Refrigerating Cabinet

The present invention relates to a refrigerating cabinet such as a display cabinet with front access, the cooling system thereof providing air flow which maintains such display cabinet in a cool condition.

Refrigerating cabinets for providing chilled or refrigerated goods to customers, for example in a supermarket, are known to have an open viewing area that permits consumers to have easy access to the storage space of the display case of the cabinet in which products such as milk and diary goods or meat are stored. For the cooling of the goods, the display case usually has at least one air outlet for directing cooling air towards the goods to be cooled into the open viewing area.

Other known types of cabinets comprise one or multiple front doors such as glass doors covering the display space in the front viewing area from top to bottom of the display case, wherein the doors have to be opened in order to gain access to the stored goods. This has the advantage that ambient air is prevented from entering into the display space heating up the stored goods, improving efficiency of the cabinet. Moreover, deeper temperatures may be achieved. The doors can be carried out as sliding doors or hinged doors.

Refrigeration cabinets of the above types commonly have heat exchanger means built into the cabinet, providing the cooling air of the temperature required for the goods located in the storage space of the cabinet. The refrigeration system generally employed in such display cabinets comprises a fan motor to move air across an evaporator, and an expansion valve. The fan motor distributes cold air to the cooled chamber or display space in which the goods are displayed and stored.

Commonly, such refrigerating cabinet comprises shelves for the bearing of the goods which require refrigeration, the shelves being placed within the display space. In order to keep the display area cool, it is usual to provide cold air circulation over the evaporator and thereafter into the display area or space. In this regard, systems are known where a insulating air curtain is provided across the open front of the cabinet to insulate the display area from the ambient air temperature and to keep the display area at a lower temperature, the air of the air curtain

exiting an outlet in the top area of the cabinet. The air enters a bottom portion of the cabinet such as a suction header for collecting the return air and for providing the same to the evaporator.

The length of the air curtain determines substantially the attainable inner temperature of the cabinet and power consumption. Especially with long air curtains required, the attainable cooling temperatures and power consumption increase correspondingly as a matter of the increased influence of the ambient air. Providing glass doors at the front of the cabinet has the advantage that any exchange between the ambient air and the cold air of the refrigerating system is substantially cut off when the doors are closed. Therefore, the temperature increase along the air curtain is reduced, so that deeper temperatures may be achieved and/or power consumption may be reduced. A disadvantage of providing glass doors is either an increased area in front of the cabinet when using hinged doors which is required for opening of the doors for accessing the goods, or a constriction of customers when using sliding doors. Further, the handling of loading and removing of the goods is more inconvenient when compared to a cabinet having an open front display space, particularly with respect to goods which are frequently demanded by customers.

Therefore it would be beneficial to provide an improved refrigerating cabinet having increased efficiency and usability.

According to one aspect of the invention, there is provided a refrigerating cabinet comprising a display casedefining a display space having a front viewing area, wherein at least one door is arranged in the front viewing area of the display space. The door is arranged in a lower area of the display case and, when in a closed condition, extends over a lower range of the display space, the display space being accessible from the outside within the lower range by opening of the door. On the other hand, the display space is freely accessible in an area of the display space which is arranged above the door within an upper range of the display space.

According to another aspect of the invention, there is provided a refrigerating cab- inet comprising a display case defining a display space having a front viewing area, wherein at least one door is arranged in the front viewing area of the display space. The door is arranged in an upper area of the display case and, when in a

closed condition, extends over an upper range of the display space, wherein the display space is accessible from the outside within the upper range by opening of the door. On the other hand, the display space is freely accessible in an area of the display space which is arranged beneath the door within a lower range of the display space.

According to an embodiment, in both aspects the lower range and the upper range combined extend over the overall inner height of the display space. According to another embodiment, the lower range and/or the upper range may cover substantially half of the overall inner height of the display space.

In another embodiment of the invention, the door is one of a hinge door (or revolving door), a sliding door, or a lifting door.

Further embodiments and aspects of the invention are evident from the dependent claims.

The invention will now be described with reference to the following disclosure of embodiments of the invention taken in conjunction with the accompanying draw- ings, wherein:

Figure 1 shows a schematical front view of an embodiment of a refrigerating cabinet according to the invention;

Figure 2 shows a schematical front view of another embodiment of a refrigerating cabinet according to the invention;

Figure 3 shows a schematical cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of a refrigerating cabinet according to Fig. 1 ;

Figure 4 shows a schematical cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of a refrigerating cabinet according to Fig. 2;

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a storage apparat- us provided in a refrigerating cabinet according to an embodiment the invention;

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a front door provided in a refrigerating cabinet according to an embodiment of the invention;

Figure 1 shows a schematical front view of an embodiment of a refrigerating cabinet according to the invention. A display case 13 defines a display space 15 for the storage of goods to be cooled. A number of shelves 10 is arranged in the display case for bearing of the goods requiring refrigeration.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 1 , two doors 3 are arranged in the front viewing area of the display space 15, wherein the doors are arranged in a lower area of the display case 13. In this regard, the cabinet may be provided with any number of doors, which may also be provided over the whole length of the cabinet. When the doors 3 are in a closed condition, as shown, they extend over a lower range 32 of the display space 15. Within the lower range 32, the display space is accessible from the outside by opening of the respective door 3. On the other hand, the display space 15 is freely accessible in an area of the display space 15 which is arranged above the doors 3 within an upper range 31 of the display space 15. In the area where the doors 3 are arranged, the cabinet may be provided with separating side walls or panels (not shown) for providing a closed space behind the doors. The panels may be made e.g. of acrylic glass (plexiglass).

Therefore, according to the embodiment of Fig. 1 , the display space is covered only partially in the front viewing area by front doors. This provides the advantage of combining an open and freely accessible viewing area in the upper region of the display space and a closed type refrigerating cabinet in the lower region of the display space accessible by opening respective front doors, such as glass doors. Particularly in the lower region of the display space, the temperatures may be held lower as a result of the front doors provided in this area, thus reducing the overall energy consumption of the refrigerating cabinet. Moreover, the temperature conditions stabilize in the lower range of the cabinet behind the front doors, so that products may be stored in this area which require rather low temperatures and/or reliable temperature conditions.

On the other hand, the cabinet still has the character of an open freely accessible cabinet in the upper region where products may be placed which require less cold

temperatures. These products are freely accessible, thus increasing the usability of the cabinet. The upper range may be used, for example, for products which are frequently demanded by customers.

Fig. 3 shows a schematical cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of a refrigerating cabinet according to Fig. 1. A rear panel 9 is arranged vertically in the display case 13 and adjacent to a conduit 7 for conducting cooling air along the rear panel 9 and having, in this embodiment, an air outlet 6 in the top area of the cabinet. An insulating air curtain is provided across the open front of display space 15 of the cabinet 1 to insulate the display area from the ambient air temperature and to keep the display area at a lower temperature, the air from the air curtain exiting the outlet 6 in the top area of the cabinet.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the air of the air curtain exiting the air outlet 6 is guided in the lower region of the display space 15 by the glass doors 3, thus stabilizing the air and the temperatures behind the doors as a matter of reducing any air turbulences or the like in this area. On the other hand, the display space, i.e. the shelves 10 in the upper region are still freely accessible, thus providing the character of an open cabinet or bin.

The exemplary cabinet of Figs. 1 and 3 further comprises first attaching means 5 for attaching the doors 3 to the display case 13, wherein the first attaching means comprises a substantially horizontal bar 5 extending from the front viewing area to a rear area (here the rear panel 9) of the display case 13 for attaching the door to a portion of the rear area of the display case. Instead of the bar, a frame 5 may be used for attaching the doors 3 on both sides therof to the rear area. It is beneficial if the frame 5 is openly designed in its top region, so that a complete access is achieved when the doors 3 are open. The frame or bar 5 is preferably attached to the doors at side bars of the doors running vertically.

Figure 2 shows a schematical front view of another embodiment of a refrigerating cabinet 2 according to the invention. A display case 23 defines a display space 15 for the storage of goods to be cooled. A number of shelves 20 is arranged in the display case 23 for bearing of the goods requiring refrigeration.

According to the embodiment shown in Fig. 2, two doors 4 are arranged in the front viewing area of the display space 15, wherein the doors are arranged in an

upper area of the display case 23. In this regard, the cabinet may be provided with any number of doors, which may also be provided over the whole length of the cabinet. When the doors 4 are in a closed condition, as shown, they extend over an upper range 41 of the display space 15. Within the upper range 41 , the display space is accessible from the outside by opening of the respective door 4. On the other hand, the display space 15 is freely accessible in an area of the display space 15 which is arranged beneath the doors 4 within a lower range 42 of the display space 15. In the area where the doors 4 are arranged, the cabinet may be provided with separating side walls or panels (not shown) for providing a closed space behind the doors. The panels may be made e.g. of acrylic glass (plexiglass).

Therefore, according to the embodiment of Fig. 2, the display space is covered only partially in the front viewing area by front doors. This provides the advantage of combining an open and freely accessible viewing area in the lower region of the display space and a closed type refrigerating cabinet in the upper region of the display space accessible by opening respective front doors, such as glass doors. Accordingly, the temperatures may be held lower as a result of the inner guiding of the cold air along the front doors. Thus, the amount of cooling air exit- ing the top region of the cabinet may be reduced as a matter of stabilizing the air curtain and temperature conditions in the upper range of the cabinet behind the front doors. In effect, this reduces the overall energy consumption of the refrigerating cabinet.

On the other hand, the cabinet still has the character of an open freely accessible cabinet in the lower region where products may be placed which are freely accessible, thus increasing the usability of the cabinet.

Fig. 4 shows a schematical cross-sectional side view of the embodiment of a refri- gerating cabinet according to Fig. 2. A rear panel 9 is arranged vertically in the display case 23 and adjacent to a conduit 7 for conducting cooling air along the rear panel 9 and having, as in the previous embodiment, an air outlet 6 in the top area of the cabinet. An insulating air curtain is provided across the open front of display space 15 of the cabinet 2 to insulate the display area from the ambient air temperature and to keep the display area at a lower temperature, the air from the air curtain exiting the outlet 6 in the top area of the cabinet.

According to this embodiment of the invention, the air of the air curtain exiting the air outlet 6 is guided in the upper region of the display space 15 by the glass doors 4, thus stabilizing the air and the temperatures behind the doors as a matter of reducing any air turbulences or the like in this area. On the other hand, the display space, i.e. the shelves 20 in the lower region are still freely accessible, thus providing the character of an open cabinet or bin.

According to the embodiment of Fig. 4, the doors 4 are attached in their lower regions to one of the shelves, such as shelf 21. However, also a bar or frame con- struction such as frame 5 of Fig. 3 may be used analogously.

In another embodiment, instead of or in addition to frame 5 or shelf 21 , in both embodiments second attaching means 8 (Figs. 1 and 2) may be provided for attaching the doors 3, 4 to the display case, wherein the second attaching means comprises a substantially vertical bar or frame 8 extending from the doors 3, 4 to a top or bottom area, respectively, of the display case for attaching the doors to a respective top or bottom portion of the display case. The attaching means 8 may be or may be part of a supporting frame extending from bottom to top of the display case. In this embodiment, flexibility with respect to variable arrangement of the shelves may be increased, and this solution may also be more cost efficient. Behind the vertical bar or frame 8, lighting devices may be arranged for illuminating the display case.

In the embodiment of Figs. 1 , 3, the lower range 32 (the door range) and the up- per range 31 (the freely accessible range) combined extend over the overall inner height 33 of the display case 13. In the embodiment of Figs. 2, 4, the lower range 42 (the freely accessible range) and the upper range 41 (the door range) combined extend over the overall inner height 43 of the display case 23. However, variations may also be made, e.g. the embodiments may be combined providing an open mid range of the cabinet, and providing doors in a top region and bottom region thereof.

According to another embodiment, the lower ranges 32, 42 and/or the upper ranges 31 , 41 cover substantially half of the overall inner height 33, 43 of the dis- play space, i.e. the doors cover substantially 50 % of the height of the display space. However, other ranges may also be useful.

The doors 3, 4 may be one of a hinge door or revolving door, a sliding door, or a lifting door. As schematically illustrated in Fig. 4, the door may be a lifting door 4' which is lifted manually or automatically, for example when a customer approaches the cabinet in this area.

Figure 5 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a storage apparatus provided in a refrigerating cabinet such as shown with respect to Figs. 1 to 4. The storage apparatus comprises shelves, such as shelves 10, 11 , 20 and 21 as shown previously. As also shown in Figs. 3 and 4, the rear panel 9 is adjacent to conduit 7 for conducting cooling air 50 along the rear panel and having at least one or more air outlets 14 towards the display space. By means of the air outlets 14, the cooling air 50 is tapped sequentially and guided into the display space 15. The shelf is adapted to communicate with the respective air outlet 14 of the rear panel for receiving a flow of cooling air 40. The shelves shown in Fig. 5 comprise a hollow chamber 24 for receiving and guiding the flow of cooling air from the rear plane into the display space on top of the goods placed beneath.

According to an embodiment, the hollow chamber shelf is arranged so as to abut against a top portion or top edge of the door, such as shelf 11 with respect to door 3 shown in Fig. 3.

Figure 6 shows a cross-sectional view of an embodiment of a front door provided in a refrigerating cabinet according to an embodiment of the invention. The door, such as doors 3 or 4 described above, comprise a hollow chamber 64 constituted in a hollow space of a multi-panel glass structure 60. This multi-panel glass structure 60 has at least two glass panels arranged in parallel. Particularly, the shown multi-panel glass structure 60 comprises a single glass panel 61 at the inner side of the door and a double glass structure (which may be insulated) with two respective panels 62, 63 at the outer side of the door 3, 4. Advantageously, the air outlet 6 (Figs. 3 and 4) in the top area of the display case directs cooling air downward the front viewing area within the hollow chamber 64 of the respective door 3, 4.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplary embodi- ments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention. In addition, many modifications may be made

to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the invention not be limited to the particular embodiments disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.