WO2008046984A1

WO2008046984A1 - Cabinet for displaying goods, and elements for its construction

Info

Publication number: WO2008046984A1
Application number: PCT/FR2007/001658
Authority: WO
Inventors: André Renard
Original assignee: Renard Andre
Priority date: 2006-10-13
Filing date: 2007-10-11
Publication date: 2008-04-24
Also published as: EP2076723A1; FR2907202A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an insulating element (22) for the construction of a refrigerated cabinet, which comprises a number of insulating walls (28, 29, 30) articulated together and also an air-ducting pipe section. The invention also relates to a refrigerated cabinet including one such insulating element and an air-cooling unit including two elements which are interconnected by means of at least partially flexible pipes.

Description

Display cabinet of products and elements for its construction

The present invention relates to a product display cabinet and elements for its construction.

The technical field of the invention is that of the manufacture of refrigerated food display cabinets.

The present invention is intended to provide improvements to refrigerated furniture described in WO94 / 17698, WO97 / 01977 and WO97 / 30910.

WO94 / 17698 relates to refrigerated furniture 10 of product exposure on several superposed shelves; the cabinet comprises a base comprising a refrigeration unit, and a removable structure placed on the base and having fresh air guide walls to the shelves; the shelves and / or cladding panels are made of cardboard material,

WO97 / 01977 discloses such a piece of furniture which comprises a plurality of stacked air guide ducts from the pedestal containing the refrigeration unit to a roof panel providing air guiding and curtain formation. descending vertical air; bunk trays receive the products to be displayed and the fresh air distributed by the

20conduits. This furniture is movable by a forklift, and include corrugated board.

An object of the invention is to provide such furniture that is easier to manufacture, assemble, and / or transport, especially when empty.

Another object of the invention is to provide elements and organs allowing by their mutual assembly, the construction and erection of a product display cabinet at a point of sale, simply and quickly. According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided an insulating element or module for presenting products (fresh), for the construction of a refrigerated piece of furniture, which comprises several insulating walls hinged together and a (section of) duct air transport.

The articulation of the insulating walls makes it possible to easily pass the element or module of a (first) folded / collapsed configuration in which the element or module has a first bulk, to a (second) deployed configuration in which the element or module has a second footprint greater than the first footprint, when mounting the refrigerated cabinet.

The articulated walls of the module are preferably rigid enough for the module to contribute to forming the frame of the piece of furniture.

The collapsed / collapsed configuration facilitates the transport of the empty element or module, while the deployed configuration makes it possible to have the products to keep cool inside the element or module.

Thanks to the integration of a section of air transport duct within the element or module of storage / exposure of products, the assembly of the refrigerated furniture is faster; in addition, the air distribution is not conditioned by a correct relative positioning of the air transport duct and the product exposure module, as is the case in WO97 / 01977.

Preferably, the insulating walls have two substantially plane and parallel bearing faces so that two such elements or modules can be stacked one on the other, with interposition

25eventuelle a substantially planar separation element, with parallel faces, such as a plate.

Preferably, the element or presentation module comprises an air guide and distribution wall contributing to delimit, with one of the insulating walls, the air transport duct section; this wall for guiding and distributing air is perforated to allow a passage of the air transported in the conduit, through the wall, to ensure the distribution of air to the space (product presentation) delimited, in part, by the insulating walls.

Each insulating wall preferably has a honeycomb structure whose constitution and thickness are adapted to the desired level of thermal insulation. The insulating walls are preferably made of one (or more) material (s) based on cardboard and / or plastics material. The thickness of these walls is generally of the order of 10 to about 50 millimeters, in particular of the order of 20, 30 or 40 mm approximately.

Each guide wall and air distribution wall may also be made in one (or more) material (s) based on cardboard and / or plastic, and may have a thickness of the order of 0.5 to 5 About 15millimeters.

The articulation between two insulating walls is preferably in the form of a thin wall such as a sheet - or other laminated / laminated structure -, a ribbon, or a film; this articulation can in particular be obtained by local deformation of a weakened wall or 20mince, cardboard and / or plastic, part of one (or two) insulating walls considered (s); alternatively or in addition, this articulation may for example be obtained by deformation of an adhesive tape connecting the two insulating walls.

Preferably, the element or module comprises at least three walls 25 mutually articulated two by two (by two members or articulation structures), in particular four insulating walls articulated two by two (by three hinge members); these articulation members allow a relative pivoting of the walls that they connect along axes of pivoting, ie articulation, which are substantially parallel. Preferably, each of the hinge members substantially allows to obtain, in the collated / folded configuration, the contact and / or the overlap of the hinged walls and / or the folded parts of the module.

According to one embodiment of the invention, there is provided an element of construction of an exhibition furniture (of products) which comprises:

a first insulating wall (substantially flat),

a second insulating wall (substantially planar) which is connected to the first insulating wall by a first articulation, and

a third wall (substantially flat) integral with (connected to) the first wall, which extends away from the first wall to define therewith a first (section of) air transport duct, and which is perforated to allow air distribution.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, the construction element further comprises:

a fourth substantially flat insulating wall,

a fifth substantially insulating insulating wall, which is connected to the fourth insulating wall by a second articulation,

a sixth substantially flat wall integral with (connected to) the fourth wall, which extends away from the fourth wall to delimit therewith a second air transport duct, and which is perforated to allow dispensing; of air, and

a third articulation connecting the third wall to the sixth wall. According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a kit for assembling a refrigerated cabinet - and a piece of furniture made by assembling the kit elements - which comprises:

- an air cooling unit,

a product presentation element or module which is arranged to rest, directly or indirectly, on the air cooling unit, and which incorporates an air transport duct delivered by the air cooling unit,

an air deflection element or module delivered by the air transport duct, arranged to (re) direct the air towards the product presentation element or module and / or to the cooling unit of air, and

a connection member arranged to connect the product presentation element or module to the air deflection element or module, ensuring on the one hand an aeraulic "continuity" and on the other hand a correct relative positioning of these two elements.

Preferably, the connection member comprises for this purpose a hollow air transport structure, such as a connection sleeve, arranged to be inserted partly into the air transport duct of the product presentation module. and partly in the air deflection module, as well as a support member-such as a flange-projecting outside the hollow structure and arranged to rest on the module 4e product presentation.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a refrigerated furniture assembly kit which comprises at least two product presentation elements or modules which can be insulating and provided with an air transport duct, which are stackable on an air cooling unit, as well as a separating member ( modules) and receiving (of exposed products) substantially planar and arranged to be interposed between the two product presentation modules, to ensure where appropriate a "continuity" aeraulic between the respective conduits of the presentation modules, and to support 5products arranged in that of presentation modules that relies on the other module.

Preferably, the separation member comprises a thin plate pierced with an opening allowing the passage of air from one conduit to the other. In one embodiment, the shape of this member corresponds substantially to that of the contour of one of the support faces of a presentation module, in the deployed configuration of the module. In another embodiment, the separating member extends, in insertion position between two deployed exposure modules, protruding beyond the walls of the modules; in this case, for example, the

Deployed modules having a rectangle-shaped base, the separating member may have an at least partially curvilinear outline, in particular a circle-shaped outline, into which the rectangle may be inscribed.

Preferably, the kit (and the cabinet) further comprises at least one reinforcing member arranged to rest on a (first) exposure module and to support the separating member interposed between the first module and the exposure and a second exposure module based on the first exposure module.

This reinforcing member is preferably arranged to maintain a predetermined spacing between two lateral walls of the module on which it rests, in particular between two substantially parallel insulating walls of the presentation module.

The reinforcing member may have a shape of bar, angle or profile, in particular a bar or profile whose cross section 0 is shaped "T" or "L". In this particular case, each of two opposite insulating walls of the exposure module supporting this member may have a depression, such as a notch, arranged to receive one end of the reinforcing member.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided an element oukit of construction of a display cabinet (of products) which comprises:

at least one (or two) product exposure modules including, where appropriate, an air transport duct,

at least two (or three) substantially planar walls arranged to support products to be exhibited, and

at least two link units connecting each pair of adjacent walls, the link units being deformable to allow the element or kit to adopt either a pickup configuration in which the walls are spaced apart from each other, or a configuration deployed in which the spacing of the two adjacent walls substantially corresponds to the height of an exposure module, so that this module can be inserted and / or deployed between the two adjacent walls.

According to one embodiment, each linking unit comprises two mutually articulated connecting elements, each connecting element being further articulated to one of the walls, the pivot axes of these three joints being substantially parallel and equidistant.

According to one embodiment, the element further comprises a return member, such as a spring, tending to distance two walls adjoining one another, or tending on the contrary to bring them together, which can be associated with each link unit.

The connecting member, the separating member, the reinforcing member, and the connecting units / elements can be made in one (or several) material (s) based on paper or plastic, by the usual techniques of transformation and assembly of these materials, molding, or extrusion in particular.

Other aspects, features, and advantages of the invention appear in the following description, which refers to the accompanying drawings and which illustrates, without any limiting character, preferred embodiments of the invention.

Figure 1 is a schematic perspective view of an insulating module for the production of a refrigerated cabinet, according to a mode of realization of the invention, the walls of the module being deployed.

Figure 2 is a schematic view from above - in the direction indicated by the arrow I Figure 1 - of the module of Figure 1, after folding the walls one over the other.

FIG. 3 is a view similar to FIG. 1, illustrating in another embodiment of an insulating module according to the invention, in deployed configuration.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of the module of Figure 3 in pickup configuration.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a connection member 20 according to one embodiment of the invention,

Figures 6 to 8 illustrate in perspective three steps of mounting a refrigerated cabinet according to the invention incorporating two superimposed insulation modules.

Figure 9 illustrates in perspective a receiving element of products to be exposed according to one embodiment of the invention.

FIG. 10 illustrates in perspective - with tearing - an assembly comprising an insulating module inserted into an element of receiving products as shown in Figure 9, and two connecting members nested in the air transport ducts of the insulating module.

Figure 11 illustrates in perspective - with tearing - the upper part 5 of a piece of furniture including the assembly shown in Figure 10 and a deflection module nested in the connecting members.

Figures 12 and 13 illustrate respectively in simplified perspective view and exploded (Figure 12) or partially exploded (Figure 13), two embodiments of a cabinet refrigerated from 1Od 'a kit according to the invention.

Figure 14 illustrates in perspective a reinforcing member of a kit / furniture according to the invention.

Figures 15 and 18 relate to an embodiment of a piece of furniture according to the invention which has a casing generally shaped cylinder 15 surmounted by a truncated cone; Figure 15 illustrates the furniture in perspective, while Figure 18 illustrates in plan view, a separating member for conforming (maintain the shape) of the outer cylindrical casing furniture.

Figure 16 schematically illustrates in perspective, a mode of realization of a deployable element ("accordion") for receiving and separating two insulating modules, according to one embodiment of the invention.

Figure 17 is a side view of another embodiment of an insulating module according to the invention, and whose walls are folded against one another.

FIGS. 19 and 20 illustrate, in diagrammatic perspective view, two other embodiments of the invention in which the air cooling unit comprises two elements connected by a structure deformable refrigerant transport. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 19, the product presentation structure is suspended against a wall. In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 20, in a partly exploded view, the two elements of the cooling unit 5 are further connected by a structure supporting the product presentation structure.

Figure 21 illustrates in schematic perspective view an air cooling unit equipped with two feet and two wheels, and a handling structure can further support a product presentation structure.

The invention facilitates the assembly and disassembly of a refrigerated cabinet as illustrated in FIGS. 8 and 15 in particular, starting from a set or kit 21 (FIGS. 6, 12, 13 in particular) grouping together one or more insulating modules. surmounted (s) a module 23 of 15deflection / referral air, and resting on a module 24 air cooling which rests on the ground.

As illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 in particular, the kit - and the piece of furniture obtained by assembling the elements of the kit - furthermore comprises members 25 for connecting two superposed elements, members 26 and 2027 for reinforcing the product reception planes as well as generally an outer casing and shaping members of the outer casing.

According to one aspect of the invention, the assembly of a complete piece of furniture can be obtained manually, by a simple

The fitting - total or partial - of the different elements into each other, and by a simple deformation of the deployable elements - in particular of the insulating elements -.

With reference to FIGS. 1 and 3 in particular, the insulating module 22 comprises two lateral insulating walls 28 and 29 as well as a wall rear insulation 30; these flat rectangular shaped walls may be formed of a layer 3 1 of plastic foam of appropriate thickness 34, which is coated on both sides with a sheet 32, 33 of paper or cardboard.

The module 22 has substantially, in the deployed position illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 3 in particular, a symmetry with respect to a median plane 35 which, when the module is integrated into a piece of furniture, is generally a vertical anteroposterior plane.

Thus, the walls 28, 29 are identical and parallel to this plane, while the wall 30 is perpendicular to this plane.

In the embodiment of Figures 1 and 2, the outer sheet 32 of the side wall 28 is extended by a portion 32a of sheet, to the rear side edge 36 of the wall 30, this edge extending in a axis 37 parallel to the plane 35, and the portion 32a extends Informant - or part of - the outer sheet 32 (rear) of the wall 30.

Due to the flexibility of the sheet 32, 32a, the wall 28 and the portion 32a can pivot relative to the wall 30, along the axis of pivoting, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the arrow 38.

In the same way, the wall 29 and the sheet portion 32a can pivot relative to the wall 30, along an axis 39 substantially coinciding with the edge 40 of the wall 30, as illustrated in FIGS. 1 and 2 by the arrow 41 .

By these pivoting movements, the module 22 can move from the configuration

25employed in FIG. 1 in which the walls 28, 29 face each other, in the folded configuration illustrated in FIG. 2, in which the walls 28, 29 overlap partially, the wall 29 extending against the external face

32 of the wall 30. The insulating module 22 further comprises a wall 42 pierced with orifices 43, which extends opposite and at a distance from the inner (forward) face 33 of the wall 30, which is connected to this wall by portions 44 of connection, and which delimits with the wall 30 a space 45.

This space 45 serves, when the module is integrated into the furniture, upward vertical transport duct fresh air, which has an air inlet section 47 and air outlet section 49 49.

The insulating module illustrated in Figure 17 is intended to be used in pairs for each "floor" of the furniture; the module comprises a single side wall 28, a "half" of rear wall 30, a "half" of distribution wall 42 connected to the wall 30 by portions 44 and forming therewith a "half" conduit 45 of transport air, the walls 28 and 30 being articulated (arrow 38) along the axis 37 of articulation.

In this embodiment, the walls 28 and 30 comprise

Each has an edge or slice 50, 51 bevelled (at 45 ° for example); after complete deployment of this module, the walls 28, 30 extend along two substantially perpendicular planes, their respective chamfered edges facing each other and / or leaning against one another.

In this embodiment, two such modules are deployed and abutted by their respective flat interface 52, and a structure similar to that illustrated in FIGS. 3 and 4 is thus obtained.

The module illustrated in FIG. 3 is similar to that of FIGS. 1 and 2; however, its insulating wall 30 and its distribution wall 42 are made in two parts or "half" walls 30a, 30b, 42a, 42b which are separated by the median plane of symmetry.

An additional spacer 55a or 55b, respectively, connects the wall 42a (respectively 42b) to the wall 30a (respectively 30b), and extends along the plane 35 of contact between the "half" walls. In addition, a third hinge 54 is provided, the hinge axis 53 is parallel to the axes 37 and 39 and included in the plane 35 and in the plane of the walls 42a, 42b.

The hinge 54 may for example be obtained by folding the thin wall 42 along this axis 53, or by deformation of an adhesive tape 165 (shown in dashed lines in FIG. 3) overlapping the two half-walls 42a, 42b.

In this embodiment, the folding of the module 22 (with a view to its transport for example) is obtained by pivoting the walls 28, 29 10 along the axes 37, 39 towards the outside, by an angle close to 270.degree. and by pivoting the walls 30a, 42a on the one hand and 30b, 42b on the other hand, by an angle close to 180 °, until joining them as in the configuration illustrated in FIG. 4.

As shown in FIG. 1 in particular, each module 22 fits substantially in the deployed state, in a rectangular parallelepiped, and has a lower bearing surface 56 and an upper support face 57 that are substantially flat, parallel, and of the same dimensions. .

With reference to FIG. 5, the connecting member 25 is in the form of a tubular sleeve (cylindrical) with an axis 58 and a rectangular section 20, and a projecting flat wall 59 with respect to the sleeve and surrounding it - like a bridle.

Each of the lower 60 and upper 61 parts of the sleeve is provided to engage substantially without play in an air transport duct - or in an air passage opening - of shape

Additional, respectively provided in an insulating module 22, a deflection module 23 or a separating element.

In the embodiments illustrated in FIGS. 3, 4, 6, 7, 9, 10, 12 in particular, in which the ascending vertical fresh air transport duct is divided into two parallel ducts (45a, 45b) separated by the spacers (55a, 55b), two sleeves 25 serve to connect these two veins of a module 22 to the two veins of the upper module or to the inlet of the deflector 23.

The flat wall 59 is thin and serves as a stop to limit 5P depression of the sleeve in one or other of the two modules or elements that the sleeve connects.

Thus, when two superposed elements or modules are connected by the member 25, their relative positioning in translation in a plane parallel to the wall 59 is fixed, that is to say blocked, because of the stiffness of the sleeve. .

The refrigerated cabinet illustrated in Figures 6 to 8 comprises a unit 24 for cooling air, for example vapor compression of a refrigerant undergoing a compression-condensation-expansion-evaporation cycle.

The unit 24 receives two insulation modules 22 (identical) superimposed and surmounted by a module 23 air deflection.

Two pairs of (separable) connecting members ensure the limitation of the fresh air leaks propelled by the unit 24 into the modules 22, at the junction between these modules and to that between the upper module 22 and the baffle.

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 6, the lower module 22 is positioned on the unit 24 while the upper module 22 is not correctly positioned on the lower module 22.

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 7, the two modules 22 have

Have been coupled by the organs 25; it is the same for the diffuser 23 which redirects the fresh air that it receives from the conduits of the modules 22 - which has not been "distributed" by the perforated walls of these modules - forward and towards the bottom of the cabinet, to promote the recovery of air by a suction opening provided on the front of the cooling unit 24, and thus prevent losses of fresh air and energy.

For the same purpose, FIG. 7 shows that a vertical wall 62 extends behind the front face of the unit 24 between the walls 51 of the lower insulating module.

In the configuration illustrated in FIG. 8, the unit 24 and the modules 22 have been encircled by an envelope 63 whose front wall 64 has a notch 65 in its upper part.

This notch increases the visibility and accessibility to the products contained in the furniture. The walls 64 and 62 delimit an air intake duct to the entry of which the deflector 23 directs the air that it receives from the modules 22.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIGS. 9 to 12, each insulating module 22 is respectively inserted into an envelope illustrated in FIG. 159.

The envelope 70 comprises four thin flat walls 71 to 74 parallel in pairs forming a tube or cylinder of rectangular section and horizontal axis 75 in integrating position of the module in a piece of furniture.

The height 76, width 77, and depth 78 of the envelope 70 substantially correspond to the height 79, width 80, and depth 81 (see FIG. 3) of the corresponding insulating module 22, so that this module is housed substantially without play. neither excrescence inside the envelope.

Each of the horizontal main walls 72 and 74 of the casing 70 has openings 82, 83 whose number, position and dimensions are respectively adapted (identical or substantially identical), to the position and the dimensions of the ducts. transport of the insulating module corresponding to the envelope, so as to ensure continuity of the air veins and allow insertion of a portion (60 or 61, FIG. 5) of a connection sleeve, through these openings 82 , 83 and into the conduit 45 integrated air transport 5au 22 module housed in the envelope, as shown in Figures 10 and 11 in particular.

In order to facilitate the stacking and the correct relative positioning of two modules 22 inserted in their respective (identical) envelopes 70, each side wall 71, 73 of the envelopes comprises a cavity 84 10 and a projection 85 extending vertically from the cavity and having a shape complementary to that of the cavity, so that the mutual engagement of the projections 85 in the cavities maintains a correct stacking of the modules.

Moreover, each of the main walls 72 and 74 has a notch 86, 87 in its front part, so that when a module 22 and its envelope are housed in a second (outer) envelope such as the envelope 63 FIG. 120 Figure 15, these indentations may delimit with the front wall of the second casing a "well" for channeling the air sucked by the cooling unit.

FIGS. 9 to 11 also show that each lower main wall 74 of the envelope, which receives the fresh products to be exposed, has a rib 88 at the front end, which on the one hand makes it possible to reinforce this wall, and on the other hand to retain the products exposed within the space delimited by the module.

With reference to FIG. 11, the deflector module 23 comprises a horizontal insulating wall 89 forming a roof for the furniture, and an inner wall 90 extending facing and at a distance from the wall 89 with which it delimits a duct 93. of "horizontal" transport (arrow 94) of the air delivered in the upper part of the duct 45 of the upper module 22

30supporting deflector 23. For this purpose, as described above, the rear part of the wall 90 is pierced with two openings through which the upper portions of two sleeves 25 respectively, connecting the deflector to the duct 45 of the upper module 22, extend respectively.

The wall 90 is also pierced with an opening in its front part, through which extends an air diffuser 92 having a honeycomb structure.

A front wall 91 of the module 23 contributes to delimiting the duct 93.

FIG. 11 shows that the deflector 23 rests on its wall 90 on the wall 72 of the upper module 22, and that the diffuser 92 directs downward (arrow 95) the air leaving the duct 93, towards a air intake opening of the cooling unit.

With reference to FIG. 12, a lower insulating module 22 may be inserted (arrow 96) inside an envelope 70 as illustrated in FIG. 9, along the axis 75 thereof, until it is put into position. view of the conduits of the module 22 with the openings 82, 83 of the envelope.

The module 22 is equipped with a reinforcement bar 26 which, as illustrated in FIG. 14, has a T-shaped cross section, being formed of a first plane wing 97 and a second plane wing 98 perpendicular to the wing 97 and having two opposite longitudinal ends 99.

The length 103 of the bar 26 is close to the width (reference 80 Figure 3) of the module 22 deployed.

Each side wall of the module 22, in particular the wall 28, has two cavities 100 opening on the upper edge 101 of the wall 28, and whose shape is adapted to that of an end 99 of the bar, so that each end 99 a bar 26 can be accommodated substantially without play in two such cavities respectively provided in the walls 28 and 29 of the module 22, the first flange 91 of the bar being substantially flush with the upper bearing faces of the walls 28 and 29, so that the bar can be inserted into the envelope 70 with the module 22.

Several bars 26 may be used for a module 22, making it possible to reinforce all the upper wall of the envelope 70 receiving the module, and also to maintain a determined spacing between the walls 28 and 29 of the module.

Each bar may have another type of transverse profile; in particular each bar may be an angle bracket "L" profile.

In this particular case, such a bar 27 may be used to form the rib identified 88 Figures 9 to 1 1; for this purpose, two cavities or notches 100 are further provided on the walls 28, 29, which open on the lower edge 102 of the walls 28 and 29.

It can be seen from FIG. 12 that the kit allows the assembly of a refrigerated cabinet comprising two superimposed modules 22, between which two main walls (marks 72 and 74, FIG. 9) of the two envelopes 70 accommodating the modules 22 extend.

In the kit / furniture illustrated in FIG. 13 and comprising four superimposed insulation modules, each insulating module is also inserted into a thin envelope 70 such as that illustrated in FIG. 9.

Each assembly comprising the envelope and the insulating module that it receives, is separated from the assembly envelope / insulation moduleadjacent (on which it rests) by a plate 104 to 108 separation.

The structure illustrated in FIG. 16 comprises three plates 109 to 111 of insulating module separation, whereas the furniture shown in FIG. comprises several separation and conformation plates 112, one of which is illustrated in FIG.

The plates 104 to 108 and 1 12 make it possible to stiffen the main wall (reference 74, FIG. 9) of the envelope 70 that they support; 5elles thus allow to receive and support the products (not shown) which are exposed to the sale in the furniture.

The separator plates 109 to 11 1 can perform this function integrally when an insulating module is inserted between each pair of adjacent plates without being inserted into an individual envelope such as that illustrated in FIG. 9.

In the same way and for the same purpose as for the walls 72 and 74 of the envelope 70 (FIG. 9), each of the separating walls 104 to 112 comprises, at the rear part, one or more openings 113, fresh air (ascending) carried by the ducts of the corresponding insulating modules, as well as a frontal notch 1 15 of air passage (descending) to the cooling unit.

Generally, as illustrated in particular in FIG. 18, the separating plate comprises two lateral parts 116, 117 and a dorsal part

(back) 1 18 which extend outside the contour 1 19 of the base

20rectangular insulation module 22 and / or the envelope 70 it supports.

These projecting parts serve in particular to maintain the conformation of an outer casing 120 surrounding all of the insulating modules.

This makes it possible to produce furniture whose outer casing may have various shapes, such as the cylindrical casing 120 having a vertical axis 121 illustrated in FIG. 15. For this purpose, the parts 1 16 to 1 18 of the plates 112 (Figure 18) may have a contour in an arc.

With reference to FIG. 16, between each pair (109, 110) or (1 10,

1 11) of adjacent plates are provided two pairs of arms or flaps, such

5que flaps 122 to 125 which connect the plates 1 10 and 11 1, which are of identical shape and dimensions, the assembly being symmetrical with respect to the median plane which is normally vertical.

The flaps 122 and 124 are connected to the panel 1 1 1 by two joints of respective axes 126 and 128, along the two lateral edges 132, 133 of the panel 1 1 1.

Similarly, the flaps 123 and 125 are hinged respectively to the panel / plate 1 10 along two axes 127 and 129, along the side edges 132, 133 of this plate.

In addition, the flaps 122 and 123 are hinged together along the axis 15130, while the flaps 124 and 125 are hinged together along the axis 131.

The six axes 126 to 131 are equidistant and parallel to the median plane 35; thus, the hinged flaps allow the reconciliation - and conversely mutual - separation of the plates 110 and 1 1 1.

It is the same with regard to the plates 109 and 110.

The assembly illustrated in FIG. 16 is thus deformable "accordionally" between a configuration in which the three plates 109 and 1 1 1 are substantially in contact with each other - two by two - and a configuration where an insulating element can be inserted ( arrow 134) and / or deployed between two

25 adjacent plates.

For this purpose, the distance between two joints of a flap - such as between the axes 129 and 131 - is close to half the height of the module to be inserted. An elastic strap 135 is engaged on the one hand around a projection 136 of the flap 125 and on the other hand around a projection 137 arranged on the edge of the plate 1 10.

Such a return structure being provided for each flap, the Stension bracelets may tend to spread the walls 109-111 from each other.

According to a particular embodiment, the two flaps 122 and 123 may be respectively formed by the upper and lower halves of the side wall 71 of the casing 70 illustrated in FIG. 9, while the two flaps 124 and 125 may respectively be formed by the upper and lower halves of the side wall 73 of the casing 70.

In this case, the articulation axes 126 to 129 may extend along the edges of the envelope 70 which connect the lateral walls 71, 73

15aux horizontal walls 72, 74, while the hinge pins 130 and

13 1 extend along a median line of folding of each of the side walls 71, 73.

Referring to Figure 19, the cabinet 20 has a product exposure structure 200 which is leaned against a vertical receiving wall 20140 such as a wall of a store; the wall 140 forms an angle with a horizontal wall 141 of the magazine which overcomes the wall 140; the structure 70 comprises a lower portion 701 supporting one or more insulating modules 22 receiving the exposed products, and an upper portion 702 capping the insulating modules.

A stem structure 142, which is supported on the wall 141, serves to suspend the exposure structure 70 against the wall 140. For this purpose, the structure 142 has a portion 143 in the form of an open loop, which rests on the wall 141, and two parallel tubular beams 144 which extend down portion 143, extend along the wall 140, and support the structure 70 and the products it contains.

The air cooling unit consists essentially of two elements 240 and 241 movable relative to each other and connected

5by a structure 242 deformable and / or flexible. The first element 240, which rests on the wall 141 by its feet and wheels, contains a refrigerant compressor and a condensing unit

(condenser and fan) associated. The second element 241, which is housed inside the base 701 of the structure 70, contains a unit 10of evaporation (evaporator and fan).

The flexible structure 242 comprises two conduits - at least partially flexible - for transporting the refrigerant between the elements 240 and 241, as well as one or more conductors for the electrical supply of the fan of the element 241 which ensures the circulation of in the product exposure structure, and / or for the sensor connection (s) housed in the element 241 to a regulator contained in the element 240.

The refrigerant transport conduits are equipped with (auto) shutter connections and the second element 241 comprises an ultra-sonic generator arranged to fog the condensates.

The cabinet comprises an aromatic product tank coupled to the ultra-sound generator for diffusing an aroma in the air circulating in the element 241.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 20, the beams

Tubes 144 extending vertically from the element 240 of the air cooling unit, support the air cooling element 241 as well as the product exposure structure 70 overcoming the element 241. The beams or hollow bars 144 may have a deployable structure of adjustable length, in particular a telescopic structure comprising a plurality of rectilinear tubular sections of respective diameters adapted to slide into each other.

The beams 144 secured to the structure 142 (or 147 Figure 21) can be secured to the group 24 and disengaged from the group, so as to rest on the ground by the 142/147 portion as shown in Figure 20, supporting the load fixed on the beams 144.

In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 21, the tubular beams 144, which extend vertically from the air cooling unit 24 equipped with casters 145 and feet 146, support a console 147 consisting essentially of a tubular frame. horizontal. This structure 144, 147 facilitates the displacement of the unit 24 by rolling on the ground, in an inclined position, a part of the

Tubular frame 147 forming a handle.

The console 147 can be arranged to interlockably receive the air cooling element 241, for mounting an exhibition stand such as that illustrated in FIG. 20, in which a free space extends between the two superimposed elements 240. , 241 of group 24 of

20cooling of air.

The free space between these two elements and the protruding separating plates, facilitate the production of a piece of furniture whose outer casing has a complex shape, in particular a non-cylindrical shape, especially a shape having characteristics common to the package. exposed products, or a form of an object that can be associated with the products on display.

By way of example, the invention makes it possible to produce a piece of furniture comprising a mixer-shaped envelope ("mixer") for fruits or vegetables, and that of a piece of furniture comprising an envelope made of form of a packaging bag of solid, liquid or pasty food products, part of these envelopes can be provided between the elements 240 and 241.

The envelope wall (s) 70, 120 may be made in one (or more) material (s) based on cardboard and / or plastic material, and may have a thickness of the order of 0 About 5 millimeters up to about 1, 2 or 5 millimeters.

The invention also allows the realization of non-refrigerated furniture; in this case, the walls of the receiving modules and the presentation of exposed products do not have a particular thermal insulation capacity and their thickness is less than that indicated above. It is sufficient that these walls serving as frame for the furniture support the load corresponding to the number of superposed modules of the furniture. In this case, furthermore, the modules of

Products may not have an air transport duct, the separator plates may not have air openings, and the cabinet may not have said transport duct connection members. air, nor the air cooling unit.

20

Claims

1. Furniture (20) comprising:

an air cooling unit (24) having a first member (240) including a compressor and a condenser, and a second member (241) including an evaporator;

- a product presentation element (22, 70) which comprises an air transport duct (45) and insulating walls (28, 29, 30) hinged together, the insulating element (22, 70) being arranged to rest on the air cooling unit;

the cabinet being characterized in that the first and second members (240, 241) of the air cooling unit are mutually connected by refrigerant conveying conduits which are at least partly flexible.

2. The cabinet of claim 1 wherein the refrigerant transport conduits are equipped with connectors

(Auto) opturateurs.

3. Furniture according to claim 1 or 2 wherein the second element (241) comprises an ultrasonic generator arranged to fog the condensate.

4. Cabinet according to claim 3 which comprises an (reservoir) of aromatic product coupled to the ultrasonic generator for diffusing an aroma in the air flowing in the element (241) and / or in nebulized condensates.

5. Insulating element (22) for the construction of a refrigerated piece of furniture (20) such as a piece of furniture according to one of claims 1 to 4, characterized in that it comprises a plurality of insulating walls (28, 29, 30). articulated together and a conduit (45) for air transport.

6. Element according to claim 5 wherein the insulating walls have two bearing surfaces (101, 102) substantially flat and parallel so that two such elements can be stacked, and which further comprises a wall (42) perforated contributing to delimit, with one of the insulating walls, the air transport duct.

7. Element according to claim 5 or 6 wherein each insulating wall has a honeycomb structure and a thickness (34) of the order of 10, 20 or 30 mm, and is made of one or more material (s) based on cardboard and / or plastic material.

8. Element according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the hinge (38, 41) between two of the walls is made, at least in part, in the form of a wall or structure (42, 42a) making part of at least one of the two walls, which is sufficiently weakened or thin to be easily deformed and allows relative pivoting of the walls, and / or in which the joint is obtained, at least in part, by deformation of an adhesive tape (165) connecting the two walls.

9. Element according to any one of claims 4 to 8, wherein each hinge member substantially allows to obtain, in a collapsed / folded configuration, the contact and the overlap articulated walls or parts of the insulating element .

10. Element according to any one of claims 5 to 9, which comprises three insulating walls articulated two by two by two hinge members, or four insulating walls articulated two by two by three hinge members, the organs of articulation allowing relative pivoting of the walls which they connect along axes (37, 39, 53) of substantially parallel pivoting.

An element according to any one of claims 5 to 10 which comprises:

a first substantially flat insulating wall (30a), a second substantially flat insulating wall (28), which is connected to the first insulating wall by a first articulation (38), and

a third substantially flat wall (42a) integral with (connected to) the first wall, which extends at a distance from the first wall to delimit therewith a first air transport duct (45a), and is perforated to allow the distribution of air,

a fourth substantially flat insulating wall (30b),

a fifth substantially insulating wall (29) which is connected to the fourth insulating wall by a second articulation (41),

a sixth wall (42b) substantially flat and integral with (connected to) the fourth wall, which extends at a distance from the fourth wall to define therewith a second air transport duct (45b), and is perforated to allow air distribution, and

- a third articulation (54) connecting the third wall to the sixth wall.

12. Kit (21) for assembling a piece of furniture (20) comprising an air cooling unit (24), characterized in that it comprises:

- a product presentation element (22, 70) which comprises an air transport duct (45) and which is arranged to rest, directly or indirectly, on the air cooling unit, and which is preferably according to any one of claims 5 to π,

an air deflection element (23) delivered by the air transport duct, arranged to (re) direct the air towards the product presentation element and / or to the cooling unit of air, and - a connection member (25) arranged to connect the product presentation element to the air deflection element, ensuring on the one hand an aeraulic "continuity" and on the other hand a correct relative positioning of these elements. two elements.

13. The kit of claim 12 wherein the connecting member comprises a hollow structure (61, 62) air transport arranged to be inserted partly into the air transport duct of the presentation element of and partly in the air deflection member, and a bearing member (59) projecting from the outside of the hollow structure and arranged to rest on the product display member.

14. A furniture assembly kit which comprises at least two product presenting elements (22) which are preferably in accordance with any one of claims 5 to 11, which are stackable, and a member (72, 74, 104 to 112) substantially flat separation and reception and arranged to be interposed between the two product presentation elements, to ensure where appropriate a "continuity" aerauliqμe between respective conduits of the elements (22), and to support products arranged in that of the elements (22) which is supported on the other element (22).

15. Kit according to claim 14 wherein the separating member comprises a thin plate (104 to 112) pierced with an opening for the passage of air from one conduit to the other, the shape of this member corresponding substantially to that of the contour (119) of a support surface of a presentation element (22), in the deployed configuration of the element, or in which the separation element extends, in the position of insertion between two exposed exposure elements protruding beyond the walls of the elements, the separating member having a contour at least partially curvilinear.

16. The kit of claim 14 or 15 which further comprises at least one reinforcing member (26, 27) arranged to rest on an exposure element and to support the separating member interposed between the first element of exhibition and a second exhibit element,

51 'reinforcement member being preferably arranged to maintain a determined spacing between two walls (28, 29) substantially parallel side of the element (22) on which it is based.

17. Kit according to claim 16 wherein the reinforcing member has a shape of bar, angle or profile, in particular a profile bar 10 or whose cross section is shaped "T" or "L", and wherein each of two opposite insulating walls of the exposure element supporting this member has a depression (100), such as a notch, arranged to receive an end (99) of the reinforcing member.

18. A furniture building kit, which is preferably according to any one of claims 12 to 17 and which comprises:

an articulated frame module (22) optionally comprising an air transport duct (45),

An envelope element comprising two substantially planar walls (109 to 111) arranged to support products to be exposed, and two connecting units (122 to 125) connecting the two walls, the connecting units being deformable to enable the envelope element to move from a picked configuration to

Wherein the walls are spaced apart from each other in an expanded configuration in which the spacing of the two walls substantially corresponds to the height of the articulated module deployed so that this module can be inserted and / or deployed between the two adjacent walls. .

19. Kit according to claim 18 wherein each connecting unit comprises two mutually articulated connecting elements, each connecting element being further articulated to one of the walls, the axes (126 to 131) of pivoting of these three joints are substantially parallel and equidistant.

20. Kit according to claim 18 or 19 which further comprises a member (135) for biasing tending to move the two walls away from each other, or on the contrary to bring them together, which is associated with each connecting unit.

21. Furniture (20) according to any one of claims 1 to 4 comprising an insulating element (22) according to any one of claims 5 to 1 1, and / or obtainable by assembling the elements of a kit (21) according to any one of claims 12 to 20.

22. Kit or furniture according to any one of claims 1 to 4, or 12 to 21 wherein the air cooling unit comprises two elements (240, 241) movable relative to each other and connected by a deformable structure (242) including at least partly flexible refrigerant conveying conduits.