A carrier element

Abstract

The present invention discloses a carrier element suitable for use in a cooling device (C). said carrier element comprises at least one base (1); at least two side walls (2) provided opposite each other on the side sections of the base (1); at least one rear wall (3) provided on a rear section of the base (1); at least one front wall (4) provided on a front section of the base (1) that is away from the rear wall (3); at least two first connecting elements (1a), each provided on a section of the base (1) that is close to the front wall (4), wherein distances of the first connecting elements (1a) to a side wall (2) are different from the other; at least two second connecting elements (3a), each provided on said rear wall (3), wherein distances of the second connecting elements (3a) to a side wall (2) are different from the other; at least one divider (5) having at least a third connecting element (5a) suitable for attaching to said first connecting element (1a), at least a fourth connecting element (5b) suitable for attaching to said second connecting element (3a), and at least two side surfaces (5c), wherein at least one of the side surfaces (5c) has a concave form.

Description

[0001] DESCRIPTION

[0002] A CARRIER ELEMENT

[0003] Technical Field

[0004] The present invention relates to a drawer type carrier element suitable for use in a cooling device.

[0005] Background of the Invention

[0006] A cooling device such as a refrigerator comprises at least one body; at least one inner compartment provided in the body for placing the products to be cooled; at least one door providing access to the inner compartment; and at least one cooling system for cooling the inner compartment. Especially in a household cooling device, said cooling system comprises at least one compressor; at least one condenser; at least one evaporator; at least one capillary tube; and at least one refrigerant. Here, the evaporator cools down while the condenser heats up due to the change in the pressure of the refrigerant by the compressor and capillary tube. In other words, the cooling process is carried out by transferring the heat energy at the location of the evaporator to the location of the condenser.

[0007] A cooling device comprises a carrier element suitable for placing the products to be cooled or kept cool thereon, in the inner compartment. Depending on the type of said product, location of the product in the cooling device and user needs, the carrier element can be provided in the form of a shelf or a drawer. A shelf type carrier element only comprises a base section with a flat panel structure or a grid structure. A drawer type carrier element, on the other hand, comprises at least one base; two opposing side walls located on the base; a rear wall and a front wall, wherein a volume structure with an open top is obtained with said components. Thus, especially granular products such as fruits / vegetables are securely stored in said semi-open volume. However, a drawer type carrier element according to the prior art is used only for storage, without meeting different user needs. Brief Description of the Invention

[0008] The present invention discloses a carrier element suitable for use in a cooling device. Said carrier element comprises at least one base; at least two side walls provided opposite each other on the side sections of the base; at least one rear wall provided on a rear section of the base; at least one front wall provided on a front section of the base that is away from the rear wall; at least two first connecting elements, each provided on a section of the base that is close to the front wall, wherein distances of the first connecting elements to a side wall are different from each other; at least two second connecting elements, each provided on said rear wall, wherein distances of the second connecting elements to a side wall are different from each other; at least one divider having at least a third connecting element suitable for attaching to said first connecting element, at least a fourth connecting element suitable for attaching to said second connecting element, and at least two side surfaces, wherein at least one of the side surfaces has a concave form.

[0009] In the carrier element according to the present invention, the position of the divider within the carrier element can be adjusted by changing the first connecting element and the second connecting element to which the divider is attached, via the third connecting element and the fourth connecting element. In this way, the carrier element is divided into sections of different sizes in line with user needs. In addition, the divider can also be used as a bottle holder thanks to its concave side surface. Therefore, the carrier element can be used to meet various user requirements.

[0010] Object of the Invention

[0011] An object of the present invention is to provide a carrier element suitable for use in cooling devices.

[0012] Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrier element comprising a divider.

[0013] Another object of the present invention is to provide a carrier element capable of meeting different user needs. Description of the Drawings

[0014] Exemplary embodiments of the carrier element according to the present invention are illustrated in the attached figures, in which:

[0015] Figure 1 is a perspective view of the carrier element according to the invention.

[0016] Figure 2 is a top view of the carrier element according to the invention.

[0017] Figure 3 is another perspective view of the carrier element according to the invention.

[0018] Figure 4 is a perspective view of a semi-assembled version of the carrier element according to the invention.

[0019] Figure 5 is a side sectional view of a divider used in the carrier element according to the invention.

[0020] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a cooling device using the carrier element according to the invention.

[0021] Figure 7 is a detailed view of detail A illustrated in Figure 6.

[0022] All the parts illustrated in figures are individually assigned a reference numeral and the corresponding terms of these numbers are listed below:

[0023] Cooling device (C)

[0024] Body (G)

[0025] Inner compartment (B)

[0026] Door (K)

[0027] Bottle (S)

[0028] Detail (A)

[0029] Base (1)

[0030] First connecting element (1a)

[0031] Side wall (2)

[0032] Rear wall (3)

[0033] Second connecting element (3a)

[0034] Front wall (4)

[0035] Handle (4a)

[0036] Divider (5) Third connecting element (5a)

[0037] Fourth connecting element (5b)

[0038] Side surface (5c)

[0039] Description of the Invention

[0040] A cooling device such as a refrigerator comprises a carrier element, e.g. a drawer, on which products to be cooled or kept cold are placed. Said drawer type carrier element is used especially for storing products such as fruits and vegetables. In such carrier elements, dividers can be used to prevent the products to be stored from mixing with each other. However, if the dividers are fixed, it is not possible to create sections of different sizes in line with user needs. In addition, if the carrier element is used only for storage, different user needs cannot be met. For this reason, the present invention provides a carrier element for solving the aforementioned problems.

[0041] The carrier element according to the present invention, as illustrated in figures 1-7, is suitable for use in a cooling device (C) and comprises at least one base (1); at least two side walls (2) provided opposite each other on the side sections of the base (1); at least one rear wall (3) provided on a rear section of the base (1); at least one front wall (4) provided on a front section of the base (1) that is away from the rear wall (3); at least two first connecting elements (1a), each provided on a section of the base (1) that is close to the front wall (4), wherein distances of the first connecting elements (1a) to a side wall (2) are different from each other; at least two second connecting elements (3a), each provided on said rear wall (3), wherein distances of the second connecting elements (3a) to a side wall (2) are different from each other, wherein the second connecting elements (3a) are preferably aligned with the first connecting elements (1a); at least one divider (5) having at least a third connecting element (5a) suitable for attaching to said first connecting element (1a), at least a fourth connecting element (5b) suitable for attaching to said second connecting element (3a), and at least two side surfaces (5c), wherein at least one of the side surfaces (5c) has a concave form.

[0042] In an exemplary embodiment of the invention, said carrier element is used as a drawer within a cooling device (C), which can be a refrigerator. In this case, fruits and vegetables can be stored within the carrier element. To prevent different stored products from mixing with each other in the carrier, the divider (5) can be used to create separate sections within the carrier element. The divider (5) is attached by connecting the third connecting element (5a) to one of the first connecting elements (1a) and the fourth connecting element (5b) to one of the second connecting elements (3a) (for example, the second connecting element (3a) aligned with the first connecting element (1a)). In this way, at least two sections separated by the divider (5) are formed within the carrier element. By changing the first connecting element (1a) and the second connecting element (3a) to which the divider (5) is attached, the sizes of the sections created within the carrier element can be adjusted. Thus, a carrier element with sections of varying sizes can be obtained based on user needs. Here, the divider (5) can be detached from the carrier element and used as a bottle (S) holder. As shown in Figures 6-7, the divider (5) can be removed from the carrier element and positioned, for instance, on a shelf within an inner compartment (B) of the cooling device (C), with the concave side face (5c) facing upwards. In this position, a product with an inclined surface, such as a bottle (S), can be placed on the concave side surface (5c). The concave form of the side surface (5c) prevents the bottle (S) from rolling and falling over the side surface (5c). Thus, the bottle (S) can be securely placed inside the cooling device (C).

[0043] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the first connecting elements (1a) is in the form of a protrusion. In this embodiment, the third connecting element (5a), which is suitable for attaching to the first connecting element (1a), is preferably in the form of a slot. Here, by inserting the protruding first connecting element (1a) into the slot-shaped third connecting element (5a), a reliable connection between the third connecting element (5a) and the first connecting element (1a) is ensured. In an alternative embodiment, the first connecting element (1a) is in the form of a slot. In this embodiment, the third connecting element (5a) is in the form of a protrusion. Here, by inserting the protruding third connecting element (5a) into the slot-shaped first connecting element (1a), a reliable connection between the third connecting element (5a) and the first connecting element (1a) is ensured.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, each of the second connecting elements (3a) is in the form of a protrusion. In this embodiment, the fourth connecting element (5b), which is suitable for attaching to the second connecting element (3a), is preferably in the form of a channel. Here, by inserting the protruding second connecting element (3a) into the channel-shaped fourth connecting element (5b), a reliable connection between the fourth connecting element (5b) and the second connecting element (3a) is ensured. In an alternative embodiment, the second connecting element (3a) is in the form of a channel. In this embodiment, the fourth connecting element (5b) is in the form of a protrusion. Here, by inserting the protruding fourth connecting element (5b) into the channel-shaped second connecting element (3a), a reliable connection between the fourth connecting element (5b) and the second connecting element (3a) is ensured.

[0045] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, at least one side surface (5c) of the divider (5) is flat. This ensures that the divider (5) can be reliably positioned on its flat side surface (5c).

[0046] In a preferred embodiment of the invention, said front wall (4) is suitable for being attached to the base (1) and / or side walls (2) in a removable manner. In this embodiment, the carrier element comprises at least one snap-fit connection system to removably attach the front wall (4) to the base (1) and / or side walls (2). This embodiment allows the front wall (4) to be detached from the carrier element when necessary, facilitating easier cleaning of the carrier element, easier access to products within the carrier element, and allowing for the front wall (4) to be easily replaced in case of damage.

[0047] In another preferred embodiment of the invention, the front wall (4) comprises at least one handle (4a). This allows the carrier element to be easily moved by users when used as a drawer.

[0048] The present invention also discloses a cooling device (C) which comprises said carrier element. The cooling device (C), which can be a refrigerator, comprises at least one body (G); at least one inner compartment (B) provided in the body (G) and suitable for housing the carrier element; at least one door (K) providing access to the inner compartment (B); and at least one cooling system for cooling the inner compartment (B). The cooling system comprises at least one compressor; at least one condenser; at least one evaporator; at least one capillary tube; and at least one refrigerant.

[0049] In the carrier element according to the present invention, the position of the divider (5) within the carrier element can be adjusted by changing the first connecting element (1a) and the second connecting element (3a) to which the divider (5) is attached, via the third connecting element (5a) and the fourth connecting element (5b). In this way, the carrier element is divided into sections of different sizes in line with user needs. In addition, the divider (5) can also be used as a bottle holder thanks to its concave side surface (5c). Therefore, the carrier element can be used to meet various user requirements.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A carrier element suitable for use in a cooling device (C), characterized by comprising: at least one base (1); at least two side walls (2) provided opposite each other on the side sections of the base (1); at least one rear wall (3) provided on a rear section of the base (1); at least one front wall (4) provided on a front section of the base (1) that is away from the rear wall (3); at least two first connecting elements (1a), each provided on a section of the base (1) that is close to the front wall (4), wherein distances of the first connecting elements (1a) to a side wall (2) are different from each other; at least two second connecting elements (3a), each provided on said rear wall (3), wherein distances of the second connecting elements (3a) to a side wall (2) are different from each other; at least one divider (5) having at least a third connecting element (5a) suitable for attaching to said first connecting element (1a), at least a fourth connecting element (5b) suitable for attaching to the second connecting element (3a), and at least two side surfaces (5c), wherein at least one of the side surfaces (5c) has a concave form.

2. A carrier element according to claim 1 , characterized in that the second connecting elements (3a) are aligned with the first connecting elements (1a).

3. A carrier element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first connecting element (1a) is a protrusion.

4. A carrier element according to claim 3, characterized in that the third connecting element (5a) is a slot.

5. A carrier element according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the first connecting element (1a) is a slot.

6. A carrier element according to claim 5, characterized in that the third connecting element (5a) is a protrusion.

7. A carrier element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the second connecting element (3a) is a protrusion.

8. A carrier element according to claim 7, characterized in that the fourth connecting element (5b) is a channel.

9. A carrier element according to any of the claims 1 to 6, characterized in that the second connecting element (3a) is a channel.

10. A carrier element according to claim 9, characterized in that the fourth connecting element (5b) is a protrusion.

11. A carrier element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that at least one side surface (5c) of the divider (5) is flat.

12. A carrier element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that it comprises at least one snap-fit connection system to removably attach the front wall (4) to the base (1) and / or side walls (2).

13. A carrier element according to any of the preceding claims, characterized in that the front wall (4) comprises at least one handle (4a).

14. A cooling device (C) comprising a carrier element according to any of the preceding claims.

15. A cooling device (C) according to claim 14, characterized by comprising at least one body (G); at least one inner compartment (B) provided in the body (G) and suitable for housing the carrier element; at least one door (K) providing access to the inner compartment (B); and at least one cooling system for cooling the inner compartment (B).

6. A cooling device (C) according to claim 15, characterized in that the cooling system comprises at least one compressor; at least one condenser; at least one evaporator; at least one capillary tube; and at least one refrigerant.

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