Abstract: An improved ice cream dipping cabinet which readily permits visualization of frozen food product stored therein. The dipping cabinet has an inner box that is at least partially surrounded by an outer box. Cold, refrigerating air is circulated between the inner and outer boxes, cooling the inner box walls and the food product stored therein. The inner and outer boxes have an upper, transparent portion to permit visualization of food products stored within the inner box. The inner box has a door that is hermetically sealed to a top wall thereof to prevent moisture migration from the inner box. The outer box has an open top to permit access to the inner box door.

Abstract: An air jet system is provided that includes a refrigerated display case. The novel apparatus includes a glass display window, which is transparent and has an outer surface for viewing the contents of the display case. The unit also has a front bar that defines an air passage therein when connected to a bracket and also defines a channel at one of its ends which has at least one opening. The bracket connects and supports the display window and the front bar on the display case. A nozzle is positioned in the channel and has holes therein for air passage and is positioned to direct air through the opening in the end of the front bar and onto the outer surface of the display window. A centrifugal blower is connected to the bracket and is adapted to blow air through the air passage and through the holes in the nozzle so that air is guided over the outer surface of the glass display window to eliminate moisture condensation.

Abstract: A cover for a freezing counter includes two reciprocably pivotable oblong profile elements, and a heat emitting element and a drain along one of the profile elements.

Abstract: The invention relates to a cooler which can be fitted on the cover of a control box and connected thereto via an inlet aperture. The rain and dustproofing is improved by the invention in that an air inlet and outlet are fitted in the top of the cooler housing away from the control box, a cover component is connected to the top of the cooler housing at a distance therefrom, projects on all sides of the cooler housing and forms around it a downwardly open ventilation grille and is divided by partitions in the cover component into at least two chambers connected to the air inlet and outlet.

Abstract: A front grille for the indoor section of an air conditioning unit includes a substantially planar front section, which has air inlet louvers and an air outlet opening formed therein. The front section also includes an opening configured to provide access to the air conditioning unit's control box when the grille is mounted on the indoor unit. The control box access opening is substantially rectangular and is surrounded by three outwardly facing fixed wall sections, each of which is substantially coplanar with the front section. A fourth fixed wall section lies in a plane behind the front section of the grille. An insert is provided, which has a back section and a front wall. The front wall is configured to be coplanar with each of the three fixed wall sections when the back section of the insert is placed in confronting relation with the fourth fixed wall section.

Abstract: A window insulating assembly for vehicles includes a hollow window structure having a compartment defined therein. A separation wall is mounted in the compartment, thereby defining the compartment into an overflow chamber and an operative chamber which are intercommunicated with each other at tops thereof. A tank is provided for receiving an insulating liquid therein. The tank includes a first end communicated to the operative chamber via an inlet conduit and a second end communicated to the overflow chamber via an overflow conduit. An outlet conduit is communicated between the tank and the operative chamber for emptying the operative chamber. A pump is used to feed the insulating liquid into the operative chamber to form an insulating layer for preventing sunlight from passing through the window structure.

Abstract: An energy conservation device, for use with display type refrigeration and freezer units having glass display doors for preventing the formation of condensation and frost on the glass of the doors. The device comprises heating elements arranged with portions of the doors which act to maintain the doors within a desired temperature range. A control is connected with the heating elements and with an electrical power source. The control includes a monitor for monitoring room temperature and relative humidity and includes a processor for converting same into degrees dew point. A pulse activator is connected with the heating elements for delivering an electrical pulse having a determined active width. The processor continuously accesses the dew point and continuously determines the active width of the electrical pulses necessary to maintain the doors within the desired temperature range.

Abstract: A refrigerated display case comprising a housing having a front display window, a top, a rear wall, and a base, all defining an enclosed space for display of food products, the base having a chamber containing a refrigeration coil and air propelling fans for propelling cooled air, an air inlet duct from the enclosed space to the chamber and an outlet duct from the chamber to the enclosed space oriented upwardly inside the chamber for propelling circulated air up to the top and down across the front display window inner surface to the air inlet duct for recirculation, the top having a contour outlet from the space to the exterior of the housing, oriented toward the front display window for flow of a portion of circulated cool air down across the front display window outer surface to cool it and evaporate moisture to prevent sweating.

Abstract: A display glazing which is fitted to a refrigerated display case and which prevents moisture condensation thereon, comprising a shaped glazing having at least a portion of one side thereof provided with a low emissivity coating, conductive current input strips placed on the glazing in contact with the low emissivity coating which define coated zones of the glazing which are heated by the Joule effect upon the passage of electrical current between the conductive strips, and a means for determining if atmospheric conditions are such that condensed moisture is likely to form on the exterior surface of the unheated glazing.

Abstract: A vertical curtain is provided with vertical slits therein spaced thereacross, opening downwardly through the lower margin of the curtain and terminating upwardly a spaced distance below the upper margin of the curtain. The upper margin of the curtain is mounted on the margin of a refrigerated cabinet wall having an access opening formed therein extending across the upper portion of the opening such that the curtain will fall by gravity downwardly across the opening as a thermal and convection current barrier when the door for the access opening is opened.

Abstract: An object of the present invention is to provide a refrigerator showcase enabling to smoothly dispose of dewing occurring on an upper surface of a glass door; the showcase in which the door includes a frame body having a form similar to a picture frame; a transparent glass mounted inside the frame body; a drainage passage formed inside the frame body located in the supported side of the door; and a water collection portion formed in a portion where the frame body contacts the upper surface of the transparent glass in the supported side of the door; whereby the drainage passage connects a space formed above the transparent glass to the machine room, and the water collection portion slopes down to the drainage passage in the open state of the door.

Abstract: A new and improved device having a chamber for the receipt of food products to be instantly frozen comprising a container having side walls and a rear wall in a vertical orientation and having a top wall and a bottom wall the edges of which are coupled to the edges of the side and rear walls, and having an opening at the front thereby forming a chamber within the walls. A door is positionable over the open front with a hinge coupling the side of the door with an adjacent edge of the container. A manifold is positioned within the chamber and secured to depend from the upper wall with openings spaced along its lower extent and a central passageway extending therethrough. A tube couples the manifold with a source of freezing gas located exterior of the device. Control means are adapted to project a flow of freezing gases from the container through the tube to the manifold for being dispensed to food products located within the chamber to be frozen.

Abstract: A frost control system is described for inhibiting and removing frost from the door of a storage locker. Relatively cool air is received by an inlet to the frost control system at an inlet placed above the door. The air is drawn into the system by a blower which forces the air through the ducts of the system. The air passes through strip heaters within the vertical ducts of the defrost system positioned on either side of the door. The warm air is discharged horizontally across the bottom portion of the door and simultaneously rises creating a blanket of relatively warm air in comparison to the ambient area. Discharge apertures are included in the ends of the vertical ducts which blow a portion of the warmed air to the base of the door to enhance coverage of the door by the warmed air.

Abstract: A frost control system is described for inhibiting and removing frost from the door of a storage locker. Relatively cool air is received by an inlet to the frost control system at an inlet placed above the door. The air is drawn into the system by a blower which forces the air through the ducts of the system. The air passes through strip heaters within the vertical ducts of the defrost system positioned on either side of the door. The warm air is discharged horizontally across the bottom portion of the door and simultaneously rises creating a blanket of relatively warm air in comparison to the ambient area. Discharge apertures are included in the ends of the vertical ducts which blow a portion of the warmed air to the base of the door to enhance coverage of the door by the warmed air.

Abstract: A field installable service kit is disclosed for foamed in place refrigerator stile heaters that do not provide adequate heat around the front of the cabinet, to prevent external condensation under hot and humid conditions. The kit includes a transformer which is mounted on the back of the refrigerator by a service technician and connected directly in line with the stile heater wire connection. The transformer steps up the voltage from approximately 115 volts to approximately 160 volts, thereby approximately doubling the wattage on the resistance heater wire.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus comprises a machine chamber for containing a compressor, a condenser and others, and a display chamber for accommodating articles to be displayed. The display chamber is constituted by an inner box and an outer box between which a cooling air passage is defined. Defined internally of the machine chamber is a cooler chamber enclosed substantially by a heat insulating material in such a manner as to communicate with the cooling air passage. Disposed within the cooler chamber is a cooling air circulating device and a cooler for causing the cooling air to circulate through the cooling air passage and back to the cooler chamber.

Abstract: A refrigerator door assembly having a door mounting cabinet frame which has a thermally efficient composite design comprising a non-metallic pultrusion-formed structural frame member and an outer metallic trim panel mountable on the structural frame member for providing the desired finished appearance, which may be made consistent with conventional commercial refrigerator and freezer door assemblies. The door mounting frame includes a mullion which also includes a pultrusion formed non-metallic structural element. A rigid plastic molding assembly encompasses the rear and sides of the structural frame members and define air insulating spaces about the frame members. The pultrusion formed frame members permit thermal insulated mounting of metallic accessories by ultrasonic welding methods.

Abstract: A beverage merchandiser for refrigerating and displaying single-serving containers disposed on gravity feed shelves has a refrigerated compartment accessed by sliding, multi-pane glass panel doors mounted on rollers engaging side-by-side overhead tracks. An evaporator is disposed inside the refrigerated compartment near the top and rear walls of same and is configured with a shallow height relative to the depth of the evaporator to save space. A duct panel forms a duct along the top wall of the refrigerated compartment to direct cooled air from the evaporator toward the product nearest the doors of the merchandiser to keep this product cool, since it is the next-to-be-purchased product. The glass panes of the doors are kept defogged by a defogging mechanism. One of the defogging mechanisms uses air warmed in a housing for the condenser and compressor and provides same to a slot oriented in a grill, which is disposed beneath the bottom edge of the doors.

Abstract: A frozen merchandiser has a plurality of single pane, cylindrically curved, glass lids which are slidably counterbalanced with springs. Front and back plastic extrusions block the passaage of air, and the front extrusion provides a mounting surface for a handle. A refrigerated compartment has a fin-and-tube evaporator disposed in the upper portion thereof and against the rear wall thereof. The compartment has an access opening that is defined by a free edge of the front wall of the compartment and is disposed at a relatively low height above the floor on which the merchandiser rests. The mechanical components of the refrigeration system are mounted on a board that is slidable into and out of a housing which is heat insulated from the refrigerated compartment. The tubes carrying the refrigerant are disposed around and against the exterior of the compartment walls and held thereagainst by foamed heat insulation that surrounds the walls of the refrigerated compartment.

Abstract: A frost control system for a freezer door which has a header disposed along the top of a doorway for supporting a downwardly depending curtain configured for movement between a closed, extended position and an open, retracted position. Heating elements are secured to the header to inhibit frost formation on the header. In an alternate embodiment, a heat lamp is disposed on the "warm" side of the curtain proximate the doorway for directing radiant heat at the curtain to thereby inhibit the formation of frost thereon.

Abstract: A glass cover or lid for a chest freezer of the kind in which the goods contained therein are intended to be viewed through the glass cover and which chest is constructed so that a substantially stationary cushion of air can be generated immediately beneath the glass cover, preferably a chest which lacks devices for forcibly circulating air in the chest. The glass cover (1) includes a glass panel or two mutually parallel panels, and the side of the glass cover facing inwardly towards the interior of the chest is provided with a layer for reflecting infrared radiation.

Abstract: A refrigerator door assembly having a door mounting frame with at least one mullion that includes a metallic structural frame member and a magnetically attractable sealing plate mounted forwardly on the mullion for defining a stop and sealing surface for the swinging ends of pivotably mounted doors. The mullion includes an insulating and sealing plate retaining assembly which supports the sealing plate in thermally isolated relation to the structural member and which defines an air insulating space completely about the structural frame member. The illustrated insulating and sealing plate retaining assembly includes a plastic channel shaped member having a front wall disposed in closely adjacent relation to a front side of the structural frame member and side walls extending in rearwardly directed fashion therefrom. A cover plate is releasably engagable with the rearwardly extending side walls for completely encapsulating the structural frame member.

Abstract: There is disclosed a method for the removal of a coating of mist at the interior face of a glazing panel, especially of high thermally insulating glass, of a refrigerating cabinet, operating with forced air circulation, after the opening and closing of a door of the cabinet. In order to remove the coating, the speed of circulation of the air after closing of the door is temporarily increased until decomposition of the coating has taken place and thereafter is reduced back to the level required for normal cooling operation.

Abstract: A refrigerator display cabinet includes a refrigerated chamber having at least one transparent display window. A condenser and a compressor are positioned below the refrigerated chamber, and a fan draws exterior air through the condenser to thereby warm the air and then directs the warm air to the compressor. A deflector diverts a portion of the flow of warm air from the condenser to the compressor into a duct including a first duct portion extending horizontally from the deflector above the compressor. The dimension of the first duct portion in a direction transverse to the direction of air flow progressively decreases away from the deflector. The first duct portion opens laterally along one entire side thereof. A second duct portion is connected to and extends upwardly from the open side of the first duct and opens in a direction toward the outer surface of the display window.

Abstract: There is disclosed a refrigerated display cabinet having a refrigerating chamber and a mechanical chamber, and an access opening into the refrigerating chamber that is adapted to be opened and closed by a transparent cover panel sliding longitudinally of the access opening. The cover panel is mounted on guide rail mechanisms each of which comprise a frame with wheels and rail elements. Each frame is provided with two sealing flanges which extend vertically and horizontally from one edge of the frame into sealing engagement with the rail element when the transparent cover panel is closed thereby closing or sealing the gap between the frame and the rail elements to prevent leakage of cooled air from the refrigerating chamber.

Abstract: A refrigerated food display case of the closed front type is provided with an improved means for inhibiting the formation of condensation on the front display window. To this end, the display case includes means dividing chilled air circulated within the case, into primary and secondary air curtains flowing across the display window. A heating means mounted only within the secondary air passage operates throughout each refrigeration cycle, to heat only the chilled air flowing within the secondary passage, thereby forming it into a secondary air curtain interposed between the window and the primary, fully chilled flow of air that has passed through the primary air passage and hence has not been exposed to the heating means. The warm air curtain, impinging upon the surface of the window, inhibits the formation of condensate thereon, such as commonly occurs due to the disparity of ambient temperature and the lower, interior case temperature.

Abstract: There is disclosed a refrigerated display cabinet provided with a refrigerating chamber and a mechanical chamber in which the rear wall of the refrigerating chamber and a rear plate that closes the open end of the mechanical chamber are in a common plane spaced from the plane defined by the rear edges of the side walls of the cabinet to provide a space between the cabinet and a wall against which the cabinet is set so that air can be exhausted from the mechanical chamber through said space and directed through a duct onto the transparent panels through which goods in the cabinet are displayed to prevent condensation on said transparent panels.

Abstract: A refrigeration apparatus having an improved antisweat heater structure for preventing condensation on the front surfaces of the stile and mullion portions of the apparatus cabinet at the access opening thereof selectively closed by a suitable door. The antisweat heater includes heater cable portions having different preselected values of resistance per unit length connected in series so as to develop selective differential heating effect at different areas of disposition thereof. In the illustrated embodiment, the heating effect is concentrated at the opposite ends of the mullion by providing the greater heating effect portions of the stile and mullion heaters adjacent that portion of the cabinet structure. In the illustrated embodiment, approximately one-third of the heating effect of each of the mullion and stile heaters is concentrated at each of the opposite ends of the heaters adjacent the ends of the mullion.

Abstract: An improved, low cost conditioned air vestibule for use on a doorway of a refrigerated storage room permits unobstructed passage of vehicles while effectively reducing the exchange of air through the doorway and substantially eliminating precipitation both inside and outside the doorway by providing spaced inner and outer movable doors in a portal and extending across the doorway to define a closed entrance vestibule, and circulating conditioned air through the vestibule. Heated air is directed downwardly from adjacent the top of the doorway through the vestibule along substantially its full width and adjacent the surface of the inner or cold side door and air is withdrawn from the vestibule at the top of the doorway adjacent the outer or warm side door. The doors are spaced close together and actuators are provided for opening and closing both doors simultaneously to permit unobstructed passage of vehicles.

Abstract: A refrigerated display case having a display section within a cabinet and a movable door covering a front access opening to such display section. The door includes a frame member in which two glass members are mounted with an air space between the glass members. A refrigeration air conduit extends along the top, bottom and rear walls of the cabinet. The air conduit has an outlet opening and an inlet opening at opposing ends thereof with the openings being in alignment so that air leaving the outlet opening will be directed towards and received by the inlet opening thereby forming an air curtain across the front opening of the cabinet along the path inside the door. During a refrigeration cycle of operation of the display case, refrigerated air is circulated through the air conduit and a refrigeration mechanism arranged within the conduit so as to establish a refrigerated air band and a refrigerated air curtain across the front opening in the cabinet.

Abstract: A low temperature refrigerant gas heater system for warming structural parts of refrigerated display cabinets sufficiently to prevent the formation of moisture condensate. A desuperheating means is provided for an auxiliary gas flow line taken off from a primary refrigeration circuit in order to lower the temperature of a portion of the refrigerant gas flow to within the range of about 80.degree. F. to 130.degree. F. for this purpose. The auxiliary gas have pressure-temperature-enthalpy conditions located in the superheated region or the saturation envelope area of a pressure-enthalpy diagram within these temperature limits. The use of low temperature refrigerant gas in the auxiliary flow line avoids heater line warping and buckling and customer inconvenience and discomfort problems which are incurred by use of high temperature compressor refrigerant gas.

Abstract: In a substantially transparent insulating structure, positionable between a warmer region and a colder region, the improvement comprising an infrared reflecting visible light transmitting coating, applied to a surface of a pane in the structure. The coating reflects a substantial portion of infrared radiation incident thereon, so as to restrict substantial transmission of infrared radiation from the warmer region to the colder region. The reflected infrared radiation heats the surface exposed in use to the warmer region sufficiently to inhibit formation of a visibility-impeding layer thereon, without using electrical energy therefor. The reflected infrared radiation is reradiated into the warmer region, thereby inhibiting reradiation of such reflected infrared radiation into the colder region. The coating further transmits a substantial portion of visible light radiation incident thereon, to enable substantially clear visibility therethrough.

Abstract: A refrigerated display case having a display section within a cabinet and a movable door covering a front access opening to such display section. A refrigeration air conduit extends along the top, bottom and rear walls of the cabinet. The air conduit has an outlet opening and an inlet opening at opposing ends thereof with the openings being in alignment so that air leaving the outlet opening will be directed towards and received by the inlet opening thereby forming an air curtain across the front opening of the cabinet along the path inside the door. During a refrigeration cycle of operation of the display case, refrigerated air is circulated through the air conduit and a refrigeration mechanism arranged within the conduit so as to establish a refrigerated air band and a refrigerated air curtain across the front opening in the cabinet. During a defrost cycle of operation, the refrigeration mechanism is turned off and the door covering the front access opening is slightly opened.

Abstract: A refrigerated display case having a mechanism for impeding the formation of condensation around the frame of the opening of the display case or at the junction of a door and a case frame of the display case. In one preferred embodiment, the ballast used in connection with the lights on commercial refrigerators and freezers are secured to the base in a manner which allows the heat generated by the ballast to be used to raise the temperature of the case frame. In another preferred embodiment the return conduit of the refrigeration system is employed adjacent the case frame for transferring heat from the refrigerant in the conduit to raise the temperature of the case frame as well as to increase the efficiency of the refrigeration system. In both of these embodiments, electrical resistance wires are included to supplement the heating provided by the ballast and the refrigeration system to ensure that condensation is prevented from forming on a frame or other desired portions of the case.

Abstract: A refrigerated display case having a display section within a cabinet and a movable door covering a front access opening to such display section. The door includes a frame member in which two glass members are mounted with an air space between the glass members. A refrigeration air conduit extends along the top, bottom and rear walls of the cabinet. The air conduit has an outlet opening and an inlet opening at opposing ends thereof with the openings being in alignment so that air leaving the outlet opening will be directed towards and received by the inlet opening thereby forming an air curtain across the front opening of the cabinet along the path inside the door. During a refrigeration cycle of operation of the display case, refrigerated air is circulated through the air conduit and a refrigeration mechanism arranged within the conduit so as to establish a refrigerated air band and a refrigerated air curtain across the front opening in the cabinet.

Abstract: A structure adapted for use in a door of a refrigerated compartment. The door may include a plurality of panes of glass, a plurality of spacers for spacing the plurality of panes of glass so as to form an air space between each pair of panes of glass, a conductive coating applied to one surface of one of the panes of glass facing into the air space between the panes of glass, and an electrical circuit connected to the conductive coating on the coated surface of the pane of glass. The electrical circuit includes a portion which could otherwise be exposed to physical contact through the air space in the event of breakage of the coated or opposing pane of glass. The structure includes a portion for blocking physical contact with the portion of the electrical circuit which could otherwise be exposed. The structure further includes portions for connecting with the spacers in the door for securing the structure in the door.

Abstract: An input control system having a sensing circuit, a switching circuit and a source of power isolated from the sensing circuit and the switching circuit. The sensing circuit includes a sensor having a variable electrical characteristic, a detector for detecting variations in that characteristic and for producing a representative output, a signal producing circuit for producing a predetermined signal in response to the detector output achieving a selected value, and coupler responsive to the predetermined signal to produce a coupling output. The switching circuit which is isolated from the sensing circuit produces a switching signal in response to the coupling signal to operate a switch for connecting an electrical load to the power source.

Abstract: An insulative multi-pane window structure of a refrigerator or freezer, said structure being interposable between a colder inside region and a warmer outside region of the refrigerator or freezer to permit vision therebetween and including at least a first pane having a surface exposed in use to humidity-bearing air in the warmer region and a second pane opposite to and spaced apart from the first pane, at least one of the first and second panes having an infrared reflecting coating attached in a specific manner; characterized in that said infrared reflective coating is a transparent, electrically conductive laminated structure composed of(A) a transparent solid substrate of a film-forming synthetic resin,(B) a thin layer of an oxide of titanium in contact with the substrate, said layer being derived from a layer of an organic titanium compound and containing organic residual moieties of the organic titanium compound,(C) a thin layer of an electrically conductive metal in contact with layer (B),(D) a thin lay

Abstract: A refrigerated case having an access opening for access to the interior of the case by customers in a store where the case is used. Ducts are provided in the case for circulating refrigerated air across the access opening from a discharge opening at one end of the access opening to a return aperture at the other end of the access opening. The refrigeration system used in the case includes at least one conduit carrying refrigerant at a temperature higher than that of the air bands. At least a portion of this conduit is located adjacent the discharge opening to raise the temperature of the case in the vicinity of the discharge opening sufficiently to impede the accumulation of frost.

Abstract: In order to permit probing access to a printed circuit board while the printed circuit board is under test in a cold controlled environment, a doubled walled environmental hood is provided, the inner and outer walls spaced apart by rings containing orifices therein, a probe hole formed in the center of the ring and the outer wall cut away in the area of the ring, with a cold gas supplied to the inside of the inner wall and a hot gas supplied to the space between the walls, whereby the hot gas escaping through the orifices in the rings will raise the temperature of the cold gas escaping from the probe hole to prevent frosting and permit viewing of the printed circuit board under test for probing.

Abstract: An energy conserving refrigerated display case having a control circuit that diverts electrical energy from the antisweat heaters operable during the refrigeration mode of the display, to an evaporator defrost heater during the defrost mode of the display.

Abstract: A system is described which permits the electrically heated door of a refrigerated display cabinet to be operated selectively at a plurality of power settings, providing respectively higher and lower levels of electrical heating. A switching means is used to alter the electrical interconnection of the door window heating elements with the door frame heating elements from a series connection to a parallel connection. In one embodiment, an automatic electrical controller actuates the switch in response to changes in the ambient humidity and temperature.

Abstract: In a multi-pane window structure for use between a cold region and a warmer region, where the first pane adjoining the warmer region is electrically heated to prevent condensation or frost, the improvement comprising an infrared-reflective coating transparent to visible light applied to the second pane from the warmer area on the surface thereof facing the warmer region.