EP0863715A1

EP0863715A1 - Slide cover for refrigerator and/or freezer gondolas

Info

Publication number: EP0863715A1
Application number: EP96940223A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Hans Nilsson; Bo Direnius; Kent Olofsson
Original assignee: Termofrost Sweden AB; Termofrost AB
Current assignee: Schott Thermofrost AB
Priority date: 1995-11-28
Filing date: 1996-11-27
Publication date: 1998-09-16
Also published as: SE9504251L; WO1997019621A1; NO982408L; NO982408D0; SE505387C2; AU7716296A; NO306804B1; BR9611965A; SE9504251D0

Abstract

The invention relates to a slide cover device (1) for refrigerator and/or freezer gondolas (10), said gondola (10) having at least one opening (9) through which the interior of the gondola (10) is accessible from the gondola exterior. The slide cover device (1) is disposed in the opening (9) and comprises at least two cover parts (2, 3) arranged for sliding movement between an essentially sealed position and a position wherein the opening (9) is essentially uncovered. The slide cover device (1) is formed with at least two essentially parallel rails extending along two opposed edges of the opening (9), said cover parts (2, 3) being arranged for sliding movement between the above two positions.

Description

SLIDE COVER FOR REFRIGERATOR AND/OR FREEZER GONDOLAS

The present invention relates generally to a slide cover device for refrigerator and/or freezer gondolas, and more particularly to slide cover devices for such refrigerator and freezer gondolas in which refrigerated or deep frozen goods are stored and exposed through transparent cover parts. Gondolas of this kind may be used for instance in food stores. The cover parts usually are mounted in a rectangular opening in the gondola and usually m essentially parallel planes, one below the other in such a manner that each one cover part rests on and s displacable along a first pair of opposed edges of the opening. The cover parts have such a length that when one cover part assumes one end position and the other one the other end position they overlap so as to cover the entire opening.

A cover part for this type of gondola is manufactured in accordance with prior-art technology from at least one glass pane which is mounted in a frame matching the dimensions of the gondola opening, said frame having a slide face by means of which the frame slides on a corresponding edge formed in the gondola opening. Usually, the frame is manufactured from four profiled sections which are interconnected at and sealed to the glass pane corners. A disadvantage inherent in this construction is that the frame is expensive to manufacture, since the corner-interconnection operation is a time-consuming one and since the tolerance requirements on the profiled sections from which the frame is made are strict to ensure that a covering, sealed frame is obtained. Since the dimensions of the cover parts and thus those of the frames vary m different gondola types also the profiled section lengths vary, w th the result that the production equipment must be re-set for numerous components each time a new type of frame is to be produced, which in turn involves increased costs, less efficient use of time, etcetera.

Another disadvantage inherent in frames of this type is that the friction between the cover parts and the gondola opening is comparatively high, for which reason it might be quite difficult to open the slide cover device, at least in the case of larger covers.

Since in accordance with this prior-art construction the cover parts rest directly on the edge of the gondola opening they may by mistake or mischief be lifted off or fall down nto the gondola, which may cause crushing damages to the cover parts, to the gondola and to the goods inside the gondola, as also problems as the goods stored in the gondola may thaw or become too warm, resulting in increased energy consumption in the refrigerating machine of the gondola.

In addition, the cover part frames and/or the gondola opening may be deformed when exposed to the temperature differences residing at the opening, resulting for instance in a reduction of the capacity of the cover part to seal the opening and, m the case of slide cover devices, cover parts may even risk falling down into the gondola due to the temperature-induced deformations. In addition, it s only too easy for unauthorized persons to open slide cover devices of prior-art type, since they cannot be locked.

In order to increase the exposure of the goods contained in the gondola some slide cover devices are designed with domed cover parts. This configuration makes it difficult to interconnect the profiled sections of a frame structure as outlined above by welding or gluing together the frame section joints. In some constructions, a profiled section therefore is used having recesses in the areas of the corners, which profiled section is attached to the cover part along the entire periphery thereof. In this construction the corner areas must however be post-sealed.

Since the temperature of the gondola interior normally is lower than the surrounding air also the temperature of the very cover parts normally is lower than the surrounding air, with ensuing risks that condensate may collect, primarily on the side of the gondola cover parts that faces the gondola exterior. When the cover parts are made of a transparent material in order to allow the goods inside the gondola to be visible the collection of condensate obviously is not desirable.

An object of the present invention thus is to provide a slide cover device which is simple and inexpensive to manufacture, comprises few components, and which may be locked.

A second object of the subject invention is to provide a slide cover device wherein the risk for condensate formation on the cover parts is reduced.

These and other objects are achieved in accordance with the present invention by means of a cover device as defined in the appended claims.

Currently advantageous embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following in closer detail with reference to the accompanying drawings, wherein;

Fig. 1 is a schematic cut cross-sectional view of an inventive slide cover device in accordance with a first embodiment and in closed position, the section being taken along the direction of displacement of the cover parts.

Fig. 2 is a schematic cut cross-sectional view corresponding to Fig. 1 by showing the slide cover device in the open position.

Fig. 3 is a schematic cut end view, partly in cross- section, the section being taken transversely relatively to the direction of displacement of the slide cover device illustrated in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a schematic cut and partly sectional perspective view showing a part of the slide cover device illustrated in Figs 1-3 with the cover parts in closed position. Fig. 5 is a schematic end view of a handle means.

Fig. 6 is a schematic cut end view, partly in cross- section, with the section taken transversely with respect to the direction of displacement of a slide cover device in accordance with the second embodiment. Fig. 7 is a schematic cut cross-sectional view taken along the direction of displacement, i.e. on line A-A of Fig. 6, and relating to the second embodiment with the cover parts in an open position.

Fig. 8 is a schematic sectional v ew through a slide cover device the section being taken transversely with respect to the direction of displacement.

Fig. 9 is a schematic cut cross-sectional view of an inventive slide cover device m accordance with alternative embodiment, the cover being shown in an open position and m a cross-sectional view, the section being taken along the direction of displacement of the cover parts.

The slide cover device illustrated in Figs 1-5 and generally designated by numeral reference 1 comprises two cover parts 2, 3 which are arranged for sliding movement along two parallel rails 4, 5. The rails 4,5 are disposed along two opposite edges 7, 8 of a rectangular opening 9 of a gondola 10, the latter preferably being a refrigerator or freezer gondola. In accordance with the embodiment shown, the rails 4, 5 have an E-shaped cross- sectional configuration, the upper cover part 2 being displaceable along and introduced into an upper groove 11 formed in the rails 4, 5 whereas the lower cover part 3 is displaceable along and introduced into a lower groove 12 formed in rails 4, 5. Consequently, the cover parts 2, 3 extend in two parallel planes and are independently displaceable between the other two opposite edges 13, 14 of the opening 9.

The cover parts 2, 3 comprise preferably transparent rectangular panels 15 and 16, respectively, said panels preferably being made from glass and being formed with two lateral faces 17, 18, which are inserted into grooves 11 and 12 formed in the rails 4 and 5, respectively. A handle means 21 having a lateral sealing lip 22 and a cover sealing lip 23 is mounted on the other two lateral faces 19, 20 of the panels 15 and 16 respectively. The handle means 21 is formed with a plurality of flexible barbs 24 formed in an aperture in one end of the handle means. When the handle means 21 is forced into position m abutment against a lateral face 19 or 20 the barbs 24 retain the handle means 21 m position against the lateral face 19 or 20. The handle means 21 and the sealing lips 22, 23 thereof extend along the entire length of the lateral faces 19, 20 intermediate the rails 4, 5 (see Fig. 3) . Fig. 1 illustrates a closed slide cover device 1 covering the opening 9 of the gondola 10. By means of a lateral sealing lip 22, the cover part 2 is in contact with the edge 13 along the entire length thereof between the rails 4, 5. Similarly, by means of a lateral sealing lip 22, the cover part 3 is m contact with the edge 14 along the entire length thereof intermediate the rails 4, 5.

The cover parts 2, 3 have a sufficient length to allow them to overlap in the closed position, at least m the area of the centrally located handle means 21 as seen in Fig. 1. The left-hand cover sealing lip 23 in Fig. 1 is in contact with the right-hand handle means 21 of cover part 3 along the entire handle means intermediate the rails 4, 5. Since the lateral faces 17, 18 of cover parts 2, 3 are fitted into the rails 4, 5 and consequently are essentially sealed by the latter, the interior of the gondola 10 is essentially sealed off from the exterior in the position illustrated m Fig. 1.

In order to open the gondola 10 a handle means 21 may be engaged to slide one or both cover parts 2, 3 along the rails 4, 5, for instance to the open position illustrated in Fig. 2, in which they are in contact with the opening edge 13. It is easily understood that the two cover parts 2, 3 may also be slid to the open position wherein they are m contact with the opposite opening edge 14 (not shown) . It is likewise understood that the cover parts 2, 3 may be slid to a closed position, in which cover part 2 is in contact with opening edge 14, cover part 3 is in contact with opening edge 13, and the right-hand cover sealing lip 23 of cover part 2 as seen m Fig. 1 is in contact with cover part 3 (not shown) . Fig. 4 illustrates an aperture 25 which extends through the rail 4, at least down to the level of the lower groove 12. Corresponding apertures extend also through cover parts 2 and 3, respectively. A removable spring bolt (not shown) may be locked inside the apertures to lock cover parts 2, 3 in the closed position.

Figs 6-7 show another embodiment of the invention. Components identical or similar to those pertaining to the embodiment above have received the same numeral references. This embodiment has a function similar to that of the above-mentioned embodiment. In this case the cover parts 2, 3 are, however, domed in a manner illustrated in Figs 6 and 7 to prevent the upper face of the gondola from being used as a storage surface with consequential problems when one wishes to open the slide cover 1 of the gondola 9 as well as reduced visibility of the contents of the gondola 10 through the transparent panes 15, 16. The slide cover 1 is in is this case formed with an end member 26 at each opening edge 13 and 14 (not shown) against which the handle means 21 abut in the closed position in order to seal the vertical gap that would otherwise form at the edges 13, 14 of the opening 9.

As illustrated in Fig. 6 the rails 4, 5 are formed in accordance with the second embodiment with oblique grooves 11, 12 to fit the domed cover parts 2, 3.

Also the slide cover 1 in accordance with Figs 6-7 may be formed with a locking mechanism (not shown) in accordance with the first-mentioned embodiment to lock the cover parts 2, 3 in the closed position. The rails 4-5 of both embodiments as well as the end members 26 in accordance with the second embodiment preferably are removably attached to the gondola 10, for example by means of snap fasteners (not shown) . This arrangement allows for simple mounting and dismounting of the slide cover 1. In the case of dismantling for instance to clean the panels 15, 16, it is then possible to remove the rails 4, 5 at one end and thereafter to flex them resiliently m the lengthwise direction in such a manner that it becomes possible to dislodge the cover parts 2, 3 from their engagement with the rails 4, 5.

Each cover part 2, 3 for a gondola 10 comprising the above slide cover device 1 preferably is manufactured from a glass panel to which on the surface 27 facing the interior of the gondola 10 a layer 50 is applied that reflects infrared radiation. The layer 50, which preferably is transparent, is illustrated schematically in Fig. 8 in the case of a slide cover 1 having straight cover parts 2, 3. The layer 50 has a comparatively low emissivity number, preferably below 0.2, preferably 0.12 or below. Thanks to the provision of the layer 50 radiation losses through the cover parts 2, 3 from the interior of the gondola 10 to the interior thereof are reduced. Since the layer 50 is positioned on the surface 27 of the cover 2, 3 facing the interior of the gondola 10 the infrared radiation from the exterior of the gondola 10 that is reflected by the infrared reflecting layer 50 passes through the glass pane before reaching the layer, the radiation thus contributing to heating up the glass pane. The heating of the glass pane thus lessens the risk that condensate forms thereon. Under certain circumstances, for instance m the case of considerable temperature differences between the interior of the gondola and the exterior thereof, condensate may, however, nonetheless form on the cover parts.

For this reason, in accordance with one embodiment the infrared reflecting layer 50 has been made electrically conductive and may consist for instance of stannic oxide. Furthermore, in this case the grooves 11, 12 of the rails 4, 5 and consequently also the electrically conductive layers, are electrically connected with a low-voltage unit 51, for instance via connectors 52. As the cover parts 2, 3 are heated by the radiation reflected by the infrared reflecting layers, and by the electrical heating of the electrical conductive layers 50, the risk for condensate build-up on the cover parts 2, 3 is lessened. In order to give the wear faces of the layers 50 increased strength m the areas of the cover part lateral faces 17, 18 these parts may for instance be coated with a silver paint. It is easily understood that also slide cover devices 1 having domed cover parts may be provided m a similar manner with layers 50 having a corresponding function.

Owing to the cover parts 2, 3 of the slide cover device 1 in accordance with this embodiment being electrically heated by the electrically conductive layers 50, the risk of condensate build-up on the cover parts 2, 3 as above consequently is reduced. In one slide cover device it is also easy to provide for a simple and operationally reliable interconnection between the electrically conductive layers 50 and the low-voltage unit 51 by way of the rails. Since electrical connections may be established between the electrically conductive layer 50 in a cover part and the low-voltage unit 15 in accordance with one embodiment of a slide cover device along essentially the entire length of the rails, electrical heating of the cover part may be achieved independently of the position of the latter along the rail . The slide cover device illustrated in Fig. 9 relates to a device, according to which the cover parts 2, 3 are formed with essentially flat panels 15 and 16. In accordance with this embodiment the lower panel 16 has a longer extension than the upper panel 15, as seen in the direction of displacement. The handle means 21' provided on the left-hand lateral face 20 as seen m Fig. 9 of the respective panel 15, 16 has an upright grip member, preferably extending along the lateral face 20 intermediate the rails m which the panels 15, 16 slide. The user may by means of his hand grip the grip members and then slide the corresponding cover part along the

On one of its lateral faces, m accordance with the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9 the right-hand lateral face 19 the upper panel 15 is formed with a handle means 21". In addition to the above-mentioned grip member the handle means 21" also has a downwardly extending abutment element 60. The extension of the abutment element 60 is sufficient to make contact with the lower panel 16 when the upper one 15 and the lower one 16 are being moved towards one another.

In accordance with the shown embodiment, the lower panel 16 is formed on its right-hand lateral face 19 as seen in Fig. 9 with a handle means 61, the main purpose of which is to protect said lateral face 19. In the position illustrated in Fig. 9 the handle means 61 is in contact with the abutment elements 60. Like in the preceding embodiments the handle means 21' and 21" are formed with cover sealing lips 23 and lateral sealing lips 22. In a closed position (not shown) the cover sealing lip 23 of the left handle means 21' of the upper cover part 2 as seen in Fig. 9 abuts against the lower cover part 3, preferably in the area of the handle means 61.

Since the extension of the lower cover part 3 between the grip member on its associated handle means 21' and the abutment face against the abutment element 60 exceeds the extension of the upper cover part 2 there is less risk that a user may be exposed to clamping injury hazards when he grips the handle means of the handle means 21' of the upper 2 and/or the lower 3 cover part to move said parts 2, 3 towards one another. The handle means 21' thus will always be spaced a distance A apart when the cover parts 2, 3 have been moved into juxtaposed relationship, in order to prevent clamping injuries.

It is easily understood that the abutment element 60 need not be formed on the outermost side of the handle means 21", the left-hand side as seen in Fig. 9, but that the abutment element 60 could for instance be positioned anywhere along the lower part of the essentially horizontally extending leg 80 of the handle means 21", which leg is in contact with the panel 15. As appears from Fig. 9 a cover sealing lip 23 is provided on the lower part of the abutment element 60. This arrangement offers a further advantage over the prior-art technology, since its sealing effect is achieved instantaneously upon contact between said sealing lip 23 and the essentially horizontally extending part 62 of the edge 13.

It is understood that the cover parts 2, 3 in the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9 cannot be slid past one another on account of the provision of said abutment element 60. It is also understood that the embodiment illustrated in Fig. 9 may also be provided with the electrically conductive layer and/or the infrared reflecting layer referred to above, and that the grip members may be configured differently than illustrated in Fig. 9. It is also understood that an abutment element having a function similar to that of abutment element 60, may be provided in a slide cover device comprising domed cover parts.

Since the need for a frame structure enclosing the cover parts 2, 3 has been obviated the inventive slide cover device 1 is simple and cheap to manufacture. The panels 15, 16 are manufactured to suitable dimensions, whereupon the rails 4, 5 and the handle means 21; 21', 21", 61, and when applicable the end portions 26, are simply cut into lengths of matching dimensions. Owing to the provision of the snap fasteners and the barb means 24 no special tools are required for the assembly. Nor are special components required in the case of domed cover parts 2, 3, with the exception of the end members 26, and time-consuming post work consisting of sealing of corners and the like, necessary in prior-art technology, is superfluous.

Since the slide faces of the rails 4, 5 and of the cover parts 2, 3 may be easily adapted to one another the friction between said faces may be reduced, making the side cover device 1 easy to open.

Owing to the mounting of the cover parts 2, 3 in the rails 4, 5 they cannot be simply lifted away from the opening 9 of the gondola 10 or fall into the gondola 10, and thus the risks of crushing injuries, or that the goods may thaw or become too hot or that the energy consumption may increase on account of the higher temperature of the gondola refrigerating machine have been eliminated. The large depth of penetration of the cover parts 2, 3 into the rails 4, 5 also reduces the risk that deformation of the cover parts 2, 3, of the rails 4, 5 and/or of the opening 9, caused by temperature differences in the area of the opening, may produce a deterioration of the sealing effects at the opening 9, or that cover parts 2, 3 may fall down into the gondola. Because the slide cover device in accordance with one embodiment may be locked in the closed position the risks of thefts of goods from the gondola likewise are reduced.

It is easily understood that certain deviations from the described embodiments are possible. For instance, the number of cover parts may vary as may also the number of rails and the number of grooves in each rail. The configuration of the rails 4, 5 and that of the grooves 11, 12 may be modified to fit the edges 7, 8 of different cover parts 2, 3 of differently shaped gondolas 10. The shape of the opening in the gondola and/or the parts need not either be square or rectangular. These parts may have any shape, as long as the cover parts are able to essentially seal the opening. However, the two edges 7, 8 along which the cover parts are arranged to slide, should be essentially parallel and the remaining edges of the opening be arranged so as not to interfere with the cover part sliding movements. In addition, for instance the end members 26 m accordance with the embodiment illustrated in Figs 6-7 may be attached to or be integral parts of an outer handle means 21 of the cover part 2 or 3. In accordance with this embodiment the lid parts 2, 3 cannot, however, be slid past one another along the rails 4, 5.

In accordance with one embodiment described above an infrared reflecting layer 50 is used also as an electrical conductive layer. This is a preferred embodiment but it is likewise possible to apply a separate electrically conductive layer on the cover parts 2, 3. A layer of this kind need not be applied on the surface 27 of the cover parts 2, 3 facing the gondola interior but could also be applied to the face of the cover parts 2, 3 that is turned towards the gondola exterior. In the case of a slide cover device 1 including rails 4, 5 an electrically conductive layer of this kind preferably is connected to a low-voltage unit, for instance via an electrically conductive brush means provided on the upper face of the grooves 11, 12 (not shown) .

All varieties and modifications comprised by the basic inventive concept must however be within the scope of independent claims.

Claims

1. A slide cover device for a refrigerator and/or freezer gondola (10), said gondola (10) having at least one opening (9) through which the interior of the gondola (10) is accessible from the gondola exterior, said slide cover device (1) being disposed in said opening (9) and comprising at least two cover parts (2, 3) arranged for sliding movement between a position wherein the opening means (9) is essentially sealed and a position wherein the opening (9) in uncovered, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the slide cover device (1) has at least two essentially parallel rails (4, 5) extending along two opposed edges (7, 8) of the opening means (9) , said cover parts (2, 3) being arranged to slide between the above positions.

2. A slide cover device (1) as claimed in claim 1, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the cover parts (2, 3) are positioned one below the other in two essentially parallel planes, each cover part (2, 3) being slidable along essentially the entire length of the rails (4, 5) .

3. A slide cover device (1) as claimed in claim 2, c h a r a c t e r i z e d m that each cover part (2, 3) has at least four lateral faces (17, 18, 19, 20), at least two (17, 18) of which are slidably and essentially sealingly disposed in said rails (4, 5) and the remaining lateral faces (19, 20) of which that are not disposed in said rails (4, 5) and that in the essentially sealing position are disposed at the remaining edges (13, 14) of the opening (9), have at least one lateral sealing lip (22) essentially sealing the area of contact between the lateral faces (19, 20) and the edges (13, 14) .

4. The slide cover device (1) as claimed in claim 3, c h a r a c t e r i z e d by the provision of at least one cover sealing lip (23) at an upper cover part (2) and/or a lower cover part (3), said cover sealing lip sealing a contact area extending between the rails (4, 5), between the upper (2) and/or the lower (3) cover part, at least m the essentially sealed position.

5. A slide cover device (1) as claimed in claim 4, c h a r a c t e r i z e d m that the cover parts (2, 3) comprise panels (15, 16) manufactured from a transparent material, preferably glass, and formed with said lateral faces (17, 18, 19, 20), and in that the rest of the lateral faces (19, 20) of the panels (15, 16) are provided with handle means (21) at which are formed lateral sealing lips (22) and said cover sealing lips (23) .

6. A slide cover device (1) as claimed in anyone of the proceeding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the cover parts (2, 3) may be locked in the essentially sealed position by means of a locking means provided in at least one rail (4, 5) .

7. A slide cover device (1) as claimed in anyone of the proceeding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the rails (4, 5) are removably secured in the opening (9), preferably by means of a snap fastening means.

8. A slide cover device (1) as claimed in anyone of the proceeding claims, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the cover parts (2, 3) are manufactured essentially from a transparent material, preferably glass, each cover part (2, 3) comprising a transparent layer (50) arranged to reflect infrared radiation (12) towards the surface (27) facing the interior of the gondola (10) .

9. A slide cover device (1) as claimed m claim 8, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that each cover part (2, 3) comprises an electrically conductive means (50) and m that said electrically conductive means (50) is electrically connected to a low-voltage unit (51) to electrically heat the electrically conductive means (50), and thus the corresponding cover part (2, 3) .

10. A slide cover device (1) as claimed m claim 9, c h a r a c t e r i z e d in that the electrically conductive means (50) is formed by the infrared radiation layer (50), and in that by means of the rails (4, 5) said electrically conductive means (50) is electrically connected to the low-voltage unit (51) .