EP1787553A1

EP1787553A1 - Display case for food products

Info

Publication number: EP1787553A1
Application number: EP05425813A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giuseppe Patrizio Tammi; Giuseppe Sergio Taranto
Original assignee: Sirec Engineering SpA
Current assignee: Sirec Engineering SpA
Priority date: 2005-11-18
Filing date: 2005-11-18
Publication date: 2007-05-23

Abstract

Refrigerated display case for food products having a frame including a substantially cylindrical bush-like portion (10a) having a predetermined axis (X) and defining a displaying compartment (20), a first and a second port (25,26) associated with the bush (10a) to access the displaying compartment (20), and a door (30) having an arc-of-circle section arranged coaxially to the bush (10a) and rotatably guided around the axis (X) of the bush (10). The display case also comprises a guide (36,I) to move the door (30) from a first operative position wherein the door (30) closes the second port (26) and leaves the first port (25) open for a first access to the displaying compartment (20), to a second operative position wherein the door (30) closes the first port (25) and leaves the second port (26) open for a second access to the displaying compartment (20), and to a third operative position wherein the door (30) closes both the first (25) and the second port (26).

Description

Field of application

The present invention generally relates to the field of the display, preservation and selling of food products in a shop.
In its most particular aspect, the present invention relates to a refrigerated display case used for retail sale of food products.
The refrigerated display case according to the present invention is preferably, but not exclusively, used for the display and the preservation of drinks, such as for example bottled or canned fruit juices. Hereafter in the description reference will be mainly made to this application, although the refrigerated display case can be used also for other food.

Prior art

In the above considered commercial field, the need is known of having a refrigerated display case which can be arranged on a counter of a bar, of a restaurant, or of another shop so that a user standing on one side of the counter, such as for example a customer of the shop, and another user, standing on the other side of the same counter, such as for example a shopkeeper, can access the display case independently from one another. Usually, the shopkeeper opens the display case to arrange the already refrigerated products in the display case and, in the meantime, he makes space for the introduction of new products, so that the display case is always full and that the product available for the customer is always cool.
The known display case is usually a small fridge, comprising a drink displaying compartment and a technical compartment wherein a compression refrigerating unit of the conventional type is housed. Generally, due to the space and weight of the components, the technical compartment is arranged below the displaying compartment, and a condenser is arranged on a back wall of the fridge.
The known display case also comprises two access ports made on a front wall of the display case, which can be accessed, the one from one side and the other from the other side of said front wall.
The two ports are closed by means of two respective transparent doors which are two panels linearly sliding along respective guides. Taking into consideration the position of the technical compartment and to avoid to show the condenser on the customer's side, the display case is arranged in a side-position on the counter, i.e. transversally thereto, so as to expose the front wall to both users, and to allow the opening of the two ports respectively on one side and on the other of the counter.
The known refrigerated display case, although facilitating the access to the displaying compartment from both sides of a same counter, however exhibits drawbacks which are still unsolved.
A first drawback stays in that the side-position arrangement is not feasable and to avoid to show the display case wall, the display case is even arranged on a so called back counter of the bar, and it can be accessed only by the shopkeeper.
Moreover, the presence of the two doors implies a significant cool dispersion outside the displaying compartment, as well as a facilitated undesired air incoming with subsequent increase of humidity, which determines an undesired misting of the doors.
In particular, a user can unintentionally leave one of the two used ports not completely closed, after having helped himself, with the risk that the shopkeeper does not realise it. This drawback is particularly significant considering that the displaying compartment has a limited dimension and it is refrigerated with devices of suitable, and therefore relatively limited, power.
The refrigerated display case with two sliding doors also has the drawback of obliging the user to open the relative door in a single direction, i.e. pushing the door toward the couter side, which is opposite to the side where the user stands. This operation is arduous if not even difficult for the user.
To solve this problem, a refrigerated display case has been provided with a single front door hinged on one side to close the refrigerated compartment, as in a conventional one-door refrigerator. This solution offers the advantage of a greater control of access to the displaying compartment, thanks to the presence of a single port and of a single door. This solution however exhibits the drawback of having to rotate the door in a predetermined rotation direction, either clockwise or counter-clockwise. This determines a further constraint for the choice of the position of the refrigerated display case on the counter.
The technical problem underlying the present invention is thus that of making a refrigerated display case which enables two users to access the displaying compartment from different sides of the display case itself, and allows to overcome the above mentioned drawbacks ensuring a reduced cold dispersion when a port is opened.

Summary of the invention

The solution idea underlying the present invention is that of making a refrigerated display case with two access ports to the displaying compartment and provided with a single door which is configured to close both ports when the display case is not used, and to allow a selective access to the displaying compartment through one of the two ports excluding the other one.
Starting from this solution idea, the technical problem is solved by a refrigerated display case of the above mentioned type which comprises a frame including a substantially cylindrical bush-like portion with a determined axis and defining a displaying compartment, a first and a second access port to the displaying compartment associated with the bush, and a door having an arc-of-circle-like section coaxial to the bush and rotatably guided around the bush axis, guide means being provided to move the door between a first operative position wherein the door closes the second port and leaves the first port open for a first access to the displaying compartment, a second operative position wherein the door closes the first port and leaves the second port open for a second access to the displaying compartment and a third operative position wherein the door closes both the first and the second port.
Further characteristics and the advantages of the refrigerated display case according to the invention will be apparent from the following description of an embodiment given by way of indicative and non limiting example with reference to the attached drawings.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a view of a refrigerated display case according to the present invention in a partially closed position.
Figure 2 is another view of a refrigerated display case according to the present invention in an open operative position.
Figure 3 is another view of a refrigerated display case according to the present invention with several components removed.
Figure 4 illustrates a partially sectioned view from the bottom of the refrigerated display case according to the present invention, in a closed position.
Figure 4a illustrates a partially sectioned view from top of the refrigerated display case according to the present invention in a partially closed position.
Figure 4b illustrates an enlarged detail of figure 4a.
Figure 5 illustrates a partially sectioned view from top of the refrigerated display case according to the present invention.
Figure 6 illustrates a section of a detail of the refrigerated display case according to the present invention.
Figure 7 illustrates a view of a refrigerated display case according to a further embodiment of the invention.
Figure 8 illustrates a view of a refrigerated display case of figure 1 according to another embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

With reference to the attached figures, reference number 10 generally indicates a refrigerated display case according to the present invention of the type used for retail sale of fruit juices.
In particular, with reference to figures 1-6, the display case 10 comprises a frame, globally indicated with reference number 11, including a substantially cylindrical bush-like portion 10a having a determined main axis X, substantially vertically arranged in the case illustrated. The bush-like portion 10a defines a displaying compartment 20 intended for housing the drinks.
Preferably, in the illustrated solution, the frame 11 also includes a dome 10b arranged above the bush-like portion 10a, which, as it will be described hereafter in the text, is intended for housing a refrigerator unit 22.
With reference to figures 1-6, the refrigerated display case 10 comprises two ports 25 and 26 made on the bush-like portion 10a, which enable to access the displaying compartment 20.
The two ports 25 and 26 are preferably, in the case of the solution illustrated in the drawings, distinct and structurally independent from each other, and diametrically opposite with respect to one another. It is to be noted that only one of the two ports can be seen in figures 1-2, while both ports 25 and 26 can be seen in figure 5.
The frame 11 also comprises a door 30 with an arc-of-circle-like section which is arranged coaxially to the bush-like portion 10a, and is rotatably guided around the axis X of the bush-like portion.
To guide the door 30 around the axis X, the display case 10 comprises a substantially circular guide 36 (figure 6) made, in the solution illustrated, on a base 12 of the bush-like portion 10a, and wherein a lower terminal portion of the door 30 is slidingly inserted.
From figures 5 and 6 it is possible to observe that, thanks to the arc-of-circle configuration and to the presence of the guide 36, the door 30 can be angularly moved around the main axis X of the display case 10, to alternately assume the following operative positions: a first operative position wherein the door 30 closes the second port 26 and leaves the first port 25 open for a first access to the displaying compartment 20, a second operative position wherein the door 30 closes the first port 25 leaving the second port 26 open for a second access to the displaying compartment 20 and a third operative position wherein the door 30 closes both ports 25 and 26. Figures 1 and 4a show the door 30 in a semi-closed position intermediate between the one and the other of the positions above defined, while figure 2 illustrates the door 30 in the first operative position wherein it leaves the first port 25 open. In figures 4 and 5 it is possible to identify the door 30 in the closed position for both ports 25 and 26.
In substance, the door 30 is able to selectively open one of the two ports 25, 26 only, or to close both ports 25, 26.
Obviously the door 30 has such a surface extension as to close the two ports 25 and 26 and, more in particular in the solution illustrated in figure 5, the door 30 is sized to cover an arc of circumference that extends between the two ports 25 and 26.
Thanks to the presence of the circular guide 36, it is also possible to verify that the door 30 can rotate in both rotation directions, clockwise and counter-clock wise, thus allowing the selective opening of one or the other port, depending on the chosen rotation direction. It is to be noted that the rotation of the door 30 is favoured by rolling wheels 39 associated with the lower end part of the door itself and sliding on an inclined plane 39a made on the base 12.
A handle 30a is also provided to help a user when manoeuvring the door 30.
In the solution illustrated, the door 30 has an arc-of-circle-like shape that subtends a central angle of approximately 270°, leaving an opening of 90°, indicated in figure 5 with the reference V. In other words, the door 30 extends itself for most of a circumference almost to form a prevailing part of the frame 11, leaving only a small missing portion of circumference.
To avoid yaws of the door 30 during the angular movement, the display case 10 is preferably made in this way. The cylindrical bush-like portion 10a comprises an internal side wall 14, 16 and an external side wall 15, 17 coaxial to the internal one which define a circular gap I. This gap I houses the door 30, and serves as a sliding guide for the door itself.
In particular, the external side wall is formed by two external side half-walls, or half-shells, 15 and 17, opposite to one another, and the internal side wall is formed by two internal side half-walls or half- shells 14 and 16 opposite to one another. Essentially, the display case 10 exhibits two pairs of half-walls that are diametrically opposite to each other and between which the two ports 25 and 26 are formed, each pair having an internal half- wall 14, 16 and an external half wall 15, 17.
It should be noted that in figure 3, to highlight the arrangement of the side half- walls 14, 15, 16, 17 and the gap I, only the pair of side half- walls 14, 15 has been drawn, while the other pair of half- walls 16, 17 has been intentionally removed.
For sake of description thouroughness it is to be remarked that the side half- walls 14, 15, 16, 17 are plastic panels that serve as to contain and insulate the displaying compartment 20, and are mounted on a fixed base structure 17a arranged below the base 12 by means of relative uprights 15a. The two internal half- walls 14 and 16 also have the function of bearing possible load planes arranged in the displaying compartment 20 but not illustrated in the drawings.
It is also observed that each pair of side half- walls 14, 15, 16, 17 has such an extension as to subtend a central angle of about 90°; consequently also the ports 25 and 26 are sized in such a way as to subtend an angle of 90°. In this way a bush-like portion 10a is symmetrical to the axis X is obtained, wherein the ports 25 and 26 and the half-walls are equally distributed and angularly offset of 90°.
The arrangement of the door 30 in the gap I between the internal and external side walls 14, 15, 16, 17, besides guiding the door 30, also serves another function.
In particular, with reference to figure 5, it is possible to observe that in the third operative closed position of both ports 25 and 26, the opening V of 90° defined by the door 30 is facing in correspondence with the internal half-wall 14, in such a way that the opening V is closed by the same internal half-wall 14.
In other words, when the door 30 is in the completely closed position of the two ports 25 and 26, the internal half-wall 14 is an insulation of the opening V of the door 30 ensuring an insulation of the displaying compartment 20 from outside and the air tightness.
It is also possible to observe that, preferably, the door 30 is per se structured to ensure the thermal insulation of the displaying compartment 20 without requiring additional insulating devices.
To this end, the door 30 is a hollow core construction, that is, it is formed by two coaxial panels 31, 32 making, between themselves, a sealed air chamber. Preferably the two panels 31, 32 are made of transparent plastic material to allow visibility inside the display case 10. The two panels 31, 32 are connected to each other, on top and bottom, by two annular profiles of which only the lower one 32a can be seen in the drawings, and vertically, by two U-shaped profiles which cannot be seen in the drawings.
In particular the lower annular profile 32a has an upside-down U-like section, which defines an annular recess, which is closed by the aforementioned inclined plane 39a of the base 12 (figure 6).
The annular recess houses the rolling wheels 39.
As it is possible to observe in figure 6, the circular guide 36 mentioned above, made in the base 12, houses an end of the U-like annular profile 32a of the door 30. It is to be noted that the annular profile 32a extends, unlike the door 30, over the entire circumference, to ensure a rotation stability of the door itself.
According to another aspect of the invention, to ensure a reduced dispersion of the cold, the refrigerated display case 10 comprises a closure system to return the panel 30 to a closed position from an open position. To this end, the door 30 can be angularly moved against the action of an elastic element which repositions the door 30 in the closed operative position of both ports 25, 26 when the door 30 is released by a user after the opening of one of the two ports.
In particular, a closure system 40 is provided comprising at least one bending-stress-subjected spring, and preferably two flat spiral bending-stress-subjected springs 41,42, opposed to each other and cooperating, also called flexometric springs. The springs can be clearly seen in figure 4b which reproduces the detail P of figure 4a.
The bending-stress-subjected springs 41, 42 are placed on board of a substantially box-shaped diametric structure 48, which is arranged above the base 12, between a bottom plane 13 of the bush 10a and the base 12 itself. The structure 48 extends diametrically across the whole diameter of the bush-like portion 10a except for a truncated portion and it is rigidly connected to the door 30. In particular, the structure 48 exhibits a first end which is fixed to the door 30, for example by means of a weld spot to the annular profile 32a, and a second free end, opposite to the first, which is truncated with respect to the overall diameter of the bush-like portion 10a.
The bending-stress-subjected springs 41, 42 are arranged in correspondence with the first end welded to the annular profile 32a. As figure 6 shows, a pivot 50 is also provided coaxial to the axis X, which serves as a fulcrum for the rotation of the diametric structure 48 and of the door 30 which is fixed thereto. The pivot 50 is rotating in a seat 52 made between the base 12 and the bottom plane 13, and provided with rollers 50a and 50b, or bearings.
To draw back the door 30 from an open position, an unextensible cable 43 is also provided, for example of a polyamides synthetic resin such as nylon, which is housed on board of the diametric structure 48 and extended between the bending-stress-subjected springs 41, 42 and a cable end abutment, or fixed pin, 45, which is anchored to the base 12.
As it can be seen in figure 4, in the closed position of the door 30, the fixed pin 45 is arranged in a space comprised between the second truncated end of the diametric structure 48 and the door 30.
The cable 43 is guided by a pair of pulleys, 46, 47 mounted on board of the diametric structure 48, rotatably fixed thereto, in correspondence with the second end, in such a way as to be in a diametrically opposite position with respect to the bending-stress-subjected springs 41, 42.
From the description above, it is possible to deduce that the disposition of the bending-stress-subjected springs 41, 42 on the structure 48 and that of the fixed pin 45 on the base 12 is chosen in such a way that in the third operative closed position of the door 30, the fixed pin 45, being arranged in the space left free by the second truncated end of the structure 48, is aligned with the structure 48 itself and with the bending-stress-subjected springs 41, 42, as illustrated in figure 5.
In this position, when the door 30 is closed, the bending-stress-subjected springs 41, 42 are in a rest position.
When the door 30 is angularly moved to the second operative position, thus turning the door 30 counter-clockwise of 90° with respect to the base 12, the bending-stress-subjected springs 41, 42 are acted in traction, and the cable 43 forms an angle in accordance with the imposed rotation direction (figure 4a).
In a specular way, when the door 30 is angularly moved after a clockwise rotation of 90° with respect to the base 12, the bending-stress-subjected springs 41, 42 are acted in traction and the cable 43 forms an opposed angle with respect to the previous one.
In both cases, when the door 30 is released, the bending-stress-subjected springs 41, 42 return to the original rest position and reposition the door 30 to the closed position. The presence of two bending-stress-subjected springs 41, 42 opposite to one another assures an equal elastic return into the rest position in both rotation directions, thus ensuring a balance of the elastic return action of the closure system 40.
Thus the insulation of the entire displaying compartment 20 is assured avoiding that a port 25, 26 remains accidentally open.
As above anticipated, to cool the displaying compartment 20, the refrigerated display case 10 comprises a refrigeration unit which is preferably arranged above the display compartment 20, substantially as axial extension of the bush-like portion 10a.
In particular, above an upper wall 18, which separates the bush-like portion 10a from the above mentioned dome 10b, the display case 10 comprises a technical compartment housing the refrigerator unit 22 placed in communication with the displaying compartment 20 to refrigerate the drinks. Preferably, the refrigerator unit 22 is of the thermoelectric type with Peltier cell and comprises, in a known way, a Peltier cell 23 having a cold side placed in communication with the displaying compartment 20 through a grating 24, and an opposite hot side, which is associated with a heat sink 21.
It is to be noted that the cooling thermoelectric system is very light and it does not require the use of a condenser. It can thus be easily arranged above the displaying compartment 20, leaving free the side space around the bush-like portion 10a.
The main advantage of the present invention is that it allows a selective access into the displaying compartment, from different sides, with a reduced cool dispersion, excluding, each time, the access through one of the two ports.
Furthermore, thanks to a system of elastic return, the door automatically closes, in an easy way, both ports avoiding that the closure is not complete and independently from the skill of the shopkeeper and/or customer.
In particular it is to be noted how the use of bending-stress-subjected springs, preferably with flat spiral, assures a gradual re-closure, without neat blow, of the door, such closure being also safe in both directions.
As regards the closing system it is to be noted that the refrigerated display case above described has the advantage that the diametric structure allows both to support the pivot that serves as a fulcrum for the rotation of the door around the rotation axis X and to support the bending-stress-subjected springs.
The rotary movement of the door offers the advantage of allowing the access to the displaying compartment by opening the port in both rotation directions, facilitating the opening operation irrespective of where the user stands.
Another advantage of the present invention is the efficient insulation. In particular, the hollow core door, provided with two walls forming a sealed air chamber, and the internal half-wall sized to close the door opening, allows the construction of the refrigerated display case without any additional insulation structure.
Another advantage of the present invention is the cooling thermoelectric system, which offers advantages in terms of weight, silence and minimal environmental impact (absence of gas and oil), in addition to the compactness.
The elevated position of the refrigeration unit, coaxial above the displaying compartment, offers the further advantage of not constraining the arrangement of the refrigerated display case on the counter of a shop. In fact, it can be oriented in any direction desired, simply by turning the display case around the bush axis. This advantage is also favoured by the symmetric configuration of the refrigerated display case, and by the possibility of opening the ports by rotating the door in both rotation directions.
It is to be noted that, by way of illustration, in the previous description all the space indications, such as lower, upper, front, and the like, are to be considered as merely explanatory with reference to the vertical configuration of the display case 10.
In any case, the refrigerated display case may have different shapes without modifying the substance of the invention.
In an alternative solution, the refrigerated display case has a completely bush-like shape 110, such as that illustrated in figure 7, with a cylindrical cover 101, which houses the refrigerator unit 22.
In a further embodiment illustrated in figure 8, the display case 210 comprises a cylindrical bush-like portion 10a having horizontal axis. In this case the refrigerator unit 22 is arranged on one side of the bush-like portion.
It is to be also noted that, according to the invention, the two access ports to the above described displaying compartment are to be intended as two access passages to the compartment.
As above described in the solution of figures 1-6, preferably, the two ports are structurally independent from each other, however, it is also possible to provide, in an alternative solution, the two ports being structurally dependent and connected to each other to form a single opening.
In this alternative solution, the door is sized to extend on an arc of circle equal to the dimensions of the single opening and it can be moved between a closed operative position wherein the door 30 closes the entire single opening, a second operative position wherein the door 30 leaves a first access port open onto a first side of the single opening and obstructs the opposite side, a third operative position wherein the door 30 leaves a second access port open onto the opposite side of the single opening and obstructs the first side.
Obviously, with regards to the refrigerated display case described above, a person skilled in the art, with the aim of meeting contingent and specific needs, could make numerous modifications and variations, all of which contained within the protective scope of the invention as defined by the following claims.

Claims

Refrigerated display case for food products, characterized in that it comprises a frame (11) including:
- a substantially cylindrical bush-like portion (10a) having a predetermined axis (X) and defining a displaying compartment (20).

- a first and second port (25, 26) associated with the bush (10a) to access the displaying compartment (20), and

- a door (30) having an arc-of-circle-like section arranged coaxially to the bush (10a) and rotatably guided around the axis (X) of the bush (10), guide means (36, I) being provided to move the door (30) between a first operative position wherein the door (30) closes the second port (26) and leaves the first port (25) open for a first access to the displaying compartment (20), a second operative position wherein the door (30) closes the first port (25) and leaves the second port (26) open for a second access to the displaying compartment (20), and a third operative position wherein the door (30) closes both the first (25) and the second port (26).
Refrigerated display case according to claim 1, characterized in that the door (30) extends along an arc of circumference comprised between the first and the second port (25,26).
Refrigerated display case according to claim 2, wherin the first and the second port (25, 26) are diametrically opposite to each other with respect to the axis (X) of the bush-like portion (10a).
Refrigerated display case according to claim 1, characterized in that the door (30) is angularly movable in the two rotation directions to open the first (25) or the second (26) port.
Refrigerated display case according to claim 1, wherein the door (30) has an arc-of-circle-like shape subtending a central angle of 270°, leaving an opening equal to an angle of 90°.
Refrigerated display case according to claim 1, characterized in that the two ports (25, 26) are structurally independent.
Refrigerated display case according to claim 1, wherein the bush-like portion (10a) comprises an internal side wall (14, 16) and an external wall (15, 17) which together define, between themselves, a circular gap (I) wherein the door (30) is arranged, said gap (I) defining a guide for the angular movement of the door (30).
Refrigerated display case according to claim 7, wherein an internal wall (14) has a surface extension equal to the dimensions of a missing portion of arc (V) of the door (30) and that the internal wall (14) is facing in correspondence with said missing portion of arc (V) when the door (30) is in the third closing operative position, to close said missing portion of arc (V).
Refrigerated display case according to claim 1, wherein the door (30) is made of two coaxial walls (31, 32) constituting, between themselves, a sealed air chamber.
Refrigerated display case according to claim 1, wherein the door (30) is angularly movable from the third closing operative position against the action of an elastic element.
Refrigerated display case according to claim 1, wherein a closing system (40) comprises at least one bending-stress-subjected spring (41, 42) connected to the door (30) and apt to be acted in traction when the door (30) is angularly moved to open the access to the displaying compartment (20) and to return to a rest condition when the door is released, bringing the door (30) back to the third closing operative position of the ports (25, 26).
Refrigerated display case according to claim 11, comprising two bending-stress-subjected springs (41, 42) capable of carrying out a balanced action of elastic draw of the door (30) in both rotation directions.
Refrigerated display case according to claim 12, comprising a diametric structure (48) placed on a base (12) of the bush-like portion (10a) and fixedly engaged with the door (30) to rotate as a unit therewith around the axis (X), said diametric structure bearing the bending-stress-subjected springs (41, 42).
Refrigerated display case according to claim 13, characterized in that it comprises a pivot (50) arranged along the axis (X) of the bush portion (10a) that acts as a fulcrum of the diametric structure (48) and of the door (30) fixed thereto.
Refrigerated display case according to claim 14, comprising a cable (43) extended between the bending-stress-subjected springs (41,42) and a cable end abutment (45) anchored to the base (12) of the bush-like portion (10a).
Refrigerated display case according to claim 1, comprising a technical compartment, arranged in axial extension with respect to the display compartment (20), where a refrigerator unit (22), placed in communication with the display compartment (20), is housed.
Refrigerated display case according to claim 16, wherein the refrigerator unit (22) comprises a Peltier cell thermoelectric system (23).