GB2501880A

GB2501880A - Table with rotating refrigeration units

Info

Publication number: GB2501880A
Application number: GB1208006.5A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Robert Mckenna
Original assignee: Individual
Current assignee: Individual
Priority date: 2012-05-08
Filing date: 2012-05-08
Publication date: 2013-11-13
Anticipated expiration: 2032-05-08
Also published as: GB201208006D0; GB2501880B

Abstract

A table 10 comprises a table surface 12 and a refrigerated storage compartment 18, located below the surface and mounted for rotation relative to it. The compartment may take the form of a carousel and/or rotate through an angle of greater than 360 degrees using, for example, rollers, a turntable, transfer units or suspension from a central axis. The compartment may comprise an electric refrigerator unit 46 located within a separate compartment, having a cooler plate 56 in communication with a thermally insulated compartment 34. If the unit is mounted for rotation with the compartment, the unit can be powered by and connected to an external electrical power supply via a means providing a rotatable interface between fixed and rotatable terminals. Alternatively, where the refrigeration unit is fixed relative to the table's surface the cooler plate may be located within a central plenum chamber in fluid communication with the thermally insulated compartment.

Description

REFRIGERATION UNITS

Description:

This invention relates to refrigeration units and in particular, but without limitation, to refrigeration units suitable for storing cold drinks in social situations.

Whilst watching TV especially long programs without advertisements e.g. cinema and football matches, with a number of people, the need to drink cold liquid refreshment usually involves leaving ones seat with the risk of obstructing other peoples view and missing the action yourself. It is also common, in other social and work situations, for example, in meeting rooms, bars, clubs etc. for people to gather in a seating area and for cold food and beverages to be served.

Likewise, it can be inconvenient to have to leave the social setting to fetch refreshments from a refrigerator located away from the seating area.

Known solutions to the above problems involve gathering several rounds of drinks together prior to the social gathering, but this approach suffers the disadvantage of allowing the drinks to warm up whist they are waiting to be consumed. An alternative approach involves using a portable ice box or a small refrigerator to keep the drinks cool, but this can be unsightly, messy and is usually undesirable.

Moreover, even where a refrigerator is provided nearby, people are not usually able to readily serve themselves, which means that the person nearest the refrigerator or ice box often assumes the role of ad-hoc waiter, which can also be annoying for the person concerned.

A need therefore exists for a convenient refrigerator that blends unobtrusively into a social gathering location, and which facilitates self-service for food and beverages.

To overcome these problems, a first aspect of the invention provides a new type of table comprising a built-in refrigerator that is accessible from all sides. This can be accomplished by providing a generally round coffee-type table having fixed table surface (and optionally, a fixed base) any by mounting the built-in refrigerator to rotate relative to the tables' surface. The table may additionally comprise non-refrigerated compartments or cupboards.

According to a second aspect of the invention, there is provided a table comprising a table surface and a refrigerated storage compartment located below the table surface, the refrigerated storage compartment being mounted for rotation relative to the table surface.

Conveniently, the invention may enable a number of people to gather around the table and thus be close to a refrigerator so that they can conveniently help themselves to chilled items from the refrigerator. By mounting the refrigerated storage compartment for rotation relative to the table's surface, it is possible for users seated around the table to rotate the refrigerator to within easy reach, thereby facilitating self-service from the refrigerator, whilst remaining seated. The invention may thereby overcome the problem of the refrigerator being located away from the social setting, and may also afford everyone around the table equal access to the refrigerator.

The table surface, and the refrigerated storage compartment are preferably substantially circular, which means that the table remains compact and so that no parts jut out as the refrigerated storage compartment is rotated.

The refrigerated storage compartment preferably comprises a thermally insulated compartment which is accessible via one or more doors or drawers. In preferred embodiment of the invention, the refrigerated storage compartment comprises a number of drawers located within, or which communicate with, the refrigerated storage compartment. The drawer fronts, were provided, preferably comprise a thermal seal around their peripheries to inhibit, when closed, the ingress of warm air into the refrigerated storage compartment.

The refrigerated storage compartment is preferably in the form of a carousel that is mounted for rotation relative to the table's surface. This can be achieved by mounting it on rollers or transfer units, by suspending it from a central axle, or by any other means that enables it to rotate relative to the table's surface. The carousel may additionally be provided with one or more non-refrigerated compartments.

The refrigerated storage compartment is preferably mounted rotation relative to the table's surface through greater than 360 degrees, and most preferably for infinite rotation relative to the

table's surface.

The table may additionally comprise a base upon which the rotatable refrigerated storage compartment sits on rollers, transfer units etc. Such a configuration may enable the maximum load capacity of the refrigerated storage compartment to be increased.

The refrigerated storage compartment may be cooled using any type of refrigerator. For example, a battery-powered refrigerator unit may be used, which avoids the need for there to be trailing wires leading to the table. Alternatively, an evaporator-type refrigeration may be used, which comprises a water receptacle in fluid communication with a porous evaporator plate, the latent heat of evaporation of the water through the evaporator plate serving to cool the compartment. Whilst these "wireless" refrigerators may provide convenient solutions to the problem of connecting the table to a mains power supply, they may suffer the disadvantage of only being able to be used for short periods of time. Preferably, therefore, the refrigeration unit is mains-powered.

In a typical embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration unit comprises an electrically-powered refrigeration unit of a known type, for example, comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger. Such refrigeration units are readily available in kit form, for example, for use in boats and caravans, and can be operated using mains electricity directly, or 12V or 24V DC via a mains transformer.

Where the refrigerator unit is electrically powered, there exists the problem of connecting fixed cabling to a refrigerator unit that may be mounted for rotation relative to the table. To overcome this problem, a slip ring may be used that provides a rotatable interface between fixed source terminals on the one hand, and rotatable terminals on the other hand. Slip rings are readily available and enable the refrigerator unit and/or the refrigerated storage compartment to rotate though an infinite angle without twisting or tangling the wiring.

Alternatively, the refrigeration unit may be fixed relative to the table's surface, thereby overcoming the problem of having to provide a rotatable power interface to enable the refrigerator unit to rotate relative to the table. In such a case, the refrigerated storage compartment will be in communication with the heat exchanger of the refrigeration unit, but mounted for rotation relative thereto, as shall be described later.

The invention shall now be described, by way of example only, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 is a perspective view of a first embodiment of a table in accordance with the invention; Figure 2 is an exploded view of the table of Figure 1; and Figure 3 is a cross-section through a second embodiment of a table in accordance with the invention; In Figure 1, a table 10 according to the invention comprises a circular table surface 12 and a base 14 that sits on the floor on feet 16. The base 14 and table surface 12 are rigidly affixed to one another by a central post (not visible) which extends upwardly within the interior of table 12.

Interposed between the tables' surface 14 and its base 14, there is provided a generally cylindrical carousel 18 that is mounted for rotation relative to the tables' surface 12 and/or base 14.

The carousel 18 comprises a number of cupboards 20 that are accessible via doors 22 and a number of drawers 24 that can be pulled out, as shown, to gain access to the interior of the carousel 18. The drawers 24 are mounted within a generally cruciform compartment of the carousel (not visible), which is chilled using a refrigerator unit (not visible). As such, the contents of the drawers 24 are chilled by the refrigerator unit.

As can be seen better from Figure 2, the carousel 18 has a generally circular base 26 which is mounted for rotation relative to the base 14 and table surface 12 by sitting it on a number of ball transfer units 28 that ride over the upper surface of the base 14, or over the lower surface of the carousel's base 26. The carousel 18 is approximately 1065mm diameter and rides on two 800mm diameter ball race turntables (not shown for simplicity) that are fixed to the top & bottom of the carousel 18 to enable it to rotate against the fixed surface 12 and base 14, which have corresponding circular grooves that the turntables locate into for centring and ease of assembly.

The carousel 18 is maintained in alignment with the base 14 and table surface 12 by a central post 30 that extends through a central bushed aperture (not visible) of the carousel's base 28 and which rigidly interconnects the base 14 and table surface 12. As such, the carousel 18 is free to rotate about the central post 30 using manual force.

The stationary table surface 12 and base 14 are made from 26mm veneered MDF, which are fixed together by way of two 3mm thick x 200mm diameter steel plates with 20mm centre holes screwed to them with clearance holes bored to facilitate the locknuts & washers. The plates are fixed to each end of the central tubular post 30.

The carousel 18 is manufactured from sheets of 38mm PU foam sheet sandwiched between plastic laminate, but could also be made from a GRP casting with PU foam poured in to provide thermal insulation. The carousel iSis made up of a circular base wall 26 and a number of vertical wall portions 32 that are arranged in to form a generally cruciform central cavity 34. In the illustrated example, three drawer units 24 are mounted, using drawer runners 36, to the sides of the vertical wall portions 32 so that the drawers 24 can slide into and out of the cruciform central cavity 34. The drawers 24 each comprise an arcuate drawer front 38 having a resiliently deformable peripheral seal 40 that seats against the edges 42 of the vertical wall portions 32 to form a thermal seal when the drawers 24 are closed to inhibit/prevent the ingress of warm air into the central cavity 34.

In the illustrated embodiment, there are three drawers 24: two "back-to-back" and one shallow drawer opposite the refrigeration unit 46.

The central cavity 34 is closed off from above by a sheet of thermally insulated material (not shown for clarity) that sits on top of, and which seals to, the vertical wall portions 32 thereby forming an enclosed space.

The enclosed space 34 is maintained at a specified temperature by a refrigeration unit 46 which is affixed to the carousel's base 26. One limb 50 of cruciform cavity 34 is a separate compartment 52 for housing the refrigeration unit's compressor unit, which also has a thermostat control switch. The compartment 52 is closed off by a grilled door 54 (not shown for simplicity) to provide ventilation. The cooler plate 56 of the refrigeration unit 46 is housed within the refrigerated compartment and is connected to the refrigeration unit 46 via pipes that sealingly extend through one of the vertical wall portions 32.

The carousel 18 also comprises four cupboards 60 located in the external corners of the cross, which are closed using curved, hinged doors 62 that are connected to the carousel via hinges 64. The cupboards 60 can be used for storing glasses, snacks, remote controls, bottle openers, red wine etc., that is to say, items that do not need to be chilled.

The drawers 24 and cupboard doors 62 are biased open, but latched shut using spring-loaded catches such that radially inward pressure releases the doors or drawers to cause them to glide open automatically.

The door and drawer fronts are made from curved fascias comprising a 38mm PU foam core sandwiched between wood or plastics veneers to provide an aesthetically pleasing appearance.

Small gaps are provided between the door and drawer fronts to provide convenient finger pulls to facilitate rotation of the carousel 18.

LED lighting is provided to illuminate the drawer and cupboard interiors and also to provide a mood lighting effect. The lights can be controlled by micro switches such that they illuminate when the doors or drawers are opened. A remote control switch is also provided to enable the lights to be switched on or off permanently.

Power is provided for the refrigeration unit 46 and the LED lighting by way of a "through bore pancake slip ring" 66. This enables 24V DC electrical power to be supplied to the refrigerator unit 46 which is mounted on the rotating carousel 18 without the wiring becoming entangled. The construction of a slip ring 66 is well known and comprises a set of fixed terminals, to which power leads coming from a mains power supply or a DC transformer can enter the table 10, and a set of rotating terminals to which wiring inside the carousel 18 can be connected. By using a 24V DC power supply, it is possible to power the table 10 using speaker cables, i.e. not mains voltage, which adds an additional safety feature since there are no mains power cables trailing from a socket to the table, but rather only low voltage cables that do not pose a significant electrical shock hazard to people or pets.

An alternative embodiment of the invention is shown in Figure 3, which shows a table 10 of substantially the same construction to that shown in Figures land 2. Identical reference signs have thus been used to identify identical features for the sake of clarity. The main difference between the construction shown in Figure 3 and that shown in Figures land 2 is that in the embodiment of Figure 3, the refrigeration unit 46 is fixed to the stationary base 14 of the table, and not to the rotating base 26 of the carousel 26. This arrangement avoids the need to use slip rings etc. to power the LED lighting or refrigeration unit 46.

As can be seen in Figure 3, the construction is slightly different inasmuch as the generally cruciform central cavity of the carousel has been replaced by a central plenum chamber 80 is located above a central compartment 50 that that houses the refrigeration unit 46. The cooler plate 56 of the refrigeration unit 42 is located within the plenum chamber 80, which chamber 80 is in fluid communication with the limbs of the carousel 18 that contain the refrigerated drawers 24. The carousel 18 is able to rotate about the central post because the pipework 82 connecting the refrigeration unit 48 to the cooler plate 56 extends upwardly through an aperture of the carousel that is closed off using an annular brush. As such, the plenum chamber 80 effectively rotates relative to the fixed cooler plate 56, thereby enabling the drawer contents to be cooled.

The invention is not restricted to the details of the forgoing embodiments, which are merely exemplary of the invention. For example, the materials of construction, the dimensions and shapes of the various components could be altered without departing from the scope of the invention. In particular, although the invention has been described with reference to a generally cylindrical table, the table surface could take the form of a multi-faceted polygon, such as an octagon, decagon etc.

Claims

Claims: 1. A table comprising a table surface and a refrigerated storage compartment located below the table surface, the refrigerated storage compartment being mounted for rotation relative to thetable surface.
2. A table as claimed in claim 1, wherein the refrigerated storage compartment is mounted rotation relative to the table's surface through an angle of greater than 360 degrees.
3. A table as claimed in claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the refrigerated storage compartment is in the form of a carousel mounted for rotation relative to the table's surface.
4. A table as claimed in claim 3, wherein the base and table surface are rigidly interconnected by a central post about which the carousel is rotatable.
5. A table as claimed in claim 3 or claim 4, wherein the carousel is mounted for rotation relative to the table's surface by any one or more of the group comprising: rollers; a turntable; transfer units; ball transfer units; and by suspension from a central axle.
6. A table as claimed in any of claims 3, 4 or 5, wherein the carousel is manufactured from sheets of thermally insulative material to form a thermally insulated compartment.
7. A table as claimed in any of claims 3 to 6, wherein the carousel is manufactured from a plastics moulding in-filled with thermally insulative material to form a thermally insulated compartment.
8. A table as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the thermally insulative material comprises PU foam.
9. A table as claimed in claim 6 or claim 7, wherein the thermally insulated compartment is accessible via one or more doors or drawers.
10. A table as claimed in claim 9, wherein the drawers and/or doors are biased open, but latched shut using spring-loaded catches.
11. A table as claimed in claim 9 or claim 10, wherein small gaps are provided between the door and drawer fronts.
12. A table as claimed in any of claims 9, 10 or 11, further comprising a thermal seal interposed between the thermally insulated compartment and drawer fronts of the drawers or the doors.
13. A table as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the refrigerated storage compartment is maintained at a desired temperature by a refrigerator unit.
14. A table as claimed in claim 13, wherein the refrigerator unit comprises any one of more of the group comprising: a battery-powered refrigerator unit; an evaporator-type refrigeration unit; an electrically-powered refrigeration unit; an electrically powered refrigeration unit comprising a compressor and a heat exchanger.
15. A table as claimed in claim 13 or claim 14, wherein the refrigerator unit comprises a cooler plate located within the thermally insulated compartment.
16. A table as claimed in any of claims 13, 14 or 15, wherein the refrigerator unit is located within a separate compartment and is connected to the cooler plate via pipes that sealingly extend between the thermally insulated compartment and the separate refrigerator compartment.
17. A table as claimed in any of claims 3 to 16, wherein the refrigerator unit is mounted on the carousel and is arranged to rotate therewith.
18. A table as claimed in claim 17, wherein the refrigeration unit is mounted for rotation with the carousel and wherein the refrigeration unit is electrically-powered and connected to an external electrical power supply via a means providing a rotatable interface between fixed source terminals on the one hand, and rotatable terminals on the other hand.
19. A table as claimed in claim 18, wherein the means providing a rotatable interface between fixed source terminals on the one hand, and rotatable terminals on the other hand comprises a slip ring.
20. A table as claimed in any of claims ito 17, wherein the refrigeration unit is fixed relative to thetable's surface.
21. A table as claimed in claim 20, wherein the cooler plate is located within a central plenum chamber being in fluid communication with the thermally insulated compartment and located above a fixed refrigerator compartment, the cooler plate of the refrigeration unit being connected to the refrigeration unit via pipework extending between the refrigerator compartment and the plenum chamber via an annular seal.
22. A table as claimed in any of claims 3 to 21, wherein the carousel additionally comprises one or more non-refrigerated compartments.
23. A table as claimed in any preceding claim, further comprising lighting for providing ambient lighting and/or for illuminating drawer and cupboard interiors.
24. A table as claimed in claim 23, wherein the lighting is controllable using any one or more of the group comprising: micro switches operable upon opening or closing of the doors or drawers; a switch; and a remote control switch.
25. A table as claimed in any preceding claim, wherein the cross-section the table's surface and the refrigerated storage compartment is substantially circular.
26. A table comprising a built-in refrigerator that is accessible from all sides.
27. A table according to claim 26, in combination with any of claims 2 to 25.
28. A table substantially as hereinbefore described, with reference to, and as illustrated in, the accompanying drawings.