EP2081470B1

EP2081470B1 - Storage apparatus for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration and refrigerating cabinet comprising the same

Info

Publication number: EP2081470B1
Application number: EP06806676.0A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Klaus Engert
Original assignee: Carrier Corp
Current assignee: Carrier Corp
Priority date: 2006-11-03
Filing date: 2006-11-03
Publication date: 2017-05-10
Anticipated expiration: 2026-11-03
Also published as: WO2008052589A1; EP2081470A1

Description

The present invention is directed to a storage apparatus for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration, comprising at least one shelf having an upper surface for bearing of goods requiring refrigeration and having a bottom surface, and a lighting device for illuminating a space which is arranged underneath the shelf, the lighting device being mounted to the shelf. The shelf is provided with a front plane being arranged transverse to the upper and bottom surface of the shelf, the front plane defining a space for arranging the lighting device in a rearward region of the front plane. Furthermore, the invention is directed to a refrigerating cabinet comprising such storage apparatus.
Display cases of refrigerating systems, such as display cases of refrigerating cabinets, usually have an open viewing area that permits consumers to have access to the storage space of the display case in which products such as milk and diary goods, meat and deep frozen food goods are stored. For the cooling of the goods, the display case usually has several air outlets distributed over the display case for directing cooling air towards the goods to be cooled into the open viewing area. Such refrigeration cabinet commonly has heat exchanger means built into the cabinet, providing the cooling air of the temperature required for the goods located in the storage space of the cabinet.
Commonly, such refrigerating cabinet comprises shelves for the bearing of the goods which require refrigeration, the shelves being placed within the display space. Frequently, at the front of the shelf there is attached a lighting device for illuminating the goods which are arranged underneath the respective shelf the lighting device is mounted to.
In Figure 6, there is shown an example of a known shelf arrangement of a refrigerating cabinet having a lighting device attached underneath the shelf. Particularly, the shelf 2 comprises an upper surface 21 for bearing of the goods which require refrigeration, wherein the goods themselves are not shown in Figure 6. Moreover, the shelf 2 has a bottom surface 22 and a front plane 23 being arranged transverse to the upper and bottom surfaces 21, 22 of the shelf. As can be seen in Figure 6, the front plane 23 is defining a space 17 for arranging a lighting device 3 in a rearward region of the front plane 23. Attached to the front plane 23 is a price rail 10 that permits consumers to read prices of the goods stored on the shelf 2. The lighting device 3 is designed for illuminating the space which is arranged underneath the shelf 2.
The lighting device 3 is attached to the shelf 2 by means of a fitting or mounting device 4. The fitting device 4 comprises a mid section 43 attached to the lighting device 3 by means of a fixing element 34 such a screw. The lighting device 3 comprises a base portion 33 and a light mounting portion 32 for mounting the lighting means 31 such as a tube-like lamp, e.g. a fluorescent lighting tube. Moreover, the fitting device 4 comprises portions 41 and 42 located between the lighting device 3 and the bottom surface 22 of the shelf. Furthermore, the fitting device has an inclined portion 44 and a horizontal portion 45 for supporting the lighting device 3 underneath thereof, wherein the portion 45 is attached to the front plane 23 of the shelf by means of a mounting device such as a screw 46.
Disadvantageously, a lighting device such as that shown in Figure 6 generates heat load which may heat up the products placed on the shelf in the vicinity of the lighting device. As shown in Figure 6, the stream 11 of cooling air which enters the space between the lighting device 3 and the shelf 2 accumulates in the rearward space 17 causing heat accumulation 13 underneath the upper surface 21 of the shelf and rearward to the front plane 23. As a consequence thereof, the goods which are placed on the upper surface 21 of the shelf are heated due to an increased temperature in a portion 12 of the shelf above the lighting device 3. Disadvantageously, this causes the product temperature near the front of the shelf to be high, so that the durability of the products decreases.
An example of a refrigerated display case having shelves and lighting devices mounted there underneath, wherein heat accumulation is prevented by air flowing between the shelf and the lighting device is shown in patent document US 3,304,740 .
Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide a storage apparatus of the basic design as set out herein above that is capable of improving the cooling of the goods located on the shelf above the light attached to the shelf.
According to the present invention, this object is solved by a storage apparatus for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration according to the features of claim 1. Moreover, the invention is directed to a refrigerating cabinet comprising such storage apparatus according to claim 12.
The storage apparatus according to the present invention comprises at least one shelf having an upper surface for bearing of goods requiring refrigeration and having a bottom surface, wherein the shelf is further provided with a front plane being arranged transverse to the upper and bottom surface of the shelf, the front plane defining a space for arranging a lighting device in a rearward region of the front plane. The lighting device is mounted to the shelf and is adapted for illuminating a space which is arranged underneath the shelf. Further, an air conduit is arranged between the lighting device and the shelf for conducting a flow of cooling air between the lighting device and the shelf, wherein the air conduit comprises an inlet for receiving the flow of cooling air and an outlet arranged spaced apart from the inlet and arranged in a region of or adjacent to the front plane for discharging the cooling air heated by the lighting device.
The present invention improves the durability of the goods which are stored on the shelf of the storage apparatus by means of reducing heat accumulation between the lighting device and the shelf in the rearward portion of the front plane of the shelf. The cooling air which is provided to the air conduit according to the invention reaches the rearward portion of the front plane through the inlet and discharges from the space between the lighting device and the shelf through the outlet arranged spaced apart from the inlet, so that the cooling air may flow alongside the lighting device for taking away the heat load generated by the lighting device. By the provision of the air conduit according to the invention heat accumulation between the lighting device and the shelf, particularly in the rearward space of the front plane, is significantly reduced.
According to the invention the outlet is provided underneath the lighting device providing an efficient air conduit arranged between the lighting device and the shelf. Particularly, the air conduit is arranged alongside of at least a portion of the bottom surface and the front plane of the shelf, particularly providing the inlet and the outlet at substantially opposite sides of the lighting device.
According to the invention the storage apparatus comprises a fitting device attached to the shelf and to the lighting device for mounting the lighting device to the shelf, wherein the outlet of the air conduit according to the invention is arranged in the fitting device. The outlet comprises a plurality of openings or slots arranged in a region of the fitting device underneath the lighting device.
According to another embodiment of the invention the storage apparatus further comprises a heat shield provided between the lighting device and the bottom surface of the shelf, so that heat load which is emitted from the lighting device is deflected from the bottom surface of the shelf. Accordingly, the warming up of the goods stored on the shelf is further reduced.
Preferably, the heat shield is provided with a light reflecting means for directing light of the lighting device in a direction away from the bottom surface of the shelf. Accordingly, the illumination intensity radiated from the lighting device may be reduced due to the provision of the light reflecting means, whereas the overall illumination of the space which is arranged underneath the shelf is not reduced. This has the positive effect that the lighting device produces less heat due to reduced emission of light, wherein however the overall illumination of the display space is not reduced as a consequence of the light reflecting means provided on the heat shield.
According to a further embodiment of the invention at least a portion of the heat shield is inclined with respect to the bottom surface of the shelf providing a wedge shaped inlet of the air conduit. Advantageously, this ensures that enough cooling air may flow into the air conduit arranged between the lighting device and the shelf to the rearward region of the front plane.
According to another embodiment of the invention at least one air duct located in or adjacent to a portion of the shelf remote from the lighting device is provided, wherein the air duct is adapted to direct a flow of cooling air towards the bottom surface of the shelf. This has the effect that enough cooling air may be provided to the air conduit arranged between the lighting device and the shelf from an area of the shelf remote from the lighting device. Particularly, the air duct is located in or adjacent to a portion of the shelf which is opposite to the lighting device, for example adjacent to the back area of a refrigerating cabinet, the back area having slots or the like for providing the cooling air to the display case of the cabinet. Specifically, the air duct may be arranged in a portion of the shelf where the shelf abuts against a rear panel of the display case.
According to a preferred embodiment of the invention the air duct comprises at least one nozzle adapted for directing a stream of air towards the bottom surface of the shelf. The nozzle may be attached to the shelf, particularly to a rear plane of the shelf or to a lip which is attached to the rear plane of the shelf. For easy mounting of the nozzle, the nozzle may comprise means for snap-in-attachment or means for slip-on-attachment which communicate with respective portions of the rear plane of the shelf or of a lip attached to the rear plane of the shelf.
According to another embodiment of the invention the air duct may comprise additionally or alternatively at least one opening in the rear plane of the shelf which is adapted for directing a stream of air alongside the bottom surface of the shelf for providing the cooling air to the lighting device.
In another aspect of the present invention a refrigerating cabinet is provided having a display case defining a display space having a front viewing area and a back area, wherein the display space is adapted for storing of goods which require refrigeration. According to the invention, a storage apparatus as described herein before may be arranged in the display case of such refrigerating cabinet.
Preferably, air outlets in the back area of the display case are designed for directing a flow of cooling air alongside of the at least one shelf of the storage apparatus according to the invention, so that enough cooling air is provided to take away the heat load from the lighting device in the rearward portion of the front plane of the shelf.
In the embodiment of the invention where the storage apparatus provides at least one air duct located in or adjacent to a portion of the shelf remote from the lighting device, preferably at least one of the outlets of the display case communicates with the at least one air duct, so that the air duct receives the cooling air from at least one of the air outlets for directing a flow of cooling air towards the bottom surface of the shelf.
Further advantageous features and aspects of the invention are evident from the dependent claims.
The invention will now be described by reference to the following disclosure of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

Figure 1: shows a partial, sectional view of an embodiment of a storage apparatus according to the invention having a shelf and a lighting device attached underneath thereof;
Figure 2: shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a storage apparatus according to the invention;
Figure 3: shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a storage apparatus according to the invention;
Figure 4: shows a sidewise bottom view of a portion of another embodiment of a storage apparatus according to the invention;
Figure 5: shows a sidewise bottom view of a portion of another embodiment of a storage apparatus according to the invention;
Figure 6: shows a partial sectional view of a known arrangement of a shelf and a lighting device attached underneath thereof as a part of a refrigeration cabinet.

In Figure 1, there is shown a partial sectional view of an embodiment of a storage apparatus according to the invention. The partial view of Figure 1 shows the front part of a shelf which may be provided e.g. in a refrigeration cabinet, a refrigeration rack or bin, or the like, particularly extending in a horizontal manner from a back plane or area of a respective display case, e.g. an open or closed multi deck display case. Such display case (not shown in Figure 1) defines a display space, generally denoted as 15 and 18 in Figure 1, arranged underneath and above the shelf 2, respectively, as shown in Figure 1. The shelf 2 is adapted for the bearing of goods which require refrigeration, the goods (not shown) being placed on the upper surface 21 of the shelf 2. In the front viewing area of the display space 15, 18 the shelf is provided with a lighting device 3 and a price rail 10 attached to the shelf. The lighting device 3 is for illuminating the space 15 which is arranged underneath the shelf 2. The price rail 10 allows any customer approaching the viewing area of the display case to read prices associated with respective goods stored on the shelf 2.
Similarly to the shelf shown in Figure 6, the shelf 2 according to Figure 1 comprises an upper surface 21 and a bottom surface 22 as well as a front plane 23 which is arranged transverse to the upper and bottom surfaces 21, 22. Following the front plane 23 the shelf 2 also comprises a horizontal portion or lip 24 which is designed, in the present embodiment, for mounting the lighting device 3 to the shelf 2. For mounting of the lighting device 3 a fitting device 6 is provided which is attached to the lip 24 of the shelf 2 in a section 65 by means of a screw 66 which represents an example for an appropriate attaching means. A mid portion 63 of the fitting means 6 is attached to a base portion 33 of the lighting device 3 by means of a screw 34 which also attaches a light mounting portion 32 bearing a tube-like lamp 31 to the fitting device 6. The lamp, for example a fluorescent lamp, has a longitudinal shape such as shown in Figures 4 and 5, extending along a portion or over the whole width of the shelf 2 in the front viewing area of the display space. The lamp may be designed as a compact lamp having an integrated electronic power supply unit. The lamp is designed for the special use in a refrigeration system and may be provided in different lengths dependent on the specific application. The fitting device may be mounted between the base portion 33 and the illumination body 32, 31 as shown in Figure 1, or may be alternatively mounted to the bottom surface of the base portion 33.
As further shown in Figure 1, the storage apparatus 1 of the invention is further provided with an air conduit 7 arranged between the lighting device 3 and the shelf 2 for conducting a flow of cooling air 16 between the lighting device and the shelf. To this end, the air conduit 7 comprises an inlet 71 for receiving the flow of cooling air 16 and an outlet 72 arranged spaced apart from the inlet. Basically, the outlet may be arranged in a region of the front plane 23, or may be arranged adjacent to the front plane 23 such as shown in the embodiment of Figure 1. According to this specific embodiment, the outlet is arranged in the fitting device, wherein the outlet 72 comprises a plurality of openings 67 arranged in a row (Fig. 4 and 5) in an area of the fitting device underneath the lighting device 3. As can be seen from Figure 1, the air conduit 7 is arranged alongside of a portion of the bottom surface 22 and the front plane 23 of the shelf, providing the inlet and the outlet at substantially opposite sides of the lighting device.
Furthermore, the storage apparatus of the invention is provided with a heat shield between the lighting device 3 and the bottom surface 22 of the shelf, the heat shield being realized by means of the fitting device which has upper portions 61 and 62 arranged between the lamp 31 and the bottom surface 22 of the shelf 2. Preferably, portions 61 and 62 of the fitting device providing the heat shield are inclined with respect to the bottom surface 22 for providing a wedge shaped inlet 71 as shown in Figure 1. In this way, the inlet 71 may be enlarged over the whole width of the shelf 2 for increasing the amount of received cooling air 16 as shown in Figure 1. By this inclination it may be ensured that enough flow of cooling air is received for conducting into the rearward portion 17 of the front plane 23 of the shelf so that heat produced by the lighting device may be removed underneath the shelf for improving cooling properties. As a consequence of the removed heat and the cooling air 16 reaching the bottom surface 22 of the shelf in the front viewing area of the display space, the goods stored on the upper surface 21 of the shelf may be sufficiently cooled even in the area above the lighting device 3, thereby increasing the durability of the goods.
According to another embodiment of the invention, portions 61 and 62 of the fitting device 6 may be provided with a light reflecting means 68 for directing light of the lighting device 3 which is radiated towards the bottom surface 22 of the shelf in a direction away from the bottom surface 22 into the display space 15 illuminating the goods stored therein. Accordingly, the amount of light which is emitted from the lighting device 3 may be reduced, for example by an amount of 10%, without reducing the overall illumination emitted into display space 15. As a consequence, the power required by the lighting device 3 may be reduced so that less heat is produced by the lighting device, improving the cooling properties of the storage apparatus.
Therefore, according to the present embodiment shown particularly in Figure 1, the special shaping and forming of the fitting or mounting device 6 and the integrated discharging openings 67 in inclined portion 64 of the fitting device 6 allow the transport of generated heat away from the shelf 2 improving the ventilation in the rearward portion 17 of the front plane 23. Thus, the invention provides some kind of improved ventilation system between the lighting device 3 and the shelf 2 for improving the cooling of goods stored on the upper surface 21 of the shelf.
Figure 2a shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a storage apparatus 1 according to the invention. In this embodiment, the shelf 2 is supported by a console 9, as also shown in Figure 5, provided underneath the shelf 2 and having mounting portions 91 for mounting to a rear panel 13 of a display case of a refrigerating cabinet, for example. The rear panel 13 of the display case is provided with perforations or openings 14, such as rows of slots or the like, for receiving a stream of cooling air 16 provided by a heat exchanger (not shown) of the refrigerating system. The air outlets 14 in the back area of the display case are adapted for directing a flow of cooling air 16 into the display space 15, particularly alongside the bottom surface 22 of the shelf 2 of the storage apparatus 1. The air outlets 14 (or at least one of the air outlets 14) communicate with at least one air duct 81 located in a portion of the shelf 2 which is remote from the lighting device 3 at an opposite end of the shelf. The air duct 81 is adapted to direct a flow of cooling air 16 towards the bottom surface 22 of the shelf and is arranged in a portion of the shelf where the shelf abuts against the rear panel 13 of the display case.
As particularly shown with reference to Figure 2b and Figure 5, the air duct 81 comprises a nozzle which is adapted for directing a stream of air towards the bottom surface 22 of the shelf. The nozzle 81 is attached to the rear plane 25 of the shelf and advantageously comprises means 811 for a snap-in-attachment for easy mounting of the nozzle to the shelf, as shown in Figure 2b.
As illustrated in Figure 2a, the flow of cooling air 16 provided alongside the rear panel 13 of the display case attains the outlets 14 and enters into the nozzle 81 through a respective opening in the rear plane 25 of the shelf to be directed towards the bottom surface 22 of the shelf so that the stream of cooling air may reach the lighting device 3 placed on the opposite side of the shelf as discussed.
Figure 3 shows a sectional view of another embodiment of a storage apparatus according to the invention similar to the embodiment shown with reference to Figure 2. According to the embodiment of Figure 3, a nozzle 82 is provided which is different in shape and which is also adapted for directing the stream of cooling air towards the bottom surface 22 of the shelf. As shown in Figure 3b, the nozzle 82 is attached to a lip or horizontal edge 26 of the shelf 2 which is attached to the rear plane 25 of the shelf, preferably by means for slip-on-attachment 821 for an easy mounting thereof.
Figure 4 shows a sidewise bottom view of a portion of another embodiment of a storage apparatus according to the invention. According to this embodiment, a plurality of openings 83 are provided in the rear plane 25 of the shelf forming an air duct for directing a stream of cooling air alongside the bottom surface 22 of the shelf.
Figure 5 shows a particular embodiment of a storage apparatus 1 according to the invention combining the different embodiments described herein before. It is to be noted that the different types of air ducts 81, 82 and 83 may be combined with each other as shown, or may be used alternatively or in a different arrangement depending on the particular application.
It is to be noted that the provision of at least one air duct, such as 81, 82, 83, located in or adjacent to a portion of the shelf which abuts against a rear panel of the display case may be applied independently of the application of a lighting device at the front, such as that described herein before, for improving the cooling properties of a storage apparatus for the storage of goods which require refrigeration. Such air duct directs a flow of cooling air towards the bottom surface of the shelf, so that a uniform distribution of cooling air may be achieved alongside the bottom surface of the shelf. Accordingly, goods stored on the shelf are evenly cooled independent from the respective location. Such air duct may advantageously be realized in the form of the nozzles 81 and/or 82, and/or in the form of the openings 83, but is not limited in this regard.

Claims

A storage apparatus (1) for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration, comprising:
at least one shelf (2) having an upper surface (21) for bearing of goods requiring refrigeration and having a bottom surface (22),

a lighting device (3) for illuminating a space (15) which is arranged underneath the shelf, the lighting device being mounted to the shelf,

wherein the shelf (2) is provided with a front plane (23) being arranged transverse to the upper and bottom surface (21, 22) of the shelf, the front plane defining a space (17) for arranging the lighting device in a rearward region of the front plane,

an air conduit (7) arranged between the lighting device (3) and the shelf (2) for conducting a flow of cooling air (16) between the lighting device and the shelf, the air conduit comprising an inlet (71) for receiving the flow of cooling air and an outlet (72) arranged spaced apart from the inlet and arranged in a region of or adjacent to the front plane (23) for discharging the cooling air heated by the lighting device,
characterized in that a fitting device (6) is attached to the shelf (2) and to the lighting device (3) for mounting the lighting device to the shelf, wherein the outlet (72) is arranged in the fitting device,

wherein the outlet (72) comprises a plurality of openings (67) arranged in an area of the fitting device underneath the lighting device and wherein the fitting device (6) is attached to the front plane (23) for supporting the lighting device (3) underneath thereof.
The storage apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the air conduit (7) is arranged alongside of at least a portion of the bottom surface (22) and the front plane (23) of the shelf, particularly providing the inlet (71) and the outlet (72) at substantially opposite sides of the lighting device (3).
The storage apparatus according to one of claims 1 or 2, further comprising a heat shield (61, 62) provided between the lighting device (3) and the bottom surface (22) of the shelf.
The storage apparatus according to claim 3, wherein the heat shield (61, 62) is provided with a light reflecting means (68) for directing light of the lighting device in a direction away from the bottom surface (22) of the shelf, and/or wherein at least a portion of the heat shield (61, 62) is inclined with respect to the bottom surface (22) of the shelf providing a wedge shaped inlet (71) of the air conduit, and/or wherein the heat shield (61, 62) is part of a fitting device (6) which is attached to the shelf and to the lighting device for mounting the lighting device to the shelf.
The storage apparatus according to one of claims 1 to 4, comprising at least one air duct (81, 82, 83) located in or adjacent to a portion (25) of the shelf remote from the lighting device (3), the air duct adapted to direct a flow of cooling air (16) towards the bottom surface (22) of the shelf.
The storage apparatus according to claim 5, wherein the air duct (81, 82, 83) is located in or adjacent to a portion (25) of the shelf opposite to the lighting device (3).
The storage apparatus according to claim 5 or 6, wherein the air duct (81, 82, 83) is arranged in a portion (25) of the shelf where the shelf abuts against a rear panel (13) of a display case.
The storage apparatus according to one of claims 5 to 7, wherein the air duct comprises at least one nozzle (81, 82) adapted for directing a stream of air (16) towards the bottom surface (22) of the shelf.
The storage apparatus according to claim 8, wherein the nozzle (81, 82) is attached to the shelf, particularly to a rear plane (25) of the shelf or to a lip (26) attached to the rear plane of the shelf.
The storage apparatus according to claim 8 or 9, wherein the nozzle (81, 82) comprises means for snap-in-attachment or means for slip-on-attachment.
The storage apparatus according to one of claims 5 to 10, wherein the air duct comprises at least one opening (83) in a rear plane (25) of the shelf adapted for directing a stream of air (16) alongside the bottom surface (22) of the shelf.
A refrigerating cabinet, comprising:
a display case (13) defining a display space (15, 18) having a front viewing area and a back area, said display space for storing of goods requiring refrigeration;

a storage apparatus (1) according to any one of the preceding claims arranged in the display case.
The refrigerating cabinet of claim 12, comprising air outlets (14) in the back area (13) of the display case for directing a flow of cooling air (16) alongside the bottom surface (22) of the at least one shelf (2) of the storage apparatus.
The refrigerating cabinet of claim 13, wherein at least one of the air outlets (14) communicates with at least one air duct (81, 82, 83) located in or adjacent to a portion (25) of the shelf remote from the lighting device (3), the air duct adapted to direct a flow of cooling air (16) received from the at least one of the air outlets towards the bottom surface (22) of the shelf.