Display cabinet with passive climate control

Abstract

The invention relates to a display cabinet (10) with passive climate control, consisting of a base element (11) for accommodating climate-control means (KM) and of a showcase element (12), which is arranged on the base element, is provided with glass panes and is intended for keeping at least one display object (AO), there being arranged between the base element (11) and the showcase element (12) a floor element (13), which supports the display object (AO), and wherein an air gap (LS) is formed between the outer border (131) of the floor element (13) and the inner edge (111) of the base element (11). The display cabinet (10) is characterized in that, in the region of the air gap (LS), at least one shaped element (112; 132) is arranged on the inner edge (111) of the base element (11) and / or on the outer border (131) of the floor element (13) and is designed to create an adjustable gap width (SB) for the air gap (LS).

Description

[0001] Exhibition showcase with passive air conditioning

[0002] The invention relates to an exhibition showcase with passive air conditioning.

[0003] Conventional display cases often consist of a base element and a display case element mounted on top, fitted with glass panels, in which at least one exhibit is displayed. A floor element is typically provided for this purpose, which supports the exhibit and spatially separates the interior of the display case element from the interior of the base element. Such display cases have been manufactured by the applicant for decades and are disclosed, for example, in DE 20 2013 102 868 U1.

[0004] The usual construction of a conventional exhibition showcase with passive air conditioning is illustrated in Fig. 1: The exhibition showcase 10 consists of a base element 11 for receiving air conditioning means KM and a display case element 12 provided with glass panes and arranged thereon for storing at least one exhibition object (exhibit) AO, wherein a floor element 13 is arranged between the base element 11 and the display case element 12, which supports the exhibition object AO, and wherein an air gap LS is formed between the outer border 131 of the floor element 13 and the inner edge 111 of the base element 11. In order to ensure so-called passive air conditioning of the display case element or display case interior, it is known to accommodate air conditioning means in the base element located underneath, such as silica gel, which has a high absorption capacity of, for example, 0-30% RH.Often, a drawer is provided in the base element for this purpose, a so-called climate control compartment, into which a cassette with conditioned silica gel can be inserted (see: https: / / llfa.de / klimatisierunQ / silikagel-e.html). To ensure sufficient air circulation for climate control between the base element and the display case interior, an air gap is maintained between the outer border of the floor element and the inner edge of the base element. This connects the air- and dust-tight part of the display case interior, in which the exhibit is located, with the climate control compartment located below (in the base element), in which the climate control agent(s) for passive dehumidification is / are housed (such as silica gel, hygroscopic salt solutions, or combinations thereof). It is important to dimension the air gap correctly: The air gap should not be too small to ensure sufficiently good, i.e.passive air circulation (without additional fan / ventilator, as in EP 0 329 119 A, for example); however, the gap should not be too large to prevent viewers of the exhibit from looking into the lower base element (in which the display case's technology is located).

[0005] In practice, gaps of 3-5 mm are often used, which ensure sufficient air circulation without the need to install a small fan in the climate compartment to force circulation. Increasing the gap significantly beyond 5 mm, however, would result in a significant cosmetic disadvantage, as it would then be possible to see through the gap into the base element below. In particular, the sufficient size of the gap depends on the following factors: In addition to the diffusion rate of the air (starting from an airtight display case), which is driven primarily by the concentration difference between moist and dry air (Fick's first law) in addition to Brownian molecular motion, not only the prevailing temperature but also the size and height of the display case and the exhibit are crucial factors.

[0006] Therefore, the object of the present invention is to improve a display case with passive air conditioning in such a way that the aforementioned problems of the prior art are advantageously overcome. In particular, the dimensioning of the air gap is to be simplified.

[0007] This object is achieved by a display case having the features of claim 1. Accordingly, the display case is characterized in that, in the region of the air gap, at least one shaped element is arranged on the inner edge of the base element and / or on the outer border of the floor element and is designed to create an adjustable gap width. This design has the advantage that the gap width of the air gap can be easily, in particular continuously, adjusted over a wide range.

[0008] Particularly advantageous embodiments are specified in the subclaims:

[0009] Preferably, a chamfered shaped element is formed on the inner edge of the base element, in particular a shaped element that is adjustable vertically (in height) or horizontally (in width), the chamfer of which is aligned with the outer edge of the base element. This ensures that by adjusting the shaped element vertically or horizontally, the chamfer reliably conceals the optical view path from above into the air gap, even with a large gap width, effectively preventing any view into the base element located below.

[0010] Alternatively or additionally, a (further) shaped element with a bevel can be formed on the outer edge of the base element, in particular with a shaped element that can be adjusted horizontally or together with the base element in the vertical direction, the bevel of which is aligned towards the inner edge of the base element.

[0011] Furthermore, it is advantageous if a first shaped element with a bevel is formed on the frame of the base element and a second shaped element with a bevel is formed on the outer edge of the floor element, wherein the (two) bevels of the first shaped element and the second shaped element are shaped to match one another and in particular have two straight inclined planes running parallel to one another.

[0012] Preferably, the at least one shaped element (integral) can be formed as a shaping configuration of an area on the inner edge of the base element and / or on the outer border of the floor element.

[0013] Alternatively or additionally, at least one shaped element (integral) can be designed as an additional element attached, in particular movably attached, to the inner edge of the base element and / or to the outer border of the floor element, such as a bevelled guide plate or the like.

[0014] The invention is described in detail below using exemplary embodiments, with reference to the accompanying drawings, which show the following schematic representations:

[0015] Fig. 1 shows the construction of a conventional display case with passive air conditioning;

[0016] Fig. 2 shows and illustrates a first embodiment of the invention;

[0017] Fig. 3 shows and illustrates a second embodiment of the invention; and Fig. 4 shows and illustrates a third embodiment of the invention.

[0018] First, reference is again made to Fig. 1, which shows the construction of a conventional display case with passive air conditioning. The display case 10 consists of a base element 11 for accommodating air conditioning agents K, such as silica gel, and a display case element 12 provided with glass panes arranged thereon for storing at least one exhibit AO. A floor element 13, which supports the exhibit AO, is arranged between the base element 11 and the display case element 12. For the desired circulation, an air gap LS is formed between the outer border 131 of the floor element 13 and the inner edge 111 of the base element 11.

[0019] As described at the beginning, this conventional construction has the disadvantage that the gap width of the air gap LS must be dimensioned as precisely as possible in order to be large enough for the required circulation, on the one hand, and on the other hand to be small enough that a viewer of the exhibit does not get a view of the lower base element by looking into the air gap from above.

[0020] With reference to Fig. 2-4, the invention will now be described in more detail using exemplary embodiments, all of which have in common that the gap width of the air gap is easily variable and even with a large gap width the view into the lower base element is effectively blocked for the observer.

[0021] Fig. 2 shows, as a first embodiment, the structure of the base element 11, in which the floor element 13 is accommodated so as to be adjustable in height H, i.e. in the vertical direction Y. The inner edge 111 of the base element 11 has, compared to the outer border 131 of the floor element 13 (cf. Fig. 1), a bevelled section 112, as a result of which the gap width SB of the air gap LS can be changed easily and within a wide range (from 0 mm to at least 10 mm) by adjusting the height H of the floor element 13, without the observer being able to see into the lower base element 11. The floor element is shown in Fig. 2 in two positions, in an upper position in which the gap width is relatively large and in a second position (i.e. with the floor element lowered) in which the gap width has been significantly reduced.By variably raising or lowering the floor element 13, the gap width SP can be continuously varied within a wide range from 0 mm to the maximum size (» 10 mm) without creating a view path from above through the air gap LS into the lower base element 11. This is because the tip of the protruding bevel AS always protrudes far enough to overlap the edge (outer border) of the floor element 13.

[0022] For example, the height-adjustable base (base element 13) in the display case is adjustable against an inner frame with, for example, a 45° slope from below (silica drawer) using screws (with, for example, five locking points: 3 mm / 5 mm / 10 mm / 15 mm and 20 mm). Depending on the distance of the base edge from the 45° slope, a variable gap for air circulation is created. The gap can also be covered with fabric (e.g., for a coin collection, to prevent exhibits from falling into it).

[0023] Alternatively, instead of the adjustable floor, the 45° bevel on the frame can be height-adjustable or width-adjustable, while the floor remains fixed in position. This embodiment is illustrated in Fig. 3:

[0024] For this purpose, Fig. 3 shows a partial section of the area between the left frame of the base element 11 and the left edge of the base element 13, wherein the base element is in a fixed position. The frame or the inner edge 111 of the base element 11 has a shaped element 112 that is adjustable in the vertical direction Y and has a bevel AS that is aligned towards the outer border 131 (edge) of the base element 13. Thus, the gap width of the air gap LS can be changed within a wide range (from 0 mm to 10 mm and more) by simply adjusting the height H of the shaped element 112, whereby the viewer's view into the lower base element 11 is made significantly more difficult. The shaped element provided with the bevel AS is shown in Fig. 3 in two positions: in an upper position, in which the gap width is relatively small, and in a second position (i.e.with the shaped element lowered), in which the gap width has been significantly increased. By variably raising or lowering the shaped element 112, the gap width of the air gap LS can be continuously varied within a wide range from 0 mm to the maximum size, whereby the tip of the protruding bevel AS always protrudes far enough that the view into the lower base element 11 is prevented or at least made significantly more difficult.

[0025] The shaped element 112 can also be realized by a beveled additional sheet or the like.

[0026] Fig. 4 shows a further embodiment in which both elements, the base element and the floor element, each have a bevel:

[0027] As can be seen from Fig. 4, a first shaped element 112 with bevel AS is located on the frame 115 of the base element 11; and a second shaped element 132 with bevel AS is located on the outer edge 131 of the floor element 13, wherein the two bevels are shaped to match each other, here, for example, as two straight, parallel inclined planes.

[0028] By adjusting the bevels AS relative to one another, here e.g. by lowering or raising the base element 13, the air gap width can be continuously and easily changed over a wide range from 0 mm to well over 10 mm, even up to 20 mm and more, as required by the desired circulation. This always ensures that a viewer of the exhibit does not gain a view of the lower base element 11 through the air gap LS. This is because the two oppositely oriented bevels effectively prevent the viewer from developing a viewing axis from top to bottom. The bevels AS can also be formed by integral shaping on the base element 11 as well as on the base element 13. It is easily feasible to change the gap width SB of the air gap (cf. Fig.2-4) can also be achieved by moving the respective shaped element in the horizontal direction X (not shown here). In all conceivable embodiments of the invention, a variable adjustment of the gap width of the air gap is possible, effectively preventing a view from above into the lower base element. Thus, the showcase presented here exhibits a high degree of technical and aesthetic functionality.

Claims

AMENDED CLAIMS received by the International Bureau on 29 April 2025 (29.04.2025) 1. Exhibition showcase (10) with passive air conditioning, comprising a base element (11) for accommodating air conditioning means (KM) and a display case element (12) provided with glass panes and arranged thereon for storing at least one exhibition object (AO), wherein a floor element (13) which supports the exhibition object (AO) is arranged between the base element (11) and the display case element (12), and wherein an air gap (LS) is formed between the outer border (131) of the floor element (13) and the inner edge (111) of the base element (11), characterized in that in the region of the air gap (LS) at least one shaped element (112; 132) is arranged on the inner edge (111) of the base element (11) and / or on the outer border (131) of the floor element (13), wherein the at least one shaped element (112;132) is designed as a shaped element (112) which is adjustable in a plane extending in the vertical direction (Y) or horizontal direction (X) for creating an adjustable gap width (SB) of the air gap (LS); 2. Display case (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the shaped element (112) arranged on the inner edge (111) of the base element (11) is formed with a bevel (AS) which is aligned towards the outer edge (131) of the base element (13).

3. Display case (10) according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the shaped element (132) arranged on the outer edge (131) of the base element (13) is formed with a bevel (AS) which is aligned towards the inner edge (111) of the base element (11).

4. Display cabinet (10) according to one of claims 1 - 3, characterized in that on the frame (115) of the base element (11) a first shaped element (112) with bevel (AS) and on the outer AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19) A second shaped element (132) with a bevel (AS) is formed on the border (131) of the base element (13), wherein the bevels (AS) of the first shaped element (112) and the second shaped element (132) are shaped to match one another and in particular have two straight, parallel, inclined planes.

5. Display cabinet (10) according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the at least one shaped element (112; 132) is designed as a shaping configuration of an area on the inner edge (111) of the base element (11) and / or on the outer border (131) of the floor element (13).

6. Display cabinet (10) according to one of claims 1-3, characterized in that the at least one shaped element is designed as a on the inner edge (111) of the base element (11) and / or on the outer border (131) of the base element (13) is attached, in particular movably attached, additional element, in particular as a bevelled guide plate. AMENDED SHEET (ARTICLE 19)

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