Refrigerated merchandising storage unit with displaceable lids

Abstract

A refrigerated merchandising storage unit for display and sale of foodstuff or the like is disclosed including a storage compartment having an essentially rectangular top opening, the storage unit further includes a cover including a plurality of lids for being arranged displaceably for opening the storage unit and a rail system with two or more mounted rails arranged between two opposite sides of the opening. Each rail includes a number of elongated and generally U-shaped tracks wherein each of the lids are arranged to be mounted between a first and a second rail adjacent to one another. The first rail includes a first track and the second rail includes a second track, and the rails are arranged such that the lid can be mounted by displacing an edge of the lid inside the first track until the opposite edge of the lid can be inserted inside the second track. The storage unit further includes a retainer arrangement provided near the first track or the second track and the lid for retaining the lid in that track. The retainer arrangement includes a latch fixed to the lid and a protrusion fixed to that track, the latch and the protrusion being arranged such that when lateral extraction forces are applied to the lid in a direction away from the track, the latch and the protrusion are forced into abutment producing a holding force so that a separation of the lid and the track is prevented.

Claims

1. A refrigerated merchandising storage unit for display and sale of foodstuff comprising a storage compartment having a rectangular top opening, the storage unit further comprises a cover including a plurality of lids for being arranged displaceably for opening the storage unit so that access can be provided to the compartment, the cover is provided with a rail system with two or more mounted rails arranged between two opposite sides of the opening, each rail comprises a number of elongated and U-shaped tracks for receiving an edge of one of the plurality of lids, each of which lids includes a first surface and a second surface; wherein each of the plurality of lids is arranged to be mounted between a first and a second of said mounted rails adjacent to one another, wherein the first rail comprises a first track and the second rail comprises a second track, wherein the rails are arranged such that a first lid of the plurality of lids can be mounted by displacing an edge of the first lid inside the first track until an opposite edge of the first lid can by swung into position substantially in a plane of the first lid and adjacent to the second track of the adjacent second rail, whereby said opposite edge of the first lid can be inserted inside the second track and the first lid thereby can be displaceably mounted between the two adjacent rails, and wherein the storage unit further comprises a retainer arrangement provided near a selected one of said first track or said second track and said lid for retaining the lid in that selected first track or second track, wherein the retainer arrangement comprises a latch fixed to the first lid and a protrusion fixed to that selected first track or second track, the latch and the protrusion being arranged such that when lateral extraction forces are applied to the first lid in a direction away from the track with the protrusion, the latch and the protrusion are forced into abutment producing a holding force so that a separation of the first lid and that selected first track or second track is prevented, wherein either the protrusion or the latch is made of a resilient flexible material such that the edge of the first lid can be inserted into that selected first track or second track, by bending either the latch towards the second surface of the first lid or the protrusion towards a side of the selected track on which the protrusion is fixed.

2. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the latch as well as the protrusion are resiliently displaceable in order for allowing the edge of the first lid to enter into the selected first track or second track.

3. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the first track is a deep track and the second track is a shallow track, wherein the deep track is deeper than the shallow track, and wherein said retainer arrangement is provided near said second, shallow track.

4. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 3, wherein a second retainer arrangement is provided near said deep track, and wherein a protrusion of the second retainer arrangement is fixed to the deep track and a latch of the second retainer arrangement is fixed to the first lid, and wherein the protrusion and the latch of the second retainer arrangement are arranged to cooperate.

5. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the protrusion extends generally perpendicular to and inwardly from the side of the selected track.

6. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 1, wherein said latch is attached to the first surface of the first lid and extends around the edge of the first lid towards the second surface of the first lid where from the latch projects away from the first lid towards a position above the second surface of the first lid.

7. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the number of elongated and U-shaped tracks of each rail is formed as a profile comprising a plurality of said tracks which are arranged above one another in a vertical row of tracks.

8. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 7, wherein each lid is displaceably mounted in a separate track within the vertical row of tracks.

9. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 7, wherein said vertical row of tracks in each said rail comprises either deep or shallow tracks only.

10. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 9, wherein each lid of the plurality of lids is displacably mounted in separate tracks within the vertical row of tracks.

11. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the two or more rails extend between two long sides of the compartment, from a first long side to a second long side and wherein the compartment is opened and closed by pushing the lids in a direction perpendicular to the long sides of the compartment, and parallel with short sides of the compartment.

12. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 11, wherein the cover comprises three longitudinal rows of lids covering the top opening, of which one longitudinal row comprises a stationary cover plate which covers generally of the width of the top opening and extends between the two short sides of the compartment.

13. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the two or more rails extend between two short sides of the compartment, from a first short side to a second short side, and wherein the compartment is opened and closed by sliding the lids sideways in a direction parallel with long sides of the compartment.

14. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 13, wherein the two or more rails near the long sides of the compartment comprise shallow tracks only.

15. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the lids are transparent.

16. The refrigerated merchandising storage unit according to claim 1, wherein the cover is provided with a curved shape.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

(1) Aspects of the present invention will be described in the following with reference to the enclosed drawing that shows embodiments of the present invention. The figures of the drawing are as follows:

(2) FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a refrigerated merchandising storage unit having a cover with lids arranged in a slide configuration,

(3) FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of two lids mounted in two adjacent rails in a refrigerated merchandising storage unit as shown in FIG. 1,

(4) FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a refrigerated merchandising storage unit indicating the method of mounting a lid in adjacent rails as shown in FIG. 1,

(5) FIG. 2b is a detailed perspective view of a lid mounted in a shallow track, as shown in

(6) FIG. 1,

(7) FIG. 3 is a detailed cross-sectional view of lids mounted in shallow tracks in a slide configuration, as shown in FIG. 1,

(8) FIG. 4 is a detailed cross-sectional view of lids mounted in deep tracks in a slide configuration, as shown in FIG. 1, and

(9) FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a refrigerated merchandising storage unit having a cover with lids arranged in a push configuration.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS

(10) FIGS. 1 and 5 respectively show two examples of a refrigerated merchandising storage unit 1 in perspective having a storage compartment 2, which is can be used to store foodstuff or the like. The compartment 2 is in both examples shaped as a box, preferably a rectangular box having a bottom, two parallel long sides 2a and two parallel short sides 2b, providing an essentially rectangular, vertical top opening 3.

(11) In FIG. 1 the top opening 3 is arranged with the cover 4 comprising two rails 8 at edges of the compartment 2 along the long sides 2a of the compartment 2 and a centred rail 8a arranged in between extending from one short side 2b of the compartment 2 to an opposite short side 2b of the compartment 2 such that the top opening 3 of the compartment 2 is divided into two generally equal sized longitudinal openings. The top opening 3 is covered by eight transparent lids 5 each mounted in adjacent rails 8, 8a. Two opposite and essentially parallel edges 5a of each lid 5 are slidably mounted in two adjacent tracks 9a, 9b of two adjacent rails 8, 8a such that they may be slided and displaced in a direction parallel to the long sides 2a of the compartment 2 by the customers in order to provide access to the storage compartment 2. The lids 5 can be arranged in an open or closed position or in a position therein between and handles 7 are attached to the lids 5 allowing for easy displacement of the lids 5 along the rails 8, 8a. Four lids 5 are covering each longitudinal opening and they are mounted in a symmetric configuration on each side of the centred rail 8a. On each side of the centred rail 8a two lids 5 are mounted in the top track 9 and the remaining two lids 5 are mounted in the bottom track 9 in an alternating configuration. In the present embodiments the lids 5 and the rails 8, 8a are curved providing for extra space enclosed by the cover 4 and the compartment 2 as shown in FIG. 1-5.

(12) FIG. 2 shows a cross-sectional view of the refrigerated merchandising storage unit 1 in FIG. 1. The rails 8 near the long sides 2a of the compartment 2 are E-shaped profiles, each providing two tracks 9b, while the centred rail 8a arranged in the centre of the top opening 3 and between the long sides 2a of the compartment 2 is a profile comprises a middle section, with two E-shaped profiles arranged on each side of the middle section, such that lids 5 can be mounted on each side of the centred rail 8a, this is shown in FIG. 2. FIG. 2 also shows how the rails 8 near the long sides 2a of the compartment 2 comprises shallow tracks 9b such that the rail 8 allows for larger visibility through the lids 5 near the long sides 2a of the storage unit 1 i.e. near the position of the customer using the storage unit 1. Correspondingly, the centred rail 8a near the middle of the top opening 3 comprises deep tracks 9a. Neighbouring lids 5 are slidably mounted in separate tracks 9a, 9b, such that the lids 5 can be displaced independently in a direction parallel to the long sides 2a of the compartment 2.

(13) As can be seen in FIG. 2, the two adjacent tracks 9a, 9b for mounting a lid 5 are of different depths. One track 9a comprises a deep cavity and is referred to as a deep track 9a and the other comprises a shallow cavity and is referred to as a shallow track 9b. This arrangement of different depths of the tracks 9a, 9b makes it possible for the lid 5 to be mounted when the rails 8, 8a are mounted on the storage unit 1, the lids 5 may in particularly be mounted from above or below. The movements of the lid 5 in the method of mounting a lid 5 in the cover 4 is indicated in FIG. 2a by the marked arrows (X, Y and Z). The lid 5 is mounted by first inserting an edge 5a of the lid 5 in the deep track 9a and pushing it in direction X into the deep track 9a until the opposite edge 5a of the lid 5 may be inserted in the opposing shallow track 9b by lowering the lid 5 in direction Y and pushing the edge 5a of the lid 5 into the shallow track 9b in direction Z. The depth A of the deep track 9a is approximately 35 mm deep while the depth B of the shallow track 9b is approximately 12.5 mm. A seal 12 may be provided on the lower surface 6 of each lid 5 arranged in the top track 9 (see FIG. 2b). Each seal 12 may approximately extend between the adjacent tracks 9a, 9b in which the lid 5 is mounted and from the lower surface 6 of lid 5 towards an upper surface 6 of a neighbouring lid 5 mounted in the bottom tracks 9a, 9b. A more detailed view of the shallow 9b and deep tracks 9a can be found in FIGS. 3 and 4 respectively. These figures also show that the lid 5 being maintained in the adjacent tracks 9a, 9b by a retainer arrangement 11 which prevents a dislocation of the lids 5 from the tracks 9 and simultaneously allows the lids 5 to slide along the longitudinal extend of the tracks 9. In the present embodiment a retainer arrangement 11 is provided by both the deep track 9a and the shallow track 9b and essentially comprises a resilient latch 11a and a protrusion 11b. The latches 11a are fixed to edges 5a of the lid 5 arranged in the tracks 9a,9b, and are shaped such that a first part is parallelly abutting the lower surface 6 of the lid 5 and fixed hereto, preferably by using adhesive. From the lower surface 6 of the lid 5, the latch 11a extends around the edge 5a of the lid 5 and inwardly towards the middle of the upper surface 6 of the lid 5 and simultaneously upwardly in a direction away from the upper surface 6 of the lid 5, such that an angle of approximately 45 degrees is created between the upper surface 6 of the lid 5 and the latch 11a, measured at a position near the edge 5a of lid 5. The first part of the latch 11a at the lower surface 6 of the lid 5, provides a lower surface slidably abutting the lower side 10 of the track 9. The retainer arrangement 11 may be provided along each entire edge 5a of the lid 5 to be mounted in the track 9 or it may be provided at scattered positions along the edge 5a of the lid 5. In the present embodiment, the retainer arrangement 11 may be provided within a distance along each edge 5a of the lid 5 from each end of the edge 5a of the lid 5.

(14) The profile comprises a protrusion 11b located at the upper side of the track 9 and near the track opening 10a. The protrusion 11b protrudes inwardly and provides a smaller cross-sectional height of the track opening 10a relative to the cross-sectional height within the track 9. As seen in FIGS. 2, 3 and 4 when the lid 5 is mounted, the latch 11a extends upwardly to a position above the lower edge of the protrusion 11b. Any lateral forces applied to the lid 5 in a direction away from the track 9 will force the latch 11a to abut the protrusion 11b and possibly also the inside of the upper side 10 of the track 9, retaining the latch 11a within the track 9 and preventing any further lateral movement of the lid 5. Additionally, a recess may be provided in the inside surface of the upper side 10 of the track 9 for receiving a free end of the latch 11a and retaining the latch 11a in a specific position within the track 9.

(15) As the cross-sectional height of the track opening 10a is smaller than the cross-sectional height within the track 9 due to the presence of the protrusion 11b, the lid 5 is mounted in the tracks 9 by forcing the resilient latch 11a to bend towards the upper surface 6 of the lid 5 such that the total cross-sectional area of the edge 5a of the lid 5 with the attached latch 11a is decreased to such an extent, that the latch 11a and the edge 5a of the lid 5 can fit through the track opening 10a. When the latch 11a has passed the track opening 10a and is positioned inside the track 9, the force on the latch 11a is lessened or released and the latch 11a assumes a position closer to its original position as can be seen on FIGS. 2, 3 and 4.

(16) In alternative embodiments the protrusion 11b is resiliently arranged instead of the latch 11a, or the latch 11a as well as the protrusion 11b may be resiliently displaceable in order for allowing the edge 5a of the lid 5 to enter into the track 9.

(17) In a further alternative embodiment, all or some of the adjacent rails 8, 8a for mounting of lids 5 may comprise deep tracks 9a only, wherein the lids 5 are retained therein using a retainer arrangement 11 provided near each deep track 9a.

(18) Essentially the refrigerated storage unit 1 as shown in FIG. 5 comprises the same technical features as explained in relation to the refrigerated merchandising storage unit 1 as described in relation to FIGS. 1-4, with the difference that the lids 5 are mounted in a push configuration instead of a slide configuration. FIG. 5 shows a refrigerated merchandising storage unit 1 with a cover 4 comprising four lids 5 and three rails 8, 8a which are arranged such that the lids 5 can be displaced in a direction essentially parallel to the short sides 2b of the compartment 2 and perpendicular to the long sides 2a of the compartment 2. The lids 5 can be arranged in an open or closed position or in a position therein between and handles 7 are attached to the lids 5 allowing for easy displacement of the lids 5 along the rails 8, 8a. Two rails 8 are arranged at along the edges of the short sides 2b of the compartment 2, while the third rail 8a is arranged therein between in a substantially cantered position such that the top opening 3 is divided into two essentially equal sized openings. The four lids 5 are mounted in a symmetric configuration around the cantered rail 8a. On each side the two lids 5 are mounted in separate tracks 9, i.e. one is mounted in the top track 9 and the other lid 5 is mounted in the bottom track 9, such that they can be displaced independently. As for the configuration shown in FIGS. 1-4, the lids 5 in FIG. 5 are displaceably retained in the tracks 9 of the rails 8, 8a using retainer arrangement 11 and furthermore one track 9 is deeper than the adjacent track 9 such that the lids 5 may be mounted in rails 8, 8a that are already mounted on the storage unit 1, the lids 5 may in particular be mounted from above or below. Alternatively some or all of the lids 5 may be mounted in adjacent rails 8,8a comprising deep tracks 9a only, wherein the deep tracks are provided with retainer arrangements 11.

(19) The lids 5 may be demounted from the rails 8, 8a by using a tool which can be used to force the latch 11a towards the surface 6 of the lid 5 and thereby allow for edge 5a of the lid 5 to be separated from the track 9. Demounting is accomplished by simultaneously forcing the latch 11a towards the surface 6 of the lid 5 and applying a lateral force to the lid 5 in a direction away from the track 9. The tool preferably comprises a thickness small enough to allow the tool to enter the track 9 between the side 10, 10 of the track and the lid 5. Furthermore the tool is preferably shaped such that it can access the upper side of the latch 11a and apply a force to the upper side of the latch 11a towards the lid 5. In one embodiment the tool may be of a shape similar to a credit card or the like.

LIST OF REFERENCE NUMERALS

(20) 1 Refrigerated merchandising storage unit 2 Storage compartment 2a Long side of the storage compartment 2b Short side of the storage compartment 3 Top opening 4 Cover 5 Lid 5a Edge of lid 6 Upper surface of lid 6 Lower surface of lid 7 Handles 8 Rail 8a Centred rail 9 Track 9a Deep track 9b Shallow track 10 upper side of the track 10 lower side of the track 10a Track opening 11 Retainer arrangement 11a Latch 11b Protrusion 12 Seal A Depth of deep track B Depth of shallow track X Direction towards the deep track Y Direction towards the bottom of the compartment Z Direction towards the shallow track