U.S. patent application number 15/378913 was filed with the patent office on 2017-06-22 for multi-purpose retail display merchandising cabinet with detachable cooling system.
The applicant listed for this patent is Ronny Hay. Invention is credited to Ronny Hay.
Application Number | 20170172317 15/378913 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57708861 |
Filed Date | 2017-06-22 |
United States Patent
Application |
20170172317 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hay; Ronny |
June 22, 2017 |
MULTI-PURPOSE RETAIL DISPLAY MERCHANDISING CABINET WITH DETACHABLE
COOLING SYSTEM
Abstract
A multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity is provided.
An insulated case defines an internal product display area. The
internal display area can be non-refrigerated and may only use a
detachable fan cooling cartridge to maintain the ambient room
temperature inside the internal product display area.
Alternatively, the cavity can become refrigerated when a detachable
refrigerated cooling cartridge is used to refrigerate the internal
display area, thus allowing the cabinet to be easily and
interchangeably used as either a dry goods cabinet for
non-refrigerated goods or as a refrigerator for refrigerated
goods.
Inventors: |
Hay; Ronny; (Chatsworth,
CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Hay; Ronny |
Chatsworth |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57708861 |
Appl. No.: |
15/378913 |
Filed: |
December 14, 2016 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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62269387 |
Dec 18, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
A47F 3/0408 20130101;
A47F 3/0426 20130101; A47F 9/04 20130101; F25D 2400/16 20130101;
A47F 3/001 20130101; A47F 3/0482 20130101; A47F 3/06 20130101; A47F
3/0478 20130101; A47F 2009/041 20130101; F25D 19/02 20130101; F25D
2400/14 20130101; A47F 3/0443 20130101 |
International
Class: |
A47F 3/04 20060101
A47F003/04; A47F 9/04 20060101 A47F009/04; F25D 19/02 20060101
F25D019/02; A47F 3/00 20060101 A47F003/00 |
Claims
1. A multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity comprising:
a case including a product display area within the case; a cooling
cartridge insertion slot attached to the case; and a case air vent
extending from within the product display area of the case into the
cooling cartridge insertion slot; wherein the cooling cartridge
insertion slot is configured to removably receive a cooling
cartridge, the cooling cartridge including a cartridge air vent
which is configured to be coupled to the case air vent to allow the
cooling cartridge to circulate cooled air into the product display
area; and wherein the cavity is adapted to serve as a refrigerated
unit upon insertion of the cooling cartridge into the cooling
cartridge insertion slot, and wherein the cavity is adapted to
serve as a dry goods cabinet upon removal of the cooling cartridge
from the cooling cartridge insertion slot.
2. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cavity is configured to be installable within one of
a trimmed wall insertion or a customized kiosk.
3. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, further comprising shelving within the product display area.
4. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cavity includes a door connected to the case which
encloses the product display area.
5. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cavity includes at least one of lighting, marketing
elements, signage, and temperature sensors.
6. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the case includes one of insulated walls or insulated
lining.
7. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cavity is configured to be installed in a
computer-controlled, automated store outlet.
8. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cooling cartridge insertion slot is disposed below
the product display area.
9. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cooling cartridge insertion slot is situated on top
of the case.
10. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, further comprising rails attached to the cooling cartridge
insertion slot to facilitate insertion and removal of the cooling
cartridge.
11. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cooling cartridge is a refrigerated cooling
cartridge including a compressor, condenser, and evaporator.
12. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cooling cartridge includes at least one of a blower,
thermostat, and visual status display indicators.
13. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cooling cartridge includes an electrical cord for
providing power to the cooling cartridge.
14. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cartridge air vent comprises an air outlet and an
air inlet.
15. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cooling cartridge is configured to stop circulation
of cooled air into the product display area when the temperature
inside the product display area has reached a predetermined degree,
and wherein the cooling cartridge is configured to restart
circulation of cooled air into the product display area when the
temperature inside the product display area has exceeded the
predetermined degree.
16. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cooling cartridge is a fan cartridge including a fan
vent, the fan vent being configured to be coupled to the case air
vent to allow the cooling cartridge to circulate ambient air into
the product display area, the cavity being adapted to serve as a
dry goods cabinet upon insertion of the fan cartridge into the
cooling cartridge insertion slot.
17. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
16, wherein the fan cartridge includes an exhaust fan to exhaust
heated air from the product display area.
18. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cooling cartridge insertion slot includes a
decorative grill for concealing the cooling cartridge.
19. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein the cavity includes thermostat controls for monitoring
and adjusting the temperature within the product display area.
20. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, further comprising wheels attached to the cavity to facilitate
movement of the cavity.
21. The multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of claim
1, wherein if the cooling cartridge has failed, the cavity is
restorable into a refrigerated unit only by replacement of the
cooling cartridge.
22. A multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity comprising:
a case including a product display area within the case; a cooling
cartridge insertion slot attached to the case; a case air vent
extending from within the product display area of the case into the
cooling cartridge insertion slot; and a cooling cartridge removably
received within the cooling cartridge insertion slot, the cooling
cartridge including a cartridge air vent which is configured to be
coupled to the case air vent to allow the cooling cartridge to
circulate cooled air into the product display area; wherein the
cavity is adapted to serve as a refrigerated unit upon insertion of
the cooling cartridge into the cooling cartridge insertion slot,
and wherein the cavity is adapted to serve as a dry goods cabinet
upon removal of the cooling cartridge from the cooling cartridge
insertion slot.
23. A plurality of multi-purpose retail display merchandising
cavities comprising: a plurality of cases disposed adjacent to each
other, each case including a product display area, each of the
plurality of cases including a cooling cartridge insertion slot
attached to each individual case; and a plurality of case air
vents, each case air vent extending from within the product display
area of each case into each cooling cartridge insertion slot;
wherein each cooling cartridge insertion slot is configured to
removably receive a cooling cartridge, each cooling cartridge
including a cartridge air vent which is configured to be coupled to
the case air vent to allow the cooling cartridge to circulate
cooled air into the product display area; and wherein each cavity
is adapted to serve as a refrigerated unit upon insertion of the
cooling cartridge into the cooling cartridge insertion slot, and
wherein each cavity is adapted to serve as a dry goods cabinet upon
removal of the cooling cartridge from the cooling cartridge
insertion slot.
24. The plurality of multi-purpose retail display merchandising
cavities of claim 23, wherein the cavities are configured to be
self-standing.
25. The plurality of multi-purpose retail display merchandising
cavities of claim 23, wherein the cavities are configured to be
installable within one of a trimmed wall insertion or a customized
kiosk.
26. The plurality of multi-purpose retail display merchandising
cavities of claim 23, wherein the cavities are configured to be
installed in a computer-controlled, automated store outlet with
customized trays, wiring, and a product detection system installed
inside each product display area.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application claims priority from U.S. Provisional
Application No. 62/269,387, filed Dec. 18, 2015, which is
incorporated by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND
[0002] The present invention generally relates to retail display
merchandising cabinets. More particularly, the present invention
relates to a multi-purpose retail display merchandising cabinet
having a detachable cooling system.
[0003] Within retail establishments, it is very common that
multiple retail display cabinets and refrigerators are placed
adjacent to one another. Such retail display cabinets and
refrigerators are often self-standing units that are placed next to
each other, such as along a wall or along the aisles of a store. In
many cases, however, the display cabinets and refrigerators are
installed within a trimmed wall insertion, or inserted into a
customized kiosk or other type of customized structure so as to
maximize space availability and/or be visually appealing to
customers.
[0004] When display cabinets and refrigerators are installed within
a wall insertion or within a customized framing structure, their
mobility is restricted, and accessibility to their component parts
such as their side and back walls and the like is also limited. In
many such cases, portions of the trim or parts of the structure are
required to be disabled or removed in order to reposition the
cabinet or refrigerator or to gain access to parts of the cabinet
or refrigerator, such as during service, repairs or the like.
[0005] Currently, retail display merchandising cabinets are not
able to store goods which require refrigeration or freezing.
Instead, dedicated refrigerator units serve this purpose. As such,
repositioning non-refrigerated goods with respect to refrigerated
goods and their cabinets can be very complicated and expensive.
[0006] For example, in the automated store outlet described in
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/321,573, a plurality
of bays are provided in which the customer can access and purchase
refrigerated and non-refrigerated goods in respectively dedicated
refrigerated and non-refrigerated cabinets. However, when
reorganizing the placement of the refrigerated and non-refrigerated
bays or cabinets with respect to one another and/or adding
refrigerated or non-refrigerated bays, simplification is
needed.
[0007] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a
multi-purpose retail cavity which can serve as a non-refrigerated
retail display merchandising cabinet as well as be modifiable to
include a cooling system and to hold refrigerated goods. Such a
multi-purpose display cavity would resolve the issues associated
with converting and replacing non-refrigerated cabinets with
refrigerated cabinets, and vice versa. It would provide a great
deal of flexibility to retailers, including those utilizing the
automated store outlet discussed above. The present invention
fulfills these needs, and provides other related advantages.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] The present invention provides a multi-purpose retail
display merchandising cavity which, for example, can be used in
connection with non-refrigerated and dry goods applications, but
can also easily be changed and used as a refrigerated unit for
storing goods that need to be refrigerated and/or frozen or the
like. It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the
present invention allows a retail establishment's operator to
choose and conveniently allocate the use of such cavities,
particularly when they are installed in a trimmed wall insertion,
or inserted into a customized kiosk or other type of customized
structure. Instead of having to remove and replace a
non-refrigerated cabinet with a refrigerated cabinet, or vice
versa, the use of the universal cavity allows the operator to make
that change easily. The operator can conveniently choose to use
each cavity as either a refrigerated cabinet for refrigerated goods
or as a non-refrigerated cabinet for goods that do not require
refrigeration, as needed. Such selection by the operator can be
easily implemented and will be more fully described herein. A fan
cartridge may also be installed in a dry good cavity to keep
moderate temperature within the cavity and to avoid product
melting.
[0009] Accordingly, a multi-purpose retail display merchandising
cavity is provided including a case having a product display area
within the case, a cooling cartridge insertion slot attached to the
case, and a case air vent extending from within the product display
area of the case into the cooling cartridge insertion slot. The
cooling cartridge insertion slot is configured to removably receive
a cooling cartridge, which may comprise either a refrigerated
cooling cartridge or a fan cartridge. The cooling cartridge
includes a cartridge air vent configured to be coupled to the case
air vent to allow the cooling cartridge to circulate cooled air
into the product display area. Thus, the cavity is adapted to serve
as a refrigerated unit upon insertion of the cooling cartridge into
the cooling cartridge insertion slot, and to serve as a dry goods
cabinet upon removal of the cooling cartridge from the cooling
cartridge insertion slot or upon insertion of the fan cartridge
into the cooling cartridge insertion slot.
[0010] Moreover, a plurality of multi-purpose retail display
merchandising cavities are provided including a plurality of cases
disposed adjacent to each other each having a product display area
within the case, a plurality of cooling cartridge insertion slots
individually attached to each case, and a plurality of case air
vents each extending from within the product display area of each
case into each cooling cartridge insertion slot. Each cooling
cartridge insertion slot is configured to removably receive a
cooling cartridge, which may comprise either a refrigerated cooling
cartridge or a fan cartridge. Each cooling cartridge includes a
cartridge air vent which is configured to be coupled to the case
air vent to allow the cooling cartridge to circulate cooled air
into the product display area. Thus, each cavity is adapted to
selectively serve as a refrigerated unit upon insertion of the
refrigerated cooling cartridge into the cooling cartridge insertion
slot, and to selectively serve as a dry goods cabinet upon removal
of the cooling cartridge from the cooling cartridge insertion slot
or insertion of the fan cartridge into the cooling cartridge
insertion slot.
[0011] These and other aspects and advantages of the invention will
become apparent from the following detailed description and the
accompanying drawings, which illustrate by way of example the
features of the invention.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] FIG. 1 is a front perspective view of a multi-purpose retail
display merchandising cavity embodying the present invention.
[0013] FIG. 2 is a bottom rear perspective view of the
multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity of FIG. 1,
illustrating a lower portion of the cavity having a cartridge air
vent or duct extending from an internal product display area of the
cavity.
[0014] FIG. 3 is a perspective view of a cooling system cartridge
attachable to the multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity
of FIG. 1, which can serve as a refrigeration cartridge including a
compressor, condenser, evaporator, fans, blowers and other
refrigeration components, or as a fan cartridge including only one
or more fans.
[0015] FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of the multi-purpose
retail display merchandising cavity of FIG. 1 in which the cooling
system cartridge has been attached to the cabinet.
[0016] FIG. 5 is a front perspective view of the multi-purpose
retail display merchandising cavity of FIG. 1 with attached cooling
system cartridge further including shelves, which can be solid or
wire.
[0017] FIG. 6 is a front perspective view of a plurality of
multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavities with attached
cooling system cartridges placed adjacent to one another.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0018] Referring to the drawings, which are provided for purposes
of illustration and by way of example, and with reference now to
FIG. 1, a multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavity 100
embodying the present invention is provided. The cavity 100
illustrated in FIG. 1 is shown without shelving, a door, lighting
or other accessories, but any or all of these features may be used
with the cavity 100. The cavity 100 includes an insulated,
insolated refrigerator case 102 which defines an internal product
display area 104. The walls of the case 102, or at least an
internal lining thereof, are insulated for use as a refrigerated
unit, when desired.
[0019] A door (not shown) may be attached to the case 102 to access
goods when the cavity 100 is used as a refrigerated unit to prevent
any cold air from exiting the internal display area 104 and to
maintain the internal display area 104 at a desired temperature.
Moreover, when the cavity 100 of the present invention is used in
association with a computer-controlled, unattended automated
checkout store outlet system, as disclosed for example, in
co-pending U.S. patent application Ser. Nos. 13/912,006 and
14/321,573, the contents of which are incorporated by reference
herein, a normally locked door will typically be attached to the
case 102 to prevent unauthorized access to the contents within the
display area 104. It will also be appreciated by those skilled in
the art that shelves can be installed in the product display area
104 as well as lights, marketing elements, signage, temperature
sensors, etc. as needed and desired.
[0020] With continuing reference to FIG. 1, the cavity 100 includes
a cooling cartridge insertion slot 106 into which a cooling system
cartridge can be removably inserted and attached. The cooling
cartridge insertion slot 106 is typically disposed at a lower
portion of the cabinet 100, such as immediately below the internal
display area 104, although it is not limited to such an
arrangement. Rails 108 attached to the cooling cartridge insertion
slot may be used to facilitate the insertion and removal of the
cooling cartridge unit. Alternatively, the cooling cartridge may be
installed on the top of the case 102 when the local facility's
height allows and/or when the such setup may be desirable.
[0021] With reference now to FIG. 2, a case air vent 109 or baffle
having air channel openings 110 extends from within the internal
display area 104 and into the cooling cartridge insertion slot 106.
This vent 109 with air channel openings 110 can be used to
circulate air through the internal display area 104. The
configuration of such vents and the connection methods between the
vents and the cooling cartridge may vary as known to those of skill
in the art. Such connection is particularly desirable when a
cooling cartridge unit is attached to the case 102 in order to
supply cooled air to the internal display area 104. However, the
air channel vent and openings can also be used to circulate air
when the cavity 100 is used as a non-refrigerated cabinet to keep
fresh air within the cabinet, to control odors, and to circulate
cool ambient air within the cabinet to maintain the state of the
goods disposed therein. For example, there are consumable goods
which do not require refrigeration but can become undesirable if
overheated, such as chocolate candies or other items capable of
melting. Without air circulation, these goods could be negatively
impacted. A fan in a full size cooling cartridge, or in any other
configuration, could be incorporated into the cooling cartridge
insertion slot 106 relative to the air vent 109 in order to assure
proper ventilation and passage of fresh air into the cavity 100,
even when the cavity is not utilized as a refrigerator.
[0022] With reference now to FIG. 3, a cooling system unit or
cartridge 112 used in accordance with the present invention is
shown. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the cooling
cartridge 112 is a self-contained unit having internal parts and
components, such as a compressor, condenser, and evaporator (all
not shown) to operate as a refrigeration system. The cooling
cartridge 112 may include other electronic circuitry and components
as needed, such as a blower, thermostat, visual status display
indicators, and the like. When a cavity 100 is to be used as a
refrigerated cabinet, the refrigerated cooling cartridge 112 is
inserted into the cooling cartridge insertion slot 106 and powered
by means of plugging in electrical cord 114 into a local power
outlet within or outside the cavity, or to any other power supply,
for example. The case air vent 109 of the cavity is coupled to a
corresponding cartridge air vent or duct 115 of the cooling
cartridge 112 so that air can be circulated between the cooling
cartridge 112 and the internal display area 104. Typically, the
cooling cartridge includes multiple vents or air channel openings,
including air outlet 116 and air inlets 117, to enable the
circulation of cooled air into the internal display area 104 of the
cavity 100, and of warmer air to be recirculated back into the
cooling cartridge 112 for cooling. Such air circulation generally
continues until the temperature inside the display area 104 lowers
to a predetermined degree, and then restarts when the temperature
becomes greater than the predetermined degree.
[0023] In an alternative embodiment of the cooling cartridge 112
shown in FIG. 3, the cooling cartridge does not operate as a
refrigeration system, but rather serves as a fan cartridge 112'
including air inlet vents or fan openings 118 which may be
positioned in the front of the cartridge or in any other position
for drawing in and blowing local ambient air into the cavity to
cool the display area 104. The fan cooling cartridge may also
include an exhaust fan 120 to exhaust the heated air created inside
the display area 104 to the outside of the cavity 100.
[0024] With reference now to FIG. 4, when an installed cavity 100
is used as a refrigerator unit, the refrigerated cooling cartridge
112 is inserted into the cooling cartridge insertion slot 106, the
cooling cartridge is connected to a local electrical outlet or any
power supply, and the air vents and ducts 109 and 115 are properly
connected to one another as needed. When the installed cavity 100
is used as a dry good cabinet, the fan cooling cartridge 112' is
inserted into the cooling cartridge insertion slot 106, the fan
cartridge is connected to an electrical outlet or any power supply,
and the air vents and ducts 109 and 115 are properly connected to
one another as needed. It will be appreciated that the cooling
cartridge insertion slot 106 may be covered with a decorative grill
or the like to conceal the cooling cartridge 112. A front door may
also be affixed to the front of the case 102. Shelves 122 or any
other type of support for the goods (see FIG. 5) can also be
installed inside of the internal product display area 104. Although
not shown, it will be understood that lights, marketing elements
and signage could also be installed inside or outside the cavity as
desired.
[0025] When the cooling cartridge 112 is inserted into its slot or
compartment 106, its cooled air output is tightly engaged with the
intake/supply duct or vent 109 of the case 102, and when the
cooling system is powered on, cooled air from the cooling cartridge
112 is transferred into the internal product display area 104 of
the case 102. The air circulates, either continuously or as needed,
between the cooling cartridge 112 and the product display area 104
via the air vents 115 and through the case's intake/supply duct
109. Additional fans may be installed to induce such air
circulation. Thermostat controls may be installed to monitor and
control the temperature inside the product display area 104, and to
power on and off or otherwise adjust the cooling system of the
cartridge 112 to maintain the desired temperature within the
display unit 104.
[0026] As shown in the various drawings, the cavity unit 100 or
case 102 may also include wheels 124, rollers, casters or the like
which enable an individual cavity 100 to be easily transported from
one location to another. This would facilitate, for example, the
insertion or removal of a cavity unit 100 from within an installed
trimmed wall insertion, a customized kiosk or structure, or the
like. However, it is the convenient and easy access of the cooling
cartridge insertion slot 106, into which a cooling cartridge 112 or
112' can be easily attached or detached, which makes the use of the
cavity 100 as either a refrigerated unit or a non-refrigerated unit
particularly desirable.
[0027] With reference now to FIG. 6, a plurality of cavities 100
can be used as self-standing units, as illustrated, or installed
inside a trimmed wall insertion or customized kiosk or structure to
display retail goods. Although all of the cavities 100 in FIG. 6
are illustrated as having a cooling cartridge 112 associated
therewith, and thus serve for purposes of this illustration as
refrigerated units, it will be understood that any of the cooling
cartridges can be powered off or even removed, and a particular
cavity 100 may be used as a non-refrigerated cabinet for goods.
Such cooling cartridges thus may either be refrigerated cooling
cartridges 112 or fan cooling cartridges 112'. Therefore, the
illustrated and exemplary arrangement of five adjacent cavity units
100 could be varied to form any numerical combination of
refrigerated and non-refrigerated cabinets, as desired by the
retailer or operator, without having to physically move the cavity
units 100.
[0028] The operator can conveniently choose to use each cavity 100
as a non-refrigerated or dry goods display cabinet, or
alternatively as a refrigerator display unit. If at any time, the
operator chooses to change the use of a refrigerator display unit,
he or she can simply remove the refrigerated cooling cartridge 112
and turn the refrigerator into a dry goods or non-refrigerated
display cabinet, or vice versa, and optionally attach a fan cooling
cartridge 112'. When a refrigerator unit breaks down, the operator
can simply replace the cooling cartridge and restore the
refrigerator without the need to disable any part of the
surrounding trim or structure.
[0029] When the multi-purpose retail display merchandising cavities
of the present invention are installed in an automated store
outlet, as described in the co-pending patent applications
mentioned above, the customized trays, wiring, product detection
system and other electronic components may be installed inside the
product display area 104 to provide the unique functions of the
automated store outlet. As mentioned above, each cavity case 102
will typically have a door affixed thereto to prevent unauthorized
access to the goods therein. The use of the cavity of the present
invention provides flexibility to easily change such allocation
between refrigerated and non-refrigerated bays or units, making the
system very desirable. Additionally, the uniform look of all such
progressive multi-purpose cavities, side-by-side, within a trimmed
wall insertion, or within a customized kiosk, structure or
automated store outlet, creates an attractive high-tech appearance
and provides marketing advantages.
[0030] It will be apparent from the foregoing that, while
particular forms of the invention have been illustrated and
described, various modifications can be made without departing from
the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, it is not
intended that the invention be limited, except as by the appended
claims.
* * * * *