FR2778620A1 - TROLLEY FOR CATERING SERVICES - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a service trolley and relates to a trolley which comprises side panels (11, 12) of plastic material, a plurality of metal support members (14, 15) which extend between the side panels (11, 12), each support member (14, 15) having ends, and a bracket housed in each end of the metal support members (14, 15), each bracket (16) being connected to one of the side panels (11 , 12), the brackets thus being used for connecting the side panels (11, 12) to the intermediate support members (14, 15). The metal support members (14, 15) extend horizontally between the side panels (11, 12). Application to catering service carts which can be thoroughly cleaned.

Description

The present invention relates generally to a service trolley and,

  more specifically, a service cart of the type that is suitable for transporting or storing containers, trays or the like, for example of the type that can be used in the food service industry. More specifically, the invention relates to a service cart having wheels and ends

  open, including side panels of plastic material

  tick, metallic support members oriented horizontally-

  mentally and spaced between the panels, and metal brackets hidden inside the plastic side panels and / or the metal support members, so that the carriage has increased mechanical strength and cannot tilt, while remaining free of

contamination and corrosion.

  Serving carts have long been used in the food service industry for the storage and transportation of food containers, trays and the like from one location to another, particularly in commercial and industrial kitchens. Most of these carts are metallic and essentially include

  four support tubes made of aluminum or stainless steel-

  dable, arranged vertically so that the tubes form the four corners of a quadrilateral rack with several

  opposite pairs of guide ribs or similar devices

  spaced logues between the tubes for supporting containers, trays and the like. Each tube can have the

  same length as the tubular structure or can be made

  read from shorter pieces that are nested. The guide ribs are usually welded or fixed to the tubes mechanically by bolts or the like between a front tube and a rear tube, so that an open structure is formed at the front and rear of the carriage. Column type casters are often introduced at the lower ends of the tube to allow movement

  from one location to another.

  The use of metal trolleys requires constant maintenance and repair to keep the equipment clean and free from contamination and corrosion. In known manner, metal carts have a number of tight bends, recesses and welds which are often difficult to clean or keep clean. In addition, metal carts also tend to rust, so they pose a number of safety concerns, especially in industry

catering services.

  To remedy the disadvantages of metal trolleys-

  The construction of plastic service carts and the like has been used more and more. For example, U.S. Patent No. 3,868,123

  describes a storage and catering service vehicle

  ration formed practically of plastic and having a plastic base which supports four corner posts, and an insert element mechanism placed at the base and intended to rigidly connect the posts to support the column casters placed inside. Likewise, U.S. Patents 4,620,637 and 5,048,702 show other embodiments of cart having racks or shelves substantially formed of plastic. These patents also indicate the importance of tubes

  support verticals placed directly above the wheels

  lettes used to move the cart from place to place

other.

  Although trolleys practically made of plastic are recognized as easier to clean, they nevertheless have certain metallic parts which tend to corrode or become contaminated over time. For example, column type casters will eventually rust and attempts to disassemble and replace them are often very delicate and require

  tools that are not readily available for use

  sator. Metal bolts or screws also tend to

  rust and even if the screws are made of plastic

  tick, they pose a number of safety and cleanliness issues. You can easily appreciate the cleaning of food spilled on the grooves of a screw head, or the cleaning of the periphery of a hexagonal bolt head. In addition, almost all of the service carts of the prior art exhibit instability when they are not properly loaded. This is due to the fact that the column type casters with which the carriages are moved are necessarily placed just below the vertical support tubes. Thus, it is always possible for the carriage to tip over when the containers, trays or the like are not properly loaded on the carriage, usually by stacking the trays or containers from the bottom of the

cart up.

  The use of horizontally oriented metal support members has previously been considered unsuitable for such serving carts, especially when using plastic components. The stress applied to joints formed between the parts of material

  plastic is known to easily cause cracking

  ration, creep or other breakage of the plastic. Although a metal bracket or spacer intended to distribute the load placed on the joint certainly facilitates the solution of this problem, the use of metal brackets has been considered completely undesirable and unsuitable in many industries, still for corrosion problems,

  contamination and cleanliness indicated above.

  It is therefore necessary that a new construction of service trolley having side panels of material

  plastic and metal bodies supporting orienta-

  horizontal tion extending between them is achieved, the carriage can be easily mounted and cleaned and being

  more stable than known service trolleys.

  The object of the invention is therefore to produce a

  service trolley of the type suitable for transport or storage

  handling of containers, trays or the like, which may

  be used in the food service industry.

  It also relates to a carriage of the aforementioned type which comprises lateral plastic panels and

  several metal support members preferably arranged

  horizontally between the panels It also relates to a carriage of the aforementioned type having brackets intended to very uniformly distribute the load existing between the metal support members and the side panels at the connection of the metal edges and

plastic material.

  It also relates to a service trolley of the aforementioned type which can be easily assembled and cleaned while

  remaining free of corrosion and contamination.

  The subject of the invention is therefore a service trolley for

  aforementioned type which includes plate casters.

  The invention also relates to a service trolley of the aforementioned type which is more stable than the trolleys of

similar function service.

  The invention thus generally relates to a service trolley preferably comprising two lateral plastic panels having a generally rectangular shape and preferably several metal support members.

  horizontally oriented and placed between the side panels

  each support member having ends. A bracket is housed in each end of each support member and is connected to one of the side panels. The

  brackets are therefore used for connecting the pan-

  lateral loops to the support members.

  Each bracket used for the connection of one of the support members to one of the side panels is preferably housed in an upright extending from the side panel and is also housed at the end of the support member so that the square is hidden and cannot be contaminated

or corroded.

  Each bracket used for the connection of one of the support members to one of the side panels is preferably partially housed in the end of the lower support member between the support member and an amount protruding from the one of the side panels, this amount also being housed in the support member. The other end of each bracket is also housed in one of the side panels. Plate casters are in contact with and cover the rest of the bracket, and are attached to the lower support member and side panels so that each bracket is hidden or protected from damage.

  other way against corrosion and contamination.

  Other characteristics and advantages of a preferred service trolley according to the invention will be better understood on

  reading the description which follows of examples of realizations

  sation, made with reference to the attached drawings on the-

  which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a preferred embodiment of a cart assembly according to the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded perspective view of the assembly of Figure 1; Figure 3 is an enlarged exploded perspective view showing a wheel, a bracket and a part of the metal support member for mounting a lower corner of a side panel; Figure 4 is an enlarged exploded perspective view

  representing a square and part of a metal organ-

  support plate intended for mounting on an upper corner of a side panel; Figure 5 is a side elevational view of a side panel; Figure 6 is an enlarged section along line 6-6 of Figure 5 showing a bracket and part of a metal support member mounted on a lower part of the side panel of Figure 5; and Figure 7 is an enlarged section along line 7-7

  in Figure 5, showing a bracket mounted on a part

  upper tie of the side panel of figure 5.

  A representative example of a service trolley according to the invention bears the general reference 10 in FIG. 1 of the accompanying drawings. The carriage 10 comprises side panels 11 and 12 of plastic material separated by several metal support members 14 and 15 placed between them. It should be noted that the upper support members 14 preferably comprise a support member 14A facing the front of the carriage 10 and a support member 14B facing the rear of the carriage 10, while the lower support members 15 include preferably a member A facing the front of the carriage 10 and a member 15B facing the rear of the carriage 10. When all the upper and lower support members are designated, they are

  denotes by references 14 and 15 respectively.

  In a preferred embodiment illustrated in Figures 1 and 2, the elongated metal members 14 and 15 of horizontally oriented support are arranged between side panels 11 and 12 of generally rectangular shape, at their corners, so that a carriage having generally open ends are made for the storage or transport of containers, trays or the like, of a

  useful way in the food service industry.

  Brackets 16 and 17, essentially hidden from view inside the members 14 and 15 and / or the panels 11 and 12, connect the side panels 11 and 12 and the members

14 and 15 of support.

  A rear panel 18 carried between the side panels 11 and 12 and the support members 14B and 15B at the rear of the carriage 10 may optionally surround the rear of the carriage, and an upper panel, for example a cutting panel 19, arranged between the side panels 11 and 12 and supported by the support members 14A and 14B can be used to

  cover the upper part of the carriage 10.

  As shown in Figures 1 and 2, the panels

  side 11 and 12 of plastic material are provided with

  spaced 20 guide or horizontal sliding spaced

  vertically and intended to support in a sliding manner

  health of the lateral flanges (not shown) on containers, trays or the like (not shown), in a manner known in the art. The ribs 20 are made, at their ends, with buttons 21 which protrude upwards and constitute safety stop members which prevent sliding or accidental extraction of the containers or trays when the carriage 10 is moved. As best shown in Figures 1 and 5 of the preferred embodiment, several openings 22 placed between the ribs 20 allow the user to

  see the contents of the carriage 10 on all sides.

  In addition, as best shown in FIG. 2, side panels 11 and 12 also include several uprights 24 and 25 which protrude inside at the corners and which are housed by support members 14 and 15. As in the situation indicated above for the support members 14 and 15, it should be noted that the upper uprights 24 preferably comprise an upright 24A facing the front of the carriage 10 and an upright 24B facing the rear of the carriage 10 then that the lower uprights 25 preferably comprise an upright 25A facing the front of the carriage 10 and an upright 25B facing the rear of the

  carriage 10. When all the upper and lower uprights

  laughers are considered, they are identified below

  by the respective references 24 and 25.

  It should be noted that the side panels 11 and 12 are formed from a plastic material and can be practically produced by any known method. Preferably, the side panels 11 and 12 are molded by gas-assisted injection. The panels 11 and 12 can be formed in practically any configuration suitable for their use in the particular industry for which the carriage 10 can be produced. Thus, the panels 11 and 12 can be high or short, narrow or wide, thick or thin. The openings 22 of the side panels 11 and 12 can also have practically any shape suitable for the technique envisaged and are in no way

  limited to the configurations, dimensions or shapes shown

felt on the drawings.

  In the preferred embodiment, the side panels 11 and 12 are fixed to the upper support members 14 in a manner different from their fixing to the lower members 15. In FIGS. 4 and 7, an upper bracket 16 is preferably housed in an upper upright 24 and connected to one of the side panels 11 and 12 by a device known in the art, for example a screw 26. The bracket 16 can be formed of metal and it preferably has an L-shape such that the screw 26 can firmly fix a branch 27 of the bracket 16 against the side panel 11 or 12. The other branch 28 of the bracket 16 preferably has one or more barbs 29 protruding towards

  the bottom under the bracket 16 and in contact with the metal member-

  support plate 14 when the bracket 16 is housed in the member 14. In addition, an elbow 30 can be formed at the fold of the bracket 16 to increase rigidity and resistance

square mechanics 16.

  More specifically, it should be noted that the external surface 31 of the upright 24 preferably has a profile corresponding to that of the internal surface (not shown) of the support member 14, so that these respective surfaces are in contact when each upright 24 is housed by sliding in one end 32 of the member 14. Thus, the amount 24 fits intimately in the member 14. When the member 14 houses the amount 24, the barbs 29 flex, but cooperate rigidly with the 'support member 14 so that when the member 14 is pushed on the amount 24 and is housed in its end 32, the member 14 and the amount 24 can not be separated or separated. The square 16 therefore has

  role of fixing the support member 14 to the upright 24.

  In the preferred embodiment, it should be noted that the bracket 16 is completely housed with the upright 24 and the support member 14 so that the bracket 16 is not visible. In addition, since the metal bracket 16 is essentially sealed in the metallic support member 14, food and other contaminating materials cannot rust the bracket 16, corrode it or even contaminate it otherwise. In addition, the hidden bracket 16 facilitates cleaning of the carriage 10 and it is considered to improve the aesthetic appearance of the carriage 10. Reference is made to FIGS. 3 and 6; each lower bracket 17 is connected to one of the side panels 11

  and 12 by any device known in the art.

  In the preferred embodiment, it should be noted that each bracket 17 has practically an L shape and is housed in one of the side panels 11 and 12. Like the bracket 16, the bracket 17 may also have a bend 33 at the perpendicular fold of the square 17 to give the square 17 greater rigidity and greater resistance

mechanical.

  When it is housed by the side panels 11 and 12, a branch 34 of the L-shaped bracket 17 is preferably wedged in a practically vertical direction between the ribs 35 and 36 arranged in the side panel 11 or 12. In the embodiment preferred, the other branch 37 of the bracket 17 preferably extends towards one end 38 of the support member 15 and is housed at least partially in this end between the member 15 and a lower upright 25 projecting from the panel lateral 11 or 12, the upright 25 also being housed in the support member 15. It should be noted that the bracket 17, unlike the bracket 16, has a slight curvature 39 in the branch 37 so that the bracket 17 can partially accommodate the support member 15, but that the other part of the branch 37 remains in a plane similar to that of the support member 15. In addition, the upright 25 may have a shallow cavity 40 intended to allow the housing of the bracket 16 between the

  amount 25 and the support member 15.

  It should also be noted that the external surface 41 of the upright 25 preferably has a contour similar to that of the internal surface of the member 15 so that these respective surfaces are in mutual contact when the upright 25 is slidably housed in the end 38 of the support member 15. Thus, the amount 25 fits intimately in

the support member 15.

  The invention preferably and advantageously uses plate rollers, generally designated by the reference 44, instead of column type casters, intended to allow the movement of the carriage 10. Each plate roller 44 has a wheel 45 mounted so that it can rotate on a fork 46 or a similar support mounted so that it can rotate on a plate 47 rather than on a column. Although any plate can be used according to the invention, it is preferable that the plate 47 has a length and a width large enough so that it is in contact with any part of the bracket 17 which can remain exposed and which is not housed in member 15 or panel 11 or 12 and

  covers this part. So the square 17 is essential-

  hidden and therefore free of corrosion and contamination. The plate 47 of the caster 44 can be easily fixed to the support member 15 and to the bracket 17 using any known device, for example bolts 48 with domed head and square collar and nuts 49. More precisely, the caster 44 can be connected to the bracket 17 by

  example by a bolt 48 with a rounded and smooth head preferably

  rence and square collar, passing through the holes 50, 51 and 52 arranged in the side panel 11 or 12, the bracket 17 and the plate 47 respectively, and fixed under the plate 47 by

a nut 49.

  In addition, the caster 44 can be connected to the support member 15 by placing the bolt 48 first in a hole 54 formed in the upper part of the support member, positioned above a slot 55 in the upright 25 which is located above a hole 56 of the bracket 17 which communicates with another hole (not shown) in the lower part of the support member 15 and corresponds to a hole 57 in the

  plate 47, the nut 49 can be used for the connection

  different elements. Thus, the rollers 44 are connected to the bracket 17 and to the upright 25 in the support member 15 by holes or slots formed for this purpose, and they are also connected to the side panels 11 and 12

through the holes in the bracket 17.

  It should be noted that the casters 44 can be advantageously

  carefully placed outside the zone which supports the weight of the content loaded on the carriage 10. Consequently, the problems posed by stability, especially in the case of

  trucks with an unbalanced load are essential

  solved, because there is no vertical tube supporting the carriage 10 and the casters should not be placed

  necessarily just below the support tubes.

  In addition, it should be noted that the carriage 10 according to the invention allows an adaptation which is not easily possible in the case of other carriages of the prior art. Several support members 14 and 15 have a predetermined length which fixes the width of the carriage. The cutting of the support members 14 and 15 to selected lengths allows the transformation of the carriage 10 so that it contains containers, trays or other articles of

different dimensions.

  It is therefore obvious that the service trolley produced according to the principles of the invention, described above, achieves the objects indicated above and constitutes progress in the technique. The service trolley according to the invention is particularly suitable for the transport of containers, trays and the like useful in industry

  catering services, but it is not obligatory

  strictly limited to this application. It should be noted that the service trolley according to the invention can be used in other industries and can be used for the transport of other articles, in addition to containers, trays and the like. It should also be noted that other variants are possible. In particular, service trolleys according to the invention do not necessarily have the aesthetic appearance

  particular indicated on the drawings.

  Of course, various modifications can be made by those skilled in the art to the carriages which have just been described solely by way of nonlimiting example.

  without departing from the scope of the invention.

Claims (18)

  1. Service trolley, characterized in that it comprises: side panels (11, 12) of plastic material, several metal support members (14, 15) which extend between the side panels (11, 12), each support member (14, 15) having ends, and a bracket (16) housed in each end of the metal support members (14, 15), each bracket (16) being connected to one of the side panels (11 , 12), the brackets (16) thus being used for the connection of the side panels (11, 12) to the intermediate members (14, ) support.   2. Service trolley according to claim 1, charac-   terized in that the metal support members (14, 15) extend horizontally between the side panels (11, 12).   3. Service trolley according to claim 1, charac-   terized in that at least one of the brackets (16) is also   housed inside the side panels (11, 12).   4. Service trolley according to claim 1, charac-   characterized in that it further comprises several uprights (24,) projecting from the side panels (11, 12), each upright (24, 25) being housed in each end of the members (14, 15) support.   5. Service trolley according to claim 4, charac-   terized in that at least one of the brackets (16) is housed in the upright (24, 25) and is used for fixing   the support member (14, 15) to the upright (24, 25).   6. Service trolley according to claim 4, charac-   characterized in that the side panels (11, 12) are rectan   gular and the uprights (24, 25) are placed at their corners.   7. Service trolley according to claim 4, charac-   terized in that at least one of the brackets (16) is housed entirely in the upright (24, 25) and the support member (14, 15) so that the bracket (16) is hidden and is   free of corrosion and contamination.   8. Service trolley according to claim 4, charac-   Térise in that the upright (24, 25) has a contour of the same configuration as the support member (14, 15) so that it lodges intimately in this organ.   9. Service trolley according to claim 8, characterized in that at least one of the brackets (16) comprises at least one barb (29) placed in contact with the support member (14,) and thus preventing separation of the organ   (14, 15) support and the amount (24, 25).   10. Service trolley according to claim 4, charac-   terized in that the square (16) is in contact with the organ   (14, 15) support and the amount (24, 25).   11. Service trolley according to claim 1, charac-   characterized in that it further comprises plate rollers (44) fixed to the brackets (16) and to the members (14, 15) of   support placed at the bottom of the carriage.   12. Service trolley according to claim 11, characterized in that at least one of the brackets (16) is partially housed in the support member (14, 15) and one of the side panels (11, 12) , and is also covered by one of the plate rollers (44) so that the bracket (16) is hidden.   13. Service trolley according to claim 11, characterized in that the plate rollers (44) are connected to the bracket (16) by the support member (14, 15) and to the side panels (11, 12) by the square (16) using bolts (48) with rounded and smooth head and square neck.   14. Service trolley according to claim 4, charac-   terized in that at least one of the brackets (16) is housed   between the support member (14, 15) and the upright (24, 25).   15. Service trolley according to claim 14, characterized in that plate rollers (44) are connected to the upright (24, 25) by the bracket (16) and the member (14, 15) supporting the using head bolts   domed and smooth with square neck.   16. Service trolley according to claim 1, charac-   characterized in that the support members (14, 15) have a predetermined length, and the width of the carriage is   selectively determined by the length of the metal organs- support sheets (14, 15).   17. Service trolley according to claim 1, charac-   terized in that it further comprises a rear panel supported between the side panels (11, 12) of plastic and two of the metal support members (14, 15).   18. Service trolley according to claim 1, charac-   terized in that it further comprises an upper panel supported between the side panels (11, 12) of plastic and two of the metal support members (14, 15).