SHELF FOR STORAGE ITEMS, AND HOUSEHOLD REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE

[0001]One aspect of the invention relates to a shelf for items to be stored in a household refrigerator. A further aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigerator having at least one such shelf.

[0002]Shelves for items to be stored in household refrigerators are known in many different variants. Such shelves can be dividers or compartment shelves. The shelves are generally removably arranged in a horizontal position in a receiving space of the household refrigerator. Such shelves have outer edges. In this context, shelves which have separate rails which are arranged on these outer edges are known.

[0003]It is the object of the present invention to provide a shelf for items to be stored in a household refrigerator in which the number of components is reduced and a base plate is locally protected.

[0004]This object is achieved by a shelf and a household refrigerator according to the independent claims.

[0005]One aspect of the invention relates to a shelf for items to be stored in a household refrigerator. The shelf has a base plate. This base plate has an outer edge. This outer edge is formed, in particular, by the narrow peripheral side of the base plate. An edge protection element is arranged at least in some regions on the outer edge. The edge protection element is arranged in a non-releasable manner on the outer edge. The edge protection element is also formed on the outer edge as a printed edge protection element. As a result, the edge protection element cannot be released from the outer edge without being destroyed. Thus it cannot be reversibly removed and re-attached. This enables mounting effort to be saved. It is also achieved thereby that position tolerances can be avoided. In this context, the edge protection element is also positioned in a permanently stable manner and in a precise location on the outer edge. Since the edge protection element is printed, in one exemplary embodiment a specific application or attachment of the edge protection element is formed on the outer edge in a particularly advantageous manner. An edge protection element which is produced by a printing method on the outer edge can be produced very specifically in terms of shape and in an accurate manner. Moreover, printing enables a particularly stable and permanent fastening of the edge protection element to the outer edge. The final shape of the edge protection element is generated only during production by a printing method. Thus in principle the shape of the edge protection element is formed only by the application of the printed material. Specifically in shelves which are arranged in a receiving space, this edge protection element is subjected to very different environmental conditions. In particular, it can be arranged in the refrigerator compartment or in the freezer compartment. As a result, the shelf can be exposed to very different temperatures. If the shelf is removed from the receiving space, it is generally subjected to environmental conditions such as those which occur at room temperature. Specifically in this context, a printed edge protection element is very advantageous in order to take into account these variable aspects with little wear. A printed edge protection element is thus a very advantageous edge protection element which is attached in a non-releasable manner to the outer edge. Moreover, the edge protection element can be produced by means of a printing method in many different variants, both in terms of material and specific shape.

[0006]In one exemplary embodiment, the edge protection element is in at least some regions a screen-printed edge protection element. In a screen-printing method, a stencil is applied to a screen, preferably by means of exposure to light. The screen then preferably carries the ink and in a further production step is applied to the component, in this case the outer edge of the base plate. This method enables printing with a high degree of precision both across the surface and also very accurately at specific points. Both flat and uneven surfaces can be printed. A screen-printed edge protection element has a high degree of UV resistance. A high degree of scratch resistance is also achieved. A screen-printing method enables many different designs of the edge protection element in terms of material and construction. A high degree of ink coverage and the representation of the appearance of a ceramic surface is also possible.

[0007]In one exemplary embodiment, the edge protection element is at least in some regions a pad-printed edge protection element. A pad-printing method is an indirect printing method. For example, it is possible to provide a resilient stamp which is made of rubber, for example, and which removes the ink from a printing plate and then transfers this to the region to be printed. In this method, it is advantageous that this stamp is very well adapted to the shape of the body to be printed. As a result, curved and more significantly deformed surfaces can be printed very accurately in terms of shape. Moreover, it is possible to create many different variants in terms of material. Very many different color shades and variants in terms of visual appearance are also possible, at least for the surface of the edge protection element.

[0008]In one exemplary embodiment, the edge protection element is at least in some regions a digitally printed edge protection element. Such a printing method permits many different variants. Thus in digital printing it is also possible to use UV inks (ultraviolet inks). In digital printing, in particular, the material of the base plate, for example glass, is heated and then provided with a so-called primer. This enables a greater adhesion of the material. The material of the edge protection element, in particular the ink, is applied by means of a specific print head. In one exemplary embodiment, curing takes place, in particular, by means of UV radiation. A very significant advantage of this variant is the wide variety of colors and the possibility for customization in a combined working step.

[0009]It is also possible to carry out digital printing with ceramic ink or paint. In this case the ink is also applied by means of a print head. The ink fuses with the material of the base plate, in particular glass, by being heated. In such an exemplary embodiment, this enables a high degree of scratch resistance of the edge protection element to be achieved. A particularly high degree of resistance relative to acids and UV light is also achieved. Moreover, a particularly high degree of weather resistance is provided.

[0010]In one exemplary embodiment, the edge protection element has a front face which is curved, in particular curved in a convex manner. This enables a corner-free contour in this exposed region, namely the front face.

[0011]It is possible to avoid undesired edges, or the like, thereby. Undesired collisions with the relevant edges are avoided thereby. Moreover, such a shape of the front face can make it possible to achieve a continuous transition into the upper face of the base plate and/or into the lower face of the base plate.

[0012]In one exemplary embodiment, the edge protection element has a height which corresponds to the height of the outer edge. Thus in this exemplary embodiment, the edge protection element is, in particular, as high as the outer edge. This avoids an upward and/or downward protrusion of the edge protection element over the outer edge. This achieves a very uniform transition of the edge protection element into the upper face and/or lower face of the base plate. This makes it possible to avoid an offset or a stepped transition to the upper face and/or the lower face. This makes it possible to avoid the collection of dirt at such non-uniform transitions in an improved manner.

[0013]In one exemplary embodiment, the edge protection element can have a metallic appearance or a ceramic appearance. This produces a visual appearance which gives the impression of a metallic edge protection element or ceramic edge protection element. In this regard, the materials can be correspondingly selected, but in principle the materials are not formed from a metal material or a ceramic metal.

[0014]In one exemplary embodiment, the edge protection element is configured at least in some regions to be elastic, in particular soft-elastic. This means that the edge protection element has an inherent elasticity in its finished form. This makes it possible for a certain elastic deformation to be able to occur when, for example, an object collides with the edge protection element. Thus in a certain sense the edge protection element flexes when such a force is applied. This makes it possible to avoid undesired plastic deformations and thus permanent deformations. Thus the edge protection element also serves, as it were, as a damping element which damps an application of force and does not substantially transfer this force completely to the base plate. The elasticity is formed, in particular, such that deformations of up to 0.5 mm are possible, in particular in a direction perpendicular to the outer edge. This can be regarded as a value which is present in the case of conventional applications of force which can occur, for example, when colliding with an item to be stored or during a conventional movement when a container is inserted into or removed from the receiving space. Thus the deformations are to be understood as not being relative to a very large application of force, as could occur, for example, if an object falls from a great height or if an object intentionally hits the edge protection element with significant force.

[0015]In one exemplary embodiment, the edge protection element has, in particular elastic, shock-absorbing properties.

[0016]In one exemplary embodiment, the base plate is made of glass. The base plate can be made, in particular, of real glass. With such a design of the material, therefore, in combination with an edge protection element which is opaque at least in some regions, it is possible to design a shelf in which an edge protection element, which also significantly differs visually from the base plate, is arranged so that it cannot be released in a non-destructive manner. The edge protection element thus also serves as a visually defined frame.

[0017]The edge protection element is preferably configured at least on a front outer edge, when viewed in the depth direction. Additionally, however, the edge protection element can also be configured on a rear outer edge and/or on lateral outer edges of the base plate.

[0018]In one exemplary embodiment, the shelf is a compartment shelf. This compartment shelf is also provided with a reduced number of components and is provided with an individual design of an edge protection element according to the aforementioned explanations.

[0019]A further aspect of the invention relates to a shelf for items to be stored in a household refrigerator. The shelf has a base plate which has an outer edge. An edge protection element is arranged at least in some regions on the outer edge. The edge protection element is arranged in a non-releasable manner on the outer edge and is formed as a soft-elastic edge protection element. The advantages which can be achieved relative thereto have already been mentioned above. A soft-elastic edge protection element can be, for example, a printed edge protection element. However, it can also be an enameled edge protection element. This is then applied to the outer edge by an enameling method. For example, in this case a foil or a veneer or a metal or a plastic can be applied by an enameling process. In particular, an application of an organic material can be provided in this case. Thus in a further step this material, for example the ink, can be baked at very high temperatures of, for example, approximately 800° C. and a strong non-releasable connection is produced. General advantages of such an enameling can be seen to be that the surface is very well protected from corrosion, oxidation or wear. Moreover, sliding properties and the capacity for insulation are improved and the heat, acid and alkali resistance of the component is very high.

[0020]It can be provided that a combination of the baking process of the enamel and the hardening process of the glass of the base plate takes place during the production process. In particular, it is advantageous if a safety glass is used as the glass material. A high degree of impact protection of the outer edge can also be achieved with an enameling. A connection which has very few joins and is easy to clean can be provided thereby.

[0021]A further exemplary embodiment for an, in particular soft-elastic, edge protection element can be a hot-stamped edge protection element. In this exemplary embodiment, the material of the edge protection element is applied by means of a hot stamp method. A decorative foil can be pressed onto the outer edge by means of an embossing stamp or by a roller. Such decorative foils can be very diverse in terms of material and with regard to visual appearance. Thus a very high degree of flexibility regarding the material, the pattern and the color can be achieved with a hot stamp method. Moreover, this enables an edge protection element which can be produced very accurately and of a high quality.

[0022]In a further exemplary embodiment an, in particular soft-elastic, edge protection element can be a lamination edge protection element. In this exemplary embodiment, the material of the edge protection element is applied by means of lamination. A cold lamination or a hot lamination is possible in this case. A foil or a plastic tape or a metal sheet or a veneer or the like are applied with a corresponding adhesive layer. This is applied to the outer edge by means of pressure and heat. The adhesiveness is increased by means of the temperature.

[0023]A high degree of protection from scratching is also achieved here. In this context it is also possible that natural materials, such as wood or metal, can be used.

[0024]In a further exemplary embodiment an, in particular soft-elastic, edge protection element can be a painted edge protection element. In this exemplary embodiment, the material is applied by a painting method. In this case, too, a high degree of individualization is made possible by customized paint mixtures.

[0025]UV painting is possible in this case. The paint is additionally cured by means of UV light. This enables very rapid curing with a high level of corrosion protection and a very hard surface. A two-component painting method is also possible. As a result, a hardener is added immediately before the application and the paint cures in a particularly advantageous manner.

[0026]A powder coating or a powder enameling is also possible.

[0027]A further option to produce an, in particular soft-elastic, edge protection element is made possible by etching, sand blasting, grinding and laser treatment. Flocking can also be provided in order to produce such an edge protection element. It is then a flocked edge protection element.

[0028]It is also particularly advantageous if an, in particular soft-elastic, edge protection element is configured as a rubber-coated edge protection element, for example. In rubber-coating, an elastic coating of rubber is applied to the carrier material and vulcanized. To this end, the bonding agent is firstly applied to the cleaned and roughened outer edge, for example by brushing, spraying, dipping, filling, or covering with rubber sheets. After this rubber coating is dried, vulcanization is carried out in hot air or with saturated steam at approximately 130° C. This also enables a very high degree of impact protection, a high degree of corrosion protection and particular protection from oils, fats, waxes, acids and alkalis. A high degree of abrasion resistance and elasticity of the surfaces is achieved in this case.

[0029]The further exemplary embodiments of edge protection elements are also arranged in a non-releasable manner on the outer edge.

[0030]A further aspect of the invention relates to a household refrigerator having a receiving space for food. The household refrigerator has at least one shelf according to the above-mentioned aspects or an advantageous exemplary embodiment thereof. The shelf is arranged in the receiving space, in particular so that it can be released in a non-destructive manner.

[0031]A further aspect of the invention relates to a method for producing a shelf for items to be stored in a household refrigerator, in which an edge protection element is attached in a non-releasable manner at least in some regions to an outer edge of a base plate of the shelf. In particular, this edge protection element is printed onto the outer edge by a printing method.

[0032]In alternative exemplary embodiments, an edge protection element is produced in a non-releasable manner on the outer edge as a soft-elastic edge protection element.

[0033]Advantageous exemplary embodiments of the shelf according to the invention are to be regarded as advantageous exemplary embodiments of the method. In particular in this context, the method steps relate to the geometric production of the edge protection element, as has been set forth above in the exemplary embodiments.

[0034]Moreover, advantageous exemplary embodiments, as have been mentioned above for the shelf according to the first independent aspect, are also to be regarded as advantageous exemplary embodiments of the further independent aspect in which the edge protection element is produced as a soft-elastic edge protection element.

[0035]The positions and orientations provided when the shelf or the household refrigerator is used as intended and positioned as intended are specified by the terms “top”, “bottom”, “front”, “rear”, “horizontal”, “vertical”, “depth direction”, “width direction”, “height direction”.

[0036]Further features of the invention are found in the claims, the figures and the description of the figures. The features and combinations of features mentioned above in the description and the features and combinations of features mentioned hereinafter in the description of the figures and/or shown individually in the FIG. are not only able to be used in the respectively specified combination but also in other combinations or individually without departing from the scope of the invention. Thus embodiments of the invention, which are not explicitly shown and explained in the figures but which can be found in and can be produced from the described embodiments by separate combinations of features, are also to be regarded as encompassed and disclosed. Thus embodiments and combinations of features which do not have all of the features of an originally formulated independent claim are also to be regarded as disclosed.

[0041]Elements which are the same or functionally the same are provided with the same reference signs in the FIG.

[0042]A household refrigerator 1 is shown in a schematic view in FIG. 1. The household refrigerator 1 is configured for storing and conserving food. The household refrigerator 1 can be a refrigerator or a freezer or a fridge-freezer.

[0043]The household refrigerator 1 has a housing 2. At least one receiving space 3 for food is configured in the housing 2. The receiving space 3 can be a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment. The household refrigerator 1 also has a door 4. This door is arranged for closing the receiving space 3 on the front face. Moreover, the household refrigerator 1 has at least one shelf 5. The shelf 5 can be a divider or a compartment shelf. The shelf is arranged in the receiving space 3 in the horizontal direction. The shelf 5 has a base plate 6. This base plate can be made, for example, of glass. The base plate 6 can be square. The base plate can be, in particular, rectangular. The base plate 6 has an outer edge 7. An edge protection element 8 is configured at least in some regions on the outer edge 7. The edge protection element 8 is arranged in a non-releasable manner on the outer edge 7. The edge protection element 8 is formed, in particular, as a printed edge protection element 8. The edge protection element can be, for example, a screen-printed edge protection element or a pad-printed edge protection element or a digitally printed edge protection element. In the exemplary embodiment shown here, when viewed in the depth direction (z-direction), at least one front outer edge can have such an edge protection element 8 which cannot be released in a non-destructive manner. The edge protection element 8 is preferably dimensioned such that it covers the entire surface of this outer edge 7, in particular at least the front outer edge 7.

[0044]In one exemplary embodiment, the edge protection element 8 is configured with a height which corresponds to the height of the outer edge 7 when viewed in the height direction (y-direction). The edge protection element 8 can be configured at least in some regions to be soft-elastic.

[0045]A partial region of an exemplary embodiment of a shelf 5 is shown in FIG. 2. As can be identified, in this exemplary embodiment a front face 8a is configured with a corner-free and uneven contour in cross section. In particular, a convex curvature of this front face 8a is configured here. Moreover, it can also be identified that in one exemplary embodiment the edge protection element 8 transitions flush into an upper face 6a of the base plate 6. In addition or alternatively, it can be provided that the edge protection element 8 transitions flush into a lower face 6b of the base plate 6.

[0046]In FIG. 3 an exemplary embodiment of the shelf 5 is shown in a different perspective from FIG. 2. An edge protection element 8 can also be configured here on at least one lateral outer edge 9.

List of Reference Signs

[0047]1 Household refrigerator

[0048]2 Housing

[0049]3 Receiving space

[0050]4 Door

[0051]5 Shelf

[0052]6 Base plate

[0053]6a Upper face

[0054]6b Lower face

[0055]7 Outer edge

[0056]8 Edge protection element

[0057]8a Front face

[0058]9 Outer edge

[0059]x Width direction

[0060]y Height direction

[0061]z Depth direction