SWING DOOR SYSTEM AND A FREEZER DEVICE

Abstract

The present disclosure provides a swing door system for use with a freezer device, including two adjacent swing doors and at least one mullion in contact with the swing doors. Each swing door includes a transparent pane and a non-transparent area, with each non-transparent area proximal to the mullion when the swing doors are in a closed position. The non-transparent areas and the mullion define a non-transparent region. In a plurality of horizontal see-through angles, a view through the transparent panes is not totally blocked by the non-transparent region. The horizontal see-through angle is measured with respect to the plane in which the swing doors are arranged when the swing doors are in the closed position. When a width of at least one of the swing doors is in the range of 500 mm to 780 mm, the plurality of horizontal see-through angles ranges from 6° to 174°, preferably 5° to 175°, and more preferably 4° to 176°. When a width of at least one of the swing doors is in the range of greater than 780 mm and equal to or lower than 1000 mm, the plurality of horizontal see-through angles ranges from 5° to 175°, preferably 4° to 176°, and more preferably 3° to 177°. A freezer device comprising a swing door system is also described herein.

Claims

1. A swing door system, comprising: two adjacent swing doors; and a mullion in contact with the swing doors, wherein each swing door comprises a transparent pane and a non-transparent area, wherein each non-transparent area is proximal to the mullion when the swing doors are in a closed position, wherein each non-transparent area and the mullion define a non-transparent region, wherein a view through the transparent panes is not totally blocked by the non-transparent region along a plurality of horizontal see-through angles, wherein each of the horizontal see-through angles is measured with respect to a plane of the swing doors when the swing doors are in the closed position, wherein at least one of the swing doors has a width from 500 mm to 1000 mm, wherein when the width is in the range of 500 mm to 780 mm, the plurality of horizontal see-through angles range from 6° to 174°, and wherein when the width in the range of greater than 780 mm and equal to or less than 1000 mm, the plurality of horizontal see-through angles range from 5° to 175°.

2. The swing door system according to claim 1, wherein the non-transparent region has a depth that is less than 70 mm.

3. The swing door system according to claim 1, wherein the non-transparent region has a width that is less than 70 mm.

4. The swing door system according to claim 1, wherein the mullion has a cross-section, and the cross-section is selected from the group consisting of T-shaped, Y-shaped, and triangle-shaped, and/or wherein the mullion is integrally formed at least in the region that extends from a bottom to a top of the two adjacent swing doors.

5. The swing door system according to claim 1, wherein the mullion comprises two elements that are coupled to each other with a connection selected from the group consisting of form-fit, force-fit, bonding, and any combinations thereof, at least in the region that extends from the bottom to the top of the two adjacent swing doors.

6. The swing door system according to claim 1, wherein the mullion comprises a cavity

7. The swing door system according to claim 1, wherein the mullion is solid.

8. The swing door system according to claim 1, wherein the mullion comprises a part that reaches in between the two adjacent swing doors when the swing doors are in the closed position.

9. The swing door system according to claim 1, further comprising an insulation profile attached to the mullion.

10. The swing door system according to claim 9, wherein the insulation profile is attached to the mullion with a connection selected from the group consisting of form-fit, force-fit, bonding, and any combinations thereof.

11. The swing door system according to claim 9, wherein the insulation profile is made of plastic.

12. The swing door system according to claim 9, wherein the insulation profile comprises a space, wherein the insulation profile comprises at least partly a C-shaped cross section, and wherein the space of the insulation profile is filled with a thermally insulating material.

13. The swing door system according to claim 1, wherein the mullion comprises at least two sealing surfaces, and wherein each of the two sealing surfaces is inclined with respect to a plane of the swing doors when the swing doors are in the closed position.

14. The swing door system according to claim 9, further comprising a gasket attached to the mullion and/or a gasket attached to the insulation profile.

15. The swing door system according to claim 14, wherein the gasket and the insulation profile form a barrier between the mullion and the interior of the freezer when the adjacent swing doors are in the closed position.

16. The swing door system according to claim 1, further comprising a gasket attached to at least one of the swing doors.

17. The swing door system according to claim 1, further comprising magnets for magnetically connecting the swing doors to the mullion when the doors are in the closed position, and/or wherein the transparent pane of the swing door comprises a gas-filled insulating glass unit or a vacuum insulated glass unit, and/or wherein at least one of the swing doors comprises printing on at least a portion thereof in the non-transparent region.

18. The swing door system according to claim 1, wherein the mullion is made of a material selected from the group consisting of metal plastic, plastic coated metal, and plastic coated steel, and/or wherein the swing door system does not comprise any heaters for heating at least a part of the swing doors and/or wherein the swing door system comprises heaters for heating at least a part of the mullion and/or at least a part of a horizontal profile, and/or wherein the swing door system comprises lights for lighting at least a part of the cabinet.

19. The swing door system according to claim 14, wherein each swing door is at least partly surrounded by a profile.

20. The swing door system according to claim 19, wherein the gasket forms a barrier between the profile and the interior of the freezer when the adjacent swing doors are in the closed position.

21. The swing door system according to claim 1, wherein the swing doors have a rotating axis, and the rotating axis of at least one of the swing doors is in the non-transparent region, and/or wherein the rotating axis of at least one of the swing doors is off-center with respect to a depth of the non-transparent region, and/or wherein the rotating axis of at least one of the swing doors is in the area between the adjacent swing doors.

22. The swing door system according to claim 1, wherein at least one of the swing doors comprises a hinge at opposite ends of the at least one swing door.

23. A freezer device comprising at least one swing door system according to claim 1, wherein the freezer device is in a cabinet, such that the opening direction of the swing door system is horizontal.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0049] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of a part of the adjacent swing doors of a swing door system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0050] FIG. 2 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of the swing doors system according to FIG. 1.

[0051] FIG. 3 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a swing door system according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0052] FIG. 4 shows a front view of the swing door system according to FIG. 3 mounted to a mounting frame.

[0053] FIG. 5 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a swing door system according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0054] FIG. 6 shows a front view of the swing door system according to FIG. 5 mounted to a mounting frame.

[0055] FIG. 7 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a mullion according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0056] FIG. 8 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a mullion according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0057] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a freezer device according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0058] FIG. 10 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a swing door system.

[0059] FIG. 11 shows a horizontal cross-sectional view of a swing door system according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0060] FIGS. 1 and 2 show different views of a part of the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b of a swing door system 2 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

[0061] Each of the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b comprises transparent panes 3a, 3b. The transparent panes 3a, 3b are spaced apart from each other by spacers 4a, 4b. The swing door system 2 further comprises a mullion 5 that has a T-shaped cross-section, and a part 6 of the mullion 5 that reaches in between the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b, when the swing doors 1a, 1b are in the closed position. It should be noted that the part 6 can be shorter such that it does not reach in between the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b.

[0062] FIG. 1 further shows that the mullion 5 comprises two sealing surfaces 7a, 7b each comprising a gasket 8a, 8b. Each of the swing doors 1a, 1b comprises a profile 14a, 14b, a layer 15a, 15b and a print 16a, 16b that form a non-transparent area on each swing door 1a, 1b, respectively. The non-transparent areas of the swing doors 1a, 1b are each proximal to the mullion 5 when the swing doors 1a, 1b are in the closed position. The non-transparent areas and the mullion 5 together define a non-transparent region 9 that is marked in FIGS. 1 and 2 with a dashed square. Depending on the horizontal viewing angle, the horizontal diameter 10 of the non-transparent region 9 can be different. FIG. 2 shows that the depth 11 of the non-transparent region 9 is defined as the horizontal diameter 10 of the non-transparent region 9 being viewed under an horizontal viewing angle of 0° or 180° with respect to the plane in which the swing doors 1a, 1b are arranged when the swing doors 1a, 1b are in a closed position, i.e. the right or left side of the dashed square. The width 12 of the non-transparent region 9 is defined as the horizontal diameter 10 of the non-transparent region 9 being viewed under an horizontal viewing angle of 90° with respect to the plane in which the swing doors 1a, 1b being arranged when the swing doors 1a, 1b are in a closed position. Hence, the width 12 corresponds to the front side of the dashed square.

[0063] Due to the design of the mullion 5, the depth 11 and the width 12 of the non-transparent region 9 are extremely short and correspond at least essentially to the depth 30 and width 31 of the mullion 5. Because of the low depth 11 of the non-transparent region 9, the visibility inside of the freezer device is improved when the customer is viewing slantwise into the freezer. The low width 12 of the non-transparent region 9 improves the visibility during the selection phase, i.e. when a person is standing in front of the closed swing doors 1a, 1b.

[0064] Furthermore, FIGS. 1 and 2 show that each of the gaskets 8a, 8b comprise a magnet 13a, 13b, respectively. Each magnet 13a, 13b is positioned near the part 6 of the mullion 5. A solid L-shaped profile 14a, 14b protects each of the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b. It should be noted that the L-shaped profile 14a, 14b forms a part of the non-transparent region 9 since it blocks a person's view of the products. In the closed position of the swing doors 1a, 1b, the legs of each L-shaped profile 14a, 14b are parallel to the sealing surface 7a, 7b and part 6 of the mullion 5. Moreover, the L-shaped profile 14a, 14b comprises a layer 15a, 15b of a material, preferably of metal, for example of steel, that interacts with the magnets 13a, 13b when the swing doors 1a, 1b are in the closed position. Thereby the swing doors 1a, 1b are held securely in the closed position so that the sealing of the inside of the freezer device is improved and the swing doors 1a, 1b can still be opened easily. Instead of providing a layer 15a, 15b, the L-shaped profile 14a, 14b itself can be made of such a material that interacts with the magnets 13a, 13b.

[0065] Each of the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b can comprise a print 16a, 16b with a non-transparent ink in the non-transparent region 10 as indicated only in FIG. 2.

[0066] According to FIG. 2, the rotating axis 17 of the left swing door 1b is positioned in the non-transparent region 9 with a distance 18 of 5 mm away from the external surface of the L-shaped profile 14a, 14b. With respect to the thickness 19 of the swing door 1a, the rotating axis 17 is off-centered, i.e. is positioned in alignment with the external transparent pane 3a. The depth 11 of the non-transparent region 9 is 42 mm, and the width 12 of the non-transparent region 9 is 45 mm. Further, the thickness 19 of each swing door 1a, 1b without the L-shaped profile 14a, 14b is 26 mm. The gap 20 between the swing doors 1a, 1b in the closed position is 5 mm. If a person or customer looks at a horizontal view angle of under 45° horizontally towards the non-transparent region 9 the horizontal diameter 10′ of the non-transparent region 9 is 55 mm, i.e. the length defined by the left end of the print 15a and the right end of the sealing surface 7b.

[0067] FIGS. 3 and 4 show another embodiment of a swing door system 2. The swing door system 2 comprises two adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b. Each swing door 1a, 1b includes transparent panes 3a, 3b being spaced from each other by spacers 4a, 4b. Furthermore, a mullion 5 is arranged. The mullion 5 is T-shaped and comprises a part 6 that reaches between the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b, when the swing doors 1a, 1b are in the closed position. It is possible that part 6 is shorter, so that it does not reach in between the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b. The depth 30 of the mullion 5 is shorter than the depth 11 of the non-transparent region 9. The width 31 of the mullion 5 equals the width 12 of the non-transparent region 9. The mullion further comprises sealing surfaces 7a, 7b onto which the gaskets 8a, 8b are fixed, for example glued or snapped into. The adjacent swing doors include wedges 23a, 23b that are made of a material that interacts with the magnets 13a, 13b of the gaskets. For example, the wedges 23a, 23b are made of steel. The sealing surfaces 7a, 7b of the mullion 5 are inclined with respect to the transparent panes 3a, 3b when the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b are in the closed position. Hence, shear forces acting on the gaskets 8a, 8b are minimized when the swing doors 1a, 1b are opened, i.e. when the magnets 13a 13b are disconnected from the wedges 23a, 23b. Furthermore, due to the design of the mullion 5 the horizontal diameter 10 of the non-transparent region 9 is minimized, especially the depth 11 and the width 12. Furthermore the design of the mullion 5 avoids shear forces acting on the gasket during the initial phase when opening the swing doors are minimized.

[0068] FIG. 4 further shows that the left swing door 1 comprises a hinge element 21, such that the swing door 1a can be rotatable mounted to horizontal profile 22 of an outer frame. The right swing door 1b can comprise a hinge on its not shown right side.

[0069] FIGS. 5 and 6 show another embodiment of a swing door system 2. The swing door system 2 comprises two adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b. Each swing door 1a, 1b includes transparent panes 3a, 3b being spaced from each other by spacers 4a, 4b. Furthermore, a mullion 5 is arranged. The mullion 5 is T-shaped and comprises a part 6 that reaches between the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b, when the swing doors 1a, 1b are in the closed position. The depth 30 of the mullion 5 is shorter than the depth 11 of the non-transparent region 9. The width 31 of the mullion 5 equals the width 12 of the non-transparent region 9. Hence, the swing door system 2 according to FIGS. 5 and 6 corresponds to the embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. In contrast to the embodiment of FIGS. 1 and 2, the rotating axis of the left door 1a is arranged between the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b. Hence, shear forces are minimized that are acting on the gaskets 8a, 8b when the swing doors 1a, 1b are opened and the right door 1b is prevented from blocking the left door 1a, when the left door 1 is opened.

[0070] FIG. 6 further shows that the left swing door 1 comprises a hinge 21, such that the swing door 1a can be rotatable mounted to a horizontal profile 22 of an outer frame. The right swing door 1b can comprise a hinge on its not shown right side.

[0071] FIG. 7 shows a cross-sectional view parallel to the opening direction of a mullion 5 according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. The mullion 5 has a triangle shaped cross section. Therefore, the sealing surfaces 7a, 7b of the mullion 5 are inclined with respect to the not shown transparent pane of the adjacent swing doors when the swing doors are in the closed position. A triangle shaped mullion 5 has the advantage that the inner part 24 of the mullion 5 can serve as a cable duct, heat pipes, heating elements or other elements.

[0072] FIG. 8 shows a cross-sectional view parallel to the opening direction of a mullion 5 according to a further embodiment of the present disclosure. The mullion 5 has a Y-shaped cross section. Therefore, the sealing surfaces 7a, 7b of the mullion 5 are inclined with respect to the not shown pane of the adjacent swing doors when the swing doors are in the closed position. The part 6 of the Y-shaped mullion 5 can reach in between the not shown adjacent swing doors. Furthermore, part 6 can be realized shorter, such that it does not reach in between the adjacent swing doors.

[0073] FIG. 9 shows a perspective view of a freezer device 25 according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. The freezer device 25 comprises a cabinet 26 and three swing door systems 2 each including two adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b and a mullion 5. The customer or person can see the products 27 through the transparent panes 3a, 3b of the swing doors 1a, 1b. Due to the low depth 11 and low width 12 of the non-transparent region 9, the person's view of the products 27 is improved when the person is viewing slantwise into the freezer device 2. Furthermore, the low width 12 of the non-transparent region 9 improves the view on the products 27, when the person stands in front of the freezer device 2.

[0074] Further, the freezer device 2 comprises an energy source 28 that is connected with an interface 29, which enables to provide energy to a heating element and/or light elements inside the swing doors 1a, 1b.

[0075] Without being considered limiting with respect to the embodiment shown, FIG. 10 serves to illustrate the plurality of horizontal see-through angles 33. FIG. 10 shows several adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b, each comprising a transparent pane 3a, 3b and a gasket 8a, 8b. The skilled person will understand that the shown element 8a, 8b being described as a gasket is not limited as such and can therefore be any element defining the corresponding portion of the non-transparent region, for example a profile, a print or the like. Further, FIG. 10 shows mullions 5 being in contact with two of the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b. The mullion 5 and the swing doors 1a, 1b define non-transparent regions 9. It should be noted that on the very left and/or the very right of a freezer device the non-transparent region 9 could be defined by a vertical side and the swing door 1a, 1b being in contact with this vertical side.

[0076] Further, FIG. 10 shows the maximum see-through angle 32 and the minimum see-through angle 32′. A view through the transparent pane 3a is not blocked by the non-transparent region 9 under a plurality of horizontal see-through angles 33 that range from the maximum see-through angle 32 to the minimum see-through angle 32′. Under a viewing angle bigger than the maximum see-through angle 32 or smaller than the minimum see-through angle 32′ the view through the transparent pane 3a is totally blocked by the non-transparent region 9.

[0077] The maximum and minimum see-through angles 32, 32′ depend on the width 34 of the swing door 1a, the width 12 of the non-transparent region 9 and the depth 11 of the non-transparent region 9.

[0078] FIG. 11 shows another embodiment of a swing door system 2. The swing door system 2 comprises two adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b. Each swing door 1a, 1b includes transparent panes 3a, 3b being spaced from each other by spacers 4a, 4b. Furthermore, a mullion 5 is arranged.

[0079] The mullion 5 is essentially triangle shaped and comprises a part 6 that reaches between the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b, when the swing doors 1a, 1b are in the closed position. It is possible that part 6 is shorter, so that it does not reach in between the adjacent swing doors 1a, 1b but at least points in this direction. Further, an insulation profile 35 is connected or attached to the mullion 5. The insulation profile 35 comprises a space 40 that is filled with a thermally insulating material 36. In this embodiment, the space 40 is defined by a cavity, such that the insulation profile 35 is a hollow profile. The insulation profile 35 is firmly bonded to the mullion 5 with bonding material 41, for example with an adhesive tape. The insulation profile 35 can be attached at different fixation points or over its whole length to the mullion 5. Additionally, the insulation profile 35 comprises protuberances 37 that fit into recesses 38 of the mullion 5 for providing a force-fit and/or form-fit connection.

[0080] The mullion 5 further comprises a passage 39 for mounting the mullion 5 to the horizontal profiles, for example with screws.

[0081] Each of the swing doors 1a, 1b comprises an L-shaped profile 14a, 14b, respectively. Moreover, gaskets 8a, 8b are attached to the mullion 5 and the insulation profile 35. When the swing doors 1a, 1b are in the closed position the gaskets 8a, 8b, respectively, form a barrier between the mullion 5 and the interior of the freezer. Additionally, the gaskets 8a, 8b are arranged such as to form a barrier between the L-shaped profiles 14a, 14b and the interior of the freezer when the swing doors 1a, 1b are in the closed position. By providing these two barriers, a very good thermal insulation is achieved such that a heating of the swing doors 1a, 1b is not necessary.

[0082] Further, each of the gaskets 8a, 8b comprises a magnet 13a, 13b. Moreover, the L-shaped profile 14a, 14b comprises a layer 15a, 15b of a material, preferably of metal, for example of steel, that interacts with the magnets 13a, 13b when the swing doors 1a, 1b are in the closed position. Thereby the swing doors 1a, 1b are held securely in the closed position so that the sealing of the inside of the freezer device is improved and the swing doors 1a, 1b can still be opened easily. Instead of providing a layer 15a, 15b the L-shaped profile 14a, 14b itself can be made of such a material that interacts with the magnets 13a, 13b.

[0083] Many modifications and other embodiments of the disclosure set forth herein will come to mind to the one skilled in the art to which the disclosure pertains having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing description and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is to be understood that the disclosure is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed and that modifications and other embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims. Although specific terms are employed herein, they are used in a generic and descriptive sense only and not for purposes of limitation.

LIST OF REFERENCE SIGNS

[0084] 1a, 1b swing door [0085] 2 swing door system [0086] 3a, 3b transparent pane [0087] 4a, 4b Spacer [0088] 5 Mullion [0089] 6 Part [0090] 7a, 7b sealing surface [0091] 8a, 8b gasket [0092] 9 non-transparent region [0093] 10, 10′ horizontal diameter [0094] 11 depth (non-transparent region) [0095] 12 width (non-transparent region) [0096] 13a, 13b magnet [0097] 14a, 14b profile [0098] 15a, 15b layer [0099] 16a, 16b print [0100] 17 rotating axis [0101] 18 distance [0102] 19 thickness [0103] 20 gap [0104] 21 hinge [0105] 22 horizontal profile [0106] 23a, 23b wedge [0107] 24 inner part (mullion) [0108] 25 freezer device [0109] 26 cabinet [0110] 27 product [0111] 28 energy source [0112] 29 interface [0113] 30 depth [0114] 31 width [0115] 32, 32′ minimum/maximum see-through angle [0116] 33 plurality of see through angles [0117] 34 width (swing door) [0118] 35 insulation profile [0119] 36 thermally insulation material [0120] 37 protuberance [0121] 38 recess [0122] 39 passage [0123] 40 space [0124] 41 bonding material