MXPA97008592A - My storage and assembly cabinet - Google Patents

Abstract

A unitized, molded storage cabinet and cabinet assembly is described for the storage of supplies or retail items, the cabinet assembly includes at least two cabinet units, where the cabinet units are attached to the side, where each Cabinet unit includes: inner and outer polymeric surfaces formed by molding, where the surfaces are defined by multiple joined surfaces, and where each cabinet unit consists of two side walls, a rear wall, and a bottom or floor. The interior surfaces surround and define a gap or free space to contain, within the gap or free space, supplies or retail items. An opening is formed in a front portion, opposite the rear wall of the cabinet unit, for access to the storage space for supplies or retail items. The rear wall of the cabinet unit has an opening to allow access to electrical outlets, plumbing installations and other facilities. A service / work surface is tightly coupled to the upper edges of the side walls and the rear wall. The upper portion of the service / work surface can be used for the placement of drinks and food dispensers at the same time.

Description

CABINET OF STORAGE AND ASSEMBLY OF THE SAME Technical Field ' The; invention relates to a unitized, polymeric storage cabinet and cabinet assembly for containing supplies or retail items or for providing a counter surface for a service / work surface or for storage of supply / retail materials. A cabinet assembly comprises a plurality of cabinet units.

Background of the Invention Retail stores have a need for many types of storage, display and service accessories. The goods must be visibly displayed for easy access by customers. The extra inventory should be stored until needed. Where goods are self-service food and beverage items ready to be eaten, a service surface is needed for the customer. REF: 26117 Such needs are present, for example, in convenience stores. In a convenience store the user can, for example, buy a hot dog and soda. These items are typically self-service. Thus, it is necessary to have a countertop cover to keep the drinking fountain, ice and glasses, the hot dog rotisserie, and the dishes, napkins, and tableware, and condiments. Such a counter top ideally requires only little maintenance, has a long life, and can be easily installed in a variety of plant configurations. A modular design is desirable to reduce the manufacturing cost. A basic piece unit (single unit) cabinet unit is desirable to reduce assembly problems and to eliminate irregularities that arise when each cabinet unit requires separate assembly. It could be desirable to have such a counter cover that also has internal storage capacity for supplies and extra goods. The countertop and associated mounting must be made of a cheap material that is durable, easily cleaned and light in weight. The present invention is directed to all the above problems and provides a cabinet unit and assembly to meet the needs discussed above.

Description of the invention The invention includes a unitized, unitary, modular cabinet unit and assembly of such units for the storage of supplies or retail materials, the cabinet assembly includes at least two cabinet units; where the cabinet units are fixed together side by side; where each cabinet unit includes: interior and exterior polymeric surfaces; formed by molding; where the surfaces form multiple joined surfaces; and wherein each individual cabinet unit has only two side walls, a rear wall, and a floor or floor, for example, is molded without a front or top surface. The bonded surfaces surround and define a gap (when an upper surface is installed) to contain, within the gap, supplies or retail materials. An opening is formed in a front portion of the cabinet unit for access to the gap or empty space, for storing supplies or retail material. The rear wall of the cabinet unit has an opening to allow access to the electrical outlets, plumbing, cooling and other installations that may be located behind the rear wall. A service / work surface is fixedly coupled to the upper edges of the side and rear walls. The upper portion of the service / work surface can, for example, be used for the placement of retail food and beverage dispensers.

Brief Description of the Drawings Figure IA is an isometric drawing of the basic, modular, unitary, molded cabinet unit, without a valance or door panel installed.

Figure IB is an isometric drawing of the valance.

Figure 1C is an isometric drawing of the door panel.

Figure ID is an isometric drawing of the basic cabinet unit with a valance and a door panel installed.

Figure 2 shows a front view of an embodiment of a simple cabinet unit with a valance, the door panel and a seasoning tray installed.

Figure 3 shows a front view of one embodiment of the three cabinet units fixedly joined side by side, and having valances, door panels and seasoning trays installed.

Figure 4 shows an isometric exploded view of the details of a single cabinet unit embodiment.

Figure 5 shows an exploded isometric view of a simple cabinet unit and a variety of interchangeable units that can be used therein.

Modalities for Carrying Out the Invention The cabinet assembly of the invention is designed to provide a work surface or service surface for food, and to provide internal storage space for extra goods and supplies, or otherwise for general storage / surface needs. Such uses are practical for example in convenience stores, homes, hospitals, retail stores, laundries, cafeterias and / or restaurants. The design is modular, which means that there is a unit unit cabinet, simple, common. The side walls, the floor and the back of each cabinet unit are molded in a self-supporting, single-piece design, which requires no assembly and which provides little or no deviation in dimensions between each cabinet unit. A plurality of these cabinet units may be joined or bounded to the side by side to build a cabinet assembly of the necessary size for any particular store floor. A simple piece design also facilitates the easy installation and removal or replacement of individual cabinet units. Where an adhesive is used to attach the service / work surface, the installation and removal can be done without tools, excluding the adjustment of the adjustable columns or pedestals and the coupling of the valance where the valance is joined by screws. The cabinet assembly includes at least two cabinet units. The cabinet units are spliced side by side or are optionally fixed side by side. One side of a cabinet unit borders one side of the other limiting cabinet unit. Each cabinet unit includes an internal polymer surface and an external polymer surface. The internal and external polymeric surfaces are polymer plates either separated (spaced) or they can be the inner and outer wall surfaces of a homogeneous, simple polymeric construction. This will depend on the manufacturing method. Rotational molding can be used to produce simple wall or double wall construction. Double-wall rotational molding typically results in separate laminar structures and may include a lower density "foam" polymer (such as polyurethane) injected therebetween. The injection molding by reaction, "RIM" results in a cabinet unit having substantially consistent wall density on its internal and external surfaces, and between the internal and external surfaces, for example, is homogeneous. The internal and external surfaces are integrally joined and formed by molding, such as by the rotational molding described above, or by other molding processes well known in the art. The inner and outer surfaces are typically separated by a distance of about 12.7 mm (0.5 inch) to about 2.54 cm (1 inch) and the inner surface is typically substantially parallel to the corresponding outer surface. The inner and outer surfaces form a plurality of integrally joined surfaces. The finished cabinet unit resembles a box without an upper and front part. Each cabinet unit includes only two side walls, a rear wall, and a bottom wall or floor surface, for example, the cabinet unit is molded without an upper or front panel surface. The walls surround or define a hollow or empty space to contain, within the hollow, supplies or retail items. The separately coupled service / work surface will define the upper part of the gap. The lower or floor surface of the cabinet unit may optionally have threadedly adjustable columns coupled thereto to level the cabinet assembly on an uneven floor surface where it is to be installed. The bottom or floor of the cabinet unit can optionally obtain access holes in its upper portion for the adjustment of the columns. The bottom of the floor surface of the cabinet unit is optionally recessed in the central portion to aid the structural strength of the cabinet unit. The upper front portions of the side walls are preferably notched, such as an L-shaped notch or groove. This slot is used for the reception of supplies or retail material / goods by means of a variety of interchangeable plug-in units, such as condiment trays, napkin holders and / or cup dispensers. A type of interchangeable unit serves to extend the service / work surface. An opening is formed in the front portion of the cabinet unit, due to the absence of a front panel. This opening is to allow access to free or empty space, to store supplies or retail material. The opening is joined and defined on the sides by the leading edges of each of the side walls and, on the bottom by the front edge of the floor of the cabinet unit. The opening is typically joined on the top by the leading edge of the service / work surface. A four-sided valance structure is fixedly coupled to the circumference of the front opening. The valance structure has two side members and an upper and lower member optionally integrally joined. In this way, the valance forms a four-sided structure. This is coupled by any means such as adhesive or, preferably, screws to the front edges of the side walls and the floor. The lower surface of the upper member of the valance, and the upper surface of the lower member of the valance, are each optionally configured for the uncoupling connection of a door panel. For example, if a tongue-and-groove method is used for the coupling of the door panel, then the surfaces of the upper member and the lower member of the valance will have slits or grooves for receiving the corresponding tongue portions on the panel. door. A storage door panel is removably coupled, for example, by tongue-and-groove joining means, to the lower surface of the upper valance member, and the upper surface of the lower valance member. When coupled, the storage door panel covers the front opening of the valance, and can be easily uncoupled for access to goods and supplies stored in the void or empty space. The door panel is removed from the valance by lifting in the integrally molded door cam, until the lower tabs of the door panel clear their corresponding coupling slots in the valance, then pulling the bottom of the door panel towards the user . The rear wall of the cabinet unit typically has an opening therein to allow access to the electrical outlets, to the plumbing, cooling and other installations, which may be located behind the rear wall. A removable service door is optionally removably attached, such as by screws, on the opening in the rear wall. One or more shelves are optionally removably coupled to the side walls, to encompass the sidewall to sidewall gap and thereby provide the storage shelf as necessary to maximize storage capacity. The shelves are coupled by any conventional means. The integral flanges for the support of the shelves are preferably incorporated in the internal wall of the side walls.

The service / work surface is fixedly coupled to the upper edges of the side wall, the rear wall and the upper member of the valance structure. The upper portion of the service / work surface is for the placement of supplies or retail materials such as food and beverage dispensers or to provide a work surface. The surface may have an optional restraining rear panel portion substantially vertical thereto to prevent goods or articles on the service surface from slipping off the trailing edge. The cabinet unit is manufactured by molding. This includes rotational molding, RIM molding, and structural foam molding. In general, rotational molding involves the injection of a polymer powder or liquid state into a mold. The mold is then heated and rotated around several axes to distribute the polymer powder. When the polymer powder is heated, it melts and flows together along the mold thereby forming surfaces that conform to the shape of the mold. A "foam" polymer (eg, less dense), such as polyurethane, may optionally be added between the inner and outer surfaces. The foam may be of a different material from the inner and outer surfaces, and may be injected between these two surfaces. Alternatively, the "foam" can be formed of the same material as the inner and outer surfaces. In this process, before all the initial polymer is heated to form the inner and / or outer polymeric laminar structures, an appropriate chemical additive is injected into the non-hardened polymer, which causes it to foam and harden. Preferred polymers for rotational molding include polyolefins such as polyethylene, polycarbonates, nylons, polyvinyl chloride and thermoplastic polyesters, with the most preferred being polyethylene. Preferred polymers for RIM molding and structural foam molding include polyurethanes, epoxies, polyesters and nylons, with the polyurethane being the most preferred. For additional information, rotational molding is described in 14 Encyclopedia of Polymer Science and Engineering 659-670 (2nd Ed. 1988) and injection molding by reaction on pages 72-100. Other conventional molding techniques are optionally used to manufacture other components of the cabinet assembly, such as the top surface, the valance and the door panels, which are preferably formed by vacuum / pressure forming. Other techniques include injection molding, blow molding compression training, and twin mold formation, all are processes generally known to those skilled in the art. Various steps can be used in the assembly and installation of the cabinet assembly. Typically, the desired number of cabinet units is placed at the appropriate location in the warehouse. These are placed side by side. Optionally, these can be fixedly coupled to one another at the stop or limit sites. The adjustable columns are lego adjusted to compensate for any inequality in the floor of the building where the units will be installed. A simple service / work surface is then installed to lie on top of the upper edges of the side and rear walls of the multiple cabinet units. A simple, bottom defense panel is then optionally installed on the lower front portion of the floor of the cabinet unit. Typically, instead of a simple bottom defense panel, layers are layered, by adhesive, for example, to the lower front portion of the cabinet unit to give a uniform appearance to this portion of the cabinet assembly. If the condiment tray or the beverage dispenser is used, these are installed together with a transparent sneezing protection, if desired. Other types of interchangeable units can be installed depending on the desired use. Figures 1A-1D are isometric drawings of the unitary, modular, basic unit unit 105 (Figure IA), the valance 115 (Figure IB), the door panel 120 (Figure 1C) and the valance 115 and the door panel 120 installed on a cabinet unit 105 (Figure ID). Figure 2 shows a front view of one embodiment of a single cabinet unit 105. With reference to Figures 1A-1D and Figure 2, the side walls 110 on the left and right sides, and the rear wall 130 extend with upward direction from the bottom surface or floor 112. The valance 115 is attached to the cabinet unit 105 by means of screws through screw holes 116, and reinforces the circumference of the opening formed by the leading edges of the screws. side walls 110 and the bottom or floor 112. The storage door panel 120 is removably coupled to the valance 115 to cover the opening. This operation is more fully described in connection with the description of Figure 4. The service / work surface 125 is fixedly coupled to the upper edges of the side walls 110 and the rear wall 130 (not shown in Figure 2). The condiment trays 127 are removably positioned on a front portion of a cabinet unit 105, and are preferably covered by a sneeze guard 145 (see Figure 4). Figure 3 shows a front view of one embodiment of a cabinet assembly comprising three cabinet units 105 fixedly joined side by side. The same reference numeration is used for the elements of the cabinet units as in Figures 1A-1D and Figure 2. When two or more cabinet units 105 are joined side by side, the service surface 125 is preferably a panel simple to give a continuous, smooth counter surface. Similarly, a simple fender panel 139 is optionally fixedly coupled to the front portions of the bottom or bottom surfaces 112, to provide a continuous appearance. The service surface 125 optionally has a rear panel 137 fixedly engaged or integral, along the rear portion of the service surface 125, to prevent the articles from being pushed out of the back of the service panel 125. The panel rear restriction 137 is oriented substantially vertically and can be a simple continuous panel, when more than one cabinet unit is joined side by side. Figure 4 shows an isometric exploded view of the details of a single cabinet unit embodiment. The rear wall 130 is integrally molded with the side walls 110 and the bottom or floor surface 112. The rear wall 130 may have an opening 151 therein, for access to the facilities in any building wall against which it is placed the cabinet unit 105. The uncoupled service door 150 is removably attached to the rear wall 130 to allow access to the facilities through the opening 151 in the rear wall 130. The bottom or floor 112, optionally has columns Adjustable 140 threaded fittings. By rotating the threaded columns to different lengths, the cabinets 105 can be made stable, on level or uneven floors. The sneeze guard 145 is optionally placed on the pans 127 for condiments in the L-shaped cuts in the upper front portion of the side walls 110. The sneeze guard 145 is typically made of clear plastic or glass, and is open in its front part for access to the tray 127 of condiments. The sneeze guard 145 can be coupled to the cabinet unit 105 by thumbscrews 107 inserted through the holes 106 in the sneeze guard 145 and seated in the threaded recesses 106a in the lifting portion of the L-shaped cuts. in the side panels 110. Although the sneeze protection 145 and the tray 127 of condiments are used herein for purposes of illustration, L-shaped cuts or notches can be used for the different interchangeable units of the sneeze guard 145 and the condiment tray 127. For example, as shown in Figure 5, the notched space can be used to place other interchangeable units to supply for example napkins, cups, to provide space for the placement of garbage or simply to provide a free space. The notch can also provide additional counter or work space. In each of these configurations, the interchangeable unit is coupled by the same butterfly screw means 107 and is used to install the sneeze guard 145, for example, the interchangeable units are easily interchangeable. Within the cabinet unit 105, the optional shelf 132 is removably coupled to the side walls 110, preferably by means of the flanges (shelf supports) 133 molded into the side walls. 110. Additional shelves can be added to maximize the storage capacity of the cabinet unit 105. The storage door panel 120 is molded with a raised portion 121 in a triangular shape, on its front surface, which serves as a cam the door. The upper and lower edges of the door panel 120 include the tabs 122, 123, which respectively engage the corresponding notches or slots 122a, 123a, respectively, on the mating surfaces of the valance 115. Other configurations of the same can be used. cam for door such as knobs or indentations. Where adhesives are used instead of screws, many types can be used, the preferred ones being those sold under the trade name LIQUID NAILS.

It is noted that in relation to this date, the best method known by the applicant to carry out the aforementioned invention, is the conventional one for the manufacture of the objects to which it relates.

Having described the invention as above, property is claimed as contained in the following:

Claims (19)

1. A modular cabinet unit, characterized in that it comprises: a polymeric material molded into a unitary construction, the unitary construction consists of a bottom or floor, a rear wall and two side walls.

2. The cabinet unit according to claim 1, characterized in that the two side walls include slots or L-shaped notches for coupling, at their upper front edges, and wherein the L-shaped coupling notches are adapted to receive a plug-in unit, interchangeable, removable.

3. The cabinet unit according to claim 2, further characterized in that it includes a protection against sneezing, located in the L-shaped notches in the upper front edges of the side walls.

4. The cabinet unit according to claim 3, further characterized in that it includes a removable tray adapted to be placed within the contour of the sneeze guard.

5. The cabinet unit according to claim 1, further characterized in that it comprises: an upper panel fixedly coupled to the upper edges of the rear and side walls, to thereby define a gap or free space limited by the bottom or floor, the wall back, the two side walls and the top panel.

6. The cabinet unit according to claim 5, further characterized in that it includes a valance fixedly attached to and covering the front edges of the cabinet unit, the valance has four sides and is open in its central portion, thereby reinforcing the limits of free or hollow space.

7. The cabinet unit according to claim 6, further characterized in that it includes a door panel removably coupled within the open central portion of the valance.

8. The cabinet unit according to claim 7, further characterized in that it includes means for removably attaching the door panel within the valance.

9. The cabinet unit according to claim 8, characterized in that the means for detachably attaching or attaching includes the tabs on the upper and lower edges of the door panel, and the corresponding coupling slots on the inward facing edges of the door panel. the border.

10. The cabinet unit according to claim 9, characterized in that the two side walls include L-shaped grooves or grooves, coupling at their upper front edges, and wherein the L-shaped coupling notches are adapted to receive a interchangeable, removable unit.

11. The cabinet unit according to claim 10, further characterized in that it includes a protection against sneezing, located in the L-shaped notches in the upper front edges of the side walls.

12. The cabinet unit according to claim 11, further characterized in that it includes a removable tray adapted to be placed within the contour of the sneeze guard.

13. A modular cabinet unit, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of molded polymer surfaces in a unitary construction, the surfaces consist of a bottom or bottom surface, a back surface and two side surfaces; an upper panel fixedly coupled to the upper edges of the rear and side surfaces, to thereby define a free or hollow space limited by the lower surface, the rear surface, the two side surfaces and the top panel; a valance fixedly coupled to and covering the front edges of the cabinet unit, the valance has four sides and is open in its central portion, thereby reinforcing the boundaries of the hollow space; a door pane removably coupled within the open central portion of the valance; means for removably attaching the door panel within the valance; wherein the means for the removable coupling includes tabs on the upper and lower edges of the door panel, and the corresponding coupling slots on the edges facing inwardly of the opening in the valance; wherein the two lateral surfaces include the L-shaped coupling notches at their upper front edges, and wherein the notches in the form of L, of coupling, are adapted to receive a plug-in or interchangeable, removable unit; a protection against sneezing located in the L-shaped notches in the upper front edges of the lateral surfaces; and a removable tray adapted to be placed within the contour of the sneeze guard.

14. A modular cabinet unit, characterized in that it comprises: a plurality of molded polymer surfaces in a unitary construction, the surfaces consist of a bottom surface, a back surface and two side surfaces; an upper panel fixedly coupled to the upper edges of the rear and side surfaces, to thereby define a gap or confined space by the lower surface, the rear surface, the two side surfaces and the top panel; a valance fixedly coupled to and covering the front edges of the cabinet unit, having the valance four sides and which is open in its central portion, to reinforce with this the limits of the free space or hollow; and a door panel removably coupled within the open central portion of the valance.

15. The cabinet unit according to claim 14, further characterized in that it includes the means for removably attaching the door panel within the valance.

16. The cabinet unit according to claim 15, characterized in that the means for the removable coupling includes tabs on the upper and lower edges of the door panel, and the corresponding coupling grooves or grooves on the edges of the inside face of the valance .

17. The cabinet unit according to claim 16, characterized in that the two side surfaces include the L-shaped coupling notches at their upper front edges, and wherein the L-shaped coupling notches are adapted to receive a plug-in unit. , interchangeable, removable.

18. The cabinet unit according to claim 17, further characterized in that it includes a sneeze guard located in the L-shaped notches in the upper front edges of the side surfaces.

19. The cabinet unit according to claim 18, further characterized in that it includes a removable tray adapted to be placed within the contour of the sneeze guard. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A unit storage cabinet, molded and cabinet assembly is described for the storage of supplies or retail items, the cabinet assembly includes at least two cabinet units; where the cabinet units are joined side by side; wherein each cabinet unit includes: interior and exterior polymeric surfaces formed by molding; where the surfaces are defined by multiple joined surfaces; and where each cabinet unit consists of two side walls, a rear wall, and a bottom or floor. The interior surfaces surround and define a gap or free space to contain, within the gap or free space, supplies or retail items. An opening is formed in a front portion, opposite the rear wall of the cabinet unit, for access to the storage space for supplies or retail items. The rear wall of the cabinet unit has an opening to allow access to electrical outlets, plumbing installations and other facilities. A service / work surface is fixedly coupled to the upper edges of the side walls and the rear wall. The upper portion of the service / work surface can be used for the placement of retail food and beverage dispensers.