Drawer storage

A cold-storage appliance includes an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container. Movement of the drawer includes a major component to open or close the drawer and a minor component transverse to the major component to separate the drawer from the lid at opening.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to storage and in preferred embodiments relates to the art of cold storage, including appliances such as refrigerators and freezers for storing foodstuffs and other perishables. Other applications of the invention include storage of chemicals and medical or biological specimens. The invention also finds use in mobile applications, for example in the transport and storage of perishable goods. More generally, the invention finds use in any form of storage involving the use of drawers, and especially where the drawers carry heavy loads and need to be sealed when closed.

The invention develops and adds to the various features of the Inventor's co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT/GB00/03521 published as WO 01/20237, and co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/070,896, the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference. The invention is also derived from UK Patent Application No. 0106164.7 published as GB 2367353, the content of which is also incorporated herein by reference and from which, inter alia, the present application claims priority. As in those specifications, the invention can be applied to storing any items within a cooled environment, such as in a refrigerated goods vehicle. The term ‘appliance’ is therefore to be construed broadly, extending beyond fixed domestic devices into industrial, scientific and mobile applications. However, this specification will particularly describe domestic or commercial cold-storage appliances for storing foodstuffs.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

Briefly to recap the introduction of WO 01/20237, the advantages of storing foodstuffs and other perishable items in refrigerated and segregated conditions have long been known: refrigeration retards the degradation of such items and segregation helps to prevent their cross-contamination. Accordingly, modem cold-storage appliances such as refrigerators and freezers are usually compartmentalised, albeit not often effectively, so that a user can store different types of food in different compartments. All such appliances have the additional aim of maximising their energy efficiency.

The invention herein and the inventions in WO 01/20237 and GB 2367353 were devised against a background of typical cold-storage appliances, most of which comprise one or more upright cabinets each with a vertically-sealed hinged door on its front. Substantially all of the interior of the cabinet defines a storage volume, most commonly partitioned by shelves or drawers for supporting stored foodstuffs. Access to all of the shelves or drawers in the cabinet is gained by opening the door.

A cooler unit generates a convection loop within the cabinet, in which air cooled by the cooler unit sinks toward the bottom of the cabinet and as that air absorbs heat during its downward journey, it warms and rises back up to the cooler unit where it is cooled again. It is also possible to have forced-air circulation by means of a fan within or communicating with the cabinet. The shelves or drawers are typically made of wire so that they offer little resistance to this circulation of air.

Upright refrigerators and freezers are often combined and sold as a single-cabinet ‘fridge freezer’ unit with a refrigerator occupying an upper compartment and the freezer occupying a lower compartment, or vice versa. As different temperatures are required for the two compartments, they are partitioned by a solid divide and each compartment has its own door and cooler unit, conventionally in the form of an evaporator.

The domestic fridge freezer usually has only one compressor and the refrigerator evaporator is in series with the freezer evaporator. In that case, temperature control and measurement is usually confined to the refrigerator compartment. Where temperature control is required in both compartments, the evaporators are in parallel and have respective solenoid valves and temperature switches providing on/off cooling mass control to each compartment. In either case, however, the temperature within the respective compartments cannot be duplicated: one compartment is for chilling, so it has less insulation than the other and its temperature can be adjusted within a range above zero Celsius, and the other is for freezing, so it has more insulation than the other and its temperature can be adjusted (if at all) within a range below zero Celsius. Neither compartment can do the job of the other.

WO 01/20237 addresses a major problem with upright refrigerators and freezers, namely the upright door which, when opened, allows cold air to flow freely out of the cabinet to be replaced by warm ambient air flowing in at the top. That rush of ambient air into the cabinet causes its internal temperature to rise, hence consuming more energy in redressing that rise by running the cooler unit. The incoming ambient air introduces the possibility of airborne contamination, and moisture in that air also gives rise to condensation and ice within the cabinet. The more often and frequently the cabinet is opened, as may happen especially in commercial cold storage appliances, the worse these problems get.

In upright-door arrangements, the limitations of the vertical seal mean that loss of cold air and induction of warm air can even occur when the door is closed. Being denser than warmer air, the coldest air collects at the bottom of the cabinet and applies pressure to the sealing interface so that unless the seal forms a perfect seal between the door and the cabinet, that air will escape.

The present invention and WO 01/20237 also address the problems inherent in the well-known chest freezer, whose open-topped cabinet is typically closed by a horizontally-hinged upwardly-opening lid. Such a chest freezer is inconvenient and wasteful of space because it precludes use of the space immediately above the freezer, which space must be preserved to allow its lid to be opened. Even if a sliding lid is used instead of an upwardly-opening lid, items cannot be left conveniently on top of the lid. It is also well known that large chest freezers can make access to their contents extremely difficult, it being necessary to stoop down and shift numerous heavy and painfully cold items to get to items at the bottom of the freezer compartment.

Finally, the present invention and WO 01/20237 address the problem of segregating different types of foodstuff or other perishable items to avoid cross-contamination. In typical cold-storage appliances, segregation of food is compromised by the convection and/or forced-air principles on which those appliances rely. The substantially open baskets or shelves designed to promote convective circulation of air between the compartments also promote the circulation of moisture, enzymes and harmful bacteria. In addition, any liquid that may spill or leak, such as juices running from uncooked meats, will not be contained by the open baskets or shelves.

Conventional cold-storage appliances exemplified by upright refrigerators and chest freezers are not the only prior art disclosures of interest. For example, it has been known for many years to divide a refrigerator into compartments, each with its own dedicated door or lid. Examples of this idea are disclosed in UK Patent Nos. GB 602,590, GB 581,121 and GB 579,071, all to Earle, that describe cabinet-like refrigerators.

In those Earle documents, the front of the cabinet is provided with a plurality of rectangular openings for receiving drawers. Each drawer has a front panel larger than its respective opening so that a vertical seal is formed around the overlap when the drawer is in a closed position. The drawers and their contents are cooled by a cooler unit that circulates cooled air by convection within the cabinet, in common with the types of refrigerator already described. To promote circulation of this air amongst all of the drawers, the drawers are open-topped and have apertures in their bottoms. Also, the drawers are disposed in a stepped arrangement, those at the top of the refrigerator extending back less far into the cabinet than the lower drawers so that the rear of each drawer is exposed to the downward flow of cooled air from the cooler unit.

Although only one drawer need be opened at a time, the apertures in the bottom allow cold air to flow freely from the open drawer, which is replaced by warm moist ambient air to the detriment of energy efficiency and with the increased possibility of cross-contamination. Indeed, when a drawer is opened, cold air within the cabinet above the level of that drawer will flood out, drawing ambient air into the cabinet. Furthermore, the drawers encourage ambient air to flow into the interior of the refrigerator because, upon opening, they act as pistons drawing the ambient air into the interior of the refrigerator cabinet. Once in the cabinet, the warm air can circulate as freely as the cold air that is supposed to be there.

Even when closed, the accumulation of cold air towards the bottom of the cabinet will exert increased pressure on the vertical seals of the lowest drawers, increasing the likelihood of leakage if the seal is faulty.

A further example of the above type of refrigerator is disclosed in UK Patent No. GB 602,329, also to Earle. The refrigerator disclosed therein suffers many of the above problems but is of greater interest in that a single drawer consisting of insulated sides and base is provided within the cooled interior of the cabinet. In contrast to the variants outlined above, the sides and base are solid and not perforated so that air cannot flow through them. When the drawer is closed, a horizontal member within the cabinet combines with the drawer to define a compartment, the horizontal member thus being a lid for the drawer. This compartment is provided with its own cooling coils situated just below the horizontal member.

Very little detail is given about the seal that is formed between the drawer and the horizontal member, other than that the horizontal member has a downwardly projecting rear end with a biased edge that makes a close fit with the rear wall of the drawer. Nothing else is said about the junction between the drawer and the horizontal member, apart from the general statement that the drawer is adapted when in its closed position to fit ‘fairly snugly’ against the horizontal member. It can only be inferred that the drawer and the horizontal member merely abut against each other. Whilst this will impede the passage of air into and out of the drawer, it will not form an impervious seal. As this is not a vapour seal, icing and cross-contamination is likely to occur even when the drawer is closed.

The drawer arrangement described creates a compartment in which a different temperature can be set when compared to the essentially common temperature of the rest of the refrigerator. It is particularly envisaged that the drawer can act as a freezer compartment. The Applicant has appreciated a disadvantage in this arrangement, namely that as the freezer drawer resides within the cooled interior when closed, the outer surfaces of the drawer within the cabinet will be cooled to the temperature of the refrigerator. Accordingly, when the drawer is opened, those cooled outer surfaces will be exposed to ambient air containing moisture that will condense on the cooled surfaces leading to an undesirable accumulation of moisture. Condensation involves transfer of latent heat from water vapour to the drawer, thus increasing the burden of cooling the drawer again when the drawer is returned to the closed position within the cabinet.

Additionally, condensed moisture will be transferred to the interior of the refrigerator when the drawer is closed. As discussed above, the presence of water promotes microbial activity. A further disadvantage of introducing water into the interior of the refrigerator is that it may freeze: this can be a particular problem where the drawer of the enclosed compartment meets the insulated top, as any ice formation will form a seal that locks the drawer in a permanently closed position. In fact, the of ice formation is due to moisture migration across the interface between the drawer and the top. This disadvantage was appreciated by Earle, as a cam mechanism is mentioned in GB 602,329 to break any ice formed at the seals or on the runners or other support surfaces of the drawers. It is also possible for a build-up of ice to affect the sealing ability of the seal, by preventing mating sealing surfaces from mating correctly. Of course, the accumulation of ice on moving parts of the drawer mechanism is also undesirable as it will impede movement of the drawer.

A further interesting prior art document, cited as technological background against WO 01/20237, is U.S. Pat. No. 1,337,696 to Ewen. Ewen speaks of segregation between refrigerated drawers contained in a surrounding cabinet and employs refrigerating units placed ‘immediately and closely above each drawer . . . so that said drawer may in effect be said to be closed against said refrigerating unit’. However, there has to be a gap left between the drawer and the refrigerating unit if the drawer is going to open. As in Earle, that gap will promote icing as moist air within the cabinet migrates into the drawer and the water vapour condenses and freezes. The smaller the gap, the sooner the accumulating ice will prevent drawer movement. If a larger gap is tried instead, there will be a greater spillage of air and hence the refrigerator will be less energy-efficient and more susceptible to cross-contamination.

That aside, the spillage of cold air in Ewen lowers the temperature within the cabinet around the drawers, and so increases the likelihood of condensation on the drawers when opened. It will be noted that cold air spilled in this way can fall freely behind the drawers within the cabinet and so expose the exterior of the drawers to air substantially below ambient temperature. Certain design details of Ewen worsen this effect. For example, the bottom wall of the Ewen unit is an efficient insulator which will significantly reduce the surface temperature of the drawers. Also, the internal divisions between the drawers do not allow for ambient heat transfer to the drawers but only for heat transfer between the drawers, thus promoting drawer-to-drawer temperature equalisation over time. Left for long periods, or even overnight, large parts of the external surface of each drawer will fall to temperatures significantly below ambient dew point. Condensation or ice will therefore form on those surfaces as soon as the drawers are opened; similarly, if the drawers are removed and left outside the appliance, they will start to ‘sweat’ with condensation.

Like Earle, opening and closing a drawer within a sealed cabinet in Ewen acts like a piston, alternately applying both negative and positive pressures to adjacent areas. This promotes air transfer through the drawer opening at the front of the cabinet, which can displace cold treated air in a drawer, and within the cabinet itself. An over-sized cabinet would reduce the piston effect but would also be wasteful of space. Conversely, a more space-efficient close-fitting cabinet may decrease the displacement of cold treated air, and so reduce the burden of cooling the warmer air that takes its place, but it will increase resistance to opening and closing the drawer.

Cold air spillage aside, the gap inevitably left between a drawer and its associated lid in prior art arrangements is large enough to allow the passage of enzymes, spores and other airborne contaminants. Also, Ewen discloses a common interconnecting drain and this too would allow free transfer of contaminants between each drawer, particularly under the aforementioned piston action.

Whilst Ewen speaks of different temperatures in different drawers, the plurality of cooling lids are connected in series and have no means for individual temperature control in each drawer. The different temperatures are designed-in by providing some drawers with more cooling elements than others, but there is no measurement or control of those temperatures in use. Also, like the compartments of more conventional prior art, each drawer in Ewen has a fixed function, namely freezer or refrigerator.

Even if removed from the appliance, Ewen's drawers will stay attached to their drawer fronts and runners. This does not lend the drawers to temporary storage or transport. Moreover, like Earle, the drawers in Ewen cannot be opened fully: they can only be opened less than half-way while being supported by the structure of the appliance. This is to the detriment of access to, and visibility and illumination of, the contents.

It is against this background that the present invention has been devised.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

From one aspect, the invention resides in a cold-storage appliance including: an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein the lid is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the container to free the container from the lid upon opening or to bring the container and the lid together upon closing.

Thus, in this aspect of the invention, the lid moves to free the container for movement. In a simple arrangement that will be described, the lid can be tilted relative to the structure and the container. For example, the lid can be hinged to the structure, the hinge preferably defining a pivot axis horizontally spaced from the container so that the lid is lifted fully away from the container. More generally, it is preferred that the lid is movable transverse to the direction of movement of the container.

Beneficially, lid transport means are responsive to movement of the container or of a support means movable to support the container during said movement. The lid transport means can move the lid before the container starts moving upon opening and after the container has stopped moving upon closing. In that case, where a support means is movable to support the container during said movement, the lid transport means is preferably between the support means and the lid and responds to movement of the support means to move the lid.

The support means can be movable independently of the container, in which case the lid transport means can be responsive to relative movement between the support means and the container and more particularly to continued movement of the support means after movement of the container has ceased.

In an alternative arrangement, the lid transport means moves the lid during initial movement of the container upon opening and during final movement of the container upon closing.

The invention also resides in a cold-storage appliance including: an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein said movement of the container includes: a major component to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container; and a minor component, transverse to the major component, to free the container from the lid at the beginning of said major component upon opening or to bring the container and the lid together at the end of said major component upon closing.

In this aspect of the invention, the two-component movement of the container serves to clear the container from the lid. To avoid a wiping action on seals between the container and the lid, it is preferred that the minor component takes place before the major component upon opening and after the major component upon closing. However, it is also possible for the minor component to take place during initial movement in the direction of the major component upon opening and during final movement in the direction of the major component upon closing.

In this aspect, it is preferred that a support means is movable to support the container during the major component and that container transport means is disposed between the support means and the container to responds to movement of the support means to effect the minor component. Where the support means is movable independently of the container, the container transport means can be responsive to relative movement between the support means and the container. For instance, the container transport means is preferably responsive to continued movement of the support means after the major component of movement of the container has been completed.

The container transport means suitably includes a first part in fixed relation to the support means and a second part in fixed relation to the container, wherein relative movement between the parts accommodates said continued movement of the support means. In this case, relative movement between the parts causes the minor component of movement of the container. For example, one part can include a ramp and the other part can include a ramp follower, such as a wheel. The ramp may further be associated with stops or buffers to limit relative movement of the ramp follower.

Advantageously, the support means may also be fixed to a stabilising mechanism to resist lateral sway of the container during the major component of movement. That stabilising mechanism preferably includes pinions movable with the support means, the pinions being engaged with respective laterally-spaced racks extending in the direction of the major component.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Whilst the disclosure of the Applicant's co-pending International Patent Application No. PCT/GB00/03521 (WO 01/20237) and U.S. patent application Ser. No. 10/070,896 are incorporated herein by reference,FIGS. 1 to 4thereof are reproduced in the drawings appended to this specification and will now be described to help put the present invention into context.

FIGS. 1 to 4show a refrigerator/freezer appliance2according to Applicant's referenced International and U.S. patent applications. The appliance2is of upright cuboidal configuration, and comprises five rectangular-fronted drawers4arranged one above another and housed in a cabinet6comprising top8, bottom10, side12and rear14panels. Any of these panels can be omitted if it is desired to build the appliance2into a gap between other supporting structures; in particular, the side panels12can be omitted if neighbouring cupboards can be relied upon for support or otherwise to perform the function of the side panels12. The panels8,10,12,14may or may not be structural but if they are not, a frame (not shown) provides support for the various parts of the appliance. If a frame is provided, it is structurally unnecessary to have panels.

The drawers4can be slid horizontally into and out of the cabinet6by means of tracks or runners on the sides of the drawers4that will be described in more detail below. If there is no back panel14, it is theoretically possible for a drawer4to be removed from the cabinet6in more than one direction, as shown inFIG. 2.

Each drawer4comprises an insulated open-topped bucket-like container16, at least one container16(in this case, that of the central drawer4) being of a different depth to the other containers16to define a different internal volume. These containers16will be referred to in this specific description as storage bins or more simply as bins16. The bottom bin16leaves only a narrow gap to the bottom panel10of the cabinet6, whereas the top bin16leaves a substantial space at the top of the appliance2under the top panel8, allowing room for a compartment18that accommodates a refrigerator engine20, for example including condenser and compressor means as is well known.

The relatively deep bin16of central drawer4is intended to hold bottles and other relatively tall items stored upright, whereas the other, relatively shallow bins16are for correspondingly shallower items. Compared to the shelves and other compartments defining the main storage volume of a conventional upright cold-storage appliance, all of the bins16have a favourable aspect ratio in terms of the substantial width of the access opening compared to the depth of the compartment thereby accessed. It is therefore very easy to reach every part of the interior of a bin16when a drawer4is opened,

The interior of the cabinet6is divided by five insulated lids22, one for each drawer4, that are generally planar and horizontally disposed. When a drawer4is closed, the open top of its associated bin16is closed by an appropriate one of the lids22in a manner to be described. The lids22include cooling means24being evaporator elements of known type disposed in the lower face26of each lid22to cool the contents of a bin16closed by that lid22.

Each bin16has a generally flat front face28that is exposed when the drawer4is closed. The front face28could be provided with a decorative panel as is well known. When the drawer4is closed, the front face28of the bin16is bordered at the top by a control and display panel30dedicated to that bin16, the panel30being co-planar with the front face28. The panel30is supported by the front edge32of the appropriate lid22, the panel30being recessed into the front edge32of the lid22.

The control and display panel30contains a number of displays, switches and audible alarms, thus providing a user interface for each bin16. For example, the interface will most commonly be used for selecting the temperature to which the bin16is to be cooled, but also contains temperature displays, on/off and fast-freeze switches, a light indicating when the drawer4is open and an audible alarm to indicate when the drawer4has been open longer than a predetermined time or when the temperature inside the bin16has reached an upper or lower threshold.

A rounded handle34extends across substantially the entire width of the top portion of the front face28to enable the drawer4to be pulled out when access to the interior of the bin16is required.

The bottom of the front face28of each bin16is bordered by a slot36that, as will be described, admits ambient air into the cabinet6. To do so, each slot36communicates with an air gap38extending beneath the entire bottom face40of the associated bin16to meet a void42maintained behind each bin16, the void42being defined by the inner surfaces of the back14and side12panels of the cabinet6and the backs44of the bins16. As can be seen particularly fromFIG. 4, the void42extends behind each bin16from the base panel10of the cabinet6to communicate with the refrigerator engine compartment18at the top of the cabinet6.

The air gaps38beneath the bins16and the void42behind the bins16also communicate with air gaps38to the sides48of the bins16. Optionally, vents46are provided in the side panels12of the cabinet6adjacent to the bins16through which ambient air can also be admitted. As best illustrated inFIGS. 3 and 4, air gaps38extend around all bar the top side of each bin16, so that ambient air entering the cabinet6through the slots36can circulate freely around the sides48, bottom40and rear44of each bin16. It will also be noted that ambient air can circulate freely over the top surface50of each lid22. To allow this airflow over the uppermost lid22, which does not have a bin16above, a slot36is provided under the front face52of the refrigerator engine compartment18.

It will be noted that the piston action created by opening a drawer4that sucks ambient air into the interior of the appliance2does not pose a problem in this invention. In fact, this action is advantageous as it promotes circulation of ambient air within the cabinet6.

FIG. 4shows that the refrigerator engine compartment18includes an impeller54exhausting through apertures56provided in the front face52of the refrigerator engine compartment18. As best seen inFIG. 1, these apertures56extend horizontally across the width of the front face52. The impeller54communicates with the void42behind the bins16to draw air from the void42, thus continuously promoting the induction of ambient air through the slots36and the optional side vents46. Upon entering the refrigerator engine compartment18, this air is drawn through the heat-exchange matrix58of the condenser.

Accordingly, ambient air entering the cabinet6through the front slots36and, if provided, the side vents46, leaves the cabinet6through the apertures56provided in the front face52of the refrigerator engine compartment18, and so ambient air is circulated through the cabinet6. More specifically, ambient air enters the appliance2where it immediately comes into contact with the outer surfaces40,44,48of the bins16and warms them to ambient temperature (or substantially so, as a surface resistance effect means that a sub-ambient boundary layer will remain due to the temperature gradient across the thickness of the bin wall) before being drawn towards the void42and then upwards through the void42by the circulation of the air. The arrows ofFIG. 4demonstrate this circulation of air through the appliance2. Accordingly, the interior of the cabinet6is kept close to ambient temperature, and only the interior of each bin16is cooled.

By exposing the external surfaces28,40,44,48of the bin16to warmer air than it contains, there is no problem with condensation on the external surfaces28,40,44,48, and hence no problem with latent heat transfer to the bin16or the icing and cross-contamination difficulties of condensed water entering the cabinet6.

In any event, cross-contamination would be unlikely to occur because each bin16is tightly sealed when its drawer4is closed. So, even if microbes enter the cabinet6, they cannot readily gain access to other bins16. It is also unlikely that two bins16would be open together at any given time. It would be possible to include means for enforcing this, for example using a mechanism akin to that used in filing cabinets for anti-tilt purposes, by preventing more than one drawer4being opened at a time. Such a mechanism will be described later.

When a bin16is open, its open top does not suffer much spillage of cold air, and when a bin16is closed, the horizontal seals60apt to be used in the invention are inherently better at sealing-in cold air than the vertical seals commonly used in upright refrigerators and freezers. Whilst horizontal seals are known in chest freezers, this invention does not suffer the inconvenience and space problems of chest freezers, instead being akin in those respects to the much more popular upright appliances. The seals60can have magnetic qualities, for example being operable by permanent magnets or electromagnets, or may employ hydraulics or pneumatics to expand or contract them.

As there has to be a large temperature gradient between the cooled inner surfaces62of each bin16and its outer surfaces28,40,44,48, the bins16are constructed from an efficient insulating material so that the gradient is easily maintained with the outer surfaces28,40,44,48remaining close to the ambient temperature. Materials such as phenolic foam or polyurethane foam (optionally skinned with GRP or a polycarbonate in a composite structure) are particularly preferred for the construction of the bins16.

If segregation of the contents of a particular bin16is required, that bin16may be fitted with removable inserts64. The inserts64are of varying shape and dimensions and may be used to define many types of compartments. For instance, an insert64may be a thin partition with a length corresponding to the length or width of the bin16in which it is received. An insert64may be a box, with or without a lid, or an insert64may include clips for holding bottles in place or trays for holding eggs or the like. An insert64could also be a wire basket or shelf.

As can be seen inFIG. 2, one or more of the bins16can be removed from the appliance2and fitted with an insulated transport cover66. The bin16may then be taken away from the appliance2, its insulated construction ensuring that it keeps its contents cool for a limited period of time. For instance, the bin16may be used as a cool-box, possibly in conjunction with ice-packs to keep the interior cool for as long as possible. Alternatively, the bin16with transport cover66may be kept close to the appliance2to provide added temporary cooled storage capacity, further bins16being fitted to the appliance2in that event. Further details of transport cover arrangements will be given later.

It is also possible for a transport cover66to include a refrigerator engine powered internally by batteries or a gas supply or externally by mains electricity or a vehicle electricity supply.

Although not shown in the general views ofFIGS. 1 to 4, the Applicant's referenced co-pending International and U.S. patent applications discloses ways in which a bin16can be moved with a major horizontal component of movement to gain access to the interior of the bin16and, during that access movement, also with a minor vertical component of movement to clear the lid22. In subsequent development, the Inventor has devised other ways of clearing the lid22and gaining access to the bin16. The Inventor has also devised other technical changes and improvements to the referenced co-pending applications. That new matter will now be described with reference to the remaining Figures, in which the aforesaid reference numerals are used for like parts where possible.

InFIG. 5, for example, the lid22is movable with respect to the structure to separate the lid22from the bin16, thereby allowing the bin16to be moved subsequently in a single opening direction parallel to the general plane of the closed lid22, i.e. having only a horizontal component of movement in the embodiment shown. In the very simple example shown inFIG. 5, the lid22is attached to the structure behind the rear edge of the lid22by horizontal hinges68that enable the lid22to be pivoted upwardly at its front edge to an extent limited by the bin16above. This upward movement of the lid22lifts compressible magnetic seals60off the top edge70of the bin16and is sufficient to free the bin16to be slid horizontally on simple runners, with no need for the cranks, rollers, ramps and so on that are variously described in WO 01/20237 to effect vertical movement of the bin16upon opening and closing. The raised lid22is held up by a counterbalance weight72or a spring compensation device that biases the lid22into the raised position ready for the return of the bin16and optionally also into the lowered position atop the bin16when the bin16has been returned and the lid22has been lowered back onto the top edge70of the bin16.

It will be appreciated that the position of the hinges68behind the rear edge of the bin16ensures that the rearmost seals60are lifted clear of the bin16or that their pressure upon the top edge70of the bin16is at least reduced to the extent necessary to free the bin16for horizontal movement.

It is emphasised that the simple arrangement ofFIG. 5is shown merely to illustrate the concept of a moving lid22and that other ways of raising a lid22can clearly be devised. For example, an arrangement of solenoids, actuators, cams or cranks can be used to raise the entire lid22into a raised position that is generally parallel to its lowered position. It is also possible to retract the seals60upwardly into the lid22or downwardly into the bin16so as to free the bin16for movement.

Movement of the lid22can also be linked to the movement of the associated bin16or of a movable support for that bin16, so that initial opening movement of the bin16or its support causes the lid22to move apart from the bin16and, vice-versa, at or toward the end of a closing movement of the bin16or its support.

In another way of clearing the lid22and gaining access to the bin16, the Inventor has realised the potential benefit of separating horizontal and vertical movement of the bin16. Put more specifically, the Inventor sees benefit in ensuring that when the bin16and the lid22come into contact with each other, that contact does not involve a sliding or wiping motion which otherwise could cause the seals60to wear and deteriorate over long periods of frequent use. Such a sliding or wiping motion across the seals60should also be avoided when the bin16and the lid22are pulled apart. The movable-lid variant ofFIG. 5has this benefit, as does the fixed-lid variant ofFIGS. 6(a) and6(b) which will now be described.

InFIG. 6(a), a drawer4in accordance with the invention is closed with its bin16sealed to the associated lid22by being raised against the lid22to compress a peripheral horizontal seal60.FIG. 6(b) shows the same drawer4in two further positions. In solid lines, to the left inFIG. 6(b), the drawer4is partially open in that the bin16has dropped vertically away from the lid22to clear the seal60, but the bin16has not moved horizontally. In dashed lines, to the right inFIG. 6(b), the drawer4is fully open: the bin16has been moved horizontally on telescopic runners74to afford access to its interior.

The telescopic runners74are of two- or three-piece construction, asFIG. 7also shows. An outer rail76is attached to the adjacent side panel78of the cabinet and so remains stationary in use, whilst one or more inner rails80travel forward and back as the drawer4is opened and closed. As the rails76,80reside within the interior of the cabinet that remains at or near to the ambient temperature, there is no problem of ice formation that could jam the sliding movement of the rails76,80.

FIGS. 6(a) and6(b) show a bin transport mechanism associated with the telescopic runners. That mechanism is also shown inFIG. 7in a front part-sectional detail view. Specifically, the bin transport mechanism on each side of the bin16comprises a transport plate82fixed to the respective telescopic runner. As can be appreciated inFIG. 7, the transport plate82lies generally vertically beside the bin16and its vertical upper portion84is folded away from the bin16to define a recess between itself and the bin16. That recess accommodates a pair of vertically-oriented movement transfer wheels86that are rotatably attached by horizontal spindles88to the upper portion84.FIGS. 6(a) and6(b) show that the pair of movement transfer wheels86are disposed one forward, one rearward on each transport plate82to each side of the bin16.

Each movement transfer wheel86is received by and constrained to move m a respective wheel housing90. Each wheel housing90comprises a wheel channel92being an inverted U-section that opens downwardly to receive an upper portion of each movement transfer wheel86and to constrain that wheel86against sideways movement. The base of the U-section bears against and supports a horizontal shoulder surface under an overhanging flange94that is integral with the wall of the bin16. As can be seen inFIG. 8, the wheel channels are under respective opposed ends of the flange94and are linked by a length of flat bar96that also lies under the flange94. The central portion of the flange94between the wheel housings90overhangs that bar96to define a convenient lifting handle for use when the bin16is removed from the appliance2.

Each movement transfer wheel86can move forwardly and rearwardly within its associated wheel housing90to a limited extent with respect to the bin16. Accordingly, each wheel housing90has formations associated with the wheel channel that constrain and control the movement of the respective movement transfer wheel with respect to the bin16. Those formations are best shown in the detail view ofFIG. 9of the drawings.

Firstly, forward and rearward movement of the movement transfer wheel with respect to the bin16is limited by forward and rearward buffers98,100respectively. Each buffer98,100defines a respective rest position for the movement transfer wheel96so that when the movement transfer wheel96is against the forward buffer98, the wheel96is at a forward rest position and when the wheel96is against the rearward buffer100, the wheel96is at a rearward rest position.

Conveniently, the rearward buffer100of a rearward wheel housing90has a resilient backstop102on its rearward surface as shown inFIG. 9, that bears against a suitable fixed barrier (not shown) to limit the rearward travel of the bin16.

Secondly, restraining fingers104,106extend from the buffers98,100substantially parallel to the base of the wheel channel92. The fingers104,106, the buffers98,100and the wheel channel92define pockets that can receive the movement transfer wheel86at the respective rest positions and the resilient fingers104,106prevent that wheel moving away from the wheel channel when at either of those positions. Specifically, a forward restraining finger104extends rearwardly from the forward buffer98and a rearward restraining finger106extends forwardly from the rearward buffer100. The forward restraining finger104has the additional feature of a free end portion108bent toward the wheel channel92to define an opening narrower than the diameter of the associated movement transfer wheel86. The forward restraining finger104is resiliently flexible to allow the movement transfer wheel86to pass through the opening into the forward rest position, where the wheel86is then engaged and held by the resilience of the forward restraining finger104. Moving the movement transfer wheel86back out of the forward rest position is only possible upon overcoming the resilience of the forward restraining finger104.

Thirdly, a track connects the buffer plates98,100to define a running surface for the movement transfer wheel86. The track has flat end portion442s110,112parallel to the base of the wheel channel92, namely a forward end portion110attached to the base of the wheel channel92and a rearward end portion112spaced from the base of the wheel channel92. Those end portions110,112coincide with the forward and rearward rest positions of the movement transfer wheel86and are connected by a ramp114.

A resilient stud116at the junction between the rearward end portion112and the ramp114creates an obstacle that must be overcome if the movement transfer wheel86is to move out of its rearward rest position and then forwardly along the ramp114. This stud116therefore helps to keep the movement transfer wheel86in its rearward rest position at which the drawer4is closed and the bin16is sealed to the lid22. Also, the feel of the drawer movement as the movement transfer wheel86over-rides the stud116gives the user a positive indication of when the drawer4and the bin16have reached their closed and sealed states.

Elegantly, the buffers98,100, the track110,112,114and the restraining fingers104,106are folded or fabricated in a single component that it simply fixed within the base and side walls of the wheel channel92, as shown inFIG. 9. The wheel channel92spreads the loads applied to the track110,112,114, buffers98,100and restraining fingers104,106in use, and applies those loads to the bin16via the flange94.

FIGS. 10(a) and10(b) show how the height of the bin16with respect to the runners74responds to the position of the movement transfer wheel86within the wheel housing90. It will be appreciated fromFIG. 10(a) that when the movement transfer wheel86is in the rearward rest position against the rearward buffer100, the wheel channel92and hence the bin16is raised, whereas when the movement transfer wheel86moves along the ramp114to the forward rest position against the forward buffer98, the wheel channel92and hence the bin16is lowered.

Returning then toFIGS. 6(a) and6(b) to see the bin transport mechanism in operation,FIG. 6(a) shows the bin16raised against and sealed to the associated lid22. In this instance, the bin16has been slid to its rearmost extent, as has the runner74with the attached transport plate82. The runner74has been slid rearwardly to that extent by pushing the attached front panel118of the drawer4rearwardly as far as it can go. Consequently, the movement transfer wheels86supported by the transport plate82are forced into the rearward rest position with respect to their respective wheel housings90, at which position the wheel channels92and hence the bin16are raised.

The left-hand portion ofFIG. 6(b) in solid lines shows how opening the drawer4by pulling a handle120on its front panel118initially pulls the runner74and the attached transport plate82forwards. The bin16does not move forwards during that initial forward movement of the front panel118and runner74; instead, the movement transfer wheels86supported by the transport plate82move into the forward rest position: this allows the bin16to drop away vertically from the lid22. It will also be apparent that when they reach their forward rest positions, each movement transfer wheel86bears against the respective forward buffer98and so can transmit continued horizontal drawer-opening force to the bin16. In this way, when the bin16has cleared the seal60, the drawer4can be opened fully into the position shown in dashed lines to the right inFIG. 6(b), in which the interior of the bin16is fully accessible. During that movement, the upwardly-bent free end portion108of the forward retaining finger104holds the movement transfer wheel86resiliently in the forward rest position so that the bin16does not move about unduly with respect to the runners74. It will be noted that this opening movement of the bin16involves no sliding or wiping action across the seal60.

When the drawer is fully open, the bin16can be removed from the appliance2. Preferably, the wheel housings90joined by the flat bar96remain behind when the bin16is removed in this way. However, it would also be possible to lift the bin16together with its wheel housings90so that the wheel housings90are lifted off the movement transfer wheels86. In that event, it will be apparent fromFIG. 9that a gap between the free ends of the retaining fingers104,106is just large enough for a movement transfer wheel86to pass through it when the bin16is lifted in this way. To reach that gap, it may be necessary to push the movement transfer wheel86rearwardly from the forward rest position past the upwardly-bent free end portion108of the forward retaining finger104.

FIGS. 11(a) and11(b) are akin toFIGS. 6(a) and6(b) but show a variant in which closing a drawer4and opening it over the initial range of movement is lever-assisted. Such assistance may be particularly useful when closing a heavily-laden drawer4, bearing in mind the need to lift the bin16slightly over the final portion of the drawer-closing movement. Elegantly, the front panel118of the drawer4serves as the lever by being pivotally attached to the runner74and/or the transport plate82such that the pivot axis122lies horizontally just below the mid point of the front panel118. Consequently, when the handle120at the top of the front panel118is pulled upon opening the drawer4, the front panel118pivots about the pivot axis122(in a clockwise direction as drawn) and this causes the lower edge124of the front panel118to press against the lower front part of the bin16. That pressure assists the relative movement between the runner74and the bin16that is necessary for the bin16to drop away from the lid22.

More specifically, the lower edge124of the front panel118is associated with a bar126that engages a downwardly-opening hook128fixed to the front face of the bin16. As the hook128opens downwardly, it allows the bin16to move up and down when making or breaking the seal; it also allows the bin16to be removed from the appliance2by lifting it off the movement transfer wheels86as aforesaid. Yet, when the drawer4is being closed and closing pressure is therefore applied to the handle120at the top edge of the front panel118(which causes the front panel118to pivot in an anti-clockwise direction as drawn), the bar126applies force to the bin16via the hook126to hold the bin16while pushing the runner74rearwardly with respect to the bin16. It is this relative movement that lifts the bin16against the lid22and benefits most from the mechanical advantage afforded by the lever.

A further feature evident fromFIGS. 6(a) and6(b) andFIGS. 11(a) and11(b) is a rack-and-pinion mechanism130whose primary purpose is to resist lateral sway of a drawer4supported by the runners74as it opens and closes. The rack-and-pinion mechanism130is also shown in plan view inFIG. 12. In that mechanism, an arm132depends rearwardly and downwardly from the transport plate82on each side of a bin16(the outline of which is shown in dashed lines inFIG. 12)and terminates in a bearing134defining a horizontal axis of rotation below and behind the rearward face of the bin16. As can be appreciated fromFIG. 12, the bearings134of the respective arms132align and co-operate to support a horizontal spindle136that spans the gap between the arms132.

The spindle136, in turn, supports a pair of pinions138fixed to the spindle136such that one pinion138is disposed adjacent each end of the spindle136, just inboard of each bearing134that supports the spindle136. The pair of pinions138are engaged with a correspondingly-spaced pair of parallel racks140that are on top of the lid22or other horizontal surface (notably the top surface of the base panel) below the drawer4in question, and extend orthogonally to the spindle136from the front to the back of that lid22or surface, at least as far as the opening movement of the drawer4dictates.

In use, when the drawer4is being opened or closed, the pinions138are constrained by the interconnecting spindle136to turn with one another. Any lateral sway experienced by the drawer4tends to move the spindle136out of its orthogonal relationship with the racks140, and so tries to create a speed differential between the pinions138as they move along the racks140. This conflict therefore causes one pinion138to apply torque to the other pinion138via the spindle136; that torque tends to correct or at least resist the incipient sway. The spindle136may twist slightly as a result of the applied torque but this helps to prevent either of the pinions138skipping out of engagement with their racks140and hence potentially out of alignment with each other.

FIG. 12also shows a limit switch142near the rear of one of the racks140, and a locking solenoid144also associated with the rack140but positioned slightly forward of the limit switch142. The purpose of the locking solenoid144is to prevent the associated drawer4being opened, by for example blocking forward movement of the arm132that depends from the transport plate82. On the other hand, the limit switch142interacts with the arm132of the transport plate82, or with the spindle136supported by that arm132, to sense opening and closing of the drawer4.

By virtue of its rearmost position as shown inFIG. 12, the limit switch142is triggered when the transport plate82and its associated arm132is moved into or from its rearmost position consistent with sealing the bin16against the lid22. If the bin16is not sealed in that way, this will be indicated by the transport plate82and its associated arm132being forward of its rearmost position and will be sensed by the limit switch142. In that case, the limit switch142can be used to trigger an alarm (preferably after a timeout period has elapsed) and/or to cause the corresponding solenoids144of other drawers to lock their drawers4closed until the open or unsealed drawer4has been returned to its closed position and its bin16has been sealed against the associated lid22. This allows only one drawer4to be open at a time and so provides an anti-tilt facility akin to a filing cabinet that, in the context of cold storage, also has the unique benefit of limiting cross-contamination between items stored in different drawers4.

The locking solenoid144can also be controlled independently of a limit switch, for example by connecting all of the solenoids144of a multi-drawer appliance2to enable central locking of all of its drawers4, preferably by a common key-operated switch (not shown). Preferably, to the benefit of energy consumption, the solenoid144unlocks its drawer4when energised and so locks that drawer4when de-energised. More preferably in such an arrangement, all of the drawers4remain locked with their solenoids144de-energised until a user-selected one of the drawers4is unlocked by, for example, pressing an appropriate button to energise its solenoid144or touching a corresponding touch-switch associated with the handle of that drawer4. Once energised, a solenoid144may remain energised constantly until another drawer4is selected to be opened; preferably, however, that solenoid144is de-energised after a timeout period to lock its drawer4until a user selects that drawer4to be unlocked once more.

Whilst electric locking solenoids144have been mentioned, it will be clear to the skilled reader that other actuators or locking mechanisms operating on hydraulic, pneumatic or mechanical principles can be used instead.

Returning to the appliance2itself,FIGS. 13(a) and13(b) show preferred details of the lids22to which the bins16seal when fitted in the appliance2.FIG. 13(a) shows that the lid22is oblong in plan view. The oblong dashed outlines of features below the lid22are also apparent. Starting inwardly and moving outwardly, those features are an evaporator194disposed centrally on the underside of the lid22, a drain pan196disposed beneath the evaporator194to catch water that drips from the evaporator194, and a recess198in the underside of the lid22that accommodates both the drain pan196and the evaporator194.

As best appreciated fromFIG. 13(b), which is a cross-section on line A—A ofFIG. 13(a), the recess198is bounded by a peripheral skirt200depending from the lid22. A pair of oblong compressible seals60lie one within the other on the lower end face202of the skirt200. Those seals60are continuous save for an opening that accommodates an oblong-section drainage duct204leading rearwardly from the drain pan196. The drain pan196has an inclined base206to lead water toward that drainage duct204, from which the water is channelled away from the lid22asFIG. 14will explain. A temperature sensor (not shown) can penetrates the skirt200above the seals60to measure the temperature within the cavity sealed by the bin16and the lid22.

FIG. 14shows how it is preferred that separate drain ducts208run from each drain pan196of a multi-bin appliance2. This minimises the risk of cross-contamination. Each duct208includes a U-bend210defining a sealing water trap and drains separately to a common tray212. That tray212may be located above a compressor214of the appliance2as shown so that, over time, heat emanating from the compressor214evaporates the water from the tray212at least as quickly as that water accumulates in the tray212. In addition or in the alternative, the condenser fan of the appliance2(not shown) can blow across the surface of water in the tray212so as to promote its evaporation.

FIGS. 15(a) and15(b) show a further lid design suitable for use in a fan coil cooling system in which air is supplied to the bin16and extracted from the bin16via a remote fan coil unit. Such a system is also known as a forced air system, and the lid22inFIGS. 15(a) and15(b) is hollow and partitioned to govern the flow of air on which such systems depend. Thus, cold air cooled by a heat exchanger (not shown) is piped under pressure from a fan (not shown) into a supply air plenum216disposed peripherally within the lid22, from which that air enters the bin through supply air diffusion slots218around a base panel220defining the underside of the lid22. Warmer air is extracted from the bin16through a centrally-disposed return air plenum222that communicates with the bin16through a central hole224in the base panel220and with the fan through a pipe226extending through the surrounding supply air plenum216. The warmer air is drawn into the return air plenum222under low pressure created by the fan, and is then sent to the heat exchanger to be cooled and recirculated via the supply air plenum216.

Apart from the vertical array of drawers4common to the embodiments described above, a side-by-side arrangement of drawers4is also contemplated as shown inFIGS. 16(a),16(b) and16(c). The front view ofFIG. 16(a) shows a four-drawer bench-type appliance268(to whichFIGS. 23 and 24also refer) in which the drawers4are in two adjacent columns of two drawers4each. Thus, the appliance268is low enough to have a worktop270over the drawers4, straddling the two columns. This embodiment of the invention is therefore suitable for use as a refrigerated food preparation and/or servery unit.

The depth of the drawers4is maximised within the limited available height by mounting the refrigerator engine272and control panel274in a side-slung position to one side of the appliance268as shown. Also, the side view ofFIG. 16(b) and the enlarged detail cross-sectional view ofFIG. 16(c), taken on line X—X ofFIG. 16(a), shows that the front edge of the worktop270has a raised lip276that helps to prevent spillages on the worktop270dripping down onto or into the drawers4below.

FIGS. 16(a) and16(b) also show how an appliance268of the invention can be mounted on castors278; those castors278can be height-adjustable to level the appliance268on a non-level floor280.

Referring now toFIGS. 17 to 24, these show two further bin transport mechanisms being alternatives to those shown inFIGS. 6 to 11above. They address potential disadvantages of the previously-described bin transport mechanisms. One disadvantage is that when the drawer of theFIGS. 6 to 11embodiments is extended and is pushed sharply when being closed, the wheels86will tend to travel up the ramps114before the rearward drawer movement is complete, so raising the bin16and possibly risking a clash when the rear top edge of the bin16encounters the front lower edge of the lid22. A steady motion is therefore essential to return the drawer to its fully closed position before further pressure pushes the wheels86up the ramps114to seal the bin16to the lid22. Another disadvantage is that the wheel spindles88take the weight of the bin16and the seal compression forces, which increases the risk of failure.

Looking firstly atFIGS. 17(a) to17(c), the bin transport mechanism on each side of the bin16comprises a transport plate408fixed to a telescopic runner410, the transport plate408lying generally vertically beside the bin16. Unlike the embodiments ofFIGS. 6 to 11, the transport plate408extends downwardly below the bin16to terminate in an inwardly-directed flange412disposed orthogonally with respect to the transport plate408. The flange412lies between the underside of the bin16and the lid22of the bin16below, or an equivalent structure, and is connected to the lid22of the bin16below, or the equivalent structure, via a telescopic runner414that lies horizontally. The purpose of that runner414is to resist lateral sway of a drawer4supported by a pair of runners410as it opens and closes. Such an anti-sway runner414can be to one side of the bin16, to both sides of the bin16or can be disposed centrally within respect to the bin16.

Vertically-oriented movement transfer wheels416are disposed in pairs, each pair comprising one wheel416disposed above the other for rolling contact between them while transmitting bin weight and seal compression loads from one wheel416to the other. The pairs of movement transfer wheels416are disposed one pair forward, one pair rearward on each transport plate408to each side of the bin16.

The wheels416of each pair are rotatably attached by respective horizontal spindles418to a wheel plate420that floats vertically within a pocket defined by a wheel bracket422attached to the transport plate408. The wheel plate420is free to move vertically within the pocket but is restrained against falling out of the pocket by a retaining flange424on its upper end. The flange424defines a shoulder that bears against the wheel bracket422at the top edge of the pocket when the wheel plate420is at its lowest point within the pocket.

A transport plate408fitted with wheel brackets422each carrying a respective wheel plate420and a pair of wheels416is shown inFIG. 19.

The upper wheel416of each pair is received by and constrained to move in a respective wheel housing. Each wheel housing comprises a wheel channel defined between a cover plate426that partially shrouds the wheel bracket422, and an inverted L-section428that bears against and supports a horizontal shoulder surface under an overhanging flange430projecting from the wall of the bin16. The flange430extends around the front, sides and rear of the bin16and the L-section428forms part of a bin support frame432illustrated inFIG. 20. The flange430that extends around the bin16sits on the frame432in such manner that the bin16can be lifted out of the frame432.

Each upper wheel416can move forwardly and rearwardly within its associated wheel housing to a limited extent with respect to the bin16, and each wheel housing has formations associated with the wheel channel that constrain and control the movement of the upper wheel416with respect to the bin16. Those formations are best shown in isolation in the detail view ofFIG. 21of the drawings.

Forward and rearward buffers434,436limit forward and rearward movement of the upper wheel416with respect to the bin16, and a track438connects the buffers434,436to define a running surface for the upper wheel. The buffers434,436and the track438are folded or fabricated in a single housing component440. The track438has a flat end portion442at its forward end adjacent the forward buffer434, parallel to the base of the wheel channel. Moving rearwardly from the flat end portion442, the track438defines a forward ramp portion444that slants downwardly and a rearward ramp portion446that slants upwardly to the rearward buffer436, the ramp portions444,446between them defining an inverted ridge448.

The wheel housings are part of a bin support frame432shown inFIG. 20that defines the wheel channel and supports the housing components440defining the buffers434,436and tracks438. The front housing component440is lower than the rear housing component440by virtue of a packing strip450between the L-section428and the front housing component440.

FIG. 20also shows that the rear of the bin support frame432comprises a rear bin support channel452that carries a support bracket454. An engaging lever456is pivotally attached by a spindle458to the support bracket454for limited movement about a horizontal pivot axis. The lever456comprises an arm460extending forwardly from the spindle458and a crank462depending rearwardly and downwardly from the spindle458, the crank462terminating in a leg464. The weight and length of the arm460creates a torque acting about the spindle458that exceeds the opposing torque created by the weight and length of the crank462and leg464. Thus, gravity biases the lever456which tends to pivot clockwise as shown, with the arm460moving downwardly. However, the lever460cannot reach an equilibrium position of balance about the pivot: instead, the movement of the arm460is restrained by encountering a rearward extension466of the transport plate408as the bin16moves forwardly with respect to the arm460, as will be explained below with reference toFIGS. 22(a) to22(d).

As will also be explained with reference to those Figures, a striker plate468is fixed to the structure of the appliance at the rear of the drawer compartment and the leg464of the crank462is positioned to bear against the striker plate468when the drawer is closed. This lifts the arm460of the lever out of engagement with the rearward extension466of the transport plate408.

A resilient back-stop470fixed to the structure of the appliance bears against the support bracket454when the drawer is closed so as to limit the rearward travel of the bin16.

As best shown inFIG. 17(c) andFIGS. 22(a) to22(d), a shelf472faces inwardly from the structure of the appliance to one side of the bin16, just above the runner410. Platforms474are disposed one forwardly and one rearwardly on the upper face of the shelf472to correspond to the positions of the wheel pairs416. A packing strip450between the rearward platform474and the shelf472corresponds to the packing strip450between the front housing component440and the L-section428.

The purpose of the two packing strips450is to ensure that the lower wheel416of the rearward pair clears the forward platform474as the bin16is opened on its runners410.

The forward end of each platform474is tapered to define a ramp up which the lower wheel416of the respective pair can run to mount the platform474. The weight of the bin16is then borne by the shelf472via the wheels416(whose spindles458bear no load), the track438on which the upper wheel416runs, the L-section428forming part of the bin support frame432, and the flange430that extends around the bin16and sits on the frame432.

FIGS. 22(a),22(b),22(c) and22(d) show the bin transport mechanism in operation, with reference to a rearward pair of wheels416with its associated wheel housing, wheel bracket422and wheel plate420. It will be apparent that the movement of the forward pair of wheels416with respect to its associated wheel housing broadly corresponds to that of the rearward pair of wheels416shown in these Figures.

FIG. 22(a) shows the bin16raised against and sealed to the associated lid22. In this instance, the bin16has been slid to its rearmost extent defined by abutment of the support bracket454with the resilient back-stop470, as has the runner410with the attached transport plate408. Consequently, the pair of wheels416supported by the transport plate408via the wheel bracket422and wheel plate420is forced into a rearward position with respect to its wheel housing, at which position the upper wheel416of the pair is on the rearward ramp portion446near the ridge448. Simultaneously, the lower wheel416of the pair is supported by the platform474to transfer loads between the bin16and the shelf472that holds the platform474. Thus, the wheel channels and hence the bin16are raised, compressing the seal (not shown) between the bin16and the lid22. It will also be noted that the leg464of the crank462bears against the striker plate468, which lifts the arm460of the lever456.

FIG. 22(b) shows the next step, in which the transport plate408has been pulled forward such that the pair of wheels416adopts a forward position with respect to its wheel housing. At this position, the upper wheel416of the pair has surmounted the ridge448, rolled along the forward ramp portion444and onto the flat end portion442of the track438adjacent the forward buffer434. The ridge448therefore acts as a detent against opening that holds the drawer closed, but can be overcome with minimal effort upon opening.

At the stage shown inFIG. 22(b), the lower wheel416of the pair is still supported by the platform474to bear the weight of the bin16, but the position of the upper wheel416in the flat end portion442of the track438allows the bin16to drop away from the lid22, breaking the seal before the bin16moves in an opening direction. Otherwise, the bin16remains in much the same position as shown inFIG. 22(a). In particular, the leg464of the crank462still bears against the striker plate468, which holds up the arm460of the lever456.

When opening movement of the bin16begins, as shown inFIG. 22(c), the pivot458of the lever456moves away from the striker plate468, which allows the arm460of the lever456to drop into engagement with the rearward extension466of the transport plate408. That engagement is maintained, locking the transport mechanism, until the drawer again nears its closed position upon closing. At that stage, the leg464of the crank462bears against the striker plate468and lifts the arm460out of engagement with the rearward extension466of the transport plate408to free the transport mechanism once again.

As the drawer opens further, the weight of the bin16must at some stage transfer from the shelf472within the drawer compartment to the runners410extending outside the drawer compartment. This is achieved when the lower wheel416clears the ramped forward end of the platform474as shown inFIG. 22(d), which allows the bin16to drop into contact with the inwardly-facing flange412at the bottom of the transport plate408. As the transport plate408is supported by the runners410, the load transfers to the runners410. Meanwhile, the wheel plate420drops to the extent permitted by the retaining flange424, clearing the upper wheel416from the track438. The wheels416then no longer bear the weight of the bin16.

It will be evident that when the drawer is closed again, the lower wheel416encounters the ramped forward end of the platform474, lifts the wheel plate420and hence lifts the upper wheel416into contact with the track438. This transfers the load of the bin16back to the shelf472within the drawer compartment, via the track438, the wheels416and the platform474.

The variant inFIGS. 23(a) and23(b) andFIGS. 24(a) to24(c) replaces the wheels416and their associated structures with pairs of opposed blocks476that slide relative to one another and are shaped to impart the desired motion and sequence of motions to the bin16. Otherwise, like numerals are used for like parts.

Each block476is of plastics material coated or impregnated with, for example, PTFE to minimise friction. Broadly, each block476defines a contact surface comprising two horizontal portions linked by a slope, the horizontal portions thus being at different levels. Specifically, all of the blocks have contact surfaces that rise toward the front of the appliance. Thus, a rearward horizontal portion478is lower than a forward horizontal portion480of each contact surface and the slope482between those portions478,480rises moving forwardly.

The lower block476of each pair is attached to the transport plate408and its contact surface faces generally upwardly, whereas the upper block476of each pair is attached to an L-section428that supports the flange430of a bin16and its contact surface faces generally downwardly. The thickest part of the lower block476is at its forward end defined by its forward horizontal portion480whereas the thickest part of the upper block476is at its rearward end defined by its rearward horizontal portion478. Thus, the contact surfaces of the upper and lower blocks476of a pair are opposed and complementary in shape. Indeed, the respective contact surfaces can mate with each other when the blocks476of a pair are aligned.

A lug484depends from the forward end of the upper block476to prevent forward movement of the lower block476past the upper block476when the drawer is opened.

When the drawer is closed and the bin16is sealed to the lid22as shown inFIG. 24(a), the transport plate408and hence the lower blocks476are fully rearward. This brings the forward horizontal portion480of the lower block contact surface into register with the rearward horizontal portion478of the upper block contact surface. Put another way, the thickest parts of the blocks476coincide and hence the aggregate thickness of the pair of blocks476is at a maximum. This forces the bin16upwards into sealing contact with the lid22, although the seal is not shown.

Referring now toFIG. 24(b), when the runner410and transport plate408moves to the right as drawn as part of the initial opening movement of the drawer, the lower block476moves forwardly with respect to the upper block476. This movement continues until the lower block476encounters the lug484that depends from the forward end of the upper block476and so no further relative movement of the blocks476can occur during drawer opening. At that stage, the blocks476are aligned and their opposed, complementary contact surfaces mate with each other. The effect of this is that the thickest part of each block476coincides with the thinnest part of the other block476, and so the aggregate thickness of the pair of blocks476is at a minimum. This allows the bin16to fall away from the lid22and hence breaks the seal.

As the lug484that depends from the forward end of the upper block476then prevents further relative movement of the blocks476during drawer opening, horizontal force applied to the lower block476via the transport plate408is transmitted to the upper block476and hence pulls the bin16horizontally within its support frame432. This is shown in

FIG. 24(c), which likeFIG. 22(c) above also shows how the arm460of the lever456engages a rearward extension466of the transport plate408as the drawer is opened and the pivot458of the lever456moves away from the striker plate468within the drawer compartment.

FIGS. 24(a),24(b) and24(c) are akin toFIGS. 22(a),22(b) and22(c) in their progression but as the weight of the bin16is at all times carried by the runners410via the transport plate408and the blocks476, there is no need for the bin16to be lowered onto the flange412of the transport plate408in the manner ofFIG. 22(d) in which the wheels416are uncoupled from the bin16.

Another deficiency with drawers is the effect on the drawer contents during rapid changes in velocity (i.e. sudden acceleration and deceleration), as tends to happen on opening and closing. When the drawer is moved suddenly or is stopped quickly, the contents of the drawer can be thrown around causing damage to delicate items and/or spillage of liquids. Depending upon what is in the drawer, this could affect items such as cakes and pastries, liquids in jars and bottles, rare samples and artefacts. The damage caused could range from annoying wastage of inexpensive items and a mess to clean up, through to loss or irreparable damage to irreplaceable samples or artefacts. It is therefore advantageous for a drawer transport system to control acceleration and deceleration or braking during opening and closing to protect the drawer contents.

Moving on therefore toFIG. 25and its associated cross-section,FIG. 26, these show a further embodiment in which like numerals are used for like parts. In this embodiment, a drawer lid22is fixed to a structure and a removable drawer storage bin16is movable with respect to the lid22and the structure. The bin16is supported from a top flange500formed in the bin16. The flange500in turn sits on a drawer support profile502, which is fitted with forward and rearward wheel ramps504as detailed inFIG. 27. The wheel ramps504sit upon freely-rotating load-bearing wheels506, attached to the top section508of a telescopic drawer runner510. Supporting the bin16in this way via wheel ramps504on the drawer profile502and wheels506fitted to the runner510allows the bin16to move independently of the runner510.

FIG. 27shows that as in the embodiment ofFIGS. 17 to 24, the wheel ramps504are defined by a wheel housing512. The wheel housing512comprises forward and rearward buffers514,516that limit forward and rearward movement of a wheel506with respect to the bin16, and a track518which connects the buffers514,516to define a running surface for the wheel506. The buffers514,516and the track518are again folded or fabricated in a single component.

The track518has an upwardly- and forwardly-inclined forward end portion520at its forward end adjacent the forward buffer514. The rearward end of the forward end portion520defines a ridge522in the track518. Moving rearwardly from there, the track518defines a rest position between opposed upwardly-inclined ramp portions524,526and after a further ridge528, ends in an upwardly- and rearwardly-inclined rear end portion530adjacent the rearward buffer516.

The rest position at the apex532of the intersecting ramp portions524,526is above the level of the ridges522,528; were the housing512inverted, this apex532would be a trough between the ridges522,528.

FIG. 25shows the drawer closed with the bin16raised and the horizontal seal (not shown) compressed, with each wheel506at the rearward end of its housing512adjacent the rearward buffer516. It will be noted that the radius of the wheel506is slightly less than the distance from the rearward buffer516to the rearward ridge528. Thus, the centre of the wheel506is marginally rearward of the rearward ridge528, so that the wheel506is biased rearwardly up the rear end portion530of the track518under the weight of the bin16. This provides an over-centre locking effect, which can be readily overcome.

As detailed inFIGS. 28 and 29, each load-bearing wheel506(shown here inverted) is associated with a pair of auxiliary rollers534angularly spaced about the spindle536of the wheel506, opposed to the point of rolling contact between the wheel506and the track518of the wheel housing512. The auxiliary rollers534are in rolling contact with the wheel506and help to bear the load of the bin16, taking loads transmitted across the wheel506.

It can be seen inFIG. 25that the drawer runners510extend rearward of the bin16to allow additional horizontal movement of the runners510beyond that of the bin16. This additional horizontal movement of the runners510with respect to the bin16will take place on initial opening and on final closing of the drawer. On opening the drawer, this extra runner movement moves the wheels506forwardly along their tracks518to drop the bin16vertically and so to de-compress the seal on initial opening. In doing so, a wheel506takes a mid position at or near the apex532of its track518as the bin16is withdrawn with the runner510. On returning the bin16and runner510to the closed position, the bin16hits a stop at its completely closed position, with each wheel506still at the apex532of its track518. The final closing motion pushes the wheels506rearwardly along the tracks518to the over-centre locking point shown inFIG. 25, which raises the bin16and compresses the seal against the lid22.

The full drawer transport sequence is illustrated inFIGS. 30(a) to30(f).FIG. 30(a) corresponds toFIG. 25, showing the drawer closed and the bin16raised to compress the horizontal seal (not shown), with the wheels506at the rearward end of their wheel housings512.FIG. 30(b) shows the drawer runner510forward of the closed position where the wheels506have moved along the respective tracks518to a mid-position at the apex532and released the seal, and where the bin16has dropped down but has not moved forward.FIG. 30(c) shows the runner510and bin16in a semi-open position, whereasFIG. 30(d) shows the runner510and bin16in a fully-open position.FIG. 30(e) shows the runner510and bin16in a semi-closed position, whileFIG. 30(f) shows the bin16in its closed but dropped position with the runner510slightly forward of the closed position, in readiness for the final closing action of pushing the wheels506rearwardly along the tracks518to raise the bin16and compress the seal, whereupon the sequence returns to its starting point atFIG. 30(a).

A variation on the above arrangement would be to make the wheel tracks518out of a low-friction material such as PTFE or a PTFE-coated material, with a suitable PTFE or PTFE-coated profile fixed to the runner510instead of a wheel506.

The embodiment ofFIGS. 25 to 30also includes means for partially isolating the movement of the runner510from that of the bin16, thus reducing acceleration and braking forces imparted to the bin16. The system of wheel housings512fixed in relation to the bin, and the wheels506fixed to the runners but floating within the wheel housings512permits limited independent movement between the bin16and the runner510. Thus, sudden acceleration and deceleration to the runner510can be partially absorbed by limited independent movement of the bin16, which reduces the rate of change in bin velocity and hence the inertial effects experienced by items stored in the bin16.

It will be noted that when the accelerations of the bin16and runner510are near equilibrium, the wheel506will sit around the central rest point at the apex532of the wheel track518. When the runner acceleration changes rapidly, such as hitting an end stop or when the drawer is jerked open, the direction and motion of the bin16will continue as the wheel moves along the track518from the apex532toward one of the ridges522,528. This vertical movement up the upwardly-inclined ramp portions524,526against the weight of the loaded bin16absorbs some of the kinetic energy in the bin16, and thus slows it to a gentler stop.

A further refinement of the embodiment ofFIGS. 25 to 30is a control damper. Referring especially now toFIG. 31, this shows a simple piston-operated air damper538to restrict the acceleration and braking of the drawer runner. The damper has a cylinder540whose rear end terminates in a pin542that is fixed to the structure of the appliance at its rear. A rod544slides within the cylinder540and has a piston546at one end, slideably sealed within the cylinder540, and another pin542at the other end for attachment to the bottom section548of the runner510as shown inFIGS. 30(a) to30(f). As the rod544and piston546are pulled from the cylinder540, air is drawn though a small orifice550in the blind end of the cylinder540. The orifice550is sized such that below a limiting piston speed, the passage of air through the orifice550causes little resistance (i.e. differential pressure over the orifice550) and the rod544can be moved easily. As the speed of the piston546increases, then so does the resistance across the orifice550making the rod544more difficult to extend or retract. Speed control of the piston rod544is achieved because the inverse square law applies, whereby a doubling in airflow through the orifice550produces a fourfold increase in resistance on the rod544.

The purpose of the damper538is to control the speed of the runner510from mid-point to fully open, also from mid-point to fully closed, preventing a jarring stop in both directions. Alternatively, dampers538could be fitted to both sections of the runner510to provide speed control over the entire travel of the runner510.

Referring back toFIGS. 30(a) to30(f), the damper control sequence will now be described.FIG. 30(a) shows the bin16in the closed position with the runners510and damper538fully retracted.FIG. 30(b) shows the bin16released from its seal with the top section508of the runner510extended and the bottom section548of the runner510restrained by the damper538.FIG. 30(c) shows the bin16at about mid-point in opening with the top section508of the runner510fully extended and the bottom section548of the runner510still restrained by the damper538.FIG. 30(d) shows the bin16fully open with both runner sections508,548and the damper538fully extended, indicating that the damper538had control over the last part of the bin opening movement.FIG. 30(e) shows the bin16at about mid-point in closing with the top section508of the runner510fully retracted and the bottom section548of the runner510fully extended and restrained by the damper538.FIG. 30(f) shows the bin16and top section508of the runner510fully retracted with the bottom section548of the runner510and the damper538significantly retracted, indicating that the damper538had control over the last part of the bin closing movement.

FIGS. 32(a) to32(f) show a refinement of the damper concept, in which the piston552is itself a cylinder sliding concentrically within the outer cylinder554. The outer cylinder554has no orifices and is sealed to the piston552by a sealing gland556between the piston552and the outer cylinder554near the otherwise open end of the outer cylinder554. The piston552, on the other hand, has a series of orifices558spaced along the length of the piston552.

It will be self-evident that when the piston552is forced into the outer cylinder554, the piston552will compress air trapped within the outer cylinder554. That compressed air can only escape from the outer cylinder554by passing through the cylindrical piston552via one or more orifices558lying within the outer cylinder554and one or more orifices558lying outside the outer cylinder554. However, when the piston552is fully retracted within the outer cylinder554as shown inFIG. 32(a), all of the orifices558are within the outer cylinder554: none of the orifices558can communicate within the outside, so there is no net flow or air out of the outer cylinder554. This traps compressed air, which provides a cushioning effect as the damper approaches its fully retracted state.

Conversely, when the damper is in a semi-extended or semi-retracted state as shown for example inFIGS. 32(c) or32(d), more than one orifice558is within the outer cylinder554and more than one orifice558is outside: this presents minimum resistance to air flow and so minimises the damping effect when the damper is in mid-stroke. However, when the damper nears the fully-extended state as inFIG. 32(f), only one orifice558is within the outer cylinder554and whilst several orifices558are outside, the airflow through them is limited by the airflow through the single orifice558within: this presents greater resistance to air flow and so maximises the damping effect when the damper nears the end of its stroke. Eventually, when the damper is fully extended (not shown), all of the orifices558may be outside the outer cylinder, so again, airflow is blocked. Continued extension of the damper in this state is strongly resisted by low pressure within the outer cylinder554, but again in a cushioned manner.

Further enhancements to the drawer transport system will now be described. They include methods to limit the independent movement between the runner and bin, and alternative end-of-travel restraints.

It will be apparent that the system employing wheel ramps and wheels as illustrated inFIGS. 25 to 30will raise the bin16when the runners510are rapidly accelerated in mid-travel. Where this is not desirable, a movement limiting system may be employed as shown inFIGS. 33(a) to33(e).FIG. 33(a) shows a drawer transport system with the bin16closed with its seal600compressed against a lid22, supported by a wheel506parked on a flat portion602of the rear part of a wheel track518. To drop the bin16to open it and break the seal, the wheel506moves forwardly along the wheel track518out of the parked position. In this state, the three dashed line circles shown on the wheel track518indicate the rearward and forward travel limits and the normal centre position of the wheel506. Rearward bin movement in relation to the runner510is limited by the assembly including the wheel506encountering the forward buffer514at the front of the wheel track518.

A pivoting engaging lever604is attached by a spindle606to a support plate608that travels with the wheel track518and so moves in relation to the runner510. The lever604pivots to limit the forward movement of the bin16in relation to the runner510during normal bin movement. Specifically, when the drawer is opened, the front end of the lever604drops down under gravity and engages with a stop plate610attached to the runner510. This engagement between lever and stop plate limits the forward motion of the bin16in relation to the runner510, and so prevents the wheel506travelling the full length of the track518into the parked position602, in which the bin16is raised.

To remove the forward limit by disengaging the lever604from the stop plate610, the rear of the engaging lever604hits a striker plate612fixed to the structure just as the bin16reaches its final horizontal closed position. In this way, the lever604pivots in an opposite sense to free the bin16for forward movement so as to enable the wheel506to travel the full length of the track518into the parked position602, in which the bin16is raised and the seal600is compressed during the final closing motion of the drawer.

FIG. 33(a) shows a bin16in a closed and raised position with the seal600compressed. The rear of the lever604is firmly against the striker plate612so that the lever604is disengaged from the stop plate610and the wheel506is free to move the full length of the track518.

FIG. 33(b) shows the bin16in a closed position but lowered so that the seal600is released. The rear of the lever604is still firmly against the striker plate612so that the lever604is disengaged and the bin movement is not limited. However, relative movement between the runner510and the bin16means that the wheel506is now located at the mid-point of the wheel track518.

FIG. 33(c) shows the bin16in a partially open position with the seal600released. The rear of the lever604has moved away from the striker plate612so that the front of the lever604is free to drop and has engaged with the stop plate610, so that bin movement is now limited. The wheel506is still located at the midpoint of the wheel track518and the bin16can move forward or backward by a limited amount relative to the runner510, as the wheel506travels along the inclined portions of the wheel track518either forwardly or rearwardly (or more precisely, as the track travels with respect to the wheel). However, the load of the bin16and its contents biases the wheel506to the mid-point of the track518.

FIG. 33(d) shows the bin16in a partially open position with forward movement of the bin16relative to the runner510, as the drawer is being closed. The wheel506is now at the rearward limit of the wheel track518and the bin16is prevented from further forward movement with respect to the runner510by the engaging lever604bearing against the stop plate610on the runner510. In effect, the bin16and the runner510are now locked together during continued closing movement of the drawer, until the rear end of the lever604encounters the striker plate612and releases the bin16for further forward movement with respect to the runner510.

FIG. 33(e) shows the bin16in a partially open position with rearward movement of the bin16relative to the runner510, as would happen if the drawer is jerked open. The wheel506is now located at the forward limit of the wheel track518and the bin16is prevented from further rearward movement with respect to the runner510by the wheel assembly506hitting the forward buffer514.

FIGS. 33(d) and33(e) show how movement of the bin16relative to the runner510causes vertical movement of the wheel track514, which brakes the velocity of the bin16. As this happens, the independent horizontal movement of the bin16increases the time allowed for this change in velocity to take place, hence resulting in a smoother bin stop. Otherwise, depending upon how roughly a drawer is handled in use, the bin16could come to a sudden stop at each end of travel, either closed-to-open or open-to-closed, which can disturb stored objects and spill liquids within the bin16.

Further to reduce rapid deceleration of the bin16at each end of travel, end-of-travel restraints can be used. For example, as the bin16is about to reach the final closed position, a flexible restraining plate on the runner can hit a striker plate on the structure that temporarily slows the runner and then releases it. Slowing the runner, but not the bin, allows the bin to move rearwardly independently of the runner, which absorbs some of the bin's momentum and so reduces inertial effects upon the stored products as the bin thereafter comes to a halt.

FIGS. 34 to 36show a flexible sprung angled restraining plate614attached by a hinge616to the underside of the runner510. The plate is essentially a strip formed in a right-angle and hinged at its apex between two mutually-orthogonal legs618,620. Normally one leg618lies horizontally against the underside of the runner510and the other leg620hangs vertically with the aid of a counter-balance weight622.

FIG. 34shows the restraining plate resisting movement in a restraining phase as it is forced past a striker plate624fixed to the structure. Continued movement of the runner510deflects the leg (shown by the dashed line) until it has deflected sufficiently to pass over the striker plate624, thus ending the restraining phase.FIG. 35shows the runner510returning in the opposite direction; in this case, as the leg620reaches the striker plate, the entire restraining plate614pivots easily about the hinge616into the position shown by dashed lines. Thus, in this direction, the restraining plate614offers no resistance to the drawer movement.

In practice, restraining plates614and striker plates624will be used in opposed pairs as shown inFIGS. 37(a) to37(f). These drawings show the location of forward and rearward restraining plates614on the underside of the runner510and the associated striker plates624located on the structure. The forward striker plate624initiates the opening restraining end stop and the rearward striker plate624initiates the closing restraining end stop.

When the drawer opening is in a mid position shown inFIG. 37(a), the restraining plates614do not encounter the associated striker plates624.FIG. 37(b) shows a drawer almost completely open with the forward restraining plate614engaging and deflecting around the forward striker plate624, hence slowing the drawer as it nears the end of its opening movement.FIG. 37(c) shows the drawer completely open with the forward restraining plate614having passed over the striker plate624. Conversely,FIG. 37(d) shows the drawer almost completely closed with the rearward restraining plate614engaging the rearward striker plate624to slow bin movement near the end of the closing movement, andFIG. 37(e) shows the drawer with the bin16fully closed, but not yet raised, and the rearward restraining plate614having passed over the rearward striker plate624.FIG. 37(f) shows a drawer completely closed with the bin16raised and the seal compressed; again, the restraining plates614do not encounter the associated striker plates624.

Many variations are possible within the inventive concept. For example, it has already been said that movement of a lid can be linked to the movement of the associated bin or of a movable support for that bin, so that initial opening movement of the bin or its support causes the lid to move apart from the bin and, vice-versa, at or toward the end of a closing movement of the bin or its support. The skilled reader will appreciate that the various bin transport mechanisms described above can be adapted and inverted to drive the vertical movement of a lid instead of the vertical movement of a bin, simply by acting upon an extension of the lid overhanging the bin rather than upon the bin itself.

The invention has wide-ranging applications and benefits for storing, handling, distributing, transporting and delivering items in the right condition, notably:precise variable temperature and humidity control that could even include heating rather than merely cooling;mechanical protection of stored items;sterile storage with minimal risk of cross-contamination;the option of storage in partial vacuum conditions;the option of storage in a preservative holding gas environment;isolation of stored items against vibration and agitation; andcontainment of, or protection against, radiation and bio hazards.

In general, therefore, reference should be made to the appended claims and other general statements herein rather than to the foregoing specific description as indicating the scope of the invention. In interpreting the invention, it should be understood that although features of the illustrated embodiments have been described in combination with each other and although such combinations may have advantages of their own, many of those features can be applied independently. For example, the skilled reader will appreciate that the damper ofFIGS. 32(a) to32(f) could be used independently of a cold-storage appliance or other storage unit. So, those features are considered to be independently patentable whether within or beyond the inventive concepts expressed herein.