GB2369921A - Infinity projecting door for a display unit - Google Patents

Abstract

An infinity projecting door 2 for a display unit 1 comprises a mirror 6 and a two way mirror 8 which is separated from the mirror 6 and defines a receiving volume 9 for receiving the products to be displayed, so that the arranged mirrors 6 and 8 reflect multiple images of the displayed products when viewed through the two way mirror 8. The mirrors 6 and 8 may be arranged so that at least one of the images visible through the two way mirror 8 comprises the reflection in the mirror 6 of the reflection of the product in the two way mirror 8. The mirrors 6 and 8 may be parallel and plainer which ensures that multiple images of the goods are transmitted undistorted through the two way mirror 8. The door 2 may also enclose a light source 11 positioned in the receiving volume 9 and arranged to illuminate the product. The infinity projecting door may also be used on a refridgerator.

Description

AN INFINITY PROJECTING DOOR The present invention relates to an infinity projecting door for a container. More particularly, but not exclusively, the present invention relates to an infinity projecting door for a refrigerator.

Shops and stores often display goods such as food and drink in cabinets such as refrigerators having clear doors. Such containers are often supplied by manufacturers of the goods and bear advertising relating to the manufacturers'goods.

However, shop owners often tend to fill these containers with goods other than those of the manufacturer. In addition, such containers can be visually unappealing when stock levels are low.

Accordingly, in first aspect, the present invention provides an infinity projecting door for a container comprising a mirror and a two way mirror, the two way mirror being separated from the mirror so as to define a receiving volume for receiving product to be displayed ; the mirror and two way mirror being arranged such as in use multiple reflected images of the product are visible through the two way mirror.

The door according to the invention has the advantage that when the receiving volume is filled with the product then due to the infinity projection effect, the container will look full of the goods in the receiving volume, irrespective of the contents of the container. In addition, by loading the receiving volume with the manufacturer's products the manufacturers can ensure that only their own products are displayed.

Preferably the mirror and two way mirror are arranged such that at least one of the images visible through the two-way mirror comprises the reflection in the mirror of the reflection of the product in the two-way mirror.

The mirror and the two-way mirror can be substantially parallel, this ensures that multiple images of the goods are transmitted through the two-way mirror.

The mirrored surface of the mirror can be directed towards the mirrored surface of the two way mirror.

Preferably, the mirror and the two-way mirror are plainer.

This ensures that the images which are observed are undistorted. At least one of these can be curved.

Preferably, the door further comprises a light source arranged to illuminate the product. The light source can be positioned within the receiving volume. Alternatively the light source could be positioned within a frame for receiving the door. The light source could be cold cathode lighting. Preferably the intensity of the light source can be varied. This attracts the consumer's interest to the container.

In a further aspect, the present invention provides a refrigerator comprising an infinity projecting door, the infinity projecting door comprising a mirror and a two way mirror, the two way mirror being separated from the mirror so as to define a receiving volume for receiving product to be displayed; the mirror and two way mirror being arranged such as in use multiple reflected images of the product are visible through the two way mirror.

The present invention will now be described by way of example only, and not in any limitative sense, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: Figure 1 shows in cross section a refrigerator including a door according to the invention; and, Figure 2 shows in cross section a second refrigerator including a door according to the invention.

Shown in figure 1 is a refrigerator comprising a housing (1) and a door (2). The housing (1) and door (2) are connected together by a hinge (3) which enables the door to pivot between open and closed positions. The door is shown in the closed position in which a sealed portion (4) around the door abuts against the housing (1) forming a substantially air tight seal.

When in this position the door (2) and housing (1) define a product volume (5) for storing chilled product.

The door (2) comprises a back panel (5) including a one way mirror (6) and a double glazing unit front panel (7) including a two-way mirror (8). The front and back panels (5,7) are parallel and spaced apart to define a receiving volume (9) by a support frame (10).

Positioned within the support frame (10) is cold cathode lighting (11) which is arranged to illuminate the contents of the receiving volume (9). The lighting (11) is arranged to flash which will attract the consumer.

In use product is introduced into the receiving volume (9).

The mirror (6) and two-way mirror (8) are arranged such that multiple reflections of the product are observed through the two-way mirror (8). This is achieved by arranging the one-way mirror (6) such that the reflection of the product in the two way mirror (10) which is incident on the one-way mirror (6) is directed back towards the two-way mirror (8). More specifically, the mirror (6) and two-way mirror (8) are substantially parallel with the mirrored surface of the mirror (6) directed towards the mirrored surface of the two way mirror (8).

When the door is closed the customer will only see the multiple reflections of the goods in the receiving volume (7). The goods in the product (5) are hidden from view. The container will therefore appear to be full of only such goods. It is only on opening the door that the customer will become aware that there are other goods stored in the product value (5).

The cold cathode lighting (11) illuminates the goods in use making them more attractive to consumers. In this embodiment the lights are arranged to flash to attract the consumer. In an alternative embodiment the lighting may be constant.

Shown in figure 2 is a further refrigerator including a door according to the invention. This is substantially similar to the refrigerator for figure 1 except the cold cathode lighting is positioned in a frame adapted to receive the door rather than the door itself.

In an alternative embodiment the front surface of the front panel (7) is partially silvered and includes a graphic logo of some form. When the lighting (11) is not illuminated the customer will see only the graphics or logo. However, once the lighting (11) is illuminated multiple images of the goods within the receiving volume (9) become apparent.

In a further embodiment at least one of the mirror (6) and two way mirror (8) is curved producing an interesting optical effect to further attract the consumer.

Claims (13)

1. CLAIMS 1. An infinity projecting door for a container comprising a mirror and a two way mirror, the two way mirror being separated from the mirror so as to define a receiving volume for receiving product to be displayed; The mirror and two way mirror being arranged such that in use multiple reflected images of the product are visible through the two way mirror.
2. 2. A door as claimed in claim 1, wherein the mirror and two way mirror are arranged such that at least one of the images visible through the two-way mirror comprises the reflection in the mirror of the reflection of the product in the two-way mirror.
3. 3. A door as claimed in either of claims 1 or 2, wherein the mirror and two-way mirror are substantially parallel.
4. 4. A door as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the mirrored surface of the mirror is directed towards the mirrored surface of the two way mirror.
5. 5. A door as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the mirror and two-way mirror are plainer.
6. 6. A door as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, further comprising a light source arranged to illuminate the product.
7. 7. A door as claimed in claim 6, wherein the light source is positioned within the receiving volume.
8. 8. A door as claimed in claim 6, wherein the light source is positioned within a frame for receiving the door.
9. 9. A door as claimed in either of claim 7 or 8, wherein the light source is cold cathode lighting.
10. 10. A door as claimed in any one of claims 6 to 9, wherein the intensity of the light source can be varied.
11. 11. A refrigerator comprising an infinity projecting door, the infinity projecting door comprising a mirror and a two way mirror, the two way mirror being separated from the mirror so as to define a receiving volume for receiving product to be displayed; The mirror and two way mirror being arranged such that in use multiple reflected images of the product are visible through the two way mirror.
12. 12. A door substantially as hereinbefore described.
13. 13. A door substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the drawings.