FIELD OF THE INVENTION

Generally the present invention relates to shelf structures. In particular, the present invention pertains to shelf structures for cold storage cabinets.

BACKGROUND

There are different stages during a baking process and bakery cabinets are used for varying needs during the different stages. The dough needs to be in various specific temperatures during the baking process for optimal baking products. However, cold storage cabinets such as bakery cabinets, refrigerators and freezers face some problems today.

Baking trays (or baking sheets) tend to have national standards. However, the standards vary between countries. Therefore, the width and/or size of the baking tray vary in different countries. This creates problems for cold storage manufacturers as they need to produce cold storage cabinets in several sizes.

Attempts have been made to solve the problem of varying sized baking trays. In figure 4 is illustrated a front view of a prior art cold storage cabinet 450 where vertical steel frames 452 has been placed on both sides inside the cabinet. Holding plates 454 are attached to the frames so that the holding plates extend from both sides of the cabinet. The holding plates may be for example 10 cm wide allowing the use of varying sized trays. However this construction has some drawbacks.

Firstly, the construction is unstable, which provides some challenges in a fast working environment where baking trays are inserted and taken out continually. Secondly, it is challenging to clean the construction. All the parts need to be removed and separated for proper cleaning. Still, the steel frames comprise forms and slots that are difficult to clean completely. The steel frames comprise fastening holes for the holding plates that are difficult to clean properly. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The objective is to at least alleviate the problems described hereinabove not satisfactorily solved by the known arrangements, and to provide a feasible shelf struc- ture for cold storage cabinets. Especially, the objective is to provide a shelf structure that is stable, easy to clean and is suitable for varying sized baking trays or baking sheets.

The aforesaid objective(s) are achieved by the embodiments of a shelf structure in accordance with the present invention.

The aforesaid objective(s) are achieved according to the present invention as claimed in claim 1. Accordingly, in one aspect of the present invention a shelf structure for cold storage cabinets comprises

-at least two substantially parallel body parts, -at least one or two support parts that connects to the substantially parallel body parts for forming a stable structure, and

-at least one or two movable parts, wherein the distance between the movable parts is changeable for being suitable for varying sized baking trays and/or bak- ing sheets.

In one embodiment the support parts are substantially perpendicular to the body parts. In another embodiment the body parts comprise a number of slots for attaching the movable parts.

In a further embodiment the movable parts comprise at least two downwards extending edges that may be inserted into the slots.

In a further embodiment the movable parts comprise an upwards extending edge for preventing the baking tray and/or baking sheet from moving sideways. In a further embodiment the parts are steel, plastic, composite or metal or a combination of these.

The utility of the present invention follows from a plurality of factors depending on each particular embodiment. Embodiments of the present invention may provide a stable structure suitable for cold storage cabinets such as bakery cabinets where baking trays are inserted and taken out continually. Some embodiments may allow production of one-sized cabinets suitable for several countries with varying baking tray size standards.

Some embodiments may provide a structure that is easy to clean as the structure may be easily dissembled. With suitable material selections all parts of the invention may be machine -washable. Some embodiments of the invention may also allow the production of cabinets with forms that are easy to clean such as round shelf supports.

With some embodiments the energy efficiency requirements for professional cold appliances may also be optimally fulfilled with basic cabinets in accordance with the standard EN 16825 (Refrigerated storage cabinets and counters for profes- sional use - Classification, requirements and test conditions). Embodiments of the invention may allow utilizing the maximum capacity of the cabinet even if the shelf spacing is fixed.

Embodiments of the invention may allow a combination for a cold storage cabi- net, for example for cafe use, when traditionally a cabinet is intended for either baking trays or conventional storage. Some embodiments may allow producing cabinets and connecting shelves to the needs of the user. Some embodiments may allow optimizing the use of the cabinet for each need so that separate special cabinets are not needed for each use.

The expression "a number of refers herein to any positive integer starting from one (1), e.g. to one, two, or three.

The expression "a plurality of refers herein to any positive integer starting from two (2), e.g. to two, three, or four.

Different embodiments of the present invention are disclosed in the dependent claims. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED DRAWINGS Next the invention is described in more detail with reference to the appended drawings in which

Fig. 1 illustrates an embodiment of a shelf structure in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 2 illustrates an exploded view of the shelf structure.

Fig. 3 illustrates a front view of a cold storage cabinet with rounded side protrusions suitable for a shelf structure in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 4 illustrates a front view of a prior art cold storage cabinet.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS

Referring to figures 1 and 2, the shelf structure 100 comprises a first and second body part 102, 104. The two body parts are substantially parallel. The body parts form the front and the back side of the shelf structure 100. For example the first body part 102 may be inserted first in a cold storage cabinet so that the second body part 104 forms the front side of the shelf structure.

In some embodiments the two body parts may diverge from being fully parallel to each other. Preferably, the two parts form less than a 20 degree angle toward each other.

A first and second support part 106, 108 connects to the body parts 102, 104 so that the body parts and support parts form a stable structure. Preferably, the body parts and support parts are attached to each other near the end of the parts so that they form a square or rectangle like structure. The parts may be attached with screws, by welding and/or other suitable mechanical means.

The shelf structure 100 comprises two movable parts 1 10, 1 12 that are movable along the first and second body parts 102, 104 so that the distance between the two movable parts is changeable. The changeable distance between the movable parts allows varying sized baking trays or baking sheets on the shelf structure. Optionally, one of the movable parts is stationary and the other is movable. The two body parts 102, 104 comprise a number of slots 1 14a-1 14d for placing the movable parts to different widths. The slot construction is beneficial for detaching the movable parts. Preferably, the body parts comprise three slots in both ends of the body parts that allow three preferable widths such as 370 mm, 400 mm and 450mm. Optionally, the body parts comprise more than three slots such as 4, 5 or 6 slots in both ends of the body part.

The movable parts comprise at least two downwards extending edges 1 16a, 1 16b that may be inserted into the slots. Additionally, the movable parts comprise an upwards extending edge 1 18 for preventing the baking tray and/or baking sheet from moving sideways. Preferably, the movable parts are metal plates. The metal plates may be bent with a press brake so that the upwards and downwards extending edges are formed, for example.

Preferably, the parts in the shelf structure are stainless steel. Alternatively, parts of the shelf structure may be metal, plastic, composite, other steel and/or other durable material suitable for cold storage use. For example, for optimizing costs, in one embodiment parts 102 and 104 may be stainless steel and parts 106, 108, 1 10 and 1 12 may be plastics or composite material.

Figure 3 illustrates a cold storage cabinet 250 with rounded side protrusions that supports the shelf structure of the present invention. The present invention allows the production of such storage cabinets which are easy to clean. Preferably, a cold storage cabinet has a temperature between +15 °C and -30 °C.

Consequently, a skilled person may on the basis of this disclosure and general knowledge apply the provided teachings in order to implement the scope of the present invention as defined by the appended claims in each particular use case with necessary modifications, deletions, and additions.