MXPA05006748A - Chiller unit. - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention provides an open topped refrigeration unit (1) which includes an outer case (2) having internal walls (4,5,6,7) and a base panel (19) defining an internal compartment (3), a refrigerated air generator (449, a duct (46), and a skirt (10). The duct (46) directs chilled air generated by the refrigerated air generator (44) around the internal compartment (3) and the skirt (10) is adapted to frame the open top of the internal compartment (3) and to direct the chilled air flow into the internal compartment (3).

Description

WO 2004/056242 Al II) II II ((! <II, [IF I II I! KI I (U 11 T II ES, Fl, FR, GB, GR, HU, IE, IT, LU, MC, NL, PT, RO, SE, For two-leller od s and other abbreviations, referred ihe. "Cuid- SI, SK, TR), OAPI patent (BF, BJ, CF, CG, CI, CM, GA, nn e. Nole..s on Codes and Abbreviations" appearing at the beginning of GN, GQ, GW , ML, MR, NE, SN, TD, TG). ning of a li regular issne of ihe PCT Gaz ite. Publishcd: - willi intemational sear li repon REFRIGERATION UNIT FIELD OF THE INVENTION The invention generally refers to refrigeration units. More specifically, the invention provides an open cooling unit in the upper part particularly for consumable products but not only for such products.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION Refrigeration devices are extensively used in the food industry to extend the life of consumables and to prevent substantial deterioration of consumables.

Limited space in retail stores has led in recent years to provide compact refrigeration units in an attractive structure. WO 02/39854 illustrates a form of cooling screen for consumables such as food and beverages. An essential feature of cooling devices such as those described in WO 02/39854 is a conductive shell formed of aluminum that spans the inner compartment. A heat transfer block at the base of the internal compartment. In the publication WO 02/39854, the cold air created inside the conductive shell is subsequently circulated inside the device via the vents, the channels in the walls and a fan. The device shown in the publication WO 02/39854 also uses a lid to separate the internal environment from the external environment.

The ability to expose the products contained in the unit for immediate customer access is also desirable. Covers, doors and the like impact the customer's access and also the customer's attraction. Australian Patent No. 606839 (UA 606839) describes a large island-type refrigeration deployment booth. The internal environment of the cabin is isolated from the external environment by means of an air curtain and such as a stop or edge is not needed. The cooled air circulates around the internal compartment of the cabinet through the channels in the walls of the cabinet.

While reference has been made to a number of documents in the background for the present information, no admission is made that any document constitutes the price or forms part of the general knowledge known in the art in New Zealand or any other country.

OBJECT OF THE INVENTION It is an object of the invention to provide the public with useful alternatives for the known devices.

Other objects of the invention will become apparent from the following description which is given by way of example only with reference to any of one of the Figures.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In one aspect, the invention provides a cooling unit opened at the top including a box having internal walls and a base panel defining an internal compartment, a cooled air generator, a duct and a bevel, in where the duct directs the cooled air generated by the cooled air generator around the internal compartment and where the bevel is adapted to the structure in the open upper part of the internal compartment and to direct the flow of the cooled air in the internal compartment.

Preferably the refrigeration unit includes a support tray having walls that includes vents where the vents adapt to the direct cooled air flow.

Preferably the internal compartment is divided into smaller compartments substantially separated by the conduit, the base panel, the inner walls and the support tray and wherein the cooled air flows in a predetermined direction through the separate compartments.

Preferably, the base panel supports the conduit and the conduit supports the support tray.

Preferably, the outer surfaces of the outer layer have an internal profile to be fitted to cooperate with the support tray to direct the flow of the cooled air.

Preferably the bevel is provided as a profiled surface which further directs the flow of cooled air in the predetermined direction.

Preferably the support tray accommodates the products to be stored in the refrigeration unit.

Preferably the cooling unit has a front, rear wall and two side walls, the two side walls each having a recess extending from a position adjacent the rear wall towards the adjacent front wall, the recesses adapted to cooperate with the vents in the side walls of the support tray, the cooled air generator being placed in the rear wall and the duct being adapted to direct the cooled air of the cooled air generator against the two side walls such as the cooled air flows through the recesses and vents in the side walls of the support tray.

Preferably the front wall has a recess extending from the positions adjacent to the respective walls, the recess adapted to cooperate with the vents in the front wall of the support tray to direct the cooled air to the compartment under the support tray .

Preferably the cooled air generator is a thermoelectric unit.

Preferably the cooled air generator is a micro-compressor.

Preferably the cooled air generator can relatively recycle the warm air (with respect to the refrigerated air generated) of the internal compartment to generate refrigerated air.

Preferably the support tray includes a removable wire frame and / or a dotted surface through the support tray.

Preferably the cooling unit includes a display panel or panels and / or dividers in the support tray for the deployment of the promotional material.

Preferably, the refrigeration unit includes a tray for receiving and collecting drops generated from the operation of the refrigeration unit.

A cooling method of an open cooling unit in the upper part that includes: - providing an external cooling box defining an internal compartment; - Generate and provide refrigerated air to! internal compartment and - circulate the cooled air inside only the outer compartment, in a predetermined direction so that the circulating cooling air inside the compartment isolates the environment from the internal compartment of the external environment.

Preferably, the outer compartment has walls that have an internal profile that makes it easier to direct and circulate the cooled air.

Preferably the internal compartment is divided into individual separate compartments in which the unit is adapted to direct the circulation of the cooled air in a predetermined direction.

Preferably the separate compartments are connected in such a manner that the cooled air flows from one of the compartments to the next in a predetermined direction.

Preferably the cooled air is directed in the predetermined direction by a conduit directing the flow of the cooled air to the side walls of the internal compartment, the recesses in the side walls which are adapted to cooperate with the vents in a support tray for directing the flow of air cooled to a bezel that frames the open top of the inner compartment and directs the air flow back to the inner compartment.

Preferably the cooled air is generated and provided for the internal compartment by a cooled air generator.

Preferably the cooled air generator is selected from a thermoelectric unit or a micro-compressor.

Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the subsequent description given as for example only.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS A preferred embodiment of the invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying Figures in which: Figure 1 illustrates the preferred embodiment of the refrigeration unit of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates the opposite side views of the refrigeration unit of Figure 1.

Figure 3 illustrates a rear view of the refrigeration unit of Figure 1.

Figure 4 illustrates an open perspective view of the refrigeration unit of the Figure 1 and Figure 5 illustrates an open profile view of the refrigeration unit of Figure 1 showing the predetermined direction in which the cooled air travels around the refrigeration unit.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The present invention relates to a refrigeration unit open at the top adapted for a simple use of the lid of the bench. The invention of the preferred embodiment has applications for a storage medium for small products. Preferably the refrigeration unit is adapted to accommodate consumables such as confectionery including chocolate bars. However, the refrigeration unit could also accommodate ice blocks, beverages, delicate foods, prepared sandwiches and the like.

Figure 1 illustrates a refrigeration unit 1 of the preferred embodiment. The refrigeration unit 1 includes an external box 2 that creates an internal compartment 3. The internal compartment 3 is adapted to the support and contains products in a cold environment, substantially cooler than the current exterior or the environment of the refrigeration unit 1 The outer case 2 will be described with reference to Figures 2 and 3.

The cooling unit 1 has an upper portion 8 and a lower portion 9.

The upper portion 8 provides access to the inner compartment 3. As can be seen from I to Fig. 1, the upper portion 8 of the present invention is open and has the advantage of not requiring a lid or door to separate the environment from the internal compartment 3 of the environment or outside. This enables the consumer to easily observe and access the products stored inside the internal compartment 3 without the need to open a lid or door and replace the lid or door after selecting the desired product from the internal compartment 3.

It will be appreciated that a lid or cover could be adjusted to the refrigeration unit 1, if necessary, for safety or for reasons other than cooling purposes. In addition, a lid could be adjusted where the operation of the refrigeration unit 1 is adversely affected by an extreme environment, such as extreme heat above about 40 ° C.

The upper portion 8 of the cooling unit 1 includes a bevel 10 which borders and surrounds the internal compartment 3 formed by the outer case 2. The bevel 10 is provided with a profiled surface (better observed in Figures 2 and 4) adapted for directing the refrigerated air inside the internal compartment 3 to the products stored inside the internal compartment 3. In this form, the upper portion 8 of the refrigeration unit 1 continues to be open while maintaining a cold environment in the internal compartment 3 without the requirement for a lid or door that isolates the inner compartment 3. The cooled air curtain is created on the surface of the inner compartment 3 to isolate e) the environment cited from the external environment. The cooled air steering surface of the bevel 10 can be outlined in a number of ways to achieve the required effect. For example, it may be flat (generally angled up, down or horizontally, the last two being preferred) or arched so that cold air that impacts the bottom of the bevel is effectively "bent" in and down.

The bevel 10 shown in Figure 1 is formed of a translucent plastic material. However, this is essential. B isel 10 can be provided as a colorless surface or can be formed of other solid materials such as aluminum, steel or the like. The advantage of having a translucent plastic bezel includes ease of fabrication. Additional advantages include the benefit obtained by the consumers remaining at an angle to the refrigeration unit 1 who immediately observe the products contained within the refrigeration unit 1 through the transparent bezel 10. Also, a transparent bevel can be added to the Total observation of the refrigeration unit 1 to create an attractive appearance.

The 0 bevel is designed to optimize the view of all the products seated inside the refrigerating unit, allowing access to the products accommodated inside the refrigeration unit 1 and to optimize the air curtain on the products inside the refrigeration unit 1. It will be understood that the bevel could be formed integrally with the walls 4, 5, 6. However, this is a less desirable option in terms of facilitating the production of the refrigeration unit 1 and could interfere with the perception of the contained products in the refrigeration unit 1.

The refrigeration unit 1 also includes a promotional display portion 11. This can be used to disclose the products contained within the refrigeration unit 1, the price and processing information of the printer or the customer that may be appropriate. However, it will be appreciated that the deployment portion 11 is not an essential requirement of the invention or of the entire work of the invention.

The internal compartment 3 includes dividers 12 that separate the products within the internal compartment 3. The dividers 12 can include details of product prices. These options are also not essential but are preferred.

It will be appreciated that the size of the refrigeration unit 1 may be varied in accordance with the specific requirements for a particular refrigeration unit 1. However, in order to provide a portable refrigeration unit and / or upper bench, the size will range from 540 mm. width x 550 mm deep x 300 mm high by 750 mm wide x 750 mm deep x 400 mm high. A preferred size for the refrigeration unit 1 is approximately 540 mm wide x 595 mm deep x 395 mm high.

Figure 2 illustrates opposing side views of the cooling unit of Figure 1. As previously mentioned, the outer case 2 includes side walls 4, 5. The side wall 4 includes the outer top edge 13 and the lower edge 17, in so much so that the side wall 5 includes the upper outer edge 14 and the lower edge 18.

The upper outer edges 13, 14 of the side walls 4, 5 respectively arc, which have the effect of arcuate side walls 4, 5 of the rear wall 7 to the front wall 6. The surface of the side walls 4, 5 they are also formed ethetically around the upper edges 13, 14 and on the rear surfaces 15, 16. This bowing and / or forming is mainly to improve the appearance of the cooling unit 1. However, the complete shape of the walls side 4, 5 of the preferred embodiment provides some advantages for the circulation of the cooled air inside the inner compartment and further optimizes the energy efficiency of the cooling unit 1. It will be appreciated that the particular shape and the arch of the outer top edges 13 14 and the rear surfaces 15, 16 of the side walls 4, 5 is not essential for the complete operation of the invention and can be modified as desired. and.

The lower edges 17, 18 of the side walls 4, 5 respectively provide a straight surface for coupling with a base panel 19 (obscured in Figure 2) that supports the cooling unit 1 as will be described later.

The bevel 10 can be clearly seen as a profiled surface in Figure 2. The profiled surface of the bevel 10 is not uniform across the surface but is substantially wider at the front end 10a, which engages with the front wall 6 later in the rear end 10b.

The deployment portion 1 1 can also be seen as a substantially perpendicular extension of the upper portion 8. As mentioned above, the deployment portion 1 1 is not essential.

Figure 3 shows the previous picture of the refrigeration unit 1 of Figure 1. The side walls 4, 5 are adapted to be coupled with a base panel 19, the rear wall 7 and the deployment portion 1 1.

The rear wall 7 includes openings 20 adapted to be cooperatively coupled with a cooled air generator (better illustrated in Figures 4 and 5). The cooled air generator is adapted to provide cooled air to the internal compartment 3 and is in the preferred embodiment in a thermoelectric unit.

The base panel 19 provides a flat surface to support the cooling unit 1. In this form, the base panel 9 is adapted for use on any type of work surface or bench. However, it is contemplated that the base panel 19 could be adapted to be used with a bench surface of a predetermined appearance. For example, the surface 19 of the base panel may be inclined and / or adjusted in some way to allow the cooling unit 1 to be positioned on a particular bench surface and / or at a particular angle.

A drain pan 45 is also cooperatively coupled with the base panel 19 and the rear wall 7. The drain pan 45 sits below the cooled air generator positioned in the opening 20. The drain pan 45 is adapted to collect any drop, condensation and / or leaks of the cooled air generator or generally created by the operation of the refrigeration unit 1. Drain tray 45 is optional and is present in the preferred mode to avoid or prevent water ponds by collecting on the surface of the bench in which the refrigeration unit 1 is placed, but is not an essential component for the operation of the invention.

Figure 4 illustrates an open perspective view of the refrigeration unit of Figure 1. As mentioned, the external cooling box 2 of Figure 1 is formed of the side walls 4, 5, the rear wall 7 and the front wall 6.

When they are assembled, the walls 4, 5, 6, 7 are freely connected to each other and to the panel of 1 or 9 known objects. The pillars 4, 5, 6, 7 and the base panel 19 can be connected by fastening together or by an appropriate adhesive as will be well known in the art. The walls 4, 5, 6, 7 extend from the base panel 19 to form the external cooling box 2 and define the internal compartment 3 (see Figure 1). The walls 4, 5, 6 are all provided with internal profiles 21, 22, 23 (the internal profile 22 is obscured) respectively in Figure 4. The internal profiles 21, 22, 23 are adapted to facilitate the circulation of the cooled air to through the refrigeration unit 1.

Each of the internal profiles 21, 22, 23 includes a longitudinal recess 35, 36 (darkened), 37 respectively having lower edges 38, 39 (darkened), 40 and upper edges 4, 42 (darkened), 43.

The rear wall 7 includes the opening 20 which is adapted to receive the cooling generator 44.

The front wall 6 includes an optional deployment panel 6a that can be secured to it. This allows additional promotional details to be indicated in the refrigeration unit, but is not essential.

Of reference I p p p e nts 4, 5, 6, 7 s e f orman d a rigid material signature such as molded or shaped plastic materials and imilar s. The advantage of plastic is that it provides a cheap material, which can be formed and quickly available. The plastic is also not very heat conducting, which reduces the heat and / or energy loss from the sides of the cooling unit 1. However, the side walls 4, 5, 6, 7 could also be formed in aluminum or other firm or rigid material that could be adapted to reduce heat loss.

In the preferred embodiment of Figure 4, the thermoelectric unit 44 is securely coupled to the back wall via the opening 20. Preferably the thermoelectric unit forms a watertight seal with the opening 20 to prevent the escape of the cooled air. Preferably the thermoelectric unit 44 is also adapted to be coupled with a conduit 46 via a port 54 as will be described later with reference to Figure 5. The thermoelectric unit 44 is adapted to blow the cooled air into the internal compartment 3 (observed better in Figure 5) with the air being directed by the conduit 46. The drainage tray 45 is adapted to trap the condensation so that it can be formed on or under the thermoelectric unit 44 and in general, the droplets created by the unit Cooling 1 as mentioned above. While drain pan 45 is optional, it provides a simple and effective way to reduce leakage from cooling unit 1.

The base panel 19 is adapted to allow engagement around its edges with the walls 4, 5, 6, 7. Furthermore, the upper surface of the base panel 19 is profiled to assist engagement with the conduit 46. Although it is not essential that the panel of the base 19 is profiled, it should be capable of forming a closed contact surface with the conduit 46. A profiled base panel 19 can also assist in the drainage of condensation from the internal compartment 3 within the drainage tray Four. Five.

The conduit 46 is adapted to interact with the base panel 19, the thermoelectric unit 44 and a support tray 47. The conduit 46 is provided in a generally U-shaped structure including two arms 48, 49 and a middle section 50. When Assembled, the lower edge 51 of the conduit 46 engages with the base panel 19, the middle section 50 is positioned adjacent the thermoelectric unit 44 and the upper edge 52 of the conduit 46 which engages with the support tray 47. It will be appreciated that the conduit 46 can be of different configurations to obtain a particular desired air flow.

The middle section 50 of the conduit 46 includes an opening 53 which is adapted to be coupled with the thermoelectric unit 44. Preferably the thermoelectric unit 44 provides a port 54 for coupling with the opening 53 of the conduit 46. It will be appreciated that the particular shape and size of the opening 53 conform to the specific shape and structure of the port 54 of the thermoelectric unit 44. A seal (not shown) can be formed between the opening 53 and the thermoelectric unit 44 to facilitate the circulation of! air through the entire refrigeration unit 1 although it is also acceptable to position the middle section 50 adjacent to the thermoelectric unit 44.

The conduit 46 has a dual purpose. It adapts to the support tray 47 at a predetermined angle. In addition, as shown in Figure 4, the two arms 48, 49 of the conduit 46 provide an angled edge 52 that slopes from the middle section 50 towards the front wall 6 of the refrigeration unit 1. The angle of inclination may vary as desired and of course, it can simply fall flat.

When assembled, the duct 46 generally U-shaped, together with the base panel 19 and the tray 47, divides the internal compartment into four separate compartments.

Three compartments are below the tray 47 created by the arms 48, 9 of the duct 46 and are above the tray 47.

As mentioned, the conduit 46 via an upper edge 52 with the support tray 47. The support tray 47 includes three walls 54, 55, 56 and a product support surface 57. The walls 54, 55, 56 include a plurality of respirators 58 adapted to the air channel on the support surface 57 or to receive air in the internal compartment 3. The vents 58 are designed to regulate and direct the circulation of refrigerated air from the recesses., 36 in the side walls 4, 5 for various parts of the product support surface and for the air channel of the product support surface via the vents 58 and the recess 37 in the front wall 6. Generally, the vents 58 of the walls 54, 56 are adapted to direct the cooled air in the product support surface 57 and to the front wall 6. The walls 54, 56 are also optionally adapted to allow the dividers 12 to be fixed in the internal compartments of the refrigeration unit 1.

The invention contemplates that the support tray 47 could be adapted so that its walls 54, 55, 56 are not required. However, the direction of cooled air on the support surface of the product 57 is subsequently left only for the bevel 10. Therefore, it is not a preferred option.

The conduit 46 is made of a rigid form of plastic material as well as could be known to a person skilled in the art but could be formed of steel, aluminum or the like. A flexible or rigid plastic material is preferred.

A frame 59 is also provided in the preferred embodiment illustrated in Figure 2.

This allows a better distribution and / or placement of products in the support tray 47 in the internal compartment 3. It will be appreciated that the frame 59 is not an essential feature of the present invention. If desired, the frame 59 could be replaced by a profiled or dotted surface through the product support surface 57 of the support tray 47, for example, but such features are not essential.

The support tray 47 and the frame 59 are preferably provided in steel, aluminum and / or appropriate plastic materials as will be known to those skilled in the art.

The cooling unit is completed by the bevel 10 which includes the profiled surface as described above. The bevel 10 engages the walls 4, 5, 6, 7 when assembled so that they protrude above the walls 4, 5, 6, 7 and direct the circulation of the cooled air. As mentioned, the bevel 10 could be replaced if the walls 4, 5, 6 were adapted to integrally form the bevel.

Figure 5 illustrates an open profile view of the assembled refrigeration unit. The internal compartment 3 is divided into four compartments, but only three can be seen in Figure 5, labeled 60, 61, 62. A compartment, obscured in Figure 5 by the tray 47, which reflects the compartment 60, is also shown in FIG. Resent These compartments are formed by a combination of the base panel 19, the conduit 46 and the support tray 47.

The arrow A represents the direction of the flow of the cooled air that was generated by the cooled air generator and was discharged into the compartment 60 (and the darkened compartment, together referred to as compartment 60) of the internal compartment 3. The arrow B represents relatively warm air (with respect to the cooled air of the arrow) which returns from compartment 62 to compartment 61.

The refrigerated air produced by the thermoelectric unit 44 is forced in the direction of the arrow A by the fans and / or other means present in the thermoelectric unit 44 as will be known in the art.

The cooled air enters the compartment 62 via the recesses 35, 36 in the side ports 4, 5 (not shown in Figure 5) in conjunction with the plurality of the vents 58 of the support tray 47 directs the cooled air towards down on the support surface of the products 57 of the support tray 47. The product support surface 57 of the support tray 47. The product support surface 57 of the support tray 47 falls along the axis central longitudinal of the recesses 35, 36 (obscured in Figure 5) in the walls 4, 5. This allows the cooled air of the thermoelectric unit 44 to move from the compartment 60 to the compartment 62.

The air then flows in the general direction of the arrows C towards the front wall 6. This warm air then relatively travels through the wall 55 of the support tray 47 via the vents 58 in the longitudinal recess 37 in the side wall 6 and down in the compartment 61 in the general direction of the arrow B. The air then leaves the compartment 61 via the outlet port 54 in the thermoelectric unit 45. The vents 58 in the side walls of the tray 47 are preferably adapted to direct the direct air flow in the general direction of the front wall 6 of the refrigeration unit 1. In this way, the efficiency of the air flow around the internal compartment 3 of the refrigeration unit 1 is increased.

The air that exists in the compartment 61 can escape directly from the machine or can be recycled by the thermoelectric unit 44 to be re-cooled and provided in the compartment 60. The benefit of substantially recycling the cooled air is that it does not require much energy to provide a desired temperature (about 2-14 ° C depending on the operating temperature of the refrigeration unit).

An additional advantage of the refrigerated air circulation described is that a "cold trap" is created through the support surface of the product 57 of the support tray 47. When the products are placed in the support tray 47, the air Refrigerated continuously passes over the products cooling the products. The cold products effectively isolate the support surface of the product 57 from the support tray 47. In addition, the surface supporting the products remains cold.

This method of circulating the refrigerated air ensures that the products are kept at a relatively constant temperature without requiring the use of a lid to isolate the internal recess from the external environment. In effect, the air circulation provides an air curtain to isolate the environment of the compartment 3 from the external environment by surrounding the cooling unit 1.

The circulation of the refrigerated air has the effect of retaining and preserving the products at the desired temperature. It has also been found that a desirable chilled sensation is experienced by customers when they place their hands in the internal compartment to select a product.

The thermoelectric unit 44 produces cooled air preferably at a temperature in the range of 0 ° C to 15 ° C but preferably 10 ° to 14 ° C. At 10 ° C to 14 ° C, the shelf life of the products Confectionery can be extended while a firm and / or chilled confectionery is also provided which is desirable to taste, particularly in the summer. The temperature can, of course, be varied as desired.

Thermoelectric devices are well known in the art. Its application as the cooling air generator in the cooling unit 1 provides certain advantages. Thermoelectric devices can be small and are energy efficient, silent and inexpensive means of generating refrigerated air. They are also reliable and can last as long as 20 years when they run about 12 hours per day. A thermoelectric device is the preferred refrigerated air generator in this refrigeration unit 1 since they have sufficient energy to generate and circulate the air through the entire refrigeration unit 1.

Alternative refrigerated air generators include micro-compressors, also known in the art. However, micro-compressors may be less reliable and may have a shorter life extension than a thermoelectric unit. It is understood that the cooled air generator is not limited to the thermoelectric units or micro-compressors but may include any other device that can generate air cooled for the real purpose.

Although the cooling unit 1 is not limited to a specific size, where the cooling unit 1 is relatively large, the thermoelectric unit can not be the most efficient energy medium for generating cooled air. In this case, a standard home refrigerator generator as is known in the art may be appropriate.

The foregoing describes the invention that includes the preferred forms thereof. Alterations and modifications that would be obvious to the skilled person are intended to fall within the scope of the invention as described.

Claims (21)

19 CLAIMS

1. An open cooling unit in the upper part that includes an external box that has internal walls and a base panel defining an internal compartment, a cooled air generator, a duct and a bevel, where the duct directs the cooled air generated by the generator of air cooled around the internal compartment and to direct the flow of refrigerated air inside the internal compartment.

2. A refrigeration unit according to claim 1, wherein the refrigeration unit includes a support tray having walls that include vents where the ventilators adapt to the direct refrigerated air flow.

3. A refrigeration unit according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the internal compartment is divided into smaller compartments substantially separated by the conduit, the base panel, the internal walls and the support tray and wherein the Refrigerated air flows in a predetermined direction through the separate compartments.

4. A refrigeration unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the base panel supports the conduit and the conduit supports the support tray.

5. A refrigeration unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the inner walls of the outer case have an internal profile adapted to be cooperatively coupled with the support tray to direct the flow of cooled air.

6. A refrigeration unit according to any one of claims 3 to 5, wherein the bevel is provided as a profiled surface which further directs the flow of the cooled air in the predetermined direction. twenty

7. A refrigeration unit according to claim 6, wherein the profiled surface is flat.

8. A cooling unit according to claim 6, wherein the profiled surface is arcuate, therefore directs the moving air generally upwards in the internal compartment.

9. A cooling unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the cooling unit has a front, rear wall and two side walls, the two side walls each having a recess extending from an adjacent position of the rear wall to an adjacent one of the front wall, the recesses adapted to cooperate with the vents in the side walls of the support tray, the cooled air generator being placed in the rear wall and the duct being adapted to direct the cooled air of the generated one. air cooled against the two side walls so that the cooled air flows through the recesses and vents in the side walls of the support tray.

10. A refrigeration unit according to claim 9, wherein the front wall has a recess extending from the positions adjacent to the respective side walls, the recess adapted to cooperate with the vents in the front wall of the support tray for direct the refrigerated air to the compartment below the support tray.

11. A refrigeration unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooled air generator is a thermoelectric unit. twenty-one

12. A refrigeration unit according to any one of claims 1 to 10, wherein the cooled air generator is a microprocessor.

13. A refrigeration unit according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cooled air generator can recycle relatively warm air with respect to the cooled air generated from the internal compartment to generate cooled air.

14. A refrigeration unit according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the media carrier includes a removable wire frame and / or a dotted surface through the support tray.

15. A refrigeration unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the refrigeration unit includes a display panel or panels and / or dividers in the support tray for the deployment of the promotional material.

16. A refrigeration unit according to any of the preceding claims, wherein the refrigeration unit includes a drainage tray for receiving and collecting the drops generated from the operation of the refrigeration unit.

17. A cooling method of an open cooling unit in the upper part that includes: - providing an external cooling box defining an internal compartment; generate and provide refrigerated air for the internal compartment and - circulate the refrigerated air inside the internal compartment only and in a predetermined direction so that the circulation of the refrigerated air inside the compartment isolates the environment from the internal compartment of the external environment. 22

18. A method according to claim 16, wherein the internal compartment has walls that have an internal profile that facilitates the direction and circulation of the cooled air.

19. A method according to claim 17 or 18, wherein the internal compartment is divided into separate individual compartments wherein the partition is adapted to direct the flow of refrigerated air in a predetermined direction.

20. A method according to claim 18, wherein the separate compartments are connected so that the cooled air flows from one compartment to the next in a predetermined direction.

21. A method according to any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the cooled air is directed in a predetermined direction by a conduit directing the flow of the cooled air to the side walls of the internal compartment, the recesses in the side walls. which are adapted to co-operate with the vents in a support tray to direct the flow of cooled air to a bezel that frames the upper opening of the internal compartment and directs the flow of air back into the internal compartment.