US20060107676A1 - Cabinet for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration - Google Patents
Cabinet for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20060107676A1 US20060107676A1 US10/522,304 US52230405A US2006107676A1 US 20060107676 A1 US20060107676 A1 US 20060107676A1 US 52230405 A US52230405 A US 52230405A US 2006107676 A1 US2006107676 A1 US 2006107676A1
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- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cabinet
- heat exchanger
- exchanger means
- channel system
- air channel
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Abandoned
Links
- 238000005057 refrigeration Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 8
- 238000003860 storage Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 5
- 239000011810 insulating material Substances 0.000 claims 1
- 238000009434 installation Methods 0.000 abstract description 3
- 230000009466 transformation Effects 0.000 abstract description 3
- 238000004519 manufacturing process Methods 0.000 description 5
- 238000009413 insulation Methods 0.000 description 4
- 229910000831 Steel Inorganic materials 0.000 description 3
- 239000010959 steel Substances 0.000 description 3
- 229920005830 Polyurethane Foam Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000000295 complement effect Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000002826 coolant Substances 0.000 description 2
- 238000001816 cooling Methods 0.000 description 2
- 235000013305 food Nutrition 0.000 description 2
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000011496 polyurethane foam Substances 0.000 description 2
- 235000013365 dairy product Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 230000006378 damage Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000007788 liquid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 235000013372 meat Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000002184 metal Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 1
- 235000013336 milk Nutrition 0.000 description 1
- 239000008267 milk Substances 0.000 description 1
- 210000004080 milk Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 239000007787 solid Substances 0.000 description 1
- 238000007711 solidification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000008023 solidification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000007306 turnover Effects 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D23/00—General constructional features
- F25D23/02—Doors; Covers
- F25D23/023—Air curtain closures
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
- A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
- A47F3/0439—Cases or cabinets of the open type
- A47F3/0443—Cases or cabinets of the open type with forced air circulation
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47F—SPECIAL FURNITURE, FITTINGS, OR ACCESSORIES FOR SHOPS, STOREHOUSES, BARS, RESTAURANTS OR THE LIKE; PAYING COUNTERS
- A47F3/00—Show cases or show cabinets
- A47F3/04—Show cases or show cabinets air-conditioned, refrigerated
- A47F3/0439—Cases or cabinets of the open type
- A47F3/0443—Cases or cabinets of the open type with forced air circulation
- A47F3/0447—Cases or cabinets of the open type with forced air circulation with air curtains
-
- F—MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
- F25—REFRIGERATION OR COOLING; COMBINED HEATING AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEMS; HEAT PUMP SYSTEMS; MANUFACTURE OR STORAGE OF ICE; LIQUEFACTION SOLIDIFICATION OF GASES
- F25D—REFRIGERATORS; COLD ROOMS; ICE-BOXES; COOLING OR FREEZING APPARATUS NOT OTHERWISE PROVIDED FOR
- F25D15/00—Devices not covered by group F25D11/00 or F25D13/00, e.g. non-self-contained movable devices
Definitions
- the invention relates to a cabinet for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration, consisting of a modular frame structure, space-delimiting elements and shelves bearing the goods.
- Non-refrigerated cabinets made usually of galvanized sintered steel plates, are typically structured in a modular way, that is, thanks to their structural design, they can be assembled on the spot, out of “elements” of a smaller size, in function of the demands ever of the user and the possibilities offered by the premises.
- Refrigerating cabinets are pieces of ready-built furniture manufactured according to the demand ever, transported to the place of use—where only their caloric heat exchanger and electronic units are to be connected to supply sources installed beforehand—in assembled form, ready for operation.
- Refrigerating wall cabinets used mainly for the purpose of storing milk and dairy goods, meat and deep-frozen food goods, are typically of a robust design and include an insulated refrigerating furniture body set in a rigid steel frame.
- the insulation is usually a two-component, high-density polyurethane foam introduced between two steel plates, which forms a sandwich-type panel element of some sort with the latter after solidification. This is the insulated frame of the refrigerating cabinet, and the electrical units and caloric heat exchanger parts are built into this furniture body.
- the cabinet system used for storing goods is also incorporated into this ready-built frame structure.
- Systems similar to the refrigerating cabinet outlined above are manufactured and distributed as “RP Standard refrigerated wall cabinets” by the Austrian Hauserdeanlagen GmbH (A-4040 Linz, Am Hartmayrgut 4-6).
- a piece of ready-built refrigerating cabinet is a massive unit that cannot be disassembled into its units after manufacture. Of course, it is possible to manufacture this, too, in non-standard sizes, to design elements broken in some angle or corner elements, but the relevant manufacturing costs often exceed the production cost of refrigerating furniture pieces manufactured in standard sizes.
- a cabinet for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration having a modular assembled frame structure, space-delimiting elements and shelves supporting the goods.
- said cabinet is equipped it with a caloric heat exchanger means generating an air flow of a temperature selected to suit the goods, and an air channel system communicating with it.
- the caloric heat exchanger means' includes an air inlet, an evaporator, a fan and an air outlet.
- the walls of the air channel system consist in part of the frame structure and space-delimiting elements of the said cabinet.
- the walls of the air channel system are at least partly heat-insulated.
- the heat exchanger means and air channel system of the cabinet be designed as a single unit attachable to the assembled cabinet.
- the caloric heat exchanger means generating the air stream is arranged under the lowest shelf of the cabinet, and the air channel system communicating with it is located deep-set behind the frame structure of the cabinet.
- the caloric heat exchanger means generating the air stream is built into the upper space-delimiting element of the cabinet, and the air channel system communicating with it is located deep-set behind the frame structure of the cabinet.
- the caloric heat exchanger means of the cabinet is associated with a condensing unit requiring power supply only, that is arranged on the cabinet, thermally insulated from the caloric heat exchanger means.
- FIG. 1 provides an perspective view of the frame structure, space-delimiting elements and shelves of a non-refrigerated cabinet
- FIG. 2 shows the cabinet according to FIG. 1 in rear view
- FIG. 3 indicates a possible implementation of the caloric heat exchanger means of the cabinet according to the present invention
- FIG. 4 shows a possible implementation of the house incorporating the caloric heat exchanger means according to FIG. 3 ;
- FIG. 5 shows the house according to FIG. 4 , partly fitted to its place in the cabinet according to FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 6 shows a possible embodiment of combining the air channel system and the house, in the course of the air channel system being superimposed onto the house;
- FIG. 7 shows the air channel system, almost fitted onto the house, according to FIG. 6 ;
- FIG. 8 shows the cabinet including the caloric heat exchanger means fitted to its final place, partly in rear view
- FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of a possible embodiment of the caloric heat exchanger means and the air channel system designed as a single unit, installed already;
- FIG. 10 shows a caloric heat exchanger means placed in the upper part of the cabinet
- FIG. 11 shows the schematic cross-section of a two-sided (twin) refrigerated cabinet joined back to back and
- FIG. 12 is the schematic cross-section of a cabinet according to the present invention, supplemented with a separate condensing unit.
- FIG. 1 shows the frame structure and space-delimiting elements of a well-known, extensively manufactured and distributed non-refrigerated cabinet type.
- the frame structure consists of two column elements 1 whose Vertical size essentially determines the height of the cabinet, with two horizontal foot elements 2 attached to the lower end of the column elements 1 .
- the length of the horizontal foot elements 2 determines the depth of the cabinet to be made, that is, the depth of the shelves on the cabinet.
- Legs 3 are fitted to the ends of each column element 1 and foot element 2 .
- the legs 3 are optionally designed as screwed paw to regulate height, or one designed as a wheel or fitted with a wheel to allow to move of the cabinet.
- Column elements are usually made of a hollow, preferably rectangular section or a U-shaped bar, provided with openings in one row or in two rows into which other parts constituting the cabinet can be fixed by hanging in order to allow a modular arrangement. Accordingly, on FIG. 1 , between the two column elements 1 , back panels 4 are inserted vertically, whose length determines the width of the finished cabinet. Back panels 4 can be solid or perforated to promote the airing of goods placed in the cabinet.
- Base shelf 5 is fitted on foot elements 2 , with another two shelves 6 arranged on consoles fixed by hanging on column elements 1 above it. Mainly for aesthetic reasons, between legs 3 of foot elements 2 a cover 7 is placed, attached to a base shelf 5 . Owing to its design, the finished cabinet, assembled this way, can be used as a wall cabinet.
- FIG. 2 shows the cabinet in FIG. 1 in rear view. As can be seen, under base shelf 5 and between column elements 1 , there is sufficient space to ensure the circulation of air of a temperature determined by appropriate technical measures.
- a heat exchanger means 8 is built into the cabinet, providing air of the temperature desirable for the goods placed on the cabinet or, more precisely, on base shelf 5 and shelves 6 .
- This caloric heat exchanger means 8 can be designed for example according to the method outlined in FIG. 3 , and it can be placed in a housing 9 as shown in FIG. 4 .
- Housing 9 of heat exchanger means 8 has an air inlet 10 , coinciding, in operating position, with internal opening 11 in base shelf 5 , in the given case, preferably along almost its entire length.
- Housing 9 may include heat insulation 12 , but in the given case, material of sufficient heat insulating capacity as the material of housing 9 can be used, hence, for example, housing 9 can be made entirely of polyurethane foam.
- Behind air inlet 10 considering the flow direction of the generated air stream—a heat exchanger 13 , in the given case a lamellar evaporator is positioned, connected in a way that is not shown in the drawing, to the cooling medium source created in the premises in advance.
- an outlet 14 is formed to allow to dispose of humidity/liquids having entered housing 9 or generated there, and behind heat exchanger 13 , there is a fan 15 connected to an air outlet 16 of the housing 9 .
- Heat exchanger means 8 includes, as a matter of course, in addition to the units indicated in the drawing, the supply valve necessary for introducing the cooling medium, other control and safety elements, and owing to its design presented here, it conducts cold air onto the goods to be refrigerated, more precisely, it creates and maintains a continuous air curtain between the external space and the internal refrigerated space of the cabinet.
- Caloric heat exchanger means 8 can be placed as shown in the cross-section on FIG. 9 , under base shelf 5 of the cabinet, or in the uppermost part of the non-refrigerated cabinet (see FIG. 10 ). It can be ensured in both cases that the installation of caloric heat exchanger means 8 shall not alter the structure of the cabinet, and hence heat exchanger means 8 can be ordered as optional accessory at will, and it can be mounted onto or dismounted from the cabinet at any time.
- air outlet 16 of the caloric beat exchanger means 8 is not positioned in the same plane as the air inlet 10 , but it rises higher, like a chimney.
- the explanation for that is that, putting housing 9 including heat exchanger means 8 into working position, that is, pushing it into the space defined by column elements 1 , consoles 2 and cover 7 of the cabinet, air outlet 16 will be positioned in between column elements 1 , behind back plane elements 4 . This operation is shown in FIG. 5 .
- an air channel system 17 preferably an insulated one, in several ways, so that the said channel, communicating with caloric heat exchanger means 8 , shall direct cooled air exiting the latter to the top of the cabinet, and conduct it to the goods stored on shelves 6 .
- This air will then proceed downwards along the front plane of the cabinet, in front of shelves 6 , as an air curtain, to re-enter subsequently, through air inlet 10 of the heat exchanger means 8 , housing 9 of heat exchanger means 8 .
- Air channel system 17 is preferably provided with insulation on the back side of the cabinet and on the sides of its column elements 1 , and according to a preferred embodiment, it is perforated on its side to back panels 4 , and hence it ensures, similarly to the traditional cabinets, the free flow of air outwards, towards the open product space to be refrigerated.
- Heat-insulated air channel system 17 is directly connected to caloric heat exchanger means 8 placed under the base shelf 5 . This may happen in the manner shown in FIGS. 6 and 7 , that is, air channel system 17 may be shrouded onto caloric heat exchanger means 8 , and then the entire structure be pulled under and behind the cabinet.
- Air drawn and cooled via heat exchanger means 8 enters through air channel system 17 built in between column elements 1 to flow up to the top of the cabinet, to the upper outlet, that can be formed directly above the uppermost back plane 4 or, if the cabinet has, similarly to the display refrigeration counters designed like pieces of furniture, space-delimiting elements both on top and on its two sides (for the sake of better understanding, lateral space-delimiting elements are omitted from the drawings), then it may exit through opening 18 formed in the top of the cabinet, to pass by shelves 6 , continuously cooling them as well as goods stored on base shelf 5 in the meantime.
- Air channel system 17 is built in between column elements 1 from the rear, and it is fixed in a way allowing to take it out and away at any time without destruction if it is no longer necessary to operate the cabinet as refrigerated cabinet.
- housing 9 of caloric heat exchanger means 8 is also installed detachably, and it can be disconnected easily from the caloric and electric supply sources of heat exchanger 13 and fan 15 , respectively.
- caloric heat exchanger means 8 is located roof-like in the upper part of the cabinet.
- heat exchanger means 8 will suck the air through the air channel system 17 from the lower part of the cabinet, and cool it in its upper part with the help of the heat exchanger 13 , and create an air curtain by letting it flow out through air outlet 16 formed at the upper external edge of the cabinet, that will separate the inner space of the cabinet from the outer space and cool goods stored on shelves 6 and base shelf 5 .
- This solution allows, similarly to the traditional refrigerating serve over counters, the refrigeration of goods placed on a platform.
- foot elements 2 and the cabinet shall be covered skirt-like at the bottom, so that air channel system 17 should circulate the air inside the cabinet.
- caloric heat exchanger means 8 and air channel system 17 either fitted to each other or designed as a single, integrated unit conducting the air creating the air curtain in a heat-insulated way in all directions.
- air channel system 17 may also be constituted by back panels 4 of the cabinet, the wall of the room including the cabinet, and the column elements 1 as well.
- heat exchanger means 8 and air channel system 17 realized as a single integrated structural module shall be treated as advantageous implementation, as shown in FIG. 8 , because the module manufactured this way, suitable for numerous cabinets owing to the modular structure, can be coupled in a simple way with the cabinet that is to be transformed into a refrigerating-type cabinet.
- the cabinet can be adjusted at any time to the needs of the user or the transformation of the premises, and if two of the presented cabinets are placed back to back, it is possible to form a twin refrigerated cabinet as shown in FIG. 11 .
- the proposed cabinet can also be used with an in-built condensing unit.
- condensing unit 19 shall be used preferably thermally separated from caloric heat exchanger means 8 , and placed at the back of the cabinet or equipped with special casing, fixed on the top of it.
- the proposed cabinet can be altered or re-built easily and quickly later on to match the turnover ever and, thanks to its structural design, it is substantially cheaper than the traditional, ready-built refrigerating cabinets.
Abstract
A cabinet for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration, includes a modular frame structure, space-delimiting elements and shelves (6) bearing the goods, and equipped with a caloric heat exchanger (8) generating an air flow of a temperature selected to suit the goods, and an air channel system (17) communicating with it. Thus a refrigerated cabinet of any size and design can be transformed from an existing cabinet or a mass-manufactured cabinet product range, without altering the module structure of the non-refrigerated cabinet, incorporating all advantageous characteristics of a modular assembly option. The transformation implies no permanent change in structural design, basic parameters or external dimensions of the original cabinet, so it can be transformed back into a non-refrigerated cabinet at any time, by replacing certain elements and the installation and fitting of further units.
Description
- The invention relates to a cabinet for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration, consisting of a modular frame structure, space-delimiting elements and shelves bearing the goods.
- Cabinet systems used in food trade for presentation of the goods in the sales area are either non-refrigerated or refrigerated cabinet systems depending on the goods ever. Non-refrigerated cabinets, made usually of galvanized sintered steel plates, are typically structured in a modular way, that is, thanks to their structural design, they can be assembled on the spot, out of “elements” of a smaller size, in function of the demands ever of the user and the possibilities offered by the premises.
- In case of modular cabinets, users can assert their claims regarding the length and height of the cabinet, the size and design, loading capacity and fittings of the base shelf and the middle shelves, which can be assembled, upon demand, either as one-sided or as symmetrical, twin frames, as is most expedient for displaying of the goods to be stored on them. The module system and the uniform size dimensions allow the various manufacturers to offer their cabinet systems with different options and hence an extensive array of accessories and complementary elements. It is a highly important and advantageous property of the said cabinets that they can be disassembled and transformed. Their assembly requires no special expertise or skills, and they are transported to the target location in detached form, in pieces. It is a further advantage that they cannot only be built up in a straight line but, thanks to the existing accessories, in an angle, usually of 45° or 90°, also, and hence along diverse cabinets matching the layout of the sales premises ever, to ensure optimum space utilization, making it quite easy to install cabinets around pillars in the outlet, too. Such non-refrigerated cabinets as outlined above are manufactured and distributed by the German Tegometall Ladenbau GmbH (see the product catalogue of the company for 2002, Postfach 1273, D-72502, Krauchenwies).
- Refrigerating cabinets are pieces of ready-built furniture manufactured according to the demand ever, transported to the place of use—where only their caloric heat exchanger and electronic units are to be connected to supply sources installed beforehand—in assembled form, ready for operation. Refrigerating wall cabinets, used mainly for the purpose of storing milk and dairy goods, meat and deep-frozen food goods, are typically of a robust design and include an insulated refrigerating furniture body set in a rigid steel frame. The insulation is usually a two-component, high-density polyurethane foam introduced between two steel plates, which forms a sandwich-type panel element of some sort with the latter after solidification. This is the insulated frame of the refrigerating cabinet, and the electrical units and caloric heat exchanger parts are built into this furniture body. The cabinet system used for storing goods is also incorporated into this ready-built frame structure. Systems similar to the refrigerating cabinet outlined above are manufactured and distributed as “RP Standard refrigerated wall cabinets” by the Austrian Hauser Kühlanlagen GmbH (A-4040 Linz, Am Hartmayrgut 4-6). A piece of ready-built refrigerating cabinet is a massive unit that cannot be disassembled into its units after manufacture. Of course, it is possible to manufacture this, too, in non-standard sizes, to design elements broken in some angle or corner elements, but the relevant manufacturing costs often exceed the production cost of refrigerating furniture pieces manufactured in standard sizes.
- In summary of the above, it is easy to understand that there exists a significant demand for such cabinets suitable for storing goods requiring refrigeration as can be constructed, similarly to the current non-refrigerating cabinets, in a modular way, and modified or disassembled if necessary and, moreover, that offer good portability and on-the-spot assembly features adjusted or adjustable to the specific circumstances of utilization, without the usual disadvantage of refrigerated cabinets, viz. fixed size, as ordered, impossible to alter later on, often making it necessary to replace the entire furniture set in case of a change in size or location.
- Our solution of the target objective relies on a cabinet for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration having a modular assembled frame structure, space-delimiting elements and shelves supporting the goods. According to the present invention, said cabinet is equipped it with a caloric heat exchanger means generating an air flow of a temperature selected to suit the goods, and an air channel system communicating with it.
- According to a preferred embodiment of the proposed cabinet, the caloric heat exchanger means' includes an air inlet, an evaporator, a fan and an air outlet.
- According to another preferred embodiment of the proposed cabinet, the walls of the air channel system consist in part of the frame structure and space-delimiting elements of the said cabinet.
- In yet another preferred embodiment of the proposed cabinet, the walls of the air channel system are at least partly heat-insulated. In this case, the implementation whereas the entire air channel system is made of heat-insulating plates shall also be regarded as advantageous.
- It is preferred furthermore, that the heat exchanger means and air channel system of the cabinet be designed as a single unit attachable to the assembled cabinet.
- According to another preferred embodiment of the proposed cabinet, the caloric heat exchanger means generating the air stream is arranged under the lowest shelf of the cabinet, and the air channel system communicating with it is located deep-set behind the frame structure of the cabinet.
- According to another preferred embodiment of the present invention, the caloric heat exchanger means generating the air stream is built into the upper space-delimiting element of the cabinet, and the air channel system communicating with it is located deep-set behind the frame structure of the cabinet.
- According to a further preferred embodiment of the present invention, the caloric heat exchanger means of the cabinet is associated with a condensing unit requiring power supply only, that is arranged on the cabinet, thermally insulated from the caloric heat exchanger means.
- The invention is described more detailed with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which
-
FIG. 1 provides an perspective view of the frame structure, space-delimiting elements and shelves of a non-refrigerated cabinet; -
FIG. 2 shows the cabinet according toFIG. 1 in rear view; -
FIG. 3 indicates a possible implementation of the caloric heat exchanger means of the cabinet according to the present invention; -
FIG. 4 shows a possible implementation of the house incorporating the caloric heat exchanger means according toFIG. 3 ; -
FIG. 5 shows the house according toFIG. 4 , partly fitted to its place in the cabinet according toFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 6 shows a possible embodiment of combining the air channel system and the house, in the course of the air channel system being superimposed onto the house; -
FIG. 7 shows the air channel system, almost fitted onto the house, according toFIG. 6 ; -
FIG. 8 shows the cabinet including the caloric heat exchanger means fitted to its final place, partly in rear view; -
FIG. 9 shows a cross-section of a possible embodiment of the caloric heat exchanger means and the air channel system designed as a single unit, installed already; -
FIG. 10 shows a caloric heat exchanger means placed in the upper part of the cabinet; -
FIG. 11 shows the schematic cross-section of a two-sided (twin) refrigerated cabinet joined back to back and -
FIG. 12 is the schematic cross-section of a cabinet according to the present invention, supplemented with a separate condensing unit. -
FIG. 1 shows the frame structure and space-delimiting elements of a well-known, extensively manufactured and distributed non-refrigerated cabinet type. The frame structure consists of twocolumn elements 1 whose Vertical size essentially determines the height of the cabinet, with twohorizontal foot elements 2 attached to the lower end of thecolumn elements 1. The length of thehorizontal foot elements 2 determines the depth of the cabinet to be made, that is, the depth of the shelves on the cabinet.Legs 3 are fitted to the ends of eachcolumn element 1 andfoot element 2. Thelegs 3 are optionally designed as screwed paw to regulate height, or one designed as a wheel or fitted with a wheel to allow to move of the cabinet. Column elements are usually made of a hollow, preferably rectangular section or a U-shaped bar, provided with openings in one row or in two rows into which other parts constituting the cabinet can be fixed by hanging in order to allow a modular arrangement. Accordingly, onFIG. 1 , between the twocolumn elements 1,back panels 4 are inserted vertically, whose length determines the width of the finished cabinet.Back panels 4 can be solid or perforated to promote the airing of goods placed in the cabinet.Base shelf 5 is fitted onfoot elements 2, with another twoshelves 6 arranged on consoles fixed by hanging oncolumn elements 1 above it. Mainly for aesthetic reasons, betweenlegs 3 of foot elements 2 acover 7 is placed, attached to abase shelf 5. Owing to its design, the finished cabinet, assembled this way, can be used as a wall cabinet. -
FIG. 2 shows the cabinet inFIG. 1 in rear view. As can be seen, underbase shelf 5 and betweencolumn elements 1, there is sufficient space to ensure the circulation of air of a temperature determined by appropriate technical measures. - In order to transform the traditional non-refrigerated cabinet shown in
FIGS. 1 and 2 into the refrigerated cabinet according to the invention, a heat exchanger means 8 is built into the cabinet, providing air of the temperature desirable for the goods placed on the cabinet or, more precisely, onbase shelf 5 andshelves 6. This caloric heat exchanger means 8 can be designed for example according to the method outlined inFIG. 3 , and it can be placed in ahousing 9 as shown inFIG. 4 .Housing 9 of heat exchanger means 8 has anair inlet 10, coinciding, in operating position, withinternal opening 11 inbase shelf 5, in the given case, preferably along almost its entire length.Housing 9 may includeheat insulation 12, but in the given case, material of sufficient heat insulating capacity as the material ofhousing 9 can be used, hence, for example,housing 9 can be made entirely of polyurethane foam. Behindair inlet 10—considering the flow direction of the generated air stream—aheat exchanger 13, in the given case a lamellar evaporator is positioned, connected in a way that is not shown in the drawing, to the cooling medium source created in the premises in advance. Belowheat exchanger 13, anoutlet 14 is formed to allow to dispose of humidity/liquids having enteredhousing 9 or generated there, and behindheat exchanger 13, there is afan 15 connected to anair outlet 16 of thehousing 9. The internal space ofhousing 9 is closed from above by a metal cover plate omitted from the drawings, which provides complementary cooling tobase shelf 5 positioned right above it and to the goods stored there. Heat exchanger means 8 includes, as a matter of course, in addition to the units indicated in the drawing, the supply valve necessary for introducing the cooling medium, other control and safety elements, and owing to its design presented here, it conducts cold air onto the goods to be refrigerated, more precisely, it creates and maintains a continuous air curtain between the external space and the internal refrigerated space of the cabinet. - Caloric heat exchanger means 8 can be placed as shown in the cross-section on
FIG. 9 , underbase shelf 5 of the cabinet, or in the uppermost part of the non-refrigerated cabinet (seeFIG. 10 ). It can be ensured in both cases that the installation of caloric heat exchanger means 8 shall not alter the structure of the cabinet, and hence heat exchanger means 8 can be ordered as optional accessory at will, and it can be mounted onto or dismounted from the cabinet at any time. - The air flows into caloric heat exchanger means 8 through
air inlet 10, to go through thelamellar heat exchanger 13 and be cooled subsequently, and to leave the heat exchanger means 8 throughair outlet 16, driven byfan 15, and to enter into a preferably insulatedair channel system 17 to be presented below. - In the case of
housing 9 shown inFIG. 4 ,air outlet 16 of the caloric beat exchanger means 8 is not positioned in the same plane as theair inlet 10, but it rises higher, like a chimney. The explanation for that is that, puttinghousing 9 including heat exchanger means 8 into working position, that is, pushing it into the space defined bycolumn elements 1, consoles 2 andcover 7 of the cabinet,air outlet 16 will be positioned in betweencolumn elements 1, behind backplane elements 4. This operation is shown inFIG. 5 . At this point, as it is clear for a person skilled in the art, it is possible to form anair channel system 17, preferably an insulated one, in several ways, so that the said channel, communicating with caloric heat exchanger means 8, shall direct cooled air exiting the latter to the top of the cabinet, and conduct it to the goods stored onshelves 6. This air will then proceed downwards along the front plane of the cabinet, in front ofshelves 6, as an air curtain, to re-enter subsequently, throughair inlet 10 of the heat exchanger means 8,housing 9 of heat exchanger means 8.Air channel system 17 is preferably provided with insulation on the back side of the cabinet and on the sides of itscolumn elements 1, and according to a preferred embodiment, it is perforated on its side to backpanels 4, and hence it ensures, similarly to the traditional cabinets, the free flow of air outwards, towards the open product space to be refrigerated. Heat-insulatedair channel system 17 is directly connected to caloric heat exchanger means 8 placed under thebase shelf 5. This may happen in the manner shown inFIGS. 6 and 7 , that is,air channel system 17 may be shrouded onto caloric heat exchanger means 8, and then the entire structure be pulled under and behind the cabinet. Air drawn and cooled via heat exchanger means 8 enters throughair channel system 17 built in betweencolumn elements 1 to flow up to the top of the cabinet, to the upper outlet, that can be formed directly above theuppermost back plane 4 or, if the cabinet has, similarly to the display refrigeration counters designed like pieces of furniture, space-delimiting elements both on top and on its two sides (for the sake of better understanding, lateral space-delimiting elements are omitted from the drawings), then it may exit through opening 18 formed in the top of the cabinet, to pass byshelves 6, continuously cooling them as well as goods stored onbase shelf 5 in the meantime. Subsequently, it will enterhousing 9 of heat exchanger means 8 via opening 11 onbase shelf 5, whereasheat exchanger 13 of heat exchanger means 8 cools it again, andfan 15 drives the air again toair channel system 17. This way, a continuous air curtain similar to that in the traditional refrigerating shelf structures can be formed between the refrigerated goods space and the external open space. -
Air channel system 17 is built in betweencolumn elements 1 from the rear, and it is fixed in a way allowing to take it out and away at any time without destruction if it is no longer necessary to operate the cabinet as refrigerated cabinet. Similarly,housing 9 of caloric heat exchanger means 8 is also installed detachably, and it can be disconnected easily from the caloric and electric supply sources ofheat exchanger 13 andfan 15, respectively. - From the point of view of air circulation, it is irrelevant if, instead of being placed under
base shelf 5, caloric heat exchanger means 8 is located roof-like in the upper part of the cabinet. In this case, heat exchanger means 8 will suck the air through theair channel system 17 from the lower part of the cabinet, and cool it in its upper part with the help of theheat exchanger 13, and create an air curtain by letting it flow out throughair outlet 16 formed at the upper external edge of the cabinet, that will separate the inner space of the cabinet from the outer space and cool goods stored onshelves 6 andbase shelf 5. This solution allows, similarly to the traditional refrigerating serve over counters, the refrigeration of goods placed on a platform. In this case,foot elements 2 and the cabinet shall be covered skirt-like at the bottom, so thatair channel system 17 should circulate the air inside the cabinet. - So far an almost optimum case has been presented, with caloric heat exchanger means 8 and
air channel system 17 either fitted to each other or designed as a single, integrated unit conducting the air creating the air curtain in a heat-insulated way in all directions. In simpler cases, it is also feasible to use heat insulation, instead of the complete channel-like design, only on the back surface of the cabinet, or in case of a design corresponding tocolumn element 1, including air sealing, for a cabinet placed against the wall,air channel system 17 may also be constituted byback panels 4 of the cabinet, the wall of the room including the cabinet, and thecolumn elements 1 as well. From the point of view of manufacture and assembly, heat exchanger means 8 andair channel system 17 realized as a single integrated structural module shall be treated as advantageous implementation, as shown inFIG. 8 , because the module manufactured this way, suitable for numerous cabinets owing to the modular structure, can be coupled in a simple way with the cabinet that is to be transformed into a refrigerating-type cabinet. - Note among the main advantages of the proposed solution that it allows to create a refrigerated cabinet of a size and design chosen at will out of an existing cabinet or a mass-manufactured cabinet product range, so that the module structure of the non-refrigerated cabinet does not have to be altered, and hence the cabinet incorporates all the advantageous characteristics of the modular assembly option. The transformation implies no permanent change in structural design, in the basic parameters or external dimensions of the original cabinet, and hence it can be transformed into a non-refrigerated cabinet at any time at discretion by the replacement of certain elements and the installation and fitting of further units.
- It offers the end-user a wider choice of selection and variation options thanks to its simple and serviceable implementation. The cabinet can be adjusted at any time to the needs of the user or the transformation of the premises, and if two of the presented cabinets are placed back to back, it is possible to form a twin refrigerated cabinet as shown in
FIG. 11 . - If necessary, the proposed cabinet can also be used with an in-built condensing unit. As can be seen in
FIG. 12 , in this case, condensingunit 19 shall be used preferably thermally separated from caloric heat exchanger means 8, and placed at the back of the cabinet or equipped with special casing, fixed on the top of it. The proposed cabinet can be altered or re-built easily and quickly later on to match the turnover ever and, thanks to its structural design, it is substantially cheaper than the traditional, ready-built refrigerating cabinets. - The description does not cover optional accessories (e.g., lighting, night shutters) and their arrangement, as these will change according to the design and module system of the chosen non-refrigerated cabinet range.
Claims (20)
1. A cabinet for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration, consisting of a modular frame structure, space-delimiting elements and shelves (6) bearing the goods, characterized in that said cabinet is equipped with a caloric heat exchanger means (8) generating an air flow of a temperature selected to suit the goods, and an air channel system (17) communicating with it.
2. A cabinet according to claim 1 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) includes an air inlet (10), a heat exchanger (13), a fan (15) and an air outlet (16).
3. A cabinet according to claim 2 , characterized in that the walls of the air channel system (17) consist in part of the frame structure and space-delimiting elements of said cabinet.
4. A cabinet according to claim 1 , characterized in that the walls of the air channel system (17) are at least partly heat-insulated.
5. A cabinet according to claim 4 , characterized in that the entire air channel system (17) is made of heat-insulating material.
6. A cabinet according to claim 1 , characterized in that the heat exchanger means (8) and air channel system (17) of the cabinet are designed as a single unit attachable to a pre-assembled cabinet.
7. A cabinet according to claim 1 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) generating the air stream is arranged under the lowest base shelf (5) of the cabinet, and the air channel system (17) communicating with it is located deep-set behind the frame structure of the cabinet.
8. A cabinet according to claim 1 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) generating the air stream is built into the upper space-delimiting element of the cabinet and the air channel system (17) communicating with it is located deep-set behind the frame structure of the cabinet.
9. A cabinet according to claim 1 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) of the cabinet is associated with a condensing unit (19) requiring power supply only, which is arranged on the cabinet, thermally insulated from the caloric heat exchanger means (8).
10. A cabinet according to claim 2 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) generating the air stream is built into the upper space-delimiting element of the cabinet and the air channel system (17) communicating with it is located deep-set behind the frame structure of the cabinet.
11. A cabinet according to claim 3 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) generating the air stream is built into the upper space-delimiting element of the cabinet and the air channel system (17) communicating with it is located deep-set behind the frame structure of the cabinet.
12. A cabinet according to claim 4 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) generating the air stream is built into the upper space-delimiting element of the cabinet and the air channel system (17) communicating with it is located deep-set behind the frame structure of the cabinet.
13. A cabinet according to claim 5 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) generating the air stream is built into the upper space-delimiting element of the cabinet and the air channel system (17) communicating with it is located deep-set behind the frame structure of the cabinet.
14. A cabinet according to claim 6 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) generating the air stream is built into the upper space-delimiting element of the cabinet and the air channel system (17) communicating with it is located deep-set behind the frame structure of the cabinet.
15. A cabinet according to claim 2 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) of the cabinet is associated with a condensing unit (19) requiring power supply only, which is arranged on the cabinet, thermally insulated from the caloric heat exchanger means (8).
16. A cabinet according to claim 3 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) of the cabinet is associated with a condensing unit (19) requiring power supply only, which is arranged on the cabinet, thermally insulated from the caloric heat exchanger means (8).
17. A cabinet according to claim 4 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) of the cabinet is associated with a condensing unit (19) requiring power supply only, which is arranged on the cabinet, thermally insulated from the caloric heat exchanger means (8).
18. A cabinet according to claim 5 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) of the cabinet is associated with a condensing unit (19) requiring power supply only, which is arranged on the cabinet, thermally insulated from the caloric heat exchanger means (8).
19. A cabinet according to claim 6 , characterized in that the caloric heat exchanger means (8) of the cabinet is associated with a condensing unit (19) requiring power supply only, which is arranged on the cabinet, thermally insulated from the caloric heat exchanger means (8).
20. A cabinet according to claim 3 , characterized in that the walls of the air channel system (17) are at least partly heat-insulated.
Applications Claiming Priority (2)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
HU0201760A HUP0201760A2 (en) | 2002-05-27 | 2002-05-27 | Stand for storing articles to chill |
PCT/HU2002/000160 WO2003099077A1 (en) | 2002-05-27 | 2002-12-20 | Cabinet for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration |
Publications (1)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20060107676A1 true US20060107676A1 (en) | 2006-05-25 |
Family
ID=89980454
Family Applications (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US10/522,304 Abandoned US20060107676A1 (en) | 2002-05-27 | 2002-12-20 | Cabinet for the storage of goods requiring refrigeration |
Country Status (6)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (1) | US20060107676A1 (en) |
EP (1) | EP1517627A1 (en) |
AU (1) | AU2002353253A1 (en) |
CA (1) | CA2493570A1 (en) |
HU (1) | HUP0201760A2 (en) |
WO (1) | WO2003099077A1 (en) |
Cited By (5)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US9084496B1 (en) * | 2014-05-09 | 2015-07-21 | Heatcraft Refrigeration Products Llc | Refrigerated display case |
US20160106232A1 (en) * | 2013-05-29 | 2016-04-21 | Carrier Corporation | Refrigerated sales furniture |
US9532661B2 (en) | 2011-06-30 | 2017-01-03 | Pepsico, Inc. | Modular refrigerated merchandise display system |
CN112425966A (en) * | 2020-11-13 | 2021-03-02 | 深圳市新厨厨房设备有限公司 | Intelligent refrigerated food arc-shaped bi-pass display cabinet |
US11326829B2 (en) * | 2017-02-10 | 2022-05-10 | Benoit Floquet | Portable refrigerated cabinet |
Families Citing this family (7)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
GB0508204D0 (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2005-06-01 | Alan Nuttall Ltd | Heated food storage and display cabinet |
DE102008005736B4 (en) * | 2008-01-23 | 2012-07-19 | Girana Anuman-Rajadhon | Shelf for shop fitting |
WO2011138704A1 (en) * | 2010-05-03 | 2011-11-10 | Bim Birlesik Magazalar Anonim Sirketi | A display cabinet |
NZ611793A (en) | 2011-06-30 | 2013-10-25 | Hussmann Corp | Apparatus for disease detection |
GB2509207B (en) | 2012-11-06 | 2014-11-05 | Alan Nuttall Ltd | Open fronted cabinet |
GB201316911D0 (en) | 2013-09-24 | 2013-11-06 | Alan Nuttall Ltd | Energy saving food storage unit |
NL2011668C2 (en) * | 2013-10-24 | 2015-04-29 | Fri Jado Bv | Modular merchandising display device. |
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FR2038670A5 (en) * | 1969-03-21 | 1971-01-08 | Bonnet Ets | REFRIGERATION DEVICES |
DE3210423A1 (en) * | 1982-03-22 | 1983-10-13 | Linde Ag, 6200 Wiesbaden | COOLING SHELF |
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2002
- 2002-05-27 HU HU0201760A patent/HUP0201760A2/en unknown
- 2002-12-20 WO PCT/HU2002/000160 patent/WO2003099077A1/en not_active Application Discontinuation
- 2002-12-20 US US10/522,304 patent/US20060107676A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-12-20 AU AU2002353253A patent/AU2002353253A1/en not_active Abandoned
- 2002-12-20 EP EP02788273A patent/EP1517627A1/en not_active Withdrawn
- 2002-12-20 CA CA002493570A patent/CA2493570A1/en not_active Abandoned
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US2915884A (en) * | 1957-04-01 | 1959-12-08 | Frank Dewey Company Inc | Separable and readily portable refrigeration display cabinet |
US4269037A (en) * | 1979-07-03 | 1981-05-26 | Masashi Karashima | Refrigerated show case |
US4898004A (en) * | 1988-04-15 | 1990-02-06 | Richardson James E | In-store refrigerated display system |
US4964281A (en) * | 1988-10-06 | 1990-10-23 | Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd. | Low-temperature showcase |
US5086627A (en) * | 1990-11-19 | 1992-02-11 | Margaret Platt Borgen | Removable cooling unit for display case and method for using same |
US5417079A (en) * | 1992-07-01 | 1995-05-23 | The Coca-Cola Company | Modular refrigeration apparatus |
US5502979A (en) * | 1993-02-12 | 1996-04-02 | Renard; Andre | Collapsible refrigerated cabinets |
US5996366A (en) * | 1995-07-05 | 1999-12-07 | Renard; Andre | Refrigerated cabinet for displaying food or the like |
US5860290A (en) * | 1998-01-12 | 1999-01-19 | Super S.E.E.R. Systems Inc. | Refrigeration system with improved heat exchanger efficiency |
Cited By (6)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
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US9532661B2 (en) | 2011-06-30 | 2017-01-03 | Pepsico, Inc. | Modular refrigerated merchandise display system |
US20160106232A1 (en) * | 2013-05-29 | 2016-04-21 | Carrier Corporation | Refrigerated sales furniture |
US10368660B2 (en) * | 2013-05-29 | 2019-08-06 | Carrier Corporation | Refrigerated sales furniture |
US9084496B1 (en) * | 2014-05-09 | 2015-07-21 | Heatcraft Refrigeration Products Llc | Refrigerated display case |
US11326829B2 (en) * | 2017-02-10 | 2022-05-10 | Benoit Floquet | Portable refrigerated cabinet |
CN112425966A (en) * | 2020-11-13 | 2021-03-02 | 深圳市新厨厨房设备有限公司 | Intelligent refrigerated food arc-shaped bi-pass display cabinet |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
WO2003099077A1 (en) | 2003-12-04 |
HU0201760D0 (en) | 2002-07-29 |
EP1517627A1 (en) | 2005-03-30 |
CA2493570A1 (en) | 2003-12-14 |
HUP0201760A2 (en) | 2003-12-29 |
AU2002353253A1 (en) | 2003-12-12 |
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Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
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STCB | Information on status: application discontinuation |
Free format text: ABANDONED -- FAILURE TO RESPOND TO AN OFFICE ACTION |