Refrigerator with movable shelves

Abstract: A refrigerator with the cell defining the preservation compartment obtained by vacuum-forming and presenting co-formed projecting supports for shelves, presenting at least one pair of projecting supports (4; 6) which mutually cooperate to support a shelf (10, 11) and present an interruption (8) which divides each support (4; 6) into two parts (4a, 4b, 6a, 6b), the shelf (10; 11) presenting terminal appendices (15) arranged to pass through said interruption (8), and recesses (14, 14') arranged to bypass one (4a, 6a) of said parts without interference therewith (Figure 1).

Description: This invention relates to a refrigerator according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a refrigerator is disclosed in DE 298 13 644 U. In order to move the shelves into different positions it is currently necessary to empty them of their contained products, extract them completely from the preservation compartment, re-insert them therein at the desired height (position) resting on the corresponding supports, then reload them with the previously removed products. Positioning a shelf differently (often necessary to enable relatively large products to be supported on it) is therefore a decidedly uncomfortable operation, for which the present invention proposes a solution enabling a shelf to be moved from one position to another without having to empty and completely extract it. This result is achieved by a refrigerator in accordance with the teachings of the accompanying claims. The invention will be more apparent from the ensuing detailed description provided by way of non-limiting example with reference to the accompanying drawing, in which: Figure 1 is a schematic vertical section through the refrigerator; and Figures 2 and 3 are plan views of two different types of shelf suitable for the purposes of the invention. In the figures, the reference numeral 1 indicates the refrigerator overall (the example illustrates a refrigerator of the so-called undercounter type), and 2 indicates the relative cell defining the preservation compartment 3 and obtained by vacuum-forming. The cell presents, in one piece therewith (i.e. co-formed with it), projecting support means for shelves, these means being located on the two opposing side walls 2A of the cell. Figure 1 shows four types of support means, indicated by 4, 5, 6 and 7 respectively. The support means 4 and 6 form an interruption. The interruptions are indicated by 8 and divide these support means into two portions indicated by 4a, 4b and 6a, 6b. The support means 5 and 7 are continuous and lie below the support means 4 and 6 respectively. The length of the parts 4a, 6a (equal to each other) is indicated by L, their overhang (see Figure 2) being indicated by P. The shelves 10, 11 which can be used are substantially of two types (shown in Figures 2 and 3). The shelf 10 comprises a glass sheet 12 surrounded by a co-moulded plastic frame 13. It presents, on each side on which it rests on the support means in the cell, a recess 14 of depth slightly greater than said dimension P and of longitudinal extension slightly greater than said dimension L. The recesses in question are located in the rear part of the shelf and are bounded (at their rear) by guide appendices 15 forming an integral part of the frame 13. A shelf of this type is shown schematically in Figure 1, in which it has been positioned by the user (by moving it in the direction of the arrow F) in the position which enables it to be passed from the support means 6 to the underlying support means 7. From this position the shelf can be moved vertically, with the projections 15 passing through the interruptions 8 and the recesses 14 (which lie in a position coinciding with the parts 6a) bypassing said parts. When the projections 15 make contact with the underlying support means 7, the shelf 10 is moved in the opposite direction to the arrow F, to locate it in its new position for use. To transfer a shelf from the support means 4 to the underlying means 5, the shelf is moved such that the projections 15 follow the trajectory indicated by the arrows K. Instead of the shelf 10 the shelf 11 can be used, this being formed from metal rods and shown in Figure 3, in which parts equivalent and/or corresponding to those of Figure 2 carry the same reference numerals plus an apex.

Claims: A refrigerator with the cell defining the preservation compartment presenting projecting supports for shelves, at least one pair of projecting supports (4; 6) which mutually cooperate to support a shelf (10, 11) presenting an interruption (8) which divides each support (4; 6) into two parts (4a, 4b, 6a, 6b), the shelf (10; 11) presenting terminal appendices (15) arranged to pass through said interruption (8), and recesses (14, 14') arranged to bypass one (4a, 6a) of said parts without interference therewith, characterised in that the compartment is obtained by vacuum-forming and the supports are co-formed with the compartment, continuous projecting supports (5; 7) being provided below the respective interrupted supports (4,6), to enable the shelf to be passed from the interrupted supports (4, 6) to the underlying continuous supports (5, 7). A refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shelf (10) comprises a glass sheet (12) surrounded by a plastic frame (13), the frame presenting recesses (14) bounded at their rear by appendices (15) (Figure 2). A refrigerator as claimed in claim 1, wherein the shelf (11) is constructed of metal rod and presents recesses (14') bounded at their rear by appendices (15').

Inventors: ANSALDO ANDREA, PELIZZARI ARMANDO, STROPPARI MASSIMO, PELIZZARI, ARMANDO, Ansaldo Andrea, c/o Whirlpool Europe S.r.l., Pelizzari, Armando, c/o Whirlpool Europe S.r.l., Stroppari Massimo, c/o Whirlpool Europe S.r.l.
Applicants: WHIRLPOOL CO, WHIRLPOOL CORPORATION
Application year: 2001
Main classification: F25D25
IPC codes: F25D25