HK1119919A - Refrigerated merchandiser - Google Patents

Description

Refrigerated merchandiser

Cross Reference to Related Applications

This reference is made herein and the present application claims priority from U.S. provisional application No.60/663,472 entitled "COLD AIR dispensing dust for battery COOLER," filed 3/18/2005, the entire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference.

The present invention relates to the following applications, of the U.S. patent and trademark office, having the same assignee as the present application and filed on even date herewith:

international patent application No. PCT/US 05/(attorney docket No.210_816PCT), entitled "SEALING SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERATIONCASSTEE";

international patent application No. PCT/US 05/(attorney docket No.210820PCT), entitled MODULAR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE ";

international patent application No. PCT/US 05/(attorney docket No.210_879PCT), entitled "MODULAR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE WITH EVAPORATIVE TRAY";

international patent application No. PCT/US 05/(attorney docket No.210_818PCT), entitled "BOTTOM DECK ASSEMBLY FOR RREFR MEASURED MECHANDERISER"; and

international patent application No. PCT/US 05/(attorney docket No. 210-819 PCT), entitled "EVAPORATOR FAN/MOTOR ASSEMBLY BRACKET".

Each of the foregoing patent applications is incorporated by reference herein in its entirety.

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to display cases and, more particularly, to refrigerated cabinets equipped with modular cassette refrigeration units.

Background

The refrigerated cabinet has a refrigeration system associated therewith to provide a cooling environment within the refrigerated cabinet. The refrigeration system of such refrigerated cabinets typically employs the well-known Carnot refrigeration cycle (Carnot refrigeration cycle) and includes an evaporator and an evaporator fan operatively associated with the interior of the refrigerated cabinet, as well as a condenser, a condenser fan and a compressor. In a stand alone cabinet, the compressor, condenser and condenser fan are housed in an equipment compartment separate and insulated from the cooled interior of the refrigerated cabinet. Refrigerant is circulated by the compressor through refrigerant lines which connect the compressor, condenser and evaporator in a conventional manner to form a closed circuit. Air within the interior of the insulated refrigeration cabinet is circulated by the evaporator fan through the evaporator in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant to cool the air. The evaporator and evaporator fan may be disposed within the cooled interior of the refrigerated cabinet, such as in an upper region thereof.

However, the evaporator and evaporator fan may also be housed in a portion of the equipment compartment that is thermally insulated from the compressor, condenser and condenser fan. In other applications, refrigerated cabinets of this type may be used as refrigerated or freezer display cases, cold beverage display cases, and vending machines in supermarkets, grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and other retail establishments. For example, cold beverages (such as soft drinks), beer, wine coolers, etc. are commonly displayed in refrigerated merchandisers (refrigerated merchandisers) for self-service purchase by customers. Conventional beverage merchandisers of this type include insulated cabinets that define a refrigerated product display region with one or more glass doors through which the interior of the cabinet is accessible. Beverage products, typically in cans or bottles in individual or multi-pack form, are stored on shelves within the refrigerated display region of the cabinet. To purchase a beverage, a customer may open the door and access the interior of the refrigerated cabinet to remove the desired product from the shelves.

Refrigerated merchandisers are equipped with modular cassette refrigeration units located atop the refrigerated cabinet, as disclosed, for example, by Bauman et al in U.S. patent nos. 5,953,929 and 6,070,424, and by Morse in U.S. patent No.6,701,739. Refrigerated merchandisers equipped with modular cassette refrigeration units located beneath the refrigerated cabinet are disclosed, for example, by Rudick et al in U.S. patent No.5,347,827; 5,402,654, respectively; 5,417,079 and 5,417,081, and by Maynard et al in U.S. patent No.5,678,421.

In refrigerated merchandisers equipped with modular cassette refrigeration units located beneath the refrigerated cabinet, refrigerated air (refrigerated air) from the refrigeration unit flows in a generally circular circulation pattern in the product display region of the cabinet. The refrigerated air typically passes from the refrigeration unit up the rear wall of the cabinet to the upper wall of the cabinet, then along the upper wall of the cabinet, then down the front of the cabinet to the bottom of the product display zone, and back to the refrigeration unit through the air return inlet. However, in a generally circular circulation pattern, a uniform and smooth temperature distribution of the product may not be achieved because the product disposed in the center of the product display region or on the side and rear portions of the lower shelves may not be in sufficient contact with the circulating chilled refrigerated air. In addition, because the refrigerated air passing along the upper wall of the cabinet has a large horizontal velocity component, a significant portion of the refrigerated air at low temperature impinges upon the interior surface of the cabinet door of the merchandiser and flows downwardly along the front of the door. This low temperature air down the front of the door may cause excessive condensation on the lower temperature door surfaces.

Summary of The Invention

It is an object of one aspect of the invention to provide a refrigerated merchandiser having a flow of refrigerated air directed generally vertically downwardly through the display product therein.

It is an object of another aspect of the present invention to provide a method of circulating refrigerated air in a refrigerated merchandiser that provides a generally vertically downward flow through at least a central region of the product displayed therein.

It is an object of a further aspect of the present invention to improve the distribution of refrigerated air to the product display space of a refrigerated merchandiser to reduce the time required for product cooling and to reduce variations in product temperature within the product display space.

It is an object of yet another aspect of the present invention to improve the distribution of refrigerated air to the product display space of a refrigerated merchandiser to reduce the flow of low temperature refrigerated air down the front glass door of the refrigerated merchandiser.

In one aspect of the invention, a refrigerated merchandiser is provided having an interior space with a cabinet wherein a product may be displayed in an environment refrigerated by refrigerated air supplied to the interior space. The cabinet has an upper wall, a lower wall (having an air return outlet therethrough), a rear wall, and side walls bounding an interior space. A rear panel is disposed within the interior space and is spaced from and generally parallel to the rear wall of the cabinet, thereby defining a generally vertically extending air supply passage therebetween. The air supply duct has an inlet for receiving refrigerated air and an outlet at an upper end thereof for conveying the refrigerated air from the air supply duct along the upper wall of the cabinet into the upper region of the interior space. One or more baffles may be provided in the upper region of the interior space to redirect the airflow passing along the upper wall of the cabinet downwardly into the interior space and through the product displayed therein and out the air return outlet in the lower wall.

In one embodiment, the flow area (flow area) at the outlet of the supply passage is smaller than the flow area on the upstream side of the outlet of the supply passage. The flow area may be reduced by a flow restriction, for example, a baffle plate disposed at the outlet of the supply passage may be used to restrict the outlet flow area to a flow area less than the flow area of the upstream portion of the supply passage. The deflector may be a rear panel extension which extends obliquely at its upper end towards the rear wall of the cabinet.

In another aspect of the invention, an upper panel is disposed in the interior space and is spaced from and generally parallel to the upper wall of the cabinet, thereby defining a generally horizontally extending air distribution channel therebetween. The top panel has a first plurality of openings therethrough located in the rear portion of the panel and a second plurality of openings therethrough located in the front portion of the panel. The air distribution channel has an inlet opening in fluid communication with the air supply channel outlet. In this embodiment, a baffle is disposed in the air distribution channel and is interposed between the first plurality of openings in the upper panel and the second plurality of openings in the upper panel. The baffle causes air flowing in the air distribution passage past the baffle to reverse flow direction so that a portion of the cool air flowing from the air distribution passage into the interior space enters the interior space through the first plurality of openings in a generally downward and forward direction. And a portion of the refrigerated air flowing from the air distribution duct into the interior space may enter the interior space in a generally downward and rearward direction through the second plurality of openings.

In a further aspect of the invention, the rear panel has a plurality of openings therethrough for conveying a portion of the refrigerated air from the air supply duct into the lower region and/or the intermediate region of the interior space. In an embodiment, a plurality of relatively large openings are provided in a portion of the rear panel defining a lower region of the interior space, no openings are provided in a portion of the rear panel defining an upper region of the interior space, and a plurality of relatively small openings are provided in a portion of the rear panel bounding a middle region of the interior space.

The refrigeration unit may be disposed outside of the interior space and configured to operate in cooperation with the interior space. The refrigeration unit includes an evaporator and an evaporator fan that operates in cooperation with the evaporator. The evaporator fan operates to draw air from the interior space through the air return opening in the lower wall to the evaporator of the refrigeration unit and to convey refrigerated air from the refrigeration unit into the air supply passage. The unit may be disposed in an equipment compartment below the lower wall with the air return outlet in the lower wall being in airflow communication with the evaporator fan. The refrigeration unit includes a refrigeration unit cassette having a first compartment for housing an evaporator and an evaporator fan assembly and a second compartment for housing a condenser, a condenser fan assembly cooperating with the condenser, and a compressor, with the evaporator, compressor, and condenser coupled in a closed-loop refrigeration circuit to form a refrigerant fluid communication.

In another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for refrigerating merchandise displayed in an interior space of a refrigerated merchandiser by supplying refrigerated air to the interior space. The method comprises the following steps: the method includes the steps of supplying refrigerated air to an upper region of the interior space, directing the refrigerated air supplied to the upper region of the interior space generally vertically downwardly through the product displayed in the interior space, and drawing air from a lower region of the interior space. Directing the refrigerated air supplied to the upper region of the interior space generally vertically downward through the product displayed in the interior space may include: a first portion of the refrigerated air supplied to the upper region of the interior space is directed in a generally downward and forward direction and a second portion of the refrigerated air supplied to the upper region of the interior space is directed in a generally downward and rearward direction opposite the first portion of air.

Brief Description of Drawings

For a further understanding of these and objects of the invention, reference may be made to the following detailed description of the invention, which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a side cross-sectional view of one embodiment of a refrigerated merchandiser according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view of another embodiment of a refrigerated merchandiser of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional elevation view taken along line 4-4 of FIG. 2;

fig. 5A-5D are exploded views of exemplary embodiments of the present invention relating to the air distribution passageway in the upper region of the product display space of the refrigerated merchandiser of fig. 2.

Detailed description of the invention

Referring now to fig. 1 and 2, there is shown an alternative embodiment cold beverage merchandiser, generally designated 10, including an interior product display space 100 for holding product 110 to be vended, such as bottled or canned soda, milk, water, juice beverages, beer and other beverages. Although the invention will be described herein with reference to the illustrated embodiment of a cold beverage refrigerated merchandiser, it should be understood that the invention may also be applied to other refrigerated merchandisers for displaying perishable and frozen comestibles and beverages, including, for example, meats, poultry, fish, dairy products, frozen packaged foods, and other products that are intended to be maintained in a controlled environment.

The beverage chiller cabinet 10 includes a cabinet 20 defining a refrigerated interior product display space 100 and an isolated equipment compartment 55, the equipment compartment 55 being disposed in isolated relation to the refrigerated interior product display space 100 and may not be in thermal communication therewith. The cabinet 20 has an upper wall 22 and surrounding side wall structure including a rear wall 34, a front wall 32 and generally vertically extending, oppositely disposed side walls 36 and 38. The cabinet also includes a lower wall 24 disposed between the refrigerated cabinet interior product display space 100 and the equipment compartment 55 with the display space 100 located above and the equipment compartment 55 located below. The interior product display space 100 is accessible from the exterior of the cabinet 20 through an access opening, which in the illustrated embodiment is an open area at the front of the cabinet. This open area may be opened or closed to the outside by at least one door 40 (as shown in the embodiment) mounted to the cabinet 20. The door 40 extends through the open area and has a transparent viewing area, such as a glass panel, through which at least a portion of the interior product display space 100 is visible. The door 40 is selectively positionable in a closed position covering the open area or in an open position in which a customer may access the interior product display space 100 to remove products for purchase. Although the embodiment of the merchandiser 10 shown in the drawings has only one door 40, it should be understood that the merchandiser may have one, two, three or more doors that collectively cover the open area when in the closed position. The door or doors 40 may be mounted to the cabinet 20 in a conventional manner, such as with hinges to facilitate rotation or with rails to facilitate sliding movement between open and closed positions.

The upper wall 22, lower wall 24, rear wall 34, and side walls 36 and 38 may be insulated to insulate the refrigerated interior space from the exterior environment of the merchandiser 10. A plurality of shelves 112 (including an upper shelf 112A and a lower shelf 112B) are disposed within the product display space 100. The shelves 112 are adapted to appropriately support the particular merchandise 110 (which is displayed for sale). The particular number, arrangement and configuration of the shelves 112 is not germane to the invention and is within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art for displaying a particular product 100.

The rear panel 134 is configured to space the rear wall 34 inwardly to establish the air supply duct 104 between the rear wall 34 and the rear panel 134. In the embodiment illustrated in fig. 1, the product display space 100 is defined by the upper wall 22, the rear panel 134, the lower wall 24 and the side walls 36 and 38. Air enters the refrigerated product display space 100 to cool product displayed therein, a portion of which enters through an air outlet 109 at the upper end of the air supply duct 104 and a portion of which enters through a plurality of openings 135 provided in the rear panel 134. In the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the upper panel 122 is disposed spaced inwardly from the upper wall 22 to establish a generally horizontally extending air passage 106 between the upper wall 22 and the upper panel 122. In this embodiment, the product display space 100 is defined by the top panel 122, the rear panel 134, the lower wall 24 and the side walls 36 and 38. A portion of the refrigerated air passing through the air supply duct 104 is delivered into the interior product display space 100 through the opening 135 provided in the rear panel 134 and a portion of the refrigerated air is delivered from the air supply duct 104 into the duct 106 to pass through the openings 123 and 125 provided in the top panel 122.

The equipment compartment 55 is located within the cabinet 20 below the lower wall 24 and is isolated from the refrigerated interior product display space 100 of the cabinet 20 by the lower wall 24. The lower wall 24 forms a common wall separating the refrigerated interior space and the equipment compartment. The lower wall has an upper surface that forms the floor or deck of the interior product display space 100 and a lower surface that faces the refrigeration cassette 50 housed within the equipment compartment. The refrigeration unit 15 includes an evaporator 60 and at least one evaporator fan/motor assembly 62 associated therewith, a condenser 70 and at least one condenser fan/motor assembly 72 associated therewith, and a compressor 74. The evaporator 60 and its corresponding evaporator fan/motor assembly 62 are housed within the first section 53 of the refrigeration unit 15, which is separated from the second section 57 of the refrigeration unit 50 by a partition wall 68, which houses a condenser 70, its corresponding condenser fan/motor assembly 72, and a compressor 74.

The refrigeration unit 15 incorporates a box 50 having a generally rectangular box-like structure with an upper flange 52, a bottom panel 54 and a surrounding structure extending generally perpendicularly between the upper flange 52 and the bottom panel 54, the surrounding structure being formed by a back panel 56B, a front panel 56A and two opposed side panels 56C. A partition wall 68 extends between the opposed side plates 56C from the refrigeration cassette forward region to the back plate 56B to separate the interior of the refrigeration unit cassette 50 into the aforementioned first and second sections 53, 57. The condenser 70, its corresponding condenser fan/motor assembly 72 and compressor 74 are mounted on a common support plate which is adapted to be mounted to the base plate 54 forming the bottom surface of the cassette refrigeration unit 50. The base plate 54 is slidably mounted within the compartment 55 to facilitate its assembly into and removal from the compartment 55, which facilitates maintenance of the refrigeration equipment mounted thereon. A condensation tray 76 may be provided below the evaporator 60 for collecting condensation droplets from the condenser 70 and the evaporator 60 and discharging the collected condensate to a waste line. The condensation tray 76 serves as a condensation evaporation tray in which the collected condensate is evaporated by the hot air exhausted from the condenser, which is achieved when the hot air passes over the condensation tray 76.

The evaporator 60, condenser 70 and compressor 74 are coupled in a closed-loop refrigerant circulation circuit (not shown) in a conventional manner for refrigerating air from the interior product display space 100 by the well-known carnot cycle. The condenser fan/motor assembly 72 (typically a single fan and motor) is operable to draw air from outside the refrigerated merchandiser 10, such as from the ambient environment through the front grille 12 disposed forwardly and downwardly of the merchandiser 10, through the openings 59 in the front panel 56A to the condenser 70, typically only when the compressor 74 is operating. As the outside air passes through the condenser 70 and is in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant being conveyed therethrough by the compressor 74, the refrigerant is cooled and the air is heated. After passing through the condenser 70, this air exits the compartment 55 through an opening in the rear of the cabinet and returns to the outside environment. A portion of the air drawn through the refrigeration unit cassette 50 by the condenser fan 72 passes over the compressor 74 to assist in cooling the compressor.

The cooled refrigerant is delivered from the condenser 70 to the evaporator 60 through a closed-loop refrigerant circulation circuit (not shown). The evaporator fan/motor assembly 62 or evaporator fan/motor assemblies 62 operate to draw air from the interior product display space 100 through the air inlet 102 in the lower wall 24 into the first section 53 of the refrigeration unit 50, referred to as the evaporator compartment, and thereafter deliver the air through the evaporator 60 to the refrigerated air supply duct and return the air through the duct to the product display space 100. As the circulating air passes through the evaporator 60, it passes in heat exchange relationship with the cold refrigerant passing through the evaporator 60 by the compressor 74, the refrigerant is heated and evaporated, and the air is cooled. The evaporator fan 62 circulates refrigerated air that has passed through the evaporator 60 from the evaporator compartment 53 back to the refrigerated interior product display space 100 through a return air outlet 108 in the aft portion of the lower wall 24 at the rear of the compartment and opening into the refrigerated air supply duct 104.

A cover plate 120 may be disposed over the return air inlet 102 and spaced closely adjacent the lower wall 24 such that a flow passage is defined between the cover plate 120 and the lower wall 24 through which refrigerated air returning from the product display space 100 may flow into the return air inlet 102. The cover plate 120 covers the air return inlet 102 and thus prevents spilled or leaked product from the display space 100 from flowing into the evaporator compartment 53 and fouling the evaporator and/or evaporator fan assembly. In addition, as the refrigerated air reaches the lower region of the product display space 100 to pass downwardly through the cover plate 120 into the air inlet 102 in the lower wall 24, the cover plate 120 also causes the downwardly directed refrigerated air to flow outwardly toward the peripheral walls of the cabinet. In doing so, the refrigerated air passes over the product on the lower shelves to more evenly cool that product and to prevent the refrigerated air from leaking downwardly into the air return inlet 102.

In one embodiment, the cover plate 120 includes a peripheral flange 126 that extends generally vertically downward to the lower wall 24 to support the cover plate 120 over the air inlet 102 of the lower wall 124. A plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 125 are provided in the peripheral flange 126 to form an airflow communication path connecting the refrigerated interior product display space 100 of the refrigerated cabinet to the air inlet 102, the air inlet 102 leading to the evaporator compartment 53 of the refrigeration unit cassette 50.

The sealing member 58 is disposed between the lower wall 24 and the refrigeration unit cassette 50 and elevates the equipment 150 so that the refrigeration unit cassette 50 is in sealing relationship with the lower wall 24, the lower wall 24 separating the interior product display space 100 of the refrigerated cabinet from the equipment compartment 55.

The sealing member 58 may be mounted to the lower surface of the lower wall 24 around the opening 102 in the lower wall 24 or may be mounted to or simply supported on (as shown) the upper surface of the upper flange 52 of the refrigeration unit cassette 50. The sealing member 58 extends at least around the opening 51 (which is substantially commensurate with the opening 102 in the lower wall 24), and also around an opening 108 in the lower wall 24 disposed rearward of the opening 51. The sealing member 58 prevents refrigerated air from bypassing the evaporator 60 and returning to the refrigeration unit 15 from the product display space 100, i.e., from flowing directly into the inlet 108 from the air return inlet 102 to the air supply duct 104. The sealing member 58 also prevents air from the ambient environment (such as ambient air that has been drawn through the front grille 12 and through the condenser 70) from being drawn into the refrigerated air returning to the refrigeration unit 15 through the air return inlet 102 in the lower wall 24 and the inlet opening of the upper flange 52 of the refrigeration unit cassette 50.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment shown in FIG. 1, refrigerated air from the evaporator compartment 53 enters the rear air supply duct 104 through air outlet 108. The rear air supply channel 104 extends generally vertically upwardly between the rear wall 34 and the rear panel 134 and terminates at an air outlet 109 at an upper end thereof. The air outlet 109 opens into the refrigerated interior space at a location above the elevated shelf 112A, but below the upper wall 22. The cross-sectional flow area of the air outlet 109 is restricted and is less than the cross-sectional flow area of the rear channel 104 upstream of the outlet 109 in the air flow. For example, a baffle 136 may be provided at the outlet end of the air passage 104 and extend across the air outlet 109, thereby reducing the cross-sectional flow area of the air outlet 109 relative to the cross-sectional flow area of the air passage 104. In the illustrated embodiment, the exit baffle 136 is an extension 134 of the back panel that extends obliquely and at an angle to a direction perpendicular to and rearward of the back wall 34. The exit baffle 136 can extend rearwardly at an angle, for example in the range of 30 to 60 degrees. The outlet baffle 136 may extend rearwardly a sufficient distance to reduce the cross-sectional flow area at the air outlet 109 to approximately the cross-sectional flow area of the flow channel 104 upstream of the outlet baffle 136 of 1/4 to 3/4.

In the embodiment of fig. 1, refrigerated air flowing through the rear duct 104 is delivered into the interior product display space 100 partially through the air outlet 109 of the rear duct 104 and partially through the opening 135 in the rear panel 134. For example, in the exemplary embodiment shown in fig. 3, the openings 135 constitute horizontally extending, relatively narrow slots that are arranged in a plurality of rows and columns in the rear panel. The reduction in flow area at the air outlet 109 causes a pressure drop which causes the desired portion of the airflow entering the flow channel 104 to pass through the opening 135 in the rear panel to facilitate distribution of the airflow into the product display region. The airflow distribution may be controlled in part by varying the amount of flow area restriction at the air outlet 109, for example by varying the extent of the outlet baffle 136, which is capable of restricting the flow area at the air outlet 109. To increase the airflow through the air outlet 109 relative to the airflow through the opening 135 in the rear panel 134, the flow area at the air outlet 109 may be increased. Conversely, to reduce the airflow through the air outlet 109 relative to the airflow through the opening 135 in the rear panel 134, the flow area at the air outlet 109 may be reduced. The relative reduction in flow area at the air outlet 109 may be selected by varying the configuration, for example, the length and/or angle of the outlet baffle 136, to provide a desired flow area at the air outlet 109.

The airflow entering the interior product display space 100 through the air outlet 109 will flow into the upper portion of the product display space 100 above the elevated shelf 112A and will then be drawn generally vertically by the evaporator fan assembly 62 through the product disposed on the shelves 112 and into the evaporator compartment 53 through the air return inlet 102 in the lower wall 24. One or more baffles 140 may be disposed on the upper wall 22 and extend downwardly into the interior space 100. The baffle 140 extends downwardly into the interior space a relatively small distance, but this distance is sufficient to direct the airflow from the air outlet 109 to reverse direction and flow generally vertically downwardly through the product on the shelves 112 in the interior product display space 100. Each baffle 140 helps to direct the flow of air downwardly through the intermediate region of the interior product display space 100 and thereby ensures more effective cooling of the product on the shelves 112 and reduces the variation in product temperature from the rear of the interior product display space 100 to the front thereof. If a lamp is provided across the upper front of the interior product display space 100, a heat shield may be provided in association with the lamp to insulate the product from the heat generated by the lamp and also to act as a deflector to direct the flow of air downwardly through the product.

Referring now in detail to the embodiment of FIG. 2, refrigerated air from the evaporator compartment 53 enters the rear air supply duct 104 through the air outlet 108. The rear air supply duct 104 extends generally vertically upwardly between the rear wall 34 and the rear panel 134 and is in fluid flow communication with the horizontal air supply duct 106. In this embodiment, refrigerated air is delivered into the interior product display space 100, a portion entering the display space 100 from the rear duct 104 through the openings 135 in the rear panel 134 and a portion entering from the upper duct 106 through the openings 123 and 125 in the upper panel 122. Again, the openings 135 constitute horizontally extending, relatively narrow slots, which are arranged in rows and columns in the rear panel as shown in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 4. In this exemplary embodiment, no opening 135 is provided in the upper region of the rear panel 134, and the opening 135A provided in the lower region of the rear panel 134 is larger than the opening 135B provided in the middle region of the rear panel 134. The total flow area provided by the openings 135A in the lower portion of the rear panel is greater than the total flow area provided by the openings 135B in the middle region of the rear panel. Thus, the refrigerated air passing from the duct 104 through the rear panel 134 into the product display space 100 is distributed vertically and angularly from the upper region of the rear panel (through which no refrigerated air flows) to the lower region of the rear panel (through which the greatest portion of the refrigerated air flows directly into the product display space 100).

Referring again to fig. 2, the remainder of the refrigerated air passing through the refrigerated air supply duct 104 enters the product display space 100 from the duct 106 through openings 123 and 125 through the top panel 122. Other exemplary configurations of the upper gas supply channel 106 are shown in figures 5a, 5b, 5c and 5 d. In each configuration, the baffle 105 is disposed within the front portion of the channel 106 and extends from the upper panel 122 into the channel 106 and partially intersects the channel 106, thereby causing air passing over the baffle 105 therein to substantially reverse direction at the forward end of the channel 106. The opening 123 is disposed in the top panel 122 downstream of the airflow at the base of the baffle 105, while the opening 125 is disposed in the top panel 122 upstream of the airflow at the base of the baffle 105. Thus, a first portion of the refrigerated air entering the upper duct 106 from the rear duct 104 will enter the product space 100 through the opening 123 in a generally downward and forward direction, while a second portion thereof will enter the product display space 100 through the opening 125 in a generally downward and rearward direction. Thus, the refrigerated air entering the product display space 100 through the forward set of openings 125 will have a rearwardly directed horizontal velocity component which is opposite to the corresponding forwardly directed horizontal velocity component of the refrigerated air entering the product display space 100 through the rearward set of openings 123. Refrigerated air entering the interior product display space 100 from the duct 104 through the openings 123 and 125 in the upper panel 122 is drawn generally downwardly through the product 110 disposed on the shelves 112, to the air return inlet 102 in the lower wall 24 and into the evaporator compartment 53 by the evaporator fan assembly 62. Thus, the refrigerated air follows a generally vertically downward path through the product 110 disposed on the shelves 112, which greatly improves the cooling of the product and reduces the variation in product temperature from the rear to the front of the product display space 100.

In both illustrated embodiments of the invention, a portion of the refrigerated air supplied through the duct 104 enters the interior product display space 100 through an opening 135 provided in the rear panel 134 and a portion of the refrigerated air enters the interior product display space 100 through the outlet 109 of the duct 104 either directly as in the embodiment of FIG. 1 or through a horizontally disposed extension thereof as in the embodiment of FIG. 2. The overall flow distribution between the two portions can also be varied by increasing or decreasing (as desired) the total flow area provided by the slots 135 in the back panel (which can be accomplished by increasing or decreasing the number of slots 135 or the size of the openings 135). In addition, the distribution of the portion of refrigerated air through the rear panel may also be achieved (as desired) by selecting the location of the openings in any desired arrangement, or by increasing or decreasing the relative size or relative number of slots in one portion of the rear panel relative to the openings in another portion of the rear panel.

For purposes of illustration, in the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 3, the slots 135 are uniformly sized slots arranged in three rows of three columns, but only in the vertically intermediate region of the rear panel. Each slot has a width of 5.50 inches (139.7 millimeters) and a height of 0.25 inches (6.4 millimeters). In the exemplary embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the openings 135A and 135B are arranged in three rows with the slots 135A being larger and 8.00 inches (203.2 millimeters) wide by 0.75 inches (19.2 millimeters) high in the lower region of the panel and the slots 135B being smaller and 8.00 inches (203.3 millimeters) wide by 0.25 inches (6.4 millimeters) high in the vertically central region of the panel. It should be understood that the arrangement, size and number of openings provided in the back panel 135 are within the discretion of one skilled in the art. The selection of the number of rows and columns, the relative distribution and spacing between rows and columns, and the particular size of the slots 135 can be varied to provide the desired flow distribution with respect to the refrigerated air entering the interior product display space 100 through the rear panel 134.

While the present invention has been particularly shown and described with reference to the preferred mode as illustrated in the drawing, it will be understood by one skilled in the art that various changes in detail may be effected therein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the claims.

The claims (modification according to treaty clause 19)

A gas supply channel;

a generally horizontal panel disposed in said interior space, spaced from and generally parallel to said upper wall of said cabinet, and defining a refrigerated air distribution duct therebetween, said generally horizontal panel having a rear portion and a front portion, said refrigerated air supply duct and said refrigerated air distribution duct being in fluid communication;

a first plurality of openings disposed in and through said rear portion of said generally horizontal panel for conveying refrigerated air from said air distribution duct into said interior product display space in a generally downward and forward direction;

a second plurality of openings disposed in and through said front portion of said generally horizontal panel for passing refrigerated air from said air distribution duct into said interior product display space in a generally downward and rearward direction; and

a refrigeration unit disposed below said lower wall and operable in cooperation with said interior space, said refrigeration unit including an evaporator and an evaporator fan disposed operable in cooperation with said evaporator, said evaporator fan being operable to draw air from said interior space through said air return opening in said lower wall to said evaporator of said refrigeration unit and to transfer refrigerated air from the refrigeration unit into said air supply passage.

18. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 17 further comprising:

a baffle that positions the air distribution channel between the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings, the baffle operating to cause a flow of cooling air through the baffle to reverse direction to pass through the second plurality of openings of the generally horizontal panel.

19. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 17 wherein said generally vertical panel has a lower region having a third plurality of openings disposed therein and therethrough for passing refrigerated air from said air supply duct into said interior product display space.

20. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 17 wherein said generally vertical panel has a lower region having a second panel disposed therein and passing therethrough

Claims (29)

1. A refrigerated merchandiser having an interior space wherein a product may be displayed in an environment refrigerated by refrigerated air supplied to the interior space, comprising:

a cabinet having an upper wall defining said interior space, a lower wall with an air return outlet therethrough, a rear wall and side walls; and

a rear panel disposed in said interior space spaced from and generally parallel to said rear wall of said cabinet and defining a generally vertically extending air supply duct therein, said air supply duct having an inlet for receiving said refrigerated air and an outlet at an upper end thereof for delivering a first portion of said refrigerated air from said air supply duct into an upper region of the interior space;

at least one baffle is disposed in the upper region of the interior space for redirecting airflow of the first portion of refrigerated air passing along the upper wall of the cabinet downwardly into the interior space for passage through the product displayed therein and out through the air return outlet in the lower wall.

2. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 1 wherein said at least one baffle comprises a baffle extending inwardly from said upper wall into said interior space.

3. A refrigerated merchandiser as set forth in claim 1 wherein said at least one baffle includes a pair of spaced baffles, each baffle extending inwardly from said upper wall into said interior space.

4. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 1 wherein said air supply passage has a first flow area upstream of said outlet and a second flow area at said outlet, said second flow area being less than said first flow area.

5. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 4 further comprising a flow restriction structure disposed at the outlet of the air supply passage, the flow restriction structure restricting the second flow area such that the second flow area is less than the first flow area.

6. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 4 further comprising a baffle disposed at the outlet of the air supply passage, said baffle restricting the second flow area such that the second flow area is less than the first flow area.

7. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 6 wherein said deflector comprises an extension of said rear panel extending obliquely toward said rear wall of said cabinet at said rear panel upper end.

8. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 1 further comprising a plurality of openings in said rear panel for passing a second portion of refrigerated air into said interior space from an upstream portion of said air supply duct.

9. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 1 further comprising a refrigeration unit disposed in cooperative operation with said interior space and located outside of said interior space, said refrigeration unit including an evaporator and an evaporator fan disposed in cooperative operation with said evaporator, said evaporator fan being operative to draw air from said interior space through said air return opening in said lower wall to said evaporator of said refrigeration unit and to pass refrigerated air from the refrigeration unit into said air supply passage.

10. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 9 wherein said refrigeration unit is disposed in the equipment compartment beneath said lower wall and the air return outlet in said lower wall is in air flow communication with said evaporator fan.

11. A refrigerated merchandiser as set forth in claim 1 further including a refrigeration unit cassette having a first compartment housing the evaporator and the evaporator fan assembly operating in cooperation with the evaporator, the refrigeration unit cassette also having a second compartment housing the condenser and the condenser fan assembly and compressor operating in cooperation with the condenser, the evaporator, compressor and condenser being coupled in refrigerant flow communication in a closed loop refrigeration circuit, said first compartment having an air inlet in air flow communication with said air return outlet in said lower wall, the first compartment also having an air outlet in air flow communication with said air inlet to said air supply passage.

12. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 11 wherein said cassette refrigeration unit is selectively positionable within or outside of said equipment compartment.

13. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 1 further comprising an upper panel disposed in said interior space spaced from and generally parallel to said upper wall of said cabinet and defining a generally horizontally extending air distribution passage therebetween, said upper panel having a first plurality of openings therethrough in a rear portion thereof and a second plurality of openings therethrough in a front portion thereof, said generally horizontally extending air distribution passage having an inlet opening in fluid communication with said outlet of said air supply passage.

14. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 13, wherein said at least one baffle includes a baffle disposed in said air distribution channel between said first plurality of openings in said generally horizontal panel and said second plurality of openings in said generally horizontal panel.

15. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 13 wherein said rear panel has a lower region with a first plurality of openings therethrough, an upper region with no openings therethrough and an intermediate region between the upper and lower regions, the intermediate region having a second plurality of openings therethrough for conveying refrigerated air from said air supply channel into said interior space.

16. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 15 wherein said first plurality of openings in said lower region of said rear panel define a first flow area and said second plurality of openings in said intermediate region of said rear panel define a second flow area, said first flow area being greater than said second flow area.

17. A refrigerated merchandiser having an interior space containing a product in a refrigerated environment for selection by a customer, comprising:

a cabinet having an upper wall, a lower wall, a rear wall and side walls defining said interior space, said lower wall having an air return opening therethrough;

a generally vertical panel disposed in said interior space and spaced from and generally parallel to said rear wall of said cabinet and defining a refrigerated air supply duct therebetween;

a generally horizontal panel disposed in said interior space, spaced from and generally parallel to said upper wall of said cabinet and defining a first air passage therebetween, said generally horizontal panel having a rear portion and a front portion, said first and second air passages being in fluid communication thereby establishing a refrigerated air distribution passage;

a first plurality of openings disposed in and through said rear portion of said generally horizontal panel for conveying refrigerated air from said air distribution duct into said interior product display space in a generally downward and forward direction;

a second plurality of openings disposed in and through said front portion of said generally horizontal panel for passing refrigerated air from said air distribution duct into said interior product display space in a generally downward and rearward direction; and

a refrigeration unit disposed below said lower wall and operable in cooperation with said interior space, said refrigeration unit including an evaporator and an evaporator fan disposed operable in cooperation with said evaporator, said evaporator fan being operable to draw air from said interior space through said air return opening in said lower wall to said evaporator of said refrigeration unit and to transfer refrigerated air from the refrigeration unit into said air supply passage.

18. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 17 further comprising:

a baffle that positions the air distribution channel between the first plurality of openings and the second plurality of openings, the baffle operating to cause a flow of cooling air through the baffle to reverse direction to pass through the second plurality of openings of the generally horizontal panel.

19. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 17 wherein said generally vertical panel has a lower region having a third plurality of openings disposed therein and therethrough for passing refrigerated air from said air supply duct into said interior product display space.

20. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 17 wherein said generally vertical panel has a lower region having a third plurality of openings disposed therethrough for passing refrigerated air from said air supply duct into said interior space, said panel also having an upper region having no openings therethrough and an intermediate region intermediate said upper and lower regions having a fourth plurality of openings therethrough for passing refrigerated air from said air supply duct into said interior space.

21. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 20 wherein said third plurality of openings in said lower region of said generally vertical panel defines a first flow area and said fourth plurality of openings in said intermediate region of said generally vertical panel defines a second flow area, said first flow area being greater than said second flow area.

22. A method for refrigerating a product in a refrigerated merchandiser having a cabinet having an interior space with a product displayed therein and refrigerated by supplying refrigerated air to the interior space, comprising the steps of:

providing refrigerated air to an upper region of the interior space;

directing the refrigerated air supplied to the upper region of the interior space generally downwardly through the product displayed in the interior space; and is

Drawing air from a lower region of the interior space;

accordingly, the refrigerated air supplied to the upper region of the interior space flows in a generally vertically downward path through the product displayed in the interior space.

23. The method as set forth in claim 22 wherein said step of directing the refrigerated air supplied to the upper region of the interior space generally downwardly through the product displayed in the interior space further comprises the steps of:

directing a first portion of the refrigerated air supplied to the upper region of the interior region in a generally downward and forward direction; and are

Directing a second portion of the refrigerated air supplied to the upper region of the interior region in a generally downward and rearward direction.

24. A refrigerated merchandiser having an interior space wherein a product may be displayed in an environment refrigerated by refrigerated air supplied to the interior space, comprising:

a cabinet having an upper wall defining said interior space, a lower wall with an air return outlet therethrough, a rear wall and side walls; and

a rear panel disposed in said interior space spaced from and generally parallel to said rear wall of said cabinet and defining a generally vertically extending air supply duct therebetween, said air supply duct having an inlet for receiving said refrigerated air and an outlet at an upper end thereof for passing a first portion of said refrigerated air from said air supply duct into an upper region of the interior space;

the air supply passage has a first flow area upstream of the outlet and a second flow area at the outlet, the second flow area being less than the first flow area.

25. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 24 further comprising a flow restriction structure disposed at the outlet of the air supply passage, the flow restriction structure restricting the second flow area to be less than the first flow area.

26. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 24 further comprising a baffle disposed at the outlet of the air supply passage, said baffle restricting the second flow area to be less than the first flow area.

27. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 26 wherein said deflector comprises an extension of said rear panel, said extension extending diagonally toward said rear wall of said cabinet at an upper end of said rear panel.

28. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 24 wherein the deflector extends diagonally rearward at an angle in the range of from about 30 degrees to about 60 degrees.

29. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 24 wherein said second flow area is approximately 1/4 to 3/4 of said first flow area.