REFRIGERATING UNIT AND METHOD FOR PRESERVING AND PRESENTING FISH

Abstract

Title: REFRIGERATING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR PRESERVING AND PRESENTING FISH Refrigerating assembly for presenting and preserving fish, the refrigerating assembly comprising a refrigerating display case (1) delimiting a presentation zone (ZP) where the fish without packaging is intended to be presented and preserved, the refrigerating assembly comprising a forced convection refrigerating unit (GR) configured and arranged so as to be capable of being in a refrigeration configuration in which it maintains an ambient temperature of the presentation zone (ZP) at a predetermined target temperature of between -1°C and 2°C and in which a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerating circuit (CR) of the refrigerating unit (GR) evaporates, in an evaporator (EV) of the refrigerating unit,at a predetermined evaporation temperature between -5°C and -2°C such that a difference between the target temperature and the evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 7°C. Figure for abstract: [Fig.1],

Description

Title of the invention: REFRIGERATING ASSEMBLY AND METHOD FOR PRESERVING AND PRESENTING FISH Field of invention

[0001] The invention relates to the field of refrigerated units with refrigerated display cases allowing the presentation of fresh products to consumers while ensuring their preservation.

[0002] The invention applies more particularly to the preservation of unpackaged fresh fish.

[0003] Such assemblies must be capable of maintaining the heart of the fish at a temperature, called core temperature, between 0°C and 2°C.

[0004] Stalls are known for ensuring the preservation of fresh, unpackaged fish on a bed of ice.

[0005] However, these stalls have a large number of disadvantages.

[0006] Indeed, the ice melts. The fish is therefore not constantly covered with the refrigerant, which exposes it to large temperature variations, often above 2°C. These temperature variations, combined with prolonged exposure of the fish to temperatures above 2°C, promote, just like direct contact of the fish with the melted ice, the rapid deterioration of the fish, which leads to fish losses and the development of fish spoilage bacteria likely to give off foul odors.

[0007] Furthermore, direct contact of the fish with melting ice has a negative effect on the taste and texture of the fish. The flesh of the fish absorbs the water present in its storage environment, which has the effect of reducing the taste, softening the texture of the fish and complicating cooking.

[0008] In addition, the use of ice involves significant water consumption and numerous maintenance activities. It is also the cause of significant musculoskeletal disorders among fishmongers.

[0009] An aim of the present invention is to propose a solution for preserving unpackaged fresh fish without using ice.

[0010] To this end, the invention relates to a refrigerating assembly allowing the presentation and preservation of fish, the refrigerating assembly comprising a refrigerating display case delimiting a presentation zone where the fish without packaging is intended to be presented and preserved, the refrigerating assembly comprising a forced convection refrigerating unit configured and arranged so as to be capable of being in a refrigeration configuration in which it maintains an ambient temperature of the presentation area at a predetermined target temperature between -1°C and 2°C and in which a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant circuit of the refrigerating unit evaporates, in an evaporator of the refrigerating unit, at a predetermined evaporation temperature between -5°C and -2°C such that a difference between the target temperature and the evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

[0011] According to a particular embodiment, the ambient temperature is between 0°C and 2°C.

[0012] According to one embodiment, the refrigerated display case comprises a tank on which a glass cover is mounted so as to seal an opening delimited by the tank when the glass cover is in a closed state and to delimit a refrigerated cavity, the refrigerated cavity comprising the presentation area, the evaporator being housed in the tank.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the refrigerated display case comprises a support on which the fish is intended to rest when it is received in the presentation area, the evaporator extending opposite the support over a portion of the length of the support between 93% and 100% of the length of the support.

[0014] According to one embodiment, the evaporator has a heat exchange surface area of between 10 m2 per m2 (square meter) of a support of the refrigerated display case on which the fish is intended to rest when it is received in the presentation area and 14 m2 per m2 of the support.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the refrigerating unit is configured to switch from the refrigerating configuration to a defrosting configuration at a predetermined time interval so as to defrost the evaporator and return to the refrigerating configuration when a defrosting end condition is met, a fan of the refrigerating unit being stopped when the refrigerating unit is in the defrosting configuration.

[0016] Advantageously, each fan of the refrigerating unit is stopped when the refrigerating unit is in the defrosting configuration.

[0017] According to a particular embodiment, the refrigerating unit is configured so that in the defrosting configuration, the refrigerant fluid leaving the compressor is injected at the inlet of the evaporator without passing through a condenser of the refrigerating circuit or through an expansion valve of the refrigerating circuit.

[0018] The invention also relates to a method for preserving and presenting at least one fish, for example several fish, in a refrigerated display case in which a fish is placed in a presentation area delimited by the refrigerated display case, and in which a forced convection refrigerating unit is used to maintain, during a cooling phase, the presentation area at a temperature predetermined ambient temperature between -1°C and 2°C, a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerant circuit evaporating, in an evaporator of the refrigerating unit, at a predetermined evaporation temperature between -5°C and -2°C such that a difference between the ambient temperature and the evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

[0019] Advantageously, the fish is not packaged.

[0020] In a particular embodiment, the fish rests on a support of the refrigerated display case and is in direct physical contact with the support.

[0021] Advantageously, the fish is fresh fish. Brief description of the figures

[0022] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

[0023] [Fig-1]: a schematic view of a section of a refrigerating assembly according to a example of the invention, in which the evaporator, a fan and a compressor of the refrigerating assembly are represented very schematically by rectangles,

[0024] [Fig.2]: a diagram of an example of a refrigerating circuit of a refrigerating assembly according to the invention,

[0025] [Fig.3]: a schematic perspective view of the refrigerant assembly of [Fig.l],

[0026] [Fig.4]: a partial schematic perspective view of the refrigerant assembly of the [Fig.l], in which certain elements such as the ventilation assembly are not shown;

[0027] [Fig.5]: a schematic perspective view of an example of a refrigerated cabinet. Description of invention

[0028] The invention relates to a refrigerating assembly comprising a refrigerating display case 1 and a refrigerating unit GR.

[0029] The refrigerating assembly is configured to ensure the preservation and presentation of fresh food products, such as fresh fish without packaging without using ice within a presentation zone ZP delimited by the refrigerating display case 1.

[0030] Ice means water in a solid state.

[0031] The presentation area ZP is a predetermined part of a refrigerated cavity CA delimited by the refrigerated display case 1. This presentation area ZP is intended to receive the fish so that its conservation and presentation are ensured.

[0032] The fish without packaging is thus in direct physical contact with a current of air circulating in the presentation zone ZP of the refrigerated display case 1.

[0033] The refrigerated cavity CA is capable of being alternately in a closed configuration in which the refrigerated cavity is sealed and in a configuration open in which it is open.

[0034] When the refrigerated cavity CA is in the open configuration, it is possible to place the goods, in particular fish, in the presentation area ZP from outside the refrigerated cavity CA and to remove the goods from the presentation area ZP and from the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0035] According to one embodiment, an example of which is shown in Figures 1, 3 and 4, the refrigerating assembly is the refrigerating display case 1.

[0036] In other words, the refrigerated display case 1 comprises the refrigerating unit GR.

[0037] However, the invention also applies to the case where elements of the refrigerating unit are moved outside the volume delimited by the refrigerating display case as we will see in the rest of the text.

[0038] The refrigerated display case 1 is configured to ensure that the core temperature of the fish received in the presentation area ZP is maintained at a temperature between 0°C and 2°C.

[0039] For this purpose, the refrigerated display case 1 is a ventilated cold display case.

[0040] In other words, the refrigerated display case 1 comprises a forced convection refrigeration unit GR.

[0041] By forced convection refrigerating unit GR is meant a refrigerating unit GR comprising a ventilation assembly comprising at least one fan VE which, when the refrigerating unit GR is in a refrigeration configuration, generates a flow of air from the presentation zone ZP to the evaporator EV so that the air is cooled by the evaporator EV before being reinjected into the presentation zone ZP.

[0042] Thus, the air stream circulates along the surface of the evaporator EV so as to be in direct physical contact with the surface of the evaporator EV so as to be cooled by the evaporator before being reinjected into the presentation zone ZP.

[0043] The direction of the air current is represented by small arrows in [Fig. 1].

[0044] When the GR refrigerating unit is in the refrigeration configuration, we are in a phase called the cooling phase of a method for preserving and presenting fish according to the invention.

[0045] The refrigeration unit GR also comprises a refrigeration circuit CR, shown very schematically in [Fig.l].

[0046] The refrigerant circuit CR notably comprises an evaporator EV received in the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0047] As shown in [Fig.2], a refrigerant FF is intended to circulate in a closed loop in the refrigerant circuit CR to evaporate in the evaporator EV so as to cool the air in the environment of the evaporator EV, in particular in the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0048] According to the invention, the refrigerating unit GR is configured so as to be able to be in a refrigeration configuration in which it maintains an ambient temperature of the presentation zone ZP at a predetermined target temperature of between -1°C and 2°C and in which the refrigerant FF evaporates, in the evaporator EV, at an evaporation temperature of between -5°C and -2°C and defined so that a difference between the target temperature and the evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

[0049] The ambient temperature is, for example, an average of temperatures taken at several points in the presentation area ZP.

[0050] These temperatures are advantageously taken at the same time.

[0051] Alternatively, they are taken at different times while the refrigeration unit is in the refrigeration configuration.

[0052] Advantageously, a point temperature measurement is used.

[0053] For example, in the case where the presentation zone ZP is substantially parallelepipedal elongated along a longitudinal axis and having a width taken along a transverse axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and a height or smallest dimension taken along another axis perpendicular to the transverse axis and to the longitudinal axis, the height or smallest dimension being less than or equal to the width which is less than the length.

[0054] For example, the points comprise at least three points distributed along the longitudinal axis and at least three points distributed along the transverse axis.

[0055] Advantageously, these points are taken substantially in a plane being at mid-height of the presentation zone.

[0056] Advantageously, the points distributed along the longitudinal axis are taken substantially at mid-width of the presentation zone.

[0057] Advantageously, the points distributed along the longitudinal axis are regularly distributed along substantially the entire length of the presentation zone.

[0058] Advantageously, the points distributed along the transverse axis are taken substantially at mid-length of the presentation zone.

[0059] Advantageously, the points distributed along the transverse axis are regularly distributed along substantially the entire width of the presentation zone.

[0060] The points distributed along the longitudinal axis and those distributed along the transverse axis may have a common point.

[0061] Other distributions of points are of course possible.

[0062] Alternatively, the ambient temperature is a temperature of a point in the presentation area.

[0063] Such a refrigerating unit makes it possible to maintain the core temperature of the fish between 0°C and 2°C when the latter is received in the presentation area ZP in order to to ensure good preservation of the fish and prevent the proliferation of bacteria.

[0064] Ventilated cooling has the advantage of allowing a relatively uniform temperature to be obtained in the presentation zone ZP and of ensuring effective cooling by promoting heat exchange between the air and the evaporator.

[0065] Furthermore, the proposed solution makes it possible to ensure gentle cooling of the air and thus to limit the absorption of humidity by the air during its passage through the presentation zone ZP on the fish, which makes it possible to avoid drying out of the fish stored and presented in the presentation zone ZP.

[0066] This solution thus makes it possible to maintain a high humidity level, typically a relative humidity level tending towards 80% - 85%, or even between 80% and 85%, within the presentation area, which makes it possible to store the fish there without ice while limiting the risks of the fish drying out.

[0067] This high humidity level is obtained without a humidifier, i.e. without means of injecting water into the refrigerated cavity CA, which makes it possible to limit costs, the risks of bacterial proliferation and defrosting requirements.

[0068] Advantageously, the refrigerating assembly is devoid of a humidifier intended to inject water into the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0069] Advantageously, the evaporation temperature is between - 4°C and - 3°C.

[0070] Advantageously, the target temperature is between -0.5°C and 2°C, for example, between 0°C and 2°C.

[0071] Advantageously, the difference between the target temperature and the evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 6°C, for example, between 3°C and 5°C, for example, between 3°C and 4°C.

[0072] Advantageously, the refrigerating unit GR is configured and arranged so that a temperature of each point of the presentation zone is between -2°C and 4°C when the refrigerating unit GR is in the refrigeration configuration.

[0073] In other words, at any point in the presentation zone ZP, the temperature does not exceed 4°C and does not fall below -2°C when the refrigerating unit GR is in refrigeration configuration.

[0074] This makes it possible to avoid, within the presentation zone ZP, significant temperature differences compared to the target temperature which could be detrimental to the preservation of the fish. Presentation area

[0075] Just as in the example of figures 1, 3 and 4, the display case 1 comprises at least one support SP arranged so that the fish rests on the support SP when it is received in the presentation area ZP.

[0076] Advantageously, the fish received in the presentation area ZP in order to be there presented and stored is without packaging and is stored without ice.

[0077] In other words, the fish is advantageously in direct physical contact with the air circulating in the presentation zone ZP and the support SP on which it rests when it is received in the presentation zone ZP.

[0078] The support SP is advantageously substantially flat.

[0079] The SP support comprises for example one or more trays and / or one or more grids.

[0080] In the example of the figures, as visible in [Fig.4], the support SP comprises several trays PL.

[0081] The presentation zone ZP is, for example, a zone whose section is that of the support SP and extending from the support SP over a height, taken in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the support SP, less than or substantially equal to that of the air current.

[0082] The presentation zone ZP is, for example, an area whose section is that of the support S and extending from the support SP over a height of between 10 and 20 cm in a direction perpendicular to the plane defined by the support SP. Refrigeration unit and refrigeration circuit

[0083] In [Fig.2], we have schematically represented the refrigerant circuit CR.

[0084] The refrigerant circuit CR comprises a compressor COP, a condenser CO, an expansion valve DET, an evaporator EV, a pressure regulator RP. These elements are connected by pipes TU.

[0085] The refrigerant circuit CR receives a refrigerant fluid FF intended to circulate in a closed loop in the refrigerant circuit CR.

[0086] More specifically, the refrigerant circuit CR advantageously comprises: - a COP compressor configured, when in operation, to suck the FF refrigerant fluid into the CR refrigerant circuit at low pressure and compress it, the COP compressor delivering the compressed FF refrigerant fluid to the outlet of the COP compressor, - a condenser CO receiving at the inlet of the condenser the refrigerant FF delivered at the outlet of the compressor COP and configured to condense said fluid so as to deliver, at the outlet of the condenser CO, a refrigerant FF in liquid form, the condenser CO being arranged so as to deliver thermal energy to a medium external to the refrigerated cavity CA during the condensation of the refrigerant FF, - an expansion valve DET receiving, at the inlet of the expansion valve, the refrigerant FF delivered to the outlet of the condenser CO and configured to expand said fluid so as to deliver, at the outlet of the expansion valve DET, an expanded refrigerant and to adjust a low pressure of the refrigerant circuit CR so as to maintain the low pressure substantially at a predetermined target low pressure, - the evaporator EV received in the refrigerated cavity CA receiving, at the inlet of the evaporator EV, the refrigerant FF delivered at the outlet of the expansion valve DET and configured to evaporate said refrigerant by absorbing thermal energy in the refrigerated cavity CA so as to deliver the evaporated refrigerant FF to the outlet of the evaporator EV, the compressor COP sucking in the refrigerant delivered at the outlet of the evaporator EV, - a pressure regulator RP configured to adjust a high pressure of the refrigerant circuit so as to maintain the high pressure substantially at a predetermined target high pressure.

[0087] The target high pressure is higher than the target low pressure.

[0088] The refrigerant circuit CR comprises a high pressure part comprising the compressor COP and the condenser CO and a low pressure part comprising the expansion valve DET and the evaporator EV.

[0089] The pressure regulator RP comprises a sensor and a regulating device. The sensor is capable of delivering a measurement, representative of the high pressure in the high pressure part, to the regulating device of the pressure regulator RP to adjust the flow rate of the refrigerant FF so that the measurement representative of the high pressure is substantially equal to the target high pressure.

[0090] The expansion valve DET is configured to lower the pressure of the refrigerant so that the pressure of the refrigerant injected at the inlet of the evaporator EV is substantially equal to the target low pressure.

[0091] The refrigerant FF is, for example, R134, R449, R290, carbon dioxide CO2. These examples are not limiting.

[0092] The GR refrigeration unit also includes: - a temperature sensor C arranged in the refrigerated cavity CA, as is the case in the example [Fig.l], configured to deliver a temperature measurement of the refrigerated cavity CA, for example at regular time intervals, - a CT controller configured to control the COP compressor in particular based on the temperature measurement delivered by the C sensor and to control the VT ventilation assembly.

[0093] The CT controller comprises a set of at least one processor, one or more memories.

[0094] The CT controller is advantageously capable of starting the COP compressor so that the COP compressor circulates the refrigerant FF in a closed loop in the CR refrigerant circuit.

[0095] The CT controller is also advantageously capable of stopping the COP compressor. so as to stop the circulation of the FF refrigerant in the CR refrigerant circuit.

[0096] Advantageously, the controller CT is configured, when the refrigerating unit GR is in the refrigeration configuration, to start the compressor COP when a temperature measurement delivered by the temperature sensor C is less than or equal to a minimum temperature and to stop the compressor COP when a temperature measurement is greater than or equal to a maximum temperature.

[0097] The sensor C is advantageously arranged on the path of the air flow between the presentation zone ZP and the evaporator EV in the direction of circulation of the air flow. This position has the advantage of delivering a measurement of the maximum temperature within the air flow and in particular higher than the temperature within the part of the air flow which is located in the presentation zone ZP.

[0098] In order to maintain the ambient temperature at the target temperature, the maximum temperature is advantageously between 2°C and 4°C and the minimum temperature is advantageously between -2°C and 0°C. Evaporation temperature

[0099] The difference between the target temperature and the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant FF is adjusted by defining the target high and target low pressures, an air flow rate and an exchange surface of the evaporator EV and an evaporator refrigerating capacity EV.

[0100] The cooling capacity of the EV evaporator is predetermined for an EV evaporator of given technology.

[0101] The EV evaporator advantageously comprises a battery of aluminum fins and a network of copper tubes in which the refrigerant fluid FF circulates, the network of copper tubes being in intimate contact with the aluminum fins.

[0102] The target high and low pressures depend on the refrigerant.

[0103] The values of these parameters are advantageously adjusted, for a given display case, by modeling and / or by prototyping and / or step-by-step adjustment until the desired performances and in particular the ambient and evaporation temperatures are obtained.

[0104] Advantageously, the heat exchange surface of the evaporator is between 10 m2 per m2 of support SP and 14 m2 per m2 of support SP.

[0105] Thus, the exchange surface of the evaporator is between 10 m2 and 14 m2 when the surface of the support SP is 1 m2.

[0106] The exchange surface of the evaporator is between 23 m2 and 32.2 m2 when the surface of the support SP is 2.3 m2.

[0107] Advantageously, the exchange surface of the evaporator is between 27 m2 and 30 m2 when the surface of the support SP is 2.3 m2.

[0108] Advantageously, the exchange surface of the evaporator is between 11m2 per m2 of SP support and 13 m2 per m2 of SP support.

[0109] This configuration makes it possible to obtain the evaporation temperature as well as the small difference between the desired evaporation temperature and the target temperature.

[0110] Furthermore, this configuration is advantageous in that it limits the flow of the air current, which limits the drying out of the fish. Defrosting

[0111] During the cooling phase, frost forms on the EV evaporator. It is necessary to remove this frost in order to limit the energy consumption of the display case and to ensure the cooling of the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0112] For this purpose, the refrigerating unit GR is advantageously configured so as to switch from the refrigerating configuration to a defrosting configuration at regular time intervals so as to defrost the evaporator EV, to remain in the defrosting configuration as long as a defrosting end condition is not met and to return to the refrigerating configuration when the defrosting end condition is met, each fan VE of the ventilation assembly being stopped when the refrigerating unit GR is in the defrosting configuration.

[0113] When the refrigerating unit GR is in defrosting configuration, we move into a defrosting phase of the preservation and presentation method according to the invention.

[0114] The defrost end condition is, for example, respected only when the temperature of the EV evaporator exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature between 4°C and 6°C.

[0115] In this example, the CT controller advantageously comprises a comparator configured to compare the temperature to the temperature threshold.

[0116] Alternatively, the defrost condition is met only when a time elapsed since the last transition of the refrigeration unit from the refrigeration configuration to the defrost configuration is greater than a predetermined time threshold.

[0117] Stopping the ventilation during defrosting limits the temperature rise in the presentation area ZP.

[0118] Advantageously, the refrigerating unit GR is configured so that in the defrost configuration, the refrigerant FF delivered by the compressor COP is injected at the inlet of the evaporator EV without passing through the condenser CO or the expansion valve DET. This causes a rapid rise in temperature of the evaporator EV.

[0119] This defrosting configuration allows for very rapid defrosting which, due to inertia, ensures that the core temperature of the fish is maintained at a temperature not exceeding 2°C.

[0120] For this purpose, the refrigerant circuit CR comprises for example: - an intermediate circuit CI connecting the output of the compressor COP to an output of the intermediate circuit located between the output of the expansion valve DET and the inlet of the evaporator EV, this circuit comprises a defrost valve VD capable of being alternately in a closed state in which it prevents the refrigerant FF from passing from the output of the compressor COP to the output of the intermediate circuit CI via the intermediate circuit CI and in an open state in which it allows the passage of the refrigerant FF from the output of the compressor COP to the output of the intermediate circuit CI via the intermediate circuit CI, the defrost valve VD being closed in the refrigeration configuration, - an SD defrost probe configured to measure an EV evaporator temperature,

[0121] The GR refrigeration unit is configured to switch to the defrost configuration by implementing the following steps: - stopping each VE fan in the ventilation system, - COP compressor shutdown, - opening of the VD defrost valve, - starting the COP compressor while the defrost valve VD is open and each fan of the ventilation assembly is off so that the refrigeration unit GR is in the defrost configuration.

[0122] Advantageously, the refrigerant circuit CR comprises a non-return valve VDD configured to allow the refrigerant to circulate in one direction only.

[0123] The non-return valve VDD is arranged between the outlet of the intermediate circuit CI and the outlet of the expansion valve DET so as to allow the refrigerant FF to circulate from the outlet of the expansion valve DET to the outlet of the intermediate circuit CL.

[0124] On the other hand, the non-return valve VDD prevents the refrigerant FF from circulating from the outlet of the intermediate circuit CI to the outlet of the expansion valve DET.

[0125] The controller CT is configured to control the compressor COP, the ventilation assembly VT and the defrost valve VD according to a clock signal provided by a clock of the refrigeration unit so that the refrigeration unit GR switches from the refrigeration configuration to the defrost configuration at regular time intervals so as to ensure the defrosting of the evaporator EV and to return the refrigeration unit GR to the refrigeration configuration when the end of defrost condition is met.

[0126] Alternatively, the refrigerating unit GR comprises a heating device comprising a resistor mounted on the evaporator and intended to heat the evaporator to ensure defrosting.

[0127] Advantageously, the VT display case includes a water evacuation opening by which the liquid water formed during defrosting is able to flow out of the CA cavity as we will see later.

[0128] Advantageously, this opening can be closed tightly. Refrigerated counter

[0129] In the example of figures 1, 3 and 4, the refrigerated display case 1 is a refrigerated counter.

[0130] Advantageously, the refrigerated display case 1 is elongated along a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis, that is to say perpendicular to a vertical axis parallel to the gravitational force at the level of the refrigerated display case 1 when the refrigerated display case rests on a substantially horizontal support.

[0131] Advantageously, the display case 1 comprises a base B and a glazed cover CV arranged on the base B so as to seal an opening OV delimited by the tank CU when the cover CV is in a closed state.

[0132] The glass cover CV rests on the base B.

[0133] More precisely, the glazed cover CV extends above the base B along a vertical axis parallel to the gravitational force. By above, it is meant that when the base B rests on a substantially horizontal support, the base B is interposed between the support S and the cover CV along the vertical axis z.

[0134] Furthermore, the glass cover CV and the tank CU delimit the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0135] The glazed cover CV is advantageously mainly glazed.

[0136] The glazed cover CV comprises two side glazings VA, VO facing each other, of which an access glazing VA comprising at least one movable pane V so as to allow alternately opening and sealingly closing an opening through which goods can be introduced into the cavity CA and more particularly arranged in the presentation zone ZP on the substantially flat support SP.

[0137] When the at least one pane closes the opening through which goods can be introduced into the refrigerated cavity CA, the glass cover CV is in a closed state and when the at least one pane opens the opening through which goods can be introduced into the refrigerated cavity, the cover is in an open state.

[0138] When the opening is open, the refrigerated cavity CA is in the open configuration mentioned above.

[0139] A VO observation window allows buyers to see the goods arranged on the SP support.

[0140] Advantageously, the observation glazing VO and the access glazing VA are connected by an upper glazing VS located opposite the support SP which also allows the goods to be observed.

[0141] The observation glazing VO, the access glazing VA and the upper glazing VS are connected by transverse VIT glazing located opposite each other.

[0142] The side glazings VA, VO are elongated along a longitudinal axis x of the display window. The y axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and crossing the side glazings VA, VO is called the transverse axis y.

[0143] The movable window(s) are, for example, mounted to slide or pivot relative to a structure SC of the cover.

[0144] Each glazing unit comprises a set of at least one glazed wall. Each glazed wall is advantageously multiple glazed. This ensures good thermal insulation between the presentation area ZP and the surrounding environment. This makes it possible in particular to limit the energy consumption of the refrigeration unit GR, to limit the risks of condensation and to increase the inertia of the display case.

[0145] The glass walls are, for example, double-glazed or triple-glazed.

[0146] Base B comprises a CU tank.

[0147] The CU tank comprises, for example, a work surface PT on which the merchant can work.

[0148] The cover CV is mounted on a tank CU of the base B so that the cover CV and the tank CU delimit the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0149] When the cover CV is in the closed state and the at least one possible discharge opening is sealed, the refrigerated cavity CA is sealed.

[0150] The support SP is mounted on the tank CU so as to divide the cavity CA into several compartments communicating fluidly with each other, including a first compartment comprising the receiving zone ZP delimited by the glazed cover CV and the support SP and a second compartment delimited by the glazed cover CV and the tank CU.

[0151] Advantageously, the base B also delimits a lower cavity CI, that is to say separated from the refrigerated cavity CA by the tank CU.

[0152] The lower cavity CI does not fluidly communicate with the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0153] The capacitor CO, the expansion valve DET and the compressor COP are advantageously arranged in the lower cavity CL.

[0154] The EV evaporator and the VE fans are received in the CV tank under the SP support. This position is particularly suitable for display cases comprising a glass cover. It allows the view of customers not to be obstructed while being in direct proximity to the ZP presentation area, which ensures effective cooling of the latter area and limits energy consumption.

[0155] Advantageously, the evaporator EV faces the support SU substantially over the entire length of the support.

[0156] In other words, the EV evaporator extends opposite the support along a portion of the length of the SP support between 93% and 100%. This makes it possible to maximize the exchange surface and, ultimately, to obtain the desired evaporation temperature while limiting the speed of the air current and to homogenize the temperature of the presentation area.

[0157] The evaporator extends, for example, over a portion of the length of the CU tank between 90 and 95%.

[0158] Advantageously, the ventilation assembly DV comprises several fans VE distributed along the longitudinal axis x.

[0159] The VE fans produce the previously described transverse airflow inside the CA cavity in the direction of the arrow in [Fig.l].

[0160] Advantageously, the VE fans are distributed along the longitudinal axis x so that the air flow is substantially homogeneous over the entire length of the presentation zone along the axis x.

[0161] Advantageously, the tank CU comprises at least one, for example two, water recovery gutters CAN provided with water discharge openings. The recovery gutters are arranged and configured so that the defrost water flows in these gutters to the water discharge openings to be discharged outside the cavity CA. This makes it possible to limit the risks of proliferation of bacteria and bad odors.

[0162] Advantageously, the display case comprises water drainage openings from the support to the water drainage opening(s). Refrigerated cabinet

[0163] Alternatively, the refrigerated display case is a refrigerated cabinet.

[0164] An example of a refrigerated cabinet 10 is shown in [Fig.5].

[0165] In other words, the refrigerated display case 10 is elongated along a vertical axis z, i.e. parallel to the force of gravity, when the display case rests on a horizontal support, i.e. perpendicular to the force of gravity.

[0166] The refrigerated cavity CAI is advantageously elongated along the vertical axis, just like the presentation zone ZP1, which is part of the volume of the refrigerated cavity CAI when the cabinet rests on a substantially horizontal support.

[0167] In this embodiment, the refrigerated cavity CAI comprises a presentation zone ZP1 separated from the evaporator by a substantially vertical partition CL when the cabinet rests on a substantially horizontal support.

[0168] The refrigerated cabinet 10 may comprise at least one support SP1 on which the fish is intended to rest when it is received in the presentation area and / or on which a hook is intended to be hung from which the fish is intended to be suspended when it is received in the presentation area. Remote elements

[0169] In one embodiment, elements of the refrigeration unit are remote as we will see in the rest of the text.

[0170] In other words, first elements of the refrigerating unit are remote and intended to be connected in a removable manner to second elements of the refrigerating unit included in the refrigerating display case so as to form the refrigerating unit GR and more particularly the refrigerating circuit CR.

[0171] For example, the first elements of the refrigerating unit are located outside the volume delimited by the refrigerating display case.

[0172] In one embodiment, the first elements comprise the compressor COP and the condenser CO and the second elements comprise the evaporator EV, the ventilation assembly DV and the expansion valve DET.

[0173] The display case advantageously comprises the CT controller, a solenoid valve controlled by the CT controller and arranged in the refrigerant circuit, as well as a pressure switch and a control member configured to trigger the suction of the refrigerant fluid FF by the COP compressor when the pressure switch detects that a pressure of the refrigerant fluid circuit FF in a zone of the refrigerant circuit falls below a first predetermined pressure threshold and to stop the suction of the refrigerant fluid FF by the COP compressor when the pressure switch detects that the pressure of the refrigerant fluid in the zone of the refrigerant circuit exceeds a second predetermined threshold higher than the first threshold.

[0174] For example, the solenoid valve is arranged so as to be between the outlet of the CO condenser and the inlet of the DET expansion valve when the refrigerant circuit is formed.

[0175] The refrigeration unit comprises, for example, a switch which is mounted so that when it is closed, the COP compressor is electrically powered and is therefore running and so that when it is open, the COP compressor is no longer electrically powered and is stopped.

[0176] The control member is then a control member of the switch.

[0177] The switch is advantageously included in the refrigerated display case.

[0178] Advantageously, the controller CT is configured, when the refrigerating unit GR is in the refrigeration configuration, to open the solenoid valve when a temperature measurement delivered by the temperature sensor C is less than or equal to a minimum temperature and to close the solenoid valve when a temperature measurement is greater than or equal to a maximum temperature.

[0179] This embodiment is also applicable when the refrigerating assembly is the refrigerating display case.

[0180] As a variant, the switch and / or the switch control member are remote and intended to be removably connected to second elements of the group re- refrigerant.

[0181] Alternatively, the refrigerant circuit CR comprises a first solenoid valve by which the inlet of the compressor is connected to the outlet of the evaporator EV and a second solenoid valve by which the outlet of the condenser is connected to the condenser CO.

[0182] The control member is, for example, a control member for the first solenoid valve and the second solenoid valve configured to open these solenoid valves when the pressure switch detects the pressure falling below the first threshold so that the compressor draws the refrigerant into the refrigerant circuit and to close these solenoid valves when the pressure switch detects the pressure falling above the second threshold so that the drawing of the refrigerant by the COP compressor is stopped. Process

[0183] The invention also relates to a method for preserving and presenting fish in a refrigerated display case, in which a fish is placed in a presentation zone ZP delimited by a refrigerated display case 1, and in which a forced convection refrigerating unit is used to maintain, during a cooling phase, the presentation zone ZP at a predetermined ambient temperature of between -1°C and 2°C, a refrigerant fluid FF circulating in a refrigerating circuit CR evaporating, in an evaporator EV of the refrigerating unit, at a predetermined evaporation temperature of between -5°C and -2°C such that a difference between the ambient temperature and the evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

[0184] During the cooling phase, the refrigerating unit GR generates a flow of air from the presentation zone ZP to the evaporator EV so that the air is cooled by the evaporator EV before being reinjected into the presentation zone ZP.

[0185] Advantageously, the refrigerated display case is a refrigerated display case of a refrigerating assembly according to the invention and the refrigerating unit is the refrigerating unit of the refrigerating assembly.

[0186] Advantageously, the fish is fresh.

[0187] Advantageously, the fish is unpackaged and kept without ice in the presentation area.

[0188] Thus, at least one fish is, for example, in direct contact with a support of the refrigerated display case on which it rests.

[0189] Alternatively or in addition, at least one fish is suspended from a hook attached to a support in the presentation area.

Claims

Claims

1. Refrigerating assembly for presenting and preserving fish, the refrigerating assembly comprising a refrigerating display case (1) delimiting a presentation zone (ZP) where the fish without packaging is intended to be presented and preserved, the refrigerating assembly comprising a forced convection refrigerating unit (GR) configured and arranged so as to be capable of being in a refrigeration configuration in which it maintains an ambient temperature of the presentation zone (ZP) at a predetermined target temperature of between -1°C and 2°C and in which a refrigerant fluid (FF) circulating in a refrigerating circuit (CR) of the refrigerating unit (GR) evaporates, in an evaporator (EV) of the refrigerating unit, at a predetermined evaporation temperature of between -5°C and -2°C such that a difference between the target temperature and the evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

2. Refrigerating assembly according to the preceding claim, in which the ambient temperature is between 0°C and 2°C.

3. Refrigerating assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the refrigerating display case (1) comprises a tank (CU) on which is mounted a glass cover (CV) so as to seal an opening delimited by the tank (CU) when the glass cover (CV) is in a closed state and to delimit a refrigerated cavity, the refrigerated cavity (CA) comprising the presentation zone (ZP), the evaporator (EV) being housed in the tank (CU).

4. Refrigerating assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the refrigerating display case (1) comprises a support (SP) on which the fish is intended to rest when it is received in the presentation zone (ZP), the evaporator (EV) extending opposite the support (SP) over a portion between 93% and 100% of the length of the support (SP).

5. Refrigerating assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the evaporator (EV) has a heat exchange surface area of between 10 m2 and 14 m2 per m2 of a support (SP) of the refrigerating display case (1) on which the fish is intended to rest when it is received in the presentation area (ZP).

6. A refrigerating assembly according to any preceding claim, wherein the refrigerating unit (GR) is configured so as to switching from the refrigeration configuration to a defrost configuration at a predetermined time interval so as to defrost the evaporator (EV) and returning to the refrigeration configuration when a defrost end condition is met, a fan (VE) of the refrigerating unit being stopped when the refrigerating unit (GR) is in the defrost configuration.

7. Refrigerating assembly according to the preceding claim, in which the refrigerating unit (GR) is configured so that in the defrosting configuration, the refrigerant fluid (FF) leaving the compressor (COP) is injected at the inlet of the evaporator (EV) without passing through a condenser (CO) of the refrigerating circuit or through an expansion valve (DET) of the refrigerating circuit.

8. Method for preserving and presenting fish in a refrigerated display case, in which a fish is placed in a presentation zone (ZP) delimited by the refrigerated display case (1), and in which a forced convection refrigerating unit is used to maintain, during a cooling phase, the presentation zone (ZP) at a predetermined ambient temperature of between -1°C and 2°C, a refrigerant fluid (FF) circulating in a refrigerant circuit (CR) evaporating, in an evaporator (EV) of the refrigerating unit, at a predetermined evaporation temperature of between -5°C and -2°C such that a difference between the ambient temperature and the evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

9. A method of preservation and presentation according to the preceding claim, in which the fish is without packaging.

10. Method according to the preceding claim, in which the fish rests on a support (SP) of the refrigerated display case (ZP) and is in direct physical contact with the support (SP).

Images