^; 'A CONVECTED-AIR CABINET"

FIELD OF INVENTION

[0001] This invention relates to a convected-air cabinet for storage of temperature sensitive goods, particularly for storage of food products. BACKGROUND OF THE ART

[0002] In Australian Patent No 2008286234 in the name of the present applicant, there is described and claimed a convected-air cabinet characterized by comprising a front side provided with food access means, an opposed rear side provided with food access means, a base, a roof and spaced side walls interconnecting the front and rear sides, a plurality of regions within the cabinet for storage of food, wherein a first fan is mounted adjacent the base and is arranged beneath a laterally extending cover which extends from the front to the rear side but is spaced from each side, a second fan is mounted adjacent the roof and a laterally extending partition containing an aperture is mounted below the second fan, the laterally extending partition being spaced from the front and rear sides, such that air directed around the first laterally extending cover by the first fan is conveyed within the cabinet to the aperture in the second laterally extending cover and is then directed laterally by the second fan to form air curtains extending downwardly across the front and rear sides.

A problem noticed with previous convected-air cabinets, particularly with those that have rectangular food storage chambers, is that the temperature fluctuates within the chamber in use. This uneven distribution results in reduction of the duration that temperature sensitive goods can be stored. [0004] Typically, airflow within the chamber is desired to be turbulent. However, due to the geometry of the chamber the air may not reach comers of the chamber and thus distribution of air is less than optimal. Thus, the temperature is not uniform within the chamber.

[0005] Temperature sensitive goods often require transport and must ideally be kept within the optimum temperate range for the particular good. It has been discovered that a modified cabinet of the type disclosed in Australian Patent No. 200826234 can be arranged for use in motor vehicles such as cars, truck trailers and vans. However, there is still a need for the cabinets to have an even temperature distribution throughout.

[0006] This has significant benefits to the food delivery industry specifically where the food has to be kept within a specific temperature range. However, the adapted cabinets still suffer from uneven temperature distribution.

[0007] There are also problems with continuous or near-continuous power supply to the cabinet in order to maintain its function to regulate temperature within the acceptable range.

[0008] The present invention attempts to overcome at least in part the aforementioned disadvantages of previously known convected-air cabinets.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention there is provided a convected-air cabinet comprising a storage section, and a plant section for housing electrical and mechanical components. The storage section has a chamber for storing temperature-sensitive goods. The chamber has an access door, an upper subsection, a lower subsection, and at least one temperature regulating element disposed in the upper and/or lower subsection, a flow inducer, and a means to direct airflow to one or more corners of the chamber.

The improvement over the previously known convected-air cabinets stems from the use of a means to direct the airflow to corners of the storage section of the cabinet. This forces more air to the areas previously lacking air movement before becoming turbulent, providing more uniform heat distribution and thus increasing the duration temperature that sensitive goods can be stored in the cabinet.

The electrical and mechanical components that are housed within the plant section are for the proper functioning o the cabinet and would be within the understanding of a person skilled in the art to reasonably be included. The components include but are not limited to motors, wiring, data processors, transformers, control systems and monitoring equipment.

Preferably in the present invention means to direct airflow are disposed in the upper and/or lower subsection.

In one embodiment of the invention the means to direct airflow in the form of one or more substantially vertical baffle plates.

Preferably the storage section comprises a plate between the chamber and the upper subsection and/or the lower subsection. [0015] Preferably the or each plate is of smaller size than the storage section such that a gap is formed which allows air to move between the chamber and the upper subsection or the lower subsection. [0016] Preferably the or each plate incorporates an aperture to allow air to flow from

the storage chamber to the upper subsection or the lower subsection.

[0017] In one embodiment of the invention the convccted-air cabinet further comprises

a cowl to cover an aperture incorporated in the lower plate. This protects the fan and other components in the lower subsection from ingress of material and liquid falling from above, such as crumbs and water.

[0018] Preferably the means to direct the airflow may be altered to provide additional control, over the airflow by incorporating perforations.

[0019] Preferably the upper flow inducer and/or the lower flow inducer are fans such as are centrifugal fans.

[0020] Preferably the upper and lower flow inducers are arranged to blow air into the storage section in such a way that the respective air streams oppose each other and therefore create turbulence.

[0021 ] Preferably where a flow inducer is a fan, a fan motor housed outside of the first section to properly isolate the temperature sensitive goods being stored from the plant.

[0022] The temperature regulating element maybe a heater element, allowing the cabinet to store temperature sensitive goods that are required to be kept warm. [0023] the invention the temperature regulating element maybe located in the lower

subsection. When this embodiment incorporates a temperature regulating element that is a heater element the cabinet benefits from a more efficient convection cycle. Where the temperature regulating element is a heater element, the first section may comprise a basin arranged to contain water to humidify the air when the cabinet is in operation. [0025] Preferably the first section further comprises a plurality of air permeable shelves arranged to support temperature sensitive goods which allows air to mix more thoroughly.

[0026] The convected-air cabinet maybe arranged for mounting in a vehicle with a battery, the adaptation comprising a means of connecting the vehicle mounted cabinet to the battery of the vehicle the connecting means including a fuse, an inverter, a relay and, a residual current device. In this embodiment of the invention while the vehicles engine is running the cabinet mounted in the vehicle can be supplied power generated from the engine. This allows the convected-air cabinet to function while mobile.

[0027] While a vehicle operated by a delivery person is stationary at a pickup point the delivery person may connect the vehicle mounted cabinet to a mains power supply at the pickup point.

[0028] Further, batteries may be incorporated into the cabinet to store and distribute power throughout the cabinet in order to maintain optimal temperature within the storage of the cabinet when the vehicle is stationary and not near a mains power supply.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIO OF DRAWINGS

[0029] The present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings, in which figure 1 is a partially broken away upper perspective view of a convected-air cabinet in accordance with the present invention;

[0030] Figure 2 is a broken away side elevation of the apparatus shown in figure 1 ; [0031 ] Figure 3 is a broken away front elevation of the apparatus shown in figure 1 ;

[0032] Figure 4 is a broken away view of the apparatus of figure 1 viewing the apparatus internally from bottom to top showing air currents developed in use; [0033] Figure 5 is very similar to figure 4 except it is a view looking down on the base of the cabinet showing the distribution of air currents from the lower end of the cabinets;

[0034] Figure 6 is a perspective view of a baffle used in the apparatus of the present invention;

[0035] Figure 7 is a side elevation of the baffle of figure 6;

[0036] Figure 8 is an electrical schematic showing the connections of the cabinet to the vehicle battery and a 220vAc.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF INVENTION

[0037] Referring to the Figures, there is shown a convected-air cabinet 10 comprising

a first section 20 and a second section 30 to house mechanical and electrical plant.

[0038] The first section 20 has a storage chamber 22, an access means 31 see figure 3, an upper subsection 50 and a lower subsection 60 which contains a temperature regulating element 40.

[0039] As can be seen in figure 2, the upper subsection 50 is partitioned from the storage chamber 22 by an upper plate 52. An upper fan 54 is positioned within the upper subsection 50. At least one baffle 56 is positioned within the upper subsection 50 and is arranged to direct airflow from the upper fan 54 to a corner of the upper subsection 50, and into a gap 26 between the periphery of the upper plate 52 and the storage chamber 22. This allows air to flow from the upper subsection 50 to the storage chamber 22. An aperture 58 is incorporated in the upper plate 52 to allow air to flow from the storage chamber 22 to the upper subsection 50.

[0040] The lower subsection 60 is partitioned from the storage chamber 22 by a lower plate 62, shown in figure 1. A lower fan 64 is positioned within the lower subsection 60. At least one baffle 66 is positioned within the lower subsection 60 and is arranged to direct the airflow from the lower fan 64 to a comer of the lower subsection 60, and into a gap 28 between the periphery of the lower plate

62 and the storage chamber 22 as shown in figure 2. This allows air to flow from the lower subsection 60 to the storage chamber 22, an aperture 68 is incorporated in the lower plate 62 to allow air to flow from the storage chamber 22 to the lower subsection 60.

With regard to the embodiment represented in the Figures the temperature regulating element 40 comprises a heat element which is located in the lower subsection 60.

[0042] With, regard to the embodiment shown in the drawings the upper fan 54 and the lower fan 64 are both preferably centrifugal fans. [0043] With regard to the embodiment described the motors for the upper fan 54 and the lower fan 64 are housed outside of the first section 20.

[0044] With regard to the embodiment represented in the Figures the baffles 56 and 66 are preferably perforated.

[0045 ] Further, a basin 29 for water is preferably arranged to be attached to the lower plate 62.

[0046] With regard to the embodiment represented in the Figure 5 the aperture 58 incorporated on the upper plate 52 is formed by use of perforations.

[0047] With regard to the embodiment described to the present invention a cowl 69 is preferably incorporated, attached to and spaced from the lower plate 62 see figure 2.

[0048] In use, air from the storage chamber 22 is drawn through the aperture 58 by the working of the upper fan 54. The air then passes through the inlet of the upper fan 54 and is dispersed laterally in the upper subsection 50. Baffles 56 are used to direct a portion of the airflow to the corners of the upper subsection 50. Air is expelled from the upper subsection 50 through the gap 26 to the storage chamber 22 where it mixes turbulently with the other air in the storage chamber 22.

[0049] Air from the storage chamber 22 is drawn through the aperture 68 by the working of the lower fan 64. The air then passes through the inlet of the lower fan 64 and is dispersed laterally in the lower subsection 60 where it is heated by the heater element 40. Baffles 66 are used to direct a portion of the airflow to the corners of the lower subsection 60. Air is expelled from the lower subsection W

60 through the gap 28 to the storage chamber 22 where it rises and mixes turbulently with the other air in the storage chamber 22.

The cabinet on the present invention can be arranged for mounting in a vehicle with a battery.

[0051 ] Further, when in certain locations or where the stationary vehicle can be connected to electrical mains, there is a provider a mains connection socket. [0052] With regard to the embodiment represented in the electrical operation diagram,

Figures 8, there is depicted a convected-air cabinet 10 having been adapted for mounting in a vehicle with a battery.

[0053] The convected-air cabinet 10, in this instance referred to as a hot hold, is connected to the battery of the vehicle the connecting means including in sequence from the vehicle battery a fuse, an inverter, a relay and, a residual current device.

This embodiment also represents a location where a stationary vehicle can connect to an electrical mains, in this instance referred to as ISA supply store, and the mains connection socket, in this instance referred to as ISA supply store, which is then connected to the power supply of the convected-air cabinet 10 between the relay and the residual current device.

In the preceding description of the invention and the following claims, except where the context requires otherwise due to express language or necessary implication, the word "comprise" or variations such as "comprises" or "comprising" are used in an inclusive sense, i.e. to specify the presence of the stated features but not to preclude the presence or addition of further features in various embodiments of the invention.

[0056] Modifications and variations as would be apparent to a skilled addressee are deemed to be within the scope of the present invention.