Patents Assigned to Zero Zone, Inc.
  • Patent number: 10182666
    Abstract: A refrigerated case includes an insulated ceiling member defining the top of a refrigerated space, and an end cap defining a front of the insulated ceiling member. The end cap includes an aperture having an opening at a bottom edge of the end cap. A mullion is arranged substantially normal to the insulated ceiling member. A mullion cap defines a front of the mullion and includes a tongue portion extending above the mullion. The tongue portion is arranged to fit within the aperture. The mullion cap and the end cap cooperate to define a first planar sealing surface. A door is pivotably attached to the refrigerated case and includes a second planar sealing surface that is engageable with the first planar sealing surface when the door is in a closed position to define a substantially air tight seal therebetween.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2016
    Date of Patent: January 22, 2019
    Assignee: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul Simon, Eric Gray, Steve Searl, David A. Steele
  • Patent number: 9974398
    Abstract: A display case includes a housing partially surrounding a display space, a door pivotably coupled to the housing and cooperating with the housing to further enclose the display space, and a hinge assembly for pivotably coupling the door to the housing. The hinge assembly includes a biasing member applying a biasing force on the door and a gear drive for adjusting a pre-tension force on the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2018
    Assignee: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Simon
  • Patent number: 9962014
    Abstract: A refrigerated case includes a case body including a top panel, a rear panel, and a bottom that cooperate to define a display space, a portion of a refrigeration system disposed in the case and operable to cool a flow of air, and a first air passage positioned to direct the flow of air near the top panel from the rear panel generally toward a front of the case. A one piece holder is positioned to receive the flow of air adjacent the front of the case, the one piece holder formed as a unitary component using a PVC foam material and arranged to accelerate and redirect the flow of air in a downward direction toward the bottom, and a filter member is at least partially supported by the holder and positioned to receive the flow of air in the downward direction and to redirect that flow into the display space.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 1, 2016
    Date of Patent: May 8, 2018
    Assignee: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventor: Robert Sparks
  • Patent number: 9901189
    Abstract: A refrigeration case includes a housing having a top and a rear wall and defining an interior chamber, a door pivotably coupled to the housing opposite the rear wall and operable to selectively open and close the interior chamber, a first shelf positioned proximate a lower portion of the interior chamber, a second shelf positioned above the first shelf, a duct wall, a fan, and a diverter. The duct wall at least partially defines a flow channel extending between the first shelf and the second shelf. The duct wall includes a first opening above the first shelf and a second opening above the second shelf. The fan provides cool air flow and is in fluid communication with the flow channel. The diverter is positioned in the flow channel proximate the second shelf and directs air flow through the second opening and over the second shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2014
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventors: Bruce R. Hierlmeier, William R. Geisness
  • Patent number: 9394736
    Abstract: A display case includes a housing partially surrounding a display space, a door pivotably coupled to the housing and cooperating with the housing to further enclose the display space, and a hinge assembly for pivotably coupling the door to the housing. The hinge assembly includes a biasing member applying a biasing force on the door and a gear drive for adjusting a pre-tension force on the biasing member.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Date of Patent: July 19, 2016
    Assignee: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Simon
  • Publication number: 20150218864
    Abstract: A display case includes a housing partially surrounding a display space, a door pivotably coupled to the housing and cooperating with the housing to further enclose the display space, and a hinge assembly for pivotably coupling the door to the housing. The hinge assembly includes a biasing member applying a biasing force on the door and a gear drive for adjusting a pre-tension force on the biasing member.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 5, 2014
    Publication date: August 6, 2015
    Applicant: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Simon
  • Patent number: 7640758
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a mass of refrigerant, a reservoir containing a first portion of the mass of refrigerant, and a condenser containing a second portion of the mass of refrigerant. A first sensor is positioned to measure a first parameter of the reservoir and output a first signal indicative of the first parameter. A second sensor is positioned to measure a second parameter of the condenser and output a second signal indicative of the second parameter. A processor receives the first signal and the second signal to calculate a weight of missing refrigerant.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Esslinger
  • Patent number: 7475565
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor operable to produce a flow of compressed refrigerant. The refrigeration system includes a flow splitter positioned to split the flow of compressed refrigerant into a first flow that flows along a first flow path and a second flow that flows along a second flow path. An expansion device is positioned in the second flow path and is operable to reduce the temperature of the second flow. A heat exchanger has a first side that receives the first flow and a second side that receives the second flow such that the second flow cools the first flow.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 13, 2009
    Assignee: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Esslinger
  • Patent number: 7377118
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a heat exchanger that is operable to cool a flow of compressed refrigerant and a first sensor coupled to the heat exchanger and operable to generate a first signal indicative of a heat exchanger liquid level. A reservoir is in fluid communication with the heat exchanger to receive the flow of cooled compressed refrigerant and a second sensor is coupled to the reservoir and is operable to generate a second signal indicative of a reservoir liquid level. A processor is operable to calculate a first weight of liquid within the heat exchanger in response to the first signal, and to calculate a second weight of liquid within the reservoir in response to the second signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2008
    Assignee: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve L. Esslinger
  • Patent number: 7231783
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor having a compressor housing and operable to compress a flow of refrigerant. A pump is operable to provide a flow of oil to the compressor. A portion of the oil mixes with the flow of refrigerant and the remainder of the oil flows into the compressor housing. A valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. When in the closed position, the valve is operable to inhibit the addition of oil above a predetermined level within the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 19, 2007
    Assignee: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve L. Esslinger, Erik B. Haffner
  • Publication number: 20070134079
    Abstract: A cabinet includes a wall and a top coupled to the wall. The wall and the top cooperate to at least partially enclose a space. A removable component is disposed at least partially within the space and a bean is removably coupled to the top such that a portion of the beam is positioned outside of the space and the remainder of the beam is disposed within the space. An interconnecting member is connected to the beam and is removably connected to the removable component to move the removable component into and out of the space.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 11, 2006
    Publication date: June 14, 2007
    Applicant: ZERO ZONE, INC.
    Inventors: Roy Rader, Steve Esslinger
  • Publication number: 20060179854
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a mass of refrigerant, a reservoir containing a first portion of the mass of refrigerant, and a condenser containing a second portion of the mass of refrigerant. A first sensor is positioned to measure a first parameter of the reservoir and output a first signal indicative of the first parameter. A second sensor is positioned to measure a second parameter of the condenser and output a second signal indicative of the second parameter. A processor receives the first signal and the second signal to calculate a weight of missing refrigerant.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 16, 2006
    Publication date: August 17, 2006
    Applicant: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Esslinger
  • Publication number: 20060042307
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor having a compressor housing and operable to compress a flow of refrigerant. A pump is operable to provide a flow of oil to the compressor. A portion of the oil mixes with the flow of refrigerant and the remainder of the oil flows into the compressor housing. A valve is movable between an open position and a closed position. When in the closed position, the valve is operable to inhibit the addition of oil above a predetermined level within the housing.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 25, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Applicant: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventors: Steve Esslinger, Erik Haffner
  • Publication number: 20060042311
    Abstract: A refrigeration system includes a compressor operable to produce a flow of compressed refrigerant. The refrigeration system includes a flow splitter positioned to split the flow of compressed refrigerant into a first flow that flows along a first flow path and a second flow that flows along a second flow path. An expansion device is positioned in the second flow path and is operable to reduce the temperature of the second flow. A heat exchanger has a first side that receives the first flow and a second side that receives the second flow such that the second flow cools the first flow.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2005
    Publication date: March 2, 2006
    Applicant: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventor: Steve Esslinger
  • Patent number: 6272876
    Abstract: A display freezer including a display case defining an interior space; an evaporator cover assembly located in the interior space and separating the interior space into a display portion and an evaporator portion, a fan plenum having therein an inlet communicating with the display portion of the interior space and an outlet spaced from the inlet and communicating between the evaporator portion and the display portion of the interior space; a fan operable to create a flow of air through the inlet and the outlet; a first baffle located adjacent the inlet and a second baffle and defining a serpentine path extending from the inlet for conducting the flow of air in the evaporator portion and an evaporator coil assembly located in the evaporator portion between the inlet and the outlet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2000
    Date of Patent: August 14, 2001
    Assignee: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventors: Carl C. Roberts, Keith R. Mickelson
  • Patent number: 6240739
    Abstract: A cover for a cooling unit, such as an evaporator assembly, of a display refrigerator. The cover is advantageously made of a single piece of material, preferably an injection molded, filled polypropylene plastic, which is capable of withstanding the harsh conditions found in a display refrigerator. The cover is further advantageously configured to enhance the operation of the evaporator assembly, protect the evaporator assembly, insulate the frozen or refrigerated food and drink items from the heat generated by the evaporator assembly, and decrease the time needed to install the cover into or remove the cover from the display refrigerator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 17, 2000
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2001
    Assignee: Zero Zone, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul Michael Hayes