Insulated Transport Cabinets For Food And The Like
20190082826 ยท 2019-03-21
Assignee
Inventors
Cpc classification
E05C3/04
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
B65D43/22
PERFORMING OPERATIONS; TRANSPORTING
E05B63/0052
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
F25D23/02
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
E05C3/145
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
International classification
E05D7/10
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
E05C3/14
FIXED CONSTRUCTIONS
F25D23/02
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
Abstract
The present disclosure provides an insulated transport cabinet for food or the like having a housing, a door, a hinge cover, and a hinge pin. The housing includes a barrel portion adjacent to a front surface and extending between top and bottom ends. The barrel portion includes a longitudinal axis, a gap separating the barrel portion into top and bottom barrel sections having first and second passageways aligned with the longitudinal axis, respectively. The door includes a hinge adjacent to a side surface and including a third passageway aligned with the longitudinal axis. An inner surface of the hinge pin complements an outer surface of the hinge. The hinge pin passes through the first, third, and second passageways. The door pivots about the longitudinal axis between an open position and a closed position. The longitudinal axis is offset from a center plane of the door.
Claims
1. A thermally-insulated food transport cabinet comprising: a housing comprising a front side and an interior compartment that is accessible from the front side of the housing; a door attached to the housing at the front side of the housing and pivotable about a longitudinal axis between an open position enabling access to the interior compartment and a closed position preventing access to the interior compartment, the door comprising a back side that sealingly engages the front side of the housing when the door is in the closed position and a front side that is spaced apart from the back side in a first direction, wherein the longitudinal axis is offset from the front side of the door in the first direction; a hinge located at the front side of the housing and comprising a first hinge portion located at a side edge of the front side of the housing, a second hinge portion located at a first lateral side of the door, a hinge pin and a hinge cover; the first hinge portion comprising a barrel portion extending along the longitudinal axis, wherein the barrel portion comprises a top barrel section and a bottom barrel section separated by a gap, a first closed passageway in the top barrel section substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis and a second closed passageway in the bottom barrel section substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis; the second hinge portion comprising an open passageway substantially colinear with the longitudinal axis; wherein the hinge pin passes through the first closed passageway, the open passageway and the second closed passageway; and wherein the hinge cover is attachable to the second hinge portion in a locked position which covers the open passageway of the second hinge portion and an unlocked position which exposes the open passageway of the second hinge portion.
2. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 1, wherein the second hinge portion comprises a slot, the slot being adjacent to and substantially parallel with the open passageway.
3. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 2, wherein the hinge cover comprises an inner surface adapted to complement an outer surface of the second hinge portion; wherein when the hinge cover is attached to the second hinge portion in the locked position the hinge cover encloses the slot; and wherein when the hinge cover is attached to the second hinge portion in the unlocked position the hinge cover exposes the slot.
4. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 3, wherein the door is detachable from the housing when the hinge cover the unlocked position.
5. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 1, wherein the hinge cover further comprises a living hinge disposed between a first side of the hinge cover and a second side of the hinge cover; wherein the living hinge is offset from the longitudinal axis in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and wherein a first portion of the hinge cover is pivotable about the living hinge between the locked position and the unlocked position.
6. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 5, wherein the hinge cover comprises a second portion located on an opposite side of the living hinge from the first portion of the hinge cover; wherein the second portion is fixed to the door.
7. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 6, wherein the front side of the door comprises a receiver and the hinge cover comprises a protrusion; wherein the protrusion is engaged by the receiver to fix the hinge cover to the door.
8. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 7, wherein the receiver comprises a narrow slot extending generally parallel to the longitudinal axis; and therein the protrusion is tree-shaped.
9. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 1, wherein the first hinge portion is integrally formed with the housing and the second hinge portion is integrally formed with the door.
10. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 9, further comprising: a first cap at least partially engaging an inner surface of the first closed passageway and a second cap at least partially engaging an inner surface of the second closed passageway; wherein the first cap obstructs an upper opening in the first closed passageway of the top barrel section and the second cap obstructs a lower opening in the second closed passageway in the bottom barrel section; wherein the first cap and second cap cooperate to retain the hinge pin in the barrel portion.
11. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 1, further comprising: a first cap at least partially engaging an inner surface of the first closed passageway and a second cap at least partially engaging an inner surface of the second closed passageway; wherein the first cap obstructs an upper opening in the first closed passageway of the top barrel section and the second cap obstructs a lower opening in the second closed passageway in the bottom barrel section; wherein the first cap and second cap cooperate to retain the hinge pin in the barrel portion.
12. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 1, wherein the back side of the door further comprises a seal comprising a rib disposed around a perimeter of the back side of the door; wherein the rib is shaped to complement a groove extending into a peripheral wall of the interior compartment; wherein the rib sealingly engages with the groove when the door is in the closed position.
13. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 12, wherein a cross-section of the rib taken transverse to a length of the rib is tapered along the length of the rib and at least a height of the cross-section is greater at a lengthwise center portion of the rib than at opposing lengthwise end portions of the rib.
14. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 13, wherein the second hinge portion comprises a slot, the slot being adjacent to and substantially parallel with the open passageway; wherein the hinge cover further comprises a living hinge disposed between a first side of the hinge cover and a second side of the hinge cover; wherein the living hinge is offset from the longitudinal axis in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and wherein the hinge cover comprises a first portion pivotable about the living hinge between the locked position and the unlocked position and a second portion located on an opposite side of the living hinge from the first portion and fixed to the door; wherein when the hinge cover is in the locked position the hinge cover encloses the slot; and wherein when the hinge cover is in the unlocked position the hinge cover exposes the slot.
15. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 12, wherein wherein the hinge cover further comprises a living hinge disposed between a first side of the hinge cover and a second side of the hinge cover; wherein the living hinge is offset from the longitudinal axis in a second direction substantially perpendicular to the first direction; and wherein the hinge cover comprises a first portion pivotable about the living hinge between the locked position and the unlocked position and a second portion located on an opposite side of the living hinge from the first portion and fixed to the door.
16. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 15, wherein the front side of the door comprises a receiver and the second portion of the hinge cover comprises a protrusion; wherein the protrusion is engaged by the receiver to fix the hinge cover to the door.
17. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 16, wherein the second hinge portion comprises a slot, the slot being adjacent to and substantially parallel with the open passageway; wherein when the hinge cover is in the locked position the hinge cover encloses the slot; and wherein when the hinge cover is in the unlocked position the hinge cover exposes the slot.
18. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 15, wherein the door is detachable from the housing when the hinge cover the unlocked position.
19. The thermally-insulated food transport cabinet of claim 12, wherein the door further comprises a latch slot in a second lateral side of the door opposite to the first lateral side of the door; and further comprising a latch comprising: a fixed end pivotally connected to the housing; a free end; a stem extending between the fixed end and the free end; and a holder having an engagement side adjacent to the free end; wherein the latch is pivotable between a locked position and an unlocked position; and wherein the stem of the latch is at least partially disposed in the latch slot; and wherein when the latch is in the locked position the engagement side of the holder abuts the front side of the door prevents the door from pivoting to the open position.
Description
DRAWINGS
[0031] The drawings described herein are for illustrative purposes only of selected embodiments and not all possible implementations, and are not intended to limit the scope of the present disclosure.
[0032]
[0033]
[0034]
[0035]
[0036]
[0037]
[0038]
[0039] Corresponding reference numerals indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views of the drawings.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0040] Example embodiments will now be described more fully with reference to the accompanying drawings.
[0041] Example embodiments are provided so that this disclosure will be thorough, and will fully convey the scope to those who are skilled in the art. Numerous specific details are set forth such as examples of specific components, devices, and methods, to provide a thorough understanding of embodiments of the present disclosure. It will be apparent to those skilled in the art that specific details need not be employed, that example embodiments may be embodied in many different forms and that neither should be construed to limit the scope of the disclosure. In some example embodiments, well-known processes, well-known device structures, and well-known technologies are not described in detail.
[0042] Insulated transport cabinets for food and the like may be used in a variety of applications. Certain applications (e.g., room-to-room food delivery in a hospital or hotel) require frequent opening and closing of the door to access contents of the cabinet. Thus, hinge and latch must be robust and capable of withstanding repeated use.
[0043] Some transport cabinets employ slip hinges to pivotally connect a door and a housing of the cabinet. Slip hinges are susceptible to damages through the course of normal use. For example, the hinges often become broken or bent.
[0044] Insulated cabinets can also employ a thermal seal, for example, a compressible gasket or a labyrinth seal. Compressible gaskets typically become damaged or worn through frequent use. In some situations, compressible gaskets may fall off or otherwise disengage the carrier as a result of use. Labyrinth seals are less effective than gasket seals in providing insulation. Furthermore, they are not liquid-tight and are therefore ineffective at containing spills inside the carrier. Compressible gaskets and labyrinth seals work when they are compressed by the door. Thus, they prevent the door from staying closed without a latch. Certain carriers are made from expanded polypropylene (EPP). These carriers may utilize the inherent compressibility of EPP to the door with a tight or interference fit. However, doors on this style of EPP carriers may be difficult to open and close.
[0045] Insulated cabinets also include latches, such as over-center draw latches, to hold the door in the closed position and engage the seal or gasket. Over-center draw latches may be awkward to use and can create pinch points. Furthermore, these latches are prone to damage such as breakage through repeated use.
[0046] The present disclosure provides an insulated transport cabinet and a mounting and sealing structure for an insulating transport cabinet. The mounting and sealing structure includes a hinge and a seal between a door and a housing of the cabinet. With reference to
[0047] Referring now to
[0048] The housing 16 includes a front surface 26. The interior compartment 24 extends into the front surface 26. The housing 16 further includes a barrel portion 28 adjacent to the front surface 26. The barrel portion 28 may be integrally formed with the front surface 26. The barrel portion 28 extends between a top end 30 and a bottom end 32. The barrel portion 28 includes a first longitudinal axis 34 extending through its center. The barrel portion 28 further includes a gap 36 located intermediate the top end 30 and the bottom end 32. The gap 36 separates the barrel portion 28 into a top barrel section 38 and a bottom barrel section 40. The top barrel section 38 includes a first passageway 42. The first passageway 42 is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis 34. The bottom barrel section 40 includes a second passageway 44. The second passageway 44 is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis 34.
[0049] The hinge 20 is adjacent to a left side surface 46 of the door 18. The hinge 20 may be integrally formed with the door 18. The hinge 20 includes a third passageway 47. The third passageway 47 is substantially aligned with the first longitudinal axis 34. A hinge pin 48 passes through the first passageway 42, the third passageway 47, and the second passageway 44 to pivotally connect the door 18 to the housing 16.
[0050] The cabinet section 12 further includes a hinge cover 50. As best shown in
[0051] Returning to
[0052] The door 18 includes a front surface 64 and a back surface 65. The front surface 64 and the back surface 65 are substantially parallel. The door 18 further includes a center plane 66 (shown in
[0053] With reference to
[0054] The hinge cover 50 may include a living hinge 69 disposed between a fixed portion 70 of the hinge cover 50 and a free portion 72 of the hinge cover 50. There may be an offset 73 between the living hinge 69 and the first longitudinal axis 34. More specifically, the living hinge 69 may be disposed between the front surface 64 of the door 18 and the first longitudinal axis 34. The free portion 72 of the hinge cover 50 is adapted to pivot about the living hinge 69 between a locked position and an unlocked position. An outer portion 74 of the hinge cover 50 may be shaped to snap onto the hinge 20 and maintain the hinge cover 50 in the locked position, creating an over-center snap fit. In one example, a first width 76 of the outer surface of the hinge 20 at the outer portion 74 of the hinge cover 50 may be less than a second width 78 of the outer surface of the hinge 20 at the first longitudinal axis 34. Thus, the hinge cover 50 may be held in the locked position.
[0055] The hinge cover 50 may be fixed to the door 18. The front surface 64 of the door 18 may include a receiver 80 and the hinge cover 50 may include a protrusion 82 engaging the receiver 80 to fix the hinge cover 50 to the door 18. By way of non-limiting example, the protrusion 82 may have a tree-shape such that branches of the tree maintain the protrusion 82 in the receiver 80. However, other shapes of protrusions 82 and receivers 80 are contemplated within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0056] Referring to
[0057] The sealing structure 83 may include a first rib 84 configured to engage a first groove 85. The first groove 85 may extend into a peripheral wall 86 of the interior compartment 24 of the housing 16. The first rib 84 may extend around a perimeter of the door 18 adjacent to the back surface 65 of the door 18. The first rib 84 is configured to engage the first groove 85 when the door 18 is in the closed position. The first rib 84 is configured to disengage the first groove 85 when the door 18 is in the open position.
[0058] Referring now to
[0059] In some embodiments, the first rib 84 does not extend to an area adjacent to a right side surface 93 of the door 18. With reference to
[0060] A combination of the sealing structure 83 geometry and the hinge 20 geometry enables quick disengagement of the first rib 84 from the first groove 85. With respect to the sealing structure 83, the tapered shape of the top 87, bottom, and first side 89 ribs and complementary shape of the first groove 85 allows for easy engagement and disengagement as the door 18 is closed and opened. The flat portion 92 enables quick disengagement with minimal resistance near the first longitudinal axis 34 (i.e., the axis of rotation of the door 18). The placement of the second rib 94 and the second groove 95 in the back surface 65 of the door 18 and the front surface 26 of the housing 16, respectively, similarly minimizes resistance to opening and closing the door. With respect to the hinge 20, the offset 67 from the first longitudinal axis 34, enables quicker disengagement of the first rib 84 from the first groove 85 as the door is opened than if the rotational axis of the door 18 were aligned with the center plane of the door 18. Thus, the first rib 84 may disengage the first groove 85 when the door 18 is pivoted greater than or equal to about 5, optionally greater than or equal to about 3, between the closed and the open positions. The door 18 may be opened and closed with very little drag and therefore minimal operator effort.
[0061] Because the sealing structure 83 operates without significant compression, it is functional as soon as the door is in the closed position, whether or not the latch 22 (shown in
[0062] Referring now to
[0063] The right side surface 93 of the door 18 is opposite the left side surface 46 and substantially perpendicular to the left side surface 46. The right side surface 93 of the door 18 may include a latch slot 106. The stem 100 of the latch 22 is at least partially disposed in the latch slot 106 when the latch 22 is in a locked position. A back surface 108 of the holder 102 engages the front surface 64 of the door 18 when the latch 22 is in the locked position. Engagement of the back surface 108 of the holder 102 with the front surface 64 of the door 18 maintains the door 18 in the closed position.
[0064] The cabinet section 12 may also include a latch keeper 110. The latch keeper 110 may be fixed to the front surface 64 of the door 18. More specifically, the latch keeper 110 may be at least partially disposed within a recessed portion 112 of the front surface 64 of the door 18. The latch keeper 110 may include an extension 114 adapted to engage a receptacle 116 in the stem 100 of the latch 22. Engagement of the extension 114 with the receptacle helps maintain the latch 22 in the locked position. The latch 22 may include a plurality of receptacles 116.
[0065] The latch 22 may comprise an elastomeric material. In certain aspects, the latch 22 may be stretched or energized as it is placed into a locked position. The elasticity of the latch 22 enables the holder 102 to apply a force to the door 18 to hold the door 18 in the closed position. The elastomeric material is resilient to repeated use and less susceptible to breakage than compared to certain other latches, such as over-center draw latches.
[0066] The latch 22 may be pivotally connected to the housing 16 by a latch pin 118. The latch pin 118 may include first and second ends 120, 122 that are fixed to the housing 16. The latch 22 may further include a tubular portion 124 adjacent to the fixed end 96. The tubular portion 124 may include a passage 126 (shown in
[0067] Returning now to
[0068] With reference to
[0069] Returning now to
[0070] A pair of grooves 146 may be included in a top surface 148 of the housing 16. A pair of ribs shaped to complement the pair of grooves 146 may extend from a bottom surface of the housing 16 (not shown). The pair of ribs of the bottom surface of one cabinet section 12 engages the pair of grooves 146 of the top surface of another cabinet section 12 to maintain the cabinet sections 12 on top of one another and prevent shifting and sliding. Similar ribs and grooves may be provided between a bottom cabinet section 12 and the cart 14 to maintain the cabinet section 12 on the cart 14 during transport. Although the insulated transport cabinet 10 described herein makes reference to left and right sides, it should be understood that the features of each side can be reversed within the scope of the present disclosure.
[0071] The foregoing description of the embodiments has been provided for purposes of illustration and description. It is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the disclosure. Individual elements or features of a particular embodiment are generally not limited to that particular embodiment, but, where applicable, are interchangeable and can be used in a selected embodiment, even if not specifically shown or described. The same may also be varied in many ways. Such variations are not to be regarded as a departure from the disclosure, and all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the disclosure.