U.S. patent application number 16/129055 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-14 for food-receiving container with friction-grip positioning of a dividing wall in a tray, domestic refrigeration appliance, and method.
The applicant listed for this patent is BSH HAUSGERAETE GMBH. Invention is credited to ANDREA FINK, ANDREAS GATTER, THOMAS TISCHER.
Application Number | 20190078835 16/129055 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 65441367 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-14 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190078835 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
GATTER; ANDREAS ; et
al. |
March 14, 2019 |
FOOD-RECEIVING CONTAINER WITH FRICTION-GRIP POSITIONING OF A
DIVIDING WALL IN A TRAY, DOMESTIC REFRIGERATION APPLIANCE, AND
METHOD
Abstract
A food-receiving container has a tray and a respectively
separate dividing wall arranged in an interior of the tray for the
purpose of separating the volume of the tray. A retaining device is
realized with which the dividing wall can be positioned in a fixed
setting, in which the dividing wall is fixed on the tray, and can
be put into a respectively different moving setting. The dividing
wall, when in the state of being arranged on the tray, can be moved
in the interior relative to the tray. The retaining device has at
least one friction-grip element by which the dividing wall is held
on the tray secured against moving by frictional grip in the fixed
position. The fixed setting can be released by lifting the dividing
wall.
Inventors: |
GATTER; ANDREAS; (GIENGEN,
DE) ; TISCHER; THOMAS; (HAAR, DE) ; FINK;
ANDREA; (GERSTETTEN, DE) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
BSH HAUSGERAETE GMBH |
MUENCHEN |
|
DE |
|
|
Family ID: |
65441367 |
Appl. No.: |
16/129055 |
Filed: |
September 12, 2018 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 23/069 20130101;
F25D 25/025 20130101; F25D 25/005 20130101; A47B 88/975 20170101;
F25D 25/022 20130101 |
International
Class: |
F25D 23/06 20060101
F25D023/06; F25D 11/00 20060101 F25D011/00; F25D 25/00 20060101
F25D025/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Sep 13, 2017 |
DE |
10 2017 216 200.7 |
Claims
1. A food-receiving container, comprising: a tray having an
interior; a separate dividing wall disposed in said interior of
said tray for separating a volume of said tray; and a retaining
device with which said dividing wall can be positioned in a fixed
setting, said dividing wall being fixed on said tray, and can be
put into a respectively different moving setting, in which said
dividing wall, when in a state of being disposed on said tray, can
be moved in said interior relative to said tray, said retaining
device having at least one friction-grip element by means of which
said dividing wall is held on said tray secured against moving by
frictional grip in a fixed position, wherein a fixed setting can be
released by lifting said dividing wall.
2. The food-receiving container according to claim 1, wherein: said
tray having a side wall with an inner side; and said friction-grip
element is disposed on an edge side of said dividing wall, said
edge side faces said inner side of said side wall of said tray, and
stands raised above said edge side.
3. The food-receiving container according to claim 1, wherein said
friction-grip element has a plate-shaped sub-element with a plate
surface for a purpose of friction-grip contact.
4. The food-receiving container according to claim 3, wherein said
plate surface extends over at least 80% of a height of said
friction-grip element.
5. The food-receiving container according to claim 1, wherein said
friction-grip element is formed from an elastomer.
6. The food-receiving container according to claim 1, wherein: said
dividing wall has a strip-shaped side flange which faces an inner
side of said tray; and said friction-grip element is disposed on
said strip-shaped side flange.
7. The food-receiving container according to claim 1, wherein said
dividing wall is disposed at a higher level in a moving setting
than in the fixed setting when viewed in a height direction of the
food-receiving container.
8. The food-receiving container according to claim 1, wherein: said
tray has a mating latching element; and said dividing wall has a
latching element, said latching element and said mating latching
element form a latching device for latching said dividing wall on
said tray, said latching element of said dividing wall and said
mating latching element of said tray abut against each other in the
moving setting, and said latching element and said mating latching
element are uncoupled in the fixed setting, and a complete
separation of said dividing wall from said tray is prevented by
said latching device both in the fixed setting and also in the
moving setting.
9. The food-receiving container according to claim 8, wherein said
tray has a side wall with an outer side; and further comprising a
clip reaching outward from a side and disposed with said latching
element on an upper edge of said dividing wall, said mating
latching element is disposed on said outer side of said side wall
of said tray.
10. The food-receiving container according to claim 8, wherein said
mating latching element is a rail by means of which said latching
element is guided when moving in the moving setting of said
dividing wall.
11. The food-receiving container according to claim 1, wherein said
tray has a loading aperture and two oppositely disposed side walls,
between said two oppositely disposed side walls said dividing wall
extends, said two oppositely disposed side walls are disposed
sloping toward said loading aperture of said tray so that said
interior of said tray widens out toward said loading aperture.
12. The food-receiving container according to claim 11, further
comprising clips, said dividing wall reaching over upper edges of
said oppositely disposed side walls of said tray with an aid of
said clips.
13. The food-receiving container according to claim 12, wherein
said upper edges each have a lowered edge segment and a moving path
of said dividing wall relative to said tray is limited by said
lowered edge segment of at least one of said upper edges.
14. A domestic refrigeration appliance, comprising: at least one
food-receiving container, containing: a tray having an interior; a
separate dividing wall disposed in said interior of said tray for
separating a volume of said tray; and a retaining device with which
said dividing wall can be positioned in a fixed setting, said
dividing wall being fixed on said tray, and can be put into a
respectively different moving setting, in which said dividing wall,
when in a state of being disposed on said tray, can be moved in
said interior relative to said tray, said retaining device having
at least one friction-grip element by means of which said dividing
wall is held on said tray secured against moving by frictional grip
in a fixed position, wherein a fixed setting can be released by
lifting said dividing wall.
15. A method for positioning a dividing wall of a food-receiving
container in an interior of a tray of a food-receiving container,
which comprises the steps of: moving the dividing wall, when in a
state of being disposed on the tray, relative to the tray for a
purpose of changing a volume division of the interior in a moving
setting, and the dividing wall being held on the tray secured
against moving in a fixed setting; holding the dividing wall on the
tray by a retaining device, the dividing wall is held on the tray
secured against moving by means of frictional grip of a
friction-grip element of the retaining device in the fixed setting,
the frictional grip is automatically built up during relative
movement of the dividing wall with respect to the tray into the
interior of the tray; and releasing the fixed setting by lifting
the dividing wall.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority, under 35 U.S.C. .sctn.
119, of German application DE 10 2017 216 200.7, filed Sep. 13,
2017; the prior application is herewith incorporated by reference
in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a food-receiving container with a
tray and a respectively separate dividing wall which is arranged in
the interior of the tray for the purpose of separating the volume
of the tray. The food-receiving container has a retaining device
with which the dividing wall can be positioned in a fixed setting
in which the dividing wall is fixed on the tray in that position.
The dividing wall can be put into a respectively different moving
setting in which this dividing wall, when in the state of being
arranged on the tray, can be moved in the interior relative to the
tray. Furthermore the invention also relates to a domestic
refrigeration appliance with at least one food-receiving container
of this type.
[0003] A food-receiving container with a relevant separate dividing
wall is known from published, Japanese patent application JP 2004
089255 A for example. There, the dividing wall can be variously
positioned with the aid of a retaining device which has
compressible retaining clips. If these clips are in a clamping
setting then side flange regions of the dividing wall are pressed
against vertical side walls of the tray and the dividing wall is
then fixed in its position in the interior of the tray. If these
clips are operated and in particular moved toward each other, this
fixed setting is released and the clamping effect of these
retaining clips is at least definitively reduced such that the
dividing wall can be moved in the interior of the tray.
[0004] In the known embodiment of the retaining device with these
specifically graspable and operable retaining clips, adjustment of
the fixed setting and the moving setting is very laborious for a
user. Firstly the user must reach into the interior of the tray and
take hold of the retaining clips located lower down in this regard.
This is particularly difficult if stored goods are contained in the
tray and the accessibility of these clips is restricted. Precisely
when the stored goods are moist or frozen, unwanted harm can occur
to the user's fingers here. Moreover the retaining clips are
relatively filigreed and in a concealed position so that they can
also be operated undesirably strongly, not just during gripping, in
such a case, and can then also be impaired in their function or can
be broken off in such a case.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0005] The object of the present invention is to create a
food-receiving container in which the adjustment of various
settings of a dividing wall in the interior of the tray can be
effected more easily.
[0006] This object is achieved by a food-receiving container and a
domestic refrigeration appliance according to the independent
claims.
[0007] An aspect of the invention relates to a food-receiving
container with a tray and a respectively separate dividing wall
which is arranged in the interior of the tray for the purpose of
separating the volume of the tray. The food-receiving container has
a retaining device with which the dividing wall can be positioned
in a fixed setting in the interior of the tray. In this fixed
setting the dividing wall is positionally fixed on the tray. The
dividing wall can be put into a moving setting different from the
fixed setting in which the dividing wall, when in the state of
being arranged on the tray, can be moved in the interior relative
to the tray. The moving setting is achieved when the retaining
device has released its retaining effect. In the fixed setting on
the other hand, the retaining effect of the retaining device is
active. The retaining device has at least one plate-like
friction-grip element by which the dividing wall is held on the
tray secured against moving by frictional grip in the fixed
position. The fixed setting can be released by lifting the dividing
wall. The dividing wall is consequently arranged in the tray such
that on the one hand the fixed setting and on the other hand the
moving setting are adjusted by the different height settings of the
dividing wall relative to the tray. These different height levels
are viewed in the direction perpendicular to a loading aperture of
the tray. The friction-grip element is an element which, based on
its geometric and/or material embodiment, automatically builds up
or releases this frictional grip depending on these different
settings of the dividing wall relative to the tray. The
friction-grip element is therefore realized for building up the
frictional grip or for breaking down the frictional grip solely by
the contact with the tray. The friction-grip element is not a user
operating element which clamps or otherwise gives rise to a
retaining effect by direct gripping and defined operation of the
element in the gripped state. Direct gripping of the friction-grip
element by a user is no longer necessary during adjustment of the
dividing wall into its specific positions. This results in
fundamentally improved handling being achieved for individual
positional adjustment of the dividing wall. It is no longer
necessary for a user to reach extensively into the interior of the
tray in order to be able to definitively operate a concealed
retaining element there by means of direct grasping; instead,
relevant contactless operation of this friction-grip element by
users is achieved by them definitively positioning the dividing
wall and then also individually adjusting the fixed setting or the
moving setting. The fixed setting is then retained solely through
the generation or release of the frictional grip generated
individually and automatically during the mechanical contact of the
dividing wall with the tray. To release the fixed setting and
therefore remove the frictional-grip-based contact between the
friction element and the tray, the dividing wall is lifted
perpendicular to the plane of the loading aperture and also
perpendicular to the potential moving direction of the dividing
wall in the interior of the tray. This very intuitive and
user-friendly, and therefore also fast and accurate, positioning of
the dividing wall has the aforesaid advantages.
[0008] The at least one plate-like friction-grip element is
arranged on an edge side of the dividing wall, which edge side
faces an inner side of a side wall of the tray, and is arranged
standing raised above same at the edge side. This achieves the
result that on the one hand a flat constructional embodiment of
this friction-grip element is achieved, and on the other hand the
mechanical contact with the inner side of the tray is then also
advantageously and primarily accomplished by the projecting
raised-up position, so that the frictional grip can then be built
up here concretely and also continuously during this preferably
vertical movement of the dividing wall and therefore during
pressing downward into the tray.
[0009] Provision is preferably made for the friction-grip element
to have a plate-like sub-element which is realized with a plate
surface for the purpose of friction-grip contact. This is a
particularly advantageous embodiment since on the one hand the flat
constructional design is favored, and on the other hand the
aforesaid advantages regarding build-up of the frictional grip
during lowering or respectively pressing in of the dividing wall
into the interior of the tray are particularly achieved. This plate
surface makes it possible to then also accomplish the friction-grip
state over the largest possible area so that the fixed setting is
held particularly securely. Even if stored goods impact against the
dividing wall during filling of the interior of the tray, this
fixed setting is not undesirably released or a moving of the
dividing wall prevented.
[0010] Provision is preferably made for this plate surface of the
plate-like sub-element to extend over at least 80 percent of the
height of the friction-grip element. The very large-area embodiment
in this regard enables a continuous and constant build-up of
frictional grip during lowering of the dividing wall into the
interior of the tray. A sudden onset of what is then already a very
high level of frictional grip is prevented. This embodiment in turn
also supports user-friendly introduction of the dividing wall.
[0011] Provision is preferably made for the friction-grip element
to be realized out of an elastomer. This material favors the
aforesaid advantages with an eye on deliberate continuous build-up
of frictional grip and also lastingly secure retention of this
fixed setting. On the other hand the embodiment made of elastomer
is viable for the most diverse ambient conditions so that
frictional grip is reliably generated and stays in effect both at
room temperature and also at cool temperatures in a domestic
refrigeration appliance.
[0012] Moreover the required deformation elasticity is maintained
over a long service life in the case of an embodiment out of
elastomer so that here also, no slackening occurs and for example
no brittleness or the like of the friction-grip element occurs.
[0013] Provision is preferably made for the dividing wall to have a
strip-like side flange which faces an inner side of the tray,
wherein the friction-grip element is arranged on the side flange.
An embodiment of this type results in a widening of the edge-side
being accomplished, more or less perpendicular to the plane in
which the dividing wall extends, so that in this regard also a
wider friction-grip element can have a stable location on it. This
embodiment improves functionality in the generation of frictional
grip. By means of this side flange the friction-grip element can
then also more or less support itself on both sides and is more or
less squeezed in like a sandwich during generation of the
frictional grip. On the one hand by the inner side of the tray, on
the other hand by this side flange. An undesirable deformation or
other damaging of the friction-grip element is also prevented as a
result. By means of this embodiment moreover the friction-grip
element, when viewed in the width direction, does not then project
at the side in the fixed setting so that here also, no undesirable
impacting or striking of stored goods on the friction-grip element
occurs, so that also the friction-grip element is not damaged.
[0014] This side flange is preferably wider than the friction-grip
element, with the result that the aforesaid advantages are achieved
to a particular degree.
[0015] Provision is preferably made for the dividing wall to be
arranged at a higher level in the moving setting than in the fixed
setting when viewed in a height direction of the food-receiving
container. This height direction is oriented perpendicular to the
plane of the loading aperture of the tray. In this context simple
moving of the dividing wall can be achieved in the moving setting
since it can more or less stand somewhat upward out of the interior
of the tray, and therefore can be gripped easily by a user and can
be moved correspondingly definitively. No unwanted outward
projection of the dividing wall over the loading aperture of the
tray then occurs in the relevant fixed setting, lying lower in the
downward direction, so that here also no troublesome projection
occurs and impacting by further components of the domestic
refrigeration appliance is prevented.
[0016] Provision is preferably made for the dividing wall to be
latched on the tray and a latching element of the dividing wall and
a mating latching element on the tray to abut against each other in
the moving setting, and the latching element and the mating
latching element to be uncoupled in the fixed setting. An
embodiment of this type therefore nevertheless prevents the
occurrence of any unwanted release of the dividing wall from the
tray in the moving setting, in which the defined moving is enabled.
Since the moving direction is oriented in the plane in which the
filling aperture of the tray extends, or respectively is oriented
parallel to same, the desirable lifting-out of the dividing wall,
upward perpendicular to this plane, is avoided by means of this
latching connection. An unwanted releasing of the dividing wall, in
particular during moving, is prevented as a result. Moreover this
embodiment of the latching device therefore prevents the release of
the fixed setting during pulling of the dividing wall upward out of
the interior of the tray, or any pulling too far out in this
regard.
[0017] On the other hand the latching device nevertheless then
continues to be present in the fixed setting and in this context
generates a release setting of the latched state of the latching
element with the mating latching element. In this fixed setting
also, the latching device continues to be realized such that the
dividing wall could not be completely separated from the tray.
Nevertheless the actually latched state and the mutual abutting of
the latching element and of the mating latching element is not
required in this fixed setting.
[0018] Provision is preferably made for a clip reaching outward
from the side to be arranged with the latching element on an upper
edge of the dividing wall, and a mating latching element to be
arranged on an outer side of a side wall of the tray. A wing-like
element, on which this latching element is arranged in a covered
and therefore also protected manner, is created by means of this
embodiment. This advantageously makes it possible to reach round
the mating latching element from above. Not only is secure latching
possible on the one hand but also the prevention of latching
elements undesirably lying exposed upward, which could then be
damaged or broken off by impact.
[0019] Provision is preferably made for the mating latching element
to be realized in the form of a rail by means of which the latching
element is guided when moving in the moving setting of the dividing
wall. This multifunctionality of the mating latching element
results in a saving being made in components and the overall
handling concept for the dividing wall being constructed
particularly simply.
[0020] Provision is preferably made for two oppositely located side
walls of the tray, between which the dividing wall extends, to be
arranged sloping toward a loading aperture of the tray so that the
interior of the tray widens out toward the loading aperture. An
embodiment of this type means that the fixed setting and therefore
the continuous build-up of frictional grip can be achieved
particularly advantageously. Provision can be made, in an
advantageous manner, for the oppositely located side walls to have
different slopes. As a result the concept of the frictional grip
can be structured individually on the individual walls. On the
other hand an assembly coding is created so that the dividing wall
can also not be installed wrongly.
[0021] Provision is preferably made for the dividing wall to reach
over upper edges of oppositely located side walls of the tray with
the aid of the clip already referred to. The concept for retaining
the dividing wall on the tray is enabled particularly
advantageously as a result. In particular these clips can then also
sit on the edge from above, in particular in the fixed setting of
the dividing wall in the interior of the tray, so that this
sitting-on from above results in a further additional stabilization
of the fixed setting being achieved.
[0022] Provision is preferably made for the moving path of the
dividing wall relative to the tray to be limited by a lowered edge
segment of at least one upper edge of a side wall of the tray. On
the one hand defined part volumes of the interior of the tray can
be adjusted advantageously as a result, on the other hand these
lowered edge segments result in there being no unwanted projection
of the dividing wall upward out of the tray.
[0023] A further aspect of the invention relates to a domestic
refrigeration appliance with at least one food-receiving container
according to the aforesaid aspect or an advantageously embodiment
thereof.
[0024] A further independent aspect of the invention relates to a
method for positioning a dividing wall of a food-receiving
container in an interior of a tray of the food-receiving container.
In the course of the method the dividing wall, when in the state of
being arranged on the tray, is moved relative to the tray for the
purpose of changing a volume division of the interior of the tray
in a moving setting, and is held on the tray secured against moving
in a fixed setting. The dividing wall is held on the tray by a
retaining device. The dividing wall is held on the tray secured
against moving by frictional grip of a friction-grip element of the
retaining device, in particular in the direction perpendicular to a
filling aperture or respectively loading aperture of the tray, in
the fixed setting. The fixed setting is released by lifting the
dividing wall, in particular in the direction perpendicular to the
plane of the filling aperture and therefore in particular also
perpendicular to the moving direction of the dividing wall.
[0025] Advantageously the concept means that the dividing wall can
be operated and moved between the fixed setting and the moving
setting by a user with only one hand. Simple handling is produced
as a result. Precisely also in the case of disabled users who have
a disability of a hand or an arm or who are otherwise at least
temporarily restricted with one hand, handling of the dividing wall
can nevertheless be carried out securely.
[0026] Further advantageous embodiments of the method are enabled
by the aforesaid components of the food-receiving container and
also by their at least partly individual interaction with each
other.
[0027] The designations "up", "down", "front", "rear",
"horizontal", "vertical", "depth direction", "width direction",
"height direction", etc. designate the given positions and
orientations in the case of use as intended, and arrangement as
intended, of the food-receiving container or respectively the
appliance.
[0028] Further features of the invention arise from the claims, the
figures, and the description of the figures. The features and
feature combinations stated above in the description, and also the
features and feature combinations stated below in the description
of the figures and/or shown singly in the figures can be used not
only in the respectively stated combination but also in other
combinations or in a standalone context without departing from the
scope of the invention. Embodiments of the invention which are not
explicitly shown and explained in the figures but which arise and
can be generated from the explained embodiments by means of
separated feature combinations are therefore also to be regarded as
comprised and disclosed. Embodiments and feature combinations which
therefore do not have all the features of an originally formulated
independent claim are also to be regarded as disclosed.
[0029] Other features which are considered as characteristic for
the invention are set forth in the appended claims.
[0030] Although the invention is illustrated and described herein
as embodied in a food-receiving container with friction-grip
positioning of a dividing wall in a tray, domestic refrigeration
appliance, and method, it is nevertheless not intended to be
limited to the details shown, since various modifications and
structural changes may be made therein without departing from the
spirit of the invention and within the scope and range of
equivalents of the claims.
[0031] The construction and method of operation of the invention,
however, together with additional objects and advantages thereof
will be best understood from the following description of specific
embodiments when read in connection with the accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING
[0032] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of
an inventive domestic refrigeration appliance;
[0033] FIG. 2 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a
food-receiving container with a dividing wall in a fixed
setting;
[0034] FIG. 3 is a perspective and sectional view through the
embodiment according to FIG. 2; and
[0035] FIG. 4 is a perspective and sectional view according to FIG.
3 in which, in contrast to FIG. 3, the dividing wall is arranged in
a lifted moving setting.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[0036] Identical or functionally identical elements are labeled
with the same reference characters in the figures.
[0037] Referring now to the figures of the drawings in detail and
first, particularly to FIG. 1 thereof, there is shown a schematic
view of a domestic refrigeration appliance 1 which is realized for
storing and preserving food. The domestic refrigeration appliance 1
can be a refrigerator or a freezer or a combined
refrigerator/freezer. In the exemplary embodiment, it is preferably
a combined refrigerator/freezer. The domestic refrigeration
appliance 1 has a casing or housing 2 in which at least one
receiving space 3 for food is realized. The receiving space 3 can
be a refrigerator compartment or a freezer compartment. In an
advantageous embodiment the domestic refrigeration appliance 1 has,
separately from the first receiving space 3, a second receiving
space 4 which can likewise be a refrigerator compartment or a
freezer compartment. In particular the second receiving space 4 is
a freezer compartment.
[0038] The domestic refrigeration appliance 1 moreover has a door 5
which closes the receiving space 3. In an optional embodiment the
domestic refrigeration appliance 1 has a second door 6 which closes
the optionally present second receiving space 4 at the front. The
doors 5 and 6 are arranged in a pivoting manner on the casing
2.
[0039] A separate food-receiving container 7 is arranged in the
receiving space 4. The food-receiving container 7 is shown in FIG.
2 in a perspective view according to an exemplary embodiment. The
food-receiving container 7 has a tray 8 which is realized in a
tub-like manner. The tray 8 has, in the upper region, a loading
aperture 9 which is open, and through which stored goods can be
introduced into and can be removed from an interior 10 of the tray
8. Moreover the food-receiving container 7 has, separately from the
tray 8, a dividing wall 11 which can be attached in the interior 10
for the purpose of separating the volume of the tray 8. The
dividing wall 11 consequently separates the volume of the tray 8
into two separate part volumes. The tray 8 has a front boundary
wall 12 and a rear boundary wall 13. The boundary wall 12 has an
upper edge 14. The boundary wall 13 has an upper edge 15. As can be
seen in the embodiment according to FIG. 2, an edge segment 14a of
the upper edge 14 is lowered with respect to the remaining part of
the edge 14. Correspondingly an edge segment 15a of the upper edge
15 is lowered with respect to the remaining region of the edge 15.
A maximal moving path of the dividing wall 11 in the interior 10 of
the tray 8 is defined by these lowered edge segments 14a and
15a.
[0040] The edge segment 14a is strengthened or respectively
stiffened by an optionally present bar 16. Correspondingly a
further bar 17 can be provided in the edge segment 15a in order to
stiffen same also. Preferably a mating latching element 18 is
arranged on an outer side 12a of the side wall 12, offset downward
with respect to this edge segment 14a when viewed in the height
direction (y direction), over the entire length of the edge segment
14a. This mating latching element 18 is also realized here in
particular in the form of a continuous and uninterrupted linear
rail which sticks out, raised forward, from the outer side 12a.
Correspondingly a mating latching element 19 is molded on as a
single piece, offset downward with respect to this edge segment
15a, on an outer side 13a of the rear side wall 13, which mating
latching element is preferably realized correspondingly in the form
of a continuous linear rail which extends over the entire length of
the edge segment 15a. This further mating latching element 19 is
shown in FIG. 3.
[0041] The dividing wall 11 is realized in one piece, in particular
of plastic. The dividing wall 11 has a base plate 20, as can be
seen in FIG. 2. Side flanges 21 and 22 are realized on oppositely
located edge sides of the base plate 20 (FIG. 3), which in this
regard extend further in width than the base plate 20. These side
flanges 21 and 22 face inner sides 13b and 12b of the side walls 12
and 13. A further bar 23, which is likewise wider than the base
plate 20, is realized on an upper edge of the base plate 20. The
dividing wall 11 is stiffened as a result.
[0042] In the upper region, in particular leading to the bar 23,
clips 24 and 25 are molded on at oppositely located sides. These
are oriented downward and reach round the edge segments 14a and 15a
from above. FIG. 2 shows the fixed setting of the dividing wall 11.
This means that it is arranged at a lower position in the height
direction (y direction) and therefore is arranged at a lower height
level than this dividing wall 11 has in the respectively different
moving setting. This height direction is oriented perpendicular to
the plane in which the loading aperture 9 extends.
[0043] As can be seen, latching elements 26 and 27 (FIG. 3) are
molded on in a single piece at the lower free ends of the clips 24
and 25. The mating latching elements 18 and 19 form, together with
the latching elements 26 and 27, a latching device with the aid of
which the dividing wall 11 is arranged in a latching manner on the
tray 8. In the fixed setting of the dividing wall 11 shown in FIG.
2 the dividing wall 11 is arranged in the tray secured against
moving. This means that it cannot be moved in the width direction
(x direction). In this fixed setting the dividing wall 11 is
positioned such that the latching elements 18 and 19 are spaced
away from the mating latching elements 26 and 27 and are therefore
arranged out of contact with each other in the height direction.
Nevertheless the latching device is realized such that even in this
setting the dividing wall 11 cannot be taken out of the interior
10.
[0044] As can be seen in the perspective sectional view in FIG. 3,
which shows a sectional view along the line of intersection III-III
in FIG. 2, the dividing wall 11 is positionally fixed on the tray 8
exclusively by frictional grip in this fixed setting. For this
purpose the food-receiving container 7 has a retaining device 28
which has at least two separate, in particular plate-like,
friction-grip elements 29 and 30 here. These friction-grip elements
29 are realized as separate parts and in particular solid bodies
which are preferably made of an elastomer. They are arranged on the
dividing wall 11 on oppositely located sides, in particular held on
the side flanges 21 and 22. The friction-grip element 29 has a
plate-like sub-element 31 which, raised to the side, extends from
the side flange 22 in the direction of the inner side 12b. This
plate-like sub-element 31 has a plate surface 32 which is realized
and arranged for the purpose of direct friction-grip contact with
the inner side 12b. In this fixed setting the dividing wall 11 is
pushed downward into the interior 10 in the height direction such
that the dividing wall 11 is held fixed in that position by the
friction-grip elements 29 and 30. In particular the plate-like
sub-element 31 is compressed or respectively squashed between the
inner side 12b and the side flange 22 by this downward pushing such
that the corresponding frictional grip is built up here. The
further friction-grip element 30 is constructed correspondingly,
and correspondingly acts identically in functional terms.
[0045] Preferably this plate surface 32 extends over at least 80
percent of the height of the entire friction-grip element 29, so
that the largest possible area of abutment on the inner side 12b is
achieved here.
[0046] In this fixed setting the dividing wall 11 is also in
particular sitting on a floor 33 of the tray 8. In addition to or
in place of this provision can be made for the clips 24 and 25 to
sit on the edge segments 14a and 15a in this fixed setting. This
fixed setting is additionally stabilized by these two said
alternatives, which can also occur in combination. Starting from
the fixed setting of the dividing wall 11 shown in FIG. 3 the
dividing wall is lifted relative to the tray 8 in the height
direction and therefore moved upward. Transitioning the dividing
wall 11 from the fixed setting into the moving setting is therefore
effected in a direction which is oriented perpendicular to the
moving setting P1 as shown in FIG. 4. This lifting is illustrated
by the reference character P2 in FIG. 4.
[0047] This movement in a direction perpendicular to the loading
aperture 9 of the tray 8 also results in the frictional grip
between the friction-grip elements 29 and 30 and the inner sides
12b and 13b, which is generated and maintained in the fixed
setting, being removed and in this regard released. In the moving
setting, as shown in FIG. 4, there is therefore no direct abutting
of the friction-grip elements 29 and 30 against the inner sides 12b
and 13b and therefore no frictional grip is built up. Nevertheless
in this moving setting, as shown in FIG. 4, the dividing wall 11
cannot be separated from the tray 8 since then the latching effect
of the latching device comes fully into play. This is because in
the maximum possible lifting setting, as shown in FIG. 4, the
latching elements 26 and 27 abut directly against the mating
latching elements 18 and 19. This embodiment also results in
achieving a safeguard against pulling the dividing wall 11 out of
the interior 10. In this moving setting according to FIG. 4 the
dividing wall 11 can then be pushed backward and forward in a
linear manner in the direction of the arrow P1. If the relevant
desired setting of the dividing wall 11 relative to the tray 8 has
then been reached this position is fixed again by pressing in the
dividing wall 11 downward into the interior 10 according to the
arrow P3 in FIG. 4 until the corresponding frictional grip is built
up again and the fixed setting is achieved. In particular the
dividing wall 11 is then sitting on the floor 33 and/or the clips
24 and 25 are sitting on the edge segments 14a and 15a in this
fixed setting.
[0048] An advantageous embodiment provides for the side wall 12 to
be arranged sloping obliquely and therefore not to be oriented
completely vertical. Preferably this side wall 12 is arranged
sloping obliquely outward or respectively forward coming from the
floor 33. In particular an angle between 1.degree. and 5.degree.,
in particular between 1.degree. and 3.degree., preferably
1.5.degree., can be realized here.
[0049] In addition to or in place of this provision can be made for
the further side wall 13, which is a rear side wall here when
viewed in the depth direction (z direction), to be arranged sloping
obliquely. An arrangement sloping outward starting from the floor
33 can then preferably also be provided here. An embodiment of this
type results in the tray 8 therefore widening out toward the
loading aperture when viewed from the floor 33. It is advantageous
in particular if this side wall 13 has a slope between 5.degree.
and 10.degree., in particular between 6.degree. and 9.degree., in
particular 8.degree..
[0050] In particular provision can also be made for an air inlet 34
to be realized in this rear side wall 13. Via this air inlet 34 air
can travel into the interior 10.
[0051] The following is a summary list of reference numerals and
the corresponding structure used in the above description of the
invention: [0052] 1 Domestic refrigeration appliance [0053] 2
Casing [0054] 3 Receiving space [0055] 4 Receiving space [0056] 5
Door [0057] 6 Door [0058] 7 Food-receiving container [0059] 8 Tray
[0060] 9 Loading aperture [0061] 10 Interior [0062] 11 Dividing
wall [0063] 12 Front boundary wall [0064] 12a Outer side [0065] 12b
Inner side [0066] 13 Rear boundary wall [0067] 13a Outer side
[0068] 13b Inner side [0069] 14 Upper edge [0070] 14a Edge segment
[0071] 15 Upper edge [0072] 15a Edge segment [0073] 16 Bar [0074]
17 Bar [0075] 18 Mating latching element [0076] 19 Mating latching
element [0077] 20 Base plate [0078] 21 Side flange [0079] 22 Side
flange [0080] 23 Bar [0081] 24 Clip [0082] 25 Clip [0083] 26
Latching element [0084] 27 Latching element [0085] 28 Retaining
device [0086] 29 Friction-grip element [0087] 30 Friction-grip
element [0088] 31 Sub-element [0089] 32 Plate surface [0090] 33
Floor [0091] 34 Air inlet [0092] P1 Moving setting [0093] P2
Lifting [0094] P3 Arrow
* * * * *