DEVICE FOR CARRYING CONTAINERS

Abstract

Described is container carrying device, installed or which can be installed in a drawer of a furniture item equipped with two side panels which are opposite to each other, wherein each of the side panels include guides which slidably constrain respective side panels of the drawer. The device includes a frame defining at least one seat designed to support a respective container and two shoulders connectable to the side panels. The device also includes a pair of supports configured for reversibly connecting the frame to the side panels.

Claims

1. A container carrying device, installed in a drawer of a furniture item equipped with two side panels which are opposite to each other, wherein each of said side panels comprises guides which slidably constrain respective side panels of the drawer, comprising: a frame having a substantially rectangular or square perimeter shape and defining at least one seat designed to support a respective container; said frame having two shoulders; a pair of supports configured for reversibly connecting said frame to said side panels; each support having a first portion, for reversible coupling the support to a respective shoulder of said frame, and a second portion, for reversible coupling the support to the respective side panel, wherein each said second portion comprises at least a corresponding anchoring bracket positioned away from said first portion in such a way as to be fixable to a corresponding side panel and in that the first coupling portion defines a sliding guide wherein the respective shoulder is constrained to slide, during assembly, in such a way as to be able to adjust a distance between said frame and said respective support; said first coupling portion is substantially C-shaped and comprises a lower element and an upper element, parallel to each other and defining said sliding guide, and configured to engage, respectively, with a lower edge and an upper edge of said shoulder.

2. The container carrying device according to claim 1, wherein the second portion comprises at least two anchoring brackets positioned at different heights from each other and away from said first portion in such a way as to be selectively fixable, either one or the other, to side panel in use.

3. The container carrying device according to claim 2, wherein each of the anchoring brackets has a plurality of holes for housing respective fixing elements designed to fix said anchoring bracket to respective side panels.

4. The container carrying device according to claim 1, wherein said first coupling portion also comprises an element for connecting said lower and upper elements, at least partly shaped to match a shape of said shoulder and defining an end stop of a minimum distance between said frame and said respective support.

5. The container carrying device according to claim 1, wherein at least one between said lower element and said upper element has an adjustment slot configured to house fixing elements designed to fix said lower element and/or said upper element to the respective shoulder.

6. The container carrying device according to claim 1, wherein said upper element, said lower element and said at least two anchoring brackets are mutually parallel.

7. The container carrying device according to claim 1, wherein said first and second portions of each support of said pair of supports are made in one piece.

8. The container carrying device according to claim 1, wherein the supports of said pair of supports are identical to each other and positioned specularly relative to said frame.

9. An assembly kit comprising: a container carrying device according to claim 1; a plurality of fixing elements for reversible assembly of the components of said device and for reversible assembly of the device to the drawer of said furniture item; and a plurality of containers, each reversibly insertable resting in said at least one seat of the frame of the device.

10. A furniture item comprising two side panels which are opposite each other and a drawer comprising two side panels, which are reversibly connected to a device for carrying containers according to claim 1, each of said side panels comprising guides which slidably constrain said side panels of the drawer to the side panels.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0028] Further features and advantages of the invention are more apparent in the non-limiting description which follows of a device for carrying containers, an assembly kit and a furniture item. The description is set out below with reference to the accompanying drawings which are provided solely for purposes of illustration without restricting the scope of the invention and in which:

[0029] FIG. 1 is a schematic perspective view of an embodiment of a container carrying device according to the invention;

[0030] FIG. 2A is a schematic exploded view of the embodiment of the container carrying device of FIG. 1;

[0031] FIG. 2B is a view of a detail of the embodiment of the device of FIG. 1;

[0032] FIGS. 3A-3C are schematic views of a detail of the embodiment of the device of FIG. 1 in different operating configurations;

[0033] FIGS. 4A-4D are schematic views of the device of FIG. 1 installed on side panels of a furniture item having different shapes;

[0034] FIG. 5 is a schematic perspective view of an example embodiment of a furniture item on which the device is installed.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

[0035] With reference to the accompanying drawings, the numeral 1 denotes in its entirety a container carrying device according to the invention.

[0036] The device 1 is installed or installable in a drawer of a furniture item 100.

[0037] Preferably, the term “furniture item” means items of furniture with a concealed drawer typically used in the home. For example, but without limiting the scope of the invention, such furniture items may be used to collect waste or dirty laundry or linen in general.

[0038] Structurally, the furniture items 100 comprise internal side panels equipped with guides which receive and slidably constrain respective side panels “S”.

[0039] The device 1 is reversibly fixed on these side panels “S”.

[0040] The device 1 according to the invention basically comprises a frame 20 and a pair of supports 10.

[0041] The frame 20 has a substantially rectangular or square perimeter shape and defines at least one seat designed to support at least one respective container.

[0042] In the preferred embodiment, illustrated by way of a non-limiting example, the frame 20 has two seats with different dimensions for receiving respective containers with different shapes. A same seat can accommodate more than one container.

[0043] Other embodiments of the frame 20 are possible, in which it is equipped with several seats in order to receive a greater number of containers (such as, for example, containers for the separate collection of waste).

[0044] Structurally, the frame 20 has two shoulders 21 connectable to the side panels “S” of the furniture item 100 by means of the supports 10.

[0045] The supports 10 are configured for reversibly connecting the frame 20 to the side panels “S”.

[0046] Structurally, the supports 10 have a longitudinal extension substantially equivalent to the respective shoulder 21.

[0047] In particular, each support 10 has a first portion 11 for reversible coupling of the support 10 to a respective shoulder 21 of the frame 20 and a second portion 12 for reversible coupling of the support 10 to the respective side panel “S”.

[0048] As illustrated, the first portion 11 defines a sliding guide 11a wherein the respective shoulder 21 is constrained to slide in such a way as to be able to adjust a distance between the frame 20 and the support 10.

[0049] Advantageously, by means of this feature, it is possible to install the device 1 inside furniture items 100 having a different width.

[0050] Moreover, thanks to this feature, as described in more detail below, it is possible to install the device 1 on panels with a very different shape; for example, the difference in thickness in the horizontal direction of the various types of side panels may be seen in sections 4A-4D.

[0051] Operatively, the greater the width of the furniture item 100, the greater the distance the frame 20 is fixed to relative to the support 10.

[0052] The sliding guides 11a are preferably positioned in such a way as to allow a horizontal sliding of the frame 20, as shown in the accompanying drawings.

[0053] In particular, FIGS. 3A-3B show three examples of adjustment of the distance between the frame 20 and the support 10.

[0054] Preferably, the first portion 11 has a substantially “C” or similar shape.

[0055] In particular, the first portion 11 comprises a lower element 11b and an upper element 11c, parallel to each other and defining the above-mentioned sliding guide 11a.

[0056] Still more specifically, the lower element 11b and the upper element 11c are configured to engage, respectively, a lower edge and an upper edge of the shoulder 21.

[0057] Also, in use, according to a preferred embodiment, the lower element 11b supports the frame 20 in such a way as to support a weight force of the frame 20 and of the containers.

[0058] The upper element 11c, on the other hand, constrains the frame 20 preventing possible movements and translations which have a vertical component.

[0059] Preferably, also, the upper element 11c has a bent end portion which improves its mechanical properties.

[0060] Advantageously, the shape of the lower element 11b and of the upper element 11c is such that there are no slits between frame 20 and supports 10. In other words, the supports 10 are able to perform the function of lateral cover of the frame 20 in such a way as not to have side slots or openings between the frame 20 and the side panels

[0061] According to another aspect of the invention, at least one between the lower element 11b and the upper element 11c has at least one adjusting slot configured to house fixing elements designed to fix the lower element 11b and/or the upper element 11c to the respective shoulder 21.

[0062] These slots have a direction of extension substantially transversal to the longitudinal extension of the support 10 and are particularly advantageous for adjusting the distance between the frame 20 and the support 10.

[0063] The slots allow a continuous adjustment of the distance between the frame 20 and the support 10.

[0064] Alternative embodiments comprise the presence of rows of through holes, made in place of the slots and extending transversally to the longitudinal extension of the support 10. These rows of holes allow a separate adjustment of the distance between frame 20 and support 10.

[0065] The first portion 11 also comprises a connecting element 11d of the lower 11b and upper 11c elements, at least partly shaped to match a shape of the shoulder 21 and defining an end stop or a minimum distance between the frame 20 and the respective support 10.

[0066] The second portion 12 of the support 10 is configured for reversible coupling of the support 10 to the respective side panel “S”.

[0067] As illustrated, the second portion 12 comprises at least one anchoring bracket 12a positioned away from the first portion 11 in such a way as to be fixed to the side panel “S”.

[0068] Again as illustrated, the second portion 12 comprises at least two anchoring brackets 12a positioned at different heights away from the first portion 11 in such a way as to be selectively fixable to side panels “S”.

[0069] In particular, each bracket 12a can be selectively fixed to side panels “S” having different shapes.

[0070] Advantageously, by means of this feature, the supports 10 are extremely versatile and adaptable to a wide range of side panels “S” and, consequently, furniture items 100.

[0071] For example, based on the number of anchoring brackets 12a and/or their shape, it will be possible to connect the support 10 to a greater and different number of side panels “S”.

[0072] FIGS. 4A-4D show the coupling of the support 10 to various embodiments of side panels “S”.

[0073] Preferably, the second portion 12 comprises two anchoring brackets 12a and has the shape of an upturned “F”.

[0074] Alternative embodiments, however, are not excluded from the invention wherein the second portion 12 comprises three or more anchoring brackets 12a.

[0075] Preferably, the anchoring brackets 12a are reciprocally parallel and, in use, are substantially oriented horizontally.

[0076] According to another aspect, as illustrated in FIG. 2B, the anchoring brackets 12a have a plurality of through holes 12b configured to house respective fixing elements designed to fix the respective anchoring bracket 12a to the respective side panel “S”.

[0077] In particular, the through holes 12b are made on the anchoring brackets 12a for the entire longitudinal extension of the support 10.

[0078] Moreover, the through holes 12b are made in number and according to a distribution such as to make the support 10 particularly versatile and universal, that is to say, which can be used with different types of side panels “S”.

[0079] As shown in FIG. 2B, the through holes 12b preferably have an irregular distribution.

[0080] According to another aspect, the first portion 11 is preferably configured to come into contact with the side panel “S”.

[0081] Advantageously, this feature makes it possible to improve the appearance of the furniture item 100.

[0082] According to another aspect of the invention, the upper element 11c, the lower element 11b and the at least two anchoring brackets 12a are mutually parallel and, in use, are substantially oriented horizontally.

[0083] According to another aspect, the first and second portions 11, 12 are made preferably in one piece. In particular, each support may be made from a sheet which is cut and folded or molded.

[0084] According to another aspect of this invention, the supports 10 of the pair of supports 10 are identical to each other and, in use, positioned specularly relative to the frame 20.

[0085] Advantageously, this feature makes the installation of the device 1 particularly intuitive and, consequently, less onerous in terms of time.

[0086] The invention also relates to a kit comprising the device 1 for carrying containers as described above and a plurality of fixing elements for reversible assembly of the components of the device 1 and for reversible assembly of the device 1 in the drawer of the furniture item 100. The kit also comprises a plurality of containers. Each container can be reversibly inserted resting on the at least one seat of the frame 10.

[0087] Moreover, the invention relates to a furniture item 100, illustrated in FIG. 5, comprising the kit, that is, the device 1.

[0088] Structurally, the furniture item 100 comprises inner side panels equipped with guides configured to receive and constrain in a sliding fashion respective side panels “S” to which, by means of fixing elements, the device 1 is reversibly fixed. In this way, the furniture item 100 is able to receive a number of containers for storing waste or for other aims such as, for example, containing dirty laundry and the like. Moreover, the containers housed therein can be easily extracted from the frame 10.

[0089] Advantageously, the device 1, the assembly kit and the furniture item 100 described above are able to overcome the drawbacks of the prior art.

[0090] In particular, an aim achieved is to provide a device 1 which is able to be extremely versatile in such a way that it can be coupled to a wide type of side panels “S” and, consequently, can be installed in a wide range of furniture items 100.

[0091] This aim is achieved thanks to the presence of the at least two anchoring brackets 12a which allow the support 10 to adapt to a plurality of embodiments of the side panels “S”.

[0092] Moreover, this aim is achieved by means of the plurality of through holes 12b made on the respective anchoring brackets 12a with a quantity and distribution such as to allow a spot adaptation of the support 10 to the respective side panel “S”.

[0093] A further aim achieved is to provide a device 1 which can be easily and intuitively installed in a furniture item 100.

[0094] This aim is achieved thanks to the basic structure of the supports 10 and the fact that the supports 10 are identical and can be mounted specularly.

[0095] Advantageously, the invention provides an assembly device 1 and kit wherein the adjustment between the supports 10 and the frame 10 is adaptable to the various shapes and dimensions of the profiles of the side panels “S” and for the adaptation to the various thicknesses of the side panels of the furniture items 100.