Display unit for storing and displaying food products, and corresponding system

Abstract

A display unit is provided for storing and displaying food products. It comprises left and right side walls, a top wall, a bottom wall and a transparent front pane (18). The walls delimit a chamber for the food products. The front pane is movable between a closed position, in which the front pane closes a front side of the chamber, and an open position, in which the front pane extends along the top wall. The display unit comprises a left guide (34) and a right guide. Each guide is provided at an upper part of an inner face of the left and right side walls, respectively, for guiding the front pane between the open and the closed position. Two sets of cooperating pivoting means are provided, one set for the left guide (34) and one set for the right guide. Each set comprises a pivot pin (86), extending substantially perpendicular to the respective side wall, and a coupling member (72,74) for engaging the respective pivot pin (86). One of the pivot pin and the coupling member is provided at an upper part of the front pane (18) and the other of the pivot pin and coupling member is provided at a front part of the respective guide. Each coupling member comprises an insertion opening for receiving the respective pivot pin (86) to enable pivoting the front pane (18) and for disengaging the pivot pins and coupling members to enable movement of the front pane along the guides.

Description

[0001] Title: Display unit for storing and displaying food products, and corresponding system

[0002] The invention relates to a display unit for storing and displaying food products, according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0003] A display unit of this type is used in commercial areas, such as convenience stores, quick service restaurants, petrol stations, and other food-to-go locations as either a self-service, or a served counter. The food products are held in a chamber of the display unit to be kept cold, or kept hot, depending on the type of food product. Customers can see what food products are available.

[0004] In one type of display unit known in the art, the display unit has a customer side and an operator side. Both sides are openable for providing access to the chamber for food products. The customer side of the display unit has a front pane of glass to allow viewing the food products. With the front pane closed, the display unit functions as served counter, wherein the products are removed from the counter by a servant. The front pane is provided along its side edges with a guiding frame that is movably connected to the side walls of the display unit for opening the customer side. With the customer side opened, the display unit functions as a self-service counter.

[0005] A disadvantage of the known display unit is that the guiding frame attached to the front pane obstructs the view onto the food products from the customer side.

[0006] The invention aims to solve at least one of these problems, or at least to provide an alternative. In particular, the invention aims to provide a display unit that provides a better view of the food products from the openable customer side.

[0007] This aim is achieved by a display unit according to claim 1.

[0008] The display unit is designed for storing and displaying food products. The display unit comprises a left side wall, a right side wall, a top wall, a bottom wall and a transparent front pane. The left side wall, right side wall, top wall and bottom wall delimit a chamber for the food products. The front pane is movable between a closed position and an open position. In the closed position, the front pane closes a front side of the chamber. In the open position, the front pane extends along the top wall. The display unit comprises a left guide and a right guide. Each guide is provided at an upper part of an inner face of the left side wall and right side wall, respectively. The guides are designed for guiding the front pane between the open and the closed position. The front pane is frameless. The front pane and the guides are provided with two sets of cooperating pivoting means, one set for the left guide and one set for the right guide. Each set of cooperating pivoting means comprises a pivot pin and a coupling member. The pivot pin extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the respective side wall. The coupling member is designed for engaging the respective pivot pin. One of the pivot pin and the coupling member is attached to an upper part of the front pane and the other of the pivot pin and coupling member is provided at a front part of the respective guide. Each coupling member comprises an insertion opening for receiving the respective pivot pin to enable pivoting the front pane and for disengaging the pivot pins from the respective coupling members to enable movement of the front pane along the guides.

[0009] When the pivot pins are inserted in the insertion openings of the coupling members, the front pane can pivot about a pivot axis that is located at a front part of the guide and at the upper part of the front pane. Thus, the front side of the chamber can be opened by pivoting the front pane until it extends substantially parallel to a plane of the top wall, i.e. substantially horizontally in case of a horizontal top wall. Since the front pane is frameless and the means for pivoting the front pane are attached to the upper part of the front pane, the side edges of the front pane can remain predominantly free of guides or other means for opening the front side of the chamber. An unobstructed view of the food products is thus obtained from the front as well as obliquely from the front left and front right of the display unit.

[0010] Moreover, also the front edge of the side walls can remain predominantly free of guides or other means for moving the front pane. Although the guides of the display unit according to the invention may extend toward a front of the side walls, the guides can be arranged substantially horizontally so that they only extend over a limited portion of the side walls.

[0011] An additional advantage of the display unit according to the present invention is that the front pane will remain relatively clean. In conventional display units with guides at the side edge of the front pane, contamination may accumulate in the space between the front pane and the guides. In particular, this contamination at the edge of the front pane is in full view of the customer. In contrast, according to the invention the edges of the front pane can remain predominantly free of guides, which thus prevents contamination to accumulate. In addition, the uncovered edges of the front plane are easier to clean.

[0012] In the context of the present disclosure, the term "at" is to be understood to encompass both "near" and "on" / "attached to". Specifically, "provided at a front part of the guide" is understood to encompass both "provided near a front part of the guide (not necessarily attached thereto)" and "attached to a front part of the guide". The term "attached to" has its regular meaning of direct attachment.

[0013] Each coupling member receives the respective pivot pin to enable pivoting the front pane. In some embodiments, the front pane moves relative to the pivot pin, e.g. when the coupling member is attached to the front pane and pivots about the pivot pin. In other embodiments the front pane moves together with the pivot pin, e.g. when the front pane is provided with a pivot pin and rotates together with the pivot pin.

[0014] Preferred embodiments are defined in the dependent claims.

[0015] In an embodiment, the front pane has a shape of a rectangle with cut out corners such that the upper part has a smaller width than a lower part of the front pane.

[0016] The upper part of the front pane is provided with the coupling means or pivot pins for cooperation with the pivoting means of the guides. This upper part has a smaller width to facilitate pivoting of the front pane, in particular so that is not blocked by the guides when pivoting. Preferably, the width of the upper part is smaller than the distance between the left and right guide so that the upper part does not engage the guides when moving between the open and closed position. By providing the lower part of the front pane with a greater width than the upper part, this lower part can engage with the guides to move the front pane between the closed and open position, while ensuring the front pane closes off the chamber effectively in the closed position.

[0017] Preferably, the width of the lower part corresponds approximately to the distance between the side walls. The width of the lower part may be slightly larger than the distance between the side walls so that, in the closed position, the lower part of the front pane abuts the front edges of the side walls. For example, the width of the lower part of the front pane corresponds to the distance between the side walls plus two times the thickness of the side walls. Alternatively, the width of the lower part may be slightly smaller than the distance between the side walls, e.g. 1-5 mm, to leave a small gap between the front pane and the side walls in the closed position.

[0018] In an embodiment, each pivot pin is provided at the front part of the respective guide, and each coupling member is attached to the upper part of the front pane. Since the coupling member is attached to the front pane, it rotates together with the front pane. This ensures that the insertion opening is arranged substantially vertically in the closed position of the front pane. Thus, in the closed position of the front pane, the front pane cannot be moved horizontally which would disengage the pivot pin from the coupling means. Thus, the front pane is prevented from being taken out of the display unit.

[0019] Preferably, the coupling members for engaging the pivot pins of the left guide and the right guide are provided at the left and right corners of the upper part of the front pane, respectively.

[0020] In an embodiment, each coupling member comprises a part with a U-shaped cross-section, with a first and a second leg protruding from a base and a space in between the legs, said space forming the insertion opening. Preferably, the part with the U-shaped cross-section is plate-shaped and extends substantially perpendicular to the pivot pin.

[0021] In a further embodiment, the first leg of the U-shaped part comprises a flat face that is positioned against a side edge of the upper part of the front pane.

[0022] In an embodiment, the free end of the first leg and / or the free end of the second leg is slanted such that the insertion opening of the coupling member gradually narrows in the direction towards the base of the U-shaped cross-section. This facilitates smooth insertion of the pivot pin in the insertion opening.

[0023] In an embodiment, the distance between a lower face of each guide and an upper edge of the lower part of the front pane that delimits the respective cut out upper corner is smaller than a length of the second leg, measured from the base of the coupling member to a free end of the second leg. In other words, the second leg is longer than said distance between the upper edge of the front pane's lower part and a lower face of each guide. This prevents lifting out the front pane via the front side of the display unit. In the closed position, the second leg forms the backmost leg and blocks movement of the front pane out of the display unit. In the closed position, it may be possible to move the front pane some distance in the vertical direction, as the pivot pin can move within the insertion opening. However, the second leg ensures the pivot pin remains in the insertion opening, at least until the vertical movement is blocked by the upper edge of the front pane's lower part contacting the lower edge of the guides.

[0024] In an embodiment, the pivot pin has a first end that is attached to the guide and a second end that forms a free end, wherein a diameter of the pivot pin increases towards its free end. This ensures alignment of the front pane in a left-right direction. The coupling means at the upper part of the front pane are guided towards the smaller diameter part of the pivot pins, thereby aligning the front pane.

[0025] In a further embodiment, the first end of the pivot pin is attached to the guide by threading, wherein the free end of the pivot pin is chamfered for fastening and unfastening the pivot pin using a spanner. Fastening using a spanner is preferred over using a screwdriver, as the latter would require one or more grooves in the pivot pin which collect dirt during use. Thus, a chamfered free end of the pivot pin supports a hygienic use of the display unit.

[0026] In an embodiment, a lower part of the front pane is provided with at least one tab that extends beyond a lower edge of the front pane for abutting against a lower front wall of the display unit in the closed position. This prevents pivoting of the front pane beyond its closed position and into the chamber. The at least one tab may also serve as a handle for operators to open the front pane.

[0027] In an embodiment, each guide is an elongated guide comprising a horizontal guiding surface for guiding the front pane. Preferably, the horizontal guiding surface comprises a low friction material, preferably polyoxymethylene (POM). This ensures that the front pane can slide over the horizontal guiding surface easily, without the need to provide the edges of the front pane with guides or a coating or lubrication.

[0028] For example, the low friction material has a static coefficient of friction (with glass) of less than 0.6, preferably less than 0.4. Preferably the low friction material comprises a polymer, more preferably polyoxymethylene ("POM" or "acetal") or polytetrafefluoroethylene ("PTFE") or a polyamide. POM and PTFE have the advantages of providing a low friction, being food safe, and having a high temperature resistance (at least 120 degrees). In addition, POM has a high hardness of about 150 Shore D which ensures a durable guide.

[0029] In a further embodiment, the elongated guide comprises at its front end a slanted surface adjoining the horizontal guiding surface for facilitating pivoting of the front pane.

[0030] In an embodiment, the display unit comprises a back wall. The back wall delimits the chamber for the food products, e.g. it closes off the back side of the chamber. This is particularly advantageous for display units for keeping food products warm, as the closed off back side keeps hot air inside the chamber and prevents cooler air from entering the chamber. In display units for keeping food products cold, the cold air tends to stay in the bottom of the chamber, and there is less need for a back wall.

[0031] Nevertheless, if desired a back wall may also be provided in display units for keeping food products cold.

[0032] Preferably, the back wall comprises at least one door. The door may be formed by the entire back wall or part thereof. The openable back wall provides access to the chamber from an operator side, while the openable front pane provide access to the chamber from a customer side.

[0033] The invention further relates to a system for storing and displaying food products, according to claim 18. The system comprises a base for accommodating heating and / or cooling means, and a display unit according to any one or more of the above described embodiments, the display unit being positioned atop said base.

[0034] The same technical effects as described above in relation to the inventive display unit apply to the system. Moreover, the same preferred features as defined for the display unit are preferred features for the system.

[0035] The invention, its effects, and advantages will be explained in more detail on the basis of the schematic drawings, in which:

[0036] Fig. 1 shows a perspective view of a system for storing and display food products according to the invention, wherein the front pane of the display unit is in its closed position;

[0037] Fig. 2 shows a perspective view of the system of Fig. 1, wherein the front pane is pivoted towards a horizontal orientation;

[0038] Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of the display unit of Fig. 1 and 2, wherein the front pane extends substantially horizontally and is moved along the guides towards its open position;

[0039] Fig. 4 shows a schematic front view of a left upper corner section of the front pane of Fig. 1-3;

[0040] Fig. 5 shows the coupling member of the system of Fig. 1-3 in detail;

[0041] Fig. 6 shows details of the guide and front pane of the display unit of Fig. 1-3 at the left upper corner section;

[0042] Fig. 7-9 show cross-sectional side views of the left upper corner of the front side of the display unit of Fig. 1-6, with the front pane in the closed position (Fig. 7), a tilted position (Fig. 8) and a substantially horizontal position (Fig. 9); and

[0043] Fig. 10 shows in perspective view details of the front pane and guides of an alternative display unit according to the invention.

[0044] Figure 1 shows a system 2 for displaying and storing food products. The system 2 comprises a base 4 and a display unit 6 atop the base 4. The base 4 holds equipment for maintaining the food products in the display unit 6 at the desired temperature, e.g. means for heating and / or cooling. In this embodiment, the base 4 is made of stainless steel. The display unit 6 comprises a back wall 8, a left side wall 10, a right side wall 12, a top wall 14, a bottom wall 16 and a front pane 18. In use, the back wall 8 is typically positioned at an operator side and the front pane 18 is positioned at a customer side. Each of the back wall 8, side walls 10, 12, top wall 14 and front pane 18 comprise a transparent plate to provide a view of food products stored in the display unit 6. The front pane 18 is frameless and consists of the transparent plate only. In this embodiment, the transparent plates are made of glass. The bottom wall 16 of this embodiment is formed by three trays for holding the food products.

[0045] In this embodiment, the display unit 6 further comprises an optional lower front wall 20 that is also transparent. The front pane 18 is provided at its lower edge with two tabs 22, 24 that serve as handles for opening and closing the front pane 18. The tabs 22, 24 abut against the lower wall 20 when the front pane 18 is in the closed position as depicted in Fig. 1.

[0046] In this embodiment, the back wall 8 comprises a sliding door 26 for opening and closing the operator side of the display unit 6.

[0047] Uprights 28 and 30 are provided at both side walls 10, 12 of display unit 6. The upper ends of uprights 28, 30 are connected to each other via a horizontal part 31 to form a support frame arranged at a back portion of the display unit 6. In this embodiment, the uprights 28, 30 and the horizontal part 31 are formed as a single piece. The upright 28 extends substantially vertically and is arranged approximately halfway between the operator side and the front side. The upright 30 is arranged all the way back, adjoining the back wall 8, and extends at an angle corresponding to the angle of the back wall 8. Each support frame 28, 30, 31 is connected to and supported by the base 4. Each support frame 28, 30, 31 is arranged adjacent to the respective side wall 10, 12, but preferably not attached thereto. The support frames of both side walls 10, 12 are connected to each other via a beam 32. In this embodiment, the support frames 28, 30, 31 and the beam 32 comprise metal, such as stainless steel. The beam 32 may optionally be provided with lights and / or heating means (not shown).

[0048] The display unit 6 comprises a left guide 34 and a right guide 36 arranged at an upper part of the side wall 10, 12, respectively. In this embodiment, the guides 34, 36 are attached to the horizontal part 31 of the left and right support frames 28, 30, 31. The guides 34, 36 extend substantially horizontally along the top wall. The display unit 6 further comprises two sets of cooperating pivoting means 37, each set comprising a pivot pin (see below), and coupling members 38, 40. The upper part of the front pane 18 is provided with the coupling members 38, 40. More details of the guides 34, 36 and coupling members 38, 40 will be described below with reference to Figures 5-10. Generally, the pivot pins and the coupling members 38, 40 cooperate to enable pivoting the front pane 18 as indicated by arrow A in Figure 2, to bring the front pane 18 into a horizontal position, as shown in Figure 3. In its horizontal orientation (Fig. 3) the front pane 18 can be moved along the guides 34, 36 as indicated by arrow B, to provide access to the chamber 42 of the display unit 6 (Fig. 2 and 3).

[0049] Figure 4 shows details of an upper left corner section of the front pane 18. The front pane 18 has a shape of a rectangle with cut-out upper corners. Figure 4 shows the upper left cut-out corner 43. Because of the cut-out upper corners, the front pane 18 has an upper part 44 with a width that is smaller than the width of an adjoining lower part 46. The upper part 44 has an upper edge 48 that forms the uppermost edge of the front pane 18. The upper part 44 further has a side edge 50 that delimits the left cut-out corner 43. The lower part 46 has an upper edge 52 that delimits the left cut-out corner 43. The lower part 46 further has a side edge 54 that forms the leftmost edge of the front pane 18. The side edge 54 of the lower part 46 extends at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the upper edge 48 of the upper part 44. The side edge 50 of the upper part 44 extends at an angle of substantially 90 degrees to the upper edge 52 of the lower part 46.

[0050] In this embodiment, the upper part 44 and lower part 46 have a substantially rectangular shape, except for a rounded off upper corner 58 of the upper part 44, a rounded off upper corner 60 of the lower part 46, and a rounded edge 62 that smoothly transitions between the upper edge 52 of the lower part 46 and the side edge 50 of the upper part 44.

[0051] The upper left corner 43 of the upper part 44 is optionally provided with a through-hole 63 for attaching a coupling member, as will be further described below.

[0052] Figure 5 shows details of the left coupling member 38. The coupling member 38 comprises a front wall 64, a top wall 66 adjoining the front wall 64 and a U-shaped part 68 that adjoins the front wall 64. The front wall 64, top wall 66 and U-shaped part 68 extend at substantially right angles to each other. The U-shaped part 68 is plate-shaped. Part 68 comprises a first leg 72 having a flat face for placing against the side edge 50 of the upper part 44 of the front pane 18 and a second leg 74 that is spaced apart from the first leg 72 to define an insertion opening 76 between the legs 72, 74.

[0053] Figure 6 shows the left coupling member 38 attached to the front pane 18. The front wall 64 of the left coupling member 38 is positioned against the front face of the front pane 18, the top wall 66 is positioned against the upper edge 48 of the front pane 18 and the first leg 72 of the U-shaped part 68 is positioned against the side edge 50 of the upper part 44 of the front pane 18. In this embodiment, the front wall 64 of the coupling member 38 comprises a protrusion 70 (Fig. 5) that fits in the through-hole 63 (Fig. 4) of the front pane 18 for attaching the coupling member to the front pane 18. The protrusion 70 is for example provided with external threads so that a nut (e.g. a cap nut) can be screwed onto the protrusion 70 extending through hole 63 to clamp the coupling member 38 onto the front pane 18. Alternatively or additionally, the protrusion 70 is fixed in the through-hole 63 using an adhesive.

[0054] For illustrative purposes, figure 6 depicts the left guide 34 as having a length that is shorter than the length of the side edge 54 of front pane 18. Although it is possible to use guides with such a relatively short length for supporting the front pane 18 in its horizontal position, it is preferred to use guides that have a length equal to or greater than the length of the side edge 54, so that the left side edge 54 and the right side edge (not shown) are supported over their entire length by the guides 34, 36.

[0055] The guide 34 comprises an outer frame 78 that holds an insert 80 of polyoxymethylene (POM). The outer frame 78 is made of a different material than the insert 80. In this embodiment, the outer frame 78 is made of stainless steel. The insert 80 has a U-shaped cross-section for receiving the front pane 18. The insert 80 is open towards the front side of the display unit 6 to allow the front pane 18 to enter or leave the guide 34. The insert 80 of the left guide 34 provides a horizontal surface 82 for supporting and guiding the front pane 18. The horizontal surface 82 of polyoxymethylene has a low friction with the glass of the front pane 18, such that the front pane 18 can slide easily over the horizontal surface 82. At the front end of the guide 34, the horizontal surface 82 continues into a slanted surface 84 to facilitate pivoting of the front pane 18. A pivot pin 86 is provided at a front part of the guide 34. One end of the pivot pin 86 is attached to the guide 34, from which the pivot pin 86 extends in a direction substantially perpendicular to the side wall 10. A similar pivot pin (not shown) is attached in a similar way to guide 36. Figure 6 shows the front pane 18 in a state wherein the coupling member 38 engages the pivot pin 86, with the pivot pin 86 positioned in insertion opening 76. The diameter of the pivot pin 86 increases towards its free end, to automatically align the coupling member 38 - and thus the front pane 18 - in the left-right direction in cooperation with the pivot pin at the guide 36.

[0056] As illustrated in Fig. 6, the lower part 46 of the front pane 18 has a width greater than the distance between the guides 34, 36, such that the front pane 18 - when positioned horizontally - is supported by the guides 34, 36. The upper part 44 of the front pane 18 has a width smaller than the distance between the guides 34, 36 to allow the coupling member 38 to engage the pivot pin 86.

[0057] Figures 7-9 shows details of the cooperation between the coupling member 38 and pivot pin 86 in their engaged state. In figure 7, the front pane 18 is in its closed position and extends substantially vertically. The insert 80 of the guide 34 has an upper wall 80a spaced apart from a lower wall 80b, to provide a slot of width c for receiving the front pane 18. The width c is greater or equal to the thickness d of the front pane 18. The first leg 72 extends a distance e from, and substantially parallel to, the back face of the front pane 18. The distance e corresponds to the distance / between the pivot pin 86 and the horizontal guiding surface 82 so that the front pane 18 is aligned with the horizontal surface when pivoted to a horizontal orientation (Fig. 9).

[0058] The front pane 18 is prevented from being lifted out of the display unit. Firstly, it is not possible to move the front pane 18 into the chamber (direction X in Fig. 7) because of the presence of leg 72 and because the pivot pin 86 extends behind the upper part 44 of the front pane 18 (Fig. 6). Secondly, the second leg 74 prevents moving the front pane 18 in the direction out of the chamber (direction -X in Fig. 7). Although it is possible to move the front pane 18 vertically over some distance (after removing or opening the top wall 14), namely until the upper edge 52 of the front pane's cut-out corner contacts the lower edge of the guide, the second leg 74 prevents lifting the front pane out of the display unit. This is because the length h of the second leg 74, measured from the base of the U-shaped part 38 to the free end of the second leg 74, is larger than the distance g between the upper edge 52 of the lower portion of the front pane 18 and the lower surface of the guide 34.

[0059] Referring to figures 4 and 5, the first leg 72 is positioned against the substantially straight side edge 50 of the upper part 44 of the front pane 18 and does not extend over the rounded edge 62. In other words, the first leg 72 extends over only a part of the height / of the upper part 44. This leaves a distance j between the free end of the first leg 72 and the upper edge 52 of the lower part 46 of the front pane 18, as illustrated in Figure 9. This figure shows the front pane 18 pivoted to a substantially horizontal orientation, with the coupling means 38 and the pivot pin 86 still in an engaged state. To ensure that the first leg 72 remains engaged with the pivot pin 86 until the lower (broader) part 44 of the front pane 18 is received by the guide 34, the pivot pin 86 is set back by a distance k relative to a front end 85 of the guide 34. The distance k is greater than the distance j.

[0060] Figures 4-9 illustrate the upper left section of the front pane 18, the left guide 34 and the left coupling member 38. The right upper left section of the front pane 18, the right guide 36 and the right coupling member 40 are mirror images of their lefthand counterparts.

[0061] Figure 10 illustrates an alternative to the embodiment of figures 1-9. Features in figure 10 corresponding to features of figures 1-9 have been given the same reference numeral increased by 100.

[0062] In the embodiment of figure 10, the front pane 118 comprises one or more through-holes 123 at its lower end that serves as handles. These through-holes are an alternative to the tabs 22, 24 of figures 1-9.

[0063] Figure 10 further illustrates that the pivot pin 186 has a diameter that is smallest at a middle part and increases both towards its free end and towards the end that is attached to the guide 134.

[0064] In this embodiment, the pivot pin 186 has a chamfered free end 187 to allow fastening and unfastening of the pivot pin 186 using a spanner.

[0065] The guide 134 has an open front end 185 for receiving the front pane 118, while its back end 187 is closed to provide a stopping surface for front pane 118.

[0066] Several variants are possible within the scope of the attached claims. The features of the above described preferred embodiments may be replaced by any other feature within the scope of the attached claims, such as the features of one of the other preferred embodiments, or as described in the following paragraphs.

[0067] In embodiments wherein each coupling member is attached to the upper part of the front pane and the respective pivot pin is provided at the front part of the respective guide, the pivot pins may alternatively be arranged rotatably and each coupling member may be arranged to engage the respective rotatable pivot pin in a clamping manner. In such an alternative embodiment, the front pane rotates together with the pivot pin. For example, the pivot pin is rotatable arranged by means of a bearing.

[0068] Instead of providing a pivot pin with an increasing diameter towards the end, a pivot pin is provided in an alternative embodiment with a constant cross section and attached under an upward angle to the side wall. Therefore, the term 'substantially perpendicular to the side wall' is understood within this specification as an angle which provides a horizontal component to the length direction of the pivot pin so as to enable engaging the respective coupling member and pivoting of the front pane. Any one or more of the back wall, left side wall, right side wall and top wall may be fully transparent or semi-transparent, e.g. comprising a semi-transparent mirror. The bottom wall may comprise more or less than three trays, and may alternatively be formed as a flat surface, instead of by trays. Also the optional lower wall may be semi-transparent or even non-transparent.

[0069] In an embodiment, the top wall has a slanted orientation with respect to a horizontal plane. In an embodiment, the side walls have a slanted orientation with respect to a vertical plane.

[0070] Instead of providing a left and right tab at the lower end of the front pane to serve as handles, a single tab may be provided that is preferably located in centrally. The lower wall against which the tabs rest in the closed position may be omitted, and the tabs may abut against the base of the system.

[0071] Instead of glass, the front pane and / or any of the walls of the display unit may comprises poly(methyl methacrylate), PMMA, also known as acrylic glass.

[0072] The left guide and right guide are preferably positioned in the chamber of the display unit, i.e. below the top wall. Alternatively, the guides may be positioned on top of the top wall.

[0073] In the embodiments of the figures, the guide comprises an outer frame that holds an insert, wherein the insert is of a different material than the outer frame. Alternatively, the guide and insert may comprises the same material. Instead of providing a guide and insert as separate pieces, the guide may be provided as a single piece.

[0074] The slanted surface adjoining the horizontal guiding surface may be rounded off instead of exhibiting a corner as shown in the figures.

Claims

CLAIMS1. Display unit (6) for storing and displaying food products, comprising a left side wall (10), a right side wall (12), a top wall (14), a bottom wall (16) and a transparent front pane (18), wherein:- the left side, right side, top and bottom walls (8, 10, 12, 14, 16) delimit a chamber (42) for the food products;- the front pane (18) is movable between a closed position, in which the front pane closes a front side of the chamber (42), and an open position, in which the front pane extends along the top wall (14); and- the display unit (6) comprises a left guide (34, 134) and a right guide (36), each guide (34, 36, 134) being provided at an upper part of an inner face of the left side wall (10) and right side wall (12), respectively, for guiding the front pane (18) between the open and the closed position; characterized in that the front pane (18) is frameless, and the front pane (18) and the guides (34, 36, 134) are provided with two sets of cooperating pivoting means (37), one set for the left guide (34, 134) and one set for the right guide (36), each set of cooperating pivoting means (37) comprising a pivot pin (86, 186), extending in a direction substantially perpendicular to the respective side wall (10, 12), and a coupling member (38, 40, 138) for engaging the respective pivot pin (86, 186), wherein one of the pivot pin (86, 186) and the coupling member (38, 40, 138) is attached to an upper part (44) of the front pane (18) and the other of the pivot pin (86, 186) and coupling member (38, 40, 138) is provided at a front part of the respective guide (34, 36, 134), each coupling member (38, 40, 138) comprising an insertion opening (76) for receiving the respective pivot pin (86, 186) to enable pivoting the front pane (18) and for disengaging the pivot pins (86, 186) from the respective coupling members (38, 40, 138) to enable movement of the front pane (18) along the guides (34, 36, 134).

2. Display unit (6) according to claim 1, wherein the front pane (18) has a shape of a rectangle with cut out corners (43) such that the upper part (44) has a smaller width than a lower part (46) of the front pane (18).

3. Display unit (6) according to claim 1 or claim 2, wherein in each set of cooperating pivoting means:- the pivot pin (86, 186) is provided at the front part of the respective guide (34, 36, 134); and- the coupling member (38, 40, 138) is attached to the upper part (44) of the front pane (18).

4. Display unit (6) according to claim 3, wherein the coupling members (38, 40, 138) for engaging the pivot pins (86, 186) of the left guide (34, 134) and the right guide (36) are provided at the left and right corners of the upper part (44) of the front pane (18), respectively.

5. Display unit (6) according to any one or more of the claims 1-4, wherein each coupling member (38, 40, 138) comprises a part (68) with a U-shaped cross-section, with a first and a second leg (72, 74) protruding from a base and a space in between the first and the second leg (72, 74), said space forming the insertion opening (76).

6. Display unit (6) according to claim 5, wherein the part (68) with the U-shaped cross-section is plateshaped and extends substantially perpendicular to the pivot pin (86, 186).

7. Display unit (6) according to the combination of claim 2, 3 and 6, wherein the first leg (72) comprises a flat face that is positioned against a side edge (50) of the upper part (44) of the front pane (18).

8. Display unit (6) according to any one more of the claims 5-7, wherein the free end of the first leg (72) is slanted and / or the free end of the second leg (74) is slanted, such that the insertion opening (86) of the coupling member (38, 40, 138) gradually narrows in the direction towards the base of the U-shaped cross-section.

9. Display unit (6) according to any one more of the claims 5-8, wherein the distance (g) between a lower face of each guide (34, 36) and an upper edge (52) of the lower part (46) of the front pane (18) that delimits the respective cut out upper corner (43) is smaller than a length (h) of the second leg (74), measured from the base of the coupling member (38, 40, 138) to a free end of the second leg (74).

10. Display unit (6) according to any one or more of the claims 3-9, wherein each pivot pin (86, 186) has a first end that is attached to the respective guide (34, 36, 134) and a second end that forms a free end, wherein a diameter of each pivot pin (86, 186) increases towards its free end.

11. Display unit (6) according to claim 10, wherein the first end of the pivot pin (86, 186) is attached to the guide (34, 36, 134) by threading, wherein the free end (187) of the pivot pin (86, 186) is chamfered for fastening and unfastening the pivot pin (86, 186) using a spanner.

12. Display unit (6) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein a lower part (46) of the front pane (18) is provided with at least one tab (22, 24) that extends beyond a lower edge ofthe front pane (18) for abutting against a lower front wall (20) of the display unit (6) in the closed position.

13. Display unit (6) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, wherein each guide (34, 36, 134) is an elongated guide comprising a horizontal guiding surface (82) for guiding the front pane (18).

14. Display unit (6) according to claim 13, wherein the horizontal guiding surface (82) comprises a low friction material, preferably polyoxymethylene (POM).

15. Display unit (6) according to claim 13 or 14, the elongated guide (34, 36, 138) comprising at its front end a slanted surface (84) adjoining the horizontal guiding surface (82) for facilitating pivoting of the front pane (18).

16. Display unit (6) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, further comprising a back wall (8) delimiting the chamber for the food products, wherein the back wall (8) preferably comprises at least one door (26).

17. System (2) for storing and displaying food products, comprising:- a base (4) for accommodating heating and / or cooling means; and- a display unit (6) according to any one or more of the preceding claims, positioned atop said base(4).

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