WO2009053769A1

WO2009053769A1 - Display refrigerator with multi-tray radial arrangement

Info

Publication number: WO2009053769A1
Application number: PCT/IB2007/003234
Authority: WO
Inventors: Rubén Ramos de la Fuente
Original assignee: Rok Internacional, S.A. De C.V.
Priority date: 2007-10-25
Filing date: 2007-10-25
Publication date: 2009-04-30
Also published as: EP2218356A1; US20100242514A1

Abstract

The present display refrigerator with a multi-tray radial arrangement is formed by a radial arrangement from which a number of trays detach, depending on the requirements of the seller. The trays are shaped as circle sectors defined by two radii and the arc formed between both, and are fastened to a central shaft on which they slide to modify the height thereof depending on the size of the product to be stored on said tray. In this way, maximum use is made of the internal volume of the refrigerator, with each tray set at a different level depending on the product to be displayed therein. Also, the radial arrangement is connected to a rotating mechanism which causes homogenous cooling for all products displayed in the refrigerator. Ergonomically, the refrigerator provides a marked competitive advantage since the external design thereof affords more display in less physical space.

Description

MULTI-CHAROLA RADIAL ARRANGER EXHIBITOR

TECHNICAL FIELD RELATED TO THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a refrigerator for marketing products and particularly products such as beverages. Specifically, the invention relates to a refrigerator that has a design that exhibits the products in radial arrangements. These arrangements are fixed to a rotating shaft and both the shape of the refrigerator that promotes efficient air circulation and the rotating shaft cause homogenization of the cold in the furniture.

BACKGROUND For a long time it has been necessary to have refrigerators in commercial establishments to display beverages since the taste of them changes considerably depending on the temperature at which it is located. US Patent No. 5,755,108 in favor of Kysor Industrial Corporation, is an example of a refrigerator for displaying beverages on shelves or showcases that can be in a certain way, whether they are circular or polygonally shaped cylinders. The aim of this invention is to provide shelves or refrigeration showcases in an unusual way, with a special air flow to provide efficient refrigerator operation. These refrigerators are impractical since they occupy a large space in commercial establishments, the arrangement of the showcases does not allow an accommodation of the product in such a way that the internal volume of the furniture is maximized, offering greater product display and finally the exterior design Cube-shaped furniture limits the degree of product display for consumers. U.S. Patent No. 5,458,407 in favor of L&P Property Management Company and U.S. Patent No. 5,567,026 in favor of Master-Bilt, are clear examples of refrigeration devices with one or two circular shelf systems for product display. These patents provide a device with rotational circular shelves that allow free access to a large number of products without allowing cooling air to escape. This provides a commercial arrangement that has a more efficient air circulation design than its predecessors. However, these refrigerators are not very useful since they occupy a large space in commercial establishments, the arrangement of the rotary circular display cabinets does not allow an accommodation of the product in such a way that the internal volume of the furniture is maximized, offering greater product display and finally the exterior design of the furniture, limits to some extent the ability to display products for consumers.

US Patent 6,883,887 in favor of Tiraothy Mogensen, protects a food storage system. This system is formed by several circular trays which rotate around a central axis at 360 degrees. The central axis to which the trays are adjusted is formed by a rope, which allows the trays to be repositioned at different heights as desired by the user. These refrigerators are not very useful since they occupy a large space in commercial establishments, the arrangement of the rotary circular display cabinets does not allow an accommodation of the product in such a way that the internal volume of the furniture is maximized, offering greater product display and finally the Exterior design of the furniture limits the display capacity of products for consumers.

Finally, US Patent No. 4,314,458 in favor of Dalcon Marketing Inc., is a clear example of a refrigeration device in which groceries are displayed on shelves or display cases. The device provides circular shelves or showcases through which cascades of air flow from the top of the furniture to the bottom and successively internally and externally in each tray. The refrigerator does not have any solid barriers, such as glass doors, which makes it easier for the consumer to access to the product that is sold. It provides a free-access multi-tray arrangement and an exterior 360-degree display design maintaining a temperature inside the refrigerator at a level below 40 ⁰ F (- 4.44 ⁰ C). This patent is not very useful since the arrangement of the circular trays does not allow an accommodation of the product in such a way that the internal volume of the furniture is maximized, offering greater product display and the exterior design of the furniture without any solid barrier that isolating the furniture from the ambient temperature causes some leakage of the cold air flow.

As can be seen from the previous reading, there is a need in the prior art for a display refrigerator that offers a larger display area by volume of the device. Likewise, there is also a need for a refrigerator that allows to divide the trays and allow the selection of the height of each of the trays. Finally, there is also the need to offer homogeneous cooling in all the products exhibited by the refrigerator. The multi-tray radial array display refrigerator of the present invention solves all these problems by proposing a novel display refrigerator described in detail below. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

Figure 1 corresponds to a top right front perspective view of the display refrigerator with multi-tray radial arrangement. Figure 2 corresponds to a top right front perspective view of the radial arrangement of the display refrigerator.

Figure 3 corresponds to a cross-section in top view of the display refrigerator with multi-tray radial arrangement.

Figure 4 corresponds to a detailed view of the cross-section in top view of the display refrigerator with radial arrangement of Figure 3.

Figure 5 corresponds to an exploded top front perspective view of the radial arrangement of the display refrigerator.

Figure 6 corresponds to a longitudinal section in right side view of the display refrigerator with multi-tray radial arrangement. Figure 7 corresponds to a top right front perspective view of the multi-tray radial array display refrigerator, in an alternative embodiment.

Figure 8 corresponds to a top right front perspective view of the radial arrangement of the display refrigerator, in an alternative embodiment. To facilitate the understanding of the present invention, Table 1 presents the reference numbers and the components and characteristics mentioned in the figures.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED MODE

The preferred embodiment of the present invention is shown in Figure 1. The invention consists of a display refrigerator (10) having an upper housing

(30), a lower housing (40), a transparent body (50) and a rear body (not illustrated) that make up said display refrigerator. Preferably the refrigerator Display is substantially cylindrical. However, the shape of the refrigerator can vary at any regular or irregular straight prism with triangular, square, pentagonal, heptagonal, heptagonal, octagonal bases, etc. The upper housing (30) and the lower housing (40) support the transparent body (50) and rear body of the refrigeration and keep the operating mechanisms of the refrigerated display inside. The transparent body (50) and the rear body house within themselves a radial arrangement (20) of multiple trays on which the products (15) are placed and displayed.

Figure 2 shows the radial arrangement (20) which is composed at its ends of an upper cover (28) and a base (29). In the preferred embodiment described, said upper cover (28) and base (29) are joined by a central axis (21) that runs along the longitudinal axis of said radial arrangement (20). A plurality of radial trays (25) are mounted on the central axis (21). The trays (25) are grouped into two or more radial sectors and their height is adjusted by sliding them on the central axis (21) allowing the products to be displayed in the space between one tray and another.

Figure 3 corresponds to a cross-section in top view of the display refrigerator of the present invention. In this modality it is seen as the radial trays (25) It has the shape of sectors of a circle defined by two radii and the arc that forms between them. In addition, in this figure it is possible to appreciate the posterior body (55). Similarly, it can be seen that the transparent body (50) is supported at its ends by pivot means (51) and closing means (52). These means allow the transparent body (50) to act as a door that the user can pull to access the products (15) inside the display refrigerator (10). Preferably, the transparent body (50) is a curved glass or plastic that allows observing the interior of the display refrigerator.

Notwithstanding what is described in the previous paragraph, the door can have different opening and closing mechanisms, which can be a sliding door towards the inside of the rear body, a sliding door operated by some automatic or semi-automatic mechanism, a door pivoted at both ends and divided in two doors that open in the center, a folding door to any of its ends, among others. Referring to figures 4 and 5, it can be seen how the central axis (21) is surrounded by a profile with rails (22) where each rail defines the circular sectors that the display refrigerator (10) will contain. In addition, both figures show that each tray (25) has a tray support (24) on its back that It has means to slide into the profile rails (22). With the above, the height of each tray (25) is allowed to be selected before fixing it in place by any known means of securing. Additionally, in figure 5 an upper bearing (31) and a lower bearing (41) are observed on which the central axis (21) rests and rotates.

It should be noted that in the present invention the profile (22) can vary in shape or number of rails, as well as the corresponding tray support (24) that adapts to each profile, but the operation is the same.

Figure 6 corresponds to a longitudinal section in right side view of the display refrigerator (10). Said cut allows us to observe part of the cooling system (42) that houses inside the lower housing (40) comprising a compressor (43), a condenser (44) that dissipates heat outwards through the ventilation slits (Four. Five)

(illustrated in Figure 1) through a fan (46).

A tube (not illustrated) that is part of the cooling system rises inside the rear body (55) and reaches the space that houses the upper housing (30) where cold air is released into the refrigerator. Because the cold air is denser than the air inside the refrigerator, the cold air descends along the radial arrangement (20). With this, a constant temperature is maintained inside the display refrigerator (10) and in all its products (15). Finally, an automated turning mechanism (not shown) is located inside the upper housing (30) and is coupled to the central shaft (21) to rotate the radial arrangement (20). Preferably, this mechanism may consist of a motor coupled to a gear reduction mechanism, although various known turning mechanisms can be used.

Finally, Figures 7 and 8 present an alternative modality, among others, which consists of a display refrigerator (110) that has an upper housing (130), a lower housing (140), a transparent body (150) and a back body (not illustrated). Inside the display refrigerator (110) there is a radial arrangement (120) of multiple trays on which the products (15) are placed and displayed. The radial arrangement (120) is composed at its ends of an upper cover (128) and a base (129). In this alternative embodiment, said upper cover (128) and base (129) are joined by a plurality of longitudinal axes (123) running vertically. A plurality of radial trays (125) are mounted on the longitudinal axes (123). The trays (125) are grouped into two or more radial sectors and their height is adjusted by sliding them on the longitudinal axes (123) that cross them by fixing the trays (125) in place by any means of known assurance allowing to display the products (15) in the space between a tray and another.

Additionally, to connect the radial arrangement (120) to the turning mechanism, the upper cover (128) and the base (129) have cylindrical couplings (121) in the center of their circumference. These cylindrical couplings are connected to the turning mechanism to allow the correct operation of the display refrigerator.

The advantages presented by the display refrigerators (10) and (110) described are the homogeneity of the cold distributed uniformly to all products (15) within the radial arrangement (20) and (120) respectively. Another advantage of the present invention is that it allows a 360 ° display area compared to display refrigerators that only have an exhibition area equal to that of their front face. Finally, another advantage of the present invention is the versatility and use of space that allows the use of multiple trays accommodated in sectors and adjusted to the desired height. The multi-tray radial array display refrigerator resembles a bunch of grapes where each product finds its place in a harmonious and natural arrangement.

Based on the foregoing disclosure, certain embodiments and details have been described in order to illustrate the present invention, and will be apparent to those skilled in the art. matter that variations and modifications can be made without departing from the scope of the present invention.

Claims

1. A display refrigerator consisting of an upper housing, a lower housing, a transparent body and a rear body, where - the housings keep inside them the operating mechanisms of the refrigerated display; the transparent body and the rear body house within themselves an arrangement of multiple trays on which the products are placed and displayed; characterized in that: the arrangement is a radial arrangement which is composed at its ends of an upper cover and a base that are joined by a central axis that runs along the longitudinal axis of said arrangement; the central axis is surrounded by a profile with rails, - the trays are grouped into two or more radial sectors; each tray has on its back a tray support that has means to slide inside the rails of the profile thus adjusting its height; The cooling system releases cold air into the refrigerator from the upper housing, maintaining a constant temperature inside the display refrigerator and in all its products; Y _« The display refrigerator has an automated turning mechanism that attaches to the central axis to rotate the radial arrangement.

2. The display refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the display refrigerator is substantially cylindrical.

3. The display refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the shape of the refrigerator can vary to any regular or irregular straight prism with triangular, 0 square, pentagonal, heptagonal, heptagonal, octagonal, etc. bases.

4. The display refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the radial trays are in the form of sectors of a circle defined by two radii and the arc that forms between them.

5. The display refrigerator of claim 1, wherein preferably the transparent body is a curved glass or plastic that allows observing the inside of the display refrigerator.

6. The display refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the transparent body is held at its ends by pivot means and closure means that allow the transparent body to act as a door.

7. The display refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the transparent body acts as a door that can have different opening and closing mechanisms being able to to be a sliding door towards the inside of the rear body, a sliding door operated by some automatic or semi-automatic mechanism, a door pivoted at both ends and divided into two doors that open at the center, a folding door towards any of its ends, between others.

8. The display refrigerator of claim 1, wherein each tray is fixed in place by any known securing means.

9. The display refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the central axis rests and rotates on an upper bearing and a lower bearing.

10. The display refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the profile can vary in shape or number of rails, as well as the corresponding tray support that adapts to each profile.

11. The display refrigerator of claim 1, wherein the turning mechanism is located within the upper housing and may consist of a motor coupled to a gear-based reduction mechanism, although various known turning mechanisms can be used.

12. A display refrigerator consisting of an upper housing, a lower housing, a transparent body and a rear body, where; the housings keep inside the operating mechanisms of the refrigerated display; the transparent body and the rear body house within themselves an arrangement of multiple trays on which the products are placed and displayed; characterized in that: the arrangement is a radial arrangement which is composed at its ends of an upper cover and a base that are joined by a plurality of longitudinal axes; a plurality of radial trays are mounted on the longitudinal axes; radial trays are grouped into two or more radial sectors; each tray can slide on the longitudinal axes that cross them thus adjusting its height; The cooling system releases cold air into the refrigerator from the upper housing, maintaining a constant temperature inside the display refrigerator and in all its products; and the display refrigerator has an automated turning mechanism that engages the central axis to rotate the radial arrangement.

13. The display refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the display refrigerator is substantially cylindrical.

14. The display refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the shape of the refrigerator can vary to any regular or irregular straight prism with triangular, square, pentagonal, heptagonal, heptagonal, octagonal bases, etc.

15. The display refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the radial trays are in the form of sectors of a circle defined by two radii and the arc that forms between them.

16. The display refrigerator of claim 12, wherein preferably the transparent body is a curved glass or plastic that allows observing the inside of the display refrigerator.

17. The display refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the transparent body is held at its ends by pivot means and closure means that allow the transparent body to act as a door.

18. The display refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the transparent body acts as a door that can have different opening and closing mechanisms and can be a sliding door into the rear body, a sliding door operated by some automatic or semi-automatic mechanism , a door pivoted at both ends and divided into two doors that open in the center, a folding door to any of its ends, among others.

19. The display refrigerator of claim 12, wherein each tray is fixed in place by any known securing means.

20. The display refrigerator of claim 12, the upper cover and the base have in the center of its circumference cylindrical couplings that are connected to the turning mechanism to allow the correct operation of the display refrigerator.

21. The display refrigerator of claim 20, wherein the cylindrical couplings rest and rotate on an upper bearing and a lower bearing.

22. The display refrigerator of claim 12, wherein the turning mechanism is located within the upper housing and may consist of a motor coupled to a gear reduction mechanism, although various known turning mechanisms can be used.