GB2251928A - Chilled display apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

In order to properly display confectionery in summer months it is most convenient if it is chilled. The display apparatus includes facilities for chilling accommodation within the apparatus whereby confectionery displayed is freely accessible but adequately chilled. This chilling effect may be provided using two streams of air, a first air stream (101) to chill the confectionery and a second air stream (100) to provide a degree of thermal insulation and inhibit dew formation on the confectionery. Alternatively, the confectionery may be displayed on a perforated tray, or on shelving. The cooled air may be ejected via nozzles located in partitions separating areas of confectionery. Cold packs may surround the tray. <IMAGE>

Description

Chilled Display Apparatus The present invention relates to chilled display apparatus and more particularly, but not exclusively, to chilled display apparatus for confectionery.

A common problem associated with milk chocolate is that it melts in warm environments producing a sticky and un-appetising mess consequently sales of confectionery including milk chocolate in summer months and in hot climates are severely affected.

Previously, a conventional commercial refrigeration unit has been used to cool chocolate confectionery however, these units are not designed for such duties and thus, the confectionery can be over-chilled, badly displayed and it can be difficult to re-stock.

Furthermore, these units most probably will have to accommodate other products and a compromise temperature will be necessary although some products may have mandatory storage temperature constraints that must be complied with so limiting compromise. An additional problem is that a large amount of chocolate confectionary is brought on implulse in small newsagents or tobacconist shops where space may be at a premium and there is no room for or availability of an indigenous refrigeration unit.

The reduction in impulse purchasing is due to commercial refrigerators generally being supplied with a clear glass door and tests have shown that doors form a barrier to these impulse purchases which results in a drop in sales. Furthermore, when outlets decide to store confectionery in a commercial refrigerator they find that the units are too large to place on the counter, the premier merchandising area for confectionery and thus, the refrigerator is normally inconveniently positioned and confectionery sales are not maximised.

It is an objective of the present invention to provide chilled display apparatus that can be sited in a relatively small space such as on a shop counter.

In accordance with the present invention there is provided chilled display apparatus comprising accommodation capable of displaying confectionery arranged in association with chilling means arranged to chill said accommodation to ensure a degree of consistancy and equalisation of temperature within the accommodation.

Preferably, the chilling means is by way of ice packs or similar, or by way of a refrigeration system wherein the evaporator and condensor coils are arranged in the accommodation walls, or by way of a blown chilled air system where the chilled air is provided by a refrigeration system or thermo-electric wafers. The chilled air flow speed may be 0.5 metres/second.

Preferably, the accommodation does not include a lid to allow access to the accommodation however, it will be appreciated in some circumstances a displaceable lid may be advantageous.

Preferably, in the embodiment of the present invention including blown chilled air, there is provided heat exchanger means and ducting to facilitate creation of a cold air cascade or blanket in the accommodation and above confectionery when held within the accommodation.

Preferably, the display apparatus includes temperature detection means either to indicate the accommodation for confectionery is above a pre-determined temperature or to control operation of the chilling means.

Preferably, the chilled display apparatus comprises a display tray arranged in association with means to provide a first air stream and a second air stream which passes over the tray whereby the first air stream has a temperature and is directed to inhibit dew deposit within the tray whilst the second air stream facilitates chilling within the tray. The first air stream is arranged to shield the second air stream. Then, the first air stream is arranged to have a temperature of the air about the display apparatus. Furthermore, the temperature of the first air stream may be automatically regulated to remain above the dew point temperature of the surrounding air and there may be means to de-humidify the first and second air streams. Preferably, respective director units are used to direct the first and second air streams to pass over the tray in distinct streams.

Preferably, the second air stream is chilled by the chilling means.

Preferably, air to form the first air stream passes through a first baffle plate and the chilled unit includes a second baffle plate. The first and the second baffle plates have respective pass slot cross-sectional areas to proportion and divide air volume to constitute the first and the second air streams. These cross-sectional areas may be adjustable to allow variable control, possibly automatically. The first air stream may be partly or variably chilled by the chiller unit.

Preferably, the display apparatus includes a spreader plate to ensure better spread of air flows across the whole width of the display apparatus.

Preferably, the display apparatus includes a collecter hood to collect and consolidate the first air stream and the second air stream. The collector hood may include a collector fan.

Preferably, the display apparatus includes raised side walls to contain the first and second air streams so that the collector hood collects them.

Alternatively, the chilled display apparatus includes a tray having nozzle means to direct chilled air within the tray and a director element to direct air by-passing the chiller means over the tray whereby dew formation is substantially inhibited.

Preferably, the nozzle means are arranged in hollow divider walls in the tray. The nozzle means may be holes spaced about the top of these walls. Furthermore, the nozzle means may be arranged to have differing aperture sizes and/or distributions in different parts of the tray.

Preferably, a collector hood is arranged to collect he chilled air directed out of the nozzle means and the air directed out of the director means.

Preferably, a sponge filter is arranged to reduce moisture content in the chilled air.

Preferably, the tray forms with duct plate channels through which the chilled air passes to the nozzle means.

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described by way of example only with reference to the following drawings in which: Figure 1 is a schematic representation of a chilled display apparatus in accordance with a first embodiment of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic illustration of a chilled display apparatus in accordance with a second embodiment of the present invention; Figure 3 is a schematic representation of chilled display apparatus in accordance with a third embodiment of the present invention; Figure 4 is a schematic representation of a chilled display apparatus in accordance with a fourth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 5 is a schematic representation of a chilled display apparatus in accordance with a fifth embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 6 is a schematic representation of a sixth embodiment of the present invention; Figure 7 is an expanded representation of the chiller arrangement of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 6; Figure 8 is a schematic illustration of a seventh embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment illustrated in Figure 8.

Figure 1 illustrates a first embodiment of the present invention. A thermally insulated accommodation 1 suitable for confectionery is provided having a wall cavity 3 which may extend throughout the accommodation 1 or be limited to the side walls 5 and/or the base 7.

The inner surface of the accommodation 1 is arranged to have a limited thermal insulation capability through it's construction material, wall thickness and possibly perforations 9. The outer surface of the accommodation 1 is formed of highly thermally insulating material 11 such that ingress of heat is inhibited . A hinged lid 15 is usually provided to further inhibit heat gain by confectionery when held in the accommodation but not displayed for sale. This lid 15 may be of a spaced panel construction and be transparent. The cavity 3 is arranged to accommodate cold or ice packs 17 in slots or the like. These packs 17 are chilled or frozen prior to insertion and are normally only inserted at the warmest period of the day to ensure effective use. Furthermore, the confectionery can be cooled prior to being loaded in the display apparatus. Slots 19 and other shaping of the apparatus is provided to ensure most effective display of confectionery and to achieve as good a thermal environment as possible.

It will be appreciated that a conventional confectionery display unit could be adapted to provide chilled display apparatus in accordance with this embodiment of the present invention by locating that conventional display unit in a shroud whereby a cavity is formed to accept cool packs 17. Evidently, the shroud would require some thermal insulation on it's exterior surface and a lid 15 may need to be added for use while the display unit is not in use.

In Figure 2, a second embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. A refrigerated accommodation 21 suitable for accommodating confectionery is provided.

This accommodation 21 has a thick, thermal insulation coat 23 along with an inner wall 25 and an outer wall 27. The inner wall 25 has tubes of an evaporator coil 24 embedded in or about it's inner surface 31. The outer wall 27 has a condenser coil 33 and consequently the surface area of the outer wall 27 should be sufficient to cool the condenser coil 33. It will be appreciated that the evaporator coil 29 and the condenser coil 33 may be structural elements of the display apparatus.

Furthermore, the inner surface 31 is preferably designed to have a good thermal conductivity value such that there is good thermal transfer between the evaporater coil 29 and the interior of the accommodation 21. The coils 29 and 31 are connected to a conventional refrigeration apparatus 37 including a compressor unit etc. A hinged lid 39 may be used in association with the thermal coat 23 to inhibit heat gain from the exterior of the accommodation 21 particularly were the ambient temperature exceeds 350C and humidity exceeds 90%.

In operation, the display apparatus as illustrated in Figure 2 chills confectionary products displayed in racking or other suitable display equipment 40 through chilling of an air space 41 in the accommodation 21. The accommodation 21 and the air space 41 are consequently dimensioned to ensure adequate chilling of confectionery throughout the space 41. A particularly salient feature of such dimensioning is in relation to the air space 41 shape to stimulate by natural thermal convection currents and conduction necessary cold air flows within the space 41 to achieve improved temperature harmonisation. Due to the fact that the confectionery tray may be stored in a warm humid environment, condensation will automatically form within the tray.It is anticipated that this condensation will be automatically collected by guttering and the heat generated from the compressor will be used to boil off the condensation. Alternatively an electrically powered heating element could be used to boil off the collected condensation.

In a third embodiment of the present invention illustrated in Figure 3, a display unit 51 comprises thermally insulated walls 52, 53, 54, 55 and 56 with display shelving 57 arranged to define a cold air flow path (illustrated by arrow heads). A refrigeration unit 59 is arranged to cool heat exchanger elements 61 in the flow path. A fan 65 is provided to force cold air around the flow path thorough the heat exchanger element 61. A lid (not shown) may also be used to contain the cold air flow were temperature and humidity condition requires it, however, a critical factor to achieve adequate chilling of confectionery displayed on the shelving 57 is cold air flow rate. The cold air flow rate in turn is determined by the shaping and disposition of the shelving 57.

A further feature of this third embodiment is a cold air "blanket effect" produced by cold air dwelling above the confectionery. An air duct 63 of honey comb construction is preferably provided to direct cold air flow over the confectionery along with ensuring an air dam effect whereby the cold air is distributed evenly over displayed confectionery. It is most convenient if the refrigeration unit is detachable for servicing and repair.

The cold air is gently moved over the surface of the confectionery and is caught at the front of the unit and then recirculated throught the refrigeration system.

In Figure 4, a fourth embodiment of the present invention is illustrated. In this fourth embodiment, a thermo-electrical wafer assembly 71 is used in association with a heat exchanger element 73 in a cold air flow path (illustrated by arrow heads) similar to that shown in Figure 3. A thermo-electric wafer is a semi conductor device that operates such that when subjected to a current, one side becomes cold whilst the other side gets hot. An air duct 75 is also provided to direct the cold air flow generated by a fan element 77.

A typical number of thermo-electric wafers in the assembly 71 would be 4 however, their capability is quantitatively small consequently a lid 79 may be necessary to achieve normally acceptable operating conditions. Furthermore, the cold air flow speed generated by fan means 77 must be determined in relation to the efficiency of the assembly 71. The hot side of the wafer assembly 71 must also be appropriately cooled and as with other embodiments the display apparatus must be adequately thermally insulated to inhibit ingress of heat.

A further embodiment of the cold air blanket type system illustrated in figures 3 and 4 is shown in figure 5. This fifth embodiment of the present invention is a multiple air curtain design. This will have the advantage of providing an improved thermal shield for the confectionery contained in the tray and will also limit the amount of condensation which is formed in the system due to the face that the warm humid air will be caught by the upper air curtain and allowed to vent over the front of the unit.

The parallel air curtains 100, 101 are formed over the top of a confectionery tray 103 using evaporators A, B and fans (not shown). The upper air curtain 100 is in contact with the environmental air and therefore absorbs the majority of the moisture. This air is then allowed to pour over the front of the unit to prevent excess moisture being deposited on the inner curtain evaporator B. The inner air curtain 101 cools the confectionery in the tray 103 but is also protected by the upper curtain 100 from the humid environmental air. This air curtain 101 will be relatively dry and is re-circulated through the evaporator B. The evaporator A draws in environmental air through a vent A. It will be appreciated that evaporator units A and B could have a separated refrigeration unit or a single refrigeration unit with separated heat exchanger elements.

Furthermore, it is advantageous to use a flow regulator and/or director unit such "honey-comb" elements 107. The refrigeration units could be conventional or thermal wafer devices.

Referring to Figure 6 illustrating a chilled display apparatus further in accordance with the invention, a display tray 101 is located in the central position within the display apparatus with a first air stream 103 (broken line) and a second, cooler, air stream 105 (string of arrow heads) arranged to pass over the tray 101. The air streams 103, 105 remain relatively distinct and distinguishable as they pass over the tray from respective director units 107, 109 to a collector hood 111. The collected streams 103, 105 are then sucked or propelled dependent upon the position of a fan 104 along a consolidation passage 115 to form a consolidated air stream 117. This consolidated air stream 117 is diffused or spread by a spreader plate 119 which acts to ensure the air flow is spread across the whole width of the display apparatus.The diffused stream 117 is then arranged to pass through in pre-determined proportions a first baffle plate 121 or into a chiller unit 123 such as an evaporator coil of a refrigeration system (not shown). The chiller unit also includes a second baffle plate 125 to regulate air flow. The first and second baffle plates 121, 125 are arranged to have respective passage plate cross-sectional areas to determine the respective proportion of the consolidated stream 117 that passes through the plate 121 or into the chiller 123.

Evidently, the proportion of stream 117 that passes through the chiller 123 is significantly cooler than that which by-passes the chiller 123 however it will be understood that there may be some chilling effect through the dividing wall 127. The air that passes through the plate 121 forms a by-pass air stream 131 which is incident upon a first director unit 107 which straightens the air flow and directs it towards the hood 11 to form the first air stream 103. The air that passes through the chiller 123 is incident upon a second-director unit 109 which directs the air flow to form the second air stream 105. The director units 107, 109 are conveniently honeycomb assemblies. An illuminated display 133 is conveniently located above the director units 107, 109 and the tray 101 may be arranged to allow removal from the apparatus.

Figure 7 is an expanded view of the chiller arrangement of the display apparatus is illustrated in Figure 6. The consolidated air stream 107 is sucked or propelled towards an aperture 135 to become incident upon a wall portion 137 of the chiller unit 123. In the embodiment illustrated the aperture 135 incorporates the fan 114 and the wall portion 137 acts as a spreader plate. Thus, the combined effect of the aperture 135 and wall portion 137 cause the air flow to be diffused and substantially spread across the width of the display apparatus. This air flow as described previously either passes through the first baffle plate 121 or up through the chiller unit 123 and the second baffle plate 125. The air that passes through the plate 121 is forced through a first passage 139 to become incident upon the director unit 117.The air that enters the chiller unit 123 is cooled and becomes incident upon the director unit 119 through a second passage 141. It will be appreciated that the respective passages 139, 141 have differing lengths and areas etc. and so proportioning adjustment can be made through baffle plate 121, 125 passage areas. Furthermore, these baffle plates 121, 125 may be adjustable valves to allow controlled temperature or air flow rate regulation of the air streams 103, 105. The chiller unit 123 can be an evaporator coil coupled to a refrigeration system accommodated in a housing 145. Alternatively, the chiller unit 123 could use thermo-electric wafers.

As with most chiller units, the unit 123 will require periodic de-frost and this is achieved in the apparatus illustrated using a slope 147 to facilitate collection of de-frosted water in a tray 149. This water may pass through a series of sump holes 151 and be boiled off by the hot gas pipe 153 from the compressor of the refrigeration system.

It is at the core of the present invention that the director units 107, 109 ensure the air streams 103, 105 remain distinct as they pass over the tray 101. In this way the outer, first, stream 103 shields the inner, second and cooler, stream 105 from the humid environmental air about the display apparatus. The first stream 103 is maintained at a temperature above the dew point temperature of the environmental air thus there is a dramatic reduction in dew deposit on items such as confectionery held in the tray 101. Typically the first air stream 103 will be at 150C whilst the second air stream 105 will be about 40C however,it will depend upon the ambient air temperature and the efficiency of the chiller unit 1230 To further enhance and contain the air streams 113, 115 the display apparatus has side walls 135 that extend above the tray 111.

It will be appreciated that the air flow rates of both the first and second air streams 103, 105 are dependent upon the length of the tray and display apparatus configuration however a flow rate of 0.5 m/s is usual.

The illustrated display apparatus is effectively a thermally closed system due to the double curtain effect thus heat gain should be inhibited due to the shielding effect of the outer, first air stream 3.

A further refinement of the embodiment illustrated in Figures band 7 is shown in Figures 8 and 9. The display apparatus includes a tray 201 arranged with respect to a duct surface 202 of the apparatus to form spaced channels 203. The tray 201 also has shelves 205 constituted by hollow divider walls 207 and a hollow end section 209 which sections a lower part of the apparatus to form a further shelf 211. A raised shoulder 215 is arranged about the tray 201 in order to ensure reasonable containment of air streams.

In operation, air 216 is drawn through the apparatus by a fan 217. The air 216 is propelled in the direction of arrow 219 until it encounters a baffle plate 221. The baffle plate 221 acts to ensure pre-determined proportions of air 216 pass either through heat exchanger 223 or by-pass the exchanger 223 through passage 225.

The heat exchanger 223 is coupled to a refrigeration system 227 appropriately mounted in the apparatus. It will be understood that the air 216 instead of being blown down from the exchanger 223 could be sucked 'uphill' from appropriately directed nozzles. Air 216 sucked 'uphill' could have a longer dwell time about the shelves 205.

The proportion of air that passes through the heat exchanger 223 is chilled and exits through duct plate 222 to enter channels 223. The propulsion caused by fan 217 results in this chilled air entering the walls 207, end section 209 and plate 229 have nozzle director elements 231 arranged to direct or jet the chilled air about shelves 205, 211 is kept at a desired temperature.

Furthermore in order to improve the air spread effect a slight pressure enhancement is provided at the bottom of the apparatus by arranging that the baffle holes are marginally smaller.

The proportion of air that by-passes the heat exchanger 223 through passage 225 is only partially cooled if at all through the exchanger 223 wall thus its temperature is only slightly less than ambient. This by-pass air is propelled towards and through a director element 233 which 'straightens' its flow. The by-pass air on passing through the director element 233 forms a blanket of marginally chilled air above the shelves 205, 211 chilled by air through nozzles 231 with the result that there is little dew deposited upon products held in the shelves 205, 211, the blanket of marginally chilled air limiting condensation from surrounding humid air.

Most of the chilled air from nozzles 231 and most of the by-pass air from director element 233 is collected in a collector hood 235. However, a portion may spill over the front of the apparatus. Air collection is facilitated and assisted by the suction effect of fan 217.

It will be appreciated that the heat exchanger 223/refrigeration system 227 will require periodic de-frost. This may be achieved by usual means with liquid collected in a trough 237 and boiled off by the compressor coil of the system 227. In order to further reduce moisture content in the chilled air passed through nozzles 231, a filter may be added either about the duct plate 202 or nozzles 231. The tray 201 may be removable from the apparatus for cleaning and a variety of shelf configurations provided.

It will be understood that air flow rates are dependent upon display apparatus configuration etc.

However, a typical rate would be about 0.5 m/s, the chilled air having a temperature of 4 "C and the by-pass air about 15 OC.

It will be appreciated that in all the above embodiments it would be desirable to provide some indication of temperature within the display apparatus. Furthermore, were appropriate control means could be incorporated into the display apparatus to operate the means for chilling when the temperature within the display apparatus exceeds a specified threshold.

It will be understood that an automatic defrost function may be incorporated where appropriate in the present chilled display apparatus. Furthermore, any condensation that forms within the display apparatus may be collected and disposed of as appropriate.

With increasing concern about energy conservation it will be necessary to provide a cover for the confectionery tray so that cold reserve which has built up in the confectionery during the day, can be conserved during periods when the shop is closed.

The preferred designs are: (a) A lid which can easily be fitted to the unit during these closed periods.

(b) A roller blind assembly built into the top of the unit so that during periods when the outlet is closed the blind assembly can be pulled down over the confectionery.

Claims (21)

CLAIMS:

1. Chilled display apparatus comprising open accommodation capable of displaying confectionery arranged in association with chilling means arranged to chill said accommodation to ensure a degree of consistancy and equalisation of temperature within the accommodation.

2 Chilled display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the accommodation includes a tray having nozzle means to direct within the tray chilled air from the chilling means and a director element to direct air by-passing the chilling means over the tray whereby dew formation is substantially inhibited within the tray.

3. Apparatus as claimed in claim 2 wherein the nozzle means are apertures arranged in hollow walls of the apparatus.

4. Apparatus as claimed in claim 3 wherein the apertures are sized and distributed in the tray in order to facilitate substantially equalised chilling throughout the tray.

5. Apparatus as claimed in any of claims 2 to 4 wherein the nozzle means is arranged to direct the chilled air either upwards or downwards within the tray and the director element either blows or sucks air about the apparatus.

6. Chilled display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the apparatus includes a display tray arranged in association with means to provide a first air stream and a second air stream which passes over the tray whereby the first air stream has a temperature and is directed to inhibit dew deposit within the tray whilst the second air stream is chilled by the chilling means to facilitate chilling within the tray.

7. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 wherein the first air stream is arranged to provide a thermal shield to the second air stream.

8. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6 or 7 wherein the first air stream is arranged to have a temperature above the dew point temperature of the air about the display apparatus.

9. Apparatus as claimed in claim 6, 7 or 8 wherein the first and the second air streams are formed by respective passage through a first baffle plate and a second baffle plate, each baffle plate having a respective pass slot cross-sectional area to proportion and divide air volume to constitute the first and second air stream.

10. Apparatus as claimed in 9 wherein the pass slot areas are adjustable either manually or automatically to alter respective first and second air stream temperatures.

11. Chilled display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chilling means is arranged to provide chilled air arranged to cascade over shelving of the accommodation and the accommodation is open to allow unrestricted access to such shelving.

12. Chilled display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chilling means is mounted about walls of the accommodation in order to chill that accommodation and the accommodation is open to allow unrestricted access to shelving arranged to display commodities.

13. Chilled display apparatus as claimed in claim 1 wherein the chilling means comprises pre-chilled packs arranged to be accommodated in slots about the accommodation in order to chill it and the accommodation is open to allow unrestricted access to shelving arranged to display commodities.

14. Chilled display apparatus as claimed in any proceeding claim wherein the accommodation is arranged to receive a lid to close the accommodation when the display apparatus is not in use, the lid inhibiting thermal gain by the accommodation.

15. Chilled display apparatus as described above with regard to figure 1.

16. Chilled display apparatus as described above with regard to figure 2.

17. Chilled display apparatus as described above with regard to figure 3.

18. chilled display apparatus as described above with regard to figure 4.

19. Chilled display apparatus as descirbed above with regard to figure 5.

20. Chilled display apparatus as described above with regard to figures 6 and 7.

21. Chilled display apparatus as described above with regard to figures 8 and 9.