REFRIGERATION DEVICE COMPRISING A TRANSPORT SECURING ELEMENT

Abstract

A refrigeration device having a heat-insulated inner container, which is configured to delimit a cooling chamber for storing refrigerated goods, wherein the inner container has a lateral container wall. The refrigeration device includes a shelf mounted on the inner container, wherein the shelf has a lateral shelf edge, and a transport securing element for securing the shelf during transport of the refrigeration device, wherein the transport securing element is positioned between the lateral container wall and the lateral shelf edge, and wherein the transport securing element is formed with a recess, which is configured to enclose the lateral shelf edge.

Claims

1. A refrigeration device having a heat-insulated inner container, which is configured to delimit a cooling chamber for storing refrigerated goods, wherein the inner container comprises a lateral container wall, the refrigeration device comprising: a shelf mount mounted on the inner container; a shelf mounted on the shelf mount for fixing the shelf to the inner container in a mounting position, the shelf including a lateral shelf edge, and a transport securing element for securing the shelf during transport of the refrigeration device with the shelf is mounted on the shelf mount in the mounting position, the transport securing element being positioned between the lateral container wall and the lateral shelf edge with the shelf is mounted on the shelf mount in the mounting position, and the transport securing element including a recess configured to enclose the lateral shelf edge with the shelf is mounted on the shelf mount in the mounting position.

2. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein the recess includes an inner recess wall, which abuts against the lateral shelf edge.

3. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein the shelf includes an upper surface and a lower surface, the shelf includes a shelf bar, which is positioned at the lower surface, the recess includes an upper wall, which abuts against the upper surface, and the recess includes a lower wall, which abuts against the shelf bar.

4. The refrigeration device according to claim 3, wherein the shelf bar includes an upper surface, which is connected to the lower surface of the shelf, and the lower wall abuts against a lower surface of the shelf bar.

5. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein the shelf mount is disposed on a rear container wall of the inner container.

6. The refrigeration device according to claim 5, wherein the shelf includes a lower surface and a rear edge, and the shelf mount is connected to at least one of the lower surface or the rear edge.

7. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein the transport securing element includes a lateral side, which abuts against the lateral container wall.

8. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein an evaporator cover sheet for covering an evaporator chamber of the refrigeration device is mounted on a top container wall of the inner container, the transport securing element includes a top surface, which abuts against the evaporator cover sheet.

9. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, comprising a bottom shelf, which is fixed to the inner container, the transport securing element including a bottom surface abutting against an upper surface of the bottom shelf.

10. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein the shelf includes a lateral extension between a front edge and a rear edge of the shelf, the transport securing element includes a lateral extension between a front side and a rear side of the transport securing element, and the lateral extension of the transport securing element is smaller than the lateral extension shelf.

11. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein the shelf includes a deco strip, which is positioned at a front edge of the shelf.

12. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, comprising an additional transport securing element, the shelf including an additional lateral shelf edge opposite to the lateral shelf edge, the inner container including an additional lateral container wall opposite to the lateral container wall, the additional transport securing element being positioned between the additional lateral container wall and the additional lateral shelf edge, and the additional transport securing element including an additional recess being configured for enclosing the additional lateral shelf edge.

13. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, wherein the transport securing element is made at least partially of plastic.

14. The refrigeration device according to claim 1, comprising a further shelf mounted on the inner container, the transport securing element being positioned between the lateral container wall and a further lateral shelf edge of the further shelf, and the transport securing element including a further recess, which is configured to enclose the further lateral shelf edge.

15. The refrigeration device according to claim 12, comprising an further shelf mounted on the inner container, the additional transport securing element being positioned between the additional lateral container wall and a further additional lateral shelf edge of the further shelf, and the additional transport securing element including an additional further recess configured for enclosing the further additional lateral shelf edge.

16. A refrigeration device comprising: a heat-insulated inner container delimiting a cooling chamber, said inner container including a lateral container wall; a shelf mount mounted on the inner container; a shelf having a lateral shelf edge, said shelf being mounted on said shelf mount for fixing the shelf to the inner container in a mounting position defining a lateral gap between said lateral container wall and said lateral shelf edge; a transport securing element for securing said shelf during transport of the refrigeration device, said transport securing element having a recess defined by a wall portion, said wall portion being disposed in said lateral gap between the lateral container wall with said recess receiving said lateral shelf edge in the mounting position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0029] Further examples of the principles and techniques of that disclosure are explained in greater detail with reference to the appended drawings, in which:

[0030] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a refrigeration device;

[0031] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a cooling chamber of a refrigeration device;

[0032] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a cooling chamber of a refrigeration device in front view;

[0033] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a transport securing element enclosing a shelf of a refrigeration device; and

[0034] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a transport securing element enclosing a shelf of a refrigeration device in side view.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0035] FIG. 1 shows a schematic representation of a refrigeration device according to the principles described herein. The refrigeration device 100 comprises a refrigerator door 101 and a refrigerator casing 102, wherein the refrigerator door 101 closes a cooling chamber 103 of the refrigeration device 100. The refrigeration device 100 comprises a heat-insulated inner container 104, which is configured to delimit the cooling chamber 103. Therefore, when the refrigerator door 101 is closed, refrigerated goods can be efficiently stored in the cooling chamber 103 at reduced temperature by operation of a refrigerant circuit of the refrigeration device 100.

[0036] Such refrigerated goods can be placed on shelves 105, which are mounted on the inner container 104. A bottom shelf 106 is typically fixed to the inner container 104, wherein the bottom shelf 106 encloses a bottom cooling space 107 of the cooling chamber 103. Such bottom cooling space 107 allows for a separate storage of specific refrigerated goods, such as vegetables or fruits.

[0037] FIG. 2 shows a schematic representation of a cooling chamber of a refrigeration device. A refrigerator door 101, which can be attached to door hinges 108 of the refrigeration device 100, is not depicted in FIG. 2.

[0038] A cooling chamber 103 of the refrigeration device 100 is delimited by a heat-insulated inner container 104. The inner container 104 comprises a top container wall 109, a rear container wall 110, a lateral container wall 111 which in this case is the left container wall when viewed in a front to rear direction when standing in front of the refrigeration device, and a bottom container wall 112, wherein the latter is only schematically depicted in FIG. 2.

[0039] An evaporator cover sheet 113 is mounted on the top container wall 109, wherein the evaporator cover sheet 113 is configured to cover an evaporator chamber of the refrigeration device 100. A bottom shelf 106, which is fixed to the inner container 104, encloses a bottom cooling space 107 of the cooling chamber 103. Such bottom cooling space 107 allows for a separate storage of specific refrigerated goods, such as vegetables or fruits.

[0040] Refrigerated goods can be placed on a shelf 105, which is mounted on the inner container 104. To protect the shelf 105, which may partially consist of glass, a transport securing element 114 is positioned between a lateral shelf edge 115 of the shelf 105 and the lateral container wall 111. The transport securing element 114 comprises a recess 116, which is configured to enclose the lateral shelf edge 115. The transport securing element 114 comprises a lateral side 117, which abuts against the lateral container wall 111, comprises a top surface 118, which abuts against the evaporator cover sheet 113, and comprises a bottom surface 119, which abuts against an upper surface 120 of the bottom shelf 106.

[0041] The transport securing element 114 comprises a polymer, in particular expanded polystyrene (EPS). An elastic polymer, such as EPS, enables efficient shock absorption during transport of the refrigeration device 100, and due to its porous structure comprises a reduced weight and therefore does not significantly increase the total weight of the refrigeration device 100.

[0042] Therefore, the transport securing element 114 is effectively positioned between a lateral shelf edge 115 of the shelf 105 and the lateral container wall 111, allowing for an efficient fixation of the shelf 105 during transport of the refrigeration device 100. It is therefore possible to refrain from using temporary fixation methods, such as using packing taping for fixation of the shelf 105. Consequently, the probability of damaging any shelf 105, in particular glass shelf 105, during transport of the refrigeration device 100 is significantly reduced.

[0043] Furthermore, the transport securing element 114 can be efficiently inserted into a gap between the lateral container wall 111 and the lateral shelf edge 115, therefore efficiently using the available space within the cooling chamber 103.

[0044] Consequently, the transport securing element 114 is not in contact with a front edge 121 of the shelf 105, thereby guaranteeing an unobstructed view from the front of the refrigeration device 100 into the cooling chamber 103. Moreover, the transport securing element 114 does not protrude into the available space between the front edge 121 and the refrigerator door 101, thereby allowing for an universal design of the transport securing element 114 regardless of the available space between the front edge 121 and the refrigerator door 101.

[0045] FIG. 3 shows a schematic representation of a cooling chamber of a refrigeration device according to FIG. 2 in front view, comprising a heat-insulated inner container 104, which delimits a cooling chamber 103. The inner container 104 comprises a top container wall 109, a rear container wall 110, a lateral container wall 111, a bottom container wall 112, as well as an additional lateral container wall 122 opposite to the lateral container wall 111.

[0046] An evaporator cover sheet 113 is mounted on the top container wall 109. A bottom shelf 106, which is fixed to the inner container 104, encloses a bottom cooling space 107 of the cooling chamber 103. In the bottom cooling space 107 several refrigeration drawers 123 are positioned, which allow for a separate storage of specific refrigerated goods, such as vegetables or fruits.

[0047] Refrigerated goods can be placed on a shelf 105 as well as on further shelves 124, which are mounted on the inner container 104. To protect the shelf 105 and the further shelves 124, which may partially consist of glass, a transport securing element 114 is positioned between a lateral shelf edge 115 of the shelf 105, e.g. between the further lateral shelf edges 125 of the further shelves 124 and the lateral container wall 111. The transport securing element 114 comprises a recess 116, which is configured to enclose the lateral shelf edge 115. The transport securing element 114 comprises further recesses 126, which are configured to enclose the further lateral shelf edges 125.

[0048] To efficiently protect the shelf 105 and the further shelves 124 from both sides, an additional transport securing element 127 is positioned between an additional lateral shelf edge 128 of the shelf 105, e.g. between the further additional lateral shelf edges 129 of the further shelves 124 and the additional lateral container wall 122. The additional transport securing element 127 comprises an additional recess 129-2, which is configured to enclose the additional lateral shelf edge 128. The additional transport securing element 127 comprises additional further recesses 130, which are configured to enclose the further additional lateral shelf edges 129 of the further shelves 124

[0049] The transport securing element 114 and the additional transport securing element 127 each comprises a lateral side 117, which abuts against the lateral container wall 111 or additional lateral container wall 122, respectively, each comprises a top surface 118, which abuts against the evaporator cover sheet 113, and each comprise a bottom surface 119, which abuts against an upper surface 120 of the bottom shelf 106.

[0050] FIG. 4 shows a schematic representation of a transport securing element enclosing a shelf of a refrigeration device. The transport securing element 114 is positioned between a lateral container wall 111 of the inner container 104 and a lateral shelf edge 115 of the shelf 105. The transport securing element 114 comprises a recess 116, which is configured to enclose the lateral shelf edge 115 of the shelf 105.

[0051] The shelf 105 comprises an upper surface 131 and a lower surface 132. The shelf 105 further comprises a shelf bar 133 with an upper surface 134, which is connected to the lower surface 132 of the shelf 105, and a lower bar side 135.

[0052] The recess 116 comprises an upper wall 136, which abuts against the upper surface 131, and comprises a lower wall 137, which abuts against the shelf bar 133, in particular against the lower surface 135 of the shelf bar 133. The recess 116 further comprises an inner wall 138, which abuts against the lateral shelf edge 115 of the shelf 105.

[0053] Therefore, the recess 116 efficiently encloses the lateral shelf edge 115 of the shelf 105 and by the recess walls 136, 137 efficiently presses against the upper surface 131 of the shelf 105 and the shelf bar 133, respectively. Therefore, the transport securing element 114 not only protects the shelf 105, but also the shelf bar 133 from any potential damage.

[0054] The shelf 105 further comprises a shelf mount 139, which is configured to mount the shelf 105 on a rear container wall 110 of the inner container 104. The shelf mount 139 is hereby connected to the lower surface 132 and a rear edge 140 of the shelf 105.

[0055] The shelf 105 further comprises a deco strip 141, which is positioned at a front edge 142 of the shelf 105. The transport securing element 114 is in depth direction located behind the deco strip 141, in particular does not contact the deco strip 141.

[0056] The shelf 105 further comprises a lateral extension 143 between the front edge 142 and the rear edge 140 of the shelf 105. The transport securing element 114 comprises a lateral extension 144 between a front side 145 and a rear side 146 of the transport securing element 114. The lateral extension 144 is smaller than the lateral extension 143, thereby allowing the transport securing element 114 to be positioned between the front edge 142 and the rear edge 140 at the lateral shelf edge 115. Therefore, the transport securing element 114 can be efficiently fit into the cooling chamber 103.

[0057] FIG. 5 shows a schematic representation of a transport securing element enclosing a shelf of a refrigeration device in side view in respect to FIG. 4.

[0058] The transport securing element 114 comprises a recess 116 with an upper wall 136, which abuts against a upper surface 131 of a shelf 105, and with a lower wall 137, which abuts against a shelf bar 133, in particular against the lower bar side 135 of the shelf bar 133. The recess 116 further comprises an inner wall 138, which abuts against a lateral shelf edge 115 of the shelf 105, both of which are not depicted in FIG. 5.

[0059] The shelf 105 further comprises a shelf mount 139, which is connected to the shelf bar 133, and which is configured to mount the shelf 105 on a rear container wall 110 of an inner container 104 of the refrigeration device 100. The shelf mount 139 is hereby connected to a lower surface 132 and a rear edge 140 of the shelf 105.

[0060] The shelf 105 further comprises a deco strip 141, which is positioned at a front edge 121 of the shelf 105.

[0061] While preferred embodiments of the disclosure have been described herein, many variations are possible which remain within the concept and scope of the disclosure. Such variations would become clear to one of ordinary skill in the art after inspection of the specification and the drawings. The disclosure therefore is not to be restricted except within the spirit and scope of any appended claims.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

[0062] 100 Refrigeration device [0063] 101 Refrigerator door [0064] 102 Refrigerator casing [0065] 103 Cooling chamber [0066] 104 Heat-insulated inner container [0067] 105 Shelf [0068] 106 Bottom shelf [0069] 107 Bottom cooling space [0070] 108 Door hinge [0071] 109 Top container wall [0072] 110 Rear container wall [0073] 111 Lateral container wall [0074] 112 Bottom container wall [0075] 113 Evaporator cover sheet [0076] 114 Transport securing element [0077] 115 Lateral shelf edge [0078] 116 Recess [0079] 117 Lateral side [0080] 118 Top surface [0081] 119 Bottom surface [0082] 120 Upper surface of bottom shelf [0083] 121 Front edge [0084] 122 Additional lateral container wall [0085] 123 Refrigeration drawers [0086] 124 Further shelf [0087] 125 Further lateral shelf edge [0088] 126 Further recess [0089] 127 Additional transport securing element [0090] 128 Additional lateral shelf edge [0091] 129 Further additional lateral shelf edge [0092] 129-2 Additional recess [0093] 130 Additional further recess [0094] 131 Upper surface [0095] 132 Lower surface [0096] 133 Shelf bar [0097] 134 Upper surface [0098] 135 Lower bar side [0099] 136 Upper wall [0100] 137 Lower wall [0101] 138 Inner wall [0102] 139 Shelf mount [0103] 140 Rear edge [0104] 141 Deco strip [0105] 142 Front edge [0106] 143 Lateral extension [0107] 144 Lateral extension [0108] 145 Front side [0109] 146 Rear side