EP3532782B1

EP3532782B1 - A cooling device comprising a shelf body

Info

Publication number: EP3532782B1
Application number: EP17776969.2A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Kadir Ridvan Celik; Omer Alper MIRZA; Faik Emre Ozyuksel; Mehmet Ercan KAYMAK; Fahri KIRLI
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2016-10-25
Filing date: 2017-09-19
Publication date: 2020-08-05
Anticipated expiration: 2037-09-19
Also published as: PL3532782T3; WO2018077537A1; EP3532782A1; TR201615084A1

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising a body shelf.
In cooling devices, shelves placed in the body, allowing food products to be put thereon, are provided. The floor of such shelves provided in cooling devices, can be made as a plate from glass, plastic and similar materials. These plates in said shelves can be produced in a fixed structure, and this makes it necessary to completely remove the shelf from the cooling device when the plate is desired to be cleaned. It is difficult for the user to remove the shelf from the cooling device body and clean the monolithic shelf, and this adversely affects user satisfaction.
Another problem experienced in cooling devices is the plate which is the portion of the shelf on which products and food are placed, being damaged or becoming inoperable as a result of being broken due to impact during cleaning of the shelf. The shelf with glass requires being completely replaced due to being broken, creating a high cost for the user.
State of the art United States patent document no. US4934541 discloses a shelf on which food products can be placed. Documents EP 2 980 513 A1 , EP 2 859 288 A1 , FR 2 949 377 A1 , WO 2013/050399 A2 , and US 6 045 101 A also discloses relevant prior art.
The aim of the present invention is to realize a cooling device allowing easy cleaning of the plate.
In the cooling device realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, a frame is provided, which is fixed by engagement or by sliding to the channels provided on the lateral walls in the body. The plate on which products and food are placed, is positioned on the frame fixed in the body, and said plate is placed to and removed from the frame by the flexion motion performed by the locking latch on the frame. Placement of the plate on the frame is enabled by the resting surface arranged on the inner portion of the frame, forming an extension shaped structure towards the inner gap of the frame. The area of the extending portion extending towards the inner gap of the frame, comprises a guide having an area smaller than the portion of the plate contacting the resting surface, and positioned so that its horizontal position is higher than the position of the resting surface. The plate is prevented from being easily removed from its position due to an impact coming from a downwards direction by means of said guide. A locking latch moved by the user by flexing, is provided on the frame. When the plate is being placed on the frame the locking latch is flexed by the user, and the plate settles on the resting surface. When the plate is being removed from the frame the removal of the plate from the frame is enabled by flexing the locking latch. Afterwards, the locking latch fastens on the plate by the user releasing the locking latch, and fixes the plate between itself and the frame. A flap structure shaped as a protrusion is provided on the locking latch with the purpose of performing flexing easily and for the user to easily grasp the locking latch. The user flexes the locking latch by pulling said flap with his fingers while placing the plate in the frame, and forms an opening wide enough for the plate to settle on the frame. By this, the plate is easily mounted on and removed from the frame.
In an embodiment of the invention, the flap has a protrusion shape. The user can easily grasp the flap thanks to the flap having a protrusion shaped structure, and thus he/she does not have difficulty by flexing the locking latch.
In another embodiment of the invention, the flap has a recess shape. Thanks to the flap having a recess shape, the flap is prevented from being pulled by unintentional collision of a product/food or of the user during the user placing or taking a product/food on/from the plate, and thus the locking latch is prevented from being inadvertently removed from the frame.
In an embodiment of the invention, there is a clearance on the locking latch. When the locking latch is being flexed, the force needed by the user to apply is proportional to the coefficient of elasticity of the material which the locking latch is made of. The user's flexing of the locking latch is facilitated by means of the clearance opened on the locking latch. The clearance has various structures depending on the shape of the locking latch, and the tension lines forming during flexing of the locking latch.
In an embodiment of the invention, the locking latch is made of synthetic material with high coefficient of elasticity. The user is enabled to flex the locking latch applying very small amount of pulling force thanks to the locking latch being made of material with high coefficient of elasticity.
In an embodiment of the invention, a protector surface is provided on the locking latch, preventing the locking latch from being removed from its position on the frame during flexing of the locking latch by the user. The locking latch enters below the protector surface and is thus guided by being compressed between the protector surface and the frame.
In an embodiment of the invention, the resting surface has a U-shaped structure. By means of the U-shaped structure, the plate forms a balanced surface for the product and food when the plate is placed on the resting surface, creating an ease of use for the user. Also the plate does not turn on the frame under the weight of the product and food placed thereon, and the product and food are prevented from being damaged by falling/sliding.
A protrusion shaped tab structure is incorporated to the locking latch for the purpose of facilitating fixing of the locking latch to the frame. A face of the tab leans against the frame when the locking latch is placed on the frame, and the locking latch does not get released in case the user pushes the locking latch without flexing it. By this, the locking latch is prevented from being lost by getting released from the frame, from being damaged or from tumbling a product down by being trapped under a product during placement of products.
In an embodiment of the invention, the frame has a tie piece structure to prevent the locking latch from sliding on the frame. The frame can act as a rail for the movement of the locking latch and can lead to a lateral movement when the locking latch is placed on the frame. The protrusion shaped tab of the locking latch engages the tie piece when the locking latch is attempted or forced to move laterally, and applies a restraining effect on the movement of the locking latch. By this, the locking latch is prevented from being lost by getting released from the frame, or from being damaged or from causing a product to tumble down by being trapped under a product during placement of products.
With the invention, easy and controlled removal and mounting of the plate from/to the frame is provided, when it is desired to be cleaned, the plate being the portion on which the products and food are placed, the plate and the frame are thus prevented from being damaged due to erroneous use.
The cooling device realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a partial perspective view of the cooling device of the invention.
Figure 2 is a perspective view of the frame and the plate.
Figure 3 is a perspective view of the moment when the plate is being placed on the frame.
Figure 4 is a view of A-A section of the frame shown in Figure 2.
Figure 5 is a view of B-B section shown in Figure 3 at the moment when the plate is being placed on the frame.
Figure 6 is an A-A section view of the moment when the plate is being placed on the frame while the locking latch is being flexed.
Figure 7 is a B-B section view of the plate placed on the frame.
Figure 8 is a perspective view of A-A section of the frame shown in Figure 2.
Figure 9 is a perspective view of A-A section of the frame shown in Figure 2 from bottom.
Figure 10 is a perspective view of the moment when placing the locking latch in the A-A section shown in Figure 2.
1. 1. Cooling Device
2. 2. Body
3. 3. Frame
4. 4. Resting surface
5. 5. Guide
6. 6. Plate
7. 7. Flap
8. 8. Locking latch
9. 9. Clearance
10. 10. Protector surface
11. 11. Tab
12. 12. Tie piece

The cooling device (1) comprises

a body (2),
a frame (3) fixed on opposed walls in the body (2),
a resting surface (4) provided on the inner portion of the frame (3),
a guide (5) arranged on a higher position than the resting surface (4), and
a plate (6) placed on the resting surface (4), on which food is placed.

The cooling device (1) of the invention comprises a locking latch (8) mounted on the frame (3), having a flap (7) provided thereon, leaning against the plate (6) by flexing through the flap (7) being moved by the user during the plate (6) being placed in the body (2), and enabling the plate (6) to rest almost completely stationary on the resting surface (4).
Opposed channels are provided on the lateral walls of the body (2). The frame (3) is placed on the body (2) by means of said channels. The inner portion of the frame (3) has a square or rectangle shaped gap, and a resting surface (4) structure extends to said gap from at least two inner edges of the frame (3). The plate (6) settles on the extension formed by the resting surface (4), and the plate (6) thus allows products and food to be placed thereon. The downwards movement of the plate (6) with respect to the frame (3) is completely restrained by settlement of the plate (6) on the resting surface (4). A guide (5) extends from an inner edge of the frame (3) to the gap of the frame (3). The guide (5) is arranged at a position higher than the resting surface (4) on horizontal plane. The plate (6) is fixed to the frame (3) by means of the guide (5) delimiting the movement of the plate (6) on vertical direction by the plate (6) entering underneath the guide (5). In case when the user removes the plate (6) from the frame (3) by pushing it upwards, the guide (5) acts as a hinge for the plate (6) and enables the plate (6) to partially pivot. The locking latch (8) used in fixing the plate (6) settled on the frame (3), enables the plate (6) to be placed on the frame (3) by being flexed by the user during placement of the plate (6) on the resting surface (4), and enables the plate (6) to be fixed on the frame (3) by adhering on the plate (6) in lip-to-lip contact when it is released. By this, the plate (6) is prevented from being unintentionally removed from the frame (3), and the frame (3) is prevented from being damaged due to erroneous use, therefore physical damages likely to occur as a result of misuse are avoided. User experience is improved while maintenance costs are reduced. (Figures 1,2,3 and 5)
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a locking latch (8) comprising a protrusion shaped flap (7). By this, grasping of the locking latch (8) flexed by the user during placement of the plate (6) on the frame (3), is facilitated, and user experience is thus improved. (Figure 4)
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a locking latch (8) comprising a clearance (9) enabling flexing of the locking latch (8) when it is moved. The clearance (9) provided on the flexing surface of the locking latch (8) flexed by the user when the plate (6) is being placed in the frame (3) or when it is intended to be removed from the frame (3), has a groovy structure. By this the user is enabled to flex the locking latch (8) by means of minimum force, improving user experience. In addition, the locking latch (8) is prevented from being damaged by the user applying minimal force on the locking latch (8), thereby avoiding physical damages while reducing maintenance costs. (Figure 9)
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a locking latch (8) made of elastic material. The user can easily flex the locking latch (8) by means of the locking latch (8) being made of a material with high coefficient of elasticity, and user experience is thus improved.
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a protector surface (10) provided on the frame (3), partially covering the locking latch (8). The protector surface (10) is located over the locking latch (8) so as to prevent it from being released from the position it is settled when the user flexes the locking latch (8), and is produced integrally with the frame (3). The placement and removal of the plate (6) to/from the frame (3) is thus facilitated, the protector surface (10) acts as a guide (5) for the locking latch (8) during said movement, improving the user experience. (Figures 8 and 10)
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a frame (3) comprising a U-shaped resting surface (4). By this, the plate (6) is prevented from escaping the frame (3) by sliding from the resting surface (4), avoiding it from being damaged by falling. Therefore, the user is prevented from being injured as a result of the plate (6) being broken, and also the spare part cost likely to occur due to the plate (6) being replaced is reduced, improving user experience. (Figure 3)
The cooling device (1) comprises a locking latch (8) comprising a tab (11) provided on the lower face of the locking latch (8), settling on the resting surface (4) by leaning against it, in a position in which the plate (6) is placed on the frame (3) and the locking latch (8) leans against the plate (6). The locking latch (8) rests almost completely immovably on the frame (3) by means of said tab (11), and it creates a delimiting effect on the movement of the locking latch (8) in cases when the user removes the plate (6) from the frame (3) by flexing the locking latch (8), or when the plate (6) is being placed on the frame (3), as a result, the locking latch (8) is prevented from being removed when not used, improving user satisfaction. (Figures 6 and 7)
In an embodiment of the invention, the cooling device (1) comprises tie pieces (12) provided on the frame (3), delimiting the movement of the tab (11) on horizontal plane in a position in which the plate (6) is placed on the frame (3) and the locking latch (8) leans against the plate (6), forming a reference surface for the motion of the locking latch (8) during placement or removal of the plate (6) on the resting surface (4). The tie pieces (12) provided on the frame (3) prevent the locking latch (8) from laterally sliding on the frame (3), and avoid the locking latch (8) from being removed due to collision during placement of products and food on the plate (6) by the user. By this, the locking latch (8) is prevented from being lost by being removed from its seat, spare part costs likely to occur due to replacement of the locking latch (8) is reduced, improving user experience. (Figures 6,7 and 9)
By means of the present invention, removing the shelf completely while cleaning the body shelf in cooling devices (1) is not required anymore, easy cleaning is provided by removing only the plate (6)which is the piece most likely to become dirty, from the frame (3), and usage costs are improved as the risk of breaking is reduced to a minimum.

Claims

A cooling device (1) comprising
• a body (2),

• a frame (3) fixed on opposed walls in the body (2),

• a resting surface (4) provided on an inner portion of the frame (3), and

• a plate (6) placed on the resting surface (4), on which food is placed, characterized by

• a locking latch (8) mounted on the frame (3), having a flap (7) provided thereon, the locking latch leaning against the plate (6) by flexing through the flap (7) being moved by a user during the plate (6) being placed in the body (2), and enabling the plate (6) to rest almost completely stationary on the resting surface (4) and

• the locking latch (8) comprising a tab (11) provided on the lower face of the locking latch (8), settling on the resting surface (4) by leaning against it, in a position in which the plate (6) is placed on the frame (3) and the locking latch (8) leaning against the plate (6).
A cooling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by the locking latch (8) comprising a protrusion shaped flap (7).
A cooling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the locking latch (8) comprising a clearance (9) enabling the locking latch (8) to flex when moved.
A cooling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the locking latch (8) made of elastic material.
A cooling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by a protector surface (10) provided on the frame (3), partially covering the locking latch (8).
A cooling device (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by the frame (3) comprising a U-shaped resting surface (4).
A cooling device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by tie pieces (12) provided on the frame (3), delimiting the movement of the tab (11) on horizontal plane in a position in which the plate (6) is placed on the frame (3) and the locking latch (8) leans against the plate (6), forming a reference surface for the motion of the locking latch (8) during placement or removal of the plate (6) on the resting surface (4).