US2074178A

US2074178A - Display stand

Info

Publication number: US2074178A
Application number: US75569A
Authority: US
Inventors: Albert J Greene
Original assignee: Universal Manufacturing Co
Current assignee: Universal Manufacturing Co
Priority date: 1936-04-21
Filing date: 1936-04-21
Publication date: 1937-03-16
Anticipated expiration: 1954-03-16

Description

March 16,1937.

A. J.' GREENE DI\SPLAY sum: Filed April 21, 1936 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 V INVENTOR. ZZZALT... WW

@xakm ATTORNEYS March 16, 1937. GREENE 2,074,178

DI si=LAY STAND Filed April 21, 1936 3 Sheets-Shet 2 4 4a I. I v a f A 2 Z i ZNVENTOR. BY I v I M I,

ATTORNEYS 'March 16, 1937. A. J. GREENE 2,074,178

DISPLAY STAND Filed April 21, 1936 3 Sheets-Sheet 3 Z INVENTOR. BY H I AW I (Oi/LL ATTORNEYS Patented Mar. 16, 1937 PATENT OFFICE DISPLAY STAND Albert J. Greene, Decatur, Ill., assignor, by mesne assignments, to Universal Manufacturing 00., Decatur, 111., a corporation of Illinois Application April 21, 1936, Serial No. 75,569

11 Claims.

This invention relates to display stands particularly adapted to be employed in the displaying of various perishable commodities such, for example, as lettuce, celery and similar produce.

An important object of the present invention is to provide a generally improved display stand on which various perishable commodities, especially those which are most susceptible to deterioration by reason of improper or unsuited atmospheric conditions, may be subjected to such treatment, while on display, as will maintain them fresh and preserve their natural characteristics. To the above and other ends the invention contemplates, in a display stand, means for so directing currents of air through a plurality of finely divided sprays of water as to cause a suitable amount of moisture to be picked up by and carried along with the air currents, means for uniformly delivering such moisture to the displayed vegetables in the form of a mist, and means for insuring continuous movement of air currents not only directly above the vegetables but also directly beneath as well as generally between the same.

Other objects and advantages of the invention will become apparent from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings,in which- Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a display stand embodying the present invention; Fig.. 2 is a plan view of the display stand; Fig. 3 is a longitudinal, sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Fig. 4; Fig. 4 is a transverse sectional view taken on line 4-4 of Fig. 3; Fig. 5 is a transverse, sectional view of a modified form of main baflie; Fig. 6 is a plan view of another modified form of main bafile; Fig. '7 is a fragmental, sectional view showing a pair of adjustable distributing bailies that may be employed in lieuof the fixed distributing baiiles of Fig. 3; Fig. 8 is an enlarged view, partly in section and partly in elevation, showing the details of construction of the respective spray nozzle units, all of which appear in Fig. 3 and one of which is illustrated in Fig. 4; Fig. 9 is an enlarged view showing in end elevation the motor of Fig. 3 and illustrating the manner in which it is yield'ably supported with relation to its associated air conduit,.and Fig. 10 is a view in side elevation of the motor and its mounting as they appear from the left in Fig. 9.

Although the invention may be incorporated in display stands of various designs, it is herein illustrated as embodied in an apparatus compris- 5-5 ing a cabinet C, which includes rear, front and I end wall sections III, II, and I2, respectively, and

is adapted to accommodate in the lower part thereof a plurality of suitable receptacles, not shown, for the display of such commodities as are commonly known as dry vegetables, for ex- 5 ample potatoes, turnips, squash and other similar produce.

Associated with the cabinet C, is an air humldifying unit M, which is adapted to deliver moisture to the vegetables to be treated and to 10 insure continuous movement of airnot only directly above the vegetables, but also directly beneath as well as generally between the same. The humidifying unit I4 is so incorporated into the apparatus as a whole that it assumes an in- 15 clined or'forwardly tilted position, as will be readily understood from an inspection of Fig. 4.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, the humidifying unit It includes a horizontally disposed conduit l6, at the inlet end of which is mounted an 20 electric fan unit I I, the motor I8 of which is yieldably supported by a resilient mounting 20.

Referring particularly to Figs. 9 and 10, it will be noted that the motor mounting 20 includes a pair of arcuate straps 2|, which are clamped to 2 the motor housing and to which are connected the inner ends of a plurality of tension springs 22. These springs are disposed radially with respect .to the axis of the conduit i6 and are connected at their outer ends to a plurality of ten- 30 sioning hooks 24, the screw-threaded and nutcarrying ends of which extend through a plu-' rality of longitudinally disposed arms 25, secured to an annular band 26, which embraces and is suitably connected to the outer end of the 35 conduit Hi. It has been found that the relatively simple motor mounting just described not only serves as a convenient means for supporting the motor in a proper position with relation to the conduit l6, but also serves to satisfactorily obviate the transmittal of motor vibrations to the humidifying unit and its several associated parts.

Referring particularly to Figs. 1 to 4, it will be noted that the conduit I6 terminates in a distributing chamber 21, the inclined side walls 28 of which are disposed in a parallel relation and the inclined bottom wall 30 of which is provided with a drain pipe 31. water which is supplied y th s v a s ay n0zzles, hereinafter described, gravitates into the v distributing chamber 21, the drain pipe 3| is by preference connected to the lowermost or substantially the lowermost point of that chamber,

Inasmuch as any surplus 50 as shown in Fig. 4, so as to insure complete drainage thereof at all times.

As shown most clearly in Fig. 3, the distributing chamber 21 includes, in addition to its side walls 28 and its bottom wall 30, a pair of

end walls

32 and 34, the former of which is straight and extends vertically from the wall of the conduit l6, and the latter of which is curved and extends upwardly from the bottom wall 30. The side walls 28 and the

end walls

32 and 34 of the distributing chamber 21 terminate in substantially the same plane and are connected respectively at their upper ends to the upwardly and outwardly inclined side walls 35 and end walls 36 of a hopper-like header H. The side walls 35 of the header H terminate in vertically disposed front and

rear wall sections

38 and 40 which are so curved or shaped at their upper ends as to afford front and rear down draft deflectors 4| and 42, whereas the end walls 36 of the header terminate in transversely extending ledges 44, with which are associated upwardly extending end wall sections 45. In order that the humidifying unit |4 thus far described may be conveniently supported by the cabinet C, there are provided a plurality of

hanger lips

46, 41, and 48 which are carried by the

header wall sections

38, 40, and 45, respectively, and are adapted to overhang the upper ends of the wall sections I0, II, and I2 of the cabinet 0, within which the humidifying unit is adapted to snugly fit. For the sake of appearance in the finished apparatus and in order to guard or protect the down draft deflectors 4| and 42 against accidental or unintentional blows or impacts which might tend to bend or otherwise unduly deform the same, they are housed within or partially enclosed by a pair of longitudinally disposed hoods 50 and carried, respectively, at the front and the rear margins of the humidifying unit I4.

In order that the vegetables, to which moisture is to be supplied and in the immediate vicinity, of which air currents are to be induced or o,therwise set up. may be supported in display position, the humidifying unit I4 is so constructed as to afford an upwardly and rearwardly in clined tray T. This tray includes the end wall sections 45 of the header H, and a pair of longitudinally disposed

side walls

52 and 54 which are suitably connected at their opposite ends to the end wall sections 45 and are spaced a substantial distance from the front and

rear wall sections

38 and 40 of the header. The

side walls

52 and 54 of the tray T are formed at their lower margins with inwardly extending ledges 55, which terminate in inwardly and downwardly extending deflector lips 56. In order to lend rigidity to .the deflector lips 56, and incidentally reinforce their associated

side walls

52 and 54, there are provided a plurality of tie members 51 which extend transversely of the tray T and are secured to the deflector lips in such positions that their upper or bearing surfaces are flush with the ledges 55, which, themselves, are flush with the ledges 44. It will be appreciated that inasmuch as the tie members 51, the ledges 55 and the ledges 44 are so disposed with relation to each other that their upper faces lie in the same or substantially the same plane, they are admirably adapted to support a bottom 58 for the tray T. The bottom 53, in order to afford unobstructed passage of air to the vegetables supported thereon and to permit free disposal of any excess-moisture supplied to the vegetables while being subjected to treatment by the apparatus embodying the invention, is of a highly pervious character and comprises a plurality of removable screen sections 60, which are disposed adjacent each other and are collectively supported by the tie members 51 and ledges 44 and 55. If desired, a plurality of removable separators, one of which is indicated in Fig. 1 and there indicated by the numeral 6|, may. be employed for maintaining adjacent groups of vegetables more or less separated from each other.

Disposed beneath the tray T and arranged centrally or substantially centrally of the header H and the rectangular opening leading into the header from the distributing chamber 21, is a main baiile 62 which is hopper-like in its character and presents in plan a rectangular outline. This baffle includes a pair of upwardly and outwardly extending side walls 64, connected to each other at their lower margins and there presenting a relatively sharp V-like juncture, which is common to the central longitudinal plane of the distributing chamber 21 and which in length is somewhat less than the rectangular opening leading from that chamber into the header H. As shown most clearly in Fig. 2, the end marginal edges of the side walls 64 are inclined upwardly and outwardly towardthe sides of the header H as well as toward the ends thereof so that corresponding adjacent edges, to which are connected end walls 65, present, when projected, a V-shaped outline, the projected apex of which falls well within the projected outline of the passage leading from the distributing chamber 21 into the header. Taking into account the geometrical characteristics of the main baffle 62 (as determined by the relation of its side walls and

end walls

64 and 65 to each other) and the relation of that bailie to the opening leading from the distributing chamber 21 to the header H, it will become apparent that the side walls necessarily overlie corresponding or like portions of that opening and that the same is also true with regard to the end walls.

As shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the main baflle 62 is so spaced from the inclined side walls 35 and end walls 36 of the header H as to form therewith a pair of end air ducts 66 and a similar number of side air ducts 61. In order to effect proper distribution of air passing through the

ducts

66 and 61, there are provided a plurality of diversion baflies 63 and 10, which are disposed, respectively, beneath the side walls and

end walls

64 and 65 of the main baflie and are utilized as main-baiile-supporting means. These

diversion baffles

68 and 16 are preferably connected to, and are therefore removable with, the main baffle 62, but, if desired, they may be connected to the respective walls 35 and Y36 of the header H. It will become apparent from an inspection of Figs. 2 and 4 that regardless of whether the diversion bafiies 68 and are connected to the main baffle 62 or to the

header walls

35 and 36, they will properly center the main baille with respect to the opening leading from the distributing chamber 21 into the header H and will maintain that bafile against undue displacement, but it is to be understood, of course, that any suitable fastening means of conventional type, not shown, may be employed, if desired, for anchoring the bathe in the position which it normally assumes when introduced into the header. Inasmuch as the main baflie 62 is located directly beneath the tray T and may, therefore, receive a certain amount of any excess moisture delivered to the vegetables undergoing treatment, it

becomes desirable to provide the baflle with a plurality of perforations or drain openings "II, which are so located as to permit water collecting in the bafile to drain therefrom into the distributing chamber 21 from which it is relieved by the drain pipe 3! as previously described.

It is desirable that air passing through the conduit I6 under the action of the fan I! be directed into the

air ducts

66 and 61 in properly proportioned amounts, and to that end the curved end wall 34 of the distributing chamber 2'! is utilized as a distributing baifie in association with a pair of downwardly projecting similarly curved distributing baflles l2 and 14 which are carried by the main baiiie 62. The distributing baflles 12 and I4 occupy such positions with relationto each other and to the end wall 34 of the distributing chamber that the air which is deflected upwardly into the

air conduits

66 and 61 by them and by the end wall is proportioned in accordance with the capacity of the respective air ducts. Taking into account the, fact that the air entering the

air ducts

68 and 61 is proportioned according to the respective air' duct capacities and the fact that the

diversion baflles

68 and 18 are so disposed as to'cause the air streams peculiar to the air ducts to assume fanlike characteristics, it follows that there will be effected a uniform delivery of air to the tray T in the vicinity of its ends and sides.

In order that the air'prior to its delivery to i the vegetables may be supplied with moisture in a highly divided state, there are provided a plurality of'spray nozzle units 15, one of which is located at the inlet end of each of the air ducts 66 and one of which is disposed directly beneath the main deflector 82 and in the vicinity of the junction of the air ducts 81. These spray nozzle units 15 are individually connected to suitably supported branch pipes 16, equipped with handoperated control valves TI and connected to a manifold I8, which is adapted to communicate with a source of water supply, not shown. Each of the nozzle units I5'is inclined with respect to one or another vertical plane, as will be readily understood from an inspection of Figs. 3 and 4, and includes a base plate 80, to which is connected a spray head 8|, adapted for screw-thread connection with any one of the branch pipes 18. Suitably connected to the base plate 88, is a pair of supporting rods 82, to the upper ends of which is connected an impact or diffusing plate 84 which is so shaped as to present a curvilinear surface, against which-is forcibly directed a fine stream of water issuing from the nozzle orifice or aperture 85. The diffusing plate 84 is provided witha cap-like closure 88, and, preferably, contains a suitable sound-damping material,

'such' as lead which has been found to operate stream of water against the diffusing plate. Itis to be here observed that in order to obtain the most satisfactory difiusing action, the impact area (namely that area of the diffusing plate 84 against which the stream of water impinges) 'must be kept free of excess moisture, which would tend to collect on and cling to the diffusing plate surface. In thepresent instance the efliciency of each of the diffusing plates 84 is especially pronounced, inasmuch as any water tending to accumulate on the surface thereof is drained, due to the angular disposition of the respective units, onto one of the supporting rods 82, downwhich it gravitates and from which it drips into the distributing chamber 2'1, to be thereafter carried away by the drain pipe 8|.

Although the form of main baflle 82, shown in Figs. 1 to 4, has been found to effect a. substantial flow of air in the immediate vicinity directly above the same and in ally upwardly through the tray '1, such flow may be somewhat altered to obtain a more nearly vertical movement of air upwardly through the tray in the vicinity immediately above the baffie by resorting to the form of main baffle 62' indicated in Fig. 6. This baflie is identical in all respects to the baflle 62, except that it is provided throughout or substantially throughout the extent of its side and end walls 84' and 85', respectively, with a plurality of perforations 81, which, as will be readily understood, permit a portion of the air which is directed into the air ducts 86 and 81 to passand to be forcibly directed upwardly through the baflie and thence into and through the tray.

If for any reason a down draft through the tray T in the vicinity immediately above the main baflie is desired,'the form of main'baflie i1- lustrated in Fig. 5 and there indicated by the numeral 62 may be substituted for either of the main baflles above described. a The baflle 62" is identical with the baiile 62 except for the fact that its side and end walls 64" and 65", respectively, are provided with a plurality of louvers 88, the lips of which are adapted to occupypositions within the

air ducts

66 and 61. It is obvious that as the air moves upwardly past the louver lips 88, there is effected an ejector action, as regards the interior of the baffle, which .will cause a pronounced down draft through the tray in the vicinity immediately above the baille.

Although the distributing baiiles I2 and I4 shown in Fig. 3 have proved satisfactory, it may be well to mention that adjustable baflles of the type shown in Fig. 7 and there indicated by .the numerals 12' and 14' may be employed, if desired. These baflles are frictionally held within suitable guides 90, carried by side walls 28' of the distributing chamber 21, and may be moved to various positions of adjustment in order to varythe proportions of air to be delivered to the several air ducts which are located beneath the main bailie 62" and corresponding, of course, to the air ducts 86 and 8'! hereinbefore described. As to the main baille 82", it may be identical with any one of the main baflles, namely, 62, 62', and 62", hereinbefore described, except for a pair of guard wings 9| with which it is provided and which serve to maintain, in effect, continuity as between itself and the distributing baiiles I2 and 14' regardless of the positions of adjustment to which they may be moved.

Aside from the modifications herein shown and described, it will be understood that various other changes may be made without departing from the spirit of the invention or the scope of the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. A stand for the display of perishable commodities comprising a tray having abottom pervious to air currents and adapted to support said commodities, a conduit adapted to carry a moving column of air, means for supplying moisture to said moving column of air, a header disposed beneath said tray andcommunicating with said conduit, said header having a wall-like bottom, a main baflie disposed within said header and ara direction generranged beneath said tray in a spaced relation to the bottom thereof and to the bottom of said header, said baflie functioning to direct moving air derived from said conduit to the marginal area of said tray and to facilitate movement of air in the vicinity of that portion of the tray beneath which it is arranged, and down draft baffle means functioning to direct air delivered to the marginal area of said tray downwardly through the same.

2. A stand for the display of perishable commodities comprising a tray having a bottom pervious to air currents and adapted to support said commodities, a conduit adapted to carry a moving column of air, means for supplying moisture. to said moving column of air, a hopper-like header communicating with said conduit, said header being disposed beneath said tray and having a bottom including upwardly and outwardly inclinedwalls, a hopper-like main baflle disposed within said header and arranged beneath said tray in a spaced relation to the bottom thereof and to the bottom of said header, said baffle including upwardly andoutwardly inclined walls and functioning to direct moving air derived from said conduit to the marginal area of said tray and to facilitate movement of air in the vicinity of that portion of the tray beneath which it is arranged, and down draft baille means functioning to direct air delivered to the marginal area of said tray downwardly through the same.

3. A stand for the display of perishable commodities comprising a tray having a, bottom pervious to air currents and adapted to support said commodities, a conduit adapted to carry a moving column of air, means for supplying moisture to said moving column of air, a hopper-like header communicating with said conduit, said header being disposed beneath said tray and having a bottom including upwardly and outwardly inclined walls, a hopper-like main baffle disposed within said header and arranged beneath said tray in a spaced relation to the bottom thereof and to the bottom of said header, said baffle including upwardly and outwardly inclined walls and functioning to direct moving air derived from said conduit to the marginal area of said tray and to facilitate movement of air in the vicinity of that portion of the tray beneath which it is arranged, diversion baiiies disposed intermediate .the walls of said main baflle and the walls of said header and cooperating with said main baflle to insure uniform delivery of air to the marginal area of said tray, and down draft bafile means functioning to direct air delivered to the marginal area of said tray downwardly through the same.

4. A stand for the display of perishable commodities comprising a tray having a bottom pervious to air currents and adapted to support said commodities, a conduit adapted to carry a moving column of air, means for supplying moisture to said moving column of air, a header disposed beneath said tray and communicating with said conduit, said header having a wall-like bottom, a main bafiie disposed within said header and arranged beneath said tray in a spaced relation to the bottom thereof and to the bottom of said header, said bafile being adapted to direct a portion of the moving air derived from said conduit to the marginal area of said tray and provided with openings through which another portion of such moving air is directed upwardly toward and into that portion of the tray beneath which said baflle is arranged, and down draft baflie means functioning to direct air delivered to the marginal area of said tray downwardly through the same.

5. A stand for the display of perishable commodities comprising a tray having a bottom pervious to air currents and adapted to support said commodities, a conduit adapted to carry a moving column of air, means for supplying moisture to said moving column of air, a hopper-like header communicating with said conduit, said header being disposed beneath said tray and having a bottom including upwardly and outwardly inclined walls, a hopper-like main baflie disposed within said header and arranged beneath said tray in a spaced relation to the bottom thereof and to the bottom of said header, said baffle including upwardly and outwardly inclined, walls and functioning to direct a portion of the moving air derived from said conduit to the marginal area of said tray and provided with openings through which another portion of such moving air is directed upwardly toward and into that portion of the tray beneath which said baiiie is arranged, diversion bafiies disposed intermediate the walls of said main baffie and the walls of said header for insuring uniform delivery of air to the marginal area of said tray, and down draft baflle means functioning to direct air delivered to the marginal area of. said tray ddwnwardly through the same.

6. A stand for the display of perishable commodities comprising a tray having a bottom pervious to air currents and adapted to support said commodities, a conduit adapted to carry a moving column of air, means for supplying moisture to said column of air, a header disposed beneath said tray and communicating with said conduit, said header having a walllike bottom, a main baflie disposed within said header and arranged beneath said tray in a spaced relation to the bottom thereof and to the bottom of said header, said bafiie being adapted to direct moving air derived from said conduit to the marginal area of said tray, ejector means associated with said baflle and rendered operative under the action of moving air following along its path. of travel from said conduit to the marginal area of said tray to induce a down draft within that portion of the tray beneath which said bailie is arranged, and down draft bailie means functioning to direct air delivered to the marginal area of said tray downwardly through the same.

7. A stand for the display of perishable commodities comprising a tray having a bottom pervious to air currents and adapted to support said commodities, a conduit adapted to carry a moving column of air, means for supplying moisture to said column of air, a hopper-like header communicating with said conduit, said header being disposed beneath said tray and having a bottom including upwardly and outwardly inclined walls, a hopper-like main baflle disposed within said header and arranged beneath said tray in a spaced relation thereto and to the bottom of said header, said baflle including upwardly and outwardly inclined walls and functioning to direct moving air derived from said conduit to the marginal area of said tray, the walls of said baffle being provided with a plurality of louvers constituting ejector means adapted to function under the action of moving air following along its path of travel from said conduit to the marginal area of said tray to induce a down draft within that portion of the tray beneath which said baflle is arranged, and down draft baflle means functioning to direct air delivered to the marginal area-of said tray downwardly through the same.

8. A stand'for the display of perishable com- 5 modities comprising a tray having a bottom pervious to air currents and adapted to support said commodities, a conduit adapted to carry a moving column of air and including a distributing chamber, means fdr supplying moisture to said moving 10 column of air, a header disposed beneath said tray and communicating with said distributing chamber, said header having a, wall-like bottom,

a main baflle disposed within said headeiga'iid arranged beneath said tray in a spaced relation to 15 the bottom thereof and to the bottom of said header, said ballie forming with the bottom of said header a plurality of air ducts and functioning to divert moving air currents derived from said conduits to the marginal area of said tray 20 and to facilitate movement of air in the vicinity of that portion of the tray beneath which it is arranged, distributing baflies associated with said main baifle and arranged within said distributing chamber to direct said moving column of air 25 therefrom into said air ducts, and down draft bailie means functioning to direct air delivered to the marginal area of said tray downwardly through the same.

9. A stand for the display of perishable com- 3 modities comprising a tray having a bottom pervious to air currents and adapted to support said commodities, a conduit adapted to carry a moving column of air and including a distributing chamber, means for supplying moisture to said moving 3 column of air, a header tray and communicating chamber, said header having a wall-like bottom, a main baflie disposed within said header and arranged beneath said tray in a, spaced relation 40 to the bottom thereof and to the bottom of said header, said baiile forming with the bottom of said header a plurality of air ducts and functioning to divert moving air currents derived from said conduits to the marginal area of said tray 45 and to facilitate movement of air in the vicinity of that portion of the tray beneath which it is arranged, aplurality of distributing baflies associated with said main baflle and supported for individual adjustment within said distributing disposed beneath said I ing moisture with said distributing chamber to divide said moving column of air into differently proportioned streams and direct them therefrom into said air ducts, and down draft baflie means functioning to direct air delivered to,

the marginal area of said tray downwardly through the same. v

10. A stand for the display of perishable commodities comprising a tray having a bottom pervious to air currents and adapted to support said commodities; a conduit adapted to carry a moving column of air; a spray nozzle unit for supplying moisture to said moving column of air and including a spray head, a supporting rod asso- 'ciated with said head, and a diffusing plate carried by said rod and presenting a curvilinear surface; means for supporting. said unit in an inclined position to facilitate drainage of moisture from the immediate vicinity of the impact area of said plate; and combined baiile and deflector means for directing moving air derived from said conduit to the marginal area of said tray and for directing thus delivered air downwardly through said tray and for facilitating movement of air in the general vicinity of the central area of said tray.

11. 'A stand for the display of perishable commodities comprising a tray having a bottom pervious to air currents and adapted to support said commodities; a conduit adapted to carry a moving colunm of air; a spray nozzle unit for supplyto said moving column of air and including a spray head, a supporting rod associated with said head, and a diffusing plate carried by said rod and presenting a'curvilinear surface; means for supporting said unit in an inclined position to facilitate drainage of moisture from the' immediate vicinity of the impact area of said plate; combined bailie and deflector means for directing moving air derived from said conduit to the marginal area of said tray and for directing thus delivered air downwardly through said-tray and for facilitating movement of air in the general vicinity of the central area of said tray; water-collecting means forming a part of 'said conduit and arranged spray nozzle and said bafile and deflector means; and a drainage pipe leading from said watercollecting means.

ALBERT J. GREENE.

beneath said tray, said