AU2008201839A1 - Light cover/diffuser for food cabinets - Google Patents

Light cover/diffuser for food cabinets Download PDF

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Publication number
AU2008201839A1
AU2008201839A1 AU2008201839A AU2008201839A AU2008201839A1 AU 2008201839 A1 AU2008201839 A1 AU 2008201839A1 AU 2008201839 A AU2008201839 A AU 2008201839A AU 2008201839 A AU2008201839 A AU 2008201839A AU 2008201839 A1 AU2008201839 A1 AU 2008201839A1
Authority
AU
Australia
Prior art keywords
diffuser
light cover
shells
light
layers
Prior art date
Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
Abandoned
Application number
AU2008201839A
Inventor
John Maslen
Current Assignee (The listed assignees may be inaccurate. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the list.)
Maslen Technology Australia Pty Ltd
Original Assignee
Maslen Technology Australia Pty Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AU2007902194A external-priority patent/AU2007902194A0/en
Application filed by Maslen Technology Australia Pty Ltd filed Critical Maslen Technology Australia Pty Ltd
Priority to AU2008201839A priority Critical patent/AU2008201839A1/en
Publication of AU2008201839A1 publication Critical patent/AU2008201839A1/en
Priority to AU2014201253A priority patent/AU2014201253B2/en
Abandoned legal-status Critical Current

Links

Classifications

    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21V—FUNCTIONAL FEATURES OR DETAILS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS THEREOF; STRUCTURAL COMBINATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES WITH OTHER ARTICLES, NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F21V33/00—Structural combinations of lighting devices with other articles, not otherwise provided for
    • F21V33/0004—Personal or domestic articles
    • F21V33/0012—Furniture
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47B—TABLES; DESKS; OFFICE FURNITURE; CABINETS; DRAWERS; GENERAL DETAILS OF FURNITURE
    • A47B2220/00—General furniture construction, e.g. fittings
    • A47B2220/0075—Lighting
    • A47B2220/0077—Lighting for furniture, e.g. cupboards and racks
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2131/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
    • F21W2131/30—Lighting for domestic or personal use
    • F21W2131/305—Lighting for domestic or personal use for refrigerators
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21W—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO USES OR APPLICATIONS OF LIGHTING DEVICES OR SYSTEMS
    • F21W2131/00—Use or application of lighting devices or systems not provided for in codes F21W2102/00-F21W2121/00
    • F21W2131/40—Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use
    • F21W2131/405—Lighting for industrial, commercial, recreational or military use for shop-windows or displays
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2101/00—Point-like light sources
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F21—LIGHTING
    • F21Y—INDEXING SCHEME ASSOCIATED WITH SUBCLASSES F21K, F21L, F21S and F21V, RELATING TO THE FORM OR THE KIND OF THE LIGHT SOURCES OR OF THE COLOUR OF THE LIGHT EMITTED
    • F21Y2103/00—Elongate light sources, e.g. fluorescent tubes

Description

00
O
00 P/00/011 Regulation 3.2
AUSTRALIA
Patents Act 1990
ORIGINAL
COMPLETE SPECIFICATION STANDARD PATENT Invention Title: "LIGHT COVER/DIFFUSER FOR FOOD CABINETS" The following statement is a full description of this invention, including the best method of performing it known to us: 00 1
O
TITLE: LIGHT COVER/DIFFUSER FOR FOOD CABINETS BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention 00 THIS INVENTION relates to a light cover/diffuser for food cabinets.
The invention is particularly suitable for, but not limited to, a 00 cover/diffuser for refrigerator cabinets, but may be used for other 00 controlled or ambient environmental applications, including freezers for the Ostorage of foods or other articles.
2. Prior Art In supermarkets and other food retail stores, food kept under controlled temperature conditions, eg., at ambient temperature, refrigerated temperatures, or below freezing temperatures, are typically displayed in one or more cabinets where the air temperature is maintained within strictly controlled limits.
Typically, these cabinets can extend along the whole, or part of, the aisles in the supermarkets or shops, and generally have glass-fronted doors, which allow the food articles within the cabinets to be easily and attractively viewed, while also allowing easy access to the goods. The provision of the doors minimises the ingress of heat into the cabinets, thereby minimising the size and operational requirements for the refrigerating/freezer units used to maintain the desired temperatures within the cabinets.
It is essential that the articles, eg., food, within the cabinets can be easily viewed by consumers, requiring the provision of lighting within the cabinets. However, the lighting, whether incandescent, fluorescent, or of other lighting types, creates heat energy which tends to raise the temperature within the cabinets and which must be countered by the refrigerator/freezing units.
00L SUMMARY OF THE PRESENT INVENTION It is an object of the present invention to provide a light cover/ diffuser suitable for installation, eg., on a mullion in a food cabinet or other 00 C display/storage unit.
It is a preferred object of the present invention to provide such t a light cover/diffuser which minimises any transfer of heat energy from the 00 light source(s) within the light cover/diffuser to the air temperature within the O cabinet.
SIt is a further preferred object to provide such a light cover/diffuser which may be formed of transparent or semi-transparent material which can be configured, eg., to create aesthetic effects or to establish trade marks or other indicia.
It is a still further preferred object of the present invention to provide a light cover/diffuser which incorporates an insulating gap containing air.
Other preferred objects of the present invention will become apparent from the following description.
In a broad aspect, the present invention resides in a light cover/ diffuser for a food cabinet or the like, the light cover/diffuser including: a first (or inner) layer or shell of clear or translucent material forming a space in which at least one light source may be provided; a second (or outer) layer or shell of clear or translucent material, connected to the first layer or shell, and spaced therefrom; and an air gap defined between the first and second layers or shells on at least one side of the first layer or shell opposed to the space in which the at least one light source may be provided.
Third or subsequent layers or shells of clear or translucent material may be connected to the preceding layers or shells to define respective air gaps therebetween in the direction away from the space.
The adjacent ends of the first, second and subsequent layers 00 3 O may be sealed or open.
The, or each, air gap may contain air and/or other gases, and 0may be at least partially evacuated.
oo (1 One or more spacers may be formed as part of the layers or shells, or interposed between the layers or shells, to create/maintain the air 0 gaps between the layers or shells.
oO Preferably, the layers or shells are formed of clear or oo translucent materials such as plastics or glass or other suitable transparent Cor light transmitting materials; and layer(s) of semi-transparent or opaque materials may be applied to the layers or shells, eg., as masks, to create colours/patterns/ designs/trade marks/other aesthetic effects, or the like.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS To enable the invention to be fully understood, preferred embodiments will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings in which: FIG. 1 is a perspective front view of a first embodiment of the present invention, showing the light cover/diffuser for a centre mullion before assembly and a light cover/diffuser for an end mullion as assembled; FIGS. 2A and B are respective views of the light cover/diffuser for a centre mullion before and after assembly; FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a light cover/diffuser for an end mullion; FIG. 4 is a schematic end view showing the steps for assembly of the light cover/diffuser for a centre mullion; FIG. 5 is a similar view of the assembled light cover/diffuser; FIG. 6 is a similar view for a light cover/diffuser for an end mullion; FIG. 7 is a schematic end view of a second embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 8 is a schematic isometric view of the second 00 4 N embodiment; FIG. 9 is an "exploded" isometric view of the two layers (or 0 shells) of the second embodiment; oO C FIG. 10 is a schematic isometric view of a third embodiment; FIG. 11 is a schematic end elevational view of a fourth 00, embodiment; and oo FIG. 12 is a schematic end elevational view of a fifth 00oo embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS Referring to FIG. 1, a typical refrigeration (or freezer) cabinet C for foodstuffs has a frame F with top and bottom rails TR, BR interconnected by centre- or end mullions CM, EM. The metal-framed glass doors (not shown) are typically hinged on the end mullions EM and have latches releasably engaging strikers on the centre mullions CM.
The light covers/diffusers 10, 10A, respectively fitted to the centre- and end mullions CM, EM are designed to direct at least part of the light from the light sources enclosed therein into the interior of the cabinet C to illuminate the foodstuffs stored therein.
FIGS. 2A and 2B schematically illustrate the light cover/diffuser centre mullion CM, and plastic cover strips CS, before and after assembly, respectively.
FIG. 3 schematically illustrates the method of mounting the light cover/diffuser 10, alternative constructions of which will be hereinafter described, to the centre mullion CM; which FIG. 5 schematically illustrates the final assembly.
The light cover/diffuser 10 is formed from inner and outer shells, 20, 30 of transparent polycarbonate material, to form a substantially U-shaped cover, with an internal air gap 40 and an elongate space 50 in which the light source(s) are fitted. (The light source(s) have suitable 00 O electrical fittings (not shown) mounted on the central web W of the centre Smullion CM). The respective "legs" of the light cover/diffuser 10 are engaged with the web W of the centre mullion CM and are secured thereto by the 00 (1 substantially L-shaped cover strips CS and fasteners F.
The cover strips CS conceal the mounting of the light C' cover/diffuser 10 to the centre mullion CM.
00 spacer 60, may be provided in the light cover/diffuser 10. If 00 opaque, it will cause the light from the light source(s) to be directed inwardly to, or outwardly from, the cabinet C.
The light cover/diffuser 1 OA, for the end mullion EM, illustrated in FIG. 6, is also of U-shape, but narrower, and the insulating foam causes all the light to be directed into the cabinet C.
The light cover/diffuser 1 OA has an inner shell 20A, outer shell air gap 40A and elongate space 50A, as hereinbefore described.
Referring to FIGS. 7 to 9, the light cover/diffuser 110 of a second embodiment is designed to be fitted to a refrigerated food cabinet (not shown), but may also be fitted to other cabinets storing food or other articles at, eg., ambient temperature or at reduced freezing) temperatures.
The light cover/diffuser 110 is designed to enclose at least one light source L, where the or each light source L may be an incandescent globe, fluorescent tube, dichroic globe, LED or the like. (In practice, within a very large cabinet, a plurality of, eg., fluorescent tubes, will be provided at spaced intervals to ensure the interior of the cabinet (and the articles therein) are appropriately (and attractively) illuminated.
The light cover/diffuser 110 has an inner shell 120 and an outer shell 130, both formed from light transmitting materials such as plastics or glass. Suitable plastics include perspex, acrylics, and PTFE, which can be formed to the desired shapes by, eg., heating and folding.
The inner shell 120 is of substantially "top-hat" section in end 00 C, view with side walls 121 and 122 interconnected by a top wall 123, where the side walls 121, 122 having aligned outwardly-directed flanges 124, 125.
The outer shell 130 is of substantially shape, with side walls 00 (Ni 131, 132 interconnected by a top wall 133, where the side walls 131, 132 have inwardly-directed flanges 134, 135. The height of the side walls 131, C' 132 of the outer shell 130 exceeds the height of the side walls 121, 122 of 00 the inner shell 120 so that the top walls 123, 133 are spaced apart when the 00 inner and outer shells 120, 130 are assembled together with their flanges 124, 125, 134, 135 arranged in overlapping arrangement to form the substantially U-shaped air gap 140 therebetween.
The overlapping pairs of flanges 124, 134 and 125, 135 may be fixed together, eg., by suitable adhesives, glues or mechanical fasteners; and the light cover/diffuser 110 may be releasably secured to the body of the cabinet (not shown) by suitable mounting means, eg., clips/mechanical fasteners, to enable the light cover/diffuser 110 to be removed to enable any or all of the light sources L to be serviced, eg., by way of replacement.
As illustrated in FIG. 7, the inner shell 120 defines an elongate space 150 in which the light sources L are received.
In this embodiment, the respective ends of the light cover/ diffuser 110 are open, although they may be sealed to adjacent wall portions of the cabinet (not shown) by suitable sealing materials, eg., rubber or plastic gaskets, and/or sealant materials silicone sealants).
In an alternative embodiment, not illustrated, end caps or plugs may be inserted into the ends of the light cover/diffuser 110; or the respective ends of the inner and/or outer shells 120, 130 may be formed with end walls to sealably close the air gap 140.
As illustrated in FIG. 10, the light cover/diffuser 210 of a third embodiment has inner and outer shells 220, 230 of similar configuration to the shells 120, 130 of the light cover/diffuser of the second embodiment; but one or more spacers 260 may be provided, eg., at regular intervals, between 00 Sthe top walls 223, 233 of the shells 220, 230.
The spacers 260 may be formed integrally with one or both of the top walls 223, 233; or may be separate thereto. If formed separately, the o00 Sspacers 260 may be of metal, plastics or timber materials, and may or may not contain dessicant materials (such as silica gel).
C' In the embodiment illustrated in FIG. 10, the spacer 260 is not 00oo transparent; but the spacer 260 may be formed of transparent material if o00 preferred.
Referring now to FIG. 11, the light cover/diffuser 310 of the fourth embodiment has an inner shell 320 and an outer shell 330 substantially as hereinbefore described, where an intermediate shell 370, of modified "top hat" section is interposed therebetween so that two air gaps 340 are defined within the light cover/diffuser 310.
In this embodiment, a pair of spacers 360 are provided within the light cover/diffuser 310 in the manner of the spacer 260 hereinbefore described.
The provision of the two air gaps 340 defined by the three shells 310, 370, 330 will minimise the flow of heat energy from the space 350 containing the light sources (not shown) to the interior of the cabinet.
In the fifth embodiment illustrated in FIG. 12, sealing spacers 460 are provided between adjacent pairs of side walls 421, 471; 471, 431; 422, 472; and 472, 432 of the shells 420, 470, 430 in the light cover diffuser 410.
The light cover/diffuser 410 has a pair of air gaps 440 and spacers 460 in the manner hereinbefore described with reference to light cover/diffuser 410 of the fourth embodiment.
As hereinbefore described, the light covers/diffusers 10, 110,210, 310, 410 may be used in refrigerated cabinets for food, but may be used in other controlled or ambient environmental applications such as freezers.
00 SThe overall dimensions size and shape) of the light L cover/diffusers, and the air gaps provided therein, may be varied to suit the 0particular intended applications.
oO N As hereinbefore described, the air gaps may be open at the ends of the shells, or the ends may be sealed; and the air gaps may be filled Swith one or more other gases, or be partially evacuated, to enhance the 00oO thereof.
oo Also, as hereinbefore described, the perimeters of the light covers/diffusers may be sealed, eg., to the cabinets, with sealing devices or suitable sealants.
Spacers may be provided in the air gaps and may be manufactured from transparent or opaque materials.
Breather or ventilation holes may be provided through the walls of any or all of the shells, but preferably, the breather or ventilation holes in one shell will not be aligned with the breather or ventilation holes in an adjacent shell to prevent a direct flow of air therethrough.
In the embodiments illustrated, one or two air gaps have been provided, but the number of air gaps may be increased by providing additional shells. Usually, the increasing number of air gaps and shells will minimise the flow of heat energy from the light sources L to the interior of the cabinets to which the light covers/diffusers are fitted.
Typically, the shells are formed from clear or translucent plastics, eg., perspex, acrylics, PTFE, or glass, but they may be formed from other transparent or light transmitting materials, preferably such materials being provided in sheets and easily bendable, eg., by the application of localised heating to enable the light covers/diffusers to be formed to the desired shapes.
Coatings may be applied to the materials of the shells; and semi-transparent and/or opaque layers may be applied thereto, eg., as masks, to generate colours/patterns/designs/trade marks or other indicia or 00t Saesthetic effects on the articles being displayed.
One or more reflectors may be provided within the light covers/ diffusers; and one or more light reflectors may be provided behind the light 00oO Ssources, ie., in the spaces 150, 350, on the opposite side thereof to the air gaps.
SThe present invention provides a simple, yet efficient, means of 00oo minimising heat transfer from the light sources to the interior of the cabinets oO or other equipment in which the light covers/diffusers may be fitted.
Indeed, the heat trapped in the spaces containing the light sources L can be directed to the external faxcia of the cabinet to provide anti-sweat heating, obviating the need for electric anti-sweat heaters; further minimising the power input for the cabinet (while still achieving much improved lighting).
Various changes and modifications may be made to the embodiments described and illustrated without departing from the present invention.

Claims (12)

1. A light cover/diffuser for a food cabinet or the like, the light cover/diffuser including: 00oo a first (or inner) layer or shell of clear or translucent material forming a space in which at least one light source may be provided; t' a second (or outer) layer or shell of clear or translucent o00 material, connected to the first layer or shell, and spaced therefrom; and 00 an air gap defined between the first and second layers or shells on at least one side of the first layer or shell opposed to the space in which the at least one light source may be provided.
2. A light cover/diffuser as claimed in Claim 1, wherein: third or subsequent layers or shells of clear or translucent material are connected to preceding layers or shells to define respective air gaps therebetween in the direction away from the space.
3. A light cover/diffuser as claimed in Claim 1 or Claim 2, wherein: the adjacent ends of the first, second and subsequent layers are sealed or open.
4. A light cover/diffuser as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 3, wherein: the, or each, air gap may contain air and/or other gases, and is at least partially evacuated.
A light cover/diffuser as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 4, wherein: one or more spaces are formed as part of the layers or shells, or be interposed between the layers or shells, to create/maintain the air gap(s) between the layers or shells.
6. A light cover/diffuser as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to wherein: the layers or shells are formed of clear or translucent materials such as plastics or glass or other suitable transparent or light transmitting 00 materials; and layer(s) of semi-transparent or opaque materials are optionally applied to the layers or shells, as masks, to create colours/patternsldesignsl trade marks/other aesthetic effects, or the like. 00
7. A refrigerator or freezer cabinet, suitable for foodstuffs, having: at least one mullion; Sa light cover/diffuser as claimed in any one of Claims 1 to 6 00oO mounted on the mullion; and Sat least one light source in the space enclosed by the mullion 00 and the light cover/diffuser.
8. A cabinet as claimed in Claim 7, wherein: at least one cover strip, fixed to the mullion, extends over a portion of the second (or outer) layer or shell to hide a joint line between the mullion and the light cover/diffuser.
9. A method of assembling a light cover/diffuser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5; or FIG. 6; or FIGS. 7 to 10; or FIG.
10; or FIG.
11; or FIG.
12, of the accompanying drawings. A light cover/diffuser substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5; or FIG. 6; or FIGS. 7 to 10; or FIG. 10; or FIG. 11; or FIG. 12, of the accompanying drawings.
AU2008201839A 2007-04-26 2008-04-28 Light cover/diffuser for food cabinets Abandoned AU2008201839A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2008201839A AU2008201839A1 (en) 2007-04-26 2008-04-28 Light cover/diffuser for food cabinets
AU2014201253A AU2014201253B2 (en) 2007-04-26 2014-03-06 Light cover/diffuser for food cabinets

Applications Claiming Priority (3)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2007902194 2007-04-26
AU2007902194A AU2007902194A0 (en) 2007-04-26 Light cover/diffuser for food cabinets
AU2008201839A AU2008201839A1 (en) 2007-04-26 2008-04-28 Light cover/diffuser for food cabinets

Related Child Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2014201253A Division AU2014201253B2 (en) 2007-04-26 2014-03-06 Light cover/diffuser for food cabinets

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
AU2008201839A1 true AU2008201839A1 (en) 2008-11-13

Family

ID=40030111

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
AU2008201839A Abandoned AU2008201839A1 (en) 2007-04-26 2008-04-28 Light cover/diffuser for food cabinets

Country Status (1)

Country Link
AU (1) AU2008201839A1 (en)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9980581B2 (en) 2012-09-24 2018-05-29 Carrier Corporation Refrigerated sales cabinet

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US9980581B2 (en) 2012-09-24 2018-05-29 Carrier Corporation Refrigerated sales cabinet
US10285512B2 (en) 2012-09-24 2019-05-14 Carrier Corporation Refrigerated sales cabinet

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