EP2005091A2

EP2005091A2 - A refrigerating apparatus

Info

Publication number: EP2005091A2
Application number: EP07727476A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Akin Ozdemir; Resul Yavuz; Hulusi Han Iyigun
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2006-03-29
Filing date: 2007-03-29
Publication date: 2008-12-24
Also published as: WO2007110445A2; WO2007110445A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to refrigerating apparatuses (1) wherein the inner volume can be used effectively. The holder (5) used in the said refrigerating apparatus (1) comprises more than one plate (6) that are connected to each other by hinges (8). The eggs are emplaced in the holes (7) on the plates (6).

Description

Description A REFRIGERATING APPARATUS

[0001] The present invention relates to refrigerating apparatuses, the inner volume of which can be used effectively. [0002] In refrigerating apparatuses holders are used that allow the storing of foodstuff like eggs without being broken. These holders will occupy space in the body when not used in full capacity. [0003] In the state of the art, holders with changeable usage space are developed for a solution to this problem. [0004] Particularly the egg holders located at the door shelves and when not in use, allowing the effective usage of the door shelves is explained in the state of the art. [0005] For example, in the United States of America patent no. US2955006, an egg storage rack is described, which is shiftable or swingable to the back wall of the door when not used. [0006] In the Japanese patent application no. JP3217781, an egg holder is shown which can be turned over when not used and does not take up space inside the shelf. [0007] In the Turkish patent no. TR200102414B, an egg holder assembly is explained, one superimposed on the other, wherein the usage area can be adjusted by sliding one over another. [0008] In the Japanese patent application no. JP3217781, an egg holder is explained that is composed of two parts stacked on top of each other. [0009] In the Japanese patent application no. JP2001116439, an egg holder is described that contains two of each egg holes, formed of more than one separate element. The unused elements are overturned and emplaced on a shelf thus do not take up much space. [0010] In the Korean document no. KR1996-033333, an egg holder is explained, that is composed of two parts connected with a hinge, wherein one can be used by being folded over the other. [0011] The state of the art egg holders, even when in folded position, still occupy space on the shelf. This prevents the efficient usage of the shelf volume. [0012] The object of the present invention is to design a refrigerating apparatus comprising an egg holder that allows a more efficient usage of the inner volume. [0013] The refrigerating apparatus designed to fulfill the object of the present invention is explicated in the attached claims. The rack used in the said refrigerating apparatus comprises more than one plate, connected to each other with hinges, which when folded stand in a zigzag or accordion shape. The eggs are emplaced in the holes on the plates. [0014] The plates should rest higher than the base of the shelf so that the portion of the egg suspended from the hole does not collide with the shelf. Therefore, mutually parallel rails are provided on two opposite walls of the shelf. The plates rest on these rails like a bridge and are slidingly moved along the rails. [0015] The unused plates stand by leaning against each other and one wall of the shelf vertically. Consequently, the unused plates take up the space of only their wall thickness. When the plates are to be used, they are opened up one or two at a time and placed on the shelf. [0016] The refrigerating apparatus designed to fulfill the object of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0017] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a refrigerating apparatus. [0018] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a plate. [0019] Figure 3 - is the perspective view of the shelf. [0020] Figure 4 - is a perspective view of the shelf and the holder when all the plates are folded. [0021] Figure 5 - is a perspective view of the shelf and the holder when the first plate is open. [0022] Figure 6 - is a perspective view of the shelf and the holder when the first three plates are open. [0023] Figure 7 - is a perspective view of the shelf and the holder when all the plates are open. [0024] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Refrigerating apparatus

2. Body

3. Shelf

4. , 40. Rail

5. Holder

6. Plate

7. Hole

8. Hnge

9. Leg

10. Pin slot 11. Pin

[0025] The refrigerating apparatus (1) of the present invention comprises: a body (2)

- at least one shelf (3) situated inside the body (2) having side walls,

- and at least one holder (5) situated on the shelf (3) used for storing eggs and similar foodstuff (Figure 1).

[0026] The shelf (3) comprises two rails (4, 40) on the interior of the two opposite walls, positioned at a certain height from the base. The rails (4, 40) are parallel to each other (Figure 3).

[0027] The holder (5) comprises:

- at least two plates (6), each having at least one hole (7) wherein the eggs are placed, slidable on the rails (4, 40) and connected to one another from one of the sides,

- at least one hinge (8), providing two adjoining plates (6) to be connected such that one can be folded over the other (Figure 2).

[0028] In this embodiment, the plates (6) are connected to each other forming a bellows configuration. Due to this configuration, the plates (6) that are not needed to be used can be stored by being folded over one another. Since the plate (6), for example a quadrangle, is a planar element without having any protrusions, legs, etc., it is possible for the two plates (6) to be folded on top of each other such that their surfaces are in full contact. The plates (6) that don't have any legs extend between the two rails (4, 40) and stand at the required height for holding the eggs. The height of the rail (4, 40) from the base of the shelf (3) is such that the portion of the egg remaining under the hole (7) does not collide with the base.

[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the unused plates (6) are folded over one another and rest vertically on the rail (4, 40). In this position, the holder (5), no matter how many plates (6) it comprises, occupies only the area of one plate (6) in the shelf (3).

[0030] In an embodiment of the present invention, the unused plates (6) are folded over one another and all together lean vertically on the side wall of the shelf (3). In this embodiment, when all the plates (6) are folded, the egg holder (5) occupies a space of almost the total wall thickness of the plates (6) on the shelf (3).

[0031] In this embodiment wherein the folded plates (6) rest vertically, the plates (6) that are desired to be used are brought to the horizontal position by turning around the hinge (8) and being seated in the rail (4, 40) by their two opposite sides. The opened plate (6) extends horizontally, just next to the closed plates (6), making an angle of 90° therewith.

[0032] This embodiment is particularly convenient because of the versatility and ease of usage. For example, in a holder (5) comprising ten plates (6), if there are eggs in only on the second, fifth and the sixth plates (6), the other plates (6) can occupy less space by being vertically folded over one another and/or by leaning against the side wall of the shelf (3). Similarly, if a user wants to use the ninth and the tenth plates (6), she can open up these by only pulling the tenth plate (6) from one of its sides. In both cases, the plates (6) containing eggs do not have to be emptied. When the side of one plate (6) is held and pulled, the other plates (6) can slide on the rails (4, 40) like train wagons together with the said plate (6).

[0033] In an embodiment of the refrigerating apparatus (1) of the present invention, the hinge (8) is like a thin film that connects the adjacent sides of the two plates (6). The wall thickness of the hinge (8) is sized to allow for the movement of the plates (6). In order to facilitate the folding over of two adjoining plates (6) on one another, a thin groove can also be provided on the hinge (8) to form the folding line. This type of a hinge (8) allows for the production of the plates (6) and the hinges (8) in a single mould from plastic. In this embodiment, the open plates (6) while standing opened up on the rail (4, 40) side by side, all of their upper surfaces are at the same level.

[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention, the hinge (8) comprises two pins (11) situated on two adjoining corners of the plate (6) and extending parallel to the plane of the plate (6), two legs (9) that extend vertical to the plane of the plate (6) from its two other corners and a slot (10) on the leg (9) wherein the pin (11) of the adjoining plate (6) will be fitted. The pins (11) of one plate (6) are fitted into the slots (10) of the adjoining plate (6). This configuration provides as many desired plates (6) to be connected to each other easily. Furthermore, since all the plates are identical, all can be produced with the same mold. However, since the height of the leg (9) is almost equal to the wall thickness of the plate (6), when two plates (6) are folded over, they can establish full contact with each other (Figure 4).

[0035] In this embodiment, while the plates (6) rest open on the rails (4, 40) side by side, the consecutive plates (6) stand at different levels. For example, if three side-by-side plates (6) are the case, while the two outer plates (6) are seated in the rails (4, 40), the plate (6) in the middle is seated on the other plates (6) (Figure 5, Figure 6 and Figure 7). The leg (9) of one of the two open side-by-side adjoining plates (6) extends upwards, while the other's extends downwards. [0036] In an embodiment of the present invention, the rails (4, 40) are in stepped form on the inner wall of the shelf (3) (Figure 3). Thus, the rails (4, 40) can be formed while the shelf (3) is being produced.

[0037] In another embodiment of the present invention, the rails (4, 40) are produced separate from the shelf (3) and are assembled to the shelf (3) later on (not shown in the figures). This implementation allows the present invention to be applied to the existing refrigerating apparatuses (1).

[0038] In the refrigerating apparatus (1) of the present invention, if the outermost plate (6) of the egg holder (5), while closed, is connected to the other plates (6) along its lower side, the user can open the plate (6) all by herself/himself (Figure 4). However, if a plate (6) that is connected to the other plates (6) along its upper side while closed is the case, the said plate (6) can only be opened together with the first adjoining closed plate (6) (Figure 6).

[0039] In the refrigerating apparatus (1) of the present invention, by means of the plates (6) connected to each other in a zigzag form, the number of holes (7) of the egg holder (5) can be adjusted more flexibly and the volume of the shelf (3) can be used more efficiently.

Claims

[0001] A refrigerating apparatus (1) comprising a body (2), at least one shelf (3) situated inside the body (2) having opposite side walls, and at least one holder (5) situated on the shelf (3) used for storing eggs and similar foodstuff, characterized by a shelf (3) having two rails (4, 40) on the interior of the two opposite walls, positioned at a certain height from the base and an egg holder (5) having at least two plates (6) connected to one another from one side, each having at least one hole (7) and are slidable on the rails (4, 40) and, and at least one hinge (8) providing two adjoining plates to be connected such that one can be folded over the other, whereas the unused plates (6) can be kept by being folded over one another like a bellows.

[0002] A refrigerating apparatus (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by plates (6) that can lean vertically against the side wall of the shelf (3) when not in use.

[0003] A refrigerating apparatus (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a rail (4, 40) having a height from the base of the shelf (3) that prevents the portion of the egg under the hole (7) to collide with the base when the plate (6) is in the open position.

[0004] A refrigerating apparatus (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a hinge (8) in the form of a thin film, connecting one of the adjoining sides of two plates (6), produced of plastic together with the plates (6) in a single mould.

[0005] A refrigerating apparatus (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by a hinge (8) having a thin groove thereon, forming the folding line in order to facilitate the folding of two side -by-side plates (6) over one another.

[0006] A refrigerating apparatus (1) as in any one of the claims 1 to 3, characterized by a hinge (8) comprising two pins (11) situated on two adjoining corners of the plate (6) and extending parallel to the plane of the plate (6), two legs (9) that extend vertically to the plane of the plate (6) from its other two corners and a slot (10) on the leg (9) wherein the pin (11) of the adjoining plate (6) will be fitted.

[0007] A refrigerating apparatus (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by a leg (9) the height of which equals the wall thickness of the plate (6).

[0008] A refrigerating apparatus (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by stepped rails (4, 40) on the inner walls of the shelf (3).

[0009] A refrigerating apparatus (1) as in any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by rails (4, 40) that are produced separately from the shelf (3) and assembled to the shelf (3) later on.