Improvements to the open display refrigerator

Abstract

An open display refrigerator is provided, comprising an interior space to be cooled, the air in the interior space being separated from the air in an exterior space of the open display refrigerator by an air curtain, the air curtain (3) being formed by a fan (6) which blows air from air outlets (2) towards corresponding air inlets (5) which collect air from the air curtain for recirculation to the air outlets (2); a first weir screen (4) located proximate to the exterior space; and a second weir screen (11) located away from the exterior space, wherein a channel is formed between the first weir screen (4) and the second weir screen (11), the channel receiving air from the air curtain before it is collected by the air inlet.

Description

[Technical Field]

[0001] The present invention relates to improvements in open display refrigerators. [Background technology]

[0002] Open display refrigerators are commonly used in retail environments such as supermarkets and grocery stores, allowing customers to view and readily access the chilled food products stored within the refrigerator. Summary of the Invention

[0003] This type of refrigerator has an air curtain that is created by blowing cool air across the front of the refrigerator. The air curtain flows from an air outlet at the top of the refrigerator to an air inlet at the bottom of the refrigerator. The air inlet collects the air from the air curtain and recirculates it through a cooling heat exchanger and fan to the air outlet.

[0004] Air curtains prevent the cool air inside the refrigerator from mixing with the cool air outside the refrigerator. However, they are quite inefficient, especially because they tend to escape from the bottom of the refrigerator, entraining the cool air from outside. To overcome this problem, open-display refrigerators often use weir screens (also known as risers) located on the refrigerator's base deck and in front of the air inlet to prevent the air curtain from escaping from the bottom of the refrigerator. Typically, below the refrigerator's base deck are a bank of fans to draw the air curtain into the air inlet and a heat exchanger to cool the air collected through the air inlet. The fans also push the cooled air through the refrigerator's interior space, providing constant recirculation to cool the refrigerator.

[0005] Typically, the suction pressure applied by the fan to the air inlet is limited, and some air is lost at the edge of the weir screen, where the fan cannot draw air into the air inlet. Additionally, the air curtain is warmest and most dispersed at the base of the refrigerator. This less cool air can impact items, such as groceries, at the front of the base shelves, warming them more than necessary. Furthermore, in refrigerators with holes in the rear wall, some air can pass through the holes, creating a turbulent, lateral flow of cool air across the shelves. However, at the base of the refrigerator, this cool air is typically not sufficient to mitigate the temperature rise caused by the air curtain.

[0006] Therefore, it would be desirable to provide an open display refrigerator with a weir screen to prevent the air curtain from escaping from the bottom of the refrigerator, as this would reduce the effect of the relatively cool air from the air curtain on items in the bottom of the refrigerator.

[0007] According to a first aspect of the present invention, An interior space to be cooled, The air in the interior space to be cooled is separated from the air in the exterior space of the open display refrigerator by an air curtain; The air curtain is formed by a fan, The fan blows air from the air outlet toward the corresponding air inlet, the air inlet withdraws air from the air curtain for recirculation to the air outlet; The interior space and a first weir screen disposed adjacent to the exterior space; a second weir screen disposed away from the exterior space; and An open display refrigerator comprising: a channel is formed between the first weir screen and the second weir screen; An open display refrigerator is provided in which the channel receives air from the air curtain before the air is collected by the air inlet.

[0008] A technical advantage of providing a second weir screen is that it reduces the impact of less cold air from the air curtain on items in the refrigerator base by drawing relatively more air from the air curtain compared to using a single weir screen. This can be achieved in different ways, as described below.

[0009] Typically, the weir screens are made of plastic, or more specifically, acrylic. The first and second weir screens act to form a nozzle / funnel, the entrance to which is elevated relative to the air inlet. Typically, the first and second weir screens are approximately the same height across the entire width (or nearly the entire width) of the air inlet. A technical advantage of the first and second weir screens having approximately the same height is that a maximum amount of air curtain is recovered compared to when the weir screens have different heights.

[0010] The air inlet may include a grill, and either or both of the first and second weir screens may be attached to the grill. Alternatively, either or both of the first and second weir screens may be attached to the body of the refrigerator adjacent to the air inlet.

[0011] In one embodiment, the first weir screen and the second weir screen have corresponding first ends disposed proximate the air inlet; the first weir screen and the second weir screen have corresponding second ends disposed away from the air inlet; and The distance between the corresponding first ends is greater than the distance between the corresponding second ends.

[0012] A technical advantage of arranging the first weir screen and the first end group of the second weir screen to create a narrower opening for receiving the air curtain is that a nozzle is formed, which increases the suction pressure and allows more air curtain to be captured when compared to using a single weir screen.

[0013] In one embodiment, the first weir screen and the second weir screen have corresponding first ends disposed proximate the air inlet; the first weir screen and the second weir screen have corresponding second ends disposed away from the air inlet; and The distance between the corresponding first ends is approximately equal to the distance between the corresponding second ends.

[0014] A technical advantage of positioning the first and second weir screens so that they are substantially parallel to one another is that the suction area is raised further up the air curtain, thereby reducing the amount of less cold air that is delivered to items stored in the base of the refrigerator when compared to using a single weir screen.

[0015] In one embodiment, the first weir screen and the second weir screen have corresponding first ends disposed proximate the air inlet; the first weir screen and the second weir screen have corresponding second ends disposed away from the air inlet; and The distance between the corresponding first ends is less than the distance between the corresponding second ends.

[0016] A technical advantage of arranging the first weir screen and the first end group of the second weir screen to create a wider opening for receiving the air curtain is that a larger portion of the air curtain is captured compared to using a single weir screen because there is a larger physical gap for the air curtain to enter.

[0017] In some embodiments, a portion of the air inlet is covered so as to reduce the surface area of ​​the air inlet for receiving air from the air curtain.

[0018] The air inlet may be covered by a separate blanking plate, or alternatively the first weir screen and part of the second weir screen may be formed to cover part of the air inlet.

[0019] The technical advantage of reducing the surface area of ​​the air inlet is that the suction pressure is increased, thereby capturing more of the air curtain.

[0020] In one embodiment, the second weir screen is shaped so that a portion of the weir screen covers a portion of the air inlet, thereby reducing the surface area of ​​the air inlet for receiving air from the air curtain.

[0021] In one embodiment, the first weir screen and / or the second weir screen have a rectangular cross section.

[0022] In one embodiment, the first weir screen and / or the second weir screen have a cross section that comprises a curve.

[0023] In one embodiment, the second dam screen extends vertically over a greater distance relative to the base of the refrigerator than the first dam screen.

[0024] A technical advantage of having a second weir screen that is taller than the first weir screen is that it reduces the escape of cold air from the interior of the refrigerator over the front of the weir screen.

[0025] In one embodiment, the first dam screen extends vertically over a greater distance relative to the base of the refrigerator than the second dam screen.

[0026] The technical advantage of having a second weir screen that is lower in height than the first weir screen is that it creates a horizontal pull of cool air across the lower shelves, which reduces the impact of the less cool air from the air curtain on items stacked at the front of the refrigerator base.

[0027] In one embodiment, A kit to be retrofitted to the first weir screen and the second weir screen, The kit comprises: the first weir screen; the second weir screen; an attachment means for attaching the first dam screen and the second dam screen to a refrigerator; The attachment may be by screws, rivets, adhesive, grooves, combinations thereof, or any other method known in the art.

[0028] In one embodiment, The open display refrigerator further includes an air curtain guide for guiding the air flow into the air curtain. The air curtain guide further comprises at least one light source disposed on the air curtain guide to illuminate the interior refrigerated storage space.

[0029] In some embodiments, the air curtain guide is wing-shaped.

[0030] A wing is a type of air guide that directs air in a specific direction. A wing is located in the refrigerator's air curtain and works by allowing a portion of the air curtain to flow on either side of the wing. The wing gives shape to the airflow and directs it in the desired direction. The particular type of wing changes the direction of the air curtain's inflow as it flows over the wing. A typical wing design that can be used is a curved wing, which is usually oriented with the tip up and the curved surface facing away from the interior space. When placed in the air curtain, the wing is shaped so that one side (the suction side, i.e., the curved surface) experiences lower pressure than the other side (the pressure side).

[0031] In one embodiment, the air curtain guide further comprises a front portion; The front portion includes a housing formed of a clear plastic material for displaying at least one product label.

[0032] Embodiments of the present invention will now be described with reference to the accompanying drawings. [Brief explanation of the drawings]

[0033] [Figure 1] FIG. 1 shows a conventional open display refrigerator with a single weir screen. [Figure 2] FIG. 2 shows the open display refrigerator of FIG. 1 with a second weir screen installed. [Figure 3] FIG. 3 shows a single weir screen attached to the base of an open display refrigerator. [Figure 4] FIG. 4 shows a variation of the first and second weir screens mounted to the base of an open display refrigerator. [Figure 5] FIG. 5 shows another variation of a first and second weir screen mounted to the base of an open display refrigerator with the addition of a blanking plate applied to the air inlet. [Figure 6]FIG. 6 shows another variation of the first and second weir screens mounted to the base of an open display refrigerator. [Figure 7] FIG. 7 shows another variation of a first and second weir screen mounted to the base of an open display refrigerator with the addition of a blanking plate applied to the air inlet. [Figure 8] FIG. 8 shows another variation of the first and second weir screens mounted to the base of an open display refrigerator. [Figure 9] FIG. 9 shows another variation of a first and second weir screen mounted to the base of an open display refrigerator with the addition of a blanking plate applied to the air inlet. DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0034] FIG. 1 shows a cross-sectional view of a conventional open-display refrigerator 1. The refrigerator has an interior space maintained at a temperature below ambient. The interior space contains four shelves and a base 9. Refrigerator 1 creates an air curtain 3 by blowing cool air from air outlet 2 toward air inlet 5. A first weir screen 4 helps prevent air from air curtain 3 from escaping through the front of the refrigerator. Air inlet 5 collects air from the air curtain, and at least one fan 6 within refrigerator 1 recirculates the air to air outlet 2 via cooling heat exchanger 7 and duct 8. The cooling heat exchanger is typically located within refrigerator 1 and maintains the recirculated air (and thus the air blowing through air outlet 2 to form the air curtain) at a desired temperature. The desired temperature is set to be below ambient temperature and acts to prevent the cool air in interior space 2 from mixing with uncooled air outside refrigerator 1. Items 10 to be refrigerated may be stored on refrigerator base 9.

[0035] First arrow 3b shows the general flow path of the air curtain from air outlet 2 to air inlet 5. Second arrow 3c shows how some of the air in the air curtain flows over the front of first weir screen 4 and out the front of the refrigerator. Third arrow 3a shows how some of the air from the air curtain impinges on items 10 on the base 9 of the refrigerator. Fourth arrow 3d shows how cool air escaping from a perforated portion in the rear wall of the refrigerator impinges on the base of air curtain 3.

[0036] FIG. 2 shows an open-display refrigerator 1 similar to that of FIG. 1, but with a second weir screen 11 mounted adjacent to the air inlet 5. These weir screens are arranged to form a nozzle, creating a high suction pressure where the air curtain enters the gap between the two weir screens. First arrow 3b again shows the general flow path of the air curtain from air outlet 2 to air inlet 5. Second arrow 3c shows how air that would otherwise have flowed out the front of the refrigerator 1 without second weir screen 11 is now kept inside first weir screen 4 and flows into air inlet 5. Similarly, third arrow 3a shows how air that would normally impinge on items 10 stored on the refrigerator base 9 is now kept inside second weir screen 11. Similarly, the fourth arrow 3d shows how the air striking the base of the air curtain 3 is kept inside the second weir screen 11 in this state.

[0037] Figure 3 shows an enlarged view of the first weir screen 4 of the refrigerator shown in Figure 1. As can be seen, air from the air curtain flows over the front of the first weir screen 4 and out the front of the refrigerator.

[0038] 4 shows an enlarged view of the first weir screen 4 and the second weir screen 11a of the refrigerator shown in FIG. 1. As can be seen, air from the air curtain is retained between the two weir screens. In this embodiment, the second weir screen 11a has a curved cross section, and the gap between the upper ends of the first and second weir screens into which the air curtain enters is smaller than the gap between the lower ends of the first and second weir screens adjacent the air inlet 5.

[0039] Figure 5 shows a variation of the weir screen shown in Figure 4. As can be seen, a blanking plate 12 has been added which covers a portion of the air inlet 5, thereby reducing the surface area of ​​the air inlet 5 and increasing the suction pressure. In this variation, the blanking plate 12 is separate from the second weir screen 11a. However, it is envisioned that the second weir screen 11a may be a continuous structure which covers a portion of the air inlet 5, thereby eliminating the need for a separate blanking plate 12.

[0040] Figure 6 shows a variation of the weir screen shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the second weir screen 11b has a rectangular cross section and the first weir screen 4 is parallel to the second weir screen 11b.

[0041] Figure 7 shows a variation on the weir screen shown in Figure 6. As can be seen, a blanking plate 12 has been added which covers a portion of the air inlet 5, thereby reducing the surface area of ​​the air inlet 5 and increasing the suction pressure. In this variation, the blanking plate 12 is separate from the second weir screen 11b. However, it is envisioned that the second weir screen 11b could be a continuous structure which covers a portion of the air inlet 5, thereby eliminating the need for a separate blanking plate 12.

[0042] Figure 8 shows a variation of the weir screen shown in Figure 4. In this embodiment, the second weir screen 11c has a rectangular cross section, with the gap between the upper ends of the first and second weir screens through which the air curtain enters being larger than the gap between the lower ends of the first and second weir screens adjacent the air inlet 5.

[0043] Figure 9 shows a variation of the weir screen shown in Figure 8. As can be seen, a blanking plate 12 has been added which covers a portion of the air inlet 5, thereby reducing the surface area of ​​the air inlet 5 and increasing the suction pressure. In this variation, the blanking plate 12 is separate from the second weir screen 11c. However, it is envisioned that the second weir screen 11c may be a continuous structure which covers a portion of the air inlet 5, thereby eliminating the need for a separate blanking plate 12.

[0044] Any of the weir screens described above may be provided as a kit for retrofitting to an existing refrigerator. Such a kit may include a first weir screen and a second weir screen according to any of the embodiments described above. Additionally, such a kit may also include means for attaching the weir screen to the refrigerator, such as screws, nails, and / or adhesive.

Claims

1. An interior space to be cooled, The air in the interior space to be cooled is separated from the air in the exterior space of the open display refrigerator by an air curtain; The air curtain is formed by a fan, The fan blows air from the air outlet toward the corresponding air inlet, the air inlet withdraws air from the air curtain for recirculation to the air outlet; The interior space and a first weir screen disposed adjacent to the exterior space; a second weir screen disposed away from the exterior space; and An open display refrigerator comprising: a channel is formed between the first weir screen and the second weir screen; the channel receives air from the air curtain before the air is collected by the air inlet; the first weir screen and the second weir screen have corresponding first ends disposed proximate the air inlet; the first weir screen and the second weir screen have corresponding second ends disposed away from the air inlet; and a distance between the corresponding first ends is greater than a distance between the corresponding second ends; The second weir screen has a cross section with a curve. Open display refrigerator.

2. A portion of the air inlet is covered to reduce the surface area of ​​the air inlet for receiving air from the air curtain. The open display refrigerator according to claim 1.

3. The second weir screen is shaped so that a portion of the second weir screen covers a portion of the air inlet, thereby reducing the surface area of ​​the air inlet for receiving air from the air curtain. The open display refrigerator according to claim 1 or 2.

4. The second dam screen extends vertically over a greater distance relative to the base of the open display refrigerator than the first dam screen. The open display refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

5. The first dam screen extends vertically over a greater distance relative to the base of the open display refrigerator than the second dam screen. The open display refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 3.

6. The open display refrigerator further includes an air curtain guide for guiding the air flow into the air curtain. The open display refrigerator according to any one of claims 1 to 5.

7. The air curtain guide is wing-shaped The open display refrigerator according to claim 6.

8. and at least one light source disposed on the air curtain guide to illuminate the interior refrigerated storage space. The open display refrigerator according to claim 6 or 7.

9. the air curtain guide further comprises a front portion; The front portion includes a housing formed of a clear plastic material for displaying at least one product label. The open display refrigerator according to any one of claims 6 to 8.

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