REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE VEGETABLE CONTAINER PARTITIONING ARRANGEMENT

Description

[0001] The present invention relates to a refrigeration appliance having a container in the form of an extractable unit and whose partitions can be dimensioned by the users in view of special spacing requirements.

[0002] A refrigeration appliance has a plurality of shelves and containers for preserving food items. A withdrawable container is typically arranged in the manner that its base extends in parallel with the ground so as to be movable out of the internal space of the appliance in order for allowing the users to reach the stored food items.

[0003] A special extractable container, generally designated as a vegetable or fruit storage container can be arranged in the form of a plurality of partitions, each partition storing a different vegetable in the storage space in a well-organized and grouped manner, i.e. not in randomly mixed state.

[0004] Among others, one of the prior art disclosures in the technical field of the present invention can be referred to as US 2010/0319391 A1, which defines a refrigerator including an extractable container, and a conveying unit formed in an inner space of a vertical wall of the extractable container. The conveying unit includes a guide part to guide the movement of a partition member that divides a storage space of the extractable container, and a fixing part to restrict the movement of the partition member.

[0005] The present invention on the other hand provides a partitioning mechanism, which can be position-locked in a more practical manner. To this end, the present invention allows the user to lock a preferred partitioning layout by directly using the partitioning member itself.

[0006] Each of the documents US 2005/061021 A1 and WO 2012/067417 A2 discloses a refrigeration appliance container partitioning mechanism according to the preamble of claim 1.

[0007] Further, the present invention also ensures that a given food item having a smaller size with respect to greater size fruits such as apples and oranges can be stored in a more convenient manner by a special partitioning arrangement.

[0008] The present invention therefore provides a refrigeration appliance container partitioning mechanism as provided by the characterizing features defined in Claim 1.

[0009] Primary object of the present invention is to provide a refrigeration appliance container partitioning mechanism by which a preferred partitioning layout can be easily locked.

[0010] The present invention proposes a refrigeration appliance having a withdrawable storage container with a partitioning member displaceable in the direction of the surrounding walls of the container. The partitioning member moves along at least two separation rods extending in perpendicular with each other and having outer ends guided along said surrounding walls. The partitioning member has a top portion with a locking member inside such that the locking member mechanically communicates with the separation rods so as to press against the same in order for preventing displacement of the partitioning member in the direction of the side walls. The top portion is pressible or rotatable relative to the body of the partitioning member such that the locking member presses against the separation rods.

[0011] Restricted partition walls are laterally joined to the partitioning member as four side wings along two perpendicular axes where the separation rods extend. They extend between the two parallel separation rods in the first and second axes.

[0012] Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a refrigeration appliance container partitioning mechanism, whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.

[0013] The drawings are not meant to delimit the scope of protection as identified in the claims nor should they be referred to alone in an effort to interpret the scope identified in the claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

Fig. 1 demonstrates a general perspective view of the withdrawable storage container according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 demonstrates a lateral cross-sectional perspective view of the withdrawable storage container according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 demonstrates an enlarged lateral cross-sectional perspective view of the partitioning member according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 demonstrates a lateral cross-sectional perspective view of the withdrawable storage container according to an alternative embodiment of the present invention.

Fig. 5 demonstrates an enlarged lateral cross-sectional perspective view of the partitioning member according to the alternative embodiment of Fig. 4.

[0014] The following numerals are used in the present description:

1. Storage container

2. Front wall

3. Rear wall

4. Lateral wall

5. Separation rod

6. Partitioning member

7. Restricted partition wall

8. Guiding rod

9. Movable carrier

10. Guide slit

11. Locking member

12. Claw portion

[0015] The present invention proposes a refrigeration appliance typically having a main body with a multitude of storage chambers and doors opening and closing a front side of the main body. A refrigerating chamber as well as a freezing chamber may be disposed so as to provide two separate divisions within the inside of the main body. The refrigerating chamber of the invention comprises a plurality of shelves as well as at least one withdrawable storage container (1) generally designated as a storage space for food items such as vegetables and fruits. The storage container (1) comprises a front wall (2), a rear wall (3) and lateral walls (4) defining the storage space which can be organized in the form of four divisions with varying dimensions. To this end, a partitioning member (6) is provided in connection with a first set of separation rods (5) such that a pair of separation rods (5) in parallel with the front wall (2) pass through said partitioning member (6) while the outer ends thereof are guided along said lateral walls (4). Likewise, a second pair of separation rods (5) passes through the partitioning member (6) in perpendicular with said first pair, the outer ends thereof being guided along said front walls (2) and rear walls (3). Therefore, when the partitioning member (6) is displaced in the direction of the one of the surrounding walls (2, 3, 4), it moves through the two sets of separation rods (5), the latter passing through longitudinal holes inside the partitioning member (6), therefore obtaining four separate partitions whose dimensions are fixed as desired. In a nutshell, the present invention proposes a refrigeration appliance having a main body with a plurality of chambers with at least one withdrawable storage container (1), the storage container (1) comprising a front wall (2), a rear wall (3) and lateral walls (4) defining an inner storage space. The withdrawable storage container (1) further comprising a partitioning member (6) displaceable in the direction of the surrounding walls (2, 3, 4) by moving through at least two separation rods (5), the latter passing through longitudinal holes inside the partitioning member (6) in perpendicular with each other and having outer ends guided along the surrounding walls (2, 3, 4).

[0016] The partitioning member (6) of the invention comprises a locking member (11) having the function of freezing the position of the partitioning member (6). To this end, the four divisions as locked by the user will remain unvaried until the user repositions and locks the partitioning member (6). The locking member (11) can be realized according to a plurality of design alternatives, for instance it can be designed with a top portion in the form of a button pressible relative to the body portion, the top portion having an internal protruding element, pressing on the separation rods (5) and therefore preventing the partitioning member (6) from sliding sideways due to friction. The pressed position can be released by repressing with the help of a conventional spring mechanism (not shown). Alternatively, the top portion can be designed as a rotatable part, i.e. having a threaded connection relationship with the remaining body part of the partitioning member (6). In the event that the top portion is rotated, the locking member (11) presses down on the separation rod (5) by moving downwards, therefore locking the position of the partitioning member (6). In a nutshell, the partitioning member (6) of the invention comprises a top portion having a locking member (11) inside the same, mechanically communicating with the separation rods (5) such that the partitioning member (6) is prevented from sliding sideways.

[0017] According to an embodiment of the invention, the separation rods (5) extending into the partitioning member (6) are provided as a couple of parallel rods passing through longitudinal holes inside the partitioning member (6) at a lower as well as upper portion thereof. The same double-rod mechanism is also present in the perpendicular axis so that the partitioning member is more reliably supported on four distinct separation rods (5). Therefore, two parallel separation rods (5) extend inside longitudinal holes through the partitioning member (6) in a first axis as well as in a second axis perpendicular to the first axis.

[0018] The partitioning member (6) can be moved to a specific location where the smallest partitions are obtainable according to the present invention. To this end, restricted partition walls (7) that are laterally appended to the partitioning member (6) along the two axes where the separation rods (5) extend, serve to the purpose of limiting the shortest distance the partitioning member (6) can approach to any one of the walls (2, 3, 4). To this end, two respective restricted partition walls (7) provide the smallest partitions at each corner of the storage container (1) such that smaller size food items such as for instance garlics, onions etc. can be stored in a restricted manner. The present invention therefore provides that while larger size fruits and vegetables are stored in a separated manner by means of separation rods (5), smaller size food items can be stored by means of the restricted partition walls (7) in a laterally covered manner and without a chance of passing over the barrier rods (5). In a nutshell, the restricted partition walls (7) are laterally appended to the partitioning member (6) along two axes where the separation rods (5) extend. They extend between the two parallel separation rods (5) in the first axis and second axes.

[0019] In a still further embodiment of the present invention, the outer ends of the separation rods (5) are linked to a guiding rod (8) by means of movable carriers (9) in the form of blocks that travel along the guiding rods (8). This provides that the two ends of a separation rod (5) with the two movable carriers (9) thereon is symmetrically displaced, continuously in parallel with a respective wall (2, 3, 4), such that a smooth and reliable displacement is imparted to the partitioning member (6). The movable carriers (9) have hollow cylindrical end portions through which the guiding rods (8) extend.

[0020] In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, as is seen in Fig. 4 or 5, a movable carrier (9) can be replaced with a claw portion (12) traveling in engagement with a guide slit (10) on a respective wall (2, 3, 4) in an alternative manner. In the event that a movable carrier (9) is employed instead of a claw portion (12), the guide slits (10) can be used to conceal the movable carriers (9), therefore providing a more aesthetical appearance. In a nutshell, the outer ends of the separation rods (5) are linked to a guiding rod (8) by means of movable carriers (9). The outer ends of the separation rods (5) are alternatively in communication with a guide slit (10) on a respective wall (2, 3, 4), by means of a claw portion (12) traveling in engagement with the guide slit (10). A movable carrier (9) communicates with a guiding rod (8) through the inside of a guide slit (10).

[0021] In this regard, the present invention ensures that a refrigeration appliance withdrawable storage container (1) partitioning mechanism is provided by which a preferred partitioning layout can be easily locked.

Claims

1. A refrigeration appliance having a main body and a plurality of chambers with at least one withdrawable storage container (1) comprising a front wall (2), a rear wall (3) and lateral walls (4) defining an inner storage space, a partitioning member (6) displaceable in the direction of surrounding walls (2, 3, 4) and moving through at least two separation rods (5), the latter passing through longitudinal holes inside the partitioning member (6) in perpendicular with each other and having outer ends guided along said surrounding walls (2, 3, 4), wherein said partitioning member (6) comprises a top portion having a locking member (11) inside the same, mechanically communicating with the separation rods (5) such that the partitioning member (6) is prevented from sliding sideways, wherein for the purpose of limiting the shortest distance the partitioning member (6) can approach to any one of the walls (2, 3, 4), restricted partition walls (7) are laterally appended to the partitioning member (6) along the two axes where the separation rods (5) extend characterized in that two parallel separation rods (5) extend inside longitudinal holes through the partitioning member (6) in a first axis as well as in a second axis perpendicular to the first axis wherein the restricted partition walls (7) extend between the two parallel separation rods (5) in the first and second axes.

2. A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 1, characterized in that the top portion of the partitioning member (6) is pressible so as to enable the locking member (11) to press on the separation rods (5).

3. A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 1, characterized in that the top portion of the partitioning member (6) is rotatable, in response to which the locking member (11) presses against the separation rods (5).

4. A refrigeration appliance as in any one of the above Claims, characterized in that outer ends of the separation rods (5) are linked to a guiding rod (8) by means of movable carriers (9).

5. A refrigeration appliance as in any one of the Claims 1 to 3, characterized in that outer ends of the separation rods (5) communicate with a guide slit (10) on a respective wall (2, 3, 4) by means of a claw portion (12) traveling in engagement with the guide slit (10).

6. A refrigeration appliance as in Claim 4, characterized in that the movable carriers (9) communicate with a guiding rod (8) through the inside of a guide slit (10).

Ansprüche

1. Kühlgerät mit einem Hauptkörper und mehreren Kammern mit mindestens einem ausfahrbaren Vorratsbehälter (1) umfassend eine Vorderwand (2), eine Hinterwand (3) und laterale Wände (4), die einen Lagerraum festlegen, ein Trennelement (6), das in Richtung der umgebenden Wände (2, 3, 4) verschiebbar ist und sich durch mindestens zwei Trennstäbe (5) bewegt, wobei die letzteren durch Längslöcher innerhalb des Trennelements (6) senkrecht zueinander verlaufen und äußeren Enden aufweist, die entlang der umgebenden Wände (2, 3, 4) geführt sind wobei das Trennelement (6) einen oberen Abschnitt umfasst, der ein Sperrelement (11) innerhalb derselben aufweist, das mechanisch mit den Trennstäben (5) in Verbindung steht, so dass das Trennelement (6) es gehindert wird, seitwärts zu gleiten; wobei zum Zweck des Begrenzens der kürzesten Distanz, mit der das Trennelement (6) sich an irgendeine der Wände (2, 3, 4) annähern kann, beschränkte Trennwände (7) seitlich an dem Trennelement (6) entlang der beiden Achsen angebracht sind, an denen sich die Trennstäbe (5) erstrecken dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass sich zwei parallele Trennstäbe (5) innerhalb von Längsbohrungen durch das Trennelement (6) in einer ersten Achse sowie in einer zweiten Achse senkrecht zur ersten Achse erstrecken, wobei sich die begrenzten Trennwände (7) zwischen den beiden parallel Trennstäbe (5) in der ersten und zweiten Achse erstrecken.

2. Kühlgerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der obere Abschnitt des Trennelements (6) so drückbar ist, dass das Sperrelement (11) auf die Trennstäbe (5) drücken kann.

3. Kühlgerät nach Anspruch 1, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass der obere Abschnitt des Trennelements (6) rotierbar ist, woraufhin das Sperrelement (11) gegen die Trennstäbe (5) drückt.

4. Kühlgerät nach einem der vorhergehenden Ansprüche, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die äußeren Enden der Trennstäbe (5) mittels beweglicher Träger (9) mit einem Führungsstab (8) verbunden sind.

5. Kühlgerät nach einem der Ansprüche 1 bis 3, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die äußeren Enden der Trennstäbe (5) mit einem Führungsschlitz (10) an einer entsprechenden Wand (2, 3, 4) mittels eines Klauenabschnitts (12) kommunizieren, der sich in Eingriff mit dem Führungsschlitz (10) befindet.

6. Kühlgerät nach Anspruch 4, dadurch gekennzeichnet, dass die beweglicher Träger (9) mit dem Führungsstab (8) durch die Innenseite eines Führungsschlitzes (10) kommunizieren.

Revendications

1. Appareil de réfrigération ayant un corps principal et une pluralité de chambres avec au moins un récipient de stockage (1) rétractable comprenant une paroi avant (2), une paroi arrière (3) et des parois latérales (4) définissant un espace de stockage interne, un élément (6) déplaçable dans la direction des parois environnantes (2, 3, 4) et se déplaçant à travers au moins deux tiges de partitionnement (5), ces derniers traversant des trous longitudinaux à l'intérieur de l'élément de partitionnement (6) perpendiculairement l'un à l'autre et ayant des extrémités extérieures guidées le long desdites parois environnantes (2, 3, 4), dans lequel ledit élément de partitionnement (6) comprend une partie supérieure ayant un élément de verrouillage (11) à l'intérieur de celui-ci, communiquant mécaniquement avec les tiges de partitionnement (5) de sorte que l'élément de partitionnement (6) ne puisse pas glisser latéralement, dans lequel, dans le but de limiter la distance la plus courte, l'élément de partitionnement (6) peut s'approcher de l'une des parois (2, 3, 4), des cloisons de partitionnement (7) sont fixées latéralement à l'élément de partitionnement (6) axes où s'étendent les tiges de partitionnement (5) caractérisé en ce que deux tiges de partitionnement parallèles (5) s'étendent à l'intérieur des trous longitudinaux à travers l'élément de partitionnement (6) dans un premier axe ainsi que dans un deuxième axe perpendiculaire au premier axe dans lequel les cloisons de partitionnement (7) s'étendent entre les deux des tiges de partitionnement (5) dans les premier et second axes.

2. Appareil de réfrigération selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la partie supérieure de l'élément de partitionnement (6) peut être pressée de manière à permettre à l'élément de verrouillage (11) d'appuyer sur les tiges de partitionnement (5).

3. Appareil de réfrigération selon la revendication 1, caractérisé en ce que la partie supérieure de l'élément de partitionnement (6) peut tourner, en réponse à quoi l'élément de verrouillage (11) appuie contre les tiges de partitionnement (5).

4. Appareil de réfrigération selon l'une quelconque des revendications précédentes, caractérisé en ce que les extrémités extérieures des tiges de partitionnement (5) sont reliées à une tige de guidage (8) au moyen de supports mobiles (9).

5. Appareil de réfrigération selon l'une quelconque des revendications 1 à 3, caractérisé en ce que les extrémités extérieures des tiges de partitionnement (5) communiquent avec une fente de guidage (10) sur une paroi respective (2, 3, 4) au moyen d'une partie de griffe (12) se déplaçant en engagement avec la fente de guidage (10).

6. Appareil de réfrigération selon la revendication 4, caractérisé en ce que les supports mobiles (9) communiquent avec une tige de guidage (8) à travers l'intérieur d'une fente de guidage (10).

Drawing