JP2000304426A - Heat insulation box body - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To facilitate maintenance of the subject box body and always keep it hygienically. SOLUTION: A front panel 25 is removably disposed at the upper part of the front of the box body 24 of a heat insulation box body 23 and a top plate 27 is removably disposed at the upper part of the box body 24. A front frame to prevent deformation of right and left side walls 24a of the box body 24 is molded by using synthetic resin integrally with a panel body part 38 of the front panel 25. An engaging part 40 disengageably engaged with a part to be engaged formed at the top plate 27 is formed at the panel body part 38.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a heat insulating box for an automatic ice maker, for example.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art As shown in FIG. 15, an insulated box used in an automatic ice maker has an ice storage 10 which is open forward and upward.
Outside the left and right side walls separated from each other in the width direction of the
1 is provided, and the box body 1 is provided.
An ice making unit (neither is shown) suspended from a mounting frame horizontally arranged on the top of the second storage unit 2 is configured to face above the inside of the ice storage 10. At the front of each side plate 11, a U-shaped portion 11a having a U-shape in a flat cross section is formed, and the upper edge of each side plate 11 is bent inward (toward the ice storage side). A portion 11b is formed, and the U-shaped portion 11a is fitted to the front portion of the corresponding side wall of the ice storage 10, and the upper bent portion 11b is placed on the upper surface of the corresponding side wall of the ice storage 10, thereby positioning the two. Is made.

At the front of the box body 12, right and left side walls 12a, 12a (side walls of the ice storage 10 and side plates 11) of the box body 12 are provided at a position lower by a predetermined height from the top. The wall 1) is prevented from deforming inward of the wall).
A front frame 13 for securing two front openings 12b is provided. As shown in the figure, the front frame 13 is located rearward (on the ice storage side).
A heat insulating material 14 formed separately is inserted into the inside of the box.
The front frame 13 is fixed by caulking each side surface to the corresponding U-shaped portion 11a in a state where both side surfaces are in contact with the inside of the U-shaped portions 11a, 11a of the left and right side plates 11, 11. The heat insulating material 14 is inserted into the interior of the box main body 12. The front frame 13 is a door for opening and closing the front opening 12b of the box body 12.
It is made of an appropriate metal material so as to function as a magnetic attraction surface of a magnet provided on a (not shown).

At the front of the box body 12, a front panel 15 that covers a front opening 12b above the position where the front frame 13 is disposed is detachably provided. As shown in the figure, the front panel 15 is formed in a box shape that opens rearward (toward the ice storage) and has a separately formed heat insulating material 16 inserted therein. At the rear of the front panel 16, engagement holes 15a, 15a are formed near both ends in the width direction, and both engagement holes 15a, 15a are formed.
Is hooked on screw collars 17, 17 disposed on the front end of the side wall 12a of the box body 12 (the front surface of the U-shaped portion 11a of the side plate 11), whereby the front panel 15 is positioned with respect to the box body 12. This front panel 15
A positioning piece 15b is suspended from a lower end edge of the rear portion, and the positioning piece 15b is configured to be fixed to the front frame 13 via a screw 18 while the positioning piece 15b is in contact with the front surface of the front frame 13. . An engaging portion 15c that can be engaged with an engaged portion 19b of the top plate 19 described later is formed on the upper edge of the rear end of the front panel 15.

A top plate 19 for opening the upper opening 12c of the box body 12 is formed in a box shape which opens downward (toward the ice storage), and a heat insulating material 20 formed separately inside the box.
Is to be inserted. The opening size of the top plate 19 is set slightly larger than the outer size of the box body 12, and the top plate 19 is placed on the upper portion of the box body 12, and both side surfaces thereof correspond to the corresponding left and right side plates 11, 11. Each is fixed via a screw 12. At the rear of the top plate 11, an engagement hole 19a is formed which can be engaged with a latch 22 attached to the rear surface of the box body 12, and at the front thereof, an engagement portion 15c of the front panel 15 is formed. Engageable engaged part 1
9b is formed. That is, the engagement hole 1 of the top plate 19
5a is hooked on the latch 22 and the engaged portion 19b is engaged with the engaging portion 15c of the front panel 15,
The top plate 19 is configured to cover the upper part of the box body 12 and to fix both sides by screws.

[0006]

In the heat-insulating box described above, the U-shaped portions 11a, 11a of the left and right side plates 11, 11 formed of a metal material and the front frame 13 face the ice storage 10. Therefore, there is a problem that rust generated on the open ends of the U-shaped portions 11a, 11a and the magnetic attraction surface of the front frame 13 falls into the refrigerator and becomes unsanitary. Further, since the front panel 15 is only in front and rear surface contact with both side walls 12a, 12a of the box main body 12, a gap is easily formed therebetween, and dirty water, oil, dust, insects, etc. are collected from the gap. There was a risk of getting inside. Further, the heat insulating materials 14, 16, and 20 provided on the front frame 13, the front panel 15, and the top plate 19 are exposed to the inside of the refrigerator, so that the exposed surface easily accumulates dust and easily contains water. For this reason, it is pointed out that there is a problem that bacteria easily grow and become unsanitary. If the heat insulating materials 14, 16, 20 are to be cleaned, the waste may fall into the storage, and it is difficult to keep them clean by cleaning.

For maintenance of the ice making unit and the like, it is necessary to remove the front panel 15 from the box body 12, but the engaging portion 15c of the front panel 15 engages with the engaged portion 19b of the top plate 19. Therefore, when the front panel 15 is removed, the top plate 19 also needs to be removed, and there is a drawback that the work time required for maintenance becomes longer. For example, when an automatic ice maker is installed below the counter, the front panel 15 cannot be removed as it is, so it is necessary to pull out the ice maker from below the counter, which is troublesome. Is done. Further, even if the front panel 15 is removed from the box body 12, the front frame 13 is fixed to the box body 12 by caulking, so that there is a drawback that maintenance work is obstructed.

[0008]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION The present invention has been proposed in view of the above-mentioned drawbacks inherent in the prior art, and has been proposed in order to solve the problem in a favorable manner. It is intended to provide a box.

[0009]

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In order to overcome the above-mentioned problems and appropriately achieve the intended purpose, the heat-insulating box according to the present invention has a front panel that can be attached to and detached from the front of a box body that opens forward. A panel body that covers a front opening of the box body, and a front frame that restricts inward movement of left and right side walls of the box body that defines the front opening. Are integrally hollow-molded with a synthetic resin, and a foam insulation material is filled and foamed in the inside to form a front panel.

[0010]

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS FIG. 1 is an exploded perspective view of a heat-insulating box according to the present invention. In addition, in an Example, the heat insulation box of an automatic ice maker is illustrated.

(Overall Structure) As shown in FIGS. 1 to 3, the heat insulating box 23 of the embodiment is provided with a box main body 24 which is opened forward and upward, and is detachably mounted above a front part of the box main body 24. A front panel 25 to be provided;
It is basically composed of a door 26 which is disposed below the front of the box main body so as to be openable and closable, and a top plate 27 which is removably disposed above the box main body 24. The box body 24
An ice making unit 29 suspended from a mounting frame 28 horizontally arranged on the top of the box faces the inside of the box main body, and a drain tray 30 is arranged below the ice making unit 29. A rear cover 31 is provided on the rear surface of the box main body 24 to cover an outside line, a refrigerant pipe, and the like, which will be described later.

(Regarding the Box Body) The box body 24 is provided with left and right side plates 33, 33 outside the left and right side walls separated from each other in the width direction of an ice storage 32 having a heat insulating structure which is opened forward and upward. And both side walls of the ice storage 32 and the side plate 3
A front opening 24b and an upper opening 24c are defined between a pair of side walls 24a, 24a composed of 3, 33.
As shown in FIGS. 4 and 5, an upper protruding portion 32 a protrudes upward from the outer edge of each side wall to a portion excluding a portion extending inward (inside of the refrigerator) by a predetermined length, as shown in FIGS. At the same time, a front protruding portion 32b protruding forward from the upper end to a predetermined height position is formed continuously with the upper protruding portion 32a on the front surface of both side walls. On the rear wall of the ice storage 32, a concave portion 32c that opens upward is formed at a position deviated leftward in FIG. 4, and an external line, a refrigerant pipe, and the like derived from the ice making unit 29 through the concave portion 32c are externally formed. It is configured to be drawn toward. In addition, as shown in FIG.
A box-shaped cover body 34 that opens backward is inserted by an elastic material such as rubber or synthetic resin, and a heat insulating material 35 is inserted into the cover body 34 so as to ensure heat insulation. Has become. The cover body 34 and the heat insulating material 35 are provided with through-holes 36 communicating back and forth.
An external line, a refrigerant pipe, and the like are drawn out through the through holes 36. Further, flanges 34a are integrally formed on the left and right edges and the lower edge facing the inside of the storage of the cover body 34, and the flange 34a is brought into contact with the inner surface of the ice storage 32 to prevent the cover body 34 from falling off and the recess 32c. It is configured to shield a gap generated between the cover member 34 and the cover member 34.

Each of the side plates 33 is formed by bending four sides of a thin plate material inward at right angles, and the upper bent portion 33a is formed with an upper projection 32a of the ice storage 32. It is placed on the upper surface of the side wall that is not located, and its open end is positioned against the upper projection 32a. Side plate 3
3, the front bent portion 33b has a narrow portion corresponding to the front protruding portion 32b of the ice storage 32, is brought into contact with the front surface of the side wall where the front protruding portion 32b is not formed, and is opened. The end is positioned against the front projection 32b. In addition,
As shown in FIG. 13, the portion of the front bent portion 33 b that comes into contact with the front surface below the front protrusion 32 b of the ice storage 32 is set to have a width slightly shorter than the side wall of the ice storage 32 and is goby-folded. Thus, it is configured such that the open end does not face the ice storage. That is, the side plate 33 of the embodiment is configured such that its open end does not face the ice storage 32, and rust generated at the open end does not fall into the refrigerator. The side plate 33 is formed by goby-folding the front bent portion 33b.
Is improved.

(Regarding Front Panel) The Box Body 24
The front panel 25 covering a part of the front opening portion 24b is formed of a synthetic resin hollow so as to define a filling space for filling the foamed heat insulating material 37, and the foamed heat insulating material 37 is exposed to the outside. It is constructed so as to ensure sufficient heat insulation and to keep it hygienic at all times. As shown in FIGS. 6 to 9, the upper surface of the panel main body 38 of the front panel 25 formed in a substantially rectangular shape has a step projecting upward from the front end and both ends in the width direction to a portion inside by a predetermined length. The step 39 is projected and the step 39
An engaging portion 40 is formed substantially at the center in the width direction to engage with an engaged portion 52 (described later) formed at the front portion of the top plate 27 (see FIG. 12). In addition, by covering the step portion 39 with a reinforcing rib 50 (described later) of the top plate 27, dirty water, oil, dust, and the like can be removed from the gap between the front panel 25 and the top plate 27.
Insects and the like are prevented from entering the storage.

At the lower part of the front surface of the panel body 38, as shown in FIG. 7, there is formed an inclined portion 38a which is inclined rearward (inside the refrigerator) from the upper side to the lower side, and the lower end of the inclined portion 38a. A mounting portion 38c is formed at the rear end of the horizontal portion 38b extending substantially horizontally rearward from the rear portion.
The mounting portion 38c has a pair of through holes 4 spaced apart in the width direction.
1, 41 are drilled, and screws 42 (see FIG. 13) inserted into the through holes 41 from the front are formed on the corresponding side walls 24a (the front bent portion 33b of the side plate 33) of the box body 24. The front panel 25 is configured to be detachably attached to the box main body 24 by being screwed into the screw hole 43.
When the front panel 25 is attached to the box main body 24, as shown in FIG.
, And a front rib 55 (described later) which functions as a handle formed on the upper portion of the door 26 and allows fingers to be easily hooked from the front side. In addition, the inclined portion 38a minimizes a gap generated between the front panel 25 and the door 26,
It contributes to improving the appearance design.

A continuous corner portion between the inclined portion 38a and the horizontal portion 38b functions as a draining portion 38d, and water droplets adhering to the front surface of the panel body portion 38 are removed by the draining portion 38d.
Through d, it is configured to drop into a groove 57 (described later) of the door 26. Further, the mounting portion 38c is set so as to be hidden by the door 26 and not to be seen from the front side when the door 26 is closed, so that the appearance of the screwing portion is prevented from being deteriorated in appearance. . The mounting portion 38c
At the lower side, a contact portion 38e is vertically provided so as to be stepped backward from the front surface thereof, and a door packing 54 (described later) disposed on the door 26 contacts the front surface of the contact portion 38e. Is done. The connecting corner between the mounting portion 38c and the contact portion 38e is configured to function as a drainage portion 38f, and water droplets flowing through the mounting portion 38c are dropped on the door packing 54 and do not flow into the refrigerator. Like that. Contact part 3
8e, when the front panel 25 is attached to the box main body 24, the front panel 25 faces between the side walls 24a,
a, 24a is prevented from being deformed (moved) inward, and also functions to position the front panel 25 with respect to the box body 24.

As shown in FIG.
As shown in FIG. 7, a taper is provided which is inclined inward from the rear end toward the front end, and the width of the front end face of the main body 38 is set to be shorter than the width of the box main body 24 of the heat insulating box 23. You. That is, for example, even when the left and right sides of the heat insulating box 23 (automatic ice making machine) are installed in close contact with the wall surface or other kitchen equipment, the both sides of the front panel 25 and the wall surface or other kitchen equipment are installed. A gap is defined between the box body and the like so that the box body 24 can be easily removed. The width of the rear end face of the panel body 38 is set to be the same as the width between the outer ends of the side walls 24a, 24a, and the front opening 24 defined by the side walls 24a, 24a.
b. At a predetermined position on the front surface of the panel main body 38, a paragraph portion 45 for attaching a company name plate 44 is provided, and the company name plate 44 attached to the paragraph portion 45 projects forward, thereby deteriorating the external design. It is configured to prevent this.

On the rear side of the panel body 38, storage recesses 46, 46 for storing the front projections 32b formed on the ice storage 32 are formed near both ends in the width direction thereof. The fitting structure between the storage recess 46 and the front projection 32b is configured to prevent infiltration of dirty water, oil, dust, insects, and the like into the storage at the site.

At the lower part of the rear surface of the panel body 38, a front frame 47 having a width substantially equal to the distance between the left and right side walls 24a, 24a of the box body 24 (the width of the front opening 24b). Are integrally formed, and the front panel 25 is provided with the front frame portion 47 and the left and right side walls 24a,
It is attached to the main body 24 in a state where it faces between 24a. That is, the front frame portion 47 functions to prevent the side walls 24a, 24a of the box body 24 from being deformed (moved) inward and to position the front panel 25 with respect to the box body 24. The front end of the drainage dish 30 is screwed and fixed to the lower surface of the front frame 47 (see FIG. 3). As shown in FIG. 7, on the upper surface of the front frame portion 47, an inclined surface 47a which is inclined downward from the front end to the rear end is formed, and water drops flowing on the rear surface of the panel main body 38 are passed through the inclined surface 47a. The water droplets are guided to the drainage tray 30 to prevent the water droplets from adhering to ice blocks or the like stored in the refrigerator.

The surface of the front panel 25 is subjected to a graining process, and each corner has an R shape.
It has a structure that improves the external design and is easy to clean. Further, each part integrally formed with the panel main body 38 functions as a reinforcing rib, so that warpage and resin shrinkage during blow molding of the front panel 25 are minimized, and necessary strength is secured. Be composed.
Further, regarding the arrangement of the injection holes and the parting lines of the foamed heat insulating material 37 with respect to the panel body 38, the front frame 47, etc., the forming appearance, foamability, workability are taken into consideration, and the appearance is inferior. Is set so that there is no

(Regarding the Top Plate) The top plate 27 covering the upper opening 24c of the box main body 24 is formed of a synthetic resin hollow so as to define a filling space for filling the foamed heat insulating material 48 therein. The structure is such that the foamed heat insulating material 48 is not exposed to the outside, so that a sufficient heat insulating property can be ensured and a sanitary condition can always be maintained. As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, reinforcing ribs 50 are integrally formed on the entire outer peripheral edge on the lower surface side of the top plate main body portion 49 formed in a substantially rectangular shape, to secure the necessary strength of the top plate 27. This prevents warpage and resin shrinkage during blow molding. In addition, the taper which inclines inward from the lower end to the upper end is given to both side surfaces of the top plate main body 49, and the width of the upper end surface of the main body 49 is set to the width of the box main body 24 of the heat insulating box 23. It is set to be shorter than the dimensions (see FIG. 2). That is, similarly to the front panel 25, even when the left and right sides of the heat insulating box 23 are installed in close contact with the wall surface or other kitchen equipment, the both sides of the top plate 27 and the wall surface or other A gap is formed between the box body 24 and kitchen equipment or the like so that the box body 24 can be easily removed. In addition, the surface of the top plate main body 49 is subjected to graining, and each corner is rounded, so that the external design is improved and the structure is easy to clean.

At a predetermined position of the rear reinforcing rib 50,
A mounting member 51 is integrally formed, and the mounting member 51 has an engagement hole 51a. As shown in FIG. 14, a hook piece 31a is formed at a position corresponding to the mounting member 51 on the upper portion of the rear cover 31 provided on the box body 24, and the top piece 27 is attached to the hook piece 31a. By engaging the engaging holes 51a, the rear side of the top plate 27 is positioned.

As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, a storage space 49a which is recessed upward is formed substantially at the center of the lower surface of the top plate body 49, and when the top plate 27 is arranged in the box body 24, The storage space 49a is configured to store a part of the ice making unit 29, an outside line, and the like. The lower surface where the storage space 49a is not formed is attached to the mounting frame 2
8, the air flow between the inside of the refrigerator and the inside of the mounting frame is shut off. A front space 49b for accommodating the engaging portion 40 of the front panel 25 is formed on the lower surface of the front portion of the top plate body portion 49 so as to be recessed upward. The engaged portion 52 is formed so as to removably engage with the engaging portion 52. That is, the top plate 2
7 designates a rear portion of the top plate main body portion 49 with the rear cover 31.
, And the front part thereof is engaged with the front panel 25, thereby being attached to the box main body 24. The engaging portion 40 of the front panel 25 can be disengaged from the engaged portion 52 of the top plate 27 while the top plate 27 is disposed on the box body 24 and covers the upper opening 24c. Is configured to
(See FIG. 12).

With the top plate 27 attached to the box body 24, as shown in FIG. 13, the front portion of the reinforcing rib 50 covers the step portion 39 of the front panel 25, and both sides of the reinforcing rib 50. The portion covers the upper protrusion 32a of the ice storage 32, so that dirty water, oil, dust, insects, and the like enter the inside of the refrigerator from gaps between the top plate 27, the front panel 25, and the box body 24. Is configured to prevent The arrangement of the injection hole and the parting line of the foam heat insulating material 48 with respect to the top plate main body 49 is set in consideration of forming, foaming properties and workability, and is set so that the appearance is not deteriorated. is there.

(Door) A door 2 which is rotatably disposed on the box main body 24 and is capable of closing a front opening 24b defined below a position where the front panel 25 is disposed.
Numeral 6 is a synthetic resin molded hollow so as to define a filling space for filling the foamed heat insulating material 52 therein. On the rear surface of the door 26, a door packing 54 surrounding the front opening 24b of the box main body 24 is provided, and an upper portion of the packing 54 is configured to abut on the abutting portion 38e of the front panel 25 from the front. (See FIG. 12). In addition, both side walls 24a, 24a of the box main body 24 in the door packing 54.
Rubber magnets (not shown) are embedded on both sides of the front surface (the front surface of the front bent portion 33b of the side plate 33) to hold the door 26 at the closed position of the box body 24 by the magnets. ing.

On the upper part of the door 26, a front rib 55 and a rear rib 56 are formed which are separated from each other and extend over the entire length in the width direction, and a groove 57 is formed between the ribs 55 and 56. You. The front rib 55 functions as a handle for opening and closing the door 26. The front rib 55
Is set to an appropriate height for the operator to put his / her fingers, and as shown in FIG. 12, when the door 26 is in the closed position, it faces below the inclined portion 38a of the front panel 25, and Operation can be easily performed. The rear rib 56 faces the lower side of the horizontal portion 38b of the front panel 25, and is configured to receive the water dripped from the water draining portion 38d into the groove portion 57. Further, the groove portion 57 is opened on both left and right sides, and water collected in the groove portion 57,
Oil, dust and the like can be dropped from both sides, so that cleaning can be performed easily.

[0027]

Next, the operation of the heat insulating box according to the embodiment will be described. The box body 24 of the heat insulating box 23 is provided with a pair of side plates 3 on both sides in the width direction of the ice storage 32 from left and right outer sides.
It is configured by screwing and fixing 3,33. In this case, the upper bent portion 33a and the front bent portion 33 of each side plate 33 are provided.
The open end in the upper part of b is the upper protrusion 32a of the ice storage 32.
And it abuts against the front projection 32b so that it does not face the inside of the refrigerator. Also, at a portion of the front bent portion 33b which faces downward from the front protruding portion 32b, the front bent portion 33
b is folded so that the open end does not face the inside of the storage. Therefore, even if rust occurs at the open end of the side plate 33 made of a metal material, the rust does not fall into the refrigerator,
Always keep hygienic. Also, the projection 32a of the ice storage 32,
32b facilitates positioning of the side plate 33.

The front panel 25 is formed by integrally molding a panel body 38 and a front frame 47 by blow molding with a synthetic resin, and filling and foaming a foam insulating material 37 therein. That is, since the whole is made of a synthetic resin, no rust is generated on the panel surface, no dust adheres to the foamed heat insulating material 37, and no water is absorbed. Can be kept. In addition, since all the corners of the front panel 25 can be formed in an R shape, maintenance such as cleaning is facilitated and the appearance is improved. Furthermore,
Since the panel main body 38 covering the front opening 24b of the box main body 24 and the front frame 47 for preventing the side walls 24a, 24a of the box main body 24 from deforming inward are integrally formed, The number of points can be reduced, and the number of assembling steps can be reduced. By filling and foaming the foam heat insulating material 37, the heat insulating property is improved, and the dew on the panel surface is suitably prevented.

The top plate 27 is formed of a synthetic resin hollow by blow molding, and has a foamed heat insulating material 48 therein.
Is filled and foamed. That is, no rust is generated on the surface of the top plate, no dust adheres to the foamed heat insulating material 48, and no water is absorbed, and the propagation of bacteria can be prevented to maintain hygiene. In addition, since all the corners of the top plate 27 can be formed in an R shape, maintenance such as cleaning is facilitated, and the appearance is improved. Further, by filling and foaming the foam heat insulating material 48, the heat insulating property is improved, and the top plate surface is suitably prevented from being exposed.

When attaching the front panel 25 and the top plate 27 configured as described above to the box body 24, the cover 3 is fixed to the rear surface of the box body 24 by screws.
The top plate 27 is put on the upper part of the box main body 24 in a state where the engagement hole 51a formed in the mounting member 51 of the top plate 27 is hooked on the one hook piece 31a. At this time, the side portion of the reinforcing rib 50 of the top plate 27 covers the upper protrusion 32a of the ice storage 32 as shown in FIG.
Since the lower surface of the reinforcing rib 50 abuts the upper bent portion 33a of the side plate 33 while being in contact with the upper surface of the side plate 2a, a gap is hardly generated in the relevant portion. Water, oil, dust, insects, and the like can be suitably prevented from entering the storage. Further, by positioning the reinforcing rib 50 on the upper projection 32a of the ice storage 32, the positioning of the top plate 27 with respect to the box main body 24 is simplified. Moreover, since the top plate 27 is placed on both side walls 24a, 24a of the box body 24, when a cooking appliance or the like is placed on the top plate 27, the load is applied to the ice making unit 29 or the like. Can be supported by the box body 24 without adding to the box body.

When arranging the ice making unit 29 prior to attaching the top plate 27 to the box body 24, the cover body 34 is arranged in a recess 32c formed in the rear wall of the ice storage 32. However, since the heat insulating material 35 provided on the cover body 34 is not exposed to the inside of the refrigerator, the interior of the refrigerator is prevented from becoming unsanitary.

Next, the engaging portion 4 of the front panel 25
As shown in FIG. 12, the front frame 47 is engaged with the engaged portion 52 of the top plate 27 from below on the front side.
4 between both side walls 24a, 24a. The front panel 25 is positioned and fixed to the box main body 24 by screwing the mounting portion 38c in a state where the mounting portion 38c of the panel main body 38 is in contact with the front surfaces of the side walls 24a, 24a. The front portion of the top plate 27 is also positioned by engaging the engaging portion 40 of the front panel 25 with the engaged portion 52 of the top plate 27, thereby positioning the temporary provisional 27 on the box body 24. Fixed. The vertical position of the front panel 25 is determined by the engagement between the engaging portion 40 and the engaged portion 52, so that the front panel 25 can be easily attached to the box body 24.

As shown in FIG. 13, the front part of the top plate 27 and the upper part of the front panel 25 are formed such that the front part of the reinforcing rib 50 of the top plate 27 covers the step 39 and the lower surface of the top plate. Abuts on the upper surface of the step portion 39 and the reinforcing ribs 5
Since the lower surface of the abutment 0 abuts on the upper surface of the panel main body 38, a gap is unlikely to be formed in the relevant portion, and even if there is a gap, the fitting structure is employed. Intrusion can be suitably prevented. Further, the front projections 32b, 32b formed in the ice storage 32 are stored in storage recesses 46, 46 formed on the rear side of the panel main body 38, so that the front panel 25 and the box main body 24 are in contact with each other. The contact portion also has a fitting structure of the storage concave portion 46 and the front projection 32b, so that entry of dirty water, oil, dust, insects and the like into the storage at that portion is prevented.

When the door 26 is disposed on the box body 24 and the door 26 is held in the closed position, the inclined portion 38 of the front panel 25 is located above the door 26 as described above.
Since a is located, the finger can be easily hooked on the front rib 55 of the door 26 from the front side to open and close the door 26.
In addition, water droplets adhering to the front surface of the front panel 25 and flowing therethrough pass through the upper and lower drainage portions 38d and 38f to the door 26.
Is dropped on the groove 57 and the door packing 54, so that it is possible to prevent the water droplets from entering the interior of the refrigerator and becoming unsanitary.

Next, during maintenance of the ice making unit 29 and the like, the door 26 is opened, and the screw 42 for fixing the mounting portion 38c of the front panel 25 is loosened. By removing the portion 40 from the engaged portion 52 of the top plate 27, the front opening 24b of the box main body 24 can be opened. That is, when removing the front panel 25 from the box main body 24, it is not necessary to remove the top plate 27 from the box main body 24, so that the operation can be performed easily and in a short time. Therefore, even when the automatic ice maker is installed below the counter, maintenance can be performed without pulling the ice maker forward from below the counter. Further, the front frame portion 4 for preventing deformation of the side walls 24a, 24a of the box body 24, and the like.
7 is integrally formed with the panel main body 38 of the front panel 25, so that the front opening 24b is opened almost entirely, so that maintenance can be easily performed.

The top plate 27 has a front panel 25.
And the top cover 27 is easily removed from the box body 24 simply by removing either the front panel 25 or the rear cover 31 from the box body 24 because the upper cover 27 is positioned above the box body 24 by the engagement of the rear cover 31. Can be. Furthermore, since both sides of the top plate 27 and the front panel 25 are tapered, even when the left and right sides of the heat-insulating box 23 are closely attached to a wall surface or other kitchen equipment, etc. The top plate 27 and the front panel 25 can be easily removed from the box main body 24. The attachment of the company name plate 44 to the front panel 25 is described in the paragraph 4 below.
Since the 5 is formed, accurate positioning can be achieved, and the appearance can be improved.

In the above embodiment, the case where the heat insulating box is used for an automatic ice maker has been described. However, the present invention is not limited to this, and the heat insulating box can be adopted as a heat insulating box such as a refrigerator or a freezer. Further, the engagement structure between the front panel and the top plate is not limited to the configuration of the embodiment, and for example, a protrusion (engaged portion) projecting rearward from the top plate may be formed through a through hole formed on the front panel. The hole (engaging portion) may be inserted and engaged, and various modes can be adopted.

[0038]

As described above, in the heat insulating box according to the present invention, the panel body covering the front opening of the box main body and the front frame part for preventing deformation of the side walls of the box main body are made of synthetic resin. As a result, the number of parts is reduced, and the manufacturing cost and the number of assembly steps can be reduced. In addition, since the entire front panel is molded with synthetic resin and filled with foam insulation, it is not rusted and bacteria do not propagate on the insulation. Heat insulation can be secured. Further, by removing the front panel from the box body, the front frame portion is also integrally removed, so that maintenance of various devices disposed inside the box body becomes easy.

Since the top plate covering the upper opening of the box body is formed by molding synthetic resin and filling the inside with a foamed heat insulating material, rust does not occur and bacteria do not propagate on the heat insulating material. It can be kept hygienic at all times and ensure excellent heat insulation. Further, since the front panel has an engaging portion which is detachably engaged with the engaged portion formed on the top plate covering the upper opening, the top plate is removed from the box body when the front panel is removed. It is not necessary to remove from the work, the work man-hour can be reduced and the work time can be shortened.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is an exploded schematic perspective view showing a main part of a heat insulating box according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a front view of an automatic ice maker in which the heat insulating box of the embodiment is adopted.

FIG. 3 is a partially cutaway side view of the automatic ice maker according to the embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of a main body of the heat insulating box according to the embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a plan view of a main body of the heat insulating box according to the embodiment.

FIG. 6 is a front view of a front panel according to the embodiment.

FIG. 7 is a side view of the front panel according to the embodiment.

FIG. 8 is a plan view of a front panel according to the embodiment.

FIG. 9 is a vertical sectional side view of the front panel according to the embodiment.

FIG. 10 is a bottom view of the top plate according to the embodiment.

FIG. 11 is a vertical sectional side view of a top plate according to the embodiment.

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional side view of a main part of the heat insulating box according to the embodiment.

FIG. 13 is a schematic perspective view of the box body, the front panel, and the top plate according to the embodiment, in which notched portions are shown;

FIG. 14 is a schematic perspective view of the box main body, the top plate, and the rear cover according to the embodiment, in which notched portions are shown;

FIG. 15 is an exploded schematic perspective view showing a main part of a heat insulating box according to a conventional technique.

[Explanation of symbols]

24 box body, 24a side wall, 24b front opening, 24
c upper opening 25 front panel, 27 top plate, 37 foam insulation,
38 Panel body 40 Engagement part, 47 Front frame part, 48 Foam insulation, 52 Engaged part

Claims (2)

[Claims] 1. A heat-insulating box body having a front panel (25) detachably provided at a front portion of a box body (24) opened forward, wherein a front opening (24b) of the box body (24) is provided. Panel body to cover
(38) and a front frame (4) for restricting inward movement of the left and right side walls (24a, 24a) of the box body (24) defining the front opening (24b).
7.) A heat-insulating box characterized in that the front panel (25) is formed by integrally forming a hollow with synthetic resin, and filling and foaming a foam heat-insulating material (37) in the inside thereof. 2. A top plate (27) covering the upper opening (24c) of the box body (24) is formed by hollow-molding a synthetic resin and filling and foaming a foam insulation material (48) therein. The engaged portion (5) formed on the top plate (27) covering the upper opening (24c)
The heat insulating box according to claim 1, wherein an engaging portion (40) that engages with and disengages from 2) is formed on the front panel (25).