Inflatable refrigerating exhibitor

Abstract

 A refrigerated exhibitor (1) is described, composed of at least one cooling unit (3) and of at least one exhibiting carrier structure (5) having therein an exhibiting room (7) for products internally cooled by such cooling unit (3), such exhibiting carrier structure (5) being inflatable.

Description

[0001] The present invention refers to an inflatable refrigerated exhibitor.

[0002] As known, the art proposed a high number of technical solutions for making refrigerated exhibitors, usually aimed to store and exhibit to the public foodstuff, like for example beverages, drinks, hams and cheeses, fresh snacks, ice-creams, frozed foods, etc.

[0003] In particular, the art proposes some type of low-cost exhibitors generally composed of a standalone cooling unit, that, as known, comprises all components of a refrigerating machine and therefore is an actual functionally-independent module, on which an exhibiting structure is arranged, having therein an exhibiting room refrigerated by such cooling unit. Generally, the exhibiting structure is composed of a plurality of cardboard panels, suitably punched and shaped to allow, through mutual joints or the use of the most suitable fastening means, making the exhibiting room. Given the relatively low cost of this type of exhibitors, they are usually employed for advertising activities, which require, as known, a frequent replacement of the exhibiting structures depending on the products exhibited therein for commercial purposes, though re-using the same cooling unit.

[0004] Such exhibitors however suffer some inconveniences: in fact, since the exhibiting structure is composed of a plurality of cardboard panels, its production requires designing and punching a relatively high number of different components. Moreover, the same presence of such components makes the assembly of such exhibiting structures particularly complex and cumbersome.

[0005] Moreover, the panels composing such structures, once disassembled, occupy a non-neglectable volume, showing clear problems in case of transport and storage.

[0006] Therefore, object of the present invention is solving the above prior art problems by providing a refrigerated exhibitor composed of an exhibiting structure having therein an exhibiting room refrigerated by a cooling unit, in which such exhibiting structure can be inflated, making thereby such exhibitor adapted to be quickly and easily installed.

[0007] Another object of the present invention is providing an inflatable refrigerated exhibitor that, once deflated, has a volume with a small encumbrance, making it easier to transport and store it.

[0008] Moreover, an object of the present invention is providing an inflatable refrigerated exhibitor that can be more easily and economically produced, thereby avoiding the production of the different punched panels of prior art exhibitors.

[0009] The above and other objects and advantages of the invention, as will result from the following description, are obtained with an improved refrigerated exhibitor as claimed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments and non-trivial variations of the present invention are the subject matter of the dependent claims.

[0010] It will be immediately obvious that numerous variations and modifications (for example related to shape, sizes, arrangements and parts with equivalent functionality) can be made to what is described without departing from the scope of the invention as appears from the enclosed claims.

[0011] The present invention will be better described by some preferred embodiments thereof, provided as a non-limiting example, with reference to the enclosed drawings, in which:

• Figure 1 shows a front view of a preferred embodiment of the inflatable refrigerated exhibitor according to the present invention; and
• Figure 2 shows a side sectional view of the refrigerated exhibitor of Figure 1.

[0012] With reference to the Figures, it is possible to note that the refrigerated exhibitor 1 according to the present invention is composed of at least one cooling unit 3, of a type substantially known in the art, and of at least one exhibiting carrier structure 5 having therein a product-exhibiting room 7, such exhibiting carrier structure 5 operatively cooperating with such cooling unit 3 for performing the internal cooling of such exhibiting room 7. Advantageously, the exhibiting carrier structure 5 is inflatable, while in the Figures it is shown only as an example with the shape of a cupboard-type structure.

[0013] In particular, the inflatable exhibiting carrier structure 5 is made of a flexible material with is impermeable to air or other inflating fluids, such as for example a plastic material like PVC, having at least one inflating chamber 9 whose inflation at a suitable pressure level allows making the exhibiting carrier structure 5 (obviously, Figures 1 and 2 show a refrigerated exhibitor 1 according to the present invention in which the exhibiting carrier structure 5 is completely inflated). Obviously, the exhibiting carrier structure 5 could be composed of a single inflating chamber 9, suitably shaped for making all surfaces of the exhibiting carrier structure 5 that, once inflated, delimit the exhibiting room 7: in this case, it is obviously possible to inflate and deflate the exhibiting carrier structure 5 through a single inflating/deflating valve (not shown).

[0014] In one of the possible alternatives of the refrigerated exhibitor 1 according to the present invention, the exhibiting carrier structure 5 could be composed of a plurality of separate and distinct inflating chambers 9, each one of which is suitably shaped for making a specific surface of the exhibiting carrier structure 5 delimiting the exhibiting room 7: in this case, obviously, each distrincs inflating chamber 9 is equipped with its own inflating/deflating valve.

[0015] To allow exhibiting the products inside the exhibiting room 7, the exhibiting carrier structure 5 can be equipped with a plurality of shelves 11, preferably vertically overlapped, flexible inside the exhibiting room 7 itself, for example through suitable buttons 13 or any other adequate fastening means. In order to allow an optimal circulation of cooled air inside the exhibiting room 7, each shelf 11 can be equipped, on an edge thereof facing the opening of such room 7, with at least one air-deflecting profile 12.

[0016] In particular, the exhibiting carrier structure 5 is equipped, in a lower portion thereof, with at least one perimeter coupling rim 15 through which the structure 5 itself can be operatively coupled with and secured onto the cooling unit 3. Frontally, such coupling rim 15 can be equipped with at least one reinforcing listel 17. Similarly, each one of the vertical risers 19 of the exhibiting carrier structure 5 can be equipped with a respective reinforcing listel 21 suitable to support the inflatable exhibiting carrier structure 5 once having inserted the products inside the exhibiting room 7.

[0017] Moreover, the exhibiting carrier structure 5 is equipped, in an upper portion thereof, with at least one upper closing rim 23, also equipped with at least one reinforcing listel 25.

[0018] In order to allow the circulation inside the exhibiting room 7 of the air flows F_R cooled by the cooling unit 3, the exhibiting carrier structure 5 is internally equipped with at least one hollow space 27 for guiding the circulation of such air flows F_R interposed between the shelves 11 and the rear, lower and upper walls of the structure 5 itself inside the room 7, made for example through a plurality of modular elements fastened inside the exhibiting room 7, defined by at least one bottom plane conveying the air flows F_R coming from the cooling unit 3, at least one vertical rear wall 29 and at least one upper plane 31.

[0019] In order to allow a more homogeneous passage of the air flows F_R, the vertical rear wall 29 can be equipped with a series of pluralities of slits 33, each plurality being preferably arranged next to a respective shelf 11.

Claims

1. Refrigerated exhibitor (1) composed of at least one cooling unit (3) and of at least one exhibiting carrier structure (5) having therein an exhibiting room (7) for products internally cooled by said cooling unit (3), said exhibiting carrier structure (5) being inflatable, characterised in that said exhibiting carrier structure (5) is internally equipped with at least one hollow space (27) for guiding a circulation of air flows (F_R) cooled by said cooling unit (3), said hollow space (27) being interposed between said shelves (11) and rear, lower and upper walls of said structure (5) internal to said room (7), said hollow space (27) being defined by at least one bottom plane conveying said air flows (F_R) coming from said cooling unit (3), at least one vertical rear wall (29) and at least one upper plane (31).

2. Refrigerated exhibitor (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said inflatable exhibiting carrier structure (5) is made of a material which is flexible and impermeable to air or other inflating fluids defining at least one inflating chamber (9) whose inflation makes said exhibiting carrier structure (5).

3. Refrigerated exhibitor (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said exhibiting carrier structure (5) is equipped with a plurality of shelves (11) that can be fastened inside said exhibiting room (7).

4. Refrigerated exhibitor (1) according to claim 3, characterised in that each one of said shelves (11) is equipped on an edge thereof oriented towards the opening of said room (7) with at least one air-deflecting profile (12).

5. Refrigerated exhibitor (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said exhibiting carrier structure (5) is equipped on a lower portion thereof with at least one perimeter coupling rim (15) with said cooling unit (3) equipped with at least one reinforcing listel (17) and in an upper portion thereof with at least one upper closing rim (23) equipped with at least one reinforcing listel (25).

6. Refrigerated exhibitor (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that each one of the vertical risers (19) of said exhibiting carrier structure (5) is equipped with a respective reinforcing listel (21).

7. Refrigerated exhibitor (1) according to claim 1, characterised in that said vertical rear wall (29) is equipped with a series of pluralities of slits (33).

8. Refrigerated exhibitor (1) according to claim 7, characterised in that each one of said series of pluralities of slits (23) is arranged next to a respective one of said shelves (11).

Drawing