Patent Application
20180125239
The present disclosure is directed to edge trim for commercial product displays, and in particular to refrigerated display cases.
Stores and other establishments display products in a variety of display cases. Such cases can be shelving units of various shapes and sizes. Some products are displayed within refrigerators. Refrigerators and shelving units can be combined, such as open faced refrigeration cases that store refrigerated drinks or other perishable items.
One possible embodiment under the present disclosure comprises an end panel for a display case comprising: two end sheets; a trim body surrounding substantially the entire circumference of the two end sheets, the trim body comprising two slots configured to receive an edge of the two end sheets, the trim body further comprising a shape pattern between the two slots; and a trim skin surround substantially the entire circumference of the trim body; wherein the end panel is configured to receive polyurethane liquid between the two end sheets such that the polyurethane liquid will fill in the shape pattern.
Another possible embodiment under the present disclosure comprises a display case comprising: a plurality of shelves; a plurality of end panels, each of the plurality of end panels comprising: two end sheets; a trim body surrounding substantially the entire circumference of the two end sheets, the trim body comprising two slots configured to receive an edge of the two end sheets, the trim body further comprising a shape pattern between the two slots; and a trim skin surrounding substantially the entire circumference of the trim body; wherein the end panel is configured to receive polyurethane liquid between the two end sheets such that the polyurethane liquid will fill in the shape pattern and solidify into polyurethane foam.
Another possible embodiment under the present disclosure comprises a method of constructing an end panel comprising: providing two end sheets; co-extruding a trim body and a trim skin, the trim body comprising a plurality of slots configured to receive the two end sheets and a shape pattern configured to be disposed between the two end sheets; securing the trim body and the trim skin to substantially the entire perimeter of the two end sheets such that the end sheets are inserted into the plurality of slots and the trim skin is attached to the trim body and distal to the end sheets; injecting polyurethane liquid between the two end sheets such that the polyurethane liquid fills the shape pattern; and allowing the polyurethane liquid to solidify into polyurethane foam.
The foregoing has outlined rather broadly the features and technical advantages of the present invention in order that the detailed description of the invention that follows may be better understood. Additional features and advantages of the invention will be described hereinafter which form the subject of the claims of the invention. It should be appreciated by those skilled in the art that the conception and specific embodiment disclosed may be readily utilized as a basis for modifying or designing other structures for carrying out the same purposes of the present invention. It should also be realized by those skilled in the art that such equivalent constructions do not depart from the spirit and scope of the invention as set forth in the appended claims. The novel features which are believed to be characteristic of the invention, both as to its organization and method of operation, together with further objects and advantages will be better understood from the following description when considered in connection with the accompanying figures. It is to be expressly understood, however, that each of the figures is provided for the purpose of illustration and description only and is not intended as a definition of the limits of the present invention.
For a more complete understanding of the present invention, reference is now made to the following descriptions taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which:
A variety of display cases are used in stores and other retail establishments. The display cases can take a variety of forms, shapes, sizes, and dimensions. One type of display case is the refrigerated display case. These display cases can be refrigerated themselves, or can merely reside within a refrigerated environment. Refrigerated display cases can at times be subject to unique stresses that non-refrigerated display cases are not subject to. Temperature changes can cause a cycle of expanding and shrinking materials and different materials can expand and shrink at different rates and total amounts. Refrigeration cases can also contain machinery that cause vibrational stresses. Because of these stresses, refrigerated cases can wear down quicker than non-refrigerated embodiments. Innovations that lead to cheaper manufacturing of display cases, especially refrigerated ones, can be of great value.
One part of a display case is the trim. A display case can have the appearance of case 100 in
In general, embodiments of an end panel under the present disclosure and under the prior art, comprise two end sheets, joined along their perimeter by some form of end trim, the end sheets and trim forming a cavity. A foam (such as polyurethane foam) is then injected into the cavity. The term ‘end panel’ generally refers to an entire end panel comprising two end sheets, trim, and foam. The term ‘end sheets’ refers to the two sheets (often metal) that go into forming a single end panel.
There are several problems with the current process of constructing end panels. One is a lot of waste material. The process can also be labor intensive. Previous end panels tend to break down quickly as the attachment mechanisms for the PVC trim (usually tape) tend to be weak. Many warranty claims are made to end panel manufacturers because of end panels that break at the trim, usually when an employee is carrying or adjusting an end panel by holding onto the trim. Thus an end panel trim is needed that is stronger and less expensive to manufacture with less waste.
Skin 284 in
Foam 250 in
End sheets 240 of
Shape pattern 270 in
Another embodiment under the present disclosure can comprise additional features to seal or protect the bond between the trim and the end sheets. Such an embodiment can be seen in
The polyurethane foam used within the panels of the present disclosure can comprise standard polyurethane than can be poured and/or injected in liquid form, as known in the prior art. The liquid then cools and forms a foam. Other materials with similar properties (e.g. a hard setting foam/liquid) could also be used.
The trim skin and trim body can comprise PVC. In a preferred embodiment the skin is virgin PVC and the trim body is recycled PVC. The combined skin and body can be constructed through a co-extrusion process. Other embodiments could use virgin PVC for both the skin and body, or recycled PVC for both the skin and body. Such embodiments could use a single extrusion process.
Although the present invention and its advantages have been described in detail, it should be understood that various changes, substitutions and alterations can be made herein without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. Moreover, the scope of the present application is not intended to be limited to the particular embodiments of the process, machine, manufacture, composition of matter, means, methods and steps described in the specification. As one of ordinary skill in the art will readily appreciate from the disclosure of the present invention, processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps, presently existing or later to be developed that perform substantially the same function or achieve substantially the same result as the corresponding embodiments described herein may be utilized according to the present invention. Accordingly, the appended claims are intended to include within their scope such processes, machines, manufacture, compositions of matter, means, methods, or steps.
