Refrigeration assembly and method for preserving and presenting fish

Abstract

The invention relates to a refrigeration assembly for presenting and preserving fish, the refrigeration assembly comprising a refrigerating display case (1) that defines a presentation area (ZP) in which the fish is intended to be presented and preserved, the refrigeration assembly comprising a forced-convection refrigeration unit (GR) configured and arranged so as to be able to operate in a refrigeration mode in which it maintains an ambient temperature in the presentation area (ZP) between -1°C and 2°C, and in which a refrigerant circulating through a refrigerant circuit (CR) of the refrigeration unit (GR) evaporates, in an evaporator (EV) of the refrigeration unit, at a predetermined evaporation temperature between -5°C and -2°C, such that the difference in temperature between the ambient temperature and the evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

Description

[0001] REFRIGERATING UNIT AND METHOD FOR PRESERVING AND PRESENTING FISH

[0002] Field of invention

[0003] 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.

[0004] The invention applies more particularly to the preservation of unpackaged fresh fish.

[0005] Such units must be capable of maintaining the heart of the fish at a temperature, known as core temperature, between 0°C and 2°C.

[0006] There are known stalls designed to preserve fresh, unpackaged fish on a bed of ice.

[0007] However, these stalls have a number of disadvantages.

[0008] 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, as does 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 that can give off foul odors.

[0009] Furthermore, direct contact between fish and melting ice negatively affects the taste and texture of the fish. The fish flesh absorbs water from its storage environment, which dulls the taste, softens the texture of the fish, and complicates cooking.

[0010] In addition, the use of ice involves significant water consumption and numerous maintenance activities. It also causes significant musculoskeletal disorders among fishmongers.

[0011] An aim of the present invention is to provide a solution for preserving unpackaged fresh fish without using ice.

[0012] To this end, the invention relates to a refrigerating assembly for presenting and preserving fish, the refrigerating assembly comprising a refrigerating display case delimiting a presentation area where the fish, for example, 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 between -1°C and 2°C and in which the refrigerant fluid evaporates, in the evaporator, at an evaporation temperature of between -5°C and -2°C and defined so that a difference between the ambient temperature and the evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

[0013] According to one embodiment, the refrigerating assembly comprising a forced convection refrigerating unit configured and arranged so as to be capable of being in a refrigerating configuration in which it maintains an ambient temperature of the presentation area at a predetermined target temperature of between -1°C and 2°C and in which a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerating circuit of the refrigerating unit evaporates, in an evaporator 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. According to a particular embodiment, the ambient temperature is between 0°C and 2°C.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.

[0014] 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.

[0015] According to one embodiment, the evaporator has a heat exchange surface of between 10 m 2 by m 2(square meter) of a refrigerated display case support on which the fish is intended to rest when received in the display area and 14 m 2 by m 2 of the support. According to one embodiment, the refrigerating unit is configured to switch from the refrigeration configuration to a defrost configuration at a predetermined time interval so as to defrost the evaporator and return to the refrigeration configuration when a defrost end condition is met, a fan of the refrigerating unit being stopped when the refrigerating unit is in the defrost configuration.

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

[0017] According to a particular embodiment, the refrigerating unit is configured so that in the defrost configuration, the refrigerant 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] According to one embodiment, the ambient temperature of the presentation area is an average of temperatures taken at several points in the presentation area.

[0019] 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, an ambient temperature of the presentation area at between -1°C and 2°C, a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerating circuit evaporating, in an evaporator 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.

[0020] According to one embodiment, during the method of 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 predetermined ambient temperature of between -1°C and 2°C, a refrigerant circulating in a refrigerating circuit evaporates, in an evaporator 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.

[0021] Advantageously, the fish is unpackaged.

[0022] In a particular embodiment, the fish rests on a support of the refrigerated display case and is in direct physical contact with the support.

[0023] Advantageously, the fish is fresh fish.

[0024] Advantageously, when the fish is placed in the presentation area, the core temperature of the fish is between 0°C and 2°C and the core temperature of the fish is maintained between 0°C and 2°C when it is in the presentation area.

[0025] Thus, the refrigeration unit is configured so that when the fish is in the presentation area, its core temperature is maintained between 0°C and 2°C during operation.

[0026] Advantageously, when the fish is in the presentation area, the refrigeration unit alternately switches between the cooling phase and the defrosting phase. The refrigeration unit switches from the cooling phase to the defrosting phase when a defrosting condition is met and vice versa when a defrosting end condition is met.

[0027] Brief description of the figures

[0028] Other characteristics and advantages of the invention will emerge on reading the detailed description which follows, with reference to the appended figures, which illustrate:

[0029] Fig. 1: a schematic view of a section of a refrigerating assembly according to an example of the invention, in which the evaporator, a fan and a compressor of the refrigerating assembly are represented very schematically by rectangles,

[0030] Fig. 2: a diagram of an example of a refrigerant circuit of a refrigerant assembly according to the invention,

[0031] Fig. 3: a schematic perspective view of the refrigerating assembly of Figure 1, Fig. 4: a partial schematic perspective view of the refrigerating assembly of Figure 1, in which certain elements such as the ventilation assembly are not shown;

[0032] Fig. 5: A schematic perspective view of an example of a refrigerated cabinet.

[0033] Description of invention

[0034] The invention relates to a refrigerating assembly comprising a refrigerating display case 1 and a refrigerating unit GR.

[0035] The refrigerating unit is configured to ensure the preservation and presentation of fresh food products, such as fresh fish without packaging without using ice within a presentation area ZP delimited by the refrigerated display case 1.

[0036] Ice is water in a solid state.

[0037] 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.

[0038] The unpackaged fish is thus in direct physical contact with a current of air circulating in the presentation zone ZP of the refrigerated display case 1.

[0039] The refrigerated cavity CA is capable of being alternately in a closed configuration in which the refrigerated cavity is sealed and in an open configuration in which it is open.

[0040] When the refrigerated cavity CA is in the open configuration, it is possible to place goods, particularly fish, in the presentation area ZP from outside the refrigerated cavity CA and to remove goods from the presentation area ZP and the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0041] 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.

[0042] In other words, the refrigerated display case 1 comprises the refrigerating unit GR. However, the invention also applies to the case where elements of the refrigerating unit are moved outside the volume delimited by the refrigerated display case as we will see in the rest of the text.

[0043] 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.

[0044] For this purpose, the refrigerated display case 1 is a ventilated cold display case.

[0045] In other words, the refrigerated display case 1 includes a forced convection refrigeration unit GR.

[0046] Forced convection refrigeration unit GR means a refrigeration unit GR comprising a ventilation assembly comprising at least one fan VE which, when the refrigeration 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.

[0047] Thus, the air stream circulates along the surface of the EV evaporator so as to be in direct physical contact with the surface of the EV evaporator so as to be cooled by the evaporator before being reinjected into the presentation zone ZP.

[0048] The direction of the air flow is represented by small arrows in Figure 1.

[0049] 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.

[0050] The GR refrigeration unit also includes a CR refrigeration circuit, shown very schematically in Figure 1.

[0051] The refrigerant circuit CR includes in particular an evaporator EV received in the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0052] As shown in Figure 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.

[0053] 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 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 ambient temperature and the evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

[0054] The temperature, referred to as ambient temperature in the present patent application, is defined further in the patent application. According to one embodiment, in the refrigeration configuration, the refrigerating unit GR is configured to maintain the ambient temperature within a predefined temperature range in the range of -1°C to 2°C. In other words, the refrigerating unit GR is configured 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 the refrigerant FF evaporates, in the evaporator EV, at an evaporation temperature of between -5°C and -2°C and defined such that a difference between the target temperature and the evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

[0055] A predetermined target temperature may be understood to mean a given temperature within the temperature range or a given temperature range within the range of -1°C to 2°C.

[0056] In one embodiment, the predetermined target temperature is a temperature range.

[0057] The temperature range extends, for example, from -1°C to 2°C.

[0058] Thus, this example corresponds to the embodiment in which the refrigeration unit is configured to maintain the ambient temperature within a given temperature range between -1°C and 2°C.

[0059] For example, the given interval is the temperature interval from 0°C to 2°C or from -0.5°C to 2°C.

[0060] Alternatively, the predetermined target temperature is a given temperature between -1°C and 2°C.

[0061] In this embodiment, the refrigeration unit is configured so that the ambient temperature is equal to a target temperature of a given value.

[0062] This value is, for example, greater than or equal to 0°C. It is, for example, 0.5°C or 1°C.

[0063] However, the ambient temperature varies inherently in the operation of a refrigeration unit.

[0064] Therefore, according to one embodiment, a tolerance of + / - 1° or + / - 1.5°C is provided on the value of the ambient temperature compared to that of the given target temperature.

[0065] The target temperature value and the tolerance value are, for example, defined so that the room temperature is maintained within a predefined temperature interval in the range from -1°C to 2°C. The temperature interval is, for example, the interval from -1°C to 2°C or from -0.5°C to 2°C or from 0°C to 2°C.

[0066] The ambient temperature is, for example, an average of temperatures taken at several points in the presentation area ZP.

[0067] These temperatures are advantageously taken at the same time.

[0068] Alternatively, they are taken at different times while the refrigeration unit is in the refrigeration configuration.

[0069] Advantageously, a point temperature measurement is used.

[0070] 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.

[0071] For example, the points include at least three points distributed along the longitudinal axis and / or at least three points distributed along the transverse axis.

[0072] Advantageously, these points are taken approximately in a plane being at mid-height of the presentation area.

[0073] Advantageously, the points distributed along the longitudinal axis are taken approximately halfway across the presentation area.

[0074] Advantageously, the points distributed along the longitudinal axis are regularly distributed along substantially the entire length of the presentation area. Advantageously, the points distributed along the transverse axis are taken substantially at mid-length of the presentation area.

[0075] Advantageously, the points distributed along the transverse axis are regularly distributed along substantially the entire width of the presentation area.

[0076] Points distributed along the longitudinal axis and those distributed along the transverse axis may have a common point.

[0077] Other distributions of points are of course possible.

[0078] Alternatively, the room temperature is a temperature of a point in the presentation area.

[0079] In the refrigeration configuration, the difference between the ambient or target temperature and the evaporating temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

[0080] The evaporation temperature is between -5°C and -2°C.

[0081] In one embodiment, the evaporation temperature is set to a given value.

[0082] In one variant, the evaporation temperature varies in the range from -5°C to -2°C.

[0083] In one embodiment, the evaporation temperature considered is the evaporation temperature of the fluid at the inlet of the evaporator.

[0084] The choice of this evaporation temperature makes it possible to obtain the interval in which the greatest difference between the target or ambient temperature and the evaporation temperature is included.

[0085] Alternatively, the evaporation temperature is a temperature taken at another position within the evaporator.

[0086] Such a refrigeration unit allows the core temperature of the fish to be maintained between 0°C and 2°C when it is received in the presentation area ZP in order to ensure good preservation of the fish and prevent the proliferation of bacteria.

[0087] Maintaining the core temperature of a fish between 0°C and 2°C means maintaining the core temperature of the fish stored in the presentation area ZP within this temperature range of 0°C to 2°C when the core temperature of the fish is within this temperature range of 0°C to 2°C when the fish is introduced into the presentation area ZP for storage.

[0088] In other words, the cooling configuration of the refrigeration unit is determined so as to maintain the core temperature of the fish between 0°C and 2°C.

[0089] The configuration of the refrigeration unit, in the refrigeration configuration, is set empirically so as to maintain the core temperature of the fish between 0°C and 2°C.

[0090] For example, we check that the core temperature of the fish is maintained between 0°C and 2°C, for several given configurations of the refrigeration unit, empirically, by placing fish in the display case whose core temperature is between 0°C and 2°C and by measuring the core temperature of the fish at different times until we obtain a configuration ensuring that the core temperature of the fish is maintained between 0°C and 2°C.

[0091] Alternatively, a temperature probe is immersed in a body or material having a density substantially equal to that of the fish or close to that of the fish, for example in a glass of water so as to carry out these checks.

[0092] The configuration is determined to maintain the core temperature of the fish between 0°C and 2°C in the refrigeration configuration.

[0093] Ventilated cooling has the advantage of allowing a relatively uniform temperature to be obtained in the presentation area ZP and ensuring efficient cooling by promoting heat exchange between the air and the evaporator.

[0094] Furthermore, the proposed solution ensures gentle cooling of the air and thus limits the absorption of humidity by the air as it passes through the presentation area ZP on the fish, which prevents the fish stored and presented in the presentation area ZP from drying out.

[0095] 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 allows the fish to be kept there without ice while limiting the risk of the fish drying out.

[0096] This high humidity level is achieved without a humidifier, i.e. without any means of injecting water into the refrigerated cavity CA, which limits costs, the risk of bacterial proliferation and defrosting requirements.

[0097] Advantageously, the refrigerating assembly is free of a humidifier intended to inject water into the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0098] Advantageously, the evaporation temperature is between -4°C and -3°C.

[0099] Advantageously, the target temperature is between -0.5°C and 2°C, for example, between 0°C and 2°C.

[0100] In other words, the room temperature is maintained between -0.5° and 2°C or between 0°C and 2°C.

[0101] Advantageously, the difference between the target temperature or ambient 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.

[0102] 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. In other words, at any point of 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 the refrigeration configuration.

[0103] This makes it possible to avoid, within the presentation area ZP, significant temperature deviations from the target temperature which could be detrimental to the preservation of the fish. The condition that the temperature of each point in the presentation area is between -2°C and 4°C is verified empirically by measuring the temperature at different points in the display case at different times, when the refrigerating unit is in the refrigeration configuration, so as to verify that the temperature at each point in the presentation area is between -2°C and 4°C.The configuration of the refrigerating unit can be adjusted empirically by measuring the temperature at different points in the display case at different times, when the refrigerating unit is in the refrigeration configuration, for different configurations of the refrigerating unit, until the condition that the temperature of each point in the display area is between -2°C and 4°C is met.

[0104] Presentation area

[0105] 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.

[0106] Advantageously, the fish received in the presentation area ZP in order to be presented and stored there is without packaging and is stored without ice.

[0107] In other words, the fish is advantageously in direct physical contact with the air circulating in the presentation area ZP and the support SP on which it rests when it is received in the presentation area ZP.

[0108] The SP support is advantageously substantially flat.

[0109] The SP support includes, for example, one or more trays and / or one or more grids.

[0110] In the example of the figures, as visible in figure 4, the SP support comprises several PL trays.

[0111] The presentation zone ZP is, for example, an area 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.

[0112] The presentation area 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.

[0113] Refrigeration unit and refrigeration circuit

[0114] In Figure 2, we have schematically represented the refrigerant circuit CR. The refrigerant circuit CR includes a compressor COP, a condenser CO, an expansion valve DET, an evaporator EV, a pressure regulator RP. These elements are connected by pipes TU.

[0115] The CR refrigerant circuit receives a FF refrigerant intended to circulate in a closed loop in the CR refrigerant circuit.

[0116] More specifically, the CR refrigerant circuit advantageously comprises:

[0117] - 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,

[0118] - 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,

[0119] - 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,

[0120] - 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.

[0121] The target high pressure is higher than the target low pressure.

[0122] In this embodiment, in which the low pressure is maintained at a predetermined target low pressure, the evaporation temperature is substantially fixed. In other words, the evaporation temperature of the fluid at a given point in the evaporator, for example at the inlet of the evaporator, is substantially fixed.

[0123] The CR refrigerant circuit comprises a high pressure part including the COP compressor and the CO condenser and a low pressure part including the DET expansion valve and the EV evaporator.

[0124] 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.

[0125] The DET expansion valve is configured to lower the refrigerant pressure so that the pressure of the refrigerant injected at the inlet of the EV evaporator is substantially equal to the target low pressure.

[0126] FF refrigerant is, for example, R134, R449, R290, carbon dioxide CO2. These examples are not limiting.

[0127] The GR refrigeration unit also includes:

[0128] - a temperature sensor C arranged in the refrigerated cavity CA, as is the case in the example in figure 1, configured to deliver a temperature measurement of the refrigerated cavity CA, for example at regular time intervals,

[0129] - 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.

[0130] The CT controller comprises a set of at least one processor, one or more memories. 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.

[0131] 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.

[0132] Advantageously, the controller CT is configured, when the refrigerating unit GR is in the refrigeration configuration, to stop the compressor COP when a temperature measurement delivered by the temperature sensor C is less than or equal to a minimum temperature and to start the compressor COP when a temperature measurement is greater than or equal to a maximum temperature.

[0133] 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.

[0134] In order to maintain the room 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.

[0135] In one embodiment, the minimum temperature and the maximum temperature are given.

[0136] The maximum and minimum temperature are, for example, set empirically so that the room temperature is maintained in the range of -1°C to 2°C or in some other range within this range.

[0137] This is achieved, for example, by measuring or calculating the ambient temperature from measurements taken from sensors arranged at different positions in the presentation area, for different temperatures delivered by the sensor C and by calculating, from these measurements, a differential between the temperature delivered by the sensor and the ambient temperature.

[0138] The maximum temperature can be defined as the sum of the maximum temperature of the interval and the differential. The minimum temperature can then be defined as the sum of the minimum temperature of the interval and the differential. When the target temperature is a given temperature, the maximum temperature is, for example, defined as the sum of the target temperature, the tolerance and the differential.

[0139] When the target temperature is a given temperature, the minimum temperature is, for example, defined as the sum of the differential and the difference between the target temperature and the tolerance.

[0140] Evaporation temperature

[0141] The difference between the target temperature or ambient temperature and the evaporation temperature of the refrigerant FF is set by defining the target high and target low pressures, an air flow rate and an exchange surface of the evaporator EV and an evaporator cooling capacity EV.

[0142] The cooling capacity of the EV evaporator is predetermined for a given technology EV evaporator.

[0143] The EV evaporator advantageously comprises a battery of aluminum fins and a network of copper tubes in which the FF refrigerant circulates, the network of copper tubes being in intimate contact with the aluminum fins.

[0144] The target high and low pressures depend on the refrigerant.

[0145] 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 performance and in particular the ambient and evaporation temperatures are obtained.

[0146] Advantageously, the heat exchange surface of the evaporator is between 10 m 2 by m 2 SP support and 14 m 2 by m 2 SP support.

[0147] Thus, the exchange surface of the evaporator is between 10 m 2 and 14 m 2 when the surface area of ​​the support SP is 1 m 2 .

[0148] The exchange surface of the evaporator is between 23 m 2 and 32.2 m 2 when the surface area of ​​the SP support is 2.3 m 2 Advantageously, the exchange surface of the evaporator is between 27 m 2 and 30 m 2 when the surface area of ​​the SP support is 2.3 m 2 .

[0149] Advantageously, the exchange surface of the evaporator is between 11 m 2 by m 2 SP support and 13 m 2 by m 2 SP support.

[0150] This configuration allows to obtain the evaporation temperature as well as the small difference between the desired evaporation temperature and the target temperature, i.e. the room temperature.

[0151] Furthermore, this configuration is advantageous in that it limits the flow of air, which limits the drying out of the fish.

[0152] Defrosting

[0153] 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.

[0154] For this purpose, the refrigerating unit GR is advantageously configured so as to switch from the refrigeration 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 refrigeration 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.

[0155] In other words, the refrigeration unit is configured to be alternately in the refrigeration configuration and in the defrosting configuration so as to be alternately in a cooling or refrigeration phase and a defrosting phase.

[0156] When the GR refrigeration unit is in defrosting configuration, we move into a defrosting phase of the preservation and presentation process according to the invention.

[0157] The defrost termination condition is, for example, only met when the EV evaporator temperature exceeds a predetermined threshold temperature. This threshold temperature is, for example, between 4°C and 10° or between 4°C and 6°C.

[0158] In this example, the CT controller advantageously comprises a comparator configured to compare the temperature to the temperature threshold.

[0159] Alternatively, the defrost condition is met only when a time elapsed since the refrigeration unit last switched from the refrigeration configuration to the defrost configuration is greater than a predetermined time threshold.

[0160] Advantageously, the start and end conditions of defrosting are defined so that the core temperature of the fish remains between 0°C and 2°C during defrosting.

[0161] This adjustment is, for example, carried out as explained previously.

[0162] Due to inertia, the core temperature of the fish remains within the temperature range of 0°C to 2°C even if the temperature within the presentation area exceeds 4°C if the duration of a defrosting phase is sufficiently short.

[0163] Stopping the ventilation during defrosting limits the temperature rise in the presentation area ZP.

[0164] Advantageously, the GR refrigeration unit is configured so that in the defrost configuration, the FF refrigerant delivered by the COP compressor is injected at the inlet of the EV evaporator without passing through the CO condenser or the DET expansion valve. This causes a rapid rise in temperature of the EV evaporator.

[0165] This defrosting configuration ensures very rapid defrosting, which, due to inertia, ensures that the core temperature of the fish is maintained at a temperature not exceeding 2°C.

[0166] For this purpose, the CR refrigerant circuit includes, for example:

[0167] - an intermediate circuit Cl 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 Cl via the intermediate circuit Cl and in an open state in which it allows the refrigerant FF to pass from the output of the compressor COP to the output of the intermediate circuit Cl via the intermediate circuit Cl, the defrost valve VD being closed in the refrigeration configuration,

[0168] - an SD defrost probe configured to measure an EV evaporator temperature,

[0169] The GR refrigeration unit is configured to switch to the defrost configuration by implementing the following steps:

[0170] - stopping each VE fan in the ventilation system,

[0171] - COP compressor shutdown,

[0172] - opening of the VD defrost valve,

[0173] - 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.

[0174] Advantageously, the CR refrigerant circuit includes a VDD non-return valve configured to allow the refrigerant to flow in one direction only.

[0175] The non-return valve VDD is arranged between the outlet of the intermediate circuit Cl 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.

[0176] On the other hand, the non-return valve VDD prevents the refrigerant FF from circulating from the outlet of the intermediate circuit Cl to the outlet of the expansion valve DET.

[0177] 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 refrigerating unit GR to the refrigerating configuration when the end of defrost condition is met. 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.

[0178] Advantageously, the VT display case includes a water drainage opening through which the water in liquid form formed during defrosting is able to flow out of the CA cavity as we will see later.

[0179] Advantageously, this opening can be closed tightly.

[0180] Refrigerated counter

[0181] In the example of figures 1, 3 and 4, the refrigerated display case 1 is a refrigerated counter.

[0182] Advantageously, the refrigerated display case 1 is elongated along a substantially horizontal longitudinal axis, i.e. 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.

[0183] 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 Cil when the cover CV is in a closed state.

[0184] The glass cover CV rests on the base B.

[0185] More precisely, the glazed cover CV extends above the base B along a vertical axis parallel to the gravitational force. By above, we mean 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.

[0186] Furthermore, the glass cover CV and the tank Cil delimit the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0187] The CV glass cover is advantageously mostly glazed.

[0188] The glazed cover CV comprises two side glazings VA, VO facing each other, including an access glazing VA comprising at least one movable pane V so as to allow alternately opening and closing in a sealed manner 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.

[0189] When the at least one pane of glass 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 of glass opens the opening through which goods can be introduced into the refrigerated cavity, the cover is in an open state.

[0190] When the aperture is open, the AC refrigerated cavity is in the open configuration mentioned previously.

[0191] A VO observation window allows buyers to see the goods arranged on the SP support.

[0192] Advantageously, the VO observation glazing and the VA access glazing are connected by an upper VS glazing located opposite the SP support, which also allows the goods to be observed.

[0193] The observation glazing VO, the access glazing VA and the upper glazing VS are connected by transverse glazing VIT located opposite each other.

[0194] The side glazings VA, VO are elongated along a longitudinal axis x of the window. The y axis perpendicular to the longitudinal axis and crossing the side glazings VA, VO is called the transverse axis y.

[0195] The movable window(s) are, for example, mounted to slide or pivot relative to an SC structure of the cover.

[0196] Each glazing unit comprises a set of at least one glazed wall. Each glazed wall is advantageously multi-glazed. This ensures good thermal insulation between the display area ZP and the surrounding environment. This notably limits the energy consumption of the refrigeration unit GR, limits the risk of condensation and increases the inertia of the display case.

[0197] Glass walls are, for example, double-glazed or triple-glazed.

[0198] Base B includes a CU tank.

[0199] The CU tank includes, for example, a PT work surface on which the merchant can work.

[0200] 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. 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.

[0201] The support SP is mounted on the tank CU so as to divide the cavity CA into several fluidly communicating compartments, including a first compartment comprising the receiving zone ZP delimited by the glass cover CV and the support SP and a second compartment delimited by the glass cover CV and the tank CU.

[0202] Advantageously, the base B also delimits a lower cavity Cl, that is to say separated from the refrigerated cavity CA by the tank CU.

[0203] The lower cavity Cl does not communicate fluidly with the refrigerated cavity CA.

[0204] The capacitor CO, the expansion valve DET and the compressor COP are advantageously arranged in the lower cavity Cl.

[0205] The EV evaporator and VE fans are housed in the CV tank under the SP support. This position is particularly suitable for display cases with a glass cover. It allows customers' views to remain unobstructed while being in direct proximity to the ZP display area, ensuring efficient cooling of the latter area and limiting energy consumption.

[0206] Advantageously, the EV evaporator faces the SU support substantially over the entire length of the support.

[0207] 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 homogenizing the temperature of the presentation area.

[0208] The evaporator extends, for example, over a portion of the length of the CU tank between 90 and 95%.

[0209] Advantageously, the DV ventilation assembly comprises several VE fans distributed along the longitudinal axis x.

[0210] The VE fans produce the transverse airflow described above inside the CA cavity in the direction of the arrow in Figure 1. Advantageously, the VE fans are distributed along the longitudinal axis x so that the airflow is substantially homogeneous over the entire length of the presentation area along the x axis.

[0211] Advantageously, the tank Cil comprises at least one, for example two, water recovery gutters CAN provided with water drainage openings. The recovery gutters are arranged and configured so that the defrost water flows in these gutters to the water drainage openings to be discharged outside the cavity CA. This makes it possible to limit the risks of bacterial proliferation and unpleasant odors.

[0212] Advantageously, the display case includes water drainage openings from the support to the water drainage opening(s).

[0213] Refrigerated cabinet

[0214] Alternatively, the refrigerated display case is a refrigerated cabinet.

[0215] An example of a refrigerated cabinet 10 is shown in Figure 5.

[0216] 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.

[0217] The refrigerated cavity CA1 is advantageously elongated along the vertical axis, just like the presentation zone ZP1, which is part of the volume of the refrigerated cavity CA1 when the cabinet rests on a substantially horizontal support.

[0218] In this embodiment, the refrigerated cavity CA1 comprises a presentation zone ZP1 separated from the evaporator by a substantially vertical partition CL when the cabinet rests on a substantially horizontal support.

[0219] 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.

[0220] Remote elements

[0221] In one embodiment, elements of the refrigerating unit are remote as we will see in the rest of the text. In other words, first elements of the refrigerating unit are remote and intended to be removably connected 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.

[0222] For example, the first elements of the refrigeration unit are located outside the volume delimited by the refrigerated display case.

[0223] 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.

[0224] The showcase comprises In one embodiment 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 FF refrigerant by the COP compressor when the pressure switch detects that a pressure of the FF refrigerant circuit in a zone of the refrigerant circuit falls below a first predetermined pressure threshold and to stop the suction of the FF refrigerant by the COP compressor when the pressure switch detects that the pressure of the refrigerant in the zone of the refrigerant circuit exceeds a second predetermined threshold higher than the first threshold.

[0225] For example, the solenoid valve is arranged so that it is between the outlet of the CO condenser and the inlet of the DET expansion valve when the refrigerant circuit is formed.

[0226] 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.

[0227] The control organ is then a switch control organ.

[0228] The switch is conveniently included in the refrigerated display case.

[0229] Advantageously, the controller CT is configured, when the refrigeration unit GR is in the refrigeration configuration, to close the solenoid valve when a temperature measurement delivered by the temperature sensor C is less than or equal to a minimum temperature and to open the solenoid valve when a temperature measurement is greater than or equal to a maximum temperature.

[0230] When the solenoid valve is open, the pressure at the solenoid valve decreases, the pressure switch detects when the pressure of the FF refrigerant in an area of ​​the refrigerant circuit falls below a first predetermined pressure threshold and triggers the suction of the FF refrigerant by the COP compressor.

[0231] When the solenoid valve is closed, the pressure at the solenoid valve increases, the pressure switch detects when the pressure of the FF refrigerant in a zone of the refrigerant circuit exceeds the second predetermined pressure threshold and stops the suction of the FF refrigerant by the COP compressor. This embodiment is also applicable when the refrigerating assembly is the refrigerating display case.

[0232] Alternatively, the switch and / or the switch control member are remote and intended to be removably connected to second elements of the refrigeration unit.

[0233] Alternatively, the refrigerant circuit CR comprises a first solenoid valve by which the compressor inlet is connected to the evaporator outlet EV and a second solenoid valve by which the condenser outlet is connected to the condenser CO.

[0234] 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.

[0235] Process

[0236] The invention relates to a method for preserving and presenting fish in a refrigerated display case of a refrigerating unit according to the invention in which the fish is placed in the presentation zone ZP of the refrigerated display case.

[0237] The cooling phase defined below corresponds to the phase during which the refrigerating unit is in the refrigeration configuration. 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 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.

[0238] More generally, the forced convection refrigeration unit is used to maintain, during a cooling phase, the ambient temperature of the presentation area ZP within a temperature range of between -1°C and 2°C.

[0239] The evaporating temperature is between -5°C and -2°C and is defined so that a difference between the ambient temperature and the evaporating temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

[0240] The ambient, target and evaporation temperatures, temperature intervals, tolerances and temperature differentials described above can be used in the method according to the invention.

[0241] During the cooling phase, the GR refrigeration unit generates an air flow from the presentation area ZP to the EV evaporator so that the air is cooled by the EV evaporator before being reinjected into the presentation area ZP.

[0242] 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.

[0243] Advantageously, the fish is fresh.

[0244] Advantageously, the fish is unpackaged and kept without ice in the presentation area.

[0245] Thus, at least one fish is, for example, in direct contact with a support of the refrigerated display case on which it rests.

[0246] Alternatively or additionally, at least one fish is suspended from a hook attached to a support in the presentation area. According to one embodiment, the core temperature of the fish is between 0°C and 2°C when the fish is placed in the presentation area ZP. The refrigeration unit then ensures that the core temperature of the fish placed in the presentation area is maintained between 0°C and 2°C.

[0247] When the fish is stored and presented in the presentation area, the refrigeration unit alternately switches from the cooling phase, it is then in refrigeration configuration, to the defrosting phase (it is then in the defrosting phase) as described previously.

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 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) 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 ambient 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 (Cil) on which is mounted a glass cover (CV) so as to seal an opening delimited by the tank (Cil) 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 (Cil).

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 of between 10 m 2 and 14 m 2 by m 2 of a support (SP) of the refrigerated display case (1) on which the fish is intended to rest when it is received in the presentation area (ZP).

6. Refrigerating assembly according to any one of the preceding claims, in which the refrigerating unit (GR) is configured so as to switch from the refrigerating configuration to a defrosting configuration at a predetermined time interval so as to defrost the evaporator (EV) and to return to the refrigerating configuration when a defrosting end condition is met, a fan (VE) of the refrigerating unit being stopped when the refrigerating unit (GR) is in the defrosting 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 (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. Refrigeration unit according to the preceding claim, in which the ambient temperature of the presentation zone is an average of temperatures taken at several points in the presentation zone (ZP).

9. Method for preserving and presenting fish in a refrigerated display case, in which a fish is placed in a presentation area (ZP) delimited by the refrigerated display case (1), and in which a forced convection refrigerating unit is used to maintain, during a cooling phase, an ambient temperature of the presentation area (ZP) 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 The difference between room temperature and evaporation temperature is between 3°C and 7°C.

10. Method of preservation and presentation according to the preceding claim, in which the fish is not packaged.

11. Method of preservation and presentation 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).

12. A method of preservation and presentation according to any one of claims 9 to 11, wherein when the fish is placed in the presentation area, the core temperature of the fish is between 0°C and 2°C and wherein the core temperature of the fish is maintained between 0°C and 2°C when it is in the presentation area.

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