EP2233047A1

EP2233047A1 - Vertical refrigerated display cabinet with facilitated access container compartment

Info

Publication number: EP2233047A1
Application number: EP10157305A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Giorgio Antonio De Ponti
Original assignee: Epta SpA
Current assignee: Epta SpA
Priority date: 2009-03-26
Filing date: 2010-03-23
Publication date: 2010-09-29
Also published as: ITPD20090065A1

Abstract

The present invention concerns a vertical refrigerated display cabinet with a facilitated access container compartment. The cabinet 1 comprises a tank 3 which acts as a support base for sitting on the ground, closed on the top by at least one panel 4 and used to house refrigerating means. The panel 4 defines a support plane upon which the products to be displayed can be placed directly or indirectly.
The cabinet is characterised by the fact of comprising one or more mobile containers 10 destined to contain the aforesaid products and supported directly or indirectly by the panel 4. Each container 10 has a depth P1 less than the depth P of the panel 4 to be moveable between an advanced position, wherein the container 10 is placed close to the upper front rim 3a of the tank 3, and a retracted position, wherein it is distanced from the upper front rim 3a so as to free a space near such rim 3a utilisable as a deck to access the container compartment 2 of the cabinet 1 in a facilitated manner.

Description

Field of the invention

The present invention relates to a vertical refrigerated display cabinet with facilitated access container compartment.

Background of the invention

As is known, in mass retail and in general in all sorts of supermarkets the shelves of display cabinets, such as vertical, refrigerated cabinets need to be filled with products on a daily basis.
Filling is usually done during closure of the stores or, when necessary, during opening hours but in a non-regulated and non uniform operative procedures, variable depending on the size of the retail outlet or on the instructions or standard procedures imposed by the person in charge of such operations.
Filling operations are influenced by the fact that the products must be positioned inside the refrigerated cabinets or on the shelving at varying heights and/or depths. In addition to this there is variability of the packaging and of the types of product to be positioned on the shelves or in the container compartments.
From an anthropometric point of view, employees filling the shelves are of all types and schemes of ergonomic analysis, therefore from the shortest to the tallest. It follows therefore that during shelf-filling operations adverse situations frequently arise wherever there are filling/product display areas 160 - 170 cm higher or 45-50cm lower than the plane the operator is standing in.
Despite adopting all the safety measures required by current legislation on the use of refrigerated compartments, there are therefore a number of issues connected with the daily operations of filling display cabinets with products and the movement of the same from the storehouses to the cabinets themselves.
As things stand, these issues (not dealt with in a standard, unique manner by the systems currently available) negatively influence the speed and practicability of filling operations, forcing operators to adopt unsuitable and in some cases, dangerous, postures and to raise weights in a manner which is ergonomically incorrect.
In particular, to fill the higher shelves of vertical refrigerated cabinets, operators are often forced to climb onto the upper rim of the compartment, exposing themselves to the risk of slipping.
In the long run this behaviour may also damage the cabinet itself. The upper rim of vertical display cabinets is not, in fact, particularly strong since it is generally made from lightweight hollow sections (often in plastic material) which define the intakes of refrigerated air circulating in the cabinet.
To approach the higher shelves, the operator may climb onto the panel closing the bottom compartment of the refrigerated cabinet. This part of the cabinet, while not being specifically designed to support the weight of a person, is in any case stronger than the upper rim of the display cabinets and provides a wider, safer support surface.
The use of this part of the cabinet as a deck is not easy or practical however.
This part of the cabinet is, to all effects, a display section where products for sale are displayed, the operator thus being forced to clear a space for himself, moving the products placed therein.
In addition, when climbing onto the panel, inside the cabinet the operator is obstructed by the screen or edge (in glass or plastic) normally provided parallel to the upper front rim of the compartment to increase the useful space inside it.

Description of the invention

Therefore, the purpose of the present invention is to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art described above, by providing a vertical refrigerated display cabinet with facilitated access container compartment which enables simpler and easier use of the lower shelf as a deck.
A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a vertical refrigerated display cabinet with facilitated access container compartment which makes it simpler, easier and more practical to place the products on the lower shelf.
A further purpose of the present invention is to provide a vertical refrigerated display cabinet with facilitated access container compartment which is simple and economical to manufacture.

Brief description of the drawings

The technical characteristics of the invention according to the aforementioned purposes are clear to see from the contents of the claims below and the advantages of the same will be clearer from the detailed description below made by way of a non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings referring to one or more embodiments wherein:
- Figure 1 shows a perspective view of a vertical refrigerated display cabinet made according to a first preferred embodiment of the invention, shown with product containers in an advanced position;
- Figure 2 shows a perspective view of a vertical refrigerated display cabinet made according to a second preferred embodiment of the invention, shown with product containers in an advanced position;
- Figures 3, 4 and 5 show in sequence the phases of utilisation of the display cabinet shown in Figure 1;
- Figures 6a, 6b, 6c and 6d show in sequence the shifting of a container of the display cabinet shown in Figure 1 displayed for sale from an advanced position to a retracted position;
- Figure 7 shows a lateral view of the display cabinet of Figure 2, with a product container shown in a advanced position;
- Figure 8 shows a detail of the cabinet shown in Figure 7 relative to a mobile container for products;
- Figure 9 shows a partially sectioned perspective view of one of the mobile containers which the cabinet shown in Figure 1 is provided with;
- Figure 10 shows a lower exploded perspective view of the mobile container shown in Figure 9; and
- Figure 11 shows a detail of Figure 9 relative to guiding means for a mobile container.
Detailed description
The present invention relates to a vertical refrigerated display cabinet with facilitated access container compartment.
The display cabinet made according to the invention will be globally denoted in the attached figures by reference numeral 1.
In general, a vertical refrigerated display cabinet comprises a tank 3 which acts as a support base for sitting on the ground, the inside of which is used as a utility space to house the refrigeration system. The container compartment of the display cabinet extends mainly in a vertical direction above the tank by means of a number of shelves 2" attached at different heights to a back wall 9 in turn attached to the said tank 3.
"Vertical refrigerated display cabinet" is therefore understood to mean a cabinet in which the container compartment destined to display and/or store the products has its main extension in height H. Vice versa "horizontal display cabinet" is understood to mean a cabinet wherein the container compartment has its main extension in depth or width P.
By "longitudinal direction of extension" (or length L) the linear dimension of the horizontal extension of the cabinet is meant, orthogonal to the plane defined by the height H and by the depth P (see specific references in Figure 1).
Hereafter in the description, expressions indicating position or spatial dimension such as "front" or "back" or "lateral", "upper" or "lower", "length", "depth (or width)" or "height" should be understood as referring to the cabinet 1 positioned in a position of use.
According to a general embodiment of the invention, the display cabinet 1 with a facilitated access lower shelf comprises a tank 3 acting as a support base for sitting on the ground, closed on the top by at least one panel 4 and used to house refrigerating means (not shown in the attached drawings).
The aforesaid panel 4 defining a support plane which will be called also as lower shelf 2' hereafter, upon which the products to be displayed can be placed directly or indirectly.
"Lower shelf" is therefore understood to mean the display space made directly above the tank 3 of the cabinet 1, and therefore the lowest product display shelf or the one closest to the floor G compared to the other shelves 2 placed rather at various heights inside the container compartment.
According to the invention, the display cabinet 1 comprises one or more mobile containers 10 intended to contain products to display on the aforesaid lower shelf 2' of the cabinet 1. Such mobile containers being supported directly or indirectly by the panel 4.
Each container 10 is of a lesser depth P1 than the depth P2 of the panel 4 so that it can be moved from an advanced position, in which the container 10 is placed close to the upper front rim 3a of the tank 3, and a retracted position, wherein the container 10 is distanced from the upper front rim 3a of the tank 3, and a retracted position, wherein the container 10 is distanced from the upper front rim 3a so as to free a space next to said rim 3a which can be used as a deck to access the container compartment 2 of the cabinet 1 in a facilitated manner.
As shown in particular in Figure 3, when a container 10 is in the aforesaid advanced position, the cabinet 1 is in the normal display condition. The products (not shown in the attached drawings) placed inside the container are in fact placed in the best possible position in terms of display for sale and accessibility to the customers. This position of the container is, moreover, also suitable for putting the products inside the said container.
As shown in particular in Figures 4 and 5, when the container 10 is rather in the aforesaid retracted position, near the upper front rim 3a of the tank 3 a free space 6 is (temporarily) created which can be used by an operator as a deck to access the container compartment 2 of the cabinet 1 in a facilitated manner (see Figure 5).
Thanks to the presence of one or more of the aforesaid containers 10, the operator can create him/herself a deck on the lower shelf 2' without having to first shift the products placed there. In fact, the operator needs only to move the container from the advanced position to the retracted position.
Preferably, as will be explained below, the container 10 has perimeter walls, which define the internal space and act as sides for the products placed therein preventing them from accidentally spilling out either when the container is still and in movement. The screens or sides generally foreseen in traditional display cabinets along the upper front rim of the tanks are thereby made totally superfluous. Consequently, once the container 10 has been placed in the retracted position, the operator can climb onto the free space 6 created without encountering vertical obstacles of any type. This not only makes climbing onto the deck easier and less awkward, but also standing on and climbing down from the deck safer. In fact the presence of a vertical element on the front rim would form an obstacle such as to make the operator lose his/her balance and fall.
Thanks to the display cabinet 1 according to the invention, inherently without steps or similar equipment, the operator is no longer forced to climb onto the front rim of the tank and thereby assume ergonomically incorrect and dangerous postures.
As already hinted at previously, each container 10 must have an extension in depth P1 less than the depth P1 of the panel 4, and in any case less than the distance between the front rim 3a of the tank 3 and the front wall 9. As show in Figures 3 and 7, a free space 7 must be provided to allow movement of the container 10.
The reduction of utilisable display space on the lower shelf 2' is in part offset by the increase in height of the internal space permitted by the containers 10.
In any case, the portion of lower shelf 2' not used is the part next to the back wall 9. This portion is normally little used inasmuch as awkward and difficult to access. In fact to position products there the operator is forced to lean into the cabinet by bending his/her back in an incorrect posture. Furthermore, during this operation the operator inevitably skims the first shelf 2", with the consequent risk of inadvertently hitting it.
Preferably, as shown in the attached drawings, the container 10 is moved between the advanced position and the retracted position along a direction of movement y substantially orthogonal to the direction of longitudinal extension x of the cabinet 1.
According to an alternative solution not shown it is however possible to envisage a movement of the container in different directions to the direction y, such as in the same direction x as the longitudinal extension, thereby with a lateral movement of the container. In this case, the container may occupy the full depth of the lower shelf 2'. To enable its movement and thereby create a free space utilisable as a deck, the container or the containers (where two or more are envisaged) will need to have a total extension in length less than that of the cabinet 1.
Preferably, each container 10 is associated to the cabinet 1 in a sliding manner by guiding means 20.
As will be described below, the containers 10 may be placed directly on the closure panel 4 of the tank 3. In this case the said guiding means are predisposed on the panel 4.
More specifically, the panel 4 closing the tank 3 is laid on the rims of the tank 3 in correspondence of special seats 73. If necessary, the panel may also be leaned against the back wall 9 using special brackets or sections 74 attached to it.
Preferably, the panel 4 (which may be made in a single piece or in several modular elements) is positioned on a horizontal plane. Embodiments may be foreseen in which the panel 4 is positioned on an inclined plane, preferably forwards.
According to the preferred embodiments shown in the attached drawings, the containers 10 are not placed directly on the closure panel 4, but on an intermediate support plane 5 overlaying said panel 4. The guiding means 20 are predisposed on the intermediate plane 5, to which the container 10 is associated in a sliding manner.
Preferably, the intermediate support plane 5 is positioned in a raised position in relation to the panel 4.
Even more preferably, (as shown in particular in Figures 1 and 2) the intermediate support plane 5 is positioned on a plane inclined forwards.
The inclination of the intermediate plane (but also of the panel 4, when the containers are placed directly on it) essentially has the purpose of improving visibility of the products placed inside the containers 10.
The support plane 5 comprises a plate-shaped element 5' (which defines the support and sliding surface of the containers 10), which the guiding means 20 (described in detail below) are predisposed on.
Preferably, the plane 5 is provided with means 50 for attaching it to the back wall 9 of the display cabinet 1.
Advantageously, such attachment means 50 are adjustable in height, to enable variation of the inclination of the intermediate plane 5.
According to one preferred embodiment shown in particular in Figures 9 and 10, such means 50 comprise a section 51 provided with two or more hooked tabs 52 intended to engage inside the relative attachment seats (not shown) made at different heights on the back wall 9 of the cabinet 1. One or more support elements 53 extend from the section 51, the aforesaid plate-shaped element 5' being associated to such support elements.
Advantageously, the intermediate support plane 5 rests with the plate-shaped element 5' on the panel 4 near the upper front rim 3a of the tank 3. The overlapping of the panel 4 and of the plate-shaped element 5' makes the area intended for use as a deck by the operator stronger and more mechanically resistant.
Preferably, each container 10 is provided with one or more slits 11 for circulation of the refrigerated air inside them. The slits 11 are preferably made on the back wall 10b and/or on the bottom 10c.
Advantageously, each container 10 is composed of a boxlike body (made for example from metal or plastic), open on the top.
As already mentioned above, the container 10 is provided with perimeter walls (lateral 10d, front 10a and back 10b) which delimit the size of the inner space and act as sides for the products placed therein which prevent them from accidentally spilling out either when the container is still and when in movement. The screens or sides generally foreseen in traditional display cabinets along the upper front rim of the tanks are thereby made totally superfluous.
The upper profile and the height of the perimeter walls may be decided depending on the specific functional and aesthetic requirements of the final user.
Preferably, as shown in particular in Figure 9, the back wall 10b is higher than the front wall 10a and they are connected by side walls with an inclined profile. The fact that the front wall 10a is lower makes the inner space and therefore all the products displayed there, more visible.
Advantageously, on the front wall 10a an aperture or pocket 17 may be made which acts as an handle for moving the container 10.
According to the embodiment shown in Figures 2, 7 and 8, the container 10 has an appendage 12 fixed to the outside of its front wall 10a which overlaps the upper front rim 3a of the tank 3 when the container 10 is in the aforesaid advanced position.
More specifically, on the appendage 12 a label holder device 14 is predisposed and at least one slit 15 is made for the return of the refrigerated air A inside the tank 3. Such slit 15 being made in such a way that when the container 10 is in the advanced position it is positioned over one or more vents 32 made on the front wall 31 of the tank 3 and communicating with the inside of the tank itself 3.
This specific embodiment of the container 10 is preferably adopted in display cabinet models with extensively high front walls 31 of the tank. In these cabinet models, if the label holder were built in to the top of the front wall 31, it would be positioned at the same height as the panel 4 and would therefore become an obstacle. The solution described above, wherein the label holder is joined to the container and moves with it, eliminates this problem.
More specifically, as shown in particular in Figure 8, the label holder device 14 comprises a profiled element 28, which defines at least one flat surface or surface with a curved transversal section. Along the longitudinal rims of the profiled element 28, at the aforesaid surface two parallel longitudinal tabs 29 are made distanced from each other making it possible to hold onto such surface paper, plasticised or metallic strips where information on the displayed products can be inserted.
Preferably, the guiding means 20 comprise, for each container 10, one or more guides 21 predisposed on the panel 4 or on the intermediate support plane 5. Each container 10 is provided with a corresponding counter guide 22 for each guide 21.
According to the embodiment shown in Figures 9 and 11, the guides 21 may be made from T profiles, while the counter guides 22 may be made from counter shaped seats on the bottom 10c of the container 10. The guides 21 and the counter guides 22 are shaped so as to hold the container 10 to the support plane 5 or to the panel 4. This way during movement the containers 10 are prevented from inadvertently moving out from their seats.
More specifically, as shown in particular in Figure 9, taking as reference the front wall 10a, each guide 21 has a T section along a first segment 21' only and at the back extremity 21". The counter guide 22 has a rectangular section for a first segment 22' and a T section for a second segment 22". The second segment 22" ends with a first end stop 24. The counter guide 22 ends with an L shaped seat 25 destined to engage with the back extremity 21" of the guide 21.
When the container 10 is in the advanced position the first segment 21' of the guide 21 engages the end stop 24 and the second segment 22" of the counter guide 22. The back extremity 21" of the guide does not engage, however, the L-shaped seat 25. The interference between the guide 21 and the counter guide 22 prevents extraction of the container 10 from the lower shelf 2'.
When the container 10 is in the retracted position the first segment 21' of the guide 21 positions itself rather, at the first rectangular section segment 22' of the counter guide, while the back extremity 21" of the guide engages the upper part of the L-shaped seat 25. The interference between the back extremity 21" of the guide and the L-shaped seat 25 prevents the extraction of the container 10 from the lower shelf 2'.
In order to make the container 10 extractable, the back extremity 21" of the guide must engage the lower part of the L-shaped seat 25.
According to one embodiment not shown in the attached drawings, the guiding means may be composed of simple linear slats coupled to the inside of grooves made on the bottom of the container. This way the containers are guided in their translation movement on the plane 5 or on the panel 4, free to be raised and extracted.
Advantageously, the display cabinet 1 comprises means 60 for stopping the container or the containers 10 in the advanced position and/or in the retracted position.
Preferably, as shown in particular in Figures 6a-d and 9, such stop means 60 comprise two longitudinal teeth 61 and 62, placed in the position which the front wall 10a of the container 10 assumes respectively when it is in the advanced position and in the retracted position.
Operatively, such longitudinal teeth 61 and 62 are particularly useful when the intermediate support plane 5 or the panel 4 are inclined and the container 10 is subject to slide downwards under its own weight.
Advantageously, the guides 21 and the counter guides 22 are shaped so that in any position there is such play between them as to allow limited raising of the container 10 in a direction z orthogonal to the sliding plane, whether such is the intermediate support plane 5 or the panel 4. This not only helps to make the translation movement of the container 10 fluid, but also allows the container 10 to be raised to pass the longitudinal tooth 62 in its return from the retracted position to the advanced position.
Figures 6a to 6d show in sequence the different positions assumed by the container 10 in relation to the longitudinal teeth 61 and 62, with the limited upward raising movement needed to pass the longitudinal tooth 62 in particular.
The number of containers 10 may vary depending on the longitudinal dimensions of the cabinet 1.
Preferably, the containers 10 with their relative intermediates planes 5 (if foreseen) are made as modular elements. This way it is possible to install them all along the length of the cabinets adapting them to the specific length of each single model.
Similarly the closure panel 4 of the tank 3 may be made in a single piece or in a number of separate elements.
Advantageously, the containers 10 with their relative intermediates planes 5 (if foreseen) can be made directly on newly manufactured display cabinets or applied to existing ones by retrofitting.
To such purpose a retrofit kit maybe provided comprising one or more containers 10, one or more adapted support planes 5 or panels 4.
The present invention offers a number of advantages, some of which already presented.
A first advantage lies in the fact that employees assigned to shelf-filling can work more easily, simply and practically reaching the highest shelves of the container compartment without difficulty. By moving one or more of the containers 10 from the advanced position to the retracted position, the operator can in fact create a deck on the lower shelf 2' without having to first move away the products positioned there.
Thanks to the display cabinet 1 according to the invention, even if lacking ladders or similar equipments, the operator is no longer forced to climb onto the front rim of the tank and thus assume dangerous or ergonomically incorrect postures.
Thanks to the invention, and to the increased containment capacity in a vertical direction given by the containers, the screens and sides provided in traditional display cabinets along the upper front rim of the tanks become superfluous. The elimination of vertical obstacles not only makes climbing onto the deck easier and simpler but also makes standing and getting down from the deck safer.
Thanks to the invention, filling of the lower shelf is made easier, simpler and less awkward.
Thanks to the containers 10 not only space on the lower shelf is used more beneficially, but operators are no longer obliged to lean inside the cabinet and assume ergonomically incorrect and dangerous postures.
Lastly, the vertical refrigerated display cabinet 1 according to the invention may be made simply and economically, involving solely the installation of an extremely simple device in terms of mechanics and construction.
The invention hereto described thus achieves the objectives specified.
Obviously, it may, in its practical embodiment, be of a shape and/or configuration other than those shown above while remaining within the scope of protection.
Moreover all the parts may be replaced by technically equivalent parts and the dimensions, shapes and materials used may be varied as needed.

Claims

Vertical refrigerated display cabinet with facilitated access container compartment, comprising a tank (3) acting as a support base for sitting on the ground, closed on the top by at least one panel (4) and used to house refrigerating means, said at least one panel (4) defining a support plane upon which the products to be displayed can be placed directly or indirectly;
characterised by the fact of comprising one or more mobile containers (10) intended to contain such products and supported directly or indirectly by said panel (4), each container (10) being of lesser depth (P1) than the depth (P) of said panel (4) so that it can be moved from an advanced position, wherein said container (10) is placed close to the upper front rim (3a) of said tank (3), and a retracted position, wherein said container (10) is distanced from said upper front rim (3a) so as to free a space next to said rim (3a) which can be used as a deck to access the container compartment (2) of said cabinet (1) in a facilitated manner.
Cabinet according to claim 1, wherein said at least one container (10) moves between said advanced position and said retracted position in a direction of movement (y) substantially orthogonal to the direction of longitudinal extension (x) of said cabinet (1).
Cabinet according to claim 1 or 2, wherein said at least one container (10) is associated to said cabinet (1) in a sliding manner by guiding means (20).
Cabinet according to claim 3 wherein said guiding means are predisposed on said panel (4), said at least one container (10) being associated to the latter in a sliding manner.
Cabinet according to claim 3, comprising an intermediate support plane (5) overlaying said panel (4), said guiding means being predisposed on said intermediate support plane (5), said at least one container (10) being associated to the latter in a sliding manner.
Cabinet according to claim 5, wherein said intermediate support plane (5) can be positioned in a raised position in relation to said panel (4).
Cabinet according to claim 5 or 6 wherein said intermediate support plane (5) defines a forwards inclined plane, said support plane (5) being provided with means (50) for attaching it to a back wall (9) of said cabinet (1), said means (50) being adjustable in height.
Cabinet according to one or more of the claims from 5 to 7, wherein said intermediate support plane (5) rests on said panel (4) near the upper front rim (3a) of said tank (3).
Cabinet according to one or more of the previous claims wherein each container (10) is provided with one or more slits (11) to allow the circulation of the refrigerated air A inside it.
Cabinet according to one or more of the previous claims wherein each container (10) is composed of a box-shaped body.
Cabinet according to one or more of the previous claims wherein said guiding means (20) comprise, for each container (10), one or more guides (21) predisposed on said panel (4) or on said intermediate support plane (5), each container (10) being provided with a corresponding counter guide (22) for each guide (21).
Cabinet according to claim 11, wherein said guides (21) and said counter guides (22) are shaped so as to hold said container (10) to said panel (4) or to said support plane (5).
Cabinet according to claim 12, wherein between said guides (21) and said counter guides (22) there is a clearance such as to allow limited raising of said container (10) in a direction (z) orthogonal to said panel (4) or to said support plane (5).
Cabinet according to one or more of the previous claims, comprising means (60) for blocking said container in said advanced position and/or said retracted position.
Cabinet according to one or more of the previous claims wherein said container (10) has attached to the outside of its front wall (10a) an appendage (12) which overlaps the upper front rim (3a) of said tank (3) when said container (10) is in said advanced position.
Cabinet according to claim 15, wherein on said appendage a label holder device 14 is predisposed and at least one slit (15) is made for the return of the refrigerated air A inside the tank (3), said slit (15) being made in such a way that when said container (10) is in said advanced position it is positioned over one or more vents (32) made on the front wall (31) of said tank (3) and communicating with the inside of the tank itself (3).