Sorting system

Abstract

Sorting device (1) for a cooling or freezing device (11), with at least one flexible, ribbon-shaped body (2) which is reversibly deformable in a wave-like manner for dividing a storage compartment (12) of the cooling or freezing device (11) into several storage compartment sections (10) and can be inserted into the storage compartment (12) in such a way that waves (8) of the wave-like deformed body (2) follow one another in the storage compartment (12) and form the storage compartment sections (10) between them, which are bounded downwards by a storage compartment floor (16) and are open upwards, characterized by that the body (2) is chosen with regard to material and body thickness (7) such that it can be cut with household scissors.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a sorting device for refrigeration and freezing equipment according to the preamble of claim 1. The invention further relates to a use of the sorting device and a refrigeration or freezing equipment equipped with such a sorting device.

[0002] Refrigeration and freezing appliances, such as refrigerators or freezers, provide storage compartments for goods to be kept chilled or frozen. These goods typically consist of food or containers, for example made of glass or plastic, holding food or beverages. The storage compartments are usually large enough to accommodate a variety of items. If these compartments are located in a door or drawer of the refrigerator or freezer, there is a risk that the goods will shift, bump against each other, tip over, or leak every time the door or drawer is opened or closed. Besides potential contamination or even damage, this often results in the goods being repositioned within the storage compartment.In other words, the order created when placing the goods in the storage compartment is lost, making it more difficult to find the goods later.

[0003] To remedy this situation, sorting systems in the form of stackable boxes of varying sizes are commonly used. These allow large storage compartments, such as those in drawers, to be divided into numerous smaller storage sections, with the individual compartments then being formed within the boxes. Although these boxes are available in many different sizes, they cannot be adapted to the existing storage compartments, or only inadequately. Furthermore, for the changing use of the storage compartments with different goods of varying dimensions, a large number of such boxes must be kept in stock when empty, which results in high acquisition costs and unnecessary storage space consumption.

[0004] A sorting device of this type is known from DE 10 2013 013 033 A1. It comprises a flexible, ribbon-shaped body which can be reversibly deformed in a wave-like manner to divide a storage compartment of a cooling or freezing device into several storage compartment sections and can be inserted into the storage compartment in such a way that waves of the wave-like deformed body follow one another in the storage compartment and form the storage compartment sections between them, which are bounded downwards by a storage compartment floor and are open at the top.

[0005] Other sorting facilities of this type are known, for example, from DE 43 04 502 A1 and from JP 2004-049 475 A.

[0006] A similar positioning device is known from DE 10 2017 001 936 A1, in which the body consists of several sections that are connected to each other in a hinge-like manner and are movable relative to each other. The sections are filled with water and configured as cold packs.

[0007] The present invention addresses the problem of providing an improved or at least a different embodiment for a sorting device or for a cooling or freezing device, which is easily adaptable to different storage compartments.

[0008] This problem is solved according to the invention by the subject matter of the independent claims. Advantageous embodiments are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0009] The present invention is based on the general concept of dividing a storage compartment in a refrigeration or freezing unit into several compartment sections using a sorting device. These smaller compartment sections can then be individually loaded with goods, so that the goods are better held and positioned within their respective compartments. Uncontrolled mixing of the goods is prevented, order is maintained, and the risk of contamination and damage is reduced. To achieve this, the sorting device according to the invention has a ribbon-shaped body that is flexible and reversibly deformable. The body can be elastically and / or plastically deformable into a wave-like shape. For example, the body can be made of a flexible material or material mixture, preferably a plastic.This body is reversibly deformable in a wave-like shape, allowing it to be inserted into the respective storage compartment, with the resulting waves sequentially forming within the compartment. The body then exhibits a meandering shape. Gaps or cavities form between adjacent waves or layers of the body, creating the desired compartment sections. The body is inserted into the compartment in such a way that these compartment sections are bounded at the bottom by the compartment's base, while remaining open at the top. This allows for loading goods from above. Because the body is flexible, it can be adapted to many different compartment sizes, for example, by adjusting the size of the waves during deformation.The individual compartment sections can also be individually dimensioned and adapted to the goods, for example, by adjusting the length of the shafts accordingly. The body can encircle the goods to a greater or lesser extent, providing them with a secure hold. For example, the encirclement can extend over more than 180°. It is clear that the sorting device can be offered in different versions, distinguished by body lengths. This allows the sorting device to be used in storage compartments with significantly different dimensions. It is also conceivable to offer the sorting devices with bodies of varying widths, making it easier to adapt to different storage compartment heights.

[0010] For example, the storage compartment may have two parallel side walls and two parallel end walls. Preferably, the body can be placed in this storage compartment such that the shafts are supported by the side walls, while one end section of the body is supported by an end wall. The other end section of the body can be positioned at a distance from the other end wall in the storage compartment and, in particular, can be supported by a load located in the storage compartment. Thus, the storage compartment is divided into the storage compartment sections formed between the shafts and a further storage compartment section adjacent to the body. Alternatively, it may also be provided that the other end section of the body is supported by the other end wall.

[0011] A preferred embodiment is one in which the reversibly deformable body comprises or consists of an elastically wave-deformable plastic body. In other words, in this embodiment, the plastic body of the body is deformed exclusively elastically during wave-deformation. This plastic body defines at least the outer surface of the body and can, for example, form a shell that encloses a core of the body. Alternatively, the body can also be a hollow or solid body, so that the body consists entirely of the plastic body.

[0012] According to an advantageous embodiment, the body consists entirely, or at least on its outer surface, of a material that is dishwasher-safe and food-safe. Preferably, at least on the outer surface of the body, this material is a plastic.

[0013] Elastically deformable plastics include, for example, silicones and thermoplastic elastomers, such as styrene-butadiene-styrene (SBS), styrene-ethylene-butylene-styrene (SEBS), thermoplastic vulcanizates (TPV), thermoplastic polyethylene elastomer (TPE-E), and thermoplastic polyurethane (TPU). However, a preferred embodiment is one in which the body has a silicone rubber body or consists of a silicone rubber body. The silicone rubber can be produced, in particular, with a silicone elastomer and preferably in combination with at least one filler. The respective silicone elastomer can preferably be based on silicone or poly(organo)siloxane. Possible silicone rubbers include, for example, methyl silicone, vinyl methyl silicone, phenyl vinyl methyl silicone, phenyl-modified silicone, fluoroalkyl silicone, and fluorovinyl methyl silicone.

[0014] The body can consist entirely of a single piece of silicone rubber. Alternatively, the body could comprise an elastically deformable, wave-like plastic body, particularly one made of silicone rubber, and a reversibly deformable, wave-like core made of another material, encased within the plastic body. The core could, for example, be made of metal, another type of plastic, or a textile. The core is flexible and reversibly deformable. It can be elastically and / or plastically deformable. This means that when the outer shell, made of the plastic body, is elastically deformed, the core also deforms, either elastically and / or plastically. The core can consist of at least one wire, a mesh, a strip, a fabric, or a textile. The core provides the body with increased stability.In the case of a core that is at least partially plastically deformed during the elastic deformations of the shell, the deformed body can more or less retain its deformed geometry, which gives the sorting device increased stability during its use.

[0015] According to another embodiment, it is proposed that the respective plastic body consists of a single, one-piece piece of plastic. The body as such does not consist of a multitude of fibers, since such a one-piece plastic piece is not a product made of or with fibers. The plastic piece is therefore not a fabric or textile, such as a knitted, woven, braided, nonwoven, or the like. Preferably, the plastic piece consists of silicone rubber. The plastic piece can be a composite material comprising fillers embedded in a plastic matrix, the fillers serving, for example, as reinforcement and potentially consisting of fibers.

[0016] The body can be made of a water-impermeable material and preferably has a water-impermeable structure, i.e., it can be unperforated. A perforated design is also conceivable. Furthermore, the body can be designed as a foam body, which can be configured as open-pored or closed-pored. However, a body with a closed surface on the outside is preferred.

[0017] In the present context, the reversible, elastic, or plastic deformability of the body or its components, such as the shell and core, refers to the wave-like deformations of the body intended for use in the sorting device. These wave-like deformations are intended to be reversible, elastic, or plastic.

[0018] Another embodiment provides that the sorting device has at least one retaining clip with which the body can be secured to an edge of a compartment wall when it is inserted into the respective storage compartment. In a storage compartment with two longitudinal side walls and two end walls, the compartment wall usable for securing the body can be formed by one of the longitudinal side walls or by one of the end walls. The retaining clip allows the body, and thus the entire sorting device, to be fixed and positioned within the storage compartment, thereby also positioning the compartment sections and the goods contained therein relative to the storage compartment.

[0019] According to an advantageous further development, it can now be provided that at least one such retaining clip for securing the body to the storage compartment wall extends over the edge and the body and engages in a section of the storage compartment. For example, this allows the body to be fixed in the area of ​​a shaft on the storage compartment wall. This fixing can be achieved, for example, by the retaining clip clamping the body to the edge of the storage compartment wall. Advantageously, several retaining clips can be used to fix the body to several shafts on the storage compartment wall.

[0020] Another improvement suggestion is that at least one such retaining clip be permanently attached to one longitudinal end of the body. For example, the retaining clip can be permanently attached to the body, e.g., by crimping or welding, so that it is securely fixed and cannot be lost. This simplifies the handling of the sorting device.

[0021] According to the invention, the body is designed with regard to material and thickness such that it can be cut with household scissors. While the wave-like deformation of the body allows for virtually any adaptation to the length and width of the respective storage compartment, it does not allow for adaptation to the height of the respective storage compartment. This can, however, be permanently achieved by appropriately trimming the body.

[0022] Another embodiment proposes that the sorting device has at least two flexible, band-shaped bodies, wherein the two bodies can be inserted into the respective storage compartment in such a way that they are uniformly corrugated, lie one on top of the other, and together form the storage compartment sections, and wherein the sorting device has at least one connecting clamp with which the overlapping bodies can be fixed to one another at their facing longitudinal edges. This makes it particularly easy to adapt the sorting device to particularly tall storage compartments. The respective connecting clamp can be fixed to the respective longitudinal edge by clamping.

[0023] Additionally or alternatively, it is also conceivable that the sorting device comprises at least two flexible, band-shaped bodies, wherein the two bodies can be inserted into the respective storage compartment in such a way that they lie one behind the other and each form several storage compartment sections, and wherein the sorting device has at least one connecting clamp with which the bodies lying one behind the other can be fixed to each other at their facing longitudinal end edges. This proposal allows the sorting device to be adapted to particularly long and / or wide storage compartments. Here, too, each connecting clamp can be fixed at its respective longitudinal end by clamping.

[0024] According to a further embodiment, the body in its undeformed, flat state can have a body length, a body width, and a body thickness, wherein the body length is at least 5 times, and in particular at least 10 times, greater than the body width, and wherein the body width is at least 10 times, and in particular at least 20 times, greater than the body thickness, and wherein the body thickness is at least 1 mm, and in particular at least 2 mm. The ribbon-shaped body is therefore not a film, since a conventional film has a maximum thickness of 0.5 mm. The selected body thickness or wall thickness of the body gives it a certain inherent stability, which facilitates the formation of the storage compartment sections within the storage compartment. However, a body thickness or wall thickness of more than 5 mm can be rather impractical if the body is a solid body.If, on the other hand, the body is made of foam, the body thickness can also be more than 5 mm.

[0025] For the functionalities described above, the body can be designed as a solid body, i.e., as a massive body. A design as a sponge-like foam body is also conceivable.

[0026] For an advantageous additional function, the body can be hollow and filled with a cold storage fluid whose freezing point is below 0°C. Alternatively, for the same additional function, the body can be divided lengthwise into multiple compartments, comprising several consecutive hollow chambers filled with a cold storage fluid whose freezing point is below 0°C. Preferably, the body can have at least 8, 10, or 12 such chambers. This cold storage function allows the sorting device to be used, in particular, in a cooler or insulated bag to keep goods cool even outside of a refrigerator or freezer.To form the cavities, it can now be provided that the body is formed by means of two films which are placed on top of each other and welded together in such a way that one continuous cavity or a plurality of hollow chambers is formed.

[0027] A particularly advantageous embodiment is one in which the cold storage fluid is selected such that its freezing point is below -20°C, preferably below -30°C, and especially below -40°C. Suitable cold storage fluids include, for example, propylene glycol, 1,2-propanediol, or a mixture of water and propylene glycol. The freezing point can be adjusted by varying the water content in the mixture. Without water, the freezing point of propylene glycol is approximately -60°C.

[0028] One use of a sorting device of the type described above in a refrigeration or freezing appliance according to the invention consists in the body of the sorting device being deformed into a wave-like shape and inserted into a storage compartment of the refrigeration or freezing appliance in such a way that the waves of the wave-like deformed body follow one another in the storage compartment and form storage compartment sections between them, which are bounded at the bottom by a storage compartment base and are open at the top. This achieves the division of the storage compartment into several storage compartment sections in which the goods can be stored, in particular individually and separately. This ensures clear and lasting sorting. The sorting device also prevents the goods from slipping and falling over when a door or drawer containing the storage compartment is moved.

[0029] A cooling or freezing device according to the invention is characterized in that it has at least one storage compartment and at least one sorting device of the type described above. The body of the sorting device is corrugated and inserted into the storage compartment of the cooling or freezing device in such a way that the corrugations of the corrugated body follow one another within the storage compartment, forming storage compartment sections between them. These sections are bounded at the bottom by a storage compartment base and are open at the top. As explained, this ensures clear and lasting sorting by preventing the goods from slipping and falling over when a door or drawer containing the storage compartment is moved.

[0030] According to an advantageous embodiment, the cooling or freezing device can be a refrigerator, a freezer, a cooler, a chest freezer, or a freezer box. The respective storage compartment can be located in a door or drawer of the refrigerator or freezer. In the case of a cooler box, the entire interior can form the storage compartment.

[0031] The relative location designations “top” and “bottom” refer to the usual operating condition of the cooling or freezing device, so that “bottom” faces a surface on which the cooling or freezing device stands, while “top” faces away from this surface.

[0032] Further important features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the dependent claims, the drawings and the associated description of the figures based on the drawings.

[0033] It is understood that the features mentioned above and those to be explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the invention. Components of a higher-level unit, such as a device, apparatus, or arrangement, mentioned above and those to be mentioned below, which are designated separately, can form separate parts or components of this unit or be integral areas or sections of this unit, even if this is depicted differently in the drawings.

[0034] Preferred embodiments of the invention are shown in the drawings and are explained in more detail in the following description, wherein identical reference numerals refer to identical or similar or functionally identical components.

[0035] They show, schematically, Fig. 1. A top view of a body of a sorting device in an undeformed state, Fig. 2 a view of an end edge of the body according to a viewing direction II in Fig. 1, Fig. 3 a view of a longitudinal side edge of the body according to a viewing direction III in Fig. 1, Fig. 4 a view of the long side edge of the body as in Fig. 3, however in a wave-like deformed state, Fig. 5. A top view of a storage compartment of a refrigeration or freezing appliance with sorting equipment installed therein and with goods held by it, Fig. 6. A top view of the storage compartment as shown in Fig. 5, however without goods and in a different embodiment, Fig. 7 a detailed view of a retaining clip according to a section line VII in Fig. 6, Fig. 8 a detailed view of another retaining clip according to a section line VIII in Fig. 6, Fig. 9 an isometric view of the sorting device with two bodies arranged one above the other, Fig. 10 a detailed view of a connecting bracket according to a section line X in Fig. 9, Fig. 11 an isometric view of the sorting device with two bodies arranged one behind the other, Fig. 12 a detailed view of a connecting bracket according to a section line XII in Fig. 11, Fig. 13 a top view of the body as in Fig. 1, however, in a different embodiment, Fig. 14 a top view of the body as in the Fig. 1 and Fig. 13, however, in a further embodiment, Fig. 15 - 17 each show another top view of the body as in the Fig. 1, Fig. 13 and Fig. 14, however, in other embodiments.

[0036] According to the Fig. 1 to 17, a sorting device 1 comprises at least one ribbon-shaped body 2, which is designed to be flexible and reversibly deformable. In an undeformed state, which is in the Fig. As shown in Figures 1 to 3 and 13 to 17, which can also be referred to as the initial state, the body 2 is elongated and flat. Preferably, in this initial state, the body 2 has a rectangular cross-section. Accordingly, the body 2 has two longitudinal edges 3 running parallel to each other and two end edges or longitudinal ends 4 that run parallel to each other and perpendicular to the longitudinal edges 3. This rectangular cross-section is preferred. It is clear that, in principle, other cross-sections can also be provided, such as a trapezoid or parallelogram.

[0037] For example, in this undeformed initial state, the body 2 can have a body length 5, a body width 6, and a body thickness 7. The body length 5 is preferably at least 5 times or at least 10 times greater than the body width 6, making the body 2 elongated. The body width 6 is preferably at least 10 times or at least 20 times greater than the body thickness 7, making the body 2 flat. Advantageously, the body thickness 7 can be at least 1.0 mm and preferably at least 2 mm. Preferably, the body 2 is designed as a solid body consisting of a single piece of material. This is the case in the examples of Fig. Shown 1 to 12. In the Fig. 13 and Fig. Figure 14 shows two other embodiments in which the body 2 is equipped with at least one cavity. This will be discussed further below with reference to the Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 explained in more detail. Also the Fig. Figures 15 to 17 show other embodiments in which the body 2 is configured as a composite body, with a core enclosed by a shell. This will also be discussed further below with reference to the Fig. 15 to 17 explained in more detail.

[0038] Body 2 consists in the embodiments of Fig. 1 to 12 in total and in the embodiments of the Fig. 13 to 17, at least on its outer surface, is suitably made of a material that is dishwasher-safe and food-safe. Preferably, it is a rubber-elastic plastic, in particular a silicone rubber.

[0039] In the examples of Fig. In sections 1 to 12, the body 2 can consist of a single, one-piece plastic component. The body 2 is then preferably fiberless and / or made of a fiberless material. Furthermore, the body 2 can consist of a water-impermeable material and preferably have a water-impermeable structure, i.e., be unperforated. A perforated design is also conceivable. The body 2 can also be designed as a foam body, which can be configured as open-pored or closed-pored. Preferably, the body 2 has a closed, continuous surface.

[0040] In all embodiments, the body 2 is flexible and reversibly deformable. In particular, the body 2 can be reversibly deformed in a wave-like manner, as shown in the Fig. Figures 4 to 6, 9, and 11 show this. This creates waves 8 that follow one another in a meandering pattern, forming loops 9. These loops 9, in turn, form wraps of at least 180°. In the examples shown, the wraps of the loops 9 are each greater than 180°. A cavity 10 is formed between successive waves 8, which is also referred to as a storage compartment section 10. The loops 9 wrap around the respective cavity or storage compartment section 10.

[0041] According to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. A cooling or freezing appliance 11 can have at least one storage compartment 12. Such a cooling or freezing appliance 11 can be, for example, a refrigerator, a freezer, a cool box, a freezer chest, or a deep freezer. In the Fig. 5 and Fig. Figure 6 shows the cooling or freezing unit 11 only in the area of ​​this storage compartment 12. The storage compartment 12 can be designed as a fixed compartment in a door of the cooling or freezing unit 11 or as an adjustable drawer of the cooling or freezing unit 11. It is clear that the cooling or freezing unit 11 can have several storage compartments 12. In the example shown, the storage compartment 12 is elongated and essentially rectangular. Thus, the storage compartment 12 has two parallel side walls 13 and two end walls 14 that run parallel to each other and perpendicular to the side walls 13. The side walls 13 define a storage space 15 of the storage compartment 12 laterally, while the end walls 14 define the storage space 15 at the ends. The storage compartment 12 also has a base 16 that defines the storage space 15 at the bottom. The storage space 15 is open at the top, so that the storage compartment 12 can be loaded with goods 17 from above. Fig. Figure 5 shows several goods (17). The goods (17) can be food or food packaging, e.g., jars, containers, tubes, bottles, etc.

[0042] According to the Fig. 5 and Fig. 6. The sorting device 1 can now be used to divide the storage compartment 12 into several storage compartment sections 10. For this purpose, the body 2 is deformed into a wave-like shape and inserted into the storage compartment 12. The body 2 is inserted into the storage compartment 12 in such a way that the waves 8 within it follow one another. In the examples of the Fig. 5 and Fig. The waves 8 follow one another in the longitudinal direction of the elongated storage compartment 12. It is also possible to choose larger waves 8 and loops 9 so that the body 2 can be inserted into the storage compartment 12 rotated by 90°. Then the waves 8 and loops 9 follow one another in the transverse direction of the storage compartment 12.

[0043] In any case, the successive waves 8 form the aforementioned storage compartment sections 10 within the storage compartment 12, thereby subdividing the storage compartment 12 and its storage space 15. The individual storage compartment sections 10 are bounded at the bottom by the storage compartment base 16 and open at the top, so that they can be loaded from above. The goods 17 can now be inserted individually, i.e., separately, into the separate storage compartment sections 10. Since the body 2 is flexible, the individual storage compartment sections 10 can be individually adapted to the respective goods 17. In other words, the storage compartment sections 10 can be of different sizes. In particular, the loops 9 can encircle the goods 17 to varying degrees. With the aid of the sorting device 1, the goods 17 are positioned in the storage compartment 12 so that they do not slip, or only slip minimally, when the storage compartment 12 is moved, e.g., by opening or closing the door or drawer equipped with the storage compartment 12.

[0044] The body 2 can be adapted to the respective storage compartment 12 in such a way that the shafts 8 are supported against opposing storage compartment walls, here against the side walls 13. In addition, the body 2 can be supported in the area of ​​its longitudinal ends 4 against at least one further storage compartment wall, here against one of the end walls 14, or against two further storage compartment walls, here against both end walls 14, which provides stable support for the sorting device 1 in the storage compartment 12.

[0045] According to the invention, the body 2 is selected with regard to material and thickness 7 such that it can be cut with household scissors. This allows, for example, the body width 6 to be easily and permanently adjusted to a smaller storage compartment height.

[0046] For improved positioning of the body 2 in the respective storage compartment 12, the sorting device 1 can have at least one retaining clip 18, 19. The respective retaining clip 18, 19 enables the body 2 inserted into the storage compartment 12 to be secured to an edge 20 of a storage compartment wall bounding the compartment 12. This storage compartment wall can be one of the side walls 13 or one of the end walls 14. In the example of the Fig. 6. One of the side walls 13 serves to secure the body 2. According to Fig. 7 At least one such retaining clip 18 can be firmly attached to a longitudinal end 4 of the body 2. For example, the retaining clip 18 can clamp around the body 2 at its longitudinal end 4 with a fastening section 21 or be crimped to it. The fastening section 21 can be U-shaped and clamp the body 2 at its longitudinal end 4 between its U-shaped legs. An elastic retaining section 22 overlaps the edge 20 and thereby secures the body 2 to the side wall 13. According to Fig. 8 At least one other such retaining clip 19 can extend over the edge 20 and the body 2 and engage in one of the storage compartment sections 10 to secure the body 2 to the side wall 13. The retaining clip 19 can be designed as a torsion spring and / or be C-shaped or Ω-shaped.

[0047] In order to adapt the sorting device 1 to a greater height of the respective storage compartment 12, the sorting device 1 can be adjusted according to Fig. 9 have at least two such flexible, ribbon-shaped bodies 2. The two bodies 2 can now be inserted into the respective storage compartment 12 (in Fig. (9 not shown) assume that the two bodies 2 are uniformly corrugated, lie on top of each other and together form the storage compartment sections 10. The sorting device 1 now has at least one connecting clamp 23 with which the superimposed bodies 2 are fixed to each other at their mutually facing longitudinal side edges 3. According to Fig. For this purpose, the connecting clamp 23 can have two fastening sections 24, which are U-shaped and clamp the respective body 2 at its longitudinal side edge 3 between their U-shaped legs. The connecting clamp 23 can have an overall H-profile. It is clear that three or more bodies 2 can also be connected to each other in this way.

[0048] In order to adapt the sorting device 1 to a greater length of the respective storage compartment 12, the sorting device 1 can be adjusted according to Fig. 11 at least two such flexible, ribbon-shaped bodies 2. The two bodies 2 can now be inserted into the respective storage compartment 12 (in Fig. (11 not shown) such that the two bodies 2 lie one behind the other and each form several storage compartment sections 10. The sorting device 1 can also in this case have at least one connecting clamp 25 with which the bodies 2 lying one behind the other are fixed to each other at their longitudinal ends 4 facing each other. According to Fig. 12. The connecting clamp 25 can have two fastening sections 26, which are U-shaped and clamp the respective body 2 at its longitudinal end 4 between their U-shaped legs. The connecting clamp 25 can have an overall H-profile. It is clear that three or more bodies 2 can also be connected to each other in this way.

[0049] Although the in the Fig. 9 and Fig. 10 embodiment shown with two or more bodies 2 arranged one above the other and the in the Fig. 11 and Fig. Since the embodiment shown in Figure 12, with two or more bodies 2 arranged one behind the other, has been presented separately, it is clear that these two embodiments can also be combined. The sorting device 1 then has at least three bodies 2, of which at least two are arranged one above the other and at least two are arranged one behind the other and connected to each other by corresponding connecting clamps 23, 25.

[0050] The body 2 can be used in the embodiments of the Fig. 1 to 17 have a plastic body 30 which is designed in a ribbon shape. In the embodiments of the Fig. In the embodiments described below, the body 2 consists of this plastic body 30. Fig. In examples 13 to 17, body 2 has at least one additional component besides the plastic body 30. This additional component is shown in the examples of Fig. 13 and Fig. 14 a liquid and in the examples of the Fig. 15 to 17 a core group.

[0051] The following refers to the Fig. The embodiments described in sections 13 to 17 can largely be combined with the embodiments described above. Thus, the sorting devices 1 described below can also have retaining clips 18, 19, connecting clips 23, 25, and optionally several bodies 2. In contrast to the embodiments described above, the bodies 2 in the embodiments described below cannot be designed as solid bodies made of only one material.

[0052] According to Fig. 13. The body 2 can be hollow, i.e., contain a cavity 27 filled with a cold storage fluid 28. According to Fig. 14 The body 2 can be subdivided multiple times in its longitudinal direction, so that it has several longitudinally successive hollow chambers 29, each filled with a cold storage fluid 28. For example, the respective body 2 can be manufactured using durable films or strips, each representing a plastic body 30, which are welded together to form the cavity 27 or the chambers 29. It is also conceivable to form the cavity 27 or the chambers 29 in a single plastic body 30, in particular made of silicone rubber.

[0053] The cold storage fluid 28 is selected such that it remains liquid at the typical temperatures of a household refrigerator, i.e., at least down to 0°C. This means that the body 2 of the sorting device 1 remains flexible even when cooled and can be deformed into a wave-like shape. A particularly advantageous embodiment is one in which the cold storage fluid 28 is selected such that it remains liquid at the typical temperatures of a household freezer, i.e., at least down to -25°C. This means that the body 2 of the sorting device 1 remains flexible even when frozen and can be deformed into a wave-like shape. A particularly useful embodiment is one in which the freezing point of the cold storage fluid 28 is below -30°C.

[0054] Due to the cold storage fluid 28, the body 2 and thus the sorting device 1 has the additional function of a cooling pack and can be used in a passive cooling device, e.g. in a cooler bag or in a cooler box.

[0055] According to the Fig. In embodiments 15 to 17, the body 2 can have a core 31 in addition to the plastic body 30. The plastic body 30 encloses the core 31, preferably completely. In this way, the plastic body 30 forms a shell for the core 31. Advantageously, the plastic body 30 is cast or injection-molded onto the core 31. In all embodiments of the Fig. From 1 to 17, the plastic body 30 can be made of silicone rubber. The core 31 consists of a different material or material mixture than the plastic body 30. The core 31 can, for example, be made of metal, plastic, or textile. The core 31 is configured to be suitably flexible. The core 31 is elastic and / or plastically deformable.

[0056] The Fig. Figures 15 to 17 show, without limitation of generality, various possible embodiments for realizing the core 31. In the example of the Fig. 15 The core 31 is formed by several parallel wires 32 or threads 32, which can be made of metal, plastic, or yarn. In the example of the Fig. In the example of the Fig.17 The core 31 is formed by a grid 34, which can be made of threads or wires of metal or plastic or yarn. This grid 34 can be penetrated by the material of the plastic body 30.

Claims

[1] Sorting device (1) for a refrigeration or freezing device (11), with at least one flexible, ribbon-shaped body (2) which is reversibly deformable in a wave-like manner for dividing a storage compartment (12) of the cooling or freezing device (11) into several storage compartment sections (10) and can be inserted into the storage compartment (12) in such a way that waves (8) of the wave-like deformed body (2) follow one another in the storage compartment (12) and form the storage compartment sections (10) between them, which are bounded downwards by a storage compartment floor (16) and are open upwards, characterized by , that the body (2) is chosen with regard to material and body thickness (7) such that it can be cut with household scissors. [2] Sorting device (1) according to claim 1, characterized by that the respective body (2) has or consists of an elastically deformable plastic body (30). [3] Sorting device (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized bythat the respective body (2) has or consists of a plastic body (30) made of silicone rubber. [4] Sorting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 3, characterized by , that the respective body (2) has an elastically deformable plastic body (30) and an elastically and / or plastically deformable core (31) which is enclosed by the plastic body (30). [5] Sorting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 4, characterized by , that the sorting device (1) has at least one retaining clip (18, 19) with which the body (2) can be secured to an edge (20) of a storage compartment wall (13, 14) defining the storage compartment (12) when the body (2) is inserted into the respective storage compartment (12). [6] Sorting device (1) according to claim 5, characterized by, that at least one such retaining clip (19) for fixing the body (2) to the storage compartment wall (13, 14) overlaps the edge (20) and the body (20) and engages in a storage compartment section (10). [7] Sorting device (1) according to claim 5 or 6, characterized by , that at least one such retaining clip (18) is firmly attached to a longitudinal end (4) of the body (2). [8] Sorting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 7, characterized by , - that the sorting device (1) has at least two flexible, ribbon-shaped bodies (2), - that the two bodies (2) can be inserted into the respective storage compartment (12) in such a way that they are uniformly corrugated, lie on top of each other and together form the storage compartment sections (10), and - that the sorting device (1) has at least one connecting clamp (23) with which the superimposed bodies (2) can be fixed to one another at their longitudinal side edges (3) facing each other. [9] Sorting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 8, characterized by , - that the sorting device (1) has at least two flexible, ribbon-shaped bodies (2), - that the two bodies (2) can be inserted into the respective storage compartment (12) in such a way that they lie one behind the other and each form several storage compartment sections (10), and - that the sorting device (1) has at least one connecting clamp (25) with which the bodies (2) lying one behind the other can be fixed to each other at their longitudinal ends (4) facing each other. [10] Sorting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 9, characterized by , - that the body (2) in its undeformed state has a body length (5), a body width (6) and a body thickness (7), - that the body length (5) is at least 5 times greater than the body width (6), - that the body width (6) is at least 20 times greater than the body thickness (7), and - that the body thickness (7) is at least 1 mm. [11] Sorting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that the body (2) is hollow and filled with a cold storage fluid (28) whose freezing point is below 0° C. [12] Sorting device (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 10, characterized by , that the body (2) is divided several times in its longitudinal direction and has several consecutive hollow chambers (29) in its longitudinal direction, which are filled with a cold storage fluid (28) whose freezing point is below 0° C. [13] Sorting device (1) according to claim 11 or 12, characterized by that the freezing point of the cold storage fluid (28) is below -30° C. [14] Use of a sorting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13 in a cooling or freezing device (11), wherein the body (2) of the sorting device (1) is deformed in a wave-like manner and inserted into a storage compartment (12) of the cooling or freezing device (11) such that waves of the wave-like deformed body (2) follow one another in the storage compartment (12) and form storage compartment sections (10) between them, which are bounded downwards by a storage compartment floor (16) and are open upwards. [15] Refrigeration or freezing appliance (11), - with at least one storage compartment (12), and - with at least one sorting device (1) according to one of claims 1 to 13, - wherein the body (2) of the sorting device (1) is deformed in a wave-like manner and is inserted into the storage compartment (12) of the cooling or freezing device (1) such that waves (8) of the wave-like deformed body (2) follow one another in the storage compartment (12) and form storage compartment sections (10) between them, which are bounded downwards by a storage compartment floor (16) and are open upwards. [16] Cooling or freezing device (11) according to claim 15, characterized by , that the cooling or freezing appliance (11) is a refrigerator or a freezer or a cooler or a cooler bag or a freezer or a chest freezer.

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