REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER WITH SHELF AIR DISCHARGE

1 . A refrigerated merchandiser comprising:

a case defining a product display area having an opening, the case including a base having an air inlet located adjacent the product display area;

a canopy disposed substantially above the product display area, the canopy having an air outlet located adjacent the product display area;

a primary passageway fluidly connecting the air inlet with the air outlet to direct a first refrigerated airflow from the air outlet across the opening;

a shelf coupled to the case within the product display area; and

a duct apparatus removably coupled to the shelf and in direct fluid communication with the primary passageway, the duct apparatus defining a secondary air passageway between the primary passageway and the product display area to direct a second refrigerated airflow from the duct apparatus across the opening below the canopy.

2 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1 , wherein the duct apparatus is positioned below the shelf.

3 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1 , wherein the duct apparatus includes a modular unit removable from the shelf without removing the shelf or product from the shelf.

4 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1 , wherein the first refrigerated airflow defines a long throw air curtain adjacent the product display area, and wherein the second refrigerated airflow defines a short throw air curtain adjacent the product display area.

5 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 4 , wherein the long throw air curtain and the short throw air curtain cooperate with each other to define a sequential air curtain, and wherein an upper portion of the product display area and a lower portion of the product display area are maintained within substantially the same temperature range by the sequential air curtain.

6 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1 , wherein the duct apparatus includes an air intake in communication with the primary passageway and an air discharge angled generally downward toward the base.

7 . A refrigerated merchandiser comprising:

a case defining a product display area having an opening, the case including a base having an air inlet located adjacent the product display area;

a canopy disposed substantially above the product display area, the canopy having an air outlet located adjacent the product display area;

a primary passageway fluidly connecting the air inlet with the air outlet to direct a first refrigerated airflow from the air outlet across the opening in the form of a primary air curtain;

a shelf coupled to the case within the product display area; and

a duct apparatus removably coupled to the shelf and in fluid communication with the primary passageway, the duct apparatus including an air discharge located adjacent an end of the shelf and defining a secondary passageway between the primary passageway and the air discharge to direct a second refrigerated airflow from the duct apparatus into the product display area below the canopy in the form of a secondary air curtain, the primary air curtain cooperating with the secondary air curtain to define a sequential air curtain to maintain an upper portion of the product display area and a lower portion of the product display area within substantially the same temperature range.

8 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 7 , wherein the duct apparatus is positioned below the shelf.

9 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 7 , wherein the duct apparatus includes a modular unit removable from the shelf without removing the shelf or product from the shelf.

10 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 9 , wherein the shelf includes one of a rail and a track and the duct apparatus includes the other of the rail and the track, and wherein the rail and the track cooperate with each other to slidably attach the duct apparatus to an underside of the shelf.

11 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 7 , wherein the first refrigerated airflow defines a long throw air curtain across the opening to the product display area, and wherein the second refrigerated airflow defines a short throw air curtain across the lower portion of the product display area.

12 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 11 , wherein the long throw air curtain is in communication with the upper portion of the product display area, and wherein the long throw air curtain and the short throw air curtain are in communication with a lower portion of the product display area.

13 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 7 , wherein the duct apparatus includes an air intake adjacent a first end of the duct apparatus and in communication with the primary passageway, and wherein the air discharge is adjacent a second end of the duct apparatus and is angled generally downward toward the base.

14 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 13 , wherein the air intake includes multiple passageways for directing air toward the air discharge.

15 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 13 , wherein the duct apparatus tapers narrower from the first end toward the second end to channel air from the air intake to the air discharge.

16 . A refrigerated merchandiser comprising:

a case defining a product display area having an opening, the case including a base having an air inlet located adjacent the product display area;

a canopy disposed substantially above the product display area, the canopy having a first air outlet and a second air outlet in communication with the product display area;

a primary passageway fluidly connecting the air inlet with the first air outlet;

a shelf coupled to the case within the product display area;

a duct apparatus removably coupled to the shelf and in fluid communication with the primary passageway, the duct apparatus including an air discharge in communication with the product display area and defining a secondary passageway between the primary passageway and the air discharge;

a first air curtain discharged from the canopy and defining a long throw air curtain to direct a refrigerated airflow generally downward from the first air outlet toward the air inlet;

a second air curtain discharged from the duct apparatus and spaced inward from the first air curtain, the second air curtain defining a short throw air curtain to direct a refrigerated airflow generally downward from the air discharge adjacent the shelf toward the air inlet; and

a third air curtain discharged from the canopy and spaced outward from the first air curtain, the third air curtain defining a long throw air curtain to direct an airflow generally downward from the second air outlet toward the air inlet, the first, second, and third air curtains cooperating with each other to maintain an upper portion of the product display area and a lower portion of the product display area within substantially the same temperature range.

17 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 16 , wherein the duct apparatus is positioned below the shelf and includes a modular unit removable from the shelf without removing the shelf or product from the shelf.

18 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 17 , wherein the shelf includes one of a rail and a track and the duct apparatus includes the other of the rail and the track, and wherein the rail and the track cooperate with each other to slidably attach the duct apparatus to an underside of the shelf.

19 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 16 , wherein the duct apparatus includes an air intake adjacent a first end of the duct apparatus and in communication with the primary passageway, and wherein the air discharge is adjacent a second end of the duct apparatus and is angled generally downward toward the base.

20 . The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 19 , wherein the duct apparatus tapers narrower from the first end toward the second end to channel air from the air intake to the air discharge.