9 may define a top surface 14 and the second housing element 10 may define a bottom surface 15. The base unit 2 may have a length of 10-20 cm extending radially outwards from a pivot line defined by the mounting element 11. A spring system 16 in the form of a torsion spring may be arranged on one side of the first element 7, as shown in fig. 1, for pivoting the first element 7 back to its initial position when the pressure on the first element 7 is removed. The spring system 16 may be arranged on the mounting element 11 and coupled to a tap 17 on the first element 7 and / or to a spacer element 18 mounted to or a tap located on the base unit 2. The tap 17 is configured to rotate the free end of the spring system 16, ie one of the legs, relative to the mounting element 11 or spacer element 18 when pressure is applied to the first element 7 so that a spring force is generated in the spring system 16. The spring force is then used to return the first element 7 to its initial position when the pressure is removed.

FIG. 2 shows a top view of the door opening device 1 in an assembled configuration. The first and second elements 7, 8 are placed in a first configuration for a right-hinged door. In this configuration, the first element 8 may be positioned in a recess 19 formed in a side surface of the first element 7.

The first and second elements 7, 8 may pivot around the mounting element 11 in a first direction (marked with arrow 20). The first and second elements 7, 8 may be placed in a second configuration for a left-hinged door (not shown) by turning the first element 7 over so that the bottom surface 15 becomes the top surface 14. The second element 8 may then be moved from the first end flange 6a to the second end flange 6b.

The housing elements 9, 10 may be configured to form an O-shaped first element 7 with a cut-out 21 located in the middle, as shown in figs. 1-2. At least in part, e.g. the front end of the first element 7 may be configured to function as a pedal, as shown in fig. 2, where at least one track 22 may be arranged on the top and / or bottom surface 14, 15 for increasing the friction of the pedal. The first element 7 may have a length of 5-20 cm.

FIG. 3 shows a cross section of the safety mechanism in an engaged state while fig. 4 shows the safety mechanism in a disengaged state where the first element 7 is disengaged from the second element 8.

The second element 7 may be configured as a lever having a first contact surface 23 located on a side surface of the second element 7 for at least partially contacting a contact surface on the front end 4 of the cabinet 5. A second contact surface 24 may be located on an opposite side surface for at least partially contacting a contact surface on the cabinet door.

The free end of the second element 8 may be configured to bend (marked with arrow 27) relative to the longitudinal direction of the second element 8, when force is applied to the first element 7. The second element 8 may be made of a thermoplastic materials such as polycarbonate. The free end may be configured to move or bend within a maximum allowable angle of ± 10 degrees. The second element 8 may have a length of 10-30 cm. A tap may be arranged on the second element 8 for limiting the pivotal movement 20 of the second element 8, as shown in fig. 3. A safety mechanism comprising a first and second coupling element 25, 26 may be arranged in the first element 7 and the second element 8 to protect the device 1 in the event of an overload of the first element 7. The first coupling element 25 in the form of a projection may form part of the second element 8 and extend outwards from the side surface facing the first element 7. A recess 25a may be arranged in a side surface of the first coupling element 25 facing the first element 7. The recess 25a may comprise two planar contact surfaces 28a, 28b placed perpendicularly relative to each other for contacting two mating contact surfaces 29a, 29b on the second coupling element 26.

The second coupling element 26 may be arranged in a cavity 30 of the first element 7 near a side surface, as shown in fig. 1. The cavity 30 may extend parallel to the longitudinal direction of the first element 7 with the opening facing the second element 8. A movable element 31 in the form of a latch bolt is arranged in the cavity 30 where a spring system 32 in the A compression spring is arranged at the bottom of the cavity for pushing the movable element 31 out of the cavity 30. The movable element 31 may comprise a bottom surface 33 facing the bottom of the cavity 30 for contacting the spring system 32. A tap arranged on the bottom surface 33 and / or bottom of the cavity 30 may be used to guide the spring system 32 during compression and decompression. The opposite end of the movable element 31 may be configured to follow the contour of the first coupling element 25 where the contact surfaces 29a, 29b face the recess 25a in the first coupling element 25.

The movable element 31 may be configured to contact a stopping element to prevent the movable element from unintentionally exiting the cavity 30. The stopping element may be defined by a through hole arranged in the side surface of the first element 7 facing the end flange 6a. A screw 34 may be positioned in the through hole and coupled to the movable element 31, as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5. The movable element 31 may comprise a cavity 35, e.g. a treated cavity, for receiving the screw 34. The screw head may contact the inner wall of the through hole which may define an innermost and / or outermost position of the movable element 31.

FIG. 5 shows an exemplary embodiment of the cabinet 5 with the door opening device 1 activated. The door opening device 1 may be mounted to the front end 4 of the cabinet 5.

The threshold value for activating the safety mechanism 25, 26 may be determined by the compression force of the spring system 32. When the safety mechanism is not activated, the movable element 31 remains in engagement with the recess 25a and force is transferred from the first element 7 to the second element 8 via the coupling elements 25, 26. This causes the second element to follow the pivotal movement 20 of the first element 7, as shown in fig. 5. The movement of the second element 8 causes the cabinet door 36 to move from a closed position, as shown in fig. 6, to an open position, as shown in FIG. 5th

FIG. 6 shows the cabinet of fig. 5 with the door opening device in a disengaged state.

The safety mechanism is activated when the force applied to the top surface 14 exceeds the threshold value. The movable element 31 is then pushed out of engagement with the recess 25a by at least sliding the contact surface 28a, 28b relative to the contact surface 29a, 29b of the recess. This disengages the coupling elements 25, 26 so no force is transferred to the second element 8 and the first element 7 continues to pivot relative to the second element 8. The safety mechanism may then be reset by manually pivoting the first element 7 back so that the moveable element 31 is brought into engagement with the recess 25a again.

Claims (9)

A door opener device for opening cabinet doors, such as doors in industrial freezers or refrigerators, wherein the device comprises at least: - a base unit (2) configured to be arranged relative to a front end (4) of a cabinet (5) with at least one hinged cabinet door (36), - a first element (7) coupled to the base unit (2), wherein the first element (7) is configured to pivot (20) about a pivot line located in the base unit (2) and be operated by a user's foot a second element (8) coupled to the first element (7) for transmitting power from the first element (7) to the second element (8), wherein the second element (8) comprises a contact surface (24) for contact having a contact surface facing the front end (4) of the cabinet door (36), wherein the second element (8) is configured to move the cabinet door (36) from a closed position to an open position when the device (1) is activated by the user, characterized by know that - the device (1) further comprises a safety mechanism arranged between the first and second members (7, 8) to release the power transmitting coupling between the two members (7, 8), the safety mechanism comprising a first coupling member (26) located on the first member (7), and a second coupling element (25) located on the second element (8), wherein the two coupling elements (25, 26) are configured to remain engaged until the force exceeds a predetermined threshold, and wherein the safety mechanism is configured to bring the two coupling elements (25, 26) out of engagement when the force applied to the first element (7) exceeds the predetermined threshold. Door opener device according to claim 1, characterized in that one of the coupling elements (25, 26) is configured as a movable element (31) coupled to a spring system (32) which in turn is coupled to the first or second element (7). , 8), wherein the spring system (32) is configured to apply a spring force to the movable member (31) to engage the two clutch members (25, 26). Door opener device according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the free end of the second element (8) is configured to bend (27) in an opposite direction to its pivotal movement (20) when the force is applied to the first element. (7), in which the free end returns to its original state when the force is removed. Door opener device according to claim 3, characterized in that the second element (8) has a length of at least 10 cm. Door opener device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the first and second elements (7, 8) are located in a first configuration relative to the base unit (2) for a right-hinged door or in a second configuration for a left-hinged door. door. Door opener device according to any one of claims 1 to 5, characterized in that at least part of the first element (7) is shaped as a pedal. Cabinet (5) comprising at least one chamber configured to be closed using one or cabinet doors (36) mounted on a front end (4) of the cabinet (5) via at least one set of hinges, characterized in that at least one door opener device (1) ) according to any of the preceding claims, mounted on the cabinet (5) at a side opposite the hinges, wherein the second element (8) of the device (1) is located between the front of the cabinet (4) and the cabinet door (36). Cabinet according to claim 7, characterized in that the cabinet (5) is an industrial freezer or refrigerator. A method of operating a door opener device (1) according to any one of claims 1-6 arranged relative to a cabinet (5) having at least one cabinet door (36), the method comprising the steps of: activating the device (1) by pressing a first element (7) a force, - transferring the force from the first element (7) to a second element (8) via at least one coupling (25, 26), e.g. a swing coupling, - movement (20) of the second element (8) relative to the front end (4) of the cabinet (5) for opening the cabinet door (36) and moving it to an open position, characterized in that the method further comprises at least one of the following steps: - releasing the decoupling elements (25, 26) between the first and second elements (7, 8) such that no force is transferred to the second element (8) when the applied force exceeds a predetermined threshold value, - resetting the the device (1) by movement, e.g. oscillation, of one of the elements (7, 8) relative to the other element (7, 8) in an opposite direction (20) until the coupling elements (25, 26) are engaged again.