WO2022049434A1

WO2022049434A1 - A door for a refrigeration cabinet and a method for fixing the hinge of a door

Info

Publication number: WO2022049434A1
Application number: PCT/IB2021/057544
Authority: WO
Inventors: Alberto Guiducci; Enrico Paroli
Original assignee: Cisaplast S.P.A.
Priority date: 2020-09-03
Filing date: 2021-08-17
Publication date: 2022-03-10
Also published as: EP4208680A1; EP4208680B1

Abstract

It is described a door (10,10') for a refrigeration cabinet (1), comprising: a panel (35) of the insulating and optically transparent type, and a support frame (90) supporting and framing the panel, wherein the support frame is provided with an edging profile (100,105,110,115) extending longitudinally along a longitudinal axis and comprising a portion proximal to the panel (35) and a portion distal from the panel, wherein the distal portion comprises a convex outer surface (150) parallel to the longitudinal axis and directed with convexity to a direction opposite to the panel (35).

Description

A DOOR FOR A REFRIGERATION CABINET AND A METHOD FOR FIXING THE HINGE OF A DOOR

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a door for a refrigeration cabinet.

PRIOR ART

They are known refrigeration cabinets comprising: a refrigerated compartment, which has an opening to access the inside of the compartment, and one or more doors adapted to selectively occlude or disengage at least partially the opening. Such doors generally each comprise at least one panel of thermally insulating and optically transparent material, such as glass or polymeric material, and a panel support frame formed by a plurality of rectilinear edging profiles substantially framing the panel and by means of which the panel is movably connected to the refrigerated compartment.

The door edging profiles have a generally quadrangular or rectangular cross-section.

In some embodiments, the support frames are hinged to the refrigerated compartment by means of hinges that define respective hinge axes around which the doors swing.

In order to allow the doors to close and open properly, a manoeuvre empty space must be left between the edging profiles of two adjacent doors or between a door edging profile and the opening to which it is hinged, which is occupied by a portion of the profile distal from the panel while the door swings.

With the known edging profiles, this space is at least one centimetre wider when the doors are in a closed position, creating problems to the user’s safety as the width is such that the user can insert his or her fingers into that manoeuvre space. Thus there is a risk of crushing fingers in case the door is rotated relative to the hinge when the fingers are inadvertently placed within the manoeuvre space.

An object of the present invention is thus to overcome this drawback of the prior art, with a simple, rational and cost-efficient solution.

This object is achieved by the features of the invention reported in the independent claim. The dependent claims outline preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

DISCLOSURE OF THE INVENTION

The invention makes available a door for a refrigeration cabinet, comprising:

- a panel of the insulating and optically transparent type, and

- a support frame which supports and frames the panel, wherein the support frame is provided with an edging profile that extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis and that comprises a portion proximal to the panel and a portion distal from the panel, wherein the distal portion comprises a convex outer surface parallel to the longitudinal axis and directed with convexity to the direction opposite the panel.

Thanks to this solution, the manoeuvre empty space between two doors or between a door and the adjacent framing can be reduced to less than a centimetre, in particular to less than 5mm, if compared to doors being used with rectangular cross-section edging profiles, making it possible to thereby eliminate, or at least drastically reduce, the risk of crushing the user's fingers.

This is because a profile with a rectangular cross-section has in its portion distal from the panel an outer plane surface (which basically extends between two other outer plane surfaces of the rectangular profile parallel to each other and perpendicular to said plane surface) parallel to the longitudinal axis of the edging profile (i.e. the hinge axis). The points of the line formed by the intersection of such outer plane surface with an imaginary plane of section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis are essentially all at the same distance from the panel, i.e. they are all at the same distance from a plane lying in a panel edge proximal to, or in contact with, the edging profile (or from a plane tangent to the edge and perpendicular to a pair of greater panel faces in the case of a curved edge).

Therefore the flat surface, or rather the transversal ends of the line identified by the intersection with a plane of section perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, describes a trajectory with a radius of curvature greater than the convex surface, which at its ends is closer to the panel and thus defines a radius of rotation around the hinge axis smaller than the plane surface.

According to one aspect of the invention, the convex surface may be curvilinear and have an axis of curvature parallel to the longitudinal axis of the edging profile.

Such a surface, thereby, makes it possible to reduce the consumption of material for making the profile, for example if compared to a convex wedge-shaped surface, and also reduces the likelihood that the user's fingers get caught between the doors. Preferably, the convex surface is a sector of side surface of a cylinder with a circular base. Among the curved surfaces, such a surface is the one that allows to reduce the most the manoeuvre space, for example if compared to an elliptical or oval surface.

According to another aspect of the invention, the convex outer surface may have a minimum width, measured in the direction transversal to its longitudinal extension, greater than 20 mm.

According to yet another aspect of the invention, the door may comprise a hinge having a first portion fixed to the support frame and a second portion movable relative to the first portion about a hinge axis.

In particular, the longitudinal axis of the edging profile may be parallel to the hinge axis and the axis of curvature of the convex outer surface may be spaced less than 3 mm from the hinge axis.

Preferably, in order to minimise as much as possible the required manoeuvre space, where the axis of curvature and the hinge axis can be coaxial.

It must be noted that coaxial means net of construction and assembly tolerances. For example, there is still coaxiality when the axis of curvature and the hinge axis are spaced less than a millimetre from each other.

Another aspect of the invention provides that the edging profile may comprise a longitudinal cavity which is partially delimited by a wall provided with a plane surface lying in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and directed towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity, and another wall, which is in turn delimited internally by an inner surface directed towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity and facing the plane surface and is delimited externally at least partially by the convex outer surface.

It is thereby possible to produce and install a single type of profile with a convex outer surface to make an entire framing supporting the door panel. This is because by removing a portion of the other wall on which the convex outer surface is made, it is possible to achieve the plane surface to which a hinge can be firmly fixed. Fixing the hinge directly to the convex surface would result in an unstable coupling or would require specifically designed hinges having a surface to be fixed to the profile that is concave and complementary to the convex outer surface. However, even in this case the connection would not be as stable as with the plane surface, as the contact between two non-rectilinear surfaces leads more easily to possible slippage.

A further advantage is to easily make a profile that makes available a cavity adapted to house at least partially the hinge (which can be adapted to different hinge sizes on the spot), thus protecting it from dirt, foreign bodies and tampering and also reducing the possibility that lubricating material (such as oil or grease) comes into contact with the user or with the rest of the refrigeration cabinet, soiling them.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the door may comprise a handle provided with a fixing portion adapted to be fixed onto the edging profile and provided with a concave inner portion, complementary to the convex outer surface of the edging profile and in contact therewith, and a convex outer surface, opposite to the concave inner surface and homologous to the convex outer surface of the edging profile.

A handle that can be firmly fixed to the profile without compromising the advantages of the convex outer surface is thereby made available.

The invention also makes available a refrigerator cabinet comprising:

- a refrigerated (accommodating) compartment,

- an opening to access the refrigerated compartment,

- a door according to claim 1 hinged to the compartment with respect to a hinge axis and movable between a closed position, in which it occludes at least partially the access opening, and an open position, in which it does not obstruct the access to the refrigeration compartment via the access opening.

According to an aspect of the invention, the cabinet may comprise two doors, adapted to jointly occlude the access opening to the refrigeration compartment and each one provided with a respective vertical edging profile placed at a vertical side of the door opposite to a vertical side of the door proximal to the hinge axis, wherein, when the doors are in the closed position, the respective convex outer surfaces are arranged one in front of the other and facing each other, for example at a distance lower than 10mm, preferably lower than 5mm.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages of the invention will be more apparent after reading the following description provided by way of a non-limiting example, with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

Figure 1 is a front view of a refrigeration cabinet provided with an edging profile according to the invention.

Figure 2 is a front view of an embodiment of the refrigeration cabinet provided with a particular handle which is directly coupled to the edging profile according to the invention.

Figure 3 is a section of Figure 1 according to the plane Ill-Ill.

Figure 4 is a section of Figure 2 according to the plane IV-IV.

Figure 5 is the isolated and enlarged detail V of Figure 3.

Figure 6 is the isolated and enlarged detail VI of Figure 3.

Figure 7 is the isolated and enlarged detail VII of Figure 4.

Figure 8 is the isolated and enlarged detail VIII of Figure 4.

Figure 9 is a partial section of Figure 1 , according to the section plane IX- IX.

Figure 10 is a partial exploded and partial sectional front view of a refrigeration cabinet door according to the invention.

Figure 11 is an enlargement of the detail XI of Figure 10.

Figure 12 is a partial sectional view of the edging profile according to the invention.

Figure 13 is a section view of another embodiment of an edging profile according to the invention.

Figure 14 is a partial sectional view of the edging profile according to the invention.

BEST MODE TO IMPLEMENT THE INVENTION

With particular reference to these figures, reference number 1 ,1 ’ globally indicates a refrigeration cabinet comprising a box-shaped body which defines a refrigerated compartment V, inside which the products to be refrigerated are stored.

This box-shaped body has a framing 5, or counter-frame, which delimits an access opening A, for example rectangular-shaped, through which it is possible to access the compartment V from the outside.

The cabinet 1 comprises a door 10,10’, movably associated with the framing 5, adapted to selectively occlude or disengage, at least partially, the access opening A (i.e. the portion of the access opening identified by the counter-frame) to access the compartment V. In particular, the door 10,10' is movable with respect to the box-shaped body between a closed position, in which it at least partially occludes the access opening A preventing access, and an open position, in which it does not obstruct the access to the refrigerated compartment, i.e. it does not obstruct access to the compartment by means of an access opening portion subtended to the door itself when the door is in the closed position. In particular, in case the refrigeration cabinet comprises only one door, when it is in the closed position it completely occludes the access opening.

If, as in the case shown, the refrigeration cabinet comprises a plurality of doors, (movably associated with the framing 5), such as two doors as shown, each door occludes a respective portion of the access opening A or allows access thereto. Generally, access to the access opening is completely prevented when all the doors are in the closed position

The door 10,10' is hinged to the box-shaped body, i.e. the framing 5, according to a vertical hinge axis C, preferably parallel to a lying plane of the access opening A.

For example, referring in particular to figure 9, the door comprises a hinge 15 provided with a first portion 20 and a second portion 25 movable with respect to the first portion about the hinge axis C and adapted to be fixed to the box-shaped body, i.e. to the framing or counter-frame 5 of the box-shaped body.

In particular, the door 10,10' comprises a pair of hinges 15,30 a lower one 15 and an upper one 30 which have coaxial hinge axes C.

The door 10, 10’ comprises a panel 35, for example rectangular-shaped, made of thermally insulating material.

Preferably, the panel 35 is also made of optically transparent material, for instance such optically transparent and thermally insulating material may be glass or polymeric material or a combination thereof.

In particular, the panel 35 may be formed of a single sheet or of a plurality of sheets of thermally insulating and optically transparent material, for example spaced apart from each other so that there is a gap between the sheets, preferably containing only a refractory gas.

In the embodiment shown, the panel 35 consists of three sheets parallel to each other. For example, such sheets have an even thickness between them.

The panel 35 comprises a first greater face 40 (rectangular-shaped) and an opposite second greater face 45 (rectangular-shaped), for example the first one directed to the direction opposite to the inside of the compartment V and the second one directed towards the inside of the compartment when the door is in the closed position.

The first greater face is made available by the outermost sheet of the panel and the second greater face is made available by the innermost sheet. Such greater faces are, in the embodiment shown, plane and parallel to each other, e.g. lying in vertical planes.

In an embodiment not shown, such faces may be curved, for example the first face may be curved with the concavity directed towards inside the compartment V and positioned so that a plane tangent at one point to the first greater face is parallel to the hinge axis C.

The panel 35 comprises a plurality of rectilinear edges 50,55,60,65 consecutive to each other which jointly define a perimeter side edge extending from the first greater face 40 to the second greater face 45. In practice, the side edge basically extends between a perimeter of the first greater face 40 and a perimeter of the second greater face 45.

Such a plurality of rectilinear edges comprises at least one vertical rectilinear edge 50,55 parallel to the hinge axis C, and for example at least also one horizontal rectilinear edge 60,65 perpendicular to the hinge axis.

At least the vertical rectilinear edge 50,55 comprises a rectilinear plane surface 70,75 lying in a plane perpendicular to the lying planes of the first greater face 40 and the second greater face 45, for example parallel to the hinge axis.

The plane surface 70,75 extends throughout the longitudinal extension of the vertical rectilinear edge 50,55 and for example has a width, i.e. extension in a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal direction, of at least 1 cm.

The horizontal rectilinear edge 60,65 comprises a rectilinear plane surface 80,85 lying in a plane perpendicular to the lying planes of the first greater face 40 and the second greater face 45, for example also perpendicular to the hinge axis C.

In particular, all rectilinear edges comprise a rectilinear plane surface lying in a plane perpendicular to the lying planes of the first greater face 40 and the second greater face 45.

Preferably all of the above-described plane surfaces of the rectilinear edges have a width greater than 1 cm.

In an embodiment not shown in which the first greater face is curved, the rectilinear plane surfaces are perpendicular to a plane tangent to the first greater face at a vertical centreline of the greater face.

Each plane surface 70,75,80,85 is, for example, defined by a framing, made of metal and/or polymeric material, which stably joins together, for example by means of glue, the sheets of the panel keeping them at a predefined distance so that each of them has the gap described above.

In the embodiment shown, the panel 35 is rectangular, i.e., the peripheral side edge is rectangular, and comprises a first vertical rectilinear edge 50 (parallel to the hinge axis C), a second vertical rectilinear edge 55 parallel to the first vertical rectilinear edge, a first horizontal rectilinear edge 60 and a second horizontal rectilinear edge 65, which are parallel to each other and connect the first and second vertical rectilinear edges at opposite ends thereof.

In the embodiment shown, the first vertical rectilinear edge 50 is proximal to the hinge 15, i.e. the hinges, relative to the second vertical rectilinear edge 55. The first vertical rectilinear edge 50 comprises the plane surface 70 and the second vertical rectilinear edge 55 comprises the plane surface 75.

The first horizontal rectilinear edge 60 comprises the plane surface 80 and the second horizontal rectilinear edge 65 comprises the plane surface 85.

Still in the embodiment shown, the first greater face 40 is defined by a sheet having a width and height greater than a sheet defining the second greater face 45, consequently, the at least vertical rectilinear edge has two rectilinear plane surfaces, one of which is defined by a side edge of the sheet defining the first greater face, and another defined by the set of a pair of side edges of the other two sheets.

The door includes a support frame 90 that supports and, for example, frames the panel 35.

The support frame 90 is directly fixed to the panel 35, i.e. without interposing other structural elements, or to the rectilinear edges 50,55,60,65 of the panel 35, e.g. by means of glue or other fixing elements.

In particular, the support frame directly contacts at least one pair of rectilinear edges of the panel, i.e. at least the first vertical rectilinear edge 50 and the first horizontal rectilinear edge 60.

The support frame 90 is hinged to the refrigerated compartment V directly by the hinge 15, i.e. the pair of hinges 15,30. In particular, the first portion of the hinge 20, i.e. of each hinge, is rigidly fixed without residual degrees of freedom, for example by means of threaded (bolted) connection members, to the support frame 90.

The support frame 90 is provided with at least one edging profile 100,105,110,115, for example rectilinear, which extends longitudinally along its own longitudinal axis, and which comprises a proximal portion 120 proximal to the panel 35 and a distal portion 125 distal from the panel, for example the proximal portion 120 being directly fixed to the panel.

In particular, the proximal portion 120 is directly fixed, for example by merely interposing a layer of glue, not shown, to a rectilinear edge 50,55,60,65 of the plurality of panel rectilinear edges, i.e. to the plane surface 70,75,80,85 of the respective rectilinear edge. The longitudinal axis of the edging profile is parallel to the longitudinal axis of the respective rectilinear edge of the panel to which it is proximal.

The proximal portion 120 of the edging profile 100,105,110,115 may therefore comprise a plane surface 130,135,140,145 parallel to and facing the plane surface 70,75,80,85 of the rectilinear edge to which the edging profile is fixed.

The plane surface 130,135,140,145 contacts (by only interposing a layer of adhesive material) the plane surface 70,75,80,85 of the rectilinear edge to which it is adjacent throughout the entire longitudinal extension of the edging profile itself.

In the embodiment shown, wherein the rectilinear edges of the panel comprise two plane surfaces, the proximal portion of the edging profile comprises two plane surfaces, of which the plane surface 130,135,140,145 faces the plane surface 70,75,80,85 and another surface of the edging profile faces the other plane surface of the rectilinear edge.

The distal portion 125 of the edging profile 100,105,110,115 comprises a convex outer surface 150 parallel to the longitudinal axis of the edging profile and directed with its convexity to the direction opposite to the panel 35, i.e. the direction opposite to the rectilinear edge 50,55,60,65 of the panel to which the edging profile is adjacent, or even more in detail the direction opposite to the plane surface 70,75,80,85 of the panel 35 to which the edging profile is adjacent.

In particular, the convex outer surface 150 extends, i.e. protrudes, in a direction moving away from the panel 35, i.e. in a direction moving away from a rectilinear edge 50,55,60,65 proximal/adjacent to the edging profile itself, preferably in a direction moving away from a lying plane of the flat surface 70,75,80,85 of a rectilinear edge proximal/adjacent to the edging profile itself, along a direction perpendicular to such lying plane The convex outer surface 150, i.e. a line identified by the intersection of such surface with an imaginary plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, is also intersected in a central portion thereof by an imaginary plane perpendicular to the plane surface 70,75,80,85 of the rectilinear edge and passing through a midpoint of the plane surface and parallel to the longitudinal axis.

In the embodiment shown, the convex outer surface 150 is also intersected by a pair of imaginary planes parallel to the longitudinal axis, perpendicular to the plane surface 70,75,80,85 of the rectilinear edge and intersecting it respectively at end points of the plane surface itself with respect to a direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the rectilinear edge.

The convex outer surface 150 is further shaped so that a plane tangent at a point, such as an intermediate point, to the convex outer surface is parallel to the plane surface 70,75,80,85.

It should be noted that when the convex outer surface has been defined as parallel to the longitudinal axis, "parallel" means that the intersection of the convex outer surface with an imaginary plane containing the longitudinal axis identifies a line parallel to the longitudinal axis.

Preferably, the convex outer surface 150 is constant in shape and size throughout its longitudinal extension.

The intersection of the convex outer surface 150 with an imaginary section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis identifies a convex line (or segment) directed with its convexity to the direction opposite to the panel 35, i.e. the direction opposite to the rectilinear edge of the proximal/adjacent panel, or even more specifically the direction opposite to the plane surface 70,75,80,85 of the proximal/adjacent rectilinear edge.

Similarly, it is possible to define the line generated by the intersection of the convex outer surface 150 with the imaginary section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis, as a concave line with its concavity directed towards the panel 35, i.e. directed towards the rectilinear edge of the proximal/adjacent panel, or even more in detail directed towards the plane surface 70,75,80,85 of the proximal/adjacent rectilinear edge.

The ends of said line are at a distance, measured along a direction perpendicular to the plane surface 70,75,80,85 of the rectilinear edge, from a lying plane of the plane surface of the rectilinear edge, that is smaller than the distance from the same plane of a central portion of the line, measured along the aforesaid direction. Such central portion is intersected by an imaginary plane perpendicular to the plane surface 70,75,80,85 of the rectilinear edge and passing through a midpoint of the plane surface itself and parallel to the longitudinal axis.

In particular, in the embodiment shown, such a distance of the line from the lying plane of the plane surface of the rectilinear edge is always increasing going from the ends to a point in the central portion of the line where a tangent to the line (or to the external convex surface) is parallel to said lying plane of the plane surface of the rectilinear edge.

However, it is not excluded that in an embodiment not shown, the convex outer surface may be provided with longitudinal grooves parallel to the longitudinal axis which locally vary the shape of the convex outer surface. Such an implementation, in any case, falls within the inventive concept because the surface is overall convex and the distance from the lying plane of the plane surface of the adjacent rectilinear edge is generally always increasing from the ends towards the centre.

The maximum distance of the line identified by the section of the convex outer surface from a midpoint of the plane surface 70,75,80,85 of a proximal rectilinear edge of the panel 35, is 1 ,2 times smaller than the thickness of the panel (considered as the distance between the first greater face and the second greater face), e.g. smaller than 40 mm.

The convex outer surface preferably has a width, measured in the direction of the thickness of the panel 35 (considered as the distance between the first greater face and the second greater face), greater than half the thickness of the panel itself, for example greater than the entire thickness of the panel 35. In the embodiment shown it is greater than 30 mm.

The convex outer surface is preferably curved and has an axis of curvature, or several axes of curvature, parallel to the longitudinal axis of the edging profile. Even more preferably, the curved surface has a single axis of curvature, i.e. a constant radius of curvature, or in other words the convex outer surface 150 has a circular cross-section.

The convex outer surface is curved throughout its extension in the direction transversal to the longitudinal axis, i.e. the curved line identified by the section of the convex outer surface with an imaginary section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is curved throughout its extension and has no curvilinear lines.

It is not excluded that in an embodiment not shown, the convex outer surface may be shaped as a wedge-shaped surface with the wedge directed to the direction moving away from the panel, for example as a surface whose cross-section is V-shaped.

In the embodiment shown, the convex surface is a sector of curved side surface of a cylinder with a circular base, i.e. of a cylinder having a circle as its base, the axis of curvature (coinciding with the central axis of the cylinder) being parallel to the longitudinal axis of the edging profile.

The curved side surface sector of the cylinder is continuous throughout its extension both in the direction of the longitudinal axis and in the direction perpendicular to the longitudinal axis.

That is, the arc identified by the intersection of the curved side surface sector with an imaginary section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is continuous from one end thereof to an opposite end thereof

The curved side surface sector of the cylinder is, for example, subtended to an imaginary angle having its centre on the axis of curvature of the side surface, i.e. on the central axis of the cylinder, which angle is greater than 120°, e.g. it is between 160° and 200°.

In other words, the arc identified by the intersection of the curved side surface sector with an imaginary section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis is, for example, subtended at an imaginary angle having its centre on the axis of curvature of the side surface, i.e. on the central axis of the cylinder, and is greater than 120°, i.e. is between 160° and 200°.

The cylindrical side surface sector preferably has a radius of curvature greater than 20 mm.

In embodiments not shown, the convex outer surface may be a sector of the side surface of a prismatic body with an elliptical or oval base.

In the proximal portion of the profile (e.g. in a portion of the proximal portion between the plane surface 130,135,140,145 and the convex surface), the profile may comprise a groove 155 parallel to the profile longitudinal axis which serves as a seat for a gas sealing gasket 160 adapted to rest on a suitable plane surface of the framing 5, or of an upright 165 of the framing (of the refrigeration cabinet), when the door is in the closed position (so as to achieve an airtight sealing with such surface). For example, the groove 155 extends throughout the entire longitudinal extension of the profile and preferably communicates with the environment outside the profile by means of a longitudinal opening in which a portion of the gas sealing gasket is inserted. The longitudinal opening, in the embodiment shown, is defined by two surfaces inclined towards each other in the direction of moving closer to each other from the outside to the inside of the grooved profile. This basically funnel-shaped opening makes it possible to hold the gasket in the groove in a particularly effective way.

The longitudinal groove 155, i.e., its longitudinal opening, is directed to a transversal (perpendicular) direction relative to the direction that the convex surface faces. In other words, the gas sealing gasket 165 protrudes from the edging profile in a transversal (perpendicular) direction relative to the direction that the convex surface faces.

This longitudinal groove may also comprise a longitudinal cavity adapted to serve as a seat for an electrical resistor.

The edging profile 100,105,110,115 comprises a first wall 170 (of non-zero thickness), a cross-section of which with a section plane perpendicular to the longitudinal axis forms a closed loop path and which defines the plane surface 130,135,140,145 and the convex outer surface 150.

The longitudinal opening of the groove 155 is made in said first wall 170.

The edging profile also comprises a second wall 175 (of non-zero thickness), which is located within the closed loop path defined by the first wall 170 and intersects the first wall 170 (at ends of the second wall perpendicular to the longitudinal axis) forming a longitudinal cavity 180, i.e. which extends along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the edging profile, defined by the first wall and the second wall.

The second wall comprises a plane surface 185, which may be defined as a fixing plane surface, lying in a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and directed towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity, thus delimiting a portion thereof. Such plane surface 185 is also parallel to the plane surface 130,135,140,145 of the edging profile.

The longitudinal cavity 180 is at least partially defined, for example it is uniquely defined, by the plane surface 185 and by an inner surface 190 of the first wall 170, which is directed towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity, facing directly the plane surface 185, and is obtained in a portion of the first wall 170 where the convex outer surface is made.

In practice, the inner surface 190 of the first wall 170 is opposite to the convex outer surface 150.

In other words, the thickness of the first wall at the convex outer surface is defined by the inner surface 190 and the convex outer surface 150.

In the preferred embodiment, the inner surface 190 is a concave surface with a homologous shape, i.e. mirror-like, to the convex outer surface.

The edging profile comprises an additional longitudinal cavity 195, i.e. extending along a direction parallel to the longitudinal axis of the edging profile, defined by the first wall 170 and the second wall 175, and which is divided from the longitudinal cavity 180 by interposing the second wall 175.

With particular reference to Figures 10-13, the additional longitudinal cavity 195 comprises an inner surface shaped to precisely accommodate an axially hollow stiffening bar 300, forming a prismatic connection that is able, as its only degree of freedom, to slide along an axis parallel to the profile longitudinal axis. For example, the stiffening bar has a rectangular (square) cross-section.

The length of the stiffening bar 300 can be substantially the same as that of the edging profile.

The additional longitudinal cavity is at least partially made in the proximal portion of the edging profile.

The additional longitudinal cavity is divided from the longitudinal groove by means of a third wall 305 defining a bottom surface of the groove facing the longitudinal opening. The third wall (of non-zero thickness) is arranged within the closed loop path defined by the first wall 170 and intersects the first wall 170 and the second wall 175, separating the longitudinal cavity 155 from the longitudinal cavity 180.

The cross-section of the profile, i.e. of the first wall and, for example, also of the second wall, is constant (in shape and size) along the profile, with the obvious exception of the ends, which must be cut at a selected angle to enable them to be fixed to the adjacent profile to form a framing.

The hinge, or hinges, are fixed directly by means of suitable connecting members, for example threaded connecting members and/or comprising glues, to the second wall 175, after appropriate removal of a portion of the first wall 170 at the convex outer surface 150. The threaded connecting members pass through the second wall 175 towards the additional longitudinal cavity 195 so as to clamp the second wall 175 in a vice-like manner.

In particular, the first portion of the hinge, i.e. Of each hinge, is in direct contact with the plane surface 185.

The support frame 90 preferably comprises a plurality of edging profiles 100,105,110,115 fixed together to form a framing, for example four edging profiles fixed together to form a rectangular framing, which frames and supports the panel 35 and allows it to be connected to the hinge, or hinges.

In particular, the plurality of edging profiles comprises at least one edging profile 100 proximal to, or in contact with, the first vertical rectilinear edge 50.

In detail, such edging profile 100 is arranged with the plane surface 185 directly facing the plane surface 70 of the first vertical rectilinear edge 50, for example along the entire longitudinal extension of said plane surfaces.

This edging profile is arranged with its longitudinal axis parallel to the hinge axis C, in particular it is arranged in such a way that the hinge axis C passes through said edging profile 100. In detail, the hinge axis C is contained in the additional longitudinal cavity 195.

When the convex outer surface 150 is curved, for example when it is formed by a cylindrical surface sector as shown, the axis of curvature, i.e. the central axis, of the convex outer surface of the edging profile 100 proximal to the first rectilinear vertical edge 50, is parallel to the hinge axis C and is placed at a distance lower than 3 mm from said hinge axis, preferably it is coaxial to the hinge axis C

In the embodiment shown, the plurality of edging profiles comprises a first vertical edging profile 100, having the above-described characteristics of being close to the first vertical rectilinear edge and parallel to the hinge axis C, and a second vertical edging profile 105 arranged with a vertical longitudinal axis, for example proximal to, or in contact with, the second vertical rectilinear edge 55. In particular, the second vertical edging profile 105 is arranged with its plane surface 185 directly facing the plane surface 75 of the second vertical rectilinear edge 55, for example throughout the longitudinal extension of said plane surfaces. This second vertical edging profile 105 is arranged with its longitudinal axis parallel to the hinge axis C and is arranged with its convex outer surface 150 facing the direction opposite to the convex outer surface 150 of the first vertical edging profile.

The plurality of edging profiles also comprises an edging profile 110 proximal to, i.e. in contact with, the first horizontal rectilinear edge 60.

In detail, such a profile is arranged with the plane surface 185 directly facing the plane surface 80 of the first horizontal rectilinear edge 60, for example throughout the longitudinal extension of said plane surfaces.

Such edging profile is arranged with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the hinge axis C, in particular it is arranged in such a way that the hinge axis C passes through said edging profile.

When the convex outer surface 150 is curved, as shown, and it is formed by a cylindrical surface sector, the axis of curvature, i.e. the central axis, of the convex outer surface of the horizontal edging profile proximal to the first horizontal rectilinear edge, is perpendicular and incident to the hinge axis C.

In the embodiment shown, the plurality of edging profiles comprises a first horizontal edging profile 110, having the above-described characteristics of the profile being close to the first horizontal rectilinear edge 60 and perpendicular to the hinge axis, and a second horizontal edging profile 115 arranged with a horizontal longitudinal axis, for example proximal to, or in contact with, the second horizontal rectilinear edge 65. In particular, the second vertical edging profile 115 is arranged with the plane surface 185 directly facing the plane surface 85 of the second horizontal rectilinear edge, for example throughout the longitudinal extension of said plane surfaces.

Such second horizontal edging profile 115 is arranged with its longitudinal axis perpendicular to the hinge axis C and is arranged with its convex outer surface 150 directed to the direction opposite to the convex outer surface 150 of the first horizontal edging profile.

The hinge, i.e. the first hinge portion, is directly fixed to the plane surface 185 of the edging profile arranged with the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the hinge axis C, or is directly fixed to the second wall 175, and contacts directly the plane surface 185, of the edging profile arranged with the longitudinal axis perpendicular to the hinge axis C.

In the embodiment shown, the hinge 15 rotatably connects the first horizontal edging profile 110 to the compartment, and the hinge 30 connects the second horizontal edging profile 115 to the compartment in relation to the same hinge axis C.

Also in the embodiment shown, the plurality of edging profiles comprises only the above-described four edging profiles to form a rectangular framing for the panel 35.

The four edging profile panels all have identical cross-sections, except for the horizontal edging profiles in one portion thereof where the respective hinge is fixed.

In particular, such portion has an opening 200 passing through the convex outer surface 150, i.e., passing through the portion of the first wall at the convex outer surface 150, to allow access from the outside to the plane surface 185 so as to fix the hinge thereon. Such opening 200 has a central axis that is transversal (perpendicular) to the plane surface 185.

Such opening has a central axis perpendicular to the plane surface 185.

The invention also makes available a method for fixing a hinge 15,30 defining a hinge axis C to a door comprising:

- an insulating and optically transparent panel 35,

- a support frame 90 which supports and frames the panel, wherein the support frame is provided with an edging profile 110,115 which extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis and which comprises a portion proximal to the panel and a portion distal from the panel, a longitudinal cavity 180 obtained in the distal portion and which is partially delimited by a wall 175, provided with a plane surface 185 directed towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity and towards the outside of the edging profile, and by another wall 170, which is in turn delimited by an inner surface directed towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity and facing the plane surface 185 and by an opposite outer surface of the edging profile, said method comprising the steps of removing material from the other wall 170, making an opening 200 through said wall by which the plane surface 185 is accessed from the outside, and fixing the hinge to the wall 175, i.e. to the plane surface 185, for example by inserting at least a portion of the hinge through the opening 200.

The step of removing material from the other wall 170 may provide mechanically removing material, for example by a milling operation.

Such step may also provide removing material so that the opening is arranged with the central axis substantially perpendicular to the plane surface 185.

In the embodiment shown, the method provides making the opening in a portion of the first wall 170 that is delimited by the convex outer surface 150.

In the embodiment shown in Figures 2, 4, 7 and 8, the door 10' may comprise a handle 205 provided with a fixing portion adapted to be fixed to the edging profile and provided with a concave inner surface 210, complementary to the convex outer surface 150 of the edging profile and in contact therewith, and a convex outer surface 215, opposite to the concave inner surface and homologous to the convex outer surface 150 of the edging profile.

The fixing portion may comprise surfaces configured to make a sliding prismatic connection along the longitudinal axis with the edging profile.

For example, the surfaces configured to make a sliding prismatic connection along the longitudinal axis of the edging profile comprise the convex outer surface 150 and a pair of plane surfaces 220 parallel to the longitudinal axis.

For example, the plane surfaces of the pair of surfaces 220 are placed at opposite profile ends, preferably at opposite ends (with respect to a direction transversal to the longitudinal axis) of the convex outer surface 150 and is inclined so as to lie in planes parallel to the longitudinal axis and intersecting the convex outer surface.

In an alternative embodiment of the profile shown in Figure 12, the profile 110' comprises a handle 206 made in a single piece (i.e. integral) with the edging profile itself, in particular the handle originates from the first wall 170. In the embodiment shown, the handle is basically shaped as an extension which protrudes from the profile, i.e. from the first wall 170.

Preferably the handle has a longitudinal extension equal to the longitudinal extension of the profile itself.

With particular reference to Figures 10 and 11 , the hinge, i.e. a hinge system comprising the bottom hinge and the top hinge, comprises an automatic closing mechanism 310 (e.g. spring) integral with at least the second portion 25 of the bottom hinge, for example integral with the second portions of the top and bottom hinge, and inserted into the axial cavity of the stiffening bar 300 of the profile 100.

Furthermore, in the embodiment shown in said figures, at least the first hinge portion 20 is inserted into the additional cavity 195 of the profile 110 and is integral with the stiffening bar 300 without residual degrees of freedom. Therefore, in such embodiment, the first portion of the hinge is not in contact with the plane surface, but the threaded connecting members constraining it to the second wall 175 are.

In such a case, the threaded connecting members 320 pass through the second wall 175, entering the cavity 195, so as to clamp the second wall 175 at least between the threaded connecting members and a section of the first hinge portion.

In the embodiments shown in Figures 1 ,3,5 and 6, the door 10 comprises a handle 225 glued directly in contact with the panel 35, i.e. at the first greater surface of the panel.

It is clear after reading the disclosure that the presence of the plane surface 185, which makes it possible to fix the flange, is a technical characteristic which can be independent from the presence of the convex outer surface 150, since, although it is highly desirable in case said convex surface is present in order to comfortably fix the hinge to the edging profile, the plane surface 185 can be preferable not only in case there is a concave surface instead of the convex surface, but also in case there is a plane surface, this is because the longitudinal cavity 180 and the plane surface 185 allow, even in case of a plane surface, to fix and protect a portion of the hinge by partially covering it, thus reducing the possibility of external bodies entering or lubricating liquid or grease leaking from the hinge, which could mix with the external bodies and soil the door and/or the user. These advantages are achieved in particular without having to create a specific profile, but by machining a standard profile that is suitable to make the entire support frame.

Therefore, a door 10,10' for a refrigeration cabinet 1 deserves independent protection, the door comprising:

- an insulating and optically transparent panel 35,

- a support frame 90 which supports and frames the panel,

- a hinge 15,30 defining a hinge axis C wherein the support frame is provided with an edging profile 110,115 which extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis perpendicular to the hinge axis C and comprising a portion proximal to the panel 35 and a portion distal from the panel, a longitudinal cavity 180 which is partially delimited by a wall 175, provided with a plane surface 185 lying in a plane perpendicular to the hinge axis C and directed towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity and towards the outside of the edging profile, and by another wall 170, which is delimited internally by an inner surface directed towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity and facing the plane surface and is delimited externally by an outer surface 150 of the portion distal from the panel.

The wall and the other wall correspond respectively to the above-described second wall 175 and first wall 170 .

This edging profile is provided with an opening 200 in the wall, i.e. in the second wall 175, by removing material as described above.

The support frame 90 may comprise a cover profile adapted to cover the edging profile and substantially shaped like the handle fixing portion shown in Figure 8.

In the embodiment shown, the cabinet comprises two doors 10,10' hinged to the framing of the cabinet relative to respective and distinct hinge axes so that the respective first rectilinear edges are distal to each other and the respective second rectilinear edges are placed side by side. The convex outer surfaces 150 of the respective second vertical edging profiles 105 of each door are therefore placed, when the doors are both in the closed position, side by side and one (directly) facing the other. When both of them are in the closed position, the convex outer surfaces 150 of the second edging profiles are spaced apart from each other by a non-zero thickness gap. In practice, the two convex outer surfaces do not touch each other. In particular, these convex outer surfaces do not touch each other in any position assumed by the door.

In addition, in the closed position, the gas sealing gaskets 160 of each door associated with the respective second vertical edging profiles, rest on a (same) vertical upright 165 of the refrigeration cabinet, i.e. the framing 5 (making an air-tight sealing with this upright).

The edging profiles are rigid, i.e. made of a material and sized to be rigid. The material may for example be metal or a polymer and the profile may be made by an extrusion operation.

It should be noted that the term 'rigid' means that the profiles cannot be deformed by bending or torsion under normal working loads.

By contrast, the sealing gaskets are elastic, i.e. resilient, and are made of materials and sized so as to be elastically deformable during use, particularly when they are pressed against the upright of the framing 5. For example, the gaskets can be made of an elastomeric material.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to many modifications and variants, all falling within the same inventive concept.

Moreover, all the details can be replaced by other technically equivalent elements.

In practice, any materials and also any contingent shapes and sizes may be used, depending on the needs, without departing from the scope of protection of the following claims.

Claims

22 CLAIMS

1. A door (10,10’) for a refrigeration cabinet (1 ), comprising:

- an insulating and optically transparent panel (35),

- a support frame (90), which supports and frames the panel, wherein the support frame is provided with a plurality of edging profiles of which at least one edging profile (100,105,110,115,110’) which extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis and which comprises a portion proximal to the panel (35) and a portion distal from the panel, wherein the distal portion comprises a convex outer surface (150) parallel to the longitudinal axis and directed with its convexity to the direction opposite the panel (35).

2. Door (10,10’) according to claim 1 , wherein the convex outer surface (150) is a side surface sector of a cylinder with circular base and has an axis of curvature parallel to the longitudinal axis of the edging profile (100,105,110,115,11 O’).

3. Door (10.1 O') according to claim 1 , wherein the edging profile comprises a housing seat (155) for a gas sealing gasket (160).

4. Door (10.10') according to claim 3, wherein the housing seat is shaped as a longitudinal groove (155) directed to a direction transversal (perpendicular) to the direction towards which the convex surface is directed.

5. Door (10,10’) according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a hinge (15,30) provided with a first portion fixed to the support frame (90) and a second portion which is movable with respect to the first portion about a hinge axis (C).

6. Door (10,10’) according to claim 5, wherein the axis of curvature of the convex outer surface and the hinge axis (C) are coaxial.

7. Door (10,10’) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the edging profile (100,105,110,115,110’) comprises a longitudinal cavity (180) which is partially delimited by a wall (175) provided with a plane surface (185) lying on a plane parallel to the longitudinal axis and directed towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity (180), and another wall (170), which is in turn delimited internally by an inner surface directed towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity (180) and facing the plane surface (185), and is delimited externally at least partially by the convex outer surface (150).

8. Door (10') according to any one of the preceding claims, comprising a handle (205) provided with a fastening portion suitable to be fixed to the edging profile (100,105,110,115,110') comprising surfaces configured to realize a prismatic sliding connection along the longitudinal axis with the edging profile, said handle (205) also having a concave inner surface (210), complementary to and in contact with the convex outer surface (150) of the beading profile, and a convex outer surface (215), opposite to the concave inner surface and homologous to the convex outer surface of the beading profile.

9. Door (10") according to any one of claims 1 to 7, comprising a handle (206) made in one single piece with the edging profile (105').

10. A refrigeration cabinet (1 ,1 ’) comprising:

- a refrigerated compartment (V),

- an opening (A) to access the refrigerated compartment,

- a door (10,1 O’) according to claim 1 , hinged to the compartment with respect to a hinge axis (C) to selectively occlude at least partially or disengage at least partially the access opening (A).

11. A refrigeration cabinet (1 ,1 ') according to claim 10, comprising a vertical upright (165) and a pair of doors (10,10') hinged with respect to respective hinge axes (C) in such a way that when said doors are in a closed position, an edging profile (105) of one door is adjacent to an edging profile (105) of the other door and the convex surfaces (150) of said adjacent edging profiles face each other, and wherein each profile of the adjacent profiles comprise a housing seat (155) for a gas sealing gasket (160) which, in the door closed position, abuts against the vertical upright (165).

12. A refrigeration cabinet (1 ,1 ') according to claim 11 , wherein in the closed position between the convex surfaces (150) of said adjacent edging profiles, there is a non-zero thickness gap.

13. Method for fixing a hinge (15.30) defining a hinge axis (C) to a door, said door comprising:

- an insulating and optically transparent panel (35),

- a support frame (90), which supports and frames the panel, wherein the support frame is provided with an edging profile (110,115,110’) which extends longitudinally along a longitudinal axis and comprises a portion proximal to the panel and a portion distal from the panel, a longitudinal cavity (180) made in the distal portion and which is partially delimited by a wall (175), provided with a plane surface (185) directed from the inside of the longitudinal cavity and towards the outside of the edging profile, and by another wall (170), which is in turn delimited by an inner surface directed towards the inside of the longitudinal cavity and facing the plane surface (185) and by an opposite outer surface of the edging profile, said method comprising the steps of removing material from the other wall (170) by making an opening (200) through said other wall (170) through which access is provided from outside the edging profile to the plane surface (185), and fixing the hinge to the wall (175).