This invention relates to a display assembly, more particularly to a display assembly adapted to be fitted to a food storage and/or display cabinet.

The display assembly is designed with the food service industry in particular in mind, however, it will be clear to those of skill in the art that the display assembly of the present invention will have the potential for broader application due to the benefits and advantages described herein.

BACKGROUND

Display cabinets come in a variety of sizes and shapes intended for different purposes. In the food industry, the cabinets range from fully chilled/refrigerated, to ambient temperature units and heated units.

There is an increasing demand in the food service industry for equipment that is versatile, can be adjusted in place, is easy to remove to facilitate cleaning and restocking, and which can enhance the presentation of products in order to drive sales. While food display cabinets are well known in the art, not all existing food display cabinets and their associated display componentry are equipped for the demands and requirements of the modern market.

Food hygiene is an essential consideration in the food retail business and in order to satisfy both consumer requirement along with regulation, strict standards of cleanliness are required. Some food display cabinets, systems and assemblies of the prior art do not facilitate easy cleaning. For example, this may be due to their large components which may be difficult to disassemble, along with the inability to easily wash and clean certain components due to factors including their materials of manufacture and size. These issues can result in excessive time spent cleaning by staff, often by hand, along with poor cleaning quality and the possibility of disruption to, or lack of satisfaction for, customers.

In displaying food for sale, sometimes it is desired to have an adaptable arrangement which can display as much visible food as possible. Due to the limited space on a cabinet shelf or counter top, vendors sometimes resort to elevating some food platters or bowls by various means. For example, bricks or smaller inverted bowls are used to provide a "pedestal" on which an elevated food platter/bowl can sit, without interfering with platters/bowls sitting underneath it and directly on the shelf. This approach, while increasing the capacity to display food, poses problems such as instability of the display, difficulty in removing a particular platter at the customer's request, and difficulty in cleaning the cabinet or counter when a spill or stain occurs during use.

Display assemblies known in the art are also often lacking in colour and excitement, or if change is required, the whole cabinet must be replaced which is costly and undesirable.

The present invention provides a display assembly capable of being installed in a cabinet and aims to go at least some way to address one or more of the disadvantages discussed above.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

According to a broad aspect, the invention provides a display assembly adapted to be installed in a cabinet, comprising at least one support element adapted to be mounted in a cabinet, and one or more associated arms having first and second ends; the or each arm adapted to be attached at or near the first end to the support element, the or each arm having at or near the second end a seat adapted to receive a container.

In one embodiment, a mounting means is associated with the first end of the arm and is attachable to the support element. Preferably, the mounting means can slide relative to the support element. The mounting means may be associated with the arm by a pivot connection having an axis of rotation, such that the arm is pivotably adjustable about the axis. The pivot connection may preferably comprise an engagement of one or more protrusions and one or more corresponding apertures. The pivot connection may also include one or more springs. The pivot connection may alternatively comprise a pin and a finger nut, such connection may be joined by a bayonet fitting. The outer surface of such a pin may comprise a splined or corrugated surface, and the pivot connection may comprise a flat star spring.

Preferably, the arm is attached to the seat by a pivot connection having an axis of rotation, such that the seat is pivotably adjustable relative to the arm. The pivot connection may preferably comprise an engagement of one or more protrusions and one or more corresponding apertures. The pivot connection may also include one or more springs. The pivot connection may alternatively comprise a pin and a finger nut, such connection may be joined by a bayonet fitting. The outer surface of such a pin may comprise a splined or corrugated surface, and the pivot connection may comprise a flat star spring. In another embodiment, the support element preferably comprises a plurality of apertures, each allowing for engagement with the mounting means. Preferably, the apertures comprise a series of pairs along the support element to provide engagement with the mounting means.

Preferably, the mounting means comprises a spring clamp for engaging with the support element. The mounting means may alternatively comprise an index plunger for engaging with the support element.

In another embodiment, the seat is preferably an annular shape. The seat may comprise an insert of a resilient or elastomeric material. Preferably, such an insert is silicone rubber or natural rubber. The container may be a vessel, bowl, platter, plate or tray. In another embodiment, the arm comprises two struts, with a space therebetween.

The display assembly may also include a plurality of support elements of the same or differing lengths. Preferably, the display assembly includes two to ten support elements, more preferably two to four support elements.

In another embodiment, each support element may be associated with a plurality of arms of the same or differing lengths. Preferably, each support element is associated with one to five arms of the same or differing lengths, more preferably two to four arms of the same or differing lengths.

In another embodiment, the display assembly may also comprise a plurality of arms having seats of varying sizes or shapes. According to another aspect, the invention provides a cabinet incorporating a display assembly as described herein. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In further describing the invention, reference is made to the accompanying drawings in which: -

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a representative display cabinet fitted with a display assembly according to the invention;

Figure 2 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, showing a representative display cabinet fitted with a display assembly according to the invention;

Figure 3 is a perspective view similar to Figure 1, showing a representative display cabinet fitted with a display assembly according to the invention and with an alternative display assembly;

Figure 4 is a perspective view of a support element according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 5 is a perspective view of an arm according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 6 is an exploded view of the arm of Figure 5.

Figure 7 is a perspective view of an arm according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 is an exploded view of an arm according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 8 a is a rear view of the mounting means according to an embodiment of the invention; and

Figure 9 is a perspective view of a support element according to an embodiment of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

With reference to Figure 1, a typical display cabinet C is shown. The invention may be retrofitted to most display cabinets and that shown in the drawings is for illustrative purposes only. The cabinet can be open, refrigerated, controlled ambient or heated, and of low, medium or tall height. The main components of the display assembly comprise a support element 10, arm 11 and a seat 12 for a container or the like.

The support element 10 is adapted for mounting in a cabinet to take the weight of the arm 11 and, when the arm is loaded with a container, the weight of the container. In the embodiments shown, support element 10 is a generally elongate member that is adapted for engagement with a mounting means of the arm 11.

In one embodiment, the support element 10 may expediently be mounted to the side of a cabinet. Alternatively, the support element may be mounted between the top and base of a cabinet. As shown in Figs. 1 and 2, a number of support elements may be mounted in a single cabinet. Expediently, the support element may be screwed, bolted or otherwise fastened to the cabinet. It will be appreciated that a larger cabinet could accommodate further support elements. Alternatively, a support element may be mounted to the cabinet such that the display assembly occupies only part of the cabinet (Fig. 1). For example, one support element may be mounted to a side of the cabinet, such that when installed, the display assembly would occupy half of the cabinet space, while the other half of the cabinet would be free, allowing presentation of larger items, or combination with an alternative display assembly, such as display assembly D (shown in Fig. 3). The support element may also be mounted on an angle as required by a cabinet configuration or for a certain application. Further variation of the way in which the display assembly can be mounted in the cabinet will be obvious to one skilled in the art.

In a preferred embodiment, best shown in Fig. 4 and Fig 9, the support element 10 is an elongate open channel. Within the channel is a support element track 13, provided with a plurality of apertures 14. The plurality of apertures 14 may typically be spaced equidistant along the support element track 13, or may be at varying distances from each other dependent on end use requirements. The plurality of apertures may also constitute pairs of apertures 14a as seen in Fig 9. As can be seen in Figs. 4 and 9, the support element track 13 terminates short of the end of the support element 10, defining a mounting region 10a, which allows for mounting and dismounting of an arm 11. In Figs 4 and 9 the support element track 13 is a female support element track, but in other embodiments may be a male support element track. An advantage of the support element 10 comprising such a support element track is that it can confine movement to sliding in the direction of the support element track, and prevent undesired movement in other directions which can destabilise the display assembly.

Preferably, the support element is made from a food grade, light and rigid material. Preferably, the support element is made from aluminium, and particularly by aluminium extrusion. However, dependent on end use requirements, the support element could also be made or extruded using a polymeric material, brass, zinc, stainless steel or other suitable materials known to one skilled in the art.

Referring to Figures 5-8, the arm generally denoted by numeral 11 comprises a body 15 having a first end 16a for attachment to the support element 10. The arm 11 is preferably mounted to the support element 10 either by mounting directly to mounting means 17 as shown in Figures 5 and 6, or alternatively via a bracket 46 as shown in figures 7 and 8, before mounting to the support element 10. Alternatively, the arm 11 could be attached directly to the support element 10. A seat 12 is associated with the arm 11 for carrying the container. In the embodiment shown in Figures 5 and 6, the body 15 is advantageously joined to the mounting means 17 by a pivot connection 18 having an axis of rotation X, about which the arm 11 is pivotably adjustable.

Alternatively, in the embodiment shown in Figures 7 and 8, the body 15 of arm 11 is joined to the mounting means 17 by bracket 46. Bracket 46 is attached to the mounting means 17 by one or more fasteners 48. The fasteners may be any suitable fasteners which will secure the components together. Preferred fasteners 48 may be threaded screws, or may be buttons with a snap fit arrangement to the bracket 46 or similar means of fastening as known in the art.

In order to provide certain air flow about the arm 11 and seat 12 when fitted in a cabinet, and also to allow an arm to be fitted to either the left of right hand side of a cabinet, the bracket 46 and thereby the arm 11 can be attached to the mounting means 17 by fasteners 48 in an arrangement designed to provide a slight angle to the arm. Such an arrangement, for example for the left hand side of a cabinet, is shown in Figure 8a where two fasteners 48 are provided on diagonally opposite sides of the mounting means 17 in order to provide a small angle from the horizontal. Such an arrangement can be provided in an opposite manner in order to allow an arrangement adapted to be fitted to a right hand side of a cabinet, for example, or as otherwise may be required by an end user.

In the embodiment shown in Figure 8 the bracket 46 includes one or more bracket apertures 53 which are adapted to receive one or more corresponding arm protrusions 52 (only one of which is depicted in Figure 8), in order to attach the arm 11 to bracket 46 and allow the arm 11 to pivot about the one or more apertures 53 relative to the support element 10. The arm protrusions 52 may sit in place in the one or more bracket apertures 53 or alternatively may be specifically adapted to have for example a snap-fit or threaded engagement with the one or more bracket apertures 53. Alternatively, arm protrusions 52 may extend through the one or more bracket apertures 53 and each may be held in place by a nut or cap. Each of the one or more bracket apertures 53 may extend right through the bracket, in order to allow a protrusion to extend through the bracket and be secured, or may be an aperture that does not extend right through the bracket, so as to provide a base and support for an arm protrusion. In an alternative and opposite embodiment, the bracket 46 may include the one or more protrusions which engage with the one or more corresponding apertures on the arm 11. In a further alternative embodiment, the bracket and the mounting means may be integrally formed, similar to the configuration of the embodiment of Figures 5 and 6.

As shown in Figure 8, the bracket 46 may also include one or more lugs 50 which surround one or more of the bracket apertures 53. The lugs 50 may be provided in association with one or more springs 49 also shown in Figure 8. The inclusion of the one or more lugs 50 and one or more springs 49 allows the spring 49 to engage with the one or more lugs and provide resistance to the rotation when the arm 11 is rotated about the bracket apertures 53. The body 15 of the arm 11 is of a food grade material of sufficient strength to resist the gravitational load imposed by the container and its contents. A display assembly of the invention can comprise multiple arms 11 of varying lengths. Optionally the varying lengths can be provided by varying the length of the bodies 15 of the arms 11. Preferably, the arm is made from stainless steel. However, dependent on end use requirements, the arm could also be made using a polymeric material, aluminium, brass, zinc, or other suitable materials known to one skilled in the art. In use, the arm 11 extends from the support element in a generally horizontal fashion. Optionally, the arm is a single undivided piece. Optionally, the body 15 can comprise a frame including two or more struts. In the embodiment of Fig. 5, for example, the body comprises an upper strut 19 and a lower strut 20, with a space 21 therebetween. This embodiment uses a minimum of material for the body while providing a maximum of strength.

In the embodiment shown in Figs. 5 and 6, the pivot connection 18 which joins the mounting means 17 to the first end 16a of the body 15 comprises a hollow barrel 22 and knuckles 23. A rod or pin, such as pin 24 can penetrate and join together the barrel 22 and knuckles 23, to provide the pivotal movement. While in this embodiment the barrel 22 is located on the mounting means 17 and the knuckles 23 are located on the body 15, in an alternative embodiment the positions of the barrel and knuckles could be reversed. In still further embodiments, each of the mounting means 17 and the body 15 could comprise a plurality of interlocking knuckles, similar to the arrangement in figures 7 and 8 and described above, or other pivot or hinge arrangements known to the person skilled in the art.

As shown in figures 5 and 6, the pivot connection may further comprise a finger nut 25 for easy rotation of the arm 11 by the user. In an embodiment, the pin 24 and finger nut 25 are joined by a bayonet fitting. Optionally, the outer surface of the pin 24 comprises a splined or corrugated surface, and the pivot connection comprises a flat star spring 26. In this embodiment, during rotation of the arm 11 about the axis, the splines of the pin 24 engage with the star spring 26 successively, providing resistance to the rotation. In this way, the pivot connection 18 provides rotation to a number of positions equivalent to the number of ridges on the pin 24, and a "clicking" sensation is felt by the user during manual rotation about the axis providing a quality feel. Optionally, washers 27 can be employed in the pivot connection. Optionally, the pivot connection can be secured by a pin key screw 28.

Figures 5-8 each show an embodiment of the mounting means 17. The mounting means 17 generally comprises an elongate, hollow body 29 having two open ends 30 (best seen in Figs. 6 and 8), and being open on one side, the open side having two flanges 31 extending into the opening, the flanges adapted to engage with a support element track 13. In the embodiment shown in Figure 6, the mounting means 17 further comprises an aperture 32 for inserting a fastener 33. The mounting means 17 shown in Figures 5 and 6 requires use of a separate fastener 33 which inserts into and engages with the apertures 14 on the support element 10. As mentioned above, in this embodiment the support element track 13 is a female support element track which terminates short of the end of the support element 10, defining a mounting region 10a.

The opening defined by flanges 31 of a mounting means 17 can be engaged with the support element track 13 in the mounting region 10a. The mounting means 17 can then be slid along the support element track 13 to a desired point, and then fixed to an aperture or apertures 14 by a fastener 33 or spring clamp 47. However, alternative means of attaching the arm 11 to the support element 10 may include other clamps, clasps, ratchets, pins, clips and further means of attachment apparent to a person skilled in the art.

A first function of the mounting means 17 is to secure the arm to the support element 10. A further function of the mounting means 17 is to allow height adjustment of the arm 11 in place, relative to the support element 10, without the need for removal of components from the cabinet or use of tools. As noted above, this may be facilitated by the presence of a support element track 13 which allows for smooth movement of the mounting means 17 up and down the support element track 13 when the fastener 33 or spring clamp 47 has been released from its aperture or apertures 14. Optionally, smooth movement of the mounting means can be facilitated by slider pads 34 on the support element 10 or mounting means 17 as shown in Figure 6.

The fastener 33 or spring clamp 47, secures mounting means 17 to the support element 10. The fastener 33 can be a male or female fastener, to complement apertures 14 and the support element track 13. The fastener 33 is engaged with one of the apertures 14 in order to secure the mounting means 17 in a desired position relative to the support element 10. The fastener 33 may be moved between engaged and released positions by a push and pull motion, or alternatively by a twisting motion, or otherwise depending on its nature. However, preferably it is engaged and released by a push and pull motion where the fastener 33 is pushed into the aperture 14 to secure the mounting means 17, and pulled out from the aperture 14 to release the fastener and allow movement up and down the support element 10. As shown in figure 6, in a particular embodiment the fastener 33 is an index plunger, comprising means to bias a pin into an aperture 14, and operating by a push and pull motion.

Alternatively, in the particular embodiment shown in Figure 8, the mounting means 17 comprises a spring clamp 47. The spring clamp 47 is typically formed from a thin length of metal or wire, or another resilient material and includes one or more prongs which insert into the one or more corresponding apertures 14 on the support element 10 to allow placement at varying heights of the support element 10. This allows the spring clamp 47 to operate as a locator, in order to secure the mounting means 17 and thereby the arm 11 in place to the support element 10. As shown in exploded figure 8, the spring clamp 47 is attached to the mounting means 17 by a plate 51 in association with a fastener 48 such as a screw, however other means of attachment of the spring clamp such as a pin could be used. As such, spring clamp 47 is secured to the mounting means 17 prior to mounting of the mounting means 17 onto support element 10.

Preferably, as shown in the embodiment shown in Figure 8, where a spring clamp 47 is used, the mounting means 17 may include a grip element 56, which can be used in a pinching action with the spring clamp 47 in order to disengage the spring clamp 47 and facilitate movement and relocation of the spring clamp 47, and thus the mounting means 17 and arm 11, along the support element 10. Preferably grip element 56 is integrally formed with the mounting means 17, but alternatively it could be a separate component. The fastener 33 or spring clamp 47 may be located anywhere along the mounting means 17 so that it can engage with support element 10. For example, rather than at the bottom of the mounting means 17 as shown in Figures 7 and 8, the fastener 33 or spring clamp 47 may be located near the top (as for Figures 5 and 6), or middle of the mounting means 17 provided it does not impede either the attachment of a bracket 46 or an arm 11 to the mounting means 17, or movement along the support element 10.

As shown in figures 5-8 seat 12 is mounted at the second end 16b of the arm 11. The arm 11 can be attached to the seat by any attachment means known in the art. In a preferred embodiment, the arm is attached to the seat such that the seat 12 may pivot relative to the arm 11. In one embodiment the seat 12 is attached to the arm 11 by a pivot connection 35 (as shown in Figs. 5-8) having an axis of rotation Y, and thus the seat is pivotally adjustable with respect to the arm. As shown in exploded Fig. 6, the pivot connection 35 comprises a plurality of interlocking knuckles 37 and 38. A rod or pin, such as pin 39 can penetrate and join together the knuckles 37 and 38, to provide the pivotal movement. In an alternative embodiment, the positions of the interlocking knuckles could be reversed with respect to the arm 11 and the spacer 36. In still further embodiments, a barrel and knuckle arrangement similar to that of pivot connection 18 could be used, or other pivot or hinge arrangements known to the person skilled in the art could be employed.

Similar to pivot connection 18, the pivot connection 35 preferably further comprises a finger nut 40 for easy rotation of the arm body by the user. In an embodiment, the pin 39 and finger nut 40 are joined by a bayonet fitting 41. Optionally, the outer surface of the pin 39 comprises a splined or corrugated surface, and the pivot connection comprises a flat star spring 42. Thus, similar to pivot connection 18, during rotation about the axis Y, the splines engage with the star spring 42 successively, providing resistance to the rotation. In this way, the pivot connection 35 provides rotation to a number of positions equivalent to the number of ridges on the pin 39, and a "clicking" sensation is felt by the user during manual rotation about the axis providing a quality feel. Optionally, washers 43 can be employed in the pivot connection. Optionally, a spring disc 44 provides tension and helps to hold the pivot connection together.

Alternatively, the pivot connection 35 to attach the seat 12 to the arm 11 may be in a configuration as shown in figures 7 and 8. In this arrangement the seat 12 includes a seat protrusion 54 which is adapted to engage with an arm recess 55 at the second end 16b of the arm 11. The seat protrusion 54 may sit in place in arm recess 55 or may alternatively may be specifically adapted to have for example a snap-fit or threaded engagement with arm recess 55. Alternatively, seat protrusion 54 may extend through arm recess 55 and may be held in place by a nut or cap. In an alternative and opposite embodiment, the arm may include the one or more protrusions at the second end which engage with the one or more corresponding apertures on the seat.

Optionally, the arm recess 55 may be surrounded by one or more lugs 50. The lugs 50 may be provided in association with one or more springs 49 also shown in Figure 8. The inclusion of the one or more lugs 50 and one or more springs 49 allows the spring 49 to engage with the one or more lugs and provides resistance to the rotation when the arm 11 is rotated about its axis. The lugs 50 may also play a role in securing the arm 11 to the seat 12 in addition to the seat protrusion 54.

Optionally, in the embodiments of Figures 5-8, the seat 12 and the pivot connection 35 are separated by a spacer 36. The spacer 36 has the effect of increasing the overall length of the arm 11 and seat 12, and the advantage of separating the seat 12 from the pivot connection 35, providing for easy rotational adjustment by the user.

Although not shown in the drawings, it is envisaged that the seat could pivot about a further axis Z differing from axis Y, in order to provide rotation of the seat in three dimensions, for example to tilt the seat and container towards a window or side of the cabinet.

In another embodiment, the arm 11 is formed integrally with the seat 12, such that the seat does not pivot relative to the arm, but solely relative to the support element.

The seat 12 is adapted to receive a container which may contain food. In embodiments, the container is a vessel, bowl, platter, plate or tray. There are various ways for the seat to be adapted to receive a container. For example, in a preferred embodiment, as shown in Figs. 5-8, the seat 12 is an annular shape. This embodiment is advantageous in that it can accommodate containers of a number of different sizes and shapes, and lowers the centre of gravity of any container that protrudes below the seat 12. Other embodiments are envisaged where the seat is a rectilinear or other geometric or complex shape. A display assembly of the invention can comprise seats 12 of varying sizes or shapes. In another embodiment, the seat is a basket. In a further embodiment, the seat is a tray.

Preferably the seat comprises an insert 45 of a resilient or elastomeric material, such as a silicone rubber or natural rubber. Such an insert can cushion and assist gripping of the container by the seat. In the embodiment shown, seat 12 comprises an annular insert or O-ring 45.

The above description is by way of example only and modifications are possible without departing from the scope of the invention.

The terms comprise, comprises, comprising, or comprised, if and when used herein, should be interpreted non-exclusively, that is, as conveying "consisting of or including" It is to be understood that, if any prior art publication is referred to herein, such reference does not constitute an admission that the publication forms a part of the common general knowledge in the art, in New Zealand or any other country.