Method for making a refrigerating cell and refrigerating device comprising the refrigerating cell

Description

[0001] This invention relates to a method for making a refrigerating cell and a device for refrigerating and storing food products and comprising the refrigerating cell.

[0002] Refrigerating cells normally comprise a thermo formed enclosure made by die forming and delimiting a zone for storing food products. DE 102 59 765 A1 discloses a method for making a refrigerating cell according to the preamble of claim 1 and a device for refrigerating and storing food products according to the preamble of claim 9. A plurality of openings are then made in the enclosure to allow connection of refrigerated air conduits (for example in the case of a no-frost refrigerator) or for the passage of electrical wiring.

[0003] These openings are holes which are usually made in the die formed enclosure by numerical control machines.

[0004] The enclosure can then be sent to the assembly line. At the assembly line, some of the enclosures are unexpectedly found not to have the openings in the required number or at the required positions (this may be due to errors positioning an enclosure relative to the numerical control machine or to a human error during programming of the numerical control machine). This may make it impossible to assemble the enclosure or create problems connected with the quality of the end product.

[0005] In this context, the technical purpose which forms the basis of this invention is to propose a method for making a refrigerating cell and a refrigerating device for refrigerating and storing food products and comprising the refrigerating cell that overcome the above mentioned disadvantages of the prior art.

[0006] In particular, this invention has for an aim to provide a method and a device which can speed up assembly in the production line.

[0007] Another aim of the invention is to propose method which can improve product quality.

[0008] A further aim of the invention is to propose a method which can facilitate the task of checking the work of a human operator.

[0009] A further aim of the invention is to propose a method which can facilitate the performance of some of the steps in the method for making the refrigerating cell.

[0010] The technical purpose and aims specified are substantially achieved by a method for making a refrigerating cell and a refrigerating device for refrigerating and storing food products and comprising the technical features described in one or more of the appended claims.

[0011] Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the description which follows of a method for making a refrigerating cell and a refrigerating device for refrigerating and storing food products as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

• Figures 1 and 2 show an enclosure of the type described in this specification, before and after an operation of making holes in it, respectively;
• Figure 3 shows the enclosure of Figure 1 from another perspective;
• Figure 4 shows the enclosure of Figure 2 from another perspective;
• Figure 5 shows a detail of an enclosure described in this specification.

[0012] The object of this invention is a method for making a refrigerating cell 1 comprising an enclosure 2 whose walls 20 delimit at least partially a zone 200 for storing food products. The enclosure 2 has an opening 23 giving access to the zone 200 for storing food products, the opening 23 being designed to be closed by a door.

[0013] Advantageously, the enclosure 2 comprises a lower base 24 and a ceiling 25 opposite the lower base 24. The enclosure 2 also comprises two side walls 26 and an end wall 27 which are interposed between the base 24 and the ceiling 25. The end wall 27 is located opposite the opening 23 which is designed to be closed by a door.

[0014] By refrigerating cell it is meant a cell designed to refrigerate and store food products at any temperature. For example, the term "refrigerating cell" may denote both a cell designed to be used as a refrigerator compartment and a cell designed to be used as a freezer compartment. The method comprises the step of making by die forming (preferably by thermoforming) the walls 20 of the enclosure 2. Advantageously, the enclosure 2 is made of plastic material, preferably HIPS. According to the invention, the method subsequently comprises a step of making at least one through hole 21 passing through at least one of the walls 20 of the enclosure 2. For example, the hole 21 might be made using a cutting tool such as a routing bit or a die and matrix (in the latter case, the process is known as blanking). According to the invention, the step of die forming the walls 20 of the enclosure 2 comprises also making by die forming visual reference means 3 that identify a first zone 22 where the through hole 21 is made (during the step of making at least one through hole 21 which passes through at least one of the walls 20 of the enclosure 2. The step of making the visual reference means 3 is thus simultaneous with the step of die forming the rest of the walls 20 of the enclosure 2.

[0015] The through hole 21 is not made simultaneously with the step of die forming the rest of the enclosure 2 since that would create problems extracting the enclosure 2 from the mould. The step of making by die forming the visual reference means 3 comprises making the visual reference means 3 as a single part with the rest of the enclosure 2.

[0016] The step of making by die forming the visual reference means 3 comprises making by die forming one or more irregularities on the walls 20 of the enclosure 2.

[0017] The step of making by die forming the visual reference means 3 comprises the step of making by die forming at least one protrusion 30 or one groove forming part of the visual reference means 3 (meaning that the above mentioned irregularities may comprise the protrusions 30 or the grooves).

[0018] The step of making at least one hole 21 is performed by numerical control machines or manually. In the latter case, advantageously, the step of making at least one through hole 21 is preceded by the step of positioning a cutting tool relative to the first zone 22 with the aid of the visual reference means 3.

[0019] The step of making at least one through hole 21 involves locating the hole 21 at a minimum distance of less than 1 millimetre (advantageously at a minimum distance of between 0.4 and 0.6 millimetres and preferably at a minimum distance of between 0.45 and 0.55 millimetres) from each single visual reference 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d forming part of the visual reference means 3. Conveniently, the step of making by die forming the visual reference means 3 comprises making the visual reference means 3 at least on the end wall 27.

[0020] With reference to the embodiment of Figure 5, the step of making by die forming the visual reference means 3 comprises/coincides with the step of making by die forming at least four protrusions 30 or grooves forming part of the visual reference means 3 (alternatively, at least two protrusions 30 or grooves might be made by die forming - this embodiment not being illustrated). In another embodiment, not illustrated, the step of making by die forming the visual reference means 3 coincides with the step of making by die forming a protrusion 30 or groove which surrounds the entire first zone. In the latter case, the protrusion 30 or groove is advantageously made on the end wall 27.

[0021] The step of making by die forming the visual reference means 3 comprises making at least one, advantageously a plurality, preferably all the protrusions 30 or grooves, with two intersecting sections that meet at a common zone (this makes it easier for the user to identify the first zone 22).

[0022] After obtaining the enclosure 2 it is important, for the quality of the finished cell 1, to select (or more specifically, separate) the enclosures 2 which have imperfections (in order to assess appropriate solutions).

[0023] In this regard, the method comprises the step of selecting the enclosure 2 where the through hole is at least partially outside the first zone 22 identified by the visual reference means 3.

[0024] After selection, the method comprises examining the enclosure 2 to decide whether to reject it, use it without further removal of material or subject it to further removal of material. For example, the enclosure 2 might be rejected if the first zone 22 is well outside the zone delimited by the visual reference means 3. Normally, the enclosure 2 is reused as far as possible, although further machining is sometimes necessary. Thanks to the invention, the user immediately notices any defects in the enclosure 2. This may have the added advantage that defective enclosures 2 are not sent to the assembly line and thus do not slow down the assembly line.

[0025] The step of making the at least one through hole 21 is carried out at a first machining centre. In this regard, the method comprises the steps of:

• selecting an enclosure 2 that has passed through the first machining centre and where there is no hole 21 inside the first zone 22 identified by the visual reference means 3 or where the hole 21 is at least partly outside the first zone 21 identified by the visual reference means 3.
• making a through hole 21 in the first zone 22.

[0026] Advantageously, the step of making at least one through hole 21 passing through at least one of the walls 20 of the enclosure 2 is carried out by a numerical control machine after positioning the enclosure 2 relative to the machine.

[0027] This invention also has for an object a refrigerating device for refrigerating and storing food products and comprising a refrigerating cell 1 comprising an enclosure 2 in turn comprising walls 20 which identify a zone 200 for storing food products. Advantageously, the enclosure 2 is made of plastic material such as, for example, HIPS (high impact polystyrene). At least one of the walls 20 has a hole 21 which goes right through the thickness of it.

[0028] The enclosure 2 has an opening 23 giving access to the zone 200 for storing food products; the opening 23 being closable by a door forming part of the device 1.

[0029] Advantageously, walls 20 of the enclosure 2 comprise a lower base 24 and a ceiling 25 opposite the lower base 24. By way of an example, at least one hole 21 is made in the ceiling 25 of the enclosure 2. The walls 20 of the enclosure 2 also comprise two side walls 26 and an end wall 27 which are interposed between the base 24 and the ceiling 25. The end wall 27 is located opposite the opening 23 which is designed to be closed by a door. Advantageously, at least one hole 21 is made in the end wall 27 of the enclosure 2.

[0030] The device 1 comprises visual reference means 3 which identify a first zone 22 where the hole 21 is made.

[0031] Advantageously, the visual reference means 3 and the hole 21 are made at least in the end wall 27 of the enclosure 2.

[0032] The visual reference means 3 extend along an imaginary line that surrounds the through hole 21. The visual reference means 3 are made as one with the enclosure 2.

[0033] Advantageously, the visual reference means 3 comprise one or more irregularities on the surface of the enclosure 2. More specifically, an irregularity may be a groove or a protrusion. Conveniently, at least one, advantageously a plurality, preferably all the protrusions or grooves comprise two intersecting sections that meet at a common zone, the two sections extending along two corresponding edges of the hole 21 (provided always that the hole 21 has been made correctly). Advantageously, if the hole 21 has an edge whose sides are oriented at 90° to each other, the two sections of the above mentioned grooves are also oriented at 90°.

[0034] Advantageously, the hole 21 is quadrilateral and the visual reference means 3 comprise four protrusions 30 or four grooves located at the four corners of the quadrilateral formed by the hole 21.

[0035] Alternatively, the visual reference means 3 might comprise a single protrusion or groove surrounding the entire hole 22. In another embodiment, the hole 21 might be quadrilateral and the visual reference means 3 might comprise two protrusions or grooves located at two opposite corners of the perimeter of the hole 21.

[0036] The visual reference means 3 comprise a first and a second reference 3a, 3b, separate from each other, the minimum distance of the first and the second reference 3a, 3b from the hole 21 being less than 1 millimetre. Advantageously, the first and second references 3a, 3b form part of the protrusions 30 or grooves. Preferably, the visual reference means 3 comprise a plurality of separate references 3a, 3b, 3c, 3d, the minimum distance of each of the references 3a, 3b from the hole 21 being less than 1 millimetre (advantageously, the minimum distance being between 0.4 and 0.6 millimetres and preferably the minimum distance being between 0.45 and 0.55 millimetres).

[0037] This invention has important advantages. In particular, it allows product quality to be improved. Also, it allows assembly in the production line to be speeded up since only enclosures suitable for assembly reach the production line or, in any case, any unsuitable enclosures can be identified immediately and immediately rejected even in the assembly line.

[0038] It shall be understood that the invention described above may be modified and adapted in several ways without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. A method for making a refrigerating cell (1) comprising an enclosure (2) whose walls (20) delimit at least partially a zone (200) for storing food products, the method comprising the steps of:

- making the walls (20) of the enclosure (2) by die forming;

- subsequently making at least one through hole (21) passing through at least one of the walls (20) of the enclosure (2);characterized in that the step of making the walls (20) of the enclosure (2) by die forming comprises making by die forming visual reference means (3) that identify a first zone (22) where the through hole (21) is made.

2. The method according to claim 1, characterized in that the step of making by die forming the visual reference means (3) comprises making the visual reference means (3) as a single part with the remaining parts of the enclosure (2).

3. The method according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the step of making by die forming the visual reference means (3) comprises the step of making by die forming at least one protrusion (30) or one groove forming part of the visual reference means (3).

4. The method according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the step of making by die forming the visual reference means (3) coincides with the step of making by die forming four protrusions (30) or grooves forming part of the visual reference means (3).

5. The method according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the step of making at least one through hole (21) is preceded by the step of positioning a cutting tool relative to the first zone (22) with the aid of the visual reference means (3).

6. The method according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized by:

- selecting the enclosure (2) where the through hole is at least partially outside the first zone (22) identified by the visual reference means (3);

- examining the enclosure (2) to decide whether to reject it, use it without further removal of material or subject it to further removal of material.

7. The method according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the step of making the at least one through hole (21) is carried out at a first machining centre, the method comprising the steps of:

- selecting an enclosure (2) that has passed through the first machining centre and where there is no hole (21) inside the first zone (22) identified by the visual reference means (3) or where the hole (21) is at least partly outside the first zone (22) identified by the visual reference means (3);

- making a through hole (21) in the first zone (22).

8. The method according to any of the foregoing claims, characterized in that the step of making at least one through hole (21) passing through at least one of the walls (20) of the enclosure (2) is carried out by a numeric control machine after positioning the enclosure (2) relative to the machine.

9. A device for refrigerating and storing food products comprising a refrigerating cell (1) comprising an enclosure (2) in turn comprising walls (20) which delimit a zone (200) for storing food products, at least one of the walls (20) having a hole (21) passing through it all the way, characterized in that it comprises visual reference means (3) which identify a first zone (22) where the hole (21) is subsequently made, the visual reference means (3) being made as a single part with the enclosure (2).

10. The device according to claim 9, characterized in that the hole (21) is quadrilateral and the visual reference means (3) comprise four protrusions (30) or grooves located at the four corners of the quadrilateral formed by the hole (21).

11. The device according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the visual reference means (3) comprise at least a first and a second reference (3a, 3b), the minimum distance of the first and the second reference (3a, 3b) from the hole (21) being less than 1 millimetre.

12. The device according to claim 9 or 10 or 11, characterised in that the walls (20) of the enclosure (2) comprise:

- a lower base (24);

- a ceiling (25) opposite the lower base (24);

- two side walls (26) and an end wall (27) which are interposed between the base (24) and the ceiling (25), the end wall (27) being opposite an opening (23) giving access to the zone (200) for storing food products, the opening (23) being closable by a door forming part of the device (1); the visual reference means (3) and the hole (21) being made at least on the end wall (27).

Ansprüche

1. Verfahren zur Herstellung einer Kühlkammer (1) umfassend ein Gehäuse (2), dessen Wände (20) mindestens teilweise eine Zone (200) zum Lagern von Lebensmitteln begrenzen, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst:

- Herstellen der Wände (20) des Gehäuses (2) durch Formgebung;

- anschließend Herstellen mindestens eines Durchgangslochs (21), das mindestens eine der Wände (20) des Gehäuses (2) durchläuft; dadurch gekennzeichnet, das der Schritt des Herstellens der Wände (20) des Gehäuses (2) durch Formgebung umfasst, visuelle Referenzmittel (3) durch Formgebung herzustellen, die eine erste Zone (22) identifizieren, wo das Durchgangsloch (21) hergestellt wird.

2. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt des Herstellens der visuellen Referenzmittel (3) durch Formgebung umfasst, die visuellen Referenzmittel (3) als Einzelteil mit den übrigen Teilen des Gehäuses (2) herzustellen.

3. Verfahren nach Anspruch 1 oder 2, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt des Herstellens der visuellen Referenzmittel (3) durch Formgebung den Schritt umfasst, mindestens einen Vorsprung (30) oder eine Nut, die Teil der visuellen Referenzmittel (3) bilden, durch Formgebung herzustellen.

4. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt des Herstellens der visuellen Referenzmittel (3) durch Formgebung sich mit dem Schritt des Herstellens durch Formgebung von vier Vorsprüngen (30) oder Nuten, die Teil der visuellen Referenzmittel (3) bilden, deckt.

5. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass dem Schritt des Herstellens von mindesten einem Durchgangsloch (21) der Schritt des Positionierens eines Schneidwerkzeugs relativ zu der ersten Zone (22) mithilfe der visuellen Referenzmittel (3) vorangeht.

6. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, gekennzeichnet durch:

- Auswählen des Gehäuses (2), wo sich das Durchgangsloch mindestens teilweise außerhalb der von den visuellen Referenzmitteln (3) identifizierten ersten Zone (22) befindet;

- Untersuchen des Gehäuses (2), um zu entscheiden, ob es verworfen werden soll, ohne weitere Entfernung von Material benutzt werden soll oder es einer weiteren Entfernung von Material ausgesetzt werden soll.

7. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, das der Schritt des Herstellens des mindestens einen Durchgangslochs (21) in einem ersten Bearbeitungszentrum ausgeführt wird, wobei das Verfahren die folgenden Schritte umfasst:

- Auswählen eines Gehäuses (2), das das erste Bearbeitungszentrum durchlaufen hat und wenn kein Loch (21) in der ersten Zone (22) von den visuellen Referenzmitteln (3) identifiziert wird oder wenn sich das Loch (21) mindestens teilweise außerhalb der ersten Zone (22) befindet, definiert von den visuellen Referenzmitteln (3);

- Herstellen eines Durchgangslochs (21) in der ersten Zone (22).

8. Verfahren nach einem der vorstehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der Schritt des Herstellens von mindestens einem Durchgangsloch (21), das durch mindestens eine der Wände (20) des Gehäuses (2) läuft, durch eine numerische Steuerungsmaschine ausgeführt wird, nachdem das Gehäuse (2) relativ zur Maschine positioniert wurde.

9. Vorrichtung zum Kühlen und Lagern von Lebensmitteln umfassend eine Kühlkammer (1), die ein Gehäuse (2) umfasst, das seinerseits Wände (20) umfasst, die eine Zone (200) zum Lagern von Lebensmitteln begrenzen, wobei mindestens eine der Wände (20) ein durchgehendes Loch (21) aufweist, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sie visuelle Referenzmittel (3) umfasst, die eine erste Zone (22) identifizieren, an der das Loch (21) anschließend hergestellt wird, wobei die visuellen Referenzmittel (3) als Einzelteil mit dem Gehäuse (2) hergestellt sind.

10. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass das Loch (21) viereckig ist und die visuellen Referenzmittel (3) vier Vorsprünge (30) oder Nuten umfassen, die an den vier Ecken des von dem Loch (21) gebildeten Vierecks angeordnet sind.

11. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9 oder 10, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die visuellen Referenzmittel (3) mindestens eine erste und eine zweite Referenz (3a, 3b) umfassen, wobei die minimale Entfernung der ersten und der zweiten Referenz (3a, 3b) von dem Loch (21) weniger als 1 Millimeter ist.

12. Vorrichtung nach Anspruch 9 oder 10 oder 11, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die Wände (20) des Gehäuses (2) Folgendes umfassen:

- einen unteren Boden (24);

- eine Decke (25) gegenüber dem unteren Boden (24);

- zwei Seitenwände (26) und eine Endwand (27), die zwischen dem Boden (24) und der Decke (25) eingefügt sind, wobei die Endwand (27) einer Öffnung (23) gegenüberliegt, die Zugang zu der Zone (200) zum Lagern von Lebensmitteln verschafft, wobei die Öffnung (23) durch eine Tür, die ein Teil der Vorrichtung (1) bildet, verschließbar ist; wobei die visuellen Referenzmittel (3) und das Loch (21) mindestens an der Endwand (27) hergestellt werden.

Revendications

1. Procédé de fabrication d'une cellule de réfrigération (1) comprenant une enceinte (2) dont les parois (20) délimitent au moins partiellement une zone (200) pour stocker des produits alimentaires, le procédé comprenant les étapes de :

- fabrication des parois (20) de l'enceinte (2) par formage avec matrice ;

- par la suite fabrication d'au moins un trou traversant (21) passant à travers au moins une des parois (20) de l'enceinte (2) ; caractérisé en ce que l'étape de fabrication des parois (20) de l'enceinte (2) par formage avec matrice comprend la fabrication par formage avec matrice de moyens de référence visuelle (3) qui identifient une première zone (22) où le trou traversant (21) est fabriqué.

2. Procédé selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que l'étape de fabrication par formage avec matrice de moyens de référence visuelle (3) comprend la fabrication des moyens de référence visuelle (3) en tant que partie unique avec les parties restantes de l'enceinte (2).

3. Procédé selon la revendication 1 ou 2, caractérisé en ce que l'étape de fabrication par formage avec matrice des moyens de référence visuelle (3) comprend l'étape de fabrication par formage avec matrice d'au moins une protubérance (30) ou d'une rainure formant une partie des moyens de référence visuelle (3).

4. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'étape de fabrication par formage avec matrice des moyens de référence visuelle (3) coïncide avec l'étape de fabrication par formage avec matrice de quatre protubérances (30) ou rainures formant une partie des moyens de référence visuelle (3).

5. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'étape de fabrication d'au moins un trou traversant (21) est précédée par l'étape de positionnement d'un outil de coupe par rapport à la première zone (22) à l'aide des moyens de référence visuelle (3).

6. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé par :

- la sélection de l'enceinte (2) où le trou traversant est au moins partiellement à l'extérieur de la première zone (22) identifiée par les moyens de référence visuelle (3) ;

- l'examen de l'enceinte (2) pour décider s'il faut la rejeter, l'utiliser sans enlèvement supplémentaire de matière ou la soumettre à un enlèvement supplémentaire de matière.

7. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'étape de fabrication de l'au moins un trou traversant (21) est effectuée au niveau d'un premier centre d'usinage, le procédé comprenant les étapes de :

- sélection d'une enceinte (2) qui est passée par le premier centre d'usinage et où il n'y a aucun trou (21) à l'intérieur de la première zone (22) identifiée par les moyens de référence visuelle (3) ou où le trou (21) est au moins en partie à l'extérieur de la première zone (22) identifiée par les moyens de référence visuelle (3) ;

- fabrication d'un trou traversant (21) dans la première zone (22).

8. Procédé selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que l'étape de fabrication d'au moins un trou traversant (21) passant à travers au moins une des parois (20) de l'enceinte (2) est effectuée par une machine à commande numérique après positionnement de l'enceinte (2) par rapport à la machine.

9. Dispositif pour réfrigérer et stocker des produits alimentaires comprenant une cellule de réfrigération (1) comprenant une enceinte (2) comprenant à son tour des parois (20) qui délimitent une zone (200) pour stocker des produits alimentaires, au moins une des parois (20) ayant un trou (21) passant à travers elle en totalité, caractérisé en ce qu'il comprend des moyens de référence visuelle (3) qui identifient une première zone (22) où le trou (21) est fabriqué par la suite, les moyens de référence visuelle (3) étant fabriqués en tant que partie unique avec l'enceinte (2).

10. Dispositif selon la revendication 9, caractérisé en ce que le trou (21) est quadrilatéral et les moyens de référence visuelle (3) comprennent quatre protubérances (30) ou rainures situées aux quatre coins du quadrilatère formé par le trou (21).

11. Dispositif selon la revendication 9 ou 10, caractérisé en ce que les moyens de référence visuelle (3) comprennent au moins une première et une seconde référence (3a, 3b), la distance minimale de la première et de la seconde référence (3a, 3b) par rapport au trou (21) étant de moins de 1 millimètre.

12. Dispositif selon la revendication 9 ou 10 ou 11, caractérisé en ce que les parois (20) de l'enveloppe (2) comprennent :

- une base inférieure (24) ;

- un plafond (25) opposé à la base inférieure (24) ;

- deux parois latérales (26) et une paroi d'extrémité (27) qui sont interposées entre la base (24) et le plafond (25), la paroi d'extrémité (27) étant opposée à une ouverture (23) donnant accès à la zone (200) pour stocker des produits alimentaires, l'ouverture (23) pouvant être fermée par une porte formant une partie du dispositif (1) ; les moyens de référence visuelle (3) et le trou (21) étant fabriqués au moins sur la paroi d'extrémité (27).

Drawing