U.S. patent application number 12/535528 was filed with the patent office on 2010-02-04 for refrigerated merchandiser with dual air curtain.
This patent application is currently assigned to Hussmann Corporation. Invention is credited to Clay A. Rohrer, Vidhey V. Trivedi.
Application Number | 20100024446 12/535528 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 41606910 |
Filed Date | 2010-02-04 |
United States Patent
Application |
20100024446 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Rohrer; Clay A. ; et
al. |
February 4, 2010 |
REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER WITH DUAL AIR CURTAIN
Abstract
A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product
display area, and a shelf supported by the case within the product
display area. The case includes a base that is disposed below the
product display area and a canopy that is disposed substantially
above the product display area. The shelf includes an air discharge
duct that is configured to direct a first air curtain generally
downward from the shelf into the product display area toward the
base, and an air return duct that is configured to receive at least
a portion of a second air curtain discharged into the product
display area from above the shelf.
Inventors: |
Rohrer; Clay A.; (Belle,
MO) ; Trivedi; Vidhey V.; (Nagpur, IN) |
Correspondence
Address: |
MICHAEL BEST & FRIEDRICH LLP
100 E WISCONSIN AVENUE, Suite 3300
MILWAUKEE
WI
53202
US
|
Assignee: |
Hussmann Corporation
Bridgeton
MO
|
Family ID: |
41606910 |
Appl. No.: |
12/535528 |
Filed: |
August 4, 2009 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61086038 |
Aug 4, 2008 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/89 ; 62/251;
62/256 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F25D 2317/0665 20130101;
A47F 3/0447 20130101; F25D 2317/0651 20130101; F25D 17/06 20130101;
A47F 2003/046 20130101; F25D 25/028 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/89 ; 62/256;
62/251 |
International
Class: |
F25D 17/06 20060101
F25D017/06; A47F 3/04 20060101 A47F003/04 |
Claims
1. A refrigerated merchandiser comprising: a case defining a
product display area and including a base disposed below the
product display area and a canopy disposed substantially above the
product display area; and a shelf supported by the case within the
product display area and including an air discharge duct configured
to direct a first air curtain generally downward from the shelf
into the product display area toward the base, the shelf further
including an air return duct configured to receive at least a
portion of a second air curtain discharged into the product display
area from above the shelf.
2. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the canopy
defines an upper flue configured to direct the second air curtain
into the product display area from above the shelf.
3. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the shelf is a
first shelf of the refrigerated merchandiser, wherein the
refrigerated merchandiser further comprises a second shelf
positioned above the first shelf and including an air discharge
duct configured to direct the second air curtain generally downward
toward the first shelf.
4. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the case
further defines a rear discharge flue in communication with the
shelf to distribute a first airflow to the air discharge duct, and
a rear return flue in communication with the shelf to receive a
second airflow from the air return duct.
5. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 4, wherein the case
includes a plurality of rear discharge flues and a plurality of
rear return flues alternatingly positioned across a horizontal
length of the case such that one rear discharge flue is positioned
adjacent at least one rear return flue.
6. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the shelf
defines one air discharge duct and at least two air return
ducts.
7. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 6, wherein the air
discharge duct is located substantially lower than the air return
ducts.
8. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, further comprising an
evaporator coupled to the case and configured to refrigerate an
airflow within the case, and wherein the case defines a primary
passageway having a first portion configured to direct the airflow
toward the canopy, and a second portion configured to direct the
airflow toward the shelf.
9. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the first air
curtain discharged from the shelf and the portion of the second air
curtain received by the shelf are defined as short throw air
curtains configured to travel through the product display area a
distance less than the full height of the product display area.
10. A refrigerated merchandiser comprising: a case defining a
product display area and including a base disposed below the
product display area and a canopy disposed substantially above the
product display area, the canopy configured to discharge a first
air curtain toward the base; and a plurality of shelves supported
by the case within the product display area, the plurality of
shelves including an upper shelf having an air discharge duct, and
a lower shelf positioned vertically below the upper shelf and
having an air return duct, at least one of the canopy and the upper
shelf configured to discharge a second air curtain substantially
vertically through the product display area such that the second
air curtain is at least partially received by the air return duct
of the lower shelf.
11. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 10, wherein the first
air curtain is defined as a long throw air curtain configured to
travel through the product display area from the canopy to the base
a distance substantially the height of the product display area,
and wherein the second air curtain is defined as a short throw air
curtain configured to travel through the product display area from
at least one of the canopy and the upper shelf toward the base a
distance less than the full height of the product display area.
12. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 10, wherein the case
further defines a rear discharge flue in communication with the
upper shelf to distribute a first airflow to the air discharge
duct, and a rear return flue in communication with the lower shelf
to receive a second airflow from the air return duct.
13. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the case
includes a plurality of rear discharge flues and a plurality of
rear return flues alternatingly positioned across a horizontal
length of the case such that one rear discharge flue is positioned
adjacent at least one rear return flue.
14. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 10, wherein the lower
shelf defines at least two air return ducts configured to receive
at least a portion of the second air curtain from the upper shelf,
the lower shelf further defining one air discharge duct configured
to discharge a third air curtain generally downward toward the
base.
15. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 14, wherein the air
discharge duct is located substantially below the air return
ducts.
16. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 10, wherein the upper
shelf defines at least two air return ducts configured to receive
at least a portion of the second air curtain from the canopy.
17. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 10, further comprising
an evaporator coupled to the case and configured to refrigerate an
airflow within the case, and wherein the case defines a primary
passageway having a first portion configured to direct the airflow
toward the canopy, and a second portion configured to direct the
airflow toward the upper shelf.
18. A method of conditioning a product display area of a
refrigerated merchandiser, the method comprising: providing a case
including a base disposed below the product display area and a
canopy disposed substantially above the product display area;
providing a shelf supported by the case within the product display
area; discharging a first air curtain generally downward from the
shelf into the product display area toward the base; discharging a
second air curtain generally downward into the product display area
from above the shelf; and receiving at least a portion of the
second air curtain via an air return duct of the shelf.
19. The method of claim 18, further comprising discharging a third
air curtain from the canopy toward the base.
20. The method of claim 18, further comprising discharging the
first air curtain and the second air curtain toward the base a
distance less than the full height of the product display area.
21. The method of claim 18, further comprising distributing a first
portion of an airflow through the case toward the canopy; and
distributing a second portion of the airflow through the case
toward the shelf.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Patent
Application Ser. No. 61/086,038 filed Aug. 4, 2008, the entire
contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a refrigerated merchandiser
that includes an air curtain. More particularly, the present
invention relates to a refrigerated merchandiser that includes a
product display area, a primary air curtain, and a secondary air
curtain.
[0003] In conventional practice, supermarkets and convenience
stores are equipped with refrigerated merchandisers that have open
display portions for presenting fresh food or beverages in a
product display area to customers while maintaining the fresh food
and beverages (i.e., food product) in a refrigerated environment.
Typically, refrigerated merchandisers include a curtain of cool,
refrigerated air that passes downward across the open face portion
of the merchandiser to form a flowing boundary of air between the
product display area and the rest of the store. The air curtain is
generated by an airflow through a passageway of the refrigerated
merchandiser that is cooled by one or more evaporators disposed in
the passageway, and that is discharged from an outlet in a canopy
of the merchandiser. The air curtain assists in keeping
refrigerated air within the product display area to cool the food
product and protects the product display area from ambient air in
the surrounding store. Warmer ambient conditions surrounding the
refrigerated merchandiser increase cooling requirements of the
merchandiser and can undesirably increase the temperature of the
food product in the product display area.
[0004] Some refrigerated merchandisers incorporate multiple air
curtains to limit entrainment of ambient air that can occur in a
single air curtain refrigerated merchandiser, and to maintain the
product display area at desired temperatures. Refrigerated
merchandisers with two or more adjacent air curtains include an
outer air curtain that has a slightly higher temperature than the
inner air curtain, so as to protect the colder, inner air curtain
from the impact of ambient air surrounding the merchandiser. These
multiple air curtain refrigerated merchandisers are designed to
limit problems of entrainment of ambient air into the colder, inner
air curtain. However, such designs are still susceptible to the
intrusion of ambient air into the refrigerated air curtain.
SUMMARY
[0005] In one construction, the invention provides a refrigerated
merchandiser including a case defining a product display area, and
a shelf supported by the case within the product display area. The
case includes a base that is disposed below the product display
area and a canopy that is disposed substantially above the product
display area. The shelf includes an air discharge duct that is
configured to direct a first air curtain generally downward from
the shelf into the product display area toward the base, and an air
return duct that is configured to receive at least a portion of a
second air curtain discharged into the product display area from
above the shelf.
[0006] In another construction, the invention provides a
refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product
display area, and a plurality of shelves supported by the case
within the product display area. The case includes a base that is
disposed below the product display area and a canopy that is
disposed substantially above the product display area. The canopy
is configured to discharge a first air curtain toward the base. The
plurality of shelves include an upper shelf that has an air
discharge duct, and a lower shelf that is positioned vertically
below the upper shelf and that has an air return duct. At least one
of the canopy and the upper shelf is configured to discharge a
second air curtain substantially vertically through the product
display area such that the second air curtain is at least partially
received by the air return duct of the lower shelf.
[0007] In yet another construction, the invention provides a method
of conditioning a product display area of a refrigerated
merchandiser. The method includes providing a case that includes a
base disposed below the product display area and a canopy that is
disposed substantially above the product display area, and
providing a shelf that is supported by the case within the product
display area. The method also includes discharging a first air
curtain generally downward from the shelf into the product display
area toward the base, discharging a second air curtain generally
downward into the product display area from above the shelf, and
receiving at least a portion of the second air curtain via an air
return duct of the shelf.
[0008] Other aspects of the invention will become apparent by
consideration of the detailed description and accompanying
drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1 is a schematic side view of a refrigerated
merchandiser embodying the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is an enlarged schematic side view of a portion of
the refrigerated merchandiser of FIG. 1.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a section view of a portion of the refrigerated
merchandiser of FIG. 1.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a section view of a shelf of the refrigerated
merchandiser of FIG. 1.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] Before any embodiments of the invention are explained in
detail, it is to be understood that the invention is not limited in
its application to the details of construction and the arrangement
of components set forth in the following description or illustrated
in the following drawings. The invention is capable of other
embodiments and of being practiced or of being carried out in
various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and
terminology used herein is for the purpose of description and
should not be regarded as limiting. The use of "including,"
"comprising," or "having" and variations thereof herein is meant to
encompass the items listed thereafter and equivalents thereof as
well as additional items.
[0014] FIG. 1 shows a refrigerated merchandiser 10 that may be
located in a supermarket or a convenience store (not shown) for
presenting fresh food, beverages, and other food product (not
shown) to customers. The refrigerated merchandiser 10 includes a
case 15 having a base 20, a rear wall 25, and a canopy 30. The area
partially enclosed by the base 20, the rear wall 25, and the canopy
30 defines a product display area 35 that stores food product in
the case 15 and that is accessible by customers through an opening
37 adjacent the front of the case 15.
[0015] The base 20 is disposed substantially below the product
display area 35 and can be supported by a floor or support surface
(not shown) of the supermarket. The base 20 defines a lower portion
of the product display area 35 and can support a portion of the
food product in the case 15. The base 20 further defines a lower
discharge flue 40, a lower circulation flue 45, and a lower return
flue 50, and includes a primary inlet 55 and a secondary inlet 60
that is located outward from the primary inlet 55 adjacent the
opening 37.
[0016] The lower discharge flue 40 is in fluid communication with
the primary inlet 55 and conducts an airflow 70 substantially
horizontally through the base 20 from the primary inlet 55. The
lower circulation flue 45 is in fluid communication with the
secondary inlet 60 and conducts a circulated airflow 75
substantially horizontally through the base 20 from the secondary
inlet 60. The primary and secondary inlets 55, 60 are positioned to
receive surrounding air in a substantially vertical direction to
direct the surrounding air into the lower discharge flue 40 and the
lower circulation flue 45, respectively.
[0017] The lower return flue 50 is in fluid communication with the
lower discharge flue 40 in the base 20 adjacent the front of the
case 15 to direct a return airflow 80 from the lower return flue 50
into the lower discharge flue 40 downstream of the primary inlet
55. In the illustrated construction, the lower discharge flue 40 is
positioned above the lower return flue 50, although other relative
positions of the lower discharge flue 40 and the lower return flue
50 are possible and considered herein. The lower circulation flue
45 is generally located below the lower discharge flue 40 and the
lower return flue 50.
[0018] FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the rear wall 25 defines a rear
portion of the product display area 35 that includes a rear
circulation flue 85, a rear discharge flue 90, and a rear return
flue 95. In the illustrated refrigerated merchandiser 10, the rear
wall 25 also includes apertures 100 that fluidly couple the rear
discharge flue 90 with the product display area 35 and that allow
at least some of the airflow 70 in the rear discharge flue 90 to
enter the product display area 35. In other constructions, the rear
wall 25 does not include the apertures 100.
[0019] The rear circulation flue 85 is in fluid communication with
the lower circulation flue 45, and is positioned adjacent the back
of the case 15 behind the rear discharge flue 90 and the rear
return flue 95 to direct the circulated airflow 75 in a
substantially vertical direction toward the canopy 30. The rear
discharge flue 90 is in fluid communication with the lower
discharge flue 40 to direct the airflow 70 in a substantially
vertically upward direction. The rear return flue 95 is in fluid
communication with the lower return flue 50 to direct the return
airflow 80 in a substantially vertically downward direction.
[0020] In the construction of the refrigerated merchandiser 10 that
is illustrated in FIG. 1, the rear discharge flue 90 and the rear
return flue 95 are generally offset from each other such that the
rear discharge flue 90 is located in front of the rear return flue
95 relative to the front of the case 15 (i.e., the rear discharge
flue 90 is horizontally closer to the product display area 35). In
other constructions, the rear discharge flue 90 can be behind the
rear return flue 95.
[0021] FIG. 3 shows another construction of the rear discharge flue
90 and the rear return flue 95. In this construction, the rear
discharge flue 90 and the rear return flue 95 are separated from
each other by wall members 105 that extend vertically between the
base 20 and the canopy 30, and that further extend from the wall
that partially defines the rear circulation flue 85 to the interior
portion of the rear wall 25 that partially defines the product
display area 35. The wall members 105 are positioned in the rear
wall 25 to define a plurality of rear discharge flues 90 and a
plurality of rear return flues 95 such that the rear discharge
flues 90 and the rear return flues 95 are oriented vertically in
the rear wall 25 and are alternatingly positioned across a
horizontal length of the case 15. In other words, each of the wall
members 105 is located between and shared by one rear discharge
flue 90 and one rear return flue 95. In other constructions, the
rear discharge flue 90 and the rear return flue 95 can be arranged
in the rear wall 25 in other ways.
[0022] The canopy 30 is disposed substantially above the product
display area 35 and defines an upper portion of the product display
area 35 that has an upper discharge flue 110 and an upper
circulation flue 115 that is positioned outward from the upper
discharge flue 110. The canopy 30 includes a primary outlet 120
that is disposed adjacent the product display area 35, and a
secondary outlet 125 that is located outward from the primary
outlet 120 adjacent an end of the canopy 30. The upper discharge
flue 110 is in fluid communication with the rear discharge flue 90
and conducts the airflow 70 substantially horizontally through the
canopy 30 toward the primary outlet 120. The upper circulation flue
115 is in fluid communication with the rear circulation flue 85 and
conducts the circulated airflow 75 substantially horizontally
through the canopy 30 toward the secondary outlet 125.
[0023] FIGS. 1 and 2 show that the merchandiser 10 also includes
shelves 130 that are disposed within the product display area 35 to
support the food product. Each shelf 130 is attached to the rear
wall 25 at one end, and extends outward from the rear wall 25
toward the front of the case 15. FIGS. 2 and 4 show that each shelf
130 defines a discharge duct 135 and two return ducts 140, and
includes a discharge outlet 145 and a return inlet 150. The
discharge duct 135 is in fluid communication with the rear
discharge flue 90 and the discharge outlet 145, and directs the
airflow 70 substantially horizontal from the rear discharge flue 90
toward the discharge outlet 145. The discharge duct 135 in each
shelf is located substantially below the return duct 140, and the
discharge outlet 145 is located below the associated return inlet
150 adjacent the free or suspended end of each shelf 130 at the
front of the case 15. The return ducts 140 are in fluid
communication with the rear return flue 95 and the return inlet
150, and direct the return airflow 80 substantially horizontally
from the return inlet 150 toward the rear return flue 95. In some
constructions, each shelf 130 can include one or more than two
return ducts 140. Similarly, each shelf 130 can include more than
one discharge duct 135.
[0024] The lower discharge flue 40, the rear discharge flue 90, and
the upper discharge flue 110 define a first portion of a primary
air passageway that directs the airflow 70 from the primary inlet
55 to the primary outlet 120. The lower discharge flue 40, the rear
discharge flue 90, and the discharge ducts 135 of the shelves 130
define a second portion of the primary air passageway that directs
the airflow 70 from the primary inlet 55 to the discharge outlets
145. The airflow 70 that is discharged from the primary outlet 120
and the airflow 70 that is discharged from each of the discharge
outlets 145 define primary air curtains 155.
[0025] The return duct 140 of each shelf 130, the rear return flue
95, and the lower return flue 50 define a return air passageway
that directs the return airflow 80 from the associated return inlet
150 to the lower discharge flue 40. The return airflow 80 in the
return air passageway is fluidly combined or amalgamated with the
airflow 70 in the primary air passageway in the lower discharge
flue 40 adjacent the front of the case 15 and downstream of the
primary inlet 55.
[0026] Each of the primary air curtains 155 that is discharged from
the primary outlet 120 and the discharge outlets 145 are defined as
short throw or modular air curtains that travel generally downward
from the associated outlet 120, 145 into the product display area
35 a relatively short distance. For example, the primary air
curtain 155 that is discharged from the primary outlet 120 of the
canopy 30 travels generally downward toward the uppermost shelf 130
in the product display area 35. In the illustrated construction,
the return inlet 150 of the uppermost shelf 130 receives at least a
substantial portion of the primary air curtain 155 that is
discharged from the primary outlet 120. Any remaining portion of
the primary air curtain 155 that is not received by the return
inlet 150 of the uppermost shelf 130 continues in a generally
downward direction.
[0027] Similarly, the primary air curtain 155 that is discharged
from each shelf 130 is at least substantially received by the
respective inlet (i.e., the primary inlet 55 or the return inlet
150) that is located directly below the discharge outlet 145 from
which the primary air curtain 155 is discharged. Thus, the primary
air curtains 155 travel relatively short distances between the
canopy 30 and the uppermost shelf 130, between adjacent shelves
130, and/or between the lowermost shelf 130 and the base 20. In
some constructions, the primary and return inlets 55, 150 receive
substantially all of the short throw primary air curtains 155 that
are discharged from the associated outlet 120, 145 that is located
directly above the respective inlet 55, 150. Generally, any
remaining portion of each short throw primary air curtain 155 that
is not received by the return inlet 150 of the shelf 130 that is
directly below the associated discharge outlet 145 continues in a
generally downward direction through the product display area
35.
[0028] The lower circulation flue 45, the rear circulation flue 85,
and the upper circulation flue 115 define a secondary air
passageway that directs the circulated airflow 75 from the
secondary inlet 60 to the secondary outlet 125. The circulated
airflow 75 that is discharged from the secondary outlet 125 is in
the form of a secondary air curtain 160, and is generally defined
as a long throw air curtain that travels generally downward from
the secondary outlet 125 toward the secondary inlet 60. In the
illustrated construction, the primary air curtains 155 and the
secondary air curtain 160 are directed generally downwardly across
the front of the case 15 adjacent the product display area 35 to
cool the food product. In other constructions, the refrigerated
merchandiser 10 may not include the lower circulation flue 45, the
rear circulation flue 85, and the upper circulation flue 115 that
define the secondary air passageway. In these constructions, the
refrigerated merchandiser does not include the secondary air
curtain 160.
[0029] The secondary air curtain 160 is located adjacent and
outside of the primary air curtains 155 to assist in forming a
barrier between ambient air surrounding the case 15 and the product
display area 35. In some constructions, the secondary air curtain
160 may be warmer than the primary air curtains 155 and cooler than
the surrounding ambient air. Generally, the secondary air curtain
160 is directed downward outside of the primary air curtains 155 to
buffer the primary air curtains 155 from the relatively warm
ambient air surrounding the case 15.
[0030] The primary and secondary air curtains 155, 160 cooperate to
define a dual air curtain adjacent the front of the case 15.
Portions of the dual air curtain may be drawn into one or both of
the primary and secondary inlets 55, 60 for recirculation. The dual
air curtain, among other things, helps to maintain the air
temperature in the product display area 35 within a standard
temperature range. For example, for medium temperature cases the
temperature range is 32 to 41 degrees Fahrenheit as determined by
the Food and Drug Administration ("FDA") Food Code.
[0031] The refrigerated merchandiser 10 also includes some
components of a refrigeration system (not entirely shown) therein.
As shown in FIG. 1, one or more fans 165 can be located in the
primary and/or secondary air passageway to generate the airflow 70
and the circulated airflow 75 by drawing air into the primary and
secondary air passageways from the primary and secondary inlets 55,
60 and forcing the air through the remaining portions of the
respective air passageways. An evaporator 170 is disposed in the
primary air passageway to refrigerate the airflow 70. As is known
in the art, the evaporator 170 is configured to receive a saturated
refrigerant that has passed through an expansion valve (not shown).
The saturated refrigerant is evaporated as it passes through the
evaporator 170 as a result of absorbing heat from the airflow
passing over the evaporator 170. The absorption of heat by the
refrigerant allows the temperature of the airflow to decrease as it
passes over the evaporator 170. The heated or gaseous refrigerant
then exits the evaporator 170 and is pumped back to one or more
compressors (not shown) for re-processing into the refrigeration
system. In other constructions, the evaporator 170 could be
replaced with another heat exchanger (e.g., secondary heat
exchanger, etc.) that allows the absorption of heat from the
circulated air into a refrigerant or other heat-transfer fluid
within the heat exchanger.
[0032] Various features and advantages of the invention are set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *