EP2468146B1 - Refrigerated show cabinet - Google Patents

Description

The preceding invention relates to a counter insert according to the preamble of claim 1.

A generic counter insert, in particular a refrigerated counter insert, has a tilt-adjustable goods support surface and a handle for lifting at least the goods support surface in an inclined position.

Such a counter insert is out DE 299 10 539 U1 known. The disadvantage here is that for securing the goods support surface in an upper, inclined position a hinged flap is required, which must be manually folded out.

Another generic counter insert is in DE 100 64 633 A1 described. For holding the goods support surface in the inclined position a projection is provided on a trough of the counter insert and on the goods support surface a flexible support is provided, which is supported on the projection.

In order to move the goods support surface from a tilted position to a lower position, it is necessary here to release with one hand the flexible support from the support position while the other hand holds the handle. This process is relatively complicated and is further complicated by the fact that the flexible support is difficult to access.

Another generic counter insert is out DE 94 09 985 known.

In the conventional counter inserts is disadvantageous that an adjustment of the inclination of the goods support surface requires a relatively high effort. In addition, depending on the inclination position of the goods support surface cooling air is lost, that is, the cooling air is only partially directed to the goods support surface.

As an object of the invention can be considered to provide a counter insert whose Warenauflagefläche is movable and sustainable in a particularly simple operation in different inclination positions.

This object is achieved by the counter insert with the features of claim 1.

Advantageous embodiments of the counter insert according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and are also described in the following description, in particular in conjunction with the figures.

In the counter insert of the abovementioned type, it is provided according to the invention that for holding the goods support surface in the inclined position, the handle is movable into a support position in which the handle is supported on a fixed part, and in that a spring device is in operative connection with the handle, which moves the handle in the inclined position automatically in the support position.

As a core idea of the invention, it can be considered that the handle is designed to be movable relative to the goods support surface.

It can be regarded as an essential idea of the invention that, unlike conventional counter inserts, the spring device itself is not supported on the fixed part. Rather, according to the invention, the spring device is completely gripped in an operating position. That is, the spring means press against an inner wall of the handle, not against a fixed part, in particular not a fixed part of a trough of the counter insert.

Quite generally, a fixed part is to be understood as meaning any component of the counter insert which is not moved during a movement of the tilt-adjustable goods support surface, but is fixed.

As an essential advantage of the invention, it can be considered that for adjustment of the goods support surface from an inclined position to a low or hardly inclined basic position, only the handle has to be actuated. It is therefore not necessary for personnel to move or hold the handle with one hand, while with another hand a locking device that is different from the handle, is actuated or released.

In a preferred variant of the counter insert according to the invention it is provided that a cooling device is provided, which is arranged under the goods support surface and connected thereto, that the cooling device has an open side adjacent to the handle, that the handle is hollow for receiving cooled Air exiting the open side of the cooling device, and that the handle has an outflow opening for guiding cooled air from the cooling device to the goods bearing surface. The cooling device may have a suction opening for sucking air to be cooled, which is cooled in the cooling device and then discharged through the open side.

When an inflow port of the handle directly adjoins the open side of the radiator, the cooled air exiting through the open side flows largely or even completely into the grip. The handle thus forms part of a flow channel below the goods support surface, is passed through the cooled air to goods on the goods support surface.

An advantageous alternative of the counter insert according to the invention is characterized in that, when the goods support surface is inclined, the handle can be swiveled out above a support position into an opening position in which the open side of the cooling device is made accessible. Advantageously, the cooling device is largely accessible through the open side, so that, for example, cleaning work can be carried out. In this position, the bottom of the cooling device is accessible. In operating positions, however, this underside is shielded by a trough of the counter insert, in which the goods support surface is receivable.

As operating positions are to be understood positions of the goods support surface and the handle, in which an operation is possible, so exhibiting and cooling of goods on the goods support surface. Thus, the operating positions to include the support positions in which the handle for supporting the goods support surface is supported at an angle to a fixed part of the counter insert. A home position in which the handle is not supported on the fixed part, and the goods support surface is located substantially in the plane of the upper end surfaces of the tub, is also an operating position. For cleaning purposes, the goods support surface in a higher position, ie a larger-βeren Tilt angle, as is the case with operating positions, are moved. Advantageously, the access to the cooling device is facilitated by the handle is folded relative to the goods support surface, in particular by an angle greater than 90 °, preferably greater than 120 °.

For the purposes of the invention should not be understood as a grip not only a gripping area, which is taken to raise and lower the goods support surface by a user. Rather, the entire component that has this gripping area should be understood as a handle. The component is preferably formed in one piece.

A further embodiment of the counter insert according to the invention is characterized in that a connecting element is provided substantially perpendicular to the goods support surface and is connected to the goods support surface, and that the handle on the connecting element, in particular at a remote from the goods support surface end of the connecting element, is pivotally articulated. Thus, the handle can be swung around the junction in a support position and / or in the open position.

It is preferred that the spring device is fixedly but detachably connected to the goods support surface, in particular via the connecting element connected to the goods support surface.

The spring device may for example be a rod shape or plate-like and be formed from or with a flexible metal, in particular a spring steel, or plastic. Preferably, the spring device is fastened to the connecting element such that, in an operating position, it presses obliquely against an inner side of the handle, that is to say at an angle not equal to 90 °, preferably less than 70 °. Alternatively, the spring device may also have a spiral spring, which may in particular be perpendicular to the inside of the handle, or be designed with a compression spring, gas spring or similar spring.

In an advantageous embodiment of the counter insert according to the invention it is provided that a, in particular temperature-insulated, tub is provided, in which the goods support surface is receivable, and that the trough has the fixed part to which the handle can be supported. In particular, the fixed part may be formed by an upper surface or edge of the tub. advantageously, can then be an inner rear wall of the tub largely straight, so smooth, trained. In particular, no projection on the inner rear wall is necessary, on which the handle would be supported. This reduces the production costs and facilitates cleaning work. As the upper surface of the tub, the uppermost surface of the tub can be understood, which is in the basic position of the goods support surface in about its height and enclosing it in the horizontal direction.

The tub can be made of an insulating material, for example Styrofoam, or polyurethane foam, or other foamed plastic, and be provided with a lining, in particular a metal panel, inside and outside.

In a preferred variant, provision is made for the goods support surface to be movable into a plurality of inclination positions, in which the goods support surface can each be supported on the fixed part by means of the handle.

Conveniently, for this purpose, the handle may have a stair-shaped support region for supporting on the fixed part, wherein the goods support surface in the plurality of inclination positions can be supported by the stair-shaped support region. In the different tilt positions, the handle is in different support positions in which he pressed by the spring means different far, so swung out is.

Alternatively and / or additionally, the inner rear wall of the tub may have the form of steps, wherein each step represents a fixed part on which the handle can be supported.

In an advantageous embodiment variant of the counter insert according to the invention, the handle has a trough-like lower inflow opening for cooled air and a trough-like, in particular directed, upper outflow opening for directing cooled air onto the goods support surface. The discharge opening may air guide elements, such. As honeycomb grid or the like, include.

It may be formed below the Warenauflagefläche in the basic position and tilt positions, a largely closed flow channel, wherein the lower portion of the handle forms with its inlet opening part of the flow channel.

In a preferred variant of the counter insert according to the invention, it is provided that the lower region of the handle has a rounding, in particular for largely airtight sealing of the flow channel in the basic position and in each support position. In the various support positions, the handle is swung out differently far. Therefore, it can be ensured by a rounding that regardless of whether the handle is pivoted to a support position, an airtight seal is present. That is, the entire air flowing out of the cooling device comes into the grip.

As a basic position can be understood a position of the goods support surface in which the goods support surface is not held by the handle.

Instead of a stepped support area on the handle can be provided that a rounding of the handle is designed so that a largely continuous tilt adjustment of the goods support surface is made possible, with the down-pressing weight of the goods support surface and facilities provided thereon, in particular the cooling device, the handle in one Supporting position holds. Due to the rounding, the grip depends on how far it is swung out, at different heights on the fixed part. In this case, the weight of the goods support surface prevents the spring device unintentionally swing the handle further and thus increase a tilt angle.

In an advantageous alternative of the counter insert according to the invention, a slot is provided on a lower side of the handle and a tab connected to the goods support surface is provided, which engages in the slot to guide a movement of the handle in support positions. The slot can also be designed as a groove or groove. It is also possible to form the tab as a nose.

In a further embodiment, it is provided that in a basic position of the goods support surface of the handle is pressed with its rear side by the spring device to an inner rear wall of the tub and that the handle is shaped so that in the basic position, the back of the handle substantially parallel to the inner Rear wall of the tub is arranged. By this parallel arrangement is advantageously the force with which the handle is pressed by the spring to the inner rear wall of the tub over a largest possible area. scratch or other damage to the inner rear wall can be avoided as much as possible.

Expediently, the handle can have a passage for the spring device for pivoting into an open position. The passage is located on one of the goods bearing surface facing side of the handle. In order to largely prevent the escape of cooled air through the passage, sealing lips, a sealing comb or another flexible lining may be present at the passage.

It is preferably provided that a support region of the handle, which can be supported on the fixed part, is shaped in such a way that, in a supporting position, the support region of the handle is supported flat on the fixed part, ie not just with one edge. As a result, a bearing surface of the handle is increased and thus reduces the risk that scratches or damage to the fixed part and / or the handle.

Fig. 1

eine schematische Darstellung eines Ausführungsbeispiels eines erfindungsgemäßen Thekeneinsatzes in einer Grundposition;

Fig. 2

eine schematische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Thekeneinsatzes in einer geneigten Position;

Fig. 3

eine schematische Darstellung des erfindungsgemäßen Thekeneinsatzes in einer Öffnungsposition; und

Fig. 4

eine schematische Darstellung eines Griffs eines erfindungsgemäßen Thekeneinsatzes.

Further advantages and features of the invention will be described below with reference to the accompanying schematic figures. Herein show:

Fig. 1

a schematic representation of an embodiment of a counter insert according to the invention in a basic position;

Fig. 2

a schematic representation of the counter insert according to the invention in an inclined position;

Fig. 3

a schematic representation of the counter insert according to the invention in an open position; and

Fig. 4

a schematic representation of a handle of a counter insert according to the invention.

Equivalent components are identified by the same reference numerals in all figures.

The FIGS. 1 and 2 show an embodiment of a counter insert according to the invention in operating positions. The counter insert 100 has a trough 30, a goods support surface 10 and a handle 20 for lifting at least the goods support surface 10 in a tilt position.

Below the goods support surface 10, a cooling device 60 is present. This can be firmly connected to the goods support surface 10. In operating positions, the cooling device 60 is thus largely received in the tub 30.

The cooling device 60 has an intake opening 62, through which air to be cooled, in particular from an area above the goods support surface 10, can be sucked into the cooling device 60. For sucking the air to be cooled, the cooling device 60 may have an intake fan 65. The sucked air then flows through an evaporator 66 of the cooling device 60 and is cooled. Through an open side 61 of the cooling device 60, the cooled air finally leaves the cooling device 60.

The cooling device 60 thus forms part of a flow channel in which all of the air drawn in through the suction opening 62 is discharged on the open side 61. For this purpose, a lower boundary of the cooling device 60 is expedient. In the in Fig. 1 illustrated base position, the lower boundary of the cooling device 60 is formed approximately through the bottom of the tub 30. That is, the bottom of the tub 30 is shaped so that air to be cooled is discharged through the open side 61 of the cooler 60.

At the in Fig. 2 shown counter insert 100 is the goods support 10 in an inclined, that is raised, position. The cooling device 60 is thereby also raised and thereby spaced from the bottom of the trough 30. In order to ensure even at this inclined position that sucked air as completely as possible reaches the open side 61, a drag plate 63 is present. This is pivotally hinged to the cooling device 60. When lifting the goods support surface 10 and thus the cooling device 60, the drag plate 63 folds down due to its own weight and thus secures a guide of the air to be cooled.

If the goods support surface 10 of the in Fig. 1 shown basic position in the in Fig. 2 raised inclined position shown so unintentional movement back to the home position is avoided by the handle 20 in automatically a support position is moved. In the support position, the handle 20 projects horizontally beyond the interior of the tub 30 so as to be supported on an upper surface 32 of the tub 30. This upper surface 32 is a fixed part 35 in the context of the invention.

If the handle 20 is raised by a user, the handle 20 is automatically swung out and thereby brought into the supporting position. In order to effect an automatic swinging out of the handle 20, a spring device 50 is present, which is connected to the goods support surface 10.

In the illustrated embodiment, the spring device 50 is attached to a connecting element 12 which is connected to the goods support surface 10. The handle 20 is also attached to the connecting element 12 and is pivotable to this. In the in the FIGS. 1 and 2 shown operating positions, the spring device 50 is largely surrounded by the handle 20.

In the basic position, the in Fig. 1 1, the spring device 50 presses the handle 20 against an inner rear wall 31 of the trough 30. A rear side 26 of the handle 20 is shaped such that in the basic position in which a lower part of the handle 20 is received in the interior of the trough 30 is, this is at least in a partial area parallel to the inner rear wall 31 of the tub 30. As a result, the rear side 26 of the handle 20 lies flat against the inner rear wall 31. The inflow opening 23 in the handle 20 remains free and faces the cooling device.

The handle 20 serves not only for lifting the goods support surface 10 and for supporting the goods support surface 10 in an inclined position, but also for guiding cooled air to the goods support surface 10. For this purpose, the handle 20 is hollow and has an inflow opening 23 and an outflow opening 24 , Both in the basic position and in the support position, the handle 20 is in a position in which the inflow opening 23 is directly adjacent to the open side 61 of the cooling device 60. As a result, the entire air cooled by the cooling device 60 reaches the handle 20 and subsequently out of the outflow opening 24 onto the goods support surface 10.

In order to avoid that cooled air below the handle 20 leaves the cooling device 60, a bottom 21 of the handle 20 may be airtight with a part of the cooling device Complete 60. In order for an airtight seal to be achieved even when the handle 20 is swung from a home position to a support position, the underside 21 of the handle 20 may be rounded. In order to facilitate the movement of the handle between the base and the support position, there may also be a tab or lug 11 which is connected to a part of the cooling device 60 and projects into a groove or slot of the handle 20.

For cleaning purposes, it is possible, the goods support surface 10 on the in Fig. 2 lift out the tilt position shown. This case is in Fig. 3 shown.

Here, the interior of the tub 30 and the bottom of the cooling device 60 are accessible. In addition, it is possible to swing the handle 20 in an open position. In the opening position, the handle 20 is further swung out than in a supporting position, so that the inflow opening 23 of the handle 20 is no longer adjacent to the open side 61 of the cooling device 60. As a result, the open side 61 is accessible to operating personnel, so that the cooling device 60, for example, can be cleaned or maintained from the inside more easily. The handle 20 is kept independent in the open position.

Fig. 4 shows a handle 20 of another embodiment of a counter insert according to the invention. The handle 20 shown here is designed to support the goods support surface 10 in different inclination positions, that is, inclination angles. For this purpose, the handle 20 in a lower region, which can be supported on the fixed part 35, a stepped support portion 22. Here are at least two steps 22, in the illustrated case three steps 22, available. Depending on which step 22 is supported on the fixed part 35, a different angle of inclination can be adjusted.

With the counter insert according to the invention, it is possible to make an adjustment of the inclination angle of the goods support surface solely by lifting the handle. Advantageously, can be dispensed with elaborate locking devices that would be operated by the operator in addition. In addition, the counter insert according to the invention in the raised, open position allows a good cleaning possibility of the tub and underside of the cooling device. It can also be provided that the goods support 10 can be folded up by unlocking without entrainment of the cooling device 60, so that a particularly good Access for cleaning purposes is enabled. The handle height can be variable - depending on the height of the goods to be cooled - executed.

Claims (15)

1. Counter insert, in particular an insert of a refrigerator counter,
   having an inclination-adjustable goods support surface (10) and
   having a handle (20) for lifting at least the goods support surface (10) into an inclined position,
   characterised in that
   in order to hold the goods support surface (10) in the inclined position the handle (20) is movable into a support position, in which the handle (20) is supported on a stationary part (35), and
   a spring device (50) is in operative connection with the handle (20), said spring device (50) moving the handle (20) in the inclined position self-actingly into the support position.
2. Counter insert according to claim 1,
   characterised in that
   a cooling means (60) is present which is arranged below the goods support surface (10) and connected thereto,
   the cooling means (60) comprises an open side (61) which is adjacent to the handle (20),
   the handle (20) is hollow for receiving cooled air exiting the open side (61) of the cooling means (60), and
   the handle (20) comprises an outflow opening (24) for guiding cooled air from the cooling means (60) to the goods support surface (10).
3. Counter insert according to claim 2,
   characterised in that
   when the goods support surface (10) is inclined the handle (20) can be pivoted outwards above a support position into an opening position, in which the open side (61) of the cooling means (60) is made accessible.
4. Counter insert according to one of the claims 1 to 3,
   characterised in that
   a connecting element (12) is provided substantially perpendicular to the goods support surface (10) and is fixedly or detachably connected to the goods support surface (10), and
   the handle (20) is pivotably attached to the connecting element (12), in particular at an end of the connecting element (12) remote from the goods support surface (10).
5. Counter insert according to one of the claims 1 to 4,
   characterised in that
   the spring device (50) is fixedly connected to the goods support surface (10), in particular via the connecting element (12) connected to the goods support surface (10).
6. Counter insert according to one of the claims 1 to 5,
   characterised in that
   a tray (30), in particular being temperature-insulated, is provided, in which the goods support surface (10) can be received, and
   the tray (30) comprises the stationary part (35), on which the handle (20) is supportable.
7. Counter insert according to one of the claims 1 to 6,
   characterised in that
   the goods support surface (10) is movable into a plurality of inclination positions, in which the goods support surface (10) is respectively supportable by means of the handle (20) on the stationary part (35).
8. Counter insert according to claim 7,
   characterised in that
   the handle (20) comprises a step-form support region (22) for support on the stationary part (35),
   wherein through the step-form support region (22) the goods support surface (10) is supportable in the plurality of inclined positions.
9. Counter insert according to one of the claims 1 to 8,
   characterised in that
   the handle (20) comprises a groove-like lower inflow opening (23) for cooled air and a groove-like upper orientated outflow opening (24) for conveying cooled air over the goods support surface (10).
10. Counter insert according to claim 9,
    characterised in that
    an extensively closed flow channel is formed in the base position and in inclination positions below the goods support surface (10) and
    the lower region of the handle (20) forms, with its inflow opening (23), a part (35) of the flow channel.
11. Counter insert according to one of the claims 1 to 7, 9 or 10,
    characterised in that
    the lower region (21) of the handle (20) has a curvature, in particular for the as extensively as possible air-tight closure of the flow channel in the base position and in any support position.
12. Counter insert according to claim 11,
    characterised in that
    the curvature of the handle (20) is designed so that an extensively continuous inclination adjustment of the goods support surface (10) is facilitated,
    wherein the downwardly pressing weight of the goods support surface (10) and devices provided thereon hold the handle (20) in a support position.
13. Counter insert according to one of the claims 1 to 12,
    characterised in that
    a slot is present on a lower side (21) of the handle (20) and
    a tab element (11) connected to the goods support surface (10) is provided which engages in the slot in order to guide a movement of the handle (20) in support positions.
14. Counter insert according to one of the claims 6 to 13,
    characterised in that
    in a base position of the goods support surface (10) the handle (20) is pressed with its rear side (26) through the spring device (50) against an inner rear wall (31) of the tray (30) and
    the handle (20) is formed so that in the base position the rear side (26) of the handle (20) is arranged substantially parallel to the inner rear wall (31) of the tray (30).
15. Counter insert according to one of the claims 1 to 14,
    characterised in that
    the handle (20) comprises a passage for the spring means (50) for pivoting outwards into an opening position.

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