ES2760454T3 - Ice cream display case and ice cream drawers - Google Patents

Abstract

Ice cream showcase (1) for storing and displaying bulk ice cream in tubs, comprising: - a technical counter (10), suitable to be placed on a horizontal floor (O) and to contain refrigeration means (11); - a refrigerable showcase (20) located above the technical counter (10) and comprising structural walls (21) defining an internal compartment (22) refrigerable by the refrigeration means (11); said refrigerable display case (20) extending in a vertical direction (Y) perpendicular to the horizontal floor (O) and housing ice cream tubs (200) suitable for holding bulk ice cream, wherein said ice cream tubs (200) are located in Parallel floors (P1, P2, P3) spaced apart in a vertical direction (Y) when they are contained in the internal compartment (22), said ice cream tubs (200) being removable from the internal compartment (22) in an extraction direction (Z ) to reach the extracted configuration in which said ice cream tubs (200) are supported cantilevered by the refrigerable display case (20).

Description

DESCRIPTION

Ice cream display case and ice cream drawers

The present invention relates to an ice cream display case. In particular, the invention relates to an ice cream display case for an ice cream parlor, of the type suitable for holding and supplying bulk ice cream in tubs, for example, a homemade ice cream.

Two main types of ice cream display cases or counters are known in the art. One type is represented by cavity-type ice counters, in which the ice cream is kept in cylindrical containers with vertical development, located on a refrigerated counter and fitted with a lid. Another type is represented by display cases of the “visible ice cream” type, in which the ice cream is contained in ice cream tubs without a lid, arranged side by side on a refrigerated counter equipped with a transparent display case, in such a way that the consumer is attracted to seeing ice cream. A display case of the "visible ice cream" type is known from WO 2004/107928 A1.

Compared to cavity counters, ice cream display cases allow ice cream to be served more quickly, both because the flavors of the ice cream are clearly visible and appealing to the consumer, and because the operator does not need to open and close the tub lid, such as in the case of the cavity. However, the ice cream contained in display cases equipped with tubs without a lid is more exposed to temperature changes and is not stored optimally, as is the case with cavity counters. In addition, since the tubs are arranged adjacent to each other, it usually happens that ice cream residue infiltrates the spaces between the counter and the tub and between each tub, thereby causing mold and bacteria to proliferate.

In an inconvenient way, moreover, in both types of ice cream counter / showcase, the operator is forced to bend down several times to access the ice cream cavity or tub to pick up ice cream, adopting awkward positions and working in a very un-ergonomic environment.

It is evident, therefore, that each of the aforementioned ice cream counter / display case suffers from disadvantages linked to the reasons listed above.

One of the objects of the present invention is to provide an ice cream display case that can overcome the disadvantages of prior art ice cream counters and display cases, in such a way as to ensure adequate preservation of the ice cream and at the same time improve the ergonomics of the operator by supplying ice cream, while maintaining the advantages of prior art ice cream display cases.

This object is achieved by means of an ice cream display case and an ice cream box according to the attached independent claims. The dependent claims describe variations in embodiment.

The characteristics and advantages of the present invention will be more clearly appreciated from the following description, made by means of an indicative and non-limiting example with reference to the attached figures, in which:

figure 1 is an exploded perspective view of [0009] the ice cream display case according to an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 2 is a front view of the ice cream showcase in figure 1, according to an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 3 is a sectional view along the vertical plane A-A in figure 1 of the ice cream showcase according to an embodiment of the present invention;

figure 4 is a sectional view along the vertical plane A-A in figure 1 of the ice cream display case according to an embodiment of the present invention, in a configuration with the ice cream drawer removed;

figure 5 is a sectional view along the vertical plane A-A in figure 1 of the ice cream display case according to an embodiment of the present invention, in which the ice cream box is shown in an exploded form;

Figure 6 is a sectional view along the vertical plane A-A in Figure 1 of the ice cream display case according to an embodiment of the present invention, in an open display case configuration;

figure 7 is a sectional view along the vertical plane AA in figure 1 of the ice cream display case according to an embodiment of the present invention, in an open display case configuration, in which an exposing wall it is tilted to allow removal of a condensate collection tray shown in the removed configuration;

figure 8 is a sectional view of the ice cream showcase according to a further embodiment of the present invention.

According to the attached figures, reference number 1 indicates an ice cream display case for ice cream parlors to preserve and display bulk ice cream in tubs. The ice cream showcase 1 comprises a technical counter 10, suitable to be placed on a horizontal floor O and to contain cooling means 11. The refrigeration means comprise any means known to the person skilled in the art to refrigerate a compartment of an ice cream counter, for example, a refrigeration system comprising a compressor, a refrigerant fluid and related refrigerant fluid circulation circuits.

The ice cream display case 1 further comprises a refrigerable display case 20 located above the technical counter 10 and comprising structural walls 21 defining an internal compartment 22 which is refrigerable by the cooling means 11. The refrigerable display case 20 extends in a vertical direction Y perpendicular to the horizontal floor O and houses ice cream tubs 200 suitable for holding bulk ice cream.

When contained in the inner compartment, the ice cream tubs 200 are located on parallel floors P1, P2, P3 mutually spaced apart along the vertical direction Y.

In addition, the ice cream tubs 200 are removable from the inner compartment 22 in a pull-out direction Z to achieve the withdrawn configuration in which the ice cream tubs 200 are cantilevered by the refrigerable display case 20.

In a preferred embodiment, the refrigerable display case 20 has a box-like shape, in which the structural walls 21 of the show case are arranged in a configuration equivalent to the walls of a box.

Preferably, each ice cream container 200 comprises a refrigerable element 201 arranged around and in contact with the ice cream container 200. This refrigerable element 201 is made at least partially of a thermo-storage material, which has an adequate thermal capacity to accumulate refrigerant thermal energy when the ice cream container 201 is inserted into the internal compartment 22 and to produce refrigerant thermal energy (heat exchange) to the ice cream when the ice cream tub is removed from the inner compartment 22, to reduce the melting time of the ice cream.

Preferably, in the case of an ice cream container formed by a lower wall 200a and lateral walls 200b, the refrigerable element 201 is arranged around the container in such a way that it leaves at least one 200b 'of the lateral walls 200b of the container free .

Preferably, the refrigerable element is a container having an internal chamber containing a refrigerable liquid or a eutectic mixture, to maintain the ideal temperature of the ice cream whenever possible, when the ice cream container 200 is removed from the refrigerable display case 20.

In a preferred embodiment, the ice cream display case 1 comprises sliding ice cream drawers slidably supported by the refrigerable display case 20. Each of these sliding ice cream boxes 30 contains one or a plurality of ice cream tubs 200.

In a preferred embodiment, each ice cream tub 30 contains a single ice cream tub 200.

Preferably, the ice cream drawers 30 are removable in the extraction direction Z and in a direction suitable for allowing access to the ice cream container by an operator.

The refrigerable element 201 is fixed and supported directly by the ice cream container 200 or, in the embodiment in which the ice cream container is inserted into an ice cream container 30, this refrigerable element 201 is supported by the ice cream drawer 30 or is entirely formed with the ice cream drawer.

In a preferred embodiment, the ice cream tubs 200 are also disposed side by side along a longitudinal direction X perpendicular to the vertical direction Y to form longitudinal rows 210, 211, 212 of tubs. In this way, the ice cream tubs 200 are arranged in a matrix configuration, for example, as shown in Figure 1 and Figure 2. In this matrix configuration, the rows of the matrix are represented by rows 210 , 211, 212 longitudinal and the columns 220, 221, 222, 223 are represented by the tubs stacked on the planes P1, P2, P3 parallel and spaced from each other along the vertical direction Y.

Preferably, between an longitudinal row 210 of tubs and an adjacent row 211 in the vertical direction Y, at least one evaporator 40, 41, 22 is located to cool the internal compartment 22.

In another embodiment (not shown in the figures), at least one evaporator is interposed between a tray column 220 and an adjacent column 221 to cool the internal compartment 22, arranged along a vertical plane parallel to the vertical direction Y .

In a further embodiment, the evaporators are in contact with or inserted into the structural walls 21 of the refrigerated showcase 20.

Each evaporator is operatively connected to the cooling means 11 by suitable connecting means, for example, by means of pipes.

In the variant embodiment in which the internal compartment is cooled by at least one evaporator 40, 41, 42, between a longitudinal row 210, 211 of tubs and an adjacent row 211, 212, in the vertical direction Y, a condensate collection tray 50, 51, 52, arranged below the evaporator 40, 41, 42, to prevent condensation from falling into the underlying ice cream tubs 200 or sliding ice cream drawer 30. Preferably, the condensate collection tray is removably supported by the refrigerable display case 20.

Preferably, the refrigerable display case 20 comprises a counter wall 23, made at least partially of transparent material and suitable to be placed on a counter side for a consumer customer. In other words, the counter wall is suitable for consumer orientation when the ice cream cabinet 1 is installed in an ice cream parlor. In front of the counter wall 23, the refrigerable display case 20 comprises an operating side 24, adapted to be accessible by an operator to pick up the ice cream from the ice cream tubs 200. In other words, the operating side 24 is suitable to be directed towards the operator who supplies the ice cream to the consumer when the ice cream cabinet 1 is installed in an ice cream parlor. On the operating side 24, on the sliding ice cream boxes 30, retention means 31, for example a handle or a slit, are fixed for the extraction of the sliding ice cream boxes 30 from the operating side 24 towards the operator. Preferably, in the vicinity of the retention means 31, each ice cream drawer comprises a marker seat, suitable for receiving a flavor marker, such as a flavor label or a flavor label holder.

In a preferred embodiment, when the refrigerable element 201 is arranged around the tub in such a way that it leaves at least one of the lateral walls 200b, 200b 'of the tub free, this free wall 200b' is arranged in front of the wall 23 counter, such that the ice cream contained in the ice cream container 200 is visible through such a free wall 200b 'and through the counter wall 23.

Preferably, the ice cream container 200 is at least partially made of a transparent material, even more preferably a transparent plastic material (such as a polycarbonate). More particularly, at least one of the side walls 200b of the ice cream container 200 is made of a transparent material.

In a preferred embodiment, the ice cream container 200 is entirely made of a transparent material. Preferably, the counter wall 23, on a perimeter side 23 thereof, is connected to the refrigerable display case 20 rotatably about an axis of rotation X ', preferably parallel to the longitudinal direction X, so that it can be rotated by an operator to open the refrigerated display case and allow access to the internal compartment 22 from the counter side, ie from the side of the counter wall 23.

Preferably, the counter wall 23 comprises a peripheral frame and a double glass or a triple glass, preferably translucent or transparent, contained in the peripheral frame, for example, as a window. This allows the consumer to view the ice cream contained within the ice cream tubs through the counter wall 23.

Preferably, furthermore, the counter wall 23 is fixed to the refrigerable display case 20 by means of a hinge mechanism 230.

In one embodiment, the refrigerable display case 20 comprises means 231 for supporting and accompanying the counter wall 23 during the movement of the counter wall. Said supporting and accompanying means 231, such as an air spring, are suitable for at least partially supporting the counter wall to accompany it during the rotational movement to open the refrigerable display case 20. This facilitates operation of the counter drawer opening by an operator to allow cleaning of the counter wall 23 (double or triple glazed), on the side facing the internal compartment 22 or to change the arranged flavor labels 53 between counter wall 23 and internal compartment 22 when counter wall 23 is closed.

Preferably, the support and support means 231 are suitable for accompanying the wall 23 of counter to a first end-of-travel position, in which the counter wall 23 is inclined by a predefined angle a1 with respect to the vertical. Furthermore, the support and support means 231 are preferably adapted to allow additional rotation of the counter wall, beyond the first end-of-travel position, as shown, for example, in Figure 7, in which the air spring is disengaged to allow greater rotation of the counter wall 23, until it reaches a second end-of-travel position, in which the counter wall 23 is restrained in an inclined position with respect to the vertical by an angle a2 greater than a1.

Preferably, the refrigerable display case 20 comprises at least one lighting device suitable for illuminating the counter wall 23 from the side facing the internal compartment 22, so that the ice cream tubs and / or flavor labels are illuminated. In one embodiment, the lighting fixture is an LED bar arranged in the longitudinal X direction above each row of ice cream tubs.

It is evident that it is also an object of the ice cream display case, that an ice cream drawer 30 is inserted into the ice cream display case, the ice cream drawer comprising the refrigerable element 201. The refrigerable element 201 comprises a tub seat 210 suitable to receive the ice cream tub 200 according to a shape coupling.

According to one embodiment, the ice cream drawer 30, in addition to the refrigerable element 201, comprises a drawer frame 301 that supports the refrigerable element (for example, is fixed by means of fastening to the refrigerable element) and that is suitable for sliding in the display case Coolable on sliding guides 260. Preferably, the refrigerable element 201 is a container element element having structural container walls 201 'defining an internal chamber 202 containing a refrigerable liquid or eutectic mixture.

The structural container walls 201 'are in contact on the one hand with the internal chamber 202 and on the other hand are suitable for contacting the ice cream container 200.

In a further variant embodiment, the structural container walls 201 'are made entirely of the drawer frame 301.

The ice cream drawer 30 further comprises a drawer front part 302, attached to the drawer frame 301 and comprising the handle 31 for removing the drawer. Preferably, at the drawer front, a sealing element 303 is fixed which is adapted to be in contact with a sealing wall 240 of the refrigerable display case 20.

According to an embodiment, the ice cream box further comprises an interconnecting spoon 310, suitable to receive a handle 60 of a spoon 61 to collect ice cream to support the spoon integrally with the ice cream box and above the ice cream container 200 , preferably in such a way that the spoon 61 is arranged parallel to the bottom wall 200a of the ice cream container.

Innovatively, the ice cream display case according to the present invention, due to a vertical arrangement of the product and the presence of removable ice cream tubs, eliminates the disadvantages of prior art ice cream display cases and display cases. In particular, the ice cream display case ensures proper ice cream preservation and, at the same time, improves operator ergonomics during ice cream service operation.

Advantageously, the vertical display of the product optimizes the space and creates greater visual communication with the consumer. The consumer is visually attracted to the view of the ice cream displayed vertically in horizontal and vertical rows, through the transparent sample wall and tub. In addition, the vertical arrangement of the tubs allows to limit the depth of the ice cream cabinet, allowing its installation even in small places.

In an embodiment that is particularly advantageous and attractive to the consumer, the counter wall 23 is transparent only in some areas (such as windows), in the ice cream tubs 200, to attract attention. Advantageously, the independent opening of individual ice cream drawers facilitates the use of ice cream, making it pure, clean and simple. In addition, the vertical arrangement of the tubs and their convenient extraction capacity inside and outside the refrigerated display case allow the operator to serve the ice cream in a more ergonomic way, maintaining a straight position, without tired and uncomfortable body movements.

Advantageously, due to the presence of a completely closed internal compartment of the showcase, the ice cream is optimally preserved. Furthermore, the additional presence of seals on the drawers and also on the counter wall ensures the permanence of a controlled refrigerated environment as much as possible, limiting the dispersion of the refrigerated air (and therefore energy consumption).

Furthermore, during the service stage, when the ice cream container is taken from the internal compartment, the ice cream container is kept refrigerated by the refrigerable element arranged around the container, which acts as a cold accumulator.

In an even more advantageous way, the eutectic mixture contained in the refrigerable element ensures better maintenance of the optimum temperature of the ice cream when the ice cream tub is picked up.

Furthermore, the possibility of opening the refrigerated display case on the side of the counter wall by a simple rotation facilitates the inspection of the internal compartment for maintenance and cleaning.

It is clear that a person skilled in the art can make changes to the invention described above in order to satisfy short-term needs, all falling within the scope of protection defined in the following claims.

Claims (15)

i. Ice cream display case (1) for storing and displaying bulk ice cream in tubs, comprising: - a technical counter (10), suitable to be placed on a horizontal floor (O) and to contain cooling means (11); - a refrigerable showcase (20) located above the technical counter (10) and comprising structural walls (21) defining an internal compartment (22) that can be cooled by the refrigeration means (11); said refrigerable display case (20) extending in a vertical (Y) direction perpendicular to the horizontal floor (O) and accommodation ice cream tubs (200) suitable for holding bulk ice cream, wherein said ice cream tubs (200) are located on parallel floors (P1, P2, P3) spaced apart in a vertical direction (Y) when contained in the internal compartment (22), said ice cream tubs (200) being removable from the internal compartment (22) in an extraction direction (Z) to achieve the extracted configuration in which said ice cream tubs (200) are cantilevered by the refrigerable showcase (20). The ice cream display case (1) according to claim 1, wherein each of said ice cream tubs (200) comprises a refrigerable element (201) located at least partially around and in contact with the ice cream tub (200), said refrigerable element (201) being made at least partially in a thermo-storage material, suitable for accumulating refrigerating thermal energy when the ice cream container (200) is inserted into the internal compartment (22) and for releasing refrigerating thermal energy (thermal exchange) to the ice cream when the ice cream tub (200) is removed from the inner compartment (22). 3. Ice cream display case (1) according to claim 1 or 2, comprising sliding ice cream drawers (30) slidably supported by the refrigerable display case (20), in which said tubs (200) are contained in said drawers ( 30) slideable. 4. Ice cream display case (1) according to claim 3, in which the sliding ice cream drawers (30) are removable in the extraction direction (Z) and to allow access to the ice cream container by an operator. Ice cream display case (1) according to claims 2 or 3 and 4, in which the refrigerable element (201) is a container having an internal chamber (202) containing a refrigerable liquid. 6. Ice cream display case (1) according to claims 2 or 3 and 4 in which the refrigerable element (201) is a container having an internal chamber (202) containing a eutectic mixture. Ice cream display case (1) according to any of the preceding claims, in which the ice cream tubs (200) are also arranged juxtaposed with each other in a longitudinal direction (X) perpendicular to the vertical direction (Y) to form rows ( 210, 211, 212) longitudinal of tubs, such that tubs are arranged in a matrix configuration, in which the rows of the matrix are represented by longitudinal rows (210,211, 212) and the columns of the matrix are represented by ice cream tubs staggered in said planes (P1, P2, P3) parallel and spaced in the vertical direction (Y). Ice cream display case (1) according to claim 7, wherein between one (210) of said longitudinal rows (210, 211, 212) of ice cream tubs and an adjacent row (211) in the vertical direction (Y) At least one evaporator (40, 41, 22) is located to cool the internal compartment (22). 9. Ice cream display case (1) according to claim 8, wherein between one of said longitudinal rows of tubs and an adjacent row in the vertical direction (Y) there is interposed a tray (50, 51, 52) for collecting condensates , located under the evaporator (40, 41, 42). 10. Ice cream display case (1) according to any of claims 3 to 9, wherein the refrigerable display case (20) comprises - a counter wall (23), made at least partially of transparent material and suitable to be placed on a counter side for a consumer customer, - and a serving side (24), located opposite the counter wall (23) and accessible by an operator to take the ice cream from the ice cream tubs (200), and in which in said sliding ice cream boxes (30), on the service side (24), there are fixed handles (31) for the extraction of the sliding ice cream boxes (30) from the service side (24) towards the operator. 11. Ice cream display case (1) according to claim 10, wherein the counter wall (23), on one perimeter side (23 ') thereof, is connected to the refrigerable display case (20) rotatably about an axis of rotation (X '), so that it can be rotated to allow access to the internal compartment (22) from the counter side, by an operator. 12. Ice cream display case (1) according to any of the preceding claims, comprising an ice cream drawer (30) to be inserted and removed from the ice cream display case for the sale of bulk ice cream, the ice cream drawer (30) comprising an element (201) refrigerable made at least partially of a thermo-storage material, suitable for accumulating refrigerating thermal energy when the drawer is inserted into the ice cream display case and for releasing refrigerating thermal energy (thermal exchange) to the ice cream when the drawer is removed from the display case. ice cream, said refrigerable element (201) comprising a tub seat (210) suitable to house an ice cream tub (200). 13. Ice cream display case (1) according to claim 12, wherein the refrigerable element (201) is a container having an internal chamber (202) containing a refrigerable liquid or eutectic mixture. 14. Ice cream display case (1) according to claim 12 or 13, comprising a drawer frame (301) that supports the refrigerable element (201) and which is suitable for sliding in the refrigerated display case on rails (260). 15. Ice cream display case (1) according to claims 13 and 14, wherein the refrigerable element (201) comprises structural container walls (201 ') in contact, on the one hand, with the internal chamber (202) and, on the one hand, on the other hand, suitable for contacting the ice cream tub (200) by means of a shaped coupling.