A DOMESTIC COOLING DEVICE WITH SHOCK FREEZING

Abstract

A domestic cooling device includes a freezing compartment, at least one chamber which is provided inside the freezing compartment and has at least one partially closed inner space, and at least one air intake opening transferring cool air into the chamber. At least one carrier element receives foodstuff inside the chamber in such a way that there is a clearance between an inner wall of the chamber and the carrier element, permitting air flow on all sides, so that the foodstuff to be frozen is effectively cooled and subjected to a shock freezing process.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a domestic cooling device with shock freezing in order to subject foodstuff to shock freezing process.

KNOWN STATE OF THE ART

It is desirable that foodstuffs are kept as frozen and then consumed without losing its flavor. The freezing process can be realized in various manners. Accordingly, the foodstuff, which is desired to be frozen, is placed to the freezing compartment, and the freezing process is started. The freezing speed of the foodstuff is very important for preserving the flavor of the foodstuff.

In the invention WO2010062021, a refrigerator is provided. The refrigerator may include a cold air generation chamber provided in a body of the refrigerator, the cold air generation chamber having an evaporator installed therein. A cold air duct may form a path through which cold air generated in the cold air generation chamber is circulated to a freezer compartment, and a quick freezer compartment. The quick freezer compartment may be connected with the cold air duct, and may be positioned substantially nearer to the evaporator than the freezer compartment. A damper may be installed in the cold air duct to selectively shut off the flow of cold air to the freezer compartment. The quick freezer compartment may be quickly cooled using cold air directly supplied from the cold air generation chamber. Furthermore, cold air may be directed into the quick freezer compartment by selectively shutting off the supply of cold air into the freezer or refrigerator compartment.

In the application with reference EP2546591, a method is disclosed for fast freezing food in a refrigerator apparatus comprising a fresh food compartment, a freezer compartment, a refrigeration system having a compressor, a condenser, a first evaporator situated in said freezer compartment, and a second evaporator situated in said fresh food compartment, and in which at least a fan situated in said freezer compartment is used for providing air flow over said first evaporator and over a food item to be fast frozen, the method comprising the steps of switching on the compressor when the temperature in the fresh food compartment is above a predetermined first set value and to switch on the fan when the compressor is running. When the temperature in the fresh food compartment is below the predetermined first set value the compressor is switched off and the fan is kept running until the temperature in the freezer compartment reaches a predetermined second set value.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The object of the present invention is to provide a domestic cooling device for subjecting the foodstuff to shock freezing process.

The present invention is a domestic cooling device comprising a freezing compartment, at least one chamber provided inside the freezing compartment and having at least one partially closed inner space, and at least one air intake opening transferring cool air into the chamber. Accordingly, there is at least one carrier element for carrying foodstuff inside the chamber such that there is a clearance between the inner wall of the chamber and the carrier element in a manner permitting air flow through all sides, so that said foodstuff, desired to be frozen, is effectively cooled and subjected to a shock freezing process. Thus, the cool air, entering into the chamber, circulates around the foodstuff to be frozen, and it cools the foodstuff from all sides, and the shock freezing process is realized.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier element is provided in face of the air intake opening. Thus, the air, entering into the chamber, is prevented from contacting another surface and from changing the temperature thereof, and thus, the coolest form of the air, which enters into the chamber, reaches the foodstuff which is desired to be frozen.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one guidance flap is provided which extends at least partially along the edge of the air intake opening, in order to guide the cool air, entering into the chamber, towards the carrier element. Thus, the air, which passes through the air intake opening, is guided to the carrier element without spreading, and thus, said air is guided towards the foodstuff which is desired to be frozen.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the guidance flap extends along the edges of the air intake opening. Thus, the air, which passes through the air intake opening, is guided to the carrier element without spreading, and thus, said air is guided towards the foodstuff which is desired to be frozen.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, at least one chamber wall is provided which extends in an at least partially inclined manner with respect to the air flow direction in order to guide the cool air of the chamber towards the sections of the carrier element which are distant from the air intake opening. Thus, the air, passing over the foodstuff without hitting said foodstuff, is guided towards the other side of the foodstuff. Moreover, the air circulation inside the chamber is facilitated.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, said chamber wall is a chamber ceiling defined at the upper side of the carrier element. Thus, cool air intake can be provided through the upper section of the chamber against the rising of relatively hot air inside the chamber, and it can be guided downwards from here. The air intake opening can be provided at the upper sections of the chamber, and the below mentioned air output opening can be provided at the bottom section of the chamber.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chamber comprises at least one air output opening for permitting the output of the input cool air. Thus, the air circulating inside the chamber absorbs the heat of the foodstuff, and afterwards, it leaves the chamber.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the total opening area provided for air output by means of at least one air output opening is smaller than the total opening area provided for air intake by means of at least one air intake opening. Thus, the air output from the chamber becomes difficult when compared with air intake into the chamber, and since the air circulates sufficiently inside the chamber, more efficient cooling is achieved. As the inner pressure is increased, the number of contacts of the cool air particles to the foodstuff is increased, and thus, heat transfer efficiency is increased.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, pluralities of air output openings are provided on the chamber wall. Thus, air is circulated inside the chamber and it leaves the chamber in a controlled manner.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the air output opening is provided on the chamber base. Thus, air is circulated inside the chamber and it leaves the chamber in a controlled manner. Moreover, while the foodstuff is cooled, the relatively hotter air leaves the chamber without rising inside the chamber.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier element is provided in a removable manner from the chamber. Thus, the foodstuff, which is desired to be cooled, is easily placed into the carrier element.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chamber is provided in a removable manner from the freezing compartment. Thus, in times where shock freezing process is not realized, the space occupation of the chamber inside the freezing compartment is prevented.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the carrier element comprises walls in grid form permitting air intake thereto. Thus, the cool air enters into the carrier element, and it contacts the foodstuff directly and with the maximum contact area as possible.

The present invention is a shock freezing method for a domestic cooling device. Accordingly, said method comprises the steps of:

• • placing the foodstuff, desired to be subjected to the shock freezing process, into the carrier element by the user,
  • starting the shock freezing process and thus starting the counting of the process duration through the control panel of the cooling device,
  • calculating the shock freezing duration,
  • comparing the process duration and the shock freezing duration and terminating the shock freezing process in case the process duration is equal to or greater than the shock freezing duration.

Thus, the foodstuff is cooled from all sides for a sufficient duration, and it is subjected to shock freezing process.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is the step of terminating the shock freezing process when the temperature in the chamber reaches −40° C. or becomes lower than −40° C. Thus, the foodstuff, which is desired to be cooled, is prevented from burning as a result of cold.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is the step of calculating the shock freezing duration according to the type and amount of the foodstuff to be frozen. Thus, the shock freezing duration is calculated according to the type (meat, fish, chicken, etc.) and amount of the foodstuff, and processing for longer or shorter durations is prevented.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is the step of deactivating air circulation in any compartment except the freezing compartment accommodating the shock freezing chamber of the domestic cooling device during the shock freezing process. Thus, the whole cooling performance of the domestic cooling device is guided to the freezing compartment.

In a preferred embodiment of the present invention, there is the step of closing the other air intake openings except the air intake opening connected to the chamber in the freezing compartment during the shock freezing process. Thus, the whole air, entering into the freezing compartment, firstly passes through the chamber.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a representative view of the subject matter domestic cooling device.

FIG. 2 is a representative view of the freezing compartment of the subject matter domestic cooling device.

FIG. 3 is a representative view of the shock freezing chamber of the subject matter domestic cooling device.

THE DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

In this detailed description, the subject matter domestic cooling device (1) is explained with references to examples without forming any restrictive effect only in order to make the subject more understandable.

With reference to FIG. 1, the subject matter domestic cooling device (1) has at least one freezing compartment (10). The cooling compartment (40) can be provided above or below said freezing compartment (10). There may be more than one cooling compartment (40), or compartments with different functions can be provided besides the freezing compartment (10).

With reference to FIG. 2, there is at least one air intake opening (13) which transfers cool air into the freezing compartment (10) of the subject matter domestic cooling device (1). Said air intake opening (13) is preferably provided on a rear wall (12) of the freezing compartment (10). At least one shock freezing chamber (20) is provided inside the freezing compartment (10). Said shock freezing chamber (20) is provided in the vicinity of the air intake opening (13). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the shock freezing chamber (20) is positioned in the freezing compartment (10) in a removable manner. The shock freezing chamber (20) comprises pluralities of chamber walls (23) which define a volume which is at least partially closed. Moreover, at least one of the chamber walls (23) is provided in an openable manner like a cover. Thus, access into the shock freezing chamber (20) is possible. The chamber wall (23) provided in cover form is in hinged or sliding form. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the air intake opening (13), which is provided at the freezing compartment (10), is directly opened into the shock freezing chamber (20).

As can be seen in FIG. 3, there is at least one carrier element (30) provided inside the shock freezing chamber (20). Said carrier element (30) has a volume wherein the foodstuff (60), which will be subject to the freezing process, can be positioned. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the upper side of the carrier element (30) is provided in open form in order to provide placement of the foodstuff (60) inside the carrier element (30). The carrier element (30) is used for effectively cooling the foodstuff (60) from all sides. In order to provide this, the carrier element (30) is positioned in a manner permitting air flow between itself and the inner wall of the shock freezing chamber (20). In possible embodiments of the present invention, the carrier element (30) can be connected to chamber walls (23) by means of legs or hanger features. Thus, a specific clearance is provided between the carrier element (30) and the chamber wall (23) from all sides of the carrier element (30), and air flow becomes possible. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the carrier element (30) is provided in wire lattice form. Thus, air intake into the carrier element (30) is facilitated. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the carrier element (30) is positioned in face of the air intake opening (13). Thus, the air, entering into the shock freezing chamber (20), flows directly towards the foodstuff (60).

There is at least one guidance flap (25) provided in the vicinity of the air intake opening (13). Said guidance flap (25) guides the cool air, passing through the air intake opening (13), towards the carrier element (30) without spreading around, and thus, the cool air is guided towards the foodstuff (60) provided therein. The guidance flap (25) at least partially extends along the edge of the air intake opening (13). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the guidance flap (25) is provided along all edges of the air intake opening (13). The guidance flap (25) can be provided in an integrated or removable manner to the shock freezing chamber (20) or to the rear wall (12) of the freezing compartment (10).

At least one chamber wall (23) of the shock freezing chamber (20) is provided in an inclined form in a manner guiding cool air towards the sides of the foodstuff (60) which are far from the air intake opening (13). In the preferred embodiment of the present invention, the chamber ceiling (24) is provided in an inclined form towards the carrier element (30) from the side thereof which is close to the air intake opening (13). Thus, the air, which passes without contacting the carrier element (30) and the foodstuff (60), is guided towards the back side of the foodstuff (60). In possible embodiments of the present invention, the chamber walls (23) or the chamber ceiling (24) can be provided in concave form.

As can be seen in FIG. 3, the shock freezing chamber (20) has at least one air output opening (22). Said air output opening (22) is provided on at least one of the chamber walls (23). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the air output opening (22) is provided on the chamber base (21). By means of the air output openings (22), the air, entering into the shock freezing chamber (20), sufficiently circulates, and it leaves the shock freezing chamber (20). In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the total opening area provided for air output by means of at least one air output opening (22) is smaller than the total opening area provided for air intake by means of at least one air intake opening (13). Thus, the output of air from the shock freezing chamber (20) is made difficult when compared with input of air, and since air sufficiently circulates inside the shock freezing chamber (20), more cooling is realized. Moreover, as the inner pressure increases, the number of contacts of the cool air particles to the foodstuff is increased, and thus, heat transfer efficiency is increased. In a possible embodiment of the present invention, pluralities of air output openings (22) are provided on the chamber wall (23) or on the chamber walls (23). Accordingly, the air output openings (22) can be arranged in a predetermined arrangement. By means of this, movement direction of the air which circulates inside the shock freezing chamber (20) can be controlled, and the amount and the direction of said air output from the shock freezing chamber (20) can be controlled. Thus, the foodstuff (60) can be effectively cooled from all sides in the desired manner. On the other hand, since the air intake opening (13) is at a position which is close to the chamber ceiling (24), the air output openings (22) are provided on the chamber base (21), and the air stays in the shock freezing chamber (20) for the longest time duration possible. In a possible embodiment, there are five spaced apart air output opening (22) groups as illustrated in FIG. 3. The five air output openings (22) in the group are arranged on a linear line. There are two groups, including five openings, in the embodiment illustrated in the figure. The two linear groups are formed in a parallel manner.

In the subject matter domestic cooling device (1), while shock freezing process is realized, the foodstuff (60) is subjected to shock freezing process for a predetermined shock freezing duration (t2). Accordingly, the shock freezing method applied in the subject matter domestic cooling device (1) comprises the following steps:

• • placing the foodstuff (60), desired to be subjected to the shock freezing process, into the carrier element (30) by the user,
  • starting the shock freezing process and thus starting the counting of the process duration (t1) through the control panel (50) of the domestic cooling device (1),
  • calculating the shock freezing duration (t2),
  • comparing the process duration (t1) and the shock freezing duration (t2) and terminating the shock freezing process in case the process duration (t1) is equal to or greater than the shock freezing duration (t2).

Thus, the foodstuff (60) is cooled from all sides for a sufficient duration, and it is subjected to the shock freezing process.

On the other hand, the shock freezing process is terminated when the temperature in the shock freezing chamber (20) reaches −40° C. or when it becomes lower than −40° C. Thus, the foodstuff (60), which is desired to be cooled, is prevented from burning as a result of cold.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the step of calculating the shock freezing duration (t2) can be carried out before the step of starting the shock freezing process.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, the shock freezing duration (t2) is calculated according to the type and amount of the foodstuff (60) to be frozen. Thus, the shock freezing duration is calculated according to the type (meat, fish, chicken, etc.) and amount of the foodstuff (60), and processing for longer or shorter durations is prevented. Said shock freezing duration can be predefined according to the possible foodstuff type and amounts, or the user may be requested to enter this duration.

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, during the shock freezing process, the air circulation in any compartment can be deactivated except the freezing compartment (10) accommodating the shock freezing chamber (20) of the domestic cooling device (1). Thus, the whole cooling performance of the domestic cooling device (1) is guided to the freezing compartment (10).

In a possible embodiment of the present invention, during the shock freezing process, the other air intake openings (13) are closed except the air intake opening (13) connected to the chamber (20) in the freezing compartment (10). Thus, all air, entering into the freezing compartment (10), firstly passes through the shock freezing chamber (20).

As a result of the applied method and all of the structural details, the foodstuff (60) is effectively cooled from all sides, and it is possible to freeze the foodstuff (60) in the form of shock freezing. Thus, deteriorations in the cell structure of the foodstuff (60) are prevented, and the foodstuff (60) is kept without losing its flavor and characteristics.

REFERENCE NUMBERS

1 Domestic cooling device

10 Freezing compartment

• • 11 Freezer base
  • 12 Rear wall
  • 13 Air intake opening

20 Chamber

• • 21 Chamber base
  • 22 Air output opening
  • 23 Chamber wall
  • 24 Chamber ceiling
  • 25 Guidance flap

30 Carrier element

40 Cooling compartment

50 Control panel

60 Foodstuff

Claims

1-18. (canceled)

19. A domestic cooling device, comprising:

a freezing compartment;

at least one chamber disposed inside said freezing compartment, said at least one chamber having an inner wall defining at least one partially closed inner space;

at least one air intake opening for transferring cool air into said at least one chamber; and

at least one carrier element for receiving foodstuff, said at least one carrier element being disposed inside said at least one chamber and providing a clearance between said inner wall of said at least one chamber and said at least one carrier element permitting air flow on all sides of the foodstuff for effectively cooling and subjecting the foodstuff to be frozen to shock freezing.

20. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one carrier element faces said at least one air intake opening.

21. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one air intake opening has an edge, and at least one guidance flap extends at least partially along said edge for guiding the cool air entering into said at least one chamber towards said at least one carrier element.

22. The domestic cooling device according to claim 21, wherein said edge of said at least one air intake opening is one of a plurality of edges of said at least one air intake opening, and said at least one guidance flap extends along said plurality of edges of said at least one air intake opening.

23. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one chamber has at least one chamber wall extending in an at least partially inclined manner relative to an air flow direction for guiding the cool air in said at least one chamber towards sections of said at least one carrier element being distant from said at least one air intake opening.

24. The domestic cooling device according to claim 23, wherein said at least one carrier element has an upper side, and said inner wall of said at least one chamber is a chamber ceiling disposed at said upper side of said at least one carrier element.

25. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one chamber has at least one air output opening permitting the cool air entering into said at least one chamber to exit.

26. The domestic cooling device according to claim 25, wherein a total opening area provided for air exiting through said at least one air output opening is smaller than a total opening area provided for air intake by said at least one air intake opening.

27. The domestic cooling device according to claim 25, wherein said at least one chamber has a plurality of said air output openings.

28. The domestic cooling device according to claim 25, wherein said at least one chamber has a chamber base, and said at least one air output opening is provided in said chamber base.

29. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one carrier element is removable from said at least one chamber.

30. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one chamber is removable from said freezing compartment.

31. The domestic cooling device according to claim 19, wherein said at least one carrier element has walls in a grid permitting air intake into said at least one carrier element.

32. A shock freezing method for a domestic cooling device, the method comprising the following steps:

providing a domestic cooling device including a freezing compartment, at least one chamber inside the freezing compartment, the at least one chamber having an inner wall defining at least one partially closed inner space, at least one air intake opening for transferring cool air into the at least one chamber, at least one carrier element for receiving foodstuff, the at least one carrier element being disposed inside the at least one chamber and providing a clearance between the inner wall of the at least one chamber and the at least one carrier element permitting air flow on all sides of the foodstuff for effectively cooling and subjecting the foodstuff to be frozen to a shock freezing process, and a control panel;

manually placing foodstuff to be subjected to the shock freezing process into the at least one carrier element;

using the control panel to start the shock freezing process and to start counting a process duration;

calculating a shock freezing duration;

comparing the process duration and the shock freezing duration; and

terminating the shock freezing process if the process duration is equal to or greater than the shock freezing duration.

33. The shock freezing method according to claim 32, which further comprises carrying out the step of terminating the shock freezing process when a temperature in the at least one chamber reaches −40° C. or becomes lower than −40° C.

34. The shock freezing method according to claim 32, which further comprises carrying out the step of calculating the shock freezing duration according to a type and amount of the foodstuff to be frozen.

35. The shock freezing method according to claim 32, which further comprises, during the shock freezing process, deactivating air circulation in any compartment of the domestic cooling device except the freezing compartment accommodating the at least one chamber.

36. The shock freezing method according to claim 32, which further comprises, during the shock freezing process, closing air intake openings other than the at least one air intake opening leading to the at least one chamber in the freezing compartment.