IPC분류정보
국가/구분 |
United States(US) Patent
등록
|
국제특허분류(IPC7판) |
|
출원번호 |
US-0070896
(2000-09-13)
|
우선권정보 |
GB-0021564 (1999-09-13) |
국제출원번호 |
PCT//GB00/03521
(2002-05-13)
|
§371/§102 date |
20020513
(20020513)
|
국제공개번호 |
WO01//20237
(2001-03-22)
|
발명자
/ 주소 |
|
출원인 / 주소 |
- Applied Design and Engineering Limited
|
대리인 / 주소 |
|
인용정보 |
피인용 횟수 :
14 인용 특허 :
26 |
초록
▼
A cold-storage appliance comprises an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface, an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container, a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container, and a structure supporting the container, the lid
A cold-storage appliance comprises an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface, an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container, a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container, and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means. In accordance with the invention, the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.
대표청구항
▼
1. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped Insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container, said cooling means introducing cooling by way
1. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped Insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container, said cooling means introducing cooling by way of said insulating lid; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.2. The appliance of claim 1, wherein said movement includes a major generally horizontal component of movement provided by means running along at least one generally horizontal track.3. The appliance of claim 2, wherein the track includes at least one rail.4. The appliance of claim 3, wherein the or each rail is telescopic.5. The appliance of claim 2, wherein the track is exposed to ambient air.6. The appliance of claim 1 wherein said container is supported by wheels or rollers running along a generally horizontal support surface and said movement includes a major generally horizontal component.7. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooling means is substantially flush with the underside of the lid.8. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the structure is a frame which is adapted to be built-in between cupboards or other structures.9. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the structure defines at least one ambient air circulation channel around the external surface of the closed container.10. The appliance of claim 1, further including a means for drawing in ambient air from the front of the appliance and wherein said structure defines a front panel including at least one opening for admission of ambient air.11. The appliance of claim 1, further including a means for dividing the interior of the container.12. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooling means includes an evaporator exposed to the interior of the container when the container is closed.13. The appliance of claim 1, the cooling means includes cold air ducts to feed cold air into the container when the container is closed.14. The appliance of claim 13, wherein the cold air is supplied by a fan coil circuit.15. The appliance of claim 6, wherein the support surface is exposed to ambient air.16. The appliance of claim 1, wherein the cooling means is integral with the lid.17. The appliance of claim 10, wherein the front panel further comprises control and/or display means.18. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, said movement including a minor generally vertical component, said mounting permitting said generally vertical movement, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.19. The appliance of claim 18, wherein the container lifts against the lid upon closing and drops away from the lid upon opening.20. The appliance of claim 18, wherein the track or support surface includes a ramp effecting said vertical component of movement.21. The appliance of claim 18, and including crank means responsive to closing movement of the container to lift the container toward the lid.22. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid, and wherein closing movement of the container with respect to the structure and the lid wedges together the container and the lid, said wedging being effected by a track or support surface supporting the container that converges with the lid in the closing direction of the container.23. The appliance of claim 22, wherein the lid is received and embraced by a rim portion of the container that squeezes the lid laterally when the container and the lid wedge together.24. The appliance of claim 22, wherein the lid and the rim portion are complementarily tapered.25. The appliance of claim 22, comprising holding means for holding the container wedged against the lid.26. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a magnetic, hydraulic, or pneumatic seal that seals the container to the lid when the container is closed; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.27. The appliance of claim 26, wherein the seal is compressible.28. The appliance of claim 26, wherein the seal is electro-magnetic.29. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface: an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container, a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, said opening movement being against the force of gravity, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.30. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein substantially all of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid and the appliance is in use.31. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the Interior but not the exterior of the container; a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; and a scraper or wiper means associated with the container to remove ice or water from the cooling means upon relative movement between the container and the lid; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for said movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.32. The appliance of claim 31, and including first and second scraper or wiper blades arranged respectively to remove ice or water from the cooling means during opening and closing of the container.33. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid, and further including a flexible membrane associated with the cooling means and means for locally deforming the membrane to remove ice or water from the membrane upon relative movement between the container and the lid.34. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; and a shut-down means for shutting down the cooling means when the container is not closed; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.35. The appliance of claim 34, wherein the shut-down means includes a switch closed by presence of the container.36. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; and a retractable screen which is extensible to screen the cooling means when the container is open; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.37. The appliance of claim 36, wherein the screen is attached at one end to the structure and at an opposed end to the container or to means associated with the container.38. The appliance of claim 36, wherein the screen is removably attached to the means associated with the container.39. The appliance of claim 38, further including retaining means for retaining the screen in a wholly or partially extended configuration when the screen is detached from the container.40. The appliance of claim 36, wherein the screen is exposed to ambient air when retracted.41. The appliance of claim 36, wherein the screen is furled on a roller when retracted.42. The appliance of claim 36, wherein the screen is heat-reflective.43. The appliance of claim 36, wherein a wiper or scraper is operable during retraction of the screen to remove water or ice from the screen.44. The appliance of claim 36, wherein the screen is biased into a retracted configuration.45. The appliance of claim 1, further including a means for exhausting to the front of the appliance air that has been heated by a heat exchanger.46. The appliance of claim 36, wherein the container is removable from the structure and an auxiliary lid is attachable to the container when so removed, wherein the retractable screen is attached at one end to the structure and at an opposed end to the container or to a movable cradle adapted to receive the container.47. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; and an impeller for promoting admission and exhaustion of ambient air; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.48. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid, wherein said container is removable from the structure and an auxiliary lid is attachable to the container when so removed.49. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; and a means for exhausting ambient air to the front of the appliance; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.50. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure such that it can be moved with respect to the structure and the lid in a plurality of different directions to open the container and afford access to Its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.51. A cold-storage appliance including:a plurality of open-topped insulating containers defining an external surface; an insulating lid associated with each container and adapted to close the open top of said each container; a cooling means associated with each container and adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of said each container; and a structure supporting the containers, the lids and the cooling means; wherein each container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and its respective lid to open said each container and afford access to its interior or to dose said each container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of said each container is exposed to ambient air when it is closed by its respective lid.52. The appliance of claim 51, wherein the respective cooling means are independently controllable.53. The appliance of claim 51, wherein the cooling means are connected to a common refrigerator engine.54. The appliance of claim 51, wherein the containers are stacked one above another.55. The appliance of claim 51, further including means for preventing opening of a container when another container of the plurality is open.56. The appliance of claim 51, wherein the containers are of different interior sizes, shapes or volumes.57. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a viewing means to assist a user In viewing the contents of a container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.58. The appliance of claim 57, wherein a viewing window is provided in the front and/or bottom of a container.59. The appliance of claim 57, and including a viewing mirror positioned above the container to afford a reflected view from above the container into its open top.60. The appliance of claim 59, wherein the mirror is retractable when not in use.61. The appliance of claim 60, wherein the mirror is attached to the container.62. The appliance of claim 60, and having a plurality of containers, wherein the mirror is positioned above the containers to view the contents of any of the containers.63. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; a defrost tray positionable in the container below the cooling means; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.64. The appliance of claim 63, wherein the defrost tray includes a scraper or wiper means to remove ice or water from the cooling means upon relative movement between the container and the lid.65. The appliance of claim 63, wherein the defrost tray includes an absorbent insert.66. The appliance of claim 65, wherein the insert is heatable.67. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container, said cooling means being generally inclined or having locally inclined portions to promote drainage of moisture condensed thereon away from the interior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.68. The appliance of claim 67, wherein the cooling means communicates with ducts in the lid or the container for drainage of moisture away from the cooling means.69. A cold-storage appliance embodied in a refrigerated vehicle application, said appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to Its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.70. The appliance of claim 69, and wherein the application is a vehicle-mountable container.71. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure, relative to the cooling means and relative to the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.72. The appliance of claim 71, wherein said movement of the container includes a major generally horizontal component of movement provided by means running along at least one generally horizontal track.73. The appliance of claim 71, wherein the container is supported by wheels or rollers running along a generally horizontal support surface.74. The appliance of claim 71, wherein substantially all of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.75. The appliance of claim 71, wherein the structure is a frame which is adapted to be built-in between cupboards or other structures.76. The appliance of claim 71, further including a means for drawing in ambient air from the front of the appliance and wherein said structure defines a front panel including at least one opening for admission of ambient air.77. The appliance of claim 71, further including a means for dividing the interior of the container.78. The appliance of claim 71, wherein the structure defines at least one ambient air circulation channel around the external surface of the closed container.79. The appliance of claim 71, and including a means for exhausting to the front of the appliance air that has been heated by a heat exchanger.80. A cold-storage appliance including:an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface; an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, said movement including a major generally horizontal component which is effected by opening a door of the appliance, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.81. A cold-storage appliance including: an open-topped insulating container defining an external surface;an insulating lid adapted to close the open top of the container; a cooling means adapted to cool the interior but not the exterior of the container; a means for drawing in ambient air from the front of the appliance; a means for exhausting ambient air to the front of the appliance; and a structure supporting the container, the lid and the cooling means, said structure defining a front panel including at least one opening for admission of ambient air; wherein the container is mounted to the structure for movement relative to the structure and the lid to open the container and afford access to its interior or to close the container, and wherein at least a majority of the external surface of the container is exposed to ambient air when the container is closed by the lid.
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