A display cabinet having glazed surfaces

This invention relates to a display cabinet having glazed surfaces, each including at least two glass sheets set parallel apart which overlap each other into a sandwich-type structure and is set peripherally in a bearing or capping frame.

Widely used on refrigerated display cabinets are glazed of the above-noted kind to provide an unobstructed view from outside of the goods on display, while ensuring that the cabinet interior is adequately insulated thermally by an insulating chamber formed between the overlapping sheets in the sandwich structure.

Such glass sheet sandwich structures, as employed both in the construction of doors and clear walls for the cabinets are traditionally set in and secured to a peripheral capping frame, usually made of anodized aluminum, which functions both as a support and a trimming member for the sheet sandwich structure.

However, such frames confer on the glazed surfaces, and hence, the display cabinet per se, a massive and heavy-looking appearance which is sometimes in harsh contrast with the rest of the fittings of a selling space such as a store or supermarket.

It is the object of this invention to provide a display cabinet having glazed surfaces which are constructed to overcome the above-noted drawback.

This object is achieved by a display cabinet as indicated being characterized in that one of the outer glass sheets in slid sandwich is extended to overlap said frame.

Advantageously, said outer sheet is made opaque across the region thereof overlapping the frame.

Particular embodiments of the invention are defined in claims 3 to 6.

The advantages of this invention will be more clearly understood from the following detailed description of a preferred, though not exclusive, embodiment thereof, to be taken by way of illustration and not of limitation with reference to the accompanying drawings, where:

• Figure 1 shows a glazed door for a refrigerated cabinet embodying this invention; and
• Figure 2 is a fragmentary cross-sectional view of the door shown in Figure 1.

Generally denoted by 1 in Figure 1 is a glazed door for a refrigerated display cabinet, not shown per se.

The door 1 comprises a bearing or capping frame 2, from a major side whereof, two pegs 3, 4 extend in continuation of said major side to provide pintles whereby the door 1 can be assembled to the display cabinet body.

The bearing or capping frame 2 is obtained from a metal profile substantially "C" shaped (fig. 2) defining a back 5 and two substantially parallel and concurrent flanges 6, 7.

The back 5 has, on its side toward the inner flange 6 of the frame 2, a recessed portion 9 defining a tooth-like profile 10.

Formed on the free ends of the two flanges 6, 7 are two corresponding seats arranged to face each other and to hold, in shape interfit relationship, a plate-like profile member 11 carrying a gasket 12.

The door 1 further comprises a sandwich structure of three shatterproof glass sheets, generally indicated at 15, which includes first and second outer sheets 16, 17 and an inner or core sheet 18 therebetween.

Interposed peripherally between the sheets 16-18 are spacers 19 which hold said sheets parallel to one another and a distance apart from one another, while additionally sealing off the spaces therebetween so as to define two sealed chambers 20, 21.

The outer sheet 16 of the door 1 is extended to overlap the frame 2 and is cemented to the back 5 by means of a silicone resin of a kind known per se. This same resin, denoted by 22, is also used to fill the interspace formed at the recessed portion 9 and between the sandwich sheet structure 15 and the inner flange 6 of the frame 2.

Thus, the sandwich sheet structure 15 is securely cemented to the frame 2 across two contiguous walls of the latter.

In the area of overlap on the frame 2, the sheet 16 as a region 23 which is made opaque, as by silk-screen application thereon of a grid-like pattern which extends from the free edge of the sheet 16 to the area occupied by the spacers 19, thereby masking off the spacers and frame and conferring on the glazed surface an unhampered and attractive appearance.

Alternatively, the region 23 may be made opaque by means of a paint effective to mask off the underlying region.

This structure enables the above-noted advantage to be obtained for a manufacturing cost which is substantially comparable with that of traditional glazed surfaces with the outer frame in full view.