Food support element for removable insertion into a refrigeration compartment having differential temperature zones

Abstract

A food support element, such as a shelf, drawer or the like, for removable insertion into a refrigeration compartment of a refrigerator having differential temperature zones, the temperature in the zone overlying the support element being set and controlled by a known control device provided with setting and control means associated with the element. The support element comprises a body having two spaced-apart opposing flat elements connected together by perimetral securing means, an interspace being present between the surfaces to receive the setting and control means.

We claim:  
     
         1 . A food support element, for removable insertion into a refrigeration compartment of a refrigerator having differential temperature zones, the temperature in the zone overlying the support element being set and controlled by a control device provided with setting and control means associated with the element, wherein the support element comprises two elements positioned superposed, at least the upperly positioned element having a flat free surface, the elements being maintained spaced apart by spacer means to define therebetween an interspace for containing at least part of the known control device for the refrigerator.  
     
     
         2 . A support element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the superposed elements are flat elements.  
     
     
         3 . A support element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the spacer means are positioned between the superposed elements in correspondence with at least two of their opposing edges.  
     
     
         4 . A support element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the spacer means are spacers each presenting a body provided with an intermediate portion and opposing end parts on which the superposed elements rest.  
     
     
         5 . A support element as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein the opposing ends of each spacer are flat.  
     
     
         6 . A support element as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein each spacer is an extruded body.  
     
     
         7 . A support element as claimed in  claim 4 , wherein in the intermediate portion of each spacer there is provided a recess for receiving electrical connectors of the refrigerator control device.  
     
     
         8 . A support element as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the recess in the intermediate portion of each spacer is provided in a sidepiece of the portion which faces outwards from the interspace within the support element.  
     
     
         9 . A support element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a central spacer is positioned between the superposed elements.  
     
     
         10 . A support element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the superposed elements are secured to each other by at least one perimetral frame piece positioned along the lateral edge of the support element.  
     
     
         11 . A support element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the spacer means are bent lateral edges of the superposed elements, these edges facing each other to define the interspace between the fitted-together superposed elements.  
     
     
         12 . A support element as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the bent lateral edges are fitted together by a form fit.  
     
     
         13 . A support element as claimed in  claim 12 , wherein the bent edges are provided with a perimetral portion facilitating the fixing of the moulded frame.  
     
     
         14 . A support element as claimed in  claim 11 , wherein the bent lateral edges of the superposed elements are bonded together.  
     
     
         15 . A support element as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a controlled atmosphere is present in the interspace.