WO2008119632A2

WO2008119632A2 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2008119632A2
Application number: PCT/EP2008/052932
Authority: WO
Inventors: Ersin Donmez
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2007-03-29
Filing date: 2008-03-12
Publication date: 2008-10-09
Also published as: TR200905556T1; WO2008119632A3

Abstract

By means of the present invention, integration of the apparatus (3) with the cooling device (1) allows for the utilization of the apparatus (3) without preventing the operation of the cooling device (1) and maintenance service can be maintained easily in case of a malfunction.

Description

A COOLING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device that acquires an additional function by means of an apparatus integrated thereon.

[0002] Nowadays cooling devices offer additional services such as an ice maker, water dispenser, vacuum packing device etc. by integrating these devices thereon, in addition to basic functions of cooling or freezing the foodstuffs. The cooling devices integrated with this type of devices are preferred by the consumer since additional functions are provided and for advantages of savings in space and convenience of use etc.

[0003] In state of the art embodiments, the apparatus that will be integrated in the cooling device is disposed inside a receptacle formed on the door of the cooling device and is covered by a lid. The lid that covers the apparatus placed in the cooling device door when not in use can be opened without the need to open the cooling device door and the user can access the apparatus.

[0004] In the state of the art Korean Patent Application No KR20010084303, a refrigerator is explained wherein a vacuum packing device is installed to the door. In this embodiment, an installation space for containing the vacuum packing device is provided on the refrigerator door and a packing device door is closed for preventing access from outside when the device is not in use.

[0005] Another state of the art document is the United States of America Patent Application No US20060090427. In this document an optionally retractable vacuum packing device is explained which is placed in one of the doors of a side-by side refrigerator.

[0006] In both of the documents wherein the explanation is given for a vacuum packing device integrated with the cooling device by placing in a receptacle on the cooling device door, the receptacles are closed by a lid that opens by turning in a horizontal axis and forms a surface whereon the horizontally standing items to be vacuumed are placed. The lid is closed when the vacuum packing device is not in use preventing access to the device from outside. Since the vacuum packing device has certain standard dimensions, installing this device on the cooling device doors can result in losses of cooling volume. For integrating the vacuum packing device on the cooling device doors, the cancellation of several shelves on the door can be required and also the air circulation in the interior volume of the cooling device can be adversely affected.

[0007] Moreover, the walls of the receptacle whereon the vacuum packing device is disposed form a surface where the cold air in the cooling device volume and the hot air from the outside meet. The condensation formed on the receptacle walls resulting from the meeting of hot and cold air may cause the vacuum packing device to malfunction due to a lot of electrical components contained therein that are sensitive to humidity.

[0008] The object of the present invention is to design a cooling device wherein an additional apparatus disposed on the door or the body thereof is integrated with a minimum loss in the cooling volume.

[0009] The cooling device designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a lid that covers the receptacle on the door when closed, and maintains the apparatus to at least partially project out of the receptacle when opened.

[0010] Installing the apparatus on the lid instead of the receptacle results in the receptacle depth to decrease and thus the loss in the cooling volume is minimized. Moreover, the apparatus moves together with the lid when the lid is opened to at least partially project out of the receptacle and this allows the user to utilize the apparatus more easily.

[0011] The apparatus remains in the storing position when the lid is closed and is in the in-use position when the lid is opened. Thus the apparatus moves between the storing and in-use positions depending on the movement of the lid.

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a housing on the lid wherein the apparatus is placed. The apparatus is embedded on the lid by means of this housing. When the apparatus is disposed in the housing, a volume as much as the depth of the housing is saved. Thus the receptacle can be made of a smaller volume hence causing a minimum loss in the cooling device volume. [0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises a movement mechanism that provides the apparatus to pass from the storing position to the in-use position while the lid changes from the closed position to the open position by turning and shifting depending on the movement of the lid. By means of this embodiment, the apparatus that is in the vertical position when the lid is closed, changes to the horizontal position when the lid is opened allowing the apparatus to be utilized by the user.

[0014] By means of the present invention, the additional apparatus, particularly a vacuum packing apparatus, is integrated to the lid with a minimum loss in the cooling volume. In addition, the door shelves are no longer required to be canceled. Moreover, by means of the present invention, the apparatus integrated on the cooling device can be removed from the cooling device by detaching the lid thus maintenance service is made easier.

[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 front view of a cooling device.

[0017] Figure 2 - is the perspective view of the cooling device when the lid is open.

[0018] Figure 3 - is the cross-sectional view of the cooling device when the lid is closed.

[0019] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device

2. Door

3. Apparatus

4. Receptacle

5. Lid

6. Housing

[0020] The cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises a door (2) providing access of the user to the inside, an apparatus (3) that functions as an ice maker, water dispenser, vacuum packing etc. disposed on the door (2), a receptacle (4) situated on the door (2) wherein the apparatus (3) is disposed and a lid (5) to which the apparatus (3) is attached, that covers the receptacle (4) containing the apparatus (3) when closed, and provides the apparatus (3) to move together for projecting out of the receptacle (4) at least partially while opening (Figure 1 and Figure 2).

[0021] The lid (5) when closed, prevents access of the user to the apparatus (3), and when opened allows the user to utilize the apparatus (3) more easily and ergonomically since the apparatus (3) partially or completely projects outside the receptacle (4). The lid (5) that is horizontal when opened forms a support surface. The depth of the receptacle (4) formed on the door (2) is reduced by disposing the apparatus (3) on the lid (5). Reducing the depth of the receptacle (4) by integrating the apparatus (3) decreases the loss in the cooling volume. Therewithal, the shelves situated where the receptacle (4) is installed may not be required to be canceled (Figure 3).

[0022] In this embodiment of the present invention, the apparatus (3) is in the storing position when the lid (5) is closed. In this position, access and control of the apparatus (3) by the user is prevented by the lid (5). When the lid (5) is opened, the apparatus (3) moves together with the lid (5) and changes to the in-use position. In this position, the user is allowed access to the apparatus (3) and the apparatus (3) can be utilized easily by the user.

[0023] When the apparatus (3) integrated with the cooling device (1) is intended to be used, the lid (5) covering the receptacle (4) is opened to bring to the horizontal position. In this position, when the lid (5) is closed, the apparatus (3) that is disposed in the receptacle (4) at least partially comes out of the receptacle (4). Moreover, in this position, the items placed thereon can be supported. The apparatus (3) disposed on the horizontally positioned lid (5) can be easily utilized by the user. When the use of the apparatus (3) is ended, the lid (5) with the apparatus (3) thereon is moved towards the receptacle (4) and the top of the receptacle (4) is covered by the lid (5) such that the apparatus (3) remains therein. The apparatus (3), being attached on the lid (5), occupies the minimum space on the door (2).

[0024] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a movement mechanism (not shown in the figures) that provides the apparatus (3) to move outwards from the receptacle (4) by making a turning and shifting motion while the lid (5) changes from the closed position to the open position. The movement mechanism provides the apparatus (3) to turn around its axis towards the lid (5) and to be shifted while turning. Thus, the apparatus (3) remains in the receptacle (4) by changing to the storing position when the lid (5) is closed. When the lid

(5) is opened, the apparatus (3) changes to in-use position by means of the movement mechanism.

[0025] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises a housing (6) situated on the lid (5) wherein the apparatus (3) is disposed. The apparatus (3) is integrated by being disposed in the housing

(6) on the lid (5). By disposing the apparatus (3) in the housing (6), the apparatus (3) protrudes minimally towards the housing (6) when the lid (5) is closed. This provides the reduction in the depth of the receptacle (4) and thus prevents the loss in the cooling volume.

[0026] In another embodiment of the present invention, the lid (5) is such a lid (5) that the user is allowed access inside the cooling device (1) without opening the door (2). In this embodiment, the surface of the receptacle (4) facing the cooling device (1) volume comprises an opening.

[0027] In the present invention, the apparatus (3) disposed on the lid (5) is preferably a vacuum packing apparatus.

[0028] By means of the present invention, the loss in the cooling volume is minimized by integrating the apparatus (3) on the lid (5). Furthermore, disposing the apparatus (3) on the lid (5) provides the apparatus (3) to move together with the lid (5) allowing the user to take the apparatus (3) out of the receptacle (4) for convenience of use. Therewithal, the apparatus (3) can be detached from the cooling device (1) by dismounting the lid (5) from the door (2). This makes maintenance service easier since the apparatus (3) can be removed from the cooling device (1) without effecting the operation of the cooling device (1).

Claims

1. A cooling device (1 ) that comprises a door (2) providing access of the user to the inside, an apparatus (3) that functions as an ice maker, water dispenser, vacuum packing etc. disposed on the door (2), and a receptacle (4) situated on the door (2) wherein the apparatus (3) is disposed and characterized by a lid (5) to which the apparatus (3) is attached, that covers the receptacle (4) containing the apparatus (3) when closed, providing the apparatus (3) to move together for projecting out of the receptacle (4) at least partially while opening.

2. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims characterized by a lid (5) that provides the apparatus (3) to remain in the storing position when closed, to change to the in-use position by moving together when opened.

3. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a housing (6) situated on the lid (5) wherein the apparatus (3) is disposed to be integrated.

4. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by a movement mechanism that provides the apparatus (3) to move outwards from the receptacle (4) by making a turning and shifting motion while the lid (5) changes from the closed position to the open position.

5. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by an apparatus (3) having the function of vacuum packing.