IP Library Granted Patent US 7,357,000
Granted Patent B2
US 7,357,000 · App. 11/002,013 · Granted Apr 15, 2008

Display deck for a temperature controlled case

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Quick Facts
Patent No.
US 7,357,000
App. No.
11/002,013
Granted
Apr 15, 2008
Kind
B2
Abstract

A temperature controlled case defines a space for storage of products and includes a cooling system to circulate a fluid to maintain a temperature of the products in the space. A deck is provided within the space and has a stepped configuration to provide multiple product support surfaces configured to support the products. At least one cooling element is coupled to the deck and receives a coolant from the cooling system so that the product support surfaces provide contact cooling to the products.

Claims (17)

1. In a temperature controlled case defining a space for storage of products, including a cooling system configured to circulate a coolant to maintain a temperature of the products in the space, the improvement comprising a deck formed as a unitary member and disposed within the space, the deck having alternating planar segments and bent segments defining a stepped configuration to provide a plurality of product support surfaces configured to support the products and a first cooling element coupled to the deck and configured to receive a coolant from the cooling system so that a first one of the product support surfaces is configured to provide contact cooling to the products at a first temperature, and a second cooling element coupled to the deck and configured to receive coolant from the cooling system so that a second one of the product support surfaces is configured to provide contact cooling to the products at a second temperature;

wherein at least one of the bent segments comprise an aperture configured to permit drainage of liquids from the deck.

2. The temperature controlled case of claim 1 wherein at least a portion of the planar segments comprise the product support surfaces.

3. The temperature controlled case of claim 1 further comprising an applique applied to at least one of the planar surfaces.

4. The temperature controlled case of claim 1 wherein the cooling element comprises a coil coupled to a rear surface of the deck.

5. The temperature controlled case of claim 4 further comprising a conformable temperature conducting material interfacing at least partially between the coil and the rear surface.

6. The temperature controlled case of claim 1 wherein the cooling element comprises a plurality of cooling elements interconnected in a parallel flow arrangement.

7. The temperature controlled case of claim 1 wherein the cooling element comprises a plurality of cooling elements interconnected in a series flow arrangement.

8. The temperature controlled case of claim 1 further comprising an adjustment member configured for selectively positioning the deck in a plurality of product presentation positions.

9. An apparatus for the display of temperature controlled products, comprising: a case defining an enclosure, a sheet having a plurality of contiguous stepwise surfaces comprising alternating planar segments and bent segments, at least one of the bent segments including an aperture configured to permit drainage of fluids, a first cooling element integrated with one of the stepwise surfaces and a second cooling element integrated with another of the stepwise surfaces, the cooling elements configured to facilitate conductive heat transfer with the products, a cooling system configured to circulate a coolant to the cooling elements, and a control system configured to independently regulate a flow of coolant to each of the cooling elements to maintain a desired temperature of the products.

10. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the case further comprises a top panel interfacing with a cooling element to provide a chilled platform for storage of products external to the enclosure.

11. The apparatus of claim 9 further comprising an applique applied to at least one of the stepwise surfaces.

12. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the control system is configured to maintain the one of the stepwise surfaces at a first temperature and the other of the stepwise surfaces at a second temperature.

13. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the cooling elements comprise a coil thermally coupled to a rearward side of the stepwise surfaces.

14. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the cooling element comprises at least one generally hollow core portion extending through the sheet.

15. The apparatus of claim 9 wherein the stepwise surfaces are arranged to provide a series of ridges and valleys.

16. The temperature controlled case of claim 9 further comprising an adjustment member configured for selectively positioning the sheet in a plurality of product presentation positions.

Assignments (5)
CHANGE OF NAME Recorded Feb 20, 2009
From: DOVER SYSTEMS, INC.
To: HILL PHOENIX, INC.
Reel/Frame 022288/0539 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2007
From: DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION, INC.
To: CLOVE PARK INSURANCE COMPANY
Reel/Frame 019102/0323 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2007
From: CLOVE PARK INSURANCE COMPANY
To: CP FORMATION LLC
Reel/Frame 019102/0331 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Apr 3, 2007
From: CP FORMATION LLC
To: DOVER SYSTEMS, INC.
Reel/Frame 019102/0344 →
ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNOR'S INTEREST Recorded Jan 10, 2005
From: SCHWICHTENBERG, BRADLEY R.; NORTON, J. KEITH; STEVENS, DALE D.; SOSSO, PETER F.
To: DELAWARE CAPITAL FORMATION, INC.
Reel/Frame 015543/0300 →