Refrigeration – Processes – Treating an article
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-01
2001-10-09
Tapolcai, William E. (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Processes
Treating an article
C062S250000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06298672
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The invention relates to the field of refrigerated merchandise display units. More specifically, the invention relates to a refrigerated merchandiser for produce, such as apples.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
It is well known in the fresh produce industry that many varieties of fresh produce require storage at cool temperatures in order to maintain produce quality and prolong storage life. Storage under refrigerated conditions is required if produce growers, wholesalers, and retailers are to maximize profits on the produce they sell.
Controlled atmosphere storage is used successfully for storing produce after harvest. Some varieties of apples can be stored for several months in controlled atmosphere storage without an appreciable decrease in quality. However, once the apples are removed from controlled atmosphere storage and transported to a retail location, they are usually subjected to higher temperatures, which are not ideal for maintaining optimal fruit quality.
Despite the superior quality of produce stored under refrigeration, it is not uncommon for retailers to display and sell produce from unrefrigerated bins or shelves. For example, bags of apples are often stored and sold at room temperature due to a lack of practical and affordable refrigerated display space. As a result, consumers receive apples of inferior quality, and sellers lose revenue on damaged or unsaleable produce.
Apples are often stored in bins in a controlled atmosphere storage facility. Any handling of the apples which occurs during transfer from storage to a wholesale or retail location can result in damage to the fruit, making it unsaleable.
Based on the foregoing, it can be seen that it would be desirable to have an apparatus for storing and displaying produce such as apples, which would avoid the above noted problems. Specifically, it would be desirable to have an apparatus for maintaining optimal produce storage temperature while the produce is on display for sale. Additionally, it would be desirable to have such an apparatus that is portable, so that it can be positioned in an optimum location to encourage sales, or be moved from time to time as needs require. Furthermore, it would desirable for such an apparatus to provide a mechanism for raising the level of the produce being displayed, as produce is removed from the display, in order to maintain a full appearance and easy accessibility of the produce to the consumer.
Several U.S. patents attempt to provide such an apparatus. For example, U.S. Pat. No. 5,403,081 (Anderson 1995) discloses a tote bin cooler for facilitating the handling, cooling and display of bulk shipped fresh produce at the point of sale. The apparatus includes a refrigerated cabinet adapted to receive a produce tote bin through an opening in the side of the cabinet. Straps are provided for engaging the tote bin and pulling it into position in the cabinet. The tote bin has a movable floor that can be raised as produce is removed from the bin. A scissor jack type lifting mechanism is provided for lifting the floor.
U.S. Pat. No. 5,261,253 (Spenard 1993) discloses a device similar to the Anderson '081 device. The Spenard '253 device employs a pair of inflatable air bladders to raise and lower the movable floor of the tote bin. Spenard provides conveyor rollers over which the tote bin is rolled for positioning the tote bin in the cabinet.
While the Anderson and Spenard devices provide a partial solution to the problems described above, further improvements are needed. A device which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture and transport would be an improvement over the known devices. Additionally, a device which can easily receive and discharge a tote bin would be desirable. Because the device would be placed on a retail sales floor, it would further be desirable to make it as compact, streamlined and attractive as possible to maximize usage of the available space.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The invention provides a produce merchandiser for displaying produce at a controlled temperature. The produce merchandiser includes a bin receiving structure and a bin for containing produce. The bin receiving structure has a base, and a refrigeration unit mounted on the base. The refrigeration unit supplies cooled air to the produce. The bin receiving structure also includes a mast mounted to the base and extending substantially vertically therefrom. A lifting mechanism, comprising a carriage and an actuator, is also provided. The carriage includes at least one bin floor support arm, and is adapted to travel vertically on the mast. The actuator is for raising and lowering the carriage. The bin of the produce merchandiser is removably installed on the base unit. The bin includes a first side wall and a second side wall, the first and second side walls spaced apart from and parallel to one another, a first end wall substantially perpendicular to the first and second side walls; and a second end wall spaced apart from and parallel to the first end wall. At least one support arm aperture is provided in the first end wall of the bin for receiving the bin floor support arm. The bin additionally includes a movable floor, which is engageable with the carriage of the bin receiving structure.
In an embodiment of the invention, the base further includes at least one substantially horizontal bin support rail for receiving and balancing the bin on the bin support structure.
In an additional embodiment of the invention, first and second substantially horizontal bin support rails are provide. The bin support rails are positioned in parallel spaced apart relation to one another.
In a further embodiment of the invention, the refrigeration unit is a split system refrigeration unit having a condenser component and an evaporator component.
In an additional embodiment of the invention, the carriage includes a first bin floor support arm and a second bin floor support arm. The bin floor support arms are spaced apart from and parallel to one another.
In yet another embodiment of the invention, the bin walls include perforations, and the bin includes a liner for limiting the flow of air through the perforations.
In an embodiment of the invention, the bin is collapsible.
In a further embodiment of the invention, a support arm aperture is provided for receiving the bin floor support arm.
It is an object of the present invention to provide a produce merchandiser for displaying produce at a controlled temperature. Specifically, the produce merchandiser of the present invention provides an apparatus for displaying a bin of produce, while at the same time maintaining the ideal temperature of the produce by providing cooled air to the produce. Additionally, it is an object of the invention to provide a produce merchandiser having a floor that can be raised or lowered as needed to present the contents of the bin at an optimum height. It is a further object of the invention to provide a compact, streamlined, and attractive produce merchandiser. It is an additional object of the invention to provide a produce merchandiser which is relatively inexpensive to manufacture, transport, and maintain. It is yet a further object of the invention to provide a produce merchandiser with a bin that can be easily installed and removed using conventional equipment, such as a forklift or pallet jack. It is additionally an object of the present invention to provide a produce merchandiser that can be relocated as necessary, without requiring the use of equipment.
These and other objects and advantages of the invention will be made clear by the detailed description and drawings which follow.
REFERENCES:
patent: 2152219 (1939-03-01), Smith
patent: 2163062 (1939-06-01), Riesenkonig
patent: 2598156 (1952-05-01), Brill et al.
patent: 2635434 (1953-04-01), Bently
patent: 3552138 (1971-01-01), Davis
patent: 3850363 (1974-11-01), Jacobs
patent: 4161868 (1979-07-01), Kennedy et al.
patent: 5261253 (1993-11-01), Spenard
patent: 5403081 (1995-04-01), Anderson
patent: 5791749 (1998-08-01), O'Neill et al.
Warner Electric, “Wa
Ali Mohammad M.
Stratton Ballew PLLC
Tapolcai William E.
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