U.S. patent application number 13/092227 was filed with the patent office on 2011-10-27 for refrigerated merchandiser with shelf air discharge.
Invention is credited to Timothy D. Anderson, Ken Nguyen.
Application Number | 20110259030 13/092227 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 44280719 |
Filed Date | 2011-10-27 |
United States Patent
Application |
20110259030 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Anderson; Timothy D. ; et
al. |
October 27, 2011 |
REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER WITH SHELF AIR DISCHARGE
Abstract
A refrigerated merchandiser including a case that defines a
product display area with an opening. The case includes a base that
has an air inlet located adjacent the product display area. The
refrigerated merchandiser also includes a canopy that is disposed
substantially above the product display area, and that has an air
outlet located adjacent the product display area. A primary
passageway fluidly connects the air inlet with the air outlet to
direct a first refrigerated airflow from the air outlet across the
opening. The refrigerated merchandiser further includes a shelf
coupled to the case within the product display area, and a duct
apparatus removably coupled to the shelf and in direct fluid
communication with the primary passageway. The duct apparatus
defines a secondary air passageway between the primary passageway
and the product display area to direct a second refrigerated
airflow from the duct apparatus across the opening below the
canopy.
Inventors: |
Anderson; Timothy D.; (St.
Louis, MO) ; Nguyen; Ken; (St. Louis, MO) |
Family ID: |
44280719 |
Appl. No.: |
13/092227 |
Filed: |
April 22, 2011 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
|
|
|
|
|
|
Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
61327464 |
Apr 23, 2010 |
|
|
|
Current U.S.
Class: |
62/251 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 3/0447 20130101;
F25B 2400/22 20130101; F25D 2323/00275 20130101; A47F 3/0408
20130101; F25D 2317/0665 20130101; A47F 3/0413 20130101; A47F
3/0443 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
62/251 |
International
Class: |
A47F 3/04 20060101
A47F003/04 |
Claims
1. A refrigerated merchandiser comprising: a case defining a
product display area having an opening, the case including a base
having an air inlet located adjacent the product display area; a
canopy disposed substantially above the product display area, the
canopy having an air outlet located adjacent the product display
area; a primary passageway fluidly connecting the air inlet with
the air outlet to direct a first refrigerated airflow from the air
outlet across the opening; a shelf coupled to the case within the
product display area; and a duct apparatus removably coupled to the
shelf and in direct fluid communication with the primary
passageway, the duct apparatus defining a secondary air passageway
between the primary passageway and the product display area to
direct a second refrigerated airflow from the duct apparatus across
the opening below the canopy.
2. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the duct
apparatus is positioned below the shelf.
3. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the duct
apparatus includes a modular unit removable from the shelf without
removing the shelf or product from the shelf.
4. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the first
refrigerated airflow defines a long throw air curtain adjacent the
product display area, and wherein the second refrigerated airflow
defines a short throw air curtain adjacent the product display
area.
5. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 4, wherein the long throw
air curtain and the short throw air curtain cooperate with each
other to define a sequential air curtain, and wherein an upper
portion of the product display area and a lower portion of the
product display area are maintained within substantially the same
temperature range by the sequential air curtain.
6. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the duct
apparatus includes an air intake in communication with the primary
passageway and an air discharge angled generally downward toward
the base.
7. A refrigerated merchandiser comprising: a case defining a
product display area having an opening, the case including a base
having an air inlet located adjacent the product display area; a
canopy disposed substantially above the product display area, the
canopy having an air outlet located adjacent the product display
area; a primary passageway fluidly connecting the air inlet with
the air outlet to direct a first refrigerated airflow from the air
outlet across the opening in the form of a primary air curtain; a
shelf coupled to the case within the product display area; and a
duct apparatus removably coupled to the shelf and in fluid
communication with the primary passageway, the duct apparatus
including an air discharge located adjacent an end of the shelf and
defining a secondary passageway between the primary passageway and
the air discharge to direct a second refrigerated airflow from the
duct apparatus into the product display area below the canopy in
the form of a secondary air curtain, the primary air curtain
cooperating with the secondary air curtain to define a sequential
air curtain to maintain an upper portion of the product display
area and a lower portion of the product display area within
substantially the same temperature range.
8. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 7, wherein the duct
apparatus is positioned below the shelf.
9. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 7, wherein the duct
apparatus includes a modular unit removable from the shelf without
removing the shelf or product from the shelf.
10. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 9, wherein the shelf
includes one of a rail and a track and the duct apparatus includes
the other of the rail and the track, and wherein the rail and the
track cooperate with each other to slidably attach the duct
apparatus to an underside of the shelf.
11. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 7, wherein the first
refrigerated airflow defines a long throw air curtain across the
opening to the product display area, and wherein the second
refrigerated airflow defines a short throw air curtain across the
lower portion of the product display area.
12. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 11, wherein the long
throw air curtain is in communication with the upper portion of the
product display area, and wherein the long throw air curtain and
the short throw air curtain are in communication with a lower
portion of the product display area.
13. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 7, wherein the duct
apparatus includes an air intake adjacent a first end of the duct
apparatus and in communication with the primary passageway, and
wherein the air discharge is adjacent a second end of the duct
apparatus and is angled generally downward toward the base.
14. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 13, wherein the air
intake includes multiple passageways for directing air toward the
air discharge.
15. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 13, wherein the duct
apparatus tapers narrower from the first end toward the second end
to channel air from the air intake to the air discharge.
16. A refrigerated merchandiser comprising: a case defining a
product display area having an opening, the case including a base
having an air inlet located adjacent the product display area; a
canopy disposed substantially above the product display area, the
canopy having a first air outlet and a second air outlet in
communication with the product display area; a primary passageway
fluidly connecting the air inlet with the first air outlet; a shelf
coupled to the case within the product display area; a duct
apparatus removably coupled to the shelf and in fluid communication
with the primary passageway, the duct apparatus including an air
discharge in communication with the product display area and
defining a secondary passageway between the primary passageway and
the air discharge; a first air curtain discharged from the canopy
and defining a long throw air curtain to direct a refrigerated
airflow generally downward from the first air outlet toward the air
inlet; a second air curtain discharged from the duct apparatus and
spaced inward from the first air curtain, the second air curtain
defining a short throw air curtain to direct a refrigerated airflow
generally downward from the air discharge adjacent the shelf toward
the air inlet; and a third air curtain discharged from the canopy
and spaced outward from the first air curtain, the third air
curtain defining a long throw air curtain to direct an airflow
generally downward from the second air outlet toward the air inlet,
the first, second, and third air curtains cooperating with each
other to maintain an upper portion of the product display area and
a lower portion of the product display area within substantially
the same temperature range.
17. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 16, wherein the duct
apparatus is positioned below the shelf and includes a modular unit
removable from the shelf without removing the shelf or product from
the shelf.
18. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 17, wherein the shelf
includes one of a rail and a track and the duct apparatus includes
the other of the rail and the track, and wherein the rail and the
track cooperate with each other to slidably attach the duct
apparatus to an underside of the shelf.
19. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 16, wherein the duct
apparatus includes an air intake adjacent a first end of the duct
apparatus and in communication with the primary passageway, and
wherein the air discharge is adjacent a second end of the duct
apparatus and is angled generally downward toward the base.
20. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 19, wherein the duct
apparatus tapers narrower from the first end toward the second end
to channel air from the air intake to the air discharge.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This patent application claims priority to U.S. Provisional
Patent Application Ser. No. 61/327,464 filed Apr. 23, 2010, the
entire contents of which are hereby incorporated by reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention relates to a refrigerated merchandiser
including a plurality of air curtains, and more particularly, to a
merchandiser including a modular shelf air discharge, 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] Most refrigerated display merchandisers use a single,
long-throw air curtain to minimize ambient air infiltration into
the product display area. Some refrigerated merchandisers use
multiple air curtains or doors 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 that includes a case defining a product display area,
a canopy, and a shelf coupled to the case within the product
display area. The case includes a base that has an air inlet
located adjacent the product display area. The canopy is disposed
substantially above the product display area, and totally has an
air outlet located adjacent the product display area. A primary
passageway fluidly connects the air inlet with the air outlet to
direct a first refrigerated airflow from the air outlet across the
opening. The merchandiser also includes a duct apparatus that is
removably coupled to the shelf and in direct fluid communication
with the primary passageway. The duct apparatus defines a secondary
air passageway between the primary passageway and the product
display area to direct a second refrigerated airflow from the duct
apparatus across the opening below the canopy.
[0006] In another construction, the invention provides a
refrigerated merchandiser that includes a case defining a product
display area, a canopy, and a shelf coupled to the case within the
product display area. The case includes a base that has an air
inlet located adjacent the product display area. The canopy is
disposed substantially above the product display area, and totally
has an air outlet located adjacent the product display area. A
primary passageway fluidly connects the air inlet with the air
outlet to direct a first refrigerated airflow from the air outlet
across the opening in the form of a primary air curtain. The
merchandiser also includes a duct apparatus that is removably
coupled to the shelf and in fluid communication with the primary
passageway. The duct apparatus includes an air discharge adjacent
the product display area and defines a secondary passageway between
the primary passageway and the air discharge to direct a second
refrigerated airflow from the duct apparatus into the product
display area below the canopy in the form of a secondary air
curtain. The primary air curtain cooperates with the secondary air
curtain to define a sequential air curtain that maintains an upper
portion of the product display area and a lower portion of the
product display area within substantially the same temperature
range.
[0007] In another construction, the invention provides a
refrigerated merchandiser that includes a case defining a product
display area, a canopy, and a shelf coupled to the case within the
product display area. The case includes a base that has an air
inlet located adjacent the product display area. The canopy is
disposed substantially above the product display area, and has a
first air outlet and a second air outlet in communication with the
product display area. The primary passageway fluidly connects the
air inlet with the first air outlet. The merchandiser also includes
duct apparatus that is removably coupled to the shelf and in fluid
communication with the primary passageway. The duct apparatus
includes an air discharge in communication with the product display
area and defines a secondary passageway between the primary
passageway and the air discharge. The merchandiser further includes
a first air curtain that is discharged from the canopy and that
defines a long throw air curtain to direct a refrigerated airflow
generally downward from the first air outlet toward the air inlet,
a second air curtain that is discharged from the duct apparatus and
that is spaced inward from the first air curtain, and a third air
curtain discharged from the canopy and spaced outward from the
first air curtain. The second air curtain defines a short throw air
curtain to direct a refrigerated airflow generally downward from
the air discharge adjacent the shelf toward the air inlet. The
third air curtain defines a long throw air curtain to direct an
airflow generally downward from the second air outlet toward the
air inlet. The first, second, and third air curtains cooperate with
each other to maintain an upper portion of the product display area
and a lower portion of the product display area within
substantially the same temperature range.
[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 side view of a refrigerated merchandiser
embodying the present invention.
[0010] FIG. 2 is a side view of another refrigerated merchandiser
embodying the present invention.
[0011] FIG. 3 is a side view of a shelf of the merchandisers of
FIGS. 1 and 2.
[0012] FIG. 4 is a side view of the shelf of FIG. 3 and a discharge
duct apparatus coupled to the shelf.
[0013] FIG. 5 is a perspective view of the discharge duct apparatus
of FIG. 4.
[0014] FIG. 6 is another perspective view of the discharge duct
apparatus of FIG. 4.
[0015] FIG. 7 is a side view of the discharge duct apparatus of
FIG. 5.
[0016] FIG. 8 is a side view of the shelf and the discharge duct
apparatus in a pre-assembled state.
[0017] FIG. 9 is a side view of the shelf discharge unit and the
shelf during assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0018] 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.
[0019] FIG. 1 shows one construction of 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 consumers. 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 40 adjacent the front of the case 15. In the illustrated
construction, the merchandiser 10 is a self-contained merchandiser
with an open front. In other constructions, the merchandiser 10 may
include the one or more doors positioned over the opening 40 to
provide access to the product display area 35.
[0020] 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 that can support a portion of the
food product in the case 15. The base 20 further defines a lower
discharge flue 45 and includes an air inlet 50 located adjacent a
lower portion of the opening 40. The lower discharge flue 45 is in
fluid communication with the primary inlet 50 and conducts air
substantially horizontally through the base 20 from the air inlet
50. The air inlet 50 is positioned to receive surrounding air in a
substantially vertical direction to direct the surrounding air into
the lower discharge flue 45.
[0021] FIG. 1 shows the rear wall 25 that defines a rear portion of
the product display area 35 and that cooperates with an outer wall
55 of the case 15 to define a rear discharge flue 60. In the
illustrated construction, the rear wall 25 also includes apertures
65 fluidly coupling the rear discharge flue 60 with the product
display area 35 and allowing at least some of the airflow in the
rear discharge flue 60 to enter the product display area 35. In
other constructions, the rear wall 25 may not include the apertures
65. The rear discharge flue 60 is in fluid communication with the
lower discharge flue 45 to direct the airflow in a substantially
vertically upward direction.
[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 70 and a primary outlet
75. The primary outlet 75 is disposed adjacent the product display
area 35. The upper discharge flue 70 is in fluid communication with
the rear discharge flue 60 and conducts the air substantially
horizontally through the canopy 30 toward the primary outlet
75.
[0023] The merchandiser 10 also includes shelves 80 disposed within
the product display area 35 to support food product. Each shelf 80
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. 3, 4,
8, and 9 show one shelf 80 including attachment hooks 85 for
attaching the shelf 80 to the rear wall 25, a support surface 90
for supporting food product, and a rail 95. The rail 95 is disposed
below the support surface 90 and extends partially along the length
of the shelf 80 from a middle of the shelf toward the attachment
hooks 85. In the illustrated construction, the shelf 80 also
includes a light source 100 (e.g., LED light source, fluorescent
light source, etc.) positioned on the end of the shelf 80 that is
located nearest the opening 40 to illuminate food product in the
product display area 35. As illustrated in FIG. 1, the shelves 80
extend generally downward from the rear wall 25 toward the opening
40. In other constructions, the shelves 80 may be horizontal.
Generally, the shelves 80 may be oriented at any desired angle to
display food product.
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 8, and 9, the merchandiser 10
further includes a discharge duct apparatus 105 that is removably
coupled to one shelf 80. In the illustrated construction, the
discharge duct apparatus 105 is coupled to the shelf 80 that is
located between the base 20 and the canopy 30 near a central
portion of the product display area 35. In other constructions, the
discharge duct apparatus 105 may be coupled to two or more shelves
80. In some constructions, the discharge duct apparatus 105 is a
modular apparatus such that can be attached to the shelf 80 before
or after the shelf 80 is coupled to the rear wall 25. In other
constructions, the discharge duct apparatus can extend the length
of the case 15.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 5-9, the discharge duct apparatus 105
includes a track 110 that removably attaches the apparatus 105 to
the rail 95 on the underside of the shelf 80. Specifically, the
track 110 slides into and out of the rail 95 to facilitate
installation and removal of the discharge duct apparatus 105
relative to the case 15 without detaching the shelf 80 from the
rear wall 25, and without removing food product from the shelf
80.
[0026] With reference to FIGS. 4-7, the discharge duct apparatus
105 also includes a first end 115 that has an air intake portion
120, and a second end 125 that has an air discharge portion 130 in
fluid communication with the air intake portion 120 via a discharge
passageway 135. The discharge duct apparatus 105 tapers narrower
from the first end 115 toward the second end 125 to channel or
direct air from the air intake portion 120 to the air discharge
portion 130. The tapered shape of the discharge duct apparatus 105
also accommodates space for food product stored on the shelf 80
that is below the discharge duct apparatus 105.
[0027] The air intake portion 120 is in fluid communication with
the rear discharge flue 60 via the apertures 65 or an opening (not
shown) in the rear wall 25 to receive air from the rear discharge
flue 60. As shown in FIG. 6, the air intake portion 120 includes
multiple passageways 135 for directing air into the discharge duct
apparatus 105.
[0028] The air discharge portion 130 is smaller than the air intake
portion 120 and is angled generally downward (as viewed in FIGS. 4
and 7) relative to the portion of the discharge duct apparatus 105
defining the discharge passageway 135. A louver or honeycomb can be
positioned across a discharge outlet 140 of the discharge duct
apparatus 105 for discharging air from the discharge passageway 135
in a generally uniform manner. In some constructions, the discharge
duct apparatus 105 can be integrally formed as part of one or more
shelves 80 such that the shelf includes the air intake portion 120,
the air discharge portion 130, and the discharge passageway
135.
[0029] FIG. 2 shows another construction of a refrigerated
merchandiser 150 that may be located in a supermarket or a
convenience store for presenting fresh food, beverages, and other
food product to consumers. Except as described below, the
refrigerated merchandiser 150 is the same as the merchandiser 10
described with regard to FIG. 1, and common elements have been
given the same reference numerals.
[0030] The canopy 30 of the merchandiser 150 has an ambient air
passageway 155 and a secondary outlet 160 that is located outward
from the primary outlet 75 adjacent an end of the canopy 30. The
secondary outlet 160 is in fluid communication with the ambient air
passageway 155, and one or more fans 165 are coupled to the canopy
30 and in fluid communication with the ambient air passageway 155
to direct air from outside the case 15 through the canopy 30 toward
the secondary outlet 160.
[0031] With reference FIGS. 1 and 2, the lower discharge flue 45,
the rear discharge flue 60, and the upper discharge flue 70 define
a first portion of a primary air passageway that directs a first
airflow 170 from the air inlet 50 to the primary outlet 75. The
lower discharge flue 45, the rear discharge flue 60, and the
discharge duct apparatus 105 define a second portion of the primary
air passageway that directs a second airflow 175 from the air inlet
50 to the discharge outlet 140.
[0032] The first airflow 170 discharged from the primary outlet 75
and the second airflow 175 discharged from the discharge outlet 140
define primary air curtains 180. The primary air curtain 180
discharged from the primary outlet 75 is defined as a long throw
air curtain that travels generally downward from the primary outlet
75 across the opening 40 toward the air inlet 50. Specifically, the
primary air curtain 180 discharged from the primary outlet 75 is
directed across an upper interior portion 185 and a lower interior
portion 190 of the merchandiser 10, 150 to cool the upper and lower
interior portions 185, 190 within a desired temperature range. The
primary air curtain 180 discharged from the discharge outlet 140 is
defined as a short throw or modular air curtain that travels
generally downward a relatively short distance from the discharge
duct apparatus 105 across the lower interior portion 190 toward the
air inlet 50. The primary air curtain via the discharge outlet 140
supports the primary air curtain 180 discharged from the primary
outlet 75, and helps direct that primary air curtain 180 toward the
air inlet 50. The primary air curtains 180 discharged from the
primary outlet 75 and the discharge outlet 140 are dual or
sequential air curtains directed across a lower interior portion
190 of the merchandiser 10, 150 that complement each other to
maintain a smaller range of product temperatures throughout the
case 15.
[0033] With reference to the merchandiser 150 illustrated in FIG.
2, the ambient air passageway 155 directs a third airflow 195 from
the ambient environment surrounding the case 15 above the
merchandiser 150 to the secondary outlet 160. The third airflow 195
discharged from the secondary outlet 160 defines a secondary air
curtain 200. The secondary air curtain 200 is defined as a long
throw air curtain that travels generally downward from the
secondary outlet 160 toward the air inlet 50. The secondary air
curtain 200 is located adjacent and outside the primary air
curtains 180 to assist in forming a barrier or buffer between
ambient air surrounding the case 15 and the product display area
35. As illustrated in FIG. 2, the primary air curtains 180 and the
secondary air curtain 200 are directed generally downwardly across
the front of the case 15 adjacent the product display area 35 to
cool food product supported on the shelves 80. In some
constructions, the secondary air curtain 200 may be warmer than the
primary air curtains 180 and cooler than surrounding ambient
air.
[0034] In another construction, the secondary air curtain 200 can
be formed by capturing cold air adjacent the air inlet 50 and
circulating the captured air through the merchandiser 150 before
discharging the circulated cold air through the secondary outlet
160. In yet another construction, the secondary air curtain 200 can
be formed by capturing cold air from below the merchandiser 150,
circulating the captured cold air through or around the
merchandiser 150, and then discharging the circulated cold air
through the secondary outlet 160. In yet another construction, the
secondary air curtain 200 can be formed by ducting cool air from a
heating, ventilation, and air conditioning ("HVAC") system to the
merchandiser 150 and then discharging the cool air through the
secondary outlet 160.
[0035] The primary and secondary air curtains 180, 200
cooperatively define parallel airflows that reduce the amount of
ambient air infiltration into the respective merchandisers 10, 150
and that maintain a relatively small range of food product
temperatures throughout the product display area 35. The sequential
air curtains 180, among other things, help 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.
[0036] With reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the refrigerated
merchandisers 10, 150 also include some components of a
refrigeration system (not entirely shown) therein. As shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2, one or more fans 205 can be located in the primary
air passageway to generate the airflows 170, 175 by drawing air
into the primary air passageway from the air inlet 55 and forcing
the air through the flues 45, 60, 70. An evaporator 210 is disposed
in the primary air passageway to refrigerate the airflows 170, 175.
As is known in the art, the evaporator 210 evaporates saturated
refrigerant as it passes through the evaporator 210 as a result of
absorbing heat from the airflow passing over the evaporator 210.
The absorption of heat by the refrigerant allows the temperature of
the airflow to decrease as it passes over the evaporator 210.
[0037] The discharge duct apparatus 105 can be retrofit into an
existing merchandiser, or alternatively, the discharge duct
apparatus 105 can be attached to the shelf 80 before or when the
shelf 80 is attached to the merchandiser 10, 150. The discharge
duct apparatus 105 is mounted to the underside of the shelf 80 via
attachment of the track 110 to the rail 95 while allowing the shelf
80 to be mounted at different angles relative to horizontal and at
different vertical locations within the case 15. Also, the modular
discharge duct apparatus 105 can be removed from the shelf 80 to
provide access to the shelf 80 and the discharge duct apparatus 105
for service or cleaning without removal of the shelf 80 or other
components from the case 15, and without removing food product from
the shelf 80.
[0038] The discharge duct apparatus 105 provides the additional
primary air curtain 180 by channeling refrigerated air from the
rear discharge flue 60 (e.g., via the apertures 65) toward the
front of the shelf 80 to maintain colder product temperatures in
the lower interior portion 190 of the merchandiser 10, 150 and to
reduce infiltration of ambient air into the product display area
35. The angle of discharge for the airflow 175 from the discharge
duct apparatus 105 is determined by the orientation of the air
discharge portion relative to horizontal. The primary air curtain
180 defined by the airflow 175 can be directed generally downward
toward the air inlet 50 at any desired angle to cool food product
below the discharge duct apparatus 105 and to supplement the
primary air curtain 180 from the primary outlet 75.
[0039] With continued reference to FIGS. 1 and 2, the dual primary
air curtains 180 maintain food product supported in the upper
interior portion 185 and in the lower interior portion 190
approximately within the same temperature range. The single primary
air curtain 180 discharged from the primary outlet 75 provides a
refrigerated airflow that maintains the upper interior portion 185
within a desired temperature range. As the primary air curtain 180
discharged from the primary outlet 75 travels farther away from the
primary outlet 75, the refrigerated airflow warms up due to heat
absorbed from the surroundings. The primary air curtain 180
discharged from the discharge outlet 140 provides another
refrigerated airflow that complements the primary air curtain 180
from the primary outlet 75 to maintain the lower interior portion
190 within the desired temperature range by offsetting the increase
in temperature of the long throw primary air curtain 180.
[0040] With reference to FIG. 2, the dual air curtain provided by
the primary air curtain 180 discharged from the primary outlet 75
and the secondary air curtain 200 adjacent the upper interior
portion 185 limit infiltration of ambient air into the upper
interior portion 185. The triple air curtain provided by the
primary air curtains 180 and the secondary air curtain 200 adjacent
the lower interior portion 190 limit infiltration of ambient air
into the lower interior portion 190, thereby helping to maintain
the lower interior portion 190 within the desired temperature
range. The primary air curtains 180 and the secondary air curtain
200 reduce infiltration of ambient air into the product display
area 35 by maintaining a robust refrigerated air curtain along the
entire height of the opening 40, thereby reducing energy
consumption of the merchandisers 10, 150 relative to energy
consumed by existing merchandisers including a single, long-throw
air curtain. The air curtains 180, 200 also provide more control
over the temperature of the product display area 35 to extend the
shelf life of food product supported on the shelves 80.
[0041] Various features and advantages of the invention are set
forth in the following claims.
* * * * *