COOLED DRAWER FOR AIRCRAFT FOOD TROLLEY

Abstract: A trolley (1) suitable for use in an aircraft for serving chilled beverages and other items therefrom comprises a housing (2) and a plurality of drawers (3) slideably carried within the housing (2). Each drawer (3) is provided with a main compartment (2) within which bottles or cans (22) of beverages to be chilled are placed, and from which the bottles or cans (22) are served. A secondary compartment (21) beneath the main compartment (20) is provided for storing a container (25) of frozen water for cooling the beverages in the main compartment (20) of the drawer (3) and the main compartment (20) of a drawer immediately below. Access openings (28) closed by closure flaps (29) provide access to the secondary compartment (21) for facilitating placing and removing containers (25) from the secondary compartments (21).

Description: COOLED DRAWER FOR AIRCRAFT FOOD TROLLEY The present invention relates to a drawer, and in particular, though not limited to a drawer for beverages and/or food of a trolley, typically of the type used in aircrafts in which the temperature of the drawer and/or an adjacent drawer can be controlled. Food and drinks trolleys from which food and drinks are dispensed to passengers on an aircraft are well known. In general, the trolleys are of relatively narrow width in order that they may be wheeled along the aisle or aisles of an aircraft. Such trolleys when used for drinks, in general, are provided with a plurality of drawers disposed one above the other, typically, seven drawers are provided. Such trolleys may be single ended or double ended. In the case of single ended trolleys one set of seven drawers are disposed to the front end of the trolley for facilitating serving from the front end, while in the case of double ended trolleys two sets of seven drawers are disposed, one to the front end and one to the rear end of the trolley, this facilitates serving from both the front and the rear ends of the trolley by two members of cabin staff. An upper compartment is located at the top of the trolley, and extends substantially parallel to the drawers for containing dry ice for in turn chilling the environment in the drawers. A door or doors, depending on whether the trolley is a single or double ended trolley is provided to the front end and rear end of the trolley for closing off the drawers. This, thus, permits air which has been chilled by the dry ice in the upper compartment to circulate around the drawers. Drinks in cans and bottles are stored in the drawers, and are chilled by the circulation of chilled air from the upper dry ice compartment. The use of dry ice in known trolleys has two serious disadvantages. Firstly, on evaporating the dry ice reverts to carbon dioxide gas which evaporates into the cabin of the aircraft, thus, raising the level of carbon dioxide gas in the cabin to an unacceptable level. This is a particular disadvantage in cases where air is recirculated through the cabin, which is the case in most modern aircrafts. A second disadvantage of the use of dry ice in the dry ice compartment is that it does not provide for even chilling of the cans and bottles stored in the drawers. In general, it has been found that drinks stored in the topmost drawer, in other words, the drawer immediately beneath the dry ice compartment are chilled to an unacceptably low level. In fact, in many cases it has been found that the temperature in the top drawer can drop to as low as -10°C, which is unacceptable. On the other hand, the drinks in the lower drawers tend not to be adequately chilled, and in many cases, the drinks in the drawers between the top and bottom drawers also tend to be inadequately chilled. This is due to the fact that there is little control of the air temperature in the drawers. A further disadvantage of the use of dry ice for chilling drinks in known trolleys is that due to the lack of control of the air temperature in the drawers, drinks, such as, for example, red wines which should not be chilled, but rather, should be served at room temperature, in general, are also chilled. There is therefore a need for a trolley, and indeed, a drawer for a trolley which overcomes this problem. The present invention is directed towards providing such a drawer and a trolley. According to the invention there is provided a drawer comprising a main compartment for storing articles, wherein a means is provided for storing a temperature conditionable medium in the drawer for controlling the temperature of the environment in the main compartment of the drawer and/or for controlling the temperature of the environment in a main compartment of an adjacent drawer. In one embodiment of the invention the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium is adapted for placing in the main compartment of the drawer. In another embodiment of the invention the means for storing the temperature conditonable medium is adapted for placing in the bottom of the main compartment. In a further embodiment of the invention the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium is adapted for replaceable mounting in the main compartment. In a still further embodiment of the invention the drawer comprises a secondary compartment for storing the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium. Preferably, the secondary compartment is adapted for releasably storing the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium. Advantageously, the secondary compartment is located beneath the main compartment. In one embodiment of the invention an access opening to the secondary compartment is provided for facilitating placing and removal of the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium therein. Preferably, the access opening is closed by a closure means. In one embodiment of the invention a first heat transfer means is provided between the secondary compartment and the main compartment for transferring heat between the respective compartments. In another embodiment of the invention the main and secondary compartments are separated by an intermediate membrane. Preferably, the intermediate membrane is provided by a partition wall. Advantageously, the intermediate membrane is of a heat conductive material for forming the first heat transfer means. In one embodiment of the invention at least one first communicating opening is provided through the intermediate membrane for communicating the main and secondary compartments for further facilitating transfer of heat between the main and secondary compartments. In another embodiment of the invention a second heat transfer means is provided from the drawer for transferring heat between the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium in the drawer, and a main compartment of a drawer beneath the said drawer. Preferably, the second heat transfer means is provided in the secondary compartment. Advantageously, a lower wall of the secondary compartment is of heat conductive material for forming the second heat transfer means. In one embodiment of the invention the base of the drawer is of heat conductive material for forming the second heat transfer means. In another embodiment of the invention at least one second communicating opening is provided through the lower wall of the secondary compartment for further facilitating transfer of heat between the means for storing the temperature conditionable liquid in the drawer and the main compartment of the drawer beneath the said drawer. In one embodiment of the invention the drawer comprises a base, and a front end wall and a rear end wall extending upwardly from the base joined by a pair of spaced apart side walls extending upwardly from the base. Preferably, the main compartment is defined by the base, the front and rear end walls and the side walls. Advantageously, the secondary compartment is located beneath the base. In one embodiment of the invention the secondary compartment is formed by a channel shaped member having a base web and a pair of side webs extending upwardly from the base web to the respective side walls adjacent the base, the base web being spaced apart from the base for forming the secondary compartment therebetween. Preferably, the channel shaped member extends beneath the drawer with the side webs extending parallel to the side walls. Preferably, the base of the drawer forms the first heat transfer means. Advantageously, the base web forms the second heat transfer means. In one embodiment of the invention the first communicating opening is located in the base. in another embodiment of the invention the second communicating opening is located in the base web. In one embodiment of the invention the intermediate membrane extends between the front and rear end walls and the side walls spaced apart from and parallel to the base for forming the secondary compartment therebetween. Preferably, the main compartment is defined by the intermediate membrane and the front and rear end walls and the side walls extending upwardly from the intermediate membrane. In one embodiment of the invention the access opening to the secondary compartment is located in the front wall. In another embodiment of the invention the access opening is defined by the base, the intermediate membrane and the portions of the side walls extending between the intermediate membrane and the base. In a further embodiment of the invention a top rim defined by the front, rear and side walls define an open mouth to the main compartment. In one embodiment of the invention the drawer is adapted for slideably mounting in a trolley. In another embodiment of the invention the drawer is adapted for slideably mounting in a trolley of the type used in an aircraft for dispensing beverages and/or foodstuffs therefrom. In a further embodiment of the invention the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium comprises a container. Advantageously, the container is a relatively flat container. Preferably, the container defines an area in plan view which is substantially similar to an area defined by the drawer in plan view. In one embodiment of the invention the temperature conditionable medium is a temperature conditionable liquid. In another embodiment of the invention the temperature conditionable liquid has a freezing point at or below 0°C. Additionally the invention provides a trolley comprising at least one slideably mounted drawer, wherein the drawer is a temperature controlled drawer according to the invention. Preferably, the trolley comprises a plurality of the temperature controlled drawers, the temperature controlled drawers being located one above the other to one end of the trolley. Advantageously, the drawers are located one above the other on respective opposite ends of the trolley. Preferably, the second heat transfer means of each drawer with the exception of the lowest drawer is arranged for transferring heat between the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium in that drawer and the main compartment of the drawer beneath that drawer. In one embodiment of the invention, an upper storing means is located in the trolley above the topmost drawer for storing one of the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium for controlling the temperature of the environment in the main compartment of the topmost drawer. Preferably, the upper storing means is an upper storing compartment. In one embodiment of the invention the trolley is adapted for use in an aircraft. In another embodiment of the invention the trolley is adapted as a beverage dispensing trolley. In a further embodiment of the invention the trolley is suitable for wheeling along an aisle of an aircraft. Further the invention provides a method for controlling the temperature of the environment in a main compartment of a drawer, and/or for controlling the temperature of the environment in a main compartment of an adjacent drawer, the main compartment of each drawer being of the type for storing articles, the temperature of which is to be controlled, the method comprising the step of placing a means for storing a temperature conditionable medium in the drawer for controlling the temperature of the environment of one or both of the main compartments. In one embodiment of the invention the method comprises the step of placing the means for storing a temperature conditionable medium in the main compartment of the drawer. In another embodiment of the invention the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium is placed in the bottom of the main compartment. In a further embodiment of the invention the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium is releasably placed in the main compartment. Alternatively, the drawer comprises a secondary compartment, and the method comprises the step of placing the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium in the secondary compartment. In one embodiment of the invention the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium is releasably placed in the secondary compartment. In another embodiment of the invention the method comprises the step of placing the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium in the secondary compartment beneath the main compartment. In a further embodiment of the invention the temperature of the temperature conditionable medium is brought to a predetermined temperature prior to placing the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium in the main compartment or the secondary compartment. The advantages of the invention are many. A particularly important advantage of the invention is that it provides a trolley which permits substantially independent control of the temperature of the environment of the main compartments of the respective drawers thereof. Furthermore, by virtue of the fact that the drawers, the main compartments of which are to be cooled or chilled are cooled by both the container with the temperature conditionable medium in the respective secondary compartments of the drawer and the drawer immediately above the drawer, the temperature conditionable medium can be provided at a significantly higher temperature than that of dry ice, thereby avoiding over chilling of the beverages and other items in the main compartments of the drawers which are to be cooled or chilled. Typically, a temperature conditionable medium provided by water is suitable, and thus the temperature conditionable medium can be provided with an initial temperature of 0 ° C. This has the further advantage of ease of handling of the containers of the frozen temperature conditionable medium, since there is no danger of a person handling the containers being subjected to frost-bite as in the case of handling dry ice. A further advantage of the invention is that by virtue of the fact that the temperature conditionable medium is water, and that the water is contained in a sealed container there is no danger of loss or evaporation of water or water vapour from the container, and thus, the problem associated with the use of dry ice which reverts to carbon dioxide on evaporation is avoided. A further advantage of the invention is that the containers which contain the temperature conditionable liquid can readily easily be removed from the drawers for re-freezing, and thus re-use. The invention will be more clearly understood from the following description of some preferred embodiments thereof which are given by way of example only with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which: Fig. 1 is a partly cut-away perspective view of a drinks trolley according to the invention, Fig. 2 is a cross-sectional side eievational view of upper and lower portions of the trolley of Fig. 1 , Fig. 3 is a front eievational view of the upper portion of the trolley of Fig. 1 , Fig. 4 is a perspective view of a drawer according to the invention for use in the trolley of Fig. 1 , Fig. 5 is a transverse cross-sectional side eievational view of a pair of the drawers of Fig. 4, Fig. 6 is a perspective view of a part of the drawer of Fig. 4, Fig. 7 is a perspective view of the drawer of Fig. 4 in use. Fig. 8 is a transverse cross-sectional side eievational view of the drawer of Fig. 4, also in use, Fig. 9 is a perspective view of a drawer according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 10 is a transverse cross-sectional side eievational view of the drawer of Fig. 9, Fig. 11 is a perspective view of a drawer according to another embodiment of the invention, Fig. 12 is a top plan view of the drawer of Fig. 11 , Fig. 13 is a front end eievational view of the drawer of Fig. 11 , Fig. 14 is a rear end eievational view of the drawer of Fig. 11 , and Fig. 15 is a side eievational view of the drawer of Fig. 11. Referring to the drawings, and initially to Figs. 1 to 8, there is illustrated a drinks trolley according to the invention indicated generally by the reference numeral 1 for use in an aircraft. In this embodiment of the invention the trolley 1 is a single ended trolley and is suitable for wheeling along an aisle of an aircraft. The trolley 1 comprises a main housing 2 of sheet aluminium within which seven drawers also according to the invention and indicated generally by the reference numeral 3 are slideably located. The housing 2 comprises a base 4, a pair of upstanding side walls 5 extending upwardly from the base 4 joined by a rear wall 6 also extending upwardly from the base 4, and a top wall 7 extending from the rear wall 6 and joining the side walls 5. A door 8 is hingedly connected to one of the side walls 5 for closing off the drawers 3. The housing 2 is supported on ground engaging casters 9 for facilitating wheeling of the trolley 1 along an aisle of an aircraft. A plurality of rails 10 on the side walls 5 of the main housing 2 slideably support the drawers 3 in the main housing 2, as will be described below. Each drawer 3 is of sheet aluminium and comprises a base 15, a front wall 16, and a rear wall 17 extending upwardly from the base 15 joined by side walls 18 also extending upwardly from the base 15. An intermediate membrane, in this embodiment of the invention provided by a partition wall 19 of sheet aluminium divides the drawer 3 into two compartments, namely, a main compartment 20 above the partition wall 19 and a secondary compartment 21 below the partition wall 19. The main compartment 20 is adapted for receiving cans and/or bottles which may be cans or bottles of beer or bottles of wine or the like, which are to be cooled and maintained at a cool temperature, typically, in the range of 4°C to 9°C. Cans 22 are illustrated in the drawer 3 in Figs. 7 and 8. A top rim 23 of the front, rear and side walls 16, 17 and 18 defines an open mouth to the main compartment 20 for facilitating access to the main compartment 20 for placing and retrieving cans and/or bottles therefrom. The secondary compartment 21 is adapted for receiving a means for storing a temperature conditionable medium, namely, a container 25 of water which is frozen solid to ice for controlling the temperature of the environment in the main compartment 20 of the drawer 3 and the main compartment 20 of the adjacent drawer 3 immediately below for cooling the cans and/or bottles in the respective main compartments 20. For example, in Fig. 5 the container 25 of ice in the secondary compartment 21 of the drawer 3a cools both the main compartment 20 of the drawer 3a and the main compartment 20 of the lower drawer 3b. The container 25 is described in more detail below. An access opening 28 in the front wall 16 provides access to the secondary compartment 21 of each drawer 3 for facilitating removal and replacement of the container 25 with a replacement container 25 with the water frozen therein. A closure means, namely, a closure flap 29 depends downwardly from and is hingedly connected to the front wall 16 by a piano hinge 30 for releasably closing the access opening 28. A releasable clip (not shown) is provided for releasably securing the closure flap 29 in the closed position closing the access opening 28. A first heat transfer means for facilitating heat transfer between the main and secondary compartments 20 and 21 of the same drawer 3 for cooling the main compartment 20, in this embodiment of the invention is provided by the partition wall 19 which is of sheet aluminium material, and thus a heat conducting material for conducting heat between the respective compartments 20 and 21. A plurality of first communicating means, namely, communicating openings 32 through the partition wall 19 further facilitates heat transfer between the main and secondary compartments 20 and 21 of the same drawer although to a limited extent. A second heat transfer means for facilitating heat transfer between the container 25 in the secondary compartment 21 of each drawer 3 and the main compartment 20 of the adjacent drawer 3 immediately below the drawer 3 is provided by the base 15, which is of sheet aluminium material, and thus a heat conductive material. A plurality of second communicating openings 34 in the base 15 of each drawer 3 further facilitates heat transfer by convection between the secondary compartment 21 of each drawer 3 and the main compartment 20 of the adjacent drawer 3 immediately beneath the drawer 3. In other words, heat transfer is facilitated between the main and secondary compartments 20 and 21 , respectively, of the drawer 3a of Fig. 5 through the partition wall 19 and the first communicating openings 32, for cooling the main compartment 20. Heat transfer is facilitated between the secondary compartment 21 of the drawer 3a and the main compartment 20 of the drawer 3b beneath the drawer 3a through the base 15 and the second communicating openings 34 for cooling the main compartment 20 in the drawer 3b. Accordingly, chilling and/or cooling of the main compartment 20 of each drawer 3 and the main compartment 20 of a drawer 3 immediately beneath each drawer 3 is achieved by the chilling and cooling effect of the frozen or chilled water in the container 25 in the secondary compartment 21 of each drawer 3. Runners 37 are provided on the side walls 18 of each drawer 3 for slideably engaging one of the pairs of corresponding rails 10 on the side walls 5 of the main housing 2 for facilitating slideable opening and closing the drawers 3. A handle 38 on the front wall 16 of each drawer 3 facilitates opening and closing of the drawers 3. A handle 39 on each closure flap 29 facilitates opening and closing of the closure flaps 29. An upper storing means, namely, an upper storing compartment 40, which is similar to the secondary compartments 21 is provided in the main housing 2, immediately beneath the top wall 7 for holding a container 25 with the water frozen therein for in turn cooling the main compartment 20 of the topmost drawer 3. An intermediate wall 41 of sheet aluminium extends between the side walls 5 from the rear wall 6 spaced apart below the top wall 7, and forms the upper compartment 40. The intermediate wall 41 being of heat conductive material conducts heat between the upper storing compartment 40 and the main compartment 20 of the topmost drawer 3 for cooling the main compartment 20. Third communicating means, namely, third communicating openings 42 through the intermediate wall 41 further facilitates heat transfer between the upper storing compartment 40 and the main compartment 20 of the topmost drawer 3 for cooling of the main compartment 20. An access opening 43 is provided in the front of the main housing 2 to the upper compartment 40 and is closed by a closure means, namely, a closure flap 44 which is similar to the closure flaps 29 of the drawers 3. The closure flap 44 depends downwardly from and is hingedly connected by a piano hinge 45 to the top wall 7, and a handle 46 facilitates opening and closing of the closure flap 44. Each container 25 is of plastics material formed by blow moulding, and is relatively flat. The containers 25 each comprise a base wall 50 and a top wall 51 which are joined by side walls 52 and end walls 53. A sealable charging port 54 is provided in one of the end walls 53 for charging the container 25 with the temperature conditionable liquid, which in this embodiment of the invention is water. The area of the container 25 in plan view, in other words, the area of the base wall 50 and top wall 51 is substantially similar to the area in plan view of each drawer 3, and in turn each secondary compartment 21. Additionally, the height of the side walls 52 and the end walls 53 of the container 25 is substantially similar to the height of the secondary compartment 21 of each drawer 3 so that the containers 25 substantially fill the secondary compartments 21 of the drawers 3. In this embodiment of the invention the temperature conditionable liquid being water thus has a freezing point of 0°C. Accordingly, when the containers 25 with the temperature conditionable liquid frozen solid are placed in the secondary compartments 21 of the respective drawers 3, it has been found that the temperature of the beverages in the main compartment of those drawers in which a container 25 is placed and in the main compartment of the drawers immediately beneath those drawers in which a container 25 is placed are maintained at a chilled temperature in the range 4°C to 9°C. When the seven drawers are provided with a container 25 with the water frozen to ice therein, each drawer from the second from the top to the bottom drawer are chilled by the container 25 in itself and in the drawer immediately above it. The main compartment 20 of the topmost drawer 3 is chilled by the container 25 in itself. When a container 25 with the water frozen to ice therein is placed in the secondary compartment 21 of each of the drawers 3 and in the upper storing compartment 40 of the main housing 2 the contents of the main compartments 20 of each of the drawers 3 from the second topmost drawer 3 to the bottom drawer 3 are chilled and/or cooled by the containers 25 in the secondary compartment 21 of their own drawer 3, and also by the container 25 in the secondary compartment 21 of the immediately above drawer. The main compartment 20 of the topmost drawer is chilled and/or cooled by the container 25 in its own secondary compartment 21 and by the container 25 in the upper storing compartment 40. It is envisaged that in some cases it may be desirable to leave some drawers unchilled, for example, drawers which are to contain red wine, or other beverages or items which are not to be chilled. In such cases, it is envisaged that the upper drawers 3 in the main housing 2 will be left without containers 25 in their secondary compartments 20 and a container 25 would be omitted from the upper storing compartment 40. However, the lower drawers would be reserved for beverages and other items to be cooled and chilled, and each of the lower drawers 3, the contents of which are to be cooled or chilled would be provided with a container 25 with the water frozen therein. In use, the containers 25 with the water contained therein frozen solid are placed in the secondary compartments 21 of the drawers 3 in which the contents of the main compartments 20 are to be cooled or chilled. If the contents of the main compartments 20 of all the drawers 3 are to be cooled or chilled, then containers 25 with the water contained therein frozen solid are placed in the secondary compartments 21 of all the drawers 3, as well as in the upper storing compartment 40 of the main housing 2. The closure flaps 29 and 44 are secured closed and the bottles or cans 22 are placed in the main compartments 20 of the drawers 3. In the event that some drawers 3 are to contain beverages and other items such as foodstuffs which are not be chilled, containers 25 are omitted from the secondary compartments 21 of these drawers, which are normally the upper drawers, as well as from the upper storing compartment 40. The contents of the main compartments 20 of the drawers 3 which have been provided with containers 25 with the water contained therein frozen solid are then cooled and chilled and are retained cooled and chilled until the ice in the containers 25 thaw, and the water commences to exceed the desired cooled or chilled temperature. Beverages, bottles or cans 22 and/or other items may then be served from the drawers 3 by opening and closing the drawers. The trolley may be wheeled along an aisle of an aircraft and the beverages or other items served to the passengers. Referring now to Figs. 9 and 10 there is illustrated a drawer 60 for use in the trolley 1. The drawer 60 is substantially similar to the drawers 3, and similar components are identified by the same reference numerals. The main difference between the drawer 60 and the drawers 3 is that the second communicating openings 34 are omitted from the base 4 of the drawer 60. This, thus, reduces to some extent the amount of heat transfer from the secondary compartment of one drawer 60 to the main compartment 20 of the adjacent drawer 3 immediately beneath. Otherwise, the drawer 60 is similar to the drawer 3. Referring now to Figs. 11 to 14 there is illustrated a drawer 70 for use with the trolley 1. The drawer 70 is of sheet aluminium material, and comprises a base 71 , a front end wall 72 and a rear end wall 73 extending upwardly from the base 71, and side walls 74 extending upwardly from the base 71 and joining the front and rear end wails 72 and 73. The base 71 , front and rear end walls 72 and 73 and the side walls 74 define a main compartment 75 for beverages and other items. In this embodiment of the invention a secondary compartment 77 for holding one of the containers 25 with the water contents therein frozen solid is formed by a channel shaped member 78. The channel shaped member 78 comprises a base web 80 and a pair of side webs 81 which extend upwardly from the base web 80 to the respective side walls 74. The side webs 81 are spot welded to the corresponding side walls 74 so that the base web 80 is spaced apart beneath the base 71 of the drawer 70 for forming therebetween the secondary compartment 77. The channel member 78 defines an open end 79 to the front of the drawer 70 for providing access to the secondary compartment 77 for removing and replacing the container 25 with another in the secondary compartment 77. Front and rear returns 82 and 83, respectively, are formed in the base web 80, and a retaining means, namely, a retaining member 84 is bent upwardly from the base web 80 in the rear return 83 for abutting and retaining one of the containers 25 in the secondary compartment 77. Dimples 85 are located in the base web 80 to the front thereof for engaging one of the containers 25 with a friction type grip for retaining the container 25 in the secondary compartment 77. The front return 82 formed in the base web 80 facilitates gripping of the container 25 for removal from the secondary compartment 27. In this embodiment of the invention the base 71 forms the first heat transfer means for transferring heat between the secondary compartment 77 and the main compartment 75. First communicating openings 86 are formed in the base 71 for further facilitating heat transfer between the main compartment 75 and the secondary compartment 77. The second heat transfer means, in this embodiment of the invention is formed by the base web 80 for facilitating heat transfer between the secondary compartment 77 of the drawer 70, and the main compartment 75 of another drawer immediately beneath the drawer 70. Second communicating openings 87 formed in the base web 80 further facilitate heat transfer between the secondary compartment 77 of the drawer 70 and the main compartment 75 of a drawer immediately beneath the drawer 70. Runners 88 are provided on the respective side walls 74 for slideably engaging corresponding rails 10 in the trolley 1. An opening 89 is formed in the front end wall 72 for facilitating gripping of the front wall 72 for opening and closing the drawer 70. Otherwise, the drawer 70 is similar to the drawer 3 and its use and operation are likewise similar. While the trolley has been described as being a single ended trolley having one set of seven drawers 3 one above the other to the front end thereof, it will be appreciated that the trolley may be provided as double ended trolley having two sets, each of seven drawers one above the other, one set being provided to the front end of the trolley, and the other being provided to the rear end of the trolley for facilitate serving of beverages and other items from the respective front and rear ends of the trolley to passengers in an aircraft by two members of the cabin staff. While the temperature conditionable liquid has been described as being water, any other suitable temperature conditionable liquid may be used. Indeed, it is envisaged that in certain cases it may be desirable to provide a temperature conditionable liquid with a freezing point below 0°C. In which case, it is envisaged that the temperature conditionable liquid may be provided as a mixture of water and urea, water and glycerine, water and propylene glycol or any other suitable temperature conditionable liquid. Indeed, it is envisaged that the temperature conditionable medium may be provided as a liquid or as a gel. While the drawers have been described as being provided with a main compartment and a secondary compartment, it is envisaged in certain cases, that the drawers may be provided with a main compartment only. In such cases, it is envisaged that the means for storing the temperature controllable liquid, which would typically be provided by a container similar to the container 25 of area in plan view similar to that of the drawer would be placed in the main compartment 20 to the bottom thereof, in other words, the container 25 would be placed on the base of the drawer.

Claims: Claims 1. A drawer (3,60,70) comprising a main compartment (20,75) for storing articles, characterised in that a means (25) is provided for storing a temperature conditionable medium in the drawer (3,60,70) for controlling the temperature of the environment in the main compartment (20,75) of the drawer and/or for controlling the temperature of the environment in a main compartment (20,75) of an adjacent drawer. 2. A drawer as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium is adapted for placing in the main compartment (20,75) of the drawer. 3. A drawer as claimed in Claim 2 characterised in that the means (25) for storing the temperature conditonable medium is adapted for placing in the bottom of the main compartment (20,75). 4. A drawer as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium is adapted for replaceable mounting in the main compartment (20,75). 5. A drawer as claimed in Claim 1 characterised in that the drawer comprises a secondary compartment (21 ,77) for storing the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium. 6. A drawer as claimed in Claim 5 characterised in that the secondary compartment (21 ,77) is adapted for releasably storing the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium. 7. A drawer as claimed in Claim 4 to 6 characterised in that the secondary compartment (21 ,77) is located beneath the main compartment (20,75). 8. A drawer as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 7 characterised in that an access opening (28,79) to the secondary compartment (21,77) is provided for facilitating placing and removal of the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium therein. 9. A drawer as claimed in Claim 8 characterised in that the access opening (28) is closed by a closure means (29). 10. A drawer as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 9 characterised in that a first heat transfer means (19,71 ) is provided between the secondary compartment (21 ,77) and the main compartment (20,75) for transferring heat between the respective compartments. 11. A drawer as claimed in any of Claims 4 to 10 characterised in that the main and secondary compartments (20,75,21 ,77) are separated by an intermediate membrane (19,71). 12. A drawer as claimed in Claim 11 characterised in that the intermediate membrane (19) is provided by a partition wall (19). 13. A drawer as claimed in Claim 11 or 12 characterised in that the intermediate membrane (19) is of a heat conductive material for forming the first heat transfer means. 14. A drawer as claimed in any of Claims 11 to 13 characterised in that at least one first communicating opening (32) is provided through the intermediate membrane (19) for communicating the main and secondary compartments (20,75,21 ,77) for further facilitating transfer of heat between the main and secondary compartments (20,75,21 ,77). 15. A drawer as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that a second heat transfer means (15,71) is provided from the drawer for transferring heat between the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium in the drawer, and a main compartment (20,75) of a drawer beneath the said drawer. 16. A drawer as claimed in Claim 15 characterised in that the second heat transfer means (15,71 ) is provided in the secondary compartment (21 ,77). 17. A drawer as claimed in Claim 16 characterised in that a lower wall (15,71) of the secondary compartment (21 ,77) is of heat conductive material for forming the second heat transfer means. 18. A drawer as claimed in any of Claims 15 to 17 characterised in that the base (15) of the drawer is of heat conductive material for forming the second heat transfer means. 19. A drawer as claimed in Claim 17 or 18 characterised in that at least one second communicating opening (34,87) is provided through the lower wall (15,71) of the secondary compartment (21 ,77) for further facilitating transfer of heat between the means for storing the temperature conditionable liquid in the drawer and the main compartment of the drawer beneath the said drawer. 20. A drawer as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the drawer (3,60,70) comprises a base (15,71), and a front end wall (16,72) and a rear end wall (17,73) extending upwardly from the base (15,71 ) joined by a pair of spaced apart side walls (18,74) extending upwardly from the base (15,71). 21. A drawer as claimed in Claim 20 characterised in that the main compartment (20,75) is defined by the base, the front and rear end walls and the side walls. 22. A drawer as claimed in Claim 20 characterised in that the secondary compartment (77) is located beneath the base (71). 23. A drawer as claimed in Claim 22 characterised in that the secondary compartment (71 ) is formed by a channel shaped member (78) having a base web (80) and a pair of side webs (81 ) extending upwardly from the base web (80) to the respective side walls (74) adjacent the base, the base web (80) being spaced apart from the base (71 ) for forming the secondary compartment (77) therebetween. 24. A drawer as claimed in Claim 23 characterised in that the channel shaped member (78) extends beneath the drawer (70) with the side webs (81) extending parallel to the side walls (71). 25. A drawer as claimed in Claim 22 or 23 characterised in that the base (71 ) of the drawer forms the first heat transfer means. 26. A drawer as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 25 characterised in that the base web (80) forms the second heat transfer means. 27. A drawer as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 26 characterised in that the first communicating opening (86) is located in the base. 28. A drawer as claimed in any of Claims 22 to 27 characterised in that the second communicating opening (87) is located in the base web (80). 29. A drawer as claimed in Claim 20 characterised in that the intermediate membrane (19) extends between the front and rear end walls and the side walls spaced apart from and parallel to the base for forming the secondary compartment therebetween. 30. A drawer as claimed in Claim 29 characterised in that the main compartment (20) is defined by the intermediate membrane (19) and the front and rear end walls and the side walls extending upwardly from the intermediate membrane. 31. A drawer as claimed in Claim 29 or 30 characterised in that the access opening (28) to the secondary compartment is located in the front wall (16). 32. A drawer as claimed in Claim 31 characterised in that the access opening (28) is defined by the base (15), the intermediate membrane (19) and the portions of the side walls (18) extending between the intermediate membrane and the base. 33. A drawer as claimed in any of Claims 20 to 32 characterised in that a top rim (23) defined by the front, rear and side walls define an open mouth to the main compartment (20,75). 34. A drawer as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the drawer (3,60,70) is adapted for slideably mounting in a trolley (1). 35. A drawer as claimed in Claim 33 characterised in that the drawer (3,60,70) is adapted for slideably mounting in a trolley (1 ) of the type used in an aircraft for dispensing beverages and/or foodstuffs therefrom. 36. A drawer as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium comprises a container (25). 37. A drawer as claimed in Claim 36 characterised in that the container (25) is a relatively flat container. 38. A drawer as claimed in Claim 36 or 37 characterised in that the container (25) defines an area in plan view which is substantially similar to an area defined by the drawer (3,60,70) in plan view. 39. A drawer as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the temperature conditionable medium is a temperature conditionable liquid. 40. A drawer as claimed in any preceding claim characterised in that the temperature conditionable liquid has a freezing point at or below 0 ° C. 41. A trolley comprising at least one slideably mounted drawer (3,60,70) characterised in that the drawer is a temperature controlled drawer (3,60,70) as claimed in any preceding claim. 42. A trolley as claimed in Claim 41 characterised in that the trolley comprises a plurality of the temperature controlled drawers (3,60,70), the temperature controlled drawers being located one above the other to one end of the trolley. 43. A trolley as claimed in Claim 42 characterised in that the drawers (3,60,70) are located one above the other on respective opposite ends of the trolley. 44. A trolley as claimed in any of Claims 41 to 43 characterised in that the second heat transfer means of each drawer with the exception of the lowest drawer is arranged for transferring heat between the means for storing the temperature conditionable medium in that drawer and the main compartment of the drawer beneath that drawer. 45. A trolley as claimed in any of Claims 41 to 44 characterised in that an upper storing means (40) is located in the trolley (1) above the topmost drawer (3,60,70) for storing one of the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium for controlling the temperature of the environment in the main compartment (20,75) of the topmost drawer. 46. A trolley as claimed in Claim 45 characterised in that the upper storing means (40) is an upper storing compartment (40). 47. A trolley as claimed in any of Claims 41 to 46 characterised in that the trolley is adapted for use in an aircraft. 48. A trolley as claimed in any of Claims 41 to 47 characterised in that the trolley is adapted as a beverage dispensing trolley. 49. A trolley as claimed in any of Claims 41 to 48 characterised in that the trolley is suitable for wheeling along an aisle of an aircraft. 50. A method for controlling the temperature of the environment in a main compartment (20,75) of a drawer (3,60,70), and/or for controlling the temperature of the environment in a main compartment (20,75) of an adjacent drawer (3,60,70), the main compartment (20,75) of each drawer (3,60,70) being of the type for storing articles, the temperature of which is to be controlled, the method comprising the step of placing a means (25) for storing a temperature conditionable medium in the drawer (3,60,70) for controlling the temperature of the environment of one or both of the main compartments (20,75). 51. A method as claimed in Claim 50 characterised in that the method comprises the step of placing the means (25) for storing a temperature conditionable medium in the main compartment (20,75) of the drawer (3,60,70). 52. A method as claimed in Claim 50 or 51 characterised in that the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium is placed in the bottom of the main compartment (20,75). 53. A method as claimed in any of Claims 50 to 52 characterised in that the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium is releasably placed in the main compartment (20,75). 54. A method as claimed in Claim 50 characterised in that the drawer (3,60,70) comprises a secondary compartment (21,77), and the method comprises the step of placing the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium in the secondary compartment (21 ,77). 55. A method as claimed in Claim 54 characterised in that the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium is releasably placed in the secondary compartment (21,77). 56. A method as claimed in Claim 54 or 55 characterised in that the method comprises the step of placing the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium in the secondary compartment (21 ,77) beneath the main compartment (20,75). 57. A method as claimed in any of Claim 50 to 56 characterised in that the temperature of the temperature conditionable medium is brought to a predetermined temperature prior to placing the means (25) for storing the temperature conditionable medium in the main compartment (20,75) or the secondary compartment (21 ,77).

Inventors: KOUWENBERG REINDER CORNELIUS P, KOUWENBERG TINEKE CHARLOTTE, PETERSEN SOREN, KOUWENBERG, REINDER, CORNELIUS, PAULUS, KOUWENBERG, TINEKE, CHARLOTTE, PETERSEN, SOREN
Applicants: KOUWENBERG REINDER CORNELIUS P, KOUWENBERG TINEKE CHARLOTTE, PETERSEN SOREN, KOUWENBERG, REINDER, CORNELIUS, PAULUS, KOUWENBERG, TINEKE, CHARLOTTE, PETERSEN, SOREN
Application year: 1999
Main classification: B64D11
IPC codes: A47B31, B64D11, F25D3, F25D25