US20150374140A1

US20150374140A1 - Refrigerated case with partial height doors

Info

Publication number: US20150374140A1
Application number: US14/318,349
Authority: US
Inventors: Larry C. Howington; Timothy Dean Swofford
Original assignee: Hill Phoenix Inc
Current assignee: Hill Phoenix Inc
Priority date: 2014-06-27
Filing date: 2014-06-27
Publication date: 2015-12-31

Abstract

A temperature controlled case includes: a housing that defines a display area configured to receive one or more products; an opening across a front of the housing that provides access to the display area; a cooling system configured to keep the display area at a predetermined temperature; and a door coupled to the housing. The door is movable between a full close position and a full open position, such that when the door is in the full close position, the door partially covers the opening to create a gap between the door and the opening.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates to a temperature controlled case. More specifically, the present disclosure relates to temperature controlled cases with access doors covering a portion of the front of the case and adjacent to one or more uncovered openings (gaps or passages) on the front of the case.

BACKGROUND

It is known to provide a temperature controlled case (e.g., refrigerated case, freezer, merchandiser, etc.) for the storage and presentation of food products (such as perishable meat, dairy, seafood, produce, etc.). Such known temperature controlled cases may include those of a type having one or more substantially horizontal support surfaces or shelves for the support and presentation of food products. Typically, one or more doors enclose the case to ensure that the food products stay refrigerated. To prevent the transfer of heat to the food products, the one or more doors typically completely seal in the area that holds the food products.

SUMMARY

According to one embodiment a temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a display area configured to receive one or more products; an opening across a front of the housing that provides access to the display area; a cooling system configured to keep the display area at a predetermined temperature; and a door coupled to the housing. The door is movable between a full close position and a full open position, such that when the door is in the full close position, the door partially covers the opening to create a gap between the door and the opening.
According to another embodiment a temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a display area configured to receive one or more products; an opening across a front of the housing that provides access to the display area; a cooling system configured to keep the display area at a predetermined temperature; a door coupled to the housing; and a barrier device coupled to at least one of the door and the housing. The door is movable between a full close position and a full open position, such that when the door is in the full close position, the door partially covers the opening to create a gap between the door and the opening. The barrier device is configured to provide a barrier to reduce an amount of heat transfer between the display area and an area external to the case via the gap.
According to another embodiment a vertically oriented temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a display area configured to receive one or more products; an opening across a front of the housing that provides access to the display area, the opening having a top edge and a bottom edge; a cooling system configured to keep the display area at a predetermined temperature; and a door coupled to the housing, the door including a top edge and a bottom edge. The door is movable between a full close position and a full open position. When the door is in the full close position, the bottom edge of the door is in substantial contact with the bottom edge of the opening and the top edge of the door is separated by a gap from the top edge of the opening, such that an amount of heat transfer may occur via the gap.
According to another embodiment a vertically oriented temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a display area configured to receive one or more products; an opening across a front of the housing that provides access to the display area, the opening having a top edge and a bottom edge; a cooling system configured to keep the display area at a substantially predetermined temperature; and a door coupled to the housing, the door including a top edge and a bottom edge. The door is movable between a full close position and a full open position. When the door is in the full close position, the bottom edge of the door is separated by a first gap from the bottom edge of the opening and the top edge of the door is separated by a second gap from the top edge of the opening, such that an amount of heat transfer may occur via the first and second gaps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIGS. 1A-1B are front views of a vertically oriented temperature controlled case with a partial height door and an upper gap according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 1C is a side view of the vertically oriented temperature controlled case of FIGS. 1A-1B according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2A is a front view of the vertically oriented temperature controlled case of FIGS. 1A-1C with a barrier device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 2B is a side view of the vertically oriented temperature controlled case of FIG. 2A according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 3A-3B are front views of a vertically oriented temperature controlled case with a partial height door and a lower gap according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 3C is a side view of the vertically oriented temperature controlled case of FIGS. 3A-3B according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 4 is a front view of the vertically oriented temperature controlled case of FIGS. 3A-3B with a barrier device according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 5 is a front view of a vertically oriented temperature controlled case with a partial height door and upper and lower gaps according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 6A-6B are front views of a vertically oriented temperature controlled case with two partial height doors and upper and lower gaps according to exemplary embodiments.

FIG. 6C is a front view of a vertically oriented temperature controlled case with two partial height doors and an upper gap according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIG. 6D is a front view of a vertically oriented temperature controlled case with two partial height doors and a lower gap according to an exemplary embodiment.

FIGS. 7A-7D are isometric views of horizontally oriented temperature controlled cases with one or more gaps according to exemplary embodiments.

FIGS. 8A-8C are isometric views of semi-vertically oriented temperature controlled cases with one or more gaps according to exemplary embodiments.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

In the following detailed description, reference is made to the accompanying drawings, which form a part thereof. In the drawings, similar symbols typically identify similar components, unless context dictates otherwise. The illustrative embodiments described in the detailed description, drawings, and claims are not meant to be limiting. Other embodiments may be utilized, and other changes may be made, without departing from the spirit or scope of the subject matter presented here.
Referring to the figures generally, various embodiments disclosed herein relate to a temperature controlled case having a front (or top, for horizontal style cases) opening with one or more “partial height” doors. The opening allows access to a display area that holds various products (e.g., dairy items). A first portion of the opening is selectively closeable by the partial height door, while the remaining portion of the opening remains open to define a gap or passage that remains open even when the door is fully closed. Although heat transfer between the display area and the external environment is readily available via the gap, the gap may prevent stale air from accumulating within the display area, accommodate objects with a wide array of temperature sensitivities due to the temperature gradient (e.g., deli meat may be located in the display area selectively covered by the door whereas a premade sandwich is located in the gap area because it does not require the same cooler temperature as the deli meat), enable modularity of doors for temperature controlled cases, and/or reduce manufacturing and material costs. For example, the partial height door may allow manufacturers to be less concerned with completely sealing the opening of the temperature controlled case, which may allow them to manufacture doors quicker. Similarly, manufacturers may be able to produce a standard door (e.g., use common items) for temperature controlled cases to reduce the engineering and production costs associated with the production of customized doors.
As such, according to the embodiments illustrated and disclosed herein, a refrigerated case 100 generally includes a housing 105 which defines a temperature controlled space that provides a display area 130 that is configured to receive products or objects (e.g. perishable food products, meats, dairy, produce items, frozen items, etc.), an opening 131 across the front of the housing 105 that provides access to the display area 130, a cooling system 125 that substantially controls the temperature of the display area 130, and one or more partial height doors 150. The partial height door 150 is coupled to the housing 105 and partially covers the opening 131 to form at least one gap (or passage) 110 with the housing 105 of the refrigerated case 100.
Referring to FIGS. 1A-1C, a temperature controlled case, shown as refrigerated case 100 with an upper gap 110 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Refrigerated case 100 is a vertical front-loading case of the open front type (e.g., “reach-in,” “self-service,” etc.). According to various other embodiments, refrigerated case 100 may be configured as a semi-vertical temperature controlled case or a horizontal style temperature controlled case (described more fully herein). In any configuration of the case 100, a partial height door 150 forms at least one gap 110 with the opening 131.
Typically, door 150 is a transparent, insulated material (e.g., glass) such that a user can see through it to the display area 130 located within the housing 105. The door 150 is operable between a full close position (FIG. 1A) to a full open position (FIG. 1B). As such, the coupling 155 of the door 150 to the housing 150 may include one or more hinges so that the door 150 may rotate to the full open position; a slide mechanism so that the door 150 may slide to the full open position; and/or some other type of coupling mechanism. In the full close position, as shown, a sealing surface 151 of the door 150 is in substantial contact with a sealing surface 106 of the housing 105 to substantially prevent cool air, generated by the cooling system 125, from escaping the display area 130. Accordingly, in the full close position, the door 150 is on substantially the same plane as the opening 131. Although the door 150 is on substantially the same plane as the opening 131, the door 150 only partially covers the opening 131, such that a gap 110 is created.
In FIG. 1B, the partial height door 150 has been actuated to the full open position. In the full open position, the sealing surface 151 of the door 150 and the sealing surface 106 of the housing 105 are at a maximum distance apart and the door 150 is not on substantially the same plane as the opening 131. Therefore, a user may readily access the display area 130. In some embodiments, the door 150 includes a handle 160, such that a user can move the door to the full open position from the full close position. However, the door 150 may be actuated by many other techniques as well. For example, a motion sensor may be utilized such that when a user waves their hand in front of the sensor, an actuation member moves the door to the full open position. In the full open position (or a partial open position), the user can access and obtain one or more products in the display area 130. For example, a user may grab a frozen pizza from shelves 135 in the display area 130. The display shelves 135 may be fixedly coupled to housing 105 or may be detachably coupled to housing 105. Detachably coupled display shelves 135 may allow the number and/or positioning of shelves within display area 130 to be selectively arranged or reconfigured so that shelving system is adaptable to accommodate products of varying sizes.
Referring now to FIG. 1C, a side view of a vertically oriented refrigerated case 100 with a cooling system 125 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Typically, the cooling system 125 includes one or more coils, finned-coils, heat exchangers, flow-through pans, compressors, fans, etc. The cooling system 125 functions to keep the display area 130 at a substantially predetermined temperature (e.g., thirty-four degrees Fahrenheit) in order to preserve one or more products (e.g., a gallon of milk) located therein. Although FIG. 1C depicts the cooling system 125 located in the bottom of the housing 105, the cooling system 125 may be located in any suitable position that enables the cooling system 125 to cool/refrigerate the display area 130. For example, the cooling system 125 may be located near the top of the housing 105.
As shown in FIGS. 1A-1C, the door 150 is sized to define a gap 110 between the door 150 and the opening 131. The gap 110 may be of varying heights (i.e., the distance between the top edge 158 of the door 150 and the top edge 107 of the opening 131). The gap 110 substantially prevents the opening 131 from being completely sealed, when the door is in the full close position (FIG. 1A). Accordingly, in the full close position (FIG. 1B), a bottom edge 159 of the door 150 is in substantial contact with a bottom edge 108 of the opening 131. Thus, heat transfer through the exchange of air is substantially only possible via the upper gap 110.
According to an alternate embodiment, referring to FIGS. 2A-2B, the refrigerated case 100 may also include a barrier device 200 (e.g., shield, divider, etc.). The barrier device 200 is coupled to the housing 105. However, in an alternate embodiment, the barrier device 200 may be coupled to the top (or bottom, see FIGS. 3A-3B) of the door 150. The barrier device 200 may be structured as a substantially solid component, a perforated component, and/or an air current producing or guiding device. In any configuration, the barrier device 200 provides a barrier to substantially cover the gap 110 and reduce the amount of heat transfer from the display area 130 to the environment via the gap 110. According to an exemplary embodiment, in the solid component configuration, the barrier device 200 may be a shield (perforated and/or solid) made out of a transparent material (e.g., plexi-glass), that extends the length 210 of the gap 110. However, in some embodiments, the barrier may only extend a partial length of the display area 130.
In the configuration where the barrier device 200 is arranged as an air producing or guiding device, the barrier device 200 provides one or more layers of air substantially over the gap 110 to separate the air and temperature within the housing 105 (display area 130) from the air and temperature in the environment. The barrier device 200 may include one or more blower fans, plenums, coils, cooling systems, etc. In one embodiment, the barrier device 200 directs warmer air that has risen within the display area 130 downward over the gap 110. The continuous guiding of the warmer air separates the display area 130 within the housing 105 and the environment external to the provided barrier. In another embodiment, the barrier device 200 guides external air (outside of the case 100) over the gap 110 to separate the display area 130 from the external environment. In either configuration, a barrier of air is provided by the barrier device 200 that substantially covers the gap 110 to reduce the amount of heat transfer via the gap 110. Although the barrier device 200 has been described as producing a downward air stream, depending on the case style (vertical, horizontal, semi-vertical, service and/or self-service over-counter), the barrier device 200 may be positioned to provide an air stream in any direction to substantially cover the gap 110.
Referring to FIGS. 3A-3C, a temperature controlled case, shown as refrigerated case 100 with a lower gap 110 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. Similar to FIGS. 1A-1C, the case 100 is a vertical front-loading case, which includes a housing 105 that defines a temperature controlled space that provides a display area 130 that is configured to receive products or objects (e.g. perishable food products, meats, dairy, produce items, frozen items, etc.), an opening 131 across the front of the housing 105 that provides access to the display area 130, a cooling system 125 that substantially controls the temperature of the display area 130, and one or more partial height doors 150. The partial height door 150 is coupled to the housing 105 to define a lower gap 110.
As seen in FIG. 3A, the partial height door 150 is in a full close position with respect to the housing 105. Typically, the door 150 is of the same or substantially the same structure and function as door 150 in FIGS. 1A-1C. Accordingly, the door 150 is movable between a full close position and a full open position (FIG. 3B). In the full close position, the door 150 substantially covers the opening 131 to prevent cool air, generated by the cooling system 125, from escaping the display area 130, such that the products within the display area 130 stay refrigerated. FIG. 3C depicts a side view of the refrigerated case 100 with the door in the full close position. FIG. 3C also depicts a cooling system 125 and the lower gap 110.
As compared to FIGS. 1A-1C, the lower gap 110 is defined as the distance between the lower edge 159 of the door 150 and the bottom edge 108 of the opening 131. Thus, in the full close position, the upper edge 158 of the door 150 and the upper edge 107 of the opening 131 are in substantial contact and the bottom edge 159 of the door 150 and the bottom edge 108 of the opening 131 are separated by a distance (i.e., the gap 110). The gap 110 distance may include a variety of different distances based on each application. For example, if the products in the display area 130 do not require a constant refrigerated temperature, the distance may be increased such that a relatively greater amount of heat transfer may occur between the display area 130 and the external environment via the gap 110. In one embodiment, the distance stays substantially constant from the full close position (FIG. 3A) to the full open position (FIG. 3B) of the door 150.
Referring next to FIG. 4, a refrigerated case 100 with a lower gap 110 and a barrier device 200 is shown according to an exemplary embodiment. The barrier device 200 may be of the same structure and function as the barrier device 200 described in FIGS. 2A-2B. However, the barrier device 200 of FIG. 4 is shown to be coupled to a lower portion of the housing 105 of the case 100. In other embodiments, the barrier device 200 may be coupled to a lower portion of the door 150. If it is later determined that the products stored in the display area 130 need to be held at a lower temperature, rather than increasing the output of the cooling system 125, a barrier device 200 may be attached/utilized to reduce heat transfer to the display area 130 via the gap 110.
Referring to FIGS. 5-8, various other embodiments of the case 100 with a gap 110 are shown according to exemplary embodiments. In FIG. 5, a partial height door 150 forms an upper gap 110 and a lower gap 110 with the opening 131 of the refrigerated case 100. As shown, the case 100 of FIG. 5 also includes an upper and a lower barrier shield 200. In the embodiment shown, the barrier shields 200 may be dividers (i.e., plastic shields) that substantially cover the upper and lower gaps 110. As shown, the gaps 110 are of substantially the same distance (e.g., the upper gap 110 distance, defined as the distance between the top edge 158 of the door 150 and the top edge 107 of the opening 131, is substantially equal to the lower gap 110 distance, defined as the distance between the lower edge 159 of the opening 131 and the lower edge 107 of the opening 131). However, according to various other embodiments, the upper and lower gap 110 distances may not be equal (e.g., the upper gap 110 distance may be greater than the lower gap 110 distance). For example, because cool air is relatively more dense than warm air, the lower gap 110 may be a relatively smaller distance than the upper gap 110 in order to reduce undesirable heat transfer.
Referring to FIG. 6A, a first (left most) partial height door 150 and a second (right most) partial height door 150 are coupled to the housing 105 of case 100. As shown, the refrigerated case 100 is structured as a vertical, front-loading style refrigerated case. The first and second doors 150 are coupled to the housing 105 via couplings 155. The couplings 155 are hinges that allow the doors to rotate open to a display area 130 located within the housing 105. Similar to couplings 155 above, the couplings 155 may also include a slide mechanism so that the doors may slide open, and/or some other type of coupling mechanism. In FIG. 6A, the first and second doors 150 are in the full close position. In the full close position, the opening 131 is substantially covered such that the display area 130 is non-accessible to users of the case 100. In FIG. 6B, the first and second doors have been actuated to the full open position, such that products or objects located in the display area 130 (typically, on one or more shelves 135) are easily obtainable. FIGS. 6A-6B depict the case 100 as including an upper gap 110 and a lower gap 110. Thus, heat transfer may occur via the upper and lower gaps 110. The upper gap 110 distance and the lower gap 110 distance may be substantially equal or different based on each application. Furthermore, one or more barrier devices 200 may be included with each one (or only one) gap 110.
FIGS. 6C-6D depict single gap 110 embodiments of the case shown in FIGS. 6A-6B. In both FIG. 6C and FIG. 6D, the first and second partial doors 150 are in the full close position. However, in FIG. 6C, the partial doors 150 form an upper gap 110 with the opening 131 of the case 100 where in FIG. 6D, the partial doors 150 form a lower gap 110 with the housing 105. FIGS. 6C-6D also show the case 100 including barrier devices 200. Accordingly, depending on the application for case 100, a manufacturer may choose to construct the case of FIG. 6A, FIG. 6C, or FIG. 6D. For example, if maintaining the display area 130 of the case 100 at a specific temperature is not of particular importance, then the manufacturer may choose the case of FIG. 6A where a relatively greater amount of heat transfer may occur via the top and bottom gaps 110 versus the single gap embodiment. However, if heat transfer is of a concern, the manufacturer may choose the case of FIG. 6C where the less dense, warmer air can escape the case via the gap 110 and the more dense, cooler air can stay within the housing 105 to keep the objects refrigerated (e.g., a combination service/self-service case).
Referring next to FIGS. 7A-7C, a refrigerated case 100 with one or more gaps 110 is shown according to various exemplary embodiments. As shown, the refrigerated case 100 is structured as a horizontal style case. Generally, the horizontal case 100 includes a housing 105 which defines an airspace or display area 130 that is configured to receive products or objects (e.g. perishable food products, meats, dairy, produce items, frozen items, etc.), an opening 131 across the top of the housing 105 that provides access to the display area 130, a cooling system 125 (not shown) that substantially controls the temperature of the display area 130, and one or more doors 150. The partial height door(s) 150 are coupled to the housing 105 and form at least one gap 110 with the opening 131 of the refrigerated case 100. The housing includes a front and rear wall 701, 702 and left and right side walls 703 and 704. The walls 701-704 define the housing 105.
FIGS. 7A-7B depict the door 150 rotatably coupled to the rear wall 702 of the housing 105. In the full close position (FIG. 7A), a bottom edge of the door 150 is on substantially the same plane as the opening 131. In the full open position, the door 150 is at a maximum position away from the opening 131 of the housing 105. The door 150 is movably coupled to the housing 105 via a coupling 155. The coupling 155 may have the same structure and function as that of other couplings 155 described herein. In the full close position, the door 150 is sized to define at least one gap 110 with the opening 131 of the housing 105. Although the door 150 is shown to be the size of the length of the rear wall 702, in other embodiments (see FIG. 7C), the door 150 may be sized only to the couplings 155. In this embodiment, a front, left side (with respect to wall 703), and right side (with respect to wall 704), gap 110 may be formed between the door 150 and the opening 131. To prevent the door 150 from falling within the display area 130, one or more door stops 750 may be coupled to the housing 105 (e.g., wall 703 and wall 704) to support the door 150 in substantially the same plane as the opening 131 when the door 150 is in the full close position. In some embodiments, the gap 110 may be augmented with a barrier device 200, coupled to the housing 105 (e.g., wall 701) to reduce heat transfer between the display area 130 and the external environment.
FIG. 7D depicts another style door 150 for a horizontal style refrigerated case 100. In the example shown in FIG. 7D, a front and a rear gap 110 is formed between front wall 701 and the rear wall 702 of the housing 105 and the door(s) 150, respectively. In this embodiment, the door(s) are translatably (slidably) coupled to the housing 105. For example, front and rear tracks 710 and 720 (coupled to the housing 105) may provide support for the door(s) to enable them to slide across parallel planes to the opening 131 to provide access to the display area 130. In this embodiment, one or more doors 150 may be utilized with the case 100. Accordingly, the doors 150 may be of varying depths within the display area 130, such that they can translate over one another (e.g., lay on top of each other) to enable access to the display area 130. According to various other embodiments, the tracks 710, 720 may be positioned adjacent to the rear wall 702 (or front wall 701), such that there is only one gap 110 instead of multiple gaps 110. Similarly, one or more barrier devices 200 (e.g., a shield) may be included with the case of FIG. 7D, to reduce the amount of heat transfer between the display area 130 and the environment via the gap(s) 110.
Referring next to FIGS. 8A-8C, additional embodiments of temperature controlled cases with one or more gaps are shown according to exemplary embodiments. In FIGS. 8A-8C, the refrigerated case 100 is structured as a semi-vertical refrigerated case. The case 100 includes a housing 105 that defines a temperature controlled space that provides a display area 130 that is configured to receive products or objects (e.g. perishable food products, meats, dairy, produce items, frozen items, etc.), an opening 131 across the front of the housing 105 that provides access to the display area 130, a cooling system 125 (not shown) that substantially controls the temperature of the display area 130, and one or more doors 150. The doors 150 are coupled to the housing 105 and form one or more gaps 110 with the opening 131. In some embodiments, the case 100 may also include one or more barrier devices 200 that provide substantial coverage over the gap to reduce the amount of heat transfer via the air in the gap 110.
Although door(s) 150 is described as movable below in regard to FIGS. 8A-8C, in some embodiments, the door(s) 150 may be stationary, securable, or lockable to substantially control access to the display area 130 behind the door(s) 150. Accordingly, the case 100 may be adaptable or reconfigurable to accommodate a variety of purposes and/or applications. For example, the items located behind the door(s) 150 may require relatively cooler temperatures (e.g., dairy or deli items), and the items located in the gap 110 of the display area 130 may require relatively warmer temperatures (e.g., produce such as an apple, etc.). To help maintain the relatively cooler temperatures, an attendant of the case 100 may secure the door(s) 150. In turn, customers may have to ask an attendant to acquire the items behind the door(s) 150. The customers would, however, be able to help themselves to items in the gap 110 of the display area 130. Accordingly, in this embodiment, the case is configured as a combination service over-counter and self-service case. Because the case 100 may be reconfigured, an attendant may replace the items that require relatively cooler temperatures behind the door(s) 150 with items relatively insensitive to temperature fluctuations. Not needing to maintain the relatively cooler temperatures, an attendant may unlock, unsecure, or open the door(s) 150 so that customers would be able to help themselves to both items in the gap 110 and behind the door(s) 150. Thus, the case 100 has converted from a combination self-service and service over-counter case to a full self-service case. In other embodiments, the case 100 may be convertible to or from a full self-service case, a combination self-service and service over-counter case, and a full service over-counter case.
As mentioned above, in the full self-service configuration, a customer or user may access items in the display area 130 in the gap 110, and open the door(s) 150 to access items located behind the door(s) 150 in the display area 130. In the combination self-service and service over-counter configuration, a user or customer may access items in the display area 130 in the gap 110, but be substantially prevented from accessing items behind the door(s) 150 (i.e., because the door(s) 150 are stationary or locked). For example, deli meats, etc. may be stored behind the door(s) 150 and pre-made sandwiches or other premade deli items may be located in the display area 130 in the gap 110. The user may obtain a premade sandwich, but may have to ask an attendant to acquire the desired deli item. This configuration may be used when the items behind the door(s) need or substantially need to stay at a relatively cooler temperature than the items in the display area 130 in the gap 110. In the full service over-counter configuration, items may be located behind the door(s) in the display area 130, rather than in the display area 130 in the gap 110. In this configuration, the user may have to ask an attendant of the case 100 to obtain the items held by the case 100 (i.e., from behind the door(s) 150).
In comparison to the vertical and horizontal case styles that were described above, the semi-vertical case style is characterized by the door(s) being angled relative to the ground. In the vertical orientation, the door was oriented perpendicular to the ground. In the horizontal orientation, the door was oriented parallel with the ground.
In the semi-vertical orientation of the case, the door(s) 150 may be structured to be slidably opened (FIG. 8A) and/or rotatably opened (FIGS. 8B-8C) to allow access to the display area 130. As described above, in some embodiments, the door(s) 150 may be lockable or stationary to enable various service over-counter configurations (described above). In FIG. 8A, the three doors 150 are slidable via upper and lower tracks 810 and 820 coupled to the housing 105. The doors 150 may be of varying distances away from the display area 130, such that the doors 150 may slide beneath/over each other in order to allow complete access to through the opening 131 to the display area 130. In comparison, in the rotatable door embodiment of FIGS. 8B-8C, a first (left most) door 150 is rotated to the full open position while a second door (right most) 150 remains in the full close position. Nonetheless, in either embodiment, at least one gap 110 is created between the opening 131 and the door(s) 150 when the doors are in the full close position. In FIGS. 8A-8B, only an upper gap 110 is created. In FIG. 8C, an upper gap 110 and a lower gap 110 are created. Depending on the application, a wide variety of configurations are possible. For example, if the products stored in the display area 130 are not negatively impacted by warmer and less constant temperatures, then the door(s) 150 may interact with the housing 105 to form two gaps 110. In turn, the cost of production may be lower because a relatively less amount of materials may be needed for case configurations with two gaps 110 (i.e., smaller doors may be utilized).
As with any other case configuration disclosed herein, the semi-vertical case 100 may also include a barrier device 200. The barrier device 200 may include a shield or divider (solid or perforated component) that extends across all or some of the gap 110 (length and width) or the barrier device 200 may be structured as an air curtain provider/guider where air is guided by the device to serve as a boundary layer over the opening 131 for the display area 130 and the external environment. In either configuration, the barrier device 200 may be added to the case 100 when heat transfer reduction is needed.
It should be noted that references to “front,” “rear,” “upper,” and “lower” in this description are merely used to identify the various elements as they are oriented in the Figures, with “front” and “rear” being relative the positioning of the temperature controlled case in which the partial height door is used. These terms are not meant to limit the element which they describe, as the various elements may be oriented differently in various temperature controlled cases.
Further, for purposes of this disclosure, the term “coupled” means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary in nature or moveable in nature and/or such joining may allow for the flow of fluids, electricity, electrical signals, or other types of signals or communication between the two members. Such joining may be achieved with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being integrally formed as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two members and any additional intermediate members being attached to one another. Such joining may be permanent in nature or alternatively may be removable or releasable in nature.
It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the elements of refrigerated case 100 and the partial height door 150 provided herein are illustrative only. Although only a few exemplary embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible in these embodiments (e.g., the number of doors per case configuration, the type and number of coupling mechanisms for the door to the case, the number and geometry of the gaps, etc.) without materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the inventions. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be within the scope of the inventions.

Claims

What is claimed is:

1. A temperature controlled case comprising:

a housing that defines a display area configured to receive one or more products;

an opening across the housing that provides access to the display area;

a cooling system configured to keep the display area at a predetermined temperature; and

a door coupled to the housing, the door movable between a full close position and a full open position, such that when the door is in the full close position, the door partially covers the opening to create a gap between the door and the opening.

2. The temperature controlled case of claim 1, wherein the temperature controlled case is at least one of a vertical, horizontal, service over-counter, or semi-vertical style refrigerated case.

3. The temperature controlled case of claim 1, further comprising a barrier device coupled to one of the door and the housing.

4. The temperature controlled case of claim 3, wherein the barrier device is configured to provide a barrier to reduce an amount of heat transfer via the gap.

5. The temperature controlled case of claim 4, wherein the barrier device is at least one of a solid divider and an air guiding device.

6. The temperature controlled case of claim 1, wherein the door is configured to be at least one of rotatably and slidably attached to the housing.

7. A temperature controlled case comprising:

an opening across the housing that provides access to the display area;

a cooling system configured to keep the display area at a predetermined temperature;

a door coupled to the housing, the door movable between a full close position and a full open position, such that when the door is in the full close position, the door partially covers the opening to create a gap between the door and the opening; and

a barrier device coupled to one of the door and the housing, the barrier device configured to provide a barrier to reduce an amount of heat transfer via the gap.

8. The temperature controlled case of claim 7, wherein the barrier device is at least one of a solid divider and an air guiding device.

9. The temperature controlled case of claim 7, wherein the temperature controlled case is at least one of a vertical, horizontal, service over-counter, or semi-vertical style refrigerated case.

10. A vertically oriented temperature controlled case comprising:

an opening across a front of the housing that provides access to the display area, the opening having a top edge and a bottom edge;

a door coupled to the housing, the door including a top edge and a bottom edge;

wherein the door is movable between a full close position and a full open position, and

wherein in the full close position, the bottom edge of the door is in substantial contact with the bottom edge of the opening and the top edge of the door is separated by a gap away from the top edge of the opening, such that an amount heat transfer may occur via the gap.

11. The vertically oriented temperature controlled case of claim 10, wherein the door is at least one of slidably and rotatably attached to the housing.

12. The vertically oriented temperature controlled case of claim 10, further comprising a barrier device coupled to one of the door and the housing.

13. The vertically oriented temperature controlled case of claim 12, wherein the barrier device is configured to provide a barrier to reduce the amount of heat transfer via the gap.

14. The vertically oriented temperature controlled case of claim 13, wherein the barrier device is at least one of a solid divider and an air guiding device.

15. A vertically oriented temperature controlled case comprising:

a cooling system configured to keep the display area at a substantially predetermined temperature; and

a door coupled to the housing, the door including a top edge and a bottom edge,

wherein in the full close position, the bottom edge of the door is separated by a first gap away from the bottom edge of the opening and the top edge of the door is separated by a second gap away from the top edge of the opening, such that an amount heat transfer may occur via the first and second gaps.

16. The vertically oriented temperature controlled case of claim 15, wherein the door is at least one of slidably and rotatably attached to the housing.

17. The vertically oriented temperature controlled case of claim 15, further comprising a barrier device coupled to one of the door and the housing.

18. The vertically oriented temperature controlled case of claim 16, wherein the barrier device is configured to provide a barrier to reduce the amount of heat transfer via the first and second gaps.

19. The vertically oriented temperature controlled case of claim 15, wherein the first and second gap distances are equal.

20. The vertically oriented temperature controlled case of claim 15, wherein the first gap is less than the second gap.