U.S. patent application number 13/885513 was filed with the patent office on 2013-09-05 for showcase.
The applicant listed for this patent is Keisuke Miura, Masayuki Sakurazawa, Syuuichi Yoshida. Invention is credited to Keisuke Miura, Masayuki Sakurazawa, Syuuichi Yoshida.
Application Number | 20130229789 13/885513 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 46083837 |
Filed Date | 2013-09-05 |
United States Patent
Application |
20130229789 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Yoshida; Syuuichi ; et
al. |
September 5, 2013 |
Showcase
Abstract
A showcase includes a main body a front face of which is covered
by a door (6) having a glass plate (5), so that the front face is
opened and closed by the door (6), in which a rod-shaped
illumination module (16) is disposed in each of grooves (14) of
left and right supporting column frames (12) that define an opening
on the front face of the main body that is opened and closed by the
door (6). Each of the illumination modules (16) has LED lamps each
constituted by an LED and a lens, and arranged at regular intervals
and integrated together. Thus, commodities (7) arranged along the
front end of each shelf (8) are illuminated with direct light from
the illumination modules (16) and reflected light from the glass
plate (5). By this configuration, it is possible to reduce
variation of illuminance among commodities and shading and shadows
between the commodities arranged along the front end of each
shelf.
Inventors: |
Yoshida; Syuuichi;
(Isesaki-shi, JP) ; Sakurazawa; Masayuki;
(Isesaki-shi, JP) ; Miura; Keisuke; (Isesaki-shi,
JP) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Yoshida; Syuuichi
Sakurazawa; Masayuki
Miura; Keisuke |
Isesaki-shi
Isesaki-shi
Isesaki-shi |
|
JP
JP
JP |
|
|
Family ID: |
46083837 |
Appl. No.: |
13/885513 |
Filed: |
October 21, 2011 |
PCT Filed: |
October 21, 2011 |
PCT NO: |
PCT/JP2011/074278 |
371 Date: |
May 15, 2013 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
362/125 |
Current CPC
Class: |
F21W 2131/305 20130101;
F21Y 2115/10 20160801; F21W 2131/405 20130101; F25D 27/00 20130101;
F21S 4/20 20160101; A47F 3/0426 20130101; A47F 11/10 20130101; A47F
3/001 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
362/125 |
International
Class: |
A47F 3/00 20060101
A47F003/00 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Nov 15, 2010 |
JP |
2010-254632 |
Claims
1. A showcase comprising a main body that has a display space
provided with a shelf for displaying commodities, and a transparent
plate that is disposed on the front face of the main body and
defines the display space, the showcase further comprising at least
one LED that is disposed on the backside of the transparent plate
and illuminates commodities displayed on the shelf with direct
light and reflected light from the transparent plate.
2. The showcase according to claim 1, wherein the LEDs disposed so
as to oppose each other across a space between the transparent
plate that defines the front face of the main body and a row of
arranged along the front end of the shelf, and the arranged along
the front end of the shelf and the transparent plate are irradiated
with light of the LEDs.
3. The showcase according to claim 1, wherein a plurality of the
LEDs is disposed on each of end portions opposed to each other on
the front face of the main body.
4. The showcase according to claim 3, wherein the LEDs are disposed
so that the optical axis center of each LED is set in a direction
toward an opposed LED or in a direction slightly inclined toward
the shelf side from the direction toward the opposed LED.
5. The showcase according to claim 3, further comprising a door
that has the transparent plate and that covers the front face of
the main body so that the front face can be opened or closed,
wherein the plurality of the LEDs are disposed in each of left and
right end portions on the front face of the main body, that is
opened or closed by the door.
6. The showcase according to claim 5, further comprising left and
right supporting column frames that define an opening of the front
face of the main body and have respective grooves, wherein the LEDs
are disposed in each of the grooves.
7. The showcase according to claim 6, further comprising a
rod-shaped illumination module that includes a plurality of
arranged and integrated LEDs, is disposed in each of the respective
grooves of the left and right supporting column frames that define
the opening of the front face of the main body.
8. The showcase according to claim 7, further comprising four
supporting column frames that constitute the main body and that are
the same molded components each having two grooves for fitting
therein two plates for defining two faces of the main body in a
manner that the two faces are not opened or closed, wherein the
rod-shaped illumination modules are disposed in the grooves, that
are not used for fitting the plates therein, of the left and right
supporting column frames that define the opening of the front face
of the main body.
9. The showcase according to claim 6, further comprising left and
right frames constituting the door, wherein the left and right
frames project toward the center side of the opening further than
the tips of the LEDs so that the LEDs are disposed behind the left
and right frames constituting the door when the door is closed.
10. The showcase according to claim 3, wherein the LEDs each has a
lens for narrowing a light-distribution angle in a plane
perpendicular to the arrangement direction.
11. The showcase according to claim 10, wherein the lens narrows
the light-distribution angle in terms of the half maximum range of
the light intensity to be about 50 degrees.
Description
TECHNICAL FIELD
[0001] The present invention relates to a showcase including a main
body that has a display space provided with a shelf for displaying
commodities, and a transparent plate that is disposed on the front
face of the main body and defines the display space, and more
specifically, relates to a technique for illuminating commodities
displayed on the shelf.
BACKGROUND ART
[0002] Patent document 1 discloses a showcase in which shelves for
displaying commodities are provided in a display space of the main
body, and an opening of the front face of the main body is covered
by a transparent door, and it is possible to open and close the
opening, and an illumination module including LED elements is
attached to a portion of the main body inside the opening edge.
CITATION LIST
Patent Document
[0003] Patent Document 1: Japanese Laid-open (Kokai) Patent
Application Publication No. 2009-112351
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
Problems to be Solved by the Invention
[0004] As described above, when LED elements are employed as an
illumination module, the illumination module can be reduced in
size, so that it is possible to suppress deterioration of
visibility due to blockage of displayed commodities by the
illumination module and contact of the commodities with the
illumination module when the commodities are put in or taken
out.
[0005] However, in a conventional showcase, irradiation direction
with illumination light of LED elements is pointed toward a shelf
side by a shade and commodities displayed on the shelf are
illuminated with direct light.
[0006] In this configuration, when commodities such as PET bottles
are arranged and displayed along the front end of the shelf,
commodities close to the illumination module can be brightly
illuminated, but the brightness of the commodities decreases
farther from the illumination module. Accordingly, there has been a
problem in that variation of illuminance of commodities, in other
words, the variation in the brightness of the commodities has been
remarkable.
[0007] Furthermore, even in the commodities close to the
illumination module, shadowed portions that are not illuminated by
direct light from the illumination module are in the dark, and
accordingly, there has been a problem that, as a whole, a dark
impression is given to customers even if the average illuminance is
high.
[0008] In view of these circumstances, it is an object of the
present invention to provide a showcase capable of reducing
illuminance variation among commodities arranged on shelves and
reducing the shading and shadows between commodities.
Means for Solving the Problems
[0009] In order to achieve the above object, a showcase according
to the present invention includes a main body that has a display
space provided with a shelf for displaying commodities, and a
transparent plate that is disposed on the front face of the main
body and defines the display space, and the showcase further
includes at least one LED that is disposed on the backside of the
transparent plate and illuminates commodities displayed on the
shelf with direct light and reflected light from the transparent
plate.
[0010] In such a showcase, since commodities displayed on the shelf
are illuminated by direct light from the LEDs and light reflected
from the transparent plate, portions of the commodities that are
not illuminated by the direct light can be illuminated by reflected
light from the transparent plate.
[0011] Here, the LEDs may be disposed so as to oppose to each other
across a space between the transparent plate that defines the front
face of the main body and a row of commodities arranged along the
front end of the shelf, so that the commodities arranged along the
front end of the shelf and the transparent plate are irradiated
with light of the LEDs.
[0012] In such a showcase, it is possible to use the space between
the transparent plate that defines the front face of the main body
and a row of commodities arranged along the front end of the shelf,
to irradiate the commodities arranged along the front end of the
shelf with the light of the LEDs, and to illuminate the commodities
on the shelf with the reflected light from the transparent
plate.
[0013] Furthermore, a plurality of the LEDs may be disposed in each
of end portions opposed to each other on the front face of the main
body. In such a showcase, since commodities displayed on the shelf
are illuminated form both sides by LEDs disposed so as to oppose
each other with direct light from the LEDs and reflected light from
the transparent plate, portions of the commodities that are not
irradiated with the direct light can be irradiated with the
reflected light from the transparent plate.
[0014] Here, the LEDs may be disposed so that the optical axis
center of each LED is set in a direction toward an opposed LED or
in a direction slightly inclined toward the shelf side from the
direction toward the opposed LED.
[0015] In such a showcase, light in the vicinity of the optical
axis center having high intensity can be radiated toward
commodities distant from the LEDs, and light in the vicinity of the
optical axis center having high intensity can be radiated toward
and reflected from a portion of the transparent plate distant from
the LEDs. Accordingly, it is possible to increase the illuminance
of the commodities at positions distant from the LEDs.
[0016] Furthermore, the showcase may include a door that has the
transparent plate and that covers the front face of the main body
so that the front face can be opened or closed, and the plurality
of the LEDs may be disposed in each of left and right end portions
on the front face of the main body, that is opened or closed by the
door.
[0017] In such a showcase, the front face of the main body is
covered by a door that has the transparent plate so that the front
face can be opened or closed, and the commodities can be taken out
from the showcase by opening and closing the door. When the door is
closed, LEDs illuminate commodities displayed on shelves with
direct light and reflected light from the transparent plate.
[0018] Furthermore, the showcase may include left and right
supporting column frames that define an opening of the front face
of the main body and have respective grooves, and the LEDs may be
disposed in each of the grooves.
[0019] In such a showcase, it is possible to reduce projection of
the LEDs from the supporting column frames, to thereby suppress
deterioration of visibility of commodities and contact of the
commodities with the LEDs.
[0020] Furthermore, the showcase may include a rod-shaped
illumination module that includes a plurality of arranged and
integrated LEDs. The rod-shaped illumination module may be disposed
in each of the grooves of the left and right supporting column
frames that define the opening of the front face of the main
body.
[0021] In such a showcase, it is possible to dispose a plurality of
LEDs in the supporting column frames and to reduce projection of
the LEDs from the supporting column frames, to thereby suppress
deterioration of visibility of commodities and contact of the
commodities with the LEDs.
[0022] Furthermore, the showcase may include four supporting column
frames that constitute the main body and that are the same molded
components each having two grooves for fitting therein two plates
for defining two faces of the main body in a manner such that the
two faces are not opened or closed, and the rod-shaped illumination
modules may be disposed in the grooves, that are not used for
fitting the plates therein, of the left and right supporting column
frames that define the opening of the front face of the main
body.
[0023] In such a showcase, by employing the same molded components
for four supporting column frames, it is possible to reduce the
number of sorts of molded components constituting the showcase, and
by disposing the illumination modules having the LEDs in the groves
for fitting the plates therein, it is possible to easily dispose
the LEDs in the supporting column frames and to reduce projection
of the illumination modules from the supporting column frames.
[0024] Furthermore, when the door is closed, left and right frames
constituting the door may project toward the center side of the
opening further than the tip ends of the LEDs so that the LEDs are
disposed behind the left and right frames constituting the
door.
[0025] In such a showcase, when the door is closed, the LEDs are
concealed behind the left and right frames constituting the door,
so that the LEDs are not directly visible from the front face side
of the main body.
[0026] Furthermore, the LEDs may each have a lens for narrowing a
light-distribution angle in a plane perpendicular to the
arrangement direction.
[0027] In such a showcase, by narrowing the light-distribution
angle by the lens, it is possible to increase the light intensity
at the center of light distribution, in other words, at the optical
axis center, to thereby increase light irradiation amount at a
position distant from the LED.
[0028] Here, the lens preferably narrows the light-distribution
angle in terms of the half maximum range of the light intensity to
be about 50 degrees.
[0029] In such a showcase, by narrowing the light-distribution
angle in terms of the half maximum range of the light intensity to
be about 50 degrees, the ratio between light irradiation amount on
commodities and the transparent plate at positions distant from the
LED and light irradiation amount on commodities and the transparent
plate at positions close to the LED, becomes proper.
Effects of the Invention
[0030] According to the showcase of the present invention, since
illumination with direct light and illumination with reflected
light from the transparent plate defining the front face of the
main body, are carried out by LEDs disposed on the front face of
the main body, it is possible to reduce variation of illuminance on
commodities, in other words brightness of the commodities, arranged
on the shelf, and to reduce shading and shadows between the
commodities.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0031] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a showcase of an
embodiment of the present invention.
[0032] FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the showcase
of the embodiment of the present invention.
[0033] FIG. 3 is a partial enlarged cross-sectional view
illustrating the showcase of the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0034] FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating the showcase of
the embodiment of the present invention in a state that a door is
open.
[0035] FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a basic
construction of supporting column frames employed in the showcase
of the embodiment of the present invention.
[0036] FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view illustrating a state in
which a post fabrication is applied to the supporting column frames
employed in the showcase of the embodiment of the present invention
and illumination modules are attached.
[0037] FIG. 7 is a cross-sectional view illustrating the
illumination module to be employed in the showcase of the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0038] FIGS. 8A and 8B are views illustrating the relationship
between the door employed in the showcase of the embodiment of the
present invention and the illumination module, in which FIG. 8A is
a front view illustrating a state in which the door is open and
FIG. 8B is a front view illustrating a state in which the door is
closed.
[0039] FIG. 9 is a view illustrating direct light and reflected
light of the illumination module employed in the showcase of the
embodiment of the present invention.
[0040] FIG. 10 is a view illustrating an ideal light distribution
characteristic in the showcase in which illumination of commodities
is carried out only with direct light from the illumination
module.
[0041] FIG. 11 is a view illustrating generation of shading in the
showcase in which illumination of commodities is carried out only
with direct light from the illumination module.
[0042] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating characteristics of reflected
light in the showcase of the embodiment of the present
invention.
[0043] FIG. 13 is a view illustrating characteristics of
illumination with direct light and reflected light in the showcase
of the embodiment of the present invention.
MODE FOR CARRYING OUT THE INVENTION
[0044] Hereunder embodiments of the present invention will be
described in detail with reference to the drawings.
[0045] FIG. 1 is a front view illustrating a showcase 1 of this
embodiment. This showcase 1 illustrated in FIG. 1 is, for example,
an upright type low-temperature showcase for freezing or
refrigerating to be installed in a supermarket or a convenience
store.
[0046] Here, a low-temperature showcase is explained in this
embodiment, but it may be a temperature-keeping showcase or a
temperature-keeping and refrigerating showcase.
[0047] The showcase 1 includes a housing 3 in which a display space
is defined, and a base leg angle 4 attached to the bottom face of
the housing 3.
[0048] The display space 2 opens to a front face, in other words, a
display side, a customer side or a selling space side. The front
opening of the display space 2 is covered by a door so that the
opening can be opened or closed, and the door has a glass plate 5
being a transparent plate through which the inside is visible. The
door 6 is a hinged door that has one side pivotably supported by a
side portion of the housing 3.
[0049] Both side faces and the back face of the display space 2 are
each defined and covered by a glass plate being a transparent plate
through which the inside is visible, so that the display space is
surrounded by glass plates in four directions. However, in the
showcase, at least one of the rear and both sides of the display
space may be defined by a heat-insulating panel through which the
inside is not visible.
[0050] Here, the glass plates including the glass plate of the door
6, by which the display space 2 is defined, are preferably each a
double-glazed glass and its glass surface is preferably provided
with a transparent heat-insulating film or a heat-insulating
coating in order to increase heat-insulating property.
[0051] Furthermore, in the display space 2, a plurality of stages
of shelves 8 is disposed. In front and rear portions on both sides
constituting inner walls of the display space 2, shelf-supporting
columns, not shown, are vertically provided, and the
shelf-supporting columns are each provided with a plurality of
engaging holes with which the shelves 8 are removably engaged to be
disposed.
[0052] Front and rear faces and side faces of the base leg angle 4
are covered with decorative panels, which define a machine
compartment 9 under the display space 2.
[0053] In the machine compartment 9, an evaporator, a cool
air-circulating blower, a compressor, a condenser and a blower for
the evaporator etc. constituting a cooling apparatus are
accommodated, and circulation of cool air by cool air-circulating
blower is carried out via a cool air suction port and a cool air
discharge port formed on a bottom wall of the display space 2.
[0054] Furthermore, in the machine compartment 9, a mounting
platform 11 having four corners provided with casters 10 is
accommodated, and on the mounting platform 11, components such as
the compressor constituting the cooling apparatus are mounted.
[0055] FIG. 2 is a horizontal cross-sectional view of the display
space 2 in a state that the door 6 is closed, which shows a front
face side portion of the display space 2. Here, in FIG. 2, frames
constituting the door are not shown.
[0056] The housing 3 defining the display space 2 is constituted by
four supporting column frames 14, a door 6 having a glass plate 5,
glass plates 13 defining both side faces and the rear face of the
display space 2, a ceiling plate 17 and a bottom plate (not
shown).
[0057] The supporting column frame 12 is, as illustrated in FIG. 3,
a resin molded component that integrally has two grooves 14, 14 for
fitting therein glass plates 13 defining two faces of the display
space 2, and a shelf-supporting column portion 15 for disposing the
shelves 8 in the display space 2. The supporting column frames 12
are configured so that the housing 3 can be constituted by four
supporting column frames 12 being the same molded components whose
orientations are changed or whose vertical directions are reversed
from one another.
[0058] Here, respective glass plates 13 are fit between left and
right supporting column frames 12 on the rear face side, between
left and right supporting column frames 12 on the left face side
and between left and right supporting column frames 12 on the right
face side. However, no glass plate 13 is fit between left and right
supporting column frames 12 on the front face side since the front
face side is formed into an opening to be opened or closed by the
door 6.
[0059] In this embodiment, in each of grooves 14 of left and right
supporting column frames 12 on the front face side, into which no
glass plate 13 is fit, a rod-shaped illumination module 16 is
disposed so as to cover the vertical length of the display space 2
as shown in FIGS. 3 and 4, and such illumination modules 16
illuminate commodities 7 such as PET bottles disposed on the
shelves 8.
[0060] As illustrated in FIG. 5, four supporting columns at
right-front, left-front, right-rear and left-rear positions are
constituted by the supporting column frames 12 being the same
components whose orientations are changed or whose vertical
directions are reversed from one another. In each supporting column
frame 12, two grooves 14, 14 for fitting therein two glass plates
13 defining the display space 2, are formed. Among both opening
edges of each groove 14, an opening edge close to the outside of
the display space 2 is provided with a lip-shaped portion formed by
folding the portion inside, so that a glass plate 13 can be
sandwiched and held by a narrowed portion between the tip of the
lip-shaped portion and the other opening edge.
[0061] As grooves for disposing the illumination modules 16,
grooves 14 of right-front and left-front, into which no glass plate
13 is fit, are employed.
[0062] Here, the width of the illumination module 16 is narrower
than the width of the bottom portion of the groove 14, but larger
than the width of the narrowed portion at which the width is
narrowed by the lip-shaped portion. Accordingly, a postfabrication
process is applied to the supporting column frame 12 to cut the
lip-shaped portion 14a in the groove 14 into which no glass plate
13 is fit, and as illustrated in FIG. 6, an illumination module 16
is disposed and fixed in the groove 14 of which lip-shaped portion
14a is cut and of which open end is thereby widened.
[0063] The illumination module 16 has, as illustrated in FIG. 7,
LED lamps, each constituted by an LED (light emitting diode) 16a
and a lens 16b, arranged at constant intervals such as intervals of
from 10 mm to 15 mm in a longitudinal direction of the illumination
module 16 and integrated together.
[0064] As the LED 16a, for example, one having a power consumption
of about from 0.1 W to 0.5 W and a light-distribution angle of
about 120 degrees in terms of the half-maximum range of the light
intensity, is employed.
[0065] Furthermore, the lens 16b narrows the light-distribution
angle of the LED 16 in a plane perpendicular to the longitudinal
direction of the supporting column frame 12 to about 50 degrees,
and the narrowing of the light-distribution angle by this lens
increases the light intensity in the vicinity of the optical axis
center.
[0066] The narrowing of the light-distribution angle by the lens
16b is a value to be appropriately set so that while the closest
commodity 7 among commodities 7 arranged along the front end of the
shelf 8 is irradiated with direct light, the most distant commodity
among commodities 7 arranged along the front end of the shelf 8 is
also irradiated with sufficient direct light. Accordingly, the
light distribution angle in terms of the half-maximum range of the
light intensity is not necessarily 50 degrees.
[0067] Here, light is emitted substantially symmetrically about the
optical axis center when the light is emitted from the lens
16b.
[0068] Furthermore, the illumination module 16 has a width W of
about 15 mm, a height H of about 13.5 mm and a length determined
according to the height of the display space 2.
[0069] The height of the illumination module 16 is determined so
that the projecting height of the illumination module 16 becomes,
for example, 1 mm or less when the illumination module 16 is
disposed in the groove 14, so that the area of the opening of the
display space 2 is not narrowed by the illumination module.
[0070] When the projecting height of the illumination modules 16
from the opening edges of the grooves 14 becomes high, commodities
7 disposed on the left and right ends on the shelf 8 may be
partially hidden behind the illumination modules 16 to deteriorate
visibility of the commodities 7 or the commodities may contact with
the illumination modules 16 when the commodities are put in or
taken out. On the other hand, when the illumination module 16 is
disposed in the groove 14 so that it does not project significantly
from the opening edge of the groove 14, it is possible to suppress
deterioration of visibility of commodities 7 due to the
illumination module and to suppress contact of commodities with the
illumination module 16 when the commodities are put in and taken
out.
[0071] Furthermore, the optical axis center of the illumination
module 16 disposed in the groove 14 is pointed toward an opposing
illumination module 16.
[0072] That is, two grooves 14 of left and right supporting column
frames 12 on the front face side into which no glass plate 13 is
fitted, in other words, two grooves 14 located at left and right
ends of the opening of the display space 2 in which respective
illumination modules 16 are disposed, oppose each other on a plane
parallel to the opening of the display space 2 across a space
between a glass plate 5 of a door 6, that is a transparent plate
defining a front face of a main body, and commodities arranged
along the front end of the shelves 8. Accordingly, by disposing the
illumination modules 16 in the grooves 14 so that their optical
axis centers agree with respective opening directions of the
grooves 14, the optical axis centers of the opposing illumination
modules 16 point toward each other.
[0073] FIG. 8A illustrates the showcase 1 in a state in which the
door 6 is open, and FIG. 8B illustrates the showcase 1 in a state
in which the door 6 is closed. As illustrated in FIGS. 8A and B,
when the door 6 is closed, left and right frames 6a, 6a project
toward the center side of the display space 2 further than the tip
of the illumination module 16, in more detail, the tips of the LEDs
16a including the lenses 16b, so that the illumination module 16 is
disposed behind the left and right frames 6a, 6a of the door 6.
[0074] By this configuration, when the showcase 1 is observed from
the front side, the illumination modules 16 are hidden behind the
left and right frames 6a, 6a so that they are not directly visible
from the front side. Thus, a customer experiences little glare due
to direct light entering into the customer's field of view from the
illumination modules 16.
[0075] When the illumination module is turned ON, as illustrated in
FIG. 9, in a state in which the door 6 is closed, not only on
commodities arranged along the front end of each shelf 8 but also a
glass plate 5 constituting the door 6 is directly irradiated with
light from the illumination module, and the commodities arranged
along the front end of each shelf 8 are also irradiated with
reflected light from the glass plate 5.
[0076] That is, the commodities 7 arranged along the front end of
each shelf 8 are illuminated not only by direct light from the
illumination module 16 but also by the reflected light from the
glass plate 5.
[0077] When the commodities 8 arranged along the front end of each
shelf 8 are illuminated with only direct light from the
illumination module 16, the direct light does not reach e.g. side
faces of the commodities 7 that are on the opposite side from the
illumination module 16, and as a result, clear shading and shadows
are formed on the commodities 7. However, since reflected light
from the glass plate 5 is radiated to the commodities 7 at an angle
different from that of the direct light from the illumination
module 16, e.g. side faces of the commodities 7 opposite from the
illumination module 16 are also irradiated with light and the
shading and shadows can be reduced.
[0078] Furthermore, since the light-distribution angle of the LED
16a is narrowed by the lens 16b, the light intensity in the
vicinity of the light-distribution center, in other words in the
vicinity of the optical axis center, is increased. Since the
light-distribution center is pointed toward distant side
commodities 7 among those arranged along the front end of each
shelf 8, the commodities 7 distant from the illumination module 16
can be irradiated with a large amount of direct light. Furthermore,
in the light radiated to the glass plate 5 constituting the door 6,
light radiated to a position distant from the illumination module
16 has a large incident angle to the glass plate 5 and thus shows a
high reflectance, and accordingly, it is possible to increase the
illuminance at the commodities 7 distant from the illumination
module 16.
[0079] Furthermore, since illumination with direct light and
illumination with reflected light are carried out by a pair of
illumination modules 16 provided on the left and right sides across
the row of the commodities, it is possible to supplement the
illuminance at the commodities at positions distant from one
illumination module 16 with direct light and reflected light of the
other illumination module 16. Accordingly, it is possible to
illuminate the commodities 7 arranged along the front end of each
shelf 8 evenly, and it is possible to reduce variation of the
illuminance at the commodities 7, in other words, variation of the
brightness of the commodities.
[0080] As described above, in the showcase 1 of the above
embodiment, it is possible to suppress variation of illuminance
among the commodities 7 arranged along the front end of each shelf
8, and to suppress shading and shadows on each commodity 7, and as
a result, the commodities 7 arranged along the front end of each
shelf 8 as a whole look bright.
[0081] When there is a variation of the illuminance among the
commodities 7 arranged along the front end of each shelf 8, or when
there are shadings and shadows on each commodity 7, even if the
average illuminance is high, in general, a dark impression is given
to the customers. On the other hand, if it is possible to suppress
variation of the illuminance among the goods 7 and shading and
shadows on each commodity 7, when the average illuminance is in the
same level, it is possible to give a bright impression to
customers, and to intensify their desire for purchase.
[0082] Here, when the door 6 is open, the commodities 7 arranged
along the front end of each shelf 7 are not illuminated with
reflected light from the glass plate 5 and are only illuminated
with direct light from the illumination modules 16, and as a
result, variation of the illuminance among the commodities 7 and
shading and shadows on each commodity 7 become large as compared
with a case in which the door is closed.
[0083] However, while the darkness due to the shading and shadows
shows up when the door 6 is open, the illumination effect produced
by the direct light and the reflected light becomes further
impressive when the door is closed. Furthermore, the customer's
desire for purchase is determined when the door is closed, and the
customer opens the door after the customer determines the commodity
to be purchased. Accordingly, it is sufficient for the commodities
as a whole to give a bright impression in a state in which the door
6 is closed.
[0084] FIG. 10 illustrates required light-distribution
characteristics for equalizing illuminances at commodities 7
arranged along the front end of each shelf 8 when the commodities
arranged on the shelf are illuminated only with direct light from
the illumination modules 16.
[0085] That is, logically, to one of the commodities 7 located at
the center of the front end of each shelf 8, substantially equal
amounts of light reach from left and right illumination modules 16,
and the illuminance is determined by the sum total of them. To one
of the commodities 7 located at a position off the center position,
the amount of light from one of the left and right illumination
modules is less and amount of light from the other is greater, and
it is preferable that the total illuminance be the same as that of
the commodity 7 at the center.
[0086] However, it is difficult to achieve such an ideal light
distribution. Furthermore, in the case of illumination only with
direct light, it is possible to illuminate uniformly and brightly
commodities having no recesses or protrusions such as box-shaped
commodities. However, when the arranged commodities 7 are
commodities such as PET bottles having recesses or protrusions, as
illustrated in FIG. 11, a protrusion of one of the commodities 7
close to the illumination module 16 blocks light and produces
shading on the commodity 7.
[0087] FIG. 12 is a view illustrating characteristics of reflected
light in a case in which light from the illumination module 16 is
reflected by a glass plate 5 of the door 6 and commodities 7 are
illuminated with direct light and reflected light. In order to
facilitate understanding, the figure illustrates reflective
characteristics of only light from the illumination module 16
disposed on the left side of the front face of the main body.
[0088] The light reflectance of the glass plate 5 increases as the
incident angle to the glass plate 5 increases, and the incident
angle increases as the light incident position into the glass plate
5 departs from the illumination module 16. However, since the light
is reflected so that the incident angle equals the reflection
angle, light reflected at a position of the glass plate further
than the center position is not radiated to the commodities 7 and
thus does not contribute to increase of illuminance.
[0089] However, in the reflection region of the glass plate 5, from
which the reflected light is radiated to the commodities 7, the
reflectivity increases as the distance from the illumination module
16 increases, and the commodities 7 at positions distant from the
illumination module 16 can be efficiently illuminated. Furthermore,
as illustrated in FIG. 13, a shade portion of one of the
commodities 7 to which direct light from the illumination module
does not reach, can be irradiated with reflected light emitted from
the other illumination module 16 and reflected by the glass plate
5, so as to reduce shading and shadows produced between the
commodities 7.
[0090] In addition, in the above embodiment, the optical axis
center of the illumination module 16 disposed in the groove 14, is
pointed toward an opposing illumination module to each other, but
it can be set in a direction slightly inclined toward the shelf 8
side from the direction toward the opposing illumination module 16,
for example, in a direction toward one of the commodities 7 at the
most distant position among the commodities 7 arranged along the
front end of the shelf 8.
[0091] As described above, reflected light of light incident into a
distant position of the glass plate 5 in the light emitted from the
illumination module 16, does not reach the commodities disposed on
the shelves 8 and thus is wasted. Thus, the optical axis center of
the illumination module 16 is inclined toward the shelf 8 side from
the direction toward the other opposing illumination module 16 so
that the light intensity in a region of the glass plate 5 from
which the reflected light is not radiated to the commodities 7 is
reduced, and relatively, the light intensity of direct light to the
commodities 7 at distant positions is increased to achieve
effective illumination.
[0092] However, in order to incline the optical axis center from
the opening direction of the groove 14, it is necessary to make the
pair of left and right illumination modules 16 different
components, or to increase projection of each illumination module
16 from the opening edge of the groove 14. On the other hand, when
illumination modules 16 are disposed so that the optical axis of
each illumination module 16 points toward the opposing illumination
module 16 each other, it is possible to make the pair of left and
right illumination modules 16 the same components, and to minimize
projection of each illumination module 16 from the opening edge of
the groove 14.
[0093] Furthermore, it is possible to dispose a pair of
illumination modules 16, that are to be disposed so as to oppose to
each other, on the rear side of the frames of the door 6, which are
frames constituting the front face of the main body. In this case,
when the door 6 is open, direct light from the illumination modules
16 does not reach the commodities 7 sufficiently, and the
illuminance at commodities arranged along the front end of each
shelf 8 becomes low. However, as described above, while the
darkness due to shading and shadows shows up when the door 6 is
open, the illumination effect produced by the direct light and the
reflected light becomes further impressive when the door 6 is
closed. Furthermore, the customer's desire for purchase is
determined when the door 6 is closed, and in a state in which the
customer closes the door, it is possible to perform illumination
equivalent to that in the case of disposing the illumination
modules 16 in the grooves 14 of the supporting column frames, and
accordingly, it is possible to intensify the customer's desire for
purchase. Furthermore, it is possible to suppress decrease of
visibility due to blockage by the illumination modules 16 of the
commodities 7 and to reduce the risk of contact of the commodities
7 with the illumination module 16 when the commodities 7 are put in
or taken out.
[0094] Furthermore, instead of disposing a pair of illumination
modules 16, which are to be disposed so as to oppose each other, on
left and right ends, it is possible to dispose them on upper and
lower ends. Furthermore, it is also possible to dispose a pair of
illumination modules 16 on left and right ends and another pair of
illumination modules on upper and lower ends. Furthermore, it is
also possible to dispose an illumination module 16 only on one of
the left and the right ends, or only one of the upper and the lower
ends. Furthermore, it is also possible to dispose in the central
portion of the front face of the main body LEDs for illuminating
commodities with direct light and reflected light from the glass
plate 5.
[0095] Furthermore, in the showcase 1 of this embodiment, the door
6 for opening and closing the display space 2 is provided on the
front side of the main body, but it is apparent that illumination
modules 16 similar to those of the above embodiment are applicable
to a showcase provided with an opening and closing door also on the
rear side so as to allow e.g. supplement of commodities through the
rear side door.
[0096] Furthermore, in this embodiment, a showcase having a front
face side opened and closed by the door 6 is described. However,
also in a showcase having a front face side covered with a glass
plate and a rear side provided with an open-close door, it is
possible to apply the illumination technique of the present
invention, that is a construction in which a plurality of LEDs are
arranged along the longitudinal direction of portions of frames
constituting a front face of the main body and opposing to each
other in a display space, and commodities displayed on shelves are
illuminated with direct light from the LEDs and reflected light
from the glass plate covering the front face. In such a case,
effects similar to those of the above embodiment are obtained.
[0097] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, all four sides
defining the periphery of the display space 2 are constituted by
glass plates, but it is possible to constitute at least one side
other than the front face by, for example, a non-transparent plate
produced by pasting a decorative panel to a heat-insulating
material.
[0098] Furthermore, in the above embodiment, glass plates are
employed as transparent plates, but it is also possible to employ
transparent resin plates as the transparent plates. Accordingly,
the transparent plates are not limited to glass plates.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0099] 1 . . . showcase, 2 . . . display space, 3 . . . housing, 4
. . . base leg angle, 5 . . . glass plate, 6 . . . door, 7 . . .
commodity, 8 . . . shelf, 9 . . . machine compartment, 10 . . .
caster, 11 . . . mounting platform, 12 . . . supporting column
frame, 13 . . . glass plate, 14 . . . groove, 15 . . .
shelf-supporting portion, 16 . . . illumination module, 16a . . .
LED, 16b . . . lens, 17 . . . ceiling plate
* * * * *