US2243958A - Refrigerating system - Google Patents

Description

June 3, 1941. E. J. HERMANN 2,243,958

REFRIGERATING -SYSTEM Filed Jan. 2, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet l June 1941- E. J. HERMANN 5 REFBIGERATING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 2, 1941 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 L I 3mm June 1941' E. J. HERMANN 2,243,958

REFRIGERATING SYSTEM Filed Jan. 2, 1941 3 SheetsSheet 3 Patented June 3, 1941 I UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE The improved refrigeration system comprising the present invention is primarily adapted for use in connection with food storage and display cabinets of the type which are ordinarily employed for storing and preserving fresh produce .such as vegetables, meat and the like, and for displaying the same as well as for permitting ready access thereto. Accordingly the invention has been illustrated in connection with an otherwise conventional self-serving or reach-in type of cabinet. The refrigeration system is susceptible, however, to modification and the same may readily be applied to various types and styles of refrigerator chests, boxes, cabinets and the like,

whether the same be employed for preserving,

displaying and dispensing articles or quantities of edible produce or flowers, greens or other articles of commerce which it is desired to maintain in I a refrigerated or cool humid condition.

Heretofore in refrigeration or air conditioning systems employing a refrigerating chamber or space, it has been customary to continuously condition a qua'ntitymf air and to pass the conditioned air through the space or chamber, while at the same time exhausting the spent or con- 2 taminated air to the atmosphere at a point remote from the chamber or space. Such a procedure has been costly in operation not only because of continuous cold losses but in addition it results 'in actual food moisture loss with its attendant spoilage of the food or other product undergoing refrigeration. Attempts to recirculate such air have not proven successful inasmuch as recirculation results in contamination of one product by the odors given off from another product in the same compartment or chamher.

The present invention is designed to overcome the above-noted objections that have been attendant upon the construction and use of present 40 day refrigerating systems and toward this end contemplates the provision of a system wherein the principle of recirculation may be utilized without the necessity of cooling and otherwise conditioning large quantities of fresh air, while tion, another object thereof is to provide a system of the character set forth above which will maintain a constant even low temperature throughout the produce-containing compartment to minimize bacteriological growth or food decay, while at the same time maintaining a similarly even high relative humidity to reduce desiccation of the food products.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a refrigerated food cabinet wherein a steady uniform circulation of' air is maintained in the food compartment, while at the same time provision is made for washing the air and removing impurities therefrom so that clean fresh refrigerated humid air is constantly applied over the food products in such a manner that discoloration is reduced to a' minimum while also the ori inal crispness of the product is preserved, thus reducing trimming losses and improving the appearance of the products.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a refrigeration system of this character wherein provision is made for thoroughly washing the recirculated air and for efliciently removing the contaminated constituents thereof without appreciable loss of refrigerated air and with natural replacement of whatever refrigerated air may be lost in the system.

Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigerator system which possesses all of the features enumerated above and which in addition is entirely accessible forcleaning purposes both as regards the interior of the food chamber or compartment and as regards the mechanical parts thereof including the cooling coils, pipes,

air conduits, the actuating motor and the like,

thus eliminating the usual deposition of bacterial and inert slime which is so commonly deposited over the working parts of refrigerating systems of this type.

Another object of the invention is to provide a refrigerating cabinetwhich is convertible from a closed position wherein the refrigerated com-.

modities are not accessible for dispensing purposes yet are visible for display purposes, to an open position wherein they are both visible and dispensible, the cabinet having associated therewith a refrigerating system which may be maintained in operation in either position of the cabinet and which will function efliclently in either case to efliciently cool and humidify the produce compartment and the contents thereof.

The provision of a refrigerating cabinet of the type set forth above which is extremely attractive in its appearance; one which is compact in its design yet which has ample capacity considering the floor space occupied;'one which is comparatively light weight and consequently not cumbersome; one which is possessed of a minimum. number of moving parts and which is therefore unlikely to get out of order; one which of it, are further desirable features that have been borne in mind in the production and development of the present invention.

Numerous other objects and advantages of the invention, not at this time enumerated, will become readily apparent as the nature of the invention is better understood.

In the accompanying three sheets of drawings forming a part of this specification, one preferred embodiment of the invention is shown. In these drawings:

Figure 1 is a front elevational view of a selfserving or reach-in type of refrigerating cab-' inet constructed in accordance with the of the present invention.

Figure 2 is a plan view thereof. Figure 3 is an end elevational view of the principles cabinet.

Figure 4 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 44 of Figure 1.

Figure 5 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 5-5 of Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional view taken substantially along the line 6-6 of Figure 4.

In all of the above-described views, like characters of reference are employed to designate like parts throughout.

Referring now to the drawings in detail, the improved refrigeration system is shown as being incorporated in a convertible cabinet ll) of the self-serving or reach-in type designed for use in displaying food products suchas fresh vegetables and other greens, fresh meats, fish and the like, but it is to be distinctly understood that if desired the system may be installed in other types of cabinets such as florists display stands and the like.

The cabinet l0 involves in its general organization a front wall l2 (Figure 4), a rear wall l4, end walls l6 and I8 (Figures 1, 2 and 8), a bottom wall 20, and a relatively narrow, overlying, ledgelike top wall 22. The top wall 22 in conjunction with the front wall I2 provides an access opening 24 which is adapted to be closed by means of sliding transparent panel or window elements 26. Thus, in the type of cabinet with which the invention is illustrated, the commodity or objectsupporting surfaces thereof are contained wholly within a cooling zone 21 which may at will be opened to the atmosphere so that such commodities are instantly accessible for inspection, for handling or for otherwise working upon. Toward this end a series of removable racks 28 are provided in the upper regions of the cabinet and are preferably inclined forwardly and downwardly as shown in Figure, 4 for convenient dfls play of the commodity.

The front wall l2 may. include a series of hinged door members 23 in the lower regions of the cabinet as well as a double walled glass panel section 25 in the upper regions thereof and upon which the window element 25 is in part supported.

The arrangement of parts thus far described -are,more or less conventional in their design characteristics and no claim is made herein to any novelty associated with the exterior shape of the cabinet or with the arrangement of the shelving employed in the upper regions of the tion 42 to the collecting sump 60.

cabinet. Broadly, the invention consists in the provision of such a cabinet or stand having means for maintaining the displayed commodity or supported objects in a relatively cool humid condition by means of a protective heat insulating medium of cold humid air which does not interfere with the direct handling and inspection I of the displayed commodity. In other words, the invention consists in substantially surrounding the displayed commodity with a circulating blanket of relatively cold humid air.

Referring now to Figure 4, it will be seen that the various cabinet walls Ill, l2, l4, etc., are of insulated construction, being preferably formed of welded sheet metal which is so shaped as to provide inner and outer walls, between which there is enclosed a heat insulating medium 30 which may be glass wool or the like. Similarly the doors l3 may be of welded and insulated sheet metal construction. Irrespective, however, of these details in the construction of the cabinet walls, the essential features of the invention are at all times preserved.

Still referring to Figure 4, a knock-down sheet metal conduit construction or assembly 32 is positioned adjacent the rear wall l4 and is substantially coextensive therewith. The conduit construction 32 includes upper and lower removable panel sections 34 and 36, respectively, and a permanent rear panel 38 providing therebetween an upper conduit section 40 and a lower coilenclosing conduit section 42.

The upper end of the assembly 32 terminates in an elongated transversely extending and generally cylindrical humidifying chamber 44 which extends completely across the cabinet from one end wall to the other. The chamber 44 includes a tubular casing 41 which is formed with an elongated slot 49 adjacent the top thereof and with a similar slot 5| adjacent its bottom. An outer semi-cylindrical curved plate 53 is disposed exteriorly of the casing 41 and carries an upper series of outlet openings or nozzles 46 normally in register with the slot 49 and a lower series of nozzles normally in register with the slot 5!. The plate 53 is designed for sliding movement on the casing 41 and toward this end a pair of annular clamping bands 55 (see Figure 5) are aflixed to the plate 53 adjacent its ends and encircle the tubular casing 41. From the above description it will be seen that the plate 53 may be adjusted on the tubular casing 41 in such a manner as to vary the angularity of the upper and lower series of nozzles 49, 5| respectively.

It is to be noted that the casing 41 is formed with an elongated slot or opening 5! at the rear thereof by means of which the chamber 44 communicates with the upper conduit section 40. Moisture which may be condensed in the chamber 44 is adapted to overflow the lower edge of the slot 51 and drain downwardly through the upper conduit section 40 .and lower conduit sec- Additional means however is provided for draining the chamber 44 as will appear presently.

The lower conduit section 42 has mounted therein in any suitable mannera series of cooling coil elements 48 including individual radiating units which are traversed in serpentine fashion by the actual coil tubing 52. The in- Wardly through the conduit construct on to the and directly overlie a drip pan or sump 60 from which accumulated moisture may be withdrawn by means of a sump drain pipe 62. The drain pipe 62 communicates with a vertical header 64 arranged exteriorly of the cabinet and the upper end of the header 64 enters through the rear wall of the cabinet at the 'top thereof as at 66 and establishes communication with the bottom wall of the humidifying chamber 44 for drainage purposes.

The means for circulating air through the cool-- ing zone 21 and conduit sections 40, 42 is best illustrated in' Figure 4 and includes a blower or fan assembly 68 including an electric motor and fan proper 12, the whole being supported from a bracket 14. The fan 12 is disposed within a restricted portion or air passage 16 (Figure 5) which exists between the upper and lower conduit sections 40 and 42 and serves to transfer air which has been cooled by thecoil elements 48 in the conduit section 42 to the conduit section 40 for conduction to the humidifying compartment 44.

Water for humidifying purposes is supplied to the humidifying compartment or chamber 44 by means of a spray pipe 18 which extends axially of the humidifying compartment 44 and which is provided with a series of outlet apertures 80 along the length thereof.

Water supply pipes 84 and 86 (Figures 1 and 2) communicate with the water main (not shown) and enter the cabinet through the walls l6 and I8 and lead to a, pair of water cooling coils 88 and 90, respectively, positioned in the compartment at each end thereof adjacent the bottom of the cabinet.

wardly along the rear wall H to the spray pipe '18 at the ends thereof. Valves 8! may be provided outside of the cabinet walls for cutting oif the water supply when desired. These valves may be manually controlled or, if desired, they may be suitably and operatively connected in a humidostat control system including a humidostat 98 mounted within the cabinet in the cooling zone Zl.

In order to efi'ectively illuminate the cabinet and provide an attractive display for the food or other commodities on the shelves 28, a flourescent -high. 1

. In order to permit segregation and removal of the various products undergoing display,-wirebasket-like containers I02 may be disposed on the shelves Zlibetween adjacent partitions.

In the operation and use of the improved display cabinet, water which circulates through the coils '88 and 80 in' the bottom end regions of the cabinet is given ample time to become thoroughly 1 chilled prior to its conduction to the humidifying chamber 44. Such pre-cooling of the water is made possible by virtue of the fact that these coils as well as the'entire extent of the vertical The coils 88 and 90 communi-- 'cate with respective risers 92 and 94 leading upriser 92 and 84 leading therefrom are wholly contained within the confines of the cabinet and also the fact that release of the water into the humidifying chamber 44 from the spray pipe 18 is gradual.

Moistcoolair released from the chamber 44 and distributed over the food or other products undergoing display descends upon these products and envelopes them in a protective insulating blanket which is of a continually changing nature. After the air has descended into the lower regions of the ,cabinet it is forcibly drawn into the lower conduit section 42 where it comes into contact with the cooling coils 48 and is effectively cooled thereby. Any moisture which is shed atthis point is collected in the sump G0 and is effectively conducted from the cabinet through the'drain-pipe 62.

Any absorbed odor-bearing gases which may have been removed from the food products are thus eifectively removed by a thorough washing of the recirculating air and by condensation of the moisture employed for thus washing the air. In this manner the air which enters the upper conduit section 40 is free from all odors and is in a relatively dry condition. As this air enters the compartment 44 it is again rendered humid by commingling with the water issuing from the pipe 18 and is at the proper condition of humidity and temperature for maintaining the food products envelopedin the protective blanket of circulating air.

It is to be noted that because of the removable panel sections of the upper and lower conduit sections In and 42 access may readily be had to the cooling coil units, the drip pan or sump 60 and the blower assembly 68. The racks 28 being removable permit ready access to the lower regions of the cabinet for the purpose of cleaning the same as well as the circulating coils 88 and 90.

The invention is not to be limited to the exact arrangement of parts shown in the accompanying drawings or described in this specification as various changes in the details of the cabinet construction may be resorted" to in order to accom-' modatedifferent food or other products which are to be. refrigerated and displayed. The in- ,vention is to be limited only within the scope of the accompanying claims.

What is claimed is: d

1. In a self-serving refrigerator of the class described, a cabinet including front and rear walls, end walls and a bottom, said walls providing a .display opening at the top of the cabinet coextensivewith the length thereof, a display surface disposed within the cabinet below said open top and having openings therethrough to permit the passage of cooled humidified air downwardly therethrough, means providing a humidifying chamber adjacent the top of the cabinet and within the same, said chamber extending substantially the entire length of the cabinet, means establishing communication between the humidifying chamber and the spacewithin the cabinet existing above said display surface, means forming a substantially vertical air conduit providing a. cooling chamber at the rear of the cabinet and extendin across the cabinet throughout its entire length, cooling means disposed within said conduit, means disposed within the conduit for impelling air therethrough upwardly, means establishing communication between the conduit and the humidifying,chamber, there being an opening in the conduit adjacent the lower regions thereof communicating with the interior of the cabinet, a cooling coil disposed in the cabinet adjacent the bottom thereof, means for supplying water to said coil, and means establishing communication between the coil and the humidi-.

fying chamber.

2. In a self-serving refrigerator of the class described, a cabinet including front and rear walls, end walls and a bottom, said walls providing a display opening at the top of the cabinet coextensive with thelength thereof, a display surface disposed within the cabinet below said open top and having openings therethrough to permit the passage of cooled humidified air downwardly conduit, means disposed within the conduit for impelling air therethrough upwardly, means establishing communication between the conduit and the humidifying chamber, there being an opening in the conduit adjacentthe lower regions thereof communicating with the interior of the cabinet, a cooling coil-disposed in the cabinet adjacent the bottom thereof, means for supplying water to said coil, means establishing communication between the coil and the humidifying chamber, and means disposed within the humidifying chamber for causing intimate admixture of the water with the air contained in said chamber.

3. In a self-serving refrigerator of the class described, a cabinet includin front and rear Walls, end walls and a bottom, said walls providing a display opening at the top of the cabinet coextensive with the length thereof, a display surface disposed within the cabinet below said open top and having openings therethrough to permit the passage of cooled humidified air downwardly therethrough, means providing a humidifying chamber adjacent the top of the cabinet and within the same, said chamber extending substantially the entire length of the cabinet, means establishing communication between the humidifying chamber and the space within the cabinet existing above said display surface, means forming a substantially vertical air conduit providing a cooling chamber at the rear of the cabinet and extending across the cabinet throughout its entire length, cooling means disposed within said I conduit, means disposed within the conduit for ,impelling air therethrough upwardly, means establishing communication between the conduit and the humidifying chamber, there being an opening in the conduit adjacent the lower regions thereof communicating with the interior of the cabinet, a pair of cooling coils disposed in the cabinet adjacent the bottom thereof, each of said coils being positioned in close proximity to one end wall of the cabinet, means for supplying water to said coils, and means establishing communication between the coil and the humidifying chamber.

4., In a self-serving refrigerator of the class described, a cabinet including front and rear walls, end walls and a bottom, said walls providing a display opening at the top of the cabinet coextensive with the length thereof, a display surface disposed within the cabinet below said aaaaaee open top and having openings therethrough to permit the passage of cooled humidified air downwardly therethrough, means providing a humidifying chamber adjacent the top of the cabinet and within the same, said chamber extending substantially the entire length of the cabinet, means establishing communication between the humidifying chamber and the space within the cabinet existing above said display surface, means forming a substantially vertical air conduit providing a cooling chamber at the rear of the cabinet and extending across the cabinet throughout its entire length, cooling means disposed within said conduit, said conduit having sectional enclosing walls including removable sections whereby access may be had to the cooling means, means disposed within the conduit for impelling air therethrough upwardly, means establishing communication between the conduit and the humidifying chamber, there being an opening in the conduit adjacent the lower regions thereof communicating with the interior of the cabinet, a cooling coil disposed in the cabinet adjacent the bottom thereof, means for supplying water to said coil, and means establishing communication between the coil and the humidifyin chamber.

5. In a self-serving refrigerator of the class described, a cabinet including from and rear walls, end walls and a bottom, said walls providing a display opening at the top of the cabinet coextensive with the length thereof, a display surface disposed within the cabinet below said open top and having openings therethrough to permit the passage of cooled humidified air downwardly therethrough, means providing a humidifying chamber adjacent the top of the cabinet and within the same, said chamber extending substantially the entire length of the cabinet, means establishing communication between the humidii'ying chamber and the space within the cabinet existing above said display surface, means forming a substantially vertical air conduit providing a cooling chamber at the rear of the cabinet and extending across the cabinet throughout its entire length, cooling means disposed within said conduit, said conduit having sectional enclosing walls including removable sections whereby access may be had to the cooling means, means disposed within the conduit for impelling air therethrough upwardly, a drain sump .disposed within the conduit at the bottom thereof beneath said cooling means, means establishing communication between the conduit and the humidifying chamber, there being an opening in the conduit adjacent the lower regions thereof communicating with the interior of the cabinet, a cooling coil disposed in the cabinet adjacent the bottom thereof, means for supplying water to said coil, and means establishing communication between the coil and the humidifying chamber.

6. In a self-serving refrigerator of the class described, a cabinet including front and rear walls, end walls and a bottom, said. walls providing a display opening at the top of the cabinet coextensively with the length thereof, a transparent closure for said opening movable from open to closed positions and vice versa, 8. display surface disposed within the cabinet below said open top and having openings therethrough to permit the passage of cooled humidified air downwardly therethrough, means providing a humidifying a cooling chamber at the rear of the cabinet and extending across the cabinet throughout its entire length, cooling means disposed within said conduit, said conduit having sectional enclosing walls including removable sections whereby access may be had to the cooling means, means disposed within the conduit for impelling air therethrough upwardly, a drain sump disposed within the conduit at the bottom thereof beneath said cooling means, means establishing communication between the conduit and the humidifying chamber; there being an opening in the conduit adjacent the lower regions thereof communicating with the interior of the cabinet, a cooling coil disposed in the cabinet adjacent the bottom thereof, means for supplying water to said coil,

and means establishing communication between the coil and the humidifying chamber.

'7. In a refrigerator of the character described,

a cabinet. including enclosing walls providing a display opening extending along the upper end of the cabinet coextensively therewith, a transparent closure for said openin movable from open to closed positions and vice versa, a humididisposed in said. cabinet below the level of said opening and positioned directly in the path 01 the projected air, said shelves havingopenings therethrough for the passage of air therethrough, means for withdrawing air from the lower regions of the cabinet and for passing the same upwardly behind said shelves to the humidifying cham ber for recirculation purposes, and direct heattransfer cooling means for the recirculated air disposed in the path of movement of the air as it is moved upwardly.

EDGAR J. HERMANN.

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