EP2407061B1 - Goods presentation container - Google Patents

Description

The invention relates to a goods presentation container, in particular a cooling rack, with a housing, and with at least one roller-type cover for closing an access opening in the housing, wherein the cover has at least one seal arranged at the edge, and wherein a storage unit is provided with winding unit for the seal, which guides the seal across a gap between the cover and the housing and / or the gap between two adjacent covers.

Goods presentation containers are generally used for stocking and advertising of goods, especially food in shops. In the present case, it is primarily a matter of a refrigerated goods presentation container, ie one which regularly stores refrigerated foodstuffs for direct customer removal and for this purpose usually has an integrated cooling device. Chilled goods display containers are generally refrigerated shelves, ie open refrigerators with one or more shelves. In this way, foods that require permanent refrigeration are kept easily accessible to customers. Access to such refrigerated shelves is made possible via the at least one access opening.

In contrast to closed refrigerators, for example, open refrigerators or refrigerated shelves constantly exchange with the usually warmer ambient air inside the shop. For this reason, the energy consumption in such open refrigerators or shelves is significantly higher than that of closed refrigerators. For this purpose, one increasingly uses refrigerated shelves in practice, in which the access opening is closed, for example by glass revolving doors or so-called night blinds can be. The night blinds are used in particular outside shop opening hours. In contrast, the glass hinged doors ensure a relatively low energy loss during the entire operation.

However, this only applies in the event that a low customer frequency is observed. Because with high customer frequency, the glass doors or glass revolving doors often have to be opened, so that energy efficiency is significantly worsened. In addition, such glass doors are associated with the disadvantage that in the area of the customer a suction effect is observed by the outside penetrating warm air. Quite apart from that, glass doors or glass turntables during customer use are a barrier for the respective customer and disrupt the sale.

In the closest and generic prior art according to the DE 201 01 977 U1 a cooling rack is realized with an access opening and two laterally adjacent cover blinds for closing the access opening. In addition, an intermediate roller blind is provided which serves to close the vertical gap formed between the cover roller blinds. The material web of the intermediate roller blind and the material webs of the cover roller blinds are each equipped with adhesive elements in their edge regions. The adhesive elements form a detachable connection of the edge regions of the intermediate roller blind with the edge regions of the cover roller blinds, in order to enable opening of the access opening even in the case of a closure.

In the prior art according to the DE 102 36 212 A1 a refrigerator is described, which is equipped with a thermally insulated housing. In addition, the known refrigeration device has a heat-insulating cover formed by longitudinally displaceable rolloartig contiguous contiguous also heat-insulating elements is formed.

As a result, the access opening has a total thermally insulating trained cover and can be closed with the help of this cover.

The two realized at this point hollow chamber roller blinds are guided in grooves longitudinally displaceable. The grooves are located within the mutually facing sides of the side walls and are preferably formed circumferentially along the peripheral edge of the side walls. As a result, a perfect guidance of the roller blinds may be achieved, but such a solution can not be retrofitted, for example. In addition, the known teaching pursues the DE 102 36 212 A1 ultimately the goal to replace previously used flaps or doors through the roller blind, which is logically closed again after removal of the desired food or must be closed. In addition, in the realization of several and adjoining Warenpräsentationsbehältern the problem is that unavoidable slots or gaps are realized between the covers.

Although exist at this point in the generic state of the art according to the DE 928 714 already approaches to provide an effective gap seal. In fact, in this document, a refrigerator is described in which the door is designed as a known louvered roller door. This has an insulating insert between two flexible outer walls. In addition, the front in the closing direction of the door leading edge has a seal. This is a hollow U-shaped rubber profile.

However, the known approaches for sealing any slots or gaps can be realized practically only if a cabinet-like goods presentation container, in the example case the DE 928 714 a refrigerator, is used. On open cooling appliances or refrigerated shelves, the known measures can hardly be transferred. Also, problems arise in the event that such refrigerators or refrigerated shelves are to be combined modular to a cooling section. Here, the invention aims to provide a total remedy.

The invention is based on the technical problem of further developing such a goods presentation container so that it is predestined for a modular construction and at the same time opens up the possibility of providing a perfect gap seal.

To solve this technical problem, a generic goods presentation container, especially a cooling rack, in the invention characterized in that the storage unit cooperates with a terminal connected to the seal clamping means for the seal, wherein the clamping device with the cover or the covers in the region is connected to be closed gap, and wherein the clamping device bridges the gap remaining between adjacent covers and with the aid of the respective seal to be closed.

In the context of the invention is initially a different approach than in the EP patent application 09 007 665.4-1258 which, in any event, should be taken into account only for the purposes of Article 54 (3) EPC. For the seal is initially formed independently of the housing and the cover. This is primarily due to the separately arranged from the housing and the cover storage unit.

The storage unit receives the seal by means of the winding unit and ensures the supply of the seal and their storage depending on the needs or operating state of the cover. Consequently, the storage unit is housing-independent design. That is, the movement of the seal on the one hand and that of the cover on the other hand take place separately, but coordinated. In other words, the movement of the seal is advantageously adapted to the movement of the cover.

In this case, it will generally be the case that, for example, when the cover is being lowered to close the access opening, the one or more seals are also guided into or over the gap in question. Once the cover is raised, the seal also follows this process. However, the seal is usually not connected to the entire surface of the cover, but at best selectively to the described synchronous movement between the seal and the cover to realize.

It has proven useful if the storage unit is connected to a guide device for the cover. Usually, the guide device not only assumes the function of a guide for the cover, but also generally provides for their support. That is, the cover is held and guided at the same time by means of the guide device.

In this case, it will be advantageous to equip the guide device with rails for the cover, if at this point a roller blind is used. In any case, the guide device is advantageously designed housing independent, so it can be independent of the housing, for example, on a wall and reduced by this. That is, the management device is usually designed as a housing-independent guide rail device for the designed as a roller blind cover.

In this case, it will generally be the case that the storage unit is arranged in the region of the gap to be closed, typically at the top of the housing. In most cases, the storage unit is placed above the access opening so as not to adversely affect the access opening in any way. Rather, both the guide device and the storage unit are located outside the access opening, so that the customer has the complete access opening for the removal of goods without any hindrances available.

The storage unit has a winding unit that deforms the seal. In fact, the winding unit ensures the storage of the seal. When winding and unwinding the seal is deformed, namely, from an elongated to a curved or spiral state over. This is not a problem insofar as the seal is advantageously designed as a webbing.

In addition, the seal generally has a plastic coating.

As already stated, the storage unit is advantageously connected to the guide device or a guide rail device for the cover. In this case, a bracket, in particular a wall bracket, of the guide device is generally used for holding the storage unit. The boom or the wall bracket can be attached to a wall of a shop or shop, in front of which the product presentation container according to the invention is placed. This makes it clear that the guide device or guide rail device can be designed independently of the housing. Because the housing is placed on a floor in front of said wall, whereas the guide means or guide rail means undergoes anchoring to the wall and independently of the housing. The same applies to the storage unit and with it the seal.

As already explained, the storage unit is equipped with the already mentioned winding unit. When winding and unwinding the seal, it is guided along the gap between the cover and the housing or between the two covers. For this purpose, the winding unit is equipped with a winding axis aligned transversely to the extent of the gap in question.

In addition, the storage unit cooperates with the clamping device for the seal. The clamping device is on the one hand connected to the seal on the one hand and on the other hand connected to the cover or the plurality of covers. In fact, the clamping device makes a connection with the cover or the two covers in the region of the gap to be closed.

In this way, the clamping device provides for the already described selective coupling of one hand, the seal and on the other hand, the cover or the two covers. As a result, the seal and the cover or the covers are moved synchronously. Once the cover is shut down to close the access opening, the clamping means ensures that in this process the seal is unwound from the winding unit and automatically covers the gap to be closed between the two covers or the gap between the cover and the housing.

In this case, one will typically work with an overlap of the seal, which corresponds approximately on both sides to the width of the gap to be covered. That is, the seal is in closing the gap between two covers on the respective cover in such a width, which corresponds to the actual gap width. As a result, the width of the seal in the range of about three times the width of the gap to be closed moves. This is of course only exemplary and not necessarily to be construed, however, has proven to be particularly advantageous.

In addition to the seal described, one or more edge-side brush seals or comparable additional seals can additionally be provided. That is, the respective cover and / or the housing in addition to the seal described and in the storage unit on a peripheral brush seal for additional sealing of the gap. In most cases, several edge brush seals are provided on the respective cover. These can be so for example realize that in a run as a blind cover individual roller poles have used end brush seals.

Moreover, it has proven useful if the cover has an end-side horizontal seal. In most cases, this horizontal seal engages in a receiving groove at the bottom of the housing. This is usually the case when the cover for closing the access opening in the housing is completely shut down. As a result, an additional seal is provided in the region of a horizontal or end edge of the cover, which, in conjunction with the seal covering the vertical gaps, provides overall the desired hermetic closure of the access opening. Any cooling losses occur only to a small extent.

As a result, a goods presentation container is provided, which is particularly suitable as a cooling rack. In this case, the individual housings can easily be modularly assembled or combined to form a cooling section. The individual housings can be easily closed by associated covers, wherein between the individual covers remaining column in the vertical direction or vertical column according to the invention are closed by the available from the storage unit seal. As a result, energy losses are minimized by replacing the circulating in the interior of the goods presentation container cooling air with the outside ambient air. Any remaining gaps between individual covers or the housing are reliably closed by the present invention provided separate seal.

In this context, virtually any size access openings and almost any number of modular juxtaposed housing dominate. In addition, the cover in question can be easily retrofitted in connection with the one or more seals. Because the individual covers are mostly without side rails and have to their leadership and support on the housing independent guide device.

Nevertheless, the necessary stability is ensured especially in the closed state of the respective cover. In addition, the cover does not necessarily have to be adapted to a specific compartment size of the housing. Because the cover is ultimately stored by the guide device and made available guided, the guide device itself is designed independently of the housing. Here are the main benefits.

Fig. 1

einen Warenpräsentationsbehälter in perspektivischer Ansicht entsprechend der Erfindung,

Fig. 2

den Warenpräsentationsbehälter nach Fig. 1 im Bereich einer Vorratseinheit für die Dichtung,

Fig. 3

den Warenpräsentationsbehälter nach Fig. 1 in geschlossenem Zustand und

Fig. 4A und 4B

jeweils Detailausschnitte der Fig. 1 bis 3.

In the following the invention will be explained in more detail with reference to a drawing showing only one exemplary embodiment; show it:

Fig. 1

a goods presentation container in perspective view according to the invention,

Fig. 2

the goods presentation container after Fig. 1 in the area of a storage unit for the seal,

Fig. 3

the goods presentation container after Fig. 1 in closed condition and

FIGS. 4A and 4B

each detail of the Fig. 1 to 3 ,

In the figures, a goods presentation container is shown, which has in its basic structure on a housing 1 and provided in the housing 1 several rule floors 2. The shelves 2 are set up to hold refrigerated food. It can be seen that the housing 1 consists of two housing side walls 1a, a housing cover 1b, a housing foot 1c and finally a housing rear wall 1d. As a result, the housing 1 has a like shell-like character, which leaves an access opening 3 open on its front side. In this way, customers are allowed unimpeded access to food, which are arranged on the respective shelf 2. Based on Fig. 1 it can be seen that a plurality of housing 1 are combined in a longitudinal extension modular to a cooling section.

The product presentation container shown has in the embodiment of the Fig. 1 over a total of three housings or individual housing 1 respectively is composed of three sections or departments, if one identifies the individual departments with the reference numeral 1 and emanating from an overall housing. Either way, this modular design allows the realization of virtually any length of cooling sections.

The goods presentation container in the embodiment is a refrigerated shelf. In fact, a cooling air unit 4 in the region of the rear wall of the housing 1 d ensures that cooled air circulates inside the housing 1, as does the Fig. 1 suggests. As a result, a cooling air curtain is generated in the region of the access opening 3, which largely prevents the exchange of warm ambient air with the cooling air in the interior of the housing. The basic structure of such a cooling air curtain is known, for which only by way of example and not restricting to the EP 1 508 288 A1 referenced.

In normal operation, d. H. Usually during the shop opening times and when the access opening 3 is open, there is an exchange of energy between the cooling air inside the housing 1 and the contrast warmer ambient air. In order to minimize an associated energy loss, at least during the charge closing times, a total of three roller-blind-like covers 6 are provided in the longitudinal direction of the housing 1 in the exemplary embodiment. The individual covers 6 can be moved transversely to the longitudinal extension in order to open or close the associated access opening 3.

Rolloartige cover 6 means within the scope of the invention, each flexible material web, which is deflected when changing to a supply position and open access opening 3 in a working position with a closed access opening 3 and can be deflected. For this purpose, the cover 6 can be stored in longitudinal extension, for example, below or above the housing cover 1b. A folded or wound storage is conceivable.

The respective cover 6 is in the example case a roller blind of mat-like interconnected roller blind rods. The roller poles are regularly designed as hollow profile bars and equipped in the interior with an insulation filling. As a result, energy losses can be minimized with the roller blind 6 closed or the cover 6 closed.

The respective roller blind 6 or the cover 6 is designed independently of the housing 1. For this purpose, the cover or the shade 6 in a first variant has its own roller blind housing 7, which in Fig. 1 is indicated. This is of course not mandatory, as the embodiments of the FIGS. 2 to 4 show that on such Rollogehäuse 7 renounce. In any case, the blind 6 is wound on a shaft 8 and unwound, for which a drive 9 provides the shaft 8. The drive 9 is an electric drive 9, in the present case an electric motor 9.

It can be seen that the housing 7 or cover housing or roller blind housing 7 as well as the cover 6 are arranged outside the actual housing 1. Consequently, the housing 7 and the cover 6 are predestined for a retrofit solution. In fact, the blind housing 7 and with it the cover 6 is arranged on the housing cover 1b of the housing 1, which of course is not restrictive.

The housing-independent design of the cover 6 of the housing 1 is supported by an indicated guide device 10. This guide device 10 includes, inter alia, a support element, a support rail or the like, over which the cover 6 during winding and unwinding of the shaft 8 slides and is guided in a certain way. An additional lateral guidance of the cover 6 in, for example, side rails does not take place within the scope of the exemplary embodiment or at most in grooves in the housing side walls 1a.

The illustrated three and adjacent in the longitudinal extent of the housing 1 covers 6 are actuated via the common drive means 8, 9. As a result, the three covers 6 are co-wound and unwound. This is not to be understood as limiting.

In any case, the abandonment of rails in the edge region of the housing 1 or on the housing side walls 1a on the one hand and on the other hand between the respective adjacent immediately adjacent covers. 6 In addition, gaps or slits inevitably arise between the covers 6 or between the respective cover 6 and the housing 1 in these areas. These gaps or slots are now according to the invention all or at least partially closed by means of one or more seals 11, 12.

In fact, in the context of the embodiment, on the one hand seals 11 are provided, which close in the vertical direction extending gap between the covers 6 and between the cover 6 and the housing 1. In addition, each cover 6 has an end-side horizontal seal 12. The horizontal seal 12 engages in a receiving groove 13 at the foot of the housing 1, in the closed state of the cover 6, as in the Fig. 3 is shown.

Of particular importance for the invention is now the interpretation of the respective vertical column sealing gaskets 11 and the vertical gaskets 11. Because of these seals 11 is one in particular in the Fig. 2 shown in detail storage unit 14, 15, 16 provided with winding unit 15. The storage unit 14, 15, 16 guides the seal 11 over the gap between the respective cover 6 and the housing 1 and / or between two adjacent covers 6. In this way, the associated vertical gap is closed. The design is such that the movement of the respective seal 11 is adapted to the movement of the associated cover 6, as has already been described in the introduction.

One recognizes by means of the Fig. 2 in that the storage unit 14, 15, 16 is connected to the guide device 10 for the cover 6 or the covers 6. For this purpose, the guide device 10 has a Boom 10a, which is designed here as a wall bracket 10a. At this wall bracket 10a, the storage unit 14, 15, 16 is connected.

The wall bracket or the arm 10a of the guide device 10 carries the respective cover 6 or the adjacent covers 6 and also ensures their movement. In fact, the design is such that the guide device 10 or the boom or the wall bracket 10a engages between two adjacent covers 6 and carries the cover 6 respectively receiving shaft 8 in associated and not shown bearings. In fact, the cover 6 in the exemplary embodiment is a roller blind cover or a roller shutter curtain with individual roller shutter bars. The roller blind or the roller shutter is received on the shaft in question 8, which in turn is supported by the boom 10a and the plurality of arms 10a.

As the respective cantilever 10a is fixed to a wall of the shop premises, it is clear that the entire covers 6 are connected to the wall via the respective cantilevers 10a and can be designed and operated independently of the housing 1. The same applies to the guide device 10 in total. For this purpose, the individual electric drives 9 are provided for the associated shaft 8 as described.

It can be seen that the entire storage unit 14, 15, 16 is placed above the access opening 3, in the region of the respective gap to be closed and head side of the housing 1. In detail, the storage unit 14, 15, 16, the seal 11 receiving and here deforming winding unit 15. The winding unit 15 is equipped with a winding axis 16 aligned transversely to the extent of the gap to be closed. In addition, the storage unit 14, 15, 16 still has one or two connection struts 14, which provide for the alignment and guidance of the winding axis 16 transverse to the extension of the gap to be closed. With the help of the connecting struts 14, the winding unit 15 is connected to the boom or the wall bracket 10a of the guide device 10.

The design in detail is such that the two connecting struts or generally connecting means 14 in conjunction with the winding axis 16 of the winding unit 15 form an overall isosceles triangle. In this isosceles triangle, the two legs of equal length are formed by the two connecting struts 14, whereas the winding axis 16 defines the base. This ensures favorable power conditions during winding and unwinding of the seal 11 on the winding axis sixteenth

It can also be seen that the storage unit 14, 15, 16 with a particular in the Fig. 4B shown clamping device 17 for the seal 11 cooperates or works together. This clamping device 17 is on the one hand connected to the end of the seal 11 and on the other hand, a connection with the one cover 6 and the two adjacent covers 6 with the gap therebetween. For this reason, the clamping device 17 is connected in each case to the cover 6 at the end. In addition one recognizes by means of the Fig. 4B in that the clamping device 17 bridges the gap remaining between adjacent covers 6 and to be closed with the aid of the respective seal 11.

As soon as the respective covers 6 are moved up or down with the aid of the electric drive 9 while unwinding from the associated shaft 8, the seal 11 follows this movement. This is ensured by the clamping device 17, which unwinds the seal 11 from the winding axis 16 or wound up on this. For this purpose, the winding shaft 16 has a spring means, not shown, which ensures an automatic winding of the seal 11 on the winding axis 16 and against the force of the unwinding of the seal 11 takes place.

In addition to the respective seal 11, one or more additional seals 18 are provided, in the gap to be closed between two adjacent covers 6 or a cover 6 and the housing 1. In the embodiment, the additional seal 18 is formed as a peripheral brush seal 18. With the help of this edge brush seal 18 is a complementary sealing of the gap to be closed between the two adjacent covers 6 and the cover 6 and the housing 1 instead.

In this case, the interpretation in detail is such that the respective brush seal 18 is inserted end into an associated roller shutter rod or roller blind bar of the cover 6. In fact, the brush seal 18 is composed of individual adapted to the respective roller shutter bar segments, like the Fig. 4A makes it clear. In this way, the remaining between the adjacent covers 6 gap in the vertical direction is already closed more or less reliable. The brush seals 18 and the additional seals 18 on the edge side of the respective cover 6 and the housing 1 now function within the scope of the invention as a support for the seal 11 additionally covering the gap in question. Taken together, both seals 18, 11 ensure a hermetic closure of such sealed gap, so that energy losses are minimized.

The seal 11 may be formed overall as a webbing. In this case, a webbing with outer plastic coating and, for example, a soul made of a fabric or fabric belt has proven to be particularly favorable. In fact, such a webbing is both durable and flexible and can be easily wound on the winding shaft 16 and unwound from it.

Claims (12)

1. A container for presenting goods, in particular refrigerated shelf, comprising a housing (1) and comprising at least one roller blind-like cover (6) for closing an access opening (3) in the housing (1), wherein

   - the cover (6) has at least one seal (11) arranged on the edge side, and wherein

   - provision is made for a storage unit (14, 15, 16) comprising a winding unit (15) for the seal (11), which guides the seal (11) across a gap between the cover (6) and the housing (1) and/or the gap between two adjacent covers (6),

   characterized in that

   - the storage device (14, 15, 16) interacts with a clamping device (17), which is connected to the seal (11) on the end side, for the seal (11), wherein

   - the clamping device (17) is connected to the cover (6) or to the covers (6), respectively, in the area of the gap, which is to be connected, and wherein

   - the clamping device (17) bridges the gap, which remains between adjacent covers (6) and which is to be closed with the help of the respective seal (11).
2. The container for presenting goods according to claim 1, characterized in that the movement of the seal (11) is adapted to the movement of the cover (6).
3. The container for presenting goods according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the winding unit (15) deforms the seal (11) and the storage unit (14, 15, 16) is designed independently from the housing.
4. The container of presenting goods according to one of claims 1 to 3, characterized in that the winding unit (15) is equipped with a winding axis (16), which is oriented at right angles to the expansion of the gap.
5. The container for presenting goods according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the storage unit (14, 15, 16) is connected to a guide device (10) for the cover (6).
6. The container for presenting goods according to claim 5, characterized in that the storage unit (14, 15, 16) is connected to a cantilever (10a), in particular a wall bracket (10a), of the guide device (10)
7. The container for presenting goods according to one of claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the storage unit (14, 15, 16) is positioned in the area of the gap, which is to be closed, on the head side of the housing (1) and preferably above the access opening (3).
8. The container for presenting goods according to one of claims 1 to 7, characterized in that, in addition to the seal (11), the respective cover (6) and/or the housing (1) has an additional seal (18) on the edge side for additionally sealing the gap.
9. The container for presenting goods according to one of claims 1 to 8, characterized in that the cover (6) is equipped with a horizontal seal (12) on the end side.
10. The container for presenting goods according to claim 9, characterized in that the horizontal seal (12) engages with a receiving groove (13) at the base of the housing (1).
11. The container for presenting goods according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the seal (11) is embodied as webbing.
12. The container for presenting goods according to claim 11, characterized in that the seal (11) has a plastic coating.

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