MX2011013076A - Window assembly in drawer. - Google Patents

Abstract

A drawer assembly for a household refrigerator, which comprises: a Container with a lower wall, a rear wall and two lateral walls; a window panel with a front wall and upper, lower and lateral walls attached thereto; the window panel is coupled in a separate manner by means of fastening elements cooperating with the container body. The cooperating fastening elements comprise a cylindrical pin in each of the lateral walls of the container body; a cavity is arranged in the upper portion of each lateral wall of the window panel, each cavity receiving and fastening, in a rotating manner, each corresponding cylindrical pin formed in the container body; a plurality of ramp-shaped protrusions are arranged lengthwise a zone adjacent the front edge of the lower horizontal wall of the container body; and a plurality of orifices are performed lengthwise the lower wall of the window panel, which are coincident and receive the plurality of ramp-shaped protrusions.

Description

WINDOW ASSEMBLY IN DRAWER.

Field of Invention The present invention relates to a drawer assembly for containing and storing products within a domestic refrigerator. More specifically it refers to a drawer assembly formed by a container body open in its front and upper part, and by a window panel removably coupled to the front part of said container body.

Description of the Prior Art.

Usually domestic refrigerators have a series of shelves, as well as drawers to accommodate in them the products you want to store and keep. Said storage drawers are designed to be slidably housed inside the refrigerator cabinet, being manufactured in different sizes and shapes, mainly from some injected and molded plastic material. Recently, these drawers have been left to be manufactured integrally molded from one piece due to the complexity of the tooling used in the manufacturing process, together with other design and resistance disadvantages; giving rise to drawer assemblies formed by at least two pieces coupled together.

For example, in U.S. Patent No. 5,921,648 to Rong, a drawer assembly for a storage shelf is disclosed which comprises a plastic container and a front panel that are coupled together by means of different fasteners. Mainly the container has in its lower part a plurality of projections that are inserted in corresponding holes made in the lower part of the front panel; in addition to a pair of grooves made in the upper part of the side walls of the container that are coupled with a pair of corresponding hooks arranged in the upper part of the front panel. Additionally, in the central part of the front panel a series of hooks are formed which are inserted in matching holes made on a raised edge in the front part of the container. Therefore, due to the large number of fixing elements between both parties and their arrangement, it results in a very complicated coupling process, since all of them have to be matched almost at the same time and with a margin of maneuver very reduced, besides that it is necessary to exert a very big force to achieve the coupling between them when not having the sufficient flexibility, being able to be in the breakage of some element.

Now, in Baker US Pat. No. 5,437,503, a storage drawer assembly for use in a refrigerator compartment is disclosed and includes a body formed by a bottom wall, side walls and a rear wall; and a front drawer module formed by a rectilinear frame and a panel. The body and the front module are coupled together by means of fastening elements to form the drawer. Particularly, the body of the drawer has at the front part of the lower wall a series of U-shaped projections with ramp arms, which are received in a series | of matching rectangular openings formed in the lower part of the front module. In a complementary manner, said front module has in each of its upper corners a horizontal opening designed to receive a pair of respective upwardly directed projections formed in the upper front part of the side walls of the body. The assembly of both pieces is guided by a central elongated projection made in the lower wall of the drawer and received by a central V-shaped opening made in the center of the lower part of the front module :, to ensure an appropriate coupling of the others fastening elements. Therefore, according to the above, the assembly between both parts is not entirely easy either, since due to the design and arrangement of the fastening elements this coupling is not allowed to be carried out with a simple movement, with a good margin of coupling and especially with adequate flexibility between these elements to avoid exerting excessive force and prevent breakage.

Consequently, there is a need to have a drawer assembly that solves the aforementioned problems of the state of the art. Particularly, a drawer assembly of the type that is formed primarily by a container and a front cover whose assembly is made in a simple, smooth and reliable manner is desirable.

Brief description of the invention.

The present invention has been carried out in order to provide an effective solution to the aforementioned problems of the state of the art. The main object of the present invention is to provide a drawer assembly of the type that is mainly formed by a container body and a front cover whose assembly is carried out in a simple, smooth and reliable manner. Specifically, the present invention relates to a drawer assembly for containing and storing products within a domestic refrigerator, wherein! Said drawer assembly is mainly formed by a container body open in its front and upper part, and by a window panel removably coupled, by means of fastening elements, to the front part of said container body. 0 The container body is formed by a substantially horizontal bottom wall, a substantially vertical rear wall and two side walls, leaving the front and top part of said container body open. In an area near the upper front corner of each of said side walls, a cylindrical pin is molded integrally thereto, which extends outwardly substantially perpendicularly from the outer face of each of said side walls. Also, along a region adjacent the front edge of the outer face of said horizontal bottom wall, a plurality of ramp-shaped projections or flanges are integrally molded.

On the other hand, the window panel comprises a main front wall, and upper, lower and side wall portions, joined thereto. At the top of each of the side wall portions, near the edge where they meet with the upper wall portion, a bay type cavity specially designed to receive each of the cylindrical bolts is formed in each of them. formed in the container body; so that with the realization of said bay a hook-shaped geometry with an angular entrance and a semicircular background coinciding with the geometry of said bolts is achieved. Also, along the lower wall portion of the window panel a plurality of rectangular shaped holes are made specially designed to coincide with, and receive, the plurality of ramp-shaped projections or tabs molded into the container body; so that when said projections are received in said holes, a fastening or locking is achieved between the window panel and the container body.

In this way, the coupling between said window panel and said container body is made by first coinciding and engaging the bay-type cavities formed in the window panel with the cylindrical bolts formed in the container body, thus keeping the upper parts of both pieces but at the same time allowing a rotational movement between their lower parts in order to maintain a considerable angular separation between them. Subsequently, the lower part of the window panel moves angularly towards the lower part of the container body until it is possible to insert the projections formed therein into the holes made in said panel.

Therefore, it is important to point out that by means of this type of assembly a fast, simple, reliable and above all gentle coupling is achieved between both pieces that make up the drawer. At the same time, as the drawer assembly is made up of pieces manufactured separately and coupled together, it permits the use of the same container body with different models or designs of interchangeable window panels or vice versa; . achieving with this a considerable reduction of production costs because when a change in the model of the drawer is desired it is not necessary to completely change the molds, being able to use the same container body and change only the window panel, for example.

Additionally, a series of mushroom-shaped cuts are made in the lower wall portion of the window panel, just in the areas adjacent to the sides of said holes in rectangular shape. Said mushroom-shaped cuts are specially designed to allow a greater deformation and flexibility of said zones adjacent to the holes, thus allowing an easier coupling between the window panel and the drawer body, thus avoiding the need to apply a excessive force that could result in the breaking of any of the elements of the assembly.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will be apparent when reference is made to the description taken in conjunction with the following figures.

Brief Description of the Figures.

The particular features and advantages of the invention, as well as other objects of the invention, will be apparent from the following description, taken in conjunction with the accompanying figures, in which: Figure 1 is a conventional perspective view of the drawer assembly of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of the drawer assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 3 is a side view of the drawer assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a top view of the drawer assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a bottom view of the drawer assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the drawer assembly of Figure 1.

Figure 7 is a rear perspective view of the drawer assembly of Figure 1, which also shows in Figure 7A a particular approach to the coupling area between one of the bays formed in the window panel and one of the cylindrical bolts molded in the container body.

Figure 8 is a bottom perspective view of the drawer assembly of Figure 1, which also shows in Figure 8A a particular approach to the coupling area between one of the rectangular holes formed in the window panel and one of the projections shaped ramp molded into the container body.

Figure 9 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4 along line A-A.

Figure 10 is a cross-sectional view of Figure 4 along line B-B.

Figure 11 is a cross-sectional view: of Figure 4 along line C-C.

Figure 12 is a conventional perspective view of the window panel.

Figure 13 is a rear perspective view of the window panel of Figure 12.

Fig. 14 is a front view of the window panel of Fig. 12.

Figure 15 is a side view of the window panel of Figure 12.

Figure 16 is a top view of the Window panel of Figure 12.

Figure 17 is a bottom view of the window panel of Figure 12.

Figure 18A to 18D show different stages of the coupling process between the window panel and the container body.

Detailed Description of the Invention.

As has been described above, the present invention relates to a drawer assembly for containing and storing products within a domestic refrigerator. More specifically, it is a drawer assembly of the type that consists mainly of a container body and a front window panel whose assembly is carried out in a simple, smooth and reliable manner.

Now, referring to the appended figures, and particularly to figures 1 to 6, it can be seen that the drawer assembly (1) of the present invention is mainly formed by a container body (2) open on its front part and upper, and by a window panel (3) detachably coupled, by means of fasteners, to the front of said container body (2).

The container body (2) is formed by a substantially horizontal bottom wall (4), a substantially vertical rear wall (5) and two side walls (6), leaving the front and top part of said container body (2) open. On the outside face of each of the side walls (6) are integrally formed slider means (7) specially designed to be slidably received within corresponding slots (not shown) disposed inside the cabinet of a refrigerator.

Said container body (2) comprises particular fastening elements that cooperate and are complemented with corresponding fastening elements formed in the window panel (3), which when coupled together permit the assembly of both pieces that make up the drawer (1). ). Based on the above and as can be seen in detail in Figure 7, as a part of said fastening elements of the container body (2), a pin is integrally molded to each of the side walls (6) thereof, cylindrical (8). Specifically, said cylindrical pin (8) is formed in an area near the upper front corner of each of said side walls (6) and extends outwardly perpendicular from the outer face of each of said side walls (6). ). Likewise, also as part of said fastening elements of the container body (2) and as can be seen in detail in figure 8, a plurality of ramp-shaped projections or tabs (9) are integrally molded along a length of zone adjacent to the front edge of the outer face of said horizontal bottom wall (4). Said protrusions (9) are made especially in the form of a ramp in order to facilitate the coupling of these with their cooperating elements (described below) and at the same time provide a firm lock.

On the other hand, as seen in figures 12 to 17, the window panel (3) comprises a main front wall (10), and upper (11), lower (12) and lateral (13) wall portions, joined to it A pull means (14) is molded in the upper central part of said window panel (3), and is designed to allow sliding movement of the drawer (1) by the user. Said pull means (14) can have. a decorative pull insert (15) specially designed to be adhered thereto by any means of fastening. Also, said window panel (3) has at least one hole for humidity control (16) made therein, which can be maintained in the open or closed position by means of a sliding cover (17) coupled to the panel of window (3). Said sliding cover (17) has at least one hole (18), which, in the open position thereof, coincides with the orifice (16) of the window panel (3), allowing the flow of air towards the window (3). interior of the drawer (1); and in its closed position, the lid (17) slides off. shape that achieves the phase shift of both holes (16,18) getting shut to avoid the flow of air into the interior of the drawer (1) ..

Now, as part of the fastening elements of the window panel (3), in the upper part of each of the side wall portions (13), near the edge where they join with the upper wall portion (11) , a bay type cavity (19) specially designed to receive in each one of them the cylindrical bolts (8) formed in the container body (2); so that with the realization of said bay (19) a hook-shaped geometry with an angular entry and a semicircular bottom coinciding with the geometry of said bolts (8) is obtained. Also, along the lower wall portion (12) of the window panel (3) a plurality of rectangular shaped holes (20) are made specially designed to coincide with and receive the plurality of protrusions or flanges in ramp shape (9) molded into the container body (2); so that when said projections (9) are received in said holes (20), a firm grip or lock is achieved between the window panel (3) and the container body (2).

In this way, as illustrated sequentially in Figures 18A to 18D, the coupling between said window panel (3) and said "container body (2) is made by first matching and engaging the bay type cavities. (19) formed in the window panel (3) with the cylindrical bolts (8) formed in the container body (2), thus maintaining the upper parts of both parts but at the same time allowing a rotational movement between their lower parts in order to maintain a considerable angular separation between them. Subsequently, the lower part of the window panel (3) moves angularly towards the lower part of the container body (2) until it is possible to insert the projections (9) formed therein, within the holes (20) made in said panel (3).

Therefore, it is important to point out that by means of this type of assembly a quick, simple, reliable and above all gentle coupling is achieved between both pieces (2,3) that make up the drawer (1). At the same time, the fact that the drawer assembly (1) of the invention is shaped J by means of separately manufactured parts which are subsequently coupled together, allows the use of the same container body (2) with different models or designs of interchangeable window panels or vice versa; achieving with this a considerable reduction of production costs because when a change in the model of the drawer is desired it is not necessary to completely change both molds, being able to use the same container body (2) and change only the window panel (3). ) for example.

Additionally, as illustrated in detail in Figure 8, a series of mushroom-shaped cuts (21) are made in the lower wall portion (12) of the window panel (3), just in the adjacent areas to the sides of said holes in rectangular shape (20). Said mushroom-shaped cuts (21) are specially designed to allow a greater deformation and therefore flexibility of said zones adjacent to the holes (20), in order to allow an easier coupling between the window panel (3) and the drawer body (2), thus avoiding the need to apply excessive force that could result in the breaking of any of the elements of the assembly.

Also additionally and as part of the fastening elements, a support tooth (22) is formed perpendicularly downwards from each end of the upper wall portion (11) of the window panel (3), so that when the total coupling of said window panel (3) is made in the container body (2), each of said support teeth (22) is received in a notch (23) made in the front part of the upper edge of each of the side walls (6) of said container body (2). In this way, each of said teeth (22) rests » against the corresponding side wall (6) of the container body (2) and it is locked against the groove (23) formed therein, thereby providing additional support from the back of the window panel (3) to achieve a firmer and more reliable coupling between both pieces that make up the drawer assembly (1).

It should be noted that in a preferred embodiment of the invention, both the container body (2) and the window panel (3) are made of some injection molded polymer; and more preferably said polymer is polystyrene crystal (PSC). Also in a preferred embodiment of the invention, the drawer assembly includes decorative inserts (24) disposed between the container body (2) and the window panel (3), especially designed to provide an improved ornamental appearance to said assembly. Said decorative inserts (24) can have suitable geometries and dimensions according to the design of the drawer, and can be coupled by any suitable fastening means, such as adhesives, snaps or pressure fasteners, rivets, screws, etc.

Alterations of the structure described herein may be foreseen by those with art in the matter. However, it should be understood that the present disclosure relates to the preferred embodiments of the invention, which is for illustrative purposes only, and should not be construed as a limitation of the invention. All modifications that do not depart from the spirit of the invention should be considered within the scope of the appended claims.

Claims (15)

1. Claims
2. A drawer assembly for containing and storing products within a domestic refrigerator, said drawer assembly comprising: a container body formed by a horizontal bottom wall, a vertical rear wall and two side walls, the front and top part of said container body being open; a window panel formed by a main front wall and upper, lower and side wall portions, joined thereto; said window panel is releasably coupled, by means of cooperating fasteners, to the front part of said container body; wherein said cooperating fastening elements comprise: a cylindrical bolt integrally molded in the upper front corner of said one of said side walls of the container body, each of said cylindrical bolts extending outwardly perpendicularly from the outer face of each of said side walls; a bay type cavity formed in the upper part of each of the side wall portions of the window panel, each of said cavities being designed in the form of a hook with an angular entrance and a semicircular bottom so that its geometry is specially conceived to receive and rotatably fasten each of the corresponding cylindrical bolts formed in the container body; a plurality of ramp-shaped projections integrally molded along one. area adjacent the front edge of the exterior face of the horizontal bottom wall of the container body; Y a plurality of holes of rectangular shape made along the lower wall portion of the window panel, which are specially designed to coincide with and receive the plurality of ramp shaped projections molded into the container body; wherein, a plurality of mushroom-shaped cuts are made in the lower wall portion of the window panel just in the areas adjacent to the sides of said holes in rectangular shape, to allow greater deformation and therefore greater flexibility of said zones adjacent to the holes.
3. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said co-operating fastener elements further comprise a support tooth formed perpendicularly down from each end of the upper wall portion of the window panel, so that when the total coupling of said window panel is made in the container body, each of said support teeth is received in a notch made in the front part of the upper edge of each of the side walls of said container body.
4. The drawer assembly according to claim 2, wherein: both said container body and said window panel are made of an injection molded polymer.
5. The drawer assembly according to claim 3, wherein: said polymer is preferably treated with crystal polystyrene (PSC).
6. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein: on the outside face of each of the side walls of said container body are integrally formed slider means specially designed to be slidably received within corresponding grooves made inside a domestic refrigerator cabinet. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein: a jacking means is molded in the upper central part of said window panel to allow the sliding movement of the drawer assembly by a user and said jaladera means It has a decorative pull insert specially designed to be adhered to it by any means of fastening.
7. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said window panel has at least one hole for moisture control performed therein and said hole for moisture control is maintained in open position or closed by means of a sliding lid coupled to the window panel, so that said sliding cover has at least one hole, which, in the open position thereof, coincides with the orifice of the window panel, thus allowing the air flow into the drawer; and in its closed position, the lid slides in such a way that it achieves the phase shift of both holes, thus sealing them to prevent the flow of air into the interior of the drawer.
8. The drawer assembly according to claim 1, wherein: said drawer assembly includes decorative inserts disposed between the container body and the window panel, specially designed to provide an improved ornamental appearance to said assembly.
9. A method of assembling a drawer to contain and store products inside a domestic refrigerator, which comprises the steps of: providing a container body such as that described in claim 1; providing a window panel such as that described in claim 1; match and hook the bay type cavities formed in the window panel with the; cylindrical bolts formed in the container body, maintaining at the same time a considerable angular separation between the lower parts of both parts; angularly displacing the lower part of the window panel towards the lower part of the container body, said window panel rotating with respect to the container body using the cylindrical bolts as a pivot; inserting the molded projections into the container body within the rectangular holes made in the window panel, so that the areas adjacent said rectangular holes are flexed by means of the mushroom cuts therein made to allow a smooth and simple coupling. reliable between both pieces.
10. ). The method of assembling a drawer according to claim 12, wherein: once the total coupling of said window panel with the container body is performed, each of the support teeth formed in the window panel is received in the notch made in the front part of the upper edge of each of the side walls of said container body.
11. 11. The method of assembling a drawer according to claim 13, wherein: in an additional step decorative inserts are coupled between the container body and the window panel, especially designed to provide an improved ornamental appearance to said assembly.
12. 12. The method of assembling a drawer according to claim 14, wherein: said decorative inserts can have suitable geometries and dimensions according to the design of the drawer, and can be coupled thereto by any suitable means of fastening. '\
13. 13. A drawer for domestic refrigerators comprising: a container formed by a base, a rear wall and side walls, the container comprises a protrusion formed outwardly in a substantially upper front portion of each side wall, a notch in each upper front part of the side walls, and a plurality of inclined projections on the lower front outer part of the base; Y a panel engageable with the container formed by a front wall, a lower rim and an upper rim, the panel comprises a cavity formed in each lateral end of the panel between the front wall and the upper flange which engages the protuberances in the side walls, a plurality of holes in the lower flange, each hole engageable with a sloping projection, at least one cut close to each hole, each cut runs in the lower flange from the end of the lower flange distant to the front wall until next to the front wall, and a protrusion from the lower portion of the upper teborde towards the lower flange, which fits with the notch. I
14. 14. The drawer of claim 13, wherein each cut when it is close to the front wall, is substantially circular in shape, while the rest of its length is substantially straight perpendicularly.
15. 15. The drawer of claim 13, wherein the drawer additionally comprises at least one decorative insert between the container and the panel, wherein the insert engages with the front wall, the lower flange and the upper flange of the panel.