ADJUSTABLE STORAGE APPARATUS FOR FOOD, AND HOUSEHOLD APPLIANCE

Abstract

A storage apparatus for food has a food receiving module which has a bottom wall and opposing side walls. Mounting supports are provided for attaching the storage apparatus to a household appliance component. The food receiving module is movably coupled to the mounting supports, and the storage apparatus has a tilt device, with which the food receiving module can be tilted relative to the mounting supports about a tilt axis. The tilt axis is arranged in a central longitudinal third of the length of the food receiving module measured in the depth direction of the storage apparatus.

Claims

1. A storage apparatus for food, comprising: a food receiving module having a bottom wall and opposing side walls; mounting supports for attaching the storage apparatus to a household appliance component, said food receiving module being movably coupled to said mounting supports; and a tilt device with which said food receiving module is tilted about a tilt axis relative to said mounting supports, and the tilt axis is disposed in a central longitudinal third of a length of said food receiving module measured in a depth direction of the storage apparatus.

2. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising a counter coupling element disposed on said food receiving module to form a coupling region; and wherein at least one of said mounting supports has in a front longitudinal quarter, a coupling element which is movably coupled to said counter coupling element, wherein the tilt axis is disposed in said coupling region.

3. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said tilt device has at least one adjustment element as a counter coupling element, which is movably disposed on said food receiving module; and at least one of said mounting supports has at least two separate coupling elements for coupling to said at least one adjustment element, wherein as a function of as to which of said at least two separate coupling elements said at least one adjustment element is coupled, a first position of said food receiving module relative to said mounting supports or a second position of said food receiving module relative to said mounting supports is set.

4. The storage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein at least one of said mounting supports at a front edge has receivers as local coupling elements of said at least one mount support.

5. The storage apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said at least one adjustment element is formed as an adjusting rod which at a rear end has a counter coupling element component which is configured for coupling with said local coupling elements.

6. The storage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein said at least one adjustment element is disposed so as to be displaced linearly in a direction of a longitudinal axis of a side wall of said two opposing side walls of said food receiving module.

7. The storage apparatus according to claim 3, further comprising an actuating device connected to said at least one adjustment element, said actuating element being actuated by a user directly so that as a function of an actuation of said actuating element said at least one adjustment element is movable.

8. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said actuating element is disposed on one of said opposing side walls of said food receiving module and can be linearly displaced in a direction of a longitudinal axis of said one side wall.

9. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein said actuating element is disposed so as to be exposed downward on one of said opposing side walls.

10. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein said food receiving module is set by said tilt device into at least two different, discrete tilt positions as positions in comparison with a horizontal.

11. The storage apparatus according to claim 10, wherein a first tilt position is tilted by a value of between 13° and 17° to the horizontal, and/or a second tilt position is tilted by a value of between 27° and 33° to the horizontal.

12. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising an anti-tip apparatus, with which said food receiving module is at least prevented from tipping over about the tilt axis by way of at least one limit tilt position, which has a tilt angle greater than or equal to smallest and/or greatest tilt positions that can be discretely set with said tilt device.

13. The storage apparatus according to claim 12, wherein said anti-tip apparatus has at least one stop element which is disposed at an edge of one of said mounting supports, and has at least one counter stop element which is disposed on one of said opposing side walls, wherein said at least one stop element abuts said at least one counter stop element if the at least one limit tilt position of said food receiving module is reached.

14. The storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein: said food receiving module is a body with said bottom wall, said opposing side walls and a front wall; and/or said mounting supports have suspension hooks on their rear ends for suspension on the household appliance component.

15. The storage apparatus according to claim 4, wherein said receivers are notches.

16. The storage apparatus according to claim 5, wherein said counter coupling element component is an engaging tip configured for exact coupling with said local coupling elements being notches formed in said one mounting support.

17. The storage apparatus according to claim 7, wherein: said at least one adjustment element is motion-coupled to said actuating element; and said actuating device is displaceable by the user directly.

18. The storage apparatus according to claim 9, wherein said actuating element has a downwardly open engagement region formed therein for a finger of a user.

19. A household appliance, comprising: at least one storage apparatus for food, containing: a food receiving module having a bottom wall and opposing side walls; mounting supports, said food receiving module being movably coupled to said mounting supports; and a tilt device with which said food receiving module is tilted about a tilt axis relative to said mounting supports, and the tilt axis is disposed in a central longitudinal third of a length of said food receiving module measured in a depth direction of the storage apparatus.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0037] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an inventive household appliance;

[0038] FIG. 2 is a perspective and sectional view through an exemplary embodiment of a storage apparatus in a tilt position of a food receiving module of the storage apparatus;

[0039] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the arrangement in accordance with FIG. 2 in a perspective different from FIG. 2;

[0040] FIG. 4 is a side view of the representation in FIG. 2; and

[0041] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the storage apparatus in accordance with FIG. 2 to FIG. 3.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0042] Identical or functionally identical elements are provided with the same reference characters in the figures.

[0043] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown perspective representation of a household appliance 1. In the exemplary embodiment the household appliance 1 is a household refrigeration appliance. It is configured for the storage of food. In this connection food includes goods that relate both to beverages and to other food, such as meals and the like. The household appliance 1 has a housing 2. At least one receiving space 3 for food is configured in the housing 2. The receiving space 3 can be a refrigeration compartment or a freezer compartment. For example, it can also be a refrigeration compartment of a wine bottle storage cabinet, which is an example of a household refrigeration appliance.

[0044] In one exemplary embodiment the household appliance 1 additionally has a door 4. The door 4 is provided in order to close the household appliance 1 at the front.

[0045] In the exemplary embodiment the household appliance 1 has at least one storage apparatus 5. By way of example, and not to be understood as conclusive either in position or in number, two storage apparatuses 5 and 6 are provided here. These storage apparatuses 5 and 6 are arranged in the receiving space 3 so as to be nondestructively removable. In one exemplary embodiment they can be positioned at different height levels.

[0046] FIG. 2 shows a perspective representation of an exemplary embodiment of the storage apparatus 5. In addition, an embodiment of a household appliance component 8 of the household appliance 1 is shown there. This household appliance component 8 is in particular not part of the storage apparatus 5. Rather it is provided so that the storage apparatus 5 can be removably fastened thereto. Here in the exemplary embodiment the household appliance component 8 is a support rail. In the exemplary embodiment this support rail has multiple suspension openings 9, of which for the sake of clarity only a few are provided with the corresponding reference character. As a result, the storage apparatus 5 can be fastened to said support rail at different, discrete height levels. In particular, two separate support rails are provided, on which the storage apparatus 5 is arranged, in particular suspended. In particular, two opposingly arranged mounting supports of the storage apparatus 5 are provided here, each of which is arranged on one of the support rails.

[0047] For example, the support rails can be arranged on a back wall 7. The back wall 7 of the household appliance 1 delimits the receiving space 3.

[0048] The intended use of the storage apparatus 5 is to receive food. The storage apparatus 5 has a food receiving module 10. In the exemplary embodiment this is shown in a perspective sectional view. In the exemplary embodiment the food receiving module 10 has a bottom wall 11, opposing side walls 12 and 13 (FIG. 1) and a front wall 14. In particular, only these walls mentioned are provided in respect of the delimiting walls of a receiving volume 15 of this food receiving module 10. The food receiving module 10 shown here is a receiving trough in particular open rearward. FIG. 3 shows a perspective representation of the arrangement in accordance with FIG. 2 from a perspective different from FIG. 2. In addition, an external wall 16 of the side wall 12 has been removed here. Shown in an intermediate space formed in one exemplary embodiment between the external wall 16 and an internal wall 17 of this side wall 12 is a tilt device 18, as can be seen in FIG. 2, of the storage apparatus 5. The storage apparatus 5 has mounting supports in addition to the aforementioned food receiving module 10. Just one mounting support 19 is shown in FIG. 3 in this respect. The mounting support 19 is a component of the storage apparatus 5 separate from the food receiving module 10. In particular, two such mounting supports 19 are provided. In the exemplary embodiment one mounting support 19 is an elongated support. It is in particular configured to be bar-shaped or board-like. One mounting support 19 has a coupling structure 21 on a rear end 20 viewed in the depth direction (z direction) of the storage apparatus 5. With this coupling structure 21 a mechanically releasable connection to the support rail is possible. In particular, the coupling structure 21 has suspension hooks 22. These can engage in the receivers 9.

[0049] As can be seen, the food receiving module 10 is movably coupled to the mounting supports 19. With the aforementioned tilt device 18 the food receiving module 10 can be tilted about a tilt axis A relative to the mounting supports 19. The tilt axis A is here oriented horizontally. It is in particular oriented in the width direction (x direction) of the storage apparatus 5. As can be seen in FIG. 2, the food receiving module 10 has a specific length in the depth direction. In this respect the food receiving module 10 in particular has a longitudinal axis B measured in this depth direction. This is in particular oriented in the depth direction in an untilted basic position of the food receiving module 10. In this basic position, in which the food receiving module 10 is not tilted about a horizontal, in particular the bottom wall 11 is arranged in a horizontal plane. In this basic position the longitudinal axis B then extends in this mentioned depth direction. As can be seen, in this depth direction, in particular viewed in the direction of the longitudinal axis B of the food receiving module 10, the tilt axis A is arranged in a central longitudinal third of this food receiving module 10.

[0050] This position of the tilt axis A is also retained in all possible positions of the food receiving module 10. The tilt axis A thus remains in the direction of this longitudinal axis B in all possible positions relative to the mounting supports 19 in this central longitudinal third. It is arranged so as to be stationary in this central longitudinal third.

[0051] In one exemplary embodiment at least one mounting support 19 has multiple coupling elements in a front longitudinal quarter 23 viewed in the depth direction, which is movably coupled to a coupling element that is arranged on the food receiving module 10 to form a coupling point 24. The tilt axis is formed or arranged in the coupling point 24.

[0052] The tilt device 18 has at least one adjustment element 25 as a coupling element, which is arranged on the food receiving module 10. At least one mounting support 19 has at least two separate coupling elements that are provided for coupling to the adjustment element 25. In the exemplary embodiment the coupling elements are local receivers, in particular notches 26, 27 and 28. These are formed at a front edge 29 of the mounting support 19. As a function of into which notch 26 to 28 the adjustment element 25 directly couples, in particular directly engages, a respective position of the food receiving module 10 is discretely set.

[0053] In the exemplary embodiment a basic position of the food receiving module 10 is possible here as a position. This is achieved if the adjustment element 25 engages in the notch 26. In this basic position the food receiving module 10 is oriented fully horizontally. If the adjustment element 25 engages in the next notch 27 downward, the food receiving module 10 is arranged in a position, in particular in a first tilt position, to the mounting supports 19. In one exemplary embodiment the food receiving module 10 is tilted forward and downward by a value of between 13° and 17°, in particular 15°, compared to the horizontal in this first tilt position.

[0054] FIG. 2 in contrast shows a further position of the food receiving module 10, which is a second tilt position. In this second tilt position the adjustment element 25 engages in the notch 28 once again formed further downward. In this second tilt position the food receiving module 10 is preferably inclined forward and downward by a value of between 27° and 33°, in particular 30°, compared to the horizontal.

[0055] In one exemplary embodiment the adjustment element 25 is arranged fully inside the aforementioned intermediate space 30 between the internal side or an internal wall 17 and the external side or an external wall 16. In one exemplary embodiment the adjustment element 25 can be a straight adjusting rod 31, as is shown in FIG. 3. The adjusting rod 31 is oriented with its longitudinal axis in the depth direction. The longitudinal axis of the adjusting rod 31 is thus in particular oriented in parallel to or coaxial to the longitudinal axis B. As can be seen, this adjusting rod 31 has an engaging tip 33, in particular a tapered engaging tip 33, at a rear end 32 viewed in the depth direction. This engaging tip 33 engages, as is shown in FIG. 3, directly into one of the notches 26 to 28. In one exemplary embodiment an exact, in particular form-fit, coupling of this engaging tip 33 with the notches 26 to 28 can be provided. The engaging tip 33 is an exemplary embodiment of a counter coupling element component of a counter coupling element which couples with the coupling elements on the mounting support 19 that are formed by the receivers, in particular the notches 26 to 28.

[0056] As can additionally be seen, this adjusting rod 31 has guide slots 34 and/or 35. Guide elements 36 and/or 37 engage in these. As a result, a relative movement of the adjusting rod 31 is guided in the linear direction and thus in particular in the direction of the longitudinal axis B. In particular, this relative movement is only a linear movement such as this in the direction of the longitudinal axis B. The adjusting rod 31 is thus displaceably mounted on the side wall 12. In one exemplary embodiment it can be provided that the embodiment of the opposing further mounting support 19, not visible here, is formed so as to correspond to the mounting support 19, as is shown in FIG. 3. In this connection a corresponding embodiment can then also be realized on the opposing side wall 13, as is shown in FIG. 2 with the side wall 12. As a result, the tilt device 18 is formed redundantly.

[0057] In one exemplary embodiment the adjusting rod 31 is arranged fully inside this intermediate space 30. For manual actuation by a user the tilt device 18 can have an actuating element 38. The actuating element 38 is motion-coupled to the adjusting rod 31 in one exemplary embodiment. In its intended use the actuating element 38 is provided so that it can be actuated by a user directly. In particular, in the exemplary embodiment shown the actuating element 38 is arranged so as to be downwardly exposed. It also substantially extends inside the intermediate space 30. In this connection the side wall 12 has a downwardly exposed opening 39. Also arranged in this opening 39 is the actuating element 38, which is accessible from below. In one exemplary embodiment this actuating element 38 has an engagement region 40. This is in particular downwardly open and thus is accessible from below. A user can engage in this engagement region 40 with a finger, for example. The user can then move the actuating element 38, namely displace it in particular linearly in the direction of the longitudinal axis B relative to the side wall 12. Since the adjusting rod 31 is motion-coupled to the actuating element 38, a corresponding identical movement of the adjusting rod 31 also takes place thanks to this actuation of the actuating element 38.

[0058] In particular, the side wall 12 also has in this respect a guide slot 41, in which the actuating element 38 is guided. In one exemplary embodiment the storage apparatus 5 has an anti-tip apparatus 42. This is in particular present in addition to the tilt device 18. With this anti-tip apparatus 42 the food receiving module 10 is at least prevented from tipping over about the tilt axis A by way of at least one limit tilt position. The limit tilt position is defined by a tilt angle that is greater than the angular value that can be set with the tilt apparatus 18 in the possible tilt positions. Thus, in one exemplary embodiment it is provided that a first counter stop element 43 is arranged on the side wall 12, in particular in the intermediate space 30. In particular, a first stop element 44 is formed so as to be integrally molded on the mounting support 19 on the front longitudinal quarter 23, in particular the front edge 29. If the limit tilt position is reached, the first counter stop element 43 strikes the stop element 44. Thus, in one exemplary embodiment an undesired downward swinging of the food receiving module 10 can be prevented if for example the tilt apparatus 18 is released and thus the engaging tip 33 is guided out of the notches 26 to 28.

[0059] In another exemplary embodiment it is also possible for the limit tilt position to be equal to the tilt angle that is set in the case of the greatest tilt position. In the exemplary embodiment this is the second tilt position shown in FIG. 2. Here the food receiving module 10 has the greatest angle to the horizontal. Hence in an exemplary embodiment such as this it can also be provided that in the case of the set second tilt position the counter stop element 43 also at the same time abuts the stop element 44. As a result, this second tilt position is mechanically additionally secured.

[0060] In one exemplary embodiment the anti-tip apparatus 42 can have a further counter stop element 45. This too is in particular arranged in the intermediate space 30. In one exemplary embodiment the at least one mounting support 19 can have a second stop element 46. This too is in particular integrally molded on the front edge 29. Thus, it can also be achieved that if the food receiving module 10 is tilted upward and thus counterclockwise about the tilt axis A the food receiving module 10 would be tilted too far upward. Thus anti-tipping protection is also achieved upward. It can be provided that this upper limit tilt angle or this upper limit tilt position is reached if the food receiving module 10 is pivoted upward by its front end 47 compared to the horizontal. This then means that this upper, second limit tilt position is not identical to the horizontal position of the food receiving module 10. However, it is also possible that in another exemplary embodiment this second limit tilt position is identical to the horizontal of the food receiving module 10. In one such exemplary embodiment the second counter stop element 45 too is in abutment with the second stop element 46 if the engaging tip 33 is arranged so as to be submerged in the notch 26.

[0061] In addition, in one exemplary embodiment it is also possible for a further positioning element 48 to be arranged on the side wall 12 in the intermediate space 30. This can engage in a recess 49 of the mounting support 19 or can be inserted therein, if in particular the basic position and thus the horizontal position of the food receiving module 10 is set. It is also possible for two such elements 48 and 50 to be provided here and for two receivers 49 and 51 to be provided. These can also be different in size and/or different in shape. A carcass of the food receiving module 10 is also formed by the bottom wall 11, the side walls 12 and 13 and the front wall 14. In the exemplary embodiment this food receiving module 10 is open at a rear end 52.

[0062] FIG. 3 shows a side view of the representation in FIG. 2.

[0063] In addition, FIG. 4 shows a representation of the arrangement in accordance with FIG. 2 and FIG. 3, wherein a perspective viewed from inside to the side wall 12 is represented here and in contrast to FIG. 2 the external wall 16 is present here, but the internal wall 17 has been removed.

[0064] In one exemplary embodiment the mounting supports 19 can protrude through openings, in particular slot-shaped openings, on the undersides of the side walls 12 and 13 into the intermediate spaces 30. It is also possible that if a side wall 12, 13 has no such intermediate space 30, the mounting supports 19 are also exposed on external sides of the side walls 12, 13 on the front longitudinal regions, in particular the coupling points 24.

[0065] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and the corresponding structure used in the above description of the invention.

TABLE-US-00001 List of Reference Characters 1 Household appliance 2 Housing 3 Receiving space 4 Door 5 Storage apparatus 6 Storage apparatus 7 Back wall 8 Household appliance component 9 Suspension opening 10 Food receiving module 11 Bottom wall 12 Side wall 13 Side wall 14 Front wall 15 Receiving volume 16 External wall 17 Internal wall 18 Tilt device 19 Mounting support 20 End 21 Coupling structure 22 Suspension hook 23 Longitudinal quarter 24 Coupling region 25 Adjustment element 26 Notch 27 Notch 28 Notch 29 Front edge 30 Intermediate space 31 Adjusting rod 32 End 33 Engaging tip 34 Guide slots 35 Guide slots 36 Guide element 37 Guide element 38 Actuating element 39 Opening 40 Engagement region 41 Guide slot 42 Anti-tip apparatus 43 Counter stop element 44 Stop element 45 Counter stop element 46 Stop element 47 End 48 Positioning element 49 Recess 50 Positioning element 51 Receiver 52 End x Width direction y Height direction z Depth direction