EP4171321A1

EP4171321A1 - A sneeze guard

Info

Publication number: EP4171321A1
Application number: EP21763423.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Nuri Coskun Irfan; Baris Koyas
Original assignee: Evinoks Servis Ekipmanlari Sanayi ve Ticaret AS
Current assignee: EVINOKS SERVIS EKIPMANLARI SANAYIVE TICARET A.S.
Priority date: 2020-06-25
Filing date: 2021-04-01
Publication date: 2023-05-03
Also published as: WO2021262111A1; TR202010011A2

Abstract

The present invention relates to at least one sneeze guard (10) particularly for use in exhibition/service equipment and having at least two profiles (20), each made of a structure (21, 22, 23) and an outer profile (50), and at least one cover element (90) extending between said profiles (20).

Description

A SNEEZE GUARD

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to at least one sneeze guard particularly for use in exhibition/service equipments and having at least one each sneeze guard profiles positioned mutually and at least one cover element extending between said sneeze guard profiles.

PRIOR ART

In catering facilities, fixed or mobile benches, which have shelves and which are wheeled and which have cabinets and drawers and where the spare service tools are kept in a ready manner and which facilitate the preparations of waiters prior to service, are called exhibition/service equipment.

Exhibition/service equipments are devices which keep and exhibit food products and used in various fields including small and big enterprises. Exhibition/service equipments, which are used in these fields and which have great importance commercially, have an important place in the sector.

In exhibition/service equipments, sneeze guards are used between the service personnel and the exhibition/service equipment particularly during the service process. Said sneeze guard is positioned between the service personnel and the exhibition/service equipment and prevents undesired items from being mixed to the food from the service personnel. Besides, sneeze guard prevents mixing of the undesired items, because of different reasons, to the food by at least partially covering the food.

The sneeze guard can fail, can become dirty or can need maintenance due to any reason in long-duration usage. In such cases, the sneeze guard must be removed. However, the sneeze guard, known in the present art, can be joined to the exhibition/service equipments in an inseparable manner. In such cases, maintenance of the sneeze guard can become impossible.

Besides, the expectation from the sneeze guard is the aesthetic expectation besides hygienic expectation. Today, aesthetical appearance of the sneeze guard is very essential for the customer. In the sneeze guard used in the present art, the undesired bad appearance of the cables used in illumination leads to an important problem.

Moreover, as a result of exertion of force by the hard metal, used in the sneeze guard, to the sneeze guard glass due to any impact, the glass is damaged. In such a case, undesired injuries and unfavorable results can occur.

As a result, because of the abovementioned problems, an improvement is required in the related technical field.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to a sneeze guard, for eliminating the abovementioned disadvantages and for bringing new advantages to the related technical field.

An object of the present invention is to provide a sneeze guard with facilitated usage and with reduced risk of becoming damaged.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a sneeze guard with facilitated assembly and with reduced glass break risk.

In order to realize the abovementioned objects and the objects which are to be deducted from the detailed description below, the present invention relates to at least one sneeze guard particularly for use in exhibition/service equipments and having at least one each sneeze guard profiles positioned mutually and at least one cover element extending between said sneeze guard profiles. Accordingly, the improvement of the present invention is that said sneeze guard profile has at least one second part, and at least one first part which can be connected to the exhibition/service equipment in order provide holding of said second part, said first part and said second part have at least one outer profile, at least one carcass profile is provided in the inner vicinity of the outer profile provided at the first part, at least one inner profile is positioned in the inner vicinity of the outer profile provided at the second part, and at least one cover housing is provided where said cover element can be positioned in a manner contacting the inner profile on the second part, and at least one strip element is provided where the cover element is configured to be fixed in the cover housing. Thus, a sneeze guard is obtained which is removable and having facilitated usage and where deformation risk is reduced by means of the cover housing. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, at least one third part is positioned between the second part and the exhibition/service equipment. Thus, the second part is fixed in the exhibition/service equipment in a more resistant manner.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, said third part is essentially configured to be similar to the first part and is positioned mutually with the first part. Thus, the visual symmetry of the sneeze guard profile is provided.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, at least one second foot is provided for providing connection of the third part to the exhibition/service equipment. Thus, resistance is provided to the sneeze guard.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, at least one first foot is provided for providing connection of the first part to the exhibition/service equipment. Thus, resistance is provided to the sneeze guard.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the second part is connected to at least one support profile. Thus, resistance is provided to the sneeze guard and the cover element in the second form.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, the first parts of the sneeze guard profiles are configured such that the cover element extends in between. Thus, the sneeze guard can be used in different configurations.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, said inner profile is made of a material including aluminum. Thus, the cover element deforms when it is subjected to a force and the cover element is protected.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, at least one each cable channels are positioned on the inner profile and on the carcass profile. Thus, the cables, which can be used in the sneeze guard, are removed from the sight of the user.

In another possible embodiment of the present invention, at least one connection channel is positioned on the carcass profile. Thus, the connection element is engaged through the assembly hole and is fixed in the connection channel. In another possible embodiment of the present invention, at least one assembly hole is positioned for use in the connection of the items to each other. Thus, the connection element is engaged through the assembly hole and is fixed in the connection channel.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

In Figure 1 , a representative perspective view of the first form of the subject matter sneeze guard is given.

In Figure 2, a representative perspective view of the second form of the subject matter sneeze guard is given.

In Figure 3, a representative perspective view of the outer profile positioned in the subject matter sneeze guard is given.

In Figure 4, a representative perspective view of the carcass profile positioned in the subject matter sneeze guard is given.

In Figure 5, a representative perspective view of the inner profile positioned in the subject matter sneeze guard is given.

In Figure 6, a representative perspective view of the strip element provided in the first form in the subject matter sneeze guard is given.

In Figure 7, a representative perspective view of the intermediate profile provided in the first form in the subject matter sneeze guard is given.

In Figure 8, a representative perspective view of the cover element positioned in the subject matter sneeze guard is given.

In Figure 9, a representative perspective view of the outer profile provided in the second form in the subject matter sneeze guard is given.

In Figure 10, a representative perspective view of the carcass profile provided in the second form in the subject matter sneeze guard is given. In Figure 11 , a representative perspective view of the strip element provided in the second form in the subject matter sneeze guard is given.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.

In Figure 1 and 2, the representative perspective views of in the subject matter sneeze guard (10) are given. Accordingly, the subject matter sneeze guard (10) is positioned particularly at the upper vicinity particularly of the exhibition/service equipment and at least partially protects the foods and beverages against external factors. The sneeze guard (10) essentially has two sneeze guard profiles (20) positioned mutually and a cover element (90) positioned between the two sneeze guard profiles (20). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, said cover element (90) is positioned on at least one intermediate profile (80) and provides covering of the foods and beverages. The intermediate profile (80) provides carrying of the cover element (90) from one side, and moreover, it increases resistance of the sneeze guard profiles (20) and accommodates illumination elements.

In the sneeze guard (10), the sneeze guard profile (20) can be provided in at least one first form (20a) and in at least one second form (20b). By means of this, the exhibition/service equipment can be adapted depending on different usage locations and different usage purposes.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, said first form (20a) has at least one first part (21), at least one second part (22) and at least one third part (23). Said second part (22) is essentially positioned to be parallel to the floor. Said first part (21) and said third part (23) are joined mutually with the second part (22) in a manner making a predetermined angle between the second part (22) and the first and third parts (21 , 23). The first part (21) and the third part (23) can be connected to the exhibition/service equipment by means of at least one first foot (51) and at least one second foot (52). Said first foot (51) and said second foot (52) can also have carcass hole (55) for providing connection to the exhibition/service equipment. By means of said carcass holes (55), the sneeze guard profile (20) can be made modular in the exhibition/service equipment.

In the first form (20a), the sneeze guard profile (20) has at least one outer profile (30) and at least one carcass profile (50). Said carcass profile (50) is positioned in the inner vicinity of said outer profile (30). The carcass profile (50) essentially provides a resistant structure to the outer profile (30) and the sneeze guard profile (20). The carcass profile (50) and the outer profile (30) are formed so as to be compliant to the first part (21), the second part (22) and the third part (23). Assembly holes (32) are positioned on the outer profile (30). Said assembly holes (32) can be connected to the connection channel (54), positioned on the carcass profile (50), by means of at least one connection element (not shown in the figures). Said connection channel (54) provides the connection element to be embedded to the outer profile (30) and contributes to providing an aesthetic appearance. Moreover, at least one cable channel (53) is positioned on the carcass profile (50). Said cable channel (53) provides the electrical cables of the sneeze guard profile (20) to be embedded and contributes to providing an aesthetic appearance.

At least one inner profile (40) is positioned in the inner vicinity in the second part (22) section of the outer profile (30). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, said inner profile (40) is essentially made of aluminum material. At least one cable channel (53) is positioned on the inner profile (40). Said cable channel (53) provides advancing of the cables therein provided for the illumination elements which are to be used in the sneeze guard (10).

On the second part (22), essentially at least one cover housing (31) is provided on the outer profile (30) and on the inner profile (40). Said cover housing (31) is essentially in groove form and is formed to allow positioning of the cover element (90), particularly positioning of at least one cover protrusion (91) therein. The cover element (90) extends between the sneeze guard profiles (20) and protects the foods or beverages against external factors. In order to realize this, in a possible embodiment of the present invention, the cover element (90) can be made of a transparent material. The cover element (90) is seated to the sneeze guard profiles (20) by means of the cover protrusions (91) provided on the cover element (90), and fixation is realized. The cover protrusions (91) are contacted to the inner profile (40) on the sneeze guard profile (20) by means of the cover housing (31). Since the inner profile (40) is provided from aluminum material, the cover element (90) is prevented from being deformed easily.

On the sneeze guard profile (20), said strip element (60) can be positioned in a removable manner. The strip element (60) essentially has a shape so as to cover at least one section of the first part (21), the second part (22) and the third part (23). The strip element (60) provides covering and fixing of the cover protrusion (91) seated to the cover housing (31). Fixation of the strip element (60) onto the sneeze guard profile (20) is provided by means of assembly holes (32). The connection element engaged through the assembly hole (32) is placed to the connection channel (54) provided on the carcass profile (50), and fixation is realized, and aesthetically good appearance is provided.

In the second form (20b), the first part (21) and the second part (22) are as provided in the first form (20a). The difference of the second form (20b) from the first form (20a) is that there is no third part (23) in the sneeze guard profile (20) and at least one support profile (70) is positioned. Said support profile (70) essentially extends towards the side of the second part (22) facing the cover element (90). The support profile (70) provides the cover element (90) to be positioned at the sneeze guard (10) in a resistant manner. In the second form (20b), pluralities of cover elements (90) can be provided. Accordingly, the cover element (90) can extend between the first parts (21) of the sneeze guard profiles (20). By means of this, one side of the sneeze guard (10) can be completely covered. In this case, the cover housing (31) is positioned on the first part (21) and is held by means of the inner profile (40) provided at the first part (21) and is fixed by means of the strip element (60).

By means of all these embodiments, the sneeze guard (10) can be easily removed and joined. By means of the obtained modular structure, the user can easily intervene to the sneeze guard (10) without needing any service staff. Moreover, the cover element (90), which has glass characteristic, can be assembled without forming any hole thereon, and the breakage and hygiene risk is prevented. Besides, the cables, which can be used for reasons like illumination, can be hidden by means of the inner profile (40) which is used. Moreover, since there is the inner profile (40), which includes aluminum, at the cover housing (31) where the cover element (90) is seated, the breakage of the cover element (90) becomes difficult. Thus, sneeze guard (10) with facilitated usage is obtained.

The protection scope of the present invention is set forth in the annexed claims and cannot be restricted to the illustrative disclosures given above, under the detailed description. It is because a person skilled in the relevant art can obviously produce similar embodiments under the light of the foregoing disclosures, without departing from the main principles of the present invention. REFERENCE NUMBERS

10 Sneeze guard

20 Sneeze guard profile 20a First form

20b Second form

21 First part

22 Second part

23 Third part

30 Outer profile

31 Cover housing

32 Assembly hole

40 Inner profile

50 Carcass profile

51 First foot

52 Second foot

53 Cable channel

54 Connection channel

55 Carcass hole

60 Strip element 70 Support profile 80 Intermediate profile

90 Cover element

91 Cover protrusion

Claims

1. The present invention is at least one sneeze guard (10) particularly for use in exhibition/service equipments and having at least one each sneeze guard profiles (20) positioned mutually and at least one cover element (90) extending between said sneeze guard profiles (20), wherein said sneeze guard profile (20) has at least one second part (22), and at least one first part (21) which can be connected to the exhibition/service equipment in order provide holding of said second part (22), said first part (21) and said second part (22) have at least one outer profile (30), at least one carcass profile (50) is provided in the inner vicinity of the outer profile (30) provided at the first part (21), at least one inner profile (40) is positioned in the inner vicinity of the outer profile (30) provided at the second part (22) and at least one cover housing (31) is provided where said cover element (90) can be positioned in a manner contacting the inner profile (40) on the second part (22) and at least one strip element (60) is provided where the cover element (90) is configured to be fixed in the cover housing (31).

2. The sneeze guard (10) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one third part (23) is positioned between the second part (22) and the exhibition/service equipment.

3. The sneeze guard (10) according to claim 2, wherein said third part (23) is essentially configured to be similar to the first part (21) and is positioned mutually with the first part (21).

4. The sneeze guard (10) according to claim 2, wherein at least one second foot (52) is provided for providing connection of the third part (23) to the exhibition/service equipment.

5. The sneeze guard (10) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one first foot (51) is provided for providing connection of the first part (21) to the exhibition/service equipment.

6. The sneeze guard (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the second part (22) is connected to at least one support profile (70).

7. The sneeze guard (10) according to claim 1 , wherein the first parts (21) of the sneeze guard profiles (20) are configured such that the cover element extends in between.

8. The sneeze guard (10) according to claim 1 , wherein said inner profile (40) is made of a material including aluminum.

9. The sneeze guard (10) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one each cable channels (53) are positioned on the inner profile (40) and on the carcass profile (50).

10. The sneeze guard (10) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one connection channel (54) is positioned on the carcass profile (50).

11. The sneeze guard (10) according to claim 1 , wherein at least one assembly hole (32) is positioned for use in the connection of the items to each other.