Cabinet Enclosure (e.g., Display Case, Etc.) Patents (Class 454/193)
  • Patent number: 11698217
    Abstract: Provided is a refrigerator. The refrigerator includes a cabinet including an inner case defining a storage compartment, an outer case surrounding the outside of the inner case, and an insulation material provided between the inner case and the outer case, a storage compartment door opening and closing the storage compartment, a cold air duct provided in the storage compartment and disposed in an upper side of the storage compartment to discharge cold air to the storage compartment, and a guide duct disposed outside the inner case to communicate with the cold air duct and extending to the storage compartment door to guide the cold air received from the cold air duct to the storage compartment door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 4, 2021
    Date of Patent: July 11, 2023
    Assignee: LG ELECTRONICS INC.
    Inventors: Donghwi Kim, Sunghee Kang, Minho Song, Yongbum Cho
  • Patent number: 11685588
    Abstract: An automated order fulfillment system is disclosed having different temperature zones and robots and containers capable of and/or configured to work in these different temperature zones. Containers include insulated wall panels and a thermal insert which may be chilled to maintain a temperature within the container below ambient temperature. Structure within a storage location for the containers may be used to open and close the containers to facilitate cooling of the thermal insert.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2020
    Date of Patent: June 27, 2023
    Assignee: WALMART APOLLO, LLC
    Inventors: William J. Fosnight, Christopher Hofmeister, John G. Lert, Jr., Stephanie Waite, Julian Warhurst, Mark Solomon
  • Patent number: 11585592
    Abstract: A refrigerator includes a cabinet with a plurality of walls and a compartment area for storing food within the cabinet. A door is configured to seal the compartment area. A refrigeration component is disposed within the cabinet. A wall panel is positioned within the cabinet and includes a three-dimensional molded surface with non-uniformly spaced peaks and valleys and a lighting structure. The wall panel extends from a lower end of the compartment area to an upper end of the compartment area. The wall panel separates the compartment area from the refrigeration component and is coextensive with one of the plurality of walls of the cabinet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2022
    Date of Patent: February 21, 2023
    Assignee: Whirlpool Corporation
    Inventors: Julia B. Burke, Daniel Chow, Daniel V. Clements, Rebecca M. Goesling, Mark W. Schulz
  • Patent number: 11272794
    Abstract: The present invention relates to a display cabinet (1) having an open face; an air circulation system comprising: an air inlet (9) located adjacent to a perimeter of the open front face; an air outlet (7) located adjacent to the perimeter of the open front face opposite the air inlet (9), and configured to blow air across the open front face toward the air inlet (9); an air conduit (11, 17) for conveying air from the air inlet (9) to the air outlet (7); and an air pump configured to draw air from the air inlet (9), move the air thus drawn through the air conduit (11, 17) to the air outlet (7); and at least one shelf (3) disposed within the display cabinet (1); wherein the air conduit (11, 17) is arranged such that at least a portion (19) of the air from the air inlet (9) follows a path that passes out from a wall of the display cabinet (1) through the at least one shelf (3), and back through said at least one shelf (3) to the wall of the display cabinet (1), before being passed to the air outlet (7).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 21, 2017
    Date of Patent: March 15, 2022
    Assignee: Vertical Cabinet Company Ltd.
    Inventor: Michael Nicholls
  • Patent number: 10548415
    Abstract: A showcase includes a casing having a front opening through which a product is picked up, a product storage located in the casing, a cold air outlet in a front upper portion of the product storage, and a cold air inlet in a front lower portion of the product storage. Cold air is forced to flow out of the cold air outlet in a downward direction and sucked into the cold air inlet. The showcase further includes an inlet port in the front lower portion of the casing at a position below the cold air inlet, a duct, a discharge port in a side wall of the casing, and an airflow generator that forces air in the duct to flow from the inlet port toward the discharge port. The air is sucked through the inlet port and the air in the duct is discharged through the discharge port.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2016
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY MANAGEMENT CO., LTD.
    Inventor: Jun Hirano
  • Patent number: 10551109
    Abstract: A duct structure of a refrigerator equipped with a door provided with a container space separated from an internal space of the refrigerator comprises: a multi-duct which is provided in a rear space in the internal space of the refrigerator and which discharges cool air into the internal space of the refrigerator while allowing air to flow upward; a connecting outlet which is provided in an upper end of the multi-duct; a connecting duct which communicates with the connecting outlet and which is extended in a front-rear direction; a front duct which is connected to a front end of the connecting duct and which is extended in a left-right direction; and a nozzle unit which is provided in a lower portion of the front duct and which discharges cool air into the container space of door.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 23, 2017
    Date of Patent: February 4, 2020
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Yong Hyeon Cho, Sunghee Kang, Daesig Shin, Kihwang Kim, Dong Hyoung Lee
  • Patent number: 10483728
    Abstract: An electrical equipment enclosure includes a cabinet defining a storage compartment configured to contain electrical equipment. The cabinet has an array of vent openings communicating the storage compartment with the exterior of the cabinet. The enclosure further includes a box structure having a first open side received over the vent openings, a first closed side opposite the first open side, a second closed side reaching from first open side to the first closed side, and a second open side opposite the second closed side. A baffle is located in the box structure between the first open side and the second open side.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 13, 2016
    Date of Patent: November 19, 2019
    Assignee: Eaton Intelligent Power Limited
    Inventors: Richard D. Prohaska, Jeff B. Ensley
  • Patent number: 10371466
    Abstract: A method of cooling moist air through a heat exchange surface suppresses the formation of dew and frost on a heat exchange surface by preparing a carrier which has a heat conduction ratio higher than that of the moist air if the air temperature in a temperature boundary layer, is below the dew-point when the air temperature in the temperature boundary layer is above 0° C., or below the freezing-point when the air temperature in the temperature boundary layer is below 0° C., the carrier being arranged within the temperature boundary layer and on the heat exchange surface, which is in contact with moist air and is used for cooling; and removing moisture from the air by condensing or sublimating water vapor in the moist air on the surface of the carrier by arranging the carrier opposite of the heat exchange surface and within the temperature boundary layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 15, 2013
    Date of Patent: August 6, 2019
    Assignee: NATOMICS CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Hidetoshi Ohkubo, Mitsuo Seki, Sho Matsushita
  • Patent number: 10219638
    Abstract: A ducted shelf for an open-fronted display unit employing air curtains comprises a duct extending forwardly or rearwardly through the shelf and communicating at a forward end with a discharge or return opening, the duct being wider in the widthwise direction at the forward end than at a rearward end of the duct. Guide walls divide the duct into a group of channels disposed successively side-by-side in the widthwise direction. Each channel has a respective length reflecting a degree of widthwise offset between the rearward end and the forward end of that channel. A longer channel of the group has a greater width in the widthwise direction at its rearward and forward ends than a shorter channel of the group.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2014
    Date of Patent: March 5, 2019
    Assignee: Applied Design and Engineering Ltd.
    Inventors: Ian Wood, Edward Hammond
  • Patent number: 9901190
    Abstract: A cooling unit including a base group, a rear wall group and an upper group, defining a cooling chamber from below, the back and above, and are provided at least in part with components of a cooling device and which have a multi-layered structure with a flow channel arrangement embodied therein. In the base group as well as the rear wall group and the upper group intermediate spaces are formed between respective layers as parts of the flow channel arrangement, and an evaporator or another heat exchanger of the cooling device is arranged in a vertical intermediate chamber for generating cooling air.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2018
    Assignee: AHT COOLING SYSTEMS GMBH
    Inventor: Reinhold Resch
  • 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: 9560921
    Abstract: A cooling unit arrangement including at least two mutually arranged shelf modules, with a base group, a rear wall group and an upper group with respective covering parts and forming a cooling chamber, and a cooling device. The shelf modules have identical modular parts with frame profiles and which support the base group, the rear wall group and the upper group and at least the rear wall group of each shelf module is equipped with components of the cooling device. Said shelf arrangement is provided with a common evaporator arranged in the rear wall group and extending along several or all shelf modules.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 6, 2013
    Date of Patent: February 7, 2017
    Assignee: AHT Cooling Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Reinhold Resch
  • Publication number: 20150024671
    Abstract: There is provided an EFEM that includes a shield gas curtain apparatus 6 that forms a gas curtain capable of shielding an opening 23 when an internal space 5S of a purge container 5, in which the humidity is reduced to a predetermined value by means of a bottom purge apparatus 25 provided in a load port 2, is brought into communication with an internal space 3S of a wafer transport chamber 3, the gas curtain being formed of a shield curtain gas blown immediately downward from a location near the opening 23 of the load port 2 and being closer to the wafer transport chamber 3 than the opening 23 at a higher height than an upper edge of the opening 23. The EFEM thus configured can prevent and suppress a rapid increase in the humidity in the purge container, in which the humidity in the interior space is reduced by performing the bottom purging, occurring immediately after a lid of the purge container is opened, so that quality degradation due to the moisture adhered on a wafer can be avoided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2014
    Publication date: January 22, 2015
    Applicant: SINFONIA TECHNOLOGY CO., LTD.
    Inventors: Yasushi Taniyama, Mitsutoshi Ochiai, Mitsuo Natsume, Atsushi Suzuki
  • Patent number: 8858309
    Abstract: A louver for directing airflow in a refrigerated display case, and a refrigerated display case employing a louver. In some embodiments, the louver includes a plurality of fins positioned to define a plurality of channels therebetween through which airflow can be directed substantially in a first direction. Each fin can be elongated in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction to define a length. Each fin can include an inlet end and an outlet end in a cross-section taken along the length. The louver can further include a curved inlet profile defined by the inlet ends of the plurality of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: October 14, 2014
    Assignee: Hussman Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Donald Grassmuck, Garrick Neal McFarland, Scott Eugene Miller
  • Patent number: 8647183
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case, an air curtain system, and a method of providing an air curtain are provided. The air curtain is suitable for use with a refrigerated display case of the type having an open front, including those with a door selectively covering the open-front. The air curtain includes a secondary layer formed of ambient air cooled by exposure to a refrigerated primary layer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 11, 2014
    Assignee: Hill Phoenix, Inc.
    Inventor: Timothy Dean Swofford
  • Patent number: 8568210
    Abstract: An air curtain resistant heating system including multiple heating coils integrated within blower fan cages. The multiple heating coils defining an inflow venture air pattern for increased heat transfer and fan cage internal flow vortex dependent on coil flow conveyance. Coil orientation placement assures limited impact to effect blower pressure and therefore minimizes loss of air performance parameters. Multiple phase electrical supply for multiple paired heating coils positioned in corresponding multiple blower fan units in an air curtain assembly.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 17, 2010
    Date of Patent: October 29, 2013
    Assignee: Berner International, Inc.
    Inventors: Philip M. Thomas, Jr., David A. Johnson
  • Publication number: 20130203335
    Abstract: The invention relates to a diaphragm device (38) and to a method for protecting an optical observation opening (39), in particular for protecting the observation opening against contaminants from a dirty atmosphere (35) in a blast furnace or the like, having a nozzle unit and a purging gas chamber (43), wherein the nozzle unit forms a diaphragm aperture (26) for the observation opening and is used to form a purging gas flow, wherein the purging gas chamber is formed between an optical surface (41) of the observation opening and the diaphragm aperture. A purging gas is applied to the purging gas chamber and purging gas can be led through the diaphragm aperture into the dirty atmosphere, wherein the nozzle unit has a flow guiding device (31, 49) which effects guidance of the flow of purging gas escaping into the dirty atmosphere.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 29, 2011
    Publication date: August 8, 2013
    Applicant: TMT TAPPING-MEASURING-TECHNOLOGY GmbH
    Inventors: Hans-Uwe Morgenstern, Ulrich Oster
  • Patent number: 8347781
    Abstract: A food cooling device includes a cover, an electric motor powering a fan, and an automatic switch. The cover defines air intake openings beneath a motor housing, a bottom orifice, and vents between the air intake openings and the orifice. The bottom opening rests on a table, covering a plate containing hot food. A fan blade directs air toward the food, the air cools the food, and the heated air escapes through the vents. The cooling device is portable, light in weight, and easy to operate, making it suitable for use by small children as well as handicapped persons of all ages.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2007
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2013
    Inventor: William Joseph Stack
  • Patent number: 7990723
    Abstract: A housing structure of an acoustic controller, in which a lower case of the controller has an increased rigidity and improved moldability. The lower case is integrally formed by a resin and has a bottom surface thereof disposed to face a tabletop surface when the controller is in a stationarily placed thereon. The bottom surface of the lower case is formed to have a concave-forming portion that defines a concave space communicating with the outside of the controller on the left and right sides thereof and which is upward convex as viewed when the controller is stationarily placed, thus increasing the rigidity of the lower case. Bosses and vertical ribs formed to project upward from a horizontal part of the concave-forming portion of the lower case each have a reduced height, thereby improving the moldability of the lower case.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: August 2, 2011
    Assignee: Yamaha Corporation
    Inventors: Tsutomu Watanabe, Hisashi Nagai
  • Patent number: 7984623
    Abstract: A refrigerator is provided including a freezing chamber having a first evaporator and a first fan provided inside, and a refrigerating chamber having a second evaporator and a second fan provided inside. Further, the first and second fans may be configured to direct cool air generated by the first and second evaporators to the freezing and refrigerating chambers, respectively. Additionally, plurality of cool-air ducts may be provided in at least one of the freezing and refrigerating chambers, the cool air ducts may be configured to provide cool air to the freezing and refrigerating chambers via operation of the first and second fans, respectively.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 3, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 26, 2011
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Jun-Ho Bae, Soo-Kwan Lee, Chang-Joon Kim
  • Patent number: 7950383
    Abstract: A kitchen range subframe includes air channels for passively directing air to and/or from an element enclosure within the kitchen range, and a range component shelf that is configured to mount one or more range components to the kitchen range subframe. The kitchen range subframe provides improved ventilation for the kitchen range, and mounting locations for range components such as gas lines and kitchen range controls.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 31, 2011
    Assignee: Electrolux Home Products, Inc.
    Inventors: Ronald G. Brant, Adam Clark, James Marler
  • Publication number: 20110028079
    Abstract: In order to provide a vapour extraction device comprising at least one air curtain producing device and at least one vapour suction device incorporating at least one vapour suction opening, it is proposed that, by means of the air curtain producing device, there can be produced an air curtain which is so oriented that at least a part of the air stream forming the air curtain impinges on at least one vapour suction opening.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 2, 2010
    Publication date: February 3, 2011
    Applicant: BLANCO CS GmbH + Co KG
    Inventors: Timo Dieter, Dietmar Kübler, Ralf Böss
  • Publication number: 20110005409
    Abstract: A food container includes an interior chamber sized to contain food items, the interior chamber having a first temperature zone and a second temperature zone. The food container further includes an opening providing access to the interior chamber, a fan configured to supply an air stream to a duct system, and a heater configured to heat the air stream, where the duct system is configured to deliver a portion of the air stream across the opening, creating an air curtain. The food container further includes a diverter disposed in the air curtain to divert a portion of the air stream out of the air curtain and into the interior chamber, the diverter configured to cause the second temperature zone to maintain a second temperature different from the first temperature.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 10, 2009
    Publication date: January 13, 2011
    Inventor: Michael Majchrzak
  • Patent number: 7857880
    Abstract: A semiconductor manufacturing process facility requiring use therein of air exhaust for its operation, such facility including clean room and gray room components, with the clean room having at least one semiconductor manufacturing tool therein, and wherein air exhaust is flowed through a region of the clean room. The facility includes an air exhaust treatment apparatus arranged to (i) receive air exhaust after flow thereof through said region of said clean room, (ii) produce a treated air exhaust, and (iii) recirculate the treated air exhaust to an ambient air environment in the facility, e.g., to the gray room of the facility.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 3, 2009
    Date of Patent: December 28, 2010
    Assignee: Advanced Technology Materials, Inc.
    Inventors: W. Karl Olander, Joseph D. Sweeney, Luping Wang
  • Publication number: 20100120351
    Abstract: An ultra-low temperature freezer, including a cabinet with a freezer compartment maintained within a certain temperature range, a door providing a seal with the cabinet when engaged with the cabinet, a catch basin at the bottom of the cabinet for collecting air, and a distribution channel fluidly connected to the catch basin, for recirculating the air collected from the catch basin to the top of the cabinet, the distribution channel at the top of the cabinet pushing compressed air across the front of the cabinet and forming an air curtain and thermal barrier to incoming warmer air.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 30, 2009
    Publication date: May 13, 2010
    Applicant: THERMO FISHER SCIENTIFIC (ASHEVILLE) LLC
    Inventors: Wendell Morris, Dennis H. Smith
  • Publication number: 20090215381
    Abstract: A refrigerated display case, an air curtain system, and a method of providing an air curtain are provided. The air curtain is suitable for use with a refrigerated display case of the type having an open front, including those with a door selectively covering the open-front. The air curtain includes a secondary layer formed of ambient air cooled by exposure to a refrigerated primary layer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 13, 2006
    Publication date: August 27, 2009
    Inventor: Timothy Dean Swofford
  • Publication number: 20090205351
    Abstract: A display case cools and displays products. A first fan system circulates cool air through the display case. The cool air is directed downwardly along a front of the display case to form a primary air curtain. A second fan system circulates ambient air to generate a secondary air curtain. The secondary air curtain is located between the primary air curtain and the outside environment, trapping the primary air curtain near an interior display volume of the display case. Each end of the second fan system is several inches shorter than the display case to allow for case to case attachment. The second fan system includes a louver near each of the side walls and a front of the second fan system. Each louver includes a plurality of slanted panels. The louvers direct the ambient air towards the side walls of the display case to improve the secondary discharge air velocity in a front corner area of the display case.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 26, 2006
    Publication date: August 20, 2009
    Inventor: Kwok Kwong Fung
  • Publication number: 20090199577
    Abstract: [Object] To provide a quick freezing apparatus and method making it possible to prevent a subtle reaction between an object-to-be-preserved and a gas inside its freezing store to prevent deformation and deterioration of the object-to-be-preserved as much as possible and freeze-preserve the object maintaining its freshness and quality at a high standard for a long term, and thereby applicable to a long-term preservation of a living tissue. [Configuration] A quick freezing apparatus includes a freezing store 11 including a door for bringing in or taking out an object-to-be-frozen 3, a freezer 17 capable of lowering a temperature inside the freezing store to a temperature equal to or less than approximately ?30 degrees C., a pressure regulator 60 capable of adjusting a gas pressure inside the freezing store, and a ventilator 31 for sending cold air at a wind velocity of 1 to 5 m/sec toward the object-to-be-frozen placed inside the freezing store.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 31, 2005
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Inventors: Norio Owada, Shobu Saito
  • Publication number: 20090111372
    Abstract: A serial fan is provided and includes a first fan and a second fan. The first fan includes a first frame, and the second fan includes a second frame. The first frame and the second frame form a frame set. The first frame has at least one first locking portion. The second frame has at least one second locking portion disposed corresponding to the first locking portion. When the first fan and the second fan are assembled, the first locking portion inserts in the second locking portion along a rotational direction so that the first frame and the second frame are connected in series.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 12, 2008
    Publication date: April 30, 2009
    Inventors: Shuo-Shiu HSU, Chin-Hong LEE
  • Patent number: 7497770
    Abstract: A louver for directing airflow in a refrigerated display case, and a refrigerated display case employing a louver. In some embodiments, the louver includes a plurality of fins positioned to define a plurality of channels therebetween through which airflow can be directed substantially in a first direction. Each fin can be elongated in a second direction substantially orthogonal to the first direction to define a length. Each fin can include an inlet end and an outlet end in a cross-section taken along the length. The louver can further include a curved inlet profile defined by the inlet ends of the plurality of fins.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 3, 2009
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventors: Michael Donald Grassmuck, Garrick Neal McFarland, Scott Eugene Miller
  • Patent number: 7226354
    Abstract: A cabinet wherein air sucked from an inlet opening 4d of a shelf board combined inlet duct 4 by drive of an air purification unit 3 is passed through the shelf board combined inlet duct 4 and introduced into the inside of a case 3a, and by a dust collection filter 32 and an odor eliminating means 33. Air forced into the shelf board combined outlet duct 5 through the air duct 10 is exhausted through an outlet opening 5d of the shelf board combined outlet duct 5, and air curtain is formed along the opening of the storage section 11 of a cabinet 1. Therefore, air in the storage section 11 of the cabinet 1 is circulated and purified, while getting caught in a circulating airflow including the air curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 29, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 5, 2007
    Assignee: Kongo Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Tomoyuki Kawano, Toshihiro Higashi, Hiroaki Koba, Ichiro Ikenaga, Kazuya Tokunaga, Satoru Yoshimitsu, Hitoshi Shibuya
  • Patent number: 7100396
    Abstract: The invention concerns a climatic cabinet, in particular, a climatic cooling cabinet, whose interior is loaded or unloaded with specimen slides, with the aid of a transporting device. The loading and unloading take place through a loading opening which can be closed with a door, which opening is adapted, in its size, to the dimensions of the specimen slides and is located in a sidewall of the climatic cabinet. The climatic cabinet also has a gas supply device, whose at least one gas exhaust opening is situated in such a way that the cross-section of the loading opening is covered by a gas curtain, in the area of the gas exhaust openings when gas is supplied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Kendro Laboratory Products GmbH
    Inventors: Achim Melching, Olaf Brömsen, Dieter Bidlingmaier, Hermann Stahl
  • Patent number: 7062932
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser includes a case defining a product display area and an air passage at least partially surrounding the product display area. The air passage directs refrigerated air to the product display area. The case also defines an air chamber separate from the air passage and in fluid communication between the air passage and the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a fan operable to draw the refrigerated air from the air passage and pressurize the refrigerated air within the air chamber to facilitate distribution of the refrigerated air from the air chamber and into the product display area.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: June 20, 2006
    Assignee: Hussmann Corporation
    Inventor: Norman L. Downs
  • Patent number: 6990824
    Abstract: A cooling apparatus for such things as convenience foods and beverages has a tilted, open faced bed from which persons may select objects. The apparatus is self-contained, and may run from a standard, single phase electrical outlet. It may be carried by two people, and is suitable for mounting either on its own base in a recess in a checkout counter or other similar installation. The open faced be may have a channel depth of section that is relatively deep as compared with to its width, the flow path length, or the depth of the flow released to run along the channel, thereby tending to discourage mixing of the cooled flow with the surrounding ambient environment. The apparatus may include a two piece molded housing that defines the structural skeleton for both the cooling bed and a lodgement for various elements of the cooling system. The bed may include a porous deck, or drain panels, that may tend to encourgare cooled air to drain toward a cooling plenum intake panel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 31, 2006
    Assignee: QBD Cooling Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Sikander Jaffer, Paul Arato
  • Patent number: 6973800
    Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a display case having a viewing area with the first side and a second side. An air outlet on the first side guides air across the viewing area to an air inlet on the second side. A first fan and a second fan communicate with the air inlet. A volume extends between the air inlet and the first and second fans. The partition divides this volume between the first and second fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 13, 2005
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Sue-Li Kingsley Chuang, Eugene Duane Daddis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6971247
    Abstract: A showcase includes air outlets provided at an upper rear end of a goods-storing room, and shelf ducts individually provided at lower faces of goods shelves. Cold air discharged from the air outlets is caused to descend along a rear plate of the goods-storing room, and then flows through the shelf ducts from rear ends towards front ends of the goods shelves while being partly discharged downward, whereby the cold air can be discharged downward from the shelf ducts to lower goods shelves, making it possible to efficiently cool goods placed on the goods shelves, even if no air curtain is formed in front of a showcase body. Accordingly, the visibility of upper goods shelves can be improved by using an upper face of the showcase formed by a transparent top plate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 24, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 6, 2005
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Shouichi Yamazaki, Nobuo Kanbayashi, Hayato Zushida
  • Patent number: 6931877
    Abstract: In a refrigerating open showcase comprising a showcase body whose top surface is open; an inner plate disposed to form an air passage between the inner plate and the showcase body; and a cooler disposed in the air passage, in which an air curtain is formed on the top surface of the showcase body by causing air having been cooled in the air passage to flow from a discharge port to a suction port, the upper end of the inner plate on the suction port side is bent toward the air passage on the suction side, and the upper face of the bent portion is inclined slightly with respect to the horizontal in the direction that the upper face of said bent portion faces a side wall on the suction port side of the showcase body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 23, 2005
    Assignee: Sanden Corp.
    Inventors: Junichiro Kasuya, Takahiro Takei
  • Patent number: 6915645
    Abstract: An at least partially cooled product display cabinet in which cooling of the area or areas of the product display cabinet to be cooled takes place at least partially by means of a cooling air flow and/or by means of static cooling is described. According to the invention, at least one sensor (a, a?, a?, b, b?, b?, c, c?, c?, d, d?, d?) that is used to detect contaminants and/or particles of dirt in the cooling air flow is arranged in and/or on the product display cabinet. If the product display cabinet has at least one cooling air inlet area (5, 5?, 5?) and/or at least one cooling air outlet area (7, 7?, 7?) and/or at least one evaporator (8, 8?, 8?), the sensor or sensors (a, a?, a?, b, b?, b?, c, c?, c?, d, d?, d?) in the or a cooling air inlet area (5, 5?, 5?) and/or in the or a cooling air outlet area (7, 7?, 7?) and/or in the flow direction are located essentially directly upstream or downstream from the evaporator or evaporators (8, 8?, 8?).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2001
    Date of Patent: July 12, 2005
    Assignee: Linde Kaltetechnik GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventors: Harry Finkenauer, Eugen Stall
  • Patent number: 6886359
    Abstract: A showcase includes a showcase body having an upper face whose front end side is provided with a first waste heat air guide plate for guiding condensation prevention air upward that flows forward along an upper face of a top plate. The waste heat air is prevented from flowing into a goods-storing room through a front opening of the showcase body from the front end side of the top plate, thus positively preventing a reduction in cooling efficiency in the goods-storing room, whereby effective cooling in the goods-storing room can be achieved, without the need of providing an air curtain at the front face of the showcase body.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 8, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 3, 2005
    Assignee: Sanden Corporation
    Inventors: Shouichi Yamazaki, Nobuo Kanbayashi, Hayato Zushida
  • Patent number: 6877551
    Abstract: Systems and methods for weatherproof cabinets with variably cooled compartments are provided. One such embodiment includes a housing having a door attached thereto, and in which a cooling compartment and a battery compartment are disposed. An electronics compartment is disposed within the cooling compartment, and an external fan is also disposed within the housing. Methods are also provided for transferring heat from inside the electronics compartment to the cooling compartment, from the cooling compartment to the outside of the housing, and from the battery compartment to the outside of the housing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 12, 2005
    Assignee: Avaya Technology Corp.
    Inventor: Harry R. Stoller
  • Patent number: 6874331
    Abstract: An apparatus for creating a horizontal air curtain for a cooler doorway has at least one air moving device; at least one motor powering the air moving device; a control system including a sensor, the control system providing power to operate the motor when the sensor detects that the door of the cooler is open; and at least one air discharge nozzle mounted adjacent to the air moving device directing air emitted by the air moving device to create a curtain of air that flows generally horizontally across at least a portion of the doorway.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 16, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 5, 2005
    Assignee: Manitowoc Foodservice Companies, Inc.
    Inventors: Michael S. Chandler, Larry R. Scallion
  • Patent number: 6776822
    Abstract: An air filtration system according to the present invention includes an enclosure having a floor section, a top section and an opening. A ventilation subsystem within the enclosure includes an air duct having an air intake and an exhaust vent. First and second electrode arrays are positioned within the air duct so that the first array is located between the air intake and the second array and the second array is located between the exhaust vent and the first array. A voltage regulator is electrically coupled to the first and second electrode arrays to apply a voltage differential between the electrode arrays that creates an air flow within the air duct drawing air into the air intake and out of the exhaust vent. Airborne particulate matter carried through the air duct collects on the second electrode array.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 10, 2003
    Date of Patent: August 17, 2004
    Inventor: Dayne Christopher Johnson
  • Patent number: 6755042
    Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a display case having a viewing area with the first side and a second side. An air outlet on the first side guides air across the viewing area to an air inlet on the second side. A first fan and a second fan communicate with the air inlet. A volume extends between the air inlet and the first and second fans. The partition divides this volume between the first and second fan.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 29, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Sue-Li “Kingsley” Chuang, Eugene Duane Daddis, Jr.
  • Patent number: 6742344
    Abstract: A shelved cupboard for refrigerated goods comprises an opening (1) for putting in or taking out refrigerated goods (2) and a ducting arrangement (3-10) for circulating of cooled air form a cooling element (11) provided thereto. The ducting arrangement (3-10) enables cooled air to be carried in separate streams, partly in between the refrigerated goods (2) and partly past the opening (1) in order to create a screening layer. The distribution of cooled air between the refrigerated goods (2) takes place via an outlet nozzle (7) at an end of an overlying shelf (12), while the distribution of cooled air to the screening layer takes place via an outlet nozzle (10) near the upper transverse end of the opening (1).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: June 1, 2004
    Inventor: Svein Henrik Vormedal
  • Patent number: 6722149
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandizer includes a display case defining a product display region having an open-front isolated from the ambient air of the store by means of a downwardly directed inner air curtain of relatively cold refrigerated air and a downwardly directed outer air curtain of relatively warmer air. The outer curtain of relatively warmer air is directed downwardly and outwardly away from the inner air curtain of relatively cold air at a divergent angle with respect to the inner air curtain.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 7, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Mary D. Saroka, Abbas A. Alahyari
  • Patent number: 6701735
    Abstract: A refrigeration system comprises a display case defining a display space. A cooling element cools the display space. An air mover direct air across the cooling element. At least one air outlet guides cool air into the display space to an air inlet located at the end of the shelf.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 4, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Carrier Commercial Refrigeration, Inc.
    Inventors: Eugene Duane Daddis, Jr., Sue-li “Kingsley” Chuang
  • Patent number: 6701736
    Abstract: A refrigerated merchandiser including a display case and a cooling module. The display case includes a plurality of walls defining a cavity and a receptacle. A plurality of vertically spaced shelves are disposed in the cavity extending between the side walls. A display zone is defined above the top surface of each shelf for the display of merchandise. A back panel disposed in the cavity adjacent to base back wall defines a duct in a fluid communication with a plurality of elongated openings formed in the back panel. A turbulence generating element is disposed in each display zone adjacent to the elongated opening.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 31, 2002
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2004
    Assignee: Gamon Plus, Inc.
    Inventor: Terry Johnson
  • Publication number: 20040007347
    Abstract: Systems and methods for weatherproof cabinets with multiple compartment cooling are provided. One such embodiment includes a housing in which an electronics compartment, a battery compartment, an internal fan, and an external fan are disposed. A door is attached to the housing, and a heat exchanging device is disposed within the cabinet. Methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Harry R. Stoller
  • Publication number: 20040007348
    Abstract: Systems and methods for weatherproof cabinets with variably cooled compartments are provided. One such embodiment includes a housing having a door attached thereto, and in which a cooling compartment and a battery compartment are disposed. An electronics compartment is disposed within the cooling compartment, and an external fan is also disposed within the housing. Methods are also provided.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 11, 2002
    Publication date: January 15, 2004
    Inventor: Harry R. Stoller
  • Patent number: 6647734
    Abstract: The present invention relates to an air circulation system of a refrigerator in a side-by-side refrigerator. The air circulation system ejects a cold air into a refrigerator compartment asymmetrically from right and left side walls to form a vortex thereby enhancing the ability of uniform cooling.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 20, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 18, 2003
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventors: Seong Ho Cho, In Seop Lee