WO2015185093A1

WO2015185093A1 - Wire rack for a cooling unit

Info

Publication number: WO2015185093A1
Application number: PCT/EP2014/061375
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oktay Aygun; Arda OZSU; Tanju Bayramli
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2014-06-02
Filing date: 2014-06-02
Publication date: 2015-12-10
Also published as: PL3149413T3; EP3149413B1; EP3149413A1

Abstract

Bottle wire rack (1) for a cooling unit (2) comprising at least one portable carrier section (3) with at least two carrier rods (4) having recesses (5) for receiving a bottle, said carrier section (3) being located horizontally on the wire rack, at least two receiving sections, each receiving section comprising two receiving rods (6) for each carrier section (3) to be hanged, located opposite to each other and a main frame (7) to accommodate receiving and carrier sections (3).

Description

WIRE RACK FOR A COOLING UNIT

The present invention relates to a wire rack for bottles in a cooling unit comprising at least one portable carrier section.

In cooling units, inner storing area efficiency is one of the most important concerns for the consumer. There are different solutions provided for storing of bottles in the state of art. The structure and size of bottles complicates the storing process. When stored horizontally in a standing position, the length of the bottle usually exceeds the distance between the racks. This placement also has the disadvantage that the bottle may tumble over. If placed vertically on its side, the circular structure of the bottle results in a mobile storage rather than a stable one, where the bottle is free to roll over.

To provide a stable storing in the cooling units for bottles, the storage area (e.g. the rack) is usually provided with recesses for the bottle to be placed on its side. Other systems propose the bottle to be placed in compartments that are located at the inner walls of the lid.

Wire racks adapted to be placed in the cooling unit are commonly used in this field as an alternative solution for bottle storage. A common wire rack used in refrigerators is disclosed in WO2007054916 A2. These racks have recesses for the bottles to be placed. Such racks have the advantages of low cost and less material being used for manufacturing. However, the disadvantage of an over occupation of space occurs since these racks are not always used. There have been a couple of solutions provided for minimizing the space occupied by these racks while not in use.

Some wire racks have been disclosed where the wire rack can somewhat be “folded” when not in use. CN201050924 Y discloses a “foldable” wire rack for a refrigerator, where the wires can be folded when not used. Similar arrangements where the bars can be folded can be found in WO2013127070 A, CN202836029 U, CN202709627 U and DE102011006961 A1. These foldable wire racks have the advantage of occupying less space.

These “foldable” wire racks have some disadvantages. First of all the joints where the foldable/movable rods are attached can wear out over time and dysfunction. Another disadvantage is that they provide space for a smaller number of bottles. The rods cannot provide enough support for wine bottles, which usually are quite heavy. Also the space provided for the bottle is fixed. The consumer may face problems, where bigger bottles having larger diameters cannot be placed in these units.

The present invention provides a wire rack for storing bottles in a cooling unit, which is easy to manufacture, cost efficient and durable as defined by the characterizing features in Claim 1.

Primary object of the present invention is hence to provide a wire rack ensuring that the user can adjust carrier sections of the wire rack at different positions. The adjustment of the wire rack at different positions provides storing options for different sizes of bottles and minimization of the area the wire rack accommodates within the cooling unit when not in use.

The present invention provides a wire rack for bottles in a cooling unit, where the carrier section that accommodates the bottles can be placed at different “floors” on the wire rack. These “floors” are formed by placement of the receiving sections of the wire rack above one another. The carrier section can be hanged at different levels of receiving sections present on the wire rack. This ensures the user to place the carrier section to a preferred place. Also the present invention provides the consumer to adjust the wire rack in a way that the space occupied by the wire rack can be adjusted depending on the size of the bottles to be placed on the rack and depending on the preference of the user.

Accompanying drawings are given solely for the purpose of exemplifying a wire rack, whose advantages over prior art were outlined above and will be explained in brief hereinafter.

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 said claims without recourse to the technical disclosure in the description of the present invention.

Fig. 1 demonstrates a general schematic view of the wire rack according to the present invention.

Fig. 2 demonstrates a general schematic view of the carrier section of the wire rack according to the present invention.

Fig. 3 demonstrates a general schematic view of the main frame of the wire rack according to the present invention.

Fig. 4 demonstrates a general schematic view of the wire rack when the carrier section is hanged on the upper receiving section.

Fig. 5 demonstrates a general schematic view of the wire rack when the wire rack is installed in the cooling unit and the wire rack is hanged on the lower receiving section.

Fig. 6 demonstrates a general schematic view of the wire rack when the wire rack is installed in the cooling unit and the wire rack is hanged on the upper receiving section.

The following numerals are assigned to different parts demonstrated in the drawings:

Wire rack
Cooling unit
Carrier section
Carrier rod
Recess
Receiving rod
Main frame
Supporting rod
Stabilizing rod
Installment section

The present invention provides a wire rack (1) for bottles in a cooling unit (2) comprising at least one carrier section (3), at least two receiving sections and a main frame (7). A receiving section is comprised of two oppositely situated receiving rods (6) at the sides.

The carrier section (3) comprises carrier rods (4) having recesses (5) for receiving the bottle. The recesses (5) can have a U-form, a semi-circular or a triangular shape. The bottle can be placed on the carrier rods (4) in a convenient manner. The carrier section (3) comprises at least two carrier rods (4) to receive the bottle for a stable storage. As the number of carrier rods (4) in a carrier section (3) increases, easier removal of the bottle from the rack in a safe manner is ensured. With more carrier rods (4) the distance between the rods decreases. This prevents the bottle from falling down between two consecutive rods. The carrier rods (4) are preferably placed parallel to each other. The carrier section (3) is preferably located horizontally in the cooling unit (2). The ends of the carrier rods (4) preferably form a curved shape. This shape enables the carrier section (3) to be hanged on the receiving section.

The carrier rods (4) of the present invention are connected by at least one supporting rod (8). The supporting rod (8) is attached to the carrier rods (4) in a perpendicular manner. The supporting rod (8) provides extra support for the carrier rods (4) and ensures a more stable and strong carrying section for the bottles.

The carrier section (3) of the wire rack (1) is hanged on the receiving sections. Each receiving section comprises two receiving rods (6) located opposite to each other. Preferably receiving rods (6) may also have recesses (not shown) for the carrying section to be hanged on. Each end of the carrying rods of a carrier section (3) is hanged on one receiving rod (6) of a receiving section.

The receiving rods (6) of a receiving section may be connected with at least one stabilizing rod (9). The stabilizing rod (9) is connected in a fixedly attached manner, e.g. by welding. The stabilizing rods (9) are located so that the carrier section (3) can be hanged on the receiving rods (6) without any hindrance. Preferably two stabilizing rods (9) are provided to be connected at each end of the upper receiving rods (6). Stabilizing rods (9) ensure a support for the receiving rods (6) against the load and pressure applied on the receiving rods (6) by the carrier section (3). When carrier section (3) is in use and bottles are placed on the carrier rods (4), a huge load and pressure is applied on the receiving rods (6) that the carrier section (3) is hanged on. Stabilizing rods (9) ensure a support against the load of the hanged carrier section (3).

The wire rack (1) of the present invention comprises at least two receiving sections. The present invention provides a wire rack (1), where the carrier section (3) that accommodates the bottles can be placed at different “floors” on the wire rack (1). These “floors” are formed by placement of the receiving sections of the wire rack (1) above one another. The carrier section (3) can be hanged at different levels of receiving sections present on the wire rack (1). This ensures the user to place the carrier section (3) in any preferred place. By placing the carrier section (3) on a lower receiving section more storage space for the bottles is created. A bigger space for a bottle with a bigger diameter can be provided in this manner. Similarly when not in use, the carrier section (3) can be placed on a higher receiving section to create more space below the carrier section (3) for the storage of other objects in the cooling unit (2). These situations are respectively demonstrated in Fig. 5 and 6.

The wire rack (1) of the present invention comprises a main frame (7) to accommodate receiving and carrier sections (3). The receiving section is connected on the main frame (7), e.g. by welding.

The receiving section of the present invention may be part of the main frame (7) as a one-piece solid structure. The receiving section may alternatively be connected to the main frame (7).

The main frame (7) of the present invention may comprise installment section (10) for the wire rack (1) to be placed in the cooling unit (2). The installment section (10) can function as a connection unit, where the wire rack (1) is installed directly into the cooling unit separately. The installment section (10) may also function as a connection unit, where the wire rack (1) is attached to another rack of the cooling unit.

In one embodiment of the present invention, receiving sections of the wire rack (1) are located vertically on the same axis above one another. This ensures the user with different “floors” of receiving sections, where the carrier section can be hanged on. The user can choose the preferred level according to his/her needs for space.

In another embodiment of the present invention a supporting rod (8) is provided to connect the carrier rods (4) to provide extra support for the carrier section (3).

In a further embodiment of the present invention, the carrier rods (4) are identical in form and extend in symmetry, parallel to each other.

In a still further embodiment of the present invention, a pair of supporting rods (8) encloses at least one of two neighboring carrier sections (3).

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, said pair of supporting rods (8) extends in parallel to define a bottle carrying bed on recesses (5) of the carrier rods (4).

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, parts of the carrier rods (4) defining end portions of the recesses (5) in a bottle carrying bed mechanically communicate with each of the supporting rods (8) in said pair of supporting rods (8), that is, end portions of the recesses (5) are fixedly attached to the supporting rods (8).

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention the ends of the carrier rods (4) form a curved shape. In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the recesses (5) have a u-form shape. In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the recesses (5) have a semi-circular shape. In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the recesses (5) have a triangular shape.

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the receiving rods (6) of each receiving section are attached to each other by at least one stabilizing rod (8). In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, receiving rods (6) are attachable to the main frame (7).

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the main frame (7) comprises an installment section (10) for the wire rack (1) to be placed in the cooling unit (2). In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the wire rack (1) is placed in the cooling unit (2) separately.

In a yet still further embodiment of the present invention, the wire rack (1) is attached to another rack of the cooling unit.

The present invention therefore provides a wire rack (1) for bottles comprising at least one portable carrier section (3) in communication with at least two receiving sections such that two receiving rods (6) in association with each receiving section allows the carrier sections (3) to be placed in a selective manner while a pair of supporting rods (8) encloses at least one of two neighboring carrier sections (3) such that the pair of supporting rods (8) extend in parallel to define a bottle carrying bed on recesses (5) of the carrier rods (4), said recesses (5) mechanically communicating with each of said supporting rods (8) in the pair of supporting rods (8). This ensures the carrying structure a mechanically reliable and sturdy construction in which the carrier rods (4) are supported without making use of an unnecessary amount of material. Accordingly, a wire rack (1) is provided for storing bottles in a cooling unit, which is easy to manufacture, cost efficient and durable.

Claims

A bottle wire rack (1) adapted to carry bottles comprising:

- at least one portable carrier section (3) with at least two carrier rods (4) having recesses (5) for receiving a bottle, said carrier section (3) being located horizontally on the wire rack,

- at least two receiving sections, each receiving section comprising two receiving rods (6) for each carrier section (3) to be hanged, located opposite to each other,

- a main frame (7) to accommodate receiving and carrier sections (3), characterized in that;

the receiving sections are located vertically on the same axis above one another and at least one supporting rod (8) is attached to the carrier rods (4).
A bottle wire rack (1) as in Claim 1, characterized in that the carrier rods (4) are identical in form.
A bottle wire rack (1) as in Claim 1 or 2, characterized in that a pair of supporting rods (8) encloses at least one of two neighboring carrier sections (3).
A bottle wire rack (1) as in Claim 3, characterized in that the pair of supporting rods (8) extend in parallel to define a bottle carrying bed on recesses (5) of the carrier rods (4).
A bottle wire rack (1) as in Claim 4, characterized in that parts of the carrier rods (4) defining end portions of the recesses (5) in a bottle carrying bed mechanically communicate with each of the supporting rods (8) in the pair of supporting rods (8).
A bottle wire rack (1) as in any preceding Claims, characterized in that ends of the carrier rods (4) form a curved shape.
A bottle wire rack (1) as in any preceding Claims, characterized in that the recesses (5) have a U-form, semi-circular or triangular shape.
A bottle wire rack (1) as in Claim 1, 3, 5 or 7, characterized in that receiving rods (6) of each receiving section are attached to each other by at least one stabilizing rod (9).
A bottle wire rack (1) as in Claim 1, 3, 5 or 8, characterized in that the receiving rods (6) are part of the main frame (7) as a one-piece solid structure.
A bottle wire rack (1) as in Claim 1, 3, 5 or 8, characterized in that the receiving rods (6) are attachable to the main frame (7).
A bottle wire rack (1) as in Claim 1, 9 or 10, characterized in that the main frame (7) comprises an installment section (10) for the wire rack (1) to be placed in a cooling unit (2).
A bottle wire rack (1) as in Claim 1, 9 or 10, characterized in that the wire rack (1) is installable in a cooling unit (2) by attaching the wire rack (1) to another rack of the cooling unit (2).
A cooling unit (2) comprising the wire rack (1) as set forth in any preceding Claims.