FR2818521A1 - TEMPERATURE CONTROLLED DISPLAY CABINET - Google Patents

Abstract

This is a display cabinet having a presentation area (5) containing turntables (19) and bordered laterally by at least one double wall (21a, 21b) having a solid outer wall (23) and an inner wall perforated (25), communicating with the interior space (29) where the trays are located, the two walls creating between them a circulation space supplied with cold or hot air by a generator (9) of cold or hot flow.

Description

The invention relates to a temperature-controlled display cabinet.

  The problem posed relates to the temperature regulation of the interior of the cabinet, or more exactly, the products, dishes, objects, ..... that it contains, as well as the functional organization of the constituent elements of this cabinet for the make it efficient, practical to use and with a limited cost price. In view of this, an object of the invention relates to such a piece of furniture having: - a presentation area containing rotating plates arranged at least for some above each other, supporting the objects, dishes, etc. to be presented, the presentation area and the trays being bordered laterally by at least one double peripheral wall having a solid outer wall and an perforated inner wall, communicating with the interior space where the turntables are located, the two walls being separated from one another the other to create a circulation space isolated from the outside, - a technical zone containing a generator of cold or hot flow, which communicates with the circulation space between the walls to supply it with cold or hot flow, this last entering the interior space of the presentation area to cool, keep cold, heat or keep it hot, objects, dishes, ...., arranged on the trays. A problem corollary to the problem already mentioned concerns the way of creating the air supply in the presentation area, in order to favor obtaining a regulated temperature (hot or cold, according to the

  need) well distributed, arriving quickly in the heart of this area.

  For this, at least the internal wall of the double wall is concave towards the inside of the presentation area, thus making it possible to direct the air flows passing substantially towards a central portion of said area.

  through the openings of the perforated interior wall.

  Another corollary problem relates to the limitation of the overpressure inside the temperature-controlled presentation area (that is to say, adapted in particular for edible dishes to be eaten

  hot or keep cool), as well as access to the interior of this area.

  For this, another characteristic of the invention provides that the double wall is interrupted on part of the lateral perimeter of the area

  of presentation which is thus open to the outside.

  And advantageously, the double wall is interrupted at two diametrically opposite locations, one defining a loading area,

the other of withdrawal.

  Thus, the functional use of the furniture is favored, in particular by making it possible to load the trays and to take on them, in

same time.

  Another consideration concerns the attractiveness of the furniture and what it contains, in relation to this requirement for regulated temperature.

  penetrating to the heart of the presentation area.

  Also, the invention recommends that each double partition define a glazed area, the two walls of each of them being substantially parallel to each other and each substantially in portion of

  cylinder of vertical axis and curved outwards.

  Very particularly for hygienic reasons, the invention further advises that the inner wall be fixed, and that the outer wall be movable, in such a way as to access its internal face to clean it,

  thus allowing access to the openings of the interior wall.

  Yet another consideration concerns the possibility of adapting the total height of the piece of furniture according to its destination. Thus, it could in some cases be intended for school canteens (children) and in

  others at corporate restaurants, .... (adults).

  To satisfy the size requirements linked to such conditions of use, another characteristic of the invention recommends that: the presentation zone extends in the upper part of the piece of furniture, - the cold or hot flow generator is located at a level of elevation immediately close to the presentation area, - the technical area is located under the presentation area and includes an upper portion containing the cold or hot flow generator and a removable lower portion, defining an extension for

  adapt the total height of the furniture according to its destination.

  An even more detailed description of the invention follows, in

  reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a general exterior perspective view, schematic, of a display cabinet according to the invention, FIG. 2 is a partial sectional view of an area of double perimeter partition of the cabinet , Figure 3 is a top view in the direction of arrow III in Figure 1, after removing the top box from the cabinet, and Figure 4 is a view identical to that of Figure 1, less

  in its external representation, in a "small height" version.

  Firstly, in FIG. 1, the display cabinet 1 comprises a base 3 defining a closed technical area (accessible by a door), a large intermediate part 5 defining a presentation area for objects, dishes, products, etc. and, overcoming it all, a little

top box 7.

  The base or lower case 3 contains in particular a generator 9 of "regulated" flow cold or hot (cool temperature lower or at the limit equal to 8 C, preferably - or hot, higher than 45 C, preferably). The generator 9 is supplied with outside air through the grid 11 and directs air at temperature through the side chutes 13a, 13b, towards

  the air supply slots 15a, 15b of the intermediate zone 5.

  This intermediate zone 5 comprises, from the inside to the outside, a vertical central mast 17 extending between the base 3 and the upper box 7. The mast is rotated by a motor (not shown). At different elevation levels along the mast 17 are arranged

  trays that the mast rotates at the same time as it rotates.

  In Figure 1, four trays have been shown and one of the trays

was spotted 19.

  These are trays in the shape of a circular disc. On the trays, objects, dishes, etc. will be placed to present and keep fresh

or hot.

  Peripherally, between the base 3 and the box 7, stand two double partitions 21a, 21b, facing each other and therefore closing the access to the trays on most of the perimeter of the furniture, this

  over the entire height between parts 3 and 7.

  These two sets of double partitions 21a, 21b, each include a solid outer wall and an perforated inner wall, identified

  23 and 25 respectively for the double partition 21a.

  The openings (through orifices) such as 27 make the internal volume 29 of the zone 5 and the internal space 31 reserved between the walls 23 and 25 communicate with each other, as shown in FIG. 2 where it can be seen that in the upper part , the interior space or channel 31 is closed. On the other hand, in the lower part, each channel is in direct communication with one or other of the slots 15a, 15b, so that the temperature air blown into the

  corresponding channel can only exit through the openings 27.

  In FIGS. 1 and 3, it can further be seen that the two double partitions 21a, 21b "diametrically opposite" do not extend over the entire perimeter of the cabinet (in horizontal section): in this case, two openings 33, 35, are reserved, opposite one another, over the entire height of the zone 5. Thus, the interior volume 29 communicates with the exterior. One can for example provide that the back opening 33 is intended for service (loading of the trays) while the front opening is used for removing the dishes, all the trays being accessible in one case

as in the other.

  In Figure 3, we can also see the curved shape, concave inward (volume 29) of the two double partitions 21a, 21b. This ensures, as the arrows show, a distribution of the flow at temperature

  regulated towards the central part of volume 29 (mast 17).

  Preferably, each of the two double partitions will be formed by two generally parallel panels each defining a section of cylinder portion with a vertical axis, as can be distinguished on

the illustration in figure 1.

  And each double partition will preferably be transparent, for

  example in Plexiglas (registered trademark).

  Furthermore, for the hygiene of the furniture, and in particular for the cleaning of these double partitions, each external wall 23 will preferably be mobile, for example mounted on a vertical hinge, as illustrated in FIG. 1, in the manner of a door. In this case, the two hinges will be mounted on two rear vertical uprights 37a, 37b (FIG. 3), two front vertical uprights 39a, 39b completing the maintenance of the interior walls and of each exterior wall in the closed position. In addition, seals, not shown, provide sealing to prevent

  supply air leaks, directly to the outside.

  Concerning the horizontal rotating plates such as 19, it can be envisaged that they are mounted on rollers around the central mast 17 to stop turning if they are grasped by one hand, through one of the openings 33 or 35, then to resume their rotation when the force

stop is interrupted.

  It will also be noted that advantageously the trays will be bordered by a perimeter rim (not shown) defining a breath guard,

at each level.

  Lighting may also be provided, downwards from the box 7, and for example, inwards in the vertical uprights 37a, 37b, 39a, 39b, the power source being able to be located either

  in the base or in the closed upper box 7.

  Possibly articulated handles, such as 43a, 43b, can facilitate the handling of the piece of furniture, especially if it is mounted on

  castors, as illustrated in particular in FIG. 1.

  In Figure 4, we find the cabinet of Figure 1, with the exception of the lower part of the base (height H; delimitation

horizontal 45 in Figure 1).

  In other words, the device 1 ′ in FIG. 4 lacks the lower riser 47 in FIG. 1 which intended the furniture for adults,

  while that of FIG. 5 is intended for children.

  Assuming the presence of such an extension, it will be understood that the box 3 will in reality be either manufactured with two different heights, or made in two parts arranged vertically one on the other, the lower part 47 being removable (fixing for example by

removable screws).

  In one case as in the other, the functional elements useful for the "showcase" constituted by the intermediate zone 5 o are arranged the trays and the cold distribution system on the dishes, objects, ..., will be located immediately under this showcase. This will be the case in particular for generator 9 (refrigerant unit or block with electrical resistances

for example).

Claims (7)

  1. Temperature-controlled display cabinet having: - a presentation zone (5) containing rotating plates (19) arranged at least some above each other, supporting objects, dishes ,. .., to be presented, the presentation area and the trays being bordered laterally by at least one double peripheral wall (21a, 21b) having a solid exterior wall (23) and an perforated interior wall (25), communicating with the space inside (29) where the turntables are located, the two walls being spaced from one another to create a space (31) for circulation isolated from the outside, - a technical area (3) containing a generator (9 ) of cold or hot flow, which communicates with the space (31) of circulation between the walls to supply it with cold or hot flow, the latter penetrating into the interior space of the presentation area (5) to cool there. , keep it cold, heat it, or keep it hot, the objects, dishes, ...., arranged on trays.   2. Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the double wall (21a, 21b) is interrupted on a part of the lateral perimeter of the presentation area (5) which is thus open to the outside, to limit the overpressure inside the presentation area and allow the   loading / removal of said objects, dishes, etc.   3. Furniture according to claim 2, characterized in that the double wall is interrupted in two places (33, 35) diametrically opposite,   one defining a loading area, the other of withdrawal.   4. Furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that at least the interior wall (25) of the double wall is concave towards the interior volume (29) of the presentation area, to direct the cold or hot flows passing through the openings (27) of the interior wall substantially   towards the central part of said interior volume of the presentation area.   5. Furniture according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the interior and exterior walls (23, 25) define a glazed area, these two walls being substantially parallel to each other and each substantially in the portion of a cylinder with a vertical axis, curved outward.   6. Furniture according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that the inner wall (25) is fixed, while the outer wall (23) is movable, so that its internal surface is accessed to clean it.   7. Furniture according to any one of the preceding claims,   characterized in that: - the presentation zone (5) extends in the upper part of the cabinet, - the cold flow or hot flow generator (9) is located at an elevation level immediately close to the presentation zone , - the technical area (3) is located under the presentation area and includes an upper portion containing the cold or hot flow generator and a removable lower portion (47), defining an extension for   adapt the total height of the furniture according to its destination.