EP0836403B1 - Refrigerated cabinet for displaying food or the like - Google Patents

Abstract

PCT No. PCT/FR96/01055 Sec. 371 Date Dec. 31, 1997 Sec. 102(e) Date Dec. 31, 1997 PCT Filed Jul. 5, 1996 PCT Pub. No. WO97/01977 PCT Pub. Date Jan. 23, 1997The present invention relates to a refrigerated cabinet for displaying and/or conserving food products or the like, e.g. in a shop. A product display module (3) suitable for being mounted in easily removable manner on an air cooler module (2) includes cool air flow means, and at its bottom portion includes a pallet (4) having air guide means (53). The technical field of the invention is that of making refrigerated cabinets.

Description

The present invention relates to a refrigerated display cabinet and / or conservation of perishable, food or similar products, for example in a shop.

The technical field of the invention is that of the manufacture of furniture refrigerated.

It is known by the international application WO 94/17698 (RENARD) and the patent corresponding US 5,502,979 which is incorporated herein by reference, a piece of furniture dismountable refrigerated which includes means for guiding and circulating fresh air and means for distributing fresh air to product display plans or shelves and which includes cladding panels made of a material such as cardboard. which cladding is part of a superstructure removably mounted on a base which includes air cooling and dynamic air circulation means, say in particular a heat exchanger and a fan at least.

The object of the present invention is to improve the refrigerated furniture described in the international application mentioned above.

The solution to the problem is to provide an exposure module of perishable products according to claim 1.

Preferential embodiments of the invention are the subject of the claims.

The 2-10 ° handling unit can be fixed in (or constituted by) an area or stiffened part of the module; and can include or be essentially constituted by a rigid pallet or loading support such as a tray.

Said module can comprise at least two (for example three to six) ducts air blowing which are parallel to each other, preferably juxtaposed (ie joined) and substantially identical, and if necessary comprises at least two (for example of three to six) return air ducts which are parallel to each other, preferably juxtaposed and substantially identical.

By rigidified (or rigid) zone or part of the exposure module, is meant in the sense of this application. an area or part whose rigidity and / or resistance to bending, crushing (or compression) or traction is significantly greater than the rigidity of side panels (usually vertical) of the exposure module, for example at least 50% higher.

This increased rigidity of the rigid area can be obtained for example by a increasing the thickness of the module panels in said zone by at least 50%; this stiffened part can also be obtained by adding a thin piece of a more rigid material than that constituting the panels of the exposure module, which is attached to the lower part of these panels to constitute and / or to surround said handling equipment: said gripping members (such as a handle) can by example be constituted by one (or more) oblong opening (s) provided (s) in a lower part of the left and right side panels of the exposure module, including the thickness in said zone is reinforced, for example doubled.

In the case of using a pallet or a tray constituting the means of handling of the exposure module, this means is preferably made of a material different from the material of the exhibition module panels; said material constituting the pallet is preferably more rigid than the material constituting the panels of the exhibition module, which pallet (or tray) is suitable for manual handling or by a handling tool such as a trolley for example, in which case said zone or stiffened part is at least partly integrated into said pallet which is itself of preferably integrated in the lower part of said exposure module; this mode of embodiment is more particularly suited to the case where the exposure module filled with said produces a mass which exceeds twenty kilos, for example of the order of fifty to three hundred kilos.

According to a particular embodiment, a pallet is used (i.e. a tray or loading support, flat or flattened, rigid, suitable for handling by a forklift) suitable for being preferably installed or mounted so easily removable on the air cooling unit, and able to support a unit (at minus) of product display, which pallet includes guide means or air transport, and forms the base of the exposure module which is preferably essentially consisting of corrugated cardboard or plastic material such than polypropylene.

The invention also results in a refrigerated cabinet incorporating such product display modules.

• un module ou unité inférieure de refroidissement d'air (comportant au moins un orifice d'entrée d'air à refroidir, au moins un orifice de sortie d'air refroidi et au moins un échangeur de refroidissement d'air et un ventilateur),
• un module ou unité supérieure ou superstructure d'exposition desdits produits qui est posé ou monté de façon aisément amovible sur ledit module inférieur, qui comporte une ouverture de grande dimension délimitant une face ou zone d'accès aux produits exposés dans le module d'exposition, et qui comporte des moyens de guidage d'air, et le cas échéant un panneau mobile (par exemple amovible) apte à fermer ladite ouverture,
• une palette intercalée entre ledit module inférieur de refroidissement d'air et ledit module supérieur d'exposition de produits, laquelle palette est munie de moyens de guidage d'air (frais).

According to a particular embodiment, a refrigerated display cabinet for products according to the invention comprises:

• an air cooling module or lower unit (comprising at least one air inlet orifice to be cooled, at least one cooled air outlet orifice and at least one air cooling exchanger and one fan),
• an upper module or unit or superstructure for exposing said products which is placed or mounted in a removable manner on said lower module, which has a large opening defining a face or area for access to the products exposed in the exhibition module , and which includes air guiding means, and where appropriate a movable panel (for example removable) capable of closing said opening,
• a pallet interposed between said lower air cooling module and said upper product exposure module, which pallet is provided with means for guiding air (fresh).

• le moyen de guidage d'air de la palette comporte au moins un conduit d'axe sensiblement vertical, de faible hauteur ou longueur et de section allongée ou aplatie ;
• le module d'exposition de produits est essentiellement constitué par des éléments ou panneaux en carton ondulé ou matière fibreuse multicouche, ou en matière plastique ;
• la section dudit conduit de circulation d'air prévu dans la palette est sensiblement rectangulaire, et de préférence le rapport de la plus grande dimension à la plus petite dimension (de la longueur à la largeur) de la section du conduit est au moins égal à 2, par exemple voisin de 5 à 20 ; à titre d'exemple un conduit de soufflage peut être constitué par trois canalisations tubulaires juxtaposés identiques ; la section de chaque canalisation peut avoir une largeur de 20 mm et une longueur de 160 mm ; selon un autre exemple, le conduit comporte une seule canalisation dont la section a une largeur de 80 mm et une longueur de 1 300 mm ;
• la palette est essentiellement constituée par des tasseaux ou planchettes de bois assemblés entre eux, par exemple par des clous ou des agrafes ;
• la palette comporte deux éléments latéraux allongés parallèles entre eux, tels que des tasseaux de section sensiblement rectangulaire, qui sont munis d'un chanfrein dans leur partie externe inférieure permettant de faciliter le centrage du module d'exposition, lors du mouvement d'approche de la palette avec un module de refroidissement d'air, par coopération du chanfrein avec des parois ou rebords disposés à la périphérie de la face supérieure du module de refroidissement d'air ;
• les moyens de guidage d'air du module d'exposition comportent au moins un conduit (de préférence au moins deux conduits, par exemple trois ou quatre conduits au moins) de distribution d'air frais vers les produits exposés et pour alimenter un rideau d'air de protection de la façade (ou zone d'accès) du module l'exposition, lesquels conduits sont de section allongée ou aplatie, de préférence rectangulaire, lesquels conduits sont raccordés par leur base au moyen de guidage d'air prévus dans ladite palette, lesquels conduits sont parallèles entre eux et placés cote à cote et/ou sont empilés les uns sur les autres ;
• lesdits conduits ou cheminées de transport d'air intégrés au module d'exposition sont en carton ondulé ou en matière plastique ;
• le module d'exposition comporte un ou plusieurs premiers conduits de soufflage d'air frais (ou premiers moyens de guidage d'air) qui s'étendent sensiblement verticalement à proximité d'une paroi du module telle qu'une paroi arrière du module, et comporte des deuxièmes moyens de guidage d'air (ou deuxièmes conduits servant de conduit de reprise d'air provenant notamment du rideau d'air) qui s'étendent sensiblement verticalement à proximité d'une deuxième paroi du module, laquelle deuxième paroi est parallèle à ladite première paroi, lesquels deuxièmes conduits ou deuxièmes moyens de guidage d'air sont parallèles auxdits premiers moyens de guidage d'air, lesquels premiers et deuxièmes conduits ont leur base raccordée ou placée au contact sensiblement étanche à l'air avec des ouvertures respectives de soufflage et de reprise d'air prévues dans ladite palette et/ou dans ledit module de refroidissement ;
• les parois latérales de préférence verticales du module d'exposition comportent au moins trois couches de carton ondulés, par exemple au moins quatre couches de carton ondulé, par exemple deux feuilles de carton ondulé comportant chacune deux ondulations ;
• les parois du module délimitant l'enceinte réfrigérée sont minces, de préférence d'épaisseur inférieure ou égale à 20 ou 30 mm, par exemple voisine de 5 à 15 mm ;
• les parois minces sont constituées d'un ou plusieurs flans ou profilés de polypropylène ;
• le module comporte des étagères en carton ondulé renforcées par un ou plusieurs renforts transversaux horizontaux et équipées sur leur bord avant de moyen de retenue des produits exposés sur l'étagère ;
• le meuble réfrigéré comporte en outre un élément en forme de jupe de préférence en carton ou en matière plastique, apte à coulisser autour dudit module de refroidissement d'air et autour de ladite palette et dudit module d'exposition de produits, et dans lequel est prévue au moins une (de préférence plusieurs) ouverture permettant le passage d'air et/ou l'accès à des trappes de visite du groupe de refroidissement, et dont la partie supérieure du flanc avant fait partie des moyens de guidage d'air et est située à proximité de l'orifice de reprise en partie inférieure du rideau d'air ;
• l'unité de refroidissement d'air comporte une face supérieure et des parois latérales dont au moins deux (de préférence au moins trois) parois latérales s'étendent au dessus de la face supérieure de l'unité ; de préférence une des parois (paroi arrière) s'étend au dessus de l'extrémité supérieure ou bord supérieur de deux autres parois latérales (parois gauche et droite) ;
• l'unité de refroidissement comporte des pieds permettant à l'unité de reposer sur le sol, qui sont aptes à coopérer avec la partie supérieure d'une deuxième unité de refroidissement d'air identique à ladite unité de refroidissement d'air afin de permettre d'empiler ou gerber plusieurs unité de refroidissement d'air identiques.

According to other preferred embodiments of the invention:

• the air guide means of the pallet comprises at least one duct with a substantially vertical axis, of small height or length and of elongated or flattened section;
• the product display module is essentially made up of elements or panels of corrugated cardboard or multilayer fibrous material, or of plastic;
• the section of said air circulation duct provided in the pallet is substantially rectangular, and preferably the ratio of the largest dimension to the smallest dimension (from length to width) of the section of the duct is at least equal to 2, for example close to 5 to 20; by way of example, a blowing duct may consist of three identical juxtaposed tubular pipes; the section of each pipe can have a width of 20 mm and a length of 160 mm; according to another example, the conduit comprises a single pipe, the section of which has a width of 80 mm and a length of 1,300 mm;
• the pallet is essentially constituted by cleats or wooden boards assembled together, for example by nails or staples;
• the pallet comprises two elongated lateral elements parallel to each other, such as battens of substantially rectangular section, which are provided with a chamfer in their lower external part making it possible to facilitate the centering of the exposure module, during the approach movement of the pallet with an air cooling module, by cooperation of the chamfer with walls or flanges arranged on the periphery of the upper face of the air cooling module;
• the air guide means of the exposure module comprise at least one duct (preferably at least two ducts, for example at least three or four ducts) for distributing fresh air towards the exposed products and for supplying a curtain protection air of the facade (or access area) of the exposure module, which conduits are of elongated or flattened section, preferably rectangular, which conduits are connected by their base by means of air guidance provided in said pallet, which conduits are parallel to each other and placed side by side and / or are stacked on each other;
• said air transport ducts or chimneys integrated into the exposure module are made of corrugated cardboard or plastic;
• the exposure module comprises one or more first fresh air supply ducts (or first air guide means) which extend substantially vertically near a wall of the module such as a rear wall of the module, and comprises second air guiding means (or second ducts serving as an air intake duct originating in particular from the air curtain) which extend substantially vertically near a second wall of the module, which second wall is parallel to said first wall, which second ducts or second air guide means are parallel to said first air guide means, which first and second ducts have their base connected or placed in substantially airtight contact with openings respective supply and return air provided in said pallet and / or in said cooling module;
• the preferably vertical side walls of the exposure module comprise at least three layers of corrugated cardboard, for example at least four layers of corrugated cardboard, for example two sheets of corrugated cardboard each comprising two corrugations;
• the walls of the module delimiting the refrigerated enclosure are thin, preferably of thickness less than or equal to 20 or 30 mm, for example close to 5 to 15 mm;
• the thin walls consist of one or more polypropylene blanks or profiles;
• the module comprises corrugated cardboard shelves reinforced by one or more horizontal transverse reinforcements and equipped on their front edge with means for retaining the products exposed on the shelf;
• the refrigerated cabinet further comprises a skirt-shaped element preferably made of cardboard or plastic, capable of sliding around said air cooling module and around said pallet and said product display module, and in which is provided with at least one (preferably several) opening allowing the passage of air and / or access to inspection hatches of the cooling unit, and the upper part of the front flank of which forms part of the air guide means and is located near the return opening in the lower part of the air curtain;
• the air cooling unit has an upper face and side walls of which at least two (preferably at least three) side walls extend above the upper face of the unit; preferably one of the walls (rear wall) extends above the upper end or upper edge of two other side walls (left and right walls);
• the cooling unit comprises feet allowing the unit to rest on the ground, which are able to cooperate with the upper part of a second air cooling unit identical to said air cooling unit in order to allow stack or stack several identical air cooling units.

Thanks to the particular features of the invention relating in particular to improvements to the means of circulation (or guiding or channeling) of the air cooled by the air cooling unit, on the one hand as regards the means guide integrated in the pallet and secondly as regards the guide means integrated into the superstructure or the product display module, the invention allows improve the air circulation and the cooling efficiency of the module air cooling and therefore improves the storage conditions of products; these particular characteristics allow in particular and surprisingly to maintain, in furniture of which the superstructure may be essentially constituted by corrugated cardboard or plastic panels (where appropriate in part supplemented by panels of a thermally insulating material such as polystyrene expanded for example), the inside of the cabinet (i.e. the product display unit), temperatures compatible with perfect preservation of goods, in particular temperatures below 0 degree centigrade (depending on the desired performance).

Furthermore, the invention makes it possible to facilitate the movement of the exposure module in particular the loading and unloading of the exposure superstructure on the unit air cooling, in particular by making it possible to use handling such as a forklift; the superstructure (or exposure unit products) and the pallet (or handling support tray) which is suitable for this superstructure and air cooling group and which can be integrated into this superstructure, can be made to be used only once (for use unique) for example by being essentially made of cardboard and possibly of polystyrene as regards the superstructure, and made of wood and / or cardboard and / or polystyrene with regard to the pallet; these elements can also be made of preferably recyclable plastic such as polypropylene, so to be used if necessary several times.

The invention provides a product display superstructure which can be used as product transport packaging, between a product packaging center in the interior of the exhibition unit and the store (or the sales area of the products or use of the furniture) in which the product display unit is arranged preferably on the air cooling unit.

The invention therefore provides a product display unit (adaptable to a unit air cooling to constitute a refrigerated cabinet) which can be either recyclable either for single use, in all cases of very low cost, very low cooling performance high and sufficient strength and rigidity.

The invention facilitates the packaging (packaging) of the exposed products, facilitates their transport, their storage in a cold room, and their installation in a store or other sales area.

The invention applies to refrigerated furniture (and display units of products included in the constitution of such refrigerated furniture) which allow keep the products they contain at low temperature by air circulation pulsed refrigeration, i.e. powered by fans, for example furniture incorporating a self-contained air cooling unit (i.e. comprising a group refrigerant compression refrigerant as described in the application mentioned above for example) and which can be connected to a source of electrical energy at the exhibition site.

The furniture and superstructures according to the invention can be used for the storage of various food products, at positive temperatures or below 0 degree centigrade in certain cases (for example of the order of minus 15 to minus 20 degree centigrade).

In a particular mode of use, superstructures and refrigerated furniture according to the invention can be mounted at the place of their use, for example for use and integration in exhibition stands of trade fairs or, or use as a closed cabinet for storing food products or the like temporarily, i.e. for several days or weeks.

The numerous advantages provided by the invention will be better understood through the following description which refers to the appended drawings, which illustrate without any limiting character preferred embodiments of refrigerated furniture according to
the invention and superstructures for exhibiting products used in the construction of this furniture.

Figure 1 illustrates in schematic perspective a furniture superstructure refrigerated according to the invention used as transport packaging for the products it contains.

Figure 2 schematically illustrates in perspective view the establishment of the product display structure on an air cooling module by a trolley forklift.

Figure 3 illustrates in simplified perspective view a final operation of setting place a product display superstructure on an air cooling module.

Figure 4 is an exploded simplified perspective view of the lower part of a product display module and an air cooling module, explaining the assembly of the various components of the product display module.

Figure 5 is a simplified view. in partial section through a vertical plane along V-V of Figure 4, and schematically illustrates the adaptation of a pallet of a module exhibition of products on an air cooling module, and the means assembly of these.

Figures 6 and 7 illustrate two preferred embodiments of a pallet entering into the constitution of furniture according to the invention; Figure 6 is a sectional view by a vertical plane, according to VI-VI of Figure 4; Figure 7 is a view of a variant of also in section on a vertical and transverse plane.

FIG. 8 illustrates in simplified perspective view an embodiment of a refrigerated cabinet according to the invention, with a substantially horizontal air curtain which can be used especially for storing products at temperatures below 0 ° C.

Figure 9 schematically illustrates in sectional view through a vertical plane, the air circulation in a cabinet according to figure 8, and is a view according to IX-IX of the figure 8.

FIG. 10 illustrates in exploded view, in perspective, an alternative embodiment of a refrigerated display cabinet for products according to the invention (with vertical air curtain descending), in which the pallet consists essentially of a thin plate rectangular with two openings.

Figure 11 illustrates in sectional view through a horizontal plane, an exposure module of products fitted with shelves.

Figure 12 is a sectional view along XII-XII of Figure 11 and illustrates schematically a preferred embodiment of shelves and the structure of panels of a product display module according to the invention.

FIG. 13 illustrates a detail of embodiment of a cardboard panel entering the creation of a product display module according to the invention (with reference to the figure 11).

Unless otherwise specified, the terms "front", "rear", "upper", "lower", "left", "right", "vertical", horizontal "are used with reference to a observer looking at the furniture and / or the exposure unit and standing in front of the opening access to the product and / or standing in the position of the user of the furniture and / or of the buyer exhibited products.

Unless otherwise indicated, the same reference point used several times in one or several figures designate identical or similar elements.

With reference to Figures 1 to 3, a refrigerated cabinet 1 according to the invention comprises a base 2 constituting an air cooling module and which can receive on its face or substantially horizontal upper wall 36 a product display module 3 for example, packaged in individual packages in the form of tray, marked 11 and shown in particular in Figures 3 and 12.

As illustrated in figure 1 and 2. the superstructure or module 3 of product display has in the lower part, a pallet 4 with which it is inscribed in a parallelepiped rectangle whose width 21, depth 22 and height 23 are, in a mode of realization, respectively close to 800 mm, 600 mm, 1200 mm.

As illustrated in FIG. 1, the exposure module 3 can constitute a module 5 of transport and temporary storage of the products it contains, which storage can be carried out either in a refrigerated room or cold room, or in a non-refrigerated room, the module 3 then being placed on a cooling module 2 in order to allow the conservation during storage of the food products contained in module 3, 5.

As illustrated in FIG. 2 in particular, the base of the exposure module 3 essentially constituted by a pallet 4 is able to receive at least part of the forks 13 of a forklift 14 for handling the exposure module 3 of products in which the products have been previously loaded, to come and put this exposure module on the upper face 36 of the casing surrounding the exposure unit air cooling 2, by a translational movement 18 substantially parallel to the lateral edges 16 of the box followed by a vertical downward movement according to arrow 19 during which the chamfers (item 32 figure 4, 6, 7) provided on the side edges lower of the pallet 4 allow to facilitate the centering and the relative positioning of the module 3 compared to module 2.

As illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 3 in particular, the exposure module 3 can be supplied with a panel 7, for example made of cardboard, forming a skirt or strip surrounding module 3, capable of sliding around module 3 along the vertical axis longitudinal of module 3, when module 3 is positioned on module 2 of air cooling, by a downward movement, to cover the side walls of the air cooling module 2 so that pre-cut openings 8 or provided in the facets of the sliding panel 7 come opposite the windows 20 (such only ventilation grilles or access hatches) which are provided in the walls side of the air cooling unit.

For transport or storage, in particular of module 3 for product display, a removable panel 9, for example a vertical front, is provided to close the opening 10 forming a product access area 11 placed on several superimposed shelves 12 provided for in product display unit 3; panel 9 can be removed when putting on in place of the furniture at the point of sale.

With reference to Figures 2, 4 and 5, the nesting or relative positioning of the product exposure unit 3 on the air cooling unit 2 is carried out according to a downward movement identified by the arrows 19, until the base of the module 3 of exposure, which is essentially constituted by the pallet 4, comes to rest on the wall upper 36 substantially horizontal of the air cooling module 2; said wall 36 is pierced with at least one orifice 37 allowing air to enter the module 2 as shown in Figure 5 by arrow 44, and on the other hand an opening 38 for blowing allowing the outlet of the air cooled by the module 2 according to arrow 45 shown in FIG. 5.

The cooling module comprises, disposed under the upper wall 36, at minus a fan 42 propelling the air and passing it in contact with an exchanger thermal 43 cooling the air before blowing it into the interior volume of the module 3 product display by the means described below.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 and 5 in particular, air sealing means 39 are provided, particularly over the entire periphery of the opening 38, the shape of which is elongated, as illustrated in FIG. 4, preferably substantially rectangular and the length of which is large compared to the width.

With reference to FIGS. 4 and 5 in particular, the pallet 4 constituting the base of the module 3 of exposure allows the introduction inside the volume exinscribed to the palette, forks 13 of a forklift which are shown in Figures 4 and 5 in position external to the pallet (in solid lines), and which are shown substantially in the position of transport of the pallet in FIG. 5, in broken lines, the penetration of the forks 13 to the interior of the free space of the pallet 4 being carried out according to the arrows 29 in FIG. 4.

As illustrated in FIGS. 4 to 7 in particular, the pallet 4 may include two parallel horizontal battens 30 and 31 arranged at each left or right end of the palette; an additional horizontal strip 33 (Figure 7) may be provided; the basis of vertical panels 27, 28 (left and right) of module 3 can be fixed with clips 35 on the sides of the cleats 30, 31.

The battens 30, 31 and 33 are interconnected by boards 46 to 49 extending horizontally and perpendicularly to the battens, the ends of which are assembled to said cleats by nails 34 (Figure 6) or by any other means such as staples especially.

As illustrated particularly in FIG. 5, the boards 46 which extend in part upper part of the pallet 4, substantially flush with the upper edges of the lateral cleats 30, 31, allow the transport of the product display module 3 by the elevator fitted with forks 13, when the underside 50 of the boards 46 rests on said forks, the position (along the battens x 30, 31) of the boards 46 being such that the center of gravity of module 3 is located between them.

Furthermore, the upper face 51 of the lower board 47 which is located at immediate proximity of the front edge 52 of the pallet 4, makes it possible to avoid a movement of tilting of the module 3 placed on the pallet, by its contact with the underside of the forks 13, in the event that such a tilting begins to operate.

The front face of a front board 48 arranged vertically (or on the field), forms a stop against which can come to bear the front end of the forks 13 during their introduction movement according to arrows 29 (Figure 4).

The substantially vertical parallel planks or walls 48, 49 (i.e. on field) provided in the rear part of the pallet 4, serve essentially to delimit a conduit 53 inside which can be fitted (by a vertical movement descendant illustrated in FIG. 4 by the references 80) one or more conduits 54 forming part of the product display module 3: this conduit 53 is used for positioning substantially vertical of these conduits 54 on the one hand. and also serves to ensure continuity in the guiding the air expelled from the cooling module 2 according to arrow 45, so that the air cooled leaving through the opening 38 is guided and channeled in a substantially sealed manner to the conduits 54 integrated into the product display module 3: the fresh air is thus channeled through conduits 54 according to arrow 55, then distributed according to arrows 56 towards the product shelves or exhibition plans. as well as towards the curtain guide sheath air 123.

As illustrated in FIG. 5 in particular, the air is then sucked in (arrow 119), in lower part of the exhibition module. by the space or opening delimited by the front edge of the first board 46 and the upper edge 57 of the skirt 7 which surrounds the group 2; said edge 57 extends above the upper face 151 of the pallet 4 when the latter is posed by its base 150 on the upper panel 36 of module 2 (after the movement descending according to arrows 19), because the height 120 measured between the upper edge 57 (substantially horizontal) of the front flank of the skirt 7 surrounding the refrigeration unit 2, and the upper wall 36 of the product display module 3 (on which the palette). is greater than the height 121 (or thickness) of the pallet 4; the height of the duct 53 delimited by the walls or vertical boards 48 and 49 of the pallet 4, which is by example of around 10 cm, is in this embodiment equal to the thickness 121 of the pallet.

In this way, the air flow or curtain 123 moving in a movement vertical downward (in this embodiment), can be at least partially taken up (sucked in) by the return orifice left free between the edge 57 of the front wall of the skirt 7 and the front edge of the board 46 of the pallet 4, to circulate according to the arrows 119 and 44 until the return opening 37 provided in module 2.

With reference to Figures 4, 5 and 10, the module 3 is delimited by side walls verticals 26, 27, 28, the base of which can be fixed (by an assembly movement illustrated by arrows 24) by staples 35 to cleats 30, 31, and which constitute an envelope 25 with 3 vertical flaps, which can be obtained by U-folding of a flank of corrugated cardboard.

FIG. 10 illustrates an alternative embodiment of the invention adaptable to the use of plastic for the main components of the module of display of the refrigerated cabinet according to the invention.

As illustrated in this figure, the piece of furniture whose main components have been schematically represented (in exploded view), includes a group or module 2 of air cooling which receives on its upper face a pallet 4 playing a role of interface between module 2 and module 3 of product exposure as well as a role of module support 3.

Pallet 4 has an opening 129 at the front for suction (or recovery) according to arrow 119 of the air flow coming in particular from the air curtain circulating according to the arrows 123 in front of the front part of the trays 58 receiving the products exposed in the module.

The air thus sucked in, then blown by module 2 (after cooling) according to the arrow 55. passes through the rear part of the pallet 4 via the air guide duct 53, it is provided, to enter a stack of three sections of conduit 54 of air guidance as part of the product display module; each of said sections of conduit 54 is constituted by a portion of tube with a vertical axis and of substantially section rectangular and not constant, the section of the upper part of each duct being decreased or narrowed so as to allow nesting and connection substantially airtight of modules 54 when stacked on top of each other along their common longitudinal axis 101 extending vertically.

The products to be displayed are contained in four trays 58 self ponant superimposed, among which that which forms the base of the stack rests on the pallet 4; each of said plates is provided with a rear vertical bottom 61 provided with perforations 63. which is substantially pressed against the front face of the modules 54 so that the perforations 63 of the plates extend substantially opposite perforations 157 provided in the front faces of the sections 54, and so as to allow passage (the distribution) of part of the air circulating in the sections 54 towards each plate for maintain the products contained in the trays 58 at the desired temperature.

Each tray 58 has a horizontal bottom 59, two side walls 60 with each of an oblong opening 62 allowing the manipulation by hand of each of the plates 58, the panels 59 and 60 being provided with edges folded at 90 ° and forming thus with the bottom 61 a semi rigid assembly which can be made of corrugated cardboard or plastic material.

The conduits 54 and the plates 58 are covered with a roof panel 64 ensuring guiding the air leaving the ducts 54 to form the air curtain 123 substantially vertical down; the assembly constituted by the sections 54 and the plates 58 is substantially surrounded by a U-shaped panel 25 which has a bottom vertical 26 and two thin vertical walls left 27 and right 28.

An alternative embodiment of a substantially air curtain exposure module vertical is illustrated in FIGS. 11 to 13, in which the distribution and air guide of the product exposure unit, consist of three sections of tubes identical 54 joined and parallel to one another (of longitudinal axis 101 vertical), which can be made of folded corrugated cardboard.

As in Figures 4 and 10, the channels 54 are provided in their part or wall frontal 102 of perforations 157 allowing the passage of part of the flow of fresh air guided and distributed through channels 54, to each of the shelves or each exhibition area of products, according to arrows 56; the conduits 54 are of rectangular section substantially constant and communicate (are connected) by their base with the conduit 53 fresh air guide provided in the pallet.

Said left side wall 27, said bottom wall 26 and said right side wall 28. which are vertical and obtained by "U" folding of the panel 25 of corrugated cardboard, are constituted, as shown in Figure 13, and in the same manner as for a panel 125 folded into a "U" shape, by two corrugated or fluted 118 vertical sheets which are interposed and laminated with three sheets 117 substantially flat.

In each of the sides or left and right side 27 and 28 of the panel 25, are provided with openings 112 allowing passage through them and through panel 27, 28, of protruding ends 111 of shelves 12 and of ends 113 of reinforcements transverse 108 of these shelves 12, as also illustrated in FIG. 12.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, each of the shelves 12 is provided near its front edge 116 of protuberances 110 forming stops intended to prevent slipping and the fall of the products placed on the shelf; these stops can be obtained by cut out part of the main panel 103 of the shelf, which can be essentially made of corrugated cardboard; with reference to FIG. 12, the shelf panel 103 is extended on its front end by a front strip 104 obtained by folding the same flank of cardboard as the flank used to form this panel 103, as well as three other successive folds 105 which surround a transverse reinforcement 108 extending substantially over the entire width of the shelf 12 and increasing its rigidity; 11 products are shown schematically packed in trays 107 which are inclined and whose the latter bears against the front wall 102 of the air distribution channels 54.

In the same way as regards the rear edge of the shelf 12, this is consisting of four successive folds 106 of the cardboard side used for the manufacture of the shelf, which folds 106 provide a rectangular channel in which is housed a second reinforcement 108, preferably made of wood, which also extends through openings 112 provided in the side walls 27, 28 of the panel 25.

The assembly is, as illustrated in FIG. 11, surrounded by a second panel 125 thin folded into a U shape with a left vertical side 127, a bottom panel 126 vertical and a straight vertical side 128, which sides 127 and 128 are extended at their front end (or on their front or front edge) by two folds 114 which allow lock shelves 112 in position.

As illustrated in FIG. 11, an additional panel 109, made of expanded polystyrene 1 to 2 cm thick, can be accommodated between panels 25 and 125 in a U shape to improve in particular the thermal insulation of the rear wall 26, 126 of the unit exhibition; depending on the desired temperatures that it is necessary to maintain inside of such a unit, such panels may be necessary, particularly when the temperature in the cabinet must remain below 0 ° C, for an ambient temperature of 30 degree centigrade; in many cases, achieving the exposure unit from corrugated board panels (single or double corrugated as shown in figure 13), and the presence of air gaps 115 existing between the panels 25 and 125, ensure sufficient thermal insulation.

As illustrated in Figure 11, the assembly is surrounded at its base by a skirt 7 surrounding the panels 25, 125 and surrounding the cooling module supporting the module of exposure.

Figures 8 and 9 illustrate respectively in simplified perspective and in simplified section through a vertical plane, an application of the invention to a product display structure equipped with a horizontal air curtain as shown in these figures by the arrows 123, which air curtain extends in the upper part of the module 3 and the corresponding refrigerated cabinet, along the access opening which it protects from heat inputs. In these Figures 8 and 9 is shown a module 3 of general exposure
rectangular parallelepiped, placed on a pallet 4 in accordance with the invention, the air cooling module not being shown in these figures.

As already mentioned in FIG. 5, the suction of air coming from ducts recovery 540 by the air cooling module fan is carried out according to the arrows 44; following its cooling, the air is blown according to arrow 45 in the conduit 53 provided in the pallet 4, then in the conduit 54 provided in the unit 3 exposure that extends the duct 53.

In this embodiment of exposure module, which can be used in particular for "caterer" type products or for preserved products and / or exposed to temperatures below 0 degrees centigrade, the conduits 54 are not perforated but their front wall 102 is interrupted in its upper part (at a dimension lower than the dimension of the upper end of the conduit 54), so as to release a substantially rectangular opening as illustrated in FIG. 8, allowing the blowing of the air cooled according to the arrows 56 for the formation of the air curtain 123.

• une (ou plusieurs) caisse ou enveloppe intérieure en carton ondulé 132, 133, chacune constitué d'une paroi de fond 138 et de parois latérales 139; comme illustré figure 8, deux enveloppes 132 et 133 parallélépipédiques intérieures peuvent être prévues qui sont séparées par une cloison 135 plane verticale ;
• quatre conduits 54 de guidage munis d'une ouverture de soufflage horizontal selon la flèche 56 de l'air refroidi, lesquels conduits 54 sont parallèles entre eux et à l'une des cloisons ou parois verticales de l'unité d'exposition ;
• quatre conduits 540 de reprise de l'air venant du rideau d'air 123 pour guidage jusqu'à l'aspiration par le module de refroidissement d'air sont prévus, qui s'étendent verticalement parallèlement entre eux et parallèlement à une deuxième paroi de l'unité d'exposition, qui est parallèle à la première paroi le long de laquelle s'étendent les premiers conduits 54 de soufflage ;
• une caisse paralélépipédique externe 136 en carton ondulé.

As illustrated in these figures, it can be seen that the exposure unit 3 essentially consists of the following elements:

• one (or more) box or inner envelope of corrugated cardboard 132, 133, each consisting of a bottom wall 138 and side walls 139; as illustrated in FIG. 8, two inner parallelepipedic envelopes 132 and 133 can be provided which are separated by a vertical plane partition 135;
• four guide conduits 54 provided with a horizontal blowing opening along the arrow 56 of the cooled air, which conduits 54 are parallel to each other and to one of the partitions or vertical walls of the exposure unit;
• four air return ducts 540 coming from the air curtain 123 for guiding until the suction by the air cooling module are provided, which extend vertically parallel to each other and parallel to a second wall of the exposure unit, which is parallel to the first wall along which the first blowing conduits 54 extend;
• an external paralelepipedic box 136 made of corrugated cardboard.

In the context of the use of such an exposure unit for products with keep insulating panels 130, 130a and 130b below 0 degrees are preferably provided between the rear face of the conduits 54, 540 and the internal face of the outer casing 136, of which two vertical parallel walls are provided on their upper ends of a prominent edge 134 capable of being folded (according to the arrows 131) to form a flap serving to deflect about 90 ° of the air guided by the conduits 54 and conduits 540 as illustrated in particular in FIG. 9.

As illustrated in Figures 8 and 9, a horizontal air curtain exposure module can be without shelf or tray, which can also be the case for modules of exposure to an inclined air curtain, in particular vertical, the products exposed then being stacked on the pallet or on a bottom resting on the pallet. Sufficient rigidity of the exposure module is obtained thanks in particular to air guiding tubes or ducts provided in the pallet and / or the exhibition superstructure.

In the case in particular where the exposure module is of small size and mass, the handling pallet can be completed or replaced by handles (154 figure 8 and 10) integrated into the exhibition module, which essentially consist of a opening or recess provided in a rigid lower part 155 of the walls side (such as 27) of it.

Claims (10)

1. A module (3) for displaying perishable products, the module comprising:

   an enclosure defined by walls and having an access opening (10) to the products (11);

   at least one air guide duct (54, 540) provided with a blow opening for forming a curtain of air (123) to protect the opening (10); and

   a module handling member (4, 154) disposed in the bottom portion thereof, the member including an air guide duct (53) connected to the duct (54, 540) of the module (3), and having an opening (129) for collecting the flow of air coming from the curtain of air.
2. A module according to claim 1, in which said handling member (4) is essentially constituted by assembled-together wooden battens (30, 31, 46 to 49), which handling member preferably includes two mutually parallel elongate side elements (30, 31) provided with chamfers in their bottom outer portions.
3. A module according to claim 1, in which said handling member is essentially made of wood, card, or plastics material, or an assembly of elements made of those materials.
4. A module according to any one of claims 1 to 3, in which said handling member is fixed to the bottom portion of the display module (3) by assembly means such as staples (35).
5. A module according to any one of claims 1 to 4, including a handling member (154) such as a handle, strap, or loop, which is integrated in or fixed to the base of the module, or which includes two oblong setbacks provided in two side walls of the module.
6. A module according to any one of claims 1 to 5, including a plurality of air blow ducts (54) which extend vertically, close to or along a wall of the module.
7. A module according to any one of claims 1 to 6, including a plurality of air takeup ducts (540) which extend vertically, close to or along a wall of the module.
8. A module according to any one of claims 1 to 7, in which at least one wall of said air blow and/or takeup ducts (54, 540) is/are made of folded corrugated card, which ducts (54, 540) are of substantially rectangular elongate section, and the module further includes shelves made of reinforced corrugated card.
9. A refrigerated cabinet including an air cooler module (2) and characterized in that it includes a product display module according to any one of claims 1 to 8, which display module is removably secured to said air cooler module.
10. A refrigerated cabinet according to claim 9, further including a card or plastics material element suitable for sliding along said air cooler module and including at least one opening allowing air to pass and/or providing access to inspection hatches of the cooler module, and in which the air cooler module or unit includes a top wall or face and side walls extending in part at least over said top wall or face, and in which the cooler module or unit includes legs of shape and structure that are adapted to enable a plurality of said air cooler units to be stacked on one another.

Images