EP2078179B1

EP2078179B1 - A cooling device

Info

Publication number: EP2078179B1
Application number: EP07847088.7A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Levent Orundu; Fatma G. Sarioglu; Can Ayhan; Inci Milci
Original assignee: Arcelik AS
Current assignee: Arcelik AS
Priority date: 2006-10-31
Filing date: 2007-10-31
Publication date: 2017-01-11
Anticipated expiration: 2027-10-31
Also published as: WO2008053005A2; EP2078179A2; WO2008053005A3

Description

The present invention relates to a cooling device comprising shelves that enable the cooling volume to be utilized effectively.
In cooling devices, for example refrigerators or deep freezers, stepped shelves are used for effective utilization of the cooling volume (Figure 1). These shelves comprising at least two support surfaces (A, B) disposed at different heights in the cabinet are mentioned in state of the art the United States of America Patents No US1837293 , US2717189 , and US6854818 .
In state of the art implementations, the cylindrical objects such as bottles placed on the stepped shelves can fall down when placed upright or require the height difference to be more between the two shelves. On the other hand, when placed lengthwise, the objects can roll down or occupy a lot of space on the support surface.
European Patent Application No EP1156290 , which is considered to show the most relevant prior art, discloses a cooling device comprising a cabinet wherein items to be cooled are stored and a door that closes this cabinet, the cooling device further comprising a stepped shelf having two support surfaces that are disposed at different heights such that a certain distance is left therebetween and a joining wall extending between the two support surfaces and joining these surfaces to each other, the stepped shelf being produced of plastic as a single piece. The described shelf is for storing bottles and has a first plane part and a second plane part sloping downwards in direction to or out from the cabinet.
In the European Patent Application No EP26693 , a stepped shelf having inclined support surfaces is described. In this shelf, which is particularly utilized for display of cosmetic products, each support surface is furthermore divided into smaller modules.
In the International Patent Application No WO8807341 , a drawer is mentioned having two inclined non-superimposed levels for the storage of pharmaceutical products.
In the Swiss Patent Application No CH 386 065 , the support surfaces of the stepped shelf are produced with a grooved configuration and plate shaped components are placed in these grooves.
In state of the art stepped shelves, the two support surfaces are seated on the steps disposed on the side walls of the cabinet and the step does not rest on any rail or protrusion. This configuration causes the structural strength of the shelf to decrease.
Moreover in state of the art stepped shelves, the drawer-like structures that are disposed under the first support surface for effective utilization of the place at the vicinity of the step causes difficulties in production. In addition, the width of the loading port of a drawer depends on how much it is pulled out. However, the user experiences inconvenience in pulling-pushing the drawer with full hands while trying to store food stuffs into the cooling device.
The object of the present invention is to design a cooling device comprising a stepped shelf wherein the available space is effectively utilized.
The cooling device designed to fulfill the objectives of the present invention is explicated in the attached claims. In the cooling device of the present invention, one of the two support surfaces of the stepped shelf that are disposed at different heights with a certain distance therebetween, partially extend, project over the other surface. The two support surfaces are joined together by at least one joining wall. Thus, between the overlapping parts of the two support surfaces, a storage partition is formed that is bounded by the joining wall and the support surfaces. Since the products stored here occupy practically no space in the planview area of the shelf, the area left below the support surfaces can be utilized more effectively.
It is also possible to view the storage partition as a volume formed by deforming the wall forming the step between the two support surfaces towards one of the support surfaces (for example towards beneath the upper support surface). The base and ceiling of this volume are formed by the support surfaces and the side wall by the joining wall. Thus, the volume that lies at the place wherein the two support surfaces join is incorporated into utilization with a practical solution.
Furthermore, the storage partition comprises an orifice formed by the gap that remains between the two support surfaces. This orifice that is bound by the two support surfaces provides easier access of the user to items placed in the storage partition. In this embodiment of the present invention, the orifice extends from one side of the shelf to the other, being almost parallel to the joining wall. In another embodiment, the orifice is disposed at the end of the storage partition.
The shelf utilized in the cooling device of the present invention is produced of plastic as a single piece.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the shelf is configured as a rectangular prism, square prism or triangular prism etc. for placing cornered objects such as margarine.
In another embodiment, the storage partition has a bow shaped cross-section for storing objects such as beverage cans, bottles etc. horizontally. The support surfaces and the joining wall join together at the vicinity of the storage partition approximately configuring a cylinder for conforming to the shape of the bottle. Therefore a downwards circular recess is formed on the lower support surface at the base of the storage partition. In addition to these, a barrier is provided on the lower support surface to prevent bottles from being displaced and rolls down from the storage partition.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the shelf is disposed in the cabinet of the cooling device such that the support surfaces are disposed side by side. In this embodiment, the storage partition extends from the front of the cabinet towards the rear. One end of the partition is covered by the rear wall of the cabinet and the other end corresponds to the front of the cabinet and stays open. In this embodiment, the storage partition comprises an orifice at the side that extends lengthwise and also an orifice at the open end thereof. The orifice at the side extends between the two opposite sides of the shelf. The orifice at the end is situated at the side. By means of this embodiment, even if the orifice at the side of the storage partition cannot be accessed because the interior of the cooling device is overfull, it is always possible to access inside the storage partition from the front orifice.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the shelf is disposed in the cabinet such that the support surfaces are one in front of the other. In this embodiment, the storage partition extends from one sidewall of the cabinet towards the other. If the orifice is disposed facing the rear wall of the cabinet, a hidden storage partition is formed that cannot be seen when the door is opened. In this position the items that are kept out of children's reach can be stored therein.
On the other hand, again in this embodiment, if the shelf is disposed such that the orifice faces towards the door, the advantage of accessing everywhere in the storage partition from the front of the cabinet is provided.
In an embodiment of the present invention, the shelf comprises a cover for closing the orifice. This cover can be opened and closed by turning around a hinge or by sliding.
The cooling device designed to fulfill the objective of the present invention is illustrated in the attached figures, where:

Figure 1 - is the perspective view of stepped shelves in a state of the art cooling device.
Figures 2, 3, 4 - are the schematic views of various embodiments of the shelf.
Figure 5 - is the perspective view of another embodiment of the shelf.
Figures 6 -7 - are the front schematic views of the cooling device in the embodiments wherein the support surfaces of the shelf extend side-by-side.
Figures 8 -11 - are the sideways schematic views of the cooling device in the embodiments wherein the support surfaces of the shelf extend one in front of the other.
Figure 12 - is the perspective view of the embodiment of the shelf with a cover.

The elements illustrated in the figures are numbered as follows:

1. Cooling device
2. Cabinet
3. Door
4. Shelf
5. , 105. Support surface
6. Storage partition
7. , 70. Orifice
8. Joining wall
9. Barrier
10. Cover

The cooling device (1) is a refrigerator or a deep freezer.
The cooling device (1) comprises a cabinet (2) wherein items to be cooled are stored, a door (3) that closes this cabinet (2) and at least one shelf (4) whereon items are placed.
The shelf (4) used in the cooling device (1) of the present invention comprises,

two support surfaces (5, 105) that are disposed at different heights such that a certain distance is left therebetween and one partially projects over the other,
a joining wall (8) extending between the two support surfaces (5, 105) and joining these surfaces to each other,
a storage partition (6) situated between the portions of the two support surfaces (5, 105) that are one above the other and
an orifice (7 or 70) that remains between the two support surfaces (5, 105) for loading items to be stored in the storage partition (6) and/or for removing therefrom (Figure 2).

The storage partition (6) is bound from below and above by the two support surfaces (5, 105) and from the side by the joining wall (8).
In this embodiment, the user places foods such as tomatoes, cucumbers or objects such as margarine, bottle, beverage can etc. in the storage partition (6) by inserting through the orifice (7, 70). The user can access inside the storage partition (6) when so desires and remove the objects previously placed therein. The other food stuffs can be placed on the support surfaces (5, 105). It is also possible to place food stuffs on the portion of the upper support surface (5) extending over the storage partition (6). Consequently, the storage partition (6) contributes to increasing the total surface area of the shelf (4).
The joining wall (8) starts from one side of one of the support surfaces (for example 105) or from a line a little inwards from the side and ends at the side of the other support surface (for example 5) or on a line a little inwards from the side. Upon passing from the joining wall (8) to the support surface (105), the slope may change abruptly or change gradually. In the second case, the joining wall (8) is seen as the continuation of the support surface (105) the side wherefrom it starts. Moreover, the height of the joining wall (8) in the vertical direction determines the difference of level between the two support surfaces (5, 105).
In an embodiment of the present invention, the shelf (4) is disposed to the cabinet (2) such that the support surfaces (5, 105) are side by side when looking from the side of the door (3) (Figure 6, Figure 7). In this embodiment, the storage partition (6) extends from the door (3) towards the rear wall of the cabinet (2). The front end of the storage partition (6) serves as the orifice (70). When the shelf (4) is thus positioned, the rear end of the storage partition (6) is covered by the rear wall of the cabinet (2) and the front end orifice (7) by the door (3), while the door (3) is closed. When the door (3) is opened, the orifice (70) stays open and can be used for loading/unloading. Loading-unloading can also be made from the orifice (7) situated at the side of the storage partition (6).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the shelf (4) is disposed to the cabinet (2) such that the support surfaces (5, 105) are one in front of the other when looking from the side of the door (3) (Figure 8, Figure 9, Figure 10, Figure 11). In this embodiment, the storage partition (6) extends between the two side walls of the cabinet (2). The orifice (7) that extends from one side of the shelf (4) to the other is situated opposite the joining wall (8).
In a version of this embodiment, the shelf (4) is disposed such that the orifice (7) faces backwards (Figure 10, Figure 11). Thus, a hidden storage partition (6) is formed that can't be seen from the front side of the cabinet (2). It is possible to store here the food stuffs that will not be used for a long time.
In another version of this embodiment, the shelf (4) is disposed such that the orifice (7) faces to the front (Figure 8, Figure 9). Thus, the entire storage partition (6) rests at the same distance to the user when the door (3) is opened, providing easy access to the entirety of the partition (6).
In another embodiment of the present invention, the shelf (4) is disposed to the cabinet (2) such that the orifice (7) opens towards above the lower support surface (105) (Figure 6, Figure 8, Figure 10). In this position, the food stuffs on the lower support surface (105) can be easily conveyed to the storage partition (6). In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the shelf (4) is disposed to the cabinet (2) such that the orifice (7) faces towards below the upper support surface (5) (Figure 7, Figure 9, Figure 11). In this embodiment, the shelf (4) comprises a barrier (9) below the orifice (7) to prevent the items in the storage partition (6) from falling down.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the cross-section of the storage partition (6) is almost rectangular (Figure 3) or triangular (Figure 4). The storage partition (6) provides a suitable volume for different food stuffs that are produced in various sizes or cross-sections.
In another embodiment of the present invention, the storage partition (6) is configured with an almost circular cross-section for storing cylindrical objects such as beverage cans, bottles horizontally (Figure 5). The storage partition (6) preferably forms an arc greater than 180° thus encircling the bottles better. The portion of the lower support surface (105) forming the base of the storage partition (6) is configured to conform to this cross-section.
The shelf (4) suitable for this embodiment is preferably disposed in the cabinet (2) such that the storage partition (6) extends from the front towards the rear. With this positioning, the storage partition (6) has two orifices, one (7) extending on the side from the front backwards, the other (70) situated at the front edge. Thus the cylindrical objects stored longitudinally in the partition (6) can be accessed from both the front and the side. When particularly a multiple number of beverage cans are stored back to back in the storage partition (6), the cans at the rear can be reached from the side orifice (7). In this embodiment, the shelf (4) furthermore comprises a barrier (9) below the orifice (7) at the side for preventing the beverage cans from rolling out of the storage partition (6). The barrier (9) can be provided as a lengthwise protrusion on the support surface (105). However, the barrier (9) can also be formed by stepping the support surface (105) at the level of the orifice (7).
In yet another embodiment of the present invention, the shelf (4) comprises a cover (10) for closing the orifice (7 or 70). By means of the cover (10) the storage partition (6) is kept free of dust, dirt etc. (Figure 12).
The shelf (4) utilized in the cooling device (1) of the present invention is produced of plastic as a single piece.
In the cooling device (1) of the present invention, the utilization area of the shelf (4) having support surfaces (5, 105) at different levels is increased. The user is provided with different alternatives and convenience of use for emplacing and removing food and beverage containers of different sizes.

Claims

A cooling device (1) comprising a cabinet (2) wherein items to be cooled are stored and a door (3) that closes this cabinet (2), the cooling device further comprising a stepped shelf (4) having two support surfaces (5, 105) that are disposed at different heights such that a certain distance is left therebetween and one partially extending over the other, a joining wall (8) extending between the two support surfaces (5, 105) and joining these surfaces to each other, a storage partition (6) that is bound by the portions of the two support surfaces (5, 105) that are one above the other and by the joining wall (8), and an orifice (7 or 70) that remains between the two support surfaces (5, 105) for loading items to be stored in the storage partition (6) and/or for removing therefrom, wherein the stepped shelf (4) is produced of plastic as a single piece, and wherein each of the two support surfaces (5, 105) forms a flat surface.
A cooling device (1) as in claim 1,
characterized by the storage partition (6) being bound from below and above by the two support surfaces (5, 105) and from the side by the joining wall (8).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims,
characterized by the joining wall (8) starting from one side of one of the support surfaces (for example 105) or from a line a little inwards from the side and ending at the side of the other support surface (for example 5) or on a line a little inwards from the side.
A cooling device (1) as in claim 3,
characterized by the slope changing abruptly upon passing from the joining wall (8) to the support surface (105).
A cooling device (1) as in claim 3,
characterized by the slope changing gradually upon passing from the joining wall (8) to the support surface (105).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims, characterized by the orifice (7) being situated at the end of the storage partition (6).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims,
characterized by the orifice (7) extending along the side of the storage partition (6).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims,
characterized by the stepped shelf (4) being disposed to the cabinet (2) such that the support surfaces (5, 105) are side by side when looking from the side of the door (3).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the claims 1 to 7,
characterized by the stepped shelf (4) being disposed to the cabinet (2) such that the support surfaces (5, 105) are one in front of the other when looking from the side of the door (3).
A cooling device (1) as in claim 9,
characterized by the stepped shelf (4) being disposed to the cabinet (2) such that the orifice (7) faces backwards when looking from the side of he door (3).
A cooling device (1) as in claim 9,
characterized by the stepped shelf (4) being disposed to the cabinet (2) such that the orifice (7) faces to the front when looking from the side of he door (3).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the claims 8 to 11,
characterized by the stepped shelf (4) being disposed to the cabinet (2) such that the orifice (7) faces towards above the lower support surface (105) when looking from the side of the door (3).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the claims 8 to 11,
characterized by the stepped shelf (4) being disposed to the cabinet (2) such that the orifice (7) faces towards below the upper support surface (5) when looking from the side of the door (3).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims,
characterized by the stepped shelf (4) comprising a barrier (9) below the orifice (7).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims,
characterized by the stepped shelf (4) comprising a cover (10) closing the orifice (7).
A cooling device (1) as in any one of the above claims,
characterized by the storage partition (6) having a partially circular cross-section.