WO2008080918A2

WO2008080918A2 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2008080918A2
Application number: PCT/EP2007/064543
Authority: WO
Inventors: Can Ayhan; Burak Ozpolat; Deniz Taskin; Gaye Demir
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2006-12-29
Filing date: 2007-12-25
Publication date: 2008-07-10
Also published as: TR200904188T1; WO2008080918A3

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) comprising a storage container (3) wherein the various foodstuffs can be stored for a longer period of time without mixing with one another.

Description

Description A COOLING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising a storage container.

[0002] The cooling devices comprise a refrigerant compartment wherein foodstuffs and beverages are stored and storage containers disposed in the refrigerant compartment for storing foods such as fruits and vegetables. The state of the art storage containers are large volume objects and the user usually places more than one type of food in a storage container. However, the contact of different types of food with each other results in spoilage of the foods more easily.

[0003] Various implementations are developed in state of the art for the solution of these problems. In state of the art Great Britain Patent No GB603209, a storage container to be used in cooling devices is explained that can be divided into sections. The sections are formed by separators detachable between the clips disposed on the sides of the storage container.

[0004] In another state of the document United States of America Patent Document No US2003052583, the explanation is given for a partitioned space defining member, preferably a net, suspended from the upper sides of an open-top food storage container hanging inside thereof, that can be shaped into different forms. The foodstuffs can be placed under the net in the food storage container and can also be placed inside the net.

[0005] In the state of the art German Patent Application No DE4304502, the explanation is given for a stiff flexible band held by hinges that is used for supporting the items stored in a refrigerator door shelf and preventing from falling out during the motion of the door.

[0006] The state of the art separators of storage containers occupy a lot of space in the storage container even in non-use positions, not providing sufficient flexibility of usage. On the other hand, storing of these separators when not used by entirely taking out of the storage container presents hardships again due to their dimensions.

[0007] The object of the present invention is to design a cooling device comprising a storage container wherein the various types of food can be stored separately for a longer time period without mixing with each other, having the feature of convenient and efficient usage.

[0008] The cooling device designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is explicated in the attached claims. The cooling device comprises a body wherein the foodstuffs and beverages are placed, and a storage container disposed inside the body. A separator having a screen is situated inside the storage container that can be wrapped into a roll in the closed position, and dividing the storage container area into at least two sections in the open position by stretching.

[0009] When the user wants to divide the storage container into sections, the screen is pulled to bring the separator to the open position and thus sections are formed in the storage container wherein the foods are separated from each other by the screen.

[0010] Opening closing of the screen and thus the separator is maintained by wrapping or unwrapping around a shaft that is pivotable about its axis, and secured thereto from one side. The opened screen is secured to a housing on a pillar that is disposed to one side of the storage container or at a point therein from the free end that is not attached to the shaft.

[0011] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the separator comprises a clutch for securing the screen in the open position. The clutch can be a hook, pin, magnet etc. that can provide locking at the attached place. The storage container comprises at least one stopper to which the clutch is fastened. The stopper is configured as a recess for inserting the clutch therein, a pin to attach thereon or a metal surface to hold the magnet.

[0012] The screen is produced of a flexible material suitable for wrapping into a roll. In an embodiment of the present invention, the screen is perforated. Thus the storage container does not obstruct the flow of air even though separated into sections and thus provide to prolong the shelf lives of the foodstuffs placed therein.

[0013] In an embodiment of the present invention, the separator comprises a casing that shelters the screen wrapped into a roll in the closed position. Thus, if desired the separator can be easily and hygienically stored somewhere else by entirely removing from the storage container.

[0014] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a biasing means is provided that restricts the motion of the screen in the opening direction and assists the movement in the closing direction. The biasing means that becomes compressed by the rotating motion while the separator is changed to the open position exerts a force that pulls the screen and thus helps to preserve the position of the screen when the screen is secured at the desired position. The screen, when released, moves to close automatically due to the same force, that is, rotates to form a roll inside the casing.

[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 perspective view of a cooling device.

[0017] Figure 2 - is the detailed view of a cooling device when the separator is closed.

[0018] Figure 3 - is the detailed view of a cooling device when the separator is open.

[0019] Figure 4 - is the perspective view of a storage container when the separator is closed

[0020] Figure 5 - is the detailed view of a storage container when the separator is open.

[0021] Figure 6 - is the perspective view of another storage container when the separator is closed.

[0022] Figure 7 - is the detailed view of a separator when open.

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

1. Cooling device

2. Body 3. Storage container

4. Separator

5. Casing

6. Screen

7. Clutch

8. Stopper

9. Shaft

10. Pillar

[0024] The cooling device (1) comprises:

- a body (2) wherein the foodstuffs and beverages are placed,

- a storage container (3) disposed inside the body (2),

- a separator (4) having at least one screen (6) disposed vertically inside the storage container (3), that can be wrapped into a roll in the closed position, dividing the support area of the storage container (3) into at least two sections by stretching in the open position (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

[0025] When the user wants to divide the storage container (3) into sections so as to place different types of foods, he/she pulls the screen (6) to bring the separator (4) to the open position and thus divides the storage container (3) into sections (Figure 3).

[0026] The separator (4) furthermore comprises a shaft (9) to which the screen (6) is secured from one side. The screen (6) is wrapped into a roll over the shaft (10) around the secured side. The shaft (9) is configured to rotate when the screen (6) is pulled from one end. Thus, when the shaft (9) is rotated by pulling the screen (6), the wrapped screen (6) unwraps and when released, the screen (6) wraps again around the shaft (9) in a roll (Figure 7).

[0027] The screen (6) is produced of a flexible material suitable for wrapping into a roll. In an embodiment of the present invention, the screen (6) is perforated (Figure 7).

[0028] The cooling device (1) furthermore comprises at least one stopper (8) to which the free end of the screen (6) is attached after being stretched and thus provides the separator (4) to stay in the open position. The stopper (8) can be configured to be a socket or hole to which the screen (6) is attached from one end (Figure X).

[0029] In an embodiment of the present invention, the storage container (3) comprises a rod shaped pillar (10) that is disposed vertically therein. If desired, the pillar (10) can be entirely detached from the storage container (3). The pillar (10) is preferably disposed almost at the center of the storage container (3) being spaced apart from the side walls (Figure 4 and Figure 6).

[0030] In a version of this embodiment, the stopper (8) is disposed on the side walls or corners of the storage container (3). The separator (4) is situated on the pillar (10). Thus the separator (4) can divide the storage container (3) into a multitude of sections of various shapes by attaching to the different stoppers (8) disposed on the side walls and the corners. It is thus possible to form sections of various shapes to suit the user's request by using only one separator (4) (Figure 4).

[0031] In another version of this embodiment, the stopper (8) is situated on the pillar (10). At least one separator (4) is arranged on the side walls or the corners of the storage container (3). The storage container (3) can be divided into a multiple number of sections of different shapes by attaching the desired separators (4) arranged on the side walls and corners to the stoppers (8) disposed at the center of the storage container (3) (Figure 6).

[0032] In another embodiment of the present invention, both the separator(s) (4) and the stopper(s) (8) are placed on the side walls or the corners of the storage container (3). Thus the storage container (3) can be divided lengthwise from one side to another side or from one side towards a non-adjacent corner (Figure 6).

[0033] In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the separator (4) furthermore comprises at least one clutch (7) for attaching the screen (6) to the stopper (8) by stretching. The clutch (7) can be configured as a hook, pin etc. matching the shape of the stopper (8) (Figure 4 and Figure 5).

[0034] In an embodiment of the present invention, the separator (4) comprises a biasing means that compresses while changing to the open position by the rotating motion of the shaft (9) and when released provides to automatically change to the closed position. When the exterior side of the separator (4) is pulled by the user for opening the separator (4), the shaft (9) rotates and the screen (6) wrapped to the shaft (9) opens. The shaft (9), also compresses the biasing means to which it is attached, by rotating in the direction to open the screen (6). In order to bring the separator (4) to the open position, the clutch (7) on the free end of the screen (6) is attached to the stopper (8). The biasing means, being compressed in this position, pulls the screen (6) to stay taut. When the user detaches the clutch (7) releasing from the stopper (8) to change the separator (4) to the closed position, the screen (6) wraps around the shaft (10) again, being pulled by the force exerted via the biasing means. In this embodiment, the screen (6) is stretched in the open position. Thus the foodstuffs placed in one section are prevented from exerting pressure on the foodstuffs placed in another section, safeguarding the perishable foods.

[0035] In an embodiment of the present invention, the separator (4) comprises a casing (5) that shelters the screen (6) wrapped into a roll in the closed position. Thus, the screen (6) can be entirely removed from the separator (4) to be easily and hygienically stored somewhere else if desired.

[0036] By means of the separator (4) disposed in the storage container (3) used in the cooling device (1) of the present invention, the foodstuffs placed in the storage container (3) can be stored for a longer time period, without mixing with one another. Consequently, the storage container (3) can be used conveniently and efficiently.

Claims

[0001] A cooling device (1) comprising a body (2) wherein the foodstuffs and beverages are placed, and a storage container (3) disposed inside the body (2), and characterized by a separator (4) having at least one screen (6) disposed vertically inside the storage container (3), that can be wrapped into a roll in the closed position, dividing the support area of the storage container (3) into at least two sections by stretching in the open position.

[0002] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1, characterized by a separator (4) disposed on the corners of the storage container (3).

[0003] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by at least one stopper (8) to which the screen (6) is attached by stretching and thus providing the separator (4) to stay in the open position.

[0004] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by a stopper (8) disposed on the side walls of the storage container (3).

[0005] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3 or 4, characterized by a stopper (8) disposed on the corners of the storage container (3).

[0006] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a rod shaped pillar (10) that is disposed vertically at almost the center of the storage container (3).

[0007] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by a separator (4) disposed on the pillar (10).

[0008] A cooling device (1) as in Claim 6, characterized by a stopper (8) situated on the pillar (10).

[0009] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a screen (6) that is perforated.

[0010] A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a separator (4) comprising a casing (5) that shelters the screen (6) wrapped into a roll in the closed position.