EP0580493A1 - Display case with retractable glass panel - Google Patents

Abstract

The display cabinet according to the invention comprises a glass panel (1) pivoting on a frame (2) about a horizontal spindle (9). A feature of the invention is that the frame (2) possesses a projection (5) and that the spindle (9) is located underneath the projection (5) so that the glass (1) can be pivoted and retracted underneath the projection (5). In a preferred embodiment, the display glass has means of retraction consisting, on the one hand of a support (7) of which a first edge (10) is attached to the spindle (9) and a second edge (11) opposite the first (10) is fastened to the lower edge (12) of the glass panel (1), and on the other hand of means for controlling the pivoting of the assembly consisting of the support (7) and glass panel (1) around said spindle (9). This invention applies particularly to refrigerated glass display cabinets as used especially in supermarkets for displaying food for sale while maintaining it at a given temperature. <IMAGE>

Description

The present invention relates to a display case with retractable glass. It particularly finds its application in the field of refrigerated display cases, used in particular in large areas to present food while keeping it at a given temperature.

Already known, in particular from patent EP 0 441 357, refrigerated display cases whose window is retractable. These display cases consist of a frame, the front face of which is fitted at the bottom with a window having the shape of a plate of low height.

In a first embodiment, the window located in a vertical plane, is fixed to the front face of the frame so as to be able to slide down when it is retracted

In a second embodiment, the lower edge of the glass is fixed to the front face of the frame by means of a horizontal hinge connection so that the glass can pivot around a horizontal axis.

In the two aforementioned known embodiments, the exposure glass is found after retraction in the same vertical plane as that corresponding to its initial position, but at a lower level. The purpose of the retraction operation is to facilitate access to the goods on display in the display case. It also simplifies the window cleaning operations, which are frequent in the case of refrigerated display cases serving as displays for food.

However, the two abovementioned embodiments have the drawback of applying only to panes having the simple form of a plate. Indeed, in the first case, the window to slide in a vertical plane must be plane. In the second case, taking into account the final position of the window after its retraction against the lower front part of the frame, the use of a large window would make access to the interior of the window difficult. The retraction of such a window would therefore be ineffective.

The aim set by the applicant is to offer a display case whose window can be retracted so as to facilitate access to the goods located inside the window, whatever the shape of this window or the volume it occupies.

This object is perfectly achieved by the presentation window with retractable glass according to the invention. In known manner, this comprises a window pivotally mounted on a frame, along a horizontal pivot axis. Typically, the frame has a projection, and the pivot axis of the glass is located under the projection, to allow the retraction of the glass by pivoting thereof under said projection.

The projection of the frame must be designed so as to delimit a space that can serve as housing for the window after retraction; its size will depend on the shape of said window.

In a preferred embodiment, the display case comprises retracting means which consist, on the one hand of a support which is secured, by a first edge, to the pivot axis of the window, and of which the second edge, opposite to the first, is fixed to the lower edge of the window, and on the other hand to means for controlling the pivoting, around said axis, of the assembly formed by the support and the window.

Advantageously, the means of controlling the pivoting are able to pass the center of gravity of the support / window assembly beyond the vertical plane containing the pivoting axis. In this way, the space located under the projection of the frame is best used, by pivoting the support / window assembly until it comes to abut against the frame.

Different means enabling the pivoting of the support / window assembly to be controlled can be devised by a person skilled in the art, so that the latter does not tilt only under the action of its weight. In a first particular embodiment, the means for controlling the pivoting consist of at least one jack, one end of which is integral with a first horizontal axis of rotation fixed under the support, the opposite end of which is pivotally mounted according to a second horizontal axis of rotation, and which develops a thrust P defining a lever arm d relative to the pivot axis, so that said thrust P compensates at least for the action of the weight of the support / glass assembly with respect to to the pivot axis, whatever its position. In this case, in the initial position before retraction, the support / window assembly is held by said cylinder. The retraction operation of the window under the advancement of the frame consists in constantly exerting on it a sufficient downward pressure, so as to at least counteract the thrust developed by the jack. If during the retracting operation of the glass one ceases to exert a vertical pressure, depending on whether the thrust of the jack is equal to or greater than the action relative to the pivot axis of the weight of the assembly support / window, the latter remains in equilibrium in the same position, or returns to its initial position before being retracted under the thrust of the jack.

Advantageously, the axes of rotation and the pivot axis are aligned when the center of gravity G of the support / window assembly is located in the vertical plane containing the pivot axis, so that the end of the jack , integral with the first axis of rotation, passes above the plane containing the second axis of rotation and the pivot axis, as soon as the center of gravity G passes beyond said vertical plane.

In order to prevent the tilting operation from being carried out manually, the display case according to its first particular embodiment, furthermore comprises at least one cable, and winding and unwinding means, fixed at a first end of the cable, the second end being fixed under the support.

In this case, to retract the support / glass assembly, it suffices to actuate the winding means, so that the cable, by pulling the support down, makes it pivot. To replace the support / window assembly, it is necessary to actuate the unwinding means, so as to remove the tension exerted by the cable on the support. Depending on whether the thrust of the jack is equal to or greater than the action relative to the pivot axis of the weight of the support / window assembly, the latter remains in equilibrium in the same position, or returns to its initial position before retraction. under the thrust of the jack. Consequently, if the retraction operation is to be completely automatic and does not require any manual intervention, the thrust of the jack must constantly be strictly greater than the action relative to the pivot axis of the weight of the support / window assembly, whatever its position.

Preferably, the winding and unwinding means consist of a first motor with two directions of rotation, driving in rotation a first shaft, and at least one pulley which is mounted on the first shaft, and on which is fixed the first end of the cable.

In this case the unwinding or winding of the cable around the pulley depends on the direction of rotation of the motor.

In a second particular embodiment, the means of controlling the pivoting consist of a second motor with two directions of rotation, driving in rotation a second shaft which is fixed under the projection of the frame, and which constitutes the axis of horizontal pivoting.

Preferably, in all the embodiments of the display case, the second edge of the support, at its junction with the glass, is provided with a part for protection against impacts. This is particularly useful to prevent a possible shock between the glass and the frame during the retraction. It also protects the glass against a frontal impact, when the latter is in the initial position before being retracted.

The display case according to the invention preferably comprises a system for locking the pivoting of the window when it is in the initial position before being retracted. When the pivoting control means consist of at least one jack, the locking system prevents accidental retraction of the window, caused by an involuntary pressure. More generally, it makes it possible to compensate for a possible malfunction of the control means. Indeed, to retract the window, it is necessary beforehand to unlock said system.

• - la figure 1 est une vue partielle de côté d'une vitrine de présentation réfrigérée selon le premier mode particulier de réalisation , dont la vitre est en position initiale avant escamotage,
• - la figure 2 représente la vitrine de présentation de la figure 1 dont la vitre escamotable est dans une position intermédiaire de son pivotement,
• - la figure 3 représente la vitrine de présentation de la figure 1 dont la vitre est en position finale après escamotage,
• - la figure 4 représente la vitrine de présentation de la figure 1 équipée de deux câbles et d'un premier moteur à double sens de rotation, permettant l'enroulement et le déroulement des câbles,
• - la figure 5 représente une vue partielle de côté d'une vitrine de présentation, selon le deuxième mode particulier de réalisation,
• - et la figure 6 est une vue en coupe d'un sytème de verrouillage particulier.

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge from the following description of a particular embodiment, given with reference to the appended drawing in which:

• FIG. 1 is a partial side view of a refrigerated display case according to the first particular embodiment, the window of which is in the initial position before being retracted,
• FIG. 2 represents the display case of FIG. 1, the retractable window of which is in an intermediate position of its pivoting,
• FIG. 3 represents the display case of FIG. 1, the window of which is in the final position after retraction,
• FIG. 4 represents the display case of FIG. 1 equipped with two cables and a first motor with two directions of rotation, allowing the winding and unwinding of the cables,
• FIG. 5 represents a partial side view of a display case, according to the second particular embodiment,
• - And Figure 6 is a sectional view of a particular locking system.

Refrigerated display cases are used to present food-type products for sale, and to keep them cool at a known constant temperature, low enough to obtain a relatively long shelf life. Such display cases should be cleaned frequently to avoid bacterial growth. Generally on the type of showcase shown in Figure 1, access to the interior of the showcase is from the rear. For obvious reasons of convenience, it is preferable that this access can be achieved by the front of the display case, that is to say on the glass side. This facilitates the cleaning operations as well as the loading or unloading operations of the display case. The retraction of the window 1 of the refrigerated display case according to the invention aims to allow such access.

The display case of FIG. 1 comprises a frame 2, consisting of a base 3 supporting in cantilever a substantially horizontal plate 4. The front part of the plate 4 projecting constitutes a projection 5 with respect to the base 3. Against the lower wall 6 of the projection 5, is fixed a support 7 having the shape of a substantially rectangular plate. This fixing is carried out using a hinge 8 secured to a first edge 10 of the support 7; this first edge 10 is the edge of the support closest to the base 3. The hinge 8 defines a pivot axis 9 horizontal. The second edge 11 of the support 7, which is opposite to the first edge 10, is integral with the lower edge 12 of the window 1. This window 1 has a curved profile and is made of laminated glass. This type of glass, unlike Safety glass generally used in display cases, allows the production of panes having any shape and in particular strongly curved. Furthermore, during a possible violent impact against the glass, the laminated glass prevents it from being broken into several pieces.

The assembly constituted by the window 1 and the support 7 can pivot under the projection 5 thanks to the hinge 8. In the particular embodiment of Figure 1, when said assembly is in its initial position before retraction, its center of gravity G is in a vertical plane which is located between the second edge 11 of the support 7, and the vertical plane containing the pivot axis 9. Thus the window 1 and the support 7 tend under the sole action of their weight to rotate in the direction of arrow F.

In a first embodiment of the display case, under each lateral edge 13 of the support 7, are pivotally mounted according to a first horizontal axis of rotation 16, the ends 15 of two cylinders 14. The opposite ends 17 of the two cylinders are they also pivotally mounted along a second horizontal axis of rotation 18 fixed on the frame 2, at the level of the base 3. Each cylinder 14 develops the same pressure P. When the support 7 / glass 1 assembly is in its initial position before retraction, the pivot axis 9 is located above the plane containing the axes of rotation 16, 18. Thus the thrust of the jacks 14 defines a lever arm d, relative to the pivot axis 9. This thrust must be sufficient to compensate for the action of the weight of the support 7 / window 1 assembly with respect to the pivot axis 9. The window 1 and the support 7 are thus kept in balance in their initial position before being retracted, by the thrust developed by the two cylinders. To retract the support 7 and the window 1 under the projection 5, it is necessary to constantly exert a slight downward pressure on the front part 19 of the window 1, so as to compress the jacks 14. The jacks 14 can be hydraulic or gas.

There is shown in Figure 2, the glass 1 and the support 7 in an intermediate position during retraction. The cylinders, 14 by compressing, have the effect of compensating at all times the action of the weight of the support / glass assembly relative to the pivot axis 9. Consequently, if one ceases to exert pressure on the front part 19 of the window 1 when the latter is for example in the position shown in FIG. 2, the jacks 14 maintain in this same position the support 7 and the window 1. One can for example take advantage of the maintaining in balance of the window in this particular position, to clean its rear part 20 which is at breast height and which is easily accessible.

It can be seen in FIG. 2 that the center of gravity G of the support 7 and of the window 1 has not yet crossed the vertical plane containing the pivot axis 9. Consequently, the action of the weight of the support / glass assembly relative to the pivot axis 9 always tends to rotate it in the direction of arrow F.

During retraction, thanks in particular to the capacity of the ends 17 of the jacks to pivot around the second horizontal axis of rotation 18, their opposite ends 15 rotate around the pivot axis 9. When the center of gravity G arrives in the vertical plane containing the pivot axis 9, the axes of rotation 16, 18 of the two cylinders 14 must be in the same alignment as the pivot axis 9. Then, if pressure is continued on the front face 19 of the glass, the ends 15 of the two jacks 14 pass above the plane containing the second axis of rotation 18 and the pivot axis 9, so that the thrust of the jacks 14 can always compensate for the action of the weight of the support / window assembly with respect to the pivot axis 9.

FIG. 3 shows the window 1 and the support 7 in their final position, once the retraction has been carried out. In this position, the center of gravity G has passed beyond the vertical plane containing the pivot axis 9. The action of the weight of the support / glass assembly relative to the pivot axis 9 therefore tends now to tilt it in the direction of arrow F '. However, this action is compensated by the thrust of the jacks 14, the ends of which pass over the plane containing the second axis of rotation 18 and the pivot axis 9. Consequently, the window pane 1 and the support 7 are kept in balance in their final retracted position. In the particular position shown in FIG. 3, the window pane 1 and the support 7 abut against the base 3. Thus, the space located under the projection 5 is used optimally.

To avoid any impact between the frame and the front part 19 of the window 1, the second edge 11 of the support 7 is provided over its entire length with a protective part 21 which acts as a bumper.

In a second embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the display case which has just been described is which is shown in FIGS. 1 to 3 is also equipped with a first motor 29 with two directions of rotation, located in the rear part of the display case, and driving in rotation a shaft 32, the axis of which is perpendicular to the pivot axis 9. On one end of the shaft 32, a pulley 31 with double grooves is mounted. In addition, the display case includes a cable 28a, a first end 28'a of which is fixed to a first groove of the pulley 31, and the second end of which 28 "a is fixed under the support 7. In addition, the cable 28a passes around a first return pulley 30a, whose vertical axis of rotation 30'a is positioned relative to the pulley 31, so that the cable 28a when it is stretched, and is perpendicular to the axis pivot 9 between its second end 28 "a and the first return pulley 30a, is perpendicular to the axis of rotation of the shaft 32 between the two pulleys. Symmetrically with respect to this axis of rotation, the display case also includes a second cable 28b, the end 28'b is fixed in the second groove of the pulley 31, and a second return pulley 30b.

When the first motor 29 rotates the shaft 32, in the direction of arrow A, the two cables 28a, 28b are wound around the pulley 31, in their respective grooves.

This winding of the cables 28a, 28b has the effect of creating a tension at their ends 28 "a, 28" b fixed under the support 7. This tension which pulls the support 7 / glass 1 assembly downwards, swing. In this exemplary embodiment, the action of the jacks is identical to that which was described in the first exemplary embodiment.

To replace the support 7 / window 1 assembly, in its initial position before retraction, it is necessary to unwind the cables 28a, 28b. For this, it suffices to change the direction of rotation of the first motor, so that the latter drives the shaft 32 in rotation, and thereby the pulley 31 in the direction of arrow B. If the jacks have been designed to exert pressure on the support 7 / glass 1 assembly, which is always strictly greater than the action of the weight of said assembly, relative to the pivot axis 9, the unwinding of the two cables 28a, 28b, combined with the pressure exerted by the two jacks 14, makes it possible to pivot the support 7 / window 1 assembly upwards until it returns to its initial position. On the other hand, if the pressure exerted by the jacks is constantly equal to the action of the weight of the support 7 / glass 1 assembly, relative to the pivot axis 9, the unwinding of the cables 28a, 28b s 'accompanied by manual pressure upwards so that the support 7 / glass 1 assembly can return to its initial position.

The description which has just been made of means allowing the automatic retraction of the support 7 / glass 1 assembly has been given by way of nonlimiting example. Indeed, it is also possible to design such means, in a simpler manner, by using a single cable, winding directly around a pulley with a single groove, mounted on the shaft of a motor with two directions of rotation. In this case, the axis of rotation of the shaft must be parallel to the pivot axis 9.

In a third exemplary embodiment, represented in FIG. 5, the display case according to the invention differs from that shown in FIG. 1 in that the jacks have been replaced, controlling the pivoting of the support assembly 7 / window 1, by a second motor 33, with a double direction of rotation. This motor 33 rotates a shaft, which constitutes the pivot axis 9 of the support 7 / glass assembly 1. The motor shaft 33 is therefore fixed under the projection 5 of the frame 2 of the display case and the edge 10 of the support 7 is integral with said shaft. When the second motor 33 has a rotational movement in the direction of arrow C, the support 7 / window 1 assembly is driven in rotation downward, about the pivot axis. When the second motor 33 is rotating in the direction of arrow D, the support 7 / window 1 assembly pivots upwards. Preferably, to properly control the rotation of the motor shaft, and thereby the retraction of the support assembly 7 / window 1, a stepping motor is used.

The motorization of the pivot axis 9 of the support 7 / glass 1 assembly makes it possible on the one hand to avoid the use of jacks to control the pivoting of said assembly, and on the other hand to carry out an automatic retraction of the window of the display case.

Given the description, it is easily understood that an involuntary pressure on the front face 19 of the window 1 is sufficient, in the first two embodiments of the display case, to pivot the window 1 and the support 7. It is the same in the event of a malfunction of the second motor 33 in the third embodiment. For this reason, the display case is preferably equipped with a locking system 22, which blocks the window 1 in its initial position before retraction. Is shown in Figure 6 by way of non-limiting example, a particular embodiment of a locking system for maintaining the support 7 and the plate 4 secured. This locking system 22 consists of a metal plate 23 pivotally mounted along an axis of rotation 26, through the support 7. In the locked position, the upper end 24 of the metal plate 23 enters a cavity 25, formed in the lower wall 6 of the plate 4 near the front face 19 of the window 1. The plate 23 is kept fixed in rotation by means of an elastic connection 27, such as a spring, fixed under the support 7. In the locked position, as shown in FIG. 4, the upper end 24 of the plate 23 cooperates with the cavity 25 to hold the support 7 and the plate 4 together. To unlock the locking system 22, in order to authorize the pivoting of the window 1 and of the support 7, it suffices to manually rotate the plate 23 in the direction of the arrow E, which releases the upper end 24 of the plate 23 from the cavity 25.

Other locking systems, within the reach of those skilled in the art, are also conceivable. It is possible in particular to use, in the first two exemplary embodiments of the display case, jacks which include a manual locking system of the jack, when the latter is in the relaxed position.

The invention is not limited to the description which has been made of a particular embodiment of a refrigerated display case with retractable glass. In particular, it is possible to design means for controlling the pivoting which use controlled hydraulic cylinders. It is also possible, without departing from the scope of the invention, to use instead of the jacks 14, a worm screw system controlled by an electric motor.

Claims (10)

1. Display case comprising a window (1) pivotally mounted on a frame (2), along a pivot axis (9) horizontal, characterized in that the frame (2) comprising an projection (5), the axis of pivoting (9) of the glass is located under the projection (5) in order to allow the retraction of the glass, by pivoting it downwards, under said projection. 2. Display case according to claim 1 characterized in that it comprises retraction means which consist, on the one hand of a support (7) which is secured by a first edge (10) of the axis pivot (9), and a second edge (11), opposite the first (10), is fixed to the lower edge (12) of the window (1), and secondly means for controlling the pivoting of the 'assembly formed by the support (7) and the glass (1), around said pivot axis (9). 3. Display case according to claim 2 characterized in that the pivoting control means are further adapted to pass the center of gravity G of the assembly formed by the support (7) and the glass (1) au- beyond the vertical plane containing the pivot axis (9). 4. Display case according to claim 2 characterized in that the means for controlling the pivoting consist of at least one jack (14), one end (15) of which is secured to a first horizontal axis of rotation (16) fixed under the support (7), the opposite end (17) of which is pivotally mounted along a second horizontal axis of rotation (18), and which develops a thrust P defining a lever arm d relative to the pivot axis ( 9), so that said thrust P compensates at least for the action of the weight of the support / glass assembly relative to the pivot axis (9), whatever its position. 5. Display case according to claims 3 and 4 characterized in that the axes of rotation (16, 18) and the pivot axis (9) are aligned when the center of gravity G of the support / glass assembly is located in the vertical plane containing the pivot axis (9) so that the end (15) of the jack (14), integral with the first axis of rotation (16), passes over the plane containing the second axis of rotation (18) and the pivot axis (9), as soon as the center of gravity G passes beyond said vertical plane. 6. Display case according to any one of claims 4 or 5 characterized in that it further comprises at least one cable (28a) and means for winding and unwinding this cable, fixed at a first end ( 28'a) of the cable, the second end (28 "a) being fixed under the support (7). 7. Display case according to claim 6 characterized in that the winding and unwinding means consist of a first motor (29) with two directions of rotation, driving in rotation a first shaft (32), and at least one pulley (31) which is mounted on the first shaft (32), and on which is fixed the first end (28'a) of the cable (28a). 8. Display case according to any one of claims 2 or 3 characterized in that the pivot control means consist of a second motor (33) with two directions of rotation, driving in rotation a second shaft which is fixed under the projection (5) of the frame (2), and which constitutes the pivot axis (9) horizontal. 9. Display case according to any one of claims 2 to 8 characterized in that the second edge (11) of the support, at its junction with the glass (1), is provided with a protective part (21) against the shocks. 10. Display case according to any one of claims 1 to 9 characterized in that it further comprises a locking system (22) of the pivoting of the glass (1) when it is in the initial position before retraction.

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