US1735642A - Refrigerator show case - Google Patents

Description

I'NW 12, 1929.

GRE ENBURG REFRIGERATOR snow CASE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Sept. 30, 1927 IN VEN TOR.

cmyer reefiary.

ATT RNEYJ Nov. 12, 1929; M. GREENBURG REFRIGERATOR SHOW CASE Filed Sept. 30, 1927 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Tics.

INVENTOR.

C/Vfeyef 67 12671527 I ATTOZZZW Nov. 12, 1929. M. GREENBURG REFRIGERATOR SHOW CASE Filed Sept. 30, 1927 5 Sheets-Sheet INVENTOR. (/Keyer 6 76672 6 6 9 ATTORNEYQJI Patented Nov. 12, 1929 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE MEYER GREENBURG, OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR TO NATIONAL REFRIGERATOR 00., OF PHILADELPHIA, PENNSYLVANIA REFRIGERATOR SHOW CASE Application filed September 80, 1927. Serial No. 223,038.

This invention pertains to refrigerator upper portion of the front wall of the display showcases, and has more particular reference to showcases for meats and other perishable goods. I]

The primary object of the invention is to provide a showcase by means of which the goods may be maintained ata sufficiently low temperature to keep the same in perfect condition for long periods of time.

Another ob ect is to provide a novel and improved showcase construction by which cold air currents will be brought from the opposite ends of the case and circulated at the ends of the containing space for the goods longitudinally of the case, and whereby other cold air currents will be circulated in a trans- -Verse path through the middle of the containing space for the goods, thereby keepmg the goods at the most efficient preserving temperature.

Still another object is to provide a refrigerator showcase having an improved construction of transparent front, upper and top forward wall portions whereby unobstructed vision of the display goods may be had, and wherein effective airtight joints and heat insulation is provided for to permit the low temperature to be readily maintained within the containing space for the goods.

Other objects will become apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood, and the same consists in the novel form, combination and arrangement of parts hereinafter more fully described, shown in the accompanying drawings and claimed.

In the drawings, wherein like reference characters indicate corresponding parts throughout the several views,

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a refrigerator showcase constructed in accordance with the present invention;

Figure 2 is a rear elevational view thereof;

Figure 3 is an enlarged transverse section on line 3-3 of Figure 1;

Figure 4 is an enlarged fragmentary perspective view, partly'broken away, illustrating the manner of spacing and joining as well as sealing the spaces between the upper edge portions of the glass panes forming the case shown in Figure 1;

Figure 5 is a longitudinal section on line "#1 5-5 of Figure ,3, drawn on a smaller scale;

Figure 6 is a transverse section on line 6-6 of Figure 2; and

Figure 7 is an enlarged fragmentary sectionon line 7 -7 of Figure 1.

Referring more in detail to the drawings,

the present case embodies end walls 5, a bottom wall 6, a rear wall 7, lower and end front wall portions 8 and 9, and rear and end top wall portions 10 and 11, all preferably constructed of spaced wooden or other opaque wall members between which are defined dead air spaces containing a suitable heat insulating material or packing 12. The remaining major intermediate forward top wall and intermediate upper front wall portions of the case are constructed of spaced transparent glass panes 13 and 14 respectively in a manner which will presently become apparent.

Provided within the case adjacent to but spaced from-the end walls thereof are transverse partitions 15 which define narrow end compartments 16, each containing a suitable refrigerating element 17 of conventional form, and definingv between them a long intermediate containing space 8 for the goods, the rear wall 7 being furnished with suitable hinged closures 18- of any desired number found most convenient for reaching the interior containing space for the goods. A shelf 19 in the-form of a grating or the like is located substantially midway of the height of the containing space 8 for the goods, said shelf being sup orted upon the partitions 15, for example. bviously, if desired, a lower shelf may be provided inthe space 8 adjacent but spaced from the bottom wall 6 so that a quantity of goods may be properly stored in the lower portion of the case whiles ecial cuts of meat or the like tobe displaye may be supported upon the shelf 19.

The partitions 15 are suitably cut away.

the free circulation of cold'air currentsin.

paths extending longitudinally of the case at the ends of the latter as indicated by the arrows 22 in Fig. 5. The cold air currents are thus passed through the end compartments 16 and through; the end portions of the containing space 8 and the adjacent portions of the shelf 19 so that the goods at the ends of the containing space will be effectively preserved.

In order to support a scale or the like at a sufliciently low elevation for proper observation by the customers, the rear portions of the top wall 10 of the case 'is provided with depressed end portions 23 forming scale supporting platforms. Within the top of the relatively long intermediate rear portion of the case and extending for the full length of the latter from one depressed portion 23 to the other is a cooling coil or element 24 directly beneath which is arranged a troughshaped wall 25 supported by the rear wall 7- and extending from end to end of the containing space for the goods as shown in Figure 5. The forward edge of the troughshaped wall 25 is spaced from the top Wall of the case and disposed in this space between the top wall of the case and the adjacent forward edge of the trough-shaped wall 25 is a longitudinal partition 26 which is spaced from the top wall of the case and adjacent forward edge of the trough-shaped wall 25 so as to provide for thefree circulation into and out of the compartment 27 thus formed for the coil 24. By the provision of this means, cold air currents are circulated in a transversely extending path for substantially the full length of the containing space 8 for the goods and especially in the major'intermediate portion of saidspace so that, together with the end circulating cold air' cfirrents, complete preservation of the food within the entire containing space is insured. The wall 25 may act as a means for catching water of condensation or the like dripping from the coil 24, and by any suitable means this water may be conducted to asuitable point of disposal. I have found that due to the great length of display cases of this character and other causes, it is impractical .to completely circulate the air within the containing space by the provision of refrigerating elements at the ends of the case only or only at the top or top and bottom of the case. In other words, by providing end and upper intermediate refrigerating units with air circulation inducing means for both, complete circulation of the air is had and the occurrence of stationary stagnant air at any point or points is positively prevented.

As shown clearly in Figure 3, the panes 14 are preferably disposed ata slight upward and rearward inclination. Three of these panes are preferably provided in spaced parallel relation to form a pair of dead air spaces therebetween and most efliciently maintain the low temperature within the case. The

panes 13 extend forwardly across the upper edges of the panes l4 and are also provided three in number to provide a pair of dead air spaces for the forward top wall portion of the case. Transparent spacing strips 28 are provided between the upper edges of the panes 14 and the forward edges of the panes 13 so that unobstructed vision of the goods displayed upon the shelf 19 may be had, such as is not the case. where opaque or Wooden forward upper corner mouldings are provided as in prior constructions involving multiple pane wall portions. In order to effectively retain the panes in assembled relation against the opposite edges of the spacing strips 28, said panes are clamped together at suitable intervals by means of suitable clamps 29 which engage theupper portions of the panes 14 and the forward port-ions of the panes 13 at regular intervals as shown in Figure 1 and which overlie the joints 30 between the ends of sections of the spacing strips 28 as indicated in Figure 4. The joining of the panes to the strips 28 as well as the sealing of the joints is further effected for producing an absolutely airtight construction, by providing a suitable adhesive sealing composition. at these j oint-s or between the edgesof the strips 28 and theadjacent panes 13 or 14 as well as between the strips 28 of the panes 14 and the upper edges of the latter, and between the lowermost pane 13. In order that the lowermost pane 13 may contact the upper edges of the panes 14 and thereby be'eifectively sealed in airtight relation thereto, the upper edges of the panes 14 are suitably notched as at 31 so that the clamps 29 associated with said panes 14 will be countersunk or seated within these notches flush with the upper edges of the panes 14 as indicated in Figure 4.

By reason of the construction described, an absolutely airtight job is had whereby to obtain the greatest economy in the use of the refrigerating medium and to holdthe temperature down to the desired low point. This is true in combination with the provision of a construction wherein unobstructed view of the displayed goods may be had without especial efforts such as crouching or the like on the part of the'customer, such as has been found to be the case with constructions involving opaque and relatively wide for- Ward upper corner frames.

The lower front wall portion of the case may be suitably finished by means of an opal glass panel 32 held by a metallic border or frame 33 so as to enhance the appearance of the device. 7

From the foregoing description it is believed that the construction as well as the advantages of the invention will be readily understood and appreciated by those skilled in the art.

Minor changes may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as claimed.

What I claim as new is 1.,A refrigerator case-including end and intermediate refrigerating elements, a goods support between the end refrigerating elements, apertured partitions to direct circulation of cooled air through the end portions of the goods support in longitudinally extending paths, and means defining spaced paths at the forward side of the intermediate refrigerating element to direct circulation of cooled air. through the intermediate portion of the goods support in a transversely extending path. a

2. A refrigerator case having a goods conf taining space, a cooling element in said space,

means definingspaced paths at the forward side of the cooling element to circulate the air cooledby said element through said goods containing space in a transversely extending path, cooling elements at the ends of said being formed with a central goods containing. compartment, and supplementary end com-' partments to contain refrigeratingelements, the central compartment being separated from the end compartments by vertical parand lowerportlons for the circulation of cooled air, the central compartment bein' entirely closed at its bottom part, above w 'ch the lower openings in thepartition are lo'-' space, and means to circulate the air cooled by thev latter, elements through the ends of s'aid s ace in longitudinally extending paths.

3.- refrigerator case having end compartments and an intermediate goods containing space, refrigerating elements in said compartments, apertured art'itions to direct the cooled air through t e compartments and ends of the goods containing space in vertical longitudinally extending paths, a refrigerating element in the upper part of said goods containing space, and spaced elements at the forward side of the last named refrigerating element to direct the cooled air in a vertical transversely extending path past the latter refrigerating element and through the intermediate art of the goods containing space.

4. A re rigerator case having end compartments and an intermediate goods containing space, a goods support in said space, a refrigerating element in the rear upper portion of said space above said support and adjacent the top, spaced walls directly below and in front of said element to direct cooled air through said space in a vertical transverx- 1y extending path, the lower wall comprising a trough secured at its rear longitudinal edge to' the rear wall of the case, and means to direct cooled air in vertical longitudinally extending paths through the ends of said space;

5. A refrigerator case having end 0 aque compartments provided with depresse rear top wall portions, said case having a goods containing s ace between said compartments, a refrigerating element extending the full length of said space in the rear upper portion thereof'between said depressed wall portions,

refrigerating elements ,in said end compartments, and transparent forward top and upper front wall portions for said space. I

6. A refrigerator display case composed of non-conducting. enclosing walls with trans- 7 parent front and top wall portions, said case titions having openings through their upper:

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