Shelf for bottles

Abstract

Described is, among other things, a shelf (14) for storing bottles comprising a plurality of recessed grooves (17) for placement of wine bottles. The recessed grooves (17) are separated by ridges (18) and the shelf (14) is formed by a pressed paper material.

Description

[0001] Shelf for bottles

[0002] TECHNICAL FIELD

[0003] The present disclosure relates to a shelf for bottles in particular wine bottles and to a cabinet provided with shelves for bottles, in particular a wine cabinet.

[0004] BACKGROUND

[0005] Shelves for wine are typically provided in wine cabinets such as cooled wine cabinets and the like.

[0006] There is a constant desire to improve how wine is stored. Hence, there is a need for an improved shelf for storing wine bottles or other types of bottles.

[0007] SUMMARY

[0008] It is an object of the present invention to provide an improved shelf for storing bottles, in particular wine bottles.

[0009] This object and / or others are obtained by the shelf for storing bottles as set out in the appended claims.

[0010] As has been realized by the inventors, existing shelves for storing wine bottles and other bottles have some drawbacks. For example, wooden shelves for wine bottles require many assembly steps during manufacturing thereof. Further, while shelves for wine bottles made of metal typically can require less steps for assembly, metal is less preferred because it is a less sustainable material. By instead using a paper-based material such as paper comprising a resin, it is possible to provide a more sustainable shelf for storing bottles, in particular wine bottles. For example, it is possible to press, for example using a mold, a wine shelf in a similar way as a plastic injection mold.

[0011] By forming the shelf for storing bottles, in particular wine bottles, in such a manner details such as fixation holes or perforation holes for air circulation can be formed without adding any extra post process steps during assembly of the shelf.

[0012] In contrast, when working with wood, any detail to be added will generate extra post processing steps that would increase time for production and add manufacturing costs. For example, rounding a comer, carving a detail or making a hole demands the shelf to be longer on the assembly station resulting in a more costly final product.

[0013] In accordance with the invention, a shelf for storing bottles such as wine bottles comprising a plurality of recessed grooves for placement of bottles, in particular wine bottles, is provided. The recessed grooves are separated by ridges and the shelf is formed by a pressed paper material. Hereby a sustainable shelf that is easy to manufacture can be provided.

[0014] In accordance with one embodiment, the shelf is a monolithic assembly. By forming the shelf as a single, monolithic piece, the shelf can be produced without the need for additional assembly or machinery.

[0015] In accordance with one embodiment, at least one cut out is provided in the shelf. Hereby air can circulate more easily when the shelf is placed inside a wine cabinet. The at least one cut out can advantageously be provided in a groove and at least one cut out can be provided in each groove. In accordance with one embodiment, the shelf has a generally rectangular or square circumference and at least the front comers of the wine shelf are rounded. Hereby a user- friendly shape can be provided. The shaping of the corners can also be provided without additional machinery. Also, connectors for attaching the shelf to a pair of rails can be formed in the shelf. The forming of the connectors can be made without additional assembly since the connectors can be formed directly in the shelf.

[0016] In accordance with one embodiment, the plurality of recessed grooves is provided on one side of the shelf and on the opposite side of the shelf is made flat. Hereby, the shelf can be made to have a dual function by turning it upside down.

[0017] In accordance with another embodiment, a first set of recessed grooves is provided on one side of the shelf and on the opposite side of the shelf comprises a second set of recessed grooves having a different width than the first set of grooves. Hereby the same shelf can be used for different sizes of wine bottles.

[0018] The invention also extends to a cabinet such as a cooled cabinet, in particular a cooled wine cabinet, comprising the shelf as set out above.

[0019] BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0020] The present invention will now be described in more detail by way of non-limiting examples and with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which:

[0021] - Fig. 1 illustrates a wine cabinet,

[0022] - Figs. 2 and 3 illustrate a shelf for storing wine bottles according to a first embodiment, and

[0023] - Figs. 4 and 5 illustrate a shelf for storing wine bottles according to a second embodiment. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0024] In the following a shelf for storing wine bottles will be described. However, the shelf can also be used to store other types of bottles. In the Figures, the same reference numerals designate identical or corresponding elements throughout the several Figures. It will be appreciated that these figures are for illustration only and are not in any way restricting the scope of the invention. Also, it is possible to combine features from different described embodiments to meet specific implementation needs. Some components can be omitted in some embodiments.

[0025] In FIG. 1, a schematic view of a wine cabinet 10 is shown. The cabinet can typically be a cooled wine cabinet where wine bottles can be stored in a controlled environment. The inside of the wine cabinet 10 can be accessed via a door 12. Inside the wine cabinet 10, shelves 14 for storing wine bottles can be located. The shelves 14 can be fixed inside the wine cabinet by some fastening means such as screws or the like. In accordance with some embodiments, the shelves 14 can be placed on rails 16 for easier access of the wine bottles placed on a shelf 14.

[0026] In Fig. 2, a shelf 14 for storing wine bottles comprises a plurality of recessed grooves 17 for placement of wine bottles is shown. The recessed grooves 17 are separated by ridges 18. The grooves 17 can be formed as hollow sections of the shelf 14 as is shown in Fig. 1, but can also be solid. An advantage of providing a hollow groove 17 is that air can then circulate better inside the wine cabinet 10.

[0027] In accordance with the invention, the shelf 14 is formed by a paper-based material. The shelf can for example be formed by a material formed by paper that is mixed with a resin or a similar binding material that is pressed typically using a molding process to a desired shape. The material can for example be pressed into two metal molds, so the process of assembly becomes similar to a plastic injection process. By forming the shelf 14 in this way, the shelf can be shaped to fit inside the wine cabinet 10 in a single processing step. The shelf can be formed as one monolithic piece with all details formed during the molding.

[0028] In Fig. 2, a molded shelf 14 for storing wine bottles is shown. The shelf 14 is shown in a top perspective view illustrating the ridges 18 extending from a back portion 21 to a front portion 22. The back portion 21 and the front portion 22 are interconnected by side portions 23 and 24, respectively. The back portion, the front portion and the side portions can typically form a rectangular or square frame. The frame can also have other shapes to match the interior of the wine cabinet 10. In the embodiment of Fig. 2, the grooves 17 are formed as cut outs extending from the back portion 21 to the front portion 22. Hereby, good air circulation can be obtained when the shelf is mounted inside a wine cabinet.

[0029] In Fig. 3, the molded shelf 14 of Fig. 2 is shown in a perspective view from the side. Because the shelf 14 is molded, different details such as cut outs, holes for screws and the like can be formed directly during the molding process. In the embodiment of Fig. 3, connectors 27, 28 for attaching the shelf 14 to rails 16 of a wine cabined are provided. Such connectors 27, 28 can also be formed during a molding process and does not need to be added at a later stage.

[0030] In Fig. 4, a molded shelf 14 for storing wine bottles according to a second embodiment is shown. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, several cut outs 31 are provided in each groove 17. The cut outs 31 can be separated by bridges 32. Hereby a very robust shelf 14 can be obtained while at the same time allowing for air to circulate when the shelf 14 is mounted inside a wine cabinet. Further, because the shelf can be molded in a single process step, different elements can be given a desired shape already in the molding process removing the need for subsequent assembly or machinery. For example, the frame 36 of the shelf 14 can be provided with rounded comers 34. Also, the end sections of the groves can be given a rounded surface 35. In Fig. 5, a side view in perspective of the shelf 14 as shown in Fig. 4 is depicted. The shelf 14 can have rounded corners 34 on the frame 36. The rounded corners 34 can be provided on each corner of the frame 36 or in some instances only at the front section of the frame 36.

[0031] By providing a shelf for storing wine bottles made by a paper-based material, the shelf can by pressed for example molded in one single process step. This can improve fitting inside the wine cabinet, fitting of bottles, and fitting to the rails inside the cabinet, since the shelf can be given any desired shape. For example, a plurality of recessed grooves can be provided on one side of the shelf and on the opposite side the shelf can comprises a second set of recessed grooves having a different width. In other words, the extension of the groove in the direction between the side portions 23, 24 can be different so as to make room for wine bottles having a different radial width. Hereby the same shelf can be used for different sizes of wine bottles by turning it upside down.

[0032] Also, assembly steps can be avoided since the shelf can be produced as a single monolithic piece, where details can be directly formed on the shelf. Such details can include but is not limited to connectors, holes, and cut outs. The shelf as described herein is further sustainable since wood (mainly oak and beech) are slow growing tree type while paper can be made out of fast-growing trees or from recycled paper.

[0033] Further, it is easy to form the different sides in different shapes. For example, a plurality of recessed grooves can be provided on one side of the shelf and wherein the opposite side of the shelf is made flat so that the shelf can be turned upside down to provide different functions.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A shelf (14) for storing bottles comprising a plurality of recessed grooves (17) for placement of bottles, the recessed grooves (17) being separated by ridges (18) and wherein the shelf (14) is formed by a pressed paper material.

2. The shelf (14) according to claim 1, wherein the shelf (14) is a monolithic assembly.

3. The shelf (14) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein at least one cut out (31) is provided in the shelf (14).

4. The shelf (14) according to claim 3, wherein the at least one cut out (31) is provided in a groove (17).

5. The shelf (14) according to claim 4, wherein the at least one cut out (31) is provided in each groove (17).

6. The shelf (14) according to any one of claims 1 - 5, wherein the shelf has a generally rectangular or square circumference and wherein at least the front comers of the wine shelf are rounded.

7. The shelf (14) according to any one of claims 1 - 6, wherein connectors (27, 28) for attaching the shelf to rails are formed in the shelf.

8. The shelf (14) according to any one of claims 1 - 7, wherein the plurality of recessed grooves (17) is provided on one side of the shelf and wherein the opposite side of the shelf is flat.

9. The shelf (14) according to any one of claims 1 — 7, wherein a first set of of recessed grooves (17) is provided on one side of the shelf and wherein the opposite side of the shelf comprises a second set of recessed grooves (17) having a different width than the first set of recessed grooves.

10. A cabinet (10) comprising the shelf (14) according to any one of claims 1 - 9.

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