GB2175385A

GB2175385A - A refrigerated counter of the tray type with a clear front wall

Info

Publication number: GB2175385A
Application number: GB08611615A
Authority: GB
Inventors: Alberto Costan
Original assignee: Costan SpA
Current assignee: Costan SpA
Priority date: 1985-05-14
Filing date: 1986-05-13
Publication date: 1986-11-26
Also published as: CN86103298A; FR2581851A3; IT8521802V0; FI861980A; GB8611615D0; BE904761A; FI861980A0; ZA863495B; NL8601213A; DE8613148U1; HUT42311A; HU195098B; AU5738586A; SE8602151L; SE8602151D0; JPS61185977U; FR2581851B3

Abstract

A refrigerated counter for deep- frozen goods is of the tray type with a top opening 3 for access to the goods and a clear front wall 5. It has a clear sheet 10 mounted on the tray parallel to the front wall at a set distance therefrom; thus, between the sheet and the front wall, there is defined an interspace open to the tray at the top and bottom. Thus, an air flow is established across the front wall to prevent fogging. A channel member 6 affixed to the upper edge 7 of the front wall 5 houses a lamp 9. <IMAGE>

Description

SPECIFICATION A refrigerated counter of the tray type with a clear front wall This invention relates to a refrigerated counter, particularly intended for frozen and deepfrozen goods, which is of the tray type having a top opening for access to the goods and an at least partially clear front wall.

As is known, the provision of a clear front wall, at least in its upper portion, makes it simpler for a buyer to recognize the goods that he/she wishes to pick up; in fact, the range of goods in full view is thus made considerably wider. Furthermore, one can spot directly, even from a distance, the kind of goods (ice creams, canned goods, greens, fish etc.) which is displayed in the tray; this feature is much appreciated especially at big supermarkets, where there are many such refrigerated counters, each displaying a different kind of goods.

However, there exists a practical problem connected with the use of a clear wall, namely fogging. In fact, the clear wall is quite cold, and air moisture tends to become condensed over its surface, thus forming condensed film which destroys transparency.

With prior refrigerated counters, this problem has been frequently solved by heating the clear wall with an electric resistance heater consisting of a thin wire embedded in the wall itself.

Thus, fogging is effectively counteracted, but at the expense of a higher power consumption by the refrigerated counter. In fact, the resistance heater, albeit of very low power, still draws more than negligible amount of energy because it is kept constantly alive. In addition, some of the heat it generates is transferred to the tray, whence it must be removed by the refrigerated system, which is thus to provide additional work involving extra power consumption.

To solve the problem of fogging of the clear wall, while holding down power consumption, it has been proposed by this same Applicant, in Italian Patent Application No. 20764-8/85, of providing the refrigerated counter with a lighting lamp located exteriorly of the clear front wall; thus, a degree of wall heating is attained without any increase power requirements. This same form of heat application, in combination with a convective flow it generates across the clear wall, is effective to hinder fogging.

However, even with a refrigerated counter so equipped, the fogging problem fails to be fully solved. In fact, condensation may still occur in those areas where goods happen to be placed in the tray leaning against the clear wall, thereby the air convection would be interfered with.

It is the object of this invention to provide a refrigerated counter which can overcome this disadvantage and fully solve the problem of the clear wall becoming fogged.

This object is achieved, according to the invention, by a refrigerated counter as indicated, characterized in that it comprises a clear sheet received on tray parallel to the clear front wall at a set distance therefrom, between said wall and said sheet there being defined an interspace open to said tray both at the top and bottom.

Further features and the advantages of a refrigerated counter according to the invention will be better appreciated from the following description of a preferred embodiment thereof, given herein with reference to the accompanying drawings.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a part-sectional perspective view of a refrigerated counter according to the invention; and Figure 2 is a cross-sectional view of the refrigerated counter of Fig. 1.

In the drawing figures, the numeral 1 designates generally a refrigerated counter of the type which comprises a tray 2 for accomodating frozen and deep-frozen goods on display therein, which has a top opening 3. The tray 2 rests on a box-type bed 4 which encloses a refrigerating plant and other ancillary members (all quite conventional and no further illustrated).

The tray 2 comprises a clear front wall 5 which extends over the entire length of the tray; the wall 5 may be a sheet of transparent glass.

A box-construction sectional member 6 is attached to the upper edge 7 of the wall 5 and together therewith forms a chamber 8, bearing on the wall 5 and being open thereto.

To the sectional member 6 in the chamber 8 there is mounted a lamp 9, advantageously of the gas discharge type; the chamber 8 forms therefore a seat for the lamp 9, confronting the clear wall 5. The chamber 8 is open downwardly and upwardly for air to sweep through.

On the tray 2 there is accommodated a clear sheet 10, e.g. of glass; the sheet 10 is mounted securely parallel to the clear wall 5 at a set distance therefrom of at least one centimeter.

Between the wall 5 and the sheet 10, an interspace 11 is thus defined which is open to the tray 2 both upwardly and downwardly; more specifically, two longitudinal slits 12 and 13 put the interspace 11 in communication with the tray 2 at the top and bottom, respectively.

Advantageously, the clear sheet 10 would extend upwards to a lower height than the clear wall 5, as far as a top level L of tray 2 filling with goods.

As is apparent from this disclosure, a refrigerated counter according to the invention can fully solve the problem of the clear front wall fogging. In fact, the goods in the tray can in no way interfere with the convective flow of air across the front wall, which would take place through the interspace between the sheet and the front wall; on the other hand, not even fogging of the sheet is likely to occur because it kept fully inside the tray and has no parts in contact with the outside environment.

It will of course be understood that the present invention has been described purely by way of example, and modifications of detail can be made within the scope of the invention.

Claims

1. A refrigerated counter, particularly for frozen and deep-frozen goods, of the type having a tray with a top opening for access to the goods and an at least partially clear front wall, characterized in that it comprises a clear sheet received on said tray parallel to said clear front wall at a set distance there-from, between said wall and said sheet there being defined an interspace open to said tray both at the top and bottom.

2. A refrigerated counter according to Claim 1, characterized in that said set distance is no less than one centimeter.

3. A refrigerated counter according to Claim 1, characterized in that said clear sheet extends upwards to a lower height than said front wall, up to a top filling level of said tray with said goods.

4. A refrigerated counter substantially as hereinbefore described with reference to the accompanying drawings.