MXPA99009525A - Air curtain for refrigerated exhibitors front abie - Google Patents

Abstract

A refrigerated display that has a front opening through which a consumer can see and access food products that are on display. The food products are cooled by cooling air introduced through a perforated and inclined inner panel which is located close to a rear wall of the merchandiser. An air curtain directed downwardly through the front opening minimizes the loss of cooling air through the opening. Flanges are applied and extended from the edges of the vertical sides of the access opening to reduce the loss of cooling air through the air corona. In this way, the relative luxuries of the cooling air and the air curtain are maintained within the exhibit.

Description

AIR CURTAIN FOR REFRIGERATED EXHIBITORS OPEN FRONT This request is derived from the Provisional Patent Application Series No. 60 / 089,145, filed on June 12, 1998.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the invention. The present invention relates in general terms to refrigerated display cases, displays and showcases, particularly open front displays and air curtains storage cabinets. More specifically, the present invention relates to a refrigerated display that has an opening through which a customer can see and access items stored on display and have access to the display case or display where cooling air is introduced through an inner perforated panel being the cooling air maintained within the refrigerated compartment by means of an air curtain circulating downwardly within the opening of the merchandiser or showcase. 2. Description of the related art. An example of this type of display case or display case is described in United States Patent No. 3,696,630, issued October 10, 1972 to Bressickello, and which describes various self-service displays or showcases that are constructed with openings access fronts for the purpose of displaying foodstuffs such as meat, eggs and vegetables. In such displays, the cooling arrangement includes a refrigerant coil, also known as an evaporator coil, which is located in such a position as to allow cooling of the air circulating through the display. The refrigerant coil is sometimes oriented above a relatively small drip pan or tray, also indicated as a dissipating tray which is located in a location such as to collect the condensation of the coil. When the water level rises to a predetermined level, this condition is detected and a pump is activated to bring the water to an upper dissipating tray which is arranged on the top of the display case. The dissipating tray may include a heating coil to dissipate any accumulated water. Other displays eliminate the condensation of the cooling coils by means of a drainage arrangement that communicates with a sump or collector on the floor. An example of an exhibitor of the type wherein the condensation from the evaporator coil is pumped into a dissipating tray disposed on top of a refrigerated display case is illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 4,766,737. , granted on August 30, 1998 to Baxter II. In this prior art device, a high-temperature coil of the condenser assembly is associated with the lowermost part of a set of dissipating trays in order to effect the transfer of heat towards the condensate that has been pumped upwards, to the heatsink that is located on the top of the refrigerated display case. The open-faced, air-curtain showcases or refrigerated display cabinets in the prior art have reached such a level of efficiency that additional improvements have not easily been achieved. It is well known in the prior art to use perforated wall dividers and / or back panels that are angled to form a lung or air chamber in association with the rear of the merchandiser. These air chambers are shaped so as to have a decreasing volume through which the cooled air is circulated upwardly and the flow also passes through perforations in the wall dividers and is directed towards the interior of the refrigerated display. This feature is illustrated in U.S. Patent No. 3,696,630 previously mentioned in U.S. Patent No. 5,345,778 issued September 13, 1994 to Roberts. It is also known to guide the cooled air to a bottom portion of the cooling compartments where the food products are stored. It is common to provide storage drawers in the background, where the food products are arranged to replenish on the display shelves that are located above the storage area. However, it is very difficult to cool this storage area. Prior art devices have cooled the storage area by diverting a portion of the cooled air flowing up from the housings where the evaporator coils and the fans that circulate the air are arranged. An example of such an arrangement is found in the aforementioned United States Patent No. 5,345,778.

COMPENDIUM OF THE INVENTION According to the present invention, three methods have been incorporated in the refrigerated compartment to improve the air curtains in the open-faced refrigerated display cases or showcases, in the refrigerant arrangement located in the upper part of the cabinet, and in the arrangement of air circulation. As will be fully explained below, one purpose of the present invention is to achieve optimum heat exchange by continuously trapping particles that are suspended in the air flowing to the components of the refrigerant arrangement which become fouled over the operating time and they get stuck preventing the flow of air and / or the good efficiency of heat exchange. In particular, an air filter is used at the top of the merchandiser. This air filter and the pre-condensing coils, located below the air filter, are exposed and are susceptible to being covered with dirt and causing clogging. Advantageously, these elements of the present refrigeration arrangement are cleaned by the condensate originating in the evaporator coils. This condensate is pumped from a lower drip tray to the top of the merchandiser and then expelled over the air filter. Then the condensate circulates from the air filter on the pre-condensing coil and is directed towards the interior of the tray or sink. The pre-condensing coil, which is preferably made of a copper pipe, is inserted between the compressor and the condensing coil. As the cooling gas is sucked from the evaporator coil, the compressor disposes the gas under a higher pressure, so as to raise the temperature of the gas. The hot gas is then pushed into the pre-condensing coil which is long enough to evaporate the water that resides in the dissipating tray. The long-length copper pipe serpentine that is arranged between the compressor and the condensing coil operates to evaporate the water that has been collected during the operation of the refrigerated display. The pre-condensing coil is located in the dissipating tray, resting adequately at the bottom of the tray, and at least a portion of the coil is exposed to the atmosphere in the open section of the top of the display. The pre-condensing coil is also arranged forward of the face of the air filter. Preferably, a larger portion of the precondensing coil is exposed to the atmosphere. The preconducting coil also cooperates with the condensing coil by precondensation of the coolant. The air is sucked through the space where the filter, the pre-condenser and the dissipating tray are located. The air then flows out of the preconducting coil and acts as a means of heat exchange. Moreover, the precondensation of the refrigerant gas within the liquid makes the condensation arrangement more efficient. Another aspect of the present invention, as will also be described below, is to minimize losses of cooling air through the opening of the merchandiser. This advantage is achieved by a method of identifying, measuring and improving the cooling air losses by providing a lip or flange along the vertical sides of the opening of the cooled compartment. The ridges extend vertically along at least a portion of each of the two vertical sides of the opening where, as has been discovered, the loss of air cooled from the refrigerated compartment is greater. The present invention also provides an apparatus for ensuring proper cooling at the bottom of the refrigerated compartment of the merchandiser.

A further aspect of the present invention relates to the use of a lung or chamber assembly and air divider that directs the cooling air through perforations in the rear part of the refrigerated compartment such that cooling air flows over food products that are stored in the bottom of the refrigerated compartment in an area that is below the lowest shelf. In other words, a set or chamber arrangement and diverter is used to direct the cooling air towards the bottom of the refrigerated compartment below the lowermost display shelf with ease. It has also been found that, in refrigerated displays where there is an opening in the front of the same through which a consumer can see and access the food products that are on display, these products on the display are cooled by cold air that is introduced from a perforated panel. Said refrigerated displays include an air curtain generated within the opening and directed downward from the top of the opening. After determining the speed or range of flow, the loss of cooling air through the air curtain may be either reduced or prevented together by the use of flanges extending from the vertical edges partially inward of the opening . The following method can be used to determine the dimensions of the flanges that limit the loss of cooling air through the air curtain. In open-faced refrigerated display cabinets, a 10.2 cm (4 inch) flange on each side has been found suitable to minimize the loss of cooling air along the vertical edges of any refrigerated compartment that has an opening about 142 cm (56 inches) high. The method for determining the size of the flanges required for the vertical sides or edges comprises several steps. First, the shelves of the refrigerator are loaded with the product to be refrigerated and displayed, preferably at a desirable temperature for the product, which is sufficient to avoid the possibility of deterioration thereof. Actually, this stage can be omitted but it is preferable to use a loaded compartment. Second, the speed or cooling air flow range is adjusted to obtain a stable air curtain. This stage is achieved by producing a nominal air flow of 14,148 m3 per minute by means of four fans each of which is set to drive 3.5395 m3 per minute so that an actual air flow of about 9.34428 m3 per square meter is obtained. minute.

Third, a visible additive, such as artificial smoke, is introduced into the circulating air for the purpose of allowing observation and identification of air escaping from the periphery of the front opening.

Fourth, a first lip or lip is applied which extends from one of the vertical side edges towards the interior of the opening and a second lip or lip extending from another opposite vertical side edge towards the inside of the same opening. Fifth, it is observed, increasing and / or decreasing, the extent of the ridges entering from both sides of the opening when the escape of air through the air curtain is minimized at the vertical periphery of the opening in the refrigerated display, the optimal size of the lip or flange has been determined empirically. The ridges are then fixed to the vertical side edges and extend into the opening in the merchandiser over a distance that is based on observations made in order to limit the loss of cooling air through the air curtain. In this way, according to the present invention, the loss of cooling air passing over the stored products is minimized. The cooling air then emerges from the refrigerated compartment to be recycled with the circulation air that forms the air curtain in the opening of the merchandiser. As noted so far, optimal conditions for the operation and determination of a flange or lip size are identified empirically by observing the size of the flanges that minimize the loss of cooling air in the vertical peripheries of the opening of the refrigerated compartment. In addition, the controlled flow of cooling air through the perforated openings in the panel is facilitated by a chamber assembly and air diverter that provides an adequate distribution of the cooling air to the storage air of food products that is located in the air. the bottom of the refrigerated compartment, typically below the first storage shelf. When the air is ejected upwards by the four fans that are in the compartment or housing of fans, the air is pushed between the back wall that is straight and vertical "plumb" and the perforated panel that is slightly tilted backwards in approximately 6 ° with respect to its vertical axis. The perforated panel has at its lower end the camera assembly and air diverter located below the first display shelf. The chamber assembly and air diverter is installed to force the flow of air through the perforated panel and in the direction toward the interior of the storage section at the bottom of the refrigerated compartment. In this way, the balance of the air flow through the perforated panel is achieved, including the storage section of the bottom of the refrigerated compartment. This balance is achieved by forcing the air to be present approximately in the same amount in all spaces where the products are located. It is believed that the reason for this result is that the air travels faster when it is close to the fans, so that the air travels to the top of the panel and crosses through the perforations with great ease.

The multiple fans, which move the cooled air above the evaporator coils located at the bottom of the refrigerated compartment, reduce the condensation in the evaporator coils that are used to cool the circulation air in the display case or showcase so that the formation is reduced of ice in the evaporating coils. The water that is collected in the evaporator coils is captured in an evaporation tray that is located below the evaporator coils and is pumped to the top of the merchandiser where the condenser is located. On top, the water is passed sequentially over a filter that functions as a water evaporator and also works to remove all elements in the form of particles and other products that generate dirt so that the water coming from the evaporator coils works as much as to clean the filter as well as cooling the air passing through the filter before the air comes into contact with the condensing coils of the cooling arrangement. Water runs from the filter to the dissipating tray and then to the pre-condensing coils carrying refrigerant from the compressor. These pre-condensing coils are thus cooled by cold water that originates in the evaporating coils. The filtered air passing over the condensing coils, whose air is also cooled before coming into contact with the water, passes over the filter and / or through the filter before absorbing heat produced during the condensation of the refrigerant. At the same time, the evaporation rate of the dissipating tray extending under the pre-condensing coils increases substantially and the risk of water overflow is minimized. The heat generated during the compression is exchanged through the condensing coils and the pre-condensing coils that comprise another set of the coils that are located downstream of the condensing coils. The pre-condensing coils operate essentially as heating coils to cooperate in the evaporation of water from the pan or dissipating tray that uses the heat of condensation, thus providing two desirable functions that use the available energy within the same cooling arrangement , heat is removed from the compressed refrigerant and heat is added to the condensate that accumulates in the dissipating tray. In addition, the present invention relates to a self-service refrigerated display case or display case having therein a wrap or cover for the display of chilled food products. The cover has a front access opening that is defined by upper side and bottom housing panels. On its sides, the cover is defined by vertical elongated strips that correspond to the lateral housing panels. This cover provides access to the food products that are on display. Also, the cover has other advantageous characteristics. For example, a perforated panel is provided through which cooling air is introduced and passes over the food products. Also provided is an upper panel having in the vicinity of the front thereof a structure to form an air curtain that moves the cooling air downwardly into the front access opening after diverting the cooling air from the perforated panel. This cooling air originates in the space behind the perforated panel before reaching the access opening. In accordance with the present invention, a structure is provided to minimize the loss of air through the front access opening. This structure comprises a lip or flange extending from each of the accommodating side walls along at least a portion of the length of the opening, the loss of cooling air which, as has been observed, occurs predominantly in the vertical periphery of the opening, it is substantially avoided.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS Figure 1 is a perspective view, taken from above and partially in section, of the refrigerated display of the present invention; Figure 2 is a schematic view of the cooling arrangement of the refrigerated display; Figure 3 is a perspective view taken from above of the lip structure or rims of the refrigerated display case; Figure 4 is a side elevational and schematic view of the air flow arrangement within the refrigerated display; Figure 5 is a perspective and exploded view showing the flow of air through a perforated panel inside the refrigerated display; Figure 6 is a detailed side elevational view showing the flow of air through the perforated panel illustrated in Figure 5; and Figure 7 is a top-down, detailed plan view of the fan motors for circulating the air flow through the perforated panel shown in Figures 5 and 6.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT Figure 1 is a view of a complete refrigerated case or showcase, with various parts shown in section. A compressor 7 and its associated components are located below a grid current 2 at the top of the merchandiser. The associated main components are a liquid line filter dryer 1, a sight glass 3, a fuse switch 4, a main switch 5 and a main box "J" 6 for power supply. A suitable motor-condenser fan 8 is provided by the firm LRC Coil Co., Av. Sorensen 9435, Santa Fe Springs, California 90670. The motor-fan capacitor 8 is sold as a component of LRC unit No. F3AM-A077. The characteristics are the following: Operating characteristics R-22 capacities (BTUH) at room temperature of 32.2 ° C. TEMPERATURE / PRESSURE SATURATED IN THE SUCTION OF THE COMPRESSOR Temperature UNIT ambient maximum -1.1 ° C -3.8 ° C -6.6 ° C -9.4 ° C -12.2 ° C MODEL No. HP COMP. to -3.8 ° C 54.8 # 486 # 42.9 # 37.6 # 32.7 # Characteristics R-22 Capacities (BTUH) at 32.2 ° C ambient temperature. Note: The return gas temperature is restricted when operating at a suction temperature of -12.2 ° C. See the right column of the previous table. Operating at higher return gas temperatures shortens compressor life. Refer to bulletin AE4-1292 for additional information. Refer to the table above for information about the maximum permissible operating room temperature for the unit. This is the maximum allowed temperature of the air entering the condensing coil so as not to exceed the maximum permitted compressor condensation temperature of -10 ° C (54.4 ° C for a suction at -12.2 ° C). The values are determined in the suction with a clean condensing condenser and without obstructions. At -1.1 ° C, when this is applicable, the allowed ambient temperature is reduced by -15 ° C. For additional units, you can refer to form 3.0905 high-temperature units R-22). The capacities are arranged in ranges for the maximum return gas temperatures shown above and a subcooling of -15 ° C. The pressures are listed in pounds per square inch (#) and reflect the suction pressure in the compressor inlet jet. The temperatures shown are the corresponding saturation temperatures. The saturation conditions in the evaporator will be greater than any pressure drop in the suction line.

A water evaporator filter 11 is disposed above the face of a condenser coil box 9. This filter 11 prevents the air containing particulate material from soiling the condenser coil housing 9. The air sucked by the motor-condenser fan 8 first it passes through the filter 11 and then through the condensing coil box. The filtered air is then released from contaminants that could soil the condensing coils inside the box 9. If water accumulates in a tray or bottom sink 13 that retains a copper pre-condensing coil 12, the water drains down, through an overflow line 14, and is directed to a drip pan or tray 20. The water originating in the drip tray 20 is pumped upwards by means of a water pump 19 which is energized by an electrical box J 18 through a water pumping line 15 leading into a water inlet pipe 10. From the pipe 10, the water flows down over the filter 11 and then passes Descendingly on the pre-condensing coil 12 which is located in the dissipating tray 13. Alternatively, a spraying device may be provided below the filter 11 to distribute the water on the pre-condensing coil 12 more evenly or in any other preselected manner. A main portion of the pre-condensing coil 12 is exposed to the atmosphere and is disposed at the bottom of the dissipating tray 13. The water evaporates into the atmosphere of the dissipating tray 13. In order to achieve a more uniform distribution of the condensed water on the whole of the face of the filter 11, a perforated distribution tray (not shown) can be arranged above the filter 11. In the same way, in order to achieve a more uniform distribution over the entire pre-condensing coil 12 , a perforated tray (not shown) can be arranged below the filter 11 but above the serpentine 12. As best seen in Figure 2. The overflow line 14 leads outwardly from the dissipating tray 13. Preconducting coil 12 in the dissipating tray 13 is disposed in the cooling line in the condenser 7 and the condensing coil box 9. The refrigerant is then passed from the precondensing pentina 12 towards the condensing coil box 9 through which cooling air is blown by means of the motor-fans capacitors 8. The refrigerant then passes sequentially through a receiver 28, the liquid line filter drier 3 , and the sight glass 3. After leaving the glass 3, the refrigerant flows downwardly towards an expansion valve 24. Returning to Figure 1, the refrigerant leaves the expansion valve 24 and then goes to the evaporator coils (not illustrated) that are located in a streamer housing 17 where the air circulated in the refrigerated display is cooled. The pre-condensing coil 12 is made of a 0.635 cm copper pipe having a length of 9,144 meters and is wound so as to fit inside the dissipating tray 13. A main segment of the coil 12 is preferably disposed forward of the filter 11. The upper part of the condenser coil box 9 and the motor-condenser fan 8 form a contiguous upper surface covering these units. As shown in Figure 2, this assembly ensures that the air carried through the condensing coils 39 inside the box 9 is first carried through the filter where the air is cooled and cleaned. As seen in Figure 1, forward of the filter 11, the upper part of the refrigerated display is exposed to the atmosphere by means of a grid cover 2 of open mesh to facilitate the evaporation of the water heated by the heat that is absorbed. from the pre-condensing coil 12 in the tray 13. Because the grid cover 2 has an open mesh, the rear section of the motor-condenser fan 8 is also exposed to the atmosphere. The compressor 7 and the components associated with the compressor 7 and any other type that is used to effect the return of the compressed coolant liquid to the bottom portion of the merchandiser are not highly vulnerable to contamination by contaminants carried by the air. In this way, they can be located in the rear open section on the top of the merchandiser. The air coming from the motor-condenser fan 8 is passed through the condenser coil box 9 and brought into the open section behind the motor-condenser fan 8. This air that has been cleaned by the filter 11 serves to circulate air around the components in the upper section and to carry the particles through the open mesh grid cover 2, so as to help keep the back of the upper section clean. Figure 3 illustrates a front opening of the refrigerated display through which a customer can view and access the stored food products. A fluorescent lamp 26 diffuses light on the products in the display. Mirrors 23 may be arranged within the merchandiser to reflect the light as an aid to the client's vision. A carrier carrier of advertisements or indications 25 holds an indication (not illustrated) to attract the customer's attention. To ensure stability, the display has lower steel corners 21. Flanges or lips 51 and 52 are fixed to two vertical side edges 53 and 54. The flanges 51 and 52 extend the edges 53 and 54 that are formed by the side walls. 55 and 56. The flanges 51 and 52 and the portions of the side walls 55 and 56 can be made of a clear plastic material that has the advantage of allowing each customer to see the products laterally.

The preferred outer dimensions of the refrigerated display are 128.90 cm wide, 205.74 cm high and 76.2 cm deep. The preferred interior dimensions are 121.92 cm wide, 149.86 cm high and an average of 50.8 cm deep. A perforated interior panel of two parts 27 is inclined and will be described later with reference to Figure 4. The clear portions of the side walls 55 and 56 are about 142.24 cm wide and 142.24 cm high.

For the exhibitors having the internal dimensions illustrated in Figures 1, 3 and 4, an air flow rate or range of 9.34426 m3 per minute is preferred and the width of the flanges 51 and 52 is about 10.16 cm per one. height of 142.24 cm in the opening. To describe the provision of an adequate flow of air at the bottom of the refrigerated compartment, see Figures 4 to 7. This aspect of the invention relates to an auxiliary air handling mechanism. Referring first to Figure 5, a perforated bottom panel 27A is provided. An air divider 102, also called a diffuser 22, divides air from an air source and directs them to a first portion and a second portion. A first chamber or lung 100, also referred to as a diffuser tray, is disposed behind the panel 27A between the side edges 27E and is disposed below the air divider 102. The air divider 102 has an open bottom configuration for receiving the first portion of air coming from the air source and preferably fixed by means of fasteners (not illustrated) to the panel 27A. Referring now to Figure 4, the air divider 102 is attached to the back of the lower perforated panel 27A, which, with an upper perforated panel 27B, form the entire lower inclined panel 27 of two parts, of the refrigerated compartment . The first chamber 100 preferably has an open top configuration for receiving the first portion of air from the air divider 102. A second chamber or lung 106 extends vertically between the rear of the panel 27 and a rear wall 101. As seen in Figure 6, the air divider 102 extends from the lower panel 27A further towards the rear wall 101 than towards the chamber 100. An upper edge 100E of the first chamber 100 is attached to the serpentine housing 17 for the source of air. Alternatively, the air divider 102 may be attached to the serpentine housing 17. However, this arrangement is not illustrated. However, in both arrangements, the second portion of the air coming from the air source inside the serpentine housing 17 is directed upwardly through the second chamber 106. Also, as can be seen in Figure 6, a lower shelf 29 is held in place by means of a shelf support 22 which is mounted on the top panel 27B. As best seen in Figure 7, the air source in the refrigerated display comprises four evaporator motor-fans 16 within the serpentine housing 17. The "J" box 18 provides electrical power for the motors of the fans 16 and the water pump 19. Rear wall 101 has an inner insulation 107 to reduce temperature changes due to external causes. Referring again to Figure 4, the lower shelf 29 is illustrated together with one of a plurality of upper shelves 30 (other shelves not shown). The use of a two-part panel 27 allows access to the lower panel 27A without altering the arrangement of the upper panel 27B of the refrigerated compartment. With respect to the use of the separate lower panel 27A, this arrangement allows the repair personnel to work on the equipment without disassembling the entire display case or display case. In this way, the lower panel 27A, which preferably terminates below the lower shelf 29, it can be removed to access the back of panel 27 without altering the disposition of the items that are on display. A different aspect of the present invention relates to the opening that is on the front of the merchandiser through which a consumer can see and access the food products that are displayed there. The food products in the display are cooled by the air introduced from behind the perforated panel 27. The display also includes an air curtain 103 that is generated within the opening and is directed downwardly in the opening.

The invention also comprises a method for developing the parameters for balancing the relative air flows of the cooling air coming from behind the perforated panel 27 and the air curtain 103 to minimize the loss of cooling air through the opening. With reference to Figures 3 and 4 taken together, the method comprises the following steps, in series: a) As seen in Figure 4, the relative flows of the air curtain 103 and the cooling air coming from the rear are adjusted of panel 27 maintains air curtain 103 in a stable condition; b) an additive is introduced into the circulating air that allows observation and identification of the air escaping through the vertical periphery of the front opening; and c) as seen in Figure 3, lips or flanges 51 and 52 are applied which extend from the edges 53 and 54 of the vertical sides 55 and 56 towards the interior of the opening to control the loss of cooling air. This loss occurs in the vertical periphery of the opening in the refrigerated display. Returning to Figure 4, the aspect of the invention related to the improvement of the loss of air through the air curtain 103 of the refrigerated display depends on the arrangement of the envelope or cover for the display of the refrigerated food products. The cover or cabinet has the opening defined in its upper part 104 and in its bottom by a bottom panel 105. The cover also includes the perforated panel 27 through which the cooling air is introduced horizontally inwardly. of the wrapper or cover and passes over the stored food products. The upper panel 104 has, at a front thereof thereof above the front access opening, a channel 108 forming the circulating air curtain 103 flowing at a high speed so as to prevent the cooling air coming from the panel perforated 27 break the curtain through the access opening. In this way, cooling air that moves more slowly is diverted downward upon reaching the access opening, as seen in Figure 4. Returning to Figure 3, flanges 51 and 52, arranged in each from the edges 53 and 54 along the length of the vertical elongated sides 55 and 56, reduce the loss of cooling air at the sides of the opening. The ridges or lips 51 and 52 preferably extend along the entire length of each of the edges 53 and 54 which form the vertical elongated sides of the access opening. Although the principles of the present invention have been illustrated herein in a particular embodiment for refrigerated display cabinets or display cases, this illustration is not intended to limit such principles to the particular device described, since the same principles are readily applicable to various other forms of devices. . In this manner, the principles of the present invention will be broadly construed and not limited to the specific embodiments that are defined in the appended claims.

Claims (30)

1. An auxiliary air handling mechanism comprising: (a) a perforated panel; (b) an air source disposed in a housing adjacent to the perforated panel; (c) means for diverting air from the air source and bringing it to a first portion and a second portion; and (d) a chamber attached to the perforated panel and disposed adjacent to the air dividing means, said chamber receiving said first portion of air coming from the air dividing means.

2. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the air dividing means is also attached to the perforated panel.

3. The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the air dividing means has an open bottom means for receiving the first portion of air from the air source.

4. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the chamber has an open upper means for receiving the first portion of the air coming from the air dividing means.

The mechanism of claim 2, wherein the air dividing means extends to a greater extent from the perforated panel than from the chamber.

The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the chamber is also attached to the housing for the air source.

7. The mechanism of claim 1, wherein the air dividing means extends over part of the housing for the air source so as to receive the first portion of the air coming from the air source.

The mechanism of claim 7, wherein the air dividing means has an open bottom means for receiving the first portion of air from the air source.

The mechanism of claim 7, wherein the chamber has an open top means for receiving the first portion of air coming from the air dividing means.

The mechanism of claim 7, wherein the chamber is also attached to the housing for the air source.

11. A cooling device comprising: (a) a refrigerated display having an upper wall, a bottom wall, a front and a rear wall; (b) a perforated panel disposed within the merchandiser between the front and the rear wall; (c) an air source disposed in a housing adjacent to the perforated panel; (d) means for dividing the air coming from the air source and bringing it to a first portion and to a second portion; (e) a first chamber attached to the perforated panel and disposed adjacent to the air dividing means, said first chamber receiving the first portion of air; and (f) a second chamber disposed between the rear wall of the merchandiser and the perforated panel, said second chamber receiving the second portion of air.

The device of claim 11, wherein an air curtain is disposed at the front of the merchandiser.

The device of claim 12, wherein the air curtain is downwardly directed so as to prevent the escape of cooled air that is inside the merchandiser.

The device of claim 11, wherein the air dividing means are also attached to the perforated panel.

The device of claim 11, wherein the first chamber has an open top means for receiving the first portion of the air coming from the air dividing means.

The device of claim 15, wherein the open upper means of the first chamber is also attached to the housing for the air source.

The device of claim 11, wherein the air dividing means has an open bottom means for receiving the first portion of air from the air source.

18. The device of claim 17, wherein the air dividing means extends over part of the housing for the air source.

The device of claim 18, wherein the first chamber is also attached to the housing for the air source.

20. The device of claim 11, where the air source directs air cooled upwards, through the second chamber, through the top of the merchandiser, and then downwardly in front of the merchandiser to form an air curtain.

21. In a cooling machine having an exhibitor or showcase, an upper part, a bottom, a front, a rear wall, a perforated panel disposed between the front of the rear wall, a vertical chamber behind the perforated panel, and means for circulating cooled air in the vertical chamber from the bottom and through the perforated panel, the improvement comprising: an air divider arranged in the vertical chamber to separate the cooled air and bring it into a first portion and a second portion; and an auxiliary chamber attached to the perforated panel and adjacent to the air divider such that the first portion of cooled air can be directed into the interior of the merchandiser.

22. The machine of claim 21, wherein the air divider is also attached to the perforated panel.

23. The machine of claim 21, wherein the auxiliary chamber is secured to the circulation means.

24. The machine of claim 21, wherein the auxiliary chamber has the upper means open to receive the first portion of the cooled air from the air divider.

25. The machine of claim 24, wherein the open upper means of the auxiliary chamber is secured to the circulation means.

26. For a refrigerated display where the merchandiser has an opening in the front thereof through which a consumer can see and access food products that are displayed on the merchandiser, where the food products on the merchandiser are cooled by air cooling that is introduced from a perforated panel that is inside the merchandiser, and where the merchandiser includes an air curtain generated within the aperture and directed down the aperture, a method for developing parameters to balance the relative air fluxes of the air curtain and air curtain to minimize the loss of cooling air through the opening, said method comprising the steps of: (a) adjusting the relative flows of the air curtain and cooling air to obtain a curtain of air stable air; (b) introducing a visible additive into the cooling air so as to allow observation and identification of any cooling air that escapes from the periphery of the front opening of the merchandiser; and (c) applying beads to extend from the edges of the vertical sides of the front of the merchandiser towards the opening in order to control the loss of cooling air through the air curtain.

27. In a refrigerated display for self-service, which has thereon a cover for exhibiting food products, said cover having a front access opening defined on its vertical elongated sides by side housing walls, said cover further comprising a perforated bottom panel at through which cooling air is introduced and passes over the food products, said cover also having channel means for forming an air curtain directed downwardly through the front access opening, wherein the improvement comprises: means for minimizing the loss of cooling air through the access front opening, said minimizing means including a flange on each side of the side walls of the housing, extending along at least a portion of the vertical elongate sides, said flange a size such that the loss of cooling air in the two of the front access opening is reduced.

28. A refrigerated self-service display according to claim 27, wherein the ridge extends along the entire length of each of the side walls of the housing.

29. In a refrigerated storage and display cabinet having an open front section along a main portion thereof, a compressor, condensing coils, a dissipating tray, a line for transferring refrigerant from the compressor to the condensing coils, and a curtain of air passing down the open front section, the improvement comprising: a refrigerant condenser; a pre-condensing coil interposed in the line for transferring refrigerant from the compressor to the condensing coils, said pre-condensing coil being arranged in the dissipating tray to provide a heat source to evaporate the condensate; motor-fan means for passing the air over the condensing coils to cool the refrigerant in the condensing coils; and means for filtering the air before it passes through the motor-fan means, said filter means being located above the pre-condensing coil.

30. The improvement of claim 29, further comprising: means for passing the condensate down the filter media and then over the precondensing coil.