| HUSSMANN CORPORATION Patent applications |
| Patent application number | Title | Published |
|---|
| 20150285551 | MERCHANDISER INCLUDING FRAME HEATERS - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area and including a frame having a mullion. The mullion defining an opening to the product display area. A door is coupled and movable relative to the frame over the opening to provide access to the product display area. A refrigeration system is in communication with the product display area to condition the product display area. A first heater is coupled to and routed along the frame and a second heater is coupled to and routed along the frame. The second heater is separate from the first heater. A controller is operatively coupled to the first heater and the second heater and programmed to dependently control the first heater and the second heater relative to each other to remove or inhibit formation of condensation. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150282643 | REFRIGERATION SYSTEM AND DILUTION DEVICE FOR A MERCHANDISER - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area configured to support product, a refrigeration circuit in which a refrigerant circulates, and a dilution device coupled to the refrigeration circuit. The dilution device includes a valve assembly and a container supporting a pressurized fluid. The valve assembly is in fluid communication with the refrigeration circuit and is selectively variable to an open state to fluidly couple the container to the refrigeration circuit such that the fluid is discharged into the refrigeration circuit in response to a condition of the refrigeration circuit reaching or exceeding a predetermined threshold value. | 10-08-2015 |
| 20150272346 | MERCHANDISER TRIM ASSEMBLY - A merchandiser panel assembly including a panel body at least partially defining a cavity. The merchandiser panel assembly includes a trim base attached to the panel body and partially enclosing the cavity along an edge of the panel body. The trim base is defined by an elongated body and includes an attachment feature positioned along at least one edge of the elongated body. The merchandiser panel assembly includes trim coupled to an exterior surface of the trim base. The merchandiser panel assembly includes insulation disposed within the cavity and captured by the panel body and the trim base. | 10-01-2015 |
| 20150257549 | MODULAR LOW CHARGE HYDROCARBON REFRIGERATION SYSTEM AND METHOD OF OPERATION - A modular refrigeration system includes a refrigeration loop having a compressor, a condenser, an expansion assembly, and a chiller interconnected by a first piping loop cycling hydrocarbon refrigerant. A high side cooling loop includes a first heat exchanger and a first pump interconnected with the condenser by a second piping loop cycling a cooling fluid, the cooling fluid exchanges heat with the hydrocarbon refrigerant at the condenser. A low side cooling loop includes a second heat exchanger and a second pump interconnected with the chiller by a third piping loop cycling a chilled fluid, the chilled fluid exchanges heat with the hydrocarbon refrigerant at the chiller. A space supports the second heat exchanger and is configured to be maintained within a predetermined temperature range, wherein the total charge of hydrocarbon refrigerant associated with the space does not exceed 150 grams. | 09-17-2015 |
| 20150257548 | LOW CHARGE HYDROCARBON REFRIGERATION SYSTEM - A refrigeration system including a first circuit with a first heat exchanger, a second heat exchanger, and a pump fluidly connected in series with the first heat exchanger and the second heat exchanger to circulate a coolant within the first circuit. The refrigeration system also includes a second circuit that circulates a hydrocarbon refrigerant in heat exchange relationship with the coolant in the first circuit within the second heat exchanger to cool the refrigerant. The second circuit includes a compressor, the second heat exchanger, and a refrigerated merchandiser, which defines a product support area. An evaporator is fluidly connected in series with the compressor and the second heat exchanger and positioned to condition the entire product support area within a predetermined temperature threshold. | 09-17-2015 |
| 20150253048 | MODULAR REFRIGERATION ASSEMBLY - A subassembly of a refrigeration system includes a frame having a plurality of support members and one or more cross members, each cross member extending between two of the support members. A heat exchanger is operable to condense refrigerant. A compressor is supported by the frame and operable to provide refrigerant to the heat exchanger. A portion of the frame is configured to receive and contain refrigerant condensed by the heat exchanger. | 09-10-2015 |
| 20150208827 | MERCHANDISER INCLUDING POWER-GENERATING THERMAL RECOVERY SYSTEM - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area to support product and a refrigeration system at least partially coupled to the case to condition the product display area. The case includes case structure at least partially exposed to the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a heat guide that is in communication with cold air within the product display area, and a heat source that is coupled to the case structure within the product display area. The heat source is further coupled to the heat guide by a thermal recovery device. The heat guide forms a bridge between the thermal recovery device and the cold air in the product display area such that power is generated based on a temperature difference across the thermal recovery device. | 07-30-2015 |
| 20150173527 | ZONE COOLING IN A REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case that defines a product display area and an access opening. The case has an air inlet and an air outlet, and a passageway fluidly connects the air inlet with the air outlet to direct a refrigerated airflow across the customer access opening in the form of an air curtain. The merchandiser also includes shelves that are coupled to the case. Each shelf includes an inlet, an outlet, a fan unit disposed in the shelf, and a heat exchanger. The fan unit is in communication with the passageway to draw air through the inlet to direct a portion of the airflow through the shelf toward the outlet. The heat exchanger is disposed in the shelf to cool the airflow in the shelf to provide independent zone cooling to a predetermined region of the product display area. | 06-25-2015 |
| 20150087221 | HIGH EFFICIENT NIGHT COVER - A night cover for a refrigerated merchandiser that is positionable to substantially enclose a product display area of the merchandiser. The night cover includes a first portion and a second portion that is disposed above the first portion. The second portion cooperates with the first portion to define a first surface area, and the second portion defines a second surface area and has an open section configured to permit ambient airflow through the night cover. A ratio of the first surface area to the second surface area is between approximately 7:1 and 18:1. | 03-26-2015 |
| 20140265758 | THREE SIDE SILVER FRIT ON HEATED GLASS - A heatable glass assembly includes a pane of glass having a first surface, a top edge, a bottom edge, and a side edge between the top edge and the bottom edge and having a length L. A pyrolytic coating is applied to a portion of the first surface. A conductive paste is applied along or adjacent to at least a part of the top edge, the bottom edge, and the side edge. The conductive paste associated with the top edge is in electrical communication with a portion of the conductive paste associated with the side edge, and the conductive paste associated with the bottom edge is in electrical communication with another portion of the conductive paste associated with the side edge. The conductive paste associated with the top edge and associated with the bottom edge is in electrical contact with the pyrolytic coating. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140265755 | MERCHANDISER INCLUDING ACCESSIBLE CANOPY - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area. The case includes a canopy defining an electrical raceway, and a panel defining aesthetic fascia for the canopy. The panel is coupled to the canopy and movable between a first position enclosing the electrical raceway and a second position providing access to the electrical raceway. The panel is self-supported in the second position. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140263739 | SELF CLEANING REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE - A merchandiser includes a base and a rear wall component extending above the base. The rear wall component includes a protruding rib. Foam insulation material is disposed in the protruding rib. The rear wall component has a first wall panel and a second wall panel spaced from the first wall panel. The first and second wall panel cooperatively define an air passageway configured for containing an evaporator. The base and second wall panel at least partially define a product display area. A spray nozzle is disposed within the air passageway and configured to spray fluid onto the evaporator. A portion of tubing fluidly couples the spray nozzle to a supply of water. The portion of tubing is disposed within the foam insulation material. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140263126 | UNI-BODY MERCHANDISER - A merchandiser including a case defining a product display area and having a base and a rear wall coupled to the base. The rear wall has a rear wall component that defines a channel. The case further includes a plurality of shoes partially disposed in the rear wall component within the channel and positioned below the base to support the case on a surface. Load-bearing foam insulation material is disposed in the channel and partially encloses the shoes. The shoes and the rear wall component are coupled together by the load-bearing foam insulation material. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140262178 | THERMOELECTRIC POWER GENERATION CONDENSER - A heat exchanger includes an inlet header configured to receive refrigerant and an outlet header configured to discharge the refrigerant. First and second tubes in fluid communication with and extending between the inlet header and the outlet header direct refrigerant from the inlet header to the outlet header. Each of the tubes has a first side and a second side. The first side of the first tube is oriented to face the second side of the second tube. A first thermoelectric generator is in thermal communication with the first side of the first tube and a second thermoelectric generator is in thermal communication with the second side of the second tube. A plurality of fins is in thermal contact with the first thermoelectric generator and the second thermoelectric generator and with a surrounding environment. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140260411 | DUAL TEMPERATURE REFRIGERATED DISPLAY CASE - A dual temperature refrigerated display case including a low temperature refrigerated display case defining a low temperature product display area and including a low temperature air curtain configured to flow across an access opening of the low temperature case. The dual temperature refrigerated display case also includes a medium temperature refrigerated display case disposed above the low temperature case. The medium temperature case defines a medium temperature product display area and includes a medium temperature air curtain configured to flow across an access opening of the medium temperature case. The dual temperature refrigerated display case includes a duct disposed between the medium temperature refrigerated display case and the low temperature refrigerated display case. The duct receives spillover air from the medium temperature air curtain and redirects the spillover air away from the low temperature air curtain. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140260395 | MERCHANDISER WITH LOUVER RETAINER - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case that defines a product display area and that has a base defining an air inlet disposed adjacent the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a canopy that has an air outlet located adjacent the product display area, an air passageway fluidly connecting the air inlet with the air outlet, and a louver coupled to the canopy and positioned across the air outlet to direct an airflow into the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a louver retainer that is coupled to the canopy to support the louver. The louver retainer defines a cutout through which a portion of the louver is exposed to facilitate at least one of installation and removal of the louver from the canopy. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140260394 | REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER WITH PIVOTAL SHELF - A merchandiser that includes a case defining a product display area and a base defining a compartment below the product display area. The merchandiser includes a shelf coupled to the case within the product display area adjacent the base. The shelf is disposed over the compartment and includes a first portion and a second portion. Each of the first portion and the second portion define a product support area to support food product. Also, the second portion is pivotable relative to the first portion to provide access to the compartment. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140260374 | MERCHANDISER WITH MERGED AIR DISCHARGE - A merchandiser including a case that defines a product display area. The case includes a canopy that has a first air outlet in fluid communication with a primary air passageway within the case to direct a primary air curtain into the product display area, and a second air outlet in fluid communication with a secondary air passageway within the case to direct a secondary air curtain into the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a divider that is coupled to the canopy between the primary air passageway and the secondary air passageway. The divider provides airflow communication between the primary air passageway and the secondary air passageway upstream of the first and second air outlets. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140260365 | PORTABLE REFRIGERATION UNIT FOR PALLETIZED PRODUCT - A portable refrigeration unit for cooling palletized products disposed within a racking system. The portable refrigeration unit includes a case and a refrigeration system disposed in the case. The case includes a bottom wall, a top wall, and side walls. The case is configured to be supported by the racking system above a pallet of products positioned below the case. The refrigeration system includes a compressor, a condenser, an expansion device, and an evaporator connected in series. The refrigeration system includes an evaporator fan configured to draw in air from below the case, move the air through the evaporator, and then discharge the air through the bottom wall such that the cooled air passes over the products below the case to cool the products below the case. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140260360 | ANTI-FOG HEAT CONTROL FOR A REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A refrigerated merchandiser includes a sensor coupled to a case adjacent an air inlet. The sensor is in communication with a portion of a refrigerated airflow passing through the air inlet to sense a temperature of the airflow and to generate a signal indicative of an air return temperature. The merchandiser also includes a controller in communication with the sensor to receive the signal indicative of the air return temperature, the controller further in communication with a conductive film on a door and programmed to initiate a clearing interval to clear condensation from the door in response to the signal indicative of the air return temperature reaching a first predetermined temperature threshold. | 09-18-2014 |
| 20140196486 | REFRIGERATION SYSTEM WITH INDOOR CONDENSER AND REMOTE FAN - A refrigeration system for a refrigerated merchandiser includes a refrigerated merchandiser disposed within an indoor environment, the refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area. The refrigeration system also includes a condenser coupled to the refrigerated merchandiser and disposed within the indoor environment, an evaporator coupled to the condenser and disposed within the indoor environment, a compressor coupled to the evaporator and disposed within the indoor environment, and a condenser fan assembly coupled to the condenser. The condenser fan assembly is disposed remote from the condenser in an ambient environment. | 07-17-2014 |
| 20140168953 | LIGHT FIXTURE FOR A MERCHANDISER - A light fixture assembly including a bracket defined by an arcuate base and a clip dovetailed to the bracket within the base. The clip and the bracket define cooperative serrations to permit rotatable adjustment of the clip relative to the base about a longitudinal axis to provide different orientations for a light source within the case. | 06-19-2014 |
| 20140123691 | CONTROL METHOD FOR MODULAR REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A method of controlling a refrigerated merchandiser including a plurality of display case modules each having a separate refrigeration circuit with a compressor and an evaporator. The method includes selectively starting and stopping a first compressor of a first refrigeration circuit having a first evaporator associated with a first display case module to regulate a temperature in a product display area of the first display case module, and selectively starting and stopping a second compressor of a second refrigeration circuit having a second evaporator associated with a second display case module to regulate a temperature in a product display area of the second display case module. The method also includes controlling the first refrigeration module and the second refrigeration module based on a heat load of the merchandiser and a predetermined number of start/stop cycles of each of the first compressor and the second compressor within a given time period. | 05-08-2014 |
| 20140110278 | ELECTRO HYDRODYNAMIC THRUSTER FOR DECONTAMINATING A DISPLAY CASE - A display assembly for containing and displaying perishable products includes a case having at least one wall and defining an internal volume, a quantity of gas contained in the case, the gas including ethylene emitted from the perishable products, and an electro hydrodynamic thrust device positioned in the case. The electro hydrodynamic thrust device ionizes a portion of the quantity of gas. The ionized gas includes at least one reactive oxygen species, and the at least one reactive oxygen species reacts with the ethylene to break down the ethylene. | 04-24-2014 |
| 20140021834 | MODULAR ISLAND MERCHANDISER - An island merchandiser including a first merchandiser module, a second merchandiser module, and a single, unitary base. The first merchandiser module includes a first case defining a first product display area that is maintained within a predetermined temperature range below approximately 41 degrees Fahrenheit. The second merchandiser module is positioned next to the first merchandiser module, and includes a second case defining a second product display area The second merchandiser module is positioned so that a rear wall of the second case is in communication with a rear wall of the first case so that the first and second merchandiser modules are positioned in a back-to-back relationship. The unitary base is positioned to at least partially support each of the first and second merchandiser modules relative to a support surface. The module defined by the second merchandiser module is different from the module defined by the first merchandiser module. | 01-23-2014 |
| 20130334938 | DOOR HOLD OPEN MECHANISM FOR A MERCHANDISER - A merchandiser including a case defining a product display area for supporting and displaying food product. The case includes a case frame having at least one mullion that defines an opening into the product display area. A door is positioned over the opening and is pivotably coupled to the case frame for movement between a closed position and an open position. A door hold open mechanism includes a housing attached to one of the mullion and the door, while the other of the mullion and the door defines a channel. The door hold open mechanism further includes an engagement member outwardly biased from the housing and is engageable with the other of the mullion and the door within the channel to hold the door in the open position to provide access to the product display area. | 12-19-2013 |
| 20130327070 | CONTROL SYSTEM FOR A REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area supporting product and an evaporator disposed in an air passageway in fluid communication with the product display area via an outlet to direct a refrigerated airflow into the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a control system in communication with and programmed to control the refrigeration system so that the product display area is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. The control system also varies the temperature of the refrigerated airflow through the outlet above an airflow temperature threshold between about 35 degrees Fahrenheit and 41 degrees Fahrenheit at least once during a predetermined time period to avoid formation of frost on the evaporator while maintaining the product display area within the predetermined temperature range. | 12-12-2013 |
| 20130312441 | HEAT EXCHANGER WITH INTEGRATED SUBCOOLER - A heat exchanger assembly includes a plurality of tubes, each having an inlet end and an outlet end. An inlet header is configured to receive a cooling fluid and to distribute the cooling fluid to the inlet ends of the plurality of tubes. An outlet header includes an outer shell and defines an outlet chamber. The outlet chamber is configured to receive cooling fluid discharged from the outlet ends of the plurality of tube. A supply conduit supplies the cooling fluid to the inlet header. The supply conduit includes a conduit portion extending through the outlet header. | 11-28-2013 |
| 20130295247 | TABLE WITH ETHYLENE SCRUBBER - A display for supporting produce generating ethylene gas as the produce ripens includes a surface for supporting the produce, a blower positioned in communication with the produce to move a gas containing at least a portion of the ethylene gas from the produce and an ethylene scrubber positioned in communication with the produce and in a flow path of the gas. The ethylene scrubber removes the at least a portion of the ethylene from the gas. The display does not include a refrigeration system such that a life of the produce is lengthened without use of refrigeration. | 11-07-2013 |
| 20130213626 | MULTI-ZONE CIRCUITING FOR A PLATE-FIN AND CONTINUOUS TUBE HEAT EXCHANGER - A multi-zone heat exchanger has a first end and a second end and a width divided into a plurality of parallel airflow zones. Each zone defines an airflow section of the heat exchanger that receives a portion of the airflow through the heat exchanger. A first tube of continuous construction is coupled to an inlet port and to an outlet port and forms a first refrigerant circuit spanning three or more passes from the first end to the second end. The first refrigerant circuit passes between at least two zones of the plurality of zones. A second tube of continuous construction is coupled to the inlet port and to the outlet port and forms a second refrigerant circuit spanning three or more passes from the first end to the second end. The second refrigerant circuit passes between the at least two zones of the plurality of zones. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130213081 | MICROCHANNEL SUCTION LINE HEAT EXCHANGER - A refrigeration system including a refrigeration circuit that has an evaporator, a compressor, a condenser, and a heat exchanger. The evaporator, compressor, and condenser are fluidly connected and arranged in series with each other. A liquid line fluidly connects the evaporator to the condenser and a suction line fluidly connects the compressor to the evaporator. The heat exchanger includes a plurality of first refrigerant flow tubes that is in fluid communication with one of the suction line and the liquid line, and a second refrigerant flow tube that is in fluid communication with the other of the suction line and the liquid line. Each of the first refrigerant flow tubes and the second refrigerant flow tube have microchannels, and the second refrigerant flow tube positioned between and cooperates with the first refrigerant flow tubes to heat vapor refrigerant flowing in the suction line. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130213074 | MERCHANDISER WITH AIRFLOW DIVIDER - A refrigerated merchandiser includes a case defining a product display area and having a base, a lower flue, a first air passageway, and a second air passageway. The first air passageway and second air passageway are in fluid communication with the lower flue and with the product display area. The refrigerated merchandiser also includes an evaporator positioned in the first air passageway and a fan assembly positioned in the base in fluid communication with the lower flue to generate an airflow. A fan plenum into which the fan assembly is disposed includes an airflow divider to direct a first portion of the airflow to the first air passageway and to direct a second portion of the airflow to the second air passageway. The proportion of air between the first portion and the second portion is a function of the position and geometry of the airflow divider. | 08-22-2013 |
| 20130187520 | REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER WITH DOOR HAVING BOUNDARY LAYER - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case that has a product display area for supporting food product, an opening for providing customer access to the product display area, and an air passageway in fluid communication with the product display area to direct an airflow into the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a door coupled to the case over the opening and including a charged glass pane, and a charge device in fluid communication with the air passageway to alter the polarity of the airflow to create a charged airflow. The charged glass pane and the charged airflow have the same polarity such that the glass pane is insulated from the charged airflow. | 07-25-2013 |
| 20130167577 | INTEGRATED HEATING, VENTILATION, AIR CONDITIONING, AND REFRIGERATION SYSTEM - A combined heating, ventilation, air conditioning, and refrigeration (“HVACR”) system including an HVAC sub-system and a refrigeration sub-system. The HVAC sub-system is in communication with an open space of an indoor environment and includes a first condenser, a first evaporator, and a first compressor at least partially defining a first refrigerant circuit circulating a first refrigerant for selectively conditioning an airflow within the HVAC sub | 07-04-2013 |
| 20130019616 | HEAT ABSORBING DOOR FOR A REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A door for a refrigerated merchandiser including a case that defines a product display area. The door includes a frame and a first glass pane coupled to the frame. The first glass pane has heat-absorbing glass and is configured to be positioned adjacent an ambient environment surrounding the refrigerated merchandiser to absorb radiation from the ambient environment. The door also includes a second glass pane coupled to the frame and configured to be positioned adjacent the product display area. The second glass pane includes a conductive coating. The door further includes a third glass pane positioned between and spaced from the first glass pane and the second glass pane, and has a low emissivity coating. | 01-24-2013 |
| 20120274189 | LOW HEAT TRANSFER MAGNETIC SHELF ATTACHMENT - A merchandiser including a case defining a product display area and having case structure. The merchandiser also includes a light assembly. The light assembly has a light housing and a light source coupled to the light housing to direct light generally toward the product display area. The merchandiser further includes an attachment mechanism having a magnet housing and a magnet substantially enclosed by the magnet housing. The attachment mechanism is coupled to the light housing opposite the light source to attach the light assembly to the case structure. | 11-01-2012 |
| 20120251691 | TABLE WITH ETHYLENE SCRUBBER - A display table for supporting produce includes an enclosure, a table top defining an upper surface of the enclosure, a blower, an ethylene scrubber and an outlet. The table top is open to the atmosphere and configured to support the produce, and includes perforations. The blower is positioned in communication with the enclosure to create an underpressure that draws a gas into the enclosure through the perforations. The ethylene scrubber is positioned in communication with the enclosure and in a flow path of the gas, the ethylene scrubber being configured to remove at least a portion of ethylene from at least a portion of the gas. The outlet is located downstream of the ethylene scrubber for returning the gas from the enclosure to the atmosphere. | 10-04-2012 |
| 20120126922 | PERMANENT MAGNET DEVICE - A magnet arrangement for creating a magnetic field. The magnet arrangement includes a first magnet having a first surface defining a first pole and a second surface defining a second pole opposite the first pole, and a second magnet having a third surface defining a third pole and a fourth surface defining a fourth pole opposite the third pole. The second surface has a higher magnetic flux density than the first surface. The third surface has a higher magnetic flux density than the fourth surface. The second magnet is spaced from the first magnet to define a first gap between the second surface and the third surface. Magnetic field lines of the magnetic field run from the first surface to the second surface, from the second surface to the third surface through the first gap, and from the third surface to the fourth surface. | 05-24-2012 |
| 20120000229 | MODULAR ISLAND MERCHANDISER - An island merchandiser including a first merchandiser module, a second merchandiser module, a third merchandiser module, and a fourth merchandiser module. The first merchandiser module includes a product display area maintained within a temperature range at or below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. The second merchandiser module is positioned next and coupled to the first merchandiser module. The third merchandiser module is positioned next and coupled to the first merchandiser module and the second merchandiser module. The fourth merchandiser module is positioned next to the first merchandiser module and the second merchandiser module opposite the third merchandiser module. The island merchandiser also includes a first insulation panel positioned between the first and second merchandiser modules and the third merchandiser module, and a second insulation panel positioned between the first and second merchandiser modules and the fourth merchandiser module. | 01-05-2012 |
| 20110273065 | DOOR HOLD OPEN MECHANISM FOR A MERCHANDISER - A merchandiser including a case defining a product display area for supporting and displaying food product. The case includes a case frame that has at least one mullion defining an opening into the product display area, a door that is positioned over the opening and pivotably coupled to the case frame for movement between a closed position and an open position, and a door hold open mechanism attached to either the mullion or the door. The other of the mullion and the door defines a channel, and the door hold open mechanism includes an engagement member that is outwardly biased from the mullion or the door to which the door hold open mechanism is attached such that the engagement member is engageable with the other of the mullion and the door within the channel to hold the door in the open position. | 11-10-2011 |
| 20110265507 | REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case and a refrigeration system in communication with a product storage area of the case. The case includes a case top, a discharge passageway, and a return passageway, and the case top has a lower wall, a front wall, and a deflector. The refrigeration system includes a refrigeration circuit that has a compressor, a condenser, and an evaporator in series, where the evaporator is disposed in the case top. The refrigeration system further includes a fan that cooperates with the lower wall, the front wall, and the deflector to discharge a substantially laminar refrigerated airflow into and through the product storage area to refrigerate the product within a predetermined temperature range without directing the refrigerated airflow directly at the product. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110265504 | REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case, a refrigeration system, a sensor, and a controller. The refrigeration system is operable in a defrost mode defrosting the evaporator, and a refrigeration mode discharging a refrigerated airflow into the product storage area to refrigerate the product and to maintain the product within a predetermined temperature range without freezing the product, and to receive the refrigerated airflow along a return passageway. The sensor senses one or more defrost conditions of the case. The controller controls the refrigeration system in the refrigeration mode and in the defrost mode, and includes an algorithm for calculating when to initiate the defrost mode and for calculating a duration of the defrost mode. The controller is programmed to vary the refrigeration system between the refrigeration mode and the defrost mode based on the signals indicative of the defrost conditions and the calculations by the algorithm. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110265503 | REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A refrigerated merchandiser including a refrigeration system, a first sensor in communication with the refrigerated airflow in a discharge passageway to sense a discharge airflow temperature, and a second sensor is in communication with the refrigerated airflow in the return passageway to sense a return airflow temperature. A controller is in electrical communication with the first sensor and the second sensor and controls a temperature of the product within a predetermined temperature range that is between about 22 degrees Fahrenheit and 23 degrees Fahrenheit based on at least one of the discharge airflow temperature and the return airflow temperature. The controller is further programmed to operate the refrigeration system such that the discharge airflow temperature is maintained above a temperature between about 10 degrees Fahrenheit and 30 degrees Fahrenheit to regulate an evaporation temperature of the evaporator to avoid freezing the product. | 11-03-2011 |
| 20110126561 | REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER WITH GLASS DOOR HEAT CONTROL - A method of operating a refrigerated merchandiser. The refrigerated merchandiser includes a case that defines a product display area, and at least one door that provides access to the product display area. The method includes sensing a parameter of an ambient environment adjacent the case, delivering a signal indicative of the sensed parameter to a controller, and determining a duty cycle using the controller based on the signal indicative of the sensed parameter. The method also includes detecting a change in the sensed parameter using the controller, interrupting the duty cycle by initiating a clearing interval using the controller in response to the controller receiving the signal indicative of the change in the sensed parameter, and clearing condensation from the door during the clearing interval. | 06-02-2011 |
| 20110123694 | TABLE WITH ETHYLENE SCRUBBER - A display table for supporting produce includes an enclosure, a table top defining an upper surface of the enclosure, a blower, an ethylene scrubber and an outlet. The table top is open to the atmosphere and configured to support the produce, and includes perforations. The blower is positioned in communication with the enclosure to create an underpressure that draws a gas into the enclosure through the perforations. The ethylene scrubber is positioned in communication with the enclosure and in a flow path of the gas, the ethylene scrubber being configured to remove at least a portion of ethylene from at least a portion of the gas. The outlet is located downstream of the ethylene scrubber for returning the gas from the enclosure to the atmosphere. | 05-26-2011 |
| 20110110814 | AIR SANITIZATION SYSTEM WITH FIBER OPTIC MONITORING SYSTEM - An air sanitization system including a housing having an inlet and an outlet, an ozone generator disposed in the housing and positioned between the inlet and outlet, at least one fiber optic cable positioned in visible proximity to the ozone generator, a visible light detector, and a controller. The housing is configured to receive a flow of an oxygen-containing gas through the inlet, and the ozone generator generates ozone from the flow of oxygen-containing gas. The at least one fiber optic cable is configured to receive and transmit visible light from the ozone generator. The visible light detector detects an amount of visible light transmitted by the at least one fiber optic cable. The controller is in communication with the visible light detector for determining whether the amount of visible light transmitted by the at least one fiber optic cable corresponds to a failure of the ozone generator. | 05-12-2011 |
| 20110100044 | DOOR FOR A REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A door for a refrigerated merchandiser defining a product display area. The door includes a first glass panel, a second glass panel, and a third glass panel. The first glass panel is in communication with an environment surrounding the merchandiser, and has a first surface facing the environment and a second surface opposite the first surface. The second glass panel has a third surface facing the second surface and a fourth surface opposite the third surface. The third glass panel is in communication with the product display area, and has a fifth surface that faces the fourth surface and a sixth surface that is opposite the fifth surface. The door also includes a film that has a split silver low-emissivity coating covering at least a portion of one or more of the first glass panel, the second glass panel, and the third glass panel. | 05-05-2011 |
| 20110081273 | AIR SANITIZATION SYSTEM WITH VARIABLE SPEED FAN - An air sanitization system including a reactive oxygen species generator, a variable speed fan, a pathogen sensor and a controller. The reactive oxygen species generator generates reactive oxygen species from an oxygen-containing gas and discharges the reactive oxygen species to a conditioned space. The variable speed fan directs the oxygen-containing gas to the reactive oxygen species generator at a controlled speed. The pathogen sensor senses a level of airborne pathogens in the conditioned space and generates a signal indicative of the level of pathogens sensed. The controller receives the signal from the pathogen sensor and varies the speed of the variable speed fan in response to the signal to decrease a speed of the variable speed fan in response to an increase in the level of airborne pathogens sensed by the pathogen sensor. | 04-07-2011 |
| 20110058357 | LED LIGHTING ASSEMBLY WITH LEDS HAVING DIFFERENT VIEWING ANGLES - A merchandiser that includes a case that defines a product display area and that includes a frame having mullions. The mullions define at least one opening such that the food product within the product display area is accessible from the front of the case. The merchandiser also includes at least one shelf for supporting and displaying food product within the product display area, and a light assembly that is coupled to at least one of the mullions and that is positioned to illuminate the food product. The light assembly includes a first LED that has a first viewing angle and a second LED that has a second viewing angle that is smaller than the first viewing angle. | 03-10-2011 |
| 20100319379 | HEAT EXCHANGER COIL WITH WING TUBE PROFILE FOR A REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A heat exchanger coil for a heat exchanger assembly that has a housing defining at least one airflow path and that is adapted to receive an airflow for heating or cooling refrigerant in the heat exchanger coil. The heat exchanger coil includes a substantially cylindrical tube for receiving the refrigerant, and at least one plate coupled to the tube and oriented so that the direction of the airflow adapted to enter the housing is non-orthogonal relative to the orientation of the plate. | 12-23-2010 |
| 20100214769 | HIGH EFFICACY LED LIGHT ASSEMBLY FOR A MERCHANDISER - A merchandiser including a case and a light assembly coupled to the case. The case defines a product display area and at least one shelf for supporting and displaying food product within the product display area. The light assembly is coupled to the case and is positioned to illuminate the food product. The light assembly includes a housing, at least one LED coupled to the housing, a lens cover defining a sidewall portion of the light assembly, and a specular member coupled to the sidewall portion and spaced apart from the LED to reflect a portion of light from the LED toward the product display area. | 08-26-2010 |
| 20100119705 | MERCHANDISERS HAVING ANTI-FOG COATINGS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - A variety of refrigerators and merchandisers having glass or plastic substrates that are substantially fog-resistant are provided. For example, refrigerator doors having a substantially transparent substrate including an anti-fog coating on at least a portion thereof are provided. Many of the coatings exhibit color stable properties. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100117848 | DATA COMMUNICATION FOR REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISERS - A merchandiser communication system including a first plurality of merchandisers arranged in a first row and a second plurality of merchandisers arranged in a second row. Each of the merchandisers includes a light assembly coupled to a case to illuminate a product display area, a light sensor coupled to the case to detect light pulses, and a microcontroller. The light sensor is in visual proximity with one or more of the adjacent merchandisers located across the aisle. The microcontroller is in electrical communication with the light assembly and the light sensor to operate the light assembly to encode the signal in light pulses of the light assembly that are not detectable by a human eye. The communication system also includes a visible light-based communication network in communication with the merchandisers and is operable to communicate the encoded light pulses among the merchandisers via the light assemblies and the light sensors. | 05-13-2010 |
| 20100071383 | MAGNETIC REFRIGERATION DEVICE - A magnetic refrigeration device for transferring heat including a shaft rotatable about an axis, an inner magnet disposed at one of the axis and a radial distance from the axis, an outer magnet disposed a radial distance from the axis outside of the inner magnet defining a magnetic gap between the inner and outer magnets, and magnetocaloric material disposed at a radial distance from the axis between the radial distances of the inner and outer magnets. The magnetocaloric material is coupled to the shaft for rotation with the shaft about the axis such that during rotation of the shaft a portion of the magnetocaloric material alternates between a magnetized position disposed within the magnetic gap and a demagnetized position outside of the magnetic gap. | 03-25-2010 |
| 20100068398 | MERCHANDISERS HAVING ANTI-FOG COATINGS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - A variety of refrigerators and merchandisers having glass or plastic substrates that are substantially fog-resistant are provided. For example, refrigerator doors having a substantially transparent substrate including an anti-fog coating on at least a portion thereof are provided. The portion of the substrate may substantially not fog when the portion has an initial surface temperature and is then exposed to a moist air ambient with a dewpoint temperature equal to or greater than the surface temperature for a period of time. The surface temperature may be less than about 0° C. and the period of time may be greater than about 6 seconds. | 03-18-2010 |
| 20100062152 | MERCHANDISERS HAVING ANTI-FOG COATINGS AND METHODS FOR MAKING THE SAME - A variety of refrigerators and merchandisers having glass or plastic substrates that are substantially fog-resistant are provided. For example, refrigerator doors having a substantially transparent substrate including an anti-fog coating on at least a portion thereof are provided. The portion of the substrate may substantially not fog when the portion has an initial surface temperature and is then exposed to a moist air ambient with a dewpoint temperature equal to or greater than the surface temperature for a period of time. The surface temperature may be less than about 0° C. and the period of time may be greater than about 6 seconds. | 03-11-2010 |
| 20100024446 | REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER WITH DUAL AIR CURTAIN - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area, and a shelf supported by the case within the product display area. The case includes a base that is disposed below the product display area and a canopy that is disposed substantially above the product display area. The shelf includes an air discharge duct that is configured to direct a first air curtain generally downward from the shelf into the product display area toward the base, and an air return duct that is configured to receive at least a portion of a second air curtain discharged into the product display area from above the shelf. | 02-04-2010 |
| 20100018232 | MULLION ASSEMBLY FOR A REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A refrigerated merchandiser including a case that defines a product display area adapted to support product. The case includes a frame that has at least one mullion assembly defining an opening into the product display area, and a door that is positioned over the opening. The mullion assembly includes a mullion, a light assembly that is coupled to the mullion and that has a light source for illuminating at least a portion of the product display area, and a reflective surface that is coupled to at least one side of the mullion assembly and that extends along a length of the mullion. The reflective surface is visible from outside the case to increase visibility of product within the product display area. | 01-28-2010 |
| 20090091411 | PERMANENT MAGNET DEVICE - A magnet arrangement for creating a magnetic field. The magnet arrangement includes a first magnet having a first surface defining a first pole and a second surface defining a second pole opposite the first pole, and a second magnet having a third surface defining a third pole and a fourth surface defining a fourth pole opposite the third pole. The second surface has a higher magnetic flux density than the first surface. The third surface has a higher magnetic flux density than the fourth surface. The second magnet is spaced from the first magnet to define a first gap between the second surface and the third surface. Magnetic field lines of the magnetic field run from the first surface to the second surface, from the second surface to the third surface through the first gap, and from the third surface to the fourth surface. | 04-09-2009 |
| 20090056353 | REFRIGERATION SYSTEM INCLUDING A FLEXIBLE SENSOR - A refrigeration system including a compressor configured to compress a refrigerant, a condenser in fluid communication with the compressor and configured to remove heat from the refrigerant, and an expansion valve in fluid communication with the condenser and configured to decrease a pressure of the refrigerant. The refrigeration system also includes an evaporator in fluid communication with the expansion valve and configured to facilitate heat exchange between the refrigerant and another fluid, and a sensor configured to bend to measure a property of the refrigeration system. The sensor including a flexible substrate and a conductive material applied to the flexible substrate and having a resistance that changes in response to bending of the flexible substrate to generate a signal indicative of the property. | 03-05-2009 |
| 20090025404 | COMBINED RECEIVER AND HEAT EXCHANGER FOR A SECONDARY REFRIGERANT - A refrigeration system includes a first circuit configured to circulate a first refrigerant. The first circuit includes an evaporator. The refrigeration system also includes a second circuit configured to circulate a second refrigerant. The second circuit includes a receiver associated with the evaporator such that the second refrigerant within the receiver is in a heat exchange relationship with the first refrigerant within the evaporator. | 01-29-2009 |
| 20080294488 | SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT SYSTEM - A method of transporting commodities in a supply chain management system including a supply chain. The method includes providing a database and a network in communication with the database, which is accessible by at least one member of the supply chain via the network. The method also includes providing a container and supporting one or more commodities using the container, assigning at least one sensor to the commodities, sensing a condition of the commodities and generating a signal indicative of the commodity condition, identifying information related to the commodities, acquiring data related to identifying the commodity information, distributing the signal and the acquired data over the network, storing the signal and the acquired data in the database, monitoring the commodities via the network, and managing at least one of storage and transport of the commodities through the supply chain based on the signal and the acquired data. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080289350 | TWO STAGE TRANSCRITICAL REFRIGERATION SYSTEM - The invention provides a refrigeration system including a plurality of refrigerated display cases. Each display case has a dedicated evaporator assembly that cools return air by evaporating a refrigerant, and a first stage compressor assembly that is in fluid communication with the respective evaporator assembly to compress the refrigerant to a first pressure corresponding to a first temperature of the refrigerant prior to discharge of the compressed refrigerant. The refrigeration system also includes a second stage compressor assembly that is in fluid communication with the first stage compressor assemblies to compress the refrigerant to a second pressure that is higher than the first pressure, and that corresponds to a second temperature of the refrigerant. The refrigeration system further includes a heat exchanger that is in fluid communication with the second stage compressor assembly to receive the refrigerant from the second stage compressor assembly to reject heat from the refrigerant. | 11-27-2008 |
| 20080223061 | REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER - A door for a refrigerated merchandiser that includes a glass panel having a first portion and a second portion spaced from the first portion. The door also includes a first conductive film covering the first portion of the glass panel and a second conductive film spaced apart from the first conductive film and covering the second portion of the glass panel. | 09-18-2008 |
