WO2009030695A1

WO2009030695A1 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: WO2009030695A1
Application number: PCT/EP2008/061592
Authority: WO
Inventors: Emrah Karakaya; Mustafa Tuksal; Hakki Orhun
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2007-09-03
Filing date: 2008-09-03
Publication date: 2009-03-12

Abstract

The present invention relates to a cooling device (1) that comprises a body (2) wherein items to be cooled are stored, a door (3) allowing access into the body (2) from the outside and one or more shelves (4) positioned inside the body (2) at various levels, enabling the bottles (B) loaded to be stored therein. A sensor (6) detects movement of a bottle (B) entering or leaving a scanning area. A holder (5) moves by means of a movement mechanism (7) activated by sensor (6) between a closed position of folding on a body (2) or shelf (4) and the open position of clasping to support the bottle (B) loaded thereon.

Description

A COOLING DEVICE

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device that comprises a holder.

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

[0003] In state of the art European Patent No EP0917639 a bottle holder is described for stocking bottles that is folded under the shelf when not in use in order to occupy less space.

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

[0005] In all the embodiments known in the technique, bottle holders are provided that are in the closed position when not in use, folded over the cooling device body or the shelf, and changed to the open position by the user physically intervening to the bottle holder when intended to be used. When the bottle is desired to be loaded in the cooling device, the user controls the bottle holder with one hand while holding the bottle with the other hand. Moreover, if the user does not fold the bottle holder when the bottle is removed from the bottle holder, the bottle holder keeps the last position and this results in the occupation of space in the interior volume of the body.

[0006] The aim of the present invention is the realization of a cooling device that comprises an automatically controlled holder wherein bottles can be loaded and unloaded.

[0007] The cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention, explicated in the first claim and the respective claims thereof, comprises a movement mechanism triggered by the sensor and a holder, when activated by the movement mechanism, changes from an open position of serving as a bottle holder defining a volume whereon an object, particularly a bottle can be placed, to the closed position of folding under the shelf or the body side wall.

[0008] Thus, when the bottle that the user wants to store in the holder enters the scanning area of the sensor, the holder which is initially folded on the body side wall or over the shelf changes to the open position by activation of the movement mechanism and enables the bottle to be stored thereon. Moreover, when the bottle is removed from the holder, this movement is detected by the sensor, triggering the movement mechanism whereby the holder changes to the closed position by folding over the body or the shelf.

[0009] In another embodiment of the present invention, the sensor scans the area occupied by the holder. Thus, the movement of the bottle to be stored on the holder or removed from the holder can be detected accurately by easily discriminating from the other movements within the body interior volume.

[0010] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises at least one holder pivotably mounted on the side wall of the body.

[0011] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device comprises two holders, mounted under the shelf, getting close to each other by making the same movements and serving as a bottle holder by clasping the bottle placed therebetween. By means of this embodiment, the holders can be folded under the shelf when not in use. Moreover, in this embodiment, the bottle, since almost entirely surrounded by the holders, can be stored more safely.

[0012] In another embodiment of the present invention, the holder is configured as rings arranged sequentially such that the bottle is supported from the front backwards. Thus, the bottle is supported only from the neck and bottom portions. The holder discharges less thermal load in the cooling volume thereby the bottle is cooled rapidly.

[0013] In another embodiment of the present invention, the holder is configured as a plate to support the bottle from the front backwards. Thus, the bottle can be stored more safely. [0014] In another embodiment of the present invention, the holder comprises at least two arms mounted from one end to the body side wall or under the shelf and pivotably to one another from one of their ends. One of the arms forms the support surface and the other serves as a guardrail for the bottle placed in the holder in the open position, clasping to prevent falling. [0015] In another embodiment of the present invention, a movement or presence sensor, preferably having optical features is used as a sensor. [0016] [0017] By means of the present invention, the bottle can be loaded or unloaded from the cooling device as the holder automatically opens or closes only as a result of inserting or removing from the scanning area of the sensor by the user. [0018] A cooling device realized in order to attain the aim of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where: [0019] Figure 1 - is the perspective view of a cooling device comprising a holder mounted to the body side wall. [0020] Figure 2 - is the schematic view of the holder when in the folded position over the body. [0021] Figure 3 - is the schematic view of the holder that is activated when a bottle is desired to be loaded. [0022] Figure 4 - is the schematic view of the holder in the position whereon a bottle can be loaded. [0023] Figure 5 - is the perspective view of two holders mounted under the shelf in another embodiment. [0024] Figure 6 - is the schematic view of the holders when in the folded position under the shelf. [0025] Figure 7 - is the schematic view of the holders that are activated when a bottle is wanted to be loaded. [0026] Figure 8 - is the schematic view of the holders in the position whereon a bottle can be loaded. [0027] The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device

2. Body 3. Door

4. Shelf

5. Holder

6. Sensor

7. Movement mechanism

8. Arm

[0028] The cooling device (1) comprises a body (2) wherein items to be cooled are stored, a door (3) allowing access into the body (2) from the outside and one or more shelves (4) positioned inside the body (2) at various levels,

[0029] The cooling device (1) comprises a sensor (6) that detects the movement in the scanning area, a movement mechanism (7) activated by the sensor

(6) that is stimulated by the bottle (B) entering or leaving the scanning area and a holder (5) that moves between the closed position of folding on the body (2) or the shelf (4) by the movement mechanism (7) and the open position of clasping to support the bottle (B) loaded thereon (Figure 1).

[0030] The holder (5) remains within scanning area of the sensor (6) and the sensor (6) is preferably disposed in the vicinity of the holder (5). In this case, the sensor (6) is triggered only by the bottle (B) entering or leaving the scanning area. Thus, performance of loading or unloading activity in the holder (5) can be accurately detected and the holder (5) is prevented from changing position as a result of every movement in the interior volume of the body (2).

[0031] The holder (5) is folded over the body (2) or the shelf (4) when in the closed position. In this position, the holder (5) occupies a minimum amount of space in the cooling volume. When a bottle (B) is brought close to the holder (5) by the user, the bottle (B) upon entering the scanning area of the sensor (6) is detected by the sensor (6) and the movement mechanism

(7) is triggered. With the triggering of the movement mechanism (7), the holder (5) being initially in the closed position, rotates around the point pivotably fastening thereof to the body (2) or the shelf (4) and changes to the open position such that a supporting surface is formed whereon the bottle (B) can be held by being clasped partially. The holder (5), when changed to the open position, keeps this position until the bottle (B) thereon is lifted off and taken outside of the scanning area. When the user removes the bottle (B) and takes out of the scanning area, the movement mechanism (7) is triggered again by the sensor (6). When the movement mechanism (7) is triggered, the holder (5) rotates around the pivoted point and changes to the closed position of occupying a minimum amount of space in the cooling volume.

[0032] Thus, the holder (5) is enabled to change from the closed position to the open position or from the open position to the closed position without the direct contact of the user with the holder (5).

[0033] Pneumatic or hydraulic systems can be used as the movement mechanism (7). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, a movement mechanism (7) with hydraulic properties is used.

[0034] In another embodiment of the present invention, the holder (5) is pivotably mounted from one end to the body (2) side wall. In the closed position, the holder (5) is folded on the body (2) side wall. In this position, loading cannot be done on the holder (5). This provides the holder (5) to occupy a minimum amount of space inside the body (2) (Figure 2).

[0035] In this embodiment, the sensor (6) is disposed in the region wherein the holder is mounted on the body (2) side wall. When a bottle (B) is brought close to the holder (5) which is initially in the closed position, the bottle (B) is detected by the sensor (6) upon entering the scanned area, and the movement mechanism (7) is actuated. By means of the movement mechanism (7), the holder (5) rotates around the pivoted point and changes from the closed position to the open position whereon a bottle (B) can be loaded. When the holder (5) reaches the open position, a volume is formed between itself and the wall to which it is mounted, wherein the bottle (B) can be loaded and the bottle (B) being clasped by the holder (5) from below and the side can be safely stored (Figure 4). When the bottle (B) leaves the scanning area of the sensor (6) by being removed from the holder (5), this time the holder (5) returns to the former position by means of the movement mechanism (7) and automatically folds on the body (2) side wall. [0036] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises two holders (5) mounted oppositely under the shelf (4), with a distance therebetween. The sensor (6) is disposed between the two holders (5) (Figure 5).

[0037] In this embodiment, the holders (5) are in the closed position, folded under the shelf (4). In this position, both of the holders (5) cling under the shelf (5) being almost on the same plane and without blocking the scanning area of the sensor (6) (Figure 6). When a bottle (B) enters the scanning area of the sensor (6), the bottle (B) is detected by the sensor (6) and the movement mechanism (7) is actuated. Both of the holders (5) move towards one another by means of the movement mechanism (7) and a volume is formed between the shelf (4) and each other wherein a bottle (B) can be placed. In this position, the holders (5) clasp the bottle (B) inserted therebetween from both sides and below almost entirely, enabling to store the bottle (B) in the body (2) under the shelf (4) (Figure 7 and Figure 8).

[0038] In another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises more than one ring shaped holder (5), arranged sequentially so that the bottle (B) can be supported from the front backwards (Figure 1 and Figure 5). Thus, the bottle (5) is supported only from the neck portion and the bottom. In this embodiment, the holder (5) forms less thermal load in the cooling volume and the bottle (B) is cooled rapidly.

[0039] In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the cooling device (1) comprises at least one plate shaped holder (5) configured such that the bottle (B) is supported from the front backwards. Thus, the bottle (B) can be stored more safely.

[0040] In a further embodiment of the present invention, the holder (5) comprises at least two arms (8) mounted from one end to the body (2) side wall or under the shelf (4) and pivotably to one another from one of their ends. One arm (8) is mounted pivotably to the body (2) side wall or under the shelf (4) and the other arm (8) is pivotably attached to this arm (8). At least one of the arms (8) forms a support surface and the other serves as a guardrail for the bottle (B) placed in the holder (5) in the open position, clasping to prevent moving or falling down.

[0041] In another embodiment of the present invention, the sensor (6) is preferably an optical sensor that detects the presence and movement of the bottle (B) entering or leaving its scanning area.

[0042] By means of the present invention, the holder (5) can change from the open position to the closed position or from the closed position to the open position without any intervention by the user. Accordingly, the holder (5) moves only when the user moves the bottle (B) closer or farther away thereto, between the closed position of occupying less space in the cooling volume by automatically folding when required, and the open position of serving preferably as a bottle (B) holder by automatically opening when required.

Claims

1. A cooling device (1) that comprises a body (2) wherein items to be cooled are stored, a door (3) allowing access into the body (2) from the outside and one or more shelves (4) positioned inside the body (2) at various levels, and characterized by a sensor (6) that detects the movement in the scanning area, a movement mechanism (7) activated by the sensor (6) that is stimulated by the bottle (B) entering or leaving the scanning area and a holder (5) that moves by means of the movement mechanism (7) between the closed position of folding on the body (2) or the shelf (4) and the open position of clasping to support the bottle (B) loaded thereon.

2. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a holder (5) that remains within the scanning area of the sensor (6).

3. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by a holder (5) that is pivotably mounted to the body (2) side wall from one end.

4. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 3, characterized by a sensor (6) disposed in the region wherein the holder (5) is mounted to the body (2) side wall.

5. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 1 , characterized by two holders (5) that are disposed oppositely under the shelf (4), with a distance therebetween.

6. A cooling device (1) as in Claim 5, characterized by a sensor (6) that is disposed between two holders (5).

7. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by more than one ring shaped holders (5) that are arranged sequentially so that the bottle (B) can be supported from the front backwards.

8. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the Claims 1 to 6, characterized by a plate shaped holder (5) configured such that the bottle (B) is supported from the front backwards.

9. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a holder (5) comprising at least two arms (8) mounted from one end to the body (2) side wall or under the shelf (4) and pivotably to one another from one of their ends, whereby at least one of the arms (8) forms a support surface and the other serves as a guardrail for the bottle (B) placed in the holder (5) in the open position, clasping to prevent moving or falling down.

10. A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above Claims, characterized by a sensor (6) with optical features that detects the presence or movement of the bottle (B) entering or leaving its scanning area.