WO2009008999A1 - Système et procédé de distribution d'air à l'intérieur d'une vitrine - Google Patents

Système et procédé de distribution d'air à l'intérieur d'une vitrine Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2009008999A1
WO2009008999A1 PCT/US2008/008251 US2008008251W WO2009008999A1 WO 2009008999 A1 WO2009008999 A1 WO 2009008999A1 US 2008008251 W US2008008251 W US 2008008251W WO 2009008999 A1 WO2009008999 A1 WO 2009008999A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
shelves
display case
air
cover plate
shelf
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2008/008251
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Keith Tilley
Original Assignee
Enodis Corporation
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
Application filed by Enodis Corporation filed Critical Enodis Corporation
Publication of WO2009008999A1 publication Critical patent/WO2009008999A1/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
    • 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
    • A47F2003/046—Cases or cabinets of the open type with forced air circulation with shelves having air ducts

Definitions

  • the present disclosure relates to a display case and a method of distributing chilled air within a display case that facilitates even and denser overall product cooling to the products stored therein.
  • the present disclosure provides a display case for storing food and beverage products that provides an even distribution of chilled air.
  • the display case has a cassette unit and a chassis.
  • the chassis has an interior volume that is encapsulated by a front section, a rear section, a base portion, a top portion and two side portions.
  • the interior volume has chilled air circulating therein.
  • the chassis has one or more shelves mounted therein.
  • the chassis also has one or more goal posts mounted therein.
  • the one or more goal posts deliver chilled air to the one or more shelves.
  • the one or more shelves have a top surface and a bottom surface.
  • the bottom surface of the shelves has a plurality of impingement holes disposed thereon that disperse the chilled air into the interior volume of the chassis so that the chilled air blankets the food and beverage products stored on the shelves below.
  • the present disclosure also provides a method of distributing air within a display case.
  • a refrigeration system positioned underneath a chassis of the display case generates chilled air.
  • the chilled air is blown up one or more goal posts in the chassis.
  • the chilled air is delivered to one or more hollow shelves that store food and beverage products in the chassis thereby cooling the bottom of the food and beverage products.
  • the chilled air is dispersed from the one or more shelves into the interior volume through a plurality of impingement holes disposed on a bottom surface of the one or more shelves thereby blanketing the food and beverage products on adjacent shelves with the chilled air.
  • Figure 1 is a right-side planar view of a display case of the present disclosure.
  • Figure 2 is a front-right-side planar view of a display case of the present disclosure.
  • Figure 3 is a bottom-right-side perspective view of a display case according to the present disclosure.
  • Figure 4 is a right-side planar view of a display case according to the present disclosure that illustrates the direction of the air flowing therein.
  • Figure 5 is a front perspective view of a display case according to the present disclosure that illustrates the cassette unit removed from the display case.
  • Figure 6 is a perspective view of the cassette unit of the present disclosure that houses a refrigeration system and one or more fans therein.
  • Figure 7 is a perspective view of an exemplary embodiment of a shelf of the present disclosure having a plurality of impingement holes disposed thereon.
  • Figure 8 is a right-side planar view of the display case of the present disclosure having goal posts that have a first post portion and a bottom portion.
  • Figure 9 is a front-right-side planar view of the display case of Figure 8.
  • Figure 10 is a front perspective view of a cover plate.
  • Figure 11 is a partial top view of the display case of Figure 8.
  • Figure 12 is a shelf connected to a pair of cover plates of Figure 10.
  • Figure 13 is a partial front perspective view of the display case of Figure 8 having a shelf in a located position.
  • Figure 14 is a partial front perspective view of the display case of Figure 8 having a shelf in a floating position.
  • display case 100 has a cassette unit 105 and a chassis 110.
  • Chassis 110 has an interior volume 115 that is encapsulated by a front section 120, a rear section 125, a base portion 130, a top portion 135, and two side portions 137.
  • Interior volume 115 has chilled air circulating therein. In an exemplary embodiment, interior volume 115 decreases from base portion 130 to top portion 135.
  • Chassis 110 has one or more shelves 140 mounted therein. Chassis 110 also has one or more goal posts 145 mounted therein. One or more goal posts 145 deliver chilled air to one or more shelves 140. One or more shelves 140 have a top surface 150 and a bottom surface 155. Bottom surface 155 has a plurality of impingement holes 160 disposed thereon that disperse the chilled air into interior volume 115 so that the chilled air blankets the food and beverage products on the shelves below.
  • Chassis 110 is common for all types of display cases including refrigerated customer serve cases, refrigerated staffed serve cases, ambient customer serve cases and ambient staff served cases.
  • One or more goal posts 145 are mounted at the rear section 125 of chassis 110.
  • one or more goal posts 145 support one or more rear doors (not shown) in chassis 110.
  • one or more goal posts 145 are tapered and reduce in area towards top portion 135 of chassis 110.
  • one or more goal posts 145 have a first post portion 145a that has a cross section that is tapered towards front portion 120 from a first width W1 to a second width W2, as shown in Figure 11 , and does not reduce in area towards top portion 135.
  • First post portion 145a has a bottom portion 133 connecting the first post portion to base portion 130.
  • Bottom portion 133 may have a cross section that increases in size from first post portion 145a to base portion 130.
  • the increase in size of bottom portion 130 from first post portion 145a to base portion 130 increases an amount of air that may be communicated to one or more goal posts 145.
  • Each of one or more goal posts 145 may have a top flange 136, as shown in Figure 11 , that connects top portion 135 to one or more goal posts 145.
  • one or more goal posts 145 deliver chilled air from cassette unit 105 to one or more shelves 140.
  • a volume of chilled air may bypass one or more shelves 140 and travel to top portion 135 of chassis 110 where it is dispersed into interior volume 115 and circulated downward so that the chilled air blankets the food and beverage products stored therein.
  • Bypass of one or more shelves 140 may be achieved by blocking an entry of chilled air.
  • one or more shelves 140 are hollow.
  • the chilled air delivered to one or more shelves 140 cools the bottom of the food and beverage products stored on one or more shelves 140.
  • the height of one or more shelves 140 is adjustable.
  • a first shelf 140a of one or more shelves 140 may be moved to different positions on one or more goal posts 145.
  • First shelf 140a may be connected to one or more goal posts by cover plate 165.
  • cover plate 165 has a cover portion 166 that extends above, below, or above and below first shelf 140a when first shelf 140a is connected to cover plate 165.
  • Cover plate 165 has an opening 169 to allow air from one or more goal posts 145 through to first shelf 140a.
  • Cover plate 165 has a support flange 167 with one or more slots 168 there through.
  • a first cover plate is connected to a first side of first shelf 140a and a second cover plate is connected to a second opposite side of first shelf 140a, as shown in Figure 12. Opening 169 of each of the first and second cover plates are positioned over shelf apertures 142.
  • first shelf 140a connects to each support flange 167 by screws 141 through each of one or more slots 168 so that support flange 167 supports first shelf 140a and screws 141 may slide within slots 168 to move the first shelf a distance with in the slots.
  • Cover plate 165 is positioned within a guide channel 147 formed on one of one or more goal posts 145 so that the cover plate selectively slides in the channel along a length of one of the goal posts.
  • One or more goal posts 145 may have an inner goal post section 148 and an outer goal post section 149 that forms a gap there between that guides cover plate 165 within guide channel 147.
  • One or more goal posts 145 have at least one aperture within the channel that distributes air from within cassette unit 105 through the aperture.
  • Cover plate 165 covers a portion of the aperture with cover portion 166 to maintain the air within the one or more goal posts and allows air to pass from the goal post through opening 169 to shelf aperture 142.
  • one or more goal posts 145 have a plurality of position apertures 146.
  • first shelf 140a has a connector, for example, hooks 143 that are able to engage with plurality of position apertures 146 in one of one or more goal posts 145.
  • Figures 13 and 14 show only one side of first shelf 140a, an opposite side of the first shelf moves to different positions on another of one or more goal posts 145 as described herein.
  • First shelf 140a may slide via cover plate 165 sliding within the guide channel to a first pair of position apertures 146.
  • First shelf 140a may slide to move hooks 143 into the pair of position apertures 146 by sliding screws 141 within slots 168 to engage hooks 143 with the first pair of position apertures 146 to a located position, as shown in Figure 13. [0033] First shelf 140a may slide toward top portion 135 via cover plate 165 sliding within the guide channel to disengage hooks 143 from position apertures 146. First shelf 140a may slide to move hooks 143 out of position apertures 146 by sliding screws 141 within slots 168 to a floating position, as shown in Figure 14. First shelf 140a may slide via cover plate 165 within the guide channel to another pair of position apertures 146 to a different position on the one of one or more goal posts 145. There may be three pairs of position apertures 145 for each of one or more shelves 140 so that one or more shelves 140 may be moved to three different positions. The positions apertures that are not covered by one of one or more shelves 140 may dispense air to interior volume 115.
  • the tapered goal post section of one or more goal posts allows ease of shelf height adjustment.
  • the mating surfaces between goal posts and shelves are tapered, as shown in Figure 7 and Figure 11.
  • One or more shelves 140 only become a tight fit between one or more goal posts 145 at the final location between the goal post surfaces or the located position.
  • Cover plates 165 may be permanently connected to one or more shelves 140 so that cover plates do not become detached and lost from the display case.
  • a cover cap (not shown) may connect to one or more goal posts 145 and disconnect from one or more goal posts 145 to cover any portion of the apertures not covered by one or more shelves 140.
  • a lighting system (not shown) is installed in a channel 170 on bottom surface 155 of one or more shelves 140, as shown in Figure 7.
  • the lighting system has LED low voltage DC lights that are highly efficient compared to incandescent or florescent lights. Thus, the power consumption and the heat input of chassis 110 are reduced.
  • the power to the lights from cassette unit 105 is provided via low voltage DC supply with a plug and socket arrangement.
  • a cassette unit of the present disclosure generally referred to by reference number 200 is shown.
  • cassette unit 200 houses a refrigeration system 205 and one or more fans 210 that generate and distribute chilled air within the chassis of the display case.
  • cassette unit 200 provides ambient or heated storage.
  • cassette unit 200 provides maximum flexibility in store arrangement, rearrangement and ordering.
  • Cassette unit 200 is removable and can be easily swapped with another cassette unit to change the display case from refrigerated to ambient and from ambient to refrigerated.
  • the interchangeability of cassette unit 200 reduces the repair time, which thereby reduces the down time of the display case when a part malfunctions. Further, the interchangeability of cassette unit 200 allows it to be swapped by less skilled personnel thereby reducing costs.
  • Cassette unit 200 is mounted on castors 215 to allow for ease of movement. Cassette unit 200 engages with slide rails on either side of the display case that lift cassette unit 200 to align with the display case. This allows for the display case to be raised and leveled. When cassette unit 200 is fully engaged with the display case, a clip on either side of cassette unit 200 locks cassette unit 200 into position, thus ensuring secure engagement with the display case. Resilient seals between cassette unit 200 and the display case give security of air passage.
  • shelf 300 has a graduated pattern of impingement holes 305 disposed on a bottom surface 310 of shelf 300. Impingement holes 305 evenly disperse chilled air into the interior volume of the chassis of the display case so that the chilled air blankets the top of the food and beverage products on the shelves below. Shelf 300 also chills the food and beverage products stored on top of the shelf because the products are in contact with a top surface (not shown) of shelf 300. In another exemplary embodiment, shelf 300 has a plurality of impingement holes disposed on the top surface of shelf 300.
  • the present disclosure is advantageous because chilled air is distributed and delivered through hollow shelves to the displayed product.
  • the display case of the present disclosure reduces the problem of restricted air movement and distribution caused by over-filled shelves that do not leave sufficient gaps between the products for air passage.
  • the present disclosure is also advantageous because it provides a method of cooling food and beverage products from six sides including the top, bottom, front, back, left and right, instead of traditional cooling and air distribution methods that only cool products from five sides, if sufficient air passage gaps between products are left.
  • the present disclosure is further advantageous because it reduces lifetime ownership costs of refrigerated display cases. At the end of the expected life of the refrigeration system and all working parts therein, only the cassette unit needs to be replaced. In addition, the present disclosure is advantageous because it overcomes the traditional problem associated with over-stocking shelves and not leaving necessary gaps between food and beverage products to allow cold air to pass from the rear of the display case to the products stored at the front of the display case. [0042] The present disclosure further provides a method of evenly distributing air within a display case 100. Referring to Figure 4, a refrigeration system 205 positioned underneath a chassis 110 of the display case 100 generates chilled air, as shown by arrow A.
  • the chilled air is blown up one or more goal posts 145 in the chassis, as shown by arrow B.
  • the chilled air is delivered to one or more hollow shelves 140 and top portion 135, as shown by arrows C, and flow through the one or more hollow shelves and the top portion, as shown by arrows D, that store food and beverage products in chassis 110 thereby cooling the bottom of the food and beverage products.
  • the chilled air is dispersed from the one or more shelves 140 and top portion 135 into the interior volume through a plurality of impingement holes disposed on a bottom surface of the one or more shelves thereby blanketing the top of the food and beverage products on adjacent shelves with the chilled air, as shown by arrows E. Chilled air may be returned to refrigeration system, as shown by arrows F.
  • Another advantage of the present disclosure is that the goal posts and hollow shelves eliminate the need to blow the chilled air up ducts on the rear doors of the display case that is needed to obtain an even distribution to all shelves. This also eliminates the need for ducts at the rear of the display case, thereby allowing the use of sliding door and/or hinged doors.

Landscapes

  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Thermal Sciences (AREA)
  • Cold Air Circulating Systems And Constructional Details In Refrigerators (AREA)
  • Devices That Are Associated With Refrigeration Equipment (AREA)

Abstract

La présente invention concerne une vitrine pour stocker des produits alimentaires et boissons qui distribue uniformément de l'air refroidi à l'intérieur de la vitrine et qui comprend une unité de cassette et un châssis qui possède un volume intérieur qui est encapsulé par une section avant, une section arrière, une partie de base et une partie supérieure et deux parties latérales. Le châssis comporte une ou plusieurs étagères et un ou plusieurs montants montés dans celui-ci. Les montants distribuent de l'air refroidi aux étagères. Les étagères comportent une surface inférieure qui possède une pluralité d'orifices de contact disposés dans celle-ci qui distribuent l'air refroidi dans le volume intérieur de sorte que l'air refroidi recouvre la partie supérieure des produits alimentaires et boissons sur l'étagère en dessous. Les étagères peuvent incorporer une rainure dans la surface inférieure. Un éclairage à LED à basse consommation électrique peut être incorporé dans la rainure pour éclairer le produit sur l'étagère en dessous.
PCT/US2008/008251 2007-07-06 2008-07-03 Système et procédé de distribution d'air à l'intérieur d'une vitrine WO2009008999A1 (fr)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US95848807P 2007-07-06 2007-07-06
US60/958,488 2007-07-06

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2009008999A1 true WO2009008999A1 (fr) 2009-01-15

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Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2008/008251 WO2009008999A1 (fr) 2007-07-06 2008-07-03 Système et procédé de distribution d'air à l'intérieur d'une vitrine

Country Status (2)

Country Link
US (1) US20090044553A1 (fr)
WO (1) WO2009008999A1 (fr)

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11175487B2 (en) 2017-06-19 2021-11-16 Suss Microtec Photonic Systems Inc. Optical distortion reduction in projection systems
US11209635B2 (en) 2017-06-19 2021-12-28 Suss Microtec Photonic Systems Inc. Magnification compensation and/or beam steering in optical systems

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WO2006115824A2 (fr) * 2005-04-25 2006-11-02 Delaware Capital Formation, Inc. Systeme de rideau d'air conçu pour une vitrine refrigeree
WO2007067173A1 (fr) * 2005-12-07 2007-06-14 Carrier Commercial Refrigeration Inc. Stabilisateur de courant d'air pour facade inferieure de vitrine de presentation refrigeree a chargement par l'arriere
US20100212343A1 (en) * 2006-06-20 2010-08-26 Hill Phoenix, Inc. Refrigerated case with low frost operation
US20090205351A1 (en) * 2006-10-26 2009-08-20 Kwok Kwong Fung Secondary airflow distribution for a display case
US9526354B2 (en) * 2008-09-11 2016-12-27 Hill Phoenix, Inc. Air distribution system for temperature-controlled case
US8863541B2 (en) 2009-06-10 2014-10-21 Hill Phoenix, Inc. Air distribution system for temperature-controlled case
US9675185B2 (en) 2010-04-23 2017-06-13 Hussmann Corporation Refrigerated merchandiser with shelf air discharge
US8561419B2 (en) 2010-07-02 2013-10-22 Hussmann Corporation Modular island merchandiser
CN103747709B (zh) * 2011-09-02 2016-08-31 开利公司 冷藏销售家具
EP2989936B1 (fr) * 2013-10-10 2018-07-18 Heatcraft Refrigeration Products LLC Systèmes de réfrigération modulaire
CN104266440A (zh) * 2014-09-25 2015-01-07 杨腾跃 一种冰箱的新型冷藏室
KR20160059417A (ko) * 2014-11-18 2016-05-26 후지 덴키 가부시키가이샤 쇼케이스

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US4674723A (en) * 1985-07-08 1987-06-23 Robert Bayuk Adjustable shelf assembly
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US20040177635A1 (en) * 2003-03-11 2004-09-16 Sanden Corporation Showcase
US20050061758A1 (en) * 2001-12-27 2005-03-24 Satoshi Nomura Storage device
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US566077A (en) * 1896-08-18 Hot-water heating system
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Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US3293878A (en) * 1965-12-23 1966-12-27 Louis F Barroero Refrigerated display case having selfcontained refrigeration unit
US3712078A (en) * 1971-11-22 1973-01-23 Krispin Eng Ltd Refrigeration unit
US4674723A (en) * 1985-07-08 1987-06-23 Robert Bayuk Adjustable shelf assembly
US5660777A (en) * 1994-04-29 1997-08-26 Donnelly Technology, Inc. Method for making a sliding refrigerator shelf assembly
US6558017B1 (en) * 2001-12-18 2003-05-06 Illumitech, Inc. Lighting system employing bi-directional optics for illuminating product display unit
US20050061758A1 (en) * 2001-12-27 2005-03-24 Satoshi Nomura Storage device
US20040177635A1 (en) * 2003-03-11 2004-09-16 Sanden Corporation Showcase
US20050217297A1 (en) * 2004-04-01 2005-10-06 Foodtrust Of Prince Edward Island Limited Refrigerated merchandiser

Cited By (2)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US11175487B2 (en) 2017-06-19 2021-11-16 Suss Microtec Photonic Systems Inc. Optical distortion reduction in projection systems
US11209635B2 (en) 2017-06-19 2021-12-28 Suss Microtec Photonic Systems Inc. Magnification compensation and/or beam steering in optical systems

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