DE20307165U1 - Chilled food retail display cabinet has hinged top panel cleaning access hatch - Google Patents

Abstract

A chilled retail display glass cabinet has a thermally-insulated interior space with a cooling unit and a blower directing cool air over and under food. The cabinet lower surface has an air outlet. The cabinet upper surface has an externally-opening access hatch (3).

Description

Product presentation furniture

The invention relates to a product presentation furniture, in particular a refrigerated display case, with at least one product space that is at least partially cooled by means of a cooling air flow, an insulated space with means for generating a cooling air flow and with means for circulating a cooling air flow according to the preamble of patent claim 1.

Such refrigerated display cases essentially consist of several glass shelves arranged one above the other, around which cooled air flows, and external glass surfaces to separate the interior from the warmer environment. Some refrigerated display cases are completely closed and equipped with flaps or doors for loading and removing goods, while others are open on the removal side. The air is usually cooled in a finned evaporator charged with coolant. Alternatively, heat exchangers with a cold medium or pelletizing elements can also be used.

In most well-known refrigerated display cases, it is not possible to clean the evaporator chamber because the evaporator is usually installed in a concealed manner.

The operating personnel therefore have to clean the evaporator and the Evaporator chamber not cleaned. Only the customer

visible glass surfaces are cleaned and polished.

But it is precisely in the evaporator chamber that

Moisture and food residues can harbor bacteria, which

distributed to the food via the circulating air flow.

EP 1 197 172 A1 describes, for example, a refrigerated display case in which the evaporator is arranged underneath the display case. The cold air is blown upwards through a closed pane and sucked in again at the bottom or partly through the lamps.

Dipl.-Ing. ffid£eif Hajiesiapji;: IJergen Hakeöianh; 14.94.^4 Goldenstedt

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Since the evaporator becomes dirty over time, the evaporator chamber can be opened with a door so that the evaporator is accessible for cleaning. The evaporator chamber can be easily cleaned without removing the goods. However, this variant has several disadvantages. Since cold air is denser than warm air, it must be blown upwards using powerful fans.

To guide the air, the air is blown against the closed pane. As the pane is blown directly with cold air (approx. 0 ⁰ C), warmer ambient air will condense on the pane. The pane will fog up if the ambient air humidity is as low as 45%. In practice, further measures such as insulating glass and additional pane heating are certainly necessary. Furthermore, laminar air flow is not possible in the area of the removal flaps . Therefore, in a self-service version, the removal flaps shown must always be used, and may only be opened for a short time .

Since the lamp bodies are arranged within the cooled room, cooling via various air ducts is necessary. These air ducts become contaminated just like the evaporator - but they cannot be cleaned. Fluorescent lamps are usually used for lighting. However, these have the property of only having a low light output at low temperatures . Therefore, several lighting bodies must be installed in this refrigerated display case. Another disadvantage is the opaque side walls. These cannot be made of glass because they contain cooling ducts and therefore have to be insulated. Overall, the construction is very complex and therefore expensive.

Furthermore, refrigerated display cases are known which have a flat evaporator arranged in a tray below the display area . Here, the evaporator can be folded up inside the display case for cleaning, similar to what is described in DE 297 11 452 Ul. The disadvantage of this solution

Dipl.- Ing. Sd^ä't Hakefiapp;: bergen Hakemanh; :4.9434 Goldenstedt

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is that the food has to be removed and usually at least the bottom glass shelf has to be removed . In practice, this is too complicated. During business hours, it is practically impossible to even check the level of soiling.

With this variant, it is also problematic to blow the cold air upwards due to the difference in density . Here, too, the air must always be blown upwards along one surface of the glass. The glass surface must then again be made of insulating glass with additional pane heating. This version will also only work satisfactorily if the display case is basically closed on the removal side with flaps or similar. A version that is open on one side for self-service is not possible.

There are also known solutions in which the evaporator is arranged on the side. Here, the cold air is usually blown into the upper level and sucked in again on the lower level. The disadvantage here is that a closed glass box is always required . Since no air curtain can be built up over the removal side with this construction, it is necessary to install individual removal flaps for self-service. Another disadvantage here is that it is always impossible to see through the evaporator from one side . There is no known way for the operator to easily clean the evaporator chamber.

The object of the invention is to create a product display cabinet which avoids the disadvantages listed, which cools several levels evenly in a simple manner, which can be open on one side for removing the goods, in which the evaporator chamber can be easily cleaned without removing the goods , in which the heat of the lighting fixtures has practically no influence on the temperature of the goods and which is inexpensive to manufacture.

Dipl.-Ing. idijKt Hakeftiafin*; _: Ijergjan Hjakemann; :4 _# 9424 Goldenstedt

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According to the invention, an insulated space (1) with means for generating a cooling air flow (5) and with means for circulating a cooling air flow (4) is arranged above the cooled goods space, the insulated space (1) having at least one air intake opening (7) and at least one air outlet opening (8) on the underside and a flap (3) that can be opened outwards on the top. Due to this arrangement of the evaporator (5), the circulating air fan (4) acts in the direction of the natural air circulation. The cold air has a higher density than the warm air and thus falls down into the goods space by itself. The circulating air fan (4) enables the cold to be distributed more quickly. Because the circulating air fan (4) is directed in the direction of the natural air circulation, only a lower air speed is necessary. The goods therefore dry out less.

The evaporator chamber is accessible from the outside through the flap (3) located on the top of the insulated chamber . The refrigerated display case does not need to be emptied to open the flap (3). This simplifies practical handling when checking the evaporator chamber and cleaning it. Since the evaporator chamber is located at the top, fewer food scraps will fall into the evaporator chamber.

The flap (3) can be opened more easily if it is provided with a swivel joint (6) on one side according to claim 2.

It is advantageous if a gas pressure spring is arranged between the flap (3) and the refrigerated display case according to claim 3. Great force is then no longer required for opening and the flap remains in the open end position.

If according to claim 4 the evaporator (5) with the flap (3)

connected, the floor area (2) of the evaporator chamber is easier to access for cleaning.

Dipl.- Ing. Ed^at Hake&ia&a';: gergen HfcJfemanti; J4S424 Goldenstedt

If, according to claim 5, the evaporator is connected to the flap (3) on one side via a joint-like connection (28) and on the opposite side with a detachable connection (29), the evaporator (5) can be folded down for cleaning after opening the flap (3) and releasing the detachable connection (29), so that the top and bottom of the evaporator are completely accessible for cleaning. In the event of serious contamination, the evaporator fins can be cleaned with compressed air or a water jet.

A slot-shaped design according to claim 6 for the air outlet opening (8) and the air intake opening (7) is easy to manufacture, since the shortened base (2) can simply be hung between the side walls (25, 26) and thus the air outlet opening (8) and the air intake opening (7) are formed by the base (2) and the side walls (23, 24).

A nozzle-like shape of the air outlet opening (8) according to claim 7 creates an air curtain in front of the removal side. As a result, less warm ambient air penetrates into the refrigerated display case when the removal side is open.

If the isolated room jumps to the side where the

Air outlet opening (8) is arranged, opposite the open display case side according to claim 8, the lighting fixture (9) can be arranged outside the cooled space. The heat of the lighting fixture (9) does not have to be dissipated via the cooling system. The lighting fixture (9) is not cooled and can therefore develop a higher light intensity than a cooled lighting fixture, particularly when fluorescent lamps are used.

Two hollow profiles (17) according to claim 9 are advantageous for supporting the insulated space. The installation lines such as cooling lines, condensate drain lines, power supply for the fan can then be installed in these hollow profiles (17).

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Dipl.- Ing. Ed^at Hakefaaiyi';: ^eirgen HakemanH; :49424 Goldenstedt

and the connecting cables of the temperature sensors are routed downwards in a visually appealing manner .

If, according to claim 10, the hollow profile (17) is formed from an open profile which is provided with a cover on the open side, the installation lines can be guided upwards more easily.

If the sides facing the interior of the refrigerated display case according to claim 11 are provided with recesses for inserting consoles

(10), the refrigerated display case can easily be equipped with glass shelves at different levels.

If the display case is to be used as a service display case during periods of low sales, for example, it can be closed with a glass surface on the open side according to claim 12. Since the circulating air is blown out at a distance from the pane, there are only minor problems with condensation forming on the outside of the pane. An insulating glass pane is generally not required here.

It is energy-saving if the refrigerated display case according to claim 13 is provided with several removal flaps on the open side.

If these removal flaps according to claim 14 are manufactured in such a way that they can be easily removed, for example during the main meal , energy can be saved on the one hand, and a faster customer flow can be ensured on the other hand during the high-turnover times.

Since the removal of the removal flaps is still somewhat cumbersome in practice , it is advantageous not to remove them but to lock them in the opened position according to claim 15.

Dipl.- Ing. Ed^ä'r HaKe>4nri; Jlejrgen Saketmailn;: _# 4£4S4 Goldenstedt

The drawings illustrate a suitable

From execution form.

Show it:

Fig. 1: View of the refrigerated display case
Fig. 2: Section through the refrigerated display case

Fig. 3: Section through the refrigerated display case with the lid open Fig. 4: Section through the refrigerated display case with the lid open and the evaporator folded down

Figure 1 shows a perspective view of the refrigerated display case. The refrigerated display case has a tray base (14) inside and several shelves (11) supported by brackets (10). Side glasses (12) are arranged on the sides, which are held at the bottom by U-shaped side glass holders (13) and at the top by a knurled screw (20).

The hollow profiles (17) and the supports (19) support the insulated space arranged above, which is formed by the insulated side walls (23,24,25,26), the insulated flap (3) and the insulated floor (2).

At the rear, the refrigerated display case is fitted with glass doors (15) via rotating hinges (18).

Figure 2 shows a section through the refrigerated display case with the air flow shown. The air is sucked in through the air intake opening (7) by the circulating air fan (4), blown through the evaporator (5) and blown into the goods area through the air outlet opening (8). An air curtain is formed on the front side so that the warm ambient air does not get into the refrigerated display case.

The evaporator (5) and the circulating air fan (4) are located in an insulated space formed by the insulated side walls (23,24,25,26), the insulated floor (2) and the insulated flap (3), which has the

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Dipl.- Ing. Bd^fr HakeAahp" _: Ijergpn Hp^emanti; S49434 Goldenstedt

Air intake opening (7) and air outlet opening (8). The base (2) is bowl- shaped so that the condensate from the evaporator can be collected here and guided downwards in a hose (not shown here) within one of the hollow profiles (17). The cooling lines and electrical supply lines are also guided downwards within the hollow profiles (17).

The lighting fixture (9) is arranged in the area of the air outlet opening outside the insulated space.

Figure 3 shows a section through the refrigerated display case with

open flap (3). The evaporator (5) and the

Circulating air fans (4) are assembled and hang over a

Pivoting hinge (28) and a detachable connection (29) under the

Flap (3) . The floor (2) , the recirculation fans (4) and the

The underside of the evaporator (5) is therefore easily accessible for cleaning and, if necessary, for manual defrosting.

Figure 4 shows a section through the refrigerated display case with the flap (3) open and the evaporator (5) folded down. Now, even if the evaporator (5) is very dirty, it can be cleaned with compressed air or a water jet.

Dipl.- Ing. Edjgjär Hakefnajryi';: $ej:gen HjafcetoärÄi; :494.24 Goldenstedt

List of reference symbols

1. isolated room

2. Floor

3. Flap

4. Circulation fan

5. Evaporator

6 . Swivel joint

7. Air intake opening

8. Air outlet opening

9. Lighting fixtures

10. Console

11. Goods floor

12. Side glass

13. Side glass holder

14 . Display case floor

15. Glass door

16. Bow handle

17. Hollow profile

18 . Pivoting hinge

19. Stand

20. Knurled screw

21. Reflector

22. Lamp cover

23. Front side panel

24. Rear side panel

25. Left side panel

26. Side wall right

27. Lamp cover

28. joint-like connection

29. detachable connection

Dipl.- Ing. EdSgJär Hakehia-n/ij $ej:gen ife&emänn; J4S424 Goldenstedt

Claims (15)

1. Goods presentation furniture, in particular a refrigerated display case, with at least one goods compartment which is at least partially cooled by means of a cooling air stream, an insulated compartment ( 1 ) with means for generating a cooling air stream ( 5 ) and with means for circulating a cooling air stream ( 4 ), characterized in that the insulated compartment with the means for generating a cooling air stream ( 5 ) and the means for circulating a cooling air stream ( 4 ) is arranged above the cooled goods compartment, contains at least one air outlet opening ( 7 ) and at least one air outlet opening ( 8 ) on the underside and a flap ( 3 ) which can be opened outwards on the top. 2. Goods presentation furniture according to claim 1, characterized in that the flap ( 3 ) is connected to the goods presentation furniture via a swivel joint ( 6 ). 3. Product display furniture according to claim 2, characterized in that a gas pressure spring is arranged between the flap ( 3 ) and the product display furniture. 4. Goods presentation furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the means for generating a cooling air flow ( 5 ) is connected to the flap ( 3 ). 5. Goods display furniture according to claim 4, characterized in that the means for generating a cooling air flow ( 5 ) is connected to the flap ( 3 ) on one side via an articulated connection ( 28 ) and is connected to the flap on the opposite side via a detachable connection ( 29 ). 6. Product presentation furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that air outlet openings ( 8 ) and air intake openings ( 7 ) are designed in the shape of slots. 7. Product presentation furniture according to claim 6, characterized in that the air outlet opening ( 8 ) is designed in a nozzle-like manner in section. 8. Product presentation furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulated space on the side where the air outlet opening ( 8 ) is arranged, is set back opposite the open display case side and at least one lighting fixture ( 9 ) is arranged here. 9. Product presentation furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the insulated space is supported by two hollow profiles ( 17 ) arranged in the outer corners of the refrigerated display case. 10. Product presentation furniture according to claim 9, characterized in that the installation beams ( 17 ) are each formed from an open profile which is provided with a cover on the open side. 11. Product presentation furniture according to claim 9 or 10, characterized in that the installation beams ( 17 ) on the inside of the product presentation furniture contain recesses for inserting consoles ( 10 ). 12. Product display furniture according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the open front of the product display furniture can be closed with a glass surface on the side of the air outlet openings ( 8 ). 13. Goods display furniture according to one of claims 1-11, characterized in that the open front of the goods display furniture on the side of the air outlet openings ( 8 ) is provided with several removal flaps arranged one above the other. 14. Product presentation furniture according to claim 13, characterized in that the removal flaps can be removed. 15. Product presentation furniture according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the removal flaps can be locked in the opened position.