Display door for temperature-controlled enclosure

Abstract

A temperature-controlled display case includes a refrigerated enclosure with a front opening defining an interior space, a frame assembly mounted within the front opening, and a door assembly coupled to the frame assembly. The door assembly includes multiple vanes that together form a door enclosing at least a portion of the front opening, such that the plurality of vanes are arranged with respective side edges adjacent to one another along a track and oriented with the back surface facing inwards when the door is in a closed position and that plurality of vanes are arranged front to back within the track and oriented with the side surface facing inwards to the interior space when the door is in an open position.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD

[0001] The present disclosure relates to temperature-controlled storage devices, doors, and associated frames used in such devices.BACKGROUND

[0002] Refrigerated enclosures are used in commercial, institutional, and residential applications for storing and / or displaying refrigerated or frozen objects. Refrigerated enclosures may be maintained at temperatures above freezing (e.g., a refrigerator) or at temperatures below freezing (e.g., a freezer). Refrigerated enclosures have one or more doors or windows for accessing and viewing refrigerated or frozen objects within a temperature-controlled space. Refrigerated enclosures typically include a frame that supports the doors or windows.SUMMARY

[0003] The present disclosure relates to temperature-controlled storage devices, and doors and associated frames used in such devices. Some implementations include a display door having hinges above and below an insulated panel assembly of the door. Some other implementations include multiple vanes configured to rotate on a track above and below the insulated panel assembly of the door.DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS

[0004] FIG. 1 is a perspective view door system for a refrigerated enclosure having four doors supported in a thermal frame according to some implementations.

[0005] FIG. 2 is a top view of the door and frame assembly shown in FIG. 1.

[0006] FIG. 3 is a top cross section view of the enclosure with a door assembly including multiple vanes configured to rotate on a track.

[0007] FIG. 4 is a top cross section view of the door assembly with multiple vanes configured to rotate on a track.

[0008] FIG. 5 is a top detail view of tan alternative door assemble with multiple vanes configured to rotate on a track.DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0009] Current door mechanisms for refrigerated enclosures include one or more hinged doors that allow for access of objects. In particular, the doors can have frames of defined fixed dimensions on top and bottom horizontal rails, where vertically oriented hinges allow for rotation of the door to access the displayed refrigeration area. However, this door design can result in blocked vision of products due to vertical detractions. Additionally, the current door design can decrease energy efficiency because the opening and closing of the door can be disruptive to the airflow within the displayed refrigeration area. That is, the opening and closing of the door results in ambient air (e.g., warmer air) from the outside of the refrigerated enclosure being ingested by the refrigerated enclosure, causing for more frequent defrosting of the refrigeration area and increased energy usage.

[0010] The described techniques implement a door design for a refrigerated enclosure having multiple vanes that form a door enclosing at least a portion of the enclosure. In particular, the multiple vanes are arranged with respective side edges adjacent to one another along a track, and the multiple vanes are configured to open and close by rotating on the track. Thus, the multiple vanes can be slid horizontally along the track to open and close, allowing for increased visibility of the display area and more efficient energy usage by decreasing the amount of ambient air entering the enclosure.

[0011] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an exemplary refrigerated enclosure door assembly 102. That is, FIG. 1 shows a traditional refrigerated enclosure door assembly that is opened about a singular vertical axle (e.g., hinge). That is, FIG. 1 shows a traditional refrigerated enclosure door assembly that is opened about a singular vertical axle (e.g., hinge). In this case, the refrigerated enclosure is configured to force ambient air into the refrigerated space each time the door is closed. Refrigerated enclosure door assembly 102 may be installed on a refrigerator, freezer, or other enclosure 100 defining a temperature-controlled space. In some implementations, refrigerated enclosure 100 is used as a refrigerated display case. For example, refrigerated enclosure 100 may be a refrigerated display case or refrigerated merchandiser in grocery stores, supermarkets, convenience stores, florist shops, and / or other commercial settings to store and display temperature-sensitive consumer goods (e.g., food products and the like).

[0012] Refrigerated enclosure 100 can be used to display products that must be stored at relatively low temperatures and can include shelves, glass doors, and / or glass walls to permit viewing of the products supported by the shelves. In some implementations, refrigerated enclosure 100 is a refrigerated storage unit used, for example, in warehouses, restaurants, and lounges. Refrigerated enclosure 100 can be a free-standing unit or “built in” unit that forms a part of the building in which refrigerated enclosure 100 is located.

[0013] Refrigerated enclosure 100 includes a refrigerated enclosure door assembly 102, a top wall 104, a bottom wall 106 (not shown), a left side wall 108, a right side wall 110, and a rear wall 112 defining a temperature-controlled space. The refrigerated enclosure door assembly 102 is an opening into the temperature-controlled space.

[0014] Thermal frame 114 can be mounted at least partially within the opening. Thermal frame 114 includes a plurality of perimeter frame segments (i.e., a header or a top segment of the frame 116, a sill or bottom frame segment 118, a left-side frame segment 120, and a right-side frame segment 122 forming a closed shape along a perimeter of the opening.

[0015] In some implementations, refrigerated enclosure 100 can include the door assembly 102 with doors 124. Each of doors 124 includes an insulated panel assembly 126, a handle 128, an upper rail 142, and a lower rail 144. Each of doors 124 is connected to thermal frame 114 by way of an array of linkages on a track with an upper hinge 130 and a lower hinge 132, as described in further detail below in FIGS. 2-5. Insulated panel assembly 126 can include one or more panes of glass. Each of insulated panel assemblies 126 is secured to a corresponding upper rail 142 and a corresponding lower rail 144. Each of doors 124 is connected to thermal frame by way of an upper hinge and a lower hinge (not shown in FIG. 2).

[0016] In particular, in FIG. 1, refrigerated enclosure 100 is shown as a four-door assembly with two pairs of doors 124 positioned in an opening in front portion of the door assembly 102. Refrigerated enclosure 100 may have a lesser number of doors 124, or a greater number of doors 124. Applying a force to handle 128 causes the corresponding door 124 to rotate open about a singular vertical hinge axis located opposite the handle. In some implementations, insulated panel assembly 126 is a transparent or translucent panel assembly through which items within a temperature-controlled space can be viewed when doors 124 are in the closed position. For example, insulated panel assembly 126 is shown to include a plurality of transparent or translucent panels with spaces there between. The spaces can be sealed and filled with an insulating gas (e.g., argon) or evacuated to produce a vacuum between the panels. In certain implementations, an insulated panel can include opaque panels with an insulating foam or other insulator there between.

[0017] In some other implementations, as discussed in FIGS. 3-5 below, refrigerated enclosure 100 can have multiple vanes that form a door enclosing at least a portion of the enclosure. That is, the multiple vanes are arranged with respective side edges adjacent to one another along a track, and the multiple vanes are configured to open and close by rotating on the track. In this way, the multiple vanes can be slid horizontally along the track to open and close, allowing for increased visibility of the display area and more efficient energy usage.

[0018] FIG. 2 is a top view of the door assembly 102 shown in FIG. 1. In particular, the example door assembly of FIG. 2 shows how traditional doors create a minimum barrier (e.g., a 24 inch barrier) and obstruction to traffic within an aisle of a particular environment (e.g., a grocery store). That is, as described in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 3-5, the example door assembly of FIGS. 3-5 allows for decreased ambient air into the refrigerated space and for decreased obstruction in the particular environment due to the opening of the door assembly 102.

[0019] FIGS. 3 and 4 show an “updated” door assembly 146 with linkages configured such that the vanes are of similar size. FIG. 5 shows an alternative door assembly configured such that the vanes are of different sizes.

[0020] FIG. 3 is a top cross section view of the enclosure with a door assembly 146 including multiple vanes configured to rotate on a track. By implementing the door assembly 146 (e.g., the updated door assembly), the system can benefit retailers in having more space available for other merchandise or to have smaller foot-print stores with lower rent and utility bills without sacrificing and reducing the amount of refrigerated space deployed. In this case, the vanes are of similar size for manufacturing benefits, such as less unique component parts with increased scalability.

[0021] The door assembly 102 includes the thermal frame 114, refrigeration area 150, the upper hinge 130, the top segment of the frame 116, the upper rail 142, and the doors 124. In particular, each door 124 is configured to open and close by rotating on the hinge 130. In some cases, the doors can be 24 inches in horizontal length. However, the opening and closing of the doors using door assembly 102 to access the refrigeration area 150 can result in decreased visibility of the refrigeration area 150 and increased energy usage. In particular, the hinges for each of the doors 124 can block visibility of the area 150, along with any other vertical detractions, such as seals or handles 128. Additionally, the opening and closing of the door 124 results in pushing ambient air into the refrigeration area 150 as a door 124 closes. The ingestion of ambient air, which can be relatively warmer and more humid than the air in the area 150, increases a refrigeration load of the enclosure 100 because of excess moisture being collected as frost on an evaporation coil of the enclosure 100. In order to remove the resulting frost, the system must perform a defrosting procedure that increases energy usage as the system lowers in temperature to return to a particular cooling temperature for the area 150. Further, opening and closing conventional doors in this manner requires clearance in front of the enclosure 100, and can interfere with objects such as shopping carts or shoppers.

[0022] By implementing multiple vanes configured to rotate on a track, FIG. 3 shows a door assembly system 146 that can increase visibility of the display area 150 and decrease the energy usage of the enclosure 100. As well as improve visibility within the enclosure 100 and reduce the frontal clearance required for operation of the enclosure 100.

[0023] The door assembly system 146 includes an upper gasket 176, an upper track 158, a door 152 in a closed position, and a door 154 in a closed position. In particular, each door 152 and each door 154 includes multiple vanes configured to rotate on the track 158, as described in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0024] The upper gasket 176 is coupled to the frame 116 along an upper edge of the door. Additionally, a lower gasket (not shown) is coupled to the frame 116 along a lower edge of the door. The upper gasket 176 and the lower gasket are each configured to form a seal between the frame and the door when the door is in the closed position (e.g., door 152).

[0025] The upper track 158 and a lower track (not shown) are mounted to the frame 116. Each vane of the door is connected to the upper track 158 and the lower track via a respective linkage. That is, the track 158 is configured to cooperate with the linkages to cause each vane to rotate relative to the frame as the vane is translated laterally within the track 158, as described in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5.

[0026] The multiple vanes come together to form a door (e.g., door 152) enclosing at least a portion of the enclosure 100. Each vane is transparent to allow for visibility of the display area 150, and each vane has a front surface and a back surface that each have a larger surface area than a side edge of the vane, as described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 4.

[0027] The door 124 in the closed position has the multiple vanes arranged with respective side edges adjacent to one another along the track 158 and oriented with the back surface facing inwards towards the area 150, as described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 4. The door 152 in the open position has the multiple vanes arranged front to back within the track 158 and oriented with the side surface facing inwards to the area 150, as described in further detail below with reference to FIG. 5.

[0028] Importantly, the implementation of the door assembly 146 with multiple vanes allows for increased visibility of the display area 150, as the door assembly 146 is transparent and does not include vertical obstructions such as hinges, torsion rods, or metal railings, as shown for door assembly 102. In particular, the door assembly 146 can include plastic (e.g., plexiglass or acrylic), single pane glass, laminate glass, or a multi-pane glass vane. Additionally, the rotation of the vanes when opening the door 154 can result in decreased obstruction of the display area, allowing users to access the entirety of the display area 150. Lastly, the described door assembly 146 can result in decreased energy usage, as the opening and closing of the multiple vanes does not directly push ambient air into the enclosure 100.

[0029] FIG. 4 is a top cross section view of the door assembly with multiple vanes 156 configured to rotate on a track. As described in FIG. 3, door 152 shows the door in an open position, where the multiple vanes are collapsed to minimize a width of the multiple vanes 156. Door 154 is illustrated in a closed position, where the multiple vanes are relatively flat in order to enclose the display area. In some examples, each door can include between 5 and 10 vanes. For example, each door can have 8 vanes. In some implementations, greater 10 vanes is possible, and considered within the scope of this disclosure.

[0030] As a user actuates the doors and their corresponding vanes 156 from closed to open, the upper track 158 and the lower track, in combination with linkages 166 rotate the vanes to minimize the visual obstruction of the doors, as described in further detail below with reference to FIGS. 4 and 5. In particular, a user can grab the handles 174 to open the door by pulling the handle 174. As the user pulls on the handle 174, the vanes 156 can rotate along a track, such that each of the vanes rotates from a flat, horizontal position to a flat, vertical position as the door opens.

[0031] In some examples, the doors have an inter-door insulating device extending between the doors and configured to inhibit heat transfer between the ambient air and the display area 150. In this case, the auto-close mechanism can be implemented horizontally using one or more techniques, such as a torsion rod or linear springs, that can be placed on each of the vanes 156 and connected to the upper and lower rails.

[0032] FIG. 5 is a detail view of an alternative door assembly. As shown in FIG. 5, the alternative door assembly includes vanes of different vane widths. For example, the initial vane and the final vane can be a portion the width (e.g., nominally half) of the other vanes within the linked set. The multiple vanes of each door are connected by multiple linkages 166. Each vane 156 includes a front surface 162, a back surface 160, and a side edge 164. Additionally, each vane 156 includes a seal 168 configured to inhibit airflow past the door.

[0033] As described above, each vane 156 is coupled the upper track and the lower track via the linkages 166, where each vane is coupled to at least two linkages 166. Each respective end of each vane 156 is coupled through a respective linkage, and the track is configured to move the linkages 166 to cause each vane 156 to rotate relative to the frame as each vane is translated laterally within the track.

[0034] In particular, a particular number of linkages 166 can have a particular length X and a particular length X / 2. For example, a majority of linkages 166 can have a particular length X and a first linkage 166 and a last linkage 166 can have a particular length X / 2. In this case, the linkages 166 of particular length X can have three pivot points (e.g., axes). Any one consistent group of pivot points are within the track. In particular, the linkages 166 are coupled to each vane at the middle of the three pivot points.

[0035] In particular, for each vane 156, the two linkages 166 attach to the vane 156 at the upper track and the lower track via a rotating mechanism configured to move the linkages 166 to rotate the vane 156. For example, the rotating mechanism can be a rotating joint. The multiple vanes 156 and the corresponding linkages 166 are connected to the upper track and the lower track via a sliding mechanism. For example, the sliding mechanism can be a slider, a roller, or a combination thereof coupled to the center of each linkage 166. That is, each vane 156 is coupled to the two linkages 166, and the center of each of the two linkages is connected to the sliding mechanism. In some other examples, the sliding mechanism can be coupled to an end of the two linkages 166. In some other examples, the sliding mechanism can be coupled to particular linkages 166 (e.g., front justified linkages 166).

[0036] The front surface 162 and the back surface 160 each have a larger surface area (and width 170) than the side edge 164. In some examples, each vane can have a width 170 between 2 inches and 4 inches, and each vane can have a thickness of each side edge 164 between 0.2 inches and 0.3 inches. For example, each vane can have a width of 3 inches and a thickness of a side edge of 0.25 inches.

[0037] For each vane 156, the seal 168 is located along at least one of the side edges of the vane 156. The seal 168 is arranged to cooperate with a corresponding seal attached to an adjacent vane (e.g., seal 172) to inhibit airflow when the door 152 is in the closed position.

[0038] As used herein, “coupled” includes directly or indirectly connected. Two elements are coupled if they contact one another (e.g., where faces of a frame member and a contact plate are in contact with one another.), but may also be coupled where they do not contact one another.

[0039] As used herein, the terms “perpendicular,”“substantially perpendicular,” or “approximately perpendicular” refer to an orientation of two elements (e.g., lines, axes, planes, surfaces, walls, or components) with respect to one and other that forms a ninety-degree (perpendicular) angle within acceptable engineering, machining, or measurement tolerances. For example, two surfaces can be considered orthogonal to each other if the angle between the surfaces is within an acceptable tolerance of ninety degrees (e.g., ±1-5 degrees).

[0040] As used herein, a “ridge” includes any element or portion thereof that projects from a surface of a component over at least a portion of the surface. A ridge may be in the form of, for example, a rail, elongated protrusion, rim, bar, or lip. A ridge can project in any direction, including up, down, left, right, sideways, or obliquely.

[0041] As used herein, an “air passage” includes any space that allows air to move through or within. In some cases, an air passage can be a through passage that permits air to continuously flow through the passage from one end to another. In other cases, an air passage (or portion thereof) is a blind passage that does not allow for continuous airflow. Air movement in a passage can be caused by pressure differentials, thermal gradients, or otherwise. “Air passage” does not imply that air actually moves within the air passage.

[0042] As used herein, in the context of an air passage, a “labyrinthine” air passage includes two or more segments with at least one bend. An air passage having a labyrinthine shape may tend to inhibit flow of air through the passage.

[0043] It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.

[0044] While a number of examples have been described for illustration purposes, the foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. There are and will be other examples and modifications within the scope of the following claims. For example, the construction and arrangement of the refrigerated enclosure with thermal door frame as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few embodiments of the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those skilled in the art who review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are possible (e.g., variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the various elements, values of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations, etc.) without materially departing from the description and advantages of the subject matter disclosed herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of multiple parts or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and the nature or number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied. Accordingly, all such modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present invention as defined in the appended claims. Other substitutions, modifications, changes, and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions, and arrangement of the various exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present inventions.

Claims

1. A temperature-controlled display case comprising:a refrigerated enclosure defining an interior space and comprising a front opening;a frame assembly mounted within the front opening; anda door assembly coupled to the frame assembly, the door assembly comprising:a plurality of vanes that together form a door enclosing at least a portion of the front opening each vane being transparent to visible light and comprising a front surface and a back surface that each have a larger surface area than a side edge of the vane; anda track mounted to the frame assembly and within which a respective end of each vane is coupled through a respective linkage, wherein the track is configured to cooperate with the respective linkages to cause each vane to rotate relative to the frame assembly as the vane is translated along the track,wherein the plurality of vanes are arranged with respective side edges adjacent to one another along the track and oriented with the back surface facing inwards towards the interior space, with the door in a closed position, andwherein the plurality of vanes are arranged front to back within the track and oriented with the side surface facing inwards to the interior space when the door is in an open position.

2. The display case of claim 1, wherein the door assembly comprises an upper track and a lower track each mounted to the frame assembly, wherein each one the plurality of vanes are coupled to both the upper track and the lower track.

3. The display case of claim 1, wherein each vane comprises a seal along at least one of the side edges of the plurality of vanes, wherein the seal is arranged to cooperate with a corresponding seal attached to a neighboring one of the plurality of vanes to inhibit airflow past the door, when in the closed position.

4. The display case of claim 1, wherein the door further comprises:an upper gasket coupled to the frame assembly along an upper edge of the door, anda lower gasket coupled to the frame assembly along a lower edge of the door, wherein the upper gasket and the lower gasket are each configured to form a seal between the frame assembly and the door when the door is in the closed position.

5. The display case of claim 1, wherein the display case comprises at least two doors, at least one of the doors comprising an inter-door insulating device extending between the doors and configured to inhibit heat transfer between ambient air around the refrigerated enclosure and the interior space of the refrigerated enclosure.

6. The display case of claim 1, wherein when the door is in the open position, the plurality of vanes are collapsed such as to minimize a width of the plurality of vanes.

7. The display case of claim 1, wherein a width of each vane across the front surface is between 2 inches and 4 inches, and a thickness of each vane across each side edge is between 0.2 inches and 0.3 inches.

8. The display case of claim 1, wherein each door comprises between 5 and 10 vanes.

9. A door for a temperature-controlled enclosure defining an interior space, the door being configured to be mounted to a frame assembly of the temperature-controlled enclosure, the door comprising:a plurality of vanes that together form a door enclosing at least a portion of the front opening each vane being transparent to visible light and comprising a front surface and a back surface that each have a larger surface area than a side edge of the vane; anda track mounted to the frame assembly and within which a respective end of each vane is coupled through a respective linkage, wherein the track is configured to cooperate with the respective linkages to cause each vane to rotate relative to the frame assembly as the vane is translated along the track,wherein the plurality of vanes are arranged with respective side edges adjacent to one another along the track and oriented with the back surface facing inwards towards the interior space, with the door in a closed position, andwherein the plurality of vanes are arranged front to back within the track and oriented with the side surface facing inwards to the interior space when the door is in an open position.

10. The door of claim 9, wherein the door comprises an upper track and a lower track each mounted to the frame assembly, wherein each one the plurality of vanes are coupled to both the upper track and the lower track.

11. The door of claim 9, wherein each vane comprises a seal along at least one of the side edges of the plurality of vanes, wherein the seal is arranged to cooperate with a corresponding seal attached to a neighboring one of the plurality of vanes to inhibit airflow past the door, when in the closed position.

12. The door of claim 9, wherein the track comprises a closure mechanism coupled to the respective linkages that is configured to interact with the respective linkages to rotate the plurality of vanes, such that the plurality of vanes are perpendicular to the frame assembly.

13. The door of claim 9, wherein the door further comprises:an upper gasket coupled to the frame assembly along an upper edge of the door, anda lower gasket coupled to the frame assembly along a lower edge of the door,wherein the upper gasket and the lower gasket are each configured to form a seal between the frame assembly and the door when the door is in the closed position.

14. The door of claim 9, wherein when the door is in the open position, the plurality of vanes are collapsed such as to minimize a width of the plurality of vanes.

15. The door of claim 9, wherein a width of each vane across the front surface is between 2 inches and 4 inches, and a thickness of each vane across each side edge is between 0.2 inches and 0.3 inches.

16. The door of claim 9, wherein at least one linkage of the plurality of linkages comprises three pivot points.

17. The door of claim 9, wherein each linkage includes a sliding mechanism coupled to a center region of the linkage.

18. The door of claim 9, wherein a first vane and a last vane each have a width that is less than a width of the other vanes.

19. The door of claim 9, wherein at least one of the plurality of vanes has a width that is half the width of another vane.

20. The door of claim 9, further comprising an upper gasket configured to form a seal between the door and the frame assembly when the door is closed.

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