WO2009026950A1

WO2009026950A1 - Refrigerating sales furniture and method for placement of goods to a refrigerating sales furniture

Info

Publication number: WO2009026950A1
Application number: PCT/EP2007/007641
Authority: WO
Inventors: Klaus Bähr
Original assignee: Carrier Corporation
Priority date: 2007-08-31
Filing date: 2007-08-31
Publication date: 2009-03-05
Also published as: EP2182826B1; EP2182826A1

Abstract

A refrigerating sales furniture (2) comprises a furniture body (4) having a refrigerated goods display space (6) therein wherein at least one goods display portion is provided within the goods display space (6). Said goods display portion comprises an upright pillar (10) arranged at the front of the refrigerated goods display space (6) at one side of the goods display portion; at least one goods display deck (8) being pivotably mounted to the upright pillar (10) and having a goods support surface bordered by a rear edge, two side edges and a front edge extending substantially over the whole width of the goods display portion. The side edge of the goods display deck (8) opposite to the upright pillar (10) is oblique such that the goods display deck (8) is pivotable between a goods selling position, in which the goods display deck (8) is supported within the refrigerated goods display space (6), and a goods placement position at least partly outside the refrigerated goods display space (6).

Description

REFRIGERATING SALES FURNITURE AND METHOD FOR PLACEMENT OF GOODS TO A REFRIGERATING SALES FURNITURE

The present invention is related to a refrigerating sales furniture and to a method for placement of goods to a refrigerating sales furniture.

Refrigerating sales furnitures as they are commonly used in supermarkets for the presentation of refrigerated goods are often formed as cabinets, wherein the goods are presented on fixed horizontal goods display decks which are arranged on top of each other in a goods presentation and refrigeration space accessible from the front. Filling such a furniture by placing new goods onto the goods display decks is time consuming and labour intensive.

Accordingly, it would be beneficial to provide an improved refrigerating sales fur- niture which can be filled with goods faster and more conveniently.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a refrigerating sales furniture comprising a furniture body having a refrigerated goods display space therein, wherein at least one goods display portion is provided within the goods display space. Said goods display portion comprises an upright pillar arranged at the front of the refrigerated goods display space at one side of the goods display portion. At least one goods display deck is pivotably mounted to the upright pillar and has a goods support surface bordered by a rear edge, two side edges and a front edge extending substantially over the whole width of the goods display portion. The side edge of the goods display deck opposite to the upright pillar is oblique such that the goods display deck is pivotable between a goods selling position, in which the goods display deck is supported within the refrigerated goods display space, and a goods placement position at least partly outside the refrigerated goods display space. The invention further comprises a method for the placement of goods into a refrigerating sales furniture having a goods presentation and refrigeration space, comprising the steps of pivoting at least one goods display deck into a goods placement position at least partly outside the goods presentation and refrigeration space; placing goods onto the goods display deck, and pivoting the at least one goods display deck into a goods selling position inside the goods presentation and refrigeration space.

Embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail below with refer- ence to the enclosed Figures, wherein

Figures 1a shows a sectional side view of a refrigerating sales furniture according to a first embodiment of the invention with the goods display decks positioned in the goods selling position;

Figures 1 b shows a sectional side view of the refrigerating sales furniture of Figure 1a with the goods display decks positioned in the goods placement position;

Figure 2 shows a perspective view of four goods display decks rotatably mounted to an upright pillar;

Figure 3 shows a sectional top view of the refrigerating sales furniture of Figures 1a and 1b comprising three adjoining goods display portions;

Figure 4a shows a sectional side view of a refrigerating sales furniture according to a second embodiment of the invention with the goods display decks positioned in the goods selling position;

Figure 4b shows a sectional side view of the refrigerating sales furniture of Figure 4a with the goods display decks positioned in the goods placement position; Figure 5 shows a sectional top view of the refrigerating sales furniture of Figures 4a and 4b comprising two adjoining goods display portions.

Figure 1a shows a sectional side view of a refrigerating sales furniture 2 according to a first embodiment of the invention. The refrigerating sales furniture 2 comprises a furniture body 4 having a rear wall, a top 3 and a bottom 5 confining a goods display space 6.

An upright pillar 10 is arranged at the front of the goods display space 6 extending between the top 3 and the bottom 5 of the furniture body 4 at one side of the goods display space 6. The upright pillar 10 may have a circular or polygonal cross-section. Four goods display decks 8 carrying goods 14 are arranged on top of each other inside the goods display space 6. Each goods display deck 8 is pivotably mounted to the upright pillar 10 by means of a bearing 18. The bearings 18 are shiftable in the vertical direction along the length of the upright pillar 10 and can be fixed at different heights in order to allow the goods display decks 8 to be arranged at desired heights.

An upright stanchion 21 extends vertically at the back of the goods display space 6 between the top 3 and the bottom 5 of the furniture body 4. A support 20 formed as an angle bracket is mounted to said stanchion 21 in order to support the top level goods display deck 8. Supports 20 can be provided for each of the goods display decks 8, however, for the sake of clarity no additional supports 20 for supporting the other goods display decks 8 are shown in this figure. The supports 20 may be mounted to the stanchion 21 at different heights corresponding to the desired heights of the goods display decks 8. The supports 20 may be hooked or inserted into holes formed in the stanchion 21. This will allow to adjust the height of the supports 20 easily.

A snap-in means 22 is attached to the stanchion 21 for fixing the rear part of the second goods display deck 8 from the top. Such a snap-in means 22 prevents the goods display deck 8 from accidentally pivoting out of the goods display space 6. Snap-in means 22 can be provided with a splint for fixing the goods display deck 8. Additionally or alternatively the snap-in means 22 can be provided with a lock for allowing only authorized persons to pivot the goods display deck 8 out of the goods display space 6. Snap-in means 22 can be provided for each of the goods display decks 8, however, for clarity only one snap-in means 22 is shown in the figures.

In the following figures like elements are designated by means of like reference signs, and they will not be discussed in detail again.

Figure 1 b shows a sectional side view of the refrigerating sales furniture 2 of Figure 1a, wherein the two uppermost goods display decks 8 have been pivoted from the goods selling position inside the goods display space 6 to the goods place- ment position outside the goods display space 6.

The two uppermost goods display decks 8 being pivoted out of the goods display space 6 are conveniently accessible by a sales person 24 for placing new goods 14 onto the respective goods display decks 8. Each of the goods display decks 8 is individually pivotable, i.e. independently of the other goods display decks 8. This provides a lot of flexibility in filling new goods to the goods display decks 8.

Figure 2 shows a perspective front view of four goods display decks 8 pivotably mounted to an upright pillar 10. Each of the rectangular goods display decks 8 is fixed to the upright pillar 10 by means of a bearing 18 which is arranged at a corner of the respective goods display deck 8. The goods display decks 8 are shiftable along the lenght of the upright pillar 10 and may be fixed at the desired heights.

Figure 3 shows a sectional top view of the refrigerating sales furniture 2 of Figures 1a and 1b. The refrigerating sales furniture 2 comprises three goods display por- tions 7a, 7b, 7c arranged side by side in a straight line. Each of the goods display portions 7a, 7b, 7c is laterally defined by respective side walls 9. An upright pillar 10 is arranged at the right front corner of each of the goods display portions 7a, 7b, 7c. Each goods display portion 7a, 7b, 7c comprises at least on goods display deck 8 pivotably mounted to the respective upright pillar 10. At least a portion of the side edge 11a of each of the goods display decks 8 opposite to the respective upright pillar 10 is oblique so that each goods display deck 8 is pivotable without interfering with the respective adjacent side wall 9. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 a short front portion of each of said side edges 11a is parallel to the op- posite side edge 11 b and orthogonal to the front edge 11c of the respective goods display deck 8, while the rear portion of said side edge 11a is oblique so that the rear edge 11d of the goods display deck 8 is shorter than its front edge 11c which extends substantially over the whole width of the respective goods display portion 7a, 7b, 7c. However, other shapes of the goods display decks 8 are possible as well, as long as they do not interfere with the side walls 9 of the respective or an adjacent goods display portion 7a, 7b, 7c when the goods display decks 8 are pivoted. For example, the side edge 11a can be straight oblique, giving the goods display deck 8 a trapezoid shape, the side edge 11a can be arcuated or rounded, and, also, both the side edge 11a and the rear edge 11d can be arcuated merging into each other giving the goods display deck 8 the shape of a pie slice.

The goods display decks 8 of the first and third goods display portions 7a, 7c are all positioned in the goods selling position inside the respective goods display space 6. These goods display decks 8 are supported by respective supports (not shown) which are attached to the stanchions 21 extending vertically at the back of every goods display portion 7a, 7b, 7c.

Three possible positions A, B, C of the goods display decks 8 are shown with the second goods display portion 7b. The first position being the goods selling position A inside the second goods display portion 7b corresponds to the position of the goods display decks 8 of the first and third goods display portions 7a, 7c. In the second position the goods display deck 8 has been pivoted counterclockwise by 90 degrees around the upright pillar 10 from the goods selling position A into the goods placement position B outside the goods display portion 7b. In the goods placement position B the goods display deck 8 is conveniently accessible and goods can be placed thereon from three sides conveniently and easily. The third position is an intermediate position C between the goods selling position A and the goods placement position B.

Figures 4a and 4b show a sectional side view of a refrigerating sales furniture 2 according to a second embodiment of the invention, wherein the goods display decks 8 are in the goods selling position A (Fig. 4a) and in the goods placement position B (Fig. 4b), respectively. In this embodiment, a movable pillar 12 is arranged at the oblique side edge 11a of the goods display decks 8 opposite to the upright pillar 10. The goods display decks 8 are mounted to said movable pillar 12 for supporting the goods display decks 8 when moved out of the goods selling position A. As the goods display decks 8 are fixed to the movable pillar 12 they can be pivoted in and out of the goods display space 6 only in common. However, detachable connections may be provided for allowing individual goods display decks 8 to be detached from the movable pillar 12 in order to remain in the goods selling position A when the other goods display decks 8 are pivoted into the goods placement position B. This provides additional flexibility for filling goods 14 onto the goods display decks 8. Detachable connections also allow to adjust the height of each of the goods display decks 8. The movable pillar 12 may have a circular or polygonal cross-section. The movable pillar 12 comprises a wheel 16 for moving the movable pillar 12 conveniently. Providing such a movable pillar 12 gives additional support to the goods display decks 8 and reduces the load and strain put on the bearings 18 and on the upright pillar 10. As a result the bearings 18 and the upright pillar 10 may be produced cheaper and will be more durable.

An opening (not shown) is provided in the front of the bottom 5 of the furniture body 4 through which the wheel 16 can be moved in order to allow the pivoing movement of the goods display decks 12 together with the wheel 16 between the goods selling position A and the goods placement position B. Said opening can be provided with a cover (not shown) for closing the opening when the wheel 16 when the goods display decks 12 together with the wheel 16 remain in the goods selling position A.

Figure 5 shows a sectional top view of the refrigerating sales furniture 2 of Figures 4a and 4b. The refrigerating sales furniture 2 comprises two goods display portions 7a, 7b arranged side by side corresponding to the three goods display por- tions 7a, 7b and 7c shown in Figure 3.

A movable pillar 12 is arranged at the front corner of the display decks 8 opposite to the upright pillar 10 of each of the goods display portions 7a, 7b, respectively. When the respective goods display decks 8 are moved between the goods selling position A and the goods placement position B, as shown for the goods display decks 8 of the second goods display portion 7b, the movable pillar 12 travels on a circular path centered at the upright pillar 10.

A refrigerating sales furniture according to exemplary embodiments of the inven- tion as described above comprises at least one display deck which is mounted to an upright pillar, pivotably between a goods selling position and a goods placement position. This allows to pivot the at least one goods display deck out of the refrigerating sales furniture for placing goods onto said display deck, thereby reducing the time and work needed for filling new goods into the refrigerating sales furniture and facilitating the accessibility of the at least one goods display deck.

In an embodiment the at least one goods display deck is pivotably mounted to the upright pillar at a front corner thereof. Pivotably mounting the goods display deck at its front corner reduces the danger of interfering with the any of the side walls of the at least one goods display portion when pivoting the goods display deck. In an embodiment the at least one goods display deck is mounted to the upright pillar by means of a bearing. This allows to pivot the goods display deck very easily and smoothly.

In an embodiment the refrigerating sales furniture additionally comprises at least one support within the goods presentation and refrigeration space for supporting the at least one goods display deck in the goods selling position. Providing additional supports for the goods display deck within the goods presentation and refrigeration space reduces the load and strain put on the bearing and on the upright pillar. Thus these components can be produced at lower costs and will be more durable.

In an embodiment the refrigerating sales furniture additionally comprises at least one upright stanchion for mounting the at least one support within the goods dis- play space. A stanchion provides an easy and flexible means for mounting supports at different heights within the goods display space.

In an embodiment the upright stanchion comprises at least one snap-in means for fixing the at least one goods display deck. This avoids the goods display deck from accidentally pivoting out of the goods display space. The snap-in means can be provided with a splint for fixing the goods display deck.

In a further embodiment the snap-in means is provided with a lock for allowing only authorized persons to pivot the at least one goods display deck out of the goods display space.

In an embodiment the at least one goods display deck is linearly movable in its goods selling position in order to be moved in and out of the support or snap-in means, respectively. This provides a very convenient way for moving the goods display deck in and out of the support and/or snap-in means. In an embodiment a movable pillar is arranged at the side edge of the at least one goods display deck opposite to the upright pillar for supporting the goods display deck and for moving it between the goods selling position and the goods placement position. Providing additional support for the display deck when it is moved to the goods placement position reduces the load and strain put on the bearings and on the upright pillar. Thus these components can be produced cheaper and will be more durable.

In an embodiment the movable pillar comprises at least one wheel. This facilitates moving the movable pillar when pivoting the goods display decks.

In an embodiment the refrigerating sales furniture comprises a recess in a bottom of the furniture body for allowing movement of the wheel between the goods selling position and the goods placement position. This allows to accommodate the wheel within the furniture body when the display deck is in the goods selling position so that the wheel does not occupy any additional space in front of the furniture.

In an embodiment the refrigerating sales furniture comprises a cover for closing the recess. This avoids that any person gets stuck in the recess and gets hurt.

In an embodiment the at least one goods display deck is vertically adjustable with regard to at least one of the pillars. This allows to change the height of the goods display deck as it is desired for an optimal presentation of the goods.

In an embodiment at least one of the pillars comprises a plurality of holes for fixing the at least one goods display deck at different heights. This provides a very easy and flexible way for adjusting the height of the display deck.

In an embodiment the furniture body is thermally isolating. This reduces the energy needed for cooling the goods display space. In an embodiment the furniture body houses a condenser as part of vapor compression cycle for cooling the goods display space. This provides an efficient and convenient way for cooling the goods display space.

Generally, the refrigerating sales furniture according to exemplary embodiments of the invention as described above can be a sales furniture being refrigerated to temperatures of above 0 ⁰C or a freezing furniture being refrigerated to temperatures of below 0 ⁰C. The refrigeration can be effected by any known technology, like vapor compression cycle or thermoelectric refrigeration.

The features, embodiments and advantages as described with respect to the refrigerating sales furniture can also be realized in terms of method steps, with a method for fabricating the refrigerating sales furniture according to the invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition many modifications may be made to adopt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention include all embodiments falling within the scope of the dependent claims.

List of reference numerals

2 refrigerating sales furniture

3 top of the furniture body

4 furniture body

5 bottom of the furniture body

6 goods display space

7a, 7b, 7c goods display portion

8 goods display deck

9 side wall

10 upright pillar

11a oblique side edge

11b opposite side edge

11c front edge

11d rear edge

12 movable pillar

14 goods

16 wheel

18 bearing

20 support

21 upright stanchion

22 snap-in means

24 sales person

A goods selling position

B goods placement position

C intermediate position

Claims

1. Refrigerating sales furniture (2), comprising a furniture body (4) having a refri- gerated goods display space (6) therein; wherein at least one goods display portion (7) is provided within the goods display space (6), which goods display portion (7) comprises an upright pillar (10) arranged at the front of the refrigerated goods display space (6) at one side of the goods display portion (7); at least one goods display deck (8) being pivotably mounted to the upright pillar (10) and having a goods support surface bordered by a rear edge (11d), two side edges (11a, 11b) and a front edge (11c) extending substantially over the whole width of the goods display portion (7); and wherein the side edge (11a) of the goods display deck (8) opposite to the up- right pillar (10) is oblique such that the goods display deck (8) is pivotable between a goods selling position (A), in which the goods display deck (8) is supported within the refrigerated goods display space (6), and a goods placement position (B) at least partly outside the refrigerated goods display space (6).

2. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of claim 1 , wherein the at least one goods display deck (8) is pivotably mounted to the upright pillar (10) at a front corner thereof.

3. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of claim 1 or 2, wherein the at least one goods display deck (8) is mounted to the upright pillar (10) by means of a bearing (18).

4. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, additionally comprising at least one support (20) within the goods display space (6) for supporting the at least one goods display deck (8) in the goods selling position (A).

5. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of claim 4, additionally comprising at least one upright stanchion (21) for mounting the at least one support (20) within the goods display space (6).

6. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of claim 4 or 5, wherein the upright stanchion (21) comprises at least one snap-in means (22) for fixing the at least one goods display deck (8).

7. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of claim 6, wherein the at least one snap-in means (22) comprises a splint for fixing the goods display deck (8).

8. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of any of the claims 4 to 7, wherein the at least one goods display deck (8) is linearly movable in its goods selling position (A) in order to be moved in and out of the support (20) or snap-in means (22), respect- ively.

9. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, wherein a movable pillar (12) is arranged at the side edge (11b) of the at least one goods display deck (8) opposite to the upright pillar (10), for supporting the goods display deck (8).

10. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of claim 9, wherein the movable pillar (12) comprises at least one wheel (16).

11. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of claim 10, comprising a recess in the bottom (5) of the furniture body (4) allowing movement of the wheel (16) between the goods selling position (A) and the goods placement position (B).

12. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of claim 11 , comprising a cover for closing the recess.

13. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the at least one goods display deck (8) is vertically adjustable with regard to at least one of the pillars (10; 12).

14. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of claim 13, wherein at least one of the pillars (10; 12) comprises a plurality of holes for fixing the at least one goods display deck (8) at different heights.

15. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the furniture body (4) is thermally isolating.

16. Refrigerating sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the furniture body (4) houses a condenser as part of vapor compression cycle for cooling the goods display space (6).

17. Method for placement of goods to a refrigerating sales furniture (2) of any of the preceding claims, comprising the steps of pivoting the at least one goods display deck (8) into the goods placement position (B) at least partly outside the goods display space (6); placing goods (14) onto the goods display deck (8); pivoting the at least one goods display deck (8) into the goods selling position (A) inside the goods display space (6).

18. Method of claim 17, further comprising: unlocking the goods display deck (8) before pivoting it out of the goods selling position (A); and locking the goods display deck (8) after pivoting it into the goods selling position (A).

19. Method of claim 18, further comprising: moving the goods display deck (8) linearly for unlocking, and moving the goods display deck (8) linearly for locking.

20. Method of any of the claims 17 to 19 further comprising vertically adjusting the goods display deck (8) when positioned in the goods placement position (B).