GB2162417A

GB2162417A - Cover for a food storage and a display area

Info

Publication number: GB2162417A
Application number: GB08517929A
Authority: GB
Inventors: John Shaw
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 1984-08-02
Filing date: 1985-07-16
Publication date: 1986-02-05
Also published as: GB8517929D0

Abstract

There is disclosed a cover for a display area of the kind located behind a shop window and comprising an open fronted and open topped cabinet. The cover comprises a front wall (which may be formed by the shop window) of transparent material, a lid adapted to be raised and lowered by pivoting along a line at or adjacent the upper edge of said front wall and counter-balancing means (such as a system of weights and pulleys) to facilitate such raising and lowering. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION Cover for a food storage and a display area This invention concerns a cover for a food storage and display area of the kind (hereinafter termed 'of the kind referred to') located behind a shop window and comprised by an open fronted and open topped well defined by a base, side cheeks and a rear wall.

The cover of the invention can however be applied to other kinds of display area once first modified to be of the kind referred to.

According to the present invention a cover for a food storage and display area of the kind referred to is comprised by a front wall of transparent material, a lid adapted to be raised and lowered by pivoting along a line at or adjacent the inwardly directed surface of said front wall and counter-balance means to facilitate such raising and lowering.

Preferably the lid when in its closed position will slope downwardly from said front wall to said rear wa!l, there being triangular side pieces integral with the lid and adapted to engage with the tops of the side cheeks when the lid is in its lowered position.

The cover has numerous advantages, firstly it protects the food from insects and from the breath of customers and sales people, secondly it acts to prevent drying out of moist foodstuffs by minimizing changes of air thereover and finally it enables the food storage and display area to be kept refrigerated to a desired temprature with a smaller energy requirement than would otherwise be necessary.

The invention will be further apparent from the following description, with reference to the figures of the accompanying drawing, which show, by way of example only, one form of cover embodying the invention.

Of the drawing: Figure 1 is a plan view of the food storage and display area to which the cover can be applied; and Figure 2' is a perspective view of the food storage and display area of Fig. 1 with the shop window removed but the cover in position.

Referring firstly to Fig. 1, it will be seen that the food storage and display area generally indicated at 10 comprises an open fronted and open topped well defined by a base 11 up-standing side cheeks 1 2 and 1 3 and rear wall 14. The forward edges of the side cheeks 1 2 and 1 3 abut or are closely spaced behind the shop window 1 5 such that passers-by can examine items in the storage and display area 10. Usually a refrigeration plant will be provided below the base 11 to chill the area 10.

In accordance with the invention a cover for the area 10 is provided comprising a front wall 1 6 of transparent material such as Perspex (Registered Trade Mark) and a lid 1 7 conveniently comprised by a number of panels 1 8 of transparent plastics material mounted in a rectangular frame 1 9. It is preferred that the upper edge of the front wall 1 6 is located somewhat above the tops of the side cheeks 1 2 and 1 3 such that the lid 1 7 can be arranged to slope downwardly from the upper edge of front wall 1 6 to the top of the rear wall 18, there being triangular pieces 20 and 21 secured to the underside of the opposed sides of the lid 1 7 to complete the enclosure.

In an alternative arrangement the triangular pieces 20 and 21 may be separate from the lid 1 7 and may be secured to the tops of the side cheeks 12 and 13.

The forward edge of the lid 1 7 is mounted for pivotal movement about an axis adjacent the upper edge of the front wall 1 6. The mounting means may take the form of hinges secured between the lid 1 7 and front wall 1 6 or brackets which might conveniently be fastened to frame members which might surround the shop window 1 5. The precise mounting means will be chosen by conditions prevailing on any particular site.

It is preferred that the mounting means provides a gap having a width of 1cm or thereabouts between the upper edge of front wall 16 and the forward edge of the lid 1 7.

Such gap enables movement of air reducing the incidence of condensation on the inner surfaces of the cover.

The lid 1 7 is equipped with a handle 22 to enable it to be raised and lowered by a shop assistant to gain access to the food storage and display area 1 0.

Counter-balance means is provided to facilitate raising and lowering of the lid and this may conveniently comprise a cord 23 extending from the rear edge of the lid 1 7 and passing over pulleys 24 to join with a counterweight 25.

In use the cover serves to enclose the food storage and display area 10 thus preventing the food from drying out, protecting the food from insects and reducing the energy requirement for maintaining refrigeration, all without substantially interferring with a customer's ability to examine the goods from without the shop.

The cover or at least the lid thereof can be readily removed for cleaning not only of the cover but also of the food storage area.

It will be appreciated that it is not intended to limit the invention to the above example only, many variations, such as might readily occur to one skilled in the art, being possible, without departing from the scope thereof as defined by the appended claims.

For example, the panels in the lid may be of a double-glazed construction if desired to improve the thermal insulation properties.

Yet again a separate front wall need not be provided, a lower part of the shop window itself forming the front wall.

Claims

1. A cover for a food storage and display area of the kind referred to comprising a cover for a food storage and display area of the kind referred to is comprised by a front wall of transparent material, a lid adapted to be raised and lowered by pivoting along a line at or adjacent the inwardly directed surface of said front wall and counter-balance means to facilitate such raising and lowering.

2. A cover according to claim 1, wherein the lid pivots at or adjacent the upper edge of said front wall.

3. A cover according to claim 1, wherein said front wall is formed by the shop window.

4. A cover according to any one of claims 1-3, wherein the lid when in its closed position slopes downwardly from said front wall to said rear wall.

5. A cover according to claim 4, wherein triangular side pieces integral with said lid are provided to engage with the tops of the side cheeks when the lid is in its closed position.

6. A cover according to any preceding claim, wherein said lid is comprised by a number of transparent panels disposed within a rectangular frame.

7. A cover according to claim 6, wherein each said panel is of 'double-glazed' construction.

8. A cover according to any preceding claim, wherein there is a gap between the front wall and the forward edge of the lid adjacent thereto.

9. A cover according to claim 8, wherein said gap is 1 cm or thereabouts.

10. A cover according to any preceding claim, wherein the lid is equipped with a handle for raising and lowering same.

11. A cover according to any preceding claim wherein said counter-balance means comprises a cord extending from the lid and passing over pulley means to join with a counter-weight.

1 2. A cover substantially as described herein with reference to and as illustrated by Fig. 2 of the accompanying drawing.