Selling system comprising a display panel assembly

Abstract

A system for storing and / or selling cold drinks or frozen confectionary, the system comprising a vehicle, a cooling means, located in the vehicle, a display panel assembly for displaying price or advertising information and a cover layer positioned on top of the solar panel, wherein price or advertisement information is deposited on the cover layer to form an ink layer, positioned between the cover layer and the solar panel and wherein the display panel assembly comprises at least two solar panels with their backsides facing each other, and wherein the display panel assembly (1) is positioned separated from the vehicle (8).

Description

[0001] SELLING SYSTEM COMPRISING A DISPLAY PANEL ASSEMBLY

[0002] The present invention relates to a selling system suitable to store and / or sell frozen confectionary, comprising a vehicle and a display system assembly.

[0003] Background

[0004] Cold drinks and frozen confectionary, typically ice cream, is enjoyed by consumers in many countries, particular when the weather is warm and sunny. Not surprisingly, in countries with warm climates, ice cream is a popular snack. Many consumers of frozen confectionary like to enjoy their treat as an impulse-purchase, i.e. unplanned when the moment is considered pleasant. For this reason, frozen confectionary items are offered to consumers at locations that are outside the typical supermarket, but for example at the beach, a location with a pleasant scenery, a sportive event, etc. Such points of sale can be for example in the form of a specific vehicle, like a movable ice cream cart, a small stand, a cabinet located on a specific place etc. These vehicles typically contain a freezer cabinet, wherein the cold snack such as a cold beverage or frozen confectionary is stored, to guarantee good product quality. To communicate the price to the consumers, a price board is positioned next to the vehicle, typically a plastic advertisement device.

[0005] A complication, especially with frozen confectionary is that storage is complicated and requires a constant temperature maintenance at cold temperatures, typically sub-zero but more preferred at minus 10 °C or even lower. A problem in the context of such selling vehicles for frozen confectionary is that power supply is not always reliably available at such places, especially when remote. Loadshedding is another problem in several countries with a warm climate, not limited to remote areas, and potentially destroying the content of a cooling or freezer cabinet. A constant power supply is essential, to keep the cooling and / or freezer cabinet active. One solution found in the art for this problem is the use of solar panels. The solar panels are typically mounted on top of the device, e.g. not to be in the way of the consumers. Unfortunately, the result may be that the solar panels give the selling vehicle, such as an ice cream cart, an ‘artificial’ or ‘futuristic’ look, which is not always desired, and add additional material to the vehicle which increases e.g. the plastic food print. The solution offered in the art didn’t meet the requirements to safeguard for loadshedding issues.

[0006] A need therefore was recognized to provide a to provide a solution to overcome loadshedding issues while preferably reducing use of materials, preferably a need was recognized for a vehicle to sell cold drinks or snacks such as frozen confectionary, with a more sustainable footprint. In particular a need was felt for a selling vehicle with preferably a decreased CO2 footprint and a reduced material use, in particular reduced use of plastics, which remains unaffected by power cuts or loadshedding.

[0007] Summary of the invention

[0008] Surprisingly, above need was met, at least partly, with a selling system for cold drinks or frozen confectionary comprising a vehicle (8) and a display panel assembly (1) according to the first.

[0009] Accordingly, in a first aspect, the invention relates to a system for storing and / or selling cold drinks or frozen confectionary, the system comprising:

[0010] • a vehicle (8),

[0011] • a cooling means (9), located in the vehicle (8),

[0012] • a display panel assembly (1) for displaying price or advertising information comprising at least two solar panels (2) with their backsides facing each other, and a cover layer (3) positioned on top of the solar panel (2), wherein price or advertisement information is deposited, preferably printed, on the cover layer (3) , to form an ink layer (5), positioned between the cover layer (3) and the solar panel (2), wherein the solar panels are directly or indirectly connected to the cooling means (9),

[0013] • optionally a battery (6), directly or indirectly connected to the cooling means (9),

[0014] • optionally an inverter (7), connected to one or more of the solar panel (2), the battery (6), the cooling means (9) and the grid power, preferably to all of them, and wherein the display panel assembly (1) is positioned separated from the vehicle (8).

[0015] In a second aspect, the invention relates to the use of at least two solar panels (2), positioned back-to back, in a display panel assembly displaying advertisement information or price information for cold drinks or frozen confectionary, and wherein the information is provided, preferably printed, preferably UV-printed, on a cover layer (3) positioned on top of the solar panels (2), to protect cooled or frozen content in a vehicle (8) for storing and / or selling frozen confectionary or cold drinks comprising a cooling means (9) during power cuts or loadshedding.

[0016] Figures

[0017] Figure 1 depicts a display assembly (1) for use in the invention, indicating two solar panels (2) arranged back-to-back, a battery (7) and an inverter (8). The display panel assembly is connected to a storage or selling vehicle (8) which contains a cooling device (9), to form a system for storing and / or selling of cold drinks or frozen confectionary. Figure 2 indicates the assemblage of part of the display panel assembly, indicating a cover layer (3) on which the price information is printed with an ink layer at the locations where information is printed which is combined with a solar panel (2) to form a panel of the display panel assembly.

[0018] Figure 3 depicts a side view of a display panel assembly for use in the present invention.

[0019] Detailed description of the invention

[0020] The present invention comprises a display panel assembly (1).

[0021] Dimension and shape

[0022] The display panel assembly comprises at least one solar panel (2), preferably at least two solar panels. It is preferred, that the display panel assembly comprises from 1 to 8, preferably 1 to 5, more preferably from 1 to 4 and most preferably a total of two solar panels. It is preferred that at least some of the solar panels in the display panel assembly are positioned back-to-back, i.e. with their light-receiving area at opposite directions. Preferably the display panel assembly comprises two solar panels that are positioned back-to-back. At least two of the back-to-back arranged solar panels are connected to each other at an end site, preferably at their respective top sites, in the situation that the display panel assembly stands upright in its typical orientation in use, thereby in the latter preferred situation providing an inverted V-shape (isosceles triangle or bilateral symmetrical trapezoid (isosceles trapezoid)) to the display panel assembly (see Figure 1 and 3). In this manner, it is preferred that the total display panel assembly is shaped as an inverted V. The top sites may be connected to each other via e.g. a horizontal connection area. In this manner the distance between the top edges of the solar panels is smaller than the distance between the bottom edges. The distance between the top edges may for example be from between 5 to 30 cm, preferably from between 10 to 20 cm. The distance between the bottom edges maybe for example between 45 and 100 cm, preferably between 50 and 90 cm, or even between 60 and 80 cm. The display panel assembly is preferably in the form of a triangular right prism, or a right prism, preferably a trapezoidal prism. The lateral edges are preferably perpendicular to the bases. It comprises preferably two plane faces with four corners meeting at an acute angle, or with a relatively small distance between them (smaller than the distance between the bottom edges, as mentioned above). These arrangements provide the advantage that during the day, the solar panel is facing slightly upwards towards the sky, and when two oppositely arranged panels are present, electric power is more optimally generated, being less dependent from the position of the sun at a specific time of the day. The angle of the inverted V, is preferably between 10 and 50, preferably between 15 and 40, even more preferably between 20 and 35 degrees and most preferably between 20 and 30 degrees. The angle of a panel v.a.v. the ground is accordingly preferably from 65 to 85 degrees, preferably from 70 to 82.5 degrees, more preferably from 72.5 to 80 degrees. Preferably, in case two panels are present, both panels have an angle v.a.v. the ground of preferably from 65 to 85 degrees, preferably from 70 to 82.5 degrees, more preferably from 72.5 to 80 degrees, most preferably the two panels have the same angle v.a.v. the ground.

[0023] The solar panel or the face of the display panel assembly comprising at least one solar panel, has preferably the shape of a rectangle wherein the short sides are preferably positioned at the top and bottom edge. The width of the solar panel or the face of the display panel assembly comprising a solar panel is preferably from 0.3 m to 1.5 m, more preferably from 0.5 to 1 m. The length, or longest dimension of the rectangular solar panel or face comprising a solar panel is preferably from 0.4 to 2 m, preferably from 0.5 to 1 .6 m and most preferably from 0.6 to 1 .2 m. Such dimensions proved optimal to provide sufficient electricity to power a cooling or more preferably a freezing device, while at the same time functioning properly as display panel, in particularly as a pricing board, in terms of its dimensions.

[0024] Solar panel

[0025] The display panel assembly (1) comprises at least one solar panel (2). The solar panel can be a solar panel as known in the art. The solar panel may be a direct current (DC) or alternating current (AC) panel. Preferably, in the context of the present invention, the solar panel is a direct current panel, which provided optimal results.

[0026] It proved that in the context of the present invention, especially when applied in the selling or storing system according to the second aspect of the invention, the solar panel (2) preferably is a half-cut type solar panel, which proved optimal to provide the required cooling and overcome loadshedding issues in practical application. It is preferred that the solar panel or panels are monocrystalline solar panels, which proved optimal in the context of the invention, especially in the context of a storing or selling system according to the second aspect.

[0027] The solar panels preferably have a capacity of between 100 and 300 W per hour. Preferably 120 to 230 W per hour, and preferably between 130 and 200 W per hour.

[0028] It is preferred, that the solar panel(s) (2) is rigid or semi-rigid. Although flexible solar panels have been described in the art, in the context of the present invention they appeared to work suboptimal, and preferably the display panel assembly (1) or the selling system according to the second aspect do not comprise a flexible solar panel.

[0029] The solar panel or panels (2) preferably is not transparent. Preferably the solar panel(s) is black. A non-transparent surface, preferably a black surface, appeared to provide optimal display properties of information, e.g. price or advertisement information, especially in a sunny and warm environment. A non-transparent surface, preferably a black surface, furthermore, hides the inner part of the display panel assembly from the eye, e.g. hides any inverter (7) and / or battery (6) and / or wiring, positioned at the inside of the display panel assembly, which makes reading of the information more convenient and makes the system even more suitable to be used in the context of an information display like pricing that needs to be read in detail by the consumer, whereas a transparent surface may hamper proper reading, if not making reading impossible since the inside of the assembly (1) distracts from the information (5) printed on the cover layer (3).

[0030] A solar panel jumper is preferably used to connect solar panels in parallel, preferably to connect two solar panels in parallel.

[0031] Cover layer

[0032] The display panel assembly (1) further comprises a cover layer (3). The cover layer covers the solar panel (2) and is positioned on top of the solar panel and faces typically the outside world. The cover layer (3) can comprise, or preferably be, a glass layer, a plastic layer, a plexiglass layer, or combination thereof. More preferably, the cover layer comprises a plexiglass layer, and most preferably the cover layer is a plexiglass layer. It proved in the context of the invention that a plexiglass cover layer (3) provided optimal results. The cover layer, preferably the plexiglass cover layer, may preferably have a thickness of between 1 and 8 mm, more preferably from 2 to 6 mm and most preferably from 3 to 5 mm. Print layer

[0033] The information such as pricing or advertisement information is deposited, preferably printed, on the cover layer (3) by ink, to form an ink layer (5). Pricing or advertising information typically includes a depiction of a product such as a drink or an ice cream together with the associated selling price. Advertisement information may comprise for example advertising media displays and / or promotions. The ink layer is typically and preferably formed by printing ink on part of the cover layer. ‘Ink layer’ includes providing a layer comprising ink on the cover layer, e.g. by a sticker or film on or in which ink is present, e.g. by printing over its surface or printing over part of its surface, which is deposited, e.g. stuck, on parts of the cover layer or on the entire cover layer. Typically, the ink layer is not covering the entire surface of the cover layer (3). Ink or ink layer is preferably present at the areas where information in the form of a picture or letters is deposited on the cover layer (3). The ink is preferably UV printable ink. The ink is preferably UV-printed on the cover layer, preferably on the plexiglass cover layer. As known to the skilled person, UV printing is a type of digital printing that makes use of ultra-violet light to dry or cure the ink as it gets printed on the surface. As the printer goes on to distribute the ink on the surface of a material, the ultraviolet lights follow close behind, “drying” or “curing” the ink instantly. The ink layer (5) accordingly is positioned between the cover layer (3) and the solar panel (2). It may be preferred that more than one layer of ink is present, e.g. two layers of ink may be present. In the case of more than one solar panel in the assembly (1), at least one cover layer (3) covering a solar panel is printed, but preferably two cover layers, corresponding with two solar panels, and most preferably all cover layers covering a solar panel, are printed to deposit an ink layer on the cover layer.

[0034] The print (5), preferably UV-print, on the cover layer (3), preferably on the plexiglass cover layer, covers suitably between 5% and 50%, preferably between 10 and 40%, and may for example cover from 15 to 30% of the surface area of the cover layer (3). The empty (non-printed) space, accordingly, it is preferably from 50-95%, more preferably from 60-90%, and even more preferably from 70-85% of the cover layer. In this way, it appeared that optimal safeguarding against loadshedding is provided while providing information to the potential consumers, since sufficient light reaches the solar panel through non-printed area. The printed information, such as a picture of a product or letters indicating the price of a product, may be printed as a homogenous representation or as a fragmented representation. ‘Fragmented representation’ is meant as that the representation is formed from a collection of printed areas, such as dots, separated by non-printed areas, together forming the representation, such as together forming a letter or a picture of a product to be sold, such as an ice cream or beverage product. In this ‘fragmented representation’, light can pass through the information object via the non-printed areas of the information. Ink may be transparent or nontransparent for light. Non-transparent ink is preferred. It may be preferred that the ink is not transparent to light. Without willing to be bound by theory, non-transparent ink appeared to enhance resolution of the printed information.

[0035] Battery

[0036] The display assembly as used in the invention may preferably comprise a battery (6). This provides for an energy supply in absence of sunlight or in absence of a power supply via the grid. In the case a battery (6) is present, it may be positioned inside of the display panel assembly (1) or in proximity to the cooling means (9) (in case of a selling system with cooling means) or at the inside of the cooling means. It is preferred though that the battery is positioned inside of the display panel assembly.

[0037] The battery is preferably connected to a cooling means (9) preferably via an inverter (7), especially in the case of a DC panel, via connection means typically used in the art, such as wires,. Typically a 12V wire can be used between the battery and the inverter. A fuse, preferably a 12V fuse, may be present for connection between battery and inverter. For the inverter-battery connection, preferably the battery terminals are used. Between the inverter and the cooling means, preferably 220V cable is present. Preferably a fuse is used between the inverter and the cooling means, such as a freezer, preferably a 220V and / or 10A output fuse is used.

[0038] The battery (6) is connected to solar panel(s) (2), or the inverter (7), or the cooling device or more of them, preferably to the solar panel(s) (2), or the inverter (7), and the cooling device or to both the inverter and the cooling device, via suitable connection means (4). The solar panels are preferably connected to an inverter which is connected to the battery. A fuse is preferably used between the solar panels and the inverter, preferably a 16A fuse, such as preferably a 16A cartridge fuse.

[0039] The battery is preferably a battery of the deep cycle type, preferably selected from the group of flooded lead acid; gel or AGM; and lithion ion batteries. A deep cycle gel battery is preferred, e.g. in view of the potentially frequent transportation of the display panel assembly, which may be dangerous in case of flooded lead acid batteries. The battery is preferably a 12 V battery. It can hold a time of preferably at least 3 hours, preferably at least 4 hours and preferably at least 5 hours, and most preferably at least 6 hour per run time. It can be preferred that the minimum run time is from 4 to 6 hours. Since a typical power cut runs from about 3 to 5 hours, with this minimum run time a cooling device survives a temporal disconnection from the grid current. With about 3 charges per day, the battery preferably runs up to 18 hours and preferably meets the daily supply of a cooling device.

[0040] The battery is preferably mounted inside of the assembly, e.g. from both sides and from the top, in such a way that it is not damaged during transportation and can preferably be reassembled when desired. The battery is preferably located below the inverter, in the preferred case that both the battery and the inverter are inside the display assembly, and are preferably not in contact with each other, i.e. there is space between them.

[0041] Inverter

[0042] Especially in the case the solar panel is a DC panel, it is preferred that a power inverter (7) is present in the assembly. The inverter preferably comprises an mppt (maximum power point tracking), e.g. to optimize the power outlet from the solar panels to the inverter, or e.g. to stabilize the power supply or provide uninterrupted power supply to the colling means (9). Excess power may be used to charge the battery. The use of an inverter is known in the art. The inverter inverts DC into AC. An inverter, typically an mppt inverter, may be in the form of an integrated inverter in the solar panel, e.g. in the case of an AC panel, or may be located external from the solar panel (2), but preferably located within the display panel assembly (1). It is preferred, that the inverter is located above the battery within the assembly (1). In the case of a selling or storage system according to the second aspect of the invention, it could be preferred that an inverter (7) is positioned in proximity to or inside of the cooling means (9) or in the vehicle (8) of the selling system. The inverter therefore is preferably connected to the solar panel, to the battery or to the cooling device or more thereof, preferably to the solar panel, the battery, typically via connections means such as wires (4). The inverter is connected preferably to the grid, and preferably a fuse is present between the grid (the mains) and the inverter, preferably an input fuse, preferably a 220V 25A input fuse. Most preferred is that the inverter is an mppt inverter and is connected to the solar panel(s), to the battery, to the cooling device and to the grid (mains). In order of how a cooling device is charged, e.g. withing the mppt inverter, first priority is preferably given to the solar panels. It may be preferred that second priority is given to the battery or the landline, preferably to the battery. It is preferred that third priority is given to the main (grid).

[0043] Transportation means

[0044] The display assembly preferably has transportation means, preferably wheels, preferably four wheels, which are preferably located at a bottom side of the assembly (1). Selling and / or storing system

[0045] In a first aspect, the invention relates to a selling and / or storing system comprising a vehicle (8) suitably for selling frozen confectionary or e.g. soft drinks, and a display panel assembly (1). Preferably the storage and / or selling system is for frozen confectionery. The products such as cold drinks and frozen confectionary are typically stored in a cooling device (9) inside of the selling vehicle (8) for a time that is at least typically reguired for selling the products. But it may be desired to store the products for a longer period, e.g. to continue selling till the storage is sold, which may take for example several days, depending on the climate, location, weather condition etc.

[0046] Vehicle

[0047] The vehicle (8) can for example be one of a freezer cabinet, a cooling cabinet, a dispense machine, a stand, e,g, an ice cream stand, or a cart, such as an ice cream cart.

[0048] Cooling means

[0049] The system for storing and / or selling cold beverages or frozen confectionary comprises a cooling means (9). This is preferably a cooling device such as a refrigerator or a freezing device, such as a freezer cabinet. The cooling means is preferably a freezer cabinet, and typically suitable to store frozen confectionary. The temperature of the cooling device is preferably of between -35 °C and +6°C, preferably -30°C and 0°C, more preferably -25°C and -5°C, and can be for example preferably from -20°C to -5°C. The cooling means may for example consume 50-500, preferably 75-300, even more preferably 100 to 200 Watt per hour, in operation.

[0050] The cooling means (9) suitably is or is located inside of the vehicle (8).

[0051] The cooling means (9) may comprise a connection means for connection to the power grid. It typically doesn’t, and it is preferred that it does not, since the inverter preferably senses any power cut, e.g. to switch to energy from the battery or solar power. The cooling means typically comprises a connection means to the battery (6) (typically wires), but more preferably is connected to the inverter, preferably to a mppt inverter. The cooling means can preferably be powered with electricity derived from the solar panel (2), e.g. via the battery (6), or from the grid or from both. It is recommended not to operate solely from the battery for more than one night, in view of the health of the battery. In cased powered by electricity from the grid, the cooling device is typically connected via the mppt inverter to the grid, as the skilled person understands.

[0052] It is not recommended to rely on the solar panels solely to recharge the drained battery from a cooling device that operated only on battery power throughout the night. It is recommended to charge the battery also via the grid electricity (preferably via the inverter). This is because the primary function of the solar panels is to keep the cooling device (9), e.g. freezer cabinet, operational, when the grid electricity stops in case of electricity outage, e.g. loadshedding, rather than recharging batteries.

[0053] As set out above, in the selling system according to the first aspect of the invention, a display panel assembly (1) comprises at least one solar panel (2), powering the cooling means (9). The solar panel(s) may be directly electrically connected to the cooling means (9), e.g. via a wire (4), thereby powering the cooling means. Alternatively, and more preferred, the solar panel may be indirectly communicating to the cooling means, e.g. via an inverter (7) and even more preferred via an inverter, where a battery (6) is preferably connected to the inverter, preferably an mppt converter.

[0054] It is especially preferred, when the display panel assembly (1) is positioned separated from the vehicle (8). In this manner, the display panel assembly optimally functions as a display panel assembly and power supply in one go and obviates the need for any additional, e.g. plasticbased, advertisement board or price board.

[0055] In an especially preferred embodiment of the invention, the assembly (1) comprises a total of two solar panels in a rectangular shape, of the half cut and monocrystalline type, and two solar panels are covered by a cover layer (3) of plexiglass, which proved to have optimal performance in the context of the invention, and which are preferably UV-printed with pricing or advertising information as ink layer (5). The two panels are connected at their top ends, wherein the angle between the panels at their top ends is between 15 and 40, most preferably between 20 and 35 degrees. This can typically be via an isosceles triangle or bilaterally symmetrical trapezoid, as the skilled person understand, and explained above. In this especially preferred embodiment, the assembly (1) comprises a deep cycle gel or agm type battery, and an mppt inverter, located inside of the assembly (1). The assembly is connected to a cooling means (9) in a vehicle (8) to form a system for storage and / or selling of cold drinks or frozen confectionary.

[0056] Use

[0057] With the display panel assembly (1) of the present invention, it became possible to optimize and use an information display board such as a price board or advertisement board as a solar power system.A cooling device (9) such as a freezer cabinet can now be powered for a significant amount of time overcoming power cuts or load shedding issues, while preferably obviating the need of additional materials such as plastics typically used for conventional advertising or price boards.

[0058] The present invention further relates to the use of a display panel assembly (1), comprising at least one solar panel (2), to power a cooling means (9) in a vehicle (8) suitable for storing and / or selling cold drinks or frozen confectionary. Preferably, the display panel assembly is positioned separate from the vehicle for selling or storing cold drinks or frozen confectionary. The solar panel is covered by a cover plate (3) which is preferably printed with advertisement information or price information to form an ink layer (5), typically regarding products contained by the cooling means (9). Accordingly, the present invention relates in a second aspect to the use of at least two solar panels (2), positioned with their backsides facing each other, in a display panel assembly displaying advertisement information or price information for cold drinks or frozen confectionary, and wherein the information is provided, preferably printed, preferably UV- printed, on a cover layer (3) positioned on top of the solar panels (2), to protect cooled or frozen content in a vehicle (8) for storing and / or selling frozen confectionary or cold drinks comprising a cooling means (9) during power cuts or loadshedding.

[0059] The invention is now exemplified by the following, non-limiting example.

[0060] Example

[0061] Display panel assembly

[0062] Two half-cut monocrystalline solar panels, 70.6x106.7 cm, (TommaTech TT150-48 MB6) where positioned back-to-back and connected at their top end to form an inverted V-shaped assembly with an angle of 26 degrees, as a bilaterally symmetrical trapezoid (Figure 3). They were black. Two cover plates were prepared of plexiglass (4mm), which were UV-printed at the side facing the solar panels with pricing information of frozen confectionery, and positioned on both the solar panels, making up 25% of the surface area of the cover layer.

[0063] The solar panels were connected to an inverter (MPPT (Maximum Power Point Tracking): TommaTech 1 K 12V MPPT 1000W Smart Inverter). A battery was connected to the inverter (Grundwelle DG12-150 12V 150Ah Deep Cycle Gel Battery). The inverter was connected to the grid. The inverter has 3 features:

[0064] 1 . Battery charging (40 amp charging capacity per hour)

[0065] 2. Operating solar panels (input max 500W)

[0066] 3. DC 12v - AC 220v conversion (output max 1000W) Supplies

[0067] A 80A 12v fuse is used for connection between battery and inverter

[0068] A 220v 10A output fuse is used between inverter and freezer

[0069] A 220v 25A input fuse is used between mains and inverter

[0070] A 16A cartridge type fuse is used between solar panels and mppt

[0071] 12v wiring is used between battery and inverter with 6mm cable

[0072] 6mm cable is used for solar panel wiring

[0073] 220v cabling is used between inverter and freezer

[0074] The battery terminals are used for inverter-battery connection

[0075] A solar panel jumper is used to connect 2 solar panels in parallel.

[0076] Vehicle

[0077] The battery from the display panel assembly was connected to a freezer cabinet. The freezer we used for testing consumes 143W of energy per hour when it operates. When the freezer is not working, an energy loss of 13W per hour was observed due to the inverter.

[0078] Test

[0079] Conditions

[0080] The test was conducted on a sunny day in February at 11 :00 in the morning. The external air temperature was 11 C degrees, while the internal air temperature where the freezer is placed is 25 C degrees.

[0081] Tests conducted with a freezer set at -18 degrees Celsius observed that the freezer operates for 4 minutes and then remains off for 10 minutes. According to this observation, within 1 hour, the freezer operates for a total of 20 minutes and remains off for 40 minutes.

[0082] The half-cut monocrystalline panels we used have a capacity of 150W per hour. Considering that their front surfaces are coated with UV-print and it's winter sun, panels facing the sun generate 40W of energy per hour.

[0083] When the freezer is running, it consumes 11 amps of energy per hour. When the freezer is not running, there is an observed energy loss of 1 amp per hour due to the inverter.

[0084] The battery we used during the test can provide 125 amps of energy per hour. When continuously drawing 11 amps, it can sustain operation for approximately 11 hours in an environment without sunlight (drawing 143W energy continuously). Considering that the freezer operates for a total of 20 minutes within 1 hour, it is estimated that it can run for about 30 hours.

[0085] If battery performance would decrease, e.g if the ambient temperature rises to high temperatures, e.g. above 25 degrees Celsius, during warm and sunny days during frequent operation of the freezer, the increased performance of the solar panels can offset these losses, while at night, when the solar panels are not active, the ambient temperature will decrease, resulting in less frequent operation of the cabinet and potentially higher battery performance.

Claims

Claims1. A system for storing and / or selling cold drinks or frozen confectionary, the system comprising:• a vehicle (8),• a cooling means (9), located in the vehicle (8),• a display panel assembly (1) for displaying price or advertising information comprising at least two solar panels (2) with their backsides facing each other, and a cover layer (3) positioned on top of the solar panel (2), wherein price or advertisement information is deposited, preferably printed, on the cover layer (3), to form an ink layer (5), positioned between the cover layer (3) and the solar panel (2), wherein the solar panels are directly or indirectly connected to the cooling means (9),• optionally a battery (6), directly or indirectly connected to the cooling means (9),• optionally an inverter (7), connected to one or more of the solar panel (2), the battery (6), the cooling means (9) and the grid power, preferably to all of them, and wherein the display panel assembly (1) is positioned separated from the vehicle (8).

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the display panel assembly (1) further comprises a battery (6).

3. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display panel assembly further comprises an inverter (7),4. A system according to claim 3, wherein the inverter is an mppt inverter, and is connected to the solar panel (2), the battery (6) and to the mains power.

5. A system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the cover layer (3) comprises a glass layer, a plastic layer, a plexiglass layer, a metal layer or a combination thereof.

6. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the cover layer (3) comprises a plexiglass layer, preferably is a plexiglass layer.

7. A system according to anyone of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more solar panels (2) are monocrystalline panels.

8. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the one or more solar panels (2) are a half-cut type solar panels.

9. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the battery is a deep cycle battery, preferably a gel or AGM deep cell battery, most preferably a deep cycle gel battery.

10. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the display panel assembly comprises two rectangular solar panels (2) positioned with their backsides facing each other.

11. A system according to claim 10, wherein the two rectangular solar panels are connected at their top rims, forming an angle v.a. veach other at their top ends of between 10 and 50, preferably between 15 and 40, most preferably between 20 and 35 degrees.

12. A system according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the vehicle is a freezer cabinet, a cooling cabinet, a dispense machine, a stand, or a cart.

13. Use of at least two solar panels (2), positioned with their back sides facing each other, in a display panel assembly displaying advertisement information or price information for cold drinks or frozen confectionary, and wherein the information is provided, preferably printed, preferably UV-printed, on a cover layer (3) positioned on top of the solar panels (2), to protect cooled or frozen content in a vehicle (8) for storing and / or selling frozen confectionary or cold drinks comprising a cooling means (9) during power cuts or loadshedding.

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