WO2007045870A2

WO2007045870A2 - Appliance structures

Info

Publication number: WO2007045870A2
Application number: PCT/GB2006/003881
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ian David Wood; Xorge Castro Pelayo; Alexandra Eve Shelton
Original assignee: Applied Design And Engineering Ltd
Priority date: 2005-10-19
Filing date: 2006-10-19
Publication date: 2007-04-26
Also published as: WO2007045870A3

Abstract

An appliance (116) or a storage unit has a structure comprising a base (126), mutually-spaced uprights (120) upstanding from the base to define sides of an open-fronted storage volume, an open-topped drawer (100) movable with respect to the structure through the open front of the storage volume, runners (104) supported by the uprights for supporting the drawer for said movement; and a lid (118) supported by the uprights for closing the open top of the drawer when the drawer is within the storage volume.

Description

APPLIANCE STRUCTURES

This invention relates to structures for appliances such as cold-storage appliances being refrigerators, freezers or combination refrigerator/freezers. Such appliances may have drawers or other containers or compartments that can serve as both refrigerators and freezers. Whilst the invention enjoys particular benefits in the context of cold storage, some broad expressions of the inventive concept extend beyond cold-storage applications.

Traditional cold-storage appliances comprise a cooler unit that generates a convection loop within an insulated cabinet. Air cooled by the cooler unit sinks toward the bottom of the cabinet and as that air absorbs heat during its downward journey, it warms and rises back up to the cooler unit where it is cooled again. It is also possible to have forced-air circulation by means of a fan within or communicating with the cabinet. Shelves may be provided within the cabinet and are often made of wire so that they offer little resistance to the circulation of air.

Some cold-storage appliances, notably chest freezers, comprise an open-topped insulated cabinet. The cabinet may be left open for convenient access to its contents, but with a penalty of ongoing heat transfer from the ambient air to the interior of the cabinet. This problem of heat gain may be mitigated by closing the top of the cabinet with sliding access panels or a horizontally-hinged upwardly-opening insulated lid, but with a penalty of more difficult access.

For space efficiency and ease of access, most cold-storage appliances employ an upright open-fronted insulated cabinet. A major problem with this layout is that cold air can flow freely out of the bottom of the cabinet in use, to be replaced by warm ambient air flowing in at the top. The ingress of ambient air causes the internal temperature of the cabinet to rise, hence consuming more energy in redressing that rise by running the cooler unit. The incoming ambient air introduces the possibility of airborne contamination, and moisture in that air also gives rise to condensation and possibly ice within the cabinet. Usually, therefore, an upright open-fronted cabinet is provided with a vertically- sealed hinged or sliding door to close its otherwise open front. However, a door can only reduce cold air spillage as long as it remains closed: the longer and more frequently the door is opened, as happens especially in commercial applications, the more cold air will spill out to be exchanged for warm, moist and possibly contaminated ambient air. Also, the limitations of a vertical seal mean that loss of cold air and induction of warm air can even occur when a door is closed. Being denser than warmer air, the coldest air collects at the bottom of the cabinet and applies pressure to the sealing interface so that unless the seal forms a perfect seal between the door and the cabinet, that air will escape.

Another problem of traditional cold-storage appliances is that they do not effectively segregate different types of foodstuff or other perishable items to avoid cross- contamination. Indeed, segregation of food is compromised by the convection and/or forced-air principles on which those units rely. The substantially open shelves designed to promote circulation of air within the cabinet also promote the circulation of moisture, enzymes and harmful bacteria. In addition, any liquid that may spill or leak, such as juices running from uncooked meats, will not be contained by open shelves: it may drip on products below:

Yet another problem with traditional cold-storage appliances is their inflexible aesthetic design, arising in part from their reliance upon an insulated cabinet.

This invention develops concepts described in prior-published patent applications filed by the Applicant that address the problems of traditional cold-storage appliances set out above. Those earlier patent applications are exemplified by WO 01/20237, WO 02/073104, WO 02/073105, WO 02/073107, WO 2005/024315 and WO 2006/021819. Their content is incorporated herein by reference. In each of those applications, a cold-storage appliance has one or more insulated open-topped containers that are supported by a structure for movement with respect to the structure between closed and open states. The or each container has an insulated lid supported by the structure, such that the lid closes the open top of the container when the container is closed. The use of insulated containers that are movable with respect to a structure liberates the design, of the Applicant's cold-storage appliances because there is no need for further insulation in a surrounding cabinet. Indeed, there is no need for a surrounding cabinet at all, especially if the appliance is to be 'built-in' against a wall or between existing kitchen or retail units. All that is required is a structure to support the containers and their lids: that structure need not necessarily define an enclosure.

The present invention arises from the design freedom allowed by the Applicant's cold-storage appliances exemplified in its earlier patent applications above. The invention involves the use of inexpensive, multi-purpose structural members and modular components and appliances to create cold-storage systems including under- counter or free-standing variants. A wide range of variants may be created by positioning drawers and lids, or other containers or compartments, in various arrangements, including various mixes of drawer depth and drawer number.

From one aspect, the invention resides in an appliance or a storage unit having a structure comprising: a base; mutually-spaced uprights upstanding from the base to define sides of an open-fronted storage volume; an open-topped drawer movable witbr respect to^"the structure through the open front of the storage volume; runners supported by the uprights for supporting the drawer for said movement; and a lid supported by the uprights for closing the open top of the drawer when the drawer is within the storage volume.

The uprights may each comprise a plurality of mutually-spaced support members. In that case, the support members of an upright may be connected by a runner, by a lid, or by longitudinal members. A lid or longitudinal members suitably join upper free ends of the support members. A worktop may overlie the structure.

The base may comprise a plurality of cross-members, each of which aligns with a respective one of the support members and is disposed substantially orthogonally with respect to that support member. Braces suitably connect the cross-members and the support members at their junctions. The base and the uprights advantageously comprise profiled members of identical profile to each other; the or each member of the base may, however, be of a different length to the members of the uprights. The uprights may be moulded, fabricated or pressed and preferably define mounting points for the lid and the runners. They may be braced by the lid or by one or more lateral members. Each upright may have vertical corrugations.

For simplicity, the or each lateral member may be integral with the uprights. For example, each upright may be integral with a lateral member that joins upper free ends of the uprights. Where the uprights comprise a plurality of mutually-spaced support members, each support member may be integral with a respective lateral member that joins upper free ends of the support members. In another arrangement, an integral lateral member joins rear edges of the uprights. That integral lateral member suitably defines a rear panel of the structure. In general, the uprights and the or each lateral member may be defined by a folded sheet or may be attached to each other as a fabricated component.

For strength, lateral members and longitudinal members may be arranged in a ring connecting the uprights. The ring suitably comprises an identical pair of lateral members and an identical pair of longitudinal members in a rectangle. Elegantly, the ring may surround the lid.

Advantageously, the uprights include one or more vertical arrays of spaced internal mounting points providing selectable locations for mounting the lid and the runners at various distances from the base. The mounting points of the uprights may, for example, comprise female mountings co-operable with male mountings on the lid and the runners. More generally, the uprights may include external attachment points for the attachment of dividers or decorative side panels, or for attachment of the appliance or unit to an adjacent wall.

In some embodiments, each upright comprises a folded sheet having least one double-skinned upstanding edge portion, the double skin of the edge portion comprising a web extending across the upright and a strip folded inwardly from the web about an upstanding edge. The strip may be substantially parallel to the web but an inclined outer portion of the strip may converge with the web toward the upstanding edge. The folded sheet may further include inwardly-folded flanges at the top and/or the bottom of the upright.

Preferably, the strip defines at least one mounting point for mounting the lid and/or a runner to the upright. The strip may be cut away above a runner mounting point to accommodate a mounting piece projecting from the drawer that rests upon a runner. Also, the strip may adjoin the web at one or more transverse walls, in which case the or each transverse wall is cut away to accommodate a mounting piece projecting from the drawer that rests upon a runner.

The base may be moulded, fabricated or pressed and may comprise a plurality of cross-members spaced apart longitudinally, in which case the cross-members may be joined by longitudinal members. Such longitudinal members may be disposed where the uprights adjoin the base.

The base suitably comprises at least one wall upstanding from a floor, which wall may have one or more ventilation openings. Side walls upstanding from the floor may support the uprights.

From another aspect, the invention resides in a stackable modular cold-storage appliance comprising: a structure; an open-topped drawer movable with respect to the structure for opening and closing; a lid supported by the structure for closing the open top of the drawer when the drawer is closed; and a cooling means for cooling the interior but not the exterior of the drawer.

In the unit or appliance of the invention embodied as a cold-storage appliance, refrigerator engine components are advantageously disposed in a void under the drawer. The interior of the drawer may be cooled via the lid and a seal preferably seals the open top of the drawer to the lid. The lid and walls of the drawer are suitably insulated and the drawer may further include removable extra insulation panels adapted to lie within the drawer against its insulated walls. Those extra insulation panels may be assembled in the drawer for use, and may be hingeably or flexibly joined to each other to be collapsed when not in use. The insulated walls of the drawer and the extra insulation panels may have complementary inter-engageable surface formations, those formations also ensuring airflow around refrigerated items when on the inner wall surfaces of the drawer and the insulation panels.

Another aspect of the invention therefore resides in an insulation kit for a cold- 5 storage unit, the kit comprising a plurality of extra insulation panels adapted to lie within an already-insulated compartment of the unit.

In cold-storage embodiments that are preferably self-contained, the appliance further includes a condenser. The condenser may be disposed externally of the appliance to 10 be exposed to ambient airflow, or may be disposed in the appliance. Preferably, the condenser receives air flowing along an airflow channel in the appliance, which airflow channel may be beside or under the drawer and may be defined between a bottom or side of the drawer and an opposed wall of the appliance.

15 The unit or appliance of the invention may further include an open-fronted storage compartment. A door may close the open front of the storage compartment.

Advantageously, the unit or appliance of the invention further includes an interface ^■-^■ - formation for coupling the appliance or unit to an adjacent appliance or unit. The

20 interface formation may comprise a protrusion and/or a recess. Preferably, the unit or appliance has a top and a bottom, each with a respective complementary interface formation being capable of interfacing with an opposed interface formation of an appliance or unit below. For example, a protrusion may be on the top and a recess may be on the bottom, the recess being capable of receiving a corresponding

25 protrusion on the top of an appliance or unit below.

The invention extends to a stack of units or appliances in accordance with the invention, and to a modular plurality of units or appliances in accordance with the invention, each of said units or appliances having a drawer and the drawer of one of 30 said units or appliances being of a different height to the drawer of another of said units or appliances of the plurality. In order that the invention may be more readily understood, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a cold-storage appliance constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view of the appliance of Figure I₅ partially disassembled;

Figure 3 is a perspective view of the appliance of Figure 1, further disassembled;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a structure visible in Figure 3;

Figure 5 is an exploded perspective view of the structure of Figure 4;

Figure 6 is a perspective view of another cold-storage appliance constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 7 is a perspective view of the appliance of Figure 6, partially disassembled;

Figure 8 is a perspective view of the appliance of Figure 6, further disassembled;

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a structure visible in Figure 8;

Figure 10 is an exploded perspective view of the structure of Figure 9;

Figure 11 is a perspective view of another cold-storage appliance constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 12 is a perspective view of the appliance of Figure 11, partially disassembled; Figure 13 is a perspective view of the appliance of Figure 11, further disassembled;

Figure 14 is a perspective view of a structure visible in Figure 13 ;

Figure 15 is an exploded perspective view of the structure of Figure 14;

Figure 16 is a perspective view of another cold-storage appliance constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 17 is a perspective view of the appliance of Figure 16, partially disassembled;

Figure 18 is a perspective view of the appliance of Figure 16, further disassembled;

Figure 19 is a perspective view of a structure visible in Figure 18 ;

Figure 20 is a perspective view of another cold-storage appliance constructed in accordance with the invention;

Figure 21 is a perspective view of the appliance of Figure 20, partially disassembled;

Figure 22 is a perspective view of the appliance of Figure 20, further disassembled;

Figure 23 is a perspective view of a structure visible in Figure 22;

Figure 24 is a perspective view of another cold-storage appliance constructed in accordance with the invention; Figure 25 is a perspective view of the appliance of Figure 24, partially disassembled;

Figure 26 is a perspective view of the appliance of Figure 24, further disassembled;

Figure 27 is a perspective view of a structure visible in Figure 26;

Figure 28 is an exploded view of a cold-storage appliance having two drawers, each with an associated lid and runners;

Figure 29 is an exploded view corresponding to Figure 28 but showing additional decorative panels;

Figure 30 is a detail perspective view of tabs and brackets for fixing lids and runners to a frame of the appliance of Figures 28 and 29;

Figure 31 is a schematic sectional view showing alternative structural profiles; - - - -

Figure 32 is a side view of an appliance having four drawers, each with an associated lid, showing how an array of tab holes on a structural frame of the appliance allows different distributions of lids and drawers;

Figure 33 is a perspective view of a wall for a box structure;

Figure 34 shows the wall of Figure 33 from the top, side, bottom and front;

Figure 35 is a vertical section through the wall of Figure 33;

Figure 36 is a horizontal section through the wall of Figure 33;

Figure 37 shows enlarged detail views of the bottom of the wall visible in Figure 34; Figure 38 is an exploded perspective view of a box structure including walls of Figure 33;

Figure 39 is a perspective view of the box structure of Figure 38 when assembled;

Figure 40 shows another perspective view of the box structure of Figure 38 when assembled, accompanied by a front view, a side view and a top view of the box structure;

Figure 41 is a side section of a cold-storage appliance having two drawers, each with an associated lid;

Figure 42 is a front section of the appliance of Figure 41 ;

Figure 43 is a horizontal section through a drawer of the appliance of Figure 41;

Figure 44 is a horizontal section through a lid of the appliance of Figure 41;

Figure 45 is a side section of the appliance of Figure 41, with an upper drawer open;

Figure 46 is a side section of a cold-storage appliance having three drawers, each with an associated lid;

Figure 47 is a side section of a cold-storage appliance having four drawers and one door unit;

Figure 48 is a front section of the appliance of Figure 47;

Figure 49 is a side section of a cold-storage appliance suitable for stacking; Figure 50 is a front section of the appliance of Figure 49;

Figure 51 is a side section of the appliance of Figure 49, when open;

Figure 52 is a side section showing two appliances being stacked, one appliance being deeper than the other but otherwise as shown in Figure 49;

Figure 53 is a side section of three appliances being stacked, the appliances being of three different depths but the same width;

Figure 54 is a front section of the three appliances of Figure 53;

Figure 55 is a side section of three appliances being stacked, the appliances being of three different depths but the same width, that width being greater than that of the appliances of Figures 53 and 54;

Figure 56 is a front section of the three appliances of Figure 55;

Figure 57 is a side section of an appliance suitable for built-in installation;

Figure 58 is a front section of the appliance of Figure 57;

Figure 59 is a side section of an appliance of the invention suitable for freestanding use;

Figure 60 is a front section of the appliance of Figure 59;

Figure 61 is a perspective view of a profiled steel structural panel with sections removed to accommodate a fabricated mounting piece;

Figure 62 is a perspective view of an insulated drawer showing left and right fabricated mounting pieces being attached to side walls of the drawer; Figure 63 is a perspective view of an insulated drawer corresponding to Figure 62 but showing the mounting pieces attached to the drawer;

Figure 64 is a perspective view showing the drawer of Figures 62 and 63 supported between opposed panels as illustrated in Figure 61 ;

Figure 65 is an enlarged perspective view corresponding to Figure 64 but showing the drawer extended for access;

Figure 66 is a horizontal section through a drawer supported within a surrounding structure, showing airflow around the drawer;

Figure 67 is an exploded perspective view of an insert to give extra insulation to a drawer used as a freezer;

Figure 68 is a top plan view of the insert of Figure 67, with the parts assembled;

Figure 69 is a front view of the assembled insert of Figure 68;

Figure 70 is a perspective view of the assembled insert of Figure 68;

Figure 71 is a perspective view of a drawer adapted to receive the insert;

Figure 72 is a perspective view of the drawer of Figure 71 receiving the insert;

Figure 73 is a front section of the drawer of Figure 71 receiving the insert;

Figure 74 is a front section showing the insert received in the drawer;

Figure 75 is a top plan view of a collapsible insert in a collapsed state;

Figure 76 is a front view corresponding to Figure 75; Figure 77 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 75;

Figure 78 is a top plan view of the collapsible insert being transformed into a state ready for use;

Figure 79 is a front view corresponding to Figure 78; and

Figure 80 is a perspective view corresponding to Figure 78.

As the numerous embodiments of the invention have several features in common, this description will use like numerals for like parts where possible, hi each case, the invention is exemplified by a cold-storage appliance. The appliance has at least one container in the form of an insulated drawer 100 that is supported by a structure 102 for movement with respect to the structure 102 between retracted and extended states; respectively, closed and open. Telescopic runners 104 enable the drawer 100 to be pulled away from the structure 102 to the extent that the entire open top of the drawer 100 can be accessed from above, for ease of cleaning and replenishment.

The drawer 100 may be fully removable from the appliance, in which case full drawers 100 could be stored in a storage area until needed, then quickly fitted into the appliance. Indeed, in a retail context, suppliers could provide items ready packed into drawers 100.

In general, the number and the size of drawers 100 in the appliance can vary depending on the items that are to be stored and displayed in the appliance. In particular, the drawers 100 can be of any suitable height to accommodate different items, for example soft-drink cans, 500ml and 2/3 litre bottles.

The or each drawer 100 has an insulated lid 106 fixed to and supported by the structure 102. The lid 106 closes the open top of the drawer 100 when the drawer 100 is closed. Seals 108 may be provided between the lid 106 and the open top of the drawer 100 to minimise cross-contamination such as odour contamination, and also to minimise icing and waste of energy. Trace heating means (not shown) may also be associated with the seals 108 to prevent icing.

A cooling means is provided for cooling the interior but not the exterior of the or each drawer 100. In the embodiments described, the cooling means is associated with the lid 106: specifically, most of the embodiments employ a fan coil unit in the lid comprising a plenum chamber 110 and an evaporator 112. Air flow is driven across the evaporator 112 by a fan as part of self-contained circulation between the lid 106 and the drawer 100 through openings in a partition 114 that defines the underside of the plenum chamber 110 and serves as a diffuser to distribute cold air around the drawer 100. Defrost drainage means, not specifically referenced herein, may be associated with the evaporator 112 in well-known fashion.

More generally, the cooling means may be a heat exchanger such as an evaporator 112 in the lid 106, or cold air ducts extending through the lid 106 from a cold air source outside the lid 106. Other refrigeration means such as magnetic refrigeration are-possible; it is also possible, though less preferred, that the cooling means is not associated with the lid 106.

The exterior of the or each drawer 100 is preferably exposed to air that is at, or even above, ambient temperature to avoid or minimise condensation and icing. Means (not shown) may be provided to promote a flow of ambient or heated air within the unit and around the closed drawers as proposed in the Applicant's earlier patent applications WO 01/20237 and WO 02/073105.

Drawers 100 may be stacked one above another with their associated lids 106, such that the lids 106 and drawers 100 alternate in the stack. Whilst not shown in the illustrated embodiments, drawers 100 and their lids 106 may also, or alternatively, be disposed side-by-side. Indeed, some embodiments of the invention provide for drawers 100 and their lids 106 to be arranged in individual modules that can be combined to create the ideal configuration for various applications. Optionally, there may be provision to select different temperatures in different drawers 100 to suit different foodstuffs or other contents, and to suit different cold- storage regimes such as refrigeration marginally above zero Celsius and freezing significantly below zero Celsius. Indeed, it is possible for a given drawer 100 to be converted readily from refrigerator to freezer and back again, thereby to vary the proportion of refrigerator space to freezer space in the appliance as a whole. In this way, the appliance can respond to changing cold-storage needs.

Referring now specifically to the drawings, a first embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 1 to 5. The appliance 116 therein is generally cuboidal and comprises upper and lower drawers 100, each drawer 100 having a lid 106 that closes the open top of that drawer 100 when that drawer 100 is closed.

An oblong worktop 118 extends over the top of the appliance 116 and upright dividers 120 depend orthogonally from the worktop 118 to support the worktop 118 and provide a desired external appearance. The worktop 118 and dividers 120 perform no structural function with respect to the appliance 116 and may, indeed, be provided by a kitchen furnisher to suit a desired decor.

The appliance 116 has a frame 122 defining a self-supporting structure of linked profiles. The frame 122 supports refrigeration components including the insulated drawers 100 that move relative to the frame 122 on runners 104 fixed to the frame 122, and the insulated lid assemblies 106 that are fixed directly to the frame 122. Composed entirely from fabricated metal parts, this structural design provides rigidity in all dimensions. Indeed, the frame 122 could be covered by non-structural elements such as plastics sheet or even cardboard.

Specifically, the frame 122 is composed of several cut, pierced and bent or folded steel elements. The elements could be joined by rivets, screws, welding or any other fixing method, such as by adhesives. The elements are also apt to be made by extrusion, in which case the elements could be of aluminium alloy.

As best shown in Figures 4 and 5. the elements of the frame 122 comprise four generally planar oblong upright members 124 of shallow C-section disposed in two parallel pairs, with two upright members 124 to each side of the frame 122. Two lateral base members 126 join each pair of upright members 124 at their bottom ends. Attachment between the members 124, 126 is effected by fixings extending through the peripheral flanges of right-angled triangular braces 128, two such braces 128 being disposed at each junction between the members 124, 126 to make a total of eight braces 128.

The lateral base members 126 are of similar width and section to the upright members 124 but, in this embodiment, the lateral base members 126 are of greater length because the appliance 116 is wider than it is tall. However, the lateral base members 126 may be cut from the same profile stock as the upright members 124.

The frame 122 further comprises three identical lateral strips 130 having mutually orthogonal top, side and end flanges. Two of these lateral strips 130 are disposed at the top ends of the upright members 124 where each lateral strip 130 joins the upright members 124 of a respective pair. An outer top corner of each upright member is received in a pocket defined by the top, side and end flanges of a lateral strip 130. The third lateral strip 130 joins the bottom ends of one of the pairs of upright members 124 in ^"similar manner.

Four identical longitudinal strips 132 complete the frame 122 by defining the upper and lower edges of its sides. Each longitudinal strip 132 is of L-section, comprising mutually orthogonal flanges that together embrace an end of an upright member 124. Two of the longitudinal strips 132 co-operate with the two upper lateral strips 130 to define an oblong perimeter ring. The other two longitudinal strips 132 are disposed at the bottom of the upright members 124 where they join the upright members 124 to each side of the frame 122, keeping those upright members 124 parallel and spaced apart. These lower lateral strips 130 also embrace adjacent ends of the lateral base members 126.

The upright members 124 have holes or other fixing formations 134 that provide fixing points for the lids 106 and runners 104 and transfer the resulting z-axis loads to the floor. The longitudinal strips 132 resist forces along the y-axis while the lateral base members 126 and the lateral strips 130 resist forces along the x-axis. The braces 128 also help the upright members 124 to resist any movement on the x-axis.

The lateral base members 126 may support a refrigerator engine (not shown) in the void under the lower drawer 100. From there, the refrigerator engine may be connected to cooling means in the lids 100 as described in the Applicant's above- referenced prior-published patent applications.

In the second embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 6 to 10 of the drawings, an appliance 136 uses the lids 106 to impart strength in the x- and y-axes and the runners 104 to impart additional strength in the y-axis. In doing so, the lids 106 and runners 104 obviate the lateral and longitudinal strips 130, 132 of the first embodiment. For this purpose, the lids 106 suitably comprise peripheral steel walls around a cuboidal void filled with vacuum-formed polystyrene insulation. The sides of the lids 106 and the runners 104 are attached to upright members 124 like those of the first embodiment.

The upright members 124 of the second embodiment are attached at their bottom ends to a base panel 138 which may be an injection moulding or a fabrication of steel or aluminium. The base panel 138 replaces the lateral base members 126, the lower lateral strip 130 and the lower longitudinal strips 132 of the first embodiment. To do so, the base panel 138 comprises low oblong upright walls 140 rising orthogonally around an oblong bottom wall 142, as best shown in Figures 9 and 10. The base panel 138 thereby defines a void for housing a refrigerator engine (not shown) under the lower drawer 100. Ventilation apertures 144 are provided in a front one of the upright walls 140 whereby warm air from the condenser of the refrigerator engine may be exhausted and ambient air may be drawn in. The base panel 138 is spaced from the floor by feet 146 under the bottom wall 142.

It will be apparent that all of the above elements in the second embodiment provide some structural strength. The upright members 124 are fixed to the base panel 138 and to them are fixed the lids 106 and the runners 104. The upright members 124 transfer the resulting loads to the base panel 138 and from there through the feet 146 to the floor. The lids 106 are reinforced to brace the structure against forces on the x- and y-axes. The runners 104 also provide some strength on the y-axis.

The aim of the second embodiment is to provide a simple lightweight structural frame capable of supporting forces acting vertically downward on the unit. Both sides of the unit are an identical subassembly, facilitating economical manufacture and economies of scale. Structural rigidity is provided by the strength inherent to the insulated lid assembly 100 and the drawer runners 104 rather than the separate structural frame 122 of the first embodiment,

Moving on now to the third embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 11 to 15 of the drawings, an appliance 148 has a lightweight structural injection-moulded frame that comprises two identical injection-moulded walls 150 standing in parallel above a base 152, which may also be injection-moulded. The base 152 has integral structural ribs and fixings to which the walls 150 are attached, suitably by snap-fit formations. Otherwise, the base 152 is akin to the base 138 of the second embodiment, including ventilation apertures 144 in a wall 140 under the lower drawer 100.

The walls 150 provide a smooth external finish and incorporate fixing devices to which the lids 106 and runners 104 are screwed or joined by any other means. The lids 106 and the runners 104 thereby brace the structure, particularly the lids 106 which bridge the gap between the walls 150 and thereby brace the walls 150 against forces on the x-axis exerted above the level of the base 152.

The fourth, fifth and sixth embodiments, shown in Figures 16 to 27 of the drawings, may rely upon adjacent walls for support, for example the walls of adjacent kitchen furniture units, or upon the worktop 118 and dividers 120.

In the fourth embodiment, shown in Figure 16 to 19 of the drawings, an appliance 154 has a structure comprising a steel U-frame 156 comprising two parallel side walls 158 and a lateral wall 160 orthogonal to the side walls 158. The U-frame 156 could be made from a single steel sheet or different sheet components joined by any means such as welding, riveting and/or adhesives. The bottom of the U-frame 156 is attached to and supported by a base panel 138 like that of the second embodiment.

The side walls 158 of the U-frame 156 incorporate holes 134 for fixing the lids 106 and runners 104 into the U-frame 156 at their precise locations. The side walls 158 also incorporate flanges 162 whereby the U-frame 156 may be fixed to the dividers 120 or to adjacent kitchen furniture walls using screws or other fixings. This reinforces the U-frame 156 in the event that the U-frame 156 is not rigid enough to support all of the components that it carries.

The appliance 164 of the fifth embodiment shown in Figures 20 to 23 has a structure that also comprises a steel U-frame 166. However in this case the U-frame 166 is an inverted U defining an arch comprising two side walls 158 and a top wall 168 orthogonal to the side walls 158. The bottoms of the side walls 158 are attached to and supported by a base panel 138 like that of the second and fourth embodiments. Again, the arch could be made from a single steel sheet or a plurality of joined sheet components, and the side walls 158 incorporate holes 134 for fixing the lids 106 and runners 104 and flanges 162 for fixing to the dividers 120 or to adjacent kitchen furniture walls.

The appliance 170 in a sixth embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 24 to 27 is a variant of the fifth embodiment. In this variant, the inverted U-frame arch 166 of the structure of the appliance 164 is, in effect, divided and replaced by parallel arches 172 that partially define the structure of the appliance 170. As best shown in Figure 27, each arch 172 comprises two C-section side walls 174 and a C-section top wall 176 orthogonal to the side walls 174. The bottoms of the side walls _.174 are attached to and supported by a base panel 138 like that of the second, fourth and fifth embodiments.

Again, the arches 172 of the sixth embodiment could be made from a single steel sheet or from a plurality of joined sheet components. Like the fourth and fifth embodiments, the side walls 174 incorporate holes 134 for fixing the lids 106 and runners 104 to the arches 172 and flanges 162 for fixing the arches 172 to the dividers 120 or to adjacent kitchen furniture walls. Figures 28 to 31 illustrate variants of the preceding embodiments as follows:

Figures 28 and 29 demonstrate that the worktop 118 and dividers 120 shown in the preceding embodiments are optional. Figure 28 shows that the side walls 158 of the structure may be left uncovered where an appliance is to be installed between adjacent units or against walls. Otherwise, as Figure 29 shows, side panels 178 may be affixed to the side walls 158 via the flanges 162 to provide a smooth external finish of any desired colour or texture.

Whilst Figures 28 and 29 show the side panels 178 in the context of the fourth embodiment having a steel U-frame 156 comprising two parallel side walls 158 and a lateral wall 160, it will be apparent that the side panels 178 could be applied to any of the preceding embodiments.

Figure 30 shows a variant of the holes 134 by which the lids 106 and runners 104 may be attached to the structure. In this variant, a slot 180 receives a hook-shaped tab 182 fixed to a lid 106 or runner 104.

Figure 31 shows that the structural elements of the preceding embodiments need not necessarily be of flat sheet material. Advantageously, corrugations may be applied to the structural elements in alignment with the anticipated direction of loading. Thus, for example, upright members 124 of the first embodiment or side walls 158 of the fourth embodiment may have vertically- aligned corrugations to increase their resistance to downward loads. Three examples of corrugated profiles are shown schematically in Figure 31.

Turning now to Figure 32, this shows an appliance 184 having four insulated drawers 100 each having an insulated lid 106 fixed to and supported by a structure 102. The drawers 100 and lids 106 are stacked one above another in alternating fashion.

Each Hd 106 closes the open top of the associated drawer 100 when the drawer 100 is closed. A flexible sliding magnetic seal 108 hangs from each lid 106 to create a vapour seal around the open top of the associated drawer 100. Other seal arrangements are possible.

A fan coil unit in each lid 106 comprises a plenum chamber 110 and an evaporator 112 to cool the interior but not the exterior of the associated drawer 100. The evaporators 112 of the lids 106 may be connected to a common refrigerator engine in a base recess of the appliance 184 as aforesaid. Air flow may be driven across each evaporator 112 by a fan (not shown) to generate self-contained circulation between the lid 106 and the drawer 100 through openings in a partition 114 that defines the underside of the plenum chamber 110 and acts as a diffuser to distribute cold air around the drawer 100. Such circulation may also arise simply by virtue of convection.

Figure 32 shows how the structure 102 of the appliance 184 may define vertical arrays of parallel horizontal slots 180, two spaced parallel arrays being shown here to each side of the appliance 184. In this way, lids 106 and runners 104 (not shown in

Figure 32) may be attached to the structure 102 at various levels using tabs 182 like that shown in Figure 30. It is also possible to cut the upright members or side walls

^~ of the structure 102 to any desired length and therefore height. Thus, the number of drawers 106 and the depths of the drawers 106 may be varied to configure the appliance 184 as required, without re-tooling the structure 102 of the appliance 184.

Some of the design possibilities this allows will be described later with reference to

Figures 41 to 48 of the drawings.

Figures 33 to 40 illustrate an alternative box-type structure for an appliance, and the components of that structure. A key component of the box-type structure is a side wall 186 shown in Figures 33 to 37. The side wall 186 is made from a sheet of metal such as steel that is merely cut, drilled and folded. No additional fabrication or forming processes are required.

The side wall 186 comprises a horizontal top flange 188 onto which can be fixed a top panel of the structure or any other desired element such as a lid 106. A bottom flange 190 can be fixed to a floor panel of the structure, if provided. Other elements such as castors or legs can also be fitted to the bottom flange 190 by virtue of fixings that will be described in detail below with specific reference to Figure 37.

The side wall 186 has a generally flat vertical web 192 between the flanges 188, 190 that provides a clear external finish with no holes, fixing elements (such as screws or pop rivets) or welds being visible outside. To enable this, front and rear edge portions of the side wall 186 are double-skinned by virtue of strips 194, 196 respectively that are folded integrally from the web 192. The strips 194, 196 have major portions that lie parallel to and spaced internally from the web 192 at, respectively, the front and rear edge portions of the side wall 186. Each strip 194,

196 tapers toward the adjacent edge of the web 192 of the side wall 186 so that the side wall 186 presents thin front and rear edges.

The strips 194, 196 are penetrated by arrays of holes 198 that provide fixing points for any element that needs to be supported inside the box structure, for examples runners 104, lids 106 or other equipment such as refrigerator engine components.

The flanges 188, 190 and the strips 194, 196 can also be used to fix adjacent members of the box structure such as a top panel, a floor panel or other lateral members such as a fear panel ^"as will be described below with reference to^~ Figures 38 to 40. Also, by stiffening the side walls 186, the flanges 188, 190 and the strips 194,

196 provide a structural solution for supporting loads.

The enlarged detail view of Figure 37 shows that the bottom flange 190 is penetrated by holes adjacent the strips 194, 196. Two such holes 200 are for attaching castors or feet to the side wall 186. A rectangular array of four holes 202 is also provided adjacent the strip 194 for the attachment of a cross-member such as a plinth that links the side walls 186.

Figures 38 to 40 show all of the components of the box structure including the side walls 186. The other components of the box structure are a back panel 204, a plinth 206, a top front member 208 and two corner supports 210 co-operable with the plinth 206 and the side walls 186. The back panel 204, plinth 206, top front member 208 and corner supports 210 join the side panels 186 to provide the required structural strength. By virtue of their horizontal and vertical profile portions, the back panel 204, plinth 206 and top front member 208 stiffen the structure. These components are fastened to both the strips 194, 196 and the top and bottom flanges 188, 190 of the side panels 186 for optimal structural strength.

Turning now to Figures 41 to 48, these show various appliance layouts that the invention enables with minimal tooling or set-up costs being involved in changing from one layout to another. For example, Figures 41 to 45 show a two-drawer appliance 210 where each drawer 100 has an insulated lid 106 fixed to and supported by an open-fronted cabinet structure 102. Each drawer can be slid horizontally out of the open front of the structure 102 on runners 104 for opening as shown in Figure 45. The drawers 100 and lids 106 are stacked one above another in alternating fashion.

As in the embodiment shown in Figure 32, each lid 106 closes the open top of the associated drawer 100 when the drawer 100 is closed. A flexible sliding magnetic seal 108 hangs from each lid 106 to create a vapour seal around the open top of the associated drawer 100. A fan coil unit in each lid 106 comprises an evaporator 112 and a plenum chamber 110 partially defined by a partition 114. The evaporators 112 of the lids 106 maybe connected to a common refrigerator engine.

As best shown in the front section view of Figure 42 and the horizontal section views through a drawer 100 and a lid 106 in Figures 43 and 44 respectively, the lids 106 are attached to the structure 102 using tabs 182 like that shown in Figure 30. The tabs 182 engage with slots (not shown) in the side walls, of the structure 102. Other fasteners may of course be used for this purpose. The runners 104 may be attached directly to the side walls of the structure 102 or via tabs 182 or other fasteners or brackets.

Figure 46 shows a variant of the embodiment of Figures 41 to 45 in the form of a three-drawer appliance 212. The same major components are used and like numerals are used for like parts. Apart from the additional drawer 100, lid 106 and associated features, the only difference between the two- and three-drawer appliances 210 and 212 is the height of the structure 102. By virtue of the invention, this difference is simply a matter of cutting a suitable length of the steel profiles that make up the side and rear walls of the structure 102.

Figures 47 and 48 show how the construction concept of the invention can be extended still further, in this case to an appliance 214 having four drawers 100 surmounted by an open-fronted insulated compartment 216. The compartment 216 has a vertically-hinged insulated door 218 and vertical magnetic seals 220 around its periphery. Whilst the disadvantages of open-fronted cold-storage compartments with vertically-sealed doors have been discussed in the introduction, this mode of access is more convenient than a drawer above eye level. Also, the compartment 216 may be a passive cold store in the sense of a cool box or merely an ambient-temperature storage cupboard; if so, its temperature is never low enough to give rise to the worst of the disadvantages discussed in the introduction.

Referring now to Figures 49 to 56, these drawings show variants of the invention in which modules 222 can be assembled in various combination. The modularity of the system enables a wide variety of options for organising and combining the modules 222 depending oil user requirements and available space.

In Figures 49 to 56, each module 222 is an independent single-drawer cold-storage unit, with its own refrigerator engine that is, preferably, adjustable so that the unit can work as a refrigerator or as a freezer as a user may choose from time to time. The refrigerator engine is not shown here but possible refrigerator engine layouts are described below with reference to Figures 57 to 60. The modules 222 may have different heights and widths as shown particularly in Figures 53 to 56. The different heights provide storage space tailored for different kinds of products while different widths provide wide and narrow options for easy layout solutions to fit in an available space.

As best shown in Figures 49 to 51, each module 222 has a generally cuboidal structure 102 including top and bottom panels 224, 226 respectively. The top panel 224 has a upward protrusion 228 extending over much of its area. The bottom panel 226 has a rim 230 defining a female engaging formation that snugly receives the protrusion 228 on the top panel 224 of a module 222 below, as best shown in Figure 52. Engagement of the protrusions 228 in the female engaging formations defined by the rims 230 allows easy stacking of modules 222 without the need to fasten the modules 222 together. However, fastenings between modules 222 are of course possible for added security.

Figure 52 shows that modules 222 may be of different depths, the drawer 100 of the lower module 222' being deeper than the upper module 222 in this instance. This principle is also shown in Figures 53 to 56 where there are three modules 222, 222' and 222" in the process of being assembled, the modules 222, 222' and 222" being of progressively greater depth moving downwardly from module to module. Comparison of Figures 54 and 56 will show that the modules 222, 222' and 222" of Figures 55 and 56 are substantially wider than those of Figures 53 and 54.

Moving on now to Figures 57 to 60, these drawings show how a module of the invention can be designed for built-in applications (Figures 57 and 58) and freestanding applications (Figures 59 and 60).

In the module 232 of" Figures 57 and 58 designed for built-in applications, a condenser 234 is located on the bottom of the module 232 in an air channel 236 defined under the drawer 100. The condenser 234 is inclined across the air channel

236 for optimum heat exchange to the air flowing through the air channel 236 as denoted by the arrows in Figure 57. Air is admitted to the air channel 236 through an air inlet 238 at the front of the module 232. This removes the need for a vented plinth when the module 232 is built-in.

By contrast, the module 240 of Figures 59 and 60 designed for freestanding applications has its condenser 234 located externally on the rear of the module 240 where it is exposed to ambient airflow as shown by the arrow in Figure 59. Here, air passes from the bottom to the top through the back of the module 240.

The modules 232, 240 shown in Figures 57 to 60 have a self-contained refrigerator engine comprising a compressor 242 located in a rear bottom corner of the module 232, 240. The drawer 100 of a module 232, 240 is shaped around the compressor 242 to maximise the available storage volume by means of a hump 244 projecting into a corresponding corner of the drawer 100.

Figures 61 to 65 show an embodiment of the invention that is apt to be used with a rack and pinion arrangement as will be described, although this is not essential. This embodiment provides an alternative way of mounting drawer runners onto a profiled steel structural frame.

Referring firstly to Figure 61, a profiled steel structural panel 246 is broadly akin to the side wall 186 of Figures 33 to 37 in that front and rear edge portions of the panel 246 are double-skinned by virtue of strips 248, 250 respectively that are folded integrally from a web 252. The strips 248, 250 lie parallel to and spaced internally from the web 252 at, respectively, the front and rear edge portions of the web 250.

Unlike the side wall 186 of Figures 33 to 37, the strips 248, 250 do not taper toward the web 252. Instead, the strips 248, 250 remain parallel to the web 252 to where their outer edges coincide with the front and rear edges of the web 252 respectively. There, and at the inner edges of the strips 248, 250, the gaps between the strips 248, 250 and the web 252 are bridged by respective walls 254 σrfhbgbriaTto the web 252.

The strips 248, 250 are interrupted by horizontally-aligned parallel-sided cut-outs 256. The cut-outs 256 extend downwardly into slots 258 in the associated walls 254. Thus, the cut-outs 256 and the slots 258 together define an inverted L-section when viewed from the front or rear.

The inverted L-sections defined by the cut-outs 256 and the slots 258 receive correspondingly inverted L-section mounting pieces 260. The mounting pieces 260 are shown in Figure 62 being attached to side walls of an insulated drawer 100 and in Figure 63 attached to the drawer 100. The L-section mounting pieces 260 may be fabricated or extruded. The mounting pieces 260 can be positioned to a high degree of accuracy before being attached to the drawer 100, for example by adhesive: this allows accurate mounting of the drawer 100 on runners, regardless of manufacturing tolerances of the drawer 100. Figures 64 and 65 show the drawer 100 supported between two opposed panels 246 of Figure 61. The mounting pieces 260 are received in the L-section cut-outs 256 and slots 258 of the panels 246. Telescopic runners 104 are attached to the inner faces of the panels 246 and are attached to the drawer 100 via runner brackets 262 on which the mounting pieces 260 sit. Also, as is most apparent in Figure 65, the runners 104 include a toothed rack 264; the rack 264 is co-operable with a pinion (not shown). The rack and pinion mechanism allows high-quality drawer movement.

The embodiment of Figures 61 to 65 has various benefits. As required manufacturing tolerances are reduced because the runners engage with a fabricated mounting piece rather than being attached to a moulded drawer, this enables low-cost production methods for the drawer such as rotational moulding. The tighter tolerances allowed by this embodiment also enable the use of a rack and pinion mechanism. Another advantage is that the runners are concealed by the mounting pieces when the drawer is extended, improving the appearance of the appliance. This benefit is most apparent in Figure 65.

A particularly important benefit of the invention as exemplified by the embodiment of Figures 61 to 65 is that the overall width of the appliance and hence the drawer - can be increased, maximising the available storage volume. This is possible because air can pass along the profiled steel members and around the sides of a drawer. This is in contrast to a typical slot-in appliance being a freestanding unit in which air ventilating a rear- or side-mounted condenser must pass through an air gap between the appliance and surrounding units. Built-in appliances are generally raised by 150mm to line up with the plinths of adjacent kitchen furniture, and so can draw in and reject condenser cooling air via the plinth.

In this respect, reference is made to the schematic top sectional view of Figure 66 in which a drawer 100 is mounted for movement relative to a surrounding structure 102. hi Figure 66, the drawer 100 has a decorative drawer front 266 that is wider than the drawer 100 and spaced slightly from the front face 268 of the structure 102 to define air gaps around the front of the drawer 100. Those air gaps communicate with air channels 270 to each side of the drawer as shown by the airflow arrows in Figure 66. Thus, ventilation air for a condenser can be drawn in and expelled though the gaps between the drawer 100 and the structure 102, allowing the appliance to maximise standard module spaces such as a standard slot of 600mm width.

Referring finally to Figures 67 to 80, aspects of the invention contemplate the provision of removable extra insulation that, when added to the existing insulation of a drawer, adapts the drawer for use as a freezer. Conversely, when the drawer is used as a refrigerator, the extra insulation can be removed to maximise the storage space of the drawer.

Figures 61 to 70 show an insulated insert 272 that embodies this extra insulation. The insert 272 is generally oblong in plan to match the internal shape of a drawer 100, into which the insert 272 fits snugly. As best shown in the exploded view of Figure 67, the insert 272 comprises: an oblong front wall 274; an oblong side wall 276; a rear wall 278 that corresponds to the front wall save for a cut-out 280 at its bottom corner; a side wall 282 that corresponds to the oblong side wall 276 save for a cutout 284 at its bottom corner abutting the rear wall 278; and a floor panel 286 that is generally oblong save for a cut-out 288 in a rear corner abutting the rear wall 278 and the side wall 282.

The edge of the floor panel 286 is castellated and a correspondingly-castellated rim 290 lies inboard of that edge to locate the walls 274, 276, 278 and 282 atop the floor panel 286. The inner and outer faces of the walls 274, 276, 278 and 282 are also of castellated section to define external and internal ribs.

When assembled as shown in Figures 68 to 70, the walls 274, 276, 278 and 282 are all orthogonal to and supported by the floor panel 286 and each wall 274, 276, 278 and 282 is orthogonal to its neighbouring walls. Then, the cut-outs 280, 284 and 288 co-operate as best shown in Figure 70. This accommodates the hump 244 projecting into a corner of the drawer 100 that overlies a compressor, as first shown in Figures 57 to 60 and also as shown in Figures 71 to 74.

Figure 71 shows that the internal wall faces 292 of a drawer 100 are of castellated ribbed section complementary to that of the outer faces of the walls 274, 276, 278 and 282 of the insert 272. Thus, as shown in Figures 72 and 73, the insert 272 can be slid into the drawer 100 with their castellated sections interlocking until the insert 272 is received fully within the drawer 100 as shown in Figure 74.

The primary function of the ribs defined by the castellations is to carry cooling air from the lid 106 down the internal side of the drawer 100 and along its base, hence exposing items in the drawer 100 to circulating refrigerated air. If an item such as a box is allowed to lie against a flat internal surface of an insulated compartment, that item could then effectively form part of the insulation. If so, a detrimental temperature gradient may extend through the item and the abutting insulated wall, hence exposing the wall-abutting side of the item to a higher temperature than is desired. The ribs keep the wall-abutting side of an item in contact with circulating refrigerated air and hence under proper temperature control.

When no longer needed, the insert 272 can be slid back out of the drawer 100 and broken down into the components shown in Figure 67 for compactness and hence for ease of transport and storage.

Turning finally to Figures 75 to 80, these show a variant of the insert in which parts of the insert are hinged to each other ^"so that the insert is collapsible into a flat form for transport and storage. Specifically, the insert 294 shown in Figures 75 to 80 has a front wall 274, side walls 276 and 282 and a rear wall 278 that correspond to the walls of the insert 272 shown in Figures 67 to 74. In this instance, each wall 274, 276, 278 and 282 is hinged to its neighbouring walls to fold in a parallelogram arrangement into the flat configuration shown in Figures 75 to 77. For this purpose, the floor panel 286 is also hinged to the rear wall 278.

When the insert 294 is required for use, the walls 274, 276, 278 and 282 are hinged into an oblong plan form via the intermediate position shown in Figures 78 to 80, whereupon the floor panel 286 is hinged up to meet and support the walls 274, 276, 278 and 282. The castellated rim 290 of the floor panel 286 then fits within the walls 274, 276, 278 and 282 and helps to secure the floor panel 286 to the walls 274, 276, 278 and 282.

Claims

1. An appliance or a storage unit having a structure comprising:

a base;

mutually-spaced uprights upstanding from the base to define sides of an open-fronted storage volume;

an open-topped drawer movable with respect to the structure through the open front of the storage volume;

runners supported by the uprights for supporting the drawer for said movement; and

a lid supported by the uprights for closing the open top of the drawer when the drawer is within the storage volume.

-2. The appliance or unit of Claim I₃ wherein the uprights comprise a plurality of mutually-spaced support members.

3. The appliance or unit of Claim 2, wherein the support members of an upright are connected by a runner.

4. The appliance or unit of Claim 2 or Claim 3 wherein the support members of an upright are connected by the lid.

5. The appliance or unit of any of Claims 2 to 4, wherein the support members are connected by longitudinal members.

6. The appliance or unit of Claim 5, wherein the longitudinal members join upper free ends of the support members.

7. The appliance or unit of Claim 5 or Claim 6 wherein the base comprises a plurality of cross-members, each of which aligns with a respective one of the support members and is disposed substantially orthogonally with respect to that support member.

8. The appliance or unit of Claim 7, wherein braces connect the cross-members and the support members at their junctions.

9. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein the uprights are moulded, fabricated or pressed.

10. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein the uprights define mounting points for the lid and the runners.

11. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein the base and the uprights comprise profiled members of identical profile to each other.

12. The appliance or unit of Claim 11 , wherein the or each member of the base is of a ^■ different length to the members of the uprights. ^"

13. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein the uprights are braced by the lid.

14. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein each upright has vertical corrugations.

15. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein the uprights are braced by one or more lateral members.

16. The appliance or unit of Claim 15, wherein the or each lateral member is integral with the uprights.

17. The appliance or unit of Claim 16, wherein each upright is integral with a lateral member that joins upper free ends of the uprights.

18. The appliance or unit of Claim 16, wherein the uprights comprise a plurality of mutually-spaced support members, each of which is integral with a respective lateral member that joins upper free ends of the support members.

19. The appliance or unit of any of Claims 16 to 18, wherein an integral lateral member joins rear edges of the uprights.

20. The appliance or unit of Claim 19, wherein the integral lateral member defines a rear panel of the structure.

21. The appliance or unit of any of Claims 15 to 20, wherein the uprights and the or each lateral member are defined by a folded sheet.

22. The appliance or unit of any of Claims 15 to 20, wherein the uprights and the or each lateral member are attached to each other as a fabricated component.

23. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein lateral members and longitudinal members are arranged in a ring connecting the uprights.

24. The appliance or unit of Claim 23, wherein the ring comprises an identical pair of lateral members and an identical pair of longitudinal members.

25. The appliance or unit of Claim 23 or Claim 24, wherein the ring surrounds the lid.

26. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein the uprights include one or more vertical arrays of spaced internal mounting points providing selectable locations for mounting the lid and the runners at various distances from the base.

27. The appliance or unit of Claim 26, wherein the mounting points of the uprights comprise female mountings co-operable with male mountings on the lid and the runners -^ -> JO

28. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein the uprights include external attachment points for the attachment of dividers or decorative side panels, or for attachment of the appliance or unit to an adjacent wall.

29. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein each upright comprises a folded sheet having least one double-skinned upstanding edge portion, the double skin of the edge portion comprising a web extending across the upright and a strip folded inwardly from the web about an upstanding edge.

30. The appliance or unit of Claim 29, wherein the strip defines at least one mounting point for mounting the lid and/or a runner to the upright.

31. The appliance or unit of Claim 29 or Claim 30, wherein the strip is cut away above a runner mounting point to accommodate a mounting piece projecting from the drawer that rests upon a runner.

32. The appliance or unit of any of Claims 29 to 31 , wherein the strip adjoins the web at one or more transverse walls.

33. The appliance or unit of Claim 32, wherein the or each transverse wall is cut away to accommodate a mounting piece projecting from the drawer that rests upon a runner

34. The appliance or unit of any of Claims 29 to 33, wherein the strip is substantially parallel to the web.

35. The appliance or unit of Claim 34, wherein an inclined outer portion of the strip converges with the web.

36. The appliance or unit of any of Claims 29 to 35, wherein the folded sheet further includes inwardly-folded flanges at the top and/or the bottom of the upright.

37. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein the base is moulded, fabricated or pressed.

38. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein the base comprises a plurality of cross-members spaced apart longitudinally.

39. The appliance or unit of Claim 38, wherein the cross-members are joined by longitudinal members.

40. The appliance or unit of Claim 39, wherein the longitudinal members are disposed where the uprights adjoin the base.

41. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein the base comprises at least one wall upstanding from a floor.

42. The appliance or unit of Claim 41, wherein the wall has one or more ventilation openings.

43. The appliance or unit of Claim 41 or Claim 42, wherein side walls upstanding from the floor support the uprights.

44. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, wherein a worktop overlies the - structure.

45. A stackable modular cold-storage appliance comprising:

a structure;

an open-topped drawer movable with respect to the structure for opening and closing;

a lid supported by the structure for closing the open top of the drawer when the drawer is closed; and

a cooling means for cooling the interior but not the exterior of the drawer.

46. A cold-storage appliance of any preceding claim, wherein refrigerator engine components are disposed in a void under the drawer.

47. A cold-storage appliance of any preceding claim, wherein the interior of the drawer is cooled via the lid.

48. A cold-storage appliance of any preceding claim, wherein a seal seals the open top of the drawer to the lid.

49. A cold-storage appliance of any preceding claim, wherein the lid and walls of the drawer are insulated.

50. The appliance of Claim 49, wherein the drawer further includes removable extra insulation panels adapted to lie within the drawer against its insulated walls.

51. The appliance of Claim 50, wherein the extra insulation panels are assembled in the drawer for use.

52. The appliance of Claim 5X) or.Claim.51, wherein the extra insulation panels are hingeably or flexibly joined to each other to be collapsed when not in use.

53. The appliance of any of Claims 50 to 52, wherein the insulated walls of the drawer and the extra insulation panels have complementary inter-engageable surface formations.

54. A cold-storage appliance of any preceding claim, further including a condenser.

55. The appliance of Claim 54, wherein the condenser is disposed externally of the appliance to be exposed to ambient airflow.

56. The appliance of Claim 54, wherein the condenser is disposed in the appliance.

57. The appliance of any of Claims 54 to 56, wherein the condenser receives air flowing along an airflow channel in the appliance.

58. The appliance of Claim 57, wherein the airflow channel is beside or under the container.

59. The appliance of Claim 57 or Claim 58, wherein the airflow channel is defined between a bottom or side of the container and an opposed wall of the appliance.

60. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, further including an open-fronted storage compartment.

61. The appliance or unit of Claim 60, further including a door for closing the open front of the storage compartment.

62. The appliance or unit of any preceding claim, further including an interface formation for coupling the appliance or unit to an adjacent appliance or unit.

63. The appliance or unit of Claim 62, wherein the interface formation comprises a protrusion.

- 64. The appliance or unit of Claim 62 or Claim 63, wherein the interface formation comprises a recess.

65. The appliance or unit of any of Claims 62 to 64, wherein the appliance or unit has a top and a bottom, each with a respective complementary interface formation being capable of interfacing with an opposed interface formation of an appliance or unit below.

66. The appliance or unit of Claim 65, wherein a protrusion is on the top and a recess is on the bottom, the recess being capable of receiving a corresponding protrusion on the top of an appliance or unit below.

67. A stack of appliances or units as defined in any preceding claim.

68. A modular plurality of appliances or units as defined in any preceding claim, each of said appliances or units having a drawer and the drawer of one of said appliances or units being of a different height to the drawer of another of said appliances or units of the plurality.

69. An insulation kit for a cold-storage unit, the kit comprising a plurality of extra insulation panels adapted to lie within an already-insulated compartment of the unit.

70. The appliance or unit of Claim 69, wherein the extra insulation panels are assembled in the compartment for use.

71. The appliance or unit of Claim 69 or Claim 70, wherein the extra insulation panels are hingeably or flexibly joined to each other to be collapsed when not in use.

72. The appliance or unit of any of Claims 69 to 71, wherein the insulated walls of the compartment and the extra insulation panels have complementary inter- engageable surface formations.

73. An appliance or unit, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in any of Figures 1 to 66 of the accompanying drawings.

74. An insulation kit for a cold-storage unit, substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to or as illustrated in any of Figures 67 to 80 of the accompanying drawings.