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(11) | EP 2 002 755 A2 |
| (12) | EUROPEAN PATENT APPLICATION |
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| (54) | Cabinet counter |
| (57) A cabinet counter (10) has a work surface (12) and a series of closing walls (13-17)
which define at least one internal volume of the cabinet counter. The structure of
the counter (10) envisages at least one frame (11) whereto the work surface (12) and
the closing walls (13-17) are applied joint-wise. Such counter (10) may be easily
and quickly mounted, may be cleaned carefully and is sturdy.
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[0001] The present invention relates to a cabinet counter, especially but non exclusively suitable for industrial kitchens, for example of restaurants, hotels, canteens, etc.
[0002] Cabinet counters for industrial kitchens are known, comprising a work surface and a series of walls, normally horizontal and vertical, which define internal volumes of the counter.
[0004] Cabinet counters are currently constructed connecting the work surface and the walls, as well as the other components, to one another by traditional fixing elements such as bolts, rivets, screws, etc.
[0006] The assembly by bolts, rivets, screws, etc., is quite difficult and thus implies relatively long time.
[0007] Moreover, the cleaning operations are inaccurate as it is not possible to reach all the parts of the counter due to the fact that a removal operation is difficult and long like to assembly operation. In particular, the connection points where the fixing elements are seated become zones where dirt accumulates.
[0008] Finally, there is a poor sturdiness of the counter and in the event of especially strong collisions, for example during transport, the fixing elements may become loose or even give, in this latter case making it difficult to repair the counter.
[0010] Such object is achieved by a cabinet counter comprising a work surface and a series of closing walls that define at least one internal volume of the cabinet counter, characterised in that it comprises at least one frame whereto said work surface and said walls are applied joint-wise.
[0011] To better understand the invention, a description of an exemplary embodiment thereof is described below and illustrated in the annexed drawings, wherein:
[0015] With reference to fig. 1, there is shown an exploded view of a cabinet counter generically indicated with reference numeral 10, comprising a parallelepiped frame 11, a work surface 12, and a series of closing walls 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, which define an internal volume of counter 10.
[0016] The parallelepiped frame 11 is composed of section bars connected to each other by welding, and precisely it consists of four side members 11A, four crosspieces 11 B and four piers 11C. Piers 11C protrude relative to the side members 11A.
[0017] The support surface 12 exhibits a continuous edge 12A bent at 90° along the entire perimeter thereof.
[0018] Wall 13 constitutes the bottom of counter 10; it exhibits two opposite longitudinal edges 13A bent at 90° and at each corner it exhibits notches 13B.
[0019] Wall 14 constitutes the back of counter 10; it exhibits two opposite longitudinal edges 14A bent at 90°.
[0020] Reference numeral 15 indicates a pair of walls constituting the sides of counter 10. Each wall 15 exhibits two opposite horizontal edges 15A bent at 90° that end at the ends with notches 15B. Moreover, each wall 15 exhibits two opposite vertical edges 15C, bent as a curl as well illustrated in fig. 3; each edge 15C exhibits notches 15D at the ends.
[0021] Walls 16 and 17 constitute two closing doors for counter 10 and are intended for sliding along a guide 18.
[0022] Four cylindrical feet 19 are provided, each provided with a threaded tang 20. Correspondingly, into side members 11A there are obtained four threaded holes 21, one of which is visible in fig. 7, in each whereof the threaded tang 20 of a respective foot 19 is suitable for screwing.
[0023] The assembly of counter 10 is illustrated in fig. 1 by the dashed arrows and takes place as follows.
[0024] Bottom 13 is applied first, so as to rest on the bottom side members 11A and on the bottom crosspieces 11 B. Notches 13B are shaped so as to fit into the corners of the bottom side of frame 11.
[0025] Afterwards, back 14 is applied so as to fit by the bent edges 14A thereof on the two bottom and top side members 11A of the back side of frame 11. Back 14 has a length development shorter than that of frame 11.
[0026] The two sides 15 are then applied according to the method illustrated in three images in a sequence in fig. 3. As illustrated in the first image of fig. 3, each side 15 has a depth greater than that of frame 11. To apply side 15, as shown in the second image of fig. 3, one of the two edges 15C bent as a curl is first fitted on a pier 11 B and then the other edge 11C is fitted by elastic deformation of side 15 shown by the dashed line. At this point, as shown in the third image of fig. 3, side 15 is made to slide on piers 11 B until it is centred on the pier itself.
[0028] After the assembly of sides 15, guide 18 is applied on top and front of frame 11 which, as shown in fig. 6, fits into notches 15B and 15D of sides 15.
[0029] The closing doors 16 and 17 are then mounted on guide 18 in a known manner, sliding along the guide itself.
[0030] The support surface 12 is then applied so as to fit with edge 12A thereof on the top side members 11A and on the top crosspieces 11 B.
[0031] Finally, as illustrated in figs. 1, 7, 8, feet 19 are fixed screwing tangs 20 thereof into the threaded holes 21 of side members 11A. Such feet 19 lock back 14 and sides 15 against frame 11.
[0034] The composition of counter 10 by joint-wise pieces makes the assembly especially simple and therefore it implies relatively short delivery times. The cleaning operations are then very easy since there are no fixing means like bolts, rivets, screws, etc., so there are no preferential accumulation points for dirt.
[0035] Finally, counter 10 has a good sturdiness, so as to prevent damages to the counter itself in particular in transport.
[0037] The shape and the composition of the frame may vary, although the frame described and illustrated is very effective.
1. Cabinet counter (10) comprising a work surface (12) and a series of closing walls
(13-17) that define at least one internal volume of the cabinet counter, characterised in that it comprises at least one frame (11) whereto said work surface (12) and said closing
walls (13-17) are applied joint-wise.
2. Cabinet counter according to claim 1, wherein the frame (11) consists of section bars
(11A, 11 B, 11 C) connected to each other.
3. Cabinet counter according to claim 2, wherein the section bars (11A, 11 B, 11 C) are
connected by welding.
4. Cabinet counter according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the frame has
a parallelepiped shape.
5. Cabinet counter according to any one of the previous claims, wherein the work surface
(12) and at least some of said closing walls (13, 14, 15) exhibit bent edges (12A,
13A, 14A, 15A, 15C) for fitting said work surface (12) and said closing walls (13,
14, 15) onto the frame (11).
6. Cabinet counter according to claim 5, wherein said edges (12A, 13A, 14A, 15A, 15C)
are bent at 90°.
7. Cabinet counter according to any one of the previous claims, wherein at least some
of said closing walls (13, 14, 15) exhibit, at corners, some notches (13B, 15B, 15D)
for fitting the walls (13, 14, 15) onto the frame (11).
8. Cabinet counter according to any one of the previous claims, wherein at least some
of said closing walls (15) are elastically deformable.
9. Cabinet counter according to any one of the previous claims, wherein feet (19) are
provided removably constrained to the frame (11) and which also lock some of said
walls (14, 15) to the frame (11).
10. Cabinet counter according to any one of the previous claims, wherein at least one
of said walls (16; 17) is sliding on a respective guide (18) mounted joint-wise on
the frame (11).
11. Cabinet counter according to any one of the previous claims, wherein said walls comprise
a bottom (13), a back (14), two sides (15), front doors (16, 17) sliding on a guide
(18), and feet (19) are provided screwed on the frame (11) which lock the back (14)
and the sides (15).
12. Method for making a counter according to claim 11, comprising the following steps
of assembly joint-wise:
a) application of the bottom (13) on the frame (11),
b) application of the back (14) on the frame (11),
c) application of the sides (15) on the frame (11),
d) application of the guide (18) on the frame (11),
e) application of the front doors on the guide (18),
f) application of the work surface (12) on the frame (11),
g) application of the feet (19) on the frame (11),
13. Method for making a counter according to claim 11, comprising the following steps
of assembly joint-wise:
a) application of the bottom (13) on the frame (11),
b) application of the sides (15) on the frame (11),
c) application of the back (14) on the frame (11),
d) application of the guide (18) on the frame (11),
e) application of the front doors on the guide (18),
f) application of the work surface (12) on the frame (11),
g) application of the feet (19) on the frame (11),
14. Cabinet counter according to any one of claims 1 to 9, wherein said walls comprise
a bottom (13), a back (14), two sides (15), and feet (19) are provided screwed on
the frame (11) which lock the back (14) and the sides (15).
15. Method for making a counter according to claim 14, comprising the following steps
of assembly joint-wise:
a) application of the bottom (13) on the frame (11),
b) application of the back (14) on the frame (11),
c) application of the sides (15) on the frame (11),
d) application of the work surface (12) on the frame (11),
e) application of the feet (19) on the frame (11).
16. Method for making a counter according to claim 14, comprising the following steps
of assembly joint-wise:
a) application of the bottom (13) on the frame (11),
b) application of the sides (15) on the frame (11),
c) application of the back (14) on the frame (11),
d) application of the work surface (12) on the frame (11),
e) application of the feet (19) on the frame (11).
17. Method according to any one of claims 12 to 16, wherein the sides (15) are elastically
deformable and exhibit opposite edges (15C) bent as a curl, and wherein each side
(15) is mounted on opposite section bars (11 C) of the frame (11), comprising the
following assembly steps for each side (15):
- fitting of an edge (15C) of the side (15) on a section bar (11C),
- fitting of the opposite edge (15C) of the side (15) on the opposite section bar (11 C) by elastic deformation of the side (15),
- sliding of the side (15) on the section bars (11 C) for centring relative thereto.