Patent Grant
7827806
The present disclosure relates to a cooled merchandizing unit. More particularly, the present disclosure relates to a portable cooled (e.g., refrigeration and/or freezer) merchandizing unit having a thermoelectric assembly and means for circulating air from the thermoelectric assembly through a product container.
Perishable food items are frequently displayed and sold in grocery stores. Some perishable food items are maintained in inventory year-round and are often placed in a permanent merchandizing unit. Other perishable food items are offered during promotions, and are better suited to temporary cooling displays. Some temporary cooling displays are disposable cases employing ice packs and ice to cool the perishable items, and grocers, due to the limited cooling capacity, disfavor these disposable units. Another disincentive to the use of disposable cooling units is the cost associated with their disposal. To this end, grocers have a need for temporary cooling displays that are effective in safely cooling perishable food items. Similar needs arise for temporary cooling displays of frozen food items.
Conventional refrigerators and freezers employed as temporary cooling displays are disfavored due primarily to their expense and non-steady cooling temperatures. As a point of reference, conventional refrigerators and freezers generally include an insulated enclosure having a centralized cooling system employing a vapor compression cycle refrigerant. The cooling system is usually characterized as having a greater cooling capacity than the actual heat load, and this results in the cooling system acting intermittently in a binary duty cycle. That is to say, the cooling system is either on or off. The binary duty cycle is associated with temperature variations inside the insulated the enclosure. For example, when the compressor is off, the temperature in the enclosure increases until reaching an upper limit where the compressor is cycled on. Conversely, when the compressor is on, the temperature in the enclosure decreases until reaching a lower limit where the compressor is cycled off. Thus, the temperature in a conventional refrigerator or freezer is not steady, but cycles between pre-selected upper and lower limits.
In addition, vapor compression cooling systems frequently employ fluorinated hydrocarbons (for example, Freon®) as the refrigerant. The deleterious effects of fluorinated hydrocarbons on the environment are well known, and both national and international regulations are in effect to limit the use of such fluorinated hydrocarbons as refrigerants.
With the above in mind, cooling systems that employ thermoelectric devices for cooling are preferred over vapor pressure refrigerators. The use of thermoelectric devices operating on a direct current (DC) voltage system are known in the art and can be employed to maintain a desired temperature in refrigerators and portable coolers. One example of a cooled container employing a thermoelectric device is described in U.S. Pat. No. 4,726,193 titled “Temperature Controlled Picnic Box.” The temperature controlled picnic box is described as having a housing with insulated walls forming a food compartment, an open top, and a lid for enclosing the food compartment. A thermoelectric device for cooling the picnic box is connected to the lid by fasteners. The thermoelectric device is limited in its capacity to cool the picnic box, and the enclosed food compartment is ill suited for temporary cooling displays.
Other thermoelectric devices used as refrigerators are known. One example is a refrigerator employing super insulation materials and having a thermoelectric cooling device disposed within a door, as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,216 titled “Thermoelectric Refrigerator.” The thermoelectric refrigerator described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,522,216 includes an airflow management system. The airflow management system establishes a desired airflow path across the cooling device to provide a cooled refrigerator unit. The cooling delivered by the thermoelectric device is not unlimited, and for this reason, expensive super insulation is positioned around the cabinet to minimize the cooling loss.
All coolers and refrigerators experience the formation of condensation. Condensation forms whenever warm, humid air from the environment interacts with cooled surfaces. For example, humidity in the air will condense on the cooling elements of the refrigerator or freezer and forms liquid condensate. The liquid condensate builds up within the refrigerator or freezer and can undesirably collect on the products that are being cooled. To this end, condensates in cooling systems can buildup and/or eventually drip on the cooled products.
Grocers and merchandisers have a need to display perishable and frozen food items during temporary displays such as promotional events. The known temporary cooling displays can be generally characterized as inefficient in the case of disposable cases, and expensive in the case of refrigerated or freezer cases. Therefore, a need exists for a portable cooled merchandizing unit that is efficient at cooling and inexpensive to operate.
One aspect of the present disclosure is related to a portable cooled merchandizing unit. The portable cooled merchandizing unit includes a product container assembly and a thermoelectric assembly. The product container assembly has an exterior frame and an interior container. The interior container includes a floor for supporting product, and first and second opposing panel extending from the floor to define an interior region. In addition, the product container assembly defines first opening to the interior region at the first panel opposite the floor and a first airflow path along an exterior of the panel and fluidly connected to the first opening. Similarly, a second opening to the interior region is formed at the second panel opposite the floor, with a second airflow path being defined at an exterior of the second panel and open to the second opening. The thermoelectric assembly includes a thermoelectric device, a heat sink, and a fan. The heat sink is coupled to the thermoelectric device and is fluidly connected to the airflow path away from the openings. The fan operates to circulate airflow to and from the interior region along an airflow pattern that includes traveling from the heat sink and to the interior region via the first airflow path and the first opening, and from the interior region and to the heat sink via the second opening and the second airflow path.
Another aspect of the present disclosure is related to a method of cooling products in a display. The method includes providing a merchandising unit including an interior container having a floor and a panel combining to form a portion of an interior region. The merchandising unit forms an airflow path along at least a portion of an exterior of the panel to an opening opposite the floor. A heat sink of a thermoelectric assembly is fluidly connected to the airflow path. The heat sink is further coupled to a thermoelectric device. Products are placed in the interior region. The method further includes operating a fan to circulate cooling air along the airflow path and over products in the interior region.
Embodiments of the disclosure are better understood with reference to the following drawings. The elements of the drawings are not necessarily to scale relative to each other. Like reference numerals designate corresponding similar parts.
A portable cooled merchandizing unit 10 according to one embodiment of the present disclosure is illustrated in
The housing 12 includes opposing faces 20 and opposing sides 21 that are attached to and extend upwardly from a bottom plate 22. In the perspective view of
In a further embodiment, a graphic or display (not shown) is applied to or formed by an exterior of the housing 12. For example, in one embodiment, a wrappable graphic system (not shown) is applied over the housing 12. The wrappable graphic system can be made out of paperboard or other printable material that allows for graphics of the unit 10 to be changed without altering more generic graphics permanently applied to/formed by an exterior of the housing 12. The wrappable graphic system is preferably foldable or wrappable about the housing 12, such as providing an enlarged, flexible panel having a connecting device (e.g., a zipper) at opposing ends thereof to facilitate easy removal. The wrappable graphic system can be adapted for more rigid securement to the housing 12 by including scored flaps that fold under the bottom plate 22. In one embodiment, flaps are held in place relative to the housing 12/bottom plate 22 by semi-permanent tape. With this construction, the flaps can be easily lifted along the semi-permanent tape. By positioning the semi-permanent tape at or along the bottom plate 22, the tape will be in a horizontal plane (relative to an upright orientation of the unit 10) and thus is not in a shear mode for more effectively holding the wrappable graphic system panel, and does not contact sides of the housing 12 in a manner that might otherwise damage the housing 12 sides when removing the wrappable graphic system. Conversely, in one embodiment, a top of the wrappable graphic system is frictionally held between the housing 12 and a door assembly described below.
The bottom plate 22 defines, in one embodiment, a first opening 24 and a second opening 26, the openings 24, 26 providing air access and egress for the unit 10. Specifically, in one embodiment the first opening 24 is an air inlet and the second opening 26 is an air outlet. The openings 24, 26 are depicted as rectangular holes, although other shapes and sizes for the openings 24, 26 are equally acceptable.
Wheels or casters 28 are, in one embodiment, connected to the housing bottom plate 22 to facilitate moving of the merchandising unit 10, for example when positioning the merchandising unit 10 for display in a grocery store. In one embodiment, four wheels 28 are connected to the bottom plate 22, although only two of the wheels 28 are visible in the illustrations of
In one embodiment, an air baffle 30 is secured to the bottom plate 22 as best shown in
In one embodiment, the merchandising unit 10 further includes a door assembly 32, apart from the housing 12, that includes a sash or flange 34 and a door 36. The door 36 is hingedly attached to the sash 34 such that the door 36 can open and close relative to the product container assembly 18 upon final assembly. For example, in one embodiment, the door 36 includes a handle 38 positioned opposite a hinge point 40 (referenced generally) at which the door 36 is pivotally attached to the sash 34. Upon final assembly, the door 36 is inclined downwardly (i.e., the handle 38 is “below” the hinge point 40), such that the door 36 naturally assumes a closed position via gravity. For example, the product container assembly 18, to which the sash 34 is assembled, can define the downward inclination of the door 36. In one embodiment, to ensure that the door 36 is not opened beyond a perpendicular orientation relative to the sash 34 (that might otherwise cause the door 36 to undesirably remain open after a consumer has accessed an interior of the unit 10), the door 36 defines a stop 42 adjacent the hinge point 40. The stop 42 projects from a plane of the door 36 and contacts the sash 34 (with rotation of the door 36 relative to the sash 34) prior to the door 36 moving to or beyond a perpendicular orientation. In alternative embodiments, the stop 42 can be formed on the sash 34 or simply eliminated. Alternatively, other constructions permitting movement of the door 36 are equally acceptable. In one embodiment, the door 36 is a two-ply construction consisting of two, separated sheets of plastic, preferably clear plastic. This one preferred construction provides an increased insulation factor (as opposed to a single sheet), while allowing a consumer to view an interior of the product container assembly 18. Alternatively, the door 36 can assume a variety of other forms, such as a single sheet of opaque material.
Regardless, in one embodiment, the door assembly 32 is removably coupled to the top 23 of the housing 12 and/or the product container assembly 18 such that the door assembly 32 can be entirely disassembled from the housing 12 and/or the product container assembly 18 when desired. As described in greater detail below, this one embodiment construction facilitates entire replacement and/or replenishing of goods (not shown) within the product container assembly 18, including replacement of a portion of the product container assembly 18. In one embodiment, push pins (not shown) or similar components are employed to secure the door assembly 32 to the housing 12/product container assembly 18 in a manner that makes it difficult for a consumer to easily remove the door assembly 32. Alternatively, the door assembly 32 can be even more permanently affixed to the housing 12 and/or the product container assembly 18.
With additional reference to
With reference to
The electrical boxes 50 encompass the power control unit 52 that is in turn electrically connected to a power cord 66 of the thermoelectric assembly 14. In this regard, the power cord 66 supplies alternating current (AC) power to the control unit 52, and the control unit 52 converts the AC power to direct current (DC) power. To this end, and in one embodiment, the control unit 52 is adapted to meter the DC power to the thermoelectric device 54 such that the thermoelectric device 54 has a sufficient flow of DC power even in low-use (i.e., “sleep”) modes. The control unit 52 regulates DC power flow to the thermoelectric device 54 to optimally power the device 54 during high peak usage, and the control unit 52 also ensures that some DC power is delivered to the thermoelectric device 54 during low use, or sleep, periods such that the thermoelectric device 54 is coolingly maintained in an “on” state.
In one embodiment, the control unit 52 utilizes a pulse width modulation control sequence to achieve optimal temperature control. In particular, the control unit 52 includes, or is connected to, a temperature sensor (not shown) located to sense temperatures at or in the product container assembly 18. When the sensed temperature at the product container assembly 18 is determined to be decreasing, the control unit 52 modulates power delivered to the thermoelectric device 54 by pulsing the delivered power in a linear fashion to decrease cooling provided by the thermoelectric device 54. With larger sensed temperature drops, the delivered power is pulsed more frequently (such that cooling provided by the thermoelectric device 54 decreases) more rapidly. Conversely, where the sensed temperature at the product container assembly 18 is determined to be increasing or rising, the control unit 52 operates to provide a more steady power supply (i.e., decrease in the frequency of pulsed off power), thereby providing more power to the thermoelectric device 54 (and thus increasing cooling provided by the thermoelectric device 54). The determination of whether temperature at the product container assembly 18 is increasing or decreasing can be made with reference to a previously sensed temperature (e.g., when currently sensed temperature exceeds previously sensed temperature (taken at pre-determined intervals) by a pre-determined value, it is determined that the product container assembly 18 is “cooling”, such that frequency of pulsed power is increased). Alternatively, the sensed temperature can be compared to a pre-determined value(s) or parameters. For example, the control unit 52 can be programmed to decrease pulsing when the sensed temperature exceeds 34° F., and increase pulsing when the sensed temperature drops below 30° F. Alternatively, other temperature differential parameters can be employed (e.g., when operating the unit 10 as a freezer). The control unit 52 can, in one embodiment, operate to perform other temperature control functions, such as a defrost cycle in which the control unit 52 discontinues the delivery of power to the thermoelectric device 54 for a predetermined time period at predetermined intervals (e.g., power to the thermoelectric device 54 is stopped for five minutes every twelve hours), allowing the product container assembly 18 to heat and thus melt any accumulated frozen condensate.
Alternatively, the control unit 52 can employ any other control sequence/operations for controlling power delivery to the thermoelectric device. Pointedly, in one alternative embodiment, the control unit 52 does not perform any power control sequence such that a continuous supply of power is delivered to the thermoelectric device 54. Further, the sensed temperature can be displayed to users, such as by a display 67 carried by the door assembly 32. Alternatively, the display 67 can be eliminated.
The thermoelectric device 54 utilizes DC power to cool the product container assembly 18 in the following manner. For example, in one embodiment, the thermoelectric device 54 includes two opposing ceramic wafers (not shown) having a series of P and N doped bismuth-telluride semiconductors layered between the ceramic wafers. The P-type semiconductor has a deficit of electrons and the N-type semiconductor has an excess of electrons. When the DC power is applied to the thermoelectric device 54, a temperature difference is created across the P and N-type semiconductors and electrons move from the P-type to the N-type semiconductor. In this manner, the electrons move to a higher energy state, as known in the art, thus absorbing thermal energy and forming a cold region (i.e., the cold sink 60). The electrons at the N-type semiconductor continue through the series of semiconductors to arrive at the P-type semiconductor, where the electrons drop to a lower energy state and release energy as heat to a hot region (i.e., the hot sink 64). The above-described flow of electrons driven through P and N-type semiconductors by DC power is known in the art as the Peltier Effect. Peltier Effect thermoelectric devices can be beneficially employed as cooling devices (or reversed to create a heating device). In any regard, suitable thermoelectric devices for implementing embodiments of the present disclosure are known and commercially available.
The thermoelectric device 54 is coupled to the cold sink 60 and the hot sink 62 of the thermoelectric assembly 14. The cold and hot sinks 60, 62 are made of an appropriate material, such as aluminum or copper, although other known heat sink materials are equally acceptable. To this end, reference to the sink 60 as a “cold” sink and the sink 62 as a “hot” sink reflects a temperature of the sink 60, 62 when the unit 10 operates in a cooling mode (i.e., the sink 60 is “cold” and the sink 62 is “hot”); however, it should be understood that both of the sinks 60, 62 are, and can be referred to as, “heat sinks”. This explanation is reflective of the fact that the sink 60 is equally capable as serving as a “hot” sink and the sink 62 as a “cold” sink, such as, for example, when the unit 10 operates in a defrost mode, as described elsewhere.
The fans 56, 58, 59 are electrical fans having propellers adapted for moving air when rotated. The first fan 56 is electrically coupled to the power control unit 52 and is positioned to draw air from the product container assembly 18 across the cold sink 60 and direct cooled air back to the product container assembly 18, as described in detail below. The second fan 58 is electrically coupled to the power control unit 52 and is positioned to direct air across the hot sink 62. Finally, the third fan 59 is electrically coupled to the power control unit 52 and is positioned to direct airflow across collected condensate and exhaust air out of the merchandizing unit 10, as described in greater detail below. While the merchandizing unit 10 has been described as including three of the fans 56, 58, 59, any other number can alternatively be employed. For example, the unit 10 can include only a single fan that effectuates desired airflow relative to the thermoelectric device 54.
The frame 64 is, in one embodiment, an insulating frame and is formed of a lightweight, thermally insulting material. Suitable lightweight, insulating materials include, but are not limited to, rigid foamed polymers, open cell foams, closed cell foams. As an example, in one embodiment, the frame 64 is formed of polystyrene foam, although a wide variety of other rigid materials (e.g., polyurethane or polyethylene) are equally acceptable. In one embodiment, and with specific reference to
With reference to the cross-section shown in
The transition assembly 16 includes a frame 72 and a drain tube 74. The frame 72 is adapted for mounting to the frame 64 of the thermoelectric assembly 14 and surrounds the thermoelectric device 54, such that the thermoelectric device 54 is insulated. The frame 72 maintains the drain tube 74 that is otherwise fluidly connected to a passage 75 in a floor 76 of the frame 72, as shown generally in
The product container assembly 18 includes an exterior frame 80 and an interior container 82 (drawn generically in
The interior container 82 includes a floor 110 for supporting products 114 (shown schematically in
In one embodiment, the interior container 82 is disposed within the exterior frame 80 such that the panels 100, 102 of the interior container 82 frictionally fit against the respective wall faces 90, 92 of the exterior frame 80. To offset the panels 104, 106 of the interior container 82 from the faces 94 and 96 of the exterior frame 80, offset extensions 120, 122, 124, and 126 are formed by the exterior frame 80, as illustrated in
The air plenums 84, 86 are generally rectangular and define an approximately constant cross-sectional area as best shown in
In one embodiment, the interior container 82 is removably secured within the exterior frame 80 such that the interior container 82 can be withdrawn from the exterior frame 80 when desired. For example, the interior container 82 can be loaded with product apart from the exterior frame 80 (and other components of the merchandising unit 10) and subsequently loaded into the exterior frame 80. To this end, the one embodiment in which the entire door assembly 32 is removably mounted relative to the product container assembly 18 promotes easy removal and replacement of the interior container 82. Alternatively, the exterior frame 80 and the interior container 82 can be integrally formed and/or assume other shapes or configurations varying from those depicted in the Figures. For example, the exterior frame 80/interior container 82 can be shaped to mimic a shape of the product(s) 114 contained therein. Additionally, a lighting source (e.g., light emitting diodes (LED)) can be added to an exterior of the housing 12, door assembly 32, and/or the interior container 82 to provide enhanced visibility of the product 114 and/or consumer awareness of the unit 10, as shown, for example, at 130 in
In a more preferred alternative embodiment, the interior container 82 is adapted to effectuate a more positive airflow across the plenums 84, 86. In particular,
The interior container 152 includes and integrally forms opposing side panels 156, opposing first and second end panels 158, 160, a flange 162, and a floor 164 (
The exterior frame 154 is similar to the exterior frame 80 (
In addition, in one embodiment, the exterior frame end walls 176, 178 form a plurality of longitudinal channels 188 (
Returning to the embodiment of
In one embodiment as best shown in
When assembled and operated, the products 114 are cooled by a cascading flow of cooled air into the interior region 116 of the interior container 82 and onto the products 114. In particular, the convective cooling of the products 114 is facilitated by circulation of cooled air through the air plenums 84, 86. In a preferred embodiment, the first fan 56 is employed to draw air across the cold sink 60, thus cooling the air, and forcing the cooled air through the transition plenum 130 and up (with respect to the orientation of
In addition, any condensate that might form on the thermoelectric device 54/cold sink 60 is transported via the drain tube 74 into the reservoir 70. Specifically, condensation that forms on or near the thermoelectric device 54 is channeled along the floor 76 of the frame 72 and expelled, via the passage 75, through the drain tube 74 into the reservoir 70. In one embodiment, airflow from the first fan 56 serves to further sweep or direct condensate along the floor 76 toward the passage 75/drain tube 74. In a preferred embodiment, the third fan 58 is operated to evaporate moisture collected within the reservoir 70.
In a preferred embodiment, the thermoelectric device 54 is positioned under the interior container 82, and more specifically, under the floor 110 of the interior container 82. With this in mind, any condensate formed on or near the thermoelectric device 54 cannot drip into the interior container 82, or onto the products 114 in the interior container 82. In fact, condensate that forms on the thermoelectric device 54 is expelled through the drain tube 74 to the reservoir 70 where the moisture is retained until it is removed or convectively evaporated by the fan 59. Therefore, the airflow through the air plenums 84, 86 cools the products 114, and condensate that might form on or near the thermoelectric device 54 is transported away from the product container assembly 18 and subsequently evaporated.
Consonant with the above description, in one embodiment air is circulated through the merchandising unit 10 (and the merchandising unit 150 of
An example of the portable cooled merchandising unit 10 employed to cool products 114 in a grocer's display area is described with reference to
The cooled merchandizing units 10, 150 described above are capable of operating as refrigeration units or as freezer units. In certain respects, however, when operated at freezer-like temperatures (e.g., 0° F.-32° F.), it may be necessary to more actively control accumulated ice/water during necessary defrosting cycles. With this in mind, an alternative embodiment cooled merchandizing unit 200 in accordance with the present disclosure is shown in
The thermoelectric assembly 202 is similar to the thermoelectric assembly 24 (
Regardless of the exact configuration of the thermoelectric assembly 202, when the merchandizing unit 200 is operated to maintain frozen product, ice will necessarily accumulate along the cold sink 212. From time-to-time, and as described below, it will be necessary to remove the accumulated ice via a defrost mode of operation. The transition assembly 204 is adapted to consistently promote removal of the melting ice from the cold sink 212. In particular, in one embodiment, the transition assembly 204 includes a frame 230, a pan 232, and a drain tube 234. The frame 230 is adapted for mounting to the frame 222 of the thermoelectric assembly 202, and maintains the pan 232 and the tube 234. More particularly, the frame 230 defines a floor 236 on which the pan 232 rests and forms an aperture (not shown) through which the tube 234 passes. With additional reference to
In one embodiment, the pan 232 is formed of a rigid, heat conductive material, preferably aluminum. When assembled to the cold sink 212, then, the pan 232 readily conducts heat (or lack of heat) as generated by the cold sink 212. Thus, as ice forms within the fins associated with the cold sink 212 during operation of the unit 200 as a freezer, additional ice will also form within the pan 232. Subsequently, during a defrost operational mode (described below), polarity of the thermoelectric device 210 is reversed, such that the cold sink 212 heats or becomes a hot sink. This, in turn, causes the accumulated ice to melt. The side walls 240 maintain the now melted water within the pan 232, with an angular orientation of the pan 232 (shown in
As indicated above, the pan 232 directs water (i.e., melted ice) toward the aperture 244 and thus the tube 234 via an inclined orientation dictated by the frame 230. In this regard, the frame 222 associated with the thermoelectric assembly 202 is, in one embodiment, identical to the frame 64 (
Returning to
Once again, with the merchandizing unit 200 is operated to maintain frozen product, ice will accumulate on the cold sink 212, such that defrosting is necessary. In one embodiment, the control unit 208 is adapted or programmed to perform a defrost sequence at predetermined time intervals (e.g., every 24 hours). In one embodiment, the defrost sequence consists of first ramping down power delivered to the thermoelectric device 210 to 0% over a two minute period. A polarity of the DC power current delivered to the thermoelectric device 210 is then reversed, such that the cold sink 212 heats and the hot sink 214 cools. In one embodiment, this reversed polarity power delivery is ramped up to 100% over a two minute period. During this operation, the cold sink 212 will quickly rise in temperature (as will the pan 232). Once the control unit 208 determines that a temperature of the cold sink 212 (via the cold sink temperature sensor) has risen above freezing (i.e., 32° F.), the control unit 208 deactivates the first fan 216. As the cold sink 212 (and thus the pan 232) temperature continues to rise, accumulated ice will begin to melt, with the pan 232/tube 234 directing the water to the reservoir 250. Heating of the cold sink 212 continues until a temperature thereof exceeds a predetermined set point (e.g., 50° F.). Once the set point is exceeded, the control unit 208 will begin a defrost sequence termination cycle. For example, in one embodiment, the control unit 208 operates to ramp down power delivered to the thermoelectric device 210 to 0% over a two minute period. Power delivery remains at 0% for an additional two minute period to allow all defrosted water to drip from the cold sink 212, draining to the reservoir 250 via the pan 232/tube 234. The control unit 208 then operates to reverse polarity of the DC power current delivered to the thermoelectric device (i.e., to the normal operating polarity). Power delivered to the thermoelectric device 210, via the control unit 208, is then ramped up over a two minute period to 100%. Once a temperature of the cold sink 212 (via the second temperature sensor) is determined to be below freezing (e.g., 32° F.), the control unit 208 operates to activate the first fan 216. At this point, the defrost sequence is complete and normal operation is resumed. With this one preferred defrost sequence, the ramp up and down periods prevent thermal shock from damaging the thermoelectric device 210. Alternatively, however, other defrost operations can be utilized.
In another alternative embodiment, cooled merchandizing unit 300 is shown in
In one embodiment, the thermoelectric assembly 302 is generally identical to the thermoelectric assemblies 14 (
Similarly, in one embodiment, the transition assembly 304 is identical to the transition assembly 204 previously described with respect to
As should be clear from the above, the thermoelectric assembly 302 and the transition assembly 304 can assume any of the forms previously described. In fact, in one preferred embodiment, the merchandizing unit 300 (as well as the merchandizing units 10, 150, 200) has a modular design whereby the product container assembly 306 (or any of the other product container assemblies previously described) can be easily interchanged with a desired configuration of the thermoelectric assembly 302 and the transition assembly 304. With this in mind, the product container assembly 306 has a generally “upright” configuration (as opposed to the “coffin” style associated with previous embodiments) and includes, as best shown in
The exterior frame 340 includes a base 350 (
The flange 360 is configured to receive and maintain a door assembly 369 (
With specific reference to
The exterior frame 340 and the interior container 342 are configured such that upon assembly and with reference to
During use, the thermoelectric assembly 302 operates to cool product (not shown) maintained within the interior container 342. In this regard, the interior container 342 may include shelves (not shown) that provide enhanced display of contained product. The control unit (not shown) controls operation of the thermoelectric device 310 as well as the fans 316-320 as previously described. In general terms, the control unit selectively powers the thermoelectric device 310, causing the cold sink 312 to decrease in temperature while the hot sink 314 increases in temperature. To this end, operation of the second fan 318 delivers ambient air across the hot sink 314, thus elevating the rate at which the cold sink 312 cools. The first fan 316 operates to direct airflow across the cold sink 312, with the cooled air then being forced through the transition plenum 392 and then the supply plenum 390. As shown by arrows A in
The merchandizing units of the present disclosure provide a marked improvement over previous designs. The thermoelectric device provides long-term, consistent cooling of products, akin to a refrigerator and/or a freezer. However, unlike conventional designs, the thermoelectric device is not located on top of the unit in a manner that will otherwise hinder access to contained products, generate uncontrolled condensation, and negatively impact an aesthetic appeal of the unit (that might otherwise dissuade a consumer from selecting product within the unit). In contrast, the present disclosure to uniquely locates the thermoelectric device (and other mechanical components) apart from the top, facilitating condensation management, less noise generation at ear level, no blowing fans at ear/eye level, and a large opening for viewing and accessing product. Further, airflow to and from the unit, in one embodiment, occurs at the bottom such that the unit can readily be located against a wall or other display without affecting the unit's cooling capacity.
Although specific embodiments of a portable cooled merchandizing unit have been illustrated and described, it will be appreciated by those of ordinary skill in the art that a variety of alternate and/or equivalent implementations can be substituted for the specific embodiments described without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. This application is intended to cover any adaptations or variations of portable cooled merchandizing units having a product container assembly and an airflow path configured to direct cooled air into a product display container. Therefore, it is intended that this disclosure be limited only by the claims and the equivalents thereof.
| Number | Date | Country | Kind |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2461635 | Mar 2004 | CA | national |
This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/086,769, filed Mar. 22, 2005, entitled “Portable Cooled Merchandizing Unit”, that in turn claims priority to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 60/621,528 filed Oct. 22, 2004; and the entire teachings of which are incorporated herein by reference.
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| 20100095687 A2 | Apr 2010 | US |
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| Number | Date | Country | |
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| Parent | 11086769 | Mar 2005 | US |
| Child | 12272328 | US |
