HK1119920A - Bottom deck assembly for refrigerated merchandiser - Google Patents

Description

Bottom plate assembly of refrigerated merchandiser

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application references, claims and enjoys priority entitled SPILLPREVENTION FORMED FEATRUE ON BOTTOM DECK AND SPILL PROFFDISCHARGE GRILL COVER TO BE USED IN COMMERCIAL REGIONAL UNIT, US provisional application Serial No. 60/663,388, filed 3/18/2005, hereby incorporated by reference IN its entirety.

This application is related to the following applications, which are limited to the common assignee of the present application and filed on even date herewith with the united states patent and trademark office:

international patent application Ser. No. PCT/US 05/(Broker Label number 210_817PCT), entitled "REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER";

international patent application Ser. No. PCT/US 05/(surrogate tag number 210_816PCT), entitled "SEALING SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE";

international patent application Ser. No. PCT/US 05/(surrogate tag number 210_820PCT), entitled "MODULAR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE";

international patent application Ser. No. PCT/US 05/(attorney tag number 210_879PCT), entitled "MODULAR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE WITH CONDENSATEEVAPORATION TRAY"; and

the International patent application Ser. No. PCT/US 05/(Broker number 210-819 PCT), entitled "EVAPORATOR FAN/MOTOR ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BRACKET".

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

Technical Field

The present invention relates generally to refrigerated merchandisers, and more particularly to a refrigerated display cabinet including a modular cassette refrigeration unit stowed within a compartment beneath the product display area of the refrigerated cabinet.

Background

The refrigerated merchandiser has a refrigeration system associated therewith for providing a cooled environment within a refrigerated interior product space defined within the cabinet of the refrigerated merchandiser. The refrigeration system of such refrigerated merchandisers generally employs the well-known Carnot (Carnot) refrigeration cycle and includes an evaporator and an evaporator fan operatively associated with the refrigerated interior product space of the refrigerated cabinet, as well as a condenser, a condenser fan and a compressor. In a self-contained cabinet, the compressor, condenser and condenser fan are housed within an equipment compartment that is separate and thermally insulated from the refrigerated interior product space of the refrigerated cabinet. Refrigerant lines connect the compressor, condenser and evaporator in a conventional manner to form a closed circuit. Refrigerant is circulated by the compressor through a condenser and an evaporator before returning to the compressor. Air within the insulated refrigerated interior product space of the refrigerated cabinet is circulated by an 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, for example in an upper region thereof.

However, it is well known that the evaporator and evaporator fan may also be housed within an equipment compartment within a portion of the equipment compartment that is thermally insulated from the compressor, condenser and condenser fan. Refrigerated merchandisers of this type may be used as product display cases for refrigerated or frozen foods, as vending machines, and as cold merchandisers in supermarkets, grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and other retail establishments, among other applications. For example, cold beverages, such as soft drinks, beer, chilled beer, and the like, are generally displayed within refrigerated merchandisers for self-service purchase by consumers. Conventional beverage merchandisers of this type include insulated cabinets that define a refrigerated interior product display space having one or more glass doors that provide access to the product display space. Beverage products, typically in cans or bottles, in individual or six cans, are stored on shelves within the refrigerated display space of the cabinet. To purchase a beverage, the consumer opens one of the doors and reaches into the refrigerated cabinet to locate the desired product from the shelf.

Refrigerated merchandisers equipped with a refrigeration unit disposed beneath the refrigerated cabinet have been disclosed, for example, in U.S. patent nos. 5347827 to Rudick et al; 5402654, respectively; 5417079, respectively; and 5417081. In these refrigerated merchandisers, refrigerated air from the refrigeration unit flows from the equipment compartment through the flow duct up the rear wall of the cabinet, along the upper wall of the cabinet toward the front of the cabinet, and down the front of the cabinet toward the floor of the product display zone. Refrigerated air may also enter the product display zone from a rear flow duct through a plurality of openings in the panel that separates the product display zone from the flow duct. Refrigerated air is returned from the product display zone to the equipment compartment through the cabinet floor through the air return inlet into the space upstream of the evaporative refrigerant unit.

Accordingly, a relatively large opening exists in the floor of the cabinet through which undesirable spilled liquids and other contaminants enter the refrigeration unit during operation, service or transport. Spilled liquid draining from the product display zone into the refrigeration unit through the air inlet can foul or damage refrigerant unit components such as evaporator heat exchanger tubes, motors and fans. Spilled liquids may result from product leakage, cleaning and maintenance operations, or condensation within the product display area. Further, the loosened bottle wrappers, paper and other waste may be drawn into the air stream passing through the product display zone through the air inlet and conveyed into the evaporator and through the blocked portion of the flow cross-section of the evaporator.

In U.S. patent No. 5678421, Maynard et al disclose a modular refrigeration unit housed within a compartment beneath an interior product display region of a refrigerated merchandiser. In the refrigerated merchandiser disclosed therein, refrigerated air enters the product display zone from the refrigeration unit through a central rear flow duct along the rear wall of the cabinet and returns to the refrigeration unit from the product display zone through a pair of lateral rear flow ducts along the back of the cabinet. In this way, an airless return inlet is provided in the floor of the cabinet. However, a drain is provided in the floor through which any liquid or condensate within the product display zone can pass into a drain for discharge to a condensate tray below the condenser of the refrigeration unit.

Disclosure of Invention

It is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a refrigerated merchandiser wherein a refrigeration unit disposed below the product display space is protected from spilled liquids and condensation from the product display region.

It is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a refrigerated merchandiser having a cover above an air return inlet in the floor of the display case of the merchandiser for preventing spilled liquids or condensation from draining through the air return inlet.

It is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a refrigerated merchandiser having a floor with a recessed surface thereon for collecting spilled liquids and condensation.

It is an object of one aspect of the present invention to provide a refrigerated merchandiser having a grille plate pressed over an air return inlet to prevent the passage of bottle wrappers or other waste through the air return inlet.

A refrigerated merchandiser is provided having a cabinet with an upper wall, a lower wall, a rear wall and side walls defining an interior space for a product contained in a refrigerated environment for selection by a consumer. A refrigeration unit is disposed in operative association with the interior space within the compartment below the lower wall. An opening in the lower wall provides an air return inlet that establishes a flow passage from the interior space to the compartment below the lower wall. The cover is placed on top of the lower plate which is pressed over the air return inlet. The cover includes at least one air inlet disposed across a substantially vertical plane. The lower wall may be provided with a concave upper surface facing the product display zone for collecting spilled liquids and condensation. A grill plate having a plurality of air flow openings therein may be disposed beneath the cover to extend to the top and across the air return inlet to block wrappers, paper and other waste from passing through the air return inlet.

In a particular embodiment, the refrigerated merchandiser includes a cover including a generally horizontally disposed top panel member having an outer periphery, a peripheral flange extending generally vertically downwardly from the outer periphery of the top panel member toward the bottom panel thereby supporting the top panel member in spaced relation over the air return inlet, and a plurality of air inlet openings formed in the peripheral flange adjacent the spaced intervals, each of the plurality of air inlet openings providing an air flow path from the interior space to the air return inlet opening in the bottom panel. The lid may also include a base peripheral flange extending generally horizontally outwardly from the peripheral flange adjacent the lower deck. The lid may further include an outwardly projecting flange extending around the periphery of each of the plurality of air inlets of the peripheral flange.

In another aspect of the present invention, a refrigerated merchandiser is provided having a cabinet with an upper wall, a lower wall, a rear wall, and side walls defining an interior space for products contained in a refrigerated environment for selection by a consumer. A refrigeration unit is disposed in operative association with the interior space within the compartment below the lower wall. The lower wall has a concave upper surface that provides a volume for collection of spilled liquids and condensation. An opening in the recessed upper surface of the lower wall provides an air return inlet that establishes a flow passage from the interior space to the compartment below the lower wall.

In one aspect of the invention, a refrigerated merchandiser includes a cabinet having a plurality of walls defining an interior space. The refrigeration unit is disposed in operative association with an interior space within a compartment separated from the interior space by a common wall. An opening in the common wall provides an air return inlet that establishes a flow passage from the interior space through into the compartment. A grille, having a plurality of air flow openings therein, extends through the air return inlet.

Drawings

For a further understanding of these and objects of the invention, reference will be made to the following description of the invention, taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a sectional elevational view of a refrigerated merchandiser according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front view of a portion of FIG. 1 taken along line 2-2;

FIG. 3 is a partial perspective view of a lower portion of the product display region of the refrigerated merchandiser of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a plan view of a portion of FIG. 3 taken along line 4-4;

figure 5 is an exploded view showing a lower plate assembly of the refrigerated merchandiser.

Detailed Description

Referring now particularly to fig. 1 and 2, there is depicted a cold beverage merchandiser, generally designated by the reference numeral 10, including an interior product display space 100 for holding a product 110 for sale, 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 refrigerated cold beverage merchandiser, it will be appreciated that the invention may be applied to other commercial display merchandisers for displaying perishable and refrigerated foods and beverages, including for example meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, packaged refrigerated foods, and other products that need to be maintained within a controlled environment.

The beverage merchandiser 10 includes a cabinet 20 defining a refrigerated interior product display space 100, and a separate equipment compartment 55 disposed separately from the refrigerated interior product display space 100 and may be thermally insulated from the refrigerated interior product display space 100. The cabinet 20 has a top wall 22 and a surrounding side wall structure including a rear wall 34, a front wall 32 and generally opposed vertically extending side walls 36 and 38. The cabinet also includes a lower wall 24 disposed between the refrigerated interior product display space 100 located above and the equipment compartment located below. The interior product display space 100 is accessible from outside the cabinet 20 through an access opening, in this embodiment an open area at the front of the cabinet. As in the depicted embodiment, the open area may be open to the environment or may be closed by at least one door 40 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 can be viewed. The door 40 is selectively positionable between a closed position covering the opening and an open position wherein a consumer may access the interior product display space 100 to move the product for purchase. Although the embodiment of the display merchandiser 10 shown in the drawings has only one door 40, it is understood that the display merchandiser has one, two 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 a hinge for pivotal movement or a track for sliding movement between open and closed positions.

In the illustrated embodiment, the upper wall 22, the lower wall 24, the rear wall 34 and the side walls 36, 38 are insulated from the refrigerated interior product display space 100 and the environment exterior to the interior product display space 100. A plurality of shelves 112 are disposed within the interior product display space 100. The shelves 112 are adapted to support the particular product 100 displayed for sale. The particular number, arrangement and configuration of the shelves 112 is not relevant to the present invention, but rather is a matter of choice for the particular product 100 displayed by those skilled in the art.

A rear panel 134 is provided spaced within the rear side wall 34 to establish part of the refrigerated air supply duct 104 between the rear side wall 34 and the rear panel 134. The interior product display space 100 of the refrigerated interior of the display case 20 is bounded by the top wall 22, the lower wall 24, the side walls 36, 38, and in part by each of the rear wall 34 and the rear panel 134. In the illustrated embodiment, refrigerated air enters the product display space 100 to cool the displayed product therein, in part through the air outlet 109 at the upper end of the air supply duct 104, in part through a plurality of openings 135 provided in the rear panel 134. The refrigerated air exits the product display space 100 through an opening 102 provided in the lower wall 24.

The equipment compartment 55 is located within the cabinet 20 below the lower wall 24 and is separated from the refrigerated interior product display space 100 within the cabinet 20 by the lower wall 24. The lower wall forms a common wall separating the refrigerated interior product space and the equipment compartment. The lower wall has a floor or panel top surface forming the interior product display space 100 and has a lower surface facing the refrigeration cassette unit 50 of the refrigeration unit 15 housed within the equipment compartment. The refrigeration unit 15 includes an evaporator module including an evaporator coil 60 disposed within a housing, and at least one associated evaporator fan/motor assembly 62, a condenser module including a condenser coil 70 and at least one associated condenser fan/motor assembly 72, and a compressor 74. The evaporator coil 60 and its associated evaporator fan/motor assembly 62 are housed within the first section 53 of the refrigeration unit 50, the refrigeration unit 50 being separated from the second section 57 of the refrigeration unit 50 by a dividing wall 68 in which is housed a condenser coil 70, its associated condenser fan/motor assembly 72 and a compressor 74.

The cassette refrigeration unit 50 comprises a generally rectangular box-shaped structure having a top flange 52, a bottom plate 54, and a surrounding structure of side panels 56 extending generally vertically between the top flange 52 and the bottom plate 54. A dividing wall 68 extends between the opposite side panels and divides the interior of the refrigeration unit cassette 50 into the previously described first section 53 and second section 57 from above, forwardly toward the cassette 50 area to the back panel. The condenser coil 70, its associated condenser fan/motor assembly 72, and the compressor 74 are mounted to a common support plate that is adapted to be mounted to the bottom plate 54, thus forming a condenser module. The bottom plate 54 is slidably mounted within the compartment 55 to facilitate deployment of the cassette 50 into and out of the compartment 55 to facilitate servicing of the refrigeration unit therein, including removal and replacement of the evaporator module and the condenser module as distinct units. A condensation pan 76 is provided to collect condensation water droplets from the evaporator coil 60. The condensation tray 76 serves as a condensation evaporation tray in which the condensation collection there is evaporated by the hot gas which is discharged from the condenser through the condensation tray 76.

The evaporator coil 60, the condenser coil 70 and the 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 through a known carnot (Camot) cycle. The condenser fan/motor assembly 72, typically a single fan or motor, is operative, typically only when the compressor 74 is in operation, such as from outside its ambient environment, to draw air from outside the refrigerated merchandiser 10 through the front grille 12 provided in the lower front wall 32 of the cabinet 20, through the opening 59 provided in the front panel 56A of the cassette 50 and through the condenser 70. As the outside air passes over the condenser coil 70 in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant passing therethrough by the compressor 74, the refrigerant is cooled and the air is heated. Through the condenser coil 70, the air is exhausted from the compartment 55, through an exhaust channel 77 formed under the first portion 53 at the rear of the second portion 57 of the cassette 50, and back to the outside environment. A portion of the air drawn by the condenser fan through the cassette 50 passes through the compressor 74 to help cool the compressor.

The cooled refrigerant is circulated from the evaporator coil 70 through a closed-loop refrigerant circulation circuit (not shown) to the evaporator coil 60. An evaporator fan/motor assembly 62, or a plurality of evaporator fan/motor assemblies 62, operates to draw air into the first section 53 of the refrigeration cassette 50, also indicated as the evaporator compartment, from the interior product display space 100 through an air inlet 102 in the lower wall 24 and from there over the evaporator coil 60 through the air to or through a refrigerated air supply duct 104 back to the product display space 100. As the circulating air passes through the evaporator coil 60, the air is cooled as it passes in heat exchange relationship with the chilled refrigerant passed through the evaporator coil 60 by the compressor 74 and the refrigerant is heated and evaporated. The evaporator fan 62 circulates refrigerated air from the evaporator compartment 53 through the evaporator coil 60, through the return air outlet 108 at the rear of the lower wall 24 at the rear of the compartment, and through the opening of the refrigerated air supply duct 104, back into the refrigerated interior product display space 100.

A sealing system is provided including a sealing member 58 between the lower wall 24 and the refrigeration cassette 50, and a positioning device 150 for placing the refrigeration unit cassette 50 into sealing relationship with the lower wall 24, the lower wall 24 separating the refrigerated interior product space 100 from the equipment compartment 55. The sealing system prevents refrigerated air from the product display space 100 from bypassing the evaporator 60 back into the refrigeration unit 15 and instead flowing from the air return inlet 102 directly into the inlet 108 towards the air supply duct 104. The closed system also prevents ambient air from outside the refrigeration unit cassette 50, such as ambient air that has been drawn through the front grill 12 to pass through the condenser 70, from being drawn into the refrigerated air that returns to the refrigeration unit 15 through the air return inlet 102 in the lower wall 24.

The sealing element 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 carried to the upper surface of the top flange 52 of the refrigeration unit cassette 50. The sealing member 58 may comprise one or more compressible seals disposed on the refrigeration unit cassette 50 that are compressed against the lower wall 24 as the cassette refrigeration unit 50 is raised within the compartment 55 by operation of the positioning device 150. However, the sealing element 58 may also include one or more non-compressive seals, such as contact seals, that cooperate with respective opposing surfaces of the refrigeration unit cassette and the common wall that separate the refrigerated interior space from the equipment compartment and provide the desired sealed containment therebetween around the various openings therein when the cassette refrigeration unit 50 is positioned by operation of the lifting device 150 to sandwich the sealing element 58 therebetween.

Refrigerated air within the interior product display space 100 is drawn generally downwardly through the product 110 disposed on the shelves 112 through the return air inlet 102 in the lower wall 24 and into the evaporator compartment 53 by the evaporator fan assembly 62. Referring now also to fig. 3, a top cover 120 is mounted to the lower wall 24 immediately above the return air intake 102. The top cover 120 includes a generally horizontal top plate member 122 having a generally vertical peripheral side flange 124 that extends around the periphery of the top plate assembly 122 and downwardly therefrom to the lower wall 24, thereby supporting the top plate assembly 122 in spaced relation above the air intake 102. In the depicted embodiment, the top plate element 122 is rectangular; the peripheral flange is therefore four-sided. It will be appreciated that the top plate member 122 may also be other shapes including, but not limited to, circular or oval, for example. In these cases, the peripheral side flange 124 would simply extend continuously around its periphery. A plurality of air inlets 125 are provided in the peripheral side flange 124 to provide a corresponding plurality of open flow passages between the product display region 100 and the return air inlet 102 in the lower wall 24. The top cover 120 causes downwardly directed flow of refrigerated air through the product in the lower region of the product display space 100 to enter the air inlet 102, which is generally horizontal, through the generally vertical face opening 125. In doing so, the refrigerated air is prevented from injecting directly downward into the return air inlet 102 and provides more uniform cooling of the product in the lower region of the product display zone 100. The ports 125 are sized and adapted to collectively provide a desired flow area for air passing from the product display zone 100 through the air return inlet 102.

A peripheral flange 126 may be provided around the periphery of each groove 125 to conduct liquid away from the openings 125. Thus, spilled liquid or condensation collecting on the top plate member 122 will be prevented by the peripheral flange from dripping into the opening 125. Additionally, a peripheral bottom flange 128 may be provided near the bottom periphery of the peripheral side flange 124 of the top cover 120 so as to extend generally horizontally outwardly from the peripheral side flange 124 adjacent the lower deck. The bottom flange 128 may be integrally formed with the top cover.

In addition, a grill 130 is provided to extend horizontally beneath and in spaced relation to the ceiling 122 and through the opening 102 in the lower wall 24. Referring now to fig. 4, a grill 130, which may be a 24 gauge galvanized steel sheet, is provided with a plurality of spaced openings 133 therein to provide airflow passages therethrough. The openings 133 are suitably sized and spaced, for example, about 1 inch by about 0.40 inch in rows centered on about 0.6 inch and in columns centered on about 1.16 inch, so that the lattice structure 130A of the grille 130 will provide sufficient airflow passage, but pieces of debris, such as wrapping paper, paper and other waste entrained in the air, can be drawn from the product display space 100 through the air return inlet 102, thus ensuring that such pieces do not block the passage of air through the evaporator coil 60. Top cover 120 may be a one-piece molded member and may be made of the same material as the top skin of plate 24.

Referring now to fig. 5, the panel 24 may include a top skin 24A mounted atop a structural bottom member 24B. The bottom member 24B is mounted along its lateral and rear side walls to the respective side walls 36, 38 and the rear wall 34 of the cabinet 20 and extends generally horizontally through the cabinet interior. The bottom member 24B separates the product display area 100 from the refrigeration unit compartment 55, and the top skin 24A mounted to the bottom member 24B forms a floor of the product display space 100.

The top skin 24A and the bottom element 24B are provided with respective openings 102A and 102B, which include a return air inlet 102. The top skin 24A and the bottom member 24B also provide respective openings 108A and 108B along their respective rear portions that include an air inlet 108 that connects to the refrigerated air duct 104 at the rear of the cabinet. As shown in fig. 3 and 4, the top skin 24A of the panel 24 has a recessed surface 24C that extends through the portion of the top skin 24A that is located below the product display region 100. Recessed surface 24C provides a lower area within top cover 120 than inlet 125. Any spilled and/or condensed liquid within the product display zone 100 will collect within the recessed surface 24C and drain out of the inlet 125, thus ensuring that liquid does not flow into the evaporator compartment 53 through the inlet.

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.

Claims (14)

1. A refrigerated merchandiser having a refrigerated interior product display space, comprising:

a cabinet having a top wall, a lower wall, a rear wall and side walls defining an interior product display space;

a refrigeration unit disposed in operative association with the interior product display space within the compartment beneath the lower wall;

an opening in the lower wall providing an air return inlet establishing a flow passage from the interior product display space to the compartment below the lower wall; and

a cover disposed atop the lower wall proximate the air return inlet, the cover including an airflow opening in a substantially vertical plane.

2. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 1 wherein said airflow opening comprises a plurality of air inlet openings disposed in the generally vertical peripheral wall of the cover.

3. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 1 further comprising a recessed upper surface disposed within the lower wall, the recessed upper surface facing the interior product display space, the air return inlet being disposed within the recessed upper surface.

4. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 1 further comprising a grille disposed below the cover and atop the air return inlet, the grille extending generally horizontally through the air return inlet and having a plurality of airflow openings therethrough.

5. A refrigerated merchandiser having a refrigerated interior product display space, comprising:

a cabinet having a top wall, a lower wall, a rear wall and side walls defining an interior product display space;

a refrigeration unit disposed in operative association with the interior product display space within the compartment beneath the lower wall;

an opening in the lower wall providing an air return inlet establishing a flow passage from the interior product display space to the compartment below the lower wall; and

a cover disposed atop the lower plate proximate the air return inlet, the cover including a top plate member having a generally horizontal disposition, the top plate member having a periphery and a peripheral side flange extending generally vertically downwardly from the periphery of the top plate member toward the lower plate thereby supporting the top plate member in spaced relation above the air return inlet, and a plurality of air inlets formed at spaced intervals thereabout within the peripheral flange, each of the plurality of air inlets providing an airflow path from the interior space to the air return inlet in the lower plate.

6. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 5 further comprising a recessed upper surface disposed within the lower wall, the recessed upper surface facing the interior product display space, the air return inlet being disposed within the recessed upper surface.

7. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 5 wherein the cover further includes a bottom peripheral flange extending generally horizontally outwardly from the peripheral side flange adjacent the lower wall.

8. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 7 wherein the cover further includes an outwardly projecting flange extending around the periphery of each of the plurality of air inlets in the peripheral side flange.

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

a cabinet having a top wall, a lower wall, a rear wall and side walls defining an interior product display space, the lower panel having a concave upper surface facing the interior space;

a refrigeration unit disposed in operative association with the interior space within the compartment below the lower wall;

an opening is provided in the recessed upper surface in the lower wall and provides an air return inlet that establishes a flow passage from the interior space to the compartment below the lower wall.

10. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 9 further comprising a grille disposed atop the cover and the air return inlet, the grille extending generally horizontally through the air return inlet and having a plurality of airflow openings therethrough.

11. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 9 further comprising:

a cover disposed atop the lower wall immediately adjacent the air return inlet, the cover including a ceiling member having a generally horizontal disposition, the ceiling member having a periphery and a peripheral side flange extending generally vertically downwardly from the periphery of the ceiling member toward the lower plate thereby supporting the ceiling member in spaced relation above the air return inlet, and a plurality of air inlets formed at spaced intervals thereabout within the peripheral flange, each of the plurality of air inlets providing an airflow path from the interior space to the air return inlet within the lower wall.

12. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 11 wherein the cover further includes a bottom peripheral flange extending generally horizontally outwardly from the peripheral side flange adjacent the lower wall.

13. A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in claim 11 wherein the cover further includes an outwardly projecting flange extending around the periphery of each of the plurality of air inlets in the peripheral side flange.

14. A refrigerated merchandiser having a refrigerated interior comprising:

a cabinet having a plurality of walls defining an interior space;

a refrigeration unit disposed in operative association with the interior space within a compartment separated from the interior space by one of the plurality of cabinet walls being a common wall;

an opening in the common wall providing an air return inlet establishing a flow passage from the interior space through the common wall into the compartment; and

a grille extending through the air return inlet and having a plurality of airflow openings therethrough.