EP3513136A1 - Flexible rail system for refrigeration cabinet - Google Patents
Flexible rail system for refrigeration cabinetInfo
- Publication number
- EP3513136A1 EP3513136A1 EP17768628.4A EP17768628A EP3513136A1 EP 3513136 A1 EP3513136 A1 EP 3513136A1 EP 17768628 A EP17768628 A EP 17768628A EP 3513136 A1 EP3513136 A1 EP 3513136A1
- Authority
- EP
- European Patent Office
- Prior art keywords
- shelf
- support structure
- storage apparatus
- engagement member
- contactor
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Withdrawn
Links
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
- F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D27/00—Lighting arrangements
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D2400/00—General features of, or devices for refrigerators, cold rooms, ice-boxes, or for cooling or freezing apparatus not covered by any other subclass
- F25D2400/40—Refrigerating devices characterised by electrical wiring
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
- F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
- F25D25/027—Rotatable shelves
Definitions
- the disclosure relates generally to refrigerated display cabinets and, more particularly, to the shelves and structure for supporting the shelves within the refrigerated interior of the display cabinet.
- Refrigeration cabinets typically provide consumers with access to a refrigerated storage space in which chilled, perishable products are contained. To cool the goods, the cabinet usually has at least one air outlet for directing cooling air towards the goods to be cooled into the storage space.
- the refrigeration system generally employed in such display cabinets comprises a fan motor to move air across an evaporator. The fan motor distributes cold air to the cooled chamber or display space in which the goods are displayed and stored.
- Refrigeration cabinets often include shelves for supporting the goods which require refrigeration.
- the shelves are mechanically fastened to the rear panel and a plurality of openings or outlets formed in the rear panel of the cabinet may provide a horizontal flow of cold air along the shelves.
- the shelves are heavy and cumbersome, requiring multiple people to reposition the shelf within the cabinet.
- a storage apparatus includes a shelf for supporting goods.
- the shelf includes an engagement member.
- a support structure is configured to cooperate with the engagement member such that the shelf is configured to couple to the support structure and is movable between a plurality of locations relative to the support structure.
- Power is provided from a power source to the shelf when the shelf is coupled to the support structure.
- the support structure is operably coupled to the power source.
- the support structure is the power source.
- the engagement member includes a first contactor and the support structure includes a second contactor.
- the first contactor and the second contactor are coupled, a circuit is created allowing power to conduct from the support structure to shelf.
- the shelf includes a feature operable via power from the power source.
- the feature includes a light emitting device.
- the support structure includes a plurality of notches.
- Each of the plurality of notches is configured to receive the engagement member to define one of the plurality of positions of the shelf.
- the shelf translates along an axis between the retracted position and the extended position.
- the shelf pivots about an axis between the retracted position and the extended position.
- an orientation of the shelf remains substantially constant as the shelf moves between the retracted position and the extended position.
- the support structure is configured to support a plurality of shelves simultaneously.
- the support structure is configured to support the shelf in a cantilevered configuration.
- shelf and the support structure are components of a refrigeration cabinet.
- a method of supplying power to individual shelves of a refrigerated cabinet includes providing a support structure including a first contactor and providing a shelf having an engagement member including a second contactor.
- the engagement member is movably coupled to the support structure such that power is transmitted from the support structure to the shelf.
- the support structure includes a plurality of notches and installing the engagement member within one of the plurality of notches includes arranging the second contactor and the first contactor in contact.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigeration cabinet according to an embodiment
- FIG. 2 is another perspective view of a refrigeration cabinet according to an embodiment
- FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a refrigeration cabinet as one or more shelves are being installed according to an embodiment
- FIG. 4 is a side view of a refrigeration cabinet according to an embodiment
- FIG. 5 is a side view of a shelf engaged with a support structure according to an embodiment
- FIG. 5a is a side view of an example of a shelf according to an embodiment.
- FIG. 5b is a front side view of an example of a support structure according to an embodiment.
- the refrigeration cabinet 20 includes a cabinet body 22 having a left side panel 24, a right side panel 26, a door frame 28, and one or more doors 30.
- the cabinet body 22 comprises a bottom plate 32, a roof plate 34, a rear wall 36.
- the left side panel 24 and the right side panel 26 are installed on the left and right hand sides of the cabinet body 22, respectively.
- the left side panel 24 and the right side panel 26 are formed from a transparent material, such as glass for example.
- the left side panel 24 and the right side panel 26 may be formed from any suitable material.
- the cabinet body 22, the left side panel 24, the right side panel 26, the door frame 28, and the cabinet doors 30 define an interior chamber or presentation space 40 for storage of refrigerated goods.
- the one or more doors 30 are typically installed on the front side of the door frame 28. Each door 30 of the cabinet 20 is movable between a closed position and an open position, such as via rotation about a hinge or via translation of the door 30 about an axis for example.
- the doors 30 provide a user with access to the interior chamber 40 of the cabinet 20, and therefore to the goods located therein.
- the one or more doors 30 may be formed at least partially from a transparent material. This transparency allows a user to visualize the contents within the chamber 40 without having to operate the door 30.
- a complete refrigeration circuit comprising a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device and an evaporator may be installed within the cabinet body 22, in order to provide a standalone refrigerated cabinet which only needs to be connected to an electric power supply for operation.
- one or more evaporators may be installed within the cabinet body 22 in fluid communication with an external refrigeration circuit provided in the building within which the cabinet 20 is to be installed.
- the refrigerated cabinet 20 may be a cooling cabinet configured to cool the goods within the interior chamber or presentation space 40 to a cooling temperature above 0° C.
- the refrigerated cabinet 20 is configured as a freezer for cooling the goods located within the interior chamber 40 to a temperature below 0° C, and in particular to temperatures below -15° C in order to store and present frozen goods to potential customers.
- the refrigeration cabinet 20 is sized to include two substantially identical columns 44 of shelves 42, and each column 44 of shelves 42 includes two or more shelves 42 arranged at each various heights within the refrigeration chamber 40. In embodiments including multiple columns 44 of shelves 42, the refrigeration cabinet 20 may- include one or more distinct doors 30 associated with each column 44 of shelves 42 to provide efficient access to those shelves 42.
- the cabinet 20 including only a single column 44 of shelves 42, or alternatively embodiments of the cabinet 20 including more than two columns 44 of shelves 42 are also contemplated herein.
- a support structure 50 (best shown in FIGS. 3 and 5b) is arranged within the interior chamber 40 of the refrigeration cabinet 20.
- the support structure 50 is configured to support the one or more shelves 42 located within the interior chamber 40 in a generally horizontal or slightly angled orientation.
- the support structure 50 includes a brace or track 52 that extends vertically between the top and bottom surfaces 32, 34 of the chamber 40.
- Multiple slots or notches 54 are formed in the brace 52 at intervals to define various positions at which a shelf 42 may be mounted within the interior chamber 40 of the refrigeration cabinet 20.
- the spacing between adjacent notches 54 may be equidistant, or alternatively, may vary.
- the support structure 50 may be directly coupled to a portion of the cabinet body 20, such as the rear wall 36 for example, via any suitable means including but not limited to bolts, screws, or other types of removable fasteners.
- One or more support structures 50 are associated with each column 44 of shelves 42.
- a support structure 50 is disposed adjacent an end of each shelf, the end being oriented generally parallel to the left hand panel 24 and/or the right hand panel 26 of the cabinet 20.
- the first support structure 50 associated with a first column 44 of shelves 42 and the second support structure 50 associated with a second column 44 of shelves 42 may both be located in the gap defined between the first and second columns 44 of shelves 42.
- the support structures 50 are positioned adjacent opposing distal ends of the columns 44 of shelves 42 are also contemplated herein.
- Each shelf 42 is generally rectangular or square and includes a solid base 60 having an upper surface 62 on which goods 64 may be supported. One or more edges of the shelf 42 may be raised to prevent the goods 64 stored thereon from spilling or sliding relative to the shelf 42.
- the plurality of shelves 42 within a column 44 or row 46 may be substantially identical, or alternatively, may vary in at least one of size and shape.
- each shelf 42 is illustrated as including one or more engagement members 66 configured to selectively couple to the support structure 50.
- the engagement members 66 are brackets such that the shelf 42 is cantilevered from the support structure 50.
- the brackets 66 may be generally complementary to the notches 54 formed in the support structure 50.
- the bracket 66 may be tapered such that the end of the bracket 66 inserted into a corresponding opening 54 in the support structure 50 is smaller than the portion of the bracket 66 directly adjacent the shelf 42.
- the bracket 66 may include a notch 68 configured to receive a portion of the material of the support structure 50. This interface is configured to prevent unwanted motion of the shelf 42 relative to the support structure 50.
- the engagement member 66 illustrated herein is intended as an example only. Other engagement members 66 and mechanisms for coupling the shelf 42 to the support structure 50 are also contemplated herein.
- the interface between the engagement member 66 and the support structure 50 allows for the shelf 42 to be easily moved between various horizontal positions relative to the support structure 50 by only a single person.
- the interface between the engagement member 66 and the support structure 50 may allow the shelf to transition without the weight of the shelf being supported by a person.
- the engagement member 66 may be self-adjusting such that the shelf 42 is capable of transitioning between a plurality of horizontal positions relative to the support structure 50 automatically.
- each shelf 42 is configured to selectively move between a first retracted position and a second extended position (see FIG. 4). This movement of the shelf 42 may occur via translation along an axis, or alternatively, via rotation about a pivot for example.
- an end of the shelf 42 may be associated with a channel or track and the shelf 42 may be configured to maintain a constant orientation relative to the interior of the cabinet 20 as it transforms between the retracted and extended positions.
- the shelf may be selectively retained or locked in each of the extended and retracted positions. This movement of each individual shelf 42 makes restocking the goods 64 on the shelves 42 easier because a user can easily access the backside of the shelf 42 when in the extended position. As a result, newer goods, for example those having an expiration date later than the existing goods within the refrigeration cabinet 20, may be installed at the back of the shelf 42 without having to remove and then replace the existing goods.
- the support structure 50 may be configured to transmit power to the one or more shelves 42 operably coupled thereto.
- the support structure 50 may be connected to a power source, or alternatively, may be configured as a power source.
- the bracket or engagement member 66 of the shelf 42 may include a first contactor 70 and a corresponding contactor 72 may be formed adjacent each notch in the support structure.
- the shelf 42 may include one or more features 74 selectively operable in response to this electricity.
- the shelf 42 may include a light emitting device configured to illuminate the upper surface 62 of the shelf 42 or an adjacent shelf 42.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
- Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
- Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Thermal Sciences (AREA)
- General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)
Abstract
Description
Claims
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US201662394448P | 2016-09-14 | 2016-09-14 | |
PCT/US2017/050616 WO2018052803A1 (en) | 2016-09-14 | 2017-09-08 | Flexible rail system for refrigeration cabinet |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
EP3513136A1 true EP3513136A1 (en) | 2019-07-24 |
Family
ID=59895446
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
EP17768628.4A Withdrawn EP3513136A1 (en) | 2016-09-14 | 2017-09-08 | Flexible rail system for refrigeration cabinet |
Country Status (3)
Country | Link |
---|---|
EP (1) | EP3513136A1 (en) |
CN (1) | CN109690214A (en) |
WO (1) | WO2018052803A1 (en) |
Families Citing this family (1)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
JP7216344B2 (en) | 2020-01-31 | 2023-02-01 | 東洋インキScホールディングス株式会社 | Dispersants, conductive material dispersions, and slurries for electrode films |
Family Cites Families (8)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6813896B1 (en) * | 2003-07-30 | 2004-11-09 | Whirlpool Corporation | Power bus for removable refrigerator shelves |
AU2007357022B2 (en) * | 2007-07-31 | 2013-08-29 | Electrolux Home Products Corporation N.V. | Food refrigeration appliance with illuminated shelves, and method of producing the illuminated shelves |
WO2009148611A1 (en) * | 2008-06-04 | 2009-12-10 | Ssw Holding Company, Inc. | Shelf with led assembly |
BR102012029702A2 (en) * | 2012-11-22 | 2016-01-26 | Whirlpool Sa | removable component energizing system for general equipment, and electrical drive process for devices disposed of removable component for general equipment |
US9157678B2 (en) * | 2013-02-07 | 2015-10-13 | Whirlpool Corporation | Power supplies for lighted shelves in a refrigerator |
US8967740B2 (en) * | 2013-02-07 | 2015-03-03 | Whirlpool Corporation | Electrical connector for adjustable refrigerator shelf |
US20150023000A1 (en) * | 2013-07-17 | 2015-01-22 | Whirlpool Corporation | Lighted refrigerator shelf with overmold |
DE202015003483U1 (en) * | 2015-05-12 | 2015-05-28 | Edgar Hakemann | Sales furniture with customizable goods area |
-
2017
- 2017-09-08 EP EP17768628.4A patent/EP3513136A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2017-09-08 WO PCT/US2017/050616 patent/WO2018052803A1/en unknown
- 2017-09-08 CN CN201780056698.0A patent/CN109690214A/en active Pending
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2018052803A1 (en) | 2018-03-22 |
CN109690214A (en) | 2019-04-26 |
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