Patent Description:
Refrigerators or refrigerated cabinets are known, used in commercial premises for the sale of food products of various kinds that must be stored at temperatures usually between <NUM> and <NUM>.

These refrigerated cabinets are provided with doors that must be configured so as to allow customers to view the goods contained in the refrigerator and so that a customer can choose the product even before opening the refrigerator in order to avoid subjecting the products and the refrigerator to continuous temperature changes due to the repeated opening and closing of the doors.

During the opening of the door, it is also known that, due to the difference in temperature between the environment outside the refrigerator and the internal environment of the refrigerator, condensation is formed which, if not properly removed, remains on the door for a certain period of time also once the door has been closed at least partially, thus compromising the visibility of the contents of the refrigerator and wetting the door and the surrounding areas.

<CIT> discloses a frameless door for a refrigerator according to the preamble of claim <NUM>.

<CIT> and <CIT> disclose further doors for a refrigerator including a heating element and an electric cable connecting the heating element to a power supply external to the door.

A need felt in the field is therefore that of configuring the doors in such a way as to maximize the visibility of the contents of the refrigerator, and at the same time to remedy the formation of condensation when the door is opened and closed.

An object of the present invention is to meet these needs felt in the sector.

Another object is to achieve such an object with a simple, rational and relatively cost-effective solution.

These and other objects are achieved with the features of the invention as described in the independent claim.

The dependent claims outline preferred and/or particularly advantageous aspects of the invention.

In particular the invention provides a frameless door for refrigerators, comprising:- a pair of plates, made of thermally insulating material, facing and joined by a spacer which divides an interspace between the plates of the pair of plates in a closed chamber- a heating element fixed to one of the plates inside the closed chamber;- an electrical connection element provided with at least one elongated section contained in the housing seat (S) and a first end connected to the heating element;- a housing seat (S) ends with an outlet opening at a second side adjacent to the first side of the pair of plates; the electrical connection element being provided with an opposing second end which protrudes out of the outlet opening of the housing seat (S) characterized by comprising:- at least one longitudinal channel parallel to a first side of the pair of plates, the housing seat (S) being contained in the longitudinal channel which extends longitudinally along an axial section of the longitudinal channel, the spacer comprising at least one or two vertical longitudinal members parallel to the second side of the pair of plates and opposed, wherein each vertical longitudinal member is optically transparent.

Thanks to this solution, an easy-to-construct door with high visibility is provided, provided with an anti-condensation system largely contained in the space occupied by the door.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the heating element may comprise strips of an electrical resistor deposited on a first inner surface of the plate to which the heating element is fixed, wherein the strips are connected to each other in such a way as to define a single electrical resistance.

Thanks to this solution, a heating element for the anti-condensation system is provided which is particularly simple and effective.

Yet another aspect of the invention provides that the heating element may comprise:.

Thanks to this solution, the heating element is adapted to heat the whole surface of the plate uniformly, thus avoiding the formation of condensation on the whole surface.

According to the invention the spacer comprise one or two vertical longitudinal members parallel to the second side of the pair of plates and opposed, wherein the vertical longitudinal members are optically transparent.

Thanks to this solution, the door is of the frameless type, i.e. without a frame and the vertical longitudinal members keep the pair of plates spaced apart, thus maximizing visibility through the door.

Another aspect of the invention provides that the spacer may comprise two horizontal longitudinal members parallel to the first side of the pair of plates and opposed, wherein at least one of the horizontal longitudinal members has a longitudinal cavity communicating with the closed chamber through openings, at least one desiccant substance being contained in the longitudinal cavity of at least one horizontal longitudinal member.

Thanks to this solution, the horizontal longitudinal members create a peripheral spacer with the vertical longitudinal members, and the desiccant substance contained therein allows the dehumidification of the closed chamber, thus further reducing the possibility of condensation forming.

A further aspect of the invention provides that the door may further comprise a support element for connecting the door to a frame of the refrigerator, the support element being contained in the longitudinal channel parallel at a distance from the spacer.

Thanks to this solution, a support element for the door to the frame of the refrigerator is provided, without the need for creating a frame of the door itself.

Another aspect of the invention provides that the electrical connection element may comprise, at the first end, a connector fixed to the spacer accessible from the longitudinal channel and protruding inside the closed chamber by means of two connecting wings in contact with at least one portion of the heating element.

Thanks to this solution, an electrical connection element that is quickly installed and used is provided.

Moreover, the invention also provides a refrigerator comprising:.

Thanks to this solution, a refrigerator provided with a door having the aforesaid features and the advantages associated to such features is provided.

Further features and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description, provided by way of non-limiting example with the aid of the figures shown in the accompanying drawings.

With particular reference to the figures, reference numeral <NUM> denotes a door of a refrigerator R, a frameless door for a refrigerator.

The refrigerator R is generally provided with a frame T which defines an access opening E from which access to a refrigerated inner compartment is gained (as is known to the man skilled in the art).

The door <NUM> is connected to the frame T of the refrigerator R, for example in a movable manner between a first position, in which it is adapted to close at least a portion of the access opening E to the refrigerator R and a second position, in which it opens the access opening E and makes from the outside of the refrigerator R at least a portion of the inner compartment thereof accessible.

The door <NUM> can be hinged to and/or slidably associated with the frame T of the refrigerator R.

The refrigerator R is, in the example, a commercial type non-low temperature refrigerator (that is, operating at a temperature between <NUM> and <NUM>, for the sale of food products of various kinds.

The door <NUM> first comprises a first plate <NUM>, optically transparent, provided with a first inner surface <NUM>, that is, facing towards an environment inside the refrigerator R, and a first outer surface <NUM>, or facing towards an environment outside the refrigerator R. For example, the first plate <NUM> may have, at the first outer surface <NUM> thereof, a handle <NUM> for opening the door <NUM>.

The first plate <NUM> may further have an overall rectangular shape, that is, it has two first equal and parallel sides <NUM>, horizontal in the example, and two second equal and parallel sides <NUM>, adjacent and perpendicular to the first sides <NUM>, vertical in the example.

The first plate <NUM> is for example made of glass.

It is not excluded that in other embodiments, the first plate <NUM> may have another shape and may be made of another thermally insulating material, even if transparent.

The door <NUM> then comprises a second plate <NUM>, optically transparent, provided with a second inner surface <NUM>, that is, facing towards the environment inside the refrigerator R, and a second outer surface <NUM>, or facing towards the environment outside the refrigerator R.

The second plate <NUM> may further have a rectangular shape, that is it has two first equal and parallel sides <NUM>, horizontal in the example, and two second equal and parallel sides <NUM>, adjacent and perpendicular to the first sides <NUM>, vertical in the example.

The second plate <NUM> is for example made of glass or other thermally insulating material, even if transparent.

The second plate <NUM> has for example first sides <NUM> of a length equal to the first sides <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and second sides <NUM> of a shorter length with respect to the second sides <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>, however it is not excluded that in other embodiments they may be the same length.

The second plate <NUM> faces the first plate <NUM>, that is, the second outer surface <NUM> thereof faces the first inner surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>, and is joined thereto by means of a spacer <NUM>, as will be better described hereinafter, so as to define an interspace <NUM> between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>.

In use, one of the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> is proximal to an inner compartment of the refrigerator R, for example the second plate <NUM>, and the other of the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> (i.e. the first plate <NUM>) is distal from said inner compartment of the refrigerator R.

In particular, the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> are connected, by means of the spacer <NUM>, so that the second sides <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> are coplanar with the second sides <NUM> of the second plate <NUM>, and for example so that at least a first side <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> is coplanar with a first side <NUM> of the second plate <NUM>.

The spacer <NUM> first comprises a first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, for example upper.

Said first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> is, for example, of a polygonal section and is interposed between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> in the proximity of a first side <NUM>, <NUM> of the same first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>.

The first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> is, for example, internally hollow and extends by a length substantially equal to the length of the first sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> (and parallel thereto).

Said first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> is for example made of non-transparent or transparent plastic material.

The first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> is fixed to the first plate <NUM> and to the second plate <NUM> or to the first inner surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and to the second outer surface <NUM> of the second plate <NUM>, for example by means of a transparent or non-transparent adhesive/sealant.

The spacer <NUM> then comprises a second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, for example lower.

Said second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> is, for example, of a polygonal section and is interposed between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> in the proximity of the first side <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> which is distal from the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

The second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> is, for example, internally hollow and extends by a length substantially equal to the length of the first sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> (parallel thereto).

Said second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> is for example made of non-transparent or transparent plastic material.

The second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> is fixed to the first plate <NUM> and to the second plate <NUM>, or to the first inner surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and to the second outer surface <NUM> of the second plate <NUM>, by means of a transparent or non-transparent adhesive/sealant.

The first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> and/or the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> are adapted to contain a desiccant substance G, for example in the form of granules, at a longitudinal inner cavity thereof (at full development) and have openings F which allow said inner cavity to be in fluid communication with the interspace <NUM> defined between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>.

For example, the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> has openings F at a face thereof facing the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> and, if provided, the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> has openings F at a face thereof facing the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

The spacer <NUM> further comprises a first vertical longitudinal member <NUM>, for example in the form of a parallelepiped.

The first vertical longitudinal member <NUM> is optically transparent and, for example, is made of Plexiglas.

Said first vertical longitudinal member <NUM> extends from the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> to the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, and is in contact with the same so as to be sealably (head) joined thereto, in the proximity of a second side <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>.

In particular, the first vertical longitudinal member <NUM> is positioned so as to be completely contained in the interspace <NUM> defined between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> and that a surface (outer) thereof is coplanar with a second side <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>.

The first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> is fixed to the first plate <NUM> and to the second plate <NUM>, or to the first inner surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and to the second outer surface <NUM> of the second plate <NUM>, by means of (a respective layer of) adhesive/sealant, preferably optically transparent.

The spacer <NUM> further comprises a second vertical longitudinal member <NUM>, for example in the form of a parallelepiped.

The second vertical longitudinal member <NUM> is optically transparent and, for example, is made of Plexiglas.

Said second vertical longitudinal member <NUM> extends from the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> to the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, and is in contact with the same so as to be sealably (head) joined thereto, in the proximity of a second side <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> distal from the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

In particular, the second vertical longitudinal member <NUM> is positioned so as to be completely contained in the interspace <NUM> defined between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> and that a surface (outer) thereof is coplanar with said second side <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> distal from the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

The second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> is fixed to the first plate <NUM> and to the second plate <NUM>, or to the first inner surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and to the second outer surface <NUM> of the second plate <NUM>, by means of (a respective layer of) adhesive/sealant, preferably optically transparent.

The spacer <NUM>, thus shaped (or shaped like a frame defined by the union of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, the first vertical longitudinal member <NUM>, the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> and the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>), defines a closed perimeter and divides the interspace <NUM> between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM> into a closed chamber <NUM> (inside the spacer <NUM>) and into at least one longitudinal channel <NUM>, <NUM> parallel to the first sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> (outside the spacer <NUM> and in any case contained in the overall dimensions of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>).

In particular, the closed chamber <NUM> is enclosed between the first inner surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and the second outer surface <NUM> of the second plate <NUM> and superiorly defined by the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, inferiorly by the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, and laterally by the first vertical longitudinal member <NUM> and by the second vertical longitudinal member <NUM>.

The longitudinal channel <NUM>,<NUM> is defined by the portion of interspace <NUM> not occupied by the closed chamber <NUM> and, therefore, laterally defined by the first inner surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and the second outer surface <NUM> of the second plate <NUM>, or portions of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> which extend above and/or below beyond the closed chamber <NUM>.

In this embodiment, the spacer <NUM> divides the interspace <NUM> into the closed chamber <NUM> and into a first longitudinal channel <NUM> (upper), formed between the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> and the first sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>, and into a second longitudinal channel <NUM> (lower), formed between the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> and the first sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> distal from the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

In practice, the first longitudinal channel <NUM> (upper) is inferiorly defined by (an outer face of) the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> and laterally by the portions protruding above the closed chamber <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>; the second longitudinal channel <NUM> (lower) is superiorly defined by (an outer face of) the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> and laterally by the portions protruding below the closed chamber <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>; the first longitudinal channel <NUM> and the second longitudinal channel <NUM> being open at the opposite ends (placed at the second sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>).

In particular, the inner cavity of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> which contains said desiccant substance G is in fluid communication with the closed chamber <NUM> in order to dehumidify the closed chamber <NUM> itself.

It is not excluded that in other embodiments, there may be only one longitudinal channel (upper) defined between one of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> and the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> and a first side <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>, in this case one of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> and the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> is fixed to the first plate <NUM> and to the second plate <NUM> so as to be totally contained in the interspace <NUM> and so that a surface (outer) thereof is coplanar with a first side <NUM>, <NUM> of said first plate <NUM> and second plate <NUM>.

The door <NUM> further comprises a heating element <NUM>, preferably located in the closed chamber <NUM>.

The heating element <NUM> is fixed to one of the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>, for example it is fixed to the first plate <NUM> (that is, the one placed farthest from the inner compartment of the refrigerator R).

The heating element <NUM> may comprise an electrical resistance adapted to release heat when it is crossed by an electric current.

For example, the heating element <NUM> comprises two first electrically conductive strips <NUM> of metal material.

The first strips <NUM> are for example aligned with each other and separated by an insulating segment <NUM>, placed in the proximity of the center line of the first inner surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>, i.e. the insulating segment <NUM> is substantially equidistant from the second sides <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>. The insulating segment <NUM>, in the example, is defined by a portion of first insulating or non-conductive (i.e., not coated with conductive elements) plate <NUM>.

The first strips <NUM> are for example formed in the proximity of the first longitudinal channel <NUM>, parallel to a first side <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>.

The heating element <NUM> further comprises a second electrically conductive strip <NUM> of metal material, parallel to the first strips <NUM> and formed at a first side <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> distal from the first side <NUM> proximal to the first two strips <NUM>.

The first strips <NUM> and the second strip <NUM> are, for example, deposited by screen printing.

For example, the metal material of the first strips <NUM> and of the second strip <NUM> is silver or silver oxide, however, it is not excluded that in other embodiments, another metal or other electrically conductive material may be used.

The heating element <NUM> further comprises a resistor <NUM> fixed to the first inner surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>.

The resistor <NUM> is for example a metal powder deposited on the first inner surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>, for example by means of screen printing, preferably a silver or silver oxide powder (which does not affect the visibility allowed by the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>, as finely dispersed on the surface or localized in thin and substantially optically transparent strips).

The resistor <NUM> is adapted to put one of the first two strips <NUM> in electrical communication with the second strip <NUM> and the second strip <NUM> with the other of the first two strips <NUM> so as to form an electrically conductive track (which longitudinally crosses the first inner surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>).

The heating element <NUM> is connected to a power source by an electrical connection element <NUM>.

The electrical connection element <NUM> comprises, for example, a pair of cables <NUM>, which are connected (directly or indirectly) to a proximal end of the heating element <NUM> and with another distal end to an electric power source, for example directly to the mains or to a battery.

In particular, a cable of the pair of cables <NUM> is connected, at the distal end (connected to the electric power source), to a positive supply pole, and the other cable of the pair of cables <NUM> is connected, at the distal end thereof, to a negative supply pole.

In this way, a cable of the pair of cables <NUM> connects the positive supply pole with one of the first strips <NUM>, for example in a portion of the first strip <NUM> proximal to the insulating segment <NUM>, and the other cable of the pair of cables <NUM> connects the negative supply pole to the other of the first strips <NUM>, for example in a portion of the other first strip <NUM> proximal to the insulating segment <NUM>.

In a first embodiment not shown, the proximal end of the pair of cables <NUM> may be connected to the heating element <NUM> directly, for example by means of two respective welding points.

In particular, a proximal end of one of the cables of the pair of cables <NUM> is connected directly to one of the two first strips <NUM> and the other cable of the pair of cables <NUM> is connected to the other of the first strips <NUM>.

Starting from the proximal end connected to the heating element <NUM>, the pair of cables <NUM> is adapted to cross, substantially vertically, the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> so as to (radially) protrude from the closed chamber <NUM>.

The pair of cables <NUM> then extends parallel to the first sides of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>, received in a housing seat S formed in the first longitudinal channel <NUM>, or completely contained therein.

For example, the pair of cables <NUM> is received in a housing seat S which extends, throughout its development, substantially parallel to the first sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>.

Said housing seat S extends from a first side <NUM>, <NUM> of said first plate <NUM> and second plate <NUM> up to about half of the longitudinal extension of the first longitudinal channel <NUM> (approximately at the center line of the first plate <NUM>, or of the door <NUM>), for example in the proximity of the insulating segment <NUM>.

In practice, the housing seat S extends substantially by half of the longitudinal (horizontal) development of the first longitudinal channel <NUM>.

In the example, the housing seat S is constructed such that a portion of an outer face of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> defines a wall of the housing seat S. The housing seat S, or that wall defined by the outer face of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, is then (superiorly) closed by an interface surface, for example concave with concavity facing the outer face of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

Such an interface surface is defined, for example, by a sealant W inserted in the first longitudinal channel <NUM>, for example so as to substantially fill all of said first longitudinal channel <NUM> (except the housing seat S for the pair of cables <NUM>), being flush with at least a first side <NUM> of the second plate <NUM>.

In practice, the interface surface is a surface formed by the sealant W at the interface with the cables of the pair of cables <NUM> and which surrounds the same defining, in fact, between that interface surface and the wall defined by the outer face of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, the housing seat S.

The housing seat S opens at a second side <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> through an outlet opening <NUM>, which in fact defines an open end of the housing seat S facing the outside of the door <NUM>.

The pair of cables <NUM> then protrudes from the interspace <NUM> defined between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>, or from the first longitudinal channel <NUM>, through said outlet opening <NUM> of the housing seat S placed at the second side <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and second plate <NUM>.

Said second side <NUM>, <NUM> from which the pair of cables <NUM> protrudes, in use, will be the side of the door <NUM> proximal to the hinging (or fixing) area thereof to the frame T of the refrigerator R.

In a preferred embodiment, shown in the figures, the electrical connection element <NUM> (in addition to the pair of cables <NUM>) also comprises a connector <NUM>, which connects the proximal end of the cables of the pair of cables <NUM> to the heating element <NUM>.

In practice, in this embodiment the cables of the pair of cables <NUM> are indirectly connected to the heating element <NUM> by interposing said connector <NUM>.

For example, the connector <NUM> is adapted to cross the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> (and/or the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>), thus providing, in the direction of crossing of the current, a proximal end (directly) connected to the cables of the pair of cables <NUM>, which is located inside (or leads into) the first longitudinal channel <NUM> (and/or second longitudinal channel <NUM>), and a distal end (directly) connected to the heating element <NUM> (i.e. to the pair of first strips <NUM>), which is located inside (or leads into) the closed chamber <NUM>.

In the example, the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> and/or the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> of the spacer <NUM>, for example the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, are made of two homologous half-portions <NUM>.

In such an embodiment, the half-portions <NUM> are aligned and connected to each other (at a center line area of the door <NUM>), for example, by means of the connector <NUM>.

In particular, the connector <NUM> is placed between the two half-portions <NUM>, substantially equidistant from the second sides <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>, and connected thereto by means, for example, of a prismatic (sealed) interlocking coupling, in practice, the electrical connecting element <NUM> itself forms a portion of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, or a portion of spacer <NUM>.

The connector <NUM> has a first portion (which defines the distal end thereof) inserted into the closed chamber <NUM> in contact with the first strips <NUM> of the heating element <NUM> and a second portion (which defines the proximal end thereof) facing towards (or leading into) the first longitudinal channel <NUM> (being accessible therefrom).

Said connector <NUM> is inserted into and fixed to the half-portions <NUM> of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> so as to form itself a portion of said first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> or of spacer <NUM> (in practice, the connector <NUM> closes the facing open ends of the two half-portions <NUM>).

For example, the connector <NUM> has a substantially "H" shape, that is, it has a first section <NUM> and a second section <NUM> parallel to each other and an intermediate section <NUM> connecting said first section <NUM> and said second section <NUM> orthogonal thereto.

The first section <NUM> is, for example, made of plastic material and can provide a central body <NUM>, for example, having a polygonal (irregular) section.

The central body <NUM> has a first metal contact and a second metal contact, electrically isolated from each other.

For example, the first metal contact is associated with the central body <NUM> at a first channel <NUM> and the second metal contact is associated with the central body <NUM> at a second channel <NUM>.

The first channel <NUM> and the second channel <NUM> extend in a direction perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of the central body <NUM>, and have an inlet opening directed towards, and accessible from, the first longitudinal channel <NUM>.

The first section <NUM> then has two lateral pins <NUM> formed at opposite sides of the central body <NUM>.

The lateral pins <NUM> extend in a direction parallel to a longitudinal axis of the central body <NUM>, or they form a lateral extension of the central body <NUM> itself.

The lateral pins <NUM> have, for example, a shape homologous to that of the central body <NUM> and are adapted to be inserted each in a half-portion <NUM> of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> so as to achieve a prismatic sealing coupling with the same (closing in fact the facing open ends of the same half-portions).

The intermediate portion <NUM> has a first metal sheet <NUM> extending from the first channel <NUM> of the first section <NUM> and connected to the metal contact of said first channel <NUM>, and a second metal plate <NUM> which protrudes from the second channel <NUM> and is connected to the metal contact of said second channel <NUM> of the first section <NUM>.

The first metal sheet <NUM> and the second metal sheet <NUM> are placed parallel to and at a distance from each other, so as to be electrically insulated, and extend in a direction orthogonal to the first section <NUM>.

The second section <NUM> has a first metal wing <NUM>, for example substantially in the shape of a "C", which forms an extension without interruption of the first metal sheet <NUM> of the intermediate section <NUM>, and a second metal wing <NUM>, for example substantially in the shape of a "C", forming an extension without interruption of the second metal sheet <NUM> of the intermediate section <NUM>.

The first metal wing <NUM> and the second metal wing <NUM> are aligned with each other and extend orthogonally to the intermediate section <NUM> in opposite directions.

Each metal wing <NUM>, <NUM> is then provided with a plate <NUM>, for example of a rectangular shape.

The plates <NUM> are coplanar and lie in use on a plane parallel to a lying plane of the first plate <NUM>.

In use, the first section <NUM> is aligned with the two half-portions <NUM> of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> and is connected thereto by means of the lateral pins <NUM> formed on the opposite sides of the central body <NUM>.

The intermediate section <NUM> is thus placed inside the closed chamber <NUM> and the second section <NUM> is in contact with the heating element <NUM>, i.e. the plates <NUM> of the first metal wing <NUM> and the second metal wing <NUM> are in contact each with a respective first strip <NUM> of the heating element <NUM> (for example, forcibly due to an elastic force due to the shape of the metal wings <NUM> and <NUM> themselves).

In this preferred embodiment, the cables of the pair of cables <NUM> are (directly) connected with their proximal end - which is located outside the closed chamber <NUM> and is located inside the first longitudinal channel <NUM> (and/or second channel longitudinal <NUM>) - to the connector <NUM>.

More in detail, a cable of the pair of cables <NUM> is inserted and electrically connected in the first channel <NUM> of the first section <NUM> by means of the metal contact therein, and the other cable of the pair of cables <NUM> is connected and electrically connected in the second channel <NUM> of the first section <NUM> by means of the metal contact therein.

Starting from their proximal end, the cables of the pair of cables <NUM> extend (also in this case) parallel to the first sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>, received in the housing seat S formed in the first channel longitudinal <NUM>, or completely contained therein.

Preferably, the pair of cables <NUM> is received in a housing seat S which extends, throughout its development, substantially parallel to the first sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM>.

Also in this case, the housing seat S extends from a first side <NUM>, <NUM> of said first plate <NUM> and second plate <NUM> up to about half of the longitudinal extension of the first longitudinal channel <NUM> (approximately at the center line of the first plate <NUM>, or of the door <NUM>), for example in the proximity (of the first channel <NUM> and of the second channel <NUM> of the first section <NUM>) of the connector <NUM>, or up to a portion of interspace <NUM> substantially equidistant from the second sides <NUM>, <NUM> of said first plate <NUM> and second plate <NUM>.

Also in this case, the housing seat S is formed so that a portion of the outer face of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> defines a wall of the housing seat S and (the housing seat S as a whole or) such a wall defined by the outer face of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> is (superiorly) closed by the interface surface (as described above), for example concave with concavity facing towards the outer face of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

Such an interface surface, as said, is defined by a sealant W inserted in the first longitudinal channel <NUM>, for example so as to substantially fill all of said first longitudinal channel <NUM> (except the housing seat S for the pair of cables <NUM>), being flush with at least a first side <NUM> of the second plate <NUM>.

The housing seat S opens at a second side <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> through the outlet opening <NUM>, which in fact defines an open end of the housing seat S facing the outside of the door <NUM>.

The pair of cables <NUM> protrudes from the interspace <NUM> defined between the first plate <NUM> and the second plate <NUM>, or from the first longitudinal channel <NUM>, through said outlet opening <NUM> of the housing seat S placed at the second side <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and second plate <NUM>.

Said second side <NUM> from which the pair of cables <NUM> protrudes, in use, will be the side of the door <NUM> proximal to the hinging (or fixing) area thereof to the frame T of the refrigerator R.

The door <NUM> still further comprises a first support element <NUM> for hooking the door <NUM> itself to the frame T of the refrigerator R, at the first sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> proximal to the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

The first support element <NUM> is allocated (or completely contained) in the first longitudinal channel <NUM>, for example embedded in the sealant W inserted in the first longitudinal channel <NUM>, and is interposed between the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, kept at a distance therefrom by the sealant W itself, and the first sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> proximal to said first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

The first support element <NUM> is fixed to the first plate <NUM> and to the second plate <NUM>.

For example, said first support element <NUM> is parallelepiped-shaped and is fixed so as to be totally contained in the first housing channel <NUM> and that an outer surface thereof is coplanar with at least one of the first sides <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and the first sides <NUM> of the second plate <NUM> proximal to the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

Said first support element <NUM> is configured, for example, as a bar extending along the entire longitudinal extension of the first upper side <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> and is provided with slots for receiving hinge pins associated with the frame T of the refrigerator R.

For example, the first support element <NUM> is made of aluminum or other metal material or other rigid material in general.

The door <NUM> further comprises a second support element <NUM> for hooking the door <NUM> itself to the frame T of the refrigerator R, at the first sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> proximal to the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>. The second support element <NUM> is allocated (or completely contained) in the second longitudinal channel <NUM>, for example embedded in the sealant W inserted in the second longitudinal channel <NUM>, and is interposed between the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> (and in contact therewith) and the first sides <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> proximal to said second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

The second support element <NUM> is fixed to the first plate <NUM> and to the second plate <NUM>.

For example, said second support element <NUM> is parallelepiped-shaped and is fixed so as to be totally contained in the second housing channel <NUM> and so that an outer surface thereof is coplanar with at least one of the first sides <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and the first sides <NUM> of the second plate <NUM> proximal to the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

The second support element <NUM> is configured, for example, as a bar extending along the entire longitudinal extension of the first side <NUM>, <NUM> of the first plate <NUM> and of the second plate <NUM> and is provided with slots for receiving hinge pins associated with the frame T of the refrigerator R.

For example, the second support element <NUM> is made of aluminum other metal material or other rigid material in general.

For example, on the first outer surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>, a layer of (optically non-transparent) paint P may be deposited, for example by screen printing or other deposition technique, so as to hide the portion of door <NUM> from the first support element <NUM>, or from a first side <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>, to the surface of the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> facing the closed chamber <NUM>.

A further layer of (optically non-transparent) paint P, also for example deposited by screen printing or other deposition technique, may be deposited on the first outer surface <NUM> of the first plate <NUM>, so as to hide (also) the portion of door <NUM> from the second support element <NUM>, or from the other first side <NUM> of the door, to the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>, or to a surface of the second horizontal longitudinal member <NUM> facing the first horizontal longitudinal member <NUM>.

The invention thus conceived is susceptible to numerous modifications and variations, all of which are within the scope of the inventive concept.

Claim 1:
A frameless door (<NUM>) for refrigerators, comprising:
- a pair of plates (<NUM>, <NUM>), made of thermally insulating material, facing and joined by a spacer (<NUM>) which divides an interspace (<NUM>) between the plates of the pair of plates (<NUM>, <NUM>) in a closed chamber (<NUM>)
- a heating element (<NUM>) fixed to one of the plates (<NUM>, <NUM>) inside the closed chamber (<NUM>);
- an electrical connection element (<NUM>) provided with at least one elongated section contained in a housing seat (S) and a first end connected to the heating element (<NUM>);
- said housing seat (S) ends with an outlet opening (<NUM>) at a second side (<NUM>, <NUM>) adjacent to the first side of the pair of plates (<NUM>, <NUM>); the electrical connection element (<NUM>) being provided with an opposing second end which protrudes out of the outlet opening (<NUM>) of the housing seat (S)
characterized by comprising:
- at least one longitudinal channel (<NUM>, <NUM>) parallel to a first side (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the pair of plates, the housing seat (S) being contained in the longitudinal channel (<NUM>,<NUM>) which extends longitudinally along an axial section of the longitudinal channel (<NUM>,<NUM>), the spacer (<NUM>) comprising at least one or two vertical longitudinal members (<NUM>, <NUM>) parallel to the second side (<NUM>, <NUM>) of the pair of plates (<NUM>, <NUM>) and opposed, wherein each vertical longitudinal member (<NUM>, <NUM>) is optically transparent.