WO2007110440A2

WO2007110440A2 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2007110440A2
Application number: PCT/EP2007/052992
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emre Ozyuksel; Ridvan Kadir Celik; Osman Vardar; Nihat Bayiz; Gokhan Yavuz
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2006-03-29
Filing date: 2007-03-29
Publication date: 2007-10-04
Also published as: TR200805974T1; WO2007110440A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to storage containers (5) comprising one or more walls (6) made of rings (3) formed by woven wire and hence increasing the cooling efficiency, and the usage volume (F) of the storage containers (5) to be changed and to be moved in the vertical or horizontal directions according to the desire of the user.

Description

Description A COOLING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising a storage container, usage volume of which can be changed, efficiently cooling the items emplaced therein.

[0002] Some foodstuff and similar items must be stored in cooling devices in order to keep their initial freshness for a long while and to prolong their shelf life. In this type of situations, numerous types of storage containers have been developed in order to store similar products together.

[0003] In cooling devices, storage containers are used that are emplaced between two shelves. These storage containers are kept in the cooling device by folding under or over the shelf such that the minimum amount of space is taken up when not used. In these types of applications, the usage volume of the storage container is not variable. It takes up the same volume in the cooling device whether used or not used.

[0004] In state of the art United States of America Patent Application no.

US2003/0052583, a storage container is explained that comprises an additional storage unit made of wire that can be used in various ways.

[0005] When the storage containers made of wire are emplaced at a place, the loading opening thereof gets closer to the base and stays folded over the base such that it takes up minimum space. In this position the carrying activity cannot be done with the storage container.

[0006] The foodstuff stored in the cooling device can communicate with the cool air most effectively when the foodstuff to be cooled is in minimum contact with the walls of the cooling device. Therefore the wire storage containers used by being suspended from a place provide the items emplaced therein to be cooled effectively. The wire storage containers used by suspending always stand in the longest position due to its own weight and/or the weight of the stored items therein. Therefore even when not in use, they do not take up much space.

[0007] The objective of the present invention is to design a cooling device comprising a storage container, the usage volume of which can be changed, providing effective cooling of the items stored therein.

[0008] The cooling device designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a retainer that provides a net-like storage container which is mounted in the body, the loading opening thereof preferably affixed by mounting under the shelf, and the base hanging down freely into the body to be fixed at the desired height so that the usage volume can be changed by the user.

[0009] The storage container comprises walls weaved of rings movably interconnected to each other, situated between the base and the loading opening thereof, that can collapse by its own weight on itself or be reopened. Each ring is connected to the adjacent ring and the movement of each ring results in the movement of the other rings adjacent thereto. The rings that form the walls of the storage container when assembled together, collapse by telescoping into each other like a chain or open by moving away thereby the volume of the storage container can be changed.

[0010] When the rings collapse unto each other by jamming in, the volume of the storage container is decreased, when opened the usage volume increases by resuming its former position.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, the walls of the storage container are shaped like an accordion.

[0012] The restrainer used for keeping the base of the storage container adjusted to the desired level and fixed at that position, one end thereof is affixed to the body, shelf or the wall of the storage container, and the other end is attached to the wall such that the base of the storage container gets near the loading opening thereof and is kept at the desired position. The restrainer can be a protrusion extending towards the walls of the storage container or can be a rope extending parallel to the walls of the storage container. In both of the embodiments, the walls of the storage container woven of rings can be attached to the free end of the restrainer and accordingly the base can be kept at the desired level.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the fixed end of the restrainer is attached to a pulley and is rolled up by the movement of the pulley and the free end can move. Therefore, the base that is attached to the free end of the restrainer can move up or down depending on this movement and the usage volume of the storage container can be readily changed.

[0014] By means of the present invention, the storage containers that are produced by being woven of wires and thereby increasing their cooling capacity, their usage capacity can be changed regardless of the weight of the items empkced therein and moved in the vertical or horizontal directions according to the desire of the user. Furthermore, by means of the present invention, the usage volume of the storage container situated between the shelves can be changed, regardless of the distance between the shelves, allowing the space between the shelves to be used effectively. [0015] The cooling device designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0016] Figure 1 - is the exploded perspective view of a storage container, a guide and a re- strainer.

[0017] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of a storage container mounted on a guide.

[0018] Figure 3 - is the detailed view of a storage container inside the cooling device.

[0019] Figure 4 - is the perspective view of a storage container in squeezed form inside the cooling device.

[0020] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device

2. Body

3. Ring

4. Shelf

5. Storage container

6. Wall

7. Loading opening

8. Base

9. Restrainer

10. Upper frame

11. Lower frame

12. Guide

13. Track

14. Stopper

[0021] The cooling device (1) comprises a body (2), a door providing access into the body, one or more shelves (4) unto which the items are stored and a storage container (5) affixed on the body (2) or the shelf (4), having a loading opening (7) providing emplacement and/or taking out the loaded items, a base (8) that is suspended inside the body (2) and one or more walls (6) that join the loading opening (7) and the base (8), collapsible on itself by own weight or can return to former position by being reopened, formed by movably interconnected woven rings (3) and a restrainer (9) with one end mounted on the wall (6) of the storage container (5) providing the wall (6) to entirely or partially collapse on itself or to change the height of the wall (6) thereby changing the usage volume (F) of the storage container (5) (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

[0022] All the walls (6) and the base (8) of the storage container (5) are preferably woven of wire by interconnecting and interlocking rings (3) in the shape of a chain. Each ring (3) has a movable connection with adjacent rings (3) thereof and the movement of each ring (3) causes the other rings (3) connected to that ring (3) to also move. Consequently when the rings (3) that form the walls (6) of the storage container (5) bind together, they either collapse unto each other or open up by moving in the direction of the applied force. When the rings collapse onto each other, the wall (6) of the storage container (5) is squeezed and accordingly the usage volume (F) of the storage container (5) is reduced, and when opened the usage volume (F) also increases (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

[0023] The storage container (5) comprises an upper frame (10) providing mounting on the body (2) or the shelf (4), enabling the loading opening (7) to keep its form by encircling the loading opening (7). The upper frame (10) is preferably a closed curve like a rectangle or circle.

[0024] One end of the restrainer (9) is affixed to the body (2), the shelf (4) or the upper frame (10), the other end is attached to the wall (6) of the storage container (5) thus providing the base (8) of the storage container (5) to get near the loading opening (7) and to be kept at the desired position. Since the walls (6) of the storage container (5) are woven of rings (3), fixing of the desired position is made easier by the restrainer (9) attaching to the rings (3).

[0025] The storage container (5) is mounted on the body (2) or the shelf (4) by means of the upper frame (10), the base (8) is not affixed anywhere and is suspended into the body (2). While in this position, the rings (3) are open, the distance between the base (8) and the loading opening (7) of the storage container (5) is at its maximum and the storage volume (F) is at its largest. When the storage container (5) is desired to be folded by the user, the rings (3) from the base (8) up to the restrainer (9) are squeezed collapsing on each other, the base (8) is adjusted to the desired height and the rings (3) are attached to the free end of the restrainer (9) extending into the body (2). In this position the base (8) has reached the desired height and is kept at that level. The walls (6) of the storage container (5) can entirely collapse on itself. In this position, the storage container (5) encompasses the least volume (Figure 3 and Figure 4).

[0026] In another embodiment of the present invention, the storage container (5) comprises a lower frame (11) providing the base (8) of the storage container (5) to keep its shape by encircling thereof. The lower frame (11) is preferably a closed curve like a rectangle or a circle. The lower frame (11) preferably has the same shape as the upper frame (10).

[0027] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a guide (12), preferably situated under the shelf (4), to which at least two opposite sides of the upper frame (10) are mounted thereby providing to the storage container (5) to be carried and also to move the storage container (5) forwards and backwards. The guide (12) comprises one or more stoppers (14) that prevent the dislocation of the upper frame (10) mounted thereon and also limit its backwards and forwards movement. [0028] In this embodiment of the present invention, the shelf (4) furthermore comprises more than one track (13) formed on its two opposite sides, so that the guide (12) can be seated and move along the shelf (4). Consequently, while the guide (12) allows the storage container (5) to move forwards and backwards, the track (13) by means of the guide (12) allows the storage container (5) to move to the left or right along the shelf

(4).

[0029] In another embodiment of the present invention, the restrainer (9) is made of a rope with hooks on both of its ends. One end of the restrainer (9) is affixed to the body (2), the shelf (4) or to the sides of the upper frame (10), the other end stays free in the body (2). The length of the restrainer (9) is less than the length of the storage container (5) while it is in the maximum usage volume (F) position, and extends along the walls (6) of the storage container (5) parallel to the wall (6). In order for all the sides of the lower frame (11) to be kept at the same level, an equal number of restraints (9) are used on at least two of its opposite walls (6). In this embodiment, the length of the restrainer (9) is fixed.

[0030] In another embodiment of the present invention, one end of the rope used as the restrainer (9) is fixed to a pulley. The free end of the restrainer (9) and hence the wall (6) of the storage container (5) attached to this end can be moved by the user by means of the pulley. Consequently, the storage volume (F) of the storage container (5) can be changed by moving the rope.

[0031] By means of the present invention, the storage containers (5) produced of woven wire and thus increasing the cooling efficiency, are provided with a variable usage volume (F) that can be changed regardless of the weight of the items stored therein and be moved in the vertical or horizontal directions according to the desire of the user.

Claims

[0001] A cooling device (1) comprising a body (2), a door providing access into the body (2), one or more shelves (4) unto which the items are stored and characterized by a storage container (5) affixed on the body (2) or the shelf (4), having a loading opening (7) providing emplacement and/or taking out the stored items, a base (8) that is suspended inside the body (2) and one or more walls (6) that join the loading opening (7) and the base (8), collapsible on itself by own weight or return to its fonner position by being reopened, fonned by movably interconnected woven rings (3) and a restrainer (9) with one end mounted on the wall (6) of the storage container (5) providing the wall (6) to entirely or partially collapse on itself or to change the height of the wall (6) thereby changing the storage volume (F) of the storage container (5).

[0002] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by one or more interconnecting and interlocking rings (3), each one having a movable connection with the adjacent ones thereof and the movement of each one causing the interconnected ones to also move.

[0003] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a storage container (5) comprising an upper frame (10) providing mounting on the body (2) or the shelf (4), enabling the loading opening (7) to keep its fonn by encircling the loading opening (7).

[0004] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a re- strainer (9) with one end affixed to the body (2), the shelf (4) or the upper frame (10), and the other end attached to the wall (6) of the storage container (5) thus providing the base (8) of the storage container (5) to get near the loading opening (7) and be kept at the desired position.

[0005] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 4, characterized by a restrainer (9) made of a rope with hooks on both of its ends with one end affixed to the body (2), the shelf (4) or to the sides of the upper frame (10), and the other end standing free in the body (2).

[0006] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, 4 or 5, characterized by a restrainer (9) the length of which is less than the length of the storage container (5) while it is in the maximum usage volume (F) position.

[0007] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 to 6, characterized by a storage container (5) comprising a lower frame (11) providing to keep the fonn of the base (8) by en- circling the base (8).

[0008] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a guide

(12) preferably situated under the shelf (4), to which at least two opposite sides of the upper frame (10) are mounted, providing to carry the storage container (5) and also move the storage container (5) forwards and backwards.

[0009] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 8, characterized by a guide (12) comprising one or more stoppers (14) that prevent the dislocation of the upper frame (10) mounted thereon and also limit its backwards and forwards movement.

[0010] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 8 or 9, characterized by a shelf (4) comprising more than one track (13) fonned on its two opposite sides, so that the guide (12) can be seated, providing the guide (12) to move along the shelf (4).

[0011] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a re- strainer (9), the free end of which can be moved by the user by means of a pulley.