WO2007036736A1 - Unites de vente au detail refrigerees - Google Patents

Unites de vente au detail refrigerees Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2007036736A1
WO2007036736A1 PCT/GB2006/003629 GB2006003629W WO2007036736A1 WO 2007036736 A1 WO2007036736 A1 WO 2007036736A1 GB 2006003629 W GB2006003629 W GB 2006003629W WO 2007036736 A1 WO2007036736 A1 WO 2007036736A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
unit
container
lid
access opening
drawer
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/GB2006/003629
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Ian David Wood
Xorge Castro Pelayo
Alexandra Eve Shelton
Original Assignee
Applied Design And Engineering Ltd
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from GBGB0519866.8A external-priority patent/GB0519866D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0611880A external-priority patent/GB0611880D0/en
Priority claimed from GB0617101A external-priority patent/GB0617101D0/en
Application filed by Applied Design And Engineering Ltd filed Critical Applied Design And Engineering Ltd
Priority to EP06779580A priority Critical patent/EP1929221A1/fr
Priority to CA002621773A priority patent/CA2621773A1/fr
Priority to AU2006296390A priority patent/AU2006296390A1/en
Priority to JP2008532875A priority patent/JP2009519044A/ja
Priority to US12/088,511 priority patent/US20080218038A1/en
Publication of WO2007036736A1 publication Critical patent/WO2007036736A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
    • A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
    • A47F3/0439—Cases or cabinets of the open type
    • A47F3/0443—Cases or cabinets of the open type with forced air circulation
    • A47F3/0452—Cases or cabinets of the open type with forced air circulation with cooled storage compartments
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
    • A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
    • A47F3/0482—Details common to both closed and open types
    • A47F3/0486—Details common to both closed and open types for charging, displaying or discharging the articles
    • A47F3/0491—Cooled shelves
    • A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
    • A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
    • A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
    • A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
    • A47F3/06—Show cases or show cabinets with movable or removable shelves or receptacles
    • A47F3/063—Show cases or show cabinets with movable or removable shelves or receptacles with pull-out receptacles, e.g. drawers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D25/00—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled
    • F25D25/02—Charging, supporting, and discharging the articles to be cooled by shelves
    • F25D25/024—Slidable shelves
    • F25D25/025—Drawers
    • F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
    • F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
    • F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
    • F25D2331/00—Details or arrangements of other cooling or freezing apparatus not provided for in other groups of this subclass
    • F25D2331/80—Type of cooled receptacles
    • F25D2331/803—Bottles

Definitions

  • This invention relates to the art of cold storage using refrigeration systems, including appliances such as refrigerators and freezers for storing foodstuffs and other perishables.
  • the invention is especially concerned with refrigerated displays and dispensers for use in the retail environment, for example for supplying frozen or chilled food and beverages in stores, restaurants and bars.
  • this specification will refer to such displays and dispensers genetically as refrigerated retail units.
  • Refrigerated retail units generally comprise a cooler unit that generates a convection loop within an insulated cabinet. Air cooled by the cooler unit sinks toward the bottom of the cabinet and as that air absorbs heat during its downward journey, it warms and rises back up to the cooler unit where it is cooled again. It is also possible to have forced-air circulation by means of a fan within or communicating with the cabinet. Shelves may be provided within the cabinet and are often made of wire so that they offer little resistance to the circulation of air.
  • Some refrigerated retail units have the format of a chest freezer comprising an open-topped insulated cabinet.
  • the cabinet may be left open for convenient access to its contents, but with a penalty of ongoing heat transfer from the ambient air to the interior of the cabinet. This problem of heat gain may be mitigated by closing the top of the cabinet with sliding access panels or a horizontally-hinged upwardly-opening insulated lid.
  • the penalty of more difficult access to products in the cabinet means that this solution is not often adopted in retail applications.
  • chest freezers have the advantage of retaining cold air within the cabinet, their format is inconvenient and wasteful of space because it precludes use of the space immediately above the cabinet, which space is needed for access and may also be required to give clearance for opening a Hd. Even if sliding access panels are used instead of an upwardly-opening lid, items cannot be left conveniently on top of the cabinet. Also, access to the contents of large chest freezers can be extremely difficult, it being necessary to stoop down and shift numerous heavy and painfully cold items to get to items at the bottom of the cold storage volume within the cabinet.
  • Open-fronted upright cabinets encounter particular problems when stock needs to be replenished and rotated. They offer only a front-fill solution, introducing a risk that perishable items could expire if left at the back of the cabinet: this undesirable scenario may be summarised as first-in, last-out. Also, they make stock rotation a laborious manual operation that may involve shifting numerous heavy and cold items from awkward places within the cabinet. This risks damage to and cross-contamination of the items, and risks injury to the worker who performs the task. There is also a likelihood that at least some items will not be rotated effectively and so will expire before being sold.
  • the cabinet may be provided with a vertically-sealed hinged or sliding door to close its otherwise open front.
  • a door can only reduce cold air spillage as long as it remains closed: the longer and more frequently the door is opened, as happens especially in retail applications, the more cold air will spill out to be exchanged for warm, moist and possibly contaminated ambient air.
  • a door Like the lid of a chest freezer, a door will obstruct viewing of, and access to, the products within the cabinet. Even though the door will usually be glazed in retail environments, the glass must be kept free of dirt and condensation if it is to remain possible to view products enclosed behind it. Also, it is inconvenient to have to open a door, for example when a shopper is carrying a basket or an infant and so does not have both hands free. This applies especially where a door has to be forced open either against the effect of reduced pressure within the cabinet, or against bias means such as springs or ramps that urge the door to close. The awkwardness of opening a door is increased if the door is latched closed or is positioned low down, as in an under-counter unit.
  • hinged doors will not fit where the unit is intended to be used, for example behind a narrow bar. Sliding doors may fit in that situation, but they hamper access because at least one door will always lie across the open front of the cabinet and so will have to be slid aside to gain access to products in the cabinet behind.
  • US 5599079 to Ranno et al discloses a refrigerated product display stand, particularly for displaying bananas.
  • the stand has internally-cooled open-topped non-insulated drawers that may be slid out horizontally and tipped up for access. Cooling is effected by a flexible hose into the rear wall of each drawer that feeds in cold air from an external cooling means. Whilst the drawers may be capable of retaining cold air when horizontal, that cold air will spill out whenever a drawer is tipped up. Also, there will be massive heat gain to the interiors of the drawers through their open tops and non- insulated walls and a likelihood of condensation forming within the drawers. Condensation is a major factor in microbial growth.
  • GB 2028480 to Guinness discloses a bottle cooler having gravity-feed drawers, each drawer having an inclined internal base and guides defining channels for downward movement of bottles within the drawer.
  • a front access opening in a front wall of each drawer lies in a vertical plane.
  • a drawer having an opening in a wall is inherently leaky, even if the opening is closed for most of the time.
  • GB 2028480 discloses a cooled-cabinet design from which air will spill when a drawer is open, and within which air will circulate and mix between the drawers.
  • the base of each drawer is of open framework construction. Again, heat gain and condensation will be problematic, with the added risk of icing due to low operating temperatures..
  • EP 0853456 to Electrolux discloses a refrigerated retail unit comprising a plurality of non- insulated drawers disposed one above another in an insulated open-fronted cabinet.
  • the base of each drawer - other than the bottom drawer - covers most of the open top of the drawer below, save for a front access opening defined by an outwardly-inclined front wall extending up from the base of each drawer. Items can be removed through the access openings even when the drawers are closed.
  • the inner base of each drawer is inclined to encourage items to feed forward toward the access opening under gravity.
  • a supporting structure defines a shared plenum chamber that supplies cold air to the rear of each drawer.
  • the drawers and the plenum communicate for the circulation of cold air and for the return of warmed air.
  • the drawers have apertures in their rear walls that co-operate with apertures in the front wall of the plenum chamber.
  • cold air will flood out of those apertures from both drawer and plenum chamber when the drawers are slid forwardly to open them. Indeed, when an upper drawer of a neighbouring pair is opened, that cold air will spill directly into the open top of the lower drawer of that pair.
  • EP 0853456 is not concerned with effectively segregating the cold storage volumes of the drawers.
  • EP 0853456 remains wedded to the cooled-cabinet principle of earlier prior art, relying upon the insulation of the cabinet. This restricts design freedom but more importantly it concedes that the exterior of the drawers will be bathed in below-ambient air by virtue of heat transfer from that air into the drawers and loss of cold air from the drawers.
  • EP 0853456 therefore still suffers from heat gain into the cabinet, and from there into the drawers. This is due to the loss of cold air through the open front of the cabinet and its replacement by warmer ambient air, and to exposure of the non-insulated drawers to that warmer air.
  • Icing is a particular risk in EP 0853456 as gaps are left between the upper and lower drawers of each neighbouring pair.
  • the purpose of those gaps is to allow relative sliding movement between neighbouring drawers, but condensation migrating into those gaps will inevitably freeze if the drawer contents are below zero Celsius. Paradoxically, therefore, the gaps may eventually cause the drawers to freeze together.
  • the invention resides in a refrigerated retail unit having:
  • At least one insulating open-topped container that is movable with respect to the structure between
  • the container being capable of substantially retaining cold air within when in the full access position
  • cooling means for cooling the interior of the container
  • the container defines an overall top plan area that is partially covered by the lid when the container is in the display position, and the remainder of said area of the container not then covered by the lid defines the access opening.
  • the lid is fixed to the structure.
  • the container maybe movable with respect to the lid past the display position into a folly closed position where the open top of the container is folly closed by the lid.
  • the container may move as a drawer with respect to the structure and the lid, and may be removable from the structure. Where the container moves as a drawer, telescopic runners between the container and the structure can enable the container to be withdrawn from the structure to an extent necessary to expose substantially all of the open top of the container for ease of access.
  • the lid has a substantially horizontal under surface
  • the open top of the container defines a substantially horizontal upper surface
  • the container moves substantially horizontally between said positions.
  • an under surface of the lid and an upper surface of the container are inclined downwardly and forwardly. In that case, the container can move between its positions in a correspondingly inclined plane.
  • the unit may have latch means to hold the container in an upward position; the unit may also, or alternatively, have bias means to urge the container upwardly.
  • the or each container is preferably supported in a non-insulated cabinet or casing. This gives considerable design freedom.
  • the container may have a mezzanine shelf therein to increase the display area of each container.
  • the unit may have at least two containers one above the other, comprising a lower container and an upper container. In that case, there is preferably an air gap between the lid of the lower container and the bottom the upper container.
  • the containers may be in tiered relation when in their display positions: for example, the lower container may be longer from front to rear than the upper container.
  • the lid of the lower container may be shorter than the lower container but may be of substantially the same length as the upper container. It is also possible for the lower container to be withdrawn further from the structure than the upper container when the containers are in their display positions.
  • the upper container preferably has an outwardly-inclined front wall defining its access opening and the lower container preferably has a front wall that is less inclined than the front wall of the upper container.
  • the lower container may have a front wall that is substantially vertical or that is substantially orthogonal to a base of the container. This maximises space in the drawers and access to the drawers.
  • the lower container is wider from side to side than the upper container.
  • the lid of the lower container may be narrower than the lower container and may be of substantially the same width as the upper container.
  • One container may move as a drawer with respect to the structure and the other container may be removable from the structure.
  • the cooling means is preferably associated with the lid.
  • the cooling means may comprise a fan coil unit in the lid or an evaporator in the lid.
  • a plenum chamber in the lid may communicate with the evaporator and with the container through openings in a partition that partially defines the plenum chamber.
  • the cooling means employs self-contained air circulation between the lid and the container.
  • the container includes a recirculation duct having an inlet for receiving air from an air curtain projected across the access opening; that recirculation duct may be defined between inner and outer walls of the container.
  • the air curtain may be projected from the lid across the access opening and the recirculation duct may have an outlet for directing air to the lid, in which case the outlet is preferably at the rear of the container.
  • the cooling means may comprise a heat exchanger, cold air ducts extending through the lid from a cold air source outside the lid, or other technologies such as magnetic refrigeration.
  • the or each container may have a base and front, rear and side walls upstanding from the base to define the open top.
  • the rear wall and side walls may extend substantially from the base to the Hd, and the front wall may be shorter than the rear wall.
  • An insulating panel may be attachable to the front wall of the container to increase the height of the front wall.
  • the front, rear and side walls extend substantially orthogonally from the base.
  • the front wall and/or the rear wall may be substantially vertical. It is also preferred that the side walls are substantially vertical.
  • At least part of the front wall is preferably transparent to the benefit of viewing items within the container. Additionally, at least a forward part of the side walls may be transparent.
  • At least an inner surface of the base is inclined downwardly toward the access opening.
  • the inner surface may have parallel channels leading toward the access opening.
  • a minor forward portion of the inclined inner surface of the base adjacent the access opening is preferably more steeply inclined than a major rearward portion of that surface.
  • the front wall of the container may be inclined at an obtuse internal angle with respect to the base and the minor forward portion may be inclined substantially orthogonally with respect to the front wall.
  • the inner surface of the base may be inclined downwardly leading away from a secondary access opening of the container.
  • the lid of a lower container may have an upper surface inclined to match the external inclination of the base of the upper container.
  • the front wall may be inclined at an obtuse internal angle with respect to the base.
  • forward extensions of the side walls may each have an inclined upwardly- facing edge extending to the top of the front wall, said edges and the top of the front wall together at least partially defining the access opening.
  • the rear wall is inclined at an obtuse internal angle with respect to the base.
  • rearward extensions of the side walls may each have an inclined upwardly-facing edge extending to the top of the rear wall, said edges and the top of the rear wall together at least partially defining a secondary access opening.
  • a primary access opening is at least partially defined by the front wall. That access opening may be at least partially defined by forward extensions of the side wall, and may be at least partially defined by a forward edge of the lid. Where the front wall is inclined at an obtuse internal angle with respect to the base, and forward extensions of the side walls each have an inclined upwardly-facing edge extending to the top of the front wall, said edges and the top of the front wall may at least partially define the access opening between them.
  • the access opening is preferably upwardly facing and may also be outwardly facing.
  • the access opening may be forwardly-facing or laterally-facing.
  • the access opening is suitably adjacent the lid, for example forward of the lid and/or to at least one side of the lid.
  • the access opening may extend at least partially around the lid when viewed in plan.
  • the Hd may have an end face adjacent the access opening that, for ease of access through the access opening, faces downwardly and outwardly.
  • a movable or removable closure may cover the or each access opening.
  • the closure may be supported by the lid, for example by being hinged to the lid. When not in use, the closure may be stowed in a forwardly-opening recess in the lid. At least part of the closure may be transparent.
  • the container may be defined by a plurality of open-topped insulating boxes disposed side-by-side on a supporting platform. In that case, one of the boxes may lie under the access opening and at least one other box may be wholly under the lid.
  • the boxes suitably co-operate to define a planar upper surface that is co-operable with a planar under surface of the lid.
  • the boxes may be slidable with respect to the platform, which platform may be inclined such that the boxes slide down the incline under gravity.
  • a lower box on the inclined platform preferably supports one or more upper boxes on the platform against sliding down the platform until the lower box is removed from the platform.
  • the inclined platform may have a front wall for supporting the lower box.
  • the platform is preferably movable with respect to the structure, for example as a drawer with respect to the structure.
  • the platform is preferably supported by telescopic runners and can be withdrawn from the structure to an extent necessary to place a box on the rear of the platform.
  • Each box preferably has a rear wall and side walls extending substantially from the platform to the lid, and a front wall that is shorter than the rear wall: the access opening is preferably at least partially defined by the front wall.
  • the unit may have a secondary access opening giving access to the interior of the container when the container is in the display position.
  • a secondary access opening giving access to the interior of the container when the container is in the display position.
  • at least one of the access openings is preferably an entry opening for placing items into the container.
  • a seal acts between the lid and the top of the container. That seal may be a magnetic sliding seal and may substantially encircle an under surface of the lid. Specifically, the seal may have elements transverse to the direction of movement of the container with respect to the structure. A first transverse element of the seal may act between the lid and a rear wall of the container when the container is in the display position. A second transverse element of the seal forward of the first transverse element may act between the lid and the rear wall of the container when the container is in the full access position.
  • the second transverse element of the seal may act between the lid and the front wall of the container when the container is in the fully closed position
  • a third transverse element of the seal rearward of the first transverse element may act between the lid and the rear wall of the container when the container is in the fully closed position
  • the seal preferably has longitudinal elements parallel to the direction of movement of the container with respect to the structure.
  • the longitudinal elements of the seal suitably act between the lid and side walls of the container when the container is in the display position or in the folly closed position.
  • Figures l(a) and l(b) are sectional side views of a first embodiment of the invention apt to be used for displaying and dispensing food items, Figure l(a) showing a drawer closed and Figure l(b) showing the drawer open for restocking;
  • Figures 2(a), 2(b) and 2(c) are sectional side views of a second embodiment of the invention apt to be used for displaying and dispensing bottles, Figure 2(a) showing a drawer and cover closed, Figure 2(b) showing the drawer closed and the cover open and Figure 2(c) showing both the drawer and the cover open;
  • Figures 3 (a), 3(b) and 3(c) are sectional side views that show a variant of the second embodiment in which drawers are stacked, Figure 3 (a) showing all the drawers of the stack and their covers closed, Figure 3(b) showing all the drawers closed and one of the covers open for removal of a bottle from that drawer, and Figure 3(c) showing one of the drawers and one of the covers open for restocking with a fresh supply of bottles;
  • Figures 4(a) and 4(b) are sectional side views of a third embodiment of the invention having a second access opening communicating with the interior of a drawer, Figure 4(a) showing the drawer closed and Figure 4(b) showing the drawer open;
  • Figure 5 is a sectional side view of a variant of the third embodiment in which the access openings have covers, both of which are shown open in Figure 5 with the drawer closed;
  • Figure 6 is a sectional side view that shows how the variant of Figure 5 can be stacked to create a multi-drawer unit
  • Figures 7(a) to 7(f) are sectional side views of a fourth embodiment of the invention showing how drawers and covers may be arranged in various ways;
  • Figures 8(a), 8(b) and 8(c) are sectional side views of a fifth embodiment of the invention, Figure 8(a) showing a drawer closed, Figure 8(b) showing the drawer partially open and Figure 8(c) showing the drawer fully open;
  • Figures 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c) are sectional side views of a variant of the fifth embodiment in which drawers are stacked to create a multi-drawer unit, Figure 9(a) showing the drawers closed, Figure 9(b) showing the drawers partially open and Figure 9(c) showing the drawers folly open;
  • Figures 10(a), 10(b) and 10(c) are sectional elevation views of a sixth embodiment of the invention, Figure 10(a) being a sectional side view with drawers closed, Figure 10(b) being a sectional front view corresponding to Figure 10(a) and Figure 10(c) being a sectional side view with drawers open;
  • Figures 11 (a) and l l(b) are sectional side views of a seventh embodiment of the invention with provision for an air curtain across the access opening, Figure 11 (a) showing the drawer closed and Figure 1 l(b) showing the drawer open;
  • Figures 12(a) to 12(d) are sectional side views of an eighth embodiment of the invention in which drawers of a stack each support a plurality of cassettes, Figure 12(a) showing the unit folly stocked with cassettes, Figure 12(b) showing a cassette being removed from the bottom drawer of the unit, Figure 12(c) showing how the remaining cassettes slide forwardly within the bottom drawer in consequence of that removal and Figure 12(d) showing the bottom drawer open and restocked with fresh cassettes;
  • Figures 13 (a), 13(b) and 13(c) are sectional side views of a ninth embodiment of the invention in which containers are removable from the unit, Figure 13 (a) showing the containers within the unit, Figure 13(b) showing the containers being removed from the unit and Figure 13(c) showing the containers removed from the unit;
  • Figures 14(a) and 14(b) are sectional side views of a tenth embodiment of the invention in which a container akin to the containers of the ninth embodiment is combined with a drawer underneath, Figure 14(a) showing the drawer closed and Figure 14(b) showing the drawer open;
  • Figures 15(a) to 15(d) show an eleventh embodiment of the invention in which an upper transparent-walled drawer is shaped to promote access into a lower transparent- walled drawer, Figure 15(a) being a sectional side view in which the drawers are closed, Figure 15(b) being a perspective view corresponding to Figure 15(a), Figure 15(c) showing the upper drawer open and the lower drawer closed and Figure 15(d) showing the lower drawer open and the upper drawer closed; and
  • Figures 16(a), 16(b) and 16(c) show a variant of the eleventh embodiment in which front and side walls of the drawers are opaque, Figures 16(a), 16(b) and 16(c) otherwise corresponding to Figures 15(b), 15(c) and 15(d) respectively.
  • a refrigerated retail unit has one or more containers, usually in the form of an insulated drawer 20 that is supported by a structure 22 for movement with respect to the structure 22 between retracted and extended states; respectively, closed and open.
  • Telescopic runners 24 enable the drawer 20 to be pulled away from the structure 22 to the extent that the entire open top of the drawer 20 can be accessed from above, for ease of cleaning and replenishment.
  • the drawer 20 may be fully removable from the unit, in which case full drawers 20 could be stored in a storage area until needed, then quickly fitted into unit. Indeed, suppliers could provide items ready packed into drawers 20.
  • the number and the size of drawers 20 in the unit can vary depending on the items that are to be stored and displayed in the unit.
  • the drawers 20 can be of any suitable height to accommodate different items, for example soft-drink cans, 500ml and 2/3 litre bottles.
  • the or each drawer 20 has an insulated lid 26 fixed to and supported by the structure 22.
  • the lid 26 at least partially closes the open top of the drawer 20 when the drawer 20 is closed.
  • the drawer 20 defines an overall top plan area that is partially covered by the lid 26 when the drawer 20 is closed.
  • the remainder of the overall top plan area of the drawer 20 not then covered by the lid 26 defines at least one access opening 28 giving access to the interior of the closed drawer 20.
  • Seals 30 may be provided between the lid 26 and the open top of the drawer 20 to minimise cross-contamination such as odour contamination, and also to minimise waste of energy and icing.
  • Trace heating means (not shown) may also be associated with the seals 30 to prevent icing.
  • a cooling means is provided for cooling the interior but not the exterior of the drawer 20.
  • the cooling means is associated with the lid 26: specifically, most of the embodiments employ a fan coil unit in the lid comprising a fan 32, a plenum chamber 34 and an evaporator 36. Air flow is driven across the evaporator 36 by the fan 32 as part of self-contained circulation between the lid 26 and the drawer 20 through openings in a partition 38 that defines the underside of the plenum chamber 34 and distributes cold air around the drawer 20.
  • Defrost drainage means may be associated with the evaporator 36 in well-known fashion.
  • the cooling means may be a heat exchanger such as an evaporator 36 in the Kd 26, or cold air ducts extending through the lid 26 from a cold air source outside the lid 26.
  • Other refrigeration means such as magnetic refrigeration are possible; it is also possible, though less preferred, that the cooling means is not associated with the lid 26.
  • the exterior of the or each drawer 20 is preferably exposed to air that is at, or even above, ambient temperature to avoid or minimise condensation and icing.
  • Means may be provided to promote a flow of ambient or heated air within the unit and around the closed drawers as proposed in the Applicant's earlier patent applications WO 01/20237 and WO 02/073105.
  • Drawers 20 may be stacked one above another with their associated lids 26, such that the lids 26 and drawers 20 alternate in the stack. Whilst not shown in the illustrated embodiments, drawers 20 and their lids 26 may also, or alternatively, be disposed side- by-side. It is also possible for drawers 20 and their lids 26 to be provided in individual modules that can be combined to create the ideal configuration for various applications.
  • a given drawer 20 may be converted readily from refrigerator to freezer and back again, thereby to vary the proportion of refrigerator space to freezer space in the unit as a whole. In this way, the unit can respond to changing cold-storage needs.
  • Figures l(a) and l(b) of the drawings show a first embodiment of the invention that is apt to be used for displaying and dispensing food and drink items shown generally as 40.
  • the unit shown in Figures l(a) and l(b) could, for example, be used as a freezer to display packaged ice-creams. It may be a freestanding or counter-top unit.
  • Figure l(a) shows the drawer 20 closed under the lid 26 and Figure l(b) shows the drawer 20 fully open.
  • the drawer 20 is supported by horizontally-extending telescopic runners 24 in a position clear of the structure 22 to allow restocking through the full open top area of the drawer 20.
  • the full area of the drawer is accessible to allow easy and fast stock-checking and, if necessary, restocking or stock rotation.
  • easy back-filling helps to enforce desirable first-in, first-out (FIFO) stock rotation.
  • the lid 26 is an insulated block with parallel upper and lower faces, one of which is a horizontal undersurface 42 that interfaces with the drawer 20 when closed.
  • a front face 44 of the lid 26 is inclined forwardly and downwardly in two differently-inclined portions 46, 48 to terminate in a front edge 50.
  • the inclination of the lower portion 48 is shallower than that of the upper portion 46.
  • the plenum chamber 34 is recessed into the undersurface 42 of the lid 26 and the partition 38 that defines the underside of the plenum chamber 34 lies parallel to the undersurface 42.
  • the fan 32 and the evaporator 36 are disposed in a duct in the plenum chamber 34.
  • a flexible magnetic sliding seal 30 hangs down from the undersurface 42 of the lid 26 but could alternatively be provided on the drawer 20.
  • the arrangement of the seal 30 may be generally as disclosed in the Applicant's earlier patent application WO 2005/024315.
  • the drawer 20 has integrally-moulded insulated walls, each of which is generally planar and parallel-sided.
  • the walls comprise an inclined base 52 that slopes downwardly in the forward direction, an upright rear wall 54 that is orthogonal to the undersurface 42 of the lid 26, and an inclined front wall 56 that defines an obtuse internal angle with the base 52.
  • the front wall 56 slopes outwardly and upwardly from the base 52 to terminate forwardly and downwardly with respect to the front edge 50 of the lid 26 when the drawer 20 is closed.
  • Parallel side walls 58 only one of which is visible in the sectional view of Figures l(a) and l(b), lie orthogonally with respect to each of the base 52, the rear wall 54 and the front wall 56.
  • Forward portions of the side walls 58 co-operate with the front wall 56 to define a chute-like channel or pocket topped by an oblong access opening 28.
  • the lower edge of the access opening 28 is defined by the inclined top edge of the front wall 56; its side edges are defined by the similarly-inclined upper edges of the forward portions of the side walls 58; and its top edge is defined by the front edge 50 of the lid 26.
  • the access opening 28 lies in approximately the same shallowly- inclined upwardly- and outwardly-facing plane as the lower portion 48 of the front face 44 of the lid 26.
  • the inclined top edge of the front wall 56 also lies in that plane.
  • Items 40 stored in the drawer 20 are urged to the front of the drawer 20 by the slope of the base 52. This leaves the coldest items 40 at the front of the drawer 20, where a user can readily access them through the access opening 28. Re-stocked items 40 are always put at the back of the drawer 20 where they will have an opportunity to cool before being dispensed through the access opening 28.
  • the forward movement of items 40 in any embodiment of the invention could be assisted by a pusher mechanism (not shown) acting between the items 40 and the rear wall 54 of the drawer 20.
  • the upwardly- and outwardly-facing access opening 28 at the front of the drawer 20 allows items 40 to be seen and reached easily by users without opening the drawer 20. This convenience applies even where the drawer 20 is below waist height or even below knee height. It is even convenient to reach up and access items 40 displayed at or above eye level: the inclination of the front wall 56 facilitates access of the user's hand and forearm through the access opening 28 even if the user must lift his or her elbow above shoulder height to do so. In that case, it is particularly helpful if at least the front wall 56 of the drawer 20 is glazed or otherwise transparent to allow the content of the drawer 20 to be viewed before attempting to access it.
  • FIGS 2(a) to 2(c) show a second embodiment of the invention that is particularly apt to be used for displaying and dispensing bottles 60, but could equally well be used for storing and dispensing cans containing chilled beverages or foodstuffs.
  • the second embodiment is similar to the first embodiment apart from a movable or removable cover 62 over the access opening 28 and a more steeply-inclined forward portion 64 of the base 52 of the drawer 20.
  • forwardly-extending channels (not shown) in the inner base 52 of the drawer 20 may be provided to assist the alignment of bottles and cans as they slide downwardly and forwardly through the drawer 20.
  • the cover 62 is an oblong flap or door that is hinged along its upper horizontal edge to the lower portion 48 of the front face 44 of the lid 26.
  • the cover 62 is preferably glazed or double-glazed as shown for viewing the bottles 60 in the drawer 20.
  • the cover 62 prevents cold air spilling out of the drawer 20 and reduces heat transfer to the interior of the drawer 20, hence making the unit more efficient.
  • the cover 62 can readily be lifted for access to a bottle 60 as shown in Figure 2(b) when the drawer 20 is closed, and the cover 62 can be lifted to allow the drawer 20 to be opened fully as shown in Figure 2(c).
  • the cover 62 could be attached to the drawer 20 rather than the lid 26, could be mounted for sliding movement relative to the drawer 20 or the Hd 26, or could be removable from the drawer 20 or the lid 26. In this way, the cover could possibly be fitted only outside retail hours.
  • the steeply-inclined forward portion 64 of the base 52 lies orthogonally with respect to the front wall 56 of the drawer 20. Its purpose is to position the front-most bottles 60 in the drawer 20 at such an angle that a user can see them clearly and grasp and remove them easily through the access opening 28.
  • drawers 20 and their lids 26 may be stacked. Three pairs of drawers 20 and lids 26 are shown here but there could be two such pairs or four or more of such pairs.
  • the features of this variant are much the same as in the second embodiment, except that the second and third lids 26 each have an inclined upper surface shaped to follow the general contour of the base 52 of the drawer 20 above.
  • the upper surface of each of those lids 26 comprises a shallowly-inclined rearward portion 66 corresponding to the major rearward portion of the base 52 and a more steeply-inclined forward portion 68 corresponding to the steeply- inclined forward portion 64 of the base 52.
  • an air gap between the lid 26 and the base 52 of the drawer 20 above is advantageous to allow for air circulation: this resists condensation and icing by maintaining a good temperature gradient across the insulation of both the lid 26 and the base 52.
  • Figures 3 (a) to 3(c) emphasise how the upwardly- and outwardly-facing access openings 28 at the front of the drawers 20 allow items, in this case bottles 62, to be seen and reached easily by users without opening the drawers 20, even where the drawers 20 are below waist height or knee height. There is no need to kneel down and peer under a counter, and there is no awkward door to open. Yet, worktop space is preserved. Indeed the top of the unit can serve as a worktop if the unit is of a suitable height.
  • a second access opening 70 communicates with the interior of a drawer 20 from the rear.
  • Figures 4(a) and 4(b) correspond with Figures l(a) and l(b), showing the drawer 20 closed and open respectively.
  • the rear access opening 70 provides for loading of items 40 into the closed drawer 20 from behind the unit, whereupon the items 40 slide forward under gravity over the inclined base
  • this embodiment of the invention is particularly suitable for use between 'back of house' food preparation and 'front of house' retail service in a cafeteria or fast food restaurant environment. Also, as items are loaded from the back, this helps to enforce FIFO stock rotation.
  • the rear access opening 70 is an oblong defined by rearward portions of the side walls 58 co-operating with an inclined rear wall 72 that slopes outwardly and upwardly from the base 52 of the drawer 50. This defines a chute- like channel or pocket topped by the access opening 70.
  • the lower edge of the access opening 70 is defined by the inclined top edge of the rear wall 72; its side edges are defined by the similarly-inclined upper edges of the rearward portions of the side walls 58; and its top edge is defined by the rear edge 74 of the lid 26.
  • Figure 5 shows that both access openings of the third embodiment may have covers 62 like those shown in Figures 2(a) to 3(c).
  • the inclined front and rear faces of the lid 26 are mirror-images of each other so that each face comprises two differently-inclined portions 46, 48 with the inclination of the lower portion 48 being shallower than that of the upper portion 46.
  • the covers 62 are hinged to the respective lower portions 48 but may again be sliding or removable.
  • the front face terminates in the front edge 50 of the Hd 26 and the rear face terminates in the rear edge 74 of the lid 26.
  • Figure 6 shows how the variant of Figure 5 can be stacked to create a multi-drawer unit. Again, the number of drawers 20 is immaterial.
  • the principal adaptation over the variant of Figure 5 is that all lids 26 other than the uppermost lid 26 each have an inclined upper surface 76 that matches the incline of the base 52 of the drawer above. This maximises insulation thickness but as before, it is desirable that an air gap is maintained between each lid 26 and the neighbouring drawer 20 above.
  • double-access embodiments of the invention like those of Figures 5 and 6 can only be loaded from one side and emptied from the other.
  • the invention extends to a refrigeration system for retail applications in which items can be accessed from either the front access opening 28 or the back access opening 70 or both, or indeed, in other embodiments, from the sides.
  • the inclined base 52 could be omitted in such embodiments or the base 52 could have a double slope that leads downwardly from a central peak between the access openings 28, 70.
  • AU of the above embodiments of the invention provide ample space for branding or other product information to be displayed on the fascia defined by the front wall 56 of the drawer 20 and/or the hinged cover 62. This creates an eye-catching and informative display without hindering viewing of, or access to, the items stored in the drawer 20.
  • a flexible-temperature retail display unit has a structure 22 supporting three drawers being an upper display drawer 2OU, a lower display drawer 2OL and a storage drawer 2OS.
  • Each drawer 2OU, 2OL and 2OS has a respective lid 26U, 26L and 26S that cools the interior of the associated drawer 2OU, 2OL and 2OS by means of an evaporator 36 and cold air distribution means such as a plenum chamber around the evaporator 36.
  • the upper and lower display drawers 2OU, 2OL are of J-section, each having a full- height upright rear wall 78 that seals against the respective lids 26U, 26L, a horizontal base 80 extending orthogonally from the rear wall 78 and a short upright front wall 82 extending orthogonally from the base 80.
  • Parallel side walls extend orthogonally with respect to the rear wall 78, the base 80 and the front wall 82.
  • Upper and lower access openings 84U, 84L are defined respectively between the top edges of the front walls 82 and the front edges of the lids 26U, 26L.
  • the upper access opening 84U faces horizontally as the upper lid 26U extends the full length of the base 80 of the upper display drawer 2OU.
  • the lower access opening 84L faces upwardly and outwardly because the lower lid 26L extends only part way over the base 80 of the lower display drawer 2OL.
  • the storage drawer 2OS also has an upright rear wall 78, a horizontal base 80 extending orthogonally from the rear wall 78 and an upright front wall 82 extending orthogonally from the base 80. In this case, however, the storage drawer 2OS is of U-section as the front wall 82 is the same height as the rear wall 78.
  • the lid 26S of the storage drawer 2OS extends the full length of the base 80 so that the front and rear walls 82, 78 both seal against the underside of the lid 26S when the storage drawer 2OS is closed.
  • the upper display drawer 2OU acts as a refrigerator only whereas the lower display drawer 2OL can act as a refrigerator or as a freezer.
  • Optional mezzanine shelves 86U, 86L in the upper and lower display drawers 2OU, 2OL respectively are provided to facilitate multi-level display.
  • the shelves 86U, 86L each have a shallow U-section to retain cold air and any spillages, and to help prevent items falling off the shelves 86U, 86L and possibly damaging items in the drawers 2OU, 2OL below.
  • An extendable and retractable insulated upper night cover 88 lies on top of the lid 26U of the upper display drawer 2OU when retracted and hence not in use, as shown in Figure 7(a) by way of example. When extended in use as shown in Figure 7(c), the upper night cover 88 fits vertically between the front edge of the lid 26U and the front wall 82 of the upper display drawer 2OU to close the upper access opening 84U.
  • an extendable and retractable insulated lower night cover 90 lies on top of the lid 26L of the lower display drawer 2OL when the lower night cover 90 is retracted and hence not in use.
  • the lid 26L has a stepped upper surface defining a forwardly-opening recess 92 into which the lower night cover 90 can fit horizontally for that purpose.
  • the lid 26U could have a similar stowage provision for the upper night cover 88 if desired.
  • the lower night cover 90 When extended for use as shown in Figure 7(c), the lower night cover 90 fits horizontally in front of the lid 26L, partially closing the lower access opening 84L. The remainder of the lower access opening 84L is closed by an insulated panel 94 that can be placed vertically in front of the front wall 82 of the lower display drawer 2OL. The top of the panel 94 then co-operates with the lower night cover 90 to close the access opening 84L.
  • the panel 94 can be fitted upright across the front of the lower display drawer 2OL without the lower night cover 90 being present. This improves energy efficiency when the lower display drawer 2OL is operated as a freezer, by helping to retain cold air in the lower display drawer 2OL.
  • the panel 94 could be opaque but is preferably transparent.
  • the lid 26S of the storage drawer 2OS also has a stepped upper surface defining a forwardly-opening recess 96 that can accommodate the panel 94 when lying horizontally.
  • the unit of the fourth embodiment can be configured and used in various ways which will now be described with specific reference to Figures 7(a) to 7(f) as follows:
  • both the upper and lower display drawers 2OU and 2OL are operating at refrigerator temperatures, offering excellent visibility of and access to items (not shown) displayed on the drawers 2OU, 2OL and their mezzanine shelves 86U, 86L.
  • the lower display drawer 2OL has been converted into an energy-efficient display freezer by extending the panel 94 and securing it into place at the front of the drawer 2OL as described above. This allows reach-in customer access to the freezer display compartment.
  • the upper and lower night covers 88 and 90 and the panel 94 have been deployed to create a sealed unit during a period in which the retail premises is closed. This further improves energy efficiency. It will be noted that the night covers 88, 90 and the panel 94 are close at hand, easily stowed, easy to remove from stowage and easy to attach to the unit. This encourages their use when required.
  • the storage drawer 2OS has been opened on runners 24 to facilitate restocking of the upper and lower display drawers 2OU and 2OL, or refilling of the storage drawer 2OS.
  • a retail display unit has a structure 22 supporting a single drawer 20 and cooling means in a lid 26 that cools the interior of the drawer 20 and items 40 contained within.
  • the cooling means includes a fan 32, an evaporator 36 and a plenum chamber 34 around the evaporator 36, which plenum chamber 34 is partially defined by a perforated partition 38 that distributes cold air from the evaporator 36 into the drawer 20 and provides for the return of warmer air from the drawer 20 to the evaporator 36.
  • the drawer 20 is of U-section comprising an upright rear wall 98, a horizontal base 100 extending orthogonally from the rear wall 98 and an upright front wall 102 extending orthogonally from the base 100 to the same height as the rear wall 98.
  • Parallel side walls 104 (only one of which is visible in this longitudinal section view) extend orthogonally with respect to the rear wall 98, the base 100 and the front wall 102.
  • the lid 26 extends the full length of the base 100 so that the front and rear walls 102, 98 both seal against the underside of the lid 26 when the drawer 20 is fully closed as shown in Figure 8(a).
  • forward and rearward magnetic sliding seals 30 are provided on the underside of the lid 26 near its front and rear ends respectively to cooperate with and seal against the upper ends of the front and rear walls 102, 98.
  • the drawer 20 can be closed fully and sealed by the lid 26 when the retail premises are closed. This saves energy and stores the items 40 in fully stable conditions.
  • the drawer 20 When the retail premises reopens, the drawer 20 is partially opened as shown in Figure 8(b) by being withdrawn horizontally on runners 24 to an intermediate forward position with respect to the lid 26. This defines an upwardly-facing access opening 28 between the upper edge of the front wall 102 and the front edge of the lid 26 through which the items 40 in the drawer 20 can be viewed and accessed.
  • the rear wall 98 of the drawer 20 disengages from the seals 30 and instead seals against an intermediate seal 30A that hangs from the underside of the lid 26 forwardly of the rear seal 30 and is disposed orthogonally with respect to the direction of drawer movement.
  • Parallel side seal elements may extend parallel to the direction of drawer movement as part of a sealing loop; if so, the drawer 20 can remain in sliding engagement with the side seal elements as the drawer 20 moves from the closed position into the intermediate forward position.
  • the drawer 20 When restocking and cleaning is necessary, the drawer 20 can be withdrawn into a fully forward position as shown in Figure 8(c), in the process disengaging the rear wall 98 from the intermediate seal 30A. This allows access to the interior of the drawer 20 across the full plan area of its open top. Yet, the rear wall 98 of the drawer 20 may then engage with the forward seal 30 which helps to prevent loss of cold air from the cooling means of the lid 26.
  • the variant of the fifth embodiment shown in Figures 9(a), 9(b) and 9(c) stacks the drawers 20 and lids 26 in a structure 22 to define a multi-drawer unit.
  • the variant illustrated has three pairs of drawers 20 and lids 26: there could of course be more or fewer of such pairs.
  • the drawers 20 and their lids 26 increase in size in stepwise manner from top to bottom. This ensures that when each drawer 20 is opened to the same extent with respect to its lid 26, the access openings 28 thus defined are not blocked by the drawers 20 above.
  • the front of the unit then has a stepped, terraced or cascaded appearance.
  • a similar effect could possibly be achieved with drawers 20 of the same size, with each successive drawer 20 being withdrawn further with respect to its lid 26 than the drawer 20 above. However this is less preferred because the lower drawers 20 would then have less coverage from their lids 26.
  • the refrigerated retail unit in Figures 10(a), 10(b) and 10(c) again has a structure 22 supporting three pairs of drawers 20 and lids 26 alternating in a stack. As before, the number of such pairs is immaterial: there could be one or more of them.
  • the cooling means in each lid 26 comprising a fan 32, a plenum chamber 34, an evaporator 36 and a partition 38 is similar to the cooling means of the preceding embodiments.
  • the drawers 20 and their lids 26 increase in size in stepwise manner from top to bottom such that the front of the unit has a stepped, terraced or cascaded appearance when viewed from the side.
  • each lid 26 extends forwardly part of the way along the associated drawer 20 to define an access opening 28 that faces upwardly: the access openings 28 thus defined are not blocked by the drawers 20 above.
  • FIG. 10(b) shows that the sixth embodiment has a key difference over all of the preceding embodiments: this is that the lids 26 do not extend across the full width of the drawers 20 between their side walls 104. As the lids 26 are disposed on the central longitudinal axes of their associated drawers 20, this means that the access openings 28 are C-shaped in plan, extending from the front of the lids 26 to each side of the lids 26 as Figure 10(b) shows. So, the unit also has a stepped, terraced or cascaded appearance from the front, creating a unit that is visually attractive and that provides excellent visibility of, and access to, the items 40 in the drawers 20.
  • the front walls 102 and side walls 104 of the drawers 20 could be glazed or otherwise transparent to add to these benefits.
  • This sixth embodiment of the invention is particularly apt to create a promotional 'hot spot' having a prominent location in a retail premises. Items 40 can be viewed and accessed from 180° around the unit, from the left side, the right side and the front. Yet, the drawers 20 allow easy restocking and cleaning by providing full plan access when open.
  • a structure 22 supports a drawer 20 and a lid 26.
  • the lid 26 extends forwardly part of the way along the drawer 20 to define an access opening 28 that faces upwardly.
  • the drawer 20 is sealed to the lid 26 by a seal 30 when the drawer 20 is closed; in this case, the seal 30 is carried by the drawer 20.
  • the drawer 20 is opened fully on runners 24, there is full plan access to the interior of the drawer 20 for cleaning and restocking.
  • the lid 26 in Figures 1 l(a) and 1 l(b) has much the same features as the lids of the previous embodiments, save that the front face 106 of the lid 26 is chamfered to face downwardly and forwardly to ease access through the access opening 28 ahead of the lid 26.
  • the lid 26 also includes a cooling means that is similar to the previous embodiments, and like numerals are used for like parts; a difference is that the partition 38 under the evaporator 36 has an air inlet 108 at its rear and an air outlet 110 at its front. This air outlet 110 is arranged to project airflow driven by the fan 32 forwardly to create an air curtain across the access opening 28 as shown in Figure 1 l(a). The air curtain helps to prevent ambient air from infiltrating into the cooled drawer 20.
  • the drawer 20 is broadly similar to the U-section drawers of previous embodiments and again, like numerals are used for like parts. However, the drawer 20 differs from the previous embodiments in two main respects. Firstly the drawer 20 is shown here with a double-glazed viewing window 112 serving as a front wall 102 and extending around to the front of each side wall 104. Secondly the drawer 20 has a U-shaped recirculation duct defined by inner walls at the front 114, base 116 and rear 118 respectively, spaced from the front wall 102, base 100 and rear wall 98 of the drawer 20. The front inner wall 114 and the rear inner wall 118 have inwardly-directed inclined upper end portions 120, 122 that define respective enlarged ends of the recirculation duct.
  • the inclined upper end portion 122 of the rear inner wall 118 helps to direct airflow from the rear end of the recirculation duct into the air inlet 108 of the partition 38. Low pressure here under the suction of the fan 32 is transmitted through to the other end of the recirculation duct where the inclined upper end portion 120 of the front inner wall 114 draws air from the air curtain into the duct. It will be noted in this respect that the front inner wall 114 is slightly lower than the rear inner wall 118, the better to shape the airflow.
  • the air curtain principle may be applied to movable drawers 20 as shown but need not be applied only to a movable drawer: it may be also applied to fixed-lid well-like containers.
  • a structure 22 supports three pairs of drawers 20 and lids 26 alternating in a stack. Again, the number of such pairs is immaterial.
  • the cooling means in each lid 26 including a fan 32 and an evaporator 36 is similar to the cooling means of the preceding embodiments. In this embodiment, however, the drawers 20 and their lids 26 are inclined downwardly toward the front of the unit at an angle of approximately 30° to the horizontal. The drawers 20 open downwardly and forwardly in parallel planes of the same inclination.
  • each lid 26 When the drawers 20 are closed, each lid 26 extends forwardly and downwardly part of the way along the associated drawer 20 to define an access opening 28 that faces upwardly.
  • the front face 106 of each lid 26 is chamfered to face downwardly and forwardly, thus facilitating access through the access openings 28 without those openings 28 being blocked by the drawers 20 or the lids 26 above.
  • Each drawer 20 has a J-shaped longitudinal section comprising a full-height rear wall 124 that, when the drawer 20 is closed, extends to the underside of the lid 26.
  • the J- section further comprises a base 126 that extends orthogonally from the rear wall 124 beyond the length of the lid 26 and terminates in a short front wall 128 that rises orthogonally from the base 126.
  • the walls 124, 128 and the base 126 of each drawer 20 support a plurality of cassettes 130: specifically, three such cassettes 130 will fit side- by-side on the base 126 of the drawer 20 as shown.
  • the short front wall 128 of each drawer 20 prevents the cassettes 130 from sliding out under gravity.
  • the open tops of the three cassettes 130 of each drawer 20 co-operate such that each lid 26 can cool the interiors of those three cassettes 130.
  • Each cassette 130 is an open-topped box having insulated J-section walls comprising a full-height rear wall 132 extending to the underside of the lid 26, a base 134 extending orthogonally from the bottom of the rear wall 132 and a short front wall 136 that rises orthogonally from the front of the base 134.
  • the short front wall 136 defines a front access aperture 28 to enhance visibility and access to items stored in a cassette 130.
  • the walls 124, 128 and the base 126 of the drawer 20 may have minimal insulation. Instead, insulation is provided by the walls 132, 136 and the base 134 of the cassettes 130.
  • Figure 12(d) shows the bottom drawer 20 open and restocked with fresh cassettes 130.
  • the drawers 20 are supported for opening and closing movement by runners 24.
  • Latch or bias means (not shown) are suitably provided to hold the drawers 20 in their upward closed position and, possibly, to assist in lifting the drawers 20 back into that position after opening.
  • the drawers 20 provide full plan access so that full cassettes 130, or recycled empty cassettes 130, can easily be placed at the back to fall forward when required.
  • the aim of the eighth embodiment of this invention is to improve stock control in retail display applications. Only items stored in the front cassettes 130 are accessible: the cassettes 130 behind a front cassette 130 remain inaccessible until the front cassette 130 has been emptied and removed. This helps the retailer to enforce and maintain FIFO stock rotation and aids stock control.
  • the retailer can use an empty cassette 130 after removal in various ways:
  • the cassette 130 can be stored until such time as it is restocked from the stores area of the retail premises, or from a forthcoming delivery;
  • the cassette 130 can be returned to a food supplier, who can restock it directly, using the insulated cassettes 130 to assist with temperature-controlled storage during transportation; or
  • the cassette 130 can be placed behind the remaining full cassettes 130 in a drawer 20, until such time as it is restocked, or returned to the food supplier.
  • the eighth embodiment of the invention therefore provides a system of removable insulated cassettes in which items can be transported safely, kept cold and protected from damage.
  • this embodiment not shown:
  • the number of drawers 20 and cassettes 130 per drawer 20 may vary according to the size and nature of the items to be stored, the type of retail environment, and the method of stock control and replenishment;
  • a cassette 130 could be made from a transparent material
  • branding, images and information could be put on the exterior of a cassette 130, for example on its front wall 136, or indeed on its inside;
  • a simplified unit could include a fixed inclined shelf, necessitating removal of all cassettes 130 on one level to enable insertion of replenished cassettes 130 at the rear of the inclined shelf.
  • the ninth embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 13 (a), 13(b) and 13(c) has some similarities to the eighth embodiment in that the lids 26 are inclined downwardly toward the front of the unit at an angle of approximately 30° to the horizontal.
  • the drawers 20 are replaced by open-topped removable insulated containers 138.
  • a structure 22 supports two pairs of containers 138 and lids 26 alternating in a stack, although the number of such pairs is immaterial.
  • the lid 26 when the container 138 is under the lid 26, the lid 26 extends forwardly and in this case downwardly part of the way along the container 138 to define an access opening 28 that faces upwardly and forwardly.
  • the front face 106 of the lid 26 is chamfered to face downwardly and forwardly to ease access through the access opening 28.
  • the container 138 may be sealed to the lid 26 by a seal (not shown) when the container 138 is under the lid 26.
  • each lid 26 is akin to that of the seventh embodiment so as to provide an air curtain across the access opening 28.
  • the lid 26 shown in Figures 13 (a), 13(b) and 13(c) has a partition 38 under the evaporator 36 defining an air inlet 108 at its rear and an air outlet 110 at its front such that airflow driven by a fan 32 is projected forwardly to create an air curtain across the access opening 28.
  • the container 138 is of U-section and has a U-shaped recirculation duct defined by inner walls at the front 114, base 116 and rear 118 respectively, spaced from the front wall 102, base 100 and rear wall 98 of the container 138.
  • the rear inner wall 118 has an inwardly-directed inclined upper end portion 122 that directs airflow from the rear end of the recirculation duct into the air inlet 108 of the partition 38.
  • Low pressure here under the suction of the fan 32 is transmitted through to the other end of the recirculation duct where air is drawn from the air curtain into the duct between the front inner wall 114 and the front wall 102 of the container 138.
  • the structure 22 defines receptacles 140, best shown in Figures 13(b) and 13(c), that receive the containers 138 in their inclined orientation under the respective lids 26.
  • Each receptacle is defined by a rear wall 142 extending orthogonally from the underside of the lid 26, a base 144 extending orthogonally from the bottom of the rear wall 142 and parallel to the underside of the Hd 26, and a short front wall 146 that rises orthogonally from the front of the base 144.
  • the front walls 146 retain the containers 138 in their receptacles 140 against the influence of gravity.
  • the retailer lifts it out of the unit as shown in Figures 13(b) and 13(c) by lifting the front of the container 138 to disengage it from the front wall 146 and then guiding the container 138 out of the receptacle 140.
  • the retailer can store an empty container 138 after removal until such time as it is restocked from the stores area of the retail premises, or from a forthcoming delivery.
  • the empty container 138 can be returned to a food supplier, who can restock it directly, using the insulated container 138 to assist with temperature-controlled storage during transportation.
  • the tenth embodiment of the invention shown in Figures 14(a) and 14(b) is something of a hybrid of the eighth and ninth embodiments, combining an inclined removable container 138 with an inclined drawer 20 underneath.
  • the cassettes 130 of the eighth embodiment are not used in the tenth embodiment as illustrated; however, it will be evident that the tenth embodiment could be adapted to use cassettes 130 in the drawer 20 if desired.
  • both the container 138 and the drawer 20 and their associated lids 26 have provisions for generating an air curtain across an access opening 28.
  • Those provisions are as used in the container 138 and lid 26 of the ninth embodiment and so need not be discussed again here.
  • the structure 22 has a lip 148 that retains the drawer 20 closed in the upward position against gravity as shown in Figure 14(a).
  • the drawer 20 must be lifted over the lip 148 to free the drawer 20 for downward movement upon opening as shown in Figure 14(b).
  • the eleventh and final embodiment of the invention is shown in Figures 15(a) to 15(d) and as a variant in Figures 16(a), 16(b) and 16(c).
  • the embodiment shown in Figures 15(a) to 15(d) has transparent front and side walls whereas the variant of Figures 16(a) to 16(c) has opaque front and side walls.
  • the eleventh embodiment combines several features of preceding embodiments and like numerals are used for like parts. For example:
  • Two insulated drawers 2OU (upper) and 2OL (lower) and their lids 26 are in stacked formation, the drawers 2OU, 2OL being movable horizontally with respect to the lids 26 and being sealed to the lids 26, when closed, by seals 30.
  • the lower drawer 2OL is deeper (longer from front to back) than the upper drawer 2OU, projecting forwardly to a greater extent than the upper drawer 2OU.
  • the lids 26 extend forward part- way along the length of the associated drawers 2OU, 2OL, leaving an upwardly-facing access opening 28 forward of each lid 26.
  • provisions for generating an air curtain over the access openings 28 include inner walls 114, 118 and a base 116 defining a recirculation duct that communicates with a fan 32 and an evaporator 36 in the lid 26 through inlet and outlet ducts 108, 110 in a partition 38 under the evaporator 36.
  • the drawers 2OU, 2OL each comprise insulated walls being a rear wall 98, a base 100 extending orthogonally from the bottom of the rear wall 98, a front wall 102 and generally parallel side walls 104 disposed orthogonally with respect to the rear wall 98, the base 100 and the front wall 102.
  • each drawer 2OU, 2OL is convex-curved and has bevelled corners where it joins the side walls 104, as best shown in Figures 15(b) to 15(d) and in Figures 16(a) to 16(c). This is to the benefit of eye-appeal and visibility.
  • the front and side walls 102, 104 are double- glazed (note feature 112) and hence transparent for ease of viewing the items 40 in the drawers 2OU, 2OL and to maximise visual impact.
  • transparency is not essential as Figures 16(a) to 16(c) show: in that variant, visual impact may instead be assured by using the opaque panels of the unit to display branding and product information.
  • the front wall 102 of the upper drawer 2OU is inclined outwardly to define an obtuse internal angle with the base 100. Specifically, the front wall 56 slopes outwardly and upwardly from the base 100 to terminate horizontally ahead of the front edge of the lid 26 of the upper drawer 2OU when the drawer 2OU is closed. Forward portions of the side walls 104 co-operate with the front wall 102 to define a chute-like channel or pocket topped by the access opening 28.
  • the inclined front wall 102 of the upper drawer 2OU facilitates access of a user's hand and forearm through the access opening 28 even if the access opening 28 is high. This allows the upper drawer 2OU to be at a higher level than if it had a vertical front, while still being accessible for access to and restocking of items 40.
  • the inclined front wall 102 provides ergonomic access for users by giving an access angle similar to that of an inclined arm trying to reach items at the bottom of the upper drawer 2OU.
  • the drawers 2OU, 2OL can both be higher than otherwise, to the benefit of their capacity.
  • the lower drawer 2OL is low enough that its vertical front wall 102 does not prejudice viewing and access through its access opening 28: indeed, the vertical front wall 102 is more space-efficient. Synergistically, the inclined front wall 102 of the upper drawer 2OU does not block the access opening 28 of the lower drawer 2OL.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Chemical & Material Sciences (AREA)
  • Combustion & Propulsion (AREA)
  • Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
  • General Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne une unité de vente au détail réfrigérée qui comprend une structure de support (22), et au moins un conteneur isolant (20) dont la partie supérieure est ouverte qui peut être déplacé par rapport à la structure entre une position de présentation permettant d'accéder à l'intérieur du conteneur par l'intermédiaire d'une ouverture d'accès (28), et une position d'accès complet permettant d'accéder à l'intérieur du conteneur par la majeure partie ou la totalité de sa partie supérieure ouverte. Le conteneur peut sensiblement retenir de l'air froid dans sa partie intérieure lorsqu'il est en position d'accès complet. L'unité de l'invention comprend également un moyen de refroidissement (36) qui permet de refroidir l'intérieur du conteneur et un couvercle isolant (26) porté par la structure. Le conteneur définit une surface planaire de partie supérieure globale qui est partiellement recouverte par le couvercle lorsque le conteneur est en position de présentation, la partie restante de ladite surface du conteneur non recouverte par le couvercle définissant l'ouverture d'accès.
PCT/GB2006/003629 2005-09-29 2006-09-29 Unites de vente au detail refrigerees WO2007036736A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (5)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06779580A EP1929221A1 (fr) 2005-09-29 2006-09-29 Unites de vente au detail refrigerees
CA002621773A CA2621773A1 (fr) 2005-09-29 2006-09-29 Unites de vente au detail refrigerees
AU2006296390A AU2006296390A1 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-09-29 Refrigerated retail units
JP2008532875A JP2009519044A (ja) 2005-09-29 2006-09-29 冷蔵小売りユニット
US12/088,511 US20080218038A1 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-09-29 Refrigerated Retail Units

Applications Claiming Priority (22)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
GB0519866.8 2005-09-29
GBGB0519866.8A GB0519866D0 (en) 2005-09-29 2005-09-29 Cold storage and dispensing of bottles, cans and the like
GB0523831.6 2005-11-23
GBGB0523831.6A GB0523831D0 (en) 2005-09-29 2005-11-23 Cold storage and dispensing of bottles, cans and other packages of beverages or foodstuffs
GB0611880A GB0611880D0 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-06-15 Improvements in or relating to cold storage
GB0611878A GB0611878D0 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-06-15 Improvements in or relating to cold storage
GB0611880.6 2006-06-15
GB0611879A GB0611879D0 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-06-15 Improvements in or relating to cold storage
GB0611877A GB0611877D0 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-06-15 Improvements in or relating to cold storage
GB0611881A GB0611881D0 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-06-15 Improvements in or relating to cold storage
GB0611881.4 2006-06-15
GB0611882A GB0611882D0 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-06-15 Improvements in or relating to cold storage
GB0611882.2 2006-06-15
GB0611878.0 2006-06-15
GB0611879.8 2006-06-15
GB0611877.2 2006-06-15
GB0617101A GB0617101D0 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-08-30 Improvements in or relating to cold storage
GB0617101.1 2006-08-30
GB0617097A GB0617097D0 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-08-30 Improvements in or relating to cold storage
GB0617097.1 2006-08-30
GB0617099.7 2006-08-30
GB0617099A GB0617099D0 (en) 2005-09-29 2006-08-30 Improvements in or relating to cold storage

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2007036736A1 true WO2007036736A1 (fr) 2007-04-05

Family

ID=37668208

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/GB2006/003629 WO2007036736A1 (fr) 2005-09-29 2006-09-29 Unites de vente au detail refrigerees

Country Status (4)

Country Link
EP (1) EP1929221A1 (fr)
AU (1) AU2006296390A1 (fr)
CA (1) CA2621773A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2007036736A1 (fr)

Cited By (5)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
CN102374745A (zh) * 2010-08-06 2012-03-14 日立空调·家用电器株式会社 冰箱
US8152255B2 (en) * 2008-03-06 2012-04-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator with receiving box
EP2505943A2 (fr) 2011-03-31 2012-10-03 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Appareil de refroidissement doté de tiroirs de refroidissement agencés les uns sur les autres
EP2893850A3 (fr) * 2013-12-23 2015-10-28 Hussmann Corporation Refroidissement de zone dans un présentoir réfrigéré
EP3163234B1 (fr) * 2015-10-29 2023-07-12 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Dispositif d'appareil frigorifique domestique

Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2499089A (en) * 1947-03-29 1950-02-28 Brill Refrigerated display case
GB815272A (en) * 1956-12-13 1959-06-24 Mahlon Christopher Sands Improvements relating to the storage and display of perishable goods
US3006707A (en) * 1958-04-30 1961-10-31 Anthony T Rossi Dispensing and display cabinet
GB2282875A (en) * 1993-10-18 1995-04-19 Mars G B Ltd A controlled environment container
WO1997006715A1 (fr) * 1995-08-16 1997-02-27 Floeysvik Jan Egil Comptoir refrigerant a tiroirs
EP0903094A2 (fr) * 1997-09-17 1999-03-24 Schöller Lebensmittel GmbH & Co. KG Appareil de congélation,en particulier pour produits surgelés
WO2001020237A1 (fr) * 1999-09-13 2001-03-22 Applied Design And Engineering Limited Appareil d'entreposage à froid

Patent Citations (7)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US2499089A (en) * 1947-03-29 1950-02-28 Brill Refrigerated display case
GB815272A (en) * 1956-12-13 1959-06-24 Mahlon Christopher Sands Improvements relating to the storage and display of perishable goods
US3006707A (en) * 1958-04-30 1961-10-31 Anthony T Rossi Dispensing and display cabinet
GB2282875A (en) * 1993-10-18 1995-04-19 Mars G B Ltd A controlled environment container
WO1997006715A1 (fr) * 1995-08-16 1997-02-27 Floeysvik Jan Egil Comptoir refrigerant a tiroirs
EP0903094A2 (fr) * 1997-09-17 1999-03-24 Schöller Lebensmittel GmbH & Co. KG Appareil de congélation,en particulier pour produits surgelés
WO2001020237A1 (fr) * 1999-09-13 2001-03-22 Applied Design And Engineering Limited Appareil d'entreposage à froid

Cited By (9)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US8152255B2 (en) * 2008-03-06 2012-04-10 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator with receiving box
USRE46029E1 (en) 2008-03-06 2016-06-14 Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd. Refrigerator with receiving box
CN102374745A (zh) * 2010-08-06 2012-03-14 日立空调·家用电器株式会社 冰箱
EP2505943A2 (fr) 2011-03-31 2012-10-03 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Appareil de refroidissement doté de tiroirs de refroidissement agencés les uns sur les autres
DE102011006605A1 (de) 2011-03-31 2012-10-04 BSH Bosch und Siemens Hausgeräte GmbH Kältegerät mit übereinander angeordneten Kälteschubladen
EP2893850A3 (fr) * 2013-12-23 2015-10-28 Hussmann Corporation Refroidissement de zone dans un présentoir réfrigéré
AU2014280892B2 (en) * 2013-12-23 2016-05-05 Hussmann Corporation Zone cooling in a refrigerated merchandiser
US9737156B2 (en) 2013-12-23 2017-08-22 Hussmann Corporation Zone cooling in a refrigerated merchandiser
EP3163234B1 (fr) * 2015-10-29 2023-07-12 BSH Hausgeräte GmbH Dispositif d'appareil frigorifique domestique

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1929221A1 (fr) 2008-06-11
CA2621773A1 (fr) 2007-04-05
AU2006296390A1 (en) 2007-04-05

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
US20080218038A1 (en) Refrigerated Retail Units
AU2011235295B2 (en) Chest cooler
US4977754A (en) Next-to-be-purchased cold beverage merchandiser
JP3857918B2 (ja) 冷蔵庫及び／または冷凍庫
US6672092B2 (en) Countertop merchandiser unit with refrigerated and heated compartments and method thereof
EP1929221A1 (fr) Unites de vente au detail refrigerees
US3006707A (en) Dispensing and display cabinet
CN112839548A (zh) 用于饮料和食物产品的冷藏器
US4759193A (en) Horizontal refrigerator
US3295634A (en) Refrigerated display apparatus
US6032475A (en) Refrigeration apparatus
US2890573A (en) Upright refrigerator showcase
EP2095044B1 (fr) Procédé et dispositif pour refroidir des produits
TR201811040T4 (tr) Soğutma istasyonu.
JP2796466B2 (ja) 冷凍冷蔵ショーケース
JPH0972649A (ja) 低温ショーケース
EP3367030B1 (fr) Vitrine à glace et tiroirs à glace
AU2004200357B2 (en) Cold-storage appliance
CN218033926U (zh) 一种内部分区可调节的后补式冷藏库
JPH0742359Y2 (ja) オープンショーケース
JPH07143927A (ja) オープンショーケース
KR20190072227A (ko) 서랍형 음료캔 보관장치
JP2003061793A (ja) ショーケース
JPH11296741A (ja) 自動販売機
WO2003000096A1 (fr) Réfrigérateur et congélateurs

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 200680036357.9

Country of ref document: CN

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2006779580

Country of ref document: EP

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2621773

Country of ref document: CA

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2006296390

Country of ref document: AU

Ref document number: 1475/CHENP/2008

Country of ref document: IN

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2008532875

Country of ref document: JP

Ref document number: 12088511

Country of ref document: US

NENP Non-entry into the national phase

Ref country code: DE

WWE Wipo information: entry into national phase

Ref document number: 2008116343

Country of ref document: RU

Ref document number: 1020087010281

Country of ref document: KR

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2006296390

Country of ref document: AU

WWP Wipo information: published in national office

Ref document number: 2006779580

Country of ref document: EP

ENPW Started to enter national phase and was withdrawn or failed for other reasons

Ref document number: PI0617572

Country of ref document: BR

Free format text: PEDIDO RETIRADO, UMA VEZ QUE, SEGUNDO O ART. 216 INCISO 2O DA LPI, O DOCUMENTO DE PROCURACAO NAO FOI PROTOCOLADO EM SESSENTA DIAS CONTADOS DA PRATICA DO PRIMEIRO ATO DA PARTE NO PROCESSO, E NAO HOUVE MANIFESTACAO DO REQUERENTE FRENTE A PUBLICACAO DO ARQUIVAMENTO DA PETICAO (11.6.1) NA RPI 2258 DE 15/04/2014.