WO2009080528A1 - Storage container for a refrigerating device - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a storage container for a refrigerating device, comprising a container body provided with a front wall (11 ) and two lateral walls (12, 13), at least the front wall (11) being formed from at least two wall sections that are different in their form and/or surface structure. Preferably, the upper wall section (2) is embodied as a dimensionally stable removable wall part (2). Said removable wall section preferably forms the upper part of the front wall and the upper parts of both of the lateral walls and is used as an interchangeable decorative strip.

Description

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Storage container for a refrigeration device

The present invention relates to a storage container for a refrigeration device, in particular a door rack, and a decorative strip for a storage container and equipped with a corresponding storage container refrigeration device.

To differentiate the different series, which are manufactured by a manufacturer of refrigerators, it is known to provide the storage container for the refrigerated goods with different decorative strips. Thus, from DE 101 17 763 A1 a storage container for mounting in the door of a refrigeration device is known, which is constructed from a container body and a decorative strip, which is mountable to the container body by a plug connection. The decorative strip is placed in front of the front of the storage container. For anchoring the decorative strip on the container body recesses may be formed on the edge of the container body, which receive projections in the mounted state at the lower edge of the decorative strip and thus produce a locking of the decorative strip on the body.

From DE 102 08 058 A1 a male profile element of two legs defining a groove is known, which can also be used as a decorative element for a door compartment of a refrigerator. It can be attached to the front of the door compartment from the top to stiffen it. On the outside of the door compartment facing side of the outer leg elastic lips are provided from a deviating from the material of the plug element elastic material.

Furthermore, from DE 10 2004 012 497 A1 discloses a refrigerator with a door rack known, in which on the curved edge of the door compartment a decorative strip of a plastic core and a metallic shell is applied. The decorative strip has a groove into which the edge of the door compartment is inserted and is plastically deformed when plugging on the edge to adapt to the course of the edge.

DE 33 01649 discloses a box with a lockable lid and a bracket formed as a lamella. - -

The present invention is based on the object to provide a storage container and a refrigeration device equipped therewith, which allows a particularly simple installation of a replaceable decorative strip. Furthermore, it is an object of the invention to provide a storage container and a corresponding decorative strip, which is particularly suitable for production by injection molding.

To solve this problem, it is proposed in a generic storage container that at least the front wall is formed from at least two wall sections, which differ in their color and / or surface structure. For example, one of the wall sections may have the color yellow, green, red, blue or mixtures thereof, while the other wall section has the color of the container body, preferably white. Furthermore, the at least two wall sections may differ in their surface structure, wherein they may be smooth, rough, embossed or coated. Due to the different color and / or surface structure, a special visual impression of the storage container is generated, which can be varied according to simple for use in different refrigerators. In contrast to the solution of DE 102 08 058 A1 so not a decorative strip is attached to a wall of a storage container, which is usable without the decorative strip. Rather, the two wall sections together form at least the front wall, which is not complete without both wall sections.

Preferably, the at least two wall sections are arranged one above the other. The upper wall section replaces a part containing the upper edge of at least the front wall, possibly also the side walls of the storage container. Preferably, the upper wall portion extends over about 10-40%, more preferably 20-30% of the height of the front wall and optionally the side walls. Preferably, the upper wall portion is dimensionally stable, so that it can constructively form part of the wall. Particularly preferably, the upper wall portion is conspicuously formed in its color and / or surface structure, while the lower wall portion has the same color and / or surface structure as the container body.

According to a first embodiment, the at least two wall sections are connected to one another in a material-locking manner, eg glued or welded. According to an alternative embodiment, the at least two wall sections are positive and / or non-positive - -

connected to each other, for example by a latching, plug-in, clamping, snap,

Screw, rivet or tongue and groove connection. Also possible is the combination of a positive connection with a material connection by adhesive.

Particularly preferably, the upper wall portion is formed as a dimensionally stable, removable wall part.

In contrast to DE 101 17 673 A1, the removable wall part is not inserted as a panel in front of the front wall, but extends at least partially over the entire thickness of the front wall, thus forming an extension of the front wall upwards.

Preferably, the dimensionally stable removable wall part forms the upper part of the front wall and the upper parts of the two side walls, thus has correspondingly three legs, which causes a special stability of the assembled storage container. Alternatively, only the upper part of the front wall and in each case the front portion of the upper part of the two side walls may be formed by the removable wall part.

Particularly preferably, both the container body and in particular the removable wall part are each formed as a plastic injection-molded part. Preferably, the removable wall part is therefore designed without openings or other forms that can affect the flow of material during injection molding. How this can be achieved will be explained in more detail below.

According to a preferred embodiment, the removable wall part with a positive connection to the front wall and, if the latter also forms the upper part of the side walls, attachable to the side walls. This is preferably a latching connection, wherein the removable wall part has at its lower edge facing the container body in a horizontal direction projecting locking lugs and the container body has at its upper edge corresponding recesses into which the latching noses are inserted. Alternatively, the locking lugs can also be arranged on the upper edge of the container body and the corresponding recesses in the lower edge of the removable edge portion. - -

Preferably, several, in particular 6-10 locking lugs are arranged at intervals at the bottom of the removable wall part, and at corresponding intervals at the upper edge of the container body, a corresponding number of recesses. The detents preferably extend over an edge length of about 4-20 mm. Alternatively, a detent may extend over the entire length of the removable wall portion or the upper edge of the container body, wherein on the complementary part of the wall part and the container body, a corresponding circumferential groove is arranged.

Preferably, the removable wall part has an inner wall and an outer wall, which are interconnected by ribs. The locking lugs are thus preferably provided in the outer wall and project in the direction of the inner wall. In the ribs preferably recesses are provided which receive the upper edge of the container body when plugging and support it to ensure a secure latching connection between locking lugs and recesses.

The inner wall, the outer wall and the ribs form a clean flow front during injection molding, so that the removable wall part with a harmonious, high-quality surface can be produced by injection molding. Particularly preferably, the ribs of the removable portion are each spaced from the locking lugs. As a result, the vortex formation is minimized during injection molding, since the material must fill either a detent or a rib each. As a result, the removable wall part can be produced virtually without weld lines and thus with appealing smooth outer surfaces as an injection molded part.

The removable wall part is preferably a decorative strip, in particular for a

Door compartment of a refrigerator or freezer. The invention thus makes it possible to attach different decorative strips to uniform storage containers in a refrigerator / freezer inner door, so as to provide brand-specific interior equipment sets or assemblies at low cost. More preferably, a plurality of differently shaped and / or colored decorative strips are provided, which are each mounted on the same container body. - -

The invention is also directed to a refrigeration device, in particular a refrigerator or a freezer, which is equipped with a storage container according to the invention.

Furthermore, the invention is directed to a decorative strip for a storage container of a refrigeration device, which comprises a front wall and two side walls. The decorative strip is formed as a dimensionally stable removable wall section, which forms an upper part of at least the front wall and optionally also the two side walls. The decorative strip is preferably designed as described above.

Finally, the invention is also directed to a set of a plurality of decorative strips, which have a different color and / or shape and are each connectable to the same Abstellbehälter. The color and / or shape of the trim strips of the interior of a refrigeration device can each give a different appearance, which, for example. can be varied brand-specific.

The decorative strips may preferably be coated with different colors to provide a different look different decorative strips. Particularly preferably, the or a decorative strip on a metallic surface.

The invention thus provides a modular storage container, in particular door rack.

In the following, embodiments of the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the drawings. In the drawings show:

1 is a perspective view of a storage container for a refrigeration device in a state in which container body and decorative strip are separated.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of the storage container of FIG. 1 with the decorative strip installed; FIG.

3 is a perspective cutaway detailed view of the connection between the decorative strip and container body. - -

4 shows a first embodiment of a decorative strip in section.

Fig. 5 shows a second embodiment of a decorative strip in section.

Fig. 1 shows a storage container 10, in this case a door rack, which can be attached at 15 to the inner door of a refrigerator. The storage container, or door rack has a container body 1 with a bottom and four side walls 1 1, 12, 13 and 14, wherein the front wall 11 facing the user and the rear wall 14 adjacent to the refrigerator interior door. The side walls 12, 13 are the shorter sides in the example shown.

As can be seen from FIG. 1, approximately the upper quarter of the front wall 11 and the two side walls 12, 13 are formed by a removable wall part 2. This has two side legs and a front leg and is placed on the container body 1. Preferably, this attachment is detachable. The front wall 11 and the

Side walls 13, 13 of the container body 1 are tapered at its upper edge in each case in a section 16, on which the removable wall part 2 is placed. In the tapered edge portion 16, a series of recesses 3 are provided, both on the interior of the refrigerator facing front wall 11, as well as on the two side walls 12, 13. In these recesses 3 engage corresponding locking lugs on the inside of the wall part 2 a which are to be explained in more detail with reference to FIGS. 3-5.

2 shows the storage container 10 of FIG. 1 with already mounted wall part 2. As can be seen, the outer sides of the removable wall part 2 with the outer sides of the front and side walls 1 1, 12 and 13 are flush, so that from the outside the impression of a uniform door compartment with an attractive surface arises. The removable wall part 2 can serve as a decorative strip by appropriate colored or other design.

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of a cut decorative strip 2, which is a wall of a container body 1 is placed. - -

The decorative strip 2 has an outer wall 5 and an inner wall 6, which are connected to one another at the upper edge 8. Between inner wall 6 and outer wall 5 transverse ribs 7 are provided for stiffening at intervals. The ribs 7 are not quite up to the lower edge of the inner and outer walls 5, 6 of the decorative strip, but approximately up to the height of the locking lugs 4. However, the ribs 7 are always arranged at a certain distance from the locking lugs 4, so that during injection molding Decorative strip 2 the material flow is not affected and thus a high-quality appearance of the decorative strip is guaranteed. Particularly preferably, a latching lug 4 is arranged in each case between two ribs 7.

The wall (front wall or side wall) of the container body 1 has at its upper edge a tapered portion 16, which is inserted when plugging the decorative strip 2 into corresponding recesses 17 in the ribs 7 of the decorative strip. Further, on the outwardly facing side of the section 16, the recesses 3 are arranged, in which the locking lugs 4 engage when pushing the decorative strip. In this way, a positive connection between decorative strip 2 and container body 1 is produced.

The function of the ribs 7 is, on the one hand, to stabilize the decorative strip 2 so that it can also structurally replace a part of the front wall and optionally of the side walls 12, 13 of the container body 1. On the other hand serve the ribs 7 with their recesses 17 to support the section 16 when the locking lugs 4 are engaged in the recesses 4. The ribs 7 thus ensure a secure latching connection.

Figures 4 and 5 show two variants of a decorative strip 2, which in each case can be plugged onto the same container body 1 to differentiate different series of a refrigerator, such as a refrigerator, optically. In the embodiment of Fig. 5, the outer wall 5 of the decorative strip 2 is flush with the outer wall of the container body 1. In the embodiment of Fig. 4, the outer wall 5 of the decorative strip 2, however, thickened and has a portion 18 which below the Locking nose 4 covers part of the wall of the container body 1. Overall, the decorative strip 5 thus makes a broader impression from the front. - -

Furthermore, the decorative strips 2 can be differentiated by more or less strong rounding at the edge 19 between the upper edge 8 and outer wall 5 from each other. Also in the color, the thickness or the width of the outer and inner walls 5, 6 different decorative strips 2 may differ from each other.

If the recesses 17 are designed to be correspondingly deep, it is also possible, if appropriate, to provide alternative embodiments in which, in contrast to the embodiment shown, the recesses 3 and latching lugs 4 can be omitted. The decorative strip 2 then holds only by inserting an upper edge 16 of the front wall 11 and the side walls 12, 13 in corresponding recesses 17 in the ribs 7 of the decorative strip. 2

Claims

- -CLAIMS First storage container (10) for a refrigeration device, comprising a container body (1) with a front wall (1 1) and two side walls (12,13), characterized in that at least the front wall (11) is formed from at least two wall sections, the differ in their color and / or surface structure. 2. Storage container according to claim 1, characterized in that the wall sections are arranged one above the other. 3. storage container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two wall sections are materially interconnected. 4. storage container according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the two wall sections are positively and / or non-positively connected to each other. 5. Storage container according to one of claims 2 or 4, characterized in that the upper wall portion (2) is designed as a dimensionally stable, removable wall part. 6. storage container (10) according to one of claims 2 to 5, characterized in that the dimensionally stable upper wall portion or the removable wall part (2) the upper part of the front wall (1 1) and the upper parts of the two side walls (12,13 ). 7. storage container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the container body (1) and the at least two wall sections (2) are each formed as a plastic injection molded part. 8. Storage container (10) according to one of claims 2 to 7, characterized in that the upper wall part or the removable wall part (2) with a positive connection on the front wall (1 1) and possibly the side walls (12,13) is fastened. - - 9. storage container (10) according to claim 8, characterized in that the removable wall part (2) at its the container body (1) facing the lower edge in a horizontal direction projecting locking lugs (4) and the container body (1) at its upper edge ( 16) corresponding recesses (3), in which the latching lugs (4) are insertable and together with these form a latching connection. 10. storage container (10) according to claim 9, characterized in that at the lower edge of the removable wall part (2) at intervals a plurality of projecting locking lugs (4) are arranged and at the upper edge of the container body (1) arranged at appropriate intervals number of recesses ( 3). 11. storage container (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the removable wall part (2) has an inner wall (6) and an outer wall (5) which are interconnected by ribs (7). 12. storage container (10) according to claim 1 1, characterized in that the latching lugs (4) in the outer wall (5) are provided. 13. storage container (10) according to claim 1 1 or 12, characterized in that the ribs (7) are each arranged at a distance from the latching noses (4). 14. Storage container (10) according to any one of claims 2 to 13, characterized in that the upper wall portion or the removable wall part (2) is a decorative strip. 15. storage container (10) according to any one of claims, characterized in that it is a door rack of a refrigerator or freezer. 16. Refrigerating appliance, in particular household refrigerator or freezer, characterized in that it is equipped with a storage container (10) according to one of claims 1 to 15. 17 decorative strip (2) for a storage container (10) of a refrigerator, wherein the storage container comprises a container body with a front wall (11) and two side walls (12,13), characterized in that the decorative strip (2) is designed as a dimensionally stable wall part , which forms an upper part of at least the front wall (1 1) of the storage container. 18. decorative strip (2) according to claim 17, characterized in that the dimensionally stable wall part (2) forms the upper part of the front wall (1 1) and the upper parts of the two side walls (12,13). 19. decorative strip (2) according to claim 17 or 18, characterized in that it comprises an inner wall (6), an outer wall (5) and ribs (7) between the inner wall (6) and outer wall (5), as well as projecting locking lugs (4 ) in the outer wall (5), wherein the latching noses (4) at a distance from the ribs (7) are arranged. 20. Set of a plurality of decorative strips (2) according to any one of claims 17 to 18, wherein the decorative strips have a different color and / or shape and each with the same container body (1) are connectable.