EP3916328A1 - Étagère pour un récipient de climatisation - Google Patents
Étagère pour un récipient de climatisation Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- EP3916328A1 EP3916328A1 EP21161818.6A EP21161818A EP3916328A1 EP 3916328 A1 EP3916328 A1 EP 3916328A1 EP 21161818 A EP21161818 A EP 21161818A EP 3916328 A1 EP3916328 A1 EP 3916328A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- shelf
- folded portion
- sheet
- folded
- climatization
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Pending
Links
- 230000001154 acute effect Effects 0.000 claims abstract description 6
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 claims description 2
- 235000013361 beverage Nutrition 0.000 description 5
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 2
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 1
- 230000009286 beneficial effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000000694 effects Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011521 glass Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000005259 measurement Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
- F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
- A47B96/00—Details of cabinets, racks or shelf units not covered by a single one of groups A47B43/00 - A47B95/00; General details of furniture
- A47B96/02—Shelves
- A47B96/021—Structural features of shelf bases
Definitions
- This invention relates generally to a shelf for use in a climatization container, for instance a refrigerator.
- a climatization container comprises a container suitable for keeping contents stored therein under particular climatic conditions, for instance within a predetermined temperature or humidity range.
- Climatization containers are commonly used for storing products such as food and beverages. Particular examples include refrigerators and freezers where the primary requirement is to store food and beverages within a predetermined temperature range. Where in the present document reference is made to a particular example of a climatization container, for instance a refrigerator, this should be understood to include all types of climatization containers unless the context requires that it is limited to the particular example.
- a climatization container may comprise a compartment defined by walls and closable by a door. Within the compartment is a shelf support, or series of shelf supports, supporting one or more shelves. On each shelf products, for instance food and beverage products, may be stored. The dimensions, particularly the thickness, of a shelf may be determined in part based on the weight of the products to be supported. It is known to form a shelf from a sheet of metal or plastic and then fold the outer edges of the shelf to increase the rigidity of the sheet and thus allow a thinner sheet material to be used. Particularly, the edges of the sheet may be bent downwards approximately at 90° to the main part of the shelf. However, it will be appreciated that folding over the edges of a sheet increases the apparent thickness of the shelf.
- Products stored within a climatization container may be typically viewed from a first direction, a side of the container which is closed by a door.
- the door may be opened to view products, or the door may be transparent.
- multiple shelves are positioned within the compartment the products and the shelves may be closely packed.
- each shelf may partially occlude the view of products on the shelf below.
- This restriction of the field of view of the user is proportional to the thickness of the shelf: a thicker shelf restricts the field of view for products below the shelf more than a thin shelf.
- a shelf for use in a climatization container, the shelf comprising: a sheet comprising a shelf surface and a first folded portion at a front edge of the shelf; wherein the first folded portion is folded relative the shelf surface such that an acute angle is formed between the shelf surface and the first folded portion.
- each shelf is folded underneath such that it forms an acute angle with the shelf surface, the shelf appears thinner and improves the visibility of products positioned below the shelf.
- the angle between the shelf surface and the first folded portion may be between 45° and 80°, preferably 60°.
- an angle of 60° (or close thereto) has been found to give a suitable balance between optimum viewing angle when looking into the fridge and required rigidity.
- a climatization container comprising: a compartment for storage of products, the compartment being defined by walls and closable by a door; at least one shelf as described above to support the products; and a shelf support to support each shelf in the compartment such that in use the first folded portion extends downwards from the shelf surface and the front edge of each shelf is proximal to the door.
- FIGS. 1 and 2 these illustrate respectively a refrigerator 1 according to the prior art and a refrigerator 1 according to an example of the present invention by inclusion of a shelf according to the present invention.
- the following description refers to refrigerators as examples of climatization containers including shelves according to the present invention.
- the invention is not limited only to refrigerators.
- the refrigerator 1 in each of figures 1 and 2 comprises a compartment 2 defined by side walls 3, 4, top wall 5, rear wall 6 and bottom wall 7.
- the compartment 2 is closable at the front by doors 8.
- the refrigerator 1 in each figure is viewed in perspective showing the doors 8, top 5 and side 3.
- the doors 8 comprise sliding doors that may slide along rails 9 at the front of the top and bottom walls 5, 7. It will be appreciated that the shape and configuration of the refrigerator 1 may vary, including by the position and arrangement of doors 8. As an example, the or each door 8 may be hinged.
- each refrigerator 1 there is provide one or more shelves 10.
- each shelf 10 is supported by shelf supports 11.
- the shelf supports 11 comprise vertical rails attached to the side walls 2, 3 within the compartment defining a series of locating holes within which may be positioned clips (not visible in figures 1 and 2 ) to support the shelves 10.
- Shelves 10 differ between the prior art of figure 1 and the example of the present invention of figure 2 according to the shape of front edge 12.
- the front edge 12 of the prior art shelf is bent downwards at approximately 90°
- the front edge 12 of the shelf is bent downwards and backwards such that it forms an acute angle with the shelf surface 13, for instance approximately 60°.
- the doors 8 are transparent, for instance glass or plastic, so that a user can see into the refrigerator 1.
- the refrigerator 1 may comprise an under counter refrigerator for use in a cafe, restaurant, pub or bar for storing beverage containers, for instance bottles.
- the perspective view of figures 1 and 2 thus comprises a typical viewing angle for someone looking into the refrigerator. It can be seen that the acute fold in the front edge 12 of the shelves 10 in figure 2 has the effect of causing the shelf to appear thinner (despite the body of the shelves 10 retaining the same thickness throughout) and thus increases the field of view of products on lower shelves 10.
- FIG. 3 comprises a vertical cross section from front to back of the refrigerator of figure 1 .
- Figure 5 comprises a vertical cross section from front to back of the refrigerator of figure 1 .
- Figures 3 and 5 are identical except for the features of the shelves. Doors 8 are at the left-hand side of each figure.
- Each of figures 3 and 5 further illustrates a refrigeration system 14, the details of which may be entirely conventional and will not be described here.
- Shelf supports 11 comprise a pair of vertical rails upon the inner of each sidewall 2, 3. Details of the clips supporting the shelves are occluded by the shelves themselves. The clips may be configured to engage slots within the vertical rails and to present a bracket to support the weight of the shelf 10 and include a pin to engage a corresponding hole within the shelf 10 to limit movement of the shelf front and back.
- Figures 4 and 6 comprise enlarged views of the front edge 12 of an upper shelf in figures 3 and 5 respectively: figure 6 shows the detail of the front edge 12 of a shelf according to an embodiment of the present invention.
- Each shelf 10 comprises a sheet 15 comprising a shelf surface 16.
- Each sheet 15 further comprises a first folded portion 17. Folds provided along the sides of sheet 15 serves to increase the rigidity of the sheet 15 and thus allow a thinner sheet material to be used.
- Comparison of figures 3 and 5 reveals that for the prior art shelf 10 of figure 4 the first folded portion 17 is bent downwards from the plane of the shelf surface by approximately 90°, whereas the first folded portion 17 for the prior art shelf 10 of figure 6 is bent downwards and backwards (towards the middle of sheet 15) such that the angle between the shelf surface 16 and the first folded portion 17 is approximately 60°.
- the angle between the shelf surface 16 and the first folded portion 17 may be between 45° and 80°, for instance between 50° and 70° or between 55° and 65°.
- a fold angle greater than or equal to 45° is beneficial to give the required degree of strength and rigidity to the shelf. This difference in fold angle provides the improvement in field of view discussed above.
- Each of figures 3 to 6 further includes line 18 which indicates the viewing angle of someone looking into the refrigerator from above.
- Comparison of figures 3 and 4 with figures 5 and 6 reveals how the proportion of a lower shelf 10 that can be viewed is increased through use of an upper shelf 10 according to a present invention.
- an angle of 60° (or close thereto) has been found to give a suitable balance between optimum viewing angle when looking into the fridge and required rigidity.
- the maximum shelf rating may be 50 kg.
- An angle of 60° has been found to suffice to support such a load.
- Another factor that may affect shelf strength is the number of and arrangement of shelf supports.
- Another factor affecting shelf strength is the length of the front edge of the shelf.
- the front edge 12 of the shelf 10 in figures 5 and 6 according the present invention can be seen to further comprise a second folded portion 19 which is bent from the first folded portion so that it returns underneath the shelf surface 16 approximately parallel to the plane of the shelf surface 16.
- the edge of the sheet 15 is turned back on itself at the edge of the second folded portion 19 such that the sheet edge 20 is between the shelf surface 16 and the second folded portion 19.
- the side edges of sheet 15 are bent downwards at approximately 90° to the plane of the shelf surface 16 and then turned inwards. This may take the same form as the front edge 12 in figure 4 .
- the shelf 10 may be generally rectangular and the rear edge may take the same form as the side edges.
- FIG 7 this illustrates a perspective view of part of a shelf 10 according to the example of the present invention illustrated in figures 5 and 6 .
- Front edge 12, and particularly first folded portion 17 can be seen folded back underneath the shelf surface 16.
- a first side edge 21 and a rear edge 22 which comprise folded portions folded down from the shelf surface at approximately 90°.
- corner 23 it can be seen that the folded portions of the front edge 12 and the side edge 21 come together to form a corner seam where portions of the sheet 15 abut one another.
- FIG 8 this illustrates engineering drawings for production of a shelf 10 according to an example of the present invention.
- the upper part illustrates the shape required to be cut to form sheet 15 prior to folding, viewed from underneath.
- the lower left part illustrates shelf 10 once sheet 15 is folded.
- Cross sections and detailed views are also provided. Measurements given are in millimetres.
- the sheet 15 may be cut from 0.8 mm PVC coated steel sheet. Other materials may be selected as required to meet strength and aesthetic requirements.
- Figure 8 reveals front edge 12 formed from first folded portion 17 and second folded portion 19, along with portion 20 where the second folded portion is turned back on itself (Detail F).
- Figure 8 further reveals the form of each side edge 21 and rear edge 22 (Detail G).
- Figure 8 further reveals holes 24 formed in side edges 21 to receive shelf support pins (not illustrated).
- Figure 8 further reveals side edges 21 and rear edges being formed from third folded portions 25 and second folded portions 26.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Cabinets, Racks, Or The Like Of Rigid Construction (AREA)
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
GBGB2007979.4A GB202007979D0 (en) | 2020-05-28 | 2020-05-28 | A shelf for a climatization container |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3916328A1 true EP3916328A1 (fr) | 2021-12-01 |
Family
ID=71526188
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP21161818.6A Pending EP3916328A1 (fr) | 2020-05-28 | 2021-03-10 | Étagère pour un récipient de climatisation |
Country Status (2)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3916328A1 (fr) |
GB (1) | GB202007979D0 (fr) |
Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100026156A1 (en) * | 2008-07-30 | 2010-02-04 | Saint-Gobain Glass France | Shelf for refrigeration units |
EP2191743A2 (fr) * | 2008-11-26 | 2010-06-02 | HUPFER Metallwerke GmbH & Co. KG | Installation d'étagère |
US20150023000A1 (en) * | 2013-07-17 | 2015-01-22 | Whirlpool Corporation | Lighted refrigerator shelf with overmold |
US20150313359A1 (en) * | 2014-05-02 | 2015-11-05 | Steelcase Inc. | Shelf system |
-
2020
- 2020-05-28 GB GBGB2007979.4A patent/GB202007979D0/en not_active Ceased
-
2021
- 2021-03-10 EP EP21161818.6A patent/EP3916328A1/fr active Pending
Patent Citations (4)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20100026156A1 (en) * | 2008-07-30 | 2010-02-04 | Saint-Gobain Glass France | Shelf for refrigeration units |
EP2191743A2 (fr) * | 2008-11-26 | 2010-06-02 | HUPFER Metallwerke GmbH & Co. KG | Installation d'étagère |
US20150023000A1 (en) * | 2013-07-17 | 2015-01-22 | Whirlpool Corporation | Lighted refrigerator shelf with overmold |
US20150313359A1 (en) * | 2014-05-02 | 2015-11-05 | Steelcase Inc. | Shelf system |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
GB202007979D0 (en) | 2020-07-15 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US9332840B2 (en) | Rail device and refrigerator using the same | |
US7950756B2 (en) | Drop-down shelf | |
US20080054772A1 (en) | Support assembly for an appliance storage bin or storage shelf | |
US7566105B2 (en) | Movable divider for a refrigerated drawer | |
EP1936303A2 (fr) | Réfrigérateur et procédé de fabrication de sa porte | |
US7726756B2 (en) | Refrigerator with varying width compartments and uniform width doors | |
EP2818814A2 (fr) | Réfrigérateur | |
US20070284985A1 (en) | Universal shelf module for a refrigerator | |
EP2972026B1 (fr) | Étagère pliable et coulissante | |
JP3895136B2 (ja) | 冷蔵庫の引出し容器 | |
TW200842300A (en) | Refrigerator | |
CN108778055B (zh) | 冷藏食物制备台和用于使盖部分或完全打开的铰链支架 | |
MX2011013098A (es) | Canastilla de multimaterial para refrigerador o congelador. | |
KR102043201B1 (ko) | 냉장고 | |
EP3916328A1 (fr) | Étagère pour un récipient de climatisation | |
US6926379B1 (en) | Door brace for a refrigerator cabinet assembly having varying width compartment doors | |
US8657132B2 (en) | Bin divider for use in a door bin | |
EP2313722A2 (fr) | Réfrigérateur | |
RU2413144C2 (ru) | Дверь холодильного аппарата | |
JP7012873B2 (ja) | 冷蔵庫 | |
JP2005069533A (ja) | 冷蔵庫 | |
US9357845B1 (en) | Shelf assembly | |
JPH0866278A (ja) | ショーケースのスライド棚装置 | |
JP2001263931A (ja) | 冷蔵庫 | |
JP2007120906A (ja) | 冷蔵庫 |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
PUAI | Public reference made under article 153(3) epc to a published international application that has entered the european phase |
Free format text: ORIGINAL CODE: 0009012 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: THE APPLICATION HAS BEEN PUBLISHED |
|
AK | Designated contracting states |
Kind code of ref document: A1 Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
B565 | Issuance of search results under rule 164(2) epc |
Effective date: 20210810 |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: REQUEST FOR EXAMINATION WAS MADE |
|
17P | Request for examination filed |
Effective date: 20220510 |
|
RBV | Designated contracting states (corrected) |
Designated state(s): AL AT BE BG CH CY CZ DE DK EE ES FI FR GB GR HR HU IE IS IT LI LT LU LV MC MK MT NL NO PL PT RO RS SE SI SK SM TR |
|
STAA | Information on the status of an ep patent application or granted ep patent |
Free format text: STATUS: EXAMINATION IS IN PROGRESS |
|
17Q | First examination report despatched |
Effective date: 20231006 |