ES2225012T3 - A TRANSPARENT CLOSURE FOR REFRIGERATOR CABINETS AND PROCEDURE FOR CONSTRUCTION. - Google Patents

Abstract

The door comprises a glazed panel with at least two spaced-apart parallel transparent sheets (12, 13) rigidly joined together by an interposed perimetral spacer (15) extending along the entire perimetral edge of the sheets to close the interspace (14) defined by the sheets; the door comprises a first profiled element (21, 121) extending along one side of the glazed panel, to which it is rigidly fixed, and having at least one corridor (31, 131) for containing the means for securing the hinge to the cabinet structure (9); the panel (11) is fixed to the cabinet structure only by means of said profiled element (21, 121) and is supported only by this, without the aid of any rigid whole frame enclosing the panel. <IMAGE>

Description

Transparent lock door for cabinets refrigerators and procedure for its construction.

The present invention relates to a door of transparent closure for refrigerating cabinets, as well as a Procedure for its construction.

Refrigerating cabinets, usually for use commercial, which also act as exhibitors for products refrigerated containing (cakes, ice cream, frozen foods, etc.), are usually provided with transparent front doors, that allow you to observe the products contained and provide thermal isolation. These doors usually comprise a panel transparent (often known by the trade name of thermopan) formed from at least two sheets separate parallel transparent (usually glass) rigidly joined by an interposed perimeter spacer, which  extends along the full perimeter edge of the sheets and which closes the space defined by the sheets.

The panel is inserted into a rigid frame that It is flattened to the structure of the refrigerator cabinet. He frame is formed from four profiled elements rigidly joined at its corners to form a frame of sufficient rigidity and mechanical strength to support its own weight and that of the panel and other mechanical stresses to which it is submitted during use. Therefore, the frame acts as a structural element, whose purpose is to resist efforts mechanical, while the panel only has a function of cladding wall, that is, to close the front of the refrigerator cabinet

The document FR-A-2,667,137 refers to a transparent closing door for refrigerator cabinet that has a peripheral door frame that extends around the full side parts of the door.

An objective of the present invention is simplify the construction of these doors and get a better appearance.

In addition, if it is required to form a door with a curved surface, a curved transparent sheet is placed cylindrical in front of the panel, its vertical sides being fixed to the vertical sides of the frame.

The intermediate space defined by the sheet curved and the front surface of the panel cannot be sealed hermetically mainly due to the presence of the spacer, which inevitably has air infiltration points. Because this circumstance, the air present in the intermediate space can easily form a condensate on the surfaces of the sheets with which it comes into contact.

In addition, the invention proposes to overcome this inconvenient, within the framework of a solution that offers a good looks.

These and other objectives are achieved through the invention as characterized in the claims.

The invention is based on the fact that it comprises a first profiled element that extends along on one side of the glazed panel, to which it is rigidly attached, and that it presents at least one separation to contain the means for connect the hinge to the structure of the refrigerator cabinet. He glazed panel is fixed to the structure of the refrigerator cabinet only by said profiled element and is supported only for the latter, without the help of any complete frame rigid surrounding the panel.

The invention will be described in more detail at then referring to the attached figures, which illustrate one of their embodiments by way of example no limitative.

Figure 1 is a perspective view in general of the door of the invention, applied to a closet Fridge.

Figure 2 is a section in the plane II-II of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is an enlarged detail of Figure 2.

Figure 4 is a section in the plane IV-IV of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a general perspective view of a second embodiment of the door of the invention, applied to a refrigerator cabinet

Figure 6 is a section of the plane VI-VI of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is an enlarged detail of Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a section in the plane VIII-VIII of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is an enlarged detail of Figure 8.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of one of the closure elements 152.

Reference will first be made to the realization illustrated in Figures 1 to 4.

The door, indicated in general by 10 in the Figures 1 to 4, comprising a glazed panel 11 with two sheets transparent 12 and 13, usually of glass or other material transparent. Most of these panels comprise two sheets transparent. However, the panel of the invention can Understand a greater number of sheets. The sheets can be also of special material, such as heated glass, glass low emissivity, reflective glass, etc.

The two sheets 12 and 13 are parallel and separated to define an intermediate air gap 14. Among them is interposed a perimetric spacer 15 in contact with the faces mutually facing interiors of the blades and extending along the entire perimeter edge of the sheets. The spacer 15 is attached to both sheets 12 and 13 and acts as a means to Fix them together. In cooperation with the sheets, it also defines and close the intermediate space 14. The sheets 12 and 13 are joined each other and the perimeter spacer 15 by means of an adhesive synthetic resin 17, which usually covers the outer side 15a of the perimeter spacer 15.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 to 4, the edges 12a and 13a of the sheets 12 and 13 and the outer side 15a of the spacer 15 are located essentially in the same plane and are covered by adhesive layer 17. This feature is Repeat on all four sides of panel 11 and provide for the panel 11 four edges 11a that are narrow and flat.

In a complete view, the front surface of the panel 11 is defined by the surface facing out 12 ' of the front sheet 12.

According to the invention, a first is provided profiled element 21, which extends along a part side of the panel and is rigidly fixed to this side.

The cross section through the element profile 21 (see Figure 3) has two internal surfaces coplanarians 32 and 33 that are located in contact with the edge 11a of panel 11 and, in particular, with layer 17 and are fixed to the latter by means of adhesive interposed.

The cross section through the element profiling 21 also has a lower separation space 34 to receive a seal element by insertion usual 35 to seal the door 10, when closed, against the front edge of the refrigerator cabinet structure 9. More specifically, when viewed in cross section, the joint Shutter 35 has an appendix 36 with a dovetail profile, which is inserted under pressure in the lower separation space 34. In its upper part (see Figure 3), the cross section to through the profiled element 21 it has a fin 37 that covers a narrow band of the front surface 12 '(which is visible) of the panel 11, near the edge of the latter.

The cross section through the element profiling 21 also defines a separation space 31 for contain the means, of known type not illustrated in the figures, to fix the hinge to the structure of the refrigerator cabinet 9. For example, perforated blocks can be inserted and fixed properly in this space of separation, in the proximity of two ends of the profiled element 21 to receive in its holes the hinge pins 38 of the vertical axis (one of these pins are illustrated in Figure 1), fixed to the structure of the refrigerator cabinet 9 to define the vertical axis around from which door 10 rotates. On the side of the space separation 31 there is a second separation space 42 in which the usual electrical resistance elements can be inserted into be supplied with current to heat panel 11 (for avoid condensation on its glazed surfaces).

When mounted on the cabinet structure refrigerator, panel 11 is fixed to said structure by means of the profiled element 21 and is supported only by the latter. In particular, panel 11 is supported without the help of any full rigid frame enclosing and supporting panel 11, such as It happens instead in the prior art. According to this invention, the panel is fixed along an edge to the element profiling 21, which is itself flattened to the structure of the refrigerator cabinet, being the panel itself that resists said static efforts (in particular its own weight) and efforts dynamic to which it is subject during use.

In an advantageous embodiment, the respective profiled elements are also located and fixed to the others sides of panel 11 (those not restricted to the cabinet structure 9) and are supported only by the latter. In in particular, a second profiled element 22 is located on the side  vertical opposite to that of the first profiled element 21, two profiled elements 23 and 24 being located on the sides upper and lower horizontal panel 11.

The second profiled element 22 has the same cross section than the first profiled element 21. In particular, it has a separation space 34 to receive, by insertion, appendix 36 of seal 35. The profiled element 22 can also be fixed by the usual means to a usual handle 7 to operate the door.

The horizontal profiled elements 23 and 24 (see Figure 4) are mutually identical but are thinner than the two profiled elements 21 and 22. Their function is mainly the aesthetics of covering the upper and lower edges of panel 11 and to support the seal 35. For this purpose, they have a fin 39 covering a narrow band of the front surface 12 '(the visible surface) of the panel along its edge horizontal. They also comprise a separation space 41 for receive appendix 36 of seal 35 by insertion.

The seal 35 is made in a single piece in the shape of a rectangular flange (consisting of four longitudinal elements joined at its corners), which extends to along the entire perimeter of panel 11 and is fixed to said panel by means of separation spaces 34 and 41.

The four profiled elements 21 to 24 are not linked together (this would be, in any case, indifferent from the point of view of resistance to mechanical stress) and are supported by panel 11.

Since it is not necessary to provide a rigid frame in the form of profiled elements joined together to support panel 11, because the profiled elements supported by the panel are attached only to the panel itself, the Door construction is thus greatly simplified.

In addition, profiled elements can be provided with smaller dimensions, in particular with respect to the width of the perimeter flange that define on the surface front 12 ', with the consequent improvement in the overall appearance of the door.

The door of the present invention can be manufactured by the following procedure, which offers advantages additional in the manufacture of the door. To assemble the panel 11, sheets 12 and 13 are placed joined together with the spacer 15 interposed and then a resin adhesive synthetic is distributed on the outer side 15a of the spacer perimeter 15 and along edge 12a and 13a of sheets 12 and 13, respectively. This adhesive is such that it adheres to the blades and spacer and then hardens to define the edge of the panel 11a. As soon as possible after placement of the adhesive, and in any case before the resin has been completely hardened, the first profiled element 21 is placed on the edge of the corresponding panel 11a in contact with the resin layer 17, so that when the hardening, profiled element 21 has been attached to the panel by said resin.

An adhesive suitable for the purpose described above is a two component resin based on polysulfide, for example a resin known under the brand name "THIOKOL".

In an advantageous embodiment, before it has hardened said resin placed on the outer edges of panel 11a, all profiled elements 21 to 24 are located on their respective sides of the resin contact panel 17, so that when hardening has occurred, said profiled elements 21 to 24 have been joined to panel 11 by said resin.

In addition, this procedure simplifies the door manufacturing.

The door according to the invention could be manufactured also by a different procedure, for example by gluing the first profiled element 21 and the other possible elements at panel 11 using traditional techniques, after it has been hardened resin 17.

With reference to the embodiment illustrated in the Figures 5 to 10, the door, generally indicated by 110, comprises a glazed panel 11 identical to the one described here, that is, with two transparent sheets 12 and 13, one front and the other back, usually of glass or other transparent material.

The two sheets 12 and 13 are parallel and separated to define an intermediate air gap 14. Among them is interposed a perimetric spacer 15 in contact with the faces mutually facing interiors of the blades and extending along the entire perimeter edge of the sheets. He spacer 15 is attached to both sheets 12 and 13 and acts as a means to fix the joints. In cooperation with the sheets, it also defines and closes the intermediate space 14. Laminates 12 and 13 are joined together and to the perimeter spacer 15 by a synthetic resin adhesive 17, which usually covers the outer side 15a of the perimeter spacer 15.

The edges 12a and 13a of sheets 12 and 13 and the outer side 15a of spacer 15 are located practically in The same plane. This feature is repeated on all four sides. of panel 11 and provides for panel 11 four edges 11a that They are narrow and flat.

In a complete view, the front surface of the panel 11 is defined by the surface facing out 12 ' of the front sheet 12.

This embodiment of the invention comprises a 151 curved transparent sheet with vertical generatrices line, which is located in front of the front surface of panel 111 and It has its own rear concave surface 151 '' in contact with the front surface of the panel (defined by the front surface 12 'of the front sheet 12) along the two corners front vertical 511 of the latter. In the realization preferred, illustrated in the figures, curved sheet 151 has wider than panel 111 and protrudes more laterally beyond said front vertical corners 511, with which it enters in contact its rear surface 151 ''.

Along the line of contact between the surface 151 '' and corners 511 there are seams positioned 155 of adhesive arranged to seal these lines and to join the panel and sheet curved together.

Two closing elements in the form of a segment circular, namely an upper element 152 and a lower element 153, are provides along the upper horizontal side and the side bottom horizontal of door 110 to close in the part upper and lower the intermediate space defined by the sheet of the front panel and curved blade.

In detail, said elements 152, 153 consist each in a solid that has two identical opposite flat bases in the form of a circular segment 156, a flat rear face 157 and an arcuate face 158, which adapts to the curvature of the sheet curved 151. The rear face 157 is placed in contact with the front surface 12 'of panel 11 and sealed against it by a posture 161 of sealing adhesive, the face 158 being located in contact with the back surface 151 '' of the curved sheet 151 and sealed against it by a seam 162 of adhesive of sealed.

Between panel 11 and curved sheet 151 remains defined an intermediate space 154 that is hermetically sealed along its sides by seams 155 and in its parts upper and lower by elements 152 and 153.

Elements 152 and 153 have a cavity internal 159 in which hygroscopic substances are contained to keep the air present in the intermediate space dry 154. In this case, the elements 153 are provided with holes in that base 156 facing the interior of intermediate space 154, for connect cavity 159 to said intermediate space.

As in the first embodiment, it is provided with again a first profiled element 121 that extends along on one side of the glazed panel 11 and rigidly fixed to this side.

The cross section through this element profile 121 (see Figure 7) has two interior surfaces 132 and 33 which are located in contact with the edge 11a of the panel 11 and in particular with layer 17 and are fixed to the latter by adhesive interposed.

The cross section of the profiled element 121 it also has a lower separation space 134 to receive, by insertion, a usual seal member 135 for seal door 110, when closed, against the front edge of the structure of the refrigerator cabinet 9. More specifically, when it is examined, in cross section, the seal 135 has a  Appendix 136 with a dovetail profile, which is inserted to pressure in the lower separation space 134. In its part upper (see Figure 7), the cross section through the profiled element 121 has a fin 137 covering a band narrow front surface 151 '(which is the surface visible convex) of curved sheet 151, near the vertical edge of the latter.

The separation space 131 is arranged to contain the media, of the type known but not illustrated in the figures, to fix the hinge to the cabinet structure refrigerator 9. For example, perforated blocks can be inserted and properly set in the separation space 131 in the proximity of the two ends of the profiled element 121 for receive, in its holes, the pins of the shaft hinge 138 vertical (one of these pins is illustrated in Figure 5), fixed to the structure of the refrigerator cabinet 9 to define the main shaft around which door 110 rotates. To the part side of the separation space 131 a second is provided separation space 142 in which the elements can be inserted usual electrical resistance to power to feed panel 11 (to prevent condensation of its glazed surfaces).

When mounted on the cabinet structure refrigerator, panel 11 is fixed to the cabinet by profiled element 121 and is supported only by the latter.

In an advantageous embodiment, the respective profiled elements are also located above and fixed to the other sides of panel 11 (those not restricted to the structure of the refrigerator cabinet 9) and are supported only by this latest. In particular, a second profiled element 122 is located on the opposite vertical side of the first element profiled 121, the two profiled elements being 123 and 124 located on the upper and lower horizontal sides of the panel eleven.

The second profiled element 122 has the same cross section than the first profiled element 121. In particular, it has a separation space 134 to receive, by insertion, appendix 136 of seal 135. The profiled element 122 can also be fixed by means usual to a usual handle 7 to operate the door.

The horizontal profiled elements 123 and 124 (see Figure 8) are mutually identical and cover only the upper edge of panel 11. Its function is mainly to support the seal 135. For this purpose, it comprises a space of separation 141 to receive the appendix 136 of the board shutter 135 by insertion.

The seal 135 is one piece in the shape of a rectangular flange (consisting of four longitudinal elements joined at its corners), which extends to along the entire perimeter of panel 11 and is fixed to said panel by means of separation spaces 134 and 141.

The four profiled elements 121 to 124 do not are linked together (this would be unimportant, in any case, from the point of view of stress resistance mechanical) and is supported by panel 11.

The door of this embodiment can be constructed also by the procedure described above.

In the embodiment illustrated in Figures 5 a 10, curved sheet 151 has a height greater than panel 11 and protrudes up and down beyond its upper sides and lower. The projecting part covers the profiled elements 123 and 124 located on the horizontal sides of the panel. The result is that panel 11 is completely covered in its front part by the curved sheet 151 to achieve an attractive appearance.

Numerous modifications of practical nature and application in the invention, without departing therefore, the scope of the inventive idea as claimed by continuation.

Claims (17)

1. Transparent closing door for refrigerating cabinets, comprising a glazed panel with at least two spaced parallel transparent sheets (12, 13) rigidly joined by an interposed perimeter spacer (15) that extends along the entire perimeter edge of the sheets to close the intermediate space (14) defined by the sheets, characterized in that it comprises a first profiled element (21, 121) that extends along the glazed panel, said profiled element (21, 121) being fixed to said side of the glazed panel and presenting at least one separation space (31, 131), defined in its cross section, to contain the means for fixing the hinge to the structure of the refrigerator cabinet (9), the panel being fixed to the structure of the cabinet only by means of said profiled element (21, 121) and being supported only by the latter, without the help of any rigid complete frame that encloses the bread he. 2. Door according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises respective profiled elements (22, 23, 24, 122, 123, 124) that are located on and fixed to the sides of the panel not restricted to the structure of the refrigerator cabinet (9) , being supported only by the panel and having a sealing element (35, 135) attached thereto to seal the door, when closed, against the cabinet structure (9). 3. Door according to claim 1, characterized in that the glazed panel has a narrow flat side edge (11a, 111a), said profiled element being bonded by adhesive to said side edge. 4. Door according to claim 1, characterized in that the profiled element has coplanar surfaces (32, 33, 132, 133) that come into contact with the edge of the panel (11a, 111a) and are fixed to said panel by interposed adhesive, its cross section being formed in such a way that it can receive, by insertion, the sealing element (35, 135) to seal the door, when closed, against the structure of the refrigerator cabinet (9). 5. Door according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises, next to the separation space (31, 131), a second separation space (42, 142) in which customary electrical resistance elements can be inserted to be supplied with current for heat the panel (11). 6. A method for constructing the door according to claim 1, wherein the sheets of the panel (12, 13) are joined together and to the perimeter spacer (15) by a layer (17) of synthetic resin adhesive spread on the side exterior of the perimeter spacer to adhere to the transparent sheets (12, 13) and the spacer (15), characterized in that the glazed panel is assembled first by placing the sheets (12, 13) and the perimeter spacer (15) with each other and spreading the synthetic resin (17) on the outer side of the spacer, and the first profiled element (21, 121) is placed before the resin has hardened on the relative edge of the panel in contact with the resin, such so that when hardening has occurred, the profiled element (21, 121) has been attached to the panel by means of said resin. 7. A method for constructing the door according to claim 6, characterized in that said adhesive is a two component adhesive based on polysulfide. Method for constructing the door according to claim 6, characterized in that, before said resin (17) has been hardened spread over the edges of the panel (11a), all profiled elements (21 to 24, 121 to 124) are they place on the respective sides of the panel, in contact with the resin (17), such that when the hardening has occurred said profiled elements (21 to 24, 121 to 124) have been attached to the panel by means of said resin. 9. Transparent curved surface closing door for refrigerator cabinet according to claim 1, characterized in that it comprises a curved transparent sheet (151) with vertical generating lines, which is located opposite the front surface of the panel (12 ') and has its own concave surface in contact with this front surface (12 ') along the two vertical front corners (511) of the latter, with adhesive seams (155) arranged along the lines of the contact line being arranged to seal said lines and to join the panel and the curved surface with each other. A door according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises two closing elements in the form of a circular segment (152, 153) provided along the upper horizontal side and the lower horizontal side of the door for closing, in the upper part and lower, of the intermediate space (154) defined by the front panel panel (12) and the curved sheet (151). A door according to claim 9, characterized in that said closing elements (152 and 153) have an internal cavity (159) containing hygroscopic substances capable of keeping the air present in the intermediate space dry (154), the elements being provided ( 153) with holes facing the interior of the intermediate space (154) to join the cavity (159) to the intermediate space. 12. Door according to claim 9, characterized in that each of said closing elements (152, 153) has a flat rear face (157) located in contact and sealed to the front surface (12 ') of the panel (11) and a arched face (158) that adapts to the curvature of the curved sheet (151) and is located in contact with and sealed to its rear surface (151 ''). 13. Door according to claim 9, characterized in that the curved sheet (151) has a width greater than that of the panel and protrudes laterally beyond the front vertical corners (511) of the panel with which its rear surface comes into contact. 14. Door according to claim 9, characterized in that the curved sheet (151) has a height greater than the panel and protrudes above and below the upper and lower sides of the panel. 15. Door according to claim 9, characterized in that it comprises a first profiled element (121) that extends along a vertical side of the glazed panel, to which it is rigidly fixed, and which has at least one separation space (131 ) to contain the means for attaching the hinge to the structure of the refrigerator cabinet (9), the panel being fixed to the cabinet structure only by means of said profiled element (121) and being supported only by the latter, without the help of no rigid complete frame that closes the panel. 16. Door according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises, next to the separation space (131), a second separation space (142) in which the usual elements of electrical resistance to be supplied with current to feed the panel ( 111). 17. Door according to claim 15, characterized in that it comprises, in addition to said first profiled element, respective profiled elements (122, 123, 124), which are located on and fixed to the sides of the panel not restricted to the structure of the refrigerator cabinet (9), being supported only by the panel and being fixed to said elements a seal (135) to seal the door, when closed, against the structure of the cabinet (9).