Abstract:
A kitchen unit arrangement ( 10 ) having three or more storage units ( 12, 14, 16 ), the arrangement comprising first and second end walls ( 22 ) and at least two internal walls ( 20 ), the first end wall and a first said internal wall together defining a first said storage unit ( 12 ), the second end wall and a second said internal wall together defining a second said storage unit ( 14 ); wherein two of said internal walls ( 20 ) are connected by a substantially horizontal shelf ( 26 ) to define a third storage unit ( 16 ). A method of assembling such a kitchen unit apparatus is also provided.

Description:
TECHNICAL FIELD OF THE INVENTION 
     This invention relates to a kitchen unit arrangement and a method of installing a kitchen unit arrangement. 
     BACKGROUND TO THE INVENTION 
     When constructing a new dwelling, a considerable amount of time and money is spent fitting out the kitchen. Indeed, the installation cost of kitchen fittings may be as high as around 50% of the overall cost of the kitchen. 
     Currently, kitchens are fitted using storage units, for example cupboard units and drawer units, and appliance units selected from a large number of available units. These units are located side by side and may be combined in many different ways to achieve a desired layout of the fitted kitchen. However, this means that many different items have to be ordered and fitted. 
     An aim of the present invention is to reduce the time taken to install a kitchen. A further aim of the present invention is to reduce the cost of the kitchen fittings. 
     A further aim of the present invention is to address the problems of the prior art as described herein or elsewhere. 
     SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     According to the present invention there is provided an apparatus and method as set forth in the appended claims. Preferred features of the invention will be apparent from the dependent claims, and the description which follows. 
     According to a first aspect of the present invention there is provided a kitchen unit arrangement having three or more storage units, the arrangement comprising first and second end walls and at least two internal walls, the first end wall and a first said internal wall together defining a first said storage unit, the second end wall and a second said internal wall together defining a second said storage unit; wherein two of said internal walls are connected by a substantially horizontal shelf to define a third storage unit. 
     Preferably, the shelf is adapted to support an electrical appliance. 
     Preferably, the electrical appliance is a built-in appliance and may be an oven. 
     Preferably, the substantially horizontal shelf is a top surface of a box-section. 
     Preferably, the box-section is bolted to the respective internal walls. 
     Preferably, the box-section contains a drawer. 
     Preferably, the first and second end walls are each decorative single panels. Thus the external side walls may be both structural and decorative. 
     Preferably, the kitchen unit arrangement comprises a worktop. 
     Preferably, the external side walls extend above the worktop to form respective side upstands to the worktop. 
     Preferably, the first and second storage units are cupboard units. 
     Preferably, a space below the shelf is adapted to accommodate a drawer. 
     Preferably, the kitchen unit arrangement comprises a rear upstand to the worktop. 
     Preferably, the worktop is 700 mm deep. Preferably, the worktop has pre-cut apertures for receiving a sink and/or a pop-up socket and/or a hob. Preferably, all edges of the worktop are sealed. 
     Preferably, a sink is provided with a clip-on drainer. The drainer may be adapted to be placed over the bowl when the worktop is required for food preparation. Preferably, the clip-on drainer is glass and is usable as a food preparation surface. 
     Preferably, a pop-up socket unit is mounted to the kitchen unit arrangement. The socket unit may mounted so that in use it extends upwardly of the worktop, whilst when not required it can be retracted to the level of the worktop. 
     Preferably, the kitchen unit arrangement has a plinth which is between 60 mm to 80 mm in height and most preferably 60 mm in height. The plinth may be a plastic profile. The profile may comprise ventilation apertures for ventilating the electrical appliance. The profile may be designed to be adjustable for uneven floors without the need to cut the plinth. 
     Preferably, a drawer is provided below the appliance shelf, and may be operated by a push catch. 
     Preferably, at least one storage unit is provided with a door and a gap is provided between the top of the respective door and the worktop to allow the door to be opened. This means that the doors do not have handles. A rail may be located behind the gap to prevent a user from seeing into storage unit when the door is shut. 
     Preferably, at least one of the storage units is provided with one or more slide-out cutlery trays. 
     Preferably, at least one of the storage units is provided with one or more swivel-out cutlery trays. 
     Preferably, at least one of the storage units is provided with one or more cutlery trays adapted to be attached to the top of the door. 
     Preferably, adjustable legs are provided to enable the level of the arrangement to be adjusted on uneven floors. 
     According to a second aspect of the present invention there is provided a kitchen unit arrangement comprising a first storage unit, a substantially vertical support means and a shelf mounted between an inner side wall of the storage unit and the support means for supporting an electrical appliance. 
     Preferably, the electrical appliance is a built-in appliance and may be an oven. 
     Preferably, the support means may be part of a second storage unit, the support means forming the inner side wall of the second storage unit. 
     Preferably, all parts are prefabricated. 
     According to a third aspect of the invention there is provided a method of assembling a kitchen unit arrangement having three or more storage units, the kitchen unit arrangement comprising first and second end walls, at least two internal walls and a shelf; the method comprising: connecting the first end wall to a first said internal wall to form a first storage unit; connecting the second end wall to a second said internal wall to form a second storage unit; and connecting two of said internal walls by means of a shelf to form a third storage unit between the first and second internal walls. 
     Preferably, the method further comprises connecting the first and second storage units by means of a rear panel. 
     Preferably, the kitchen unit arrangement further comprises a worktop and the rear panel is a rear upstand to the worktop. 
     Preferably, the method further comprises installing a built-in electrical appliance which is supported by the shelf. 
     According to a fourth aspect of the invention there is provided a kitchen storage unit having two side walls, one or both of the side walls being a decorative single panel. Each side wall is thus both structural and decorative. 
     Preferably, one or both side walls extend above a level at which a worktop is to be located, each side wall forming a side upstand to the worktop. 
     According to a fifth aspect of the invention there is provided a kitchen storage unit having a plinth which is between 60 mm and 80 mm in height and most preferably 60 mm in height. 
     According to sixth aspect of the invention there is provided a kitchen storage unit having a cutlery tray that is located at the top of the storage unit or directly below a shelf of the storage unit. 
     Preferably, the cutlery tray may be slidably mounted in the storage unit. Alternatively, the cutlery tray may be pivotally mounted in the storage unit. 
     Alternatively, the cutlery tray may be mounted on a door of the storage unit. Preferably, the cutlery tray is provided with at least one hook which is mounted over the top edge of the door. Alternatively, the cutlery tray may be provided with at least one bracket which cooperates with bracket receiving means attached to the door of the storage unit 
     The present invention includes any combination of features or limitations as herein referred to. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
       For a better understanding of the invention, and to show how embodiments of the same may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying diagrammatic drawing, in which: 
         FIG. 1  shows a perspective view of a partially finished kitchen unit module according to a first embodiment of the present invention; 
         FIG. 2  shows a perspective view of a finished kitchen unit module according to a second embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIGS. 3   a - e  show some of the stages of construction of the kitchen unit module of  FIG. 2 . 
         FIGS. 4   a - b  show a partial perspective view of a partially finished kitchen unit module having a hook-on cutlery tray according the present invention. 
         FIGS. 5   a - b  show a partial perspective view of a partially finished kitchen unit module having an alternative hook-on cutlery tray according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  shows the cutlery tray and the mounting hooks of  FIGS. 5   a - b.    
         FIGS. 7   a - b  show a partial perspective view of a partially finished kitchen unit module having a further alternative hook-on cutlery tray according to the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  shows the cutlery tray and the mounting hooks of  FIGS. 7   a - b.    
         FIGS. 9   a - b  show a partial perspective view of a partially finished kitchen unit module having a pivoting cutlery tray according the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  shows the cutlery tray and the mounting hooks of  FIGS. 9   a - b.    
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT 
       FIG. 1-3  show a kitchen unit module  10  comprising two storage units in the form of cupboard units  12 ,  14  and a space  16  for mounting an oven  28 . 
     Each cupboard unit  12 , 14  comprises a base  18 , an internal side wall  20  and an external side wall  22 . The external side walls  22  are preferably decorative. A rail  24  is located between the internal and external side walls  20 ,  22  at the top front portion of the cupboard units  12 , 14 . 
     An oven shelf  26  is mounted between the two interior side walls  20  of the cupboard units  12 , 14 . The oven shelf  26  is thus supported by the two cupboard units  12 , 14  and spans the gap between them. The space above the oven shelf  26  is adapted to receive the oven  28 , whilst the space below the oven shelf  26  is adapted to accommodate a drawer  29 . The use of an oven shelf means that a conventional oven unit is not required. This has the is advantage that fewer materials are used, in particular the two side walls of an oven unit are not required. This reduces the cost of the kitchen unit module compared with conventional kitchen unit arrangements. 
     In an alternative embodiment not shown, the shelf is a top surface of a box-section. The box-section is bolted to the respective two interior side walls  20  to create a more solid structure. In this embodiment, the box-section accommodates the drawer  29 . 
     A worktop  30  is located on the cupboard units  12 , 14 . The worktop  30  is supplied to site already cut to size and with the cut-outs for a sink  32  and a pop-up socket unit  34  already machined. A hole for a hob  35  is also shown in  FIG. 2 . All edges of the worktop  30  are preferably sealed. 
     A rear upstand  36  is incorporated into the kitchen unit module. The rear upstand  36  obviates the need for the installer to tile behind the worktop, and thus speeds up installation. The upstand  36  is delivered to site cut to size and is preferably produced from the off-cut of the worktop  30 . Preferably, a standard 900 mm double postformed worktop  30  is used, and cut down to 700 mm. This means that the upstand  36  is 80 mm. The worktop  30  is relatively deep at 700 mm, whereas conventional worktops are 600 mm. There are two main benefits to this: additional worktop area without increasing the width of the kitchen; and additional storage space in the cupboards. 
     The external side walls  22  extend above the worktop  30  to form side upstands  38  around the worktop. In a standard kitchen framing walls are provided which are additional elements clad onto the side of the kitchen units. The use of the extended external side walls  22  of the present invention reduces both the cost and material content of the kitchen. 
     The sink  32  is a single bowl with a plastic clip-on drainer  40 . This arrangement has the benefit of providing a draining area without occupying valuable worktop area. The drainer  40  can be placed over the sink  32  when the worktop is required for food preparation. In one embodiment, the clip-on drainer is glass and may also be used as a chopping surface. 
     The pop-up socket unit  34  is also integrated into the kitchen unit module  10 . The socket unit  34  is mounted so that in use it extend upwardly of the worktop  30 , whilst when not required it can be pushed down below the level of the worktop  30 . The socket unit  34  may contain several sockets which are connected to a single socket located on the wall behind the unit. 
     A plinth  42  is located along the front of the base of the kitchen unit module  10 . A plastic profile is preferably used as the plinth  42 . The profile has ventilation grooves  44  incorporated for the oven  28  and can be easily modified for uneven floors. The ventilation grooves may be provided in the area under the oven, as shown in  FIG. 1 , or along the length of the plinth, as shown in  FIG. 2 . 
     The plinth  42  is preferably 60 mm in height, which is small compared with conventional kitchen units. The reduction in plinth height allows for the drawer  29  to be relatively deep under the oven creating additional storage. The drawer  29  is operated by a push catch which eliminates the need for a handle. 
     Furthermore the design of the kitchen unit module means that cupboard units  12 , 14  also have maximal storage space. As set out above, the cubic capacity of the cupboard units  12 , 14  has been increased above that of standard units by increasing the depth by 100 mm and reducing the height of the plinth to 60 mm. 
     Each cupboard unit  12 , 14  is provided with a shelf  46 . A slide-out cutlery tray  48  is used in place of a conventional drawer. This allows for the storage of cutlery without the cost of a drawer system. 
     Each cupboard unit  12 , 14  has a cupboard door  50  which does not extend up to the worktop  30 . The gap between the top of the door  50  and the worktop is sufficient to allow the door to be opened without the need for handles. Avoiding the use of handles reduces the number of components required in the module. The fingers of a user are inserted into the gap to engage the top of the door such that the door can be opened. The top rail  24  of the cupboard unit  12 , 14  is located so that the user cannot see into the cupboard when the door  50  is shut, but can still open the door with his fingers. 
     Adjustable legs (not shown) may be incorporated into the design of the kitchen unit module  10  to allow for adjustment on uneven floors. 
       FIGS. 4   a,b  show a kitchen unit module  110  having an alternative arrangement for accommodating a cutlery tray  160 . The cutlery tray  160  is removably mounted on a door  150  by means of two hooks  162  extending over the top of the door  150 . The tray is provided with an arm  164  having plurality of hooks from which kitchen utensils, kitchen towels and the like may by hung. 
       FIGS. 5   a,b  and  6  show an alternative cutlery tray  260  removably mounted on a door  250  by means of two hooks  262  extending over the top of the door  250 . The hooks  262  extend upwardly at first ends  266  distant from the cutlery tray to provide hooks external to the door for hanging kitchen towels and the like.  FIG. 6  shows the support arrangement for the cutlery tray in more detail. Portions  268  and  270  at the other end of the hooks  262  extend down a side of the cutlery tray  260  and under the base of the cutlery tray respectively. The portions  268  and  270  are attached to the cutlery tray  260  by means of screws, rivets or the like. When the door  350  is closed the cutlery tray  360  is located in a top portion of the cupboard unit  312 . 
       FIG. 7   a,b  show a still further cutlery tray  360  removably mounted on a door  350 .  FIG. 8  shows the mounting arrangement in more detail. The cutlery tray  360  is provided with two brackets  380  attached to one side thereof. The door  360  is provided with a bracket receiving means  382  comprising two bracket receiving slots  384 . In use, the brackets  380  are inserted in respective bracket receiving slots  384 . When the door  350  is closed the cutlery tray  360  is located in a top portion of the cupboard unit  312 . 
       FIG. 9   a,b  show the kitchen module  110  having a still further arrangement for accommodating a cutlery tray  460 .  FIG. 10  shows the mounting arrangement in more detail. The cutlery tray  460  is mounted on a pivot arrangement  490  at the top and front of a cupboard unit  112  such that when the door  150  is closed the tray is located fully within the unit  112 , and when the door is open the tray may be pivoted to extend fully out of the unit  112  to enable access to the contents of the tray  166 . The cutlery tray is preferably the shape of a quarter segment of circle, but may be any suitable shape. 
     The cutlery trays described above are located so that they are accommodated either towards the top of a storage unit or directly below a shelf of a storage unit. In this way, use is made of what otherwise could be wasted space. 
     By treating the kitchen as a complete product module, it can be designed to be as functional as possible in a compact environment and as cost effective as possible. 
     The use of a kitchen unit module means that entire selection and installation process is simplified for both the customer and the manufacturer. When building a new house, apartment, or the like, the customer can select a kitchen module from a number of modules which fit that particular kitchen. This will mean that fewer items have to be ordered to create a kitchen resulting in much less likelihood of error in the processing of orders, invoices and deliveries. 
     The kitchen unit module of the present invention has the advantage that it is quick and easy to install. All materials are cut to size in the factory and, where possible, cut-outs in worktops are factory machined in order to reduce on-site processes. This reduces on-site wastage and speeds up installation. 
     The kitchen unit module of the present invention also has the advantage that manufacturing costs are reduced. The kitchen unit module reduces significantly the number of parts required to construct the kitchen. For example, in the embodiments of  FIGS. 1 to 3 , there is no need for a separate oven unit between the two cupboard units. There is also no need for additional panels to form the decorative end walls  22 . Thus the number of vertical base carcase walls in a kitchen unit module is reduced from eight to four. 
     The kitchen unit module will be transported to site in four parts: the first and second cupboard units  12 , 14 , the worktop  30  and a box of parts (for example the sink, taps etc). 
     The principles of the invention are not limited to kitchen floor units, but can be applied to any furniture unit. For example, the invention applies equally to kitchen floor units as to kitchen wall units. 
     The present invention is tailored particularly towards the construction industry, but can also be applied to the retail sector. 
     Although a few preferred embodiments have been shown and described, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that various changes and modifications might be made without departing from the scope of the invention, as defined in the appended claims. 
     All of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), and/or all of the steps of any method or process so disclosed, may be combined in any combination, except combinations where at least some of such features and/or steps are mutually exclusive. 
     Each feature disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), may be replaced by alternative features serving the same, equivalent or similar purpose, unless expressly stated otherwise. Thus, unless expressly stated otherwise, each feature disclosed is one example only of a generic series of equivalent or similar features. 
     The invention is not restricted to the details of the foregoing embodiment(s). The invention extend to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the features disclosed in this specification (including any accompanying claims, abstract and drawings), or to any novel one, or any novel combination, of the steps of any method or process so disclosed.