Refrigeration – Separable ambulant cooled enclosure and power or cooling source
Reexamination Certificate
1999-10-15
2001-07-24
Tapolcal, William E. (Department: 3744)
Refrigeration
Separable ambulant cooled enclosure and power or cooling source
C062S255000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06263688
ABSTRACT:
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a refrigerated display system and more particularly, relates to a transportable refrigerated display system.
The use of refrigerated display systems is well known in the art and many such systems are known and commercially available. Generally, the systems are either of the fixed type wherein they remain in one position or of the knock down variety which may be moved from one location to another in the store or be set up in the store for a limited period of time. The present invention is directed to the latter type—one which may be easily set up and removed.
One such system is illustrated in U.S. Pat. No. 4,898,004. In this patent, the display system comprises a reusable refrigeration unit and a preferably disposable knock down storage and display unit which sits on the top of the refrigeration unit. The knock down unit includes duct openings corresponding to ducts of the refrigeration unit and an air plenum having ribs for forcing air to the insulated outer walls of the knock down unit. The outer walls include inwardly extending ribs for creating channels for the cool air to flow to the top.
A more permanent type of arrangement is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,161,868 which shows a refrigerated case having a front wall access for loading and unloading items for display. In this arrangement, baskets containing the items for display may be slid over the inner surface of the panel and into the well portion. The refrigerated air is circulated through a rear wall of the case and extends such that the air is discharged at the top of the rear wall.
An open fronted refrigerated display case is shown in U.S. Pat. No. 4,034,572 wherein the entire front portion is open to provide the consumer access to products which may be loaded on a cart through a rear opening in the display case. The cool refrigerated air is discharged in a downwardly extending curtain.
Often, it is desirable to have a refrigerated display case which may be easily set up and knocked down for temporary displays of products. Thus, a store or food manufacturer will often run a promotion for a limited period of time. The promotion may relate to special pricing and/or introduction of a product. Accordingly, it would be desirable to have a knock down display case which is not only readily set up and knocked down, but is also transportable from one location to another.
Frequently, the refrigerated display case is to be set up by a sales person or other representative of the food manufacturer. As such, it should be easily moved into position and should also be able to accept the product to be marketed. Usually, these products are provided on pallets and accordingly, it would be convenient to have an arrangement wherein the refrigerated display case can accept a pallet of the product to be displayed. None of the teachings in the prior art show such an arrangement.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide a refrigerated display case which may be easily set up and knocked down by a single person.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a refrigerated display case wherein the display case is designed to accept a pallet load of product.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a transportable refrigerated display case.
According to one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a refrigerated display system which comprises a display unit and a refrigeration unit. The refrigeration unit comprises cooling means for cooling air, a refrigeration unit end wall which has an upper air inlet and a lower air outlet, and circulation means arranged to circulate cooled air from the cooling means through the lower air outlet and to receive air from the upper air inlet. The display unit comprises first and second side walls extending from the end wall of the refrigeration unit and with a display unit end wall extending between distal ends of the side walls such that the display unit end wall is opposite the refrigeration unit end wall. The arrangement is such that the cooled air will be circulated under a pallet placed within the display unit.
According to a further aspect of the present invention, there is provided, in combination, a refrigerated display system and a pallet having articles to be cooled placed thereon, the refrigerated display system comprising a display unit and a refrigeration unit, the refrigeration unit comprising cooling means for cooling air, a refrigeration unit end wall having an upper air inlet and a lower air outlet, circulation means arranged to circulate cooled air from the cooling means through the lower air outlet and to receive air from the upper air inlet, the display unit comprising first and second side walls extending from the end wall of the refrigeration unit, a display unit end wall extending between distal ends of the side walls, the display unit end wall being opposite the refrigeration unit end wall, the pallet being placed within the display unit, the arrangement being such that the cooled air will be circulated from the lower outlet under the pallet placed within the display unit.
The refrigerated display system of the present invention is transportable—i.e. it can be rapidly set up and knocked down to provide for temporary displays when required. Typically such a display may be during various promotions. The refrigerated display system can be set up in vacant aisle space and is particularly designed to receive a pallet of a product which is to be kept refrigerated while on display.
In order to provide for the above, the display system preferably has a display unit with one wall being moveable so as to permit the loading into the display case by a jigger truck of the loaded pallet. To this end, one of the walls may be moveable by means of an hinge arrangement.
As is conventional, wooden pallets provide for entry of the times of the jigger truck at opposed pallet ends. The pallet is loaded so as to permit the circulation of the cooled air underneath the pallet. When the air circulates underneath, it is permitted to pass through the openings in the pallet base and around the sides of the material on the pallet.
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Fincham Eric
Tapolcal William E.
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