EP2215413A2

EP2215413A2 - Cooling device

Info

Publication number: EP2215413A2
Application number: EP08847984A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Lorenzo Bomprezzi; Saverio Baldini; Eleonora Notarpietro
Original assignee: Indesit Co SpA
Current assignee: Whirlpool EMEA SpA
Priority date: 2007-11-07
Filing date: 2008-10-17
Publication date: 2010-08-11
Anticipated expiration: 2028-10-17
Also published as: EP2215413B1; ITRN20070056A1; WO2009060272A2; WO2009060272A3; RU2010117967A; RU2468314C2

Abstract

A device for the cooling of food products, preferably for domestic use, comprises: - a first cooled compartment (10) to be used for the preservation of food products; a second cooled compartment (20) to be used for the preservation of food products; a temperature sensor (11) providing information relating to the temperature in the first compartment (10); temperature regulation means (12) operatively connected to the temperature sensor (11) and implementing corrective actions in the first compartment (10) to stabilise the temperature measured by the sensor (11), around the pre-set temperature value; a switch (13) which may be operated by the user to switch operation of the temperature regulating means (12) between at least a first and a second operating mode, each operating mode being associated with a respective different condition for preservation of the food products contained in the first compartment (10); in the first operating mode the preservation condition corresponding to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -3°C and less than or equal to +3°C; in the second operating mode the preservation condition corresponding to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -26°C and less than or equal to -15°C.

Description

Cooling device

Technical Field

The present invention relates to a device for cooling food products .

Cooling devices for food products are normally used domestically, but also in canteens, bars, restaurants, pizzerias, etc. to better preserve food products over time.

Background Art

Prior art cooling devices comprise three compartments in a single structure:

- a first compartment (usually known as the "chiller" compartment) with a temperature of 2 or 3⁰C to better preserve fresh products;

- a freezer compartment (heat-stabilised at a temperature of approximately -18°C) ;

- a refrigerator compartment (in which the temperature is kept higher than that in the first compartment) .

The chiller compartment enables better preservation of fresh products such as meat, vegetables, etc. compared with the refrigerator compartment, without freezing them.

The above-mentioned cooling devices have certain shortcomings .

For cooling devices with the same overall size, the presence of the chiller compartment takes away space which could otherwise be used, for example, by one of 8 002772

the other two compartments .

Disclosure of the Invention

The aim of the present invention is to overcome the above-mentioned shortcomings by providing a device for cooling food products which provides maximum operational flexibility in order to adapt to the user's needs . These and other aims, which are described in detail below, are achieved by this invention in a device for cooling food products having structural and operational characteristics as described in the accompanying independent claims; other preferred embodiments being identified in the accompanying and corresponding dependent claims .

Brief Description of the Drawings

Further features of the present invention are more apparent in the detailed description below, with reference to a preferred, non-limiting embodiment, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which.

- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the device for cooling food products .

- Figure 2 is a schematic section view of the device for cooling food products .

- Figures 3 and 4 are, respectively, a partially interrupted perspective view, with some parts cut away in order to better illustrate others, and a side section view of a particular embodiment of the cooling device according to the invention. 2

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiments of the Invention

With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes a device for cooling food products, preferably for domestic use, comprising:

- a first cooled compartment 10 to be used for the preservation of food products;

- a second cooled compartment 20 to be used for the preservation of food products; - a temperature sensor 11 providing information relating to the temperature in the first compartment 10;

- means 12 for regulating the temperature of the first compartment 10 operatively connected to the temperature sensor 11.

The temperature regulating means 12 in turn comprise heat flow generation means 132 generating a heat flow into the first compartment 10. This heat flow may be entering or leaving the first compartment 10; in the first case there is supply of heat to the first compartment 10, in the second case there is removal of heat from the first compartment. The temperature regulating means 12 also comprise control means 133 which control the heat flow generation means 132 depending on the information obtained from the comparison between the temperature measured by the sensor 11 and a pre-set temperature value. The temperature regulating means 132 implement corrective actions to stabilise the temperature measured by the sensor 11 around the pre-set temperature value. The control means 133 may comprise an electronic control unit 150. The dashed line in figure 2 indicates the electronic control unit 150 connected to other functional parts of the cooling device 1. The cooling device 1 also comprises a switch 13 which may be operated by the user to switch operation of the temperature regulating means 12 between at least a first and a second operating mode, each operating mode being associated with a respective different condition for preserving the food products contained in the first compartment 10; in the first operating mode the preservation condition corresponding to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -3⁰C and less than or equal to 5°C. Advantageously, the preservation condition in the first operating mode corresponds to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -3⁰C and less than or equal to 3⁰C.

Preferably, the preservation condition in the first operating mode corresponds to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -1°C and less than or equal to +1⁰C, and even more preferably equal to approximately O⁰C. In the second operating mode the preservation condition corresponds to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -30⁰C and less than or equal to -15°C. Conveniently, the preservation condition in the second operating mode corresponds to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -26⁰C and less than or equal to -15⁰C. Preferably, the preservation condition corresponds to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -20⁰C and less than or equal to -16°C. Even more preferably, the preservation condition in the second operating mode corresponds to a pre-set temperature value equal to approximately -18⁰C.

The pre-set temperature value defining the preservation condition in the second operating mode selected by switch 13 corresponds to the pre-set temperature value with which the temperature measured with sensor 11 is compared. Preferably, but not necessarily, the switch 13 which may be operated by the user switches operation of the temperature regulating means 12 to a third operating mode in which the preservation condition of the food products contained in the first compartment 10 corresponds to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -16⁰C (preferably -12C⁰) and less than or equal to -3⁰C; this is especially useful for the preservation of ice creams .

The temperature of the first compartment 10 may be regulated independently of the temperature of the second compartment 20.

Advantageously, the second compartment 20 is a freezer compartment. It permits the freezing of food products and/or permits the preservation of frozen foods. The first compartment 10 in the first operating mode permits a different state of preservation of the food compared with second compartment 20. However, in the second operating mode the first compartment 10 may also be used at the same temperature as the second freezer compartment 20. This second operating mode is advantageous when, at a particular time, the user needs to preserve a volume of products in the freezer which exceeds the capacity of the second compartment 20. Access by the user to the first compartment 10 is independent of access to the second compartment 20 and vice versa. In particular, the first compartment 10 is in part defined by a first mobile opening and closing element 101 which in the closed position hermetically isolates the first compartment 10 from the outside environment. Similarly, the second compartment 20 is in part defined by a second mobile opening and closing element 201 which in the closed position hermetically isolates the second compartment 20 from the outside environment. This is particularly advantageous considering that in this way the user may open only the compartment 10, 20 of interest avoiding infiltration of heat from the outside environment into the compartment 10, 20 which the user does not need to access (with obvious advantages in terms of energy saving and better preservation of the food products) . Advantageously, the first and the second mobile elements 101, 201 are reciprocally distinct and may be operated manually by the user.

Advantageously, the first mobile opening and closing element 101 comprises a first door 102. This first door 102 may be hinged. Alternatively, the first mobile opening and closing element 101 comprises at least the front outer portion of a drawer which extends inside the first compartment 10 and which may be pulled out from the first compartment 10. In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, there is a single mobile opening and closing element which hermetically isolates both the first and the second compartment 10, 20 from the outside environment. In the latter case, the user must open the mobile element to permit both access to the first compartment 10 and access to the second compartment 20.

The first and the second compartment 10, 20 are adjacent and separated from each other by a separator plate 2 made of thermally insulating material . The separator plate 2 made of thermally insulating material comprises a layer of plastic material with a thickness of between 10 millimetres and 70 millimetres, advantageously between 10 millimetres and 50 millimetres, preferably between 30 millimetres and 50 millimetres, and even more preferably equal to approximately 40 millimetres. The first compartment 10 is at least in part defined by a rear plate 3. This rear plate 3 is opposite the closable opening of the first mobile opening and closing element 101. The rear plate 3 is made of thermally insulating material and comprises a layer of plastic material with a thickness of between 10 millimetres and 50 millimetres, preferably between 30 millimetres and 50 millimetres, and even more preferably equal to approximately 40 millimetres. The plastic material with which the separator plate 2 and/or the rear plate 3 are made is preferably polyurethane foam or polystyrene foam or high density polyurethane or high density polystyrene. The rear plate 3 and the separator plate 2 may be made as a single part. Advantageously, the first and the second compartment 10, 20 are in reciprocal fluid communication. In particular, the separator plate 2 B2008/002772

comprises an opening 4, usually a slot, which places the first and the second compartment 10, 20 in fluid communication.

The volume of the first compartment 10 is less than half the volume of the second compartment 20.

As illustrated as an example in figures 1 and 2 , but without limiting the scope of the inventive concept, the cooling device 1 comprises a third cooling compartment 30, the third cooling compartment 30 being a refrigerator compartment. The expression "refrigerator compartment" means a compartment suitable for the preservation of fresh foods between 0⁰C and 1O⁰C. The pre-set temperature value, defining the preservation condition in the first operating mode selected by the switch 13 , is intermediate between the values of the heat-stabilising temperatures provided in the second and in the third compartment 20, 30 during operation. Access by the user to the first compartment 10 is independent of access to the third compartment 30 and vice versa. Similarly, access by the user to the second compartment 20 is independent of access by the user to the third compartment 30 and vice versa. The third compartment 30 is in part defined by a third mobile opening and closing element 301 which hermetically isolates the third compartment 30 from the outside environment. This third mobile opening and closing element 301 is advantageously constituted by a door 302 rotatably connected to at least one of the remaining parts of the cooling device 1. 2772

In the embodiment illustrated in figures 1 and 2 the first and the second compartment 10, 20 are reciprocally placed one upon the other. In particular, the first compartment 10 is placed above the second compartment 20. In addition, the third compartment 30 is placed above the first and second compartment 10, 20.

Advantageously, the heat flow generation means 132 comprise means 120 for removing heat from the first compartment 10 and/or means 121 for supplying heat to the first compartment 10.

The control means 133 regulate the switching on and/or off of the means 121 for supplying heat to the first compartment 10. The control means 133 regulate the operation of at least a part of the means 120 for removing heat from the first compartment 10. The heat removal means 120 remove heat from the first compartment 10 in both the first and second operating mode; in the first operating mode the removal of the heat from the first compartment 10 takes place mainly by conduction through the walls of the first compartment 10 and not by forced convection determined by the air introduced inside the first compartment 10. The control means 133 in the second operating mode leave inactive the means 121 for supplying heat to the first compartment 10 whilst in the first operating mode they regularly activate the means 121 for supplying heat to the first compartment 10. As illustrated as an example in figure 2, but without limiting the scope of the inventive concept, the means 121 for supplying heat to the first compartment 10 2772

10

comprise an electrical resistor 122. This resistor 122 is thermally in contact with the first compartment 10 and permits the first compartment 10 to be heated. If the rear plate 3 is made from foamed material then the resistor 122. is advantageously incorporated in the rear plate 3. Conveniently, the resistor 122 could be placed close to the rear plate 3 and protected by a cover

(this solution normally being used if the rear plate 3 is not made from foamed material) . The heat removing means 120 comprise a cooling circuit 123 in which an operational cooling gas circulates. The cooling circuit 123 comprises a heat exchanger 125 to cool the operational cooling gas . The cooling circuit 123 permits the first and the second compartment 10, 20 to be cooled. The cooling circuit 123 also permits the third compartment 30 to be cooled (see, for example, figure 2) .

This cooling circuit 123 is used in no-frost type devices for cooling food products. The heat may be removed at least in part by forced convection, introducing the operational cooling gas inside the first compartment 10 and/or the second compartment 20 and/or the third compartment 30. Air is used as the operational cooling gas as this operational gas is to come into contact with the food products to be preserved in the cooling device 1.

The heat exchanger 125 of the cooling circuit 123 comprises an evaporator unit for cooling the operational cooling gas . Advantageously, the evaporator unit may be placed in the rear part of the second freezer compartment 20; otherwise the evaporator unit 2772

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may extend horizontally and be placed in the upper part of the second freezer compartment 20.

The cooling circuit 123 also comprises a fan 126 which, when operated by a motor, moves the air cooled from the evaporator unit. The cooling circuit 123 carries at least part of the operational gas cooled by the evaporator unit into the second compartment 20. The cooling circuit 123 comprises a supply pipe 127 which carries the operational gas into the third refrigerator compartment 30. Normally, the operational gas fed in the supply pipe 127 comprises at least part of the operational gas leaving the second compartment 20. This supply pipe 127 may be closed either partially or totally by a cut-off device 128 (commonly referred to as the "damper") . The cooling circuit 123 also comprises means 129 for distributing the operational gas to various points of the third refrigerator compartment 30. The operational gas distribution means 129 comprise a duct 130 associated with a plurality of operational gas outlet openings 131 in the third compartment 30. Lastly, the cooling circuit 123 once again carries the operational gas to the heat exchanger 125 after it has removed heat by forced convection from the food products contained in the third refrigerator compartment 30 (see the return pipe 134 in figure 2) . The cooling circuit 123 comprises a valve 124 controlled by the control means 133 and placed at an entrance to the first compartment 10. The valve 124 moves between an open configuration and a closed configuration: in the open configuration the valve 124 permits the operational cooling gas to pass through it and enter the first compartment 10, in the closed configuration the valve 124 prevents the operational cooling gas from passing through it. A control system permits alternatively either the power supply to the resistor 122 or the opening of the valve 124. This control system may prevent the opening of the valve 124 if the resistor 122 is switched on and/or vice versa. In the technical sector of devices for cooling food products this valve 124 is normally called a "damper" and it is similar to the cut-off device 128 described previously. If the rear plate 3 is made from a foamed material, the valve 124 is incorporated in the rear plate 3.

As shown by way of example in figures 3 and 4, the first compartment 10 houses a partition 900 which divides the first compartment 10 into a first zone and a second zone 902, 903. The first zone 902 is used to contain the food products. The second zone 903 receives the operational cooling gas that flows through the valve 124. Following the direction of flow of the operational cooling gas, the second zone 903 is located immediately downstream of the valve 124. The first zone 902 can be accessed by a user for example by opening the first mobile element 101 (in particular by opening the door 102) .

The partition 900 normally prevents a user from freely accessing the second zone 903. The first compartment 10 comprises an opening giving users access to the inside of it, this opening being closable by the first mobile opening and closing element 101 (being closable, in particular, by the door 102) .

The second zone 903 occupies the part of the first compartment 10 opposite said opening.

The partition 900 is provided with at least one through hole 901 enabling the operational cooling gas to flow from the second zone 903 of the first compartment 10 to the first zone 902 of the first compartment 10. Conveniently, the valve 124 is located at the second zone 903. Advantageously, the valve 124 is located inside the second zone 903 of the first compartment 10. Thus, the operational cooling gas enters the first compartment 10 through the second zone 903. Advantageously, the second zone 903 houses the electrical resistor 122.

The electrical resistor 122 and/or the valve 124 may be pre-fitted to the partition 900 and the latter then applied inside the compartment 10. This makes fitting the electrical resistor 122 and/or the valve 124 quicker and easier.

Further, the second zone 903 is delimited by an enclosure 905 which the partition 900 and the rear plate 3 form part of. The enclosure 905 is formed by assembling the partition 900 and the rear plate 3. Assembling these two parts creates a box-shaped body 906 containing the resistor 122 and the valve 124. Advantageously, the electrical resistor 122 is located in the proximity of the valve 124 and of the through hole 901. In the embodiment shown in figures 3 and 4, the electrical resistor 122 is located under the valve 124 .

The air introduced into the first compartment 10 may then flow to the second compartment 20 through the opening 4 formed in the separator plate 2. Since the first and/or the second and/or the third compartment 10, 20, 30 is /are crossed internally by the operational cooling gas they form part of the cooling circuit 123. Usually, in the first operating mode the pre-set temperature value is close to 0⁰C. In the first operating mode the heat is removed from the first compartment 10 mainly by conduction due to the proximity of the first compartment 10 to the second freezer compartment 20. Consequently, in the first operating mode the problem is not that of removing heat from the first compartment 10, but of supplying heat to maintain the desired temperature and avoiding that the proximity of the second freezer compartment 20 determines an excessive lowering of the temperature in the first compartment 10 (even when the valve 124 in the closed configuration) . In the way the cooling device 1 is structured, the operational cooling gas removes heat from the first compartment 10 not only in the second operating mode but also in the first operating mode as it comes into thermal contact with the walls which delimit the first compartment 10. Normally, the pre-set temperature value, defining the preservation condition in the operating mode selected by switch 13, is associated with a predetermined temperature range straddling the pre-set temperature value. This predetermined range is pre-set and conveniently may permit maximum shifts from the pre-set temperature value by a few degrees centigrade . In the first operating mode the valve 124 is in the closed configuration. When the temperature sensor 11 measures a temperature value less than the values defined by the temperature range, then the control means 133 activate the heat supply means 121, whilst when the temperature sensor 11 measures a temperature value greater than the values defined by the temperature range, then the control means 133 deactivate the heat supply means 121.

Alternatively, in the first operating mode the heat supply means 121 could remain continuously active, if necessary regulating the intensity of operation of the heat supply means according to the information coming from the temperature sensor 11. In this case, the heat provided by the resistor could be regulated dynamically to maintain the stabilisation of the temperature in the first compartment 10. In the second operating mode the heat supply means 121 are inactive. When the temperature sensor 11 measures a temperature value greater than the values defined by the temperature range then the control means 133 send a signal to position the valve 124 in the open configuration, whilst when the temperature sensor 11 measures a temperature value less than the values defined by the temperature range the control means 133 send a signal to position the valve 124 in the closed configuration . Alternatively, the degree of opening of the valve 124 could be regulated dynamically to check the air flow B2008/002772

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entering the first compartment 10, this regulation being influenced by the temperature sensor 11. In this case, an adjustable stepper type damper, which is not described further as it is well known to experts in the trade, could conveniently be used as valve 124.

Another object of the present invention is a method for the production of a cooling device of the type described above in which the first and the second compartment 10, 20 are obtained by dividing a single compartment with the plate 2 made of thermally insulating material .

This invention has important advantages . Above all, it permits maximum versatility of use of the cooling device. In particular, it provides a compartment in which the temperature may be adapted to the actual needs of the user. For example, it could be used as an auxiliary freezer or as a chiller compartment, particularly for the low temperature preservation of fresh products . It will be understood that the invention described may be modified and adapted in several ways without departing from the scope of the inventive concept. Moreover, all the details of the inventions may be substituted by technically equivalent elements . All the materials used, as well as the dimensions, may be changed to meet specific needs .

Claims

1. A device for cooling food products, preferably for domestic use, comprising: - a first cooled compartment (10) to be used for the preservation of food products;

- a second cooled compartment (20) to be used for the preservation of food products;

- a temperature sensor (11) providing information relating to the temperature in the first compartment

(10) ;

- means (12) for regulating the temperature of the first compartment (10) operatively connected to the temperature sensor (11) and in turn comprising: i) heat flow generation means (132) generating a heat flow into the first compartment (10); ii) control means (133) which control the heat flow generation means (132) depending on the information obtained from the comparison between the temperature measured by the sensor (11) and a pre-set temperature value, the heat flow generation means (132) implementing corrective actions to stabilise the temperature measured by the sensor (11) around the preset temperature value; the cooling device (1) being characterised in that it comprises a switch (13) which may be operated by the user to switch operation of the temperature regulating means (12) between at least a first and a second operating mode, each operating mode being associated with a respective different condition for preservation of the food products contained in the first compartment 2772

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(10); in the first operating mode the preservation condition corresponding to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -3⁰C and less than or equal to 6⁰C; in the second operating mode the preservation condition corresponding to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -30⁰C and less than or equal to -15°C.

2. The device according to claim 1, characterised in that in the first operating mode the preservation condition corresponds to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -3⁰C and less than or equal to 3⁰C.

3. The device according to claim 1 or 2 , characterised in that in the second operating mode the preservation condition corresponds to a pre-set temperature value greater than or equal to -26⁰C and less than or equal to -15°C.

4. The device according to claim 1 or 2 or 3 , characterised in that the second compartment (20) is a freezer compartment .

5. The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the heat flow generation means (132) comprise means (120) for removing heat from the first compartment (10) and/or means (121) for supplying heat to the first compartment (10) .

6. The device according to claim 5, characterised in that the control means (133) regulate the switching on and/or off of the means (121) for supplying heat to the first compartment (10) and/or regulate the operation of at least a part of the means (120) for removing heat from the first compartment (10) . 008/002772

19

7. The device according to claim 5 or 6 , characterised in that the heat removal means (120) remove heat from the first compartment (10) in both the first and second operating mode whilst the control means (133) : - in the second operating mode leave inactive the means (121) for supplying heat to the first compartment (10);

- in the first operating mode periodically activate the means (121) for supplying heat to the first compartment (10) .

8. The device according to claim 5 or 6 or 7, characterised in that the means (121) for supplying heat to the first compartment (10) comprise an electrical resistor (122) .

9. The device according to claim 5 or 6 or 7 or 8 , characterised in that the means (120) for removing heat comprise a cooling circuit (123) in which an operational gas circulates, this cooling circuit (123) comprising: - a heat exchanger (125) to cool the operational cooling gas;

- a valve (124) controlled by the control means (133) and placed at an entrance to the first compartment (10) , the valve (124) moving between an open configuration and a closed configuration, in the open configuration the valve (124) permitting the operational cooling gas to pass through it and enter the first compartment (10) , in the closed configuration the valve (124) preventing the operational cooling gas from passing through it.

10. The device according to claim 9, characterised in T/IB2008/002772

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that the first compartment (10) houses a partition (900) which divides the first compartment (10) into a first zone and a second zone (902, 903), the first zone

(902) housing the food products; and the second zone (903) receiving the operational cooling gas that flows through the valve (124) ; the partition (900) being provided with at least one through hole (901) enabling the operational cooling gas to flow from the second zone (903) of the first compartment (10) to the first zone (902) of the first compartment (10) .

11. The device according to claim 10, characterised in that the valve (124) is located in the second zone

(903) of the first compartment (10) .

12. The device according to claim 10 or 11, when it depends on claim 8, characterised in that the resistor (122) is housed in the second zone (903) of the first compartment (10) .

13. The device according to claim 9 or 10 or 11 or 12, characterised in that the cooling circuit (123) comprises the first and/or the second compartment (10, 20) .

14. The device according to any of the foregoing claims from 9 to 13, characterised in that the operational cooling gas removes heat from the first compartment (10) not only in the second operating mode but also in the first operating mode as it comes into thermal contact with the walls which delimit the first compartment (10) .

15. The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the pre-set temperature 008/002772

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value, defining the preservation condition in the operating mode selected by switch (13), is associated with a predetermined temperature range straddling the pre-set temperature value.

16. The device according to claim 15 when it depends either directly or indirectly on claim 9, characterised in that in the first operating mode the valve (124) is in the closed configuration and when the temperature sensor (11) measures a temperature value less than the values defined by the temperature range then the control means (133) activate the heat supply means (121) , whilst when the temperature sensor (11) measures a temperature value greater than the values defined by the temperature range then the control means (133) deactivate the heat supply means (121) .

17. The device according to claim 15 or 16 when it depends either directly or indirectly on claim 9, characterised in that in the second operating mode the heat supply means (121) are inactive and when the temperature sensor (11) measures a temperature value greater than the values defined by the temperature range then the control means (133) send a signal to position the valve (124) in the open configuration, whilst when the temperature sensor (11) measures a temperature value less than the values defined by the temperature range then the control means (133) send a signal to position the valve (124) in the closed configuration .

18. The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the first and the second compartment (10, 20) are adjacent and separated from each other by a separator plate (2) made of thermally insulating material .

19. The device according to claim 18, characterised in that the separator plate (2) made of thermally insulating material comprises a layer of plastic material with a thickness of between 30 millimetres and 50 millimetres.

20. The device according to claim 18 or 19, characterised in that the separator plate (2) comprises an opening (4) which places the first and the second compartment (10, 20) in fluid communication.

21. The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the volume of the first compartment (10) is less than half the volume of the second compartment (20) .

22. The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that it comprises a third cooling compartment (30) , the third cooling compartment (30) being a refrigerator compartment.

23. The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that the pre-set temperature value, defining the preservation condition in the first operating mode selected by the switch (13), is intermediate between the values of the heat-stabilising temperatures provided in the second and in the third compartment (20, 30) during operation.

24. The device according to any of the foregoing claims, characterised in that: - the first compartment (10) is in part defined by a first mobile opening and closing element (101) which in the closed position hermetically isolates the first compartment (10) from the outside environment; - the second compartment (20) is in part defined by a second mobile opening and closing element (201) which in the closed position hermetically isolates the second compartment from the outside environment, the first and the second mobile elements (101/ 201) being reciprocally distinct and may be operated manually by the user.

25. A method for the production of a cooling device according to claim 18, characterised in that the first and the second compartment (10, 20) are obtained by dividing a single compartment with the separator plate

(2) made of thermally insulating material.