Modular refrigeration cassette with condensate evaporative tray

Abstract

The interior space within a refrigeration unit cassette associated with a refrigerated merchandiser is divided by a division wall (68) into a first section in air flow communication with interior product display space, and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with the environment exterior of the cabinet. An evaporator module (160) is disposed within the first section, and a condenser module (170) is disposed within the second section. The division plate has a forward portion sloping downwardly from an upper forward region of the first section to an aft portion thereby forming a converging channel. The aft portion extends generally horizontally in spaced relationship above the base plate forming an exhaust channel. A condensate tray is disposed in the exhaust channel generally beneath the evaporator module to collect condensate draining from the evaporator module.

Description

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60 / 663,112, filed Mar. 18, 2005, and entitled MODULAR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE DESIGN FOR USE IN REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER, which application is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. [0002] This application is related to the following applications subject to assignment to the common assignee of this application and filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the same date as this application: [0003] U.S. patent application Ser. No. (Attorney Docket No. 210—817NP), entitled “REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER”; [0004] U.S. patent application Ser. No. (Attorney Docket No. 210—816NP), entitled “SEALING SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE”; [0005] U.S. patent application Ser. No. (Attorney Docket No. 210—820NP), entitled “MODULAR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE”; [0006] U.S. patent application Ser. No. (Attorney Docket No. 210—818NP), entitled “BOTTOM DECK ASS...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0017] In one aspect, it is an object of the invention to provide a refrigeration cassette adapted to provide improved evaporation of condensate collected in a condensate tray.

[0018] It is a further object of the apparatus aspect of the invention to provide a refrigeration cassette adapted to increase the velocity of the condenser airflow passing over the surface of condensate collected in a condensate tray.

[0020] It is a further object of the method aspect of the invention to provide an improved method for increasing the velocity of the condenser airflow passing over the surface of condensate collected in a condensate tray.

Problems solved by technology

Due to the generally low velocity of the air flowing through the condenser or exhausting from the condenser fan, the evaporation of condensate by the condenser air flow passing over the surface of the condensate collected in the condensate tray is relatively slow.

Although effective in increasing the rate of evaporation to a degree, the aforementioned techniques involve increased components and increased expense.

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