Furniture for a home environment

Abstract

A piece of furniture (10) for a home environment, which comprises at least one module comprising at least one panel defining a box-shaped structure. The panel is configured to delimit the home environmentfrom an interspace (S1) created between said panel and the ground and / or a vertical wall of the home environment. The panel has a recess (20) obtained at a perimeter edge portion, and comprises a motorised ventilation unit (30) connected to said panel at said recess (20) so as to create a forced ventilation of the interspace (S1). Wherein the panel is defined by one or more of the following alternatives: the panel is a base panel (22) or a side panel (23), or a head panel (24).

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present invention concerns a piece of furniture for a home environment, in particular a kitchen.

[0002] In more detail, the piece of furniture according to the invention is included in the field of manufacture and marketing of furniture and, more generally, furnishing structures for home environments, in particular kitchens, and intended to allow their ventilation and / or a recirculation of air in the environment in which such furniture is located.

[0003] The piece of furniture according to the invention has specific and particular application when arranged in a kitchen, in particular intended to house at least one household appliance, such as, for example, a hob, a refrigerator, an oven, a dishwasher, which produce and exchange thermal energy, i.e. heat, with the surrounding environment.

[0004] In any case, the present invention is applicable not only to kitchen furniture, but also to furniture or parts of furniture intended for another use.STATE OF THE ART

[0005] The use of furniture and, in general, furnishing structures intended to house one or more household appliances, such as those briefly cited above, and commonly found, for example, in a traditional kitchen, is known in the above mentioned technical field of reference.

[0006] In the specific case of furniture for a kitchen, such furniture typically comprises a support structure, for example having a box shape, having a housing volume suitable for housing at least one household appliance. The support structure is arranged proximal to a vertical wall of the kitchen and defines with said wall an interspace, at least partially closed.

[0007] More specifically, the support structure comprises at least one base panel substantially parallel to the ground and supported on the ground itself by a plurality of feet connected below the base panel and configured to be placed on the ground so as to support the base panel with respect to the ground and to maintain it distanced from the ground itself by a predefined distance. The support structure further comprises at least one back panel substantially parallel to the vertical wall of the home environment and, as indicated above, arranged at a predefined distance from said vertical wall. The aforesaid base and back panels form, in use, respectively with the ground and the vertical wall of the home environment an interspace having a substantially "L" shape. Said interspace comprises a zone extending horizontally adjacentto the ground and a zone extending vertically parallel to the vertical wall of the home environment, and communicating with the previous zone.

[0008] The furniture of the known type further comprises at least one covering baseboard connected frontally to at least one foot and having an extension substantially equal to the one of the support structure. Said covering baseboard is configured to cover, at least partially, the feet and has a height orthogonal to the ground substantially equal to a heightof each foot, so as to cover them.

[0009] The furniture for a kitchen of known type briefly described here has proved not to be without drawbacks in practice.

[0010] The main drawback consists in the fact that the furniture for a kitchen of known type does not allow ventilation and / or aeration thereof, i.e. the passage of an airflow through the furniture itself, and therefore does not allow an efficient recirculation of air in the home environmentin which said furniture is situated, for example a kitchen.

[0011] More specifically, the furniture of known type has at least one interspace, such as the one briefly described above, at least partially closed and inside which stagnant air remains that produces an accumulation of multiple polluting substances and elements, for example carbon dioxide, dust and mites and even mould spores. Furthermore, if smokers are present in the home environment, the substances released by the smoke, in addition to the aforesaid polluting substances, are deposited on and / or impregnate the furniture of the home environment (in particular of the kitchen), contributing to the creation of an environmentthat is potentially harmful to human health. In addition, the air contained in the interspace has a highertemperaturethan a temperature of the home environment, with the consequent formation of thermal gradients in the home environment itself. This can aggravate the conditions briefly described above.OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

[0012] An object of the present invention is to provide a piece of furniture for a home environment which makes it possibleto overcome, at least in part, the drawbacks of the prior art described above.

[0013] In particular, an object of the present invention is to provide a piece of furniture for a home environment that allows the air present in the home environment itself to be kept clean and / or fresh or, in any case ventilated / aerated, and therefore to avoid the accumulation of stagnant and dirty air in certain zones of the home environment.

[0014] A further object of the present invention is to provide a piece of furniture for a home environment that allows adequate ventilation / aeration and that is, at the same time, compact and / or not bulky.

[0015] A further object of the present invention is to provide a piece of furniture for a home environment that allows adequate ventilation / aeration without excessively complicating the structure of the piece of furniture.

[0016] A further object of the present invention is to provide a piece of furniture for a home environment that is simple and economical.SUMMARY

[0017] In this context, the technical task underlying the present invention is to propose a piece of furniture for a home environment which overcomes the drawbacks of the prior art cited above. In particular, the aforesaid objects are achieved with a piece of furniture in accordance with the features set forth in independent claim number 1.

[0018] The dependent claims outline particularly advantageous embodiments of the invention.BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0019] Further features and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the indicative and thus non-limiting description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of a piece of furniture for a home environment, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which: Figure 1A shows, according to a perspective view, a piece of furniture for a home environment according to an embodiment of the invention; Figure 1B shows, according to a bottom perspective view, the piece of furniture illustrated in Figure 1A; Figure 2 shows, according to a longitudinal sectional view, a portion of the piece of furniture illustrated in Figure 1A; Figure 3A shows, according to an exploded top perspective view, a detail of the piece of furniture illustrated in Figure 1A; Figure3B shows, according to an exploded bottom perspective view, the detail illustrated in Figure 3A.

[0020] With reference to the drawings, they serve solely to illustrate embodiments of the invention for the purpose of better clarifying, in combination with the description, the inventive principles at the basis of the invention.DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0021] With reference to the accompanying figures, the number 10 denotes, in its entirety, a piece of furniture fora home environment, in particular a kitchen, the subject matter of the present invention.

[0022] The piece of furniture according to the invention has a particular and advantageous application when operatively associated with one or more household appliances, such as, for example, a refrigerator, an oven, a dishwasher and others not expressly indicated here.

[0023] In accordance with the embodiment illustrated in the appended figures, and in particular Figure 1A, the piece of furniture 10 for a home environment, in particular a kitchen, comprises at least one module comprising at least one main panel adapted to define at least one part of a box-shaped structure of the module, extending around acontainmentvolume accessible from a front opening A, in use, facing a user.

[0024] Preferably, as illustrated in the appended figures, the main panel has a substantially planarshape and extends along a first axis Y-Y between a first end 22a and a second end 22b opposite to the first end 22a (see Figure 1A). The main panel is configured to delimit the home environment from an interspace S1 created between the main panel and the ground and / or the main panel and a vertical wall of the home environment.

[0025] According to an aspect of the invention, the main panel is positioned, in use, proximal to the vertical wall of the home environment and / or parallel to the ground, so as to create the aforesaid interspace S1. More specifically, the interspace S1 can have a substantially "L" shape, i.e. it can comprise a first zone S1a extending parallel to the ground delimited between the main panel and the ground itself; and a second zone S1b connected to the first zone S1a that extends parallel to the vertical wall and is delimited by the vertical wall itself and the main panel.

[0026] According to the embodiment illustrated in the appended figures, the main panel has a recess 20 obtained at a perimeter edge portion of the main panel, and extending, at least partially, parallel to the perimeter edge, for a predefined depth along a direction orthogonal to the perimeter edge, in particular along a second axis Z-Z orthogonal to the first axis Y-Y. Preferably, the recess 20 is obtained substantially centred at the width of the base panel 11, i.e. astride the first axis Y-Y, but could also be offset with respect to the first axis Y-Y.

[0027] According to an aspect of the invention, the piece of furniture 10 comprises a motorised ventilation unit30 connected to the main panel so as to obtain a forced ventilation of the interspace S1 and in fluid communication between the home environment and the interspace S1 itself, passing through the ventilation unit 30 itself.

[0028] Advantageously, the motorised ventilation unit 30 produces an airflow in accordance with a direction of flow preferably turned from the home environment towards the interspace S1, so as to ventilate and / or aerate the interspace S1 itself, in order to avoid the formation and accumulation of dirt and / or dust.

[0029] In this manner, the home environment is efficiently ventilated, with consequent improvement of the air quality, as well as of the hygiene conditions of the home environment itself.

[0030] According to an embodiment of the invention, in particular illustrated in Figure 1A-3B, the main panel is a base panel 22 extending parallel to the ground along the substantially horizontal first axis Y-Y, between said first end 22a proximal to the vertical wall and said second end 22b opposite to the first end 22a and turned towards the user. Preferably, the recess 20 is obtained at the second end 22b of the main panel.

[0031] Preferably, the recess 20 is obtained by means of milling processing, and has a preferably substantially rectangular shape.

[0032] In more detail, the piece of furniture 10 comprises a plurality of feet 80 connected below the base panel 22 and configured to be placed on the ground so as to create, in use, the interspace S1 with the ground itself, and a covering baseboard 40 connected to at least one foot 80 and configured to cover, at least partially, the interspace S1.

[0033] In otherwords, the feet 80 are configured to support the base panel 22 with respect to the ground, so as to raise it from the ground itself to a height proportionate to the extension of said feet 80.

[0034] According to an aspect of the invention, illustrated in detail in Figure 2, the ventilation unit 30 in the configuration mounted on the base panel 22 is arranged astride the covering baseboard 40, so as to allow the fluid communication between the interspace S1 and the home environment. Advantageously, the ventilation unit 30 is capable of ventilating the interspace S1 passing over the covering baseboard 40, without the need to disconnect and / or disassemble said covering baseboard 40 from the feet 80, and therefore maintaining a high degree of aesthetics of the piece of furniture 10.

[0035] According to another embodiment of the invention, the main panel is a side panel 23 arranged proximal to and facing the vertical wall of the home environment and extending parallel to the vertical wall along a second axis Z-Z orthogonal to the first axis Y-Y.

[0036] In particular, according to an embodiment of the invention not illustrated in the appended figures, the ventilation unit 30 can be mounted at a perimeter edge portion of the side panel 23.

[0037] According to an embodiment of the invention notillustrated in the appended figures, the main panel is a head panel 24 arranged opposite to the base panel 22 (on the top of the piece of furniture) and the ventilation unit30 is mounted at an edge portion of the head panel 24 arranged turned towards and proximal to the vertical wall of the home environment.

[0038] According to an aspect of the invention, the ventilation unit30 comprises a containment body 31 shaped to be crossed by the airflow and to be housed, at least partially, in the recess 20 when mounted on the main panel, so as to create a crossing conduit that places the interspace S1 in fluid communication with the home environment for a ventilation thereof.

[0039] In more detail, as illustrated in Figure 3A-3B, the containment body 31 comprises a lower shell 31a and an upper shell 31b connectible and counter-shaped to the lower shell 31a so as to define, in use, the aforesaid crossing conduit.

[0040] More specifically, the lowershell31a and the upper shell 31b define, in use, an inner cavity configured to allow a crossing thereof by the airflow. Preferably, the lower shell 31a and the upper shell 31b are made from a polymeric material, for example by means of a moulding process. Preferably, the connection between the lower shell 31a and the uppershell 31b is of the "snap-fit" type.

[0041] Advantageously, the ventilation unit can be easily disassembled for its rapid and easy inspection and / or maintenance.

[0042] According to an aspect of the invention, the lower shell 31a and the upper shell 31b are shaped substantially in a "Z" shape and comprise respectively a first portion 31a', 31b' and a second portion 31a", 31b" vertically staggered with each other and substantially planar (see Figure 3A-3B).

[0043] In particular, the connection between the ventilation unit30 and the base panel 22 is obtained, at least partially, at the second portion 31b".

[0044] In other words, the ventilation unit30 is shaped so as to be connected to the base panel, at the recess 20, with the second portion 31b" of the upper shell, whereas the first portion 31b' is housed, at least partially, in the aforesaid recess 20. The lower shell 31a, being connected to the uppershell 31b, is adapted accordingly.

[0045] Advantageously, the ventilation unit30 in a mounted configuration thereof is compact and / or not bulky, as it does not protrude beyond the thickness of the base panel 22 to which it is connected.

[0046] According to an aspect of the invention, in particularillustrated in Figure 3A, the ventilation unit30 comprises finned means 32 rotatably mounted at the first portion 31a' of the lower shell 31a and movable so as to impart to the airflow a predefined outflow direction into the ventilation unit 30.

[0047] In particular, the finned means 32 are fins arranged at an inlet mouth 301 of the ventilation unit30, so as to receive the airflow coming into the ventilation unit 30 and direct it in accordance with a predefined and desired outflow direction.

[0048] According to an aspect of the invention, the aforesaid fins extend, at least partially, along the second axis Z-Z, and are preferably organised in pairs with each other.

[0049] In more detail, the ventilation unit 30 comprises a plurality of fins, in particular 3 pairs of fins, for example arranged parallel with each other and arranged along the second axis Z-Z at regulardistance intervals from each other.

[0050] Preferably, the finned means 32 are made of a polymeric material.

[0051] The ventilation unit 30 further comprises a fan 33 mounted in the second portion 31a" of the lower shell 31a and configured to rotate around its own rotation axis W-W so as to produce said airflow.

[0052] Preferably, the rotation axis W-W is, in use, substantially orthogonal to the ground.

[0053] The ventilation unit30 further comprises actuating means connected to the fan 33 and configured to drive it in rotation around the rotation axis W-W.

[0054] Preferably, the actuating means comprise at least one electric motor, in particularof the brushless type, preferably directly connected to the fan 33. Preferably, the actuating means comprise at least one electric cable configured to be connected to a corresponding electric socket to electrically power the brushless motor and therefore the fan 33.

[0055] According to an aspect of the invention, in particular illustrated in Figure 2, the fan 33 is mounted with its rotation axis W-W coplanarto a surface of the main panel.

[0056] In other words, the fan 33 is connected to the main panel (for example to the base panel 22 of Figure 2).

[0057] As indicated above, the fan 33 is configured to produce an airflow from the home environment towards the interspace S1 passing over the covering baseboard 40 to ventilate the interspace S1 itself.

[0058] According to an aspect of the invention, the upper shell 31b comprises a plurality of ribs 34 arranged at a face turned internally towards the ventilation unit30 and configured to divert the airflow so as to direct it between the inlet mouth 301 and an outlet mouth 302 of the ventilation unit 30.

[0059] Preferably, as illustrated in Figure 3B, the plurality of ribs 34 is obtained in a single piece on the lower shell 31b, extends substantially along the second axis Z-Z, and extends orthogonally to said second axis Z-Z, i.e. orthogonally to a direction of flow of the airflow, for example performing a function entirely similar to a barrier.

[0060] In other words, the plurality of ribs 34 extends orthogonally to a surface of the second portion 31b" of the upper shell 31b.

[0061] Advantageously, the ribs 34 give strength and rigidity to the uppershell 31a and therefore to the ventilation unit 30, and also intercept and divert the airflowthat crosses them, imparting to it a change in direction that produces a motion of the turbulent type of the airflow that serves to increase the efficacy of ventilation of the interspace S1.

[0062] According to an aspect of the invention, the plurality of ribs 34 are connected to each other in a mannerso as to obtain substantially a single continuous rib.

[0063] Preferably, each rib 34 has a substantially curved shape.

[0064] According to an aspect of the invention, the ventilation unit 30 comprises filtering means 50 reversibly connectible to the containment body 31 and configured to intercept, at least partially, dust and / or dirt and / or bacteria carried by the airflow crossing the ventilation unit 30.

[0065] According to an aspect of the invention, the filtering means 50 are arranged preferably substantially orthogonal to the crossing conduit defined by the coupling between the lower shell 31a and the upper shell 31b of the ventilation unit30, i.e. substantially orthogonally to the direction of flow of the airflow.

[0066] According to an aspect of the invention, the filtering means 50 comprise at least one filter, preferably extractable from the ventilation unit 30, for example for maintenance and / or replacement operations of the filter itself. Preferably, the filer has a substantially rectangular shape and extends, at least partially, continuously along the second axis Z-Z.

[0067] According to an aspect of the invention, the ventilation unit30 comprises at least one LED 60 mounted on the containment body 31, in particular preferably at the lower shell 31b, and configured to emit a beam of UV type rays at least partially towards the airflow, in order to disinfect it from bacteria and / or viruses.

[0068] Advantageously, the LED 60 contributes to sanitising the airflow, reducing to a minimum the presence of the bacteria and / or viruses contained in it, and therefore improves the quality of the airflow itself.

[0069] According to an aspect of the invention, the ventilation unit30 comprises a plurality of fans 32, each mounted in the lower shell 31b, and arranged aligned with each other at regular distance intervals.

[0070] According to an aspect of the invention, the airflow has a direction of flow preferably oriented by the interspace S1 towards the home environment However, according to a further aspect of the invention, in particular illustrated in Figure 2, the aforesaid airflow can have a direction of flow opposite to the one just described, i.e. from the home environment towards the interspace S1, withoutthus making changes to the ventilation unit30.

[0071] For example, such inversion of the airflow is implementable preferably by acting on the direction of rotation of the plurality of fans 32.

[0072] As illustrated in Figure3A, the ventilation unit30 preferably comprises three fans 32, preferably equal to each other, and arranged along a direction of extension of the lower shell 31b of the containment body 31.

[0073] A further object of the present invention is also an apparatus for a home environment, of which for the sake of simplicity of exposure the same numerical references introduced previously will be maintained.

[0074] The apparatus for a home environment comprises a piece of furniture 10 having the features in accordance with what has been described above, and at least one household appliance installable in the piece of furniture 10. According to an aspect of the invention, the ventilation unit 30 of the piece of furniture 10 comprises a control device 70, and detection means 90 for detecting the operation of at least one household appliance, configured to detect when the household appliance enters into operation.

[0075] As illustrated in Figure 3A, the control device is preferably mounted at the lower shell 31a, in particular arranged between two fans 33.

[0076] In more detail, the control device 70 is connected to the detection means 90 and configured to receive a detection signal detecting operation of the household appliance, and to command activation of the ventilation unit30 when entry into operation of the household appliance is detected. According to an aspect of the invention, the control device 70 is preferably a circuit, for example a circuit of the printed type.

[0077] According to an aspect of the invention, the detection means 80 comprise at least one amperometric sensor preferably mounted on the supplyconduit of the household appliance so as to detect the passage of electric current thereof, which occurs when the household appliance is in operation.

Claims

1. A piece of furniture (10) for a home environment, in particular a kitchen, comprising at least one module comprising at least one panel adapted to define at least one part of a box-shaped structure of said module, extending around a containment volume accessible from a front opening (A), in use, facing a user; said panel being configured to delimit the home environment from an interspace (S1) created between said panel and the ground and / or said panel and a vertical wall of the home environment; wherein said panel has a recess (20) obtained at a perimeter edge portion of said panel, and extending, at least partially, parallel to said perimeter edge for a predefined depth along an orthogonal direction to said perimeter edge; and it comprises a motorised ventilation unit(30) connected to said panel at said recess (20), so as to create a forced ventilation of the interspace (S1), placing the home environment in fluid communication with the interspace (S1), passing through said ventilation unit (30); characterised in that said panel is defined by one or more of the following alternatives: - said panel is a base panel (22) extending parallel to the ground along a first axis (Y-Y) between a first end (22a) proximal to said vertical wall and a second end (22b) opposite said first end (22a) and turned towards the user; said piece of furniture (10) comprising a plurality of feet (80) connected below said base panel (11) and configured to be placed on the ground so as to create, in use, said interspace (S1) with the ground itself, and a covering baseboard (40) connected to at least one foot (80) and configured to cover, at least partially, the interspace (S1); or - said panel is a side panel (23) arranged proximal to and facing said vertical wall of the home environment and extending parallel to said vertical wall along a second axis (Z-Z) orthogonal to said first axis (Y-Y); said ventilation unit(30) being mounted at a perimeter edge portion of said side panel (23); or - said panel is a head panel (24) arranged opposite said base panel (22) and wherein said recess (20) and said ventilation unit(30) are arranged at an edge portion of said head panel (24) and arranged turned towards and proximal to said vertical wall of the home environment.

2. The piece of furniture (10) according to claim 1, wherein said ventilation unit(30) in said configuration mounted on said base panel (22) is arranged astride said covering baseboard (40), so as to allow said fluid communication between the interspace (S1) and the home environment.

3. The piece of furniture (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said ventilation unit (30) comprises a containmentbody (31) shaped to be crossed by the airflow and to be housed, at least partially, in said recess (40) when mounted on said panel, so as to create a crossing conduitthatplaces the interspace (S1) in fluid communication with the home environment for a ventilation thereof.

4. The piece of furniture (100) according to claim 3, wherein said containment body (31) comprises: - a lower shell (31a); and - an upper shell (31b) connectible and counter-shaped to said lower shell (31a) so as to define, internally, part of said crossing conduit.

5. The piece of furniture (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said lower shell (31a) and said upper shell (31b) are shaped substantially in a "Z" shape and comprise respectively a first portion (31a', 31b') and a second portion (31a", 31b") vertically staggered with each other and substantially planar.

6. The piece of furniture (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said ventilation unit (30) comprises: - a fan (33), preferably mounted in said second portion (31b'), and configured to rotate around its own axis of rotation (W-W) so as to produce said airflow, - actuating means connected to said fan (33) and configured to activate it in rotation around said axis of rotation (W-W).

7. The piece of furniture (100) according to claim 6, wherein said fan (33) is mounted with its own axis of rotation (W-W) coplanar to a surface of said main panel.

8. The piece of furniture (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said ventilation unit (30) comprises finned means (32) rotatably mounted at said first portion (31a') of said lower shell (31a) and movable so as to impart to the airflow a predefined outflow direction into said ventilation unit (30).

9. The piece of furniture (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said lower shell (31b) comprises a plurality of ribs (34) arranged at a face turned internally towards said ventilation unit(30), and configured to divert the airflow so as to direct the airflow itself between an inlet mouth (301) and an outlet mouth (302) of the ventilation unit (30).

10. The piece of furniture (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said ventilation unit (30) comprises filtering means (50) reversibly connectible to said containment body (31) and configured to intercept, at least partially, dust and / or dirt and / or bacteria carried by said airflow crossing said ventilation unit (30).

11. The piece of furniture (100) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said ventilation unit (30) comprises at least one LED (60) mounted on said containment body (31) and configured to emit a beam of UV type rays at least partially towards said airflow, in order to disinfect it from bacteria and / or viruses.

12. The piece of furniture (10) according to one or more of the preceding claims, wherein said ventilation unit (30) comprises a plurality of fans (32), each mounted in said lower shell (31b), and arranged aligned with each other at regular distance intervals.

13. An apparatus for a home environment, comprising: - a piece of furniture (10) according to any one of claims 1 to 12; - at least one household appliance installable in said piece of furniture (10), wherein said ventilation unit (30) of said piece of furniture (10) comprises: - a control device (70); - detection means (80) for detecting the operation of said at least one household appliance, configured to detect when said household appliance enters into operation; said control device (70) being connected to said detection means (80) and configured to: - receive a detection signal of operation of the household appliance; - command activation of the ventilation unit (30) when entry into operation of the household appliance is detected.

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