GB2235757A

GB2235757A - Thermally-insulated storage units

Info

Publication number: GB2235757A
Application number: GB9018509A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Charles Francis Merhemitch
Original assignee: SHADES TECHNICS Ltd
Current assignee: SHADES TECHNICS Ltd
Priority date: 1989-08-24
Filing date: 1990-08-23
Publication date: 1991-03-13
Also published as: GB9018509D0; GB8919223D0; GB2236838A

Abstract

Storage unit for mounting on a motor coach particularly is of compact size and comprises an outer casing (24), an inner shell (26) moulded in glass fibre reinforced resin and defining two compartments (30, 32). One compartment (32) contains a refrigeration unit (54) and the other (30) a healed water supply system. Heat insulation is provided between the two compartments and surrounding the compartment containing the refrigeration unit. A facia (28) is attached to the shell to form a preassembled unit therewith. The unit may be free-standing. <IMAGE>

Description

STORAGE UNITS This invention relates to storage units, preferably compact, and in particular kitchen units particularly for use in confined spaces such as on motor coaches, campers and vans or other vehicles, including trains, aeroplanes and boats.

It has long been the practice to make provision for the service of drinks and food on aeroplanes and long distance trains and accordingly kitchens or galleys or other areas have been provided containing the usual equipment such as water supplies, and refrigerators or other storage units. With increasing popularity of long distance motor coach travel it has, in recent years, also become known to provide facilities for the service of food and drink on such coaches but these facilities have to be severely resticted in view of the highly limited space available. Complex cupboards etc requiring in situ construction and the skill of cabinet makers etc have been proposed. A need exists for an improved design of compact storage unit for use in a limited space in connection with the provision of food or drink.

In one aspect, the invention provides a moulded shell, preferably of integral construction for use as a kitchen unit in a vehicle such as a coach.

Whilst kitchen units may have one or more of a large number of features, it is believed that the terms are well understood and that such units would be readily recognised on such by the reader of this specification. Moulded or integral units have not hitherto been used in vehicles.

The invention also provides a storage unit or a shell therefor which has a first compartment containing or suitable for containing water supply apparatus, preferably including a water pump and/or a water heater, and a second compartment containing or suitable for containing refrigeration means for cooling the second compartment, and optionally a space containing or comprising insulation material between said two compartments for inhibiting transfer of heat between them.

A moulded shell is provided, preferably of glass fibre reinforced resin material which preferably is free-standing and preferably stands alone. It may however be insertable in a casing of compact size.

Preferably, at least two compartments are defined by the shell. In a preferred embodiment, the two compartments are separated by a pair of spaced wall portions, the space between the wall portions preferably being filled with or comprising heat insulation material. In this way, one compartment may be used for containing a water heater and the other compartment may, if desired, be refrigerated.

The invention is described further, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagramatic perspective view of a storage unit for use as a kitchen unit in which the invention is embodied and which is shown located in a motor coach; Fig. 2 is an exploded perspective view of the unit shown in Fig. 1; Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a part of the unit shown in Fig. 2; Fig. 4 is a section on the line IV-IV of Fig. 3 (but with certain parts omitted for clarity); Fig. 5 is a diagramatic perspective view of a kitchen unit; Fig. 6 shows the unit of Fig. 5 in combination with a sink, a hot-water supply and a refrigerator; and Fig. 7 shows the unit of Fig. 5 installed in a motor coach.

With reference to Fig. 1, a storage unit 2 comprising a moulded shell is mounted on the floor 4 of a motor coach adjacent to a toilet unit 6 which need form no part of the present invention. Any suitable moulding (including casting) techniques may be used to make the shell. The heat-insulation is provded along with other components during the moulding process. The storage unit 2 includes a horizontally extending portion 8 which acts as a support for two coach seats 10 and an upwardly extending portion 12 having a sink 14 mounted in its top surface 16. The shell may have means for securing it to a floor. A water supply pipe 18 is positioned adjacent to sink 14 for discharging water thereinto upon depression of an actuating button 20 also mounted in the top surface 16 of portion 12.

A vertically extending splash panel 22 is mouted adjacent the pipe 18.

As seen in Figs. 2 and 3, the unit 2 comprises an outer casing 24, an inner shell 26 and a facia or cover or panel 28. The above described elements 14 to 22 are mounted on the top of the casing 24.

The shell 26 is a moulding of glass fibre material having a flange 27 for attachment to casing 24, and it comprises compartments 30 and 32. The compartment 30 contains a water pump 34 connected to a water supply tank (not shown) by a pipe 36 for supplying water therefrom to the water supply pipe 18 via a pipe 38, a water filter 40, a further pipe 42, a water heater or boiler 44 and a further pipe 46, pipes 38, 42 and 46 being of flexible material such a rubber. The pump 34 is controlled by the button 20 so that upon depression thereof hot water is discharged from the pipe 18. The heater may be controlled manually by the coach driver or other attendant or arranged to be "on" whenever the coach engine is running.

The second compartment 32 contains a shelf 48 dividing this compartment into upper and lower portions 50 and 52. A refrigeration unit 54 comprises cooling coils 56 located in the upper portion 50 of the compartment 32 and a compressor and heat extractor unit 58 located in the lower portion 52, units 56 and 58 being interconnected by appropriate piping 60 so that the upper portion 50 of compartment 32 is refrigerated upon operation of the unit 58. Heat generated by the unit 58 is discharged through openings 62 and 64, which are in registration, provided in the housing 24 and shell 26. An air inlet 29 is provided in the facia 28 for permitting air to enter the lower portion 52 of chamber 50.

As seen in Fig. 4, the shell 26 is constructed of a main unitary layer 65 of conventional glass fibre reinforced resin which has been moulded into the required shape and then set. This shape is such as to define the chambers 30 and 32 which have already been described and also to define a space 66 which is between the chambers 30 and 32. As shown in Fig. 4 (but not Fig. 2) the space 66 is filled with a double layer of heat insulation material 68 thus providing substantial and effective heat insulation between the chamber 30, which contains the water heater 44, and the chamber 32 which is refrigerated. A single layer of heat insulation material 70 is, as shown in Fig. 4, provided on the remainder of the exterior of the wall 64 which defines the chamber 32. A further wall 72 made of the same material as wall 65, is formed to cover the heat insulation material 68 and 70.

The shelf 48 is also provided with heat insulation so as to isolate the upper and lower portions 50, 52 of the chamber 32 from each other and may, for example, comprise a sandwich of two layers of glass fibre reinforced resin with heat insulating material between them.

The facia 28 includes a door 74 for giving access to the upper portion 50 of chamber 32. The facia 28 and door 74 are both preferably constructed as a sandwich comprising two layers of glass fibre reinforced resin material with heat insulation material between them (this structure not being shown in the drawings). The casing 24 may be of wooden construction and may be covered with a carpet like material (not shown).

In accordance with an important preferred aspect of the invention, the shell 26 containing, where required by the customer, the water supply and heating system and/or the refrigeration system 54, is preassembled with the facia 28 and secured thereto prior to being mounted in the casing 24. Thus, the casing 24 can be constructed and mounted within the coach or other vehicle in which the invention is to be used and the preassembled unit comprising shell 26 and facia 28 containing (where desired) the water supply system and/or refrigeration system may simply be inserted into the casing 24 and secured therein by appropriate means. This has the advantage that the amount of assembly and construction work which has to be done in the limited space of the coach or other vehicle itself is minimized.

The preferred embodiment of the invention has a number of further advantages. First, the user of the device has considerable flexibility as to choice of facilities according to his particular requirements.

Thus, he may elect not to include the refrigeration unit 54 so that the compartment 32 would then be uncooled or to include that unit but not the heated water supply. As a further alternative, he could elect to include neither the refrigeration unit nor the heated water supply and simply use the unit as a storage unit. Where the water supply is omitted, the sink may also be omitted and the top of housing 24 simply be a plane surface.

Also, for example, where a user has a unit which does not include the water supply and/or the refrigeration system but wishes to add facilities he can easily change simply by inserting a new shell 26, with the required water supply system and/or refrigeration unit therein, into the casing 24 or adding the required facilities to his existing shell.

A further advantage is that access to the water supply system and/or the refrigeration unit for servicing purposes is extremely easy, this being achieved simply by removing the facia 28.

Various modifications are possible within the scope of the invention. For example, although glass fibre reinforced resin has been referred to, the parts in question could be made from other moulded plastic materials. Although the provision of the horizontally extending portion 8 of the unit 2 is convenient where the unit is to be mounted in a coach, this is not essential to the invention in all of its aspects.

Although the door 74 is hinged to the facia in the preferred embodiment, other forms of door, such as roll doors, could be provided instead.

The unit of Fig. 5 is similar to that of Fig. 1 and it is for particular use as a kitchen unit on a coach. It is free-standing and includes a shell 2 of unitary moulded construction and a front panel 28. It is designed not to be used within a casing (compare inner shell 26 and Fig. 2). Thus, it may have a decorative finish on any of its surfaces 76. Such decorative finish may, but need not be, patterned. It will generally have smooth edges and corners, without the flange 27 shown in Fig. 2. We prefer that the finish comprises a plain, often white, smooth plastics surface. This may result directly from a moulding process, or a rough moulded article may be treated or a film applied over it.

Means such as rebates or runners 78 may be provided for supporting a shelf etc and may be moulded into the liner. An upper, substantially horizontal, surface may have at or adjacent its perimeter etc a splash guard or other retaining means, preferably leaving visible a portion 82 within the perimeter. This may serve as a work surface. The splash guard 80 and portion 82 may be an integral part of the moulding or may be attached thereto.

Fig. 6 shows the unit of Fig. 5 together with a shelf 84 and various other elements discussed in connection with the earlier figures.

Fig. 7 shows a unit similar to that illustrated in Fig. 6 installed on the floor 4 of a motor coach. It is fixed adjacent an exterior wall of a toilet unit 6.

The coach has a centre toilet 6 (not necessarily exactly in the centre, but not at an extreme end) by a door 86 making use of the extra height provided by steps 88. The invention is particularly useful for providing kitchen facilities at the position shown.

The shell of the kitchen is preferably such as to provide a work surface or other upper surface 75-150 cms, more preferably 90-125 cms above floor level.

This is a convenient height to work at, and would not obscure light from windows 90.

Claims

1. A moulded shell (26) for a storage unit, said shell (26) defining a first compartment (30), a second compartment (32) and a space (66) containing heat insulation material between said two compartments (30, 32) for inhibiting transfer of heat therebetween.

2. A shell according to claim 1, in which said first and second compartments (30, 32) and said space (66) are all defined by a single unitary moulded sheet or structure.

3. A shell according to claim 2, including further heat insulation material (70) on or in the portion of the shell (26) defining said second compartment (32).

4. A shell according to claim 3, wherein the thickness of the heat insulation material (68) between the two compartments (30, 32) is greater than, or is about double, the thickness of the heat insulation material (70) on or in the portion of the shell (26, Fig 2,, 2, Fig 6) defining the second compartment (32).

5. A shell according to claim 3 or 4, including a further sheet of material covering said heat insulation material.

6. A shell according to any preceding claim, constructed of glass fibre reinforced resin or having glass reinforcement resin skins.

7. A shell according to any preceding claim in combination with hot water supply means (44, 46) mounted in said first compartment (32).

8. A shell according to any preceding claim in combination with refrigerator means (54) mounted in said second compartment (32).

9. A shell according to claim 8, including a heat insulated division (48) in said second compartment (32), refrigeration means comprising a cooling element (56) in the portion of said second compartment at one side of said partition (48) and compressor means (58) in the portion of the second compartment at the other side of said partition (48).

10. A preassembled unit for a storage device, comprising a shell according to any preceding claim and a facia (29) attached to said shell (26) and having an openable closure means (74) for access to said second compartment (32).

11. A preassembled unit according to any preceding claim wherein the shell (2, Fig 5) is a double skinned structure provided with insulation between the skins and having a decorative finish on the outer skin.

12. A storage device comprising an outer casing (24, Fig 2), a preassembled unit according to claim 10 as dependent directly or indirectly upon claim 7, a sink (14) on top of said outer casing (24) and a pipe (46) connected to said water supply means (44) for discharging water therefrom into said sink (14) upon actuation of the water supply means.

13. A storage device comprising a shell (2, Fig 5) defining also its own outer casing, a sink (14, Fig 5) on top of the outer casing and a pipe (46) connected to the water supply means (44) for discharging water therefrom into the sink (14) upon actuation of the water supply means (44), the storage device being a preassembled unit according to claim 9 as dependent upon claim 6.

14. A device according to claim 12, including a horizontally extending portion adapted to fit below the seat of a coach and containing at least part of said first chamber (30) and an upwardly extending portion containing said second chamber (32).

15. A storage device comprising an outer casing mounted in or on a vehicle and a preassembled unit mounted in or forming part of said casing, said preassembled unit including a moulded shell (26, Fig 2 or 2, Fig 6) at least a portion of which is heat insulated for defining a heat insulated compartment (32) and a front panel (28) attached to said shell (26, Fig 2 or 2, Fig 6) and including an openable closure (74) to give access to said compartment (32), said front panel (28) comprising heat insulation material for insulating said compartment (32).

16. A device according to claim 15, wherein said unit includes a water supply system mounted (34, 38, 40, 44, 46) in said shell (26) and preassembled therewith.

17. A device accordingly to claim 15, wherein said unit comprises refrigeration means (54) mounted in said insulated compartment (32) and preassembled with said shell (26).

18. A device accordingly to claim 15, wherein said unit comprises refrigeration means (54) mounted in said insulated compartment (32), said shell (26) defines a further compartment (30) and water supply means (34, 38, 40, 44, 46) is mounted in said further compartment (30), and wherein said water supply means and said refrigeration means are preassembled with said shell.

19. A storage device comprising an outer casing and an assembly mounted therein or forming part thereof and comprising first and second chambers (30, 32), heat insulation means (68) between said chambers and surrounding at least one of said chambers (32) and a refrigeration unit (54) in said at least one chamber (32), said assembly when mounted in a casing (24, Fig 2) being removable from said casing as a unit or when forms part of said casing (2, Fig 6) being supplied with said casing as a preassembled unit.

20. A storage device comprising an outer casing and an assembly mounted therein or forming part thereof and comprising first and second chambers (30, 32) heat insulation (68) between said chambers (30, 32) and surrounding at least one of said chambers (32), a refrigeration unit (54) in said at least one chamber (32) and water supply means (34, 36, 40, 42, 44, 46) in the other said chamberb (30), said assembly when mounted in the outer casing being removable from said casing (24, Fig 2) as a unit, or when forms part of the outer casing being fitted as a unit into the outer casing (2, Fig 5).