EP1020148A1 - Comptoir frigorifique - Google Patents

Comptoir frigorifique Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1020148A1
EP1020148A1 EP00100722A EP00100722A EP1020148A1 EP 1020148 A1 EP1020148 A1 EP 1020148A1 EP 00100722 A EP00100722 A EP 00100722A EP 00100722 A EP00100722 A EP 00100722A EP 1020148 A1 EP1020148 A1 EP 1020148A1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
display counter
counter
display
front glass
actuator means
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Withdrawn
Application number
EP00100722A
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
Inventor
Romolo Rossi
Francesco Pellovini
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
ISA SpA
Original Assignee
ISA SpA
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from IT1999UD000009 external-priority patent/IT1310525B1/it
Priority claimed from IT1999UD000010 external-priority patent/IT1310526B1/it
Application filed by ISA SpA filed Critical ISA SpA
Publication of EP1020148A1 publication Critical patent/EP1020148A1/fr
Withdrawn legal-status Critical Current

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Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
    • A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
    • A47F3/0404—Cases or cabinets of the closed type
    • A47F3/0408—Cases or cabinets of the closed type with forced air circulation
    • A47F3/0413—Cases or cabinets of the counter type
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
    • A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
    • A47F3/0404—Cases or cabinets of the closed type
    • A47F3/0426—Details
    • A47F3/0434—Glass or transparent panels

Definitions

  • This invention concerns a refrigerated display counter, of the type suitable to be employed in commercial enterprises to display and sell food products, comprising at least a compartment to contain and display the goods, associated with at least an openable transparent front piece and with a rear service door, which can also be opened, and which allows the assistant to access the containing compartment.
  • the state of the art includes display counters, employed in commercial enterprises, comprising at least a compartment inside which the goods for sale are displayed and preserved.
  • the compartment is associated at the rear with a service door which can be opened and which allows access to the sales assistants, and at the front a transparent front piece through which the customer can inspect and select the goods on sale.
  • the front glass can generally be opened so as to facilitate loading and cleaning the containing compartment, and also for maintenance on the internal parts.
  • the transparent front piece is opened-closed manually in various ways, for example by sliding, tipping or rotating it.
  • the transparent front piece is equipped with closing means, for example locks or similar, which are not very practical, are aesthetically displeasing and do not ensure that the front glass can be locked in the open position.
  • EP-A-580.493 provides to associate an actuator with a front glass which can be opened; the actuator is arranged below and outside the display surface of the counter.
  • the glass is curved in shape and is moved towards the outside from the working position to a retracted position below the counter, by means of a downwards rotation imparted to a support onto which the lower end of the glass itself is attached.
  • the hinge point around which said support rotates is also located below the counter.
  • the glass and its support are in a completely overturned position, and weigh heavily on the hinge point, which is thus highly stressed by high loads and is greatly cantilevered.
  • the display plane of the counter must be appropriately shaped on the lower part, in order to contain the supporting bracket which, when the glass has finished rotating, enters into the bulk of said plane.
  • the glass passes very close to the structure of the counter and this may be the cause of danger and damage to the structure itself.
  • US-A-5.755.496 which provides the automatic drive of a front glass towards the outside, but this system cannot be applied to show cases or counters which have transparent surfaces also at the sides, since the position of the drive members obstructs visibility and occupies display space.
  • moving the glass surfaces may possibly take dust and condensation which has accumulated on said surface inside the compartment, which entails problems of hygiene and contamination of the food products contained in the display compartment.
  • rear door or service door, it is normally kept closed, both to limit the entrance of dust or dirt inside the compartment, and also to keep the environmental conditions inside unchanged, particularly in the case of refrigerated show cases, such as counters for ice cream or similar.
  • the service door is opened-closed manually in various ways, for example by sliding, tipping or rotating the door.
  • the sales assistant leaves the service door open, in order to avoid the repeated and complex opening and closing thereof, or may even remove the service door completely, during working hours, and then replace it at closing time.
  • the purpose of the invention is to provide a display counter of the type suitable for the direct display and sale of products, equipped with means for the automatic opening/ closing of the front glass, arranged on the customer side, ensuring a complete, practical and precise movement and that the front glass is locked securely and stably both in the open and closed position.
  • Another purpose of the invention is to achieve a display counter wherein the operations to open-close the service door, arranged on the assistant's side, can be made automatically, and wherein it is guaranteed that the service door is closed during periods of non-use, so as to maintain the hygro-thermal conditions inside the glass compartment as far as possible unchanged.
  • a further purpose is to obtain these movements of the front glass and the service door by means of drive organs arranged completely retracted in the bulk of the structure of the counter, so that they in no way alter either the visibility or the accessibility of the refrigerated compartment, or the operating ability of the assistants and the customers, nor entail risks of hygiene due to the fall of dust or condensation onto the food products contained and displayed in the compartment.
  • the display counter comprises first actuator means associated with the front glass and suitable to determine its selective movement upwards from a closed position to a completely open position and vice versa.
  • the display counter also comprises second actuator means suitable to cause the service door to move with a sliding movement, preferentially downwards, from an outer position to an inner, retracted position inside the closed structure of the counter.
  • the front glass may move upward even through an angle of much more than 180°, so as to take the glass to a position of maximum opening which, apart from not creating any danger for the customer who is near the counter, allows total and facilitated access to the refrigerated compartment, for example to carry out operations to load/ unload the products.
  • the front glass may be flat or, preferentially, curved.
  • the commands for these first actuator means are arranged on the side of the counter in correspondence with which the sales assistants operate, so that the opening-closing operations are exclusively reserved to the said staff.
  • the commands are associated with a security system which allows them to be temporarily locked so as to prevent accidental activation or non-authorised people from using them.
  • accident prevention means provided which are suitable to prevent the opening-closing of the front glass when sensors detect the presence of people in the space wherein the glass moves, or to interrupt the opening-closing of the glass in the event that this should accidentally come into contact with people or things.
  • the first actuator means which actuate the opening-closing of the front glass are accommodated completely retracted inside the structure of the display counter.
  • part of said first actuator means are accommodated in the supporting and abutment uprights of the glass arranged on the sides of the display counter, and part inside the underlying compartment where the technical equipment of the display counter is housed.
  • the first actuator means which preferentially comprise rack means arranged inside said uprights associated with motorized toothed drive wheels arranged in said underlying compartment, neither obstruct nor reduce the visibility of the products on display, nor do they occupy any space required for display.
  • the first actuator means consist of flexible elements, such as belts or chains, associated with rotary elements of a driven type, with a pulley or toothed wheel.
  • the drive motors can be of the electric or hydraulic type.
  • the first actuator means comprise elements with hydraulic or pneumatic jacks acting on the service door with a push-and-pull action.
  • the second actuator means which command the automatic drive of the service door are governed by sensor means to detect the presence of a sales assistant near the display counter.
  • the sensor means are suitable to detect the absence/ presence of the sales assistant within a defined field near the display counter, and to signal this absence/presence to a command unit.
  • the sensor means When the sensor means detect a presence near the counter, they transmit an input signal to the command unit which activates the second actuator means to automatically open the service door.
  • the sales assistant is thus able to access the compartment even with both hands occupied, and also to go away from the display counter without having to worry about re-closing the service door.
  • the closing of the service door is retarded for a desired time, in order to prevent repeatedly opening and closing the service door when the sales assistant goes out of the field of detection of the sensor means for a brief period only.
  • said second actuator means comprise rack means arranged retracted inside the uprights which constitute the structure of the display counter and are associated with motorized toothed drive wheels arranged inside the technical compartment below.
  • said second actuator means consist of flexible elements, such as belts or chains, associated with rotary elements of a driven type, with a pulley or toothed wheel.
  • the number 10 denotes generally a display counter equipped with first means to open-close the front glass 12 and second means to open-close the rear or service door 17.
  • the display counter 10 consists of a refrigerated show case of the type used to display and sell ice cream, and is characterized by ample glass surfaces which allow the complete visibility, both at the front and at the side, of the entire inner space defined by the counter 10.
  • the display counter 10 comprises a refrigerated compartment 13 inside which the tubs 14 containing the ice cream are located, and a lower supporting structure 15 which connects at the top with curved supporting lateral uprights 38.
  • the sales assistant has access to the tubs 14 by means of a service door, or rear glass, 17 of the type which can be opened, while the front glass 12 is moved to facilitate loading, cleaning and maintenance of the compartment 13. Normally, in fact, the front glass 12 remains closed and allows customers to see and choose the products contained in the tubs 14.
  • the front glass 12 is of the type with a curved profile and has the upper end coupled with the display counter 10 by means of a hinge 16.
  • the front glass 12 can selectively assume a closed position 12a, substantially close up against the uprights 38, or an open position 12b.
  • the movement means of the front glass 12 are arranged retracted, part inside the supporting structure 15 and part inside the curved upper supporting uprights 38.
  • the movement means comprise a first command unit 28 functionally connected to an actuator unit 26 consisting of at least a reversible electric motor 18, at least a rack 19 and a first outer rod 20.
  • the end of the first outer rod 20 is hinged to a second rod 40, which in turn is attached at the end to a point of anchorage 39 to the front glass 12.
  • the rack 19 has an arched conformation, with a bending radius substantially equal to that of the uprights 38 of the display counter 10, and is coupled at the top with an extension element 21 with is also arched and of the same radius.
  • the rack 19 and the extension element 21 are suitable to slide inside a mating guide 22 arranged retracted inside the uprights 38, so that all the elements 19, 21 and 22 are completely invisible from outside and do not occupy either any display space or any space outside the counter 10.
  • the inner end of the first rod 20 is pinned to the upper end of the extension element 21 and the outer end is hinged, as we have already said, on the second rod 40.
  • the sales assistant activates the reversible motor 18, on the shaft of which a driver toothed wheel 24 is keyed; the toothed wheel 24 is suitable to command a pair of toothed wheels, respectively 23a and 23b, which drive the rack 19.
  • a transmission shaft 25 is also keyed onto the toothed wheel 23b and travels the whole length of the counter 10; it is suitable to transmit rotary motion to an identical group of wheels, 23a, 23b and 24, which cannot be seen in the drawings, suitable to drive a mating rack 19 housed in the opposite upright of the counter 10.
  • the reversible motor 18 is automatically slowed down before the front glass 12 assumes its open position and closed position, in order to prevent excessive stress on the hinge 16 or, more generally, on the structure of the display counter 10.
  • the front glass 12 is associated with the structure of the display counter 10 by means of a jack 27 of the passive type, suitable to keep the glass 12 in defined positions of balance, in this case the closed position 12a and the open position 12b.
  • the jack 27 is of the active type and is directly commanded by the first command unit 28 to open-close the front glass 12.
  • the jacks 27 can be of the hydraulic or pneumatic type.
  • the front glass 12 can be opened by rotating the second rod 40 with respect to the first rod 20 around the hinge point, although the first rod 20 remains stationary since it is clamped by the lack of movement of the rack 19.
  • a further variant of the invention provides that the first command unit 28 comprises a security system, for example of the type with a combination key or otherwise, which will allow the device to be locked so that it cannot be used by non-authorized personnel.
  • a security system for example of the type with a combination key or otherwise, which will allow the device to be locked so that it cannot be used by non-authorized personnel.
  • the service door 17 is suitable to assume a closed position 17a, wherein it prevents access to the compartment 13, and an open position 17b, wherein it slides to a retracted position, moving downwards, inside the structure 15 and allows access to the compartment 13.
  • the means to move the door 17 comprise sensor means 11 (visible only in Fig. 3) suitable to detect the presence of a person near the rear side of the display counter 10 where the sales assistant operates.
  • the sensor means 11 are of the barrier type and comprise photo cellular means 11a or similar, located in alignment on one side and the other of the counter 10 at a desired distance therefrom.
  • a sensor 11b mounted advantageously in a central position on the supporting structure 15, of the type with a conical aperture so as to define a field of detection which widens over the rear of the display counter 10.
  • the sensors 11 are connected to a second command unit 30 suitable to selectively activate an actuator unit comprising a reversible motor 31, preferably of the electric or hydraulic type.
  • the reversible motor 31 is suitable to make rotate a toothed wheel 32 which, by means of a belt 33, drives a pinion 34 engaged on a rack 35.
  • the motor 31, the wheel 32 and the pinion 34 are arranged substantially retracted inside the lower structure 15.
  • the toothed wheel 32 is also axially connected, in a manner which is not shown here, by means of a transverse bar which runs for the whole length of the counter 10, to an identical toothed wheel which drives an identical pinion engaged on a mating rack.
  • the rack 35 has a curvilinear development mating with the curve of the uprights 38 of the counter 10, it is located inside said uprights 38 and is anchored to the lower edge of the door 12 in correspondence with the point of attachment 36.
  • the service door 17 maintains its closed position 17a, in order to preserve inside the compartment 13 the environmental conditions necessary for a correct preservation of the ice cream.
  • the sensor means 11 detect this presence and send an input signal to the second command unit 30, which provides to automatically activate the reversible motor 31 in an anti-clockwise direction.
  • the second command unit 30 causes the reversible motor 31 to be driven in a clockwise direction, thrusting the rack 35 upwards and thus causing the service door 17 to slide until it assumes the closed position 17a.
  • the closing of the service door 17 is delayed, for a defined time, after the sales assistant has gone away.
  • the second command unit 30 comprises a timer device 37 which is automatically activated when the service door 17 is open, when the sales assistant goes away from the display counter 10; the timer 37 is suitable to measure the continuous time wherein the sensor means 11 do not detect any presence inside the field of detection.
  • a pre-memorized threshold value is compared with the time measured by the timer 37 and, until this value is reached, the service door 17 is kept open, thus avoiding repeated operations of opening and closing the service door 17 in the event that the sales assistant goes away for only a brief period.
  • the reversible motor 31 is activated to close the service door 17.
  • sensors 29 are provided suitable to prevent the opening-closing of the front glass 12 when they detect the presence of people in the space wherein the front glass 12 moves, or to interrupt the opening-closing of the glass in the event that it should accidentally come into contact with people or things.
  • the sensors 29 are located in a central position on the supporting structure 15 and are of the type with a conical aperture so that they define a field of detection which widens over the front of the display counter 10.
  • sensors 29 provided of the type suitable to define a detection barrier in front of the counter 10.
  • appropriate sensors are provided, for example of the conduction type, distributed on the closing perimeter of the glass 12 or the supporting structure 15, for example in cooperation with the packing.

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  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Freezers Or Refrigerated Showcases (AREA)
EP00100722A 1999-01-15 2000-01-14 Comptoir frigorifique Withdrawn EP1020148A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ITUD990009 1999-01-15
IT1999UD000009 IT1310525B1 (it) 1999-01-15 1999-01-15 Dispositivo di apertura-chiusura del vetro frontaleper banchi espositori
ITUD990010 1999-01-15
IT1999UD000010 IT1310526B1 (it) 1999-01-15 1999-01-15 Dispositivo di apertura-chiusura dello sportello di serviziodi banchi espositori

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1020148A1 true EP1020148A1 (fr) 2000-07-19

Family

ID=26332545

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP00100722A Withdrawn EP1020148A1 (fr) 1999-01-15 2000-01-14 Comptoir frigorifique

Country Status (1)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1020148A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1275330A1 (fr) * 2001-06-27 2003-01-15 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Comptoir réfrigéré comprenant plusieurs surfaces de présentation
EP2218360A1 (fr) * 2009-02-13 2010-08-18 Astron Engineering Limited Vitrine
DE102011103300A1 (de) * 2011-05-26 2012-11-29 Coolback Gmbh Geschlossenes Kühlregal
ITUB20152353A1 (it) * 2015-07-21 2017-01-21 Ciam Spa Dispositivo per apertura e chiusura di un banco espositore
EP3550235A1 (fr) * 2018-04-03 2019-10-09 Liebherr-Hausgeräte Lienz GmbH Appareil de réfrigération et/ou de congélation

Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2994572A (en) 1957-05-29 1961-08-01 Union Stock Yard & Transit Co Chicago Refrigerated display counter with automatic door opening
EP0580493A1 (fr) 1992-07-23 1994-01-26 FRIGOFORME Sàrl Vitrine de présentation à vitre escamotable
JPH08308694A (ja) 1992-02-14 1996-11-26 Netsuken:Kk ショーケース
SE505622C2 (sv) * 1992-07-09 1997-09-22 Austria Haustechnik Stängningsanordning för skjutbara täckluckor till frysbox
US5755496A (en) 1995-11-23 1998-05-26 Glasbau Hahn Gmbh & Co. Kg Cabinet for displaying objects

Patent Citations (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2994572A (en) 1957-05-29 1961-08-01 Union Stock Yard & Transit Co Chicago Refrigerated display counter with automatic door opening
JPH08308694A (ja) 1992-02-14 1996-11-26 Netsuken:Kk ショーケース
SE505622C2 (sv) * 1992-07-09 1997-09-22 Austria Haustechnik Stängningsanordning för skjutbara täckluckor till frysbox
EP0580493A1 (fr) 1992-07-23 1994-01-26 FRIGOFORME Sàrl Vitrine de présentation à vitre escamotable
US5755496A (en) 1995-11-23 1998-05-26 Glasbau Hahn Gmbh & Co. Kg Cabinet for displaying objects

Non-Patent Citations (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Title
PATENT ABSTRACTS OF JAPAN vol. 097, no. 003 31 March 1997 (1997-03-31) *

Cited By (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP1275330A1 (fr) * 2001-06-27 2003-01-15 Linde Aktiengesellschaft Comptoir réfrigéré comprenant plusieurs surfaces de présentation
DE10130928A1 (de) * 2001-06-27 2003-01-16 Linde Ag Kühltheke mit mehreren Warenpräsentationsebenen
EP2218360A1 (fr) * 2009-02-13 2010-08-18 Astron Engineering Limited Vitrine
DE102011103300A1 (de) * 2011-05-26 2012-11-29 Coolback Gmbh Geschlossenes Kühlregal
ITUB20152353A1 (it) * 2015-07-21 2017-01-21 Ciam Spa Dispositivo per apertura e chiusura di un banco espositore
EP3550235A1 (fr) * 2018-04-03 2019-10-09 Liebherr-Hausgeräte Lienz GmbH Appareil de réfrigération et/ou de congélation

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