Cooling device with tilting product shelf

Abstract

Cooling device for cooling goods, particularly in food display cases, comprising an insulated tub body (1) with at least one cooling device (2), means for circulating (3) a cooling airflow, at least one duct-like air guide area which directs the air from the cooling device to the discharge area, and at least one product support surface (4), and in which the product support surface (4) is pivotable about a pivot axis (5) between a first, in particular horizontal, position and at least a second, in particular inclined, position, characterized in that the pivotable product support surface has at least one rocker arm with a pivot axis in the central rocker arm area, which in a first position enables the product support surface to be pivoted into the first, in particular horizontal, position.which, by pressing on one of the lever sides, is tilted outwards into a second position on the opposite side and serves as a support element for the inclined position of the goods support surface relative to the tub body.

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a cooling device according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0002] Such cooling devices are used to cool perishable foods, such as snacks, baked goods, confectionery, meat and dairy products, etc. The cooling devices are incorporated into sales counters and self-service counters.

[0003] A generic counter insert, in particular a refrigerated counter insert, has a refrigerated product support surface which can be operated at least in a horizontal position and in a position inclined towards the customer.

[0004] Such a counter insert is known from DE 299 10 539 U1. An insulated tray contains a product support surface, beneath which an evaporator with fans is mounted. The evaporator is connected via cooling lines to a refrigeration unit outside the cooling tray.

[0005] The fans blow an air stream through the evaporator, where the air is cooled and directed over the goods on the product support surface via an air outlet area. The product support surface is rotatable and can be set horizontally or at an angle. The angled position is fixed using a hinged flap. The disadvantage here is that condensation, which inevitably forms on the outside in the upper air outlet area, runs along the flap and onto the frame. Because the frame is horizontal, there is a risk that the condensation will continue to run onto the work surface in which the cooling insert is installed or into the counter structure below. The work surface and counter structure are usually made of coated chipboard, which is extremely sensitive to moisture at the cut edges.It's essential that the cooling insert is glued to the work surface in a watertight manner. If the cooling insert needs to be removed for repair, the work surface will usually be damaged by the permanent bond.

[0006] DE 100 64 633 A1 discloses a countertop cooling insert for installation in an inclined work surface. Here, as in DE 299 10 539 U1, a hinged flap is manually folded out. In contrast to DE 299 10 539 U1, the flap is no longer supported on the tub edge, but on a projection within the tub. Condensation that forms on the outer surface of the air outlet area can drain into the tub. This reliably prevents damage to the work surface due to moisture. The disadvantage, however, is that the flap is now located below the tub edge and can therefore only be operated using difficult-to-access auxiliary levers. Since the flap would immediately fall back to its original position after being released, operation is somewhat cumbersome. With regard to condensation, this solution can be considered good. The disadvantage, however, is that the installation surface must be inclined.Installation in a counter construction with a horizontal work surface is not possible here.

[0007] EP 2 468 146 B1 discloses a countertop refrigeration insert in which the air outlet area functions as a handle for raising the product support surface into a support position. To move the product display from the upper to the lower position, the handle must be moved toward the operator side and then the product support surface must be pushed down. If the movement sequence is familiar, the product support surface can be easily moved down. However, this sequence of movements cannot be mastered intuitively. This can lead to confusion, particularly in stores with frequently changing sales staff.

[0008] Another problem is that the handle also serves as the air outlet nozzle. Thus, the two different angles of the handle relative to the product support surface result in different air outlet angles relative to the product support surface. This always leads to an air outlet flow that is less favorable in terms of cooling in at least one position, ultimately resulting in increased energy consumption.

[0009] Another problem here is the condensation that forms on the outside of the handle and runs onto the edge of the tub when the product support surface is tilted. Since the tub edge is horizontal, some of the condensation will always run onto the countertop where the cooling insert is suspended. This creates the same problems as with DE 299 10 539 U1.

[0010] DE 94 09 985 U1 discloses a refrigerated insert with a tiltable display surface. However, cooling is not possible in the tilted position, as the necessary airflow is no longer present. The tilted position is intended only to facilitate cleaning of the lower area.

[0011] DE 10 2013 003 975 B3 discloses a cooling device having a bistable switching device which, in a first stable position, enables the product support surface to pivot downwards into the first position and, in a second stable position, enables at least a second inclined position of the product display surface. The cooling device, like the cooling insert from DE 100 64 633 A1, is designed for installation in an inclined installation surface. Condensation forming on the outer surface of the discharge nozzle can simply drain into the tray. The design can certainly be easily modified so that this cooling insert can also be installed in a flat surface. Operation is relatively simple. A disadvantage, however, is that the locking mechanism is very complex and expensive to manufacture.In addition, the locking guides must be connected to the side walls via eight connecting elements, and the bistable elements must also be connected to the merchandise display area via a total of eight connecting elements. Since all elements are located below the merchandise display area and are therefore inaccessible in the switching positions, precise alignment is quite complicated.

[0012] DE 20 2017 103 159 U1 discloses a recirculation tray in which a locking element is provided on the inside of the recirculation tray and a locking hook plate with a locking hook device, actuated by a spring device, is provided on the evaporator. This has the advantage that the condensate forming on the outside of the outlet nozzle can drain freely into the tray. However, this solution is similarly problematic in terms of assembly and adjustment as the cooling insert from DE 100 64 633 A1 and is therefore ultimately expensive to manufacture.

[0013] Another solution for installation in an inclined work surface is known from DE 20 2017 103 160 U1. An outlet nozzle attached to the tub can be adjusted in height and the goods support surface can be adjusted in incline. The outlet nozzle is located directly on the edge of the tub. Any condensation that forms on the outside will therefore run onto the edge of the tub and not into the tub. The outlet nozzle has several spring-loaded push buttons on the outside. In the upper positions, the nozzle rests on the push buttons. To move the nozzle downwards, you must hold the nozzle with one hand and lift it slightly, and with the other hand you must press the push button. However, this only works with one push button. If two push buttons are necessary for stability reasons during a longer recirculation cooling operation, one person alone cannot adjust the nozzle.One hand is missing to hold the nozzle and press the two push buttons simultaneously. Unfortunately, the manual doesn't explain how the product support surface is held in the horizontal and tilted positions. Task

[0014] The object of the invention is to design a cooling device with an inclinable product support surface, in which the product support surface can be easily tilted and opened for cleaning, in which the air outlet angle relative to the product support surface is not influenced by the position of the product support, in which the condensate forming on the outside of the air outlet area drains safely into the tray even when installed in a horizontal work surface and which is in particular easy to assemble and inexpensive to manufacture.

[0015] This object is achieved by the cooling device having the features of claim 1.

[0016] Advantageous embodiments of the cooling device according to the invention are the subject of the dependent claims and are also described in the following description, in particular in connection with the figures.

[0017] In the cooling device of the type mentioned, the invention provides that the pivotable product support surface (4) has at least one rocker arm (30) with a rotational axis (31) in the central rocker arm region, which in a first position enables the product support surface (4) to be pivoted into the first, in particular horizontal, position, which is tilted outwards into a second position by pressing on one of the lever sides on the opposite side and serves as a support element for the inclined position of the product support surface relative to the tub body.

[0018] The core concept of the invention can be considered that the support required in the inclined position is provided by an outwardly tilted tilting lever (30). Since the support surface is so narrow, the water condensing on the outside of the air outlet area (20) runs through the slot between the tub wall and the air outlet area (20) into the tub body (1) and thus into the drain (16) contained therein. This is possible with both horizontal and inclined or stepped tub bodies (1). In particular, significant cost savings can be achieved through pre-assembly in a lever module (6) according to claim 12.

[0019] The rocker arm (30) can be arranged according to claim 2 such that the rotational axis (31) of the rocker arm runs almost vertically. In this installation variant, the position of the rocker arm is stable in any position, so that in a long cooling pan with several rocker arms, these can be folded outward one after the other, and the already unfolded rocker arms (30) do not fall back.

[0020] If the pivot axis of the tilt lever is positioned almost horizontally according to claim 3, the lever will always automatically return to the horizontal position of the merchandise display area due to the force of gravity. This is relatively easy to operate for short cooling trays with one or two levers that can still be reached with both hands simultaneously.

[0021] If the rocker arm is supported on the tub rim according to claim 4, no additional component is necessary. The manufacturing cost is therefore lower.

[0022] If the lever according to claim 5 has a stop in the folded position, it is easier to fold it to the end position.

[0023] If the lever according to claim 6 has a stop in the extended position, the extended end position is easier to adjust. Particularly in conjunction with claim 3, the stop can serve to absorb the lever force.

[0024] If, during long circulating air cooling sessions with multiple levers, the extended lever is to remain in the end position, this can be achieved by means of a friction resistance according to claim 7. In this way, during long circulating air cooling sessions, two widely separated levers can be operated one after the other without the previously operated lever falling back.

[0025] Alternatively, this can also be achieved by a force-locking connection according to claim 8.

[0026] This can also be achieved using magnetic forces. The advantage here is that the holding force is greater and the final position is more effectively maintained.

[0027] It is made particularly comfortable by a spring device according to claim 10, which is positioned so that only the two end positions of the lever are stable.

[0028] According to claim 11, the rocker arm can be advantageously arranged in the air duct area between the cooling device and the air outlet area. This air duct area can usually be removed or opened for cleaning. This makes all sides easily accessible for assembly.

[0029] Almost all alignment work can be avoided if a lever module according to claim 12 contains the rocker arm with its pivot axis and other elements, such as the spring and end stops. The pre-assembled lever modules can now be easily screwed or riveted into the corresponding cutouts in the air outlet area. The parts for the lever modules can be easily manufactured from plastic, for example, using injection molding.

[0030] The drawings illustrate a design particularly suitable for installation in stepped counters.

[0031] They show: Fig. 1: Section through the cooling device in the lower position Fig. 2: Section through the cooling device in an inclined position Fig. 3: Section through the cooling device in the cleaning position for floor cleaning Fig. 4: Section through the cooling device in the cleaning position with the air duct opened Fig. 5: Section through the lever module in the horizontal position of the goods support Fig. 6: Section through the lever module in the inclined position of the goods support Fig. 7: 3D view of the lever module with folded lever Fig. 8: 3D view of the lever module with the lever unfolded

[0032] Fig. Figure 1 shows a cross-section through a possible embodiment. In this embodiment, a flat tray body (1) is used for installation in a flat work surface. A drain (16) is located in the base, through which the condensate formed by the cooling device is drained. Alternatively, this cooling device can also be manufactured with a stepped or sloped tray shape.

[0033] Operation requires a glass countertop attachment, which shields the goods on the customer side. This glass countertop attachment and the counter frame, which holds the tub at working height, are not shown here.

[0034] A finned evaporator is located beneath the product support surface (4) as a cooling device (2). The connecting pipes for the finned evaporator, which are not shown here for reasons of clarity, run through the feed-through area (17) to the outside and are connected there to a refrigeration unit. The fan (3) draws air in from the product support surface (4) via the air intake area (21), blown through the finned evaporator (2), cooled there, and blown over the product support surface (4) via the duct (14) and the air outlet area (20). The finned evaporator (2), together with the fans (3) and the fan housing (22), is mounted so that it can rotate relative to the pivot axis (7). The product support surface (4) is mounted so that it can rotate relative to the pivot axis (5). In this embodiment, the two pivot axes (5, 7) coincide. The finned evaporator (2) is supported by the tank body (1) via gas pressure springs (23).The duct (14) is hinged to the air outlet area (20) via the pivot joint (15). The lever module (6) is mounted in a recess in the duct (14). The lever of the lever module (6) is in the retracted position, thus keeping the product support surface (4) in the horizontal position.

[0035] If the merchandise display is pulled upwards slightly using the air outlet area (20), which also acts as a handle, the lever (30) of the lever module (6) becomes accessible. After pressing the upper side of the lever (30), the lower side of the lever (30) pivots outward. The merchandise display can now be lowered until the outward-pivoted part of the lever rests on the tub edge.

[0036] This position is in Fig. 2 shown.

[0037] In Fig. 3 shows the cleaning position for cleaning the tub floor. The channel (14) can now be swivelled upwards by pulling the handle (24), so that the inner surfaces of the channel (14) can also be cleaned. This is shown in Fig. 4 shown.

[0038] Fig. Figure 5 shows another cross-section through the lever module (6) with the folded lever, the pivot axis (31), the end stops (32, 33), and the spring mechanism (34). The spring mechanism ensures bistable behavior of the lever. The positions are stable only in the two end positions.

[0039] Fig. 6 shows a section through the lever module (6) with the lever folded out and the goods support surface folded up.

[0040] Fig. 7 and Fig.Figure 8 shows the lever module (6) with the lever (30) folded or unfolded, as well as the mounting holes (35). The lever module can be easily screwed or riveted into the channel 14 via the mounting holes, into cutouts in the channel sheet, which are already precisely inserted along with the sheet metal blank. No further time-consuming adjustment work or similar is required. Assembly is therefore possible in less than 1 minute. List of reference symbols 1 tub body 2 Cooling device 3 means of circulation 4 Goods support surface 5 Swivel axis of the product area 6 lever module 7 Swivel axis cooling device 14 channel 15 Swivel joint channel 16 Procedure 17 Cooling pipe penetration area 20 Air outlet area 21 Air intake area 22 fan housing 23 Gas spring 24 handle 30 rocker arms 31 Rocker arm rotation axis 32 End stop 1 33 End stop 2 34 Spring device 35 mounting holes QUOTES CONTAINED IN THE DESCRIPTION

[0000] This list of documents submitted by the applicant was generated automatically and is included solely for the convenience of the reader. This list is not part of the German patent or utility model application. The DPMA assumes no liability for any errors or omissions. Cited patent literature

[0000] DE 299 10 539 U1 [0004, 0006, 0009] DE 100 64 633 A1 [0006, 0011, 0012] EP 2 468 146 B1

[0007] DE 94 09 985 U1

[0010] DE 10 2013 003 975 B3

[0011] DE 20 2017 103 159 U1

[0012] DE 20 2017 103 160 U1

[0013]

Claims

[1] Cooling device for cooling goods, in particular in food counters, which has an insulated tub body (1) with at least one cooling device (2), means for circulating (3) a cooling air flow, at least one channel-like air guide area which guides the air from the cooling device to the blow-out area, and at least one goods support surface (4), and in which the goods support surface (4) is pivotable about a pivot axis (5) between a first, in particular horizontal position and at least one second, in particular inclined position, characterized bythat the pivotable goods support surface has at least one tilting lever with a rotation axis in the central tilting lever area, which in a first position enables the goods support surface to be pivoted into the first, in particular horizontal, position, which is tilted outwards into a second position by pressing on one of the lever sides on the opposite side and serves as a support element for the inclined position of the goods support surface relative to the tub body. [2] Cooling device according to claim 1, characterized by that the axis of rotation of the rocker arm is arranged almost vertically. [3] Cooling device according to claim 1, characterized by that the axis of rotation of the rocker arm is arranged almost horizontally. [4] Cooling device according to claim 1, characterized by that the tilted out part of the tilt lever rests on the edge of the tub for support. [5] Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized bythat the lever has a stop in the folded position. [6] Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that the lever has a stop in the unfolded position. [7] Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one end position of the lever is self-locking due to frictional resistance. [8] Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one end position of the lever is self-locking due to a force-locking connection. [9] Cooling device according to one of claims 1-7, characterized by that at least one end position of the lever is self-locking via magnetic forces. [10] Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that only the two end positions of the lever are stable positions via a spring device. [11] Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that at least one rocker arm is arranged on the air guide area between the cooling device and the air outlet area. [12] Cooling device according to one of the preceding claims, characterized by that a lever module contains the rocker arm with rotation axis and other elements.

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