EP2227116A1

EP2227116A1 - Refrigerating sales furniture and method for operating the same

Info

Publication number: EP2227116A1
Application number: EP07819705A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Stefan Schmuck; Armin Grom
Original assignee: Carrier Corp
Current assignee: Carrier Corp
Priority date: 2007-11-08
Filing date: 2007-11-08
Publication date: 2010-09-15
Anticipated expiration: 2027-11-08
Also published as: WO2009059621A1; EP2227116B1

Abstract

A refrigerating sales furniture comprises a furniture body having a rear wall (17) and a goods presentation and refrigeration space, an air flow channel (8) arranged at least partly at the rear wall (17), said air flow channel (8) comprising at least one channel inlet (8a), through which an air flow enters into the air flow channel (8), and at least one channel outlet through which the air flow leaves the air flow channel. The refrigerating sales furniture further comprises an air flow passage reduction insert (14) which is selectively arrangeable in the air flow channel (8) such that it reduces the air flow passage area to allow medium-sized air flow passage or such that it reduces the air flow passage area to allow small air flow passage.

Description

K 63 236/8

Refrigerating Sales Furniture and Method for Operating the Same

Refrigerating sales furnitures as they are known in the state of the art usually comprise air inlets and outlets arranged at a goods presentation and refrigeration space and air flow channels therebetween for circulating air in the goods presentation and refrigeration space. The effective air flow is currently determined by the size and by the open area of the inlets and of the outlets and it is difficult to adjust said effective air flow to changed operation conditions.

Thus, it would be beneficial to provide a refrigerating sales furniture the air flow of which can be better adjusted to different operating conditions.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention include a refrigerating sales furniture comprising a furniture body having a rear wall and a goods presentation and refrigeration space, wherein an air flow channel is arranged at least partly at the rear wall. Said air flow channel comprises at least one channel inlet, through which an air flow enters into the air flow channel, and at least one channel outlet, through which the air flow leaves the air flow channel. An air flow passage reduction insert is selectively arrangeable in the air flow channel such that it reduces the air flow passage area to allow medium-sized air flow passage or such that it reduces the air flow passage area to allow small air flow passage.

Exemplary embodiments of the invention further comprise a method for operating a refrigerating sales furniture having a furniture body with a rear wall, a goods presentation and refrigeration space, and an air flow channel arranged at least partly at the rear wall, said air flow channel comprising at least one channel inlet through which an air flow enters into the air flow channel, and at least

(l:\8\63\63236\071107_na_final_version.odt] 2007-11-07 17:42 one channel outlet through which the air flow leaves the air flow channel comprising the steps of selectively arranging an air flow passage reduction insert in the air flow channel such that it reduces the air flow passage area to allow medium-sized air flow passage or such that it reduces the air flow passage area to allow small air flow passage, and flowing air through the air flow channel.

Embodiments of the invention will be described in greater detail below with reference to the enclosed Figures, wherein

Fig. 1 shows a sectional side view of a refrigerating sales furniture according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 2 shows an enlarged detail of the refrigerating sales furniture of Figure 1;

Fig. 3 shows a perspective view of an air flow passage reduction insert according to an embodiment of the invention;

Fig. 4a shows a top view of a first air flow passage reduction portion of the air flow passage reduction insert of Figure 3;

Fig. 4b shows a top view of a second air flow passage reduction portion of the air flow passage reduction insert of Figure 3.

Figure 1 shows a sectional side view of a refrigerating sales furniture according to an embodiment of the invention. The refrigerating sales furniture comprises a furniture body 2 arranged on a base 36, the furniture body 2 having a vertical rear wall 17, a horizontal bottom 4 and a horizontal top 3 confining a goods presentation and refrigeration space 5 which is open to the front.

A bottom air flow channel 24 is arranged horizontally just above the bottom 4 of the furniture body 2. At its front the bottom air flow channel 24 is provided

[l:\8\63\63236\071107 na final version.odt) 2007-11-07 17:42 with a front air inlet 25 which opens to the top of the bottom air flow channel 24 for introducing air from the front of the goods presentation and refrigeration space 5. At the back of the furniture body 2 the bottom air flow channel 24 is fluidly connected to an intermediate air flow channel 9 extending vertically par- allel to to rear wall 17 of the furniture body 2. A fan 32 is arranged in said intermediate air flow channel 9 for generating an air flow.

Above the fan 32 an air baffle 6 is provided in the intermediate air flow channel

9 separating it into a first air flow channel 8 and a second air flow channel 10, both air flow channels 8, 10 extending vertically parallel to the rear wall 17 of the furniture body 2. The first air flow channel 8 having a first air inlet 8a is arranged at the rear wall 17 of the furniture body 2, the second air flow channel

10 having a second air inlet 10a is arranged in front of the first air flow channel 8. In the direction to the front of the furniture the second air flow channel 10 is defined by a vertical air channel wall 7. An air flow passage reduction insert 14 is arranged just above the first air inlet 8a in the first air flow channel 8 for reducing the air flow passage area of said air first air flow channel 8. Alternatively or additionally an air flow passage reduction insert 14 may be arranged in the second air flow channel 10, although this is not shown in Figure 1.

A cooling element 12 is arranged in the second air flow channel 10 for cooling the air flowing through said second air flow channel 10. Said cooling element 12 may be an evaporator as part of a vapor compression cycle, a thermoelectric element or the like. Alternatively or additionally a cooling element 12 may be arranged in the first air flow channel 8, although this is not shown in Figure 1.

Above the cooling element 12 a branch-off air flow channel 29 is fluidly connected to the second air flow channel 10 so that a portion of the cooled air which has passed the cooling element 12 enters into said branch-off air flow channel 29. The branch-off air flow channel 29 extends vertically downwards parallel to

[l:\8\63\63236\071107_na_final_version.odt) 2007-11-07 17:42 the first and second air flow channels 8, 10 in between the second air flow channel 10 and a back wall 34 of the goods presentation and refrigeration space 5. At its lower end it comprises a cool air outlet 30 for delivering cooled air to the rear of the goods presentation and refrigeration space 5. In the em- bodiment shown in Figure 1 the cool air outlet 30 is arranged approximately at the same height as the lower edge of the air baffle 6, but it can be arranged at any height which is considered to be appropriate for effectively cooling the goods presentation and refrigeration space 5. It is also possible that the branch- off air flow channel 29 is provided with a number of cool air outlets 30 which are arranged at different heights.

Above the height of the cooling element 12 and of the branching of the branch- off air flow channel 29 the first and second air flow channels 8, 10 extend further parallel to the rear wall 17 up to the top 3 of the furniture body 2. As there is no branch-off air flow channel 29 at this height, the second air flow channel 10 is wider than below, completely filling the distance between the first air flow channel 8 and the back wall 34 of the goods presentation and refrigeration space 5.

At the top 3 of the furniture body 2 the first and second air flow channels 8, 10 are both bent by 90 degrees and extend further horizontally parallel to the top 3 of the furniture body 2. At their front ends the air flow channels 8, 10 comprise respective channel outlets 26, 28 which open downward for delivering the air from said channels 8, 10 to an area in the front of the goods presentation and refrigeration space 5 and below the top 3. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 the channel outlets 28, 26 are designed to generate respective air curtains A, B at the front of the goods presentation and refrigeration space 5. Such an air curtain A, B prevents cooled air from dropping out of the goods presentation and refrigeration space 5 and also avoids that warm ambient air enters into the goods presentation and refrigeration space 5. Thus, such air curtains A, B reduce the energy needed for cooling the goods presentation and refrigeration

[I \8\63\63236\071107_na_final_version.odt] 2007-11-07 17:42 space 5. In the embodiment shown in Figure 1 a curtain A of cooled air from the second air flow channel 10 is provided inside a curtain B of not cooled air from the first air flow channel 8. This combination of air curtains A, B isolates the goods presentation and refrigeration space 5 even better from the ambient air than a single air curtain A, B with enhanced efficiency.

Figure 2 shows an enlarged detail corresponding to area C of Figure 1. On its left side Figure 2 shows a section of the vertical rear wall 17 of the furniture body 2 comprising a thermal isolation 20 which is arranged in between an out- er panel 21a and an inner panel 21b. These panels 21a, 21b may be made of plastic or metal, while the thermal isolation 20 is usually made of a foamed material. The air flow passage reduction insert 14 is fixed to the inside of the rear wall 17 by a screw 19 extending into the thermal isolation 20 through respective holes formed in the air flow passage reduction insert 14 and in the inner panel 21b. A dowel may be used for anchoring the screw 19 within the thermal isolation 20. A detachable fixture as a screw 19 allows to easily change the air flow passage reduction insert 14 or its orientation. Alternatively the air flow passage reduction insert 14 may be stuck or clamped to the inner panel 21b.

The air flow passage reduction insert 14 is formed as a rectangular angle bracket with a first side forming a first air flow passage portion 14a of the air flow passage reduction insert 14 arranged parallel to the rear wall 17 and a second side forming a second air flow passage portion 14b extending horizontally in the first air flow channel 8. At the front of the second air flow passage portion 14b the passage reduction insert 14 comprises a protrusion 22 penetrating through a hole formed in the air baffle 6. The air baffle 6 is arranged parallel to the rear wall 17 in a certain distance D thereof defining a first air flow channel 8 and a second air flow channel 10. The protrusion 22 penetrating the air baffle 6 increases the stability of the arrangement of the air flow passage reduction in- sert 14 within the first air flow channel 8.

|l:\8\63\63236\071107_na_final_version.odt) 2007-11-07 17:42 The distance between the inner panel 21b and the air baffle 6 defining the width D of the first air flow channel 8 is between 10 mm and 30 mm. The air channel wall 7 defining the front side of the second air flow channel 10 is not shown as it lies outside the enlarged area C shown by Figure 2.

In an alternative embodiment (not shown) one side of the air flow passage reduction insert 14 extends parallel to the air baffle 6 and is fixed thereto while the protrusion 22 extends into a recess formed in the rear wall 17.

The second air flow passage portion 14b of the air flow passage reduction insert 14 horizontally bridging the distance between the inner panel 21b and the air baffle 6 comprises an air flow passage pattern of second openings 18. The open area defined by this pattern allows for a small-sized air flow passage area.

The first air flow passage portion 14a of the air flow passage reduction insert 14 extending parallel to the rear wall 17 comprises another air flow passage pattern, which is a pattern of first openings 16 defining a medium-sized air flow passage area. As the first air flow passage portion 14a is arranged parallel to the rear wall 17 and thus parallel to the air flow, this medium-sized air flow pas- sage area is not in use in the embodiment shown in Figure 2. However, if the air flow passage reduction insert 14 is arranged in an alternative orientation, in which the positions of the first and second air flow passage portions 14a and 14b are interchanged with each other, the open air flow passage area of the first air flow channel 8 will be defined by the medium-sized air flow passage area of the first air flow passage portion 14a, while the small-sized air flow passage area of the second air flow passage portion 14b will be ineffective.

A pattern of openings 16, 18 is only one of several possibilities for defining the air flow passage. For example the air flow passage can be formed by a single opening of a defined size or the air flow passage reduction insert 14 may be formed with first and second solid portions 14a, 14b extending over different

[l \8\63\63236\071107_na_fιnal_versιon.odtl 2007-11-07 17:42 sized sections of the first air flow channel 8 in order to reduce the open air flow passage area appropriately.

Figure 3 shows a perspective view of a section 15a of an air flow passage re- duction insert 14 according to an embodiment of the invention. The air flow passage reduction insert 14 shown in Figure 3 is shaped as an isosceles rectangular angle bracket. The first air flow passage portion 14a of the air flow passage reduction insert 14 extends substantially vertically, while the second air flow passage portion 14b extends substantially horizontal. Both portions 14a and 14b have the same width D equal to the distance D between the air baffle 6 and the inner panel 21b of the rear wall 17 (see Figure 2). The length L of the air flow passage reduction insert 14 corresponds to the width of the first air flow channel 8 measured in the direction horizontally parallel to the rear wall 17 of the furniture body 2.

The pattern of first openings 16 is formed in the first air flow passage portion 14a of the air flow passage reduction insert 14. Only the first two of these first openings 16 are partially visible in Figure 3 as most of the first air flow passage portion 14a is hidden by the second air flow passage portion 14b. The pattern of first openings 16 formed in the first air flow passage portion 14a defines a medium-sized air flow passage which equals 25% to 50% of the open air flow passage area within the first air flow channel 8 without the air flow passage reduction insert 14.

The pattern of second openings 18 is formed in the second air flow passage portion 14b of the air flow passage reduction insert 14, defining a small-sized air flow passage which equals 5% to 25% of the open air flow passage area within the first air flow channel 8 without the air flow passage reduction insert 14. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 the first and second openings 16, 18 are formed as oblong holes, however, different forms of the openings 16, 18, as eg. circular openings 16, 18 are possible, as well.

[I \8\63\63236\071107_na_fιnal_versιon odt] 2007-11-07 17 42 Each of the two air flow passage portions 14a and 14b comprises at least one protrusion 22 to be engaged with a respective recess or hole in the air baffle 6 or in the rear wall 17, respectively. In the embodiment shown in Figure 3 the protrusion 22 is a flat protrusion 22 integrally formed with the air flow passage portions 14a and 14b, but the protrusion 22 may for example also be a pin or hook attached to the air flow passage reduction insert 14.

Figure 4a shows a top view of three sections 15a, 15b and 15c of the first air flow passage portion 14a of the air flow passage reduction insert 14, namely a left section 15a, a middle section 15b and a right section 15c. The area in between these sections 15a, 15b, 15c is not shown. The total length L of the air flow passage reduction insert 14 corresponds to the width of the air flow channel 8, 10 measured in the horizontal direction parallel to the rear wall 17. The in- termediate sections not shown usually comprise the same pattern of first openings 16 as the sections 15a, 15b, 15c, but the pattern may also vary along the length L of the air flow passage reduction insert 14. Each of the sections 15a, 15b, 15c comprises two rows of oblong first openings 16, wherein the first openings 16 are arranged with their long dimension parallel to the long side of the air flow passage reduction insert 14. In an alternative embodiment, the first openings 16 may be tilted with respect to the long side of the air flow passage reduction insert 14 or the first openings 16 may be formed in a symmetric, e.g. circular shape. The first openings 16 are arranged so that two first openings 16 are formed directly on top of each other, respectively. However, in an alternat- ive embodiment one of the rows may be shifted in the longitudinal direction so that the openings 16 will be arranged in an offset pattern.

At the middle of the front edge of each section 15a, 15b, 15c a protrusion 22 is formed as already described with reference to figure 3. A hole 21 is formed in the protrusion 22 of the middle section 15b for allowing to introduce a screw or a pin in order to fix the air flow passage reduction insert 14 to the rear wall 17

|l:\8\63\63236\071107 na final version odt] 2007-11-07 17:42 or to the air baffle 6, respectively. In the embodiment shown in figure 4a, no holes are formed in the protrusions 22 of the left and right sections 15a, 15c, however, holes 21 may be formed in these protrusions 22, as well.

Figure 4b shows a top view of three sections 15a, 15b, 15c of the second air flow passage portion 14b of the air flow passage reduction insert 14. Each of the sections 15a, 15b, 15c comprises one row of oblong second openings 18, wherein the second openings 18 are arranged in the middle of the second air flow passage portion 14b with their long dimension extending parallel to the long side of the air flow passage reduction insert 14. However, the orientation of the second openings 18 may be tilted with respect to the long side of the air flow passage reduction insert 14 or the second openings 18 may be formed in a symmetric, e.g. circular shape.

Protrusions 22 are formed at the middle of the front edge of each section 15a, 15b, 15c, respectively, corresponding to the protrusions 22 of the first air flow passage 14a which already have been described with reference to figure 4a.

In the embodiment shown in figures 4a and 4b the pattern of first openings 16 formed in the first air flow passage portion 14a of the air flow passage reduction insert 14 define a medium-sized air flow passage which is twice as large as the small-sized air flow passage defined by the pattern of second openings 18 formed in the second air flow passage portion 14b of the air flow passage reduction insert 14. However, different ratios of the small-sized air flow passage and the medium-sized air flow passage are possible, as well.

A refrigerating sales furniture according to the exemplary embodiments of the invention as described above comprises an air flow passage reduction insert which is selectively arrangeable in an air flow channel such that it reduces the air flow passage area to allow medium-sized air flow passage or such that it reduces the air flow passage area to allow small air flow passage. Thus, the air

[l:\8\63\63236\071107_na_final_version.odt] 2007-11-07 17:42 flow passage area of the air flow channel can be adjusted easily by changing the arrangement of the air flow passage reduction insert. As a result, only a single type of refrigerating sales furniture needs to be produced for providing refrigerating sales furnitures with differently sized air flow passages.

As the air flow passage reduction insert comprises two air flow passage portions, two differently sized air flow passages can be realized using only one air flow passage reduction insert. A third air flow passage can be realized by omitting the air flow passage reduction insert. This reduces the number of different elements needed for the assembly of a refrigerating sales furniture according to an embodiment of the invention.

In an embodiment the air flow passage reduction insert is an orifice plate. An orifice plate provides an efficient air flow passage reduction insert.

In an embodiment the air flow passage reduction insert has a first air flow passage reduction portion with a first air flow passage pattern allowing medium- sized air flow passage and a second air flow passage reduction portion with a second air flow passage reduction pattern allowing small air flow passage. Such an air flow passage reduction insert provides two different air flow passage areas which can be selected by choosing the orientation in which the air flow passage reduction insert is mounted into the air flow channel.

In an embodiment at least one of the air flow passage patterns is a pattern of openings. Openings provide a very easy to produce air flow passage pattern.

In an embodiment at least one of the air flow passage patterns is a pattern of oblong openings. Oblong openings are easy to arrange in multiple rows for providing an effective air flow passage pattern.

[l:\8\63\63236\071107_na_final_version.odtl 2007-11-07 17:42 In an embodiment the air flow passage reduction insert is formed as an angle bracket, in particular a rectangular angle bracket. An air flow passage reduction insert being an angle bracket, in particular a rectangular angle bracket, is easy to produce and can be inserted easily into the air flow channel in two different orientations.

In an embodiment the angle bracket has a substantially isosceles shape. An angle bracket having a substantially isosceles shape is easy to produce and can be inserted into the air flow channel easily in any of two orientations.

In an embodiment the air flow passage reduction insert is fixed or fixable to the rear wall of the furniture body. The rear wall provides a very effective and stable support for the air flow passage reduction insert. In a further embodiment the air flow passage reduction insert is fixed to the rear wall by a screw providing a very stable fixture which is easy to detach.

In an embodiment the air flow passage reduction insert has at least one protrusion which is engageable with a respective recess or opening formed in the air baffle or in the rear wall. Such a protrusion improves the stability of the fixture of the air flow passage reduction.

In an embodiment at least one air flow channel comprises at least one channel outlet at the front of the top of the furniture body to provide an air curtain in front or in a front portion of the goods presentation and refrigeration space. Such an air curtain isolates the goods presentation and refrigeration space thermally and thus reduces the energy needed for cooling the goods presentation and refrigeration space.

In an embodiment the refrigerating sales furniture comprises a second air flow channel. A second air flow channel allows to generate a second air curtain at the front of the furniture improving the thermal isolation.

[l:\8\63\63236\071107_na_final_version.odt| 2007-11-07 17:42 In an embodiment an air baffle is provided between the first air flow channel and the second air flow channel separating the first air flow channel and the second air flow channel. This is a very easy way for generating a second air flow channel.

In an embodiment a cooling element is arranged in at least one of the air flow channels. This allows to cool the air flowing through said air flow channel for cooling the goods presentation and refrigeration space and/or for producing an air curtain of cooled air.

In an embodiment the air flow channel in which a cooling element is arranged comprises at least a channel outlet at the front of the top of the furniture body behind the channel outlet of the other air flow channel to provide a curtain of cooled air of a lower temperature behind the other air curtain. Such a system of two air curtains isolates the goods presentation and refrigeration space even better and thus reduces the energy needed for cooling the goods presentation and refrigeration space even further.

In an embodiment the width of the air flow channel, measured within a plane rectangular to the air flow direction, is between 10 mm and 30 mm. A width of 10 mm to 30 mm is well suited for producing an effective air curtain in front of the goods presentation and refrigeration space.

In an embodiment the open area of the first air flow passage reduction portion allowing medium-sized air flow passage equals 25% to 50%, and particularly 30% to 40% of the open air flow passage area within the air flow channel without the the air flow passage reduction insert inserted. In a further embodiment the open area of the second air flow passage reduction portion allowing small air flow passage equals 5% to 25%, and particularly 10% to 15% of the open air flow passage area within the air flow channel without the the air flow

[l:\8\63\63236\071107 na_final_vβrsion.odt) 2007-11-07 17:42 passage reduction insert inserted, the areas measured within a plane rectangular to the air flow direction. Using air flow passages with these dimensions provides a very effective system of air curtains in front of the goods presentation and refrigeration space.

In an embodiment the air flow channel in which the cooling element is arranged comprises a branch-off air-flow channel comprising a cool air outlet, wherein the cool air outlet is arranged at the rear of the goods presentation and refrigeration space. This allows to deliver cool air to the goods presentation and refrigeration space for cooling it.

In an embodiment a substantially horizontal bottom air flow channel is provided below the goods presentation and refrigeration space having at least one inlet at the front of said bottom air flow channel, wherein its rear end is connected to at least one of the other air flow channels. Such a bottom air flow channel allows to introduce cool air from the front of the goods presentation and refrigeration space into at least one of the air flow channels. This reduces the energy needed for cooling the air to the desired temperature.

In an embodiment the furniture body comprises thermal isolation for reducing the energy needed to keep the goods presentation and refrigeration space at low temperatures even further.

Generally, the refrigerating sales furniture according to exemplary embodi- ments of the invention as described above can be a sales furniture being refrigerated to temperatures of above 0 ⁰C or a freezing furniture being refrigerated to temperatures of below 0 ⁰C. The refrigeration can be effected by any known technology, like vapor compression cycle or thermoelectric refrigeration.

The features, embodiments and advantages as described with respect to the refrigerating sales furniture can also be realized in terms of method steps, with

[l:\8\63\63236\071107_na_final_version.odt] 2007-11-07 17:42 a method for fabricating the refrigerating sales furniture according to the invention.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodi- ments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition many modifications may be made to adopt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment disclosed, but that the invention include all embodiments falling within the scope of the dependent claims.

[l:\8\63\63236\071107_na_final_version.odt] 2007-11-07 17:42 List of reference numerals

2 furniture body

3 top 4 bottom

5 goods presentation and refrigeration space

6 air baffle

7 air channel wall

8 first air flow channel 8a inlet of the first air flow channel

9 intermediate air flow channel

10 second air flow channel

10a inlet of the second air flow channel

11 intermediate air flow channel 12 cooling element

14 air flow passage reduction insert

14a first air flow passage portion

14b second air flow passage portion

15a left section of the air flow passage reduction insert 15b middle section of the air flow passage reduction insert

15c right section of the air flow passage reduction insert

16 first opening

17 rear wall

18 second opening 19 screw

20 thermal isolation

21 hole

22 protrusion

24 bottom air flow channel 25 front air inlet

26 first channel outlet

(I \8\63\63236\071107 na final version odt) 2007-11-07 17 42 28 second channel outlet

29 branch-off air-flow channel

30 cool air outlet 32 fan 34 back wall of the goods presentation and refrigeration space 36 base

A curtain of cooled air

B curtain of not cooled air C enlarged area

D width of the first air flow channel

L length of the air flow passage reduction insert

[l:\8\63\63236\071107_na_final_version.odtj 2007-11-07 17:42

Claims

K 63 236/8Claims

1. Refrigerating sales furniture comprising a furniture body (2) having a rear wall (17) and a goods presentation and refrigeration space (5); an air flow channel (8) arranged at least partly at the rear wall (17), said air flow channel (8) comprising at least one channel inlet (8a), through which an air flow enters into the air flow channel (8), and at least one channel outlet (26) through which the air flow leaves the air flow channel (8); and an air flow passage reduction insert (14) which is selectively arrangeable in the air flow channel (8) such that it reduces the air flow passage area to allow medium-sized air flow passage or such that it reduces the air flow pas- sage area to allow small air flow passage.

2. Refrigerating sales furniture of claim 1, wherein the air flow passage reduction insert (14) is an orifice plate.

3. Refrigerating sales furniture of claim 1 or 2 wherein the air flow passage reduction insert (14) has a first air flow passage reduction portion (14a) with a first air flow passage pattern allowing medium-sized air flow passage and a second air flow passage reduction portion (14b) with a second air flow passage reduction pattern allowing small air flow passage.

4. Refrigerating sales furniture of claim 3, wherein at least one of the air flow passage patterns is a pattern of openings (16, 18).

5. Refrigerating sales furniture of claim 4, wherein at least one of the air flow passage patterns is a pattern of oblong openings (16, 18).

|l:\8\63\63236\071107 na final vβrsion.odt] 2007-11-07 17:42

6. Refrigerating sales furniture of any of the preceding claims, wherein the width (D) of the air flow channel (8), measured within a plane rectangular to the air flow direction, is between 10 mm and 30 mm.

7. Refrigerating sales furniture of any of the preceding claims, wherein the open area of the first air flow passage reduction portion (14a) allowing medium-sized air flow passage equals 25% to 50%, and particularly 30% to 40% of the open air flow passage area within the air flow channel (8) without the the air flow passage reduction insert (14) inserted, the areas measured within a plane rectangular to the air flow direction.

8. Refrigerating sales furniture of any of the preceding claims, wherein the open area of the second air flow passage reduction portion (14b) allowing small air flow passage equals 5% to 25%, and particularly 10% to 15% of the open air flow passage area within the air flow channel (8) without the the air flow passage reduction insert (14) inserted, the areas measured within a plane rectangular to the air flow direction.

9. Refrigerating sales furniture of any of the preceding claims, wherein the air flow passage reduction insert (14) is formed as an angle bracket, in particular a rectangular angle bracket.

10. Refrigerating sales furniture of claim 9, wherein the angle bracket (14) has a substantially isosceles shape.

11. Refrigerating sales furniture of any of the preceding claims, wherein the air flow passage reduction insert (14) is fixed or fixable to the rear wall (17) of the furniture body (2).

|l:\8\63\63236\071107_na_final_version.odtl 2007-11-07 17:42

12. Refrigerating sales furniture of any of the preceding claims, wherein the air flow passage reduction insert (14) has at least one protrusion (22) which is engageable with a respective recess or opening formed in the air baffle (6) or in the rear wall (17).

13. Refrigerating sales furniture of any of the preceding claims, further comprising a second air flow channel (10).

14. Refrigerating sales furniture of claim 13, wherein an air baffle (6) is provided between the first air flow channel (8) and the second air flow channel (10).

15. Refrigerating sales furniture of any of claims 1 to 14, wherein a cooling element (12) is arranged in at least one of the air flow channels (8, 10).

16. Refrigerating sales furniture of any of the preceding claims, wherein at least one air flow channel (8, 10) comprises at least one channel outlet (26, 28) which is arranged in a front portion of the top (3) of the furniture body (2) and which opens downwards for providing an air curtain (A, B) in front or in a front portion of the goods presentation and refrigeration space (5).

17. Refrigerating sales furniture of claim 16, wherein the air flow channel (10) in which a cooling element (12) is arranged comprises at least one second channel outlet (28) which opens downwards and which is arranged in a front portion of the top (3) of the furniture body (2) behind a first channel outlet (26) of the other air flow channel (8) for providing a curtain of cooled air (A) of a lower temperature behind the other air curtain (B).

18. Refrigerating sales furniture of any of the claims 15 to 17, wherein the air flow channel (10) in which the cooling element (12) is arranged comprises a branch-off air-flow channel (29) having a cool air outlet (30).

|l:\8\63\63236\071107_na_final_version.odtl 2007-11-07 17:42

19. Refrigerating sales furniture of claim 18, wherein the cool air outlet (30) is arranged at the rear of the goods presentation and refrigeration space (5).

20. Refrigerating sales furniture of any of the preceding claims, wherein a fur- ther, substantially horizontal bottom air flow channel (24) is provided below the goods presentation and refrigeration space (5).

21. Refrigerating sales furniture of claim 20, wherein the at least one front air inlet (25) is formed at the front of the bottom air flow channel (24).

22. Refrigerating sales furniture of claim 20 or 21, wherein the bottom air flow channel (24) connects to at least one of the other air flow channels (8, 10).

23. Refrigerating sales furniture of any of the preceding claims, wherein the fur- niture body (2) comprises thermal isolation (20).

24. Method for operating a refrigerating sales furniture having a furniture body (2) with a rear wall (17), a goods presentation and refrigeration space (5), and an air flow channel (8) arranged at least partly at the rear wall (17), said air flow channel (8) comprising at least one channel inlet (8a), through which an air flow enters into the air flow channel (8), and at least one channel outlet (26) through which the air flow leaves the air flow channel (8); selectively arranging an air flow passage reduction insert (14) in the air flow channel (8) such that it reduces the air flow passage area to allow medium- sized air flow passage or such that it reduces the air flow passage area to allow small air flow passage; and flowing air through the air flow channel (8).

25. Method of claim 24 further comprising the step of flowing air through the at least one channel outlet (26) of the air flow channel (8) to an area at the front of the goods presentation and refrigeration

[I \8\63\63236\071107_na_fιnal_versιon odt] 2007-11-07 17 42 space (5) and below the top (3) of the furniture body (2) for forming an air curtain (B) in front or in a front portion of the goods presentation and refrigeration space (5).

26. Method of claim 25 further comprising the steps of flowing a first portion of air through a first air flow channel (10) and flowing a second portion of air through a second air flow channel (8), respectively, wherein the air flow passage reduction insert (14) is introduced in one of said channels (8, 10); leading the air portion flowing through the first air flow channel (10) through or by a cooling element (12) for cooling said air portion; delivering the cooled air portion from the first air flow channel (8) through a channel outlet (26) to an area at the front of the goods presentation and refrigeration space (5) and below the top (3) of the furniture body (2) for form- ing a curtain of cooled air (A) behind the other air curtain (B).

27. Method according to claim 26, wherein a portion of the cooled air which has passed the cooling element (12) in the first air flow channel (8) is delivered by a branch-off air-flow channel (29) to a cool air outlet (30) located at the rear of the goods presentation and refrigeration space (5).

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