Anti-fog refrigeration door and method of making the same

Abstract

The energy-free refrigeration door of the present application provides a way to control condensation when the door of a refrigeration unit is opened by providing thermal insulation to the door with glass panels which have a low emissivity coating. The door includes a door frame housing and an insulating glass unit comprising inner, middle and outer sheets of glass. A first sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the inner and middle sheets of glass forms a first chamber between the inner and middle sheets of glass. A second sealant assembly disposed around the periphery of the middle and outer sheets of glass forms a second chamber between the middle and outer sheets of glass. A gas, such as krypton, air, or argon is held in the first and second chambers. The outer sheet of glass and inner sheet of glass each have an unexposed surface that faces the middle sheet of glass. A low emissivity coating is disposed on the unexposed surfaces of the inner and outer sheets of glass so that the glass door as a whole has a U value that prevents formation of condensation on the outer surface of the outer sheet of the glass door, without the application of electricity to heat the door, while also providing the desired evaporation rate of condensation from the inner side of the inner sheet of the glass door. An anti-fog or anti-frost coating may be included on a surface of one of the sheets of glass.

Description

[0001] This application for patent claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 610964, filed September 20, 2004, and U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 60 / 700308, filed July 19, 2005, both of which are incorporated herein in their entirety Cited as a reference for the patent application of the present invention. technical field [0002] The present invention relates generally to refrigeration doors, insulated glass units, and refrigeration systems, and more particularly to anti-fog or anti-frost energy-free refrigeration doors that provide condensation control, thermal insulation, and a desired amount of visible light transmission. More specifically, the refrigerator door of the present invention achieves these desirable features by applying a low-E coating without electrically heating the door and by applying an anti-fog / anti-frost coating or film. In this application, the term "refrigerated door" means a door for refrigerators, refrigerators and sim...

AI Technical Summary

Problems solved by technology

[0012] Second, excess heat from conventional heated refrigerator doors will be transferred to the refrigerator compartment, placing an additional burden on the cooling system, which results in higher energy costs

To achieve the necessary precise control of the door heating system, an electrical control system is required, which results in increased design and manufacturing costs, as well as significant operating and maintenance costs

[0013] Fourth, these electrically heated glass doors pose a safety hazard to customers and create potential risks of debt and exposure for retailers as well as manufacturers of refrigeration units

Also, these articles can scratch or stain easily and are not sufficiently tolerant or resistant to common solvents

Additionally, traditional anti-fog products can suffer from common coating problems such as dripping, running, entrapment of dust, and chemical cracking

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