| Sealing system for refrigeration cassette -> Monitor Keywords |
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Sealing system for refrigeration cassetteRelated Patent Categories: Refrigeration, Display TypeSealing system for refrigeration cassette description/claimsThe Patent Description & Claims data below is from USPTO Patent Application 20060207276, Sealing system for refrigeration cassette. Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims
CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION [0001] This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/662,960, filed Mar. 18, 2005, and entitled CAM COMPRESSION MECHANISM FOR GASKET SURFACES FOR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE AND CABINET DESIGNS, 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.--820NP), entitled "MODULAR 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 modular cassette refrigeration unit stowed in a compartment separate from and beneath a 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. A refrigerant is circulated by a compressor through refrigerant lines connecting the compressor, the condenser and the evaporator in a conventional manner to form a closed circuit. 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 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 packs, is stored on shelves within the refrigerated display zone 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 modular 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, also referred to as the bottom deck, 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 partition includes a compliant seal on the evaporator side of the partition that abuts the cabinet for sealing the evaporator side of the refrigerant unit in communication with the refrigerated space within the cabinet. [0013] In refrigerated merchandisers having air inlets and outlets in the wall separating the refrigerated interior product space and the equipment compartment therebeneath, the refrigeration unit needs to be effectively sealed in relation to that separation wall to ensure efficient refrigeration operation. Without an effective seal, return air could leak from the inlet duct to the outlet duct, thus bypassing the evaporator and reducing the efficiency of the refrigeration operation. Additionally, air could leak into the return air duct from the ambient air stream passing into the condenser which would increase the workload on the evaporator. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION [0014] It is an object of the invention to provide an effective seal established between a refrigeration unit cassette and a refrigerated interior product space of a refrigerated merchandiser. [0015] It is an object of one aspect of the invention to provide a lifting apparatus for locking a refrigerated unit cassette in sealing relationship with a wall separating the refrigerated interior product space from an equipment compartment housing the refrigeration unit cassette. [0016] It is an object of one aspect of the invention to provide a lifting mechanism for positioning a refrigerated unit cassette in a first position where the cassette is in sealing relationship with a wall separating the refrigerated interior product space from an equipment compartment housing the refrigeration unit cassette and in a second position where the cassette is released from that sealing relationship to facilitate removal from the equipment compartment. [0017] A refrigerated merchandiser is provided having a cabinet having a top wall, a lower wall, a rear wall, and side walls defining an interior space housing a product in a refrigerated environment intended for selection by consumers. A refrigeration unit cassette is disposed in operative association with the interior space in an equipment compartment separated from the refrigerated interior space by a common wall. A first opening in the common wall provides an air return inlet establishing a flow passage from the refrigerated interior space to an evaporator housed in the refrigeration unit cassette disposed in the equipment compartment beneath the lower wall. A second opening may be provided in the common wall to provide an inlet to an air supply duct for directing refrigerated air from the equipment compartment into the refrigerated interior space. A sealing system is provided having a sealing member positioned between the common wall and the refrigeration unit cassette, and a positioning apparatus for placing the refrigerated unit cassette in sealing relationship with the common wall separating the refrigerated interior product space from an equipment compartment housing the refrigeration unit cassette. In one embodiment, the sealing member may be a compressible seal which may be mounted to the common wall or may be carried on a surface of the refrigeration unit cassette. [0018] In a further aspect of the invention, the positioning apparatus is positionable in a first position for positioning the refrigerated unit cassette into sealing relationship with the common wall separating the refrigerated interior product space from an equipment compartment housing the refrigeration unit cassette, and is positionable in a second position for releasing the refrigerated unit cassette from its sealing relationship with the common wall separating the refrigerated interior product space from an equipment compartment housing the refrigeration unit cassette. [0019] In an embodiment, the lower wall of the cabinet forms the common wall separating the refrigerated interior space and the equipment compartment wherein the refrigeration unit cassette is housed. In this embodiment, the positioning apparatus is a lifting apparatus for selectively raising and lowering the refrigeration unit cassette. The lifting apparatus may comprise a cam mechanism selectively positionable in a first position for positioning the refrigerated unit cassette into sealing relationship with the lower wall separating the refrigerated interior product space from an equipment compartment housing the refrigeration unit cassette, and is positionable in a second position for releasing the refrigerated unit cassette from its sealing relationship with the lower wall to facilitate removal of the refrigeration unit cassette from the equipment compartment. [0020] In a one particular embodiment of the invention, the lifting apparatus is a pair of generally L-shaped members, one operatively associated with one side of the refrigeration unit cassette and the other operatively associated with the opposite side of the refrigeration unit cassette. Each generally L-shaped member has a first elongated leg extending along its respective side of the refrigeration unit cassette and includes at least one cam section therealong. The cam section may comprise a raised portion of the first leg. Each generally L-shaped member has a second leg outwardly from an end of the first leg in a second plane that is substantially perpendicular to a first plane in which the first leg and its raised portion lie. Each generally L-shaped member may be positioned in a first position for rotating the at least one cam section so as to raise the refrigeration unit cassette upwardly to compress the compressible seal between the refrigeration unit cassette and the lower wall thereby establishing the sealing relationship. Each generally L-shaped member may be positioned in a second position for rotating the at least one cam section so as to lower the refrigeration unit cassette downwardly to release the refrigeration unit cassette from sealing relationship with the lower wall. A flat surface may be provided on the surface of the raised portion of the first elongated leg contacting the refrigeration unit cassette when in the locked position. [0021] In another embodiment of the invention, the lifting apparatus is a pair of cam sets, one set operatively associated with one side of the refrigeration unit cassette and the other operatively associated with the opposite side of the refrigeration unit cassette. Each cam set comprises at least two cam members disposed in spaced relationship and operatively interconnected by a linkage mechanism. Each linkage mechanism may be positioned in a first position for pivoting the cam members so as to raise the refrigeration unit cassette upwardly to compress the compressible seal between the refrigeration unit cassette and the lower wall thereby establishing the sealing relationship. Each linkage may be positioned in a second position for pivoting the cam members so as to lower the refrigeration unit cassette downwardly to release the refrigeration unit cassette from sealing relationship with the lower wall. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS [0022] 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: [0023] FIG. 1 is a sectioned side elevation view of a refrigerated merchandiser equipped with a sealing system in accord with the invention; [0024] FIG. 2 is a sectional side elevation view taken along line 2-2 of FIG. 1; Continue reading about Sealing system for refrigeration cassette... Full patent description for Sealing system for refrigeration cassette Brief Patent Description - Full Patent Description - Patent Application Claims Click on the above for other options relating to this Sealing system for 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 Sealing system for refrigeration cassette or other areas of interest. ### Previous Patent Application: Modular refrigeration cassette with condensate evaporative tray Next Patent Application: Bottom deck assembly for refrigerated merchandiser Industry Class: Refrigeration ### FreshPatents.com Support Thank you for viewing the Sealing system for refrigeration cassette patent info. IP-related news and info Results in 0.11783 seconds Other interesting Feshpatents.com categories: Computers: Graphics , I/O , Processors , Dyn. Storage , Static Storage , Printers 174 |
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