Abstract: A shelf for a merchandiser. The shelf includes a skin that defines a support surface of the shelf, and a skeleton structure to which the skin is attached. The skeleton structure includes a first end bracket and a second end bracket that is spaced from and disposed opposite the first end bracket. The skeleton structure further includes an internal bracket that has a first end coupled to the first end bracket adjacent a rear end of the first end bracket, and a second end coupled to the second end bracket adjacent a rear end of the second end bracket. The internal bracket extends forward from the respective rear ends toward a front of the shelf.

Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser includes a case defining a product display area and having a base, a lower flue, a first air passageway, and a second air passageway. The first air passageway and second air passageway are in fluid communication with the lower flue and with the product display area. A fan plenum has an outlet defining a first plane. A second plane is defined perpendicular to the first plane and passing through the center of a fan aperture. The fan plenum further includes an airflow divider with a first wall member and a second wall member positioned to direct a first portion of the airflow to the first air passageway and a second portion of the airflow to the second air passageway. The space between the first wall member and the second wall member defines an area, the greater portion of which is to one side of the second plane.

Abstract: A method of transporting commodities in a supply chain management system including a supply chain. The method includes providing a database and a network in communication with the database, which is accessible by at least one member of the supply chain via the network. The method also includes providing a container and supporting one or more commodities using the container, assigning at least one sensor to the commodities, sensing a condition of the commodities and generating a signal indicative of the commodity condition, identifying information related to the commodities, acquiring data related to identifying the commodity information, distributing the signal and the acquired data over the network, storing the signal and the acquired data in the database, monitoring the commodities via the network, and managing at least one of storage and transport of the commodities through the supply chain based on the signal and the acquired data.

Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area configured to support product, a refrigeration circuit in which a refrigerant circulates, and a dilution device coupled to the refrigeration circuit. The dilution device includes a valve assembly and a container supporting a pressurized fluid. The valve assembly is in fluid communication with the refrigeration circuit and is selectively variable to an open state to fluidly couple the container to the refrigeration circuit such that the fluid is discharged into the refrigeration circuit in response to a condition of the refrigeration circuit reaching or exceeding a predetermined threshold value.

Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area and including a frame having a mullion. The mullion defining an opening to the product display area. A door is coupled and movable relative to the frame over the opening to provide access to the product display area. A refrigeration system is in communication with the product display area to condition the product display area. A first heater is coupled to and routed along the frame and a second heater is coupled to and routed along the frame. The second heater is separate from the first heater. A controller is operatively coupled to the first heater and the second heater and programmed to dependently control the first heater and the second heater relative to each other to remove or inhibit formation of condensation.

Abstract: A merchandiser panel assembly including a panel body at least partially defining a cavity. The merchandiser panel assembly includes a trim base attached to the panel body and partially enclosing the cavity along an edge of the panel body. The trim base is defined by an elongated body and includes an attachment feature positioned along at least one edge of the elongated body. The merchandiser panel assembly includes trim coupled to an exterior surface of the trim base. The merchandiser panel assembly includes insulation disposed within the cavity and captured by the panel body and the trim base.

Abstract: A refrigeration system including a first circuit with a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a pump fluidly connected in series with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to circulate a coolant within the first circuit. The refrigeration system also includes a second circuit that circulates a hydrocarbon refrigerant in heat exchange relationship with the coolant in the first circuit within the second heat exchanger to cool the refrigerant. The second circuit includes a compressor, the second heat exchanger, and a refrigerated merchandiser, which defines a product support area. An evaporator is fluidly connected in series with the compressor and the second heat exchanger and positioned to condition the entire product support area within a predetermined temperature threshold.

Abstract: A modular refrigeration system includes a refrigeration loop having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion assembly, and a chiller interconnected by a first piping loop cycling hydrocarbon refrigerant. A high side cooling loop includes a first heat exchanger and a first pump interconnected with the condenser by a second piping loop cycling a cooling fluid, the cooling fluid exchanges heat with the hydrocarbon refrigerant at the condenser. A low side cooling loop includes a second heat exchanger and a second pump interconnected with the chiller by a third piping loop cycling a chilled fluid, the chilled fluid exchanges heat with the hydrocarbon refrigerant at the chiller. A space supports the second heat exchanger and is configured to be maintained within a predetermined temperature range, wherein the total charge of hydrocarbon refrigerant associated with the space does not exceed 150 grams.

Abstract: A subassembly of a refrigeration system includes a frame having a plurality of support members and one or more cross members, each cross member extending between two of the support members. A heat exchanger is operable to condense refrigerant. A compressor is supported by the frame and operable to provide refrigerant to the heat exchanger. A portion of the frame is configured to receive and contain refrigerant condensed by the heat exchanger.

Abstract: A merchandiser includes a base and a rear wall component extending above the base. The rear wall component includes a protruding rib. Foam insulation material is disposed in the protruding rib. The rear wall component has a first wall panel and a second wall panel spaced from the first wall panel. The first and second wall panel cooperatively define an air passageway configured for containing an evaporator. The base and second wall panel at least partially define a product display area. A spray nozzle is disposed within the air passageway and configured to spray fluid onto the evaporator. A portion of tubing fluidly couples the spray nozzle to a supply of water. The portion of tubing is disposed within the foam insulation material.

Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area to support product and a refrigeration system at least partially coupled to the case to condition the product display area. The case includes case structure at least partially exposed to the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a heat guide that is in communication with cold air within the product display area, and a heat source that is coupled to the case structure within the product display area. The heat source is further coupled to the heat guide by a thermal recovery device. The heat guide forms a bridge between the thermal recovery device and the cold air in the product display area such that power is generated based on a temperature difference across the thermal recovery device.

Abstract: A portable device and method for the setting and control of lighting of product display locations of a product display apparatus is provided. Product lighting settings are selected or predetermined for a product or products. At least one image representative of a product and a product display apparatus planogram are displayed on a display of the portable device. The planogram is comprised of at least one product display location image associated with a product display location of the product display apparatus. Each product display location has at least one light source. The portable device facilitates association of a product with a product display location via transfer of the product image onto a product display location of the planogram, thereby linking product lighting settings to the product display location, causing the product lighting to be adjusted to conform to the product lighting settings.

Abstract: A method of controlling a refrigerated merchandiser including a plurality of display case modules each having a separate refrigeration circuit with a compressor and an evaporator. The method includes selectively starting and stopping a first compressor of a first refrigeration circuit having a first evaporator associated with a first display case module to regulate a temperature in a product display area of the first display case module, and selectively starting and stopping a second compressor of a second refrigeration circuit having a second evaporator associated with a second display case module to regulate a temperature in a product display area of the second display case module. The method also includes controlling the first refrigeration module and the second refrigeration module based on a heat load of the merchandiser and a predetermined number of start/stop cycles of each of the first compressor and the second compressor within a given time period.

Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case that defines a product display area and an access opening. The case has an air inlet and an air outlet, and a passageway fluidly connects the air inlet with the air outlet to direct a refrigerated airflow across the customer access opening in the form of an air curtain. The merchandiser also includes shelves that are coupled to the case. Each shelf includes an inlet, an outlet, a fan unit disposed in the shelf, and a heat exchanger. The fan unit is in communication with the passageway to draw air through the inlet to direct a portion of the airflow through the shelf toward the outlet. The heat exchanger is disposed in the shelf to cool the airflow in the shelf to provide independent zone cooling to a predetermined region of the product display area.

Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case that defines a product display area. The case has an air inlet located adjacent the product display area, an air outlet to discharge an airflow into the product display area, and a passageway fluidly connecting the air inlet to the air outlet to direct a conditioned airflow from the air outlet across the product display area and generally toward the air inlet. The merchandiser also includes an electrical component and a power generation system that has a power generation device in communication with the airflow to convert kinetic energy of the airflow into electrical energy to power the electrical component based on movement of the airflow.

Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area. The case includes a canopy defining an electrical raceway, and a panel defining aesthetic fascia for the canopy. The panel is coupled to the canopy and movable between a first position enclosing the electrical raceway and a second position providing access to the electrical raceway. The panel is self-supported in the second position.

Abstract: A night cover for a refrigerated merchandiser that is positionable to substantially enclose a product display area of the merchandiser. The night cover includes a first portion and a second portion that is disposed above the first portion. The second portion cooperates with the first portion to define a first surface area, and the second portion defines a second surface area and has an open section configured to permit ambient airflow through the night cover. A ratio of the first surface area to the second surface area is between approximately 7:1 and 18:1.

Abstract: A light fixture assembly including a bracket defined by an arcuate base and a clip dovetailed to the bracket within the base. The clip and the bracket define cooperative serrations to permit rotatable adjustment of the clip relative to the base about a longitudinal axis to provide different orientations for a light source within the case.

Abstract: A door for a refrigerated merchandiser that includes a glass panel having a first portion and a second portion spaced from the first portion. The door also includes a first conductive film covering the first portion of the glass panel and a second conductive film spaced apart from the first conductive film and covering the second portion of the glass panel.

Abstract: A merchandiser including a case defining a product display area and having case structure. The merchandiser also includes a light assembly. The light assembly has a light housing and a light source coupled to the light housing to direct light generally toward the product display area. The merchandiser further includes an attachment mechanism having a magnet housing and a magnet substantially enclosed by the magnet housing. The attachment mechanism is coupled to the light housing opposite the light source to attach the light assembly to the case structure.