KR20020041786A - Refrigerator storage tray - Google Patents

Abstract

The storage tray used for the refrigerator includes a body having a plurality of openings,

It is formed in the body and includes a molding that can be slidably coupled to the guide.

Description

Storage tray for refrigerator {REFRIGERATOR STORAGE TRAY}

Refrigerators are generally equipped with large single bulkhead drawers and fixed shelves. Typical refrigerators are used for many small items that are stacked consecutively on shelves. Thus, in order for the article to be recovered from the inner end of the shelf, a series of articles must be unpacked in order to access the required article. This is a very cumbersome task.

US Patent 5.182.923 discloses a refrigerator unit for foods used for storing and serving salads and the like. The unit provides access to various food pots from the top when the cover is raised.

US Pat. No. 5.527.016 discloses a carrousel device for freezing drops of liquid reagent for biological samples.

US Pat. No. 5,527.016 discloses a crogel device in which a distribution portion of frozen food is removed.

US Patent 4.831.841 discloses a cooling system for a vending machine using a rotating drum.

Open pamphlet WO99 / 56071 discloses a columnar drug refrigeration drawer.

These types of devices are generally for special purposes or for ordering for cooling installations and do not provide the problems described above, ie convenient access to food or other items from a typical refrigerator such as a home refrigerator.

The present invention relates to the storage of materials in refrigerators and freezers or refrigerators.

1 is a perspective view of a tray according to an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of a tray according to another embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is a side view of a sliding mechanism suitable for use in the tray of the present invention.

4 is a sectional view of the sliding mechanism of FIG. 3;

5 is a perspective view of a tray according to another embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 illustrates a receptacle that may be engaged with the tray of FIG.

Fig. 7 shows an expansion mechanism for use in a tray inserted back into the refrigerator.

8 is a sectional view of another sliding mechanism;

9 shows a shelf-tray sliding device.

10 shows a tray according to the invention made of mesh;

11 is a view showing another modification of the present invention.

The present invention relates to a storage tray that overcomes the disadvantages described above.

The present invention provides a storage tray for use in the refrigerator; The tray includes a body and a plurality of moldings formed in the body to form a receptacle or to be combined with a container.

The molded part may be an opening formed in the body or may be a channel, a rib, a flange, or the like; Or other suitable shape.

The molded part may be a mouse in which an opening or an inlet or a receptacle thereof is integrally formed with the body. Optionally, multiple containers may each be combined with the molded part.

The openings can be formed to have the same size or to have at least two different sizes.

The body of the reservoir is formed to receive at least one drawer mounted to the body and slidably moved relative to the body.

At least one cover may be provided to cover at least one container or receptacle. According to the requirements, each container or receptacle may be directly or indirectly covered by one or more lids. Since the lid is slidably coupled with the body, each container or receptacle can be effectively isolated and sealed. As described above, the receptacle may be formed integrally with the tray, and the mouse of each receptacle may form a respective opening.

In order to avoid confusion, the term "receptacle" means a partition, a holder, or the like integrally formed with a body; The term " container " means a partition, holder or the like separated from the body.

The receptacles form respective recesses in the upper surface of the tray.

Optionally, a separate container may be combined with or inserted into the shaping portion of the tray. In one embodiment, the molded part is a mouse of each receptacle, and the container should have a shape that can be easily inserted into the receptacle.

Since the container is inclined, the engagement of each receptacle, molded part or opening with the container is promoted.

The present invention provides a combination of a tray and a refrigerator of the type described above, which tray is mounted to the refrigerator to slide with respect to the refrigerator.

In one embodiment of the invention, the refrigerator comprises a shelf, the tray is supported on the shelf can be slidably moved relative to the shelf. The tray may be guided by movement of at least one guide fixed to the shelf.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the tray forms a shelf that can be slidably moved relative to the refrigerator.

The container, which can be associated with the tray (ie shelf), can be slidably moved relative to the tray. The body of the tray includes sliding ribs or other moldings, and each container includes an auxiliary molding that can be engaged with the container.

In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the combination includes at least one sliding mechanism provided with the first sliding member and the second sliding member which are relatively movable; Since the first sliding member is fixed to the refrigerator and the second sliding member is fixed to the tray, the tray can be slidably moved relative to the refrigerator.

The tray may be made of a suitable material, for example, may be molded of a material such as plastic, or may be made in sheet form except for openings. The tray may also be made of mesh material such as wire or plastic mesh. In this case, the opening is formed by a hole in the mesh.

The present invention also relates to a storage tray for use in a refrigerator, wherein the tray includes a body having a plurality of container water-forming parts on the body, and includes a molding part for mounting or installing the body in the refrigerator.

In one embodiment of the invention, the container housing molding is a respective opening or recess formed in the body, into which a plurality of containers can be at least partially inserted, respectively.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the container housing molded part is a guide molded part in which a plurality of containers can be slidably moved, respectively.

The mounting molding allows the body to slide in relative to the refrigerator.

1 shows a tray 10 according to one embodiment of the present invention made of a suitable material. The tray may be injection molded of PVC, for example, and thus may take the form of a sheet.

The tray includes a body 12 provided with a base 14 and a peripheral side wall 16.

A number of inner walls 18 traverse the base; In this case, six small partitions or receptacles 20 and one large receptacle 22 are formed. Each receptacle has a respective mouse or opening 23.

The tray of the type shown in Fig. 1 has dimensions to be inserted to achieve effective use of the allowable space in domestic refrigerators not shown. The tray is slidably positioned in a conventional shelf in a refrigerator; It may be pressurized to be fully seated on the shelf, or may be retracted from the shelf to some extent if necessary, or completely removed from the refrigerator. In order to prevent the tray from inadvertently completely retracting from the shelf, an appropriately shaped catch or hook molding may be used.

The tray may be selectively combined with a sliding part or a guide fixed to the refrigerator, so that the tray does not rest on the shelf.

Receptacles 20 and 22 are used to store various articles. The receptacle separates the articles from each other. The main advantage obtained by the use of the tray is that it is no longer necessary to continuously remove the article from the senban in order to access the article at the inner end of the shelf. All that is needed is to retract the tray, select the required item and then reposition the tray on the shelf.

The tray includes a handle on the front side of the side wall to facilitate sliding of the tray and its handling.

The article may be located directly in the receptacle 20, 22, and optionally a custom container 30 as shown in FIG. 1 may be used. Each container 30 is designed to receive food or liquid directly, has a dimension that can be inserted through each mouse or opening 23, and each receptacle acts as a container receiving mold on the tray body. 20) is inserted comfortably. The side wall 32 of the container is slightly inclined to facilitate the container insertion into the receptacle. The container may be used with a removable cover 34.

2 shows a tray 40 according to another embodiment of the present invention. The tray has a base 42 and a side wall 44.

The tray includes an upper plate 46 on one side, and the plate is provided with a plurality of openings 48. Each opening forms a mouse of a rectangular receptacle 50. In this case, the receptacle is formed in at least two sizes.

Each receptacle includes a removable transparent cover 52 so that the contents of the receptacle can be observed. Alternatively, for example, instead of placing food directly in the receptacle, a removable container with food may be placed in each receptacle.

Two openings 56, 58 are formed in the front side 54 of the wall 44. This opening accommodates drawers 60 and 62 that slidably engage the rest of the tray.

The tray may be housed in a conventional shelf in a refrigerator as shown in FIG. Alternatively, the tray may be attached to the refrigerator by the sliding mechanism 64 shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Each sliding mechanism includes three stretching portions 66, 68, 70 and a plurality of rollers 72, 74. The stretchable portion 68 can be slidably moved into the stretchable portion 70 placed on the roller 74, and in this way the stretchable portion 66 moves over the roller 72 to stretch the stretched portion 68. It can be slidably moved into). The stretchable portion 70 may be attached to the inner wall 76 of the refrigerator by the fastener 78 as shown in Figure 4, the outer end portion 80 of the stretchable portion 66 is a plurality of fasteners 82 ) To the wall 44 of the tray.

If a sliding mechanism is used, the tray cannot be supported on the shelf inside the refrigerator, but only by the sliding mechanism. The tray can be retracted from the refrigerator to access the container or receptacle as needed, and can be slidably returned to its original position.

By using the tray of the present invention, the articles in the refrigerator can be easily accessed. The trays can be manufactured in various sizes and shapes, so they can be used in any refrigerator and ensure effective space use.

5 shows a tray 90 formed of a plastic material and formed of a plurality of rectangular shaped portions or openings 92. 6 shows one container 94 of a number of containers not shown, which can each be inserted into the opening of the tray shown in FIG.

Each container includes an upper rim 96 seated on the outer circumference of the opening into which the container is inserted, thereby allowing the mouse 98 of the container to be held fine over the top surface of the tray.

The transparent cover 91 may be coupled with the receptacle.

The side of the tray is formed with a roller or slide 100 that can be combined with a guide (not shown) installed inside the refrigerator. Alternatively, the tray may have a sliding mechanism of the kind shown in Figs. 3 and 4 fixed to the opposite side of the tray. By access in both directions, the tray can be moved into the refrigerator and also retracted when trying to access the required container. In use, the handle 102 located on the front side of the tray facilitates the movement of the tray. The stopper 104, which can optionally be used in accordance with the use of the sliding device, prevents the tray from retracting from its installation position in a completely reversed state.

The tray of the present invention may be inserted in a state of being in close contact with the refrigerator at the time of initial installation to maximize space utilization. However, the need for aftermarket or retro-fit may be required, for which the trays can be manufactured in a variety of sizes, but these may not easily insert the tray into the refrigerator. It does not guarantee that it can. 7 presents one solution to this problem.

In FIG. 7, a side flange 122 is formed in a tray 120 of the general type described with reference to FIG. Guide rail 124 is mounted to a helical spigot 126 fixed to the inner side of refrigerator sidewall 128 by, for example, an adhesive or a suitable fastener. The guide rail 124 is locked to the spigot by each lock nut 130. Since the guide rail may be moved toward or from the side rails 128, adjustment may be made in consideration of an allowable space for installing the tray 120 in the refrigerator.

8 shows a tray 140 having a side flange 142 inserted into a slotted guide rail 144 fixed to the side wall 146 of the refrigerator. If the side flange 142 has an excessive size, the side flange can be trimmed or cut to a size that can effectively install the tray in the refrigerator.

9 shows a shelf-tray sliding device, whereby a tray 160 having a downwardly extending side 162 is mounted to a mesh or wire shelf 164 installed as an initial standard facility in a refrigerator. Each side terminates in a longitudinally extending lower bead 168, which is slidably coupled to the channel 170 of the slide 172. The lower channel 174 in the slide is clipped to the wire 176 of the shelf 164. Thus, tray 160 is located at the top of the shelf; Unlike being suspended on a guide rail fixed to the wall of the refrigerator, it is "upright" on its side, independent of the internal width of the refrigerator. In addition, tray 160 or shelf 164 may include a catch form (not shown) of a suitable type that prevents the tray from being pulled unintentionally from the shelf.

In the above embodiment, the tray was molded from a plastic material and took the form of a sheet material. It may optionally be made of other material, such as a wire mesh, if not limited to a tray. FIG. 10 shows a tray 180 made of a wire mesh 182 having a plurality of small holes, which, like FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, have a large opening 184 for receiving each container 186. ) Is formed. The wire tray is similar to the tray 160 of FIG. 9 in that it includes a downwardly extending side portion 188 that is slidably engaged with a guide 190 secured to an upper surface of a shelf (not shown).

FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of the present invention in which the tray 200 comprises a body 202 made of, for example, a wire mesh, wherein the tray comprises a plurality of parallel guide rails having a transverse support 206 upright. 204 is provided.

The tray may be fixed in place in the refrigerator or may be mounted so as to slide relative to the refrigerator using the techniques described above. Multiple custom containers (only one shown) can be combined with the tray body. Each container is molded from a plastic material and has a plurality of grooves 210, each of which is engageable with the guide 204 on its underside. The groove can be engaged with the guide in a clip action, thereby allowing the above sliding action and preventing the container from being accidentally separated from the guide. Alternatively, other types of support mechanisms may be used for this purpose. The container includes an inner partition 212.

The apparatus shown in Figure 11 is used in the same way as the tray and container (or receptacle), and exhibits the same advantages as those provided.

Claims (22)

In the storage tray used for the refrigerator, Body, And a plurality of molding parts formed on the body to form a receptacle or to be combined with a container. The storage tray of claim 1, wherein the molding part includes an opening in the body. The storage tray of claim 2, wherein the opening is formed in at least two different sizes. The storage tray according to claim 2 or 3, wherein the opening forms an opening or a mouse in a receptacle formed integrally with the body. 5. The storage tray of claim 4, comprising at least one cover to cover at least one receptacle. 4. A storage tray for a refrigerator according to claim 2 or 3, which is combined with a plurality of containers which can be removably combined with each opening. 7. The storage tray of claim 6, wherein the container has a shape capable of facilitating engagement with each opening. 8. The storage tray of claim 6 or 7, wherein the container is inserted into the opening such that the mouse of the container is positioned slightly above the top surface of the tray. The storage tray according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising at least one drawer mounted on the body and slidably moved relative to the body. A storage tray for a refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, which is molded from a plastic material. A storage tray for a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 9, which is made of a mesh material. In a combination of a tray and a refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 11, The tray is a combination of the tray and the refrigerator, characterized in that mounted on the refrigerator so as to be sliding relative to the refrigerator. 13. The combination of claim 12, wherein the refrigerator comprises a shelf and the tray is supported on the shelf and can be slidably moved relative to the shelf. 14. The combination of tray and refrigerator of claim 13, comprising a guide fixed to the shelf such that the tray can be slidably coupled. 13. The combination of tray and refrigerator according to claim 12, comprising a guide fixed to the wall of the refrigerator so that the tray can be slidably coupled. 13. The apparatus of claim 12, comprising at least one sliding mechanism having a relatively slidable first member and a second member; Wherein the first member is fixed to the refrigerator and the second member is fixed to the tray so that the tray can be slidably moved relative to the refrigerator. In the storage tray used for the refrigerator, A body having a plurality of openings, A storage tray for a refrigerator, characterized in that it comprises a molded part on the body that can be slidably coupled with the guide. 18. The storage tray of claim 17, wherein the storage tray is combined with a plurality of containers that can be removably coupled with the opening. In the storage tray used for the refrigerator, A body having a plurality of container molding parts, Storage tray for a refrigerator characterized in that it comprises a mounting for mounting the body to the refrigerator. 20. The storage tray of claim 19, wherein the container receiving molded part is an opening or recess formed in a body in which a plurality of containers can be at least partially inserted. 20. The storage tray of claim 19, wherein the container housing molding part is a guide molding part in which a plurality of containers can be slidably coupled thereto. 22. The storage tray according to any one of claims 19 to 21, wherein the mounting molding portion allows the sliding of the body of the refrigerator to the refrigerator.