Drawer cabinet

Abstract

A drawer cabinet (1 ) comprising: - a fixed structure (2) defining at least one housing (21) configured to accommodate at least one movable drawer (3); - at least one luminous element (4) visible from the outside of said drawer cabinet (1) and configured to provide luminous indications uniquely associated with the contents of said drawer (3).

Description

[0001] DRAWER CABINET.

[0002] DESCRIPTION

[0003] The invention concerns a drawer cabinet, particularly a drawer cabinet suitable for use in medical-surgical facilities such as, for example, dental surgeries. Medical surgeries, and in particular dental surgeries, are controlled environments, equipped with special types of furniture and a variety of devices that enable the doctor and any assistants to carry out treatment on the patient. The instruments or materials that may be needed during therapy are numerous and have very different characteristics.

[0004] The instruments or materials used by the dentist, in fact, must be suitable to be used for many types of operations or, again, on different types of patients. These numerous instruments, appropriately cleaned and sterilised, are placed inside drawers neatly arranged in drawer cabinets and retrieved as required. Being numerous, these instruments are usually subdivided in the drawers by category. It is therefore important for healthcare professionals to memorise the contents of each drawer in order to speed up instrument retrieval procedures, which are usually carried out while the patient is undergoing treatment.

[0005] If the operator does not know in advance the contents of the individual drawers of the drawer cabinet, he will disadvantageously have to go by trial and error, opening these drawers one after the other until he finds what he needs.

[0006] A possible solution to this drawback is the use of adhesive labels on the front of each drawer indicating the contents of that drawer.

[0007] Disadvantageously, adhesive labels are subject to deterioration, peeling or discolouration over time, so that they frequently have to be removed and replaced, which is time-consuming.

[0008] Disadvantageously again, such removal and replacement must also be carried out if the contents of the drawer are to be replaced, or if items are placed in the drawer that were not indicated on the label.

[0009] The task of the present invention is to overcome all the limitations and drawbacks indicated.

[0010] In particular, it is an aim of the present invention to propose a drawer cabinet that allows the contents of each drawer in it to be quickly identified.

[0011] Additionally, it is an aim of the present invention that the drawer cabinet allows the contents of a drawer to be identified without the need to open the drawer itself.The above-mentioned task and aims are achieved by a drawer cabinet according to claim 1.

[0012] Further characteristics of the drawer cabinet according to claim 1 are described in the dependent claims.

[0013] The aforesaid task and objects, together with the advantages that will be mentioned hereinafter, are indicated by the description of an embodiment of the invention, which is given by way of non-limiting example with reference to the attached drawings, where:

[0014] - Figure 1 represents a perspective view of the inside of a drawer cabinet according to the invention;

[0015] - Figure 2 represents a perspective view of a drawer cabinet according to the invention.

[0016] With reference to the cited figures, a drawer cabinet according to the invention is indicated as a whole by number 1.

[0017] This drawer cabinet 1 can be used in homes, factories, shops, medical-surgical facilities and other places.

[0018] It is particularly suitable for use in medical-surgical facilities such as, for example, dental surgeries.

[0019] The drawer cabinet 1 comprises a fixed structure 2 defining at least one housing 21 configured to accommodate at least one movable drawer 3.

[0020] In particular, the fixed structure 2 presents a substantially prismatic shape and comprises an essentially horizontal upper plane 11 associated with a pair of vertical walls 12 facing each other.

[0021] Preferably but not necessarily, the fixed structure 2 comprises a lower base opposite the upper plane 11.

[0022] This lower base is configured to rest on a support surface, such as a floor, either directly or through the interposition of supporting elements, called legs in jargon, placed between this lower base and said support surface.

[0023] It is not excluded that the fixed structure 2 and, if present, the lower base are configured to be of the suspended type.

[0024] The drawer 3 is configured to assume with respect to the fixed structure 2 a closed position in which the drawer 3 is at least partially contained within the housing 21.

[0025] Movement between a closed position and an open position, and vice versa, is preferably by means of mechanical sliding elements of the automatic or manualtype.

[0026] By way of non-limiting example, the mechanical sliding elements may comprise one or more slide rails, interposed between the housing 21 and the drawer 3, and runners associated with the drawer 3 configured to slide along said slide rails and, consequently, move the drawer 3 with respect to the housing 21. The drawer cabinet 1 also comprises at least one luminous element 4 visible from outside the drawer cabinet 1 and configured to provide luminous indications uniquely associated with the contents of the drawer 3.

[0027] Advantageously, the operator will be able to easily and quickly identify the contents of the drawer 3 from the outside and therefore without inevitably having to open the drawer 3.

[0028] Advantageously, the use of a luminous indication allows the operator to associate this luminous indication with a certain category of instruments or materials, without having to list these instruments, materials, etc. in written form. According to the invention, the drawer cabinet 1 comprises electronic identification means 5 configured to detect information regarding the contents of the drawer 3 and transmit first data signals to the luminous element 4 such that said luminous element 4 provides said indications based on said information detected by the electronic identification means 5.

[0029] Advantageously, the configuration described allows the luminous element 4 to provide the correct information regarding the contents of the drawer 3 even as these contents change.

[0030] In addition, the drawer cabinet 1 comprises at least one tray 6 configured to contain objects inside it and be inserted into the drawer 3.

[0031] This tray 6 includes an identification element 7 containing the aforementioned information and configured to be detected by the electronic identification means 5

[0032] With such a configuration, advantageously, the drawer 1 is able to provide the correct indications even when changing the tray contained within the drawer 3. According to the invention, the electronic identification means 5 comprise: - detection means 51 arranged within the housing 21 so as to detect the identification element 7 when the tray 6 is inserted into the drawer 3 and that drawer 3 is in a closed position;

[0033] - a logic unit 52 operatively connected to the detection means 51 and to the luminous element 4.Specifically, the detection means 51 are configured to send second data signals to the logic unit 52 based on the instantaneous detection performed by the detection means 51.

[0034] This logic unit 52 is configured to process the second data signals and transmit the aforesaid first data signals to the luminous element 4.

[0035] Preferably, the identification element 7 comprises an electronic communication element 71.

[0036] Preferably, such an electronic communication element 71 is placed on an edge 61 of the tray 6.

[0037] It cannot be ruled out that such an electronic communication element 71 is arranged in different areas of the tray 6.

[0038] Preferably, such an electronic communication element 71 is wireless.

[0039] In particular, in the preferred embodiment of the invention, such an electronic wireless communication element 71 is an NFC tag.

[0040] In addition, preferably, the detection means 51 comprise a reading unit 51a. Preferably, such a reading unit 51a is operatively associated with an inner face of the housing 21.

[0041] It cannot be excluded that this reading unit 51a is associated with the drawer 3. Preferably, such a reading unit 51a is a wireless reading unit.

[0042] In particular, this wireless reading unit 51a is arranged above the slide rail of the drawer 3.

[0043] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, such a wireless reading unit 51a is an NFC reader.

[0044] However, it is not ruled out that the detection means 51 may be based on different known wireless communication technologies, e.g. magnetic or infrared technologies.

[0045] It is also not excluded that the detection means 51 may be based on other non-wireless, e.g. wired, technologies.

[0046] As is well known, the acronym NFC stands for “near-field communication”, a transceiver technology that provides two-way wireless connectivity over short distances.

[0047] This configuration allows the luminous element 4 to provide the correct indications regarding the contents of the drawer 3, in particular indications uniquely associated with the tray 6 by means of the identification element 7. Preferably, the luminous element 4 is placed on said fixed structure 2 adjacentto the drawer 3.

[0048] This makes the luminous element 4 visible from outside the drawer cabinet 1. In addition, this luminous element 4 can provide luminous indications uniquely associated with the contents of the drawer 3.

[0049] It is not to be excluded that in an alternative embodiment of the drawer cabinet 1 such a luminous element 4 is applied to the drawer 3, for example on the front 31.

[0050] Preferably, but not exclusively, the luminous element 4 comprises an RGB LED 41.

[0051] The luminous element 4 then provides luminous indications in the form of coloured LED lights uniquely associated with the contents of the drawer 3. In particular, each identification element 7 is associated with a specific colour. In this way, each tray 6 is associated with a specific colour and, as the tray contained in the drawer changes, the colour of the luminous element 4 will also change.

[0052] In the preferred embodiment of the invention, the drawer cabinet 1 comprises a plurality of drawers 3 and a plurality of luminous elements 4.

[0053] Each of these luminous elements 4 is configured to provide luminous indications uniquely associated with the contents of a relative drawer of this plurality of drawers 3.

[0054] In addition, the drawer cabinet 1 comprises a plurality of trays 6.

[0055] Preferably, the electronic identification means 5 comprise a plurality of detection means 51 such that each detection means detects the identification element 7 of the tray 6 inserted into the relevant drawer 3.

[0056] Advantageously, the drawer cabinet of the invention will also be easier to reorganise if the contents of a drawer are removed or changed.

[0057] Moreover, advantageously, the drawer cabinet of the invention offers greater customisation and flexibility in managing the contents of drawers and trays, while maintaining organised management of objects.

[0058] In particular, the detection means ensure that each tray is recognised and monitored electronically, maintaining an orderly system that is easily accessible by an operator.

[0059] Practically, it has been established that the invention achieves the intended task and objects.

[0060] In particular, with the invention, a drawer cabinet was developed that allowsthe contents of each drawer in it to be quickly identified.

[0061] In addition, a drawer cabinet was developed that allows the contents of a drawer to be identified without the need to open the drawer itself.

Claims

CLAIMS1 ) Drawer cabinet (1 ) comprising:- a fixed structure (2) defining at least one housing (21) configured to accommodate at least one movable drawer (3);- said movable drawer (3);characterised in that it comprises at least one luminous element (4) visible from the outside of said drawer cabinet (1) and configured to provide luminous indications uniquely associated with the contents of said drawer (3).2) Drawer cabinet (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that it comprises electronic identification means (5) configured to detect information regarding the contents of said at least one drawer (3) and to transmit first data signals to said at least one luminous element (4) in such a way that said luminous element (4) provides said indications on the basis of the information detected by said electronic identification means (5).3) Drawer cabinet (1) according to claim 2, characterised in that it comprises at least one tray (6) configured to contain objects within it and to be inserted into said drawer (3), said tray (6) comprising an identification element (7) containing said information and configured to be detected by said electronic identification means (5).4) Drawer cabinet (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that said electronic identification means (5) comprise:- detection means (51) arranged within said housing (21) in such a manner as to detect said identification element (7) when said at least one tray (6) is inserted into said at least one drawer (3) and said at least one drawer (3) is in a closed position;- a logic unit (52) operatively connected to said detection means (51) and to said at least one luminous element (4).5) Drawer cabinet (1) according to claim 4, characterised in that said detection means (51) are configured to send second data signals to said logical unit (52) on the basis of the instantaneous detection performed by said detection means (51), said logical unit (52) being configured to process said second data signals and transmit to said luminous element (4) said first data signals.6) Drawer cabinet (1 ) according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that said identification element (7) comprises an electronic communication element (71) arranged on an edge (61 ) of said tray (6), said detection means (51 ) comprisinga reading unit (51a) operatively associated with an inner face of said housing (21).7) Drawer cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said luminous element (4) is arranged on said fixed structure (2) adjacent to the drawer (3).8) Drawer cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that said luminous element (4) comprises an RGB LED (41).9) Drawer cabinet (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of drawers (3) and a plurality of luminous elements (4), each of said luminous elements (4) being configured to provide luminous indications uniquely associated with the contents of a relative drawer of said plurality of drawers (3).10) Drawer cabinet (1) according to claim 9 in combination with any one of claims 4 to 6, characterised in that it comprises a plurality of trays (6), said electronic identification means (5) comprising a plurality of detection means (51) in such a way that each detection means detects the identification element

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