WO2007007144A1

WO2007007144A1 - Refrigerator for food storage, preferably for household use

Info

Publication number: WO2007007144A1
Application number: PCT/IB2006/001828
Authority: WO
Inventors: Gianluca Francolini
Original assignee: Antonio Merloni S.P.A.
Priority date: 2005-07-11
Filing date: 2006-07-03
Publication date: 2007-01-18
Also published as: ITBO20050459A1

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigerator for food storage, in particular for domestic or household use, comprising a draught device (4) for dispensing a drinking beverage .

Description

REFRIGERATOR FOR FOOD STORAGE, PREFERABLY FOR HOUSEHOLD

USE.

DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a refrigerator for food storage, and in particular for household use.

Household or domestic refrigerators are normally composed of a cupboard-type structure, containing one or more compartments equipped with several shelves on which the food can be placed for preservation or freezing.

Said compartment or compartments are accessible from the exterior by means of one or more doors generally positioned on the front of the refrigerator.

The most common refrigerator models are composed of a freezer compartment, and another compartment for storing fresh food; these two compartments are generally separated, each one being equipped with a separate door.

On the other hand, plainer models have a single door to one compartment, inside which a smaller compartment may be positioned to contain frozen food.

The interior of the fresh food compartment door is generally equipped with appropriate storage structures for liquid containers such as bottles, cans, cartons etc. These door compartments are normally specifically shaped to receive the said containers in vertical position, in order to permit storage of containers that .are not hermetically sealed, such as bottles etc., which have been operied previously and whose contents are partially consumed. Especially in summer, in order to keep the drinks chilled, the user is forced to open and close the refrigerator door many times, to remove the required beverage and to replace it inside the door, especially in cases where the beverages are not consumed at a single time. This not only wastes an inevitable amount of energy, but also involves removal and replacement actions which are not very practical, even more so when the said beverage containers are large in size. The aim of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator able to at least partially resolve the aforesaid disadvantages in order to guarantee efficient and practical removal of beverages contained in the refrigerator, without compromising the basic characteristics and normal operating function of the refrigerator itself.

The invention achieves this aim with a refrigerator of the type described above, and including equipment for drawing off said beverages. Any beverage or liquid contained inside the refrigerator can therefore be obtained without the need for opening the refrigerator door, thus contributing to energy saving.

Thanks to the specific draught device, the user is also able to draw off a fluid, normally of the type such as beer, but also other types of beverage such as wine for example, with the same ease and practicality as from the professional draught device available in public establishments, without having to rely on dedicated devices which are difficult to apply in domestic environments, and without compromising the internal space of the refrigerator. The draught device is advantageously associated with a wall of the refrigerator, preferably that of the access door.

The wall presents an external side accessible from the outside, and a corresponding internal side accessible from the refrigerator interior. The draught device is composed of a first and second part, respectively associated with the external and internal sides of the refrigerator wall. According to one embodiment, the first part of the device comprises a draught faucet, which protrudes from the external side of the wall, and a support shelf for placing a drinking glass, or container under said faucet, to collect the drawn liquid. Said faucet is at least partially housed inside a niche obtained in the external side of the wall. This niche is conceived with a specific shape and size able to contain, at least partially, the drinking glass and the support shelf. The latter advantageously includes a collector container, removable from the exterior, to permit the recovery of any foam that may overflow from the glass, after beer has been drawn off, for example. The second part of the device is advantageously connected to the draught faucet, by means of one or more pipes which pass through the wall, or directly by means of an extension to the faucet which passes through the wall and which is equipped with a terminal piece that protrudes from the internal wall.

The second part of the device comprises certain means for drawing and dispensing a fluid under pressure to the faucet, since a specific housing is foreseen for a vessel containing the fluid to be drawn, such as a small beer keg.

The housing of the vessel, which can be closed on the inside of the refrigerator with a lid, is positioned on the internal side of the wall accessible from the interior of the refrigerator, said housing having a suitable size and shape to contain the vessel and the means for the pressurised drawing and dispensing of the fluid.

The drawing and pressure dispensing means are composed of a gas, such as carbon dioxide contained in a gas cylinder, which when fed into the vessel through an inlet circuit, provokes the pressurised out-flow of the fluid through an outlet connected by means of a connecting hoses to the draught faucet.

According to one embodiment, the drawing and dispensing means comprise a cannula with a proximal part associated with a draught faucet by means of an outlet circuit, and a distal part conceived for insertion in the vessel containing the fluid to be drawn. The length of the cannula is substantially equal or slightly shorter than the depth of the vessel containing the fluid to be drawn, so that when the drawing and dispensing means are connected to said vessel, the fluid pushed by the gas under pressure exits from the cannula substantially in proximity to the bottom of the vessel, while the gas inlet circuit is designed to flow into the vessel in proximity to the wall opposite to the bottom of the vessel. The internal compartment of the refrigerator is the commonly traditional type, but can advantageously include one or more cradles, housings or shelves to hold one or more vessels, such as replacement beer kegs for example.

According to another embodiment, the invention relates to the door or wall of a refrigerator for food storage, preferably a type for household use, comprising a draught device in the form of a kit to be assembled on any type of traditional type refrigerator without modifying the basic characteristics, such as the energy efficiency, performance, or internal space. All further characteristics and improvements are described in the subordinate claims.

The characteristics of the invention and the advantages to be gained will be explained more clearly in the following detailed description pertaining to the appended drawings wherein:

Figure 1 shows a view in perspective of the external side of the door of a refrigerator according to the invention.

Figure 2 shows a view of the internal side of the door shown in figure 1.

Figure 3 shows a detailed view of the housing obtained in the internal wall of the door.

Figure 4 shows a cross-section of the door.

Figure 5 shows the draught device in its basic version connected to a beer keg.

In reference to Figure 1, the refrigerator according to the invention presents a door 1 on the external side 2 of which is a niche 102, inside which is mounted a traditional type draught faucet 202. The draught faucet 202 presents an extension 302 (refer to figure 5) that is inserted into a pass-through hole that connects the external side 2 to the internal side 3 of the door 1, in proximity to the upper part of the niche 102. The lower part of the niche 102, presents a shelf 303 on which a drinking glass 404 can be placed to collect the drawn fluid, in this case, beer. The shelf 303 extends partially from the niche

102 and includes a collector container 502 that can be removed from the external side to recover the foam that overflows from the glass 402.

In reference to the figures 2, 3 and 4, the internal side 3 of the door 1 presents a housing

103 conceived to contain the draught device 4 and a beer keg 5, of the type commonly found on the market, with a 5-litre capacity, for example. The housing 103 is closed towards the interior of the refrigerator by means of a plastic lid 203.

In reference to figure 5, the draught device 4 is composed of a gas cylinder 6 containing a gas such as carbon dioxide, which when introduced into the keg by means of an inlet circuit 104 provokes the out-flow of the beer under pressure from the draught faucet 202 through the outlet circuit 204. The outlet circuit 204 is composed of a cannula 304 with a distal part 404, which is inserted into the beer keg 5, and a proximal part 504, connected by means of a connection hose to the protruding terminal end of the extension 302 of faucet 202 located on the internal side 3 of the door 1. The cannula 304 is slightly shorter than the depth of the keg 5, so that the beer pushed by the pressurised carbon dioxide flows out of the cannula 304 substantially in proximity to the bottom of the keg

5.

The carbon dioxide inlet circuit 104 is composed of a connecting hose that connects the gas cylinder 6 by means of a pressure control 106, and a pressure gauge 206, to a collar

604 tightened around the proximal part of the cannula 304.

When said collar 604 is inserted into the beer keg 5, it connects the inlet circuit 104 to the interior of the keg 5 in proximity to the insertion surface. In addition, a safety valve

704 has been foreseen for mounting on one side of the collar 604 to limit the maximum pressure of the carbon dioxide fed into the. keg 5. The collar 604 is to be mounted on an elastic clamp 804 equipped with hooks 904, 904' designed to be inserted in a movable manner in the associated grooves 105 located on keg 5.

Therefore the user is easily able to change the keg once it is empty, replacing it with a full keg, which can be stored temporarily in specific cradles mounted inside the refrigerator compartment. The housing 103 mounted on the internal part 3 of the refrigerator door 1 is dimensioned so that it will contain a beer keg 5, the carbon dioxide cylinder 6, and the connecting hoses 104, 204 in a compact manner (see figure 2), thus limiting the volume of the device 4 within the overall space available for storing other beverage containers.

Thanks to this particular refrigerator structure, any user is able to draw off beer, while keeping the doors closed, thus making the most of the same practical and user-friendly system as those on professional draught systems, without compromising the basic refrigerator characteristics and normal operating functions. Naturally the invention is not limited to the embodiment described above, but can be varied in many ways.

For example, housings for several beer kegs and/or carbon dioxide cylinders can be connected in parallel mode. This can be performed while remaining within the main principle of the invention as described above and according to the subordinate claims.

Claims

1. Refrigerator for food storage, preferably of the type for household use, characterised in that it comprises a draught device (4) to dispense a drinking beverage.

2. Refrigerator according to claim 1, characterised in that the draught device (4) is associated with a wall (1) of the refrigerator, said wall presenting an external side (2) accessible from the exterior, and a corresponding internal side (3) accessible from the interior of the refrigerator.

3. Refrigerator according to claim 2, characterised in that the draught device (4) comprises a first and a second part, said first part being associated with the external side (2) of the wall, said second part being associated with the internal side (3) of the refrigerator wall.

4. Refrigerator according to claim 3, characterised in that the first part of the device (4) comprises a draught faucet (202) which protrudes from the external side (2) of the wall.

5. Refrigerator according to claim 4, characterised in that it comprises a support shelf (303) on which a drinking glass (402) can be placed under the draught faucet (202) to collect the draught fluid.

6. Refrigerator according to claim 4 or 5, characterised in that the faucet (202) is at least partially set inside the niche (102) obtained in the interior of the external side (2) of the wall.

7. Refrigerator according to claim 6, characterised in that the niche (102) is dimensioned in order to receive a drinking glass (402) at least partially.

8. Refrigerator according to one or more of the claims 5 to 7, characterised in that the support shelf (303) extends outside the niche (102), at least partially.

9. Refrigerator according to one or more of the claims 5 to 8, characterised in that the support shelf (303) comprises a collector container (502) removable from the external side.

10. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the second part of the device (4) is connected to the draught faucet (202) by means of one or more hoses (204) which pass through the refrigerator wall (1).

11. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the draught faucet (202) presents an extension (302) which passes through the wall (1), with a protruding terminal end on the internal wall (3) which is connected to the second part of the device. (4).

12. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the second part of the device (4) comprises means (6; 104, 204; 304) to draw and dispense fluid under pressure towards the faucet (202), since a housing (103) has been provided to hold a vessel (5) containing the draught fluid.

13. Refrigerator according to claim 12, characterised in that the housing (103) for the vessel (5) is mounted on the internal side (3) of the wall, and is accessible from the interior del refrigerator.

14. Refrigerator according to claim 12 or 13, characterised in that the housing (103) has a specific shape and size to contain the vessel (5) and the means (6; 104; 204; 304) for pressurised drawing and dispensing of the fluid.

15. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims 12 to 14, characterised in that the housing (103) can be closed towards the interior of the refrigerator by a lid (203).

16. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the means (6; 104; 204; 304) for pressurised drawing and dispensing of the fluid include a gas which, when introduced into the vessel (5) through an inlet circuit (104), provokes the pressurised outflow through an outlet (204) attached by means of connecting hoses (204) to the draught faucet (202).

17. Refrigerator according to claim 16, characterised in that the means (6; 104; 104; 304) for drawing and dispensing are composed of a cannula (304) with a proximal part (504) connected to the draught faucet (202) by means of an outlet circuit (204) and a distal part (404) conceived for insertion into the vessel (5) containing the draught fluid.

18. Refrigerator according to claim 17, characterised in that the cannula (304) is substantially the same length or slightly shorter than the depth of the vessel (5) containing the draught fluid, so that when the means (6; 104; 204; 304) for drawing and dispensing are connected to said vessel (5), the fluid pushed by the pressurised gas exits from the cannula (304) substantially in proximity to the bottom of the vessel (5).

19. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the gas inlet circuit (104) is conceived to finish in the vessel (5) in proximity to the wall opposite the bottom of the vessel (5).

20. Refrigerator according to claim 19, characterised in that the gas inlet circuit (104) leads into a collar (604) that surrounds the proximal part (504) of the cannula (304), said collar (604) being conceived to be attached to the vessel (5) to connect the gas inlet circuit (104) with the interior of the vessel (5) in proximity to the attachment surface.

21. Refrigerator according to claim 20, characterised in that the collar (604) is mounted on an elastic clamp (804) equipped with hooks (904, 904') conceived to be inserted in a removable manner into complementary grooves (105) on the vessel (5) containing the draught fluid.

22. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the gas inlet circuit (104) also comprises a safety valve (704).

23. Refrigerator according to claim 22, characterised in that the safety valve (704) is located on the collar (604).

24. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the gas inlet circuit (104) includes a pressure regulator (106).

25. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the gas inlet circuit (104) includes a pressure gauge (206).

26. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the gas is contained in a gas cylinder (6).

27. Refrigerator according to claim 26, characterised in that the pressure regulator (106) and the pressure gauge (206) are mounted on the gas cylinder (6).

28. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the gas is carbon dioxide.

29. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the fluid to be drawn is beer.

30. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that said refrigerator is conceived to operate in association with a beer keg (5).

31. Refrigerator according to claim 30, characterised in that said beer keg (5) has an approximate capacity of 5 litres.

32. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that the wall associated with the draught device (4) is the door (1) of the refrigerator.

33. Refrigerator according to one or more of the previous claims, characterised in that inside the internal compartment, one or more cradles, housings or shelves are included to store additional replacement beer kegs (5) .

34. Access door (1) or wall on a refrigerator for food storage, preferably of the domestic or household type, characterised in that it comprises a draught device (4) according to one or more of the previous claims.