DOOR TRAY FOR A DOMESTIC REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE WITH A SPECIFIC BASE BODY AND A SEPARATE ADD-ON PART AS WELL AS A DOMESTIC REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE

Abstract

A door tray for a domestic refrigeration appliance includes a base body for holding stored goods and an add-on part being separate from the base body and fastened to the base body. The base body has an upper bracket that is oriented forward and faces away from a rear wall of the base body and a lower bracket that is disposed at a distance therefrom, is oriented forward and faces away from the rear wall of the base body. The add-on part is fastened to the upper bracket and/or to the lower bracket. A domestic refrigeration appliance with a door tray is also provided.

Claims

1. A door tray for a domestic refrigeration appliance, the door tray comprising: a base body for holding stored goods, said base body defining a forward direction, and said base body including a rear wall, an upper bracket oriented in said forward direction and facing away from said rear wall and a lower bracket disposed at a distance from said upper bracket, oriented in said forward direction and facing away from said rear wall; and an add-on part being separate from said base body, said add-on part being fastened to at least one of said upper bracket or said lower bracket of said base body.

2. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein said upper bracket forms an upper front face termination of said base body.

3. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein said lower bracket forms a lower front face termination of said base body.

4. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein at least one of said upper bracket or said lower bracket is U-shaped.

5. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein said base body has a base.

6. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein said base body is formed as a single piece.

7. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein said add-on part is latched to at least one of said upper bracket or said lower bracket.

8. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein said upper bracket and said lower bracket each have an outer surface, and said add-on part covers or opaquely covers said outer surface of at least one of said upper bracket or said lower bracket.

9. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein said add-on part includes a first clasp matching a shape and dimensions of said upper bracket, being fastened to said upper bracket and covering only an outside of said upper bracket.

10. The door tray according to claim 9, wherein said add-on part includes a second clasp matching a shape and dimensions of said lower bracket, being fastened to said lower bracket and covering only an outside of said lower bracket.

11. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein said add-on part is a visor being fastened to said upper bracket and to said lower bracket and covering a free space between said upper bracket and said lower bracket.

12. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein: said add-on part has a counterweb; said upper bracket has at least one bracket segment facing said rear wall; said at least one bracket segment has ends; said upper bracket has a bearing web on said at least one bracket segment; and said bearing web widens toward one of said ends of said bracket segment to make contact with said counterweb of said add-on part.

13. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein: said add-on part has a counterweb; said lower bracket has at least one bracket segment facing said rear wall; said at least one bracket segment has ends; said lower bracket has a bearing web on said at least one bracket segment; and said bearing web widens toward one of said ends of said bracket segment to make contact with said counterweb of said add-on part.

14. The door tray according to claim 12, wherein: said lower bracket has at least one bracket segment facing said rear wall; said at least one bracket segment has ends; said lower bracket has a bearing web on said at least one bracket segment; and said bearing web widens toward one of said ends of said bracket segment to make contact with said counterweb of said add-on part.

15. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein: one of said brackets has a bearing web; said add-on part has an inner face facing said base body; said add-on part has a counterweb on said inner face and a further web on said inner face parallel to said counterweb; and said counterweb and said further web form a free space therebetween in a heightwise direction for engagement of said bearing web of said bracket.

16. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein said add-on part has a shape matched to a shape of at least one of said upper bracket or said lower bracket.

17. The door tray according to claim 16, wherein said add-on part is U-shaped.

18. The door tray according to claim 1, wherein said add-on part has a longitudinal extent matched to a shape of at least one of said upper bracket or said lower bracket.

19. A domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising: a housing; a receiving space in said housing for receiving food; a door for closing said receiving space, said door having an inner face; and at least one door tray according to claim 1 disposed on said inner face of said door.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

[0049] FIG. 1 is a diagrammatic, perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an inventive domestic refrigeration appliance;

[0050] FIG. 2 is an exploded perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an inventive door tray;

[0051] FIG. 3 is an exploded view of the components according to FIG. 2 in a different perspective from the one shown in FIG. 2;

[0052] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the door tray according to FIG. 2 and

[0053] FIG. 3 with the components in the assembled state;

[0054] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of an inventive door tray with a base body and add-on part in the separated state;

[0055] FIG. 6 is a further perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of an inventive door tray with a base body and a separate add-on part;

[0056] FIG. 7 is a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of an inventive door tray with two separate add-on parts configured as clasps;

[0057] FIG. 8 is a perspective view showing the configuration of the door tray according to FIG. 7 with the components in the assembled state;

[0058] FIG. 9 is a fragmentary, perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of an inventive door tray with a separate upper bracket of the base body; and

[0059] FIG. 10 is a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of an inventive door tray in the assembled end state.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0060] Referring now in detail to the figures of the drawings, in which identical elements or those of identical function are shown with the same reference characters, and first, particularly, to FIG. 1 thereof, there is seen a diagrammatic view of a domestic refrigeration appliance 1, which is configured to store and conserve food. The domestic refrigeration appliance 1 can, for example, be a refrigerator or a freezer or a combined refrigerator/freezer appliance. The domestic refrigeration appliance 1 includes a housing 2, in which at least one receiving space 3 for food is configured. The domestic refrigeration appliance 1 also includes a door 4, which is disposed in a pivotable manner on the housing 2 and is provided to close the receiving space 3. A door tray 6 is disposed on an inner face 5 of the door 4 in the exemplary embodiment, in which the number and position thereof is only shown by way of example therein.

[0061] FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a door tray 6. The door tray 6 includes a base body 7, which is made of plastic as a single piece in the illustrated embodiment. The base body 7 includes a rear wall 8 and a base 9 adjoining thereto. The base body 7 also includes a receiving region 10, into which the food, for example foodstuffs and beverages, can be introduced. The base body 7 per se is therefore already configured to hold food.

[0062] The base body 7 also includes side walls 11 and 12 on opposing sides, which are connected to both the rear wall 8 and the base 9.

[0063] The base body 7 also has an upper bracket 13 and a lower bracket 14, which is disposed at a distance therefrom in the heightwise direction and therefore in the y-direction. The upper bracket 13 and the lower bracket 14 in this case are each configured as curved, in particular U-shaped, and extend in particular parallel to one another and in horizontal planes when viewed in relation to their longitudinal extension. The bracket 14 extends from the plane of the base 9 upward.

[0064] The upper bracket 13 includes opposing bracket segments 13a and 13b having ends 13c and 13d which run into a front edge of the side walls 11 and 12. The bracket segments 13a and 13b are thus oriented in the direction of the rear wall 8 and end at a distance from the rear wall 8. The same provision is also made for the lower bracket 14, which has opposing bracket segments 14a and 14b with related ends 14c and 14d. The ends 14c and 14d also run into a front edge, which faces away from the rear wall 8, of the side walls 11 and 12. The lower bracket 14 is also connected to the base 9, in particular over its entire extension along the U-shape or its entire length.

[0065] The upper bracket 13 forms an upper termination of the base body 7 in the heightwise direction (y-direction), and as a whole the lower bracket 14 forms a lower termination of the base body 7.

[0066] The upper bracket 13 is in particular also U-shaped over its entire length in a cross section perpendicular to its longitudinal extension. Thus, an upper web 16 is configured on a center arm 15 of the U-shape on an upper edge, extending outward and therefore facing away from the receiving space 10. A lower web 17 is also shaped on the center arm 15, and is also directed outward and therefore is configured to face away from the receiving space 10. Both webs 16 and 17 are formed without a break over the entire length of the upper bracket 13 and therefore also over the entire length of the center arm 15. The webs 16 and 17 each also at least partially form a bearing web for an add-on part. It can also be seen that the upper web 16 is configured to widen or become larger in the region of the bracket segment 13a and also in the region of the bracket segment 13b, in particular toward the ends 13c and 13d. The same provision is also made for the lower web 17.

[0067] A latching element is configured on an outer face of the center arm 15 facing away from the receiving space 10, adjacent each of the ends 13c and 13d, although only one latching element 18 is shown in FIG. 2. The latching element 18 is an outwardly raised part, which is configured in particular as U-shaped in the illustrated embodiment, with the opening of the U-shape being oriented toward the rear wall 8.

[0068] A vertical centering web 19 is also configured in a front part of the upper bracket 13 connecting the bracket segments 13a and 13b, extending over the entire height of the center arm 15 between the upper web 16 and the lower web 17. This improves centering or reliability when positioning an add-on part fastened to the base body 7.

[0069] As is shown in the view of the example in FIG. 2, the lower bracket 14 also has a center arm 20, an upper web 21 and a lower web 22. In this case too, the webs 21 and 22 are configured without a break in particular over their entire length and extend in particular over the entire length of the lower bracket 14. The webs 21 and 22 are also oriented horizontally outward and thus facing away from the receiving space 10, so that the lower bracket 14 is also configured as U-shaped in a section perpendicular to its longitudinal extension.

[0070] The webs 21 and 22 are also configured at least partially in this case as bearing webs for an add-on part to be fastened to the base body 7.

[0071] Provision is also made in this case in particular for the webs 21 and 22 to be configured as widening or spreading in the region of the bracket segments 14a and 14b and in particular toward the ends 14c and 14d, as shown in FIG. 2, thereby achieving the greatest surface contact possible with a counterweb at the ends and improving the mechanical stability of the connection as well as allowing the components to be positioned precisely.

[0072] A latching element is also configured in this case on an outer face of the center arm 20 adjacent each of the ends 14c and 14d, with only a latching element 23 being shown in FIG. 2. The latching element 23 is also preferably U-shaped and oriented with the opening of the U-shape in the direction of the rear wall 8.

[0073] A corresponding positioning web 24 is also provided in this case. Further webs 25, 26, 27 (only some of which are assigned reference characters for the sake of clarity) are also provided and extend vertically on an outer face of the center arm 20 and in particular between the upper web 21 and the lower web 22. These additional webs 25 to 28 make the base body 7 rigid, in particular in the region of the base 9 with the lower bracket 14.

[0074] In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 2 an add-on part 28 is shown which is separate from the base body 7. The add-on part 28 is also U-shaped and forms a visor, which means that a free space between the brackets 13 and 14 is covered by it at the front. The add-on part 28 is configured for latching to the base body 7, with provision being made in this case for latching to the upper bracket 13 and the lower bracket 14. To this end the add-on part 28 includes latching elements 30 and 31 on an inner face 29 facing the brackets 13 and 14, as well as a further two corresponding latching elements (not shown in FIG. 2) on the opposing free arm of the U-shape. These latching elements 30 and 31 then latch into the corresponding latching elements 18 and 23 on the brackets 13 and 14.

[0075] An inward projecting counterweb 32 and a further counterweb 33 configured at a distance therefrom and running parallel thereto are also provided on this inner face 29. The webs 32 and 33 also preferably extend without a break over the entire length of the add-on part 28, with the length being measured along the U-shape.

[0076] It can also be seen there that the counterwebs 32 and 33 widen or spread toward their free ends 32a and 33a or 32b and 33b. When the add-on part 28 is in the assembled state on the base body 7, the lower counterweb 33 rests on the upper web 21. The upper counterweb 32 also rests on the lower web 17 of the upper bracket. A certain amount of guidance is therefore provided by the counterwebs 32 and 33 and the contact with the webs 21 and 17, so that the end position can be easily reached and the latching of the add-on part 28 to the base body 7 can be achieved in a simple manner.

[0077] Provision is made in particular for the add-on part 28 to be configured as at least partially transparent and therefore clear. In the embodiment illustrated herein a non-transparent strip 34 or 35 is provided both in the upper region of the add-on part 28 and in the lower region of the add-on part 28. The strips 34 and 35 preferably have a height (extension in y-direction) which corresponds to the height of the brackets 13 and 14. When the add-on part 28 is in the assembled state on the base body 7, the brackets 13 and 14 are therefore completely concealed by the strips 34 and 35 when viewed from the outside.

[0078] FIG. 3 shows a further perspective view of the door tray 6 according to FIG. 2. Holders 36 and 37 on the add-on part 28, in which the positioning webs 19 and 24 engage, can be clearly seen.

[0079] In one advantageous embodiment provision is also made on the add-on part 28 for a further web 39 to be provided on the inner face 29 parallel to and at a distance from the counterweb 32 on a front element 38 of the add-on part 28. The distance in the heightwise direction and therefore in the y-direction between the counterweb 32 and the further web 39 is in particular formed in such a manner that the lower web 17 of the upper bracket 13 can engage therein. As a result, the lower web 17 is then held or clamped in between, from above by the web 39 and from below by the counterweb 32, since the slit or free space between the web 39 and the counterweb 32 specifically allows engagement, in particular close engagement.

[0080] Provision is also advantageously made for this clamping for the upper web 21 of the lower bracket 14. To this end a further separate web 40 is configured on the inner face 29 at a distance from and parallel to the lower counterweb 33. The distance in the heightwise direction between the lower counterweb 33 and the further web 40 is also formed in such a manner that the upper web 21 of the lower bracket 14 can engage with a close fit.

[0081] The configuration and positioning of the brackets 13 and 14 mean that a free space 41 is provided between the brackets 13 and 14, which is then closed by the add-on part 28.

[0082] FIG. 4 shows a perspective view of the door tray 6, with the add-on part 28 shown on the base body 7 in the assembled position. It can be seen clearly that the add-on part 28 extends over a height which corresponds to the height between the upper web 16 of the upper bracket 13 and the lower web 22 of the lower bracket 14. The add-on part 28 also has a length (measured in the x-z-plane), which corresponds to the length of the upper bracket 13 and also the length of the lower bracket 14.

[0083] FIG. 5 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a door tray 6. In this embodiment, the add-on part 28 is not formed in the manner of a full visor, as in FIG. 2 to FIG. 4, but is formed from a first clasp 42 and a second clasp 43. The two clasps 42 and 43 are formed as curved strips, in particular U-shaped strips. They each have a height which corresponds to the corresponding height of the upper bracket 13 or the lower bracket 14. This means that the first add-on part configured as the first clasp 42 conceals the upper bracket 13 completely in the assembled state. The second add-on part configured as the second clasp 43 similarly conceals the outside of the lower bracket 14 in the assembled state.

[0084] In the embodiment shown therein provision is made for the ends of the two clasps 42 and 43 to be connected to connecting parts 44 and 45, so that the two clasps 42 and 43 are configured as a single piece with the connecting elements 44 and 45, thereby forming a single-piece complete add-on part. In particular, latching elements 46 and 47, which are provided on the connecting elements 44 and 45, latch into latching holders on the base body 7, in particular on the side walls 11 and 12. The latching holder 48 is shown therein by way of example.

[0085] FIG. 6 shows a further exemplary embodiment of an alternative configuration of a door tray 6. In contrast to the configuration according to FIG. 5, the add-on part 28 is configured differently in this case. The base body 7 is formed according to the configuration in FIG. 5. In this embodiment, the add-on part 28 is again configured as a visor and in this instance as totally transparent. The add-on part 28 with its single-piece configuration extends again over the entire height between the upper web 16 of the upper bracket 13 and the lower web 22 of the lower bracket 14.

[0086] FIG. 7 shows a further perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a door tray 6. In this embodiment, two separate add-on parts are provided as the first clasp 42 and the second clasp 43, which are separate in this case and not configured, as in FIG. 5, as a common complete add-on part. The clasp 42 in this case also has a counterflange 49, which in the assembled state on the upper bracket 13 makes contact with the web 17, which forms a bearing web in this case. It also shows that the configuration widens or spreads toward the free end. The web 17 may also not be present in this case. The second clasp 43 also has a corresponding counterweb 50.

[0087] FIG. 8 shows the assembled state of the clasps 42 and 43 on the base body 7, in particular the upper bracket 13 and the lower bracket 14.

[0088] FIG. 9 shows a fragmentary, perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a door tray 6. In this embodiment provision is made for the base body 7 not to be configured as a single piece but as multiple pieces and to have a base part 6a. In the illustrated embodiment, the upper bracket 13, which is a separate part in this case, can be fastened to, in particular positioned on, the base part 6a.

[0089] FIG. 10 shows a perspective view of a further exemplary embodiment of a door tray 6. It can be seen clearly in this case that the base 9 is configured as at least partially transparent. Provision can be made for the transparent region to be made of glass. Provision can also be made for the transparent element to be disposed in a non-destructively releasable manner on the further base part of the base body 7, so that it can also be removed and replaced correspondingly. In this embodiment provision is made for an add-on part to be configured as a clasp 42, which is fastened to the upper bracket 13, covering it at the front. The lower bracket 14 is also covered by a corresponding clasp 43. In this embodiment, as in the embodiments according to FIG. 5 and FIG. 8, the free space 41 is then open and therefore also accessible from the side or front or allows access through up to the receiving space 10.

[0090] In the exemplary embodiments, the upper bracket 13 and/or the lower bracket 14 preferably has/have a height in the heightwise direction (y-direction), which is preferably between 1.5 cm and 5 cm, in particular between 2.5 cm and 4 cm. This is the height of a bracket 13 and/or 14 over its entire longitudinal extension, in particular the height of a bracket 13 and/or 14 is constant over its entire longitudinal extension.