Cooling unit for consumer goods, having a pair of laminar-flow nozzles

Abstract

A cooling unit (1) for consumer goods, comprising a cooling chamber (4), which is formed by a housing (2) and a door (3) and can be closed in relation to an external environment (A), comprising a glass pane (5), which is arranged in the door (3), comprising a pair of laminar-flow nozzles (6), which is arranged on an inner surface (II) of the glass pane (5), the inner surface facing the cooling chamber (4), and comprises a discharge nozzle (6.1) and a suction-extraction nozzle (6.2), which is located opposite the discharge nozzle (6.1), wherein, as seen in a plan view of the glass pane (5), the discharge nozzle (6.1) is arranged at a first pane edge (5.1, 5.3) and the suction-extraction nozzle (6.2) is arranged at a second pane edge (5.2, 5.4), which is opposite the first pane edge (5.1, 5.3), and comprising a compressed-air system (8) for generating a laminar warm-air flow (6.5), wherein the compressed-air system (8) comprises a pressure-generating unit (8.1) and at least two connecting lines (8.3, 8.4), wherein the discharge nozzle (6.1) is connected to the pressure-generating unit (8.1) via a first connecting line (8.3) and the suction-extraction nozzle (6.2) is connected to the pressure-generating unit (8.1) via a second connecting line (8.4), and wherein the discharge nozzle (6.1) and the suction-extraction nozzle (6.2) are designed to apply the laminar warm-air flow (6.5) to the inner surface (II) of the glass pane (5).

Description

[0001] SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0002] 1

[0003] Cooling unit for consumer goods with a laminar nozzle pair

[0004] The invention relates to a cooling unit for consumer goods with a laminar nozzle pair arranged on a glass pane, a method for drying the glass pane and a use of the consumer goods cooling unit.

[0005] Refrigeration units for consumer goods, such as refrigerators or freezers, are used in various sectors, including supermarkets, gas stations, restaurants, retail stores, and drugstores. These units often feature at least one glass pane through which the consumer goods inside, such as food or beverages, are visible from the outside, allowing customers to see them.

[0006] When a customer opens the door of a refrigerator, warmer and / or more humid ambient air can enter the refrigerator and condense on an inner surface of the glass pane facing the refrigerator. This is particularly noticeable when there is a significant temperature and / or humidity difference between the ambient air and the air inside the refrigerator. The humidity in the ambient air condenses into small water droplets (so-called "condensate") on the cooler inner surface, i.e., on the inside of the glass pane, which can obstruct the view of the goods inside the refrigerator. Especially in the case of freezers, the condensate can also freeze on the inner surface of the glass pane, potentially requiring time-consuming defrosting.

[0007] Examples of previously known cooling units are disclosed in WO 2009 / 073021 A1, US 5 329 736 A and WO 2019 / 063987 A1.

[0008] Therefore, there is a need for improved cooling units for consumer goods with at least one glass pane.

[0009] The present invention is therefore based on the objective of providing a cooling unit for consumer goods with a glass pane that allows a view of the products even in the case of larger temperature and / or humidity differences between the outside environment and the cooling room.

[0010] The problem is solved according to the invention by a cooling unit according to claim 1. Preferred embodiments are described in the dependent claims. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0011] 2

[0012] The cooling unit for consumer goods according to the invention comprises a cooling chamber formed by an enclosure and a door, which can be closed off from an external environment, a glass pane arranged in the door, and a laminar nozzle pair arranged on an inner surface of the glass pane facing the cooling chamber, which comprises a dispensing nozzle and a suction nozzle opposite the dispensing nozzle, wherein the dispensing nozzle is arranged in a top view of the glass pane at a first edge of the pane and the suction nozzle at a second edge of the pane opposite the first edge of the pane.

[0013] The term "glass edge" refers to the outline of the glass pane (viewed from the inside surface), specifically its circumferential side edge. The term "opposite glass edge" refers to the edges located at opposite ends of the glass pane's inside surface, for example, the top and bottom edges, or the left and right edges, of a rectangular, upright glass pane. The term "arrangement at the glass edge" refers to the positioning of the laminar nozzle pair (viewed from the inside surface) in the area of ​​the respective glass edges, allowing for a deviation of no more than 20% in relation to the glass pane's dimensions in any given spatial direction. In simpler terms, the discharge nozzle and the extraction nozzle are positioned directly at the respective glass edge, but not exceeding 20% ​​of the width or width of the pane.Height of the glass pane (when the glass pane is upright) distanced from the respective lateral or top / bottom edges of the pane.

[0014] In other words, the cooling unit features a pair of laminar nozzles on its inner surface, specifically within the cooling chamber formed by the housing and the door. This nozzle pair comprises the discharge nozzle located at the first edge of the glass pane and the extraction nozzle located at the second edge (opposite the first edge). The discharge and extraction nozzles are arranged in a specific way relative to each other and to the inner surface of the glass pane: one discharge opening of the discharge nozzle faces the other of the extraction nozzle (and vice versa); the discharge and extraction nozzles are thus positioned opposite each other, facing each other. Furthermore, both nozzles are positioned relative to the glass pane in such a way that a laminar flow of warm air, generated by the discharge nozzle and passing between the discharge and extraction nozzles, flows parallel to the inner surface of the glass pane.

[0015] The term "laminar" or laminar flow refers here to a volume flow generated by the dispensing nozzle that moves in layers parallel to the inner surface of the glass pane from the dispensing nozzle to the suction nozzle, i.e., a SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0016] 3. Ordered motion with low turbulence is present. The Reynolds number Re of the volume flow is below a critical limit Re. krit , it applies:

[0017] Rc < Re krit where and where v0 denotes an output velocity of the volume flow at exit from the discharge opening of the discharge nozzle, x denotes the distance measured between the discharge opening of the discharge nozzle and the suction opening of the suction nozzle parallel to the inner surface of the glass pane (in the direction of flow), and v is the kinematic viscosity of the flowing fluid, e.g. for air at a temperature of 21 °C.

[0018] The term "warm airflow" here refers to an airflow whose temperature at the discharge opening of the discharge nozzle is warmer than the average internal temperature of the cooling room, preferably by at least 10 K. Preferably, the laminar warm airflow has a relative humidity of at most 55%, more preferably at most 50%, 30% or 10%.

[0019] The term "refrigeration unit" can be defined as a three-dimensional object with a certain cooling chamber volume, e.g., 2 m³, formed by the enclosure and the door. 3This can be understood as including significantly larger (e.g., walk-in) or significantly more compact spatial units (e.g., in the form of a hotel minibar). A cold storage room maintains a lower temperature than the outside environment, for example, 6°C for cold storage rooms (e.g., refrigerators or freezers) or -3°C for freezer rooms (e.g., freezers or chest freezers), although somewhat higher or significantly lower temperatures are also conceivable.

[0020] The terms "enclosure" and "door" are to be understood here as a housing and a device arranged within it for closing the housing; these can also be understood, for example, as a chest with a lid or as a cabinet-like enclosure with a sliding or hinged door. Regardless of its specific design, however, a cold storage room is separated from its external environment by its enclosure and door; namely, it is lockable from the outside and is usually locked when in operation.

[0021] The glass pane can be provided in the enclosure and / or in the door, with an arrangement as part of the door (e.g. consisting of the glass pane and a door frame extending along its outer perimeter surfaces with hinges and a handle if applicable) SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0022] 4 is preferred. The glass pane allows a view from the outside environment into the cold storage room and is therefore at least partially transparent to visible light, i.e., light with wavelengths from 380 nm to 780 nm. The glass of the pane is preferably a low-iron glass (also referred to as "ultra-clear glass"), namely one that has an integrated light transmittance TL (according to ISO 9050:2003) for visible light of 90% or more. With reference to the determination of the light transmittance according to ISO 9050:2003 (see section 3.3 in the standard), the relative spectral distribution of illuminant D65 (see, for example, ISO 11664-2:2007) and / or the relative spectral distribution of illuminant A (see, for example, ISO 11664-2:2007) can be used for the determination. In other words, the described light transmittance range applies to determination using light type A and / or light type D65.

[0023] A certain portion of the inner surface of the glass pane may be obscured by the door frame. A cover area formed by the door frame typically comprises a circumferential edge of the glass pane, framing a central viewing area. However, it can also include additional areas, such as cross bracing for the frame-like cover area. Overall, the cover area thus covers a certain portion of the glass pane, preferably no more than 5% of its inner surface.

[0024] Preferably, the glass pane (viewed from above on its inner surface) is rectangular, but pentagonal or polygonal glass panes are also conceivable. In the case of pentagonal or polygonal glass panes, the opposite edge is understood to be an edge located on the opposite side of the glass pane from the first edge; namely, the edge that (viewed clockwise around the outer circumference of the glass pane) is separated from the first edge by at least one other edge.

[0025] Regardless of the specific design of the glass pane, the enclosure and door enclose the cold storage room in such a way that consumer goods can be stored in it at a cool temperature and offered for sale, for example, and that the consumer goods can be removed through the door.

[0026] The inventors have determined that with two nozzles positioned at opposite ends of the pane—namely, the delivery nozzle and the extraction nozzle—the laminar flow of warm air can be reliably guided along the inner surface of the glass pane. This allows any water droplets that may have condensed on the inner surface of the glass pane (during or after opening the door) to be absorbed by the laminar flow of warm air. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0027] 5. This effectively prevents condensation on the inner surface of the glass pane; however, the laminar flow of the warm air largely prevents an increase in the internal temperature of the cold storage room, as only minimal mixing with the cold storage room air can occur. Put simply, the warmer air of the laminar warm air stream flows from the discharge opening of the discharge nozzle directly to the extraction opening of the extraction nozzle, and the latter captures at least 95%, 98%, or preferably 99% of it. The laminar warm air stream thus essentially follows the inner surface of the glass pane, a phenomenon often referred to as the "Coandé effect."

[0028] In a preferred embodiment, the laminar nozzle pair extends over a certain length of the nearest adjacent edge of the glass pane, particularly preferably over at least 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99%, and more preferably completely along this edge. In other words, the dispensing nozzle extends over at least 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% of the length of the nearest adjacent edge of the glass pane, and more preferably completely along this edge, and / or the receiving nozzle extends over at least 90%, 95%, 98%, or 99% of the nearest adjacent edge of the glass pane, and more preferably completely along this edge. If, for example, the laminar nozzle pair is arranged vertically, i.e., on a left and right edge of the pane (see below for details), the length of each nozzle of the laminar nozzle pair corresponds essentially to the height of the glass pane of the cooling unit; the same applies to the width of the glass pane if the nozzle pair is arranged horizontally.Extending each nozzle of the laminar nozzle pair over a certain length of the nearest pane edge can be advantageous, for example, with regard to comparatively rapid and complete drying of the inner pane surface. Preferably, the dispensing nozzle and / or the suction nozzle each have a length of at least 10 cm, and particularly preferably at least 20 cm, 30 cm, 40 cm, or 50 cm (with possible upper limits, independent of this, of no more than 200 cm, 150 cm, 100 cm, or 75 cm). Particularly preferably, the length of the dispensing nozzle is equal to the length of the suction nozzle. A laminar nozzle pair with the corresponding lengths can, for example, be easily integrated into cooling units of standard sizes or dimensions, such as supermarket refrigerators.

[0029] In a preferred embodiment, the discharge nozzle and the extraction nozzle are mounted on the door. Put simply, both nozzles are mounted on the door and thus move or pivot with the door when it is opened or closed. This arrangement of both nozzles on the door allows the door to be supplied with a laminar flow of warm air even when open, i.e., while the cold storage compartment is connected to the outside environment. (SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT)

[0030] 6. This prevents the warmer and / or more humid outside air from coming into contact with the (at that time) colder inner surface of the glass pane, even when the door is open; this specifically prevents condensation of the ambient air.

[0031] In an alternative preferred embodiment, the discharge nozzle and the extraction nozzle are mounted on the enclosure. Put simply, both nozzles are mounted on the enclosure and remain stationary, even when, for example, the door pivots relative to the enclosure. This stationary arrangement of the nozzles simplifies their supply with the laminar warm airflow and also allows for a slimmer overall door design. When the door is closed, the laminar warm airflow travels along the inner surface of the glass pane, drying it in the process. This means that water particles that form on the inner surface of the glass pane during opening (and after closing) the door are absorbed. Furthermore, if desired, the laminar warm airflow can be generated between the discharge nozzle and the extraction nozzle even when the door is open (a so-called "warm air curtain"), preventing the (compared to the outside environment) cooler air from escaping the cold storage room when the door is open.The entry of (relatively speaking) warmer and / or more humid outside air into the cold room can be reduced.

[0032] In an alternative preferred embodiment, the discharge nozzle is mounted on the door and the extraction nozzle is mounted on the housing. Put simply, the discharge nozzle pivots with the door, whereas the extraction nozzle remains stationary on the housing. This allows, for example, the inner surface of the glass pane to be exposed to the laminar flow of warm air even when the door is open, while the door itself can be designed to be more compact (compared to a design with two nozzles mounted on it). Furthermore, in this embodiment, the door can be exposed to the laminar flow of warm air even when open; however, unlike in the aforementioned embodiments, this air does not flow towards the extraction nozzle, but rather flows from the first end of the glass pane along its inner surface to its second end, where it mixes with the ambient air.In this case, the extraction nozzle draws in ambient outside air, which can optionally be heated and / or dried before reaching the discharge nozzle (see below). Conversely, when the door is closed, the laminar flow of warm air is directed along the inner surface of the glass pane from the discharge nozzle to the extraction nozzle, thus creating a closed warm air circuit.

[0033] In an alternative preferred embodiment, the consumer goods cooling unit further comprises a first shelf arranged in the cooling compartment, wherein a SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT is located in the area of ​​the dispensing nozzle and the extraction nozzle facing the inner surface of the glass pane.

[0034] 7

[0035] The front edge of the shelf is mounted on the first shelf. In simplified terms, one nozzle of the nozzle pair, preferably the delivery nozzle, is mounted on the front edge of the first shelf, and the second, preferably the extraction nozzle, is mounted on the housing or the door. This allows the door to be exposed to the laminar flow of warm air when closed, and the door as a whole can be made more compact (compared to embodiments with two nozzles on the door).

[0036] In a preferred embodiment, the consumer goods cooling unit further comprises a second shelf arranged in the cooling compartment, wherein the dispensing nozzle and the extraction nozzle are mounted on the second shelf in the area of ​​a shelf edge facing the inner surface of the glass pane. In simplified terms, both the dispensing nozzle and the extraction nozzle are mounted on one shelf each, namely the shelf edge of the first and second shelf, respectively. This can be particularly advantageous with smaller glass panes compared to the cooling compartment (or, for example, several glass panes arranged in a vertical direction within the cooling unit), since only the glass pane located between two shelves is exposed to the laminar flow of warm air. Furthermore, thermal insulation can preferably be incorporated.Sealing off an area between the first and second shelves in the open state can be achieved if the laminar flow of warm air is maintained with the door open (i.e., the warm air curtain described above is formed between them).

[0037] In a preferred embodiment, the discharge opening of the discharge nozzle and / or the suction opening of the suction nozzle are slit-shaped, with their largest spatial extent parallel to the nearest edge of the glass pane. Preferably, the discharge opening of the discharge nozzle and / or the suction opening of the suction nozzle are arranged parallel to the inner surface of the glass pane, so that the laminar warm airflow generated by the discharge nozzle flows parallel to the inner surface of the glass pane (i.e., its inner surface). Overall, such a design achieves a uniform distribution of the laminar warm airflow across the inner surface of the pane.

[0038] Preferably, the discharge area of ​​the discharge opening intended for the release of the laminar airflow and / or the extraction area of ​​the extraction opening intended for the extraction or reception of the laminar warm airflow shall be at least 10 cm².2 , 20 cm 2 , 30 cm 2 or 50 cm 2 (with possible upper limits, independent of this, at a maximum of 200 cm) 2 , 150 cm 2 or 100 cm 2 ). Appropriate dispensing or extraction areas can be, for example, with regard to the total SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0039] 8 flow velocities to be achieved (e.g. at the specified pressures, see below) may be advantageous.

[0040] According to the invention, the consumer goods cooling unit comprises a compressed air system, wherein the compressed air system includes a pressure generation unit and at least two connecting lines, the discharge nozzle being connected to the pressure generation unit via a first connecting line and the extraction nozzle via a second connecting line, and wherein the discharge nozzle and the extraction nozzle are configured to supply the inner surface of the glass pane with a laminar flow of warm air. Thus, the compressed air system provides warmer compressed air (compared to the air in the cooling chamber), which exits the discharge nozzle through its opening as a laminar flow of warm air and, after traveling a certain distance along the inner surface of the glass pane, is drawn in by the extraction nozzle and returned to the pressure generation unit.

[0041] Preferably, the compressed air system further comprises a heat exchanger which is arranged in the first connecting line and / or in the second connecting line, via which additional thermal energy can be supplied to the compressed air system.

[0042] Preferably, the pressure generation unit provides compressed air at a pressure of at least 200 mbar, preferably at least 500 mbar, 1 bar, 2 bar, 3 bar or 5 bar, whereby possible pressure limits (independent of this) can be at most 20 bar, 15 bar or 10 bar.

[0043] In a preferred embodiment, the discharge nozzle releases the laminar flow of warm air into the cooling chamber, and the extraction nozzle preferably captures at least 95%, 98%, or 99% of the warm air flow released into the cooling chamber, and particularly preferably all of it. Furthermore, the warm air flow released into the cooling chamber covers at least 80% of the inner surface of the glass pane. With a sufficiently large area of ​​the inner surface of the glass pane covered by the warm air flow, condensation on it can be effectively prevented.

[0044] In a preferred embodiment, the consumer goods refrigeration unit further comprises a cooling system for actively cooling the refrigerated compartment. This cooling system includes a compressor for a refrigerant, an evaporator, and a condenser, wherein the heat exchanger of the compressed air system is thermally coupled to the compressor and / or the evaporator of the cooling system. Thus, the heat exchanger of the compressed air system and the compressor or evaporator of the cooling system are thermally coupled, so that thermal energy (i.e., its waste heat) generated by the compressor and / or the evaporator can be used to heat the warm air flow in the compressed air system. Compared to conventional cooling systems, more compact evaporators can therefore be used, since their SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0045] 9

[0046] Heat is not released freely into the ambient air, but is extracted selectively via thermal coupling with the compressed air system. Overall, less energy is required, as the waste heat available in the cooling system is used to heat the warm air stream. Furthermore, the compressor and / or the evaporator can be correspondingly smaller, since more efficient heat transfer is possible, particularly in the evaporator.

[0047] In a preferred embodiment, the door of the consumer goods refrigeration unit is pivotably connected to the housing via at least two hinges, wherein at least one of the at least two hinges is designed as a fluid hinge arrangement, which fluid hinge arrangement has a first fluid hinge body with a pin and a second fluid hinge body with a recess formed in an inner volume of the second fluid hinge body, wherein the pin of the first fluid hinge body engages in the recess of the second fluid hinge body, and wherein a fluid channel penetrating both the first and second fluid hinge bodies is formed, which is arranged in the first or the second connecting line.By using the fluid hinge arrangement for at least one of the two hinges, the warm air flow can be reliably guided from the compressed air system to the delivery nozzle or from the extraction nozzle, for example, back to the compressed air system without any lines being visible to a customer from the outside of the cooling unit.

[0048] The invention further comprises a method for drying an inner surface of a glass pane of a consumer goods cooling unit, in particular the aforementioned consumer goods cooling unit, which includes the following steps: a) generating a laminar warm air flow with or in a discharge nozzle, wherein the discharge nozzle is arranged at a first edge of the pane in a top view of the glass pane, wherein a compressed air system for generating the laminar warm air flow is provided, which comprises a pressure generation unit and at least two connecting lines, and wherein the discharge nozzle is connected to the pressure generation unit via a first connecting line and an extraction nozzle is connected to the pressure generation unit via a second connecting line; b) applying the laminar warm air flow to the inner surface of the glass pane; and c) extracting the laminar warm air flow with the extraction nozzle, wherein the extraction nozzle is arranged at a second edge of the pane opposite the first edge of the pane.SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT.

[0049] 10

[0050] The invention further relates to a use of the consumer goods cooling unit according to one of the above aspects, in which the consumer goods cooling unit is used on a sales area of ​​a supermarket, a petrol station, a catering establishment, a retail establishment or a drugstore.

[0051] The various embodiments of the invention can be implemented individually or in any combination. In particular, the features mentioned above and explained below can be used not only in the combinations specified, but also in other combinations or individually, without departing from the scope of the present invention.

[0052] Generally, “ein” and “eine” within this revelation are to be read as indefinite articles and thus, unless explicitly stated otherwise, always as “at least one” or “at least one”.

[0053] To simplify the presentation of the invention, aspects relating to the device, method and use have each been explained separately, with explanations and preferred embodiments relating equally to the device, method and use.

[0054] The invention is explained in more detail with reference to drawings and exemplary embodiments. The drawings are schematic representations and not to scale. The drawings do not limit the invention in any way.

[0055] They show:

[0056] Figs. 1a-1d show a front view of a cooling unit 1 and detail views of a door 3 with window 5 and nozzle pair 6.

[0057] Fig. 2 shows a front view of the cooling unit 1 with an alternative arrangement of the nozzle pair 6,

[0058] Fig. 3a-3b shows a side sectional view through the cooling unit 1 with a further alternative arrangement of the nozzle pair 6,

[0059] Figs. 4a-4b show a front view and a sectional view through the cooling unit 1 with a further alternative arrangement of the nozzle pair 6,

[0060] Fig. 5 shows a schematic overview of a thermal device according to the invention.

[0061] Coupling of a compressed air system 8 with a cooling system 9, SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0062] 11

[0063] Fig. 6 shows a sectional view through a fluid hinge assembly 8.5, and

[0064] Fig. 7 shows a schematic representation of a method for drying an interior surface.

[0065] II of a glass pane 5.

[0066] Figure 1a shows a cooling unit 1 for consumer goods with a cooling compartment 4 formed by an enclosure 2 and a door 3 according to a first embodiment of the invention. Figure 1a also shows a glass pane 5 provided in the door 3, which is transparent and allows a view into the cooling compartment 4. The cooling unit 1 is shown in Figure 1a with the door 3 closed, i.e., the cooling compartment 4 is sealed off from the outside environment A. Figure 1a also shows two fluid hinge assemblies 8.5 (see also Figure 6), by means of which the door 3 is pivotably mounted on the enclosure 2 about a pivot axis X.

[0067] Figure 1b shows a top view (from the inside) of the door 3 with a glass pane 5 installed therein. As can be seen, the pane 5 has several edges 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 which define its perimeter. Specifically, a right edge 5.1, a left edge 5.2, an upper edge 5.3, and a lower edge 5.4 are visible. These edges 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 are enclosed on all sides by a door frame 3.1, which in this example is designed as a U-profile, i.e., each edge is recessed into the frame by a few millimeters. Within this door frame 3.1 is a viewing area D in which the glass pane 5 has an integrated light transmittance (TL according to ISO 9050:2003) for visible light of at least 90%.

[0068] Figure 1c shows the cooling unit 1 in an open state, namely with the door 3 open to the right. Several shelves 7 can be seen in the cooling compartment 4, on which various consumer goods are shown as examples.

[0069] Figure 1c also shows a laminar nozzle pair 6, comprising a dispensing nozzle 6.1 and a suction nozzle 6.2. In the example shown, these are arranged at opposite edges of the glass pane 5: the dispensing nozzle 6.1 is located at a first edge of the pane (in this case, the upper edge or edge 3), and the suction nozzle 6.2 is located at an opposite second edge of the pane (in this case, the lower edge or edge 4). A dispensing opening 6.3 of the dispensing nozzle 6.1, i.e., its outlet opening, faces the opposite suction opening 6.4 of the suction nozzle 6.2, i.e., its receiving opening. As can be seen in Figure 1c, both the dispensing nozzle 6.1 and the extraction nozzle 6.2 are mounted on the door 3, specifically on an inner surface II of the glass pane 5 facing the cold storage compartment 4. In Figure 1c, SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0070] 12 also shows the laminar warm air flow 6.5, which is discharged through the discharge nozzle 6.1 and reabsorbed by the extraction nozzle 6.2.

[0071] Figure 1d shows (for clarification) the door 3 again in a side view from the front (in relation to the cooling unit 1), namely the arrangement of the discharge nozzle 6.1 at the upper end of the door 3, the arrangement of the extraction nozzle 6.2 at the lower end of the door 3 and the laminar warm air flow 6.5 running between them.

[0072] Figure 2 shows a further embodiment of the cooling unit 1 with an alternative arrangement of the laminar nozzle pair 6, namely at opposite edges of the glass pane 5 in a horizontal direction. In the example shown, the discharge nozzle 6.1 is mounted at pane edge 1 (see also Figure 1b) and the extraction nozzle 6.2 at pane edge 2. The laminar warm air flow 6.5 can again be seen between these nozzles 6.1 and 6.2, which in the example shown flows in a horizontal direction (see arrow).

[0073] Figure 3a shows a side sectional view through the cooling unit 1, viewed from the left in relation to Figure 1a. The enclosure 2 and the door 3 located in front of it are visible in the sectional view, specifically its door frame 3.1 and the glass pane 5 held in this door frame 3.1. Several shelves 7 are shown in the cooling compartment 4, which are set back slightly from a front edge of the enclosure 2. The nozzle pair 6 is mounted in the area of ​​the front edge of the enclosure 2, namely the dispensing nozzle 6.1 on an upper inner edge and the extraction nozzle 6.2 on a lower inner edge of the enclosure 2. Compared to the illustrations in Figures 1 and 2, the dispensing nozzle 6.1 and the extraction nozzle 6.2 are thus mounted directly on the enclosure 2, but also arranged on opposite edges 5.3 and 5.4 of the glass pane 5. Namely, the dispensing nozzle 6.1 is located at the upper edge of the disc (marked with number 5.3) or disc edge 3, and the suction nozzle 6.2 at the lower edge of the pane (marked with the number 5.4) or pane edge 4. As already explained with regard to the preceding embodiments, the discharge opening 6.3 of the discharge nozzle 6.1 faces towards the extraction opening 6.4 of the extraction nozzle 6.2. Between these, the laminar warm air flow 6.5 is formed, which runs laminarly along the inner surface II of the glass pane 5 (see also the exemplary arrow representation in Figure 3a).

[0074] Figure 3b shows the cooling unit from Figure 3a with door 3 open. As explained earlier, the free-flowing laminar warm airflow 6.5 when door 3 is open prevents the (relatively) colder cooling chamber air from escaping or the (relatively) warmer outside air from entering the cooling chamber 4; SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0075] 13 Furthermore, the door 3 can be designed to be flatter overall due to the mounting of the nozzle pair 6 on the housing 2.

[0076] Figure 4a shows a further embodiment of the cooling unit 1 with the glass pane 5 being smaller compared to the door 3, namely that it only extends over a certain area of ​​the door 3.

[0077] Figure 4b shows a side sectional view of the cooling unit 1 from Figure 4a, viewed from the left. Figure 4b again shows the housing 2, the door 3 with a door frame 3.1 located in front of it, and the cooling compartment 4, in which several shelves 7 are arranged. Unlike the previously described embodiments, the laminar nozzle pair 6 is mounted on the front edge of each shelf facing the inner surface II of the glass pane 5, namely the dispensing nozzle 6.1 on the front edge of a first shelf 7.1 and the extraction nozzle 6.2 on the front edge of a second shelf 7.2. The laminar nozzle pair 6 is mounted on the first and second shelf 7.1 and 7.2 respectively in such a way that the dispensing nozzle 6.1 and the suction nozzle 6.2 are arranged on opposite disc edges 5.3 and 5.4, namely disc edge 3 (again marked with reference numeral 5.3) below disc edge 4 (again marked with reference numeral 5.4).In the example shown, even a comparatively small glass pane 5 can be exposed to the laminar warm airflow 6.5; in addition, at least one area of ​​the cold storage room 4 located between the shelves 7.1, 7.2 and the laminar warm airflow 6.5 can be separated from the outside environment A when the door 3 is open, so that an exchange of air mass between the cold storage room 4 and the outside environment A is initially reduced or avoided in this partial volume.

[0078] Figure 5 schematically shows a structure of a compressed air system 8 and a cooling system 9. The compressed air and cooling systems 8, 9 are provided, for example, below the housing 2 as part of the cooling unit 1, for example behind a front fan grille (see Figure 1a for an example).

[0079] The compressed air system 8 comprises a pressure generating unit 8.1, e.g., a pump, a heat exchanger 8.2, and two connecting lines 8.3, 8.4. As can be seen in Figure 5, the pressure generating unit 8.1 generates a compressed air stream which is heated in the heat exchanger 8.2 and fed to the discharge nozzle 6.1 via a first connecting line 8.3, where it exits as a laminar warm air stream 6.5. The extraction nozzle 6.2 receives the laminar warm air stream 6.5 at the opposite disc edge 5.1, 5.2, 5.3, 5.4 and returns it to the pressure generating unit 8.1 via a second connecting line 8.4. SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0080] 14

[0081] Furthermore, Figure 5 also shows the cooling system 9 of the cooling unit 1, namely a compressor 9.1 for compressing a refrigerant 9.2, an evaporator 9.3, and a condenser 9.4. The operating principle of cooling systems for the active cooling of refrigerators and freezers is known to those skilled in the art and will not be explained further here; however, Figure 5 particularly shows the thermal coupling according to the invention between the heat exchanger 8.2 of the compressed air system 8 and the evaporator 9.3 and / or condenser 9.4 of the cooling system 9, namely, their waste heat is used to heat the warm air flow 6.5 via the heat exchanger 8.2.

[0082] Figure 6 shows a sectional view through the fluid hinge assembly 8.5, which comprises a first fluid hinge body 8.6 and a second fluid hinge body 8.7 and is configured to pivotally connect the door 3 to the housing 2. The first fluid hinge body 8.6 is mounted on the housing 2 and the second fluid hinge body 8.7 on the door 3. The second fluid hinge body 8.7 engages with a recess formed in its internal volume into a pin formed on the first fluid hinge body 8.6, the pin defining the pivot axis X of the door 3.

[0083] Figure 6 also shows the fluid channel 8.8 formed in both fluid hinge bodies 8.6, 8.7, through which the compressed air of the compressed air system 8 flows from the pressure generating unit.

[0084] 8.1 or the heat exchanger 8.2 of the delivery nozzle 6.1 and / or from the extraction nozzle

[0085] 6.2 is traced back to the pressure generating unit 8.1. In addition, a spacer 8.9 can be seen between the first fluid hinge body 8.6 and the second fluid hinge body 8.7, which is designed as an annular body and facilitates a pivoting movement of the door 3 about the pivot axis X of the pin.

[0086] Figure 7 shows an embodiment of the inventive method for drying an inner surface II of a glass pane 5 of a consumer goods cooling unit 1, wherein at least in

[0087] P1 a laminar warm air flow 6.5 is generated with or in a delivery nozzle 6.1, wherein the delivery nozzle 6.1 is arranged in a top view of the glass pane 5 at a first pane edge 5.1, 5.3, wherein a compressed air system 8 is provided for generating the laminar warm air flow 6.5, which comprises a pressure generating unit 8.1 and at least two connecting lines 8.3, 8.4, and wherein the delivery nozzle 6.1 is connected to the pressure generating unit 8.1 via a first connecting line 8.3 and an extraction nozzle 6.2 is connected to the pressure generating unit 8.1 via a second connecting line 8.4,

[0088] P2 the inner surface II of the glass pane 5 is exposed to the laminar warm air flow 6.5, and SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257- WO-PCT

[0089] 15

[0090] P3 the laminar warm air flow 6.5 is captured by the extraction nozzle 6.2, wherein the extraction nozzle 6.2 is arranged at one of the first disc edge 5.1, 5.3 opposite the second disc edge 5.2, 5.4.

[0091] SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0092] 16

[0093] Reference symbol list

[0094] 1 cooling unit for consumer goods

[0095] 2 Enclosure

[0096] 3 Door

[0097] 3.1 Door frame

[0098] 4 Cold storage room

[0099] 5 glass pane

[0100] 5.1 Disc edge l (opposite disc edge 2)

[0101] 5.2 Disc edge 2 (opposite disc edge 1)

[0102] 5.3 Disc edge 3 (opposite disc edge 4)

[0103] 5.4 Disc edge 4 (opposite disc edge 3)

[0104] 6 laminar nozzle pair

[0105] 6.1 Dispensing nozzle

[0106] 6.2 Suction nozzle

[0107] 6.3 Dispensing opening of the dispensing nozzle 6.1

[0108] 6.4 Suction opening of the suction nozzle 6.2

[0109] 6.5 laminar warm air flow

[0110] 7 shelves

[0111] 7.1 first shelf

[0112] 7.2 second shelf

[0113] 8 Compressed air system

[0114] 8.1 Printing unit

[0115] 8.2 Heat exchanger

[0116] 8.3 First connecting line

[0117] 8.4 second connecting line

[0118] 8.5 Fluid hinge arrangement

[0119] 8.6 First fluid hinge body

[0120] 8.7 second fluid hinge body

[0121] 8.8 Fluid channel

[0122] 8.9 Spacers

[0123] 9 Cooling system

[0124] 9.1 Compressor SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT

[0125] 9.2 Refrigerants

[0126] 9.3 Evaporator

[0127] 9.4 Capacitor II Inner surface of the glass pane 5

[0128] D Viewing area of ​​the glass pane 5

[0129] An outdoor environment

[0130] X pivot axis of the door 3 relative to the housing 2

Claims

SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT 18 Claims 1. A cooling unit (1) for consumer goods comprising: a cooling chamber (4) formed by an enclosure (2) and a door (3), which is lockable from an external environment (A), a glass pane (5) arranged in the door (3), a laminar nozzle pair (6) arranged on an inner surface (II) of the glass pane (5) facing the cooling chamber (4), comprising a discharge nozzle (6.1) and an extraction nozzle (6.2) opposite the discharge nozzle (6.1), wherein the discharge nozzle (6.1) is arranged in a top view of the glass pane (5) at a first pane edge (5.1, 5.3) and the extraction nozzle (6.2) at a second pane edge (5.2, 5.4) opposite the first pane edge (5.1, 5.3), and a compressed air system (8) for generating a laminar warm air flow (6.5), wherein the compressed air system (8) comprises a pressure generation unit (8.1) and at least two connecting lines (8.3, 8.4), wherein the delivery nozzle (6.1) is connected via a first connecting line (8.3) and the suction nozzle (6.2) are connected to the pressure generating unit (8.1) via a second connecting line (8.4), and wherein the discharge nozzle (6.1) and the extraction nozzle (6.2) are arranged to apply the laminar warm air flow (6.5) to the inner surface (II) of the glass pane (5).

2. Consumer goods cooling unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing nozzle (6.1) and the extraction nozzle (6.2) are mounted on the door (3).

3. Consumer goods cooling unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing nozzle (6.1) and the extraction nozzle (6.2) are mounted on the housing (2).

4. Consumer goods cooling unit (1) according to claim 1, wherein the dispensing nozzle (6.1) is mounted on the door (3) and the extraction nozzle (6.2) is mounted on the housing (2).

5. Consumer goods cooling unit (1) according to claim 1, further comprising a first shelf (7.1) arranged in the cooling compartment (4), wherein a shelf front edge facing the dispensing nozzle (6.1) and the extraction nozzle (6.2) is mounted on the first shelf (7.1) in the area of ​​one of the inner surfaces (II) of the glass pane (5). SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT 19 6. Consumer goods cooling unit (1) according to claim 5, further comprising a second shelf (7.2) arranged in the cooling compartment (4), wherein the other of the dispensing nozzle (6.1) and the extraction nozzle (6.2) is mounted on the second shelf (7.2) in the area of ​​a shelf front edge facing the inner surface (II) of the glass pane (5).

7. Consumer goods cooling unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 6, in which a dispensing opening (6.3) of the dispensing nozzle (6.1) and / or a suction opening (6.4) of the suction nozzle (6.2) is slit-shaped.

8. Consumer goods cooling unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 7, in which a dispensing opening (6.3) of the dispensing nozzle (6.1) and / or a suction opening (6.4) of the suction nozzle (6.2) are arranged parallel to the inner surface (II) of the glass pane (5).

9. Consumer goods cooling unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the compressed air system (8) further comprises a heat exchanger (8.2) which is arranged in the first connecting line (8.3) and / or in the second connecting line (8.4).

10. Consumer goods cooling unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the discharge nozzle (6.1) is configured to discharge the laminar warm air flow (6.5) into the cooling chamber (4) and the extraction nozzle (6.2) is configured to capture at least 95% of the laminar warm air flow (6.5) discharged into the cooling chamber (4), and wherein the laminar warm air flow (6.5) discharged into the cooling chamber (4) covers at least 80% of the inner surface (II) of the glass pane (5).

11. Consumer goods refrigeration unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the door (3) is pivotably connected to the housing (2) by at least two hinges, wherein at least one of the at least two hinges is designed as a fluid hinge assembly (8.5), which fluid hinge assembly (8.5) has a first fluid hinge body (8.6) with a pin and a second fluid hinge body (8.7) with a recess formed in an inner volume of the second fluid hinge body (8.7), wherein the pin of the first fluid hinge body (8.6) engages in the recess of the second fluid hinge body (8.7), and wherein a fluid channel (8.8) penetrating the first fluid hinge body (8.6) and the second fluid hinge body (8.7) is formed, which SAINT-GOBAIN GLASS FRANCE 2024257-WO-PCT 20 is arranged in the first connecting line (8.3) or the second connecting line (8.4).

12. Consumer goods cooling unit (1) according to one of the preceding claims, further comprising a cooling system (9) for actively cooling the cooling space (4), which cooling system (9) has a compressor (9.1) for a refrigerant (9.2), an evaporator (9.3) and a condenser (9.4), wherein the heat exchanger (8.2) of the compressed air system (8) is thermally coupled to the compressor (9.1) and / or the evaporator (9.3) of the cooling system (9).

13. Method for drying an inner surface (II) of a glass pane (5) of a consumer goods cooling unit (1), in particular a consumer goods cooling unit (1) according to any one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the method comprises: a) generating a laminar warm air flow (6.5) with a discharge nozzle (6.1), wherein the discharge nozzle (6.1) is arranged in a top view of the glass pane (5) at a first pane edge (5.1, 5.3), wherein a compressed air system (8) for generating the laminar warm air flow (6.5) is provided, which comprises a pressure generation unit (8.1) and at least two connecting lines (8.3, 8.4), and wherein the discharge nozzle (6.1) is connected to the pressure generation unit (8.1) via a first connecting line (8.3) and an extraction nozzle (6.2) via a second connecting line (8.4); b) Applying the laminar warm air stream (6.5) to the inner surface (II) of the glass pane (5); and c) extracting the laminar warm air stream (6.5) with the extraction nozzle (6.2), wherein the suction nozzle (6.2) is arranged at one of the first disc edges (5.1 , 5.3) opposite the second disc edge (5.2, 5.4).

14. Use of a consumer goods cooling unit (1) according to one of claims 1 to 12, wherein the consumer goods cooling unit (1) is used on a sales area of ​​a supermarket, a petrol station, a catering establishment, a retail establishment or a drugstore.

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