EP3344838B1 - Refrigerated chamber unit door - Google Patents

Description

1. Field of the invention

The field of the invention is that of doors for refrigerated enclosure furniture comprising insulating glass elements. These doors can be used in applications such as refrigerator doors and freezer doors.

2. Solutions of the prior art

Refrigerated cabinet furniture also called refrigeration cabinet used in most commercial premises to offer for sale and / or consumption of products which must be stored at temperatures below 10 ° C, such as foodstuffs, is often fitted with glass elements which transforms it into a refrigerated sales unit. This furniture allows the visualization of the products by the consumer / customer and in particular self-service use while keeping the products at a determined temperature. The refrigeration unit thus represents the last link in the food cold chain before the product ends up in the consumer's possession. The development of products and in particular of foodstuffs is essential but this must not be done to the detriment of the quality of their preservation. In other words, the refrigerated cabinet is used to present and / or display the products in a useful volume at a determined storage temperature (generally less than 10 ° C).

Thus, the exposure of products and more particularly of foodstuffs has a primordial role in the sale of these products. Good exposure notably requires good visual access to the products contained in the refrigerated cabinet without having to open it. However, during the exhibition, the refrigerated cabinet must maintain a certain temperature and ensure the conservation of products which must be cooled or frozen. Thus, the furniture should at least protect the products against thermal attack of all kinds, such as the closing and opening of the doors. On a technical level, the roles of exposure and conservation of products at a determined temperature in furniture of refrigerated enclosures are in total contradiction since the consumer must be able to have the products contained in the cabinet of refrigerated enclosure by benefiting from furniture wide opening and brightly lit refrigerated enclosure, and the merchant must ensure the quality of product preservation with as close as possible the closing or reduction of furniture openings, the least possible lighting and more particularly the least thermal exchanges with the atmosphere of the store.

Thus, several solutions have been considered in order to improve the thermal insulation performance of these glazed elements used for refrigerated enclosure furniture, such as the use of multiple glazing. However, the use of such multiple glazing units in doors of refrigerated enclosure furniture, because of their weight, generally requires the use of robust frames. If these glazed elements and in particular their frame assure their mechanical role well, they sin by an important obstruction as well spatial as visual. To ensure their mechanical role, the materials used to make the frames are most often metallic in nature, inducing a thermal bridge between the inside and the outside of the refrigeration unit. This thermal bridge can cause condensation to appear on the frame and the door on the outside of the refrigeration unit.

So the document GB2162228 discloses double glazing for display case consisting of two sheets of glass held in parallel position and spaced apart by spacers arranged between these sheets. The spacers contain drying material and are formed wholly or partly of transparent resinous material to allow good visibility of the goods held in the display case and to prevent the formation of condensation on the interior surfaces of the glass sheets. The document GB2162228 don't treat the problem of reducing the visual and spatial dimensions of the frame associated with double glazing.

The patent application US2015151511 discloses a laminated panel comprising at least two sheets of glass which are joined using a transparent mass and / or which becomes transparent after hardening.

The patent application WO2014009244A1 discloses a refrigeration cabinet door comprising at least two glasses surrounded by frame elements on the horizontal and / or vertical edges. The chassis elements generate visual bulk and are also a thermal bridge between the interior and exterior of the refrigeration unit.

3. Objectives of the invention

The invention particularly aims to overcome these drawbacks of the prior art.

More specifically, an object of the invention, in at least one of its embodiments, is to provide a refrigerated enclosure cabinet door which can be securely and easily attached to the refrigerated cabinet.

Another object of the invention, in at least one of its embodiments, is to provide a door for refrigerated cabinet furniture which makes it possible to maintain the required temperature inside the refrigerated cabinet furniture while reducing the energy consumption to ensure efficient conservation of the products contained in the refrigerated cabinet.

Another object of the invention is to produce a refrigerated enclosure furniture door that meets the criteria for thermal insulation of these types of furniture and which offers an implementation that is easy to implement and economically advantageous. Thus, the use of transparent materials of the polymer type and the elimination of metal frame elements associated with the glazed elements make it possible to propose an effective solution from the point of view of thermal insulation.

Another object of the invention is to provide such a door which makes it possible to optimize the exposure role of the products contained in the refrigerated enclosure cabinet while maintaining energy efficiency. Indeed, the use of transparent elements makes it possible to propose a solution without visual interruption which would be due to an opaque vertical joint and / or an opaque vertical frame. The visualization of products intended for sale is therefore improved.

The invention also aims to provide a refrigerated enclosure furniture door that meets the criteria of mechanical strength of these types of furniture. Thus, the mechanical elements allowing in particular the opening of the door are incorporated directly into the glazing and replace the frame elements which surround the known glazing. Another advantage lies in the fact that, from the mechanical point of view, the door for refrigerated enclosure furniture according to the invention is capable of also withstanding significant mechanical forces such as several hundred thousand opening / closing cycles. without requiring the use of frame elements present in association with the glazing of a traditional door.

The invention also aims to be able to be implemented on refrigerated furniture already in service in order to allow them to meet the current criteria of energy efficiency of this type of furniture via an easy and economically advantageous implementation of the invention.

4. Statement of the invention

1. a. au moins un vitrage multiple isolant constitué d'au moins une première et une seconde feuille de verre associées l'une à l'autre par l'intermédiaire d'un cadre intercalaire qui les maintient à une certaine distance l'une de l'autre, ledit cadre s'étendant le long des bords horizontaux et verticaux du vitrage,
2. b. entre lesdites au moins deux feuilles de verre, au moins un espace interne, comprenant une lame d'un gaz isolant, fermé par au moins un premier et un second joints périphériques sur les bords horizontaux et au moins un joint périphérique sur les bords verticaux, lesdits joints périphériques étant disposés autour dudit espace interne,

le cadre intercalaire comprenant au moins deux espaceurs verticaux et au moins deux espaceurs horizontaux,
au moins un espaceur vertical étant réalisé en résine transparente,
au moins un joint périphérique vertical étant transparent,
les espaceurs horizontaux étant composés d'au moins un profilé,
selon laquelle

1. a) les espaceurs sont reliés entre eux pour former ledit cadre intercalaire,
2. b) au moins un système de fixation solidarisant la porte avec le meuble d'enceinte est au moins partiellement inséré dans un moins un joint périphérique horizontal,
3. c) la porte comprend un renforcement, solidaire du système de fixation et inséré au moins partiellement dans au moins un joint périphérique horizontal,
4. d) le cadre intercalaire les joints périphériques et le renforcement remplacent le châssis d'une porte traditionnelle et remplissent ses fonctions.

The invention relates to a refrigerated enclosure furniture door comprising:

1. at. at least one insulating multiple glazing consisting of at least first and second glass sheets associated with each other by means of an intermediate frame which keeps them at a certain distance from each other, said frame extending along the horizontal and vertical edges of the glazing,
2. b. between said at least two sheets of glass, at least one internal space, comprising a blade of an insulating gas, closed by at least first and second peripheral joints on the horizontal edges and at least one peripheral joint on the vertical edges, said peripheral seals being arranged around said internal space,

the intermediate frame comprising at least two vertical spacers and at least two horizontal spacers,
at least one vertical spacer being made of transparent resin,
at least one vertical peripheral joint being transparent,
the horizontal spacers being composed of at least one profile,
that

1. a) the spacers are interconnected to form said intermediate frame,
2. b) at least one fixing system securing the door to the enclosure is at least partially inserted in at least one horizontal peripheral joint,
3. c) the door comprises a reinforcement, integral with the fixing system and inserted at least partially into at least one horizontal peripheral joint,
4. d) the intermediate frame, the peripheral seals and the reinforcement replace the frame of a traditional door and fulfill its functions.

The general principle of the invention is based on the implementation and association of an intermediate frame, peripheral seals and a reinforcement making it possible to dispense with a frame element of traditional doors and to fulfill their functions which are : possible opening and maintenance of the glazing.

According to the invention, the term door means a system for opening / closing the furniture and by extension, the opening part of the furniture only. The system can equally include a movement of the rotational, rectilinear type or a combination of the two.

A traditional door is a door comprising a frame and glazing. The frame includes all or part of the periphery of the glazing, it is made up of frame elements ensuring the functions of opening, holding and supporting the glazing.

The refrigerated enclosure designates a closed space delimited in part by the door and in which prevails a temperature lower than the temperature of the atmosphere around the piece of furniture.

By multiple glazing means a glazing comprising at least two sheets of glass. Preferably, the multiple glazing is double glazing or triple glazing. More preferably, it is a double glazing comprising two sheets of glass.

The glass of the glazing sheets is a glass from the category of soda-lime-calcium glasses well known in window applications. The thickness of the glass sheets is generally in the range from 0.5 to 15 mm. In the case of triple glazing, the central sheet generally has a thickness less than the other two.

By multiple insulating glazing, is meant a multiple glazing limiting the heat exchanges between the refrigerated enclosure and the atmosphere around the furniture.

According to the invention, the glass sheets are associated with each other by means of an intermediate frame. The intermediate frame designates a rigid element disposed between the glass sheets, which keeps them at a certain distance and which extends along the horizontal and vertical edges of the glazing. The intermediate frame also has the function of contributing to the stiffening of the door. The intermediate frame according to the door according to the invention has the shape of a quadrilateral, preferably a parallelogram. Even more preferably, the quadrilateral is a rectangle or a square.

By vertical and horizontal adjectives is meant to designate locations close to opposite edges, that is to say non-contiguous edges of the frame and / or glazing and which face each other.

According to the invention, the door comprises between the glass sheets, an internal space. The internal space is bordered by the intermediate frame and filled with a gas slide. The gas in the internal space is an inert gas capable of thermally insulating the glazing. A suitable inert gas is chosen for its absence of toxicity for living beings, of corrosive nature with regard to glazing, of flammable nature and of sensitivity to UV radiation. Such a gas is generally chosen from air, argon, xenon, krypton and their mixtures. Most often, air, argon or a mixture of air and argon will be used.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the internal space comprises a strip of an insulating gas comprising at least 85% of argon.

In the door according to the invention, peripheral seals are seals arranged around the internal space, provide sealing and contribute to the mechanical strength of the door. At least first and second peripheral seals are located on the horizontal edges of the door. The first of these two joints is always a double joint connecting the horizontal spacer to each sheet of glass. Likewise, at least one peripheral seal is located on the vertical edges. This last joint is also a double joint connecting the vertical spacer to each sheet of glass.

At least one vertical spacer of the intermediate frame is formed from a transparent resin. The term transparent means a property illustrating the percentage T _L (light transmission) of visible light transmitted through the glazing in the visible spectrum of at least 1%. Preferably, transparent refers to a property of T _L of at least 10%. Ideally, transparent means a T _L of at least 50%.

At least one peripheral seal on at least one vertical edge is also transparent.

The horizontal spacers are composed of at least one profile. The term “profile” is intended to denote an object of elongated shape and of constant section. The profile is generally made of metal, polymer, ceramic or composite material (combination of at least two different materials). The profile is preferably a solid profile and is mainly composed of a polymer matrix. Desiccant material can be incorporated into the polymer matrix. An example of such a desiccant polymer is a polymer comprising an integrated molecular sieve.

Hollow profiles can also be used. In this case, the desiccant material fills, at least partially, the hollow space. Examples of desiccants capable of filling the hollow space are silica gels and molecular sieves.

In the door according to the invention, the intermediate frame is composed of at least two vertical spacers and at least two horizontal spacers.

At least one fixing system secures the door according to the invention with the refrigerated enclosure cabinet and is at least partially inserted into at least one horizontal peripheral joint. The fixing system is a device that allows the door to be joined to the enclosure.

According to the invention, the fixing system is composed of at least one screw with a function different from that of the intermediate frame described below. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the fixing system is composed of two screws, of a plate fitted with a pivot and drilled with two holes in which the two screws are inserted. Preferably, the fixing system also includes a self-closing system and a system limiting the opening of the door.

The door comprises a reinforcement, integral with the fixing system and inserted at least partially into at least one horizontal peripheral joint. Reinforcement means a mechanical element which has the function of at least partially absorbing the mechanical stresses induced by the weight of the door and the opening and closing efforts thereof. The reinforcement of the door according to the invention is generally in the form of a profile, distinct from the profile used for the horizontal spacers. The section of this profile can generally be U or L. The material of the profile can be a metal, a polymer or a composite material. Examples of joining are screws, clips, welds, glues and snap closure systems.

In the door according to the invention, the intermediate frame, the peripheral seals and the reinforcement replace the frame of traditional doors and also fulfill its functions.

According to a first particular embodiment of the invention, the vertical spacers of the intermediate frame of the door are connected to the horizontal spacers by means of a stiffening element. In general, by stiffening element, it is necessary to understand the association of at least one metallic, polymeric, ceramic or composite material part with a pressure device, an adhesive, a dowel, a screw, or any other means. ensuring the connection between said spacers. In certain variants of this first embodiment, the stiffening element comprises the association of a metallic, polymeric, ceramic or composite material part with a means ensuring the connection with the spacers. In other variants of this first mode embodiment, the stiffening element comprises the association of a metallic, polymeric, ceramic or composite material part with several means ensuring the connection with the spacers.

The adhesive can be selected from crosslinkable acrylic polymer adhesives, crosslinkable epoxy adhesives, double-sided adhesive tapes made of acrylic polymer and polyisobutylene-based adhesives. The screw can be made of steel, galvanized steel, stainless steel or bronze. According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the stiffening element is formed from a profile of a nature and / or shape different from the horizontal spacer. Another variant also consists in combining the horizontal spacer with pieces of sections arranged in a discontinuous manner forming studs which make up the stiffening element.

According to a variant of this first embodiment, the stiffening element is composed of at least one part which is secured with at least one reinforcement. By the term joined, we mean an assembly that does not allow any degree of freedom between the two parts. Examples of joining are screws, clips, welds, glues and snap closure systems. Preferably, the connection will be made using screws or glues.

According to this variant of the first embodiment, the reinforcement can even extend along the horizontal spacer and itself serve as a stiffening element. The reinforcement is then a section of square or rectangular section which is secured to the horizontal spacer by gluing, a pressure system, a weld, a clip or any other element enabling this to be secured.

According to a second variant of the first embodiment of the invention, the stiffening element is in contact with at least the second horizontal peripheral seal. Depending on the concrete form adopted for the stiffening element, the contacting is carried out on only a part or on the entire external surface of this element. For example, in the case of a square or rectangular section profile, it can be completely immersed in the second horizontal peripheral joint.

• un élément de rigidification,
• un espaceur horizontal.

According to a second particular embodiment of the invention, compatible with the first mode, the fastening system emerges from the horizontal peripheral seal and extends into at least one of the following parts:

• a stiffening element,
• a horizontal spacer.

Preferably, a second screw forming part of the fixing system, passes through the second horizontal peripheral joint as well as the reinforcement, and extends into the stiffening element having a shape suitable for the reception of the screw.

According to another embodiment of the invention compatible with the previous ones, the second horizontal peripheral seal is a mastic with a structural function, such as silicone, polyurethane (PU), polysulfides, modified silicone (MS-Polymer). These sealants have very good mechanical strength in addition to their water and air tightness properties and adhesion to glass. This second peripheral seal is also called a seal. By structural function is meant the ability to transfer the mechanical stresses linked in particular to the weight of the glass sheets, to the thermal expansion constraints as well as to the opening-closing movements.

According to an advantageous implementation of the invention, the transparent spacer is formed from a rigid transparent resin at room temperature comprising a polymer chosen from a polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA), a polycarbonate (PC), a polystyrene ( PS), polyvinyl chloride (PVC), polyamide (PA), polyetherimide (PEI), polyethylene terephthalate (PET), styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer (SAN), their copolymers or a mixture of these compounds. Preferably, the transparent spacer is formed from PMMA or polycarbonate because of their high transparency and ease of processing. The term polymer here covers both polymers and copolymers.

By the term rigid resin at room temperature is meant a resin which has, at room temperature, a longitudinal elastic modulus (Young's modulus) greater than 1.0 GPa and preferably greater than 1.5 GPa. Most preferably, the rigid resin has a Young's modulus greater than 2.0 GPa.

According to the invention, the transparent vertical peripheral seal is formed from a flexible transparent adhesive resin at room temperature chosen from an adhesive based on polyisobutylene, a double-sided strip of acrylic polymer, rubber or silicone more commonly known as the designation “double-sided pressure sensitive adhesive (PSA) or“ transfer tape ”.

The combination of rigid vertical spacers and a flexible joint makes it possible to obtain a door capable of withstanding repeated mechanical forces such as several hundred thousand opening / closing cycles.

As an alternative to this flexible transparent resin, it is also possible to use a crosslinkable adhesive of acrylic or epoxy type. In this case, the implementation is in liquid or pasty form and the adhesive is crosslinked in situ between the glass sheet and the vertical spacer.

The term “crosslinkable” is understood to mean the formation in situ of a three-dimensional network of polymer chains under the action of ultraviolet radiation, humidity or a hardener. These materials, in addition to being transparent, exhibit good performance in terms of water vapor and gas tightness and moreover exhibit good adhesion to glass while resistant to ultraviolet light.

Preferably, the transparent vertical peripheral seal is formed from a transparent adhesive resin which is flexible at room temperature as described above.

The first horizontal peripheral seal consists of a polyisobutylene sealant more commonly known as butyl or a double-sided strip of acrylic polymer, rubber or silicone, or a combination of the two. This type of seal is particularly effective in terms of water vapor and gas tightness.

The use of multiple insulating glazing optimizes the energy efficiency of the refrigerated cabinet. Thermal insulation is usually determined by the overall performance of a glazed element in multiple glazing, defined by Ug, the thermal transfer coefficient of the glazing (calculated according to standard EN673 and ISO10292). The term heat transfer coefficient Ug means the amount of heat passing through the glazing, in steady state, per unit of area, for a difference of one degree Celsius between the atmospheres, for example exterior and interior. Several factors can improve this Ug coefficient, for example, low-emissivity type layers deposited on the glass sheets and, preferably, on their inner faces, that is to say the faces in contact with the gas plate. Another factor is the nature of the insulating gas. For example, the glass sheets used can be coated with one or more metallic layers, for example, TopN® or TopN + T® layers (registered trademarks of AGC). TopN + T® layers are preferred. According to an advantageous implementation of the invention, compatible with all of the above implementations, the insulating glazing has a heat transfer coefficient Ug of at least 0.3, preferably at least 0.6 and most preferably at least 1.0 W / m ² . The heat transfer coefficient Ug is generally at most 1.8 W / m ² .

• le joint transparent et l'espaceur vertical,
• le joint transparent et la feuille de verre

According to another particular implementation of the invention, also being compatible with the previous implementations, a primer layer is placed at least between:

• the transparent joint and the vertical spacer,
• the transparent seal and the glass sheet

Preferably, a primer layer is placed both between the transparent seal and the vertical spacer and between the transparent seal and the glass sheet.

By the term "primer layer" is intended to denote a layer of an organic product which adheres well to the peripheral seal and which is endowed with selective adhesive properties with respect to glass or the transparent resin from which the spacer is produced. . Examples of such primers are based on compounds of the silane family and compounds of the acrylic resin family. Good adhesion is understood to mean an adhesion which requires a positive breakout force to separate the two assembled parts and the rupture of the two parts between them is cohesive, as described in standard EN1279 part 4.

A primer which has given excellent results is the VHB AP115® primer from the company 3M.

According to yet another advantageous embodiment of the invention, which is also compatible with the preceding modes, the reinforcement can be a closed or open section of U or L section, rectangular or curved, which is inserted, at least in part , in the second peripheral joint. Preferably, the profile is of U or L section. The profile can be made of steel, stainless steel or polymer material. Preferably, the profile is made of stainless steel for its excellent rigidity and the absence of any corrosion. It generally has the same length as the horizontal spacer. It is at least partially inserted into the second peripheral seal and comes to rest on this horizontal spacer.

According to a particular embodiment of the invention, still compatible with the other modes, the insulating glazing comprises at least first and second sheets of glass associated via the intermediate frame, said sheets being of different sizes and therefore able be offset over part or all of the periphery of the glazing. This is called asymmetric or offset glazing. This difference in size between the first and second sheet of glass has the advantage of facilitating the insertion of a reinforcement and a fixing system. The interest here is also to allow translational opening / closing systems (sliding doors). Another advantage of this particular embodiment of the invention is to allow the placement of a heating network which could be deposited on the part of the glass offset in order to avoid the appearance of condensation at the edge of glazing.

Advantageously, the invention also relates to a door of which at least one glass sheet is partially covered with a decorative layer chosen from ceramic inks and organic inks. Preferably, the decorative layer is an opaque ceramic ink, more commonly called enamel which masks the interlayer frame as well as the peripheral joints. Generally, the enamel is applied by screen printing on one of the faces of at least one sheet of glass. Preferably, the enamel layer is applied to the glass sheet which is directed towards the outside of the refrigeration unit.

Even more advantageously, the fixing system is masked by the decorative layer deposited on the glass sheet.

Most advantageously, an enamel layer is deposited on the offset surface of the glazing and makes it possible to hide the fixing system from the view of an outside observer.

In the door according to the invention, it is possible, for safety reasons, that the glass sheets are toughened glass sheets or laminated glass sheets. These include a stack of at least one sheet of polyvinyl butyral plastic (PVB) arranged in sandwich between two sheets of glass. Such stacks of laminated glass occur with total glass thicknesses (not including the thickness of the PVB sheet (s)) ranging from 4 mm up to and including 24 mm.

According to an advantageous implementation of the invention, the stiffening element has a profile shape extending over the entire length of at least one horizontal spacer. Preferably, the stiffening element is a profile of square or rectangular section. More preferably, it is glued to the horizontal spacer using a double-sided acrylic adhesive strip.

In the door according to the invention, the reinforcement can also be an integral part of the horizontal spacer.

In another embodiment of the invention, still compatible with the other modes, the horizontal spacer can be a profile composed of two chambers. The first chamber borders the internal space of the glazing and the second chamber is in contact with the second peripheral seal and plays the role of reinforcement. More preferably, the second chamber can be hollow and of section comparable to the first chamber. Most preferably, the first chamber may also be hollow and contain the desiccant.

1. a. le joint périphérique vertical transparent;
2. b. l'espaceur vertical transparent;
3. c. les deux feuilles de verre.

In order to further improve the sealing of the door, a second transparent vertical peripheral seal can advantageously be added so that it is contiguous to the following elements:

1. at. the transparent vertical peripheral seal;
2. b. the transparent vertical spacer;
3. vs. the two sheets of glass.

The nature of this second seal is preferably chosen from the same materials as those of the transparent vertical peripheral seal already described. upper. It is however important that the material of each of the two joints is of a different nature.

5. List of figures

• La figure 1 illustre le meuble d'enceinte réfrigérée (2) comprenant des portes (1) conformes à l'invention.
• La figure 2 illustre schématiquement la porte (1) de meuble d'enceinte réfrigérée (2) comprenant un vitrage multiple isolant (3), le cadre intercalaire (6) associé et le système de fixation (13) de la porte (1) selon l'invention.
• La figure 3 est une vue en coupe selon AA dans le bord vertical d'un vitrage multiple de la porte de la figure 2. Cette vue en coupe représente les éléments suivants : les feuilles de verre (4, 5), l'espace interne (7), le double joint périphérique vertical transparent (10) et l'espaceur vertical transparent (11).
• La figure 4 est une vue en coupe selon BB dans un bord horizontal d'un vitrage multiple de la porte de la figure 2. Cette vue en coupe représente les éléments suivants : les feuilles de verre (4, 5), l'espace interne (7), le premier joint périphérique horizontal (8), le deuxième joint périphérique horizontal (9), l'espaceur horizontal (12), le renforcement (14) et l'élément de rigidification (15) qui est ici un profilé de section rectangulaire.
• La figure 5 illustre le cadre intercalaire (6) du vitrage de la porte selon un mode de réalisation de l'invention. La figure reprend les éléments suivants : les espaceurs verticaux transparents (11), les espaceur horizontaux (12), les éléments de rigidification (15) et les vis (17) faisant le lien entre les espaceurs verticaux transparents (11) et les éléments de rigidification (15).
• La figure 6 illustre le cadre intercalaire (6) selon un autre mode de réalisation du vitrage de la porte selon l'invention. La figure reprend les éléments suivants: les espaceurs verticaux transparents (11), les espaceurs horizontaux (12), les éléments de rigidification (15) et les renforcements (14). Dans ce mode de réalisation, les éléments de rigidification (15) sont reliés aux espaceurs verticaux (11) au moyen d'un mastic à base de polyisobutylène. Il est aussi possible d'ajouter des vis (non représentées sur la figure) pour parfaire la liaison.
• La figure 7 illustre le même cadre intercalaire selon encore un autre mode de réalisation de l'invention. La figure reprend les éléments suivants : les espaceurs verticaux transparents (11), les espaceurs horizontaux (12), les éléments de rigidification (15) tenant également le rôle de renforcements (14) et les vis (17) faisant le lien entre les espaceurs verticaux transparents (11) et les éléments de rigidification et de renforcements (15, 14).
• La figure 8 illustre une vue de face d'une feuille (4) ou (5) de verre avec une couche décorative en émail (16) selon un mode de réalisation particulier de l'invention.
• La figure 9 est une figure analogue à la figure 3 où un deuxième joint périphérique vertical transparent (18) surmonte le premier joint (10). Cette figure est une vue en coupe selon AA dans le bord vertical de la porte de la figure 2 .On distingue que ce joint (18) est contigu au premier double joint (10) et aussi à l'espaceur vertical transparent (11) et aux deux feuilles de verre (4, 5).

Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will appear more clearly on reading the following description of a preferred embodiment, given by way of simple illustrative and nonlimiting example, and of the appended drawings, among which:

• The figure 1 illustrates the refrigerated enclosure cabinet (2) comprising doors (1) according to the invention.
• The figure 2 schematically illustrates the door (1) of refrigerated enclosure furniture (2) comprising multiple insulating glazing (3), the associated intermediate frame (6) and the fixing system (13) of the door (1) according to the invention .
• The figure 3 is a sectional view along AA in the vertical edge of a multiple glazing of the door of the figure 2 . This sectional view represents the following elements: the glass sheets (4, 5), the internal space (7), the double transparent vertical peripheral seal (10) and the transparent vertical spacer (11).
• The figure 4 is a sectional view along BB in a horizontal edge of multiple glazing of the door of the figure 2 . This sectional view represents the following elements: the glass sheets (4, 5), the internal space (7), the first horizontal peripheral seal (8), the second horizontal peripheral seal (9), the horizontal spacer ( 12), the reinforcement (14) and the stiffening element (15) which is here a profile of rectangular section.
• The figure 5 illustrates the intermediate frame (6) of the glazing of the door according to an embodiment of the invention. The figure shows the elements following: the transparent vertical spacers (11), the horizontal spacers (12), the stiffening elements (15) and the screws (17) making the link between the transparent vertical spacers (11) and the stiffening elements (15).
• The figure 6 illustrates the intermediate frame (6) according to another embodiment of the glazing of the door according to the invention. The figure shows the following elements: the transparent vertical spacers (11), the horizontal spacers (12), the stiffening elements (15) and the reinforcements (14). In this embodiment, the stiffening elements (15) are connected to the vertical spacers (11) by means of a polyisobutylene-based sealant. It is also possible to add screws (not shown in the figure) to complete the connection.
• The figure 7 illustrates the same intermediate frame according to yet another embodiment of the invention. The figure shows the following elements: the transparent vertical spacers (11), the horizontal spacers (12), the stiffening elements (15) also serving as reinforcements (14) and the screws (17) making the link between the spacers transparent verticals (11) and the stiffening and reinforcing elements (15, 14).
• The figure 8 illustrates a front view of a sheet (4) or (5) of glass with a decorative enamel layer (16) according to a particular embodiment of the invention.
• The figure 9 is a figure analogous to the figure 3 where a second transparent vertical peripheral seal (18) surmounts the first seal (10). This figure is a sectional view along AA in the vertical edge of the door of the figure 2 We can see that this seal (18) is contiguous to the first double seal (10) and also to the transparent vertical spacer (11) and to the two glass sheets (4, 5).

6. Description of embodiments of the invention Example 1:

A door (1) has been produced according to the invention, which can be mounted on the refrigeration unit (2).

The door (1) is a double glazing (3) comprising a first (4) and a second (5) sheet of soda-lime-calcium type glass of dimensions 1700 mm × 600 mm and each having a thickness of 4 mm. The glass sheets (4) and (5) were then tempered.

These glass sheets (4, 5) have been associated by means of an intermediate frame (6) which keeps them at a certain distance from each other. The intermediate frame (6) was formed by two horizontal spacers (12) Super Spacer® from the firm Edgetech and two transparent vertical spacers (11) in PMMA as illustrated in figure 5 . The dimensions of the horizontal spacers (12) are as follows: length 580 mm x thickness 14 mm x height 7 mm. The dimensions of the vertical spacers (11) are as follows: length 1700 mm x thickness 12 mm x height 10 mm. The desiccant material is integrated into the matrix of the Super Spacer® spacer.

At each glass sheet (4, 5) / horizontal spacer (12) interface, a polyisobutylene cord, 1 mm thick, was placed over the entire length of the horizontal spacers (12) as illustrated in figure 4 . This polyisobutylene cord acts as the first double horizontal peripheral seal (8). Similarly, at each glass sheet (4, 5) / transparent vertical spacer (11) interface, a seal in the form of 3M VHB® double-sided 4918 acrylic adhesive tape 2 mm thick and 10 mm high was deposited along the entire length of the vertical spacers (11) as illustrated in figure 3 . To to increase the adhesion between the acrylic adhesive and the glass sheet, a 3M® AP 115 silane type primer was deposited at each interface.

Two polymer profiles, used as stiffening elements (15), have been glued to the upper part of each horizontal spacer (12) (see figure 5 ) using a 3M VHB® double-sided acrylic adhesive tape 1 mm thick. The dimensioning of each profile was as follows: length 580 mm, thickness 8 mm, height 8 mm. The distance between the end of the transparent vertical spacers (11) and the upper edge of the stiffening element (15) was 10 mm. As illustrated in figure 5 , the screws (17) make the link between the transparent vertical spacers (11) and the stiffening elements (15).

Between the two glass sheets (4, 5), an internal space (7) comprising a blade of an insulating gas of argon type is closed by the intermediate frame (6). The Argon concentration is 85%.

As the figure 4 , a second horizontal peripheral seal (9), Dow Corning® 3362 silicone (called in the following text "silicone seal"), was placed along the horizontal edges, and is contiguous to the horizontal spacers (12), at the first seal horizontal device (8) and two glass sheets (4, 5). The stiffening element (15) was also immersed in the silicone seal (9).

As the figure 4 , a U-shaped profile, having the role of reinforcement (14), has been inserted into the silicone seal (9). The reinforcement (14) is made of stainless steel and extends along the horizontal spacer (12). A fixing system (13) has been partly inserted in the second horizontal peripheral seal (9) as well as in the reinforcement (14). The fixing system (13) was composed of the following elements: two screws of 5 mm in diameter, and a pivot piece contiguous to the silicone seal (9) and equipped with two holes where the two screws were inserted . The screws also came fit into the silicone seal (9) and the U-shaped profile (14). This fixing system (13) made it possible to secure the door (1) to the refrigeration unit (2).

Example 2: Effect of a primer Materials :

• Rectangular plates of soda-lime-silica float glass 4 mm thick and 65 mm x 25 mm in size.
• Tape 3M VHB® double face 4918 transparent type manufactured by the company 3M
• 3M® AP 115 transparent silane primer marketed by 3M

Test tubes with primer :

Two test pieces are produced, each from two rectangular plates of silica-soda-lime float glass, one of which has previously been coated (on one side) with a TopN + T low-emissivity layer.

One of the two faces of the non-pre-coated wafer and the pre-coated side of the second wafer are cleaned using isopropanol. The primer is then applied to the cleaned surfaces under a controlled atmosphere at a temperature of 25 ° C and 50% relative humidity (RH). The primer dries for 2 to 3 minutes before applying a strip of tape of 25 x 10 mm transversely to one of the glass plates so as to cover its entire width in the central position of the plate, avoiding the formation and trapping of any air bubble between the tape and the glass plate. The second glass plate is then glued in its central position on the other side of the tape already glued to the first glass plate so that the glass plates form an angle of 90 ° between them. A glass / low-e layer / primer / double-sided tape / primer / glass stack was thus produced.

Reference samples:

Two reference test pieces were produced in a similar manner, omitting the primer application step. A glass / low-e layer / double-sided tape / glass stack was thus produced.

Evaluation

A reference test piece and a test piece with primer were placed for 336 hours in an enclosure under controlled atmosphere at a temperature of 70 ° C. and 100% RH.

A reference test piece and a test piece with primer were not subjected to this conditioning.

The 4 test pieces were then subjected to a mechanical test consisting in pulling the two glass plates of each test piece. The test was carried out under a controlled atmosphere at a temperature of 25 ° C and 50% RH. The traction was exerted in a direction perpendicular to the surface of each of the 2 sheets of glass and the tensile force necessary to cause the tearing off and the complete separation of the two plates was measured.

The results obtained are shown in Table 1: Table 1 Specimen Breakout force (N) Without conditioning With packaging reference > 30 0 (adhesive break) with primer > 30 > 20

The rupture is of cohesive type inside the material of the tape, except in the case of the sample without primer having undergone conditioning. The latter exhibits a delamination phenomenon of the adhesive from the conditioning phase and gives rise to an adhesive rupture at the glass interface coated with the low-e / tape layer.

The test piece produced according to the particular variant of the invention has an increased resistance to aging performance compared to a reference test piece.

Claims (22)

1. Door (1) of a refrigerated chamber cabinet (2) comprising:

   a. at least one insulating multiple glazing (3) formed of at least one first glass sheet (4) and one second glass sheet (5) which are joined together by means of a spacer frame (6) which holds them at a certain distance from one another, said frame (6) extending along the horizontal and vertical edges of the glazing,

   b. between said at least two glass sheets, at least one internal space (7) comprising an insulating gas layer, that is closed by at least one first peripheral seal (8) and one second peripheral seal (9) on the horizontal edges and at least one peripheral seal (10) on the vertical edges, said peripheral seals being positioned around said internal space (7),

   the spacer frame (6) comprising at least two vertical spacers (11) and at least two horizontal spacers (12),
   at least one vertical spacer (11) being made of transparent resin,
   at least one vertical peripheral seal (10) being transparent,
   the horizontal spacers (12) being composed of at least one profile,
   the spacers (11, 12) are connected together in order to form said spacer frame (6),
   characterized in that

   a) at least one fastening system (13) attaching the door (1) to the chamber cabinet (2) is at least partially inserted in at least one horizontal peripheral seal (9),

   b) the door (1) comprises a reinforcement (14), attached to the fastening system and inserted at least partially in at least one horizontal peripheral seal (9),

   c) the spacer frame (6), the peripheral seals (8, 9, 10) and the reinforcement (14) replace the framework of a traditional door and fulfil its functions.
2. Door (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the vertical spacers (11) are connected to the horizontal spacers (12) by means of at least one stiffening element (15).
3. Door (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the stiffening element (15) is attached to at least one reinforcement (14).
4. Door (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the reinforcement (14) and the stiffening element (15) are one and the same.
5. Door (1) according to any one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the stiffening element (15) is in contact with at least the second horizontal peripheral seal (9).
6. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening system (13) extends into at least one of the following parts:

   a. a stiffening element (15),

   b. a horizontal spacer (12).
7. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second peripheral seal (9) is a mastic having a structural function chosen from silicones, polyurethanes, polysulfides and modified silicones.
8. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transparent resin comprises a polymethyl methacrylate, a polycarbonate, a polystyrene, a polyvinyl chloride, a polyamide, a polyetherimide, a polyethylene terephthalate, a styrene-acrylonitrile copolymer, copolymers thereof or a mixture of these compounds.
9. Door according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transparent vertical peripheral seal (10) is chosen from:

   a. a double-sided tape:

   i. made of acrylic polymer,

   ii. made of rubber,

   iii. made of silicone,

   b. a polyisobutylene-based adhesive,

   c. an adhesive of crosslinkable acrylic or crosslinkable epoxy type.
10. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first horizontal peripheral seal (8) is formed of a polyisobutylene-based mastic or of a double-sided tape made of acrylic polymer, of rubber or of silicone, or of a combination of the two.
11. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the fastening system (13) is formed of at least one screw.
12. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the glazing (3) has a heat transfer coefficient Ug ranging from 0.3 to 1.8 W/m².
13. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a primer layer is positioned between at least:

    a. the transparent seal (10) and the vertical spacer (11),

    b. the transparent seal (10) and the glass sheet (4,5).
14. Door (1) according to any one of Claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the stiffening element (15) is connected to the vertical spacers (11) and/or horizontal spacers (12) by at least one of the following elements:

    a. a screw (17) made of steel, of zinc-coated steel, of stainless steel or of bronze,

    b. an adhesive selected from polyisobutylene-based mastics, crosslinkable acrylic polymer glues, crosslinkable epoxy glues, double-sided adhesive tapes made of acrylic polymer.
15. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcement (14) has a form of a profile and is, at least partly, inserted in the second peripheral seal (9).
16. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that one of the glass sheets is stepped relative to the other glass sheet.
17. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one glass sheet (4, 5) is partially covered with a decorative layer (16) chosen from ceramic inks and organic inks.
18. Door (1) according to the preceding claim, characterized in that the fastening system (13) is masked by the decorative layer (16) deposited on the glass sheet (4, 5).
19. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the glass sheets (4, 5) are tempered and/or laminated.
20. Door (1) according to any one of Claims 2 to 19, characterized in that the stiffening element (15) has a form of a profile extending over the entire length of at least one horizontal spacer (12).
21. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the reinforcement (14) is an integral part of the horizontal spacer (12).
22. Door (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that a second transparent vertical peripheral seal (18) is contiguous with the following elements:

    a. the transparent vertical peripheral seal (10) ;

    b. the transparent vertical spacer (11);

    c. the two glass sheets (4, 5).

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