WO2008015188A2

WO2008015188A2 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2008015188A2
Application number: PCT/EP2007/057833
Authority: WO
Inventors: Fethi Sen; Resul Yavuz; Fatih Akbas; Ibrahim Yanik
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2006-07-31
Filing date: 2007-07-30
Publication date: 2008-02-07
Also published as: EP2049854A2; WO2008015188A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) wherein the inner space is utilized efficiently, comprising a body (2) for storing items to be cooled, a door allowing access inside from the outside, one or more shelves (3) positioned inside at different levels, and a bottle holder (4) that is kept such that the least space is occupied when not in use.

Description

Description A COOLING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising a holder that δcilitates storing bottles of various dimensions.

[0002] Various solutions have been devised for storing bottles horizontally in the interior volume of the cooling device without occupying much space. These solutions are generally bottle holders of various configurations positioned above or under the shelves that divide the inner space of the cooling device into partitions.

[0003] In the state of the art European Patent no. EP0917639, a bottle holder is described for stocking bottles that is folded under the shelf in order to occupy less space. In this document, the bottle holder can be brought into a position I wherein bottles can be loaded and a position II when unused to be folded underneath the shelf in by the user to occupy less space. No other position is provided for storing bottles between these two positions. The brackets that form the bottle holder are attached to the shelf from two ends and are folded underneath the shelf by rotating around the axis passing through these two ends. Center of gravity of the bottle placed into the bottle holder between position I and position II moves both in the vertical and the horizontal axis with respect to the center of gravity of the bottle stored in first position (Figure 1).

[0004] In another state of the art International Patent Application no. WO05059458, bottle carriers are described that are moved along a slipway. These, can store one bottle when the vertical and horizontal axis thereof are aligned on the same level such that they intercept, and when not aligned on the same level more than one bottle can be stored.

[0005] The object of the present invention is to design a cooling device comprising a bottle holder for safely storing and holding bottles of various heights, which occupies less space when not in use.

[0006] The cooling device designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises at least two brackets, preferably bent into a U shape, disposed pivotably from one point on the body, door or the shelf and a connector that provides the brackets to move simultaneously by joining them to each other. The brackets mounted from one point, when rotated around the point of mounting, the projection of the surface defined by the bracket on the plane vertical to the loading direction is reduced. Thus bottles of various sizes placed in the bottle holder can be immovably secured and carried more safely.

[0007] Since the brackets are rotated around the point of mounting, the bottle placed in the bottle holder can be carried without changing the center of gravity thereof. Since the center of gravity of the bottles placed in the bottle holder does not move, the bottle does not leave the position of balance. This position allows the bottle holder to be also turned while containing bottles therein. By using the bottle holder, when the largest size bottle that can be placed therein is desired to be stored horizontally, the surface defined by each bracket is in a plane vertical to the loading direction. This position is wherein the bottle holder is entirely open. The wall of the bottle placed into the bottle holder is almost entirely surrounded by the brackets. In this position, the largest size bottle storable into the brackets is safely supported.

[0008] It is also possible to immovably support smaller sized bottles with the same bottle holder. In order to maintain this, the brackets are rotated around the axis passing through the point of mounting. In this position, the surface defined by each bracket of the bottle holder leaves the plane vertical to the loading direction and the projection of this surface on the plane is reduced. The rotation motion lasts until the arms of at least one bracket rests on the wall of the bottle. The brackets rest on the wall of the bottle placed in the bottle holder and almost entirely clasp the bottle preventing movement in the bottle holder. During all of these motions, the gravity center of the bottle that is placed in the bottle holder, is almost not changing. This results in the bottle to be supported safely without leaving the position of balance. Consequently, bottles of various sizes can be safely supported by the bottle holder.

[0009] In this embodiment, the bottle holder changes to the closed position when not in use. By bringing the bottle holder to the closed position, the bottle holder occupies less space by resting on the body or the shelf. To accomplish this, the bracket is rotated around the point of mounting such that the defined surface thereof is almost parallel to the surface the bottle holder will rest thereon. In this position, while initially there is a wide surface defined by the bracket on the loading direction, now there is a narrow surface which is as much as the wall thickness of the bracket on the loading direction.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, each bottle holder is independent of the other and while one is reclining, in the closed position, another one can be used in the open position for supporting bottles.

[0011] In another embodiment of the present invention, at least one connector of the adjacent bottle holders is common. Thus the bottle holders are enabled to turn in opposite directions to each other by scissor-like or zigzag motions to be folded on top of each other and recline against the body, the door or the shelf.

[0012] By means of the present invention, an intermediate position is provided between the open and closed positions of the bottle holder for safely storing bottles (smaller than the bottle sizes supported in the open position) of various sizes. By means of this intermediate position provided by the brackets constituting the bottle holder rotating around a single point, the bottles are clasped by the brackets and safely supported, without the gravity center of bottles leaving the position of balance. Furthermore, when bottle holders are not used, they can be kept in the cooling device by reclining on the door, the body or the shelf thus occupying less space and without taking out of the cooling device.

[0013] The cooling device designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

[0014] Figure 1 - is the schematic view of a bottle holder in the prior art.

[0015] Figure 2 - is the schematic view of the bottle holder of the present invention in the open position.

[0016] Figure 3 - is the schematic view of the bottle holder of the present invention in the intermediate position.

[0017] Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the bottle holder of the present invention in another embodiment.

[0018] Figure 5 - is the perspective view of the bottle holder.

[0019] Figure 6 - is the bottom perspective view of the bottle holder.

[0020] Figure 7 - is the front view of the bottle holder of the present invention in another embodiment.

[0021] Figure 8 - is the perspective view of the bottle holder of the present invention in another embodiment.

[0022] Figure 9 - is the bottom perspective view of the bottle holder of the present invention in another embodiment.

[0023] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device

2. Body

3. Shelf

4. Bottle holder

5. Rail

6. Bracket

7. Connector

8. Intermediate element

9. Locking protrusion 10. Housing

[0024] The cooling device (1) comprises a body (2) wherein items to be cooled are stored, a door allowing access inside from the outside, and one or more shelves (3) positioned inside at different levels.

[0025] The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises at least one bracket (6) preferably bent in a U shape, mounted on the body (2), the door or the shelf (3) from one point such that it can rotate around the vertical axis passing through that point, and when rotated around the point of mounting, the projection of the surface defined on the plane vertical to the loading direction (X) is reduced and stays on the same loading direction (X) (Figure 2 and Figure 3).

[0026] The bottle holder (4) of the present invention can immovably hold bottles of smaller sizes with uneven cross-sections. This is accomplished by rotating the brackets (6) around the point of mounting. In this position, the surface defined by each bracket (6) on the bottle holder (4) leaves the plane vertical to the loading direction (X) and the projection of this surface on the plane is reduced. Thus the brackets (6) almost rest against the wall of the bottle placed in the bottle holder (4) and clasp the bottle, preventing the movement thereof in the bottle holder (4). This feature enabled by the brackets (6) rotating around a single point allows for an intermediate position wherein bottles of sizes smaller than the bottle stored in the open position can be safely supported.

[0027] When the same bottle holder (4) is not used, it can occupy less space by reclining on the body (2), the door or the shelf (3). In order to accomplish this, the brackets (6) are rotated around the point of mounting until the surface defined is almost parallel to the surface that the bottle holder (4) will rest against. In this position, when initially there was a surface defined by the bracket (6) on the loading position (X), now there is a surface on the loading position (X) in as much as the wall thickness of the bracket (6). This position is the closed position wherein the bottle holder (4) does not support any bottles.

[0028] The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises one or more rails (5) where to the bottle holder (4) is mounted for moving. The rail (5) can be mounted or unmounted when desired. The rail (5) is preferably disposed oppositely such that there is at least one on the front side of the shelf (3) and at least one on the rear side. Besides, these rails (5) can move such that they are parallel to one another.

[0029] The cooling device (1) comprises an intermediate element (8) disposed between the rail (5) and the bracket (6), providing the bracket (6) to be mounted to the rail (5). The intermediate element (8) connects the two parallel rails (5) such that more than one bracket (6) is disposed thereon. In this embodiment, each bracket (6) constituting the bottle holder (4) is aligned on the same level and move on the rail (5) simultaneously. The intermediate element (8) can either be monoblock with the bracket (6) or a separate element.

[0030] The cooling device (1) comprises a locking protrusion (9) providing each bracket (6) to be mounted on the body (2), the door, the shelf (3) or the intermediate element (8) and to rotate around the point of mounting and a housing (10) wherein this locking protrusion (9) is engaged.

[0031] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, two rails (5) are mounted to the front and rear sides of the shelf (3) such that they are parallel to each other. A bottle holder (4) is disposed on the rails (5). When bottles are loaded on the bottle holder (4), the suriace defined by each bracket (6) is on a plane vertical to the loading direction (X). In this position, the bottle holder (4) is in the open position wherein the largest sized bottle (diameter, cross-section) that can be stored depending on the capacity thereof is supported horizontally.

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, all the brackets (6) disposed on the bottle holder (4) can be rotated individually with different angles (Figure 4).

[0033] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises one or more bottle holders (4) having a connector (7) that joins the brackets (6) such that they can move simultaneously.

[0034] The connector (7) joins the brackets (6) on the same bottle holder (4) mounted oppositely to separate rails (5) and provides simultaneous movement of the brackets (6). The connector (7) is preferably fixed to the outer suriace of each bracket (6). When one bracket (6) is moved, the other brackets (6) also move in accordance with the motion of this bracket (6) by means of the connector (7). Furthermore, the connector (7) being on one side of the rotational axis of the brackets (6), prevents the brackets (6) from rotating 360° since it cannot go to the other side of the rotational axis.

[0035] In another embodiment of the present invention, the connector (7) is disposed on both sides of the brackets (6). Accordingly, the motion of one bracket (6) can be transmitted to the other brackets (6) more easily. Besides, the durability of the bottle holder (4) is thus increased.

[0036] In another embodiment of the present invention, each bottle holder (4) is independent from each other and when one is in the closed, reclining position, another one can be used for holding bottles in the open or intermediate position (Figure 5 and Figure 6). [0037] In another embodiment of the present invention, the bottle holder (4) can either lean against the body (2) or the door or can easily be folded under the shelf (3) by rotating the brackets (6) entirely.

[0038] In another embodiment of the present invention, the connector (7) of at least two adjacent side-by-side bottle holders (4) is common. In this embodiment, when one bottle holder (4) is rotated clockwise, the other bottle holder (4) connected to this bottle holder (4) by the connector (7), rotates counterclockwise due to the motion of the connector (7). This movement lasts until the surfaces defined by the brackets (6) on the different bottle holders (4) connected by a common connector (7) are almost parallel to each other. When the scissor-like or zigzag motion of each bottle holder (4) connected to each other is completed, the bottle holders (4) rotate in opposite directions and fold over one another (Figure 7, Figure 8 and Figure 9).

[0039] In cooling devices (1) wherein the bottle holder (4) of the present invention is used, an intermediate position is provided between the open and closed positions of the bottle holder (4) for safely storing bottles (smaller than the bottle sizes supported in the open position) of various sizes. By means of this intermediate position provided by the brackets (6) constituting the bottle holder (4) that rotate around a single point, the bottles are clasped by the brackets (6) and safely supported, without the gravity center of bottles leaving the position of balance. Furthermore, when bottle holders (4) are not used, they can be kept in the cooling device (1) by reclining on the door, the body (2) or the shelf (3) thus occupying less space and without taking out of the cooling device

(1).

[0040] By means of the present invention, bottles of different sizes can be safely supported and stored by using the same bottle holder (4) in the cooling device (1), and when not in use can be kept without occupying more space and without been taken out of the cooling device (1). Consequently, the inner space of both the bottle holder (4) and the cooling device (1) can be utilized more efficiently.

Claims

[0001] A cooling device (1) comprising a body (2) wherein items to be cooled are stored, a door allowing access to the inside from the outside, and one or more shelves (3) positioned inside at different levels, and characterized by one or more bottle holders (4) - having at least one bracket (6) that is on the same loading direction (X), - mounted on the body (2), the door or the shelf (3) from one point such that it can rotate around the vertical axis passing through that point, - the projection of the surface definedon the plane vertical to the loading direction (X) is reduced when rotated around the point of mounting.

[0002] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a bottle holder (4) having a bracket (6) bent in a U shape.

[0003] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized by a bottle holder (4) having brackets (6) that can be rotated individually at different angles.

[0004] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized by a bottle holder (4) having a connector (7) that joins the brackets (6) together thus providing them to rotate simultaneously.

[0005] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by one or more rails (5) where to the bottle holder (4) is mounted to be moved.

[0006] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by rails (5) disposed oppositely such that there will be at least one on the front side of the shelf (3) and at least one on the rear side thereof.

[0007] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 4, characterized by a connector (7) that is fixed to the outer surface of each bracket (6).

[0008] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 7, characterized by a connector (7) that is disposed on both sides of the brackets (6).

[0009] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by an intennediate element (8) disposed between the rail (5) and the bracket (6) providing the bracket (6) to be mounted to the rail (5).

[0010] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 9, characterized by an intennediate element (8) that connects two parallel rails (5) such that more than one bracket (6) is disposed thereon.

[0011] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 9 or 10, characterized by an intennediate element (8) that is monoblock with the bracket (6).

[0012] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 9 or 10, characterized by an intennediate element (8) that is a separate component from the bracket (6). [0013] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a locking protrusion (9) that provides each bracket (6) to be mounted on the body

(2), the door, the shelf (3) or the intennediate element (8) and to rotate around the point of mounting and a housing (10) wherein this locking protrusion (9) is engaged. [0014] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by bottle holders (4), each one independent from the other such that when one is in the closed, reclining position, another one can be used for holding bottles in the open or intennediate position. [0015] A cooling device (1) as in as in any one of the claims 1 to 14, characterized by bottle holders (4) disposed side-by-side, having at least one common connector

(7).