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Modular refrigeration cassetteRelated Patent Categories: Refrigeration, Display TypeModular refrigeration cassette description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060207277, Modular refrigeration cassette. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/663,112, filed Mar. 18, 2005, and entitled MODULAR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE DESIGN FOR USE IN REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER, which application is incorporated herein in its entirety by reference. [0002] This application is related to the following applications subject to assignment to the common assignee of this application and filed with the United States Patent and Trademark Office on the same date as this application: [0003] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 210.sub.--817NP), entitled "REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER"; [0004] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 210.sub.--816NP), entitled "SEALING SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE"; [0005] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 210.sub.--879NP), entitled "MODULAR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE WITH CONDENSATE EVAPORATIVE TRAY"; [0006] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 210.sub.--818NP), entitled "BOTTOM DECK ASSEMBLY FOR REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER"; and [0007] U.S. patent application Ser. No. ______ (Attorney Docket No. 210.sub.--819NP), entitled "EVAPORATOR FAN/MOTOR ASSEMBLY MOUNTING BRACKET". Each of the afore-listed patent applications is incorporated herein by reference in its entirety. FIELD OF THE INVENTION [0008] The present invention relates to refrigerated merchandisers in general and, more particularly, to a refrigerated merchandiser including a refrigeration unit stowed in a compartment separate from the refrigerated interior product space of the refrigerated cabinet. BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION [0009] Refrigerated merchandisers have a refrigeration system associated therewith for providing the cooled environment within a refrigerated interior product space defined within the cabinet of the refrigerated merchandiser. The refrigeration systems of such refrigerated merchandisers commonly employ a conventional refrigeration cycle and include an evaporator and an evaporator fan operatively associated with the refrigerated interior product space of the refrigerated cabinet, as well as a condenser, a condenser fan, and compressor. In stand alone cabinets, the compressor, condenser and condenser fan are housed in an equipment compartment separate from and insulated from the refrigerated interior product space of the refrigerated cabinet. Refrigerant lines connect the compressor, the condenser, and the evaporator in a conventional manner to form a closed circuit. A refrigerant is circulated by the compressor through the condenser and the evaporator before returning to the compressor. Air within the insulated refrigerated interior product space of the refrigerated cabinet is circulated by the evaporator fan through the evaporator in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant so as to cool the air. The evaporator and evaporator fan may be disposed within the cooled interior of the refrigerated cabinet, for example in the upper region thereof. [0010] However, it is well-known that the evaporator and evaporator fan may also be housed in the equipment compartment in a section of the equipment compartment insulated from the compressor, condenser and condenser fan. Among other uses, refrigerated merchandisers of this type may be used as product display cabinets for refrigerated or frozen foods, as vending machines, and as cold beverage merchandisers in supermarkets, grocery stores, gas stations, convenience stores, and other retail establishments. For example, cold beverages, such as soft drinks, beer, wine coolers, etc. are commonly displayed in refrigerated merchandisers for self-service purchase by customers. Conventional beverage merchandisers of this type include an insulated cabinet defining a refrigerated interior product display space having one or more glass doors that provide access to that product display space. The beverage product, typically in cans or bottles, single or in six-packs, is stored on shelves within the refrigerated display space of the cabinet. To purchase a beverage, the customer opens one of the doors and reaches into the refrigerated cabinet to retrieve the desired product from the shelf. [0011] Refrigerated merchandisers equipped with refrigeration units disposed beneath the refrigerated cabinet are disclosed, for example, by Rudick et al. in U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,347,827; 5,402,654; 5,417,079; and 5,417,081. In these refrigerated merchandisers, the refrigerated air from the refrigeration unit flows up from the equipment compartment through a flow duct along the back wall of the cabinet, along the top wall of the cabinet toward the front of the cabinet and down the front of the cabinet to the floor of the product display zone. Refrigerated air may also enter the product display zone from the rear flow duct through a plurality of openings in the panel separating the flow duct from the product display zone. The refrigerated air from the product display zone returns to the equipment compartment, entering thereto upstream of the evaporator refrigeration unit through an air return inlet opening through the cabinet floor. [0012] The refrigeration unit disclosed therein includes an evaporator, condenser and compressor collectively arranged on a base supported on a plurality of skids affixed to the bottom of the base. The compressor and condenser are positioned on the front portion of the base, and are separated from the evaporator by an insulated vertical partition disposed therebetween. The evaporator is disposed atop an evaporator pan which collects water condensed from the air passing through the evaporator. The collected water drains out of the evaporator pan into a shallow condenser pan located on the floor of the base in the exhaust path of the condenser fan whereby hot air exhausting from the condenser passes over the condenser pan and evaporates the water collected therein. [0013] In refrigerated merchandisers having air passageways in the wall separating the refrigerated interior product space from the equipment compartment, undesired spill liquids and other contaminants may enter the refrigeration unit during operation, service or transportation. Spilled liquids draining into the refrigeration unit from the product display zone through the air inlet opening may foul or otherwise damage refrigerant unit components such as the evaporator heat exchanger coils, motors and fans. Spilled liquids could also damage surfaces bounding the airflow path through the refrigeration unit. Liquid spills could originate from product breakage within the product display zone, cleaning and maintenance operations, or condensation. [0014] The need exists for a refrigeration cassette wherein the cassette is adapted to handle spilled liquids and condensate without damage to refrigeration unit components or surfaces. The refrigeration cassette should also accommodate and facilitate the use of modular refrigeration unit components. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0015] It is an object of the invention to provide a refrigeration cassette having improved reliability and serviceability. [0016] It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a refrigeration cassette adapted to drain liquid spills away from damage susceptible refrigeration unit components. [0017] It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a refrigeration cassette incorporating a liner with contoured surfaces for improved airflow. [0018] It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a refrigeration cassette incorporating a liner formed of a material with improved chemical resistance. [0019] It is an object of an aspect of the invention to provide a refrigeration cassette adapted to accommodate and facilitate the use of modular refrigeration unit components. [0020] A modular refrigeration cassette is provided for a refrigerated merchandiser having a cabinet having a refrigerated interior space for housing a product in a refrigerated environment intended for selection by consumers. The refrigeration cassette is disposed in operative association with the interior space in an equipment compartment separated from the refrigerated interior space by a common wall. The common wall has a first opening therein providing air flow communication between the refrigerated interior space and the equipment compartment. The refrigeration cassette includes a generally box-like structure defining an interior space having a first section in air flow communication with said first opening, and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with the environment exterior of the cabinet. In an embodiment. The box-like structure includes a front plate, a back plate, a pair of side plates and a base plate collectively defining an interior space, and a division wall extending between the respective side plates divide the interior space within said box-like structure into the respective first and second sections. An evaporator module disposed within the first section. A condenser module and a compressor are disposed within the second section. The compressor is connected in refrigerant flow communication with the evaporator module and the condenser module for circulating refrigeration through the evaporator module and the condenser module. The box-like structure is selectively insertable in to and out of the equipment compartment. [0021] The evaporator module may include a housing, an evaporator coil disposed within the housing, and an evaporator fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the evaporator coil and mounted to the housing. The condenser module may include a condenser coil and a condenser fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the condenser coil. [0022] A liner may be disposed within the first section of the interior space of the refrigeration cassette, the liner including a bowl-like depression adapted to receive the evaporator module. The liner may have contoured surfaces to reduce airflow losses and may be made of plastic or other material having a relatively high chemical resistance. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0023] For a further understanding of these and objects of the invention, reference will be made to the following detailed description of the invention which is to be read in connection with the accompanying drawing, where: [0024] FIG. 1 is a sectioned side elevation view of a refrigerated merchandiser equipped with a modular refrigeration cassette; Continue reading about Modular refrigeration cassette... Full patent description for Modular refrigeration cassette Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Modular refrigeration cassette patent application. ###  How KEYWORD MONITOR works... a FREE service from FreshPatents1. Sign up (takes 30 seconds). 2. Fill in the keywords to be monitored. 3. Each week you receive an email with patent applications related to your keywords. Start now! - Receive info on patent apps like Modular refrigeration cassette or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Fuel cell-driven auxiliary system, and method therefor Next Patent Application: Modular refrigeration cassette with condensate evaporative tray Industry Class: Refrigeration ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Modular refrigeration cassette patent info. 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