WO2018141626A1

WO2018141626A1 - An egg tray suitable for use in a refrigerator

Info

Publication number: WO2018141626A1
Application number: PCT/EP2018/051847
Authority: WO
Inventors: Oktay Aygun; Arda OZSU; Davut MERIC; Gurbuz SUNEL; Serhat Sengun
Original assignee: Arcelik Anonim Sirketi
Priority date: 2017-02-02
Filing date: 2018-01-25
Publication date: 2018-08-09
Also published as: TR201701582A2

Abstract

Egg tray (1) suitable for use in a refrigerator (100), comprising a body (2), and at least two containers (3) provided on the body (2) so as to be on separate levels, enabling one egg (E) to be placed into each.

Description

AN EGG TRAY SUITABLE FOR USE IN A REFRIGERATOR

The present invention relates to an egg tray being suitable for use in a refrigerator and saving space.

In refrigerators, the internal volume should be arranged efficiently to achieve customer satisfaction. However, the egg trays generally positioned on the door shelves, require a large storage area due to their structures and dimensions, and may have adverse effects on effective use of the storage area. Therefore, egg trays of varying dimensions and structures are used in the state of the art, such as multi level egg trays enabling the eggs to be stored on top of each other. However, when egg trays of said type are placed on a door shelf whose front is covered so as to be suitable for placing food containers and bottles, access to the eggs on the lower level may be restricted, or may even be impossible.

State of the art Chinese patent application no. CN104534799 describes an egg tray in which eggs are placed in containers rotatable about a vertical axis, providing ease of use.

The aim of the present invention is to realize an egg tray suitable for use in a refrigerator, providing ease of use.

The egg tray realized to achieve the aim of the present invention and disclosed in the first claim and the dependent claims, comprises a body and at least two containers provided on the body in separate elevations, each suitable to bear one egg, and the top container is upwardly rotatable about a horizontal rotation axis by means of a hinge, so as to facilitate access to the container provided below. Thus, when the top container is empty, it is shifted from an open position in which it bears the egg, to a closed position in which it closes onto the body, facilitating access to the bottom container. By this, the users can access to the egg in the bottom container practically and rapidly by pushing the top container upwards without having to grasp it using hands.

In an embodiment of the invention, the egg tray comprises a bearer plate detachably placed on the body, onto which at least one container is hinged. Assembly difficulties likely to be experienced on the body which has a narrow surface area, are obviated by means of the containers being hinged on the bearer plate.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one pin provided on the container, is rotatably mounted on at least one bracket provided on the body or the bearer plate. By this, a hinge with a simple structure is obtained, providing ease of production.

In another embodiment of the invention, the body is tube shaped, and the bearer plate is placed on the body by being fitted on the body by means of an opening provided on the middle portion of the bearer plate. By this, the bearer plate can be easily mounted on the body.

In another embodiment of the invention, a support supporting the bearer plate from below, is provided on the body. By this, when loaded with eggs, the bearer plate rests in a firm and balanced manner on the body.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one tab is provided on the body, and the tabs fit into each one seat provided on the bearer plate when the bearer plate is placed on the body. By this, the bearer plate is prevented from sliding on the body during the container being moved by the user.

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one abutment is provided on the container, preventing the container from hanging downwards by abutting on the body when the container is loaded. The container is enabled to always maintain its correct position when open, by the container being prevented from rotating further by means of the abutment.

In an embodiment of the invention, the containers provided on the lowest level on the body, are produced integrally with the body. By this, ease of production is provided, decreasing labor and assembly costs.

An egg tray facilitating access to the eggs stored on the lower part of the body is achieved by means of the invention.

The egg tray realized to achieve the aims of the present invention is illustrated in the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of an egg tray of an embodiment of the invention, as placed in a refrigerator.

Figure 2 is a perspective view of an egg tray of an embodiment of the invention.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a container of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a body of another embodiment of the invention.

Figure 5 is a view of a body and a bearer plate of another embodiment of the invention.

The elements in the figures are numbered individually and the correspondence of these numbers are given hereinafter.

Egg tray
Body
Container
Hinge
Bearer plate
Pin
Bracket
Opening
Support
Tab
Seat
Abutment
Pin bore

100. Refrigerator

E: Egg

The egg tray (1) is suitable for use in a refrigerator (100), and comprises a body (2), and at least two containers (3) provided on the body (2) so as to be on separate levels, enabling one egg (E) to be placed into each. The storage capacity of the egg tray (1) is increased without occupying an extra surface area thanks to the containers (3) provided on top of each other on the body (2).

The egg tray (1) of the invention comprises at least one hinge (4) allowing the container (3) to be rotated about a horizontal rotation axis, and a container (3) having an open position in which an egg (E) is loaded within, and a closed position in which the container (3) is folded upwards by being rotated about the rotational axis so as to facilitate access to the container (3) below. The containers (3) provided on the upper side of the egg tray (1), are rotatably attached on the body (2) by means of the hinge (4). When the containers are in open position, the mouths of the containers (3) face upwards, and one egg (E) can be placed into each container (3). The user rotates an empty container (3) located on the upper side of the body (2), almost 90° about the rotational axis, simply by pushing it upwards, and shifts the container (3) from the open position to the closed position in which its mouth faces the body (2). When the containers (3) on the upper side of the body (2), are shifted to the closed position, the containers (3) provided on the lower side of the body (2) are opened, and the eggs (E) can easily be loaded to the containers (3) on the lower side of the body (2). By this, as the containers (2) on the upper side of the body (2) are emptied, they can be individually shifted to the closed position, facilitating access to the eggs (E) in the containers (3) on the lower side of the body (2).

In an embodiment of the invention, at least one bearer plate (5) is detachably placed on the body (2), and at least one container (3) is mounted on the bearer plate (5) by means of the hinge (4). The containers (3) located on the upper side of the body (2) are hinged on the bearer plate (5). By this, the bearer plate (5) can be removed from the body (2) when the containers (3) on the upper side of the body (2) are not needed. Usage of the egg tray (1) is thus simplified.

In another embodiment of the invention, the hinge (4) comprises at least one pin (6) provided on the container (3), and at least one bracket (7) provided on the body (2) or the bearer plate (5), rotatably supporting the pin (6). One couple of brackets (7) are provided on the body (2) or the bearer plate (5), and the pin (6) is seated at both ends in the pin bores (13) provided on the brackets (7), so as to be rotatable. The containers (3) are thus simply and securely hinged on the body (2) or the bearer plate (5).

In another embodiment of the invention, an opening (8) is provided on the bearer plate (5), allowing the bearer plate (5) to be fitted on the body (2). The body (2) has a cylindrical shape, and a circular opening (8) suitable for the shape of the body (2), is provided in the middle of the bearer plate (5). The bearer plate (5) is mounted on the body (2) by being fitted on the body (2) by means of the opening (8). By this, the bearer plate (5) can be easily attached to and detached from the body (2).

In another embodiment of the invention, a support (9) is provided on the body (2), abutting to the bearer plate (5) from the lower side, when the bearer plate (5) is mounted on the body (2). The support (9) is shaped as a circular protrusion surrounding the body (2). The bearer plate (5) is slid downwards by being fitted on the body (2), and is rested on the support (9). The support (9) enables the bearer plate (5) to rest on the body (2) in a balanced manner, and prevents it from sliding downwards, by supporting the bearer plate (5) from the bottom.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one tab (10) is provided on the body (2), and the bearer plate (5) has at least one seat (11) in which the tab (10) rests when the bearer plate (5) is placed on the body (2). The tab (10) is shaped as a protrusion extending outwards from the body (2), and when the bearer plate (5) is mounted on the body (2), it fits into the seat (11) shaped as a recess, provided on the bearer plate (5). By this, the bearer plate (5) is prevented from rotating on the body (2) when the containers (3) are moved.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one abutment (12) is provided on the container (3), preventing the container (3) from folding downwards by abutting on the body (2) when the container (3) is in open position. When the container (3) is shifted from the closed position to the open position, the abutment (12) abuts on the body (2), bringing the rotational movement of the container (3) to an end. The abutment (12) thus supports the container (3) in the open position, and prevents it from folding downwards even when excessive load is exerted thereon.

In another embodiment of the invention, at least one container (3) provided so as to be on the lowest level on the body, is produced integrally with the body (2). By this the egg tray (1) can be placed on a ground such that it can rest on the containers (3) on the lowest level, and can independently stand in a firm and balanced manner without requiring a further base portion contacting the ground.

With the present invention, a useful egg tray (1) is obtained, enabling the users to practically and rapidly access the eggs (E) located on the lower side of the body (2) by means of the containers (3) provided on the upper side of the body (2), being capable of opening and closing independently. By this, customer satisfaction is increased by enabling the egg tray (1) to be easily loaded and emptied.

Claims

An egg tray (1) suitable for use in a refrigerator (100), comprising a body (2), and at least two containers (3) provided on the body (2) so as to be on separate levels, enabling one egg (E) to be placed into each, characterized by at least one hinge (4) allowing the container (3) to be rotated about a horizontal rotation axis, and by the container (3) having an open position in which an egg (E) is loaded within, and a closed position in which the container (3) is folded upwards by being rotated about the rotational axis so as to facilitate access to the container (3) below.
An egg tray (1) according to claim 1, characterized by at least one bearer plate (5) detachably placed on the body (2), and by at least one container (3) mounted on the bearer plate (5) by means of the hinge (4).
An egg tray (1) according to claim 1 or claim 2, characterized by the hinge (4) comprising at least one pin (6) provided on the container (3), and at least one bracket (7) provided on the body (2) or the bearer plate (5), rotatably supporting the pin (6).
An egg tray (1) according to claim 2 or claim 3, characterized by an opening (8) provided on the bearer plate (5), allowing the bearer plate (5) to be fitted on the body (2).
An egg tray (1) according to any one of the claims 2 to 4, characterized by a support (9) provided on the body (2), abutting to the bearer plate (5) from the lower side when the bearer plate (5) is mounted on the body (2).
An egg tray (1) according to any one of the claims 2 to 5, characterized by at least one tab (10) provided on the body (2), and by at least one seat (11) provided on the bearer plate (5), in which the tab (10) rests.
An egg tray (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one abutment (12) provided on the container (3), preventing the container (3) from folding downwards by abutting on the body (2) when the container (3) is in open position.
An egg tray (1) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized by at least one container (3) provided on the body (2) so as to be on the lowest level, and produced integrally with the body (2).