KR20030081522A - Use of heat in cold storage appliances - Google Patents

Abstract

The cold storage device 2 is configured to cool the inside of the upper open adiabatic storage container 16 forming an outer surface, the thermal insulation lid 22 applied to close the open top of the storage container 16, and the storage container 16. Applied cooling means 24 and structures 4, 6 for supporting the storage container 16, the lid 22 and the cooling means, the storage container 16 having a structure for opening the storage container 16. 6 and a structure 4 for moving relative to the lid 22 are mounted, allowing access to the interior or sealing of the storage container 16. Circulating fan 340 or heater 346 generates an air stream to heat the outer surface of bin 16 and heats the outer surface using heating component 380.

Description

Refrigerated Storage Units {USE OF HEAT IN COLD STORAGE APPLIANCES}

The present invention develops and adds various features of the present pending International Patent Application No. PCT / GB00 / 03521 to WO 01/20237, which is incorporated herein by reference. The invention is also derived from British Patent Application No. 0106164.7 published in GB 2367353, the content of which is hereby incorporated by reference herein, in particular, to which this application claims priority. As with these specifications, the present invention can be applied to storing any article in a cooled environment, such as a refrigerated vehicle. Thus, the term “electrical appliance” is broadly interpreted as extending beyond fixed household devices to industrial, scientific and mobile devices. However, the application specifically describes a home or commercial cold storage device for storing foodstuffs.

Briefly summarizing the introduction of WO 01/20237, the advantage of storing foodstuffs and other perishable articles in a refrigerated state is that refrigeration delays the deterioration of these articles and that separation helps prevent cross contamination. It is. Thus, although not necessarily effective, modern refrigerated storage devices such as refrigerators and freezers are usually divided into compartments, allowing the user to store different kinds of food in different compartments. All these devices have the additional aim of maximizing their energy efficiency.

The invention and the inventions of WO 01/20237 and GB 2367353 have been invented against the backdrop of a conventional refrigerated storage device comprising at least one upright cabinet, most of which attaches a hinged door, each of which is sealed in a vertical direction to the front. Almost all of the interior of the cabinet forms a storage capacity, most of which is generally partitioned by shelves or drawers that support stored food products. The door can be opened to access any shelf or drawer in the cabinet.

The chiller cools the convection loop in the cabinet, where the air cooled by the chiller sinks towards the bottom of the cabinet and as the air absorbs heat during the downstream movement, it rises to the chiller that warms and cools and returns to the chiller. Generate. It is also possible to forcibly circulate air by means of a fan circulating with or in the cabinet. Such shelves or drawers are typically made of wires so that they hardly resist this circulation of air.

Upright refrigerators and freezers are mostly assembled and sold as a single cabinet 'freezer' with the refrigerator occupying the upper half of the cabinet, the freezer occupying the lower half, or vice versa. When different temperatures are required for the two compartments, they are partitioned by rigid partition walls and each compartment has a dedicated door and a conventional evaporator type cooling device.

Household refrigerators usually have only one compressor and the refrigerator evaporator is in series with the refrigeration evaporator. In this case, temperature control and measurement are generally limited to the refrigerator compartment. If temperature control is required for both compartments, the evaporators are placed in parallel and have solenoid valves and temperature switches, respectively, which provide on / off cooling amount control for each compartment. In either case, however, one compartment is for refrigeration, so that it is less insulated than other compartments and its temperature can be adjusted within a range of 0 degrees Celsius or more, while the other compartment is for refrigeration, so it is more insulated than other compartments and is Can be adjusted within a range of at least 0 degrees Celsius or less, so that the temperature in each compartment cannot be set equally. Any compartment can serve as another compartment.

WO 01/20237 solves the main problem of upright refrigerators and freezers, namely the upright doors where cold air freely flows out of the cabinet and is replaced by warm air entering the top when the door is opened. The inflow of ambient air into the cabinet raises its room temperature and therefore consumes a lot of energy to operate the chiller to correct the temperature rise. It is also possible to be contaminated by incoming ambient air, and moisture in the air can cause condensation and freezing in the cabinet. The more often the cabinet is opened more frequently, especially in commercial refrigerated storage, the greater these problems become.

In an upright door configuration, the limitation of the vertical seal means that cold air loss and warm air inflow can occur even when the door is closed. Since it is denser than warm air, if the seal is unstable between the door and the cabinet, the coldest air collected at the bottom of the cabinet leaks by applying pressure to the sealing interface.

The present invention and WO 01/20237 also solve the inherent problems of known storage box freezers having an open top cabinet which is normally closed by an upwardly open lid which is hinged in the horizontal direction. This storage box freezer has to leave a space to allow the lid to open, which is inconvenient and wastes space because the space just above the refrigerator cannot be used. Even if a sliding lid is used instead of an upwardly opening lid, the article cannot be conveniently placed on top of the lid. It is also well known that large storage box refrigerators are very difficult to access their contents, and in order to take out the goods on the bottom of the freezer compartment, it is necessary to bend and move a number of heavy, tough frozen products.

Finally, the present invention and WO 01/20237 solve the problem of separating different kinds of foodstuffs or other perishable articles in order to prevent cross contamination.

In conventional cold storage, food separation is by convection and / or forced air cooling used by these devices. A substantially open basket or shelf designed to promote convective circulation of air between compartments also promotes circulation of moisture, circulation of enzymes and harmful bacterial contamination. In addition, any liquid that may be broken or leaked, such as gravy flowing from raw meat, will not be contained in an open basket or shelf.

Conventional refrigerated storage, exemplified by upright refrigerators and bin boxes, is not the only prior art involved. For example, it has been known for several years to divide a refrigerator into compartments each having its own door and lid. This idea is disclosed in Earle's British Patent Nos. GB 602,590, GB 581,121, and GB 579,071, which disclose cabinet-type refrigerators.

In these Earl literatures, the front of the cabinet is provided with a plurality of rectangular openings for storing drawers. Each drawer has a front panel larger than each opening such that a vertical seal is formed around the overlap when the drawer is in the closed position. The drawer and its contents are cooled by a chiller that circulates the air cooled by convection in the cabinet, similar to a refrigerator of the kind described. To facilitate the circulation of this air between all the drawers, the drawers are open at the top and have openings at their bottoms. In addition, the drawers are arranged in a stepped configuration and the drawers at the top of the refrigerator are shorter to the rear in the cabinet than the lower drawers such that the rear portion of each drawer is exposed to the downward flow of air cooled by the chiller. Extend.

Only one drawer needs to be open at a time, but the opening in the bottom allows free air to flow freely from the open drawer, replaced by warm humid ambient air, increasing the likelihood of cross contamination while sacrificing energy efficiency do. Indeed, when the drawer is opened, cold air in the cabinet above the height of the drawer leaks, bringing ambient air into the cabinet. In addition, the drawer acts as a piston for introducing ambient air into the interior of the refrigerator cabinet when opened, thereby allowing the ambient air to enter the interior of the refrigerator. Once introduced into the cabinet, the warm air can circulate as freely as the cold air that should be there.

Even when closed, the accumulation of cold air towards the bottom of the cabinet increases the pressure on the vertical seal of the lowest drawer, so if the seal is incomplete, the possibility of leakage increases.

Another example of a refrigerator of this kind is disclosed in Earl's British Patent No. GB 602,329. The refrigerator disclosed in this publication has several of the above problems, but is important in that it has a single drawer consisting of an insulated side and base in the cooled interior of the cabinet. In contrast to the various modifications described above, the side portions and the base do not have through holes formed by partition walls through which air does not pass. When the drawer is closed, the horizontal member inside the cabinet engages with the drawer to form a compartment, which becomes the lid for the drawer. The compartment is provided with a dedicated cooling coil located directly below the horizontal member.

Little is described in detail about the seal formed between the drawer and the horizontal member, except that the horizontal member has a downwardly protruding rear end with a deflected edge that fits into the rear wall of the drawer. When the drawer is in the closed position, there is no mention of the junction between the drawer and the horizontal member, except for the description that the drawer is to be 'quite comfortably' fitted to the horizontal member. One can only infer that the drawers and the horizontal members are in contact with each other. This structure prevents the passage of air in and out of the drawer but does not form an impermeable seal. Since this is not a steam seal, cross-contamination can occur with frost even when the drawer is closed.

The drawer device described above forms a compartment in which a different temperature can be set, compared to the essentially common temperature of the rest of the refrigerator. In particular, the drawer can serve as a freezer compartment. The Applicant has recognized a disadvantage in this configuration, namely that when the refrigerating drawer is closed, the drawer of the freezer is in the cooled interior, so that the outer surface of the drawer inside the cabinet is cooled to the temperature of the refrigerator. Thus, when the drawer is open, these cooled outer surfaces will be exposed to moist ambient air, which will condense on the cooled surface and cause undesirable moisture to accumulate. Condensation involves transferring latent heat from water vapor to the drawer, thereby increasing the burden of cooling the drawer again when the drawer returns to the closed position in the cabinet.

In addition, the condensed water is transferred into the refrigerator when the drawer is closed. As mentioned above, the presence of water promotes the activity of bacteria. Another problem with the introduction of water into the refrigerator is that the water can freeze and the formation of ice can form a seal that secures the drawer permanently in a closed position, so that the drawer in the sealed compartment is insulated This can be a special problem when contacted with. In fact, the formation of ice is due to the inflow of moisture across the interface between the drawer and the top. Earl's proposal also noted Earl's disadvantage, as a cam mechanism for breaking ice formed on seals, mandrels or other supporting surfaces of drawers was mentioned in GB 602,329. In addition, the accumulation of ice can affect the sealing force of the seal by preventing the interlocking sealing surface from properly engaging. Of course, the accumulation of ice on the moving part of the drawer mechanism is also undesirable because it may hinder the movement of the drawer.

Further interesting literature is US Pat. No. 1,337,696 to Ewen, which is cited in the technical background of WO 01/20237. Ewen initiates the separation between the cold drawers contained in the enclosing cabinet and uses refrigeration units placed 'closely on each drawer such that the drawers are sealed to the cold store.' However, there must be a gap between the drawer and the refrigeration when the drawer is opened. Like Earl, the gap promotes freezing when moist air in the cabinet moves to the drawer and water vapor condenses and freezes. The smaller the gap, the faster the ice accumulation that prevents the drawer movement. Instead, if a large gap is attempted, a greater leakage of air occurs, which lowers the thermal efficiency of the refrigerator and is more susceptible to cross contamination.

Apart from this, the leakage of cold air in Ewen lowers the temperature in the cabinet around the drawer and increases the likelihood of condensation in the drawer upon opening. It will be noted that cold air spilled in this way can freely descend behind the drawer in the cabinet and expose the outside of the drawer to air substantially below ambient temperature. Ewon's specific design details exacerbate this effect. For example, the bottom wall of the E-One unit is an efficient insulator that significantly reduces the surface temperature of the drawer. In addition, the inner divider between the drawers does not allow external heat transfer to the drawers but only allows heat transfer between the drawers to promote drawer-to-drawer temperature balance for long periods of time. Remains long term or overnight, most of the outer surface of each drawer drops significantly below the atmospheric dew point. Thus condensation or freezing forms on these surfaces as soon as the drawer is opened, and similarly, once the drawer is separated and left outside the device, it begins to 'sweat' with condensation.

As with Earl, the opening and closing of the drawer in the sealed cabinet at the E-One acts like a piston, and optionally both negative and positive pressures are applied to adjacent areas. This facilitates air transfer through the drawer openings in the cabinet itself at the front of the cabinet, and moves the cold treated air to the drawer. Too large cabinets reduce the piston effect but also waste space. Conversely, a more space-efficient sealed fixed cabinet reduces the movement of cold treated air, thereby reducing the burden of cooling of the warm air that occurs, but increasing the resistance to open and seal the drawer.

In addition to the cold air outflow, the inevitable gap left between the drawer and its associated lid in the prior art configuration is large enough to pass enzymes, spores and other wind contaminants. In addition, Ewon discloses a general interconnect drain, which also allows free transfer of contaminants between each drawer, in particular under the aforementioned piston action.

Evenen starts different temperatures in different drawers, but multiple cooling lids are connected in series and do not have means for separate temperature control in each drawer. Different temperatures are planned by having cooling elements in some drawers, among other things, but there is no measurement or control of these temperatures in use. Further, like the compartments of the prior art, each drawer in Ewen has a fixed function, ie a refrigerator or freezer.

Even when removed from the device, Ewon's drawers remain attached to the drawer front and runners. This does not allow the drawer to be temporarily stored or transported. In addition, like Aule, Ewen's drawers cannot be fully opened, but only less than half open while being supported by the structure of the device. This damages the access to the contents, visibility and illuminance.

The present invention relates to a storage device and to a cold storage technology including a storage device such as a refrigerator and a freezer for storing foodstuffs and other perishables. Other uses of the present invention include the storage of chemicals and medical or biological specimens. The invention also finds use in transporting, eg transporting and storing perishables.

1 is a front view of a refrigerator / freezer device disclosed in Applicant's pending international patent application PCT / GB00 / 03521 (WO 01/20237) showing a vertically arranged drawer each containing a bin.

FIG. 2 is a side view of the device of FIG. 1 with the bottom of the side panel removed so that the side of the drawer can be seen.

3 is a cross-sectional view taken along the line III-III of FIG. 2 with the drawer closed.

4 is a cross-sectional view taken along line IV-IV of FIG. 1.

5A and 5B are plan and cross-sectional views of the lid, respectively showing details of the sealing, cooling and drainage arrangements of the lid.

FIG. 6 is a schematic view of the plurality of lids of FIGS. 5A and 5B, showing separate drainage structures.

7A and 7B are bottom and cross-sectional views, respectively, of a lid applied for use in a fan coil cooling system.

8A, 8B, and 8C are front, side, and partially enlarged cross-sectional views, detailing the bench-type cold storage device with an optional layout as shown in FIGS.

9A, 9B, and 9C are front and two cross-sectional views, respectively, of a refrigerated storage device that are functionally similar to Ewen's prior art, although many problems have been raised.

10A, 10B and 10C are partial cross-sectional views illustrating various methods of preventing a temperature gradient in each compartment of the apparatus of FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C.

FIG. 11 is a partial side cross-sectional view showing trace heating between a bin and its lid to prevent freezing of the bin / lid interface. FIG.

12 is a schematic side view of a two lid bin, each having a heating component for heating its exposed outer surface.

FIG. 13 shows a fan corresponding to FIG. 12 but blowing air exposed on the outer surface of the bin, wherein the air is optionally heated.

14A, 14B and 14C are sectional views showing the fan coil structure, FIG. 14A is a sectional view showing the bin of line YY of 14b from the rear, and FIG. 14B is a side view of the fan coil unit of line ZZ of FIG. 14A. It is a partial sectional drawing shown, FIG. 14C is a partial sectional drawing shown from the upper side of the fan coil unit of the line XX of FIG. 14A.

The present invention takes this background into account.

From the point of view, the present invention relates to a top open insulated storage container that forms an outer surface, an insulating lid applied to open and close the top of the storage container, cooling means applied to cool the interior of the storage container, and storage container, lid and cooling means A refrigerated storage device comprising a structure for supporting a storage container, wherein the storage container is mounted to a structure that allows opening the storage container to access the interior of the storage container or to close the storage container and to a movable structure for the lid, the storage container being a lid. An external surface of the storage container when closed by means of a cold storage device, characterized in that it is exposed to air above ambient temperature.

This aspect of the invention is also to reduce icing and condensation associated with the exterior of the storage vessel.

Although the applicant's pending international patent application PCT / GB00 / 03521 (WO 01/20237) is hereby incorporated by reference, FIGS. 1-4 of WO 01/20237 have been copied to the drawings attached hereto, It is described to be included in the content of the present invention.

1 to 4 show a refrigerating / freezing device 2 according to WO 01/20237. The device 2 has an upright rectangular parallelepiped configuration and includes five rectangular front drawers that are stacked and arranged in a cabinet 6 comprising an upper 8, lower 10, side 12 and rear 14 panel. 4) is provided. Some of these panels can be omitted if desired to configure the device 2 in the gap between the other supporting structures, in particular if a neighboring cupboard can be used for support or if something else performs the function of the side panel 12. The side panel 12 can be omitted. The panels 8, 10, 12, 14 may or may not be structural, or a frame (not shown) provides support for various parts of the device. If a frame is provided, it is not necessary to have a panel structurally.

The drawer 4 is slidably movable in and out of the cabinet 6 in the horizontal direction by tracks or mandrels on both sides of the drawer 4 described below. Without the back panel 14, it is possible to remove the drawer 4 from the cabinet 6 in one or more directions as shown in FIG.

Each drawer 4 has an insulated top open bucket-type storage container 16 with at least one storage container 16 (in this case the storage container of the central drawer 4) forming a different internal volume. To have a different depth than the other storage containers 16. These storage containers 16 are referred to herein as storage bins or, more simply, bins 16. The lower bin 16 leaves only a narrow gap in the lower panel 10 of the cabinet 6, while the upper bin 16 leaves considerable space on top of the device 2 under the upper panel 8. Allows a space in the compartment 18 to house the refrigerator engine 20, including, for example, a condensation means and a compression means known in the art.

The relatively deep bin 16 of the central drawer 4 holds bottles and other relatively long articles upright, while the other relatively shallow bins 16 correspond to shallow articles. Compared to shelves and other compartments that form the main storage volume of conventional upright refrigerated storage, all bins 16 have an advantageous aspect ratio in terms of the substantial width of the access opening relative to the depth of the compartment and are easy to access. Thus, at opening of the drawer 4, all parts of the interior of the bin 16 can be easily accessed.

The interior of the cabinet 6 is divided into five thermally insulating lids 22 which are positioned substantially horizontally in one plane, one for each drawer 4. Upon closure of the drawer 4, the open top of the associated bin 16 is closed with an appropriate lid 22 in the manner described. The lid 22 comprises cooling means 24 which constitute a known type of evaporator element placed on the bottom face 26 of each lid 22 to contain the contents of the bin 16 enclosed by the lid 22. Cool.

Each bin 16 has a generally flat front face 28 that is exposed upon closure of the drawer 4. Facade 28 may have a known decorative panel. When the drawer 4 is closed, the front 28 of the bin 16 is bounded to the top by a control and display panel 30 attached to the bin 16, the panel 30 being in front of the front 28. Form the same plane. The panel 30 is supported by the front edge 32 of the appropriate lid 22, which is placed in the recess of the front edge 32 of the lid 22.

The control and display panel 30 provides an interface with the user for each bin 16, including a plurality of displays, switches and audible alarms. For example, the interface is most commonly used to select the temperature at which the bin 16 is cooled, but also the temperature display, on / off and quick freezer switch, light and drawer 4 indicating when the drawer 4 is opened. ) Is longer than a predetermined time or an audible alarm indicating when the temperature inside the bin 16 reaches an upper or lower limit.

The round handle 34 extends almost across the entire width of the top of the front face 28 so that the drawer 4 can be pulled out when access to the interior of the bin 16 is required.

The lower portion of the front 28 of each bin 16 is bounded by the slots 36 described below, allowing the entry of atmospheric air into the cabinet 6. To this end, each slot 36 extends under the entire lower surface 40 of the associated bin 16 and flows in communication with an air gap 38 that meets the space 42 held under each bin 16. The space 42 is formed by the rear panel 14 of the cabinet 6 and the inner surface of the side panel 12 and the rear surface 44 of the bin 16. In particular, as can be seen from FIG. 4, the space 42 extends behind each bin 16 in the base panel 10 of the cabinet 6, so that the refrigerator engine unit 18 is located at the top of the cabinet 6. Communicate flow.

The air gap 38 and the back space 42 of the bin 16 below the bin 16 are in flow communication with the side gap 48 of the bin 16 to the air gap 38. Optionally, a vent 46 is provided in the side panel 12 of the cabinet 6 adjacent to the bin 16 through which atmospheric air can be introduced. As best shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, the air gap 38 extends around all of the bars of the top surface of each bin 16, thus allowing atmospheric air to enter the cabinet 6 through the slot 36. Can freely circulate around the side 48, bottom 40 and back 44 of each bin 16. It will also be noted that atmospheric air can freely circulate over the top surface 50 of each lid 22. A slot 36 is provided below the front 52 of the refrigerator engine section 18 to allow this air flow over the top lid 22 which does not have a bin 16 above.

It will be noted that the piston action of opening the drawer 4 to suck atmospheric air into the device 2 does not cause a problem in the present invention. In practice, this action is advantageous when promoting the circulation of atmospheric air in the cabinet 6.

4 shows a refrigerator engine unit 18 including an impeller 54 which discharges through an opening 56 provided in the front surface 52 of the refrigerator engine unit 18. As best shown in FIG. 1, these openings 56 extend horizontally across the width of the front face 52. The impeller 54 flows in communication with the space 42 behind the bin 16 to exhaust air from the space 42, thereby continuously introducing the air through the slot 36 and the optional side vent 46. Promote. When air enters the refrigerator engine unit 18, this air is sucked through the heat exchange matrix 58 of the condenser.

Therefore, atmospheric air flows into the cabinet 6 through the front slot 36 and, if necessary, the side that passes through the cabinet 6 through the opening 56 provided in the front 52 of the refrigerator engine unit 18. Since the vent 46 is provided, atmospheric air circulates through the cabinet 6. More specifically, atmospheric air enters the apparatus 2 in direct contact with the outer surfaces 40, 44, 48 of the bin 16 and is discharged to the space 42 before being discharged toward the space 42. Warm to approximately the same as surface resistance effect means maintained in the sub-atmosphere boundary layer due to the temperature gradient across the thickness and then upwards through the space 42 by circulation of air. The arrow in FIG. 4 shows the circulation of air through the device 2. Thus, the interior of the cabinet 6 remains sealed against ambient temperature, and only the interior of each bin 16 is cooled.

By exposing the outer surfaces 28, 40, 44, 48 of the bin 16 to warm air than the interior, the bins 16 have no condensation problems on the outer surfaces 28, 40, 44, 48. There is no problem of latent temperature transfer or freezing and mutual damage of condensate entering the cabinet 6.

In either case, no mutual damage occurs because each bin 16 is tightly sealed when the drawer 4 is closed. In other words, even when bacteria enter the cabinet 6, other bins 16 cannot be easily accessed. Also, no two bins 16 are open at any given time. It is possible to prevent the opening of more than one drawer 4 at a time by means of forcing this, for example using a mechanism similar to that used in filing cabinets for anti-tilt. This mechanism is described later.

When opening the bin 16, its open top does not allow significant outflow of cooling air, and when the bin 16 is closed, the horizontal seal 60 used in the present invention is generally used in upright refrigerators and freezers. It is essentially better in sealing of cooling air than a vertical seal. Horizontal seals are known in box refrigerators, but the present invention is similar to the problem of more popular upright devices, instead of experiencing the inconvenience and space problems of box refrigerators.

There is a large temperature gradient between the cooling inner surface 62 of each bin 16 and its outer surfaces 28, 40, 44, 48, so that the outer surfaces 28, 40, 44 keeping close to ambient temperature. The bin 16 is comprised of efficient thermal insulators, so that the temperature gradient of 48 is easily maintained. Particularly preferred for the structure of the bin 16 is a material such as phenol foam or polyurethane foam (optionally covered with GRP or polycarbonate in a composite structure).

If separation of the contents of a particular bin 16 is desired, the bin 16 may be secured to a removable insert 64. Insert 64 has various shapes and dimensions and can be used to form compartments of various shapes. For example, the insert 64 may be made of a thin partition having a length corresponding to the length or width of the bin 16 housed therein. Insert 64 may be a box with or without a lid, or insert 64 may include a tray for holding a clip or egg or the like for holding the bottle in place. Insert 64 may also consist of a wire basket or shelf.

As shown in FIG. 2, one or more bins 16 may be removed from the device 2 and secured by an insulating cover 66. The bin 16 can be removed from the device 2 and its insulating structure allows for refrigeration of the contents for a limited period of time. For example, bin 16 may be used as a refrigeration box with an ice pack that maintains internal refrigeration for as long as possible. As a variant, the bin 16 provided with the carrying cover 66 can be kept to seal the device 2 in order to provide additional temporary temperature refrigerated storage space, in which case the bin 16 in the device 2. This is more fixed. The structure description of a carrying cover is mentioned later.

In addition, the carrying cover 66 may include a refrigerator engine that is internally powered by a battery or gas supply or externally by a main power or a vehicle power supply.

Although not shown in the overall drawing of FIGS. 1 to 4, Applicant's pending international patent application PCT / GB00 / 03521 (WO 01/20237) is a major horizontal element that allows access to the interior of the bin 16. During movement and its approach movement, a method is disclosed in which the bin can be moved by minor vertical element movement to remove the lid 22.

5a and 5b show a preferred description of the lid 22 which seals the bin 16 when the device 2 is fixed. FIG. 5A shows the lid 22 which is oblong in plan view. Also shown is the rectangular dash outline of the figure below the lid 22. Starting from the inside and moving outward, these figures show an evaporator 194 disposed in the center of the lower side of the lid 22, a drain pan disposed just below the evaporator 194 for receiving water falling from the evaporator 194. There is a recess 198 under the lid 22, which receives both 196 and the drain pan 196 and the evaporator 194.

As best seen in FIG. 5B, which is a cross-sectional view of the A-A line in FIG. 5A, the recess 198 is secured to the outer skirt 200, which is subordinate to the lid 22. One pair of rectangular compressible seals 60 lies within the other side of the bottom surface 202 of the skirt 200. These seals 60 are continuous saves for openings that receive a rectangular cross-section drain duct 204 that guides back from the drain pan 196. The drain pan 196 has an inclined base 206 that guides water from the water flowing away from the lid 22 toward its drain duct 204 as described in FIG. 6. Passing through the scud 200 over the seal 60, a temperature sensor (not shown) can measure the temperature in the cavity sealed by the bin 16 and the lid 22.

FIG. 6 shows how the separate drain duct 208 preferably flows from each drain pan 196 of the multiple bin apparatus 2. This minimizes the risk of cross contamination. Each duct 208 includes a U-shaped bend 210 that separates from the common tray 212 to form a sealing water trap and drain. This tray 212 allows the compressor (2) of the apparatus 2 to evaporate water from the tray 212 as quickly as the heat dissipating from the compressor 214 during the repetitive time is at least as fast as water accumulates in the tray 212. 214). Additionally or alternatively, the condenser fan of device 2 (not shown) may blow over the water surface of tray 212 to enhance its evaporation.

7A and 7B further illustrate a lid design suitable for use in a fan coil cooling system supplied to the bin 16 via a remote fan coil unit and air is extracted from the bin 16. Such a system is known as a forced air system, and the lids 22 of FIGS. 7A and 7B are hollowed out to manage the flow of air in accordance with these systems. Thus, the cooling air cooled by a heat exchanger (not shown) enters the bin 22 through the supply air diffusion slot 218 around the base panel 220 forming the lower side of the lid 22. From the fan (not shown) is piped to the down pressure with a supply air plenum 216 disposed around. Centrally located return air in flow communication with the fan through a pipe 226 extending through a supply air plenum 216 that flows and wraps around the bin 16 through a central hole 224 of the base panel 220. Warm air is extracted from the bin 16 through the plenum 222. Warm air is sucked into the return air plenum 222 under the low pressure generated by the fan and then sent to the heat exchanger for cooling and recirculation through the supply air plenum 216.

Apart from the vertical arrangement of the drawers 4 common in the above embodiments, the horizontal arrangement of the drawers 4 is envisaged as shown in FIGS. 8A, 8B and 8C. The front view of FIG. 8A shows four drawer bench-type devices 268 with drawers 4 each having two adjacent columns in two drawers 4. Thus, the device 268 is low enough to have the workstation 270 over the drawer 4 spanning two columns. Therefore, this embodiment of the present invention is suitable for use as a refrigerated food preparation and / or dishroom unit.

The depth of the drawer 4 is maximized within the limited possible height by mounting the refrigerator engine 272 and the control panel 274 in a side-slung position on one side of the device 268 as shown. . In addition, the enlarged detail cross-sectional view of FIG. 8C taken along the side view of FIG. 8B and along the line VII-VII of FIG. 8A prevents slippage of the workstation 270 where the front edge of the workstation 270 falls below or above the drawer 4. It is shown having a raised lip 276 to help.

8A and 8B show how the device 268 of the present invention can be mounted on a caster 278, where the caster 278 is for leveling the device 268 over a non-leveled floor 280. FIG. Height can be adjusted.

Referring now to FIG. 9A, FIG. 9A has been shown to have many problems, but of the refrigerated storage device 332 that is functionally similar to the above-mentioned Ewen's prior art, where most of the outside of the bin may be exposed to air below ambient temperature. Front view. Outwardly, the apparatus of FIG. 9A is similar to the bench apparatus shown in FIGS. 8A and 8B, with the drawer 4, control panel 274 and refrigerator engine 272 in a similar position below the workstation 270. Has Similarly, FIG. 9B, which is a cross section of the AA line of FIG. 9A, shows that each drawer 4 has a lid 22 in the cabinet, and a bin 16 movable frontally from the cabinet on a telescopic runner 74 that can be nested. It shows having. FIG. 9C, which is a cross section of line B-B in FIG. 9A, shows these mandrel 74 next to bin 16.

However, like Ewen, and unlike the previous embodiment, without the vertical movement of the bin 16 relative to the lid 22, the bin 16 simply slides horizontally past the tight lid 22 instead. Therefore, the necessary gap between the bin 16 and the lid 22 requires the provision of a fully external vapor barrier around the compartment containing each drawer to overcome the problems of associated moisture transfer and cross contamination. Thus, as shown in FIG. 9B, the front panel 118 of each drawer extends beyond the opening of the corresponding drawer formed between the lids 22 or between the lid 22 and the bottom panel 334. The overlap of each front panel 118 is a vertical magnet that is properly sealed by flexible resilience and magnetic attraction to the opposite front of the lid 22 and / or bottom panel 334 when the drawer 4 is closed. It has a seal 336 on its back. The drawer compartments are also sealed to one another, which applies in particular to the penetration and service connection flowing between adjacent drawer compartments. In addition, it is applied to the water drainage from the drawer compartment, and separate drainage lines (not shown) can flow separately from each compartment, similar to the drainage structure shown in FIG. 6 above, each having a series of water traps. Can be.

9C shows an L-shaped cross-sectional bin support 338 subordinate to mandrel 74 to place bin 16 on a cradle-shaped pedestal in a removable manner.

Ideally, the wall of each drawer compartment may be a thin, poorly insulating material that exposes all of its outer surface to the atmosphere. The use of thin materials that conduct heat from outside drawer compartments to promote convection of heat within drawer compartments can be encouraged, but this ideal is not practically achievable. Indeed, a temperature gradient will be formed for a long time inside the sealed compartment due to the adiabatic effect of the outer enclosure and the air circumference around the bin 16, which is linked to the freezing effect of the gap between the bin 16 and the lid 22. In addition, an adiabatic trap is generated where the outer surface of the compartment is adjacent to another compartment. This further cools the air around the bin 16 and thus increases the temperature gradient.

For this reason, FIGS. 10A, 10B and 10C propose three different ways to cool the inside of each drawer compartment of the apparatus of FIGS. 9A, 9B and 9C and to minimize the temperature gradient effect. FIG. 10A shows a circulation fan 340 in the drawer compartment 344 rear duct 342 that draws air out of the compartment 344 by a pump and inverts the air in the compartment upside down. Thus, the circulation generated in the air in the compartment 344 maintains the outer surface of the bin 16 at a uniform temperature. FIG. 10B illustrates an electrical or hot gas heater 346 under the bin 16 that creates a convective flow to the air in the compartment 344 and heats most of the outer surface of the bin 16 substantially above ambient, atmospheric, or ambient temperature. Shows. FIG. 10C shows an air gap 348 similar to that described with reference to FIGS. 1-4, wherein the air gap 348 is between and around the drawer compartment 334 rather than around the bin 16 itself. Although not shown in FIG. 10C, the air gap 348 may extend to the side of the drawer compartment 334 as well as to the bottom and back of the drawer compartment 334 as shown. Also, if necessary, the air in the air gap 348 can be heated.

FIG. 11 shows that trace heating may be applied locally to a skirt subordinate to the lid 22 to prevent frost at the interface 376 of the bin / lid. Heating is achieved by the electronic device 378 or hot gas means and can be applied only when continuous, or when the bin 16 is desired to be opened.

Among the various variations of the present invention, the relative movement (preferably vertical movement) between the lid 22 and the bin 16 destroys the seal so that it can be fully opened for access to the bin 16. The trace heating arrangement of FIG. 11 can be applied to any arrangement that clears bin 16 from (or vice versa).

In addition, heat can be recovered from various heat radiating components of a refrigerator engine such as a heat exchanger, a motor, or the like, and applied to heat the outer surface of the bin 16 or the interface of the bin / lid in the drawer compartment. This saves energy by using waste heat that can be dumped into the atmosphere.

The idea of heating the outer surface of the bin 16 in the drawer compartment is expanded according to FIG. 12 showing the meandering heating portion 380 facing the outer surface of the bin 16 above or to one side. Corresponding heating means (not shown) may face the outer side of the bin 16 above or the other side, face the top or bottom and rear outer surfaces of the bin 16, and below and below the bin 16. It can be in the rear. The heating portion 380 may be supplied at about 40 ° C. from the refrigerant line or at about 80 ° C. from the hot gas line. See Figures 14A, 14B and 14C for this point. Optionally, the heating portion 380 may be a low power resistive element or may be replaced with a trace heating pad.

FIG. 13 shows how a tangential fan 382 or centrifugal impeller is used to blow warm air around the outer surface of the bin 16. For example, warm air is obtained from the condenser heat exchanger matrix in the apparatus, or otherwise from the heating elements of the apparatus, such as fans or compressor motors. Whether heated or not, another advantage of the fan auxiliary airflow is to prevent condensation that may occur in the air gap between the bottom of the bin 16 and the lid 22 of the other bin 16 below.

Although the work done by the compressed air is expected to raise the temperature somewhat, the effect is generally negligible for the purpose of heating the outer surface of the bin to the ambient temperature.

14A, 14B and 14C are cross-sectional views illustrating how the tangential fan 382 or centrifugal impeller can be part of a fan coil unit 384 mounted behind the bin 16. The fan coil unit 384 element is best described in FIG. 14A and has a whole insulated cubic casing 386 that extends across the back of the rear drawer compartment of the bin 16. The casing 386 has a front side duct extending in flow communication with the bin 16 through the lid 22, ie a central supply air duct 388 which is flanked by two return air ducts 390.

The central supply air duct 388 is generally cylindrical, tangential fan 382 that is rotated about a horizontal axis near the top of the casing 386 and driven by the motor 392 is aligned. As the fan 382 is driven, cold air out of the casing 386 through the central supply air duct 388 is discharged from the lid 22 through the duct (not shown) to the bin 16.

The cooling coil 394 is supported in a casing 386 directly below the fan 382 so that the gap is left past the end of the coil 394 below the return air duct 390. The cooling coil 394 has a meandering fin element, which raises the relatively warm air sucked by the fan 382 and cools the air before being discharged by the fan 382 to the bin 16. Relatively warm air is drawn into the casing 386 from the bin 16 through the return air duct 390. FIG. 14A shows a gap past the end of the cooling coil 394 towards the base of the casing 386 in two flows. This air initially drops through and then rotates upwards inwardly towards the matrix of cooling coils 394 and shows some consolidation. Select air rotating vanes 396 on one or both inner sides of casing 386 (only one side shown) assist in this direction change.

14A also draws in refrigerant from a liquid line 398 that supplies liquid refrigerant to the upper end of coil 394, a hot gas intake line 400 that is also connected to the upper end of coil 394, and coil 394. To illustrate the connection of cooling coil 394 to suction line 402 connected to the lower end of coil 394.

14A also shows how the base of the casing 386 supports a drain pan 404 to catch moisture falling from the cooling coil 394. Water is discharged from the discharge pan 404 through the discharge line 406. Advantageously, as shown, the hot gas intake line 400 extends along the discharge pan 404 to defrost, thus promoting free flow of water along the discharge pan 406, thereby discharging the discharge line 406. Is discharged through.

The solutions described in FIGS. 10-14 above are primarily intended to solve the problems with refrigerators similar to the prior art embodied by Ewen, but many of these solutions are pending in the Applicant's pending international patent application PCT / GB00 /. It can be applied to refrigerators designed according to 03521 (WO 01/20237).

The present invention is a precise condition,

Accurate variable temperature and humidity control, which can be included in heating rather than cooling,

Mechanical protection of stored goods,

Sterile storage with minimal risk of cross contamination,

Storage selection under partial vacuum,

Choice of storage in a conservative holding gas environment,

Blocking of the stored article against vibration and agitation, and

Suppression or protection against radiation and biological hazards

It has a wide range of applications and advantages for the storage, handling, distribution, transportation and delivery of goods under conditions.

In general, reference should be made to the appended claims and other general description rather than to the specific descriptions given above when indicating the scope of the invention. In interpreting the invention, it is understood that the features of the illustrated embodiments are described in combination with each other, although such combinations may have their own advantages, but many of these features may be applied independently. Accordingly, these features may be independently patented, regardless of whether they are within or outside the concept of the invention as expressed herein.

The present invention relates to a storage device and includes storage devices such as refrigerators and freezers for storing foodstuffs and other perishables, and storage of chemicals and medical or biological specimens, and the present invention also provides for transporting, for example, transporting perishables. And storage.

Claims (17)

At least one storage container, A storage container may be removed to open and access the storage container, and the container may be returned to the container to close the storage container for cold storage of any item therein. Forming structure, and And heating means for heating the outer surface of the storage container in the storage container room. The method of claim 1, And the heating means is arranged to heat the outer surface of the storage vessel above the ambient temperature. The method according to claim 1 or 2, And the heating means employs heat recovered from the heat radiating portion of the apparatus. The method of claim 3, The heat radiator comprises a refrigeration engine, a heat exchanger or a motor. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, The storage container compartment comprises a heating means or a pad facing the outside of the storage container. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, The exterior of the storage container comprises a heating means or pad. Top open insulating storage container to form an outer surface, Thermal insulation lid, applied to open and close the top of the storage container, Cooling means adapted to cool the interior of the storage container, and A refrigerated storage device comprising a structure for supporting a storage container, a lid and cooling means, The storage container is mounted in a structure that allows opening the storage container to access the interior of the container or to close the storage container and a movable structure for the lid, when the storage container is closed by the lid, the outer surface of the storage container is above the ambient temperature Refrigerated storage device, characterized in that exposed to air. At least one storage container, A storage container can be taken out to open and access the storage container, and the storage container can be returned to close the storage container for cold storage of any item within the storage container. A structure forming a, and And circulation means for circulating the circumferential air of the storage container compartment to expose the circulated air to the outer surface of the storage container. The method of claim 8, And the circulation means comprises a fan. The method according to claim 8 or 9, The circulation means comprises a heater for producing a convection flow in the storage vessel. The method of claim 10, And the heater is positioned below the storage container when the storage container is in the storage container room. The method according to any one of claims 8 to 11, The circulation means cold storage device, characterized in that to obtain warm air from the heating parts of the device. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, And trace heating means for locally applying heat to an interface between the reservoir and the lid. The method of claim 13, The trace heating means cold storage device characterized in that it employs electrical components and / or fluid conduits. The method of claim 14, And the fluid conduit comprises a refrigerant or hot gas. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, Refrigerated storage device, characterized in that trace heating is applied continuously. The method according to any one of claims 13 to 15, Refrigerated storage device, characterized in that the trace heating is applied only when the storage container is to be opened.