EP1939554B1 - Container with eutectic plates and refrigerator with such a container - Google Patents

Container with eutectic plates and refrigerator with such a container Download PDF

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Publication number
EP1939554B1
EP1939554B1 EP20060425862 EP06425862A EP1939554B1 EP 1939554 B1 EP1939554 B1 EP 1939554B1 EP 20060425862 EP20060425862 EP 20060425862 EP 06425862 A EP06425862 A EP 06425862A EP 1939554 B1 EP1939554 B1 EP 1939554B1
Authority
EP
European Patent Office
Prior art keywords
container
refrigerator
opening
compartment
air
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.)
Expired - Fee Related
Application number
EP20060425862
Other languages
German (de)
English (en)
French (fr)
Other versions
EP1939554A1 (en
Inventor
Silvano Fumagalli
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.)
Candy SpA
Original Assignee
Candy 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
Application filed by Candy SpA filed Critical Candy SpA
Priority to ES06425862T priority Critical patent/ES2330252T3/es
Priority to EP20060425862 priority patent/EP1939554B1/en
Priority to DE200660008647 priority patent/DE602006008647D1/de
Publication of EP1939554A1 publication Critical patent/EP1939554A1/en
Application granted granted Critical
Publication of EP1939554B1 publication Critical patent/EP1939554B1/en
Expired - Fee Related legal-status Critical Current
Anticipated expiration legal-status Critical

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Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D17/00—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces
    • F25D17/04—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection
    • F25D17/06—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation
    • F25D17/062—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators
    • F25D17/065—Arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces for circulating air, e.g. by convection by forced circulation in household refrigerators with compartments at different temperatures
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D16/00—Devices using a combination of a cooling mode associated with refrigerating machinery with a cooling mode not associated with refrigerating machinery
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D3/00—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D3/02—Devices using other cold materials; Devices using cold-storage bodies using ice, e.g. ice-boxes
    • F25D3/06—Movable containers
    • F25D3/08—Movable containers portable, i.e. adapted to be carried personally
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2303/00—Details of devices using other cold materials; Details of devices using cold-storage bodies
    • F25D2303/08—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid
    • F25D2303/082—Devices using cold storage material, i.e. ice or other freezable liquid disposed in a cold storage element not forming part of a container for products to be cooled, e.g. ice pack or gel accumulator
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2317/00—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2317/06—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation
    • F25D2317/061—Details or arrangements for circulating cooling fluids; Details or arrangements for circulating gas, e.g. air, within refrigerated spaces, not provided for in other groups of this subclass with forced air circulation through special compartments
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
    • F25D2400/16—Convertible refrigerators

Definitions

  • the present invention refers to a container for a refrigerator and relative refrigerator.
  • Current refrigerators for domestic use normally comprise at least two compartments at different temperatures, one at a higher temperature (typically between +3°C and +6°C) for fresh foodstuffs and the other at a lower temperature (typically -18°C) for frozen and deep-frozen food.
  • Each of the two compartments is equipped with a respective evaporator, or with a respective portion of the same evaporator, which forms part of a normal refrigerating circuit with compressor and condenser.
  • refrigerators are generally "frost-free", i.e. equipped with means capable of preventing the formation of frost. For this reason a so-called “ventilated” evaporator, i.e. one which is subjected to forced air circulation, is provided in the lower-temperature compartment.
  • US 2004/139757 discloses a distributed refrigeration system for a vehicle including a vapor compression primary cooling circuit and a separate secondary cooling circuit.
  • the secondary cooling circuit utilizes a non-toxic cooling fluid that is pumped to remote locations in the vehicle through designated supply lines.
  • a heat exchanger acting with the primary cooling circuit cools the cooling fluid.
  • a portable main storage compartment is fluidly connectable to the primary or secondary cooling circuits.
  • the portable main cold storage compartment can be expandable.
  • docking stations permit items to be selectively cooled by the secondary cooling circuit.
  • Both the primary and secondary cooling circuits can operate independently of the vehicle engine.
  • the portable cooler is transportable between the vehicle console and a conventional home refrigerator.
  • WO 91/16583 discloses a refrigeration system for a refrigerated compartment, the temperature of which shall be kept as close as possible to a predetermined temperature.
  • the refrigeration system comprises means to generate a cooled gas flow with a temperature essentially below said predetermined temperature.
  • a sealed container element filled with a substance, the freezing/melting temperature of which coincides substantially with said predetermined temperature and which solidifies and melts, respectively, during change of volume.
  • the container element is arranged between the refrigerated compartment and the flow canal for the cooled gas flow, in such a way that one side of the container element constitutes a limiting wall for said compartment and the other side constitutes a limiting wall for said flow canal.
  • the container element comprises an elastic deformable section, the position of which changes depending on volume changes of the liquid in the container element and the position of which brings about an increasing throttling of said flow canal for the cooled air flow with increasing proportions of solidified substance in the container element.
  • the object of the present invention is to provide a container for a refrigerator which allows the above disadvantages to be overcome.
  • a container for a refrigerator is shown in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention.
  • the container comprises a compartment 1 capable of housing food to be refrigerated and another compartment 2 into which flows cold air coming from a refrigerating apparatus through a port 3; the cold air flows out through another port 4.
  • Ports 3 and 4 consist of insulated tubular elements preferably made of plastic.
  • Compartment 1 is separated from compartment 2 by means of a plurality of eutectic plates 5 arranged in the manner of a separating wall; the plates 5 are arranged on a plurality of elements 6 connected to the lower wall 7 of the container.
  • the elements 6 are arranged in such a way as to force the cold air coming from opening 3 along a particular path 8 inside the container.
  • Path 8 is preferably of serpentine type and consequently the elements 6 are arranged substantially parallel to each other and parallel to the lateral walls 9 of the container; the serpentine path means a longer stay for the cold air inside the container and therefore faster cooling of the eutectic plates 5.
  • the container is provided with a removable cover 10.
  • the container is thermally insulated so as to maintain a constant temperature for a determinate period of time; the eutectic plates 5 contribute to maintaining said temperature constant for a longer period of time. In this way the container is capable of preserving foodstuffs for a determinate period of time.
  • the container is also fitted with closing stoppers and/or valves with quick connections 11 for ports 3 and 4, preferably in polyethylene, to avoid possible falls in temperature through contact between the interior of the container and the external environment after the container has been refrigerated.
  • FIGS 5-8 a container for a refrigerator is shown in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention.
  • the container in figures 5-8 differs from the container in figures 1-4 in that compartment 1 has a removable insulated tent-like cover 20.
  • the cover 20 is supported by a frame 21 of adjustable height so as to utilise the minimum volume in relation to the quantity of food to be kept.
  • Cover 20 has a sealing rim 22 capable of engaging with a suitable rim on the container for sealing container 1.
  • the container has an overall size variable between a minimum shown in figure 5 and a maximum shown in figure 6 .
  • Figures 9 and 10 show a refrigerator equipped with a container as described above; the container from figures 1-4 is shown by way of example.
  • the refrigerator is of the frost-free type and includes a freezer compartment 100 and a refrigerator compartment 200 at a lower temperature than the freezer compartment 100.
  • the refrigerator comprises preferably two pipes 300 and 400 connected to the refrigerating circuit 500; the openings in pipes 300 and 400 engage uniquely with ports 3 and 4 on the container for the inflow and outflow of cold air.
  • Cold air coming from the refrigerating circuit 500 is forced through pipe 300, while air flows out through pipe 400 towards the refrigerating circuit 500.
  • the refrigerator can include a first and a second opening in the pipes for the inflow and outflow of the forced air from the refrigerating circuit 500 inside the refrigerator; in said first and second openings, ports 3 and 4 on the container in figure 1 or figure 5 engage.

Landscapes

  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
EP20060425862 2006-12-28 2006-12-28 Container with eutectic plates and refrigerator with such a container Expired - Fee Related EP1939554B1 (en)

Priority Applications (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
ES06425862T ES2330252T3 (es) 2006-12-28 2006-12-28 Contenedor con placas eutecticas y refrigerador con tal contenedor.
EP20060425862 EP1939554B1 (en) 2006-12-28 2006-12-28 Container with eutectic plates and refrigerator with such a container
DE200660008647 DE602006008647D1 (de) 2006-12-28 2006-12-28 Behälter mit eutektischen Platten und Kühlschrank mit einem solchen Behälter

Applications Claiming Priority (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP20060425862 EP1939554B1 (en) 2006-12-28 2006-12-28 Container with eutectic plates and refrigerator with such a container

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
EP1939554A1 EP1939554A1 (en) 2008-07-02
EP1939554B1 true EP1939554B1 (en) 2009-08-19

Family

ID=38544375

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
EP20060425862 Expired - Fee Related EP1939554B1 (en) 2006-12-28 2006-12-28 Container with eutectic plates and refrigerator with such a container

Country Status (3)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1939554B1 (es)
DE (1) DE602006008647D1 (es)
ES (1) ES2330252T3 (es)

Families Citing this family (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
DE102008042788A1 (de) * 2008-10-13 2010-04-15 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Kältegerät mit Latentwärmespeicher
US9316427B2 (en) * 2011-03-02 2016-04-19 Whirlpool Corporation Direct contact icemaker with chambered air cooling system
KR101573592B1 (ko) * 2012-04-16 2015-12-11 엘지전자 주식회사 냉장고용 냉각 장치
ITUA20163308A1 (it) 2016-05-10 2017-11-10 Bonetto S R L Contenitore isotermico per il trasporto di alimenti deperibili

Family Cites Families (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US4103510A (en) * 1976-12-13 1978-08-01 Hall Roger W Portable cooling chest operatively attachable to an automobile air conditioning system
SE465841B (sv) 1990-04-17 1991-11-04 Granstroem Konsult Ab T Kylsystem med strypning av stroemningskanal genom varierbar behaallare
US6973799B2 (en) 2002-08-27 2005-12-13 Whirlpool Corporation Distributed refrigeration system for a vehicle
EP1475589B1 (de) * 2003-05-08 2011-08-10 Welita GmbH Verfahren zum Abkühlen von plattenförmigen Kühlelementen und/oder Kühlgut und Kühlgutvorrichtung dafür

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1939554A1 (en) 2008-07-02
ES2330252T3 (es) 2009-12-07
DE602006008647D1 (de) 2009-10-01

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