REFRIGERATOR DESIGNED FOR THE STORAGE OF FOODS UNDER VACUUM

Abstract

 Refrigerator (1) designed for storing food under vacuum, comprising a body (2) and a door (4), with a suction pipe (6) placed in said body (2) and extending in said door (4) to lead to at least one opening (37) formed in the inner panel (4') of the door (4) designed to accommodate a normally closed valve (30), in which a bracket (11) is provided, supporting at least one container (20) with lid (21) that can be opened with a hinge, said bracket (11) being mountable on said inner panel (4') of the door (4) and being provided with at least one hole (15) in alignment with said opening (37) in the panel (4'), in said lid (21) of the container (20) a rod (40) being provided which is placed in axial alignment with said hole (15) of the bracket (11) and said opening (37) of the panel (4') in lowered position of the lid (21) on the respective container (20), said rod (40) being controllable by a frontal knob (50) which causes an axial displacement thereof for the opening/closing of the valve (30).

Description

[0001] The subject of the present invention is a refrigerator designed to store food under vacuum.

[0002] Vacuum is a technique that allows the organoleptic and nutritional properties and flavour of preserved foods to remain unchanged for as long as possible, preventing their deterioration, oxidation and the proliferation of bacteria. This happens thanks to the elimination of air and oxygen which favour the proliferation of bacteria and moulds. This system of preservation of food, which can be used both for fresh and cooked food, reduces food waste and ensures greater hygiene by eliminating or reducing the possibility of contamination with other foods and the proliferation of bacteria and mould.

[0003] Currently, appliances for domestic use are quite widespread that allow a vacuum to be created in bags or containers that are then placed in the refrigerator until the time of consumption.

[0004] This way of preserving food, however, is not without disadvantages, as it requires first of all for the user to have a vacuum machine, and that a vacuum is created in the individual bags or containers, which are then placed "loose" in the refrigerator. Moreover, when a bag or container is opened, the vacuum is lost and the relevant content has to be consumed.

[0005] In order to seek to obviate these disadvantages at least in part, some refrigerator manufacturers have offered refrigerators on the market with a drawer designed to be placed under vacuum by suction/expulsion of the air contained therein.

[0006] However, these solutions have not proved to be entirely satisfactory, either for reasons of cost, since the vacuum drawer is normally made in steel, or because the intended use of a vacuum drawer considerably reduces useful space inside the refrigerator for the other compartments.

[0007] Moreover, a single drawer intended to contain different foods does not eliminate the possibility of contamination among different foods.

[0008] Finally, when the drawer is opened to extract part of its content, the vacuum in the entire drawer must be restored, with consequent high energy consumption.

[0009] It would therefore be desirable to have a refrigerator that is free from the above-mentioned disadvantages.

[0010] US 2009/302724 A1 discloses a connection system for connecting an encoded domestic appliance feature module to a utility source and transferring a plurality of utilities between the encoded feature module and the utility source. The connection system includes a utility source that has a coupler capable of removably engaging an encoded domestic appliance feature module to the utility source. Also included is at least one encoded domestic appliance feature module that independently supplies one or more functionalities. Further included is an interface between the utility source and the feature module, where the interface includes a detection and recognition device that operates to detect when the encoded feature module is connected to the utility source.

[0011] The object of the invention is to eliminate, or at least reduce, the disadvantages of the prior art described above.

[0012] In particular, one object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator designed for the storage of food under vacuum that maintains almost unchanged, or reduces as little as possible, the useful space inside the refrigerator, leaving unchanged the drawers with which it is normally supplied.

[0013] Another object of the invention is to provide such a refrigerator that is provided with several separate containers for the storage of food that can be selectively placed under vacuum.

[0014] Yet another object of the invention is to provide such a refrigerator in which the space for the vacuum is easily accessible for the positioning and removal of the single containers, in such a way that the removable containers can be easily removed for even partial consumption of the food contained therein, easily cleaned/washed, and repositioned to be automatically placed under vacuum again.

[0015] A further object of the invention is to provide such a refrigerator that can be easily adapted for the storage of food under vacuum and that does not lead to an excessive increase in cost, therefore found to be economically competitive.

[0016] These and other objects are achieved by the refrigerator designed for preserving food under vacuum which has the features of the appended independent claim 1.

[0017] Advantageous embodiments of the invention are disclosed by the dependent claims.

[0018] Substantially, the refrigerator designed for the preservation of food under vacuum according to the invention comprises a body and a door, with a suction pipe, connected to a vacuum source, said suction pipe being placed in said body and extending in said door to lead into at least one opening formed in the inner panel of the door, capable of accommodating a normally closed valve, wherein a bracket supporting at least one container with a hinge-openable lid is provided, said bracket being mountable on said inner panel of the door and being provided with at least one hole in alignment with said opening in the panel, in said lid of the container a rod being provided that is placed in axial alignment with said hole in the bracket and said panel opening in lowered position of the lid on the respective container, said rod being controllable by a front knob that causes an axial displacement thereof for the opening/closing of the valve to create vacuum in the container (20), a solenoid valve (8) and a vacuum switch (9) being placed on the suction line (6) for the regulation and maintaining of the degree of vacuum.

[0019] Further features of the invention will be made clearer by the detailed description that follows, referred to one of its embodiments purely by way of a non-limiting example, illustrated in the accompanying drawings, in which:

Figure 1 is a schematic axonometric view of a refrigerator with the door open to show the arrangement of the containers suitable for being placed under vacuum;

Figure 2 is a view like that of Figure 1 with non-visible parts dotted, to show schematically the system for the creation of vacuum in the containers;

Figure 3 is an axonometric view showing the containers on the relative support bracket, one with the lid closed, the other with the lid open;

Figure 4 is a blown-up axonometric view of a container and of the support bracket;

Figure 4a is a front view of the lid of the container, with the knob viewed from the inside;

Figure 5 is a plan view from above of a container mounted on the support bracket;

Figure 6 is a sectioned view taken along plane VI-VI of Figure 5;

Figures 6a and 6b are enlargements of the circled details denoted respectively by the letters A and B in Figure 6, with the container in vacuum condition;

Figures 6c and 6d are views of the same details A and B, with the container in non-vacuum condition;

Figure 7 is a sectioned view like that of Figure 6 showing also the inner panel of the refrigerator door on which the support bracket of the containers is mounted.

[0020] Figures 1 and 2 schematically show a refrigerator denoted overall by reference numeral 1, comprising a body 2 with a plurality of compartments, consisting of drawers (not shown) and shelves 3, and a door 4 inside of which brackets 5 are normally provided, only schematised in the drawings, with housings for the containment of food or bottles. In these drawings, the assembly for the placing under vacuum of food according to the invention, denoted by reference numeral 10, is mounted on door 4, inside which a pipe 6 is provided that extends in body 2 of the refrigerator and connects to compressor 7. On the section of pipe 6 placed in body 2, at the outlet of compressor 7, a solenoid valve 8 and a vacuum switch 9 are placed, for the creation and management of vacuum inside the containers, as will be better explained in greater detail here below.

[0021] Assembly 10 could also be placed inside body 2 of the refrigerator, but it is preferable to place it on the door, where it is more easily accessible.

[0022] Figure 3 shows assembly 10 enlarged and detached from door 4, consisting of a support bracket 11 on which two containers 20 are placed, one shown with lid 21 closed, the other with lid open.

[0023] Naturally the number of containers can be different from the one shown, on the basis of the size of the same that is required and the length of bracket 11.

[0024] Bracket 11 has a substantially L-shaped section, with a base 12 for the support of the containers 20 and a vertical wall 13 that can be fixed to door 4 of the refrigerator, to which lids 21 are hinged, for the reasons that will be made clearer below.

[0025] Lids 21 could also be hinged to the relative containers 20, but in this case the system would be more complex to install and less practical during use.

[0026] Assembly 10 will now be described in greater detail with reference to Figure 4 which shows a blown-up view of a container with relative lid and support bracket.

[0027] As can be seen from the drawings, the components that allow the container 20 to be placed under vacuum are incorporated in the lid 21, in which a gasket 22 is provided for sealing on the respective container 20.

[0028] As mentioned, lid 21 is hinged to bracket 11 by means of hinge elements 14, schematically shown in Figure 4.

[0029] On the vertical wall 13 of the support bracket 11, in a central position between pairs of hinge elements 14, holes 15 are provided, in which respective valves 30, in this case diaphragm valves, are provided, the functioning whereof will be illustrated below.

[0030] It is clear, however, that valves 30 may be of a different type.

[0031] Inside the lid 21 and centrally thereto a duct 23 is provided that extends from the front part to the rear part of the lid, and is placed in alignment with a corresponding hole 15 provided in bracket 11, when the lid 21 is closed on container 20.

[0032] Inside duct 23 a rod 40 is placed, mounted in such a way that it can only slide axially, without the possibility of rotation.

[0033] The rod 40 has a threaded first section 41 designed to be placed at the front part of the lid and an end section 42 of smaller diameter and faceted, designed to slide in a corresponding seat 24 having the same profile, formed inside the duct 23, in such a way that the rotation of the rod 40 is prevented. Said end section 42 ends with a tip 43 suitable for actuating a valve 30 as will be mentioned here below.

[0034] On the end section 42 an O-ring 44 is inserted to seal against said seat 24 (Figures 6 and 7).

[0035] In duct 23, downstream of the O-ring 44, a small hole 25 is provided for the passage of air from the interior of the container during the creation of the vacuum, as will be mentioned here below.

[0036] The threaded end 41 of the rod 40 protrudes at the front from a closing plug 26 of duct 23.

[0037] Plug 26 has for such purpose a central hole 27 for the passage of the rod 40 and an underlying hole 28 in communication with the interior of the container acting as a vent hole when the vacuum is removed, as will be mentioned here below.

[0038] In fact, a small plate 45 is screwed onto the threaded section 41 of the rod 40 with a threaded hole 46 and an underlying small hole 47 for the mounting of a vent valve 48, which goes to occlude the vent hole 28.

[0039] The vent valve holder plate 45 moves together with the rod 40.

[0040] The closing plug 26 has below a slit 29, so as not to interfere with a tab 51 protruding frontally from the container 20 serving for the closing of the lid as will now be stated. There was mention above of closing plug 26 of the duct 23 provided inside the lid 21, but it is clear that this plug 26 can be an integral part of duct 23 and therefore of lid 21. In front of plug 26 of lid 21 a knob 50 is provided, provided with a pair of toothed fins 52 suitable to engage in plug 26 of the lid.

[0041] In the knob 50 an internally threaded hub 53 is provided, suitable to screw on the threaded end 41 of the rod 40.

[0042] The knob 50, once mounted on the lid 21, abuts with its skirt 54 against the plug 26 and is prevented from moving axially, so that a rotation of the knob 50 causes an axial displacement of the rod 40.

[0043] The skirt 54 of the knob 50, in condition of closure of the lid on the container 20, is placed with one of its sections under the tab 51 of the container, and has a cut-out 55, in such a way that, according to the angular position of the knob, the opening or closing of the container is produced, as will be explained in greater detail here below.

[0044] To finish the description of the blown-up view of Figure 4, an insert 56 is visible there, which does not perform any technical function but simply closes a groove 57 formed in the lid for reasons of assembly of the various components.

[0045] The bracket 11, designed with lids 21 and valves 30, and supporting the removable containers 20, constitutes the assembly 10 for placing under vacuum, which can be easily installed on door 4 of the refrigerator, on whose inner panel 4' (Figure 7) recesses 37 are formed, constituting seats suitable to house respective valves 30, at which branches 6' of the pipe 6 open, located in the cavity of door 4 and coming from the compressor 7 of the refrigerator.

[0046] Assembly 10, which may include one or more containers 20, is extremely easy to handle and lightweight, being made almost entirely of plastic material.

[0047] The diaphragm valve 30 has a serrated external profile 31 designed to seal on the inner surface of the seat 37 to maintain vacuum.

[0048] The diaphragm valve 30 is a hollow tubular body, inside whereof a conical wall 32 is provided with a frontal slot 33 normally closed and which tends to close further in case of vacuum, due to the conicity of the wall 32.

[0049] Having described the structure of assembly 10 and of refrigerator 1 designed to accommodate it, the functioning of the system is now described in brief, which is quite intuitive.

[0050] A switch for the activation and deactivation of the vacuum circuit can be provided in a manner in itself evident.

[0051] Assuming that the vacuum circuit is activated, in the absence of a container 20, or in any case with the lid 21 lowered on the container but not closed (Figure 6c, 6d) valve 32 remains closed for what has been said above.

[0052] When vacuum is to be created in the container 20, with the lid 21 lowered on it in the condition of Figure 6c, that is with the cut-out 55 of the knob 50 positioned at the tab 51 of the container, the knob 50 is rotated, for example, through 90°, in such a way that the solid part of its skirt 54 is placed under the tab 51 of the container, causing closure thereof.

[0053] At the same time, the rotation of knob 50 causes the rod 40 to advance, which is prevented from rotating, producing the opening of valve 30, with its tip 43 (Figure 6b) and therefore the suction of the air from container 20 through the hole 25 formed in duct 23.

[0054] Together with the rod 40, the vent valve 48 also moves, carried by the plate 45, which goes to occlude the vent hole 28, preventing air from entering the container 20.

[0055] Vacuum switch 9 is set to the degree of vacuum to be obtained and controls in closure solenoid valve 8, once this vacuum has been reached.

[0056] Whenever there is a deviation from the degree of vacuum set, for example for a temporary opening of the lid 21 of a container or for slight vacuum losses over time, this is detected by the vacuum switch 9 which controls the solenoid valve 8 to open to restore the degree of vacuum set.

[0057] For the opening of the container 20, starting from the condition of Figures 6a, 6b, the knob 50 is rotated in the direction contrary to the previous one, in such a way that its cut-out 55 is placed at the tab 51 of the container (Figure 6c) and causing the rod 40 to retract, with consequent closure of valve 30 (Figure 6d) and opening of the vent hole 28 by the vent valve 48, to allow the air to exit from the container.

[0058] The advantages of the solution proposed by the invention, which requires minimal interventions during the production phase of a refrigerator to prepare it for the creation of vacuum in containers, are clear from the above.

[0059] In fact, it is sufficient to install in the body 2 of the refrigerator a pipe 6 connected to the compressor 7 placing on the same a solenoid valve 8 and a vacuum switch 9, and extend this pipe 6 in door 4, connecting it to the seats 37 formed in the door, designed to accommodate the valves 30 of the assembly 10.

[0060] Assembly 10, consisting of bracket 11 complete with valves 30 and containers 20 with relative lids 21, made in plastic material, can be produced at low cost and is simple and practical to use.

[0061] The removable containers 20 can in fact be removed from bracket 11 for even partial consumption of the food contained therein, easily cleaned/washed, and repositioned on bracket 11 to be put under vacuum again.

[0062] The possibility of having several containers, which can be used selectively if necessary, allows the placing under vacuum of foods separated one from the other, for example cold cuts and cheese, avoiding contamination through contact.

[0063] If it is not necessary to create a vacuum in one of the containers, it can be used as a normal container, storing therein the elements that do not require vacuum, without actuating in closure the knob 50.

[0064] Naturally the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment previously described and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, but numerous detailed changes may be made thereto by the person skilled in the art, without thereby departing from the scope of the invention itself, as defined by the appended claims.

Claims

1. Refrigerator (1) designed for storing foodstuffs under vacuum, comprising a body (2) and a door (4), with a suction pipe (6), connected to a vacuum source, said suction pipe being arranged in said body (2) and extending in said door (4) to lead to at least one opening (37) formed in the inner panel (4') of the door (4) designed to receive a normally closed valve (30), in which a bracket (11) is provided, supporting at least one container (20) with hinged lid (21), said bracket (11) being mountable on said inner panel (4') of the door (4), characterised in that
said bracket is provided with at least one hole (15) in alignment with said opening (37) in the panel (4'),
in said lid (21) of the container (20) there is provided a rod (40) which is arranged in axial alignment with said hole (15) of the bracket (11) and said opening (37) of the panel (4') in the lowered position of the lid (21) on the respective container (20),
said rod (40) is controllable by a frontal knob (50) which causes an axial displacement of the rod for opening/closing the valve (30) to create vacuum in the container (20),
a solenoid valve (8) and a vacuum switch (9) are arranged on the suction pipe (6) for adjusting and maintaining the degree of vacuum.

2. Refrigerator according to claim 1, wherein said lid (21) is unrestrained by the container (20) and is hinged to said bracket (11).

3. Refrigerator according to claim 2, wherein said bracket (11) has a substantially L shape, with a substantially horizontal base (12) supporting said at least one container (20) and a substantially vertical wall (11) which can be fixed to the door of the refrigerator and to which said at least one lid (21) is hinged.

4. Refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said knob (50), in addition to controlling an axial displacement of said rod (40) also produces a mechanical closure of the lid (21) on the container (20), and the actuation of a vent valve (48).

5. Refrigerator according to claim 4, wherein said knob (50) is fixed by screwing to a terminal thread (41) of the rod (40) and is mounted on the lid (21) so as to be able to rotate and not translate, while said rod (40) is arranged in a duct (23) provided inside the lid and is locked in rotation, so that the rotation of the knob (50) causes an axial displacement of the rod (40), which actuates with a tip thereof (43) said valve (30).

6. Refrigerator according to claim 5, wherein said knob (50) has a skirt (54) with a cut-out (55) apt to be arranged at a tab (51) of the container (20) in a lowered lid condition, so that a rotation of the knob (50) brings a solid part of the skirt (54) to position under said tab (51) causing the aforementioned mechanical closure of the container.

7. Refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said valve (30) is arranged in said hole (15) of the bracket (11) and is housed in said opening (37) of the panel (4') of the door (4), said opening being shaped as a seat (37) that accommodates said valve.

8. Refrigerator according to any one of claims 5 to 7, wherein said vent valve (48) is carried by a plate (46) fixed to the rod (40) and moves together with the rod to occlude or free a hole (28) formed in said duct (23) for housing of the rod (40).

9. Refrigerator according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein said pipe (6) is connected to a compressor (7) of the refrigerator.

10. Assembly (10) for placing food under vacuum comprising a bracket (11) supporting at least one container (20), provided with a corresponding valve (30) and a lid (21) hinged to the bracket and able to close said container (20), the assembly (10) being designed to be mounted inside the door (4) of a refrigerator (1), so that said valve (30) is positioned at a suction pipe (6) at an opening (37) formed in an inner panel (4') of said door (4), in said lid (21) of the container (20) there being provided a rod (40) which is arranged in axial alignment with a hole (15) of the bracket (11) and said opening (37) of the panel (4') in the lowered position of the lid (21) on the respective container (20), said rod (40) being controllable by a frontal knob (50) which causes an axial displacement of the rod for opening/closing said valve (30) to create vacuum in the container (20).

Drawing