Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
POLYIVIERIC ARTICULATED BEVERAGE Iit~DY DOOR
The pxesent invention relates to articulated
doors for use in beverage bodies. I~Iore specifically,
the present invention relates to an articulated door for
use in a beverage body where~.n the articulated door is
foamed from a sequence of engagable polymeric panel
sections.
Beverage trailers and trucks employing
beverage bodies have long been used to deliver beverages
to various sorts of retailers. Articulated doors are
typically used on both sides of a beverage body to
permit access to individual storage bays where the
beverages are stored. Under normal use, these doors are
opened many times during the day as the driver delivers
24 beverages to retailers along his route. Wh~.le a ge~.eral
purpose delivery truck may use one roll-up door at the
rear of the txuck, a typical beverage body may use ten
ox more doors. Wherefore, any disadvantage associated
with a particular dcaor design is multiplied maxry times
when that des~.gn is employed in a beverage body.
Beverage bodies have typiaal~.y employed
articulated doors that are formed from a sequence of
solid aluminum panel sect~.ons. These panel sections are
forxaed with interlaokable edges. usually an aluminum
panel section will have a fixst interl.ockable edge with
an attached cylindrical structure and a second
interlockable edge opposite the first edge with an
attached cylindrical structure having a radius larger
than the radius of the cylindrical structure attached to
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the first edge. The smaller cylindrical structure of a
panel section is p~.aced within the larger cylindrical
structure of an adjacent panel section thereby forming
a joint that allows the two adjacent panel sections to
be positioned at varying angles with respect to each
other. The smaller cylindrical structure also includes
a hollow center in which xollers are inserted.
Therefore, every joint typically has a corresponding
pair of rollers.
To guide an articulated aluminum door between
an open position az~d a closed position, a door guiding
track is required. A typical door guiding track is
comprised of a pa~.r of channels, with each channel
having a pair of channei members facing each other
across a gap in which the rollers are inserted. These
channel members also may include track liners, often
foamed of stainless steel, to absorb vibrational energy
and to reduce friction between the rollers and the
channel members.
There are several problems that arise from
using this type of articulated aluminum door in a
beverage body. 'When doors of this type are new they
typically work fine. however, as the beverage body is
used, the door frame can be deformed by backing into
loading docks and driving over rough roads and curbs.
When the door frame is deformed, the door guiding track
becomes out of square and the door will either jam or
become very difficult to raise and lower.
As the beverage body is transported over roads
with the articulated doors closed, the doors vibrate in
their tracks. This vibxational energy is absorbed by
the rollers and channel members as they vibrate against
each other. This Forms flat spots on the rol~.ers and
indentat~.ons in the channel members at the points where
the rollers Contact the channel members. As these
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indentations grow in size, the space surrounding the
rollers increases, allowing the vibrations to increase
in intensity and thereby increasing the rate at which
the rollers and channel members deteriorate. These
indentations also contribute to the door becoming more
difficult to raise and lower.
As a door becomes more diffi.ault to raise and
lower, the rollers and channel members are lubricated.
The lubrication eventually pxeks up dust and dirt which
further accelerates the deterioration of the rollers and
door guiding track. A delivery person will
progressively exert more force to open and close the
door as this deterioration cycle continues. Eventually
a point will be reached when the delivery person will no
longer be able to move the door. At this point the
beverage body is brought back to the warehouse where
typically a forklift is used to unjam the door, which
usually destroys the door.
An articulated door and door guiding track
that is constructed from self-lubricating materials and
does not employ rollers would be resistant to
deterioration and track alignment problems and would
therefore be very desirable.
Because aluminum is not a resilient material,
collisions with an articulated axuminum door usually
result in a partial or complete destrttGt~.on of the door.
This can happen in a warehouse, where forklifts maneuver
around and load beverage bodies, in an on~-street
accident, or from within the beverage body itself if the
beverages contained therein should tip over. While the
door can sometimes be xepaired by replacing the impacted
panel section, often adjacent pane3.s will be deformed
from the force transmitted through the interlocking
edges.
When using beverage bodies in cold climates,
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the storage bays must be heated to prevent the beverages
from freezing. Typically this is accomplished by
circu~.ati.ng heated engine coolant from the tractor
through the floor of the beverage body. Because
_ aluminum is a highly thermo-conductive material, a layer
of insulation must be added to the inner surface of an
articulated aluminum door to reta~.n the heat in the
beverage body. This adds significant expense,
complexity and weight to articulated aluminum doors used
in beverage bodies.
Another problem associated With the use of
beverage bodies in cold climates results from th.e salt
and sand that is applied to road surfaces to melt ice
and improve traction. T~xe salt arid sand work their way
into the joints that connect adjacent panel sections,
where they corrode and wear down the aluminum surfaces
that form the joint. While the door can be steam
cleaned, the joint has usually been damaged by the time
this is done. Eventually the joint will lock up and the
affected panel sections must be replaced.
Because of the weight of an articulated
aluminum door, a~ counterbalance device is typical3y used
to assist the delivery person in open~.ng and closing the
door. This device is usually located above the storage
bay. The counterbalance adds weight and complexity to
the beverage body and decreases the available space left
to transport beverages.
An articulated door comprised of panel
sECtions formed from a lightweight, high insulation,
wear resistant, corrosion resistant and resilient
material would be very desirable.
HUMMARY OF THE rNVENTIdN
The present invention pxovides an articulated
door and door guiding track for use in beverage bodies.
3s To form an articulated door, a plural~.ty of polymeric
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panel sections are engaged in a sequence of panel
sections such that a hinge is formed between adjacent
panel sections. Resilient bonding means located at each
hinge absorbs vibration and prevents adjacent panel
, sections from sliding apart. Each hinge allows adjacent
pane. sections to be positioned at varying angles with
respect each other.
The articulated door is guided between an open
position and a closed position by a door guiding track.
The door guiding track is comprised of a left channel
facing a right channel across a door opening.
The sequence of panel sections are slidably
posit~.aned iri the door guiding track with a left end of
each panel section extending into the left channel and
a right and of each panel section extending into the
right channel.
The present invention provides an articulated
door that is resilient, lightweight, wear resi.stent,
corrosion resistant, self-lubricating and has a high
insulation value. The present invention does not employ
rollers to guide the door between the open position and
the closed position and is relatively tolerant of door
frame n~isal~.gnment.
HRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
Figure 2 is a perspective view of a beverage
body having articulated doors, with each articulated
door supported by a door guiding track, in accordance
with the present invention.
Figure 2A is a transverse sectional view taken
3o along line 2~A-2A of Figure ~. showing two articulated
doors installed in a beverage body.
Figure 2B is an enlarged view of a section of
an articulated door of Figure 2A.
Figure 3A is a perspective view of a panel
section, a plurality of which engaged ins $ sequence
forms the articulated door of Figure 1.
Figure 3B is a transverse sectional view taken
along ~.ine 3B-38 of Figure 3A showing a panel section
with a plurality of compartments which contain
insulation.
Figure 4A is a side view of a pair of adjacent
engaged panel sections, positioned in-line with each
other, whi.ah form a segraent of the articulated door of
Figure 1.
Figure 4B is a side view og a pair of adjacent
engaged panel sectfc~ns positioned at an angle with
respect to each other, in accordance with the door of
Figure 1 being moved between an open positi4n and a
closed position.
Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of
a panel reotion located at a bottom of the articulated
door of Figure 1, the panel section has a seal, inserted
into a bottom receptive edge and a slider plug (shown
removed from a right end of the panel section).
2 o . Figure 6 is a perspective view of are
articulated door having sealant segments injected
between adjacent panel sections.
Figures 7 A and 7B are top cutaway views. taken
along line 8-8 of Figure 1 showing panel sections
inserted into door guiding tracks.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF TSIE PREFERRED EM80DI~S
The present invention is an articulated door
and door guiding track for use in beverage bodies. The
artivulated door is formed from a plurality of polymeric
panel sections and is guided between an open positian
and a closed position by a door guiding track.
Figure 1 is a perspective view of beverage
B
body 10. Beverage body 10 has floor 11, roof 13., walls
9 and a plurality of door openings in which articulated
doors 12 are positioned. Beverage body id has an
interior which is divided into individual beverage
_ storage bays that are accessible by articulated doors
12. Articulated doors 12 are formed by engaging
polymeric panel sections 14 into a sequence. A typical
door of this type is 87 ~.nches tall and 54 inches wide.
Figure 2A is a transverse sectional view taken
14 alatlg line 2A-2A of Figure 1 showing twv articulated
doors 12 installed in beverage body 10. Articulated
doors 12 provide access to beverage storage bay~l5 and
are formed by engaging panel sections 14 into a sequence
(this view does not show every panel section 14 reguired
to form articulated door 12). Every alternate panel
section 14 is provided with a pair of slider plugs 22.
A bottom panel section 14, located adjacent to floor ~.~.
of beverage body ~.0 when articulated door 12 is zn the
closed position, contains seal 23.
2o Articulated doors 12 are supported and guided
by door guiding track ls. Each door guiding track 16 is
comprised of a pair of channels 21, which face each
other across the door opening. In this figure, only one
channel 21 of each doa~r guiding track 16 is visible.
Each channel 21 includes channel members 18, which face
each other act~oss gap space 17, and curved segment 19,
which is provided to guide articulated door 12 above
beverage storage bay 15 and along roof 13 when door 12
is moved to the opened position. In one embodiment,
articulated door 12 is connected to counterbalance 20~ to
assist the del~:very person in moving articulated door 12
between the open position and the closed position.
However, because of the light weight of articulated door
12, in another embodiment counterbalance 20 is not used.
3S Figure 2B is an enlarged view of a section of
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the left articulated door 12 of Figure 2A. Every
alternate panel section 14 is provided with a slider
plug 22. Eeoause slider. plug 22 is wider than panel
section 14, articulated doox 12 is supported and guided
_ by a contact between channel members 28 and slider plugs
22. ~'he height of slider plug 22 is larger than the
height of panel section 14. This allows slider plug 22
to partially covex- the hinge between adjacent panel
sections. This holds articulated door l2 together by
preventing adjoining panel sections frou~ sliding apart.
Figure 3A is a perspective view of polymeric
panel section 14 , i~Then a plurality of pane, sections 14
are engaged in a sequence, they form articulated door 12
of Figuxe 1. Panel section 14 has curved inner surface
25 24 and flat outer surface 26. Curved inner surface 24
has a preferred radius of 2.099 inches. This
facilitates the movement of articulated door 12 through
the curved section 19 of door guiding track 16 of Figure
2A. Flat outer surface 26 is provided so that
articulated door 1~ can be easily painted with a
beverage company's logo using a process such as silk-
screening. Curved inner surface 24 and flat outer
surface 26 are connected to each other by a plurality of
parallel partitions 28. Plurality of parallel
partitions 28 divides a space between flat outer surface
2b and curved inner surface 24 into a plurality of
parallel compartments gyp, This increases the strength
and insulation propErties of panel section 14 while
decreasing the weight of the panel section.
An articulated door formed from a plurality of
panel sections 14 will have an insulation value
approximately twice that of an insulated aluminum door
of the prior art. Therefore, for most applications, the
articulated door of the present invention will not
require any additional insulation. However, if a
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beverage body is to be used in extremely cold climates,
or an articulated door is to be used in an application
where a high insulation value ~.s crucial, panel section
14 can be easily and inexpensively provided with
_~.nsulation. Figure 3B is a transverse sectional view
taken along line 38-38 of Figure 3A. In an alternative
embodiment shown in Figure 3B, the plurality of parallel
compartments 30 of panel section 14 are filled with
urethane foam insulation 31. This greatly enhances the
l0 insulatian value of panel section 14 without changing
the external dimensions of the panel. section or an
articulated door constructed therefrom.
In Figure 3A, panel section 14 has right end
32 and left end 34 (named with respect to viewing a
panel section i4 in an articulated door 12 from an
exterior of beverage body 10 of Figure 1). Right end 32
and left end 34 expose the plurality of parallel
compartments 30. Panel section 14 also includes top
hook edge 36 and bottom receptive edge 38, wh~:ch engage
2Q with adjoining panel sections 14 to form articulated
door 12 of Figure 1. Ideally, a distance between top
hook edge 36 and bottom receptive edge 38, i.e., the
height of panel section 14, is as large as possible. As
this distance becomes larger, fewer panel sections 14
are required to form articulated door 1.2, thereby
decreasing the cost of the door. However, as the height
of the panel sections increases, so must the radius of
curved section 19 of door guiding track 16 of Figure 2A.
Therefore, the preferred height of panel section 14 is
2.430 inohes to faaiLitate an articulated door 12 formed
from an acceptable number of panel sect~.dns 14 while
maintaining an acceptable radius for curved section 19
of door 'guiding track 16.
Panel section 7.4 is formed by an extrusion
process using a material that is a polymer blend of
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polyphenylene oxide and high impact polystyrene with
triarylphosphate estexs added to retard fire. Different
variants of the polymer blend can be used based on the
climate where the articulated door wild. be used.
_ Compared to aluminum, the polymer blend used in the
present invention has a high insulation value and is
lightweight, resilient, self-lubricating, wear resistent
and corrosiol~ resistent. Parallel partitions 28, curved
inner surface 24, flat outer surface 26, top hook edge
l0 36, bottom receptive edge 38 and other extruded walls
are formed with a thickness of 0.05 inches.
F~.gure 4A is a side view of a pair of adjacent
engaged panel sections 14 that form a segment of the
articulated door 12 of Figure 1. The two panel sections
14 are shown pos~.tioned with respect to each other as
they would be when the door is in the closed position.
Top hook edge 36 ~.s engaged with bottom receptive edge
38 to form hinge 40, with top hook edge 36 positioned
generally within bottom receptive edge 38. Iixnge 40
allows the pair of adjacent engaged panel sections 14 to
be positioned at varying angles with respect to each
other.
Figure 48 is a side view similar to Figure 4A,
with the adjacent panel sections 14 pos~.tioned at an
ang~.e w~.th respect to each other. Two ad j acent panel
sections 14 would be positioned in such a way as they
move through curved section 19 0~ door gu~.ding track 16
of Figure 2A.
Figure 5 is a fragmentary perspective view of
a bottom panel section 14 that is located at a bottom
end of articulated door 12. When articulated door 12 is
in the closed position, as shown in Figure 1, bottom
panel section 14 is located adjacent to floor li of
beverage body 10. Bottom panel section 14 has seal
inserted in bottom receptive edge 38. Seal 23 seals a
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gap between floor 7.1 of beverage body 10 and the bottom
end of articulated door 12 when door 12 is in the closed
position.
Also shown in Figure 5 (removed from right end
_ 32 of panel section 14) is slider plug 22. Slider plug
22 is formed from a low density ultrahigh molecular
weight polyethylene plastic and is comprised of end
plate 46 and plurality of fingers 48. Each finger 48
has a plurality of deflectable retention tabs 50
positioned perpendicularly to finger 48 and parallel
with the end plate 46. Slider plug 22 also includes
outer surface plate 52 wh~.ch extends perpendicularly
~ross~ oral plobo ~~G er~d is pdxtallcl xith tho rlumcsli4,Y yr
fingers 48.
The sequence of panel sections 14 that forms
articulated door s2 alternates between a first panel
section and a second panel section. A slider plug 22 is
positioned on right end 32 and Xeft end 34 (shown in
Figure 3) of every first panel section in the sequence.
In other words, a pair of slider plugs 22 is provided
for every alternate panel section 14 in the sequence of
panel sections that fortas articulated door 12. Slider
plug 22 is attached to an end of panel section 14 by
having each of the plurality of fingers 48 of slider
plug 22 placed in a paral~.el compartment 30, with the
plurality of deflectable retention tabs 50 of each
finger 48 in contact with an interior surface of the
corresponding parallel compartment 30 and outer surface
plate 52 extending out over flat outer surface 26 of
panel section 14.
End plate 46 is ~.arge enough to partially
cover top hook edge 36 and bottom receptive edge 38.
This holds the art3.culated door together by preventing
two adjacent engaged panel sections from sliding apart
from each other. In the case of the bottom pane.
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section 14 shown in Figure 5, end plate 46 also prevents
seal 23 from sliding out of bottom receptive edge 38.
figure 6 shows an alternative embodiment of
articulated door 12. Iri this embodiment, each hinge 40
ie modified by ix~.jecting a resilient silicone rubber
sealant into the hinge. Sealant segments 35 bond
adjoining panel sections together, are approximately one
to two inches ~.ong and are spaced approximately fifteen
inches apart. Sealant segments 35 are injected into
each hinge 40 after the door ~,s assembled and while the
door is lying on a fiat horizontal surface.
One advantage of applying sealant segments 35
to Boar 12 is that it reduces the need to provide door
12 with slider plugs 22. One function of the slider
~.5 plugs is to prevent door 12 from sliding apart. Sealant
segments 35 provide this function because adjoining
panel sections are bonded together.
As seen in this Figure, sealant
segments 35 will absoxb vibrations. without sealant
segments 35 (as shown in Figure 4A), there is some play
in hinge 40. As a beverage body having an articulated
door 12 without sealant segments 35 travels clang a
road, the door vibrates. Although the movement between
any two panel sections may be mi.n~.mal, the movement of
the whole door may be substantial. However, as seen in
Figure 6, each sealant segment 35 supports the bottom
receptive edge 38 of an adjoining panel section. As
vibration is applied to the door, sealant segments 35
3o compress and expand to absorb the vibration. This also
makes the door ntuah quieter. 8y absorbing vibration and
providing unifor~oa spacing between adjoining panel
sections, sealant segments 35 greatly reduce wear within
hinge 40.
Withp~~ sealant segments 35, an artivulated
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door 12 in the closed position exhibits a slight
buckling or ripp~,ing effect. As seen in Figure 2B, an
articulated door 12 is slight7.y narrower than the door
guiding track 16 that supports it. Individual panel
sections will tend to alternate, with one. panel section
Xeaning one way and the next panel. section in the
sequence leaning the other way as the door collapses
slightly in door guiding track ~.6. This creates an
aesthetically unpleasing effect, especially when an
to arti.oulated door 12 is provided with a beverage
company~s logo. Sealant segments 35 solves this
problem. $ecause adjacent panel sections are bonded
tvge~her, all the panel sections remain iri-line and do
not collapse. ~'he surface of the door remains flat and
the appearance of all panel sections is uniform.
Any sealant or caulking material having
suitable bonding properties and resiliency can be used.
In one elribodiment, ?3A Manes Bond Silicone Rubber
sealant, manufactured by Manes Products Co. Inc., is
used to form sealant segments 35. However many other
manufacturers produce similar products.
The placement of sealant segments 35 within
hinge 40 effects the characteristics of articulated door
12. As moxe sealant is placed in the hinges, the door
becomes stiffer. If too much sealant is placed in door
iZ, it will beGOme difficult to move door 12 through
curved section 19 of Figure 2A. However, the hinges
must be provided with enough sealant to reduce wear,
prevent buckling and absorb shock and vibration.
Sealant segments approximately one to two inches Iorig
and separated by approximately f~.fteen inches have been
found to provide the desired characteristics without
making the door too stiff. Of course other dimensions
which achieve the desired characteristics can be used.
Figure ?A is a fragmentary cutaway view
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showing panel section 14 and door guiding track 16 taken
along line 8-8 of Figure 1. Door guiding track 16
includes a pair of cshannels 21, one a~ which is shown in
this figure. Channel 21 includes channel members 18
facing each other across gap space 17. Panel section 14
has slider plug 22 inserted into left end 34. The
distance between curved inner surface 24 and flat outer
surface 26, i.e., the width of panel section 14, is
preferably 0.515 inches, while the preferred width of
to slider plug 22 is 0.575 inches. Because slider plug 22
is wider than pane. section 14, panel section 14 is not
in direct contact With door guiding track 16.
In this embodiment, track liner 54 is
positioned over a channel member 18 that faces curved
inner surface 24 of panel section 14. Track liner 54 is
formed from a high density ultra-high molecular weight
polyethylene plastic. This produces a sliding, self-
lubricating, plastic-on-plastzc contact between slider
plug 22 and track liner 54. This embodiment is used in
door guiding tracks that have been converted to the
present invention from door guiding tracks of the prior
art.
Figure 7B is also a fragmentary cutaway view
showing panel section 14 and door guiding track 16 taken
along 7.ine 8-8 of Figure 1. Right end 32 is positioned
in gap space 17 of channel 2I. xn this embodiment, a
three sided integrally formed track liner 56 is planed
in channel 21. Track liner 56 is formed from a high
density ultra-high molecular weight polyethylene
plastic. Th~:~s prcaduces a sliding, self-lubricat~.ng,
plastic-on-plastic contact between slider plug 22 and
track liner 56. This embodiment is used ix~ door guiding
track of new construction.
The present invention improves the operation
of articulated doors and door guiding tracks in beverage
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bodies by eliminating the rollers required in the prior
art. The rollers are replaced by a sliding, self-
lubricating, plastic-on--plastic contact that supports
and guides the articulated dour as it is moved between
-the open position and the closed position, thereby
making the door less sens~.tive to door frame
misalignment.
The articulated door of the present invention
will last longer than articulated aluminum doors of the
prior art. The plastic-on-plastic contact in the hinges
that connect adjacent panel sections can outwear the
aluminum-on-aluminum contact in the hinges of the prior
art by a factor of approximately b to 1. Although bath
plastic and a~.uminum Can be steam cleaned, any salt,
1.5 sand, or dirt that gets inta an aluminum hinge will take
a toll in wear and corrosion before it can be removed.
In contrast, when a plastic hinge is steam cleaned and
the salt, sand and dirt are removed, the underlying
plastic surfaces of the hinge are left largely
unaffected because the plastic used, in the present
invention is highly Corrosion resistant and wear
resistant.
The articulated door of the present invention
weighs less the one-half the weight of articulated
aluminum doors of the prior art. This results in a
weight reduction of More than 500 pounds in a typical
beverage body. In addition, because of the door's light
weight, the caunterbalance used in art~.culated aluminum
doors of the prior art may not be needed, further
decreasing the cost and weight of the beverage body.
Compared to aluminum, which is highly thermo-
conduetive, the plastic used to form the articulated
door of the present invention has a very high insulation
value. While an articulated aluminum door of the prior
art will require a layer of insulation to be attached
for use in cold eliraa.tes, the articulated door of the
present invention probably will not require additional
insulation. However, if add3.tior~al insulation is
reguired, foam insulation can be placed inside the
plurality of compartments of the panel sections to
zncrease the insulation value ox the door.
The articu~.ated door of the present invention
is resilient; articulated aluminum doors of the prior
art are not. The door is mush less likely to be damaged
from impacts and collisions than are aluminum doors of
the prior art. Tf the door is impacted, the panel
sections pxobably will not break, but instead may pop
out of the door guiding track and the hinges that
connect the panel sections to adjacent panel sections.
Most likely the panel sections will not be damaged and
the door can be reassembled.
Although the present invention has been
described with reference to preferred embodiments,
workers skilled in the art will recognize that changes
may be made in form and detail without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention.
