GB2582312A

GB2582312A - A flow control device for a refrigerated display case and a refrigerated display case

Info

Publication number: GB2582312A
Application number: GB1903682.1A
Authority: GB
Inventors: J P Wirth Nicholas; Campbell Dugal
Original assignee: Light Energy Australia Pty Ltd; Wirth Research Ltd
Current assignee: Light Energy Australia Pty Ltd; Wirth Research Ltd
Priority date: 2019-03-18
Filing date: 2019-03-18
Publication date: 2020-09-23
Anticipated expiration: 2039-03-18
Also published as: GB201903682D0; GB2582312B

Abstract

The aerofoil acts as a flow controller for an air curtain of a refrigerated display case and has a stabilising beam with a transparent body 52 and detachable light cap 54. Light from a light source 56, e.g. LED strip, within the light cap 54 passes through the transparent body 52 and is emitted from a lighting surface to provide illumination. The light cap 54 may be detachable by a snap-fit connection using a protrusion and recess that may require rotation. The illumination may be directed towards products on an adjacent shelf. The light source 56 may be held against the transparent body 52 at an end, which may be a head portion received within a cavity of the light cap 54. A surface of the transparent body may be mirrored to reflect light towards the lighting surface. The light cap 54 may form a leading edge of the stabilising beam. The light source 56 may provide edge lighting.

Description

A FLOW CONTROL DEVICE FOR A REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE AND A REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE

The invention relates to a flow control device for a refrigerated display case and a refrigerated display case.

The display of chilled or frozen items is commonplace in many retail environments, most notably in supermarkets. Such items are often displayed in refrigerated display cases having hinged or sliding doors, or having an open front. Refrigerated display cases utilise an air curtain which is cooled to below ambient temperature and propelled downward, across the front of the display case (either over the open front or behind the refrigerator doors).

The energy consumed by such refrigerated display cases presents a significant contribution to the overall energy consumption of the supermarket. It is therefore desirable to improve the efficiency of refrigerated display cases.

It has previously been proposed to provide an open refrigerated display case in which each shelf of a display area is provided with a flow control device which stabilises flow in the air curtain. Such a flow control device is disclosed in GB2527628B.

The invention seeks to provide developments relating to the use of flow control devices.

According to an aspect of the disclosure there is provided a flow control device for controlling an air curtain formed across a display area of a refrigerated display case, the flow control device comprising: a stabilising beam comprising a main body component formed from a transparent material and a lighting cap which is detachably connected to the main body component; wherein the lighting cap is provided with a light source which is coupled to the main body component such that light emitted by the light source passes through the main body component and is emitted from a lighting surface of the main body component to provide illumination.

The lighting cap may be detachably connected to the main body component by a snap-fit connection.

The snap-fit connection may comprise a protrusion which is provided on one of the lighting cap and the main body component and a complementary recess which is provided on the other of the lighting cap and the main body component, the protrusion being configured to engage with the recess.

The protrusion or recess may be provided at or towards a distal end of a cantilevered arm.

The snap-fit connection may be configured such that the lighting cap is engaged with the main body component by rotating the lighting cap relative to the main body component in a first direction and is disengaged from the main body component by rotating the lighting cap relative to the main body component in a second direction.

The flow control device may be configured to be positioned so that the stabilising beam is spaced away from an adjacent shelf of the refrigerated display case such that light emitted from the surface of the main body component illuminates products supported on and/or below the adjacent shelf.

The lighting cap may be detachably connected to the main body so that the light source is held against an end surface of the main body component.

The end surface may be formed on a head portion of the main body component which is received within a cavity formed in the lighting cap.

A surface of the main body component which opposes the lighting surface may be mirrored so as to reflect light towards the lighting surface.

The lighting cap may form a leading edge of the stabilising beam.

The stabilising beam may be a first stabilising beam and the flow control device may further comprise a second stabilising beam spaced from the first stabilising beam to form a first slot therebetween; wherein the flow control device is configured such that the first stabilising beam is spaced from an adjacent shelf in use to form a second slot therebetween.

The first stabilising beam may be angled relative to the second stabilising beam such that the first slot tapers in the direction of airflow.

The second stabilising beam may not be provided with a light source.

The light source may be an LED strip.

The light source may comprise an activation circuit operable to activate the light source.

The activation circuit may be configured to activate the light source when the lighting cap is attached to the main body component.

The lighting cap may comprise a first surface and the main body component may comprise a corresponding second surface, the first and second surfaces contacting one another when the lighting cap is attached to the stabilising beam, wherein the activation circuit is configured to activate the light source when the first surface contacts the second surface.

The light source may be configured to provide edge lighting of the main body component.

According to an aspect of the disclosure there is provided a refrigerated display case comprising: a refrigerated display area which comprises a shelf; an air outlet and an air inlet opening into the display area and spaced from one another; a duct fluidically coupling the air inlet to the air outlet, the duct being configured to direct air flow out of the air outlet across the display area and toward the air inlet to form an air curtain across the front of the display area; and a flow control device as described above, the flow control device being associated with the shelf; wherein light emitted from the surface of the main body component illuminates products supported on and/or below the associated shelf.

The display area may comprise a plurality of shelves, each shelf being provided with an associated flow control device.

The refrigerated display case may be an open refrigerated display case (i.e. with no doors).

According to another aspect there is provided a flow control device for controlling an air curtain formed across a display area of a refrigerated display case, the flow control device comprising: a stabilising beam formed from a transparent material; and a light source which is coupled to the stabilising beam such that light emitted by the light source passes through the stabilising beam and is emitted from a lighting surface of the stabilising beam to provide illumination.

The light source may be provided at or towards an upper or lower end of the stabilising beam. The light source may be configured to provide edge lighting of the stabilising beam. The light source may transmit along a length of the stabilising beam in a direction between the upper and lower ends and emit from the lighting surface which is angled relative to the transmission direction. The lighting surface may be substantially perpendicular to the transmission direction.

The disclosure extends to refrigerated display cases and flow control devices having any combination of the features described herein, except such combinations as are mutually exclusive.

For a better understanding of the invention, and to show more clearly how it may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example, to the accompanying drawings, in which:-Figure 1 is a side cross-sectional view of an open refrigerated display case (ORDC) comprising a flow control device; Figure 2 is a perspective view of the flow control device; Figure 3 is a side view of the flow control device of Figure 2; Figure 4 is a side cross-sectional view of an inner beam of the flow control device and shows a detachable lighting cap; and Figures 5 and 6 are side cross-sectional views of the flow control device during first and second stages of installation of the lighting cap.

Figure 1 shows an ORDC 2. The ORDC 2 comprises a cabinet portion formed by a lower wall 4, a back wall 6, an upper wall 8, and left and right side walls (not shown). A lower panel 10, a back panel 12 and an upper panel 14 are disposed within the cabinet portion.

The lower, back and upper panels 10, 12, 14 form a display area 15 which is provided with a plurality of shelves 17 (four are shown) on which items may be displayed. The shelves 17 are affixed to the back panel 12.

As shown, the lower, back and upper panels 10, 12, 14 are spaced from the respective lower, back and upper walls 4, 6, 8 to form a duct 16. An intake grille 18 is provided at the lower panel 10 to form an inlet to the duct 16. Similarly, a discharge grille 20 is provided at the upper panel 14 to form an outlet from the duct 16. The intake grille 18 and the discharge grille 20 are thus fluidically coupled to one another by the duct 16. The intake grille 18 and the discharge grille 20 are spaced from the back panel 12 toward the front of the cabinet portion and ahead of the shelves 17.

A fan 22 and a heat exchanger 24 are located within the duct 16 adjacent to the intake grille 18 and thus are disposed between the lower wall 4 and the lower panel 10. The fan 22 draws air into the duct 16 via the intake grille 18 which then passes through the heat exchanger 24 where it is cooled to well below the ambient temperature.

After passing through the heat exchanger 24, the air continues through the duct 16 between the back wall 6 and the back panel 12. The back panel 12 is perforated allowing air to pass from the duct 16 into the display area 15 where it cools items located on the shelves 17 and on the lower panel 10.

The remaining air flows through the duct 16 to the discharge grille 20. The air is ejected from the discharge grille 20 and descends over the open front of the display area 15 to form an air curtain 26. The air curtain 26 passes from the discharge grille 20 to the intake grille 18, where it is drawn in by the fan 22 and re-circulated through the duct 16. The air curtain 26 thus forms a non-physical barrier which separates the display area 15 from the ambient air surrounding the ORDC 2.

As shown, a flow control device 102 is attached to each of the shelves (although, in other arrangements, only some of the shelves may be provided with flow control devices 102).

As shown in Figures 2 and 3, the flow control device 102 comprises a pair of brackets 106a, 106b and a pair of elongate elements in the form of stabilising beams 108a, 108b. The brackets 106a, 106b are used to attach the device 102 to a shelf. The beams 108a, 108b are connected by a pair of spacers 110a, 110b. The spacers 110a, 110b are provided towards the lateral ends of the beams 108a, 108b. A central spacer 112 may also be provided at the centre of the beams 108a, 108b, midway along their lengths.

The beams 108a, 108b are spaced apart from one another by the spacers 110a, 110b such that upper edges and lower edges of the beams 108a, 108b run parallel to one another. The beams 108a, 108b are, however, angled relative to one another so that a gap between the beams 108a, 108b tapers, with the upper edges of the beams 108a, 108b being further apart than the lower edges.

As shown in Figure 3, the outer beam 108a may be arranged substantially vertically (i.e. with its upper and lower edges aligned in a vertical plane) and the inner beam 108b may be angled so as to form a tapering gap between the beams 108a, 108b.

The device 102 may further comprise a product information strip 114. As shown in Figure 3, the product information strip 114 clips over the upper and lower edges of the outer beam 108a. The product information strip 114 has a channel for receiving tickets which display information regarding products, such as the product's price.

As shown in Figure 1, the beams 108a, 108b define a first slot 160 between the outer and inner beams 108a, 108b and a second slot 162 between the inner beam 108b and the outer surface of the shelf.

The first slot 160 tapers from an inlet at an upper end to an outlet at a lower end. The inlet has a greater width than the outlet and a convergent throat is disposed between the inlet and the outlet.

The beams 108a, 108b are positioned such that the air curtain 26 passes through the first and second slots 160, 162. The beams 108a, 108b act to control and stabilise the air curtain so as to maximise the air which is returned to the intake grille 18 and prevent air from spilling out of the ORDC 2.

Figure 4 shows the inner beam 108b in further detail. As shown, the inner beam 108b comprises a main body component 52 and a lighting cap 54. The lighting cap 54 is a separate component to the main body component 52 which is detachably connected to the main body component 52.

The lighting cap 54 comprises a first lip 58a and a second lip 58b. The first and second lips 58a, 58b extend along the length of the inner beam 108b (i.e. widthwise across the ORDC 2 when in use). The first and second lips 58a, 58b are spaced from one another but run parallel to one another along their length to form a cavity therebetween for receiving an end of the main body component 52. First and second protrusions (i.e. ridges) 60a, 60b are provided at distal ends of the respective first and second lips 58a, 58b. The first and second protrusions 60a, 60b form a narrowing at the entrance to the cavity of the lighting cap 54. The first and second lips 58a, 58b are cantilevered such that they can be resiliently deflected away from one another from a rest position in order to increase the width of the entrance to the cavity. In other arrangements, only one of the lips 58a, 58b may be resiliently deflectable.

The lighting cap 54 comprises a light source 56 which is disposed within the cavity. The light source 56 may comprise a plurality of discrete light sources spaced at intervals along the length of the lighting cap 54. For example, the light source 56 may be an LED strip light. A power source may be provided on-board the lighting cap 54 for powering the light source 56. Alternatively, the power source may be remote from the lighting cap 54. For example, the light source 56 may be powered by the ORDC 2 itself.

The main body component 52 comprises a head portion 55 at one end which is received within the cavity formed in the lighting cap 54. The head portion 55 terminates at its distal end with an end surface 70 and is bounded at its proximal (lower) end by a first recess 62a and a second recess 62b which extend along the length of the main body component 52 on opposing sides. The first and second recesses 62a, 62b form a neck which is narrower than the head portion 55. The recesses 62a, 62b are complementary to (i.e. correspond in size and shape to) the protrusions 60a, 60b and are configured to receive the protrusions 60a, 60b to form a snap-fit connection between the lighting cap 54 and the main body component 52.

The assembly of the lighting cap 54 and the main body component 52 and the formation of the snap-fit connection is shown in Figures 5 and 6.

As shown in Figure 5, in a first stage of assembly, the first protrusion 60a of the first lip 58a is inserted into the first recess 62a of the main body component 52 as shown. The insertion of the first protrusion 60a of the first lip 58a into the first recess 62a of the main body component 52 creates a firm contact between the lighting cap 54 and the main body component 52 that prevents the lighting cap 54 from slipping relative to the main body component 52, while still allowing the lighting cap 54 to rotate relative to the main body component 52.

As shown in Figure 6, the lighting cap 54 is then rotated relative to the main body component 52 from its initial position shown in Figure 5. It can be seen that, as the lighting cap 54 is rotated relative to the main body component 52, the second protrusion 60b of the second lip 58b rides over a deflection surface 64 formed between the end surface 70 of the head portion 55 and the second recess 62b. The deflection surface 64 causes the second lip 58b to be deflected away from the first lip 58a in order to increase the width of the entrance to the cavity to accept the head portion 55.

The resiliently deflected lip 58b exerts an inward force back towards the cavity of the lighting cap 54 such that, once the second protrusion 60b has cleared the deflection surface 64, the second protrusion 60b is urged towards and engages in the second recess 62b, as shown previously in Figure 4. In this position, the first and second lips 58a, 58b return to or towards their rest position such that no or minimal residual stress remains in the first and second lips 58a, 58b. The first and second protrusions 60a, 60b thus form hooks which engage in the depressions formed by the first and second recesses 62a, 62b.

In this position, an end surface 68 of the light source 56 is brought into contact with the end surface 70 of the main body component 52. The main body component 52 is formed from a transparent material, such as acrylic. Accordingly, the light source 56 provides edge lighting of the main body component 52 which acts as an optical waveguide. A front (i.e. outer) surface 76 of the main body component 52 which faces out of the ORDC 2 and thus away from the shelves 17 is provided with a mirrored coating or layer. Light from the light source 56 is transmitted through the main body component 52 and is emitted from a rear (i.e. inner) surface 78 of the main body component 52. The light passes along the length of the main body component 52 in a direction from the upper, leading edge to the lower, trailing edge of the beam 108b. The light is emitted from the rear surface 78 of the main body component 52 which is angled relative (e.g. substantially perpendicular) to the direction of transmission through the main body component 52. The main body component 52 is therefore edge lit. The mirrored front surface 76 reflects light so that it is directed inwards towards the shelves 17. The light source 56 is thus able to better illuminate products on the shelf 17 to which the flow control device 102 is connected or on other shelves 17, particularly the shelf 17 below.

The lighting cap 54 may be removed from the main body component 52 by rotating the lighting cap 54 about the first protrusion 60a in order to force the second protrusion 60b out of the second recess 62b and back over the deflection surface 64. The lighting cap 54 may be removed to allow the main body component 52 to be cleaned or to replace the light source 56 (by replacement of the light source 56 itself or by replacement of the entire lighting cap 54), for example.

The lighting cap 54 may be configured such that the direction of rotation required to remove the lighting cap 54 is inwards towards the adjacent shelf 17. This may avoid customers inadvertently knocking the lighting cap 54 off the main body component 52 as they withdraw products from the ORDC 2. The snap-fit connection between the lighting cap 54 and the main body component 52 may also be configured to require a force to remove the lighting cap 54 which is sufficient to avoid inadvertent removal of the lighting cap 54.

The lighting cap 54 forms an integral part of the beam 108b. Specifically, the lighting cap 54 forms the upper or leading edge of the beam 108b. The lighting cap 54 cooperates with the main body component 52 to form aerodynamically profiled front and rear (i.e. inner and outer) surfaces which act to guide the airflow within the air curtain.

The lighting cap 54 may comprise an activation circuit which is configured to activate the light source 56 only when the lighting cap 54 is affixed to the main body component 52. In particular, the activation circuit may be configured to activate the light source 56 when the end surface 68 of the light source 56 is brought into contact with the end surface 70 of the main body component 52. For example, the activation circuit may comprise an open switch comprising first and second terminals on the end surface 68 of the light source 56, and the end surface 70 of the main body component 52 may comprise a conductive element positioned to electrically connect the first terminal to the second terminal when the end surface 68 of the light source 56 contacts the end surface 70 of the main body component 52. Alternatively, the activation circuit may comprise a proximity sensor, or other sensing means (e.g. a Hall-effect sensor) configured to complete the activation circuit when the lighting cap 54 is connected to the main body component 52 (e.g. when the end surfaces 68, 70 are brought into contact or otherwise). Alternatively or additionally, an external switch may be provided to allow a user to manually activate or deactivate the light source 56. A single switch may control the light source 56 of a single flow control device or may control the light sources 56 of a plurality of flow control devices 102 (e.g. for the entire ORDC 2).

Although the invention has been described with reference to an open refrigerated display case, it may also be utilised on closed refrigerated display cases with doors.

The invention is not limited to the embodiments described herein, and may be modified or adapted without departing from the scope of the present invention.

For example, the structure of the snap-fit connection between the lighting cap 54 and the main body component 52 may differ from that shown and described previously. In particular, the lighting cap 54 may comprises a plurality of discrete lips or arms on each side of the lighting cap 54. The main body component 52 may also comprise a plurality of recesses on each side to receive the discrete lips or arms. The arrangement of the snap-fit connection may be reversed from that shown such that the lips or arms are carried by the main body component and recesses are provided on the lighting cap 54 (or a combination of these arrangements may be used). The protrusions, whether formed on the lighting cap 54 and/or the main body portion 52, may also be directed outwardly away from one another, rather than inwardly as shown. An outer shroud surface may be provided as part of the lighting cap 54 and/or the main body component 52 so that the elements of the snap-fit connection are concealed and do not form part of the aerodynamically profiled surfaces which guide the air curtain.

In other arrangements, the protrusions may engage in the recesses simultaneously such that the lighting cap does not need to be rotated into engagement with the main body portion.

The lighting cap 54 may also be detachably connected to the main body component 52 using other methods instead of the snap-fit connection described. For example, the lighting cap 54 may be slidably received by the main body component 52 via a channel formed in the lighting cap 54 or main body component 52. The lighting cap 54 may also be attached to other parts of the main body component 52 and need not form the upper, leading edge. For example, the lighting cap 54 may form the lower, trailing edge of the beam.

In other arrangements, the light source 56 may be integrated into the beam, rather than provided as part of a detachable lighting cap 54.

Although the invention has been described with reference to a flow control device 102 having a pair of stabilising beams, it will be appreciated that it may be applied to other types of flow control device, such as those having only a single beam.

Claims

CLAIMS1. A flow control device for controlling an air curtain formed across a display area of a refrigerated display case, the flow control device comprising: a stabilising beam comprising a main body component formed from a transparent material and a lighting cap which is detachably connected to the main body component; wherein the lighting cap is provided with a light source which is coupled to the main body component such that light emitted by the light source passes through the main body component and is emitted from a lighting surface of the main body component to provide illumination.
2. A flow control device according to claim 1, wherein the lighting cap is detachably connected to the main body component by a snap-fit connection. 15
3. A flow control device according to claim 2, wherein the snap-fit connection comprises a protrusion which is provided on one of the lighting cap and the main body component and a complementary recess which is provided on the other of the lighting cap and the main body component, the protrusion being configured to engage with the recess.
4. A flow control device according to claim 3, wherein the protrusion or recess is provided at or towards a distal end of a cantilevered arm.
5. A flow control device according to any of claims 2 to 4, wherein the snap-fit connection is configured such that the lighting cap is engaged with the main body component by rotating the lighting cap relative to the main body component in a first direction and is disengaged from the main body component by rotating the lighting cap relative to the main body component in a second direction.
6. A flow control device according to any preceding claim, wherein the flow control device is configured to be positioned so that the stabilising beam is spaced away from an adjacent shelf of the refrigerated display case such that light emitted from the surface of the main body component illuminates products supported on and/or below the adjacent shelf
7. A flow control device according to any preceding claim, wherein the lighting cap is detachably connected to the main body so that the light source is held against an end surface of the main body component.
8. A flow control device according to claim 7, wherein the end surface is formed on a head portion of the main body component which is received within a cavity formed in the lighting cap.
9. A flow control device according to any preceding claim, wherein a surface of the main body component which opposes the lighting surface is mirrored so as to reflect light towards the lighting surface.
10. A flow control device according to any preceding claim, wherein the lighting cap forms a leading edge of the stabilising beam. 15
11. A flow control device according to any preceding claim, wherein the stabilising beam is a first stabilising beam and the flow control device further comprises a second stabilising beam spaced from the first stabilising beam to form a first slot therebetween; wherein the flow control device is configured such that the first stabilising beam is spaced from an adjacent shelf in use to form a second slot therebetween.
12. A flow control device according to any preceding claim, wherein the light source is configured to provide edge lighting of the main body component.
13. A refrigerated display case comprising: a refrigerated display area which comprises a shelf; an air outlet and an air inlet opening into the display area and spaced from one another; a duct fluidically coupling the air inlet to the air outlet, the duct being configured to direct air flow out of the air outlet across the display area and toward the air inlet to form an air curtain across the front of the display area; and a flow control device according to any of the preceding claims, the flow control device being associated with the shelf; wherein light emitted from the surface of the main body component illuminates products supported on and/or below the associated shelf.