TRIM JOINT FOR SEALING GAPS BETWEEN PANES OF FLAT GLASS

Abstract

A refrigerator case assembly is provided which includes at least two refrigerator case elements positioned next to each other and defining a gap therebetween; and a trim joint having a body portion for covering the gap and a mounting member for releasably securing the trim joint relative to the at least two case elements with the body portion covering the gap.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION

This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/615,367, filed Oct. 1, 2004.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The invention relates to refrigerator cases.

Refrigerator cases typically have flat panes of glass which form portions of the case, and which can come together leaving a gap defined therebetween. These gaps are needed to allow smooth operation of the refrigerator case, for example during opening and closing.

In some instances, users and/or regulatory authorities require some form of closing of this gap, either in order to comply with regulations or to improve efficiency by limiting escape of cooled air through the gap.

It is the object of the invention to provide a solution to this problem.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to the invention, the foregoing objects and advantages have been readily attained.

According to the invention, a refrigerator case assembly is provided comprising at least two refrigerator case elements positioned next to each other and defining a gap therebetween; and a trim joint comprising a body portion for covering the gap and a mounting member for releasably securing the trim joint relative to the at least two case elements with the body portion covering the gap.

Still further according to the invention, a trim joint is provided for a refrigerator case, comprising a body portion comprising an elongate member having two ends; and a mounting member positioned at one of the two ends for releasably mounting the body portion to a refrigerator case.

A method is also provided according to the invention for enhancing efficiency of a refrigerator case, which method comprises the steps of providing at least two refrigerator case elements positioned next to each other and defining a gap therebetween; providing a trim joint comprising a body portion for covering the gap and a mounting member for releasably securing the trim joint relative to the at least two case elements with the body portion covering the gap; and selectively positioning the trim joint so that the body portion covers the gap and the mounting member engages at least one of the refrigerator case elements

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention follows, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:

FIGS. 1-3 schematically illustrate a trim joint in accordance with the present invention;

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a refrigerator case as an environment of use of the trim joint of the present invention;

FIG. 5 schematically illustrates a portion of the case of FIG. 4 with a trim joint shown in position with dashed lines; and

FIG. 6 is a sectional view of a trim joint in position relative to a refrigerator case gap in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The invention relates to a trim joint for closing the gap between substantially flat panes of glass or other material which form a refrigerator case.

FIGS. 1-3 show a trim joint 10 which in this embodiment is a substantially elongate body portion 12 and a securing or mounting member 14 which can advantageously be used to secure trim joint 10 so as to cover a gap between two flat panes of glass on a refrigerator case.

FIG. 4 schematically illustrates a refrigerator case 50 having a base 52 and two case elements 54, 56 which define form a wall of the case and define therebetween a gap 58. As is well known to a person skilled in the art, case elements 54, 56, in this instance glass wall members, define along with the other walls of refrigerator case 50 a refrigerated space in which food products or other items can be stored at controlled temperature.

Case 50 is typically designed so that there is a gap 58 between elements 54, 56, since generally at least one of these elements can pivot relative to the rest of case 50 to an open position, and gap 58 avoids frictional resistance to such movement. Unfortunately, gap 58 also allows air flow from inside to outside of the case and this air flow can be undesirable from an efficiency standpoint and also in order to comply with certain government regulations.

According to the invention, and as will be further discussed below, trim joint 10 according to the invention advantageously can be releasably positioned over the gap 58 as desired.

FIG. 1 shows trim joint 10 having a body portion 12 which can advantageously have a width selected to cover the expected sizes of gaps. For example, in the preferred embodiment, this member can have a width of about two inches. This width is preferably selected so that trim joint 10 has regions of overlap between side edges of the body portion 12 and edges of case elements 54, 56.

Trim joint 10 preferably has a length sufficient to cover the length of the gap, that is, typically the vertical height of the panes of flat glass which define the gap. In the embodiment illustrated, the trim joint 10 has a length of 30.375 inches.

According to the invention, a clip member is provided as securing or mounting member 14, and has a substantially transverse portion 16 and a substantially parallel opposed or clipping portion 18, which preferably extends back from transverse portion 16, substantially parallel with body portion 12, and opposed portion 18 and body portion 12 define a gap into which an edge of case element 54, 56 is received to releasably mount trim joint 10 relative to gap 58.

Opposed portion 18 preferably has an inwardly extending bump 20 which extends toward body portion 12 and is used to clip and secure trim joint 10 relative to refrigerator case elements 54, 56 which can, for example, be panes of glass. Bump 20 provides a press fit relative to the edge of case elements 54, 56 to which trim joint 10 is to be secured.

FIG. 6 shows trim joint 10 positioned over gap 58 by mounting the mounting member 14 along a bottom edge of case elements 54, 56. In this position, body portion 12 of trim joint 10 is positioned flat on the glass surfaces, specifically extending along and overlapping the vertical edges of the glass surfaces which define the gap, so that the trim joint seals this gap.

Trim joint 10 is preferably provided with at least body portion 12 made of substantially transparent material. Since case elements 54, 56 are typically glass or some other transparent material so that objects within the case can be viewed, it is functionally if not aesthetically preferable for trim joint 10 to also be provided from transparent material in accordance with the invention.

It should be appreciated that trim joint 10 of the present invention advantageously solves the need for a structure to cover gap 58, thereby providing for compliance with potential government regulations and also for blocking air flow from inside to outside of case 10 through gap 58, which enhances efficiency of operation as well.

It should of course be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the illustration described and shown herein, which is deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which is susceptible to modifications of form, size, and arrangement of parts and details of operation. Rather, the invention is invented to encompass all such modifications which are within its spirit and scope.

Claims

1. A refrigerator case assembly comprising:

at least two refrigerator case elements positioned next to each other and defining a gap therebetween; and

a trim joint comprising a body portion for covering the gap and a mounting member for releasably securing the trim joint relative to the at least two case elements with the body portion covering the gap.

2. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the body portion is a substantially flat elongate member having two ends, and wherein the mounting member is positioned at one of the two ends.

3. The assembly of claim 1, wherein the mounting member comprises a clip adapted to press fit over at least one of the case elements.

4. The assembly of claim 3, wherein the clip comprises an end portion of the body portion, a transverse portion extending from the end portion, and an opposed portion extending from the transverse portion substantially parallel to the body portion and defining a gap therebetween for receiving an edge of at least one of the case elements.

5. The assembly of claim 4, wherein the opposed portion has at least one bump extending toward the body portion from a plane of the opposed portion so as to provide a press fit with at least one of the case elements.

6. The assembly of claim 1, wherein at least the body portion of the trim joint is made of substantially transparent material.

7. A trim joint for a refrigerator case, comprising:

a body portion comprising an elongate member having two ends; and

a mounting member positioned at one of the two ends for releasably mounting the body portion to a refrigerator case.

8. The trim joint of claim 7, wherein the mounting member comprises a clip.

9. The trim joint of claim 8, wherein the clip comprises an end portion of the body portion, a transverse portion extending from the end portion, and an opposed portion extending from the transverse portion substantially parallel to the body portion and defining a gap therebetween for receiving an edge of at least one of the case elements.

10. The trim joint of claim 9, wherein the opposed portion has at least one bump extending toward the body portion from a plane of the opposed portion so as to provide a press fit with at least one of the case elements.

11. The trim joint of claim 7, wherein at least the body portion of the trim joint is made of substantially transparent material.

12. A method for enhancing efficiency of a refrigerator case, comprising the steps of:

providing at least two refrigerator case elements positioned next to each other and defining a gap therebetween;

providing a trim joint comprising a body portion for covering the gap and a mounting member for releasably securing the trim joint relative to the at least two case elements with the body portion covering the gap; and

selectively positioning the trim joint so that the body portion covers the gap and the mounting member engages at least one of the refrigerator case elements.