EP2457044B1 - Holding device for bottles in particular for arrangement in a cooling device - Google Patents

Description

The present invention relates to a holding device for bottles and the like according to the preamble of claim 1, in particular for arrangement in a refrigeration device, e.g. a refrigerator or a wine storage cabinet. The invention also relates to a shelf for a refrigeration device and a refrigeration device.

A holding device with a bottle shelf is for example from the WO 2005/090883 A1 known. This holding device is arranged on a shelf or shelf of a refrigerator.

The disadvantage of this holding device is the large amount of space required, which is particularly noticeable when there is no bottle in the bottle shelf. In this case, the bottle shelf could be removed from the shelf and stored separately, which is, however, expensive, which is why such an option is rarely used in practice.

The disclosure document DE 196 31 372 A1 shows a holding device for largely lying storage for bottle-like storage goods.

The disclosure document JP 54 061 363 U shows two gratings that are connected by means of a clamp.

The disclosure document EP 19 06 121 A2 shows a shelf comprising a wire-shaped bottle shelf.

EP 2 090 855 A1 forms prior art according to Art. 54 (3) EPC and discloses a refrigerator with a bottle support which is defined by a first and a second section which are connected by a hinge. As a result, the first and second sections are rotatable with respect to one another about a first axis, namely between an extended position in which the first and second sections are aligned and define a receptacle for a bottle, and a scissor-folded position. The first section has an attachment member about which the first section rotates in use about a fixed second axis, parallel to the first axis, for being positioned horizontally in an extended position and vertically in the folded position.

WO 2008/065161 A1 discloses a refrigeration device with a body, a door and one or more shelves, at least two rails which are attached to a shelf opposite and in a parallel position to one another, and a holder which is mounted on the rails and which is movable along the rails . The holder is arranged under a shelf. The holder comprises two plates which are arranged in a V-shape to one another to hold a bottle in the V-shaped holder.

WO 2006/021826 A1 discloses a bottle holder comprising a mobile board related to a base, which mobile board can be fixed to the base in the shape of an inverted V. The mobile board includes a variety of openings in which bottles can be inserted and held.

The object of the invention is a space-saving design of a holding device for bottles, in particular for arrangement or use in a refrigeration device.

This object is achieved by a holding device with the features of claim 1. According to the independent claims, the solution to the object also extends to a shelf and a refrigeration device. Preferred and advantageous developments are the subject matter of the respective dependent claims.

According to the invention, a holding device for bottles and the like with a bottle shelf for receiving at least one bottle and a holder is proposed, it being provided that this holding device has a folding mechanism by means of which the bottle shelf can be transferred from a space-saving, folded-in rest position into an unfolded position of use and vice versa.

It is preferably provided that the bottle shelf can be transferred from exactly one defined rest position into exactly one defined use position and vice versa by means of the folding mechanism. In particular, it is provided that the bottle rack can move forward from its folded-in rest position, i. e.g. in the direction of the loading side of the refrigerator, can be opened or unfolded.

The holding device according to the invention is intended to be arranged on a shelf of a refrigerator. The bracket is used to hold this shelf. The holder thus represents a connecting element by means of which the foldable bottle shelf is held or attached to the shelf.

The bottle shelf of the holding device according to the invention serves to hold at least one bottle or the like lying down, which means other bottle-shaped or cylinder-like objects, such as e.g. Food cans, tetra packs and the like.

The solution according to the invention is based on the idea of being able to transfer the bottle shelf of the holding device into a space-saving rest position when not in use. The transfer of the bottle rack from the position of use to the rest position and vice versa is quick and easy. This advantageously allows a needs-based use of a limited storage space, for example in a refrigeration device.
According to a preferred development, it is provided that the bottle shelf assumes an essentially vertical position in the folded-in rest position. This vertical position can be assumed, for example, in the area of the rear and / or a lateral inner wall of a refrigeration device, which enables optimal, needs-based use of the storage space in the refrigeration device. A vertical or perpendicular position is defined, in particular, relative to a shelf on which the holding device is arranged.
According to a preferred development, it is provided that the bottle shelf assumes a substantially horizontal position in the unfolded position of use. In this horizontal position, the bottle shelf lies in particular on a shelf and is supported flatly and / or at several contact points against this. This means that there is no need for an expensive supporting and / or support structure.

The bottle shelf has at least one support surface for a bottle to be picked up. This support surface is designed as a closed surface. This makes the bottle rack stable and easy to clean.

According to a preferred development, it is provided that the bottle shelf comprises a hinge about which a first partial surface or a first partial surface section of the support surface can be pivoted against a second partial surface or a second partial surface section. This joint is preferably arranged approximately in the middle of the bearing surface with respect to the longitudinal extension and divides it into two equally sized partial surfaces. For the rest, reference is made to the following statements, which apply mutatis mutandis.

According to a preferred development, it is provided that the bottle shelf comprises at least two joints, the arrangement of which divides the support surface into at least three partial surfaces or partial surface sections, these partial surfaces or partial surface sections being pivotable to one another in the manner of a bellows. The number n of joints can also be greater than 2, the number of partial areas or partial area sections formed being n + 1. With bellows-like is meant that the partial surfaces or partial surface sections have opposite pivoting directions when they are folded in or out. In the folded-in rest position, the partial surfaces or partial surface sections which can be pivoted relative to one another preferably assume an essentially vertical position, in which the lower or upper sides of the partial surface sections face one another (like a bellows). The partial surface sections are preferably in touch contact in this folded-in rest position, which requires a particularly compact arrangement. Alternatively, however, a folded rest position is also possible, in which the partial surface sections at the joints at an acute angle of z. B. <20 ° and, preferably <10 ° to each other.

According to a preferred development, it is provided that the partial areas of the partial area sections formed by the joints are designed to be essentially the same size.

According to a preferred development, it is provided that the holding device has a further joint in the area of its holder, by means of which the bottle shelf is arranged pivotably on this holder. With regard to the bracket, reference is made to the statements above. When the support surface is subdivided into several partial surfaces, a first partial surface or a first partial surface section is pivotably mounted on the bracket via this joint, while the further partial surfaces or partial surface sections of the bottle rack are continuously pivotably connected to this first partial surface.

According to a preferred development, it is provided that the joint axis of at least one joint and preferably all joints is or are arranged essentially transversely to a longitudinal extension of the support surface of the bottle rack. Furthermore, it is preferably provided that the joint axes are arranged parallel to one another.

According to a preferred development, it is provided that the folding mechanism is acted upon by spring force in order to support opening and / or folding in of the bottle rack, or to enable the bottle rack to be automatically opened and / or folded. A folding mechanism that opens and / or folds in automatically can be designed as a so-called push-pull mechanism. Mechanisms of this kind can be implemented technically by a spring force-loaded rotary element moving transversely to the folding direction or a spring force-operated heart curve control. An automatic opening of the bottle shelf is preferably provided after the folding mechanism has been triggered manually (“push-to-open” mechanism). This has the advantage that the bottle rack z. B. can be tapped with the bottle to be stored and then automatically opens or folds out. As an alternative or in addition, automatic folding in of the bottle shelf is provided after the folding mechanism has been triggered manually ("push-to-close" mechanism).

According to a preferred development, it is provided that at least one holding means is provided on the bottle shelf in order to fix it in the folded-in rest position. This can e.g. by means of a snap lock, clip lock and / or magnetic lock.

According to a preferred development, it is provided that the support surface is concave. Such a concave support surface forms a trough-shaped receptacle which provides a lateral support for a bottle to be picked up. In particular, it is provided that the concave support surface extends in the longitudinal direction or in the longitudinal extension over a joint of the bottle rack, such a joint dividing the concave support surface into several partial surfaces or partial surface sections.

According to a preferred development it is provided that the support surface is provided with a soft and / or non-slip surface at least in some areas. This surface can e.g. be formed by a coating of a soft plastic material.

According to a preferred development, it is provided that the bottle shelf comprises at least one securing means, acting in its longitudinal extension, for a bottle to be picked up. A concave support surface can e.g. forward, i.e. e.g. be closed in the direction of the charging side of the refrigerator by a crosspiece or the like.

According to a preferred development, it is provided that the bottle shelf is provided with a function symbol that is visible at least in the folded-in rest position. Such a function symbol can facilitate intuitive operation of the folding mechanism, e.g. by arranging the function icon at a point where the user can trigger the push-pull mechanism explained above.

According to a preferred development it is provided that the bottle shelf is designed to hold exactly one bottle.

According to a preferred development, the bottle shelf is essentially formed from a cold and impact-resistant plastic material.

The invention also extends to a shelf for arrangement in a refrigeration device comprising at least one holding device according to the invention.

According to a preferred development, it is provided that the bottle shelf is arranged to be longitudinally displaceable by means of the holder on a lateral or the rear edge of the shelf. For this purpose, e.g. a tongue and groove connection. It can optionally be provided that the bottle shelf can be removed from the shelf.

According to a preferred development it is provided that the length or the longitudinal extent of the bottle shelf in the position of use or in the unfolded state is significantly shorter than the depth or the width of the shelf. The length is preferably approximately two thirds of the depth of the shelf.

The invention is also directed to a refrigeration device which is equipped with at least one holding device according to the invention or at least one shelf according to the invention. Such a refrigeration device is in particular a refrigerator or a wine storage cabinet for household and / or catering needs.

Fig. 1

eine erfindungsgemäße Haltevorrichtung mit einer Flaschenablage in der ausgeklappten Gebrauchsstellung;

Fig. 2

eine in der Flaschenablage der Fig. 1 liegend aufgenommene Flasche;

Fig. 3

die Flaschenablage der Fig. 1 in der eingeklappten Ruhestellung; und

Fig. 4

ein Stadium beim Überführen der Flaschenablage zwischen den Stellungen der Fig. 3 und der Fig. 1.

Further features and advantages of the invention emerge from the following description of a preferred exemplary embodiment with reference to the accompanying drawings. In each of these show in perspective view:

Fig. 1

a holding device according to the invention with a bottle shelf in the unfolded position of use;

Fig. 2

one in the bottle shelf of the Fig. 1 bottle picked up lying down;

Fig. 3

the bottle shelf of the Fig. 1 in the folded rest position; and

Fig. 4

a stage in the transfer of the bottle rack between the positions of the Fig. 3 and the Fig. 1 .

Fig. 1 shows a shelf labeled 1 for arrangement in a refrigeration device, not shown. The shelf 1 is with its right side edge 12 and with his left side edge 14 held in the cooled interior of the refrigerator and is used to store items to be cooled. The directions right, left, front and back relate to the perspective of an operator from the loading side of the refrigerator. This also defines the terms “depth” and “width” of the shelf 1.

A holding device according to the invention, denoted overall by 2, is arranged on the shelf 1. This comprises a bottle shelf 3 for receiving a bottle or the like in a lying position. To accommodate a bottle, the bottle shelf 3 is provided with a concave support surface 31 with a longitudinal extension L which is bounded towards the front by a transverse web 32 which serves as a securing means for the bottle to be picked up. The concave support surface 31 can be provided with a soft and / or non-slip surface at least in some areas. Furthermore, the holding device 2 comprises a holder 4, by means of which the bottle rack 3 is arranged longitudinally movable on the rear edge of the shelf 1, for which the holder 4 is U-shaped in cross section and a rail 11 overlaps the rear edge of the shelf 1 in such a way that the Holding device 2 from the shelf 1 is removable.

In the in Fig. 1 In the unfolded position of use shown, the bottle shelf 3 rests on the shelf 1 and is supported against it. In this position of use, the bottle rack 3 can hold exactly one bottle 6 or the like, as in FIG Fig. 2 shown. In the longitudinal extension L, the length of the bottle shelf 3 corresponds approximately to two thirds of the depth of the shelf 1.

The bottle shelf 3 is attached to the holder 4 in a pivotable manner via a first joint 34. With regard to the longitudinal extension L of the bottle shelf 3, a second hinge 35 is formed approximately in the center thereof, which divides the bottle shelf 3 or its concave support surface 31 into two partial surface sections 33a and 33b with approximately equally sized partial surfaces. The first partial surface section 33a is pivotably connected to the holder 4 via the first joint 34, and the second partial surface section 33b is pivotably connected to the first partial surface section 33a via the second joint 35.

The joints 34 and 35 form the hinges of a folding mechanism, by means of which the bottle shelf 3 of the in Fig. 3 The space-saving, folded rest position shown in the Fig. 1 shown unfolded position of use can be transferred and vice versa, as explained below. The joint axes 341 and 351 of the joints 34 and 35 (cf. Fig. 4 ) are designed both parallel to the shelf 1 and parallel to each other.

Fig. 3 shows the bottle shelf 3 in the folded rest position. Here, the bottle shelf 3 is in a substantially vertical position relative to the shelf 1. The first partial surface section 33a is folded upwards by 90 ° on the first joint 34 on the holder 4 with respect to the shelf 1, the second partial surface section 33b on the second joint 35 is folded down by 180 ° with respect to the first partial surface section 33a. The first and second partial surface sections 33a and 33b are thus arranged practically parallel to one another and touch one another on their undersides. A holding means (not shown in greater detail) can be provided on the bottle shelf 3 in order, for example, to fix or lock the partial surface sections 33a and 33b in the folded-in rest position shown.

Based on this in Fig. 3 The folded rest position shown, the bottle rack 3 can be in the in Fig. 1 shown unfolded position of use can be transferred, as in Fig. 4 shown. Here, the partial surface sections 33a and 33b perform a pivoting movement of 180 ° to one another, which is indicated by the arcuate arrow A, as a result of which the bottle shelf 3 folds out, which is indicated by the arrow B. The first partial surface section 33a here executes a pivoting movement of 90 ° in the direction of the shelf 1 on the first joint 34. The end position, ie the unfolded position of use, is reached when both partial surface sections 33a and 33b lie flush with one another on the shelf 1 and are supported against it.

The folding in of the bottle shelf 3, i. their transfer from the unfolded position of use into the folded rest position takes place with an opposite sequence of movements.

The folding mechanism of the bottle shelf 3 can be spring-loaded by at least one spring element, not shown, which causes the bottle shelf 3 to unfold and / or fold in automatically, or at least supports the bottle shelf 3 to be opened and / or folded in. In particular, it is provided that the bottle rack 3 can be touched in the folded rest position automatically or automatically unfolds into the unfolded position of use. Tapping can take place, for example, by exerting a pressure force in the area of the bottle-like function symbol 36. The pressure force can for example be applied directly with the bottle 6 to be picked up or stored, which saves a handle. Before folding out the bottle shelf 3, the shelf 1 only needs to be cleared empty as far as space is required for the bottle shelf 3 in the position of use.

Claims (17)

1. Holding device (2) for bottles for arranging on a compartment floor (1), in particular for arranging in a refrigeration device, having a bottle placement area (3) for receiving at least one bottle (6) in a lying position and a mounting (4) for mounting on the compartment floor (2), characterised in that the holding device (2) has a folding mechanism by means of which the bottle placement area (3) can be converted from a space-saving folded unused position to a folded-out working position and vice versa, wherein the bottle placement area (3) has at least one support surface (31) for a bottle to be accommodated (6) and wherein the bottle placement area (3) includes a hinged joint (35) about which a first part-surface section (33a) of the support surface (31) is able to be pivoted toward a second part-surface section (33b), in that the support surface (31) is embodied as a closed area, and in that in the folded-out working position the bottle placement area (3) assumes an essentially horizontal position.
2. Holding device (2) according to claim 1, characterised in that in the folded unused position the bottle placement area (3) assumes an essentially vertical position.
3. Holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottle placement area (3) includes at least two hinged joints, through the arrangement of which the support surface (31) is subdivided into at least three part-surface sections, said part-surface sections being able to be pivoted relative to each other like a bellows.
4. Holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the part-surfaces of the part-surface sections (33a, 33b) are embodied as essentially equal in size.
5. Holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it has a further hinged joint (35) in the area of the mounting (4) by means of which the bottle holding area (3) is pivotably arranged on the mounting (4).
6. Holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the hinged joint axis (341, 351) of a hinged joint (34, 35) is arranged essentially transversely with respect to the longitudinal extent (L) of the support service (31) of the bottle placement area (3).
7. Holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the folding mechanism is spring-loaded in order to assist unfolding and/or folding of the bottle placement area (3) or to enable automatic unfolding and/or folding of the bottle placement area (3).
8. Holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that at least one retaining means is provided on the bottle placement area (3) in order to fix said area in the folded unused position.
9. Holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support surface (31) is embodied as concave.
10. Holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the support surface (31) is provided at least in sections with a soft and/or non-slip surface.
11. Holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottle placement area (3) includes at least one securing means (32), acting in its longitudinal extent (L), for a bottle (6) to be accommodated.
12. Holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottle placement area (3) is provided with a function symbol (36) that is visible at least in the folded unused position.
13. Holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims, characterised in that the bottle placement area (3) is embodied to receive precisely one bottle (6).
14. Compartment floor (1) for arranging in a refrigeration device comprising at least one holding device (2) according to one of the preceding claims.
15. Compartment floor (1) according to claim 14, characterised in that the holding device (2) is arranged to allow longitudinal movement on a side edge (12, 14) or on the rear edge (11) of the compartment floor (1).
16. Compartment floor (1) according to claim 14 or 15, characterised in that the longitudinal extent (L) of the bottle placement area (3) is much shorter in the working position than the depth or the width of the compartment floor (1).
17. Refrigeration device equipped with at least one holding device (2) according to one of claims 1 to 13 or with a compartment floor (1) according to one of claims 15 to 16.

Images