Bread box with damping element

Abstract

The invention relates to a bread box, comprising at least a receiving chamber, a cover and at least one hinge, wherein the receiving chamber has a support area, side walls and an insertion opening, wherein the side walls surround a circumferential edge of the support area and wherein the insertion opening is arranged on the side of the side walls facing away from the support area, wherein the cover is suitable for closing or releasing the insertion opening, wherein the at least one hinge is suitable and configured to rotatably connect the receiving chamber and the cover to each other, and wherein the at least one hinge comprises a damping element.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a bread box, comprising at least a receiving chamber, a cover and at least one hinge, wherein the receiving chamber has a support area, side walls and an insertion opening, wherein the side walls surround a circumferential edge of the support area and wherein the insertion opening is arranged on the side of the side walls facing away from the support area, wherein the cover is suitable for closing or releasing the insertion opening, and wherein the at least one hinge is suitable and configured to rotatably connect the receiving chamber and the cover to one another.

[0002] Bread boxes of this type have been known for a long time. The bread is placed on the support surface in the bread box's compartment for storage, and the compartment is then closed with a cover. Bread boxes are known in which the cover can be removed or in which the cover is rotatably connected to the side walls on one side by at least one hinge.

[0003] A connection between the cover and the receiving chamber offers the advantage that opening and closing the cover to access the receiving chamber's insertion opening is simple. After the insertion opening is opened, which is achieved by rotating the cover around the pivot point of at least one hinge, the cover remains connected to the receiving chamber. It is not necessary to move or hold the cover to the side.

[0004] One disadvantage of these well-known bread boxes becomes apparent when closing the opening. When the lid is returned to its starting position by rotating at least one hinge in the opposite direction—that is, by rotating the lid around the axis of rotation of at least one hinge until it closes the opening—gravity, in particular, acts as a force on the lid, accelerating it. Therefore, the user of the bread box must guide the lid until it closes the opening. If the user is inattentive or distracted, the lid may be released and strike the sides of the bread box with force. This results in a bang and can also pose the risk of fingers being trapped between the sides and the lid.

[0005] This is where the invention comes in.

[0006] The object of the present invention is to propose a bread box that is both safer and more convenient to use.

[0007] The problem is solved by a bread box, comprising at least a receiving chamber, a cover and at least one hinge, wherein the receiving chamber has a support area, side walls and an insertion opening, wherein the side walls surround a circumferential edge of the support area and wherein the insertion opening is arranged on the side of the side walls facing away from the support area, wherein the cover is suitable for closing or releasing the insertion opening, wherein the at least one hinge is suitable and configured to rotatably connect the receiving chamber and the cover to each other, and wherein the at least one hinge comprises a damping element.

[0008] The bread box, whose at least one hinge incorporates a damping element, is slowed down when the lid rotates around the axis of rotation of the hinge. The damping element counteracts the force of gravity and prevents the opening from closing uncontrollably. The damping element does not prevent the opening from closing; rather, it slows the movement of the lid during the closing process. This slower closing action eliminates the need for the user to manually guide the lid until the opening is completely closed. It is sufficient to initiate the rotation, and the lid then moves automatically. This slower movement also enhances safety by reducing the risk of fingers being trapped between the side walls and the lid.Firstly, it is no longer necessary for fingers to be near the cover during closing, and secondly, should this happen, the delay in rotation provides enough time to react and move the fingers out of danger in time.

[0009] Here, the bread box can be designed with a rim, the rim being formed as an edge area along the circumference of the cover and being suitable for spacing the cover from the insertion opening. The rim can also be designed as part of the cover. Advantageously, the support area and the cover have the same or similar geometric dimensions. This allows the side walls and the rim to be placed on top of each other. The side walls and the rim can be designed with a tongue-and-groove joint, so that when the insertion opening is closed, the rim or the cover and the side walls allow only a small amount of air to enter the receiving chamber.

[0010] The cover may be provided with means for gripping, wherein the means for gripping are suitable for transmitting a force to the cover, thereby triggering a rotation of the at least one hinge. The means for gripping may, for example, be a handle or an undercut in the cover. This allows a user to easily rotate the cover about the axis of rotation of the at least one hinge to release the insertion opening.

[0011] It may be provided that the at least one hinge has at least a lower hinge body and an upper hinge body. In particular, it may be provided that the lower hinge body and the upper hinge body are connected at least via the damping element. The damping element, which connects the upper and lower hinge bodies, influences the movement of the at least one hinge about the hinge's axis of rotation. For example, it is possible that the rotation of the at least one hinge is dampened.

[0012] It may be provided that the damping element has at least one bushing, one push rod, one torsion spring and a plurality of damper connectors.

[0013] A rotation of the upper hinge body tensions the torsion spring. This preload is used to dampen rotation in the opposite direction of the upper hinge body, causing the torsion spring to relax. The bushing and at least one damper connector are connected to the upper hinge body, for example, via a cotter pin, so that a rotation of the upper hinge body causes the bushing and the at least one damper connector to rotate. The at least one damper connector transmits the rotation to at least one other damper connector, which is rigidly connected to the torsion spring. The damper connectors convert the rotational movement of the upper hinge body into an axial movement of the push rod. The push rod comprises a bolt and a chamber. The rotational movement presses the bolt into the chamber.This creates resistance which, when at least one hinge is rotated in the opposite direction, is used to dampen the rotation.

[0014] It is possible for the damping element to dampen the rotation of at least one hinge when the insertion opening is closed, but not when the insertion opening is released. This is particularly advantageous when only the movement of the cover in one direction needs to be slowed. It is then possible for the insertion opening to be released by rotating the cover in one direction without damping, while the insertion opening to be closed by rotating the cover in the opposite direction is damped. This is useful because releasing the insertion opening should happen quickly. A user does not want to wait for the opening to be released before inserting the bread. Only the closing of the insertion opening should be damped to achieve the aforementioned advantages.

[0015] Further features and advantages of exemplary embodiments of the invention are described below with reference to the drawings. The same reference numerals are used for identical or similar parts and for parts with identical or similar functions. The drawings show: Fig. 1 a bread box according to the invention from a perspective rear view Fig. 2. Take out the bread box Fig. 1 in a side view Fig. 3. A perspective view of a hinge Fig. 4. A front view of the hinge Fig. 5 a side view of the hinge Fig. 6 a sectional view AA of the hinge from Fig. 5 Fig. 7 an exploded view of the hinge

[0016] It is not necessary for a device according to the invention to have all the features described below. It is also possible for a device according to the invention to have only individual features of an embodiment described below.

[0017] Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows a bread box 1 according to the invention. The bread box 1 has a receiving chamber 2, a cover 3 and two hinges 4.

[0018] The receiving chamber 2 is formed by a support area 5 (not shown) and side walls 6, creating an opening 7 for items such as bread. The side walls 6 surround a circumferential edge of the support area 5. The opening 7 is located on the side of the side walls 6 facing away from the support area 5. The receiving chamber 2 and the cover 3 are rotatably connected to each other by hinges 4. Each hinge 4 has a damping element 8. Fig. 1 and Fig. Figure 2 shows that the bread box 1 has a rim 9, the rim 9 being formed as an edge area along the circumference of the cover 3. The rim 9 separates the cover 3 from the insertion opening 7.

[0019] Cover 3 is suitable for closing or opening the insertion opening 7. The in Fig. The means 10 shown in Figure 2 are suitable for transmitting a force to the cover 3, thereby causing the hinges 4 to rotate. A rotation of the hinges 4 also causes the cover 3 to rotate about the axis of rotation of the hinges 4.

[0020] The Fig. Figures 3 to 7 show views of one of the hinges 4 of the bread box 1. It can be seen that the hinge 4 has at least a lower hinge body 11 and an upper hinge body 12. The lower hinge body 11 and the upper hinge body 12 are connected via the damping element 8, which is located in Fig. 7 is shown in more detail.

[0021] The damping element 8 in Fig. The upper hinge body 12 comprises a bushing 13, a push rod 14, a torsion spring 15, and a plurality of damper connectors 16, 17. A rotation of the upper hinge body 12 tensions the torsion spring 15. This preload is used to dampen rotation in the opposite direction of the upper hinge body 12. The torsion spring 15 then relaxes. The bushing 13 and at least one damper connector 16 are connected to the upper hinge body 12, for example, by a cotter pin, such that a rotation of the upper hinge body 12 causes a rotation of the bushing 13 and the at least one damper connector 16. The at least one damper connector 16 transmits the rotation to at least one further damper connector 17, which is rigidly connected to the torsion spring 15. The damper connectors 16, 17 convert the rotary movement of the upper hinge body 12 into an axial movement of the push rod 14.

[0022] The damping element 8 made of Fig. 7 dampens the rotation of the hinge 4 only when the insertion opening 7 is closed. When the hinge 4 is rotated to release the insertion opening 7, the rotation of the hinge 4 is not dampened.

Claims

[1] Bread box (1), at least comprising a receiving compartment (2), a cover (3) and at least one hinge (4), wherein the receiving space (2) has a support area (5), side walls (6) and an insertion opening (7), wherein the side walls (6) surround a circumferential edge of the support area (5) and wherein the insertion opening (7) is arranged on the side of the side walls (6) facing away from the support area (5), wherein the cover (3) is suitable for closing or opening the insertion opening (7), wherein at least one hinge (4) is suitable and designed to rotatably connect the receiving chamber (2) and the cover (3) to each other, characterized by , that at least one hinge (4) includes a damping element (8). [2] Bread box (1) according to claim 1, characterized by, that the bread box (1) has a rim (9) wherein the rim (9) is formed as an edge area along the circumference of the cover (3) and wherein the rim (9) is suitable to space the cover (3) away from the insertion opening (7). [3] Bread box (1) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized by , that the cover (3) has means (10) for gripping, wherein the means (10) for gripping are suitable to transmit a force to the cover (3), thereby triggering a rotation of the at least one hinge (4). [4] Bread box (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the at least one hinge (4) has at least one lower hinge body (11) and one upper hinge body (12). [5] Bread box (1) according to the previous claim, characterized by , that the lower hinge body (11) and the upper hinge body (12) are connected at least indirectly via the damping element (8). [6] Bread box (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the damping element (8) has at least a bushing (13), a push rod (14), a torsion spring (15) and a plurality of damper connectors (16, 17). [7] Bread box (1) according to any of the preceding claims, characterized by , that the damping element (8) dampens the rotation of the at least one hinge (4) when the insertion opening (7) is closed and does not dampen the rotation of the at least one hinge (4) when the insertion opening (7) is released.

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