DESCRIPTION "Display cabinet, in particular for foodstuffs"

[001] The present invention relates to a display cabinet, in particular for foodstuffs, whether of the refrigerated, neutral or heated type.

[002] As is known, many types of display cabinet for foodstuffs exist on the market, having a form suitable for the space in which they are located and for the goods to be displayed. [003] However, these display cabinets for foodstuffs, while varying in shape, have, in their vertical cross- section, a glass front pane substantially with the same conformation: rectilinear or curved but never mixed. [004] This drawback, as well as limiting the possibility of shaping the glass pane part of a display cabinet for foodstuffs as desired, also prevents optimal use of the space in the compartment which the foodstuffs are lodged in, both as regards the occupation of space and as regards their display, as well as the ease of access to the same by the user .

[005] The technical task which the present invention sets out to achieve therefore, is to make a display cabinet, in particular for foodstuffs, which makes it possible to eliminate the technical drawbacks complained of in the known art .

[006] Within the scope of this technical task one purpose of the invention is to make a display cabinet, in particular for foodstuffs, where the vertical cross- section has the front glass part not only of a rectilinear or curvilinear conformation but also mixed. [007] Another purpose of the invention is to make a display cabinet, in particular for foodstuffs, which makes it possible to optimise use of the space in the compartment which the products are lodged in, both as regards the occupation of space, display and ease of access to the same by the user.

[008] Such technical task, as well as these and other purposes, is achieved by making a display cabinet in particular for foodstuffs according to claim 1. [009] Other characteristics of the present invention are, in addition, defined by the appended claims. [0010] Further characteristics and advantages of the invention will be more evident from the description of a preferred, but not exclusive, embodiment of the display cabinet, in particular for foodstuffs, according to the invention, shown by way of a non-limiting example in the attached figures, wherein:

[0011] figure 1 shows a perspective view of a display cabinet for foodstuffs conforming to a preferred embodiment of the invention, with all the closing panes

of the compartment in the closed position; and [0012] figure 2 shows a perspective view of the display cabinet in figure 1 with some closing panes of the compartment in the open position. [0013] The display cabinet, in particular for foodstuffs, globally indicated by reference numeral 1, comprises at least one compartment 2 in which the foodstuffs are lodged . [0014] The display cabinet 1 may be of the refrigerated, neutral or heated type depending on the type of product contained inside it.

[0015] In particular, the compartment 2 is defined by a lower shelf 3, which the foodstuffs for example are arranged on in an optimal manner and at least a first plurality of glass panes, generally indicated by reference numeral 4, which are able to close the compartment 2.

[0016] Opportunely, the first plurality of panes 4 comprises at least one connection pane 5 able to connect to each other a first and second pane 6 and 7, which are placed side by side to it.

[0017] The first and second pane 6 and 7 are of a different shape to each other and are oriented differently in relation to the lower shelf 3. [0018] In particular, the first pane 6 has its edge,

adjacent to that of the connection pane 5, with a rectilinear shape, while the second pane 7 has its edge, adjacent to the connection pane 5, with a curvilinear shape as shown in figure 1. [0019] Clearly the first and second panes 6 and 7 may be placed in different and opposed positions on respect to which shown in figure 1.

[0020] More in detail, the connection pane 5 has its lower edge 10 with a shape conjugated to the lower profile of the display cabinet 1, indicated in its totality by number 11, of the lower shelf 3.

[0021] The connection pane 5 has its upper edge 12 with a curvilinear shape as, for example, one of its lateral edges may be, for example that indicated by number 13. [0022] The other lateral edge indicated as 14 may rather have a rectilinear shape so that the connection pane 5 may, as said, connect two panes of a completely different shape to each other as are, for example, the first and second panes 6 and 7 thanks to the fact of having the opposite edges with shape conjugated to that of the latter.

[0023] In particular, in the display cabinet shown in fig. 1, the lateral edge 14 with a rectilinear shape extends orthogonally to the lower shelf 2. [0024] Advantageously, the connection pane 5 is made in one

piece so as to have no interruptions on its surface which might disturb or distort vision by the customers of the products positioned behind it . [0025] The display cabinet according to the invention also has a second plurality of panes, globally indicated by reference numeral 15, which define the upper shelf of the display cabinet.

[0026] The upper shelf ha a variable shape and is substantially parallel to the lower shelf 2. [0027] Bearing in mind that the upper edge 12 of the connection pane 5 has a curvilinear shape, advantageously it opens thanks to the presence of a first and second horizontal hinging axis 16 and 17 which are aligned with each other and inclined in relation to the direction of extension of the display cabinet in depth.

[0028] As seen, since the surface of the connection pane 5 is defined by the curvilinear shape of its upper edge 12, the portion of space of the compartment 2 affected by said connection pane 5, varies in volume so that it can be used in a completely different and optimised manner compared to the other panes defining the display cabinet which the invention relates to.

[0029] The display cabinet also has the first or second pane 6 or 7 defined by a shaped pane, made in one piece and having in horizontal cross-section a triple curve

which goes in and out from the profile of the lower shelf 3. In brief, each of the two lateral surfaces of the shaped pane comprises at least one concave portion and at least one convex portion. [0030] The upper shelf 15, in the area affected by the connection pane 5, is of variable transversal width so as to also connect the upper shelf 15 defined by the second pane 7 with the triple curve upper shelf defined by the first pane 6. [0031] The display cabinet according to the invention advantageously presents an improved possibility of positioning in the premises which it is situated in, together with an improved possibility of positioning of the products, and an improved possibility of displaying the same, an improved possibility of access to the compartment containing the products and an improved possibility of using the space of the compartment itself . [0032] The display cabinet according to the invention also permits an improved possibility of managing service to the customer. For example the triple curve panes encourage customers to move towards a predefined area of the display cabinet where the cash desk is situated or where products of particular interest are on display. [0033] The display cabinet, in particular for foodstuffs,

thus invented may be subjected to numerous modifications and variations while remaining within the scope of protection of the invention; moreover all the parts may ^¬ be replaced with technically equivalent elements . [0034] In practice, any materials as well as dimensions may be used depending on requirements and on the state of the art.