IMPROVED TRANSPARENT DOUBLE-GLAZING UNIT

Abstract

 A transparent double-glazing unit of the type comprising at least two panes (5a, 5b) of glass or other transparent material, kept at a distance by means of horizontal spacers (6a, 6b) so as to form a thermal break cavity (20), wherein said double-glazing unit also comprises vertical spacers (7a, 7b) of transparent material. In comparison with known double-glazing units, the double-glazing unit according to the invention has the advantage of offering the widest possible transparent surface so as not to create any obstacle to the unobstructed view of the products inside the refrigerated environment through the same double-glazing unit.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

[0001] The present invention relates to an improved type of transparent double-glazing unit.

[0002] The field of invention is that of double-glazing units, i.e. panels formed by at least two glass panes kept at a distance to create an intermediate air chamber with thermal break between the opposing glass panes.

[0003] These double-glazing units are specifically used in the refrigeration field with the aim of keeping products stored in the cold at the desired temperature, while leaving them exposed to unobstructed view through these double-glazing units.

[0004] Currently available double-glazing units of the type described above used in the refrigeration field have internal spacers made of metal or other opaque material fixed on all horizontal and vertical sides of the double-glazing unit.

[0005] This construction has the disadvantage of forming obstacles to view of the items exposed in the refrigerated environment through the double-glazing unit. For this reason, users are not in a position to examine all the items displayed, with the additional disadvantage of an overall unsightly effect on the refrigerator cabinet.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0006] The main object of the present invention is to provide an improved type of double-glazing unit that has transparency properties even at the vertical sides of the panel formed with the same double-glazing unit.

[0007] It is a further object of the invention to provide a double-glazing unit of the type described above which, in comparison with conventional double-glazing units, has a bright appearance in all its parts and is aesthetically clean and pleasant.

[0008] These and other objects are achieved through the double-glazing unit disclosed in claim 1. Preferred embodiments of the invention will be apparent from the remaining claims.

[0009] When compared to known double-glazing units, the double-glazing unit according to the invention has the advantage of offering the widest possible transparent surface, so as not to create any obstacle to unobstructed view of the products inside the refrigerated environment, through the same double-glazing unit.

[0010] A further advantage of the invention lies in the improved overall aesthetic appearance of the refrigerator cabinet, due to the large transparent surface area of the double-glazing unit that makes the display case particularly bright and with simple and pleasant lines.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0011] These and other objects, advantages and features will be apparent from the following description of a preferred embodiment of the double-glazing unit according to the invention illustrated by way of non-limiting example in the figures of the attached drawing sheets, wherein:

• Figure 1 shows an example of use of the double-glazing unit according to the invention as a door for closing a refrigerator;
• Figure 2 shows a detail of one of the doors illustrated in the previous figure;
• Figure 3 shows the door in Figure 2 along cross-section A-A;
• Figures 4 and 4a show an exploded view of the door in Figure 2;
• Figure 5 shows the door in Figure 2 in cross-section B-B;
• Figure 6 shows a magnified cross-sectional view of detail C in Figure 3; and
• Figure 7 shows detail D in Figure 4 when assembled.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0012] Figure 1 shows the transparent display case of a commercial refrigerator used to display food products 1 placed on shelves 2 located inside the refrigerated environment.

[0013] In detail, the showcase is formed by a set of doors 3, each comprising a double-glazing unit 4 according to the invention, more particularly illustrated in Figures 4 and 4a.

[0014] As shown in these figures, the double-glazing unit 4 comprises two panes 5a and 5b made of glass or other transparent material, kept separate by means of two upper and lower horizontal spacers 6a and 6b made of metal or other opaque material. The horizontal spacers 6a, 6b have an internal chamber filled with desiccant salts 19 (see also Figure 3).

[0015] At the surfaces of spacers 6a, 6b facing respective panes 5a, 5b there are sealing elements 23 (Figure 6), for example made of butyl resin, with the function of sealing the cavity 20 of the double-glazing unit 4 against vapors and other atmospheric agents in general.

[0016] On its vertical sides, the double-glazing unit 4 is fitted with vertical spacers 7a and 7b, which according to the invention are made of polymethyl-methacrylate or other transparent material suitable for the purpose (e.g. glass).

[0017] The edge 8 of the double-glazing unit 4 opposite to the hinge pins 9 coupling the door 3 to the frame of the display case in Figure 1 is sealed at respective spacer 7b by means of a sealing element 10 made of transparent material, which also acts as a barrier against the entry of moisture into the cavity 20 of the double-glazing unit. The edge 8 thus formed is then finished by means of a section 11 made of transparent material, held in place on the double-glazing unit by means of said sealing element 10 and with an impact protection function for the edges of the double-glazing panes 5a and 5b.

[0018] Strips 12 of adhesive tape, also transparent, are used to fix the spacer 7b to the respective panes 5a and 5b. An identical solution is used to fix the other vertical spacer 7a to the panes 5a, 5b of the double-glazing unit 4 (Figures 4, 4a and 5).

[0019] The spacers 6a, 6b mounted on the horizontal sides of the double-glazing unit 4 in Figures 3 and 6 are also fixed to the panes 5a, 5b by means of a layer of adhesive material (not shown). A first seal 13, an aluminum section 14 with reinforcement 15 and an external finishing section 16 are also provided.

[0020] According to the invention, in correspondence with the horizontal spacers 6a, 6b horizontal hollow sections 17a and 17b are also provided, fixed by means of an adhesive and having an internal chamber 18 housing salts 19 suitable for absorbing the humidity inside the cavity 20 of the double-glazing unit 4, through the micro-perforated wall 21 of the same sections 17a, 17b.

[0021] As shown in Figure 7, the vertical spacer 7a, located on the side of the hinge 9 of the door 3, is fixed to the corresponding end of the horizontal spacers 6a, 6b by means of a screw 22, suitable for consolidating the structure of the double-glazing spacers.

Claims

1. A transparent double-glazing unit, of the type comprising at least two panes (5a, 5b) of glass or other transparent material, kept at a distance by means of horizontal spacers (6a, 6b) so as to form a thermal break cavity (20), characterized in that said horizontal spacers (6a, 6b) have an internal chamber filled with desiccant salts (19), said double-glazing unit also including vertical spacers (7a, 7b) of transparent material, an external section (14) closing said double-glazing, a reinforcement (15) and a seal (13) fixing said section (14) to the same double-glazing unit (4), additional horizontal hollow sections (17a, 17b) having an internal chamber (18) housing dehumidifying salts (19) being also provided to dehumidify the air contained within said cavity (20) of the double-glazing unit (4) through a micro-perforated wall (21) of the same spacers (17a, 17b).

2. The double-glazing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that it also comprises a finishing element (11) of transparent material, held in place by means of a sealing element (10) which also acts as a barrier against the entry of moisture into the cavity (20) of the double-glazing unit (4).

3. The double-glazing unit according to claim 2, characterized in that strips (12) of transparent double-sided adhesive material are also provided for fixing said vertical spacers (7a, 7b) to the panes (5a, 5b) of the double-glazing unit.

4. The double-glazing unit according to claim 1, characterized in that a screw (22) is provided for fixing said horizontal spacers (6a, 6b) at the ends of the respective vertical spacers (7a, 7b).

5. A showcase for commercial refrigerators of food product displays for sale to the public, characterized in that it comprises one or more double-glazing units according to any of the preceding claims.

Drawing