[go: up one dir, main page]

WO2003000096A1 - Fridge and freezer cabinets - Google Patents

Fridge and freezer cabinets Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2003000096A1
WO2003000096A1 PCT/EP2002/005982 EP0205982W WO03000096A1 WO 2003000096 A1 WO2003000096 A1 WO 2003000096A1 EP 0205982 W EP0205982 W EP 0205982W WO 03000096 A1 WO03000096 A1 WO 03000096A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
cabinet
cabinet according
door
foodstuff
opened
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/EP2002/005982
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Mervyn Roy Goddard
Alexander Hislop
Original Assignee
Unilever N.V.
Unilever Plc
Hindustan Lever Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Unilever N.V., Unilever Plc, Hindustan Lever Ltd. filed Critical Unilever N.V.
Publication of WO2003000096A1 publication Critical patent/WO2003000096A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
    • A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
    • A47F3/0404—Cases or cabinets of the closed type
    • A47F3/0426—Details
    • A47F3/043—Doors, covers

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to fridge and freezer cabinets for storing and displaying food products.
  • standing cooling cabinets having glass front doors will usually have the doors collecting condensed water on the inside, which affects the visibility of the foodstuff and thus makes a poor impression.
  • Well-known alternative cabinets are in the form of a large box or trunk with an open top end, through which the contents can be seen by the customers, the goods can be selected and picked, and also through which stock can be supplied.
  • fridges there are no glass doors which may collect condensed water, display of goods is still rather poor, as one has to look downwards to see the foodstuff.
  • fridges have been developed which are usually as high as the average person, and which are open on one vertical side which faces the consumer.
  • Advantages include absence of a glass wall which can condense and thus block the view, and good display and visibility are guaranteed, but energy consumption is rather high, temperature control is low, and filling up with stock (like with the other cabinets) blocks the fridge from being available to consumers, thus reducing sales.
  • a cabinet for storing and/or displaying foodstuff at reduced temperatures relevant to the temperature of the environment having: a first side which has a door which can be opened and closed, a second side opposite to the first side, the second side enabling a view on part of the contents of the cabinet and which second side does not have a door which can be opened or closed.
  • the areas of the cabinet visible to the consumer e.g. front side
  • the above cabinets lack a glass door, which is seen in many conventional freezers and fridges, which has to be opened and closed by the customer to obtain the foodstuff.
  • the repeated opening and closing in such conventional set up will lead to warm, humid air coming in from the environment, which may condense on the colder inner side of the glass door that is opened. Such condensation is undesired, for reasons as mentioned above.
  • the second side is preferably mounted such that it is fixed and cannot be opened without tools, and which side has a transparent window enabling a view on part of the contents of the cabinet.
  • This enables the customer on the side which is closed but which has a window to view the contents of the cabinet, so as to enable to decide what he or she wishes to purchase.
  • the customer then orders the desired foodstuff with the shop assistant, who may then pick the required variety and quantity from the first side (e.g. the back side) and hand it over to the customer, optionally after additional treatment such as weighing, pricing, packaging, etcetera.
  • the alternative set up wherein the second side has an opening enabling both a view on and purchase of at least part of the foodstuff contained in the cabinet, may find its application is self-service areas or shops.
  • the second side of the cabinet is open to at least some extent, enabling a customer to view and select and pick the desired foodstuff.
  • both the back side as viewed by the customer first side which has a door which can be opened and closed
  • the front side enabling a view on part of the contents of the cabinet are mounted substantially vertical.
  • the first (back) side is in figure 1 referred to as "sliding doors to rear” and the second (front) side is referred to in that figure as fixed glazed panels to front".
  • the result is that a cupboard or closet-like shape is obtained.
  • the fridge or freeze cabinets are (when put in position for use) at least 1.20 meters high, up to 2.20 meters.
  • said height is from 1.50 to 2.00 meters. All this allows also optimum use of shop space.
  • cabinets according to the invention allow stocking up from the backside (e.g. from a back room), this not hindering the customer by blocking the view or access. This may lead to enhanced sales of foodstuff.
  • the cabinet with the closed second side will always have the foodstuff sitting close to the side facing the consumer, even if the cabinet is only half full, and this is also a favourable situation.
  • a further advantage of the alternative (open) version is that by putting stock in from one side, and allowing purchase from the other, the residence time of the foodstuff is kept within limits following the first in, first out principle, which is particularly favourable in view of limited shelf life.
  • the door in the first side (e.g. the backside, usually not facing the consumer) is may be a sliding or hinged door, or any alternative known in the art of doors.
  • the area within the cabinet according to the invention may have the internal space divided by partitions. This may allow that each separate area so created contains one variety of foodstuff.
  • the cabinets according to the invention may be used for (individually packed) ice cream, finished (packed) meals such as salads, semi-finished meals such as fresh, refrigerated bake-off pizza or meals that require heating-up in e.g. a microwave oven.
  • the cabinets are also suitable for keeping and presenting meal kits having a multitude of ingredients that need further treatment to be made into a dinner or supper.
  • meal kits may contain a carbohydrate source, a protein source, a vegetable source and one or more flavouring ingredients such as sauces, cheese, etcetera.
  • the cabinets as described above may function satisfactorily as such in preventing the condensation at the glass side (for the closed version), as well as the other advantages, but it was found that the benefits are in particular achieved if the condenser (i.e. the element which cools the air inside the fridge) is mounted at the bottom of the cabinet. It may also be preferred when the condenser is mounted at the side which has a door which can be opened and closed (e.g. at the backside). Most preferred is a set up with the condenser in the corner of the backside/bottom, to combine the above two layouts.
  • the condenser i.e. the element which cools the air inside the fridge
  • the condenser is mounted at the side which has a door which can be opened and closed (e.g. at the backside).
  • Most preferred is a set up with the condenser in the corner of the backside/bottom, to combine the above two layouts.
  • Figure 1 contains a drawing of an example of a cabinet with a fixed glass front side, and a glass sliding door at the back side. Measures in mm.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Freezers Or Refrigerated Showcases (AREA)

Abstract

Cabinet for storing and/or displaying foodstuff at reduced temperatures relevant to the temperature of the environment, having : a first side which has a door which can be opened and closed. A second side opposite to the first side, the second side enabling a view on part of the contents of the cabinet and which second side does not have a door which can be opened or closed.

Description

FRIDGE AND FREEZER CABINETS
Field of the invention
The present invention relates to fridge and freezer cabinets for storing and displaying food products.
Background of the invention
Many food products are sold in shops (e.g. supermarkets) which are to be kept either refrigerated or frozen. Such shops have therefore cooling and/or freezing cabinets that have two main purposes: keep the foodstuff concerned below a certain temperature, and to display the foodstuff in an attractive way to the consumer.
Although most conventional fridges and freezers do perform satisfactory on the first objective (keeping cool/frozen) the presentation of the foodstuff is usually unsatisfactory.
For example, standing cooling cabinets having glass front doors will usually have the doors collecting condensed water on the inside, which affects the visibility of the foodstuff and thus makes a poor impression. Well-known alternative cabinets are in the form of a large box or trunk with an open top end, through which the contents can be seen by the customers, the goods can be selected and picked, and also through which stock can be supplied. Although with such fridges there are no glass doors which may collect condensed water, display of goods is still rather poor, as one has to look downwards to see the foodstuff. Yet as a further alternative, fridges have been developed which are usually as high as the average person, and which are open on one vertical side which faces the consumer. Advantages include absence of a glass wall which can condense and thus block the view, and good display and visibility are guaranteed, but energy consumption is rather high, temperature control is low, and filling up with stock (like with the other cabinets) blocks the fridge from being available to consumers, thus reducing sales.
Hence, there is a need for a new design of fridges and freezers which reduces these problems, and thus allows premium visibility preferably by absence of condensed glass doors and products lined up a such that the customer has a side view rather than a top view of foodstuffs. Furthermore, there should be an opportunity to supply the cabinet with stock without hindering the customer.
Summary of the invention
It has now been found that the above may be achieved (at least in part) by a cabinet for storing and/or displaying foodstuff at reduced temperatures relevant to the temperature of the environment, having: a first side which has a door which can be opened and closed, a second side opposite to the first side, the second side enabling a view on part of the contents of the cabinet and which second side does not have a door which can be opened or closed.
It is preferred that the areas of the cabinet visible to the consumer (e.g. front side) when in use do not have transparent doors, which can be opened by the customer.
Advantage of the above cabinets is that they lack a glass door, which is seen in many conventional freezers and fridges, which has to be opened and closed by the customer to obtain the foodstuff. The repeated opening and closing in such conventional set up will lead to warm, humid air coming in from the environment, which may condense on the colder inner side of the glass door that is opened. Such condensation is undesired, for reasons as mentioned above.
There are two ways in which the cabinets according to the invention can suitably be effected, and which may both find application depending upon the environment where they are placed.
For example, for application of the fridge or freezer cabinets in which a shop assistant will help the customer, the second side is preferably mounted such that it is fixed and cannot be opened without tools, and which side has a transparent window enabling a view on part of the contents of the cabinet. This enables the customer on the side which is closed but which has a window to view the contents of the cabinet, so as to enable to decide what he or she wishes to purchase. The customer then orders the desired foodstuff with the shop assistant, who may then pick the required variety and quantity from the first side (e.g. the back side) and hand it over to the customer, optionally after additional treatment such as weighing, pricing, packaging, etcetera.
The alternative set up, wherein the second side has an opening enabling both a view on and purchase of at least part of the foodstuff contained in the cabinet, may find its application is self-service areas or shops. The second side of the cabinet is open to at least some extent, enabling a customer to view and select and pick the desired foodstuff. For both alternative it is preferred that both the back side as viewed by the customer (first side which has a door which can be opened and closed) , and the front side enabling a view on part of the contents of the cabinet (second side opposite to the first side) are mounted substantially vertical. As example, in figure 1 the first (back) side is in figure 1 referred to as "sliding doors to rear" and the second (front) side is referred to in that figure as fixed glazed panels to front". As these two walls are opposite to eachother (as mentioned before) , the result is that a cupboard or closet-like shape is obtained. Preferably, for maximum contents and maximum display space to customers, and to optimize energy consumption per article sold the fridge or freeze cabinets are (when put in position for use) at least 1.20 meters high, up to 2.20 meters. Preferably said height is from 1.50 to 2.00 meters. All this allows also optimum use of shop space.
As additional advantage of the cabinets according to the invention is that they allow stocking up from the backside (e.g. from a back room), this not hindering the customer by blocking the view or access. This may lead to enhanced sales of foodstuff.
As yet a further advantage, the cabinet with the closed second side will always have the foodstuff sitting close to the side facing the consumer, even if the cabinet is only half full, and this is also a favourable situation.
A further advantage of the alternative (open) version is that by putting stock in from one side, and allowing purchase from the other, the residence time of the foodstuff is kept within limits following the first in, first out principle, which is particularly favourable in view of limited shelf life. Detailed description of the invention
In the cabinets according to the invention, the door in the first side (e.g. the backside, usually not facing the consumer) is may be a sliding or hinged door, or any alternative known in the art of doors.
Depending e.g. on the size, variety and number of the foodstuffs to be stored and displayed, the area within the cabinet according to the invention may have the internal space divided by partitions. This may allow that each separate area so created contains one variety of foodstuff.
The cabinets according to the invention may be used for (individually packed) ice cream, finished (packed) meals such as salads, semi-finished meals such as fresh, refrigerated bake-off pizza or meals that require heating-up in e.g. a microwave oven. The cabinets are also suitable for keeping and presenting meal kits having a multitude of ingredients that need further treatment to be made into a dinner or supper. Such meal kits may contain a carbohydrate source, a protein source, a vegetable source and one or more flavouring ingredients such as sauces, cheese, etcetera.
The cabinets as described above may function satisfactorily as such in preventing the condensation at the glass side (for the closed version), as well as the other advantages, but it was found that the benefits are in particular achieved if the condenser (i.e. the element which cools the air inside the fridge) is mounted at the bottom of the cabinet. It may also be preferred when the condenser is mounted at the side which has a door which can be opened and closed (e.g. at the backside). Most preferred is a set up with the condenser in the corner of the backside/bottom, to combine the above two layouts.
Examples
Figure 1 contains a drawing of an example of a cabinet with a fixed glass front side, and a glass sliding door at the back side. Measures in mm.

Claims

1. Cabinet for storing and/or displaying foodstuff at reduced temperatures relevant to the temperature of the environment, having: a first side which has a door which can be opened and closed, a second side opposite to the first side, the second side enabling a view on part of the contents of the cabinet and which second side does not have a door which can be opened or closed.
2. Cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the second side is mounted such that it is fixed and cannot be opened without tools, and which side has a transparent window enabling a view on part of the contents of the cabinet.
3. Cabinet according to claim 1, wherein the second side has an opening enabling both a view on and purchase of at least part of the foodstuff contained in the cabinet.
4. Cabinet according to claim 1-3, wherein the door in the first side is either a sliding or hinged door.
5. Cabinet according to claim 1-4, having the internal space divided in partitions.
6. Cabinet according to claim 5, wherein each separate area contains one variety of foodstuff.
7. Cabinet according to claim 1-6, wherein the foodstuff comprises ice cream, finished meals, semi-finished meals, or meal kits containing ingredients which need to be assembled, cooked or backed.
8. Cabinet according to claim 1-7, wherein the condenser is mounted at the bottom of the cabinet.
9. Cabinet according to claim 1-8, wherein the condenser is mounted at the side which has a door which can be opened and closed.
10. Cabinet according to claim 1-9, wherein the first side and the second side are mounted substantially vertical.
11. Cabinet according to claim 1-10, the cabinets are at least 1.20 meters high.
12. Cabinet according to claim 11, wherein said height is from 1.50 to 2.00 meters.
PCT/EP2002/005982 2001-06-25 2002-05-30 Fridge and freezer cabinets WO2003000096A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP01305506 2001-06-25
EP01305506.6 2001-06-25

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2003000096A1 true WO2003000096A1 (en) 2003-01-03

Family

ID=8182057

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/EP2002/005982 WO2003000096A1 (en) 2001-06-25 2002-05-30 Fridge and freezer cabinets

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2003000096A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7283087B2 (en) * 2003-03-31 2007-10-16 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Radar having a transmission oscillator which can be excited quasi-phase coherently by an evaluation oscillator

Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1751285A (en) * 1928-02-13 1930-03-18 Schwenger Klein Company Refrigerator counter
DE3113571A1 (en) * 1981-04-03 1982-11-11 Linde Ag, 6200 Wiesbaden Refrigerated shelf unit
US5678421A (en) * 1995-12-26 1997-10-21 Habco Beverage Systems Inc. Refrigeration unit for cold space merchandiser
DE19700621A1 (en) * 1997-01-10 1998-07-16 Klaus Haendel Refrigerated display case with air circulation
FR2777985A1 (en) * 1998-04-24 1999-10-29 Guichon Jean Pierre Refrigerated drawer for storing medicines in an upright cabinet, for use in pharmacies
US6247773B1 (en) * 1998-02-25 2001-06-19 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Cooling storage cabinet

Patent Citations (6)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US1751285A (en) * 1928-02-13 1930-03-18 Schwenger Klein Company Refrigerator counter
DE3113571A1 (en) * 1981-04-03 1982-11-11 Linde Ag, 6200 Wiesbaden Refrigerated shelf unit
US5678421A (en) * 1995-12-26 1997-10-21 Habco Beverage Systems Inc. Refrigeration unit for cold space merchandiser
DE19700621A1 (en) * 1997-01-10 1998-07-16 Klaus Haendel Refrigerated display case with air circulation
US6247773B1 (en) * 1998-02-25 2001-06-19 Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. Cooling storage cabinet
FR2777985A1 (en) * 1998-04-24 1999-10-29 Guichon Jean Pierre Refrigerated drawer for storing medicines in an upright cabinet, for use in pharmacies

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US7283087B2 (en) * 2003-03-31 2007-10-16 Siemens Aktiengesellschaft Radar having a transmission oscillator which can be excited quasi-phase coherently by an evaluation oscillator

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
CA2794809A1 (en) Chest cooler
JP2009519044A (en) Refrigerated retail unit
US10323873B2 (en) Modular island merchandiser
MX2007011444A (en) Display merchandiser with lighting enhancement.
US5301517A (en) Refrigerated shelf merchandiser
US2694613A (en) Refrigerated display cabinet and lid structure
US2428243A (en) Refrigerator display and storage fixture
US3006707A (en) Dispensing and display cabinet
US4759193A (en) Horizontal refrigerator
US2321695A (en) Refrigerating apparatus
CN112839548A (en) Refrigerator for beverage and food products
WO2003000096A1 (en) Fridge and freezer cabinets
RU69722U1 (en) REFRIGERATING CABINET SHOWCASE (OPTIONS)
WO2008111934A1 (en) Food preparation apparatus with sliding cover
CN204207427U (en) A kind of collection is shown and freezing integrated cabinet
US1857545A (en) Refrigerator show case
US20250027709A1 (en) Back bar refrigerator appliance
US6272875B1 (en) Glass dipping cabinet
GB2631961A (en) A back bar refrigerator appliance
KR200146351Y1 (en) Showcase for refrizeration
CN219368098U (en) Show cupboard formula freezer
AU2014274571B2 (en) Modular Island Merchandiser
KR200440051Y1 (en) Beverage Refrigerator
CN214433261U (en) Cake sales display cabinet
RU2402721C1 (en) Freezer chest

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ DE DK DM DZ EC EE ES FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SL TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZM ZW

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AE AG AL AM AT AT AU AZ BA BB BG BR BY BZ CA CH CN CO CR CU CZ CZ DE DE DK DK DM DZ EC EE EE ES FI FI GB GD GE GH GM HR HU ID IL IN IS JP KE KG KP KR KZ LC LK LR LS LT LU LV MA MD MG MK MN MW MX MZ NO NZ OM PH PL PT RO RU SD SE SG SI SK SK SL TJ TM TN TR TT TZ UA UG US UZ VN YU ZA ZM ZW

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): GH GM KE LS MW MZ SD SL SZ TZ UG ZM ZW AM AZ BY KG KZ MD RU TJ TM AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE TR BF BJ CF CG CI CM GA GN GQ GW ML MR NE SN TD TG

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
REG Reference to national code

Ref country code: DE

Ref legal event code: 8642

122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase
NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: JP

WWW Wipo information: withdrawn in national office

Country of ref document: JP