Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
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SEALING SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE
Cross Reference to Related Application
[0001] Reference is made to and this application claims priority from and the
benefit of U.S. Provisional Application Serial No. 60/662,960, filed March 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:
International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/USOS/(Attorney Docket No.
210 817PCT), entitled "REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISER";
International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/LTSOS/(Attorney Docket No.
210 820PCT, entitled "MODULAR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE";
International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/LTSOS/(Attorney Docket No.
210 879PCT, entitled "MODULAR REFRIGERATION CASSETTE WITH
CONDENSATE EVAPORATIVE TRAY";
International Patent Application Serial No. PCT/LTSOS/(Attorney Docket No.
210 818PCT, entitled "BOTTOM DECK ASSEMBLY FOR REFRIGERATED
MERCHANDISER"; and
International Patent Application Serial no. PCT/LTSOS/(Attorney Docket No.
210 819PCT, 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
[0003] 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.
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Background of the Invention
[0004] 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 the well-known
Carnot 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.
[0005] 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
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opens one of the doors and reaches into the refrigerated cabinet to retrieve
the
desired product from the shelf.
[0006] Refrigerated merchandisers equipped with modular refrigeration units
disposed beneath the refrigerated cabinet are disclosed, for example, by
Rudick et al.
in U.S. Patent 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.
[0007] 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.
[0008] 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.
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Summary of the Invention
[0009] 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.
[0010] 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.
[0011] 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.
[0012] 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.
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[0013] 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.
[0014] In an embodiment, the lower wall of the cabinet forms the common
wall separating the refrigerated interior space and the equipment comparhnent
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.
[0015] 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
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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.
[0016] 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 refiigeration unit cassette from
sealing
relationship with the lower wall.
Brief Description of the Drawings
[0017] 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:
[0018] Figure 1 is a sectioned side elevation view of a refrigerated
merchandiser equipped with a sealing system in accord with the invention;
[0019] Figure 2 is a sectional side elevation view taken along line 2-2 of
Figure 1;
[0020] Figure 3 is a perspective view of a refrigeration unit cassette showing
a sealing member in accordance with the invention;
[0021] Figure 4 is a front elevation view showing an embodiment of a
positioning apparatus in accord with the present invention disposed in a first
position;
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[0022] Figure 5 is a front elevation view showing the positioning apparatus
of Figure 4 disposed in a second position;
[0023] Figure 6A and 6B are side elevation views of another embodiment of
a positioning apparatus in accordance with the invention;
[0024] Figure 7 is a front elevation view of the positioning apparatus of
Figure 6A operatively associated with a refrigeration unit cassette;
[0025] Figure 8 is a front elevation view of the positioning apparatus of
Figure 6B operatively associated with a refrigeration unit cassette; and
[0026] Figure 9 is a perspective view illustrating the locking of the
positioning apparatus of Figure 4.
Detailed Description of the Invention
[0027] Referring now to Figures 1 and 2 in particular, there is depicted a
refrigerated cold beverage merchandiser, designated generally by the reference
numeral 10, including an interior product display space 100 for holding
product 110
to be purchased, such as for example bottled or canned soda, milk, water,
juices,
fruit drinks, beer and other beverages. Although the invention will be
described
herein with reference to the depicted embodiment of a refrigerated cold
beverage
merchandiser, it is to be understood that that invention may be applied to
other
refrigerated display merchandisers for displaying perishable and frozen
comestibles
and beverages, including for example meats, poultry, fish, diary products,
prepackaged frozen foods, and other products that need to be maintained in a
controlled environment.
[0028] The beverage merchandiser 10 includes a cabinet 20 housing a
refrigerated interior product display space 100 and a separate equipment
compartment 55 disposed separate from, and may be heat transfer insulated
from,
the refrigerated interior product display space 100. The cabinet 20 has a top
wall 22
and a surrounding side wall structure including a rear wall 34, a front wall
32, and
opposed generally vertically extending side walls 36 and 38. The cabinet also
includes a lower wall 24 disposed between the refrigerated interior product
display
space 100 located thereabove and the equipment compartment 55 located there
beneath. The interior product display space 100 may be accessed from
exteriorly of
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the cabinet 20 through an access opening, which in the depicted embodiment is
an
open area at the front of the cabinet. This open area may be open to the
environment
or may be covered, as in the depicted embodiment, by at least one door 40
mounted
to the cabinet 20. The door 40 extends across the open area and has a
transparent
viewing area, for example a glass panel, through which at least a portion of
the
interior product display space 100 can be viewed. The door 40 is selectively
positionable between a closed position covering the open area and an open
position
in which consumers may access the interior product display space 100 to remove
a
product for purchase. Although the embodiment of the display merchandiser 10
depicted in the drawing has only one door 40, it is to be understood that the
display
merchandiser may have one, two, three or more doors that collectively cover
the
open area when in the closed position. The door or doors 40 may be mounted to
the
cabinet 20 in a conventional manner, for example on hinges for pivotal
movement or
on a track for sliding movement between an open and closed position.
[0029] In the depicted embodiment, the top wall 22, the lower wall 24, rear
wall 34 and the side walls 36 and 38 are heat transfer insulated for
insulating the
refrigerated interior product display space 100, from the environment exterior
of the
interior product display space 100. A plurality of shelves112 are disposed
within the
interior product display space 100. The shelves 112 are adapted as appropriate
to
support the particular product being displayed for purchase. The specific
number,
arrangement and configuration of the shelves 112 is not germane to the
invention
and is within the skill of one of ordinary skill in the art to select for the
particular
product being displayed.
[0030] A rear panel 134 is provided spaced inwardly of the rear side wall 34
to establish, in part, a refrigerated air supply duct 104 between the rear
side wall 34
and a rear panel 134. The interior product display space 100 within the
refrigerated
interior of the display cabinet 20 is bounded by the top wall 22, the lower
wall 24,
the side walls 36, 38, and in part by each of the rear wall 34 and the rear
panel 134.
In the depicted embodiment, refrigerated air enters into the product display
space
100 to cool product displayed therein in part through an air outlet 109 at the
upper
end of the air supply duct 104 and in part through a plurality of openings 135
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provided in the rear panel 134. Refrigerated air exits the product display
space 100
through an opening 102 provided in the lower wall 24.
[0031] The equipment compartment 55 is located within the cabinet 20
beneath the lower wall 24 and is separated by the lower wall 24 from the
refrigerated
interior product display space 100 of the cabinet 20. The lower wall 24 forms
a
common wall separating the refrigerated interior space and the equipment
compartment and has an under surface that faces the refrigeration unit
cassette 50 of
the refrigeration unit 15 housed within the equipment compartment. The
refrigeration unit 15 includes an evaporator 60 and at least one associated
evaporator
fanlmotor assembly 62, a condenser 70 and at least one associated condenser
fan/motor assembly 72, and a compressor 74. The evaporator 60 and its
associated
evaporator fan/motor assembly 62 are housed within a first section 53 of the
refrigeration unit cassette 50 which is separated by division wall 68 from a
second
section 57 of the refrigeration unit cassette 50 wherein the condenser 70, its
associated condenser fan/motor assembly 72 and the compressor 74 are housed.
[0032] Refernng now also to Figure 3, the refrigeration unit cassette 50
comprises a generally rectangular box-like structure having a top plate 52, a
base
plate 54, and a surrounding wall structure56 extending generally vertically
between
the top plate 52 and the base plate 54 formed of a front plate 56A, a back
plate 56B,
and opposed side plates 56C. The division wall 68 extends between the opposed
side plates 56C from a forward region of the top plate 52 to the back plate
56B to
separate the interior of the refrigeration unit cassette 50 into the
aforementioned first
section 53 and second section 57. The condenser 70, its associated condenser
fanlmotor assembly 72, and the compressor 74 are mounted to the base plate 54
which forms the floor of the cassette refrigeration unit 50. The base plate 54
may be
slidably mounted within the compartment 55 for selective disposition into and
out of
the compartment 55 in order to facilitate servicing of the refrigeration
equipment
mounted thereon. A condensate tray 76 may be provided to collect condensate
dripping from the evaporator 60.
[0033] The evaporator 60, the condenser 70 and the compressor 74 are
coupled in a closed-loop refrigerant circulation circuit (not shown) in a
conventional
manner for refrigerating air from the interior product display space 100 via
the well-
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known Carnot cycle. The condenser fan/motor assembly 72, typically a single
fan
and motor, is operative, typically only when the compressor 74 is in
operation, to
draw air from outside the refrigerated merchandiser 10, such as for example
from
the ambient environment external thereof through the front grillel2 provided
in the
lower front wall 32 of the cabinet 20, through an opening 59 provided in the
front
plate 56A and through the condenser 70. As the external air passes through the
condenser 70 in heat exchange relationship with the refrigerant being passed
therethrough by the compressor 74, the refrigerant is cooled and the air
heated.
Having traversed the condenser 70, the hot air is exhausted out of the
compartment
55 to return to the external environment through exhaust channel 67 from
beneath
the first section 53 in the aft portion of second section 57 of the cassette
50. A
portion of the air drawn through the cassette 50 passes over the compressor 74
to
assist in cooling the compressor.
[0034] The chilled refrigerant is circulated from the condenser 70 through
the closed-loop refrigerant circulation circuit (not shown) to the evaporator
60. The
evaporator fan/motor assembly 62, which may be a single fan and motor or a
plurality of fans with associated motors, is operative to draw air into the
first section
53 of the refrigeration unit 50, also referred to as the evaporator
compartment, from
the interior product display space 100 through the air return inlet opening
102 in the
lower wall 24 and thence pass the air through the evaporator 60 to and through
the
refrigerated air supply duct 104 to return to the product display space 100.
As the
circulating air passes through the evaporator 60, the air is cooled as it
passes in heat
exchange relationship with the chilled refrigerant circulated through the
evaporator
60 by the compressor 74 and the refrigerant is heated and evaporated. The
evaporator fan 62 circulates refrigerated air having traversed the evaporator
60 from
the evaporator compartment 53 back into the refrigerated interior product
display
space 100 through a return air outlet 10~ located in the lower wall 24 aft of
rear
panel 134 and into refrigerated air supply duct 104.
[0035] A cover plate 120 may be disposed over the return air inlet 102 in
spaced relationship with and superadjacent the base wall 24 thereby forming
flow
passage between the cover plate 120 and the base wall 24 through which
refrigerated
air returning from the product display space 100 flows into the air return
inlet 102.
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The cover plate 120 covers the air return inlet 102, thereby causing the
downwardly
directed refrigerated air to flow outwardly toward the surrounding walls of
the
cabinet as the refrigerated air approaches the lower region of the product
display
space 100 in order to pass beneath the cover plate 120 into the air return
inlet 102 in
the lower wall 24. In doing so, the refrigerated air passes through the
product on the
lower shelves to more evenly cool that product and to block the refrigerated
air from
funneling downwardly directly into the return air return inlet 102. The cover
plate
120 also restricts the flow of spills or leaks from product in the product
display
space 100 from flowing directly into the evaporator compartment 53 and fouling
the
evaporator and/or evaporator fan assembly.
[0036] In one embodiment, the cover plate 120 includes a circumferential
flange 126 extending generally vertically downwardly therefrom to the base
wall 24
for supporting the cover plate 120 over the air return inlet 102 in the base
wall 124.
A plurality of circumferentially spaced openings 125 are provided in the
circumferential flange 126 to form the air flow passage connecting the
refrigerated
interior space 25 in flow communication with the air return inlet 102 to the
evaporator compartment 53 of the refrigeration unit cassette 50.
[0037] A sealing system is provided including a sealing member 58
positioned between the lower wall 24 and the refrigeration unit cassette 50
and a
positioning apparatus 150 for placing the refrigeration unit cassette 50 into
sealing
relationship with the common wall, which in the depicted embodiment is the
lower
wall 24 that separates the refrigerated interior product display space 100
from the
equipment compartment 55. The sealing system prevents refrigerated air
returning
to the refrigeration unit 15 from the product display space 100 from bypassing
the
evaporator 60 and instead flowing directly into the inlet 108 to the air
supply duct
104 from the air return inlet 102. The sealing system also prevents ambient
air from
externally of the refrigeration unit cassette 50, such as the ambient air that
has been
drawn through the front grille 12 to pass through the condenser 70, from being
drawn into the refrigerated air returning to the refrigeration unit 15 through
the air
return inlet 102 in the lower wall 24.
[003] The sealing member 58 may be mounted to the under surface of the
lower wall 24 about the opening 102 in the lower wall 24, or may be mounted or
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simply carned upon to the upper surface of the top plate 52 of the
refrigeration unit
cassette 50. The sealing member 58 extends at least about the opening S 1A in
the
top plate 52, as illustrated in Figure 3, which is substantially commensurate
with the
opening 102 in the lower wall 24. The sealing member 58 also may extend about
the opening S1B, which is provided in the top plate 52 rearward of the opening
51,
as illustrated in Figure 3, and which opens in flow communication with the
opening
108 in the lower wall 24. That is, in the depicted embodiment the sealing
member
58 takes the form of a rectangular frame with a cross member similar to a
double
hung window frame.
[0039] The sealing member 58 may comprise one or more compressible
seals provided on the refrigeration unit cassette 50 which are compressed
against the
lower wall 24 when the cassette refrigeration unit 50 is raised within the
compartment 55 by operation of the positioning apparatus 150. However, the
sealing member 58 may also comprise one or more non-compressible seals, such
as
contact seals, that coact with the respective opposing surfaces of the
refrigeration
unit cassette and of the common wall separating the refrigerated interior
space from
the equipment compartment and surrounding the respective openings therein to
provide the desired sealing arrangement therebetween when the cassette
refrigeration unit 50 is positioned by operation of the lifting apparatus 150
to
sandwich the sealing member 58 therebetween.
[0040] In the exemplary embodiment depicted, the positioning apparatus is a
lifting apparatus 150 that is positionable in a first position for raising 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 lowering the
refrigerated
unit cassette from its sealing relationship with the lower wall separating the
refrigerated interior product space from an equipment compartment housing the
refrigeration unit cassette. The lifting mechanism may comprise a cam
mechanism
selectively positionable in a first position, as illustrated in Figure 4, 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, as
illustrated in
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Figure 5, 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
[0041] Referring now to Figures 4 and 5, in the particular embodiment
depicted, the lifting apparatus 150 is a pair of generally L-shaped members
152, 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 154 extending along its
respective side of the refrigeration unit cassette and includes at least one
cam 155
section therealong. The cam section 155 may comprise a raised portion of the
first
leg 154. Each generally L-shaped member 152 has a second leg 156 extending
outwardly from an end of the first leg 154 in a second plane that is generally
perpendicular to a first plane in which the first leg 154 and its raised cam
section
155. The generally L-shaped members 152 may be formed from 3/8 inch diameter,
zinc-plated carbon steel rod, but may also be formed of equivalent materials
possessing adequate strength and corrosion resistant characteristics.
[0042] When the refrigeration unit cassette 50 is installed within the
equipment 55 and placed in its operational position, each of the generally L-
shaped
members 152 is positioned in a first position, as illustrated in Figure 4,
wherein the
cam sections 155 extend upwardly so as to raise the refrigeration unit
cassette
upwardly to compress the compressible seal 58 between the top plate 52 of the
refrigeration unit cassette 50 and the undersurface of the lower wall 24
thereby
establishing the sealing relationship. In this position, the second leg 156 is
generally
horizontally disposed so as to extend inwardly toward the other member 152 and
partially across the lower portion of the access opening to the equipment
compartment 55 and in front of the refrigeration unit cassette 50. In this
manner, the
respective second legs 156 of the paired generally L-shaped members 152 serve
as
barners to removal of the refrigeration unit cassette 50 when positioned in
sealing
relationship with the lower wall 24. Thus, the second legs 152 in effect lock
the
refrigeration unit cassette 50 in its sealing position and prevent removal of
the
cassette 50 thereby protecting the sealing member 58 from possible damage.
Further, in the sealing position, the cam sections 155 on the respective first
legs 154
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are canted slightly off the vertical in an inwardly direction, that is
generally towards
each other, whereby the weight of the refrigeration cassette 50 acting
downwardly
on the cam sections 155 acts to rotate the respective second legs 156
downwardly
and lock the cassette 50 in the sealing position. Additionally, a locking
device, such
as for example a cotter pin 51 inserted through holes 153 in latch studs 157
and a
corresponding hole in a distal portion of the second leg 156, as illustrated
in Figure
9, may be provided to ensure the generally L-shaped members can not rotate out
of
position without direct action by a person accessing the unit. A flat surface
may be
provided on the surface of the raised cam section 155 contacting the
refrigeration
unit cassette when in the locked position. °The first leg 154 of each
member 152 is
mounted to the base of the cabinet for pivotal movement, for example by means
of a
clamp bracket 159 or other suitable means.
[0043] When it is desired to release the refrigeration unit cassette 50 for
removal for servicing, each of the generally L-shaped members 152 may be
rotated
into a second position wherein the second leg 156 of each extends generally
upwardly and outwardly at the sides of the access opening to the equipment
compartment 55 laterally of the refrigeration unit cassette 50. So positioned,
the
cam sections 155 will now lie flat beneath the refrigeration unit cassette 50
and the
refrigeration unit cassette will move downwardly thereby releasing the
refrigeration
unit cassette 50 from sealing relationship with the lower wall 24 as
illustrated in
Figure 5. With the generally L-shaped members 152 so positioned, the second
legs
156 of the respective L-shaped members 152 are positioned to extend generally
upwardly and outwardly in front of the respective side walls 36 and 3~. So
positioned, the service person may readily slide the refrigeration unit
cassette 50,
partially or fully, out of the equipment compartment 55. Further, with the
second
legs 156 so positioned, the front wall 32 carrying the grille 12 can not be re-
installed
until the refrigeration cassette 50 is inserted and lifted into its sealed
position. To
reinstall the grille 12, the respective second legs 156 must first be rotated
inwardly,
thereby lifting the refrigeration cassette into its first, i.e. sealed,
position. This
ensures that the refrigerated merchandiser will not be inadvertently returned
to
operation with the refrigeration cassette 50 inserted but not positioned in
sealing
relationship with the refrigerated interior of the refrigerated merchandiser.
14
CA 02565522 2006-11-02
WO 2006/101513 PCT/US2005/033079
[0044] Refernng now to Figures 6, 7 and 8, in another embodiment of the
invention, the lifting apparatus 150 may be a pair of cam sets 162, 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 162 comprises a pair of cam members 165 disposed in spaced
relationship
and operatively interconnected by a linkage mechanism 164. The linkage member
164 may comprise a pivot mechanism 166 located centrally between the paired
cam
members 165 and connected to the forward cam member by a first link bar 163
and
to the rearward cam member by a second link bar 167. Each cam member 165 is
mounted eccentrically to its respective link bar and has a distal end 161 such
that
upon rotation of the pivot mechanism 164, each cam member also rotates to
position
the distal end 161 thereof so as to extend generally vertically or generally
horizontally, depending upon the direction of rotation.
[0045] In the depicted embodiment, when the pivot mechanism 166 of each
cam set 162 is rotated clockwise, as illustrated in Figure 6A, each cam member
165
is pivoted into a first position with its distal end 161 extending generally
vertically
upwardly, thereby raising the refrigeration unit cassette 50 upwardly, as
illustrated in
Figure 7, so as to compress the compressible seal between the top plate 52 of
the
refrigeration unit cassette 50 and the lower wall 24 so as to establish the
sealing
relationship. A cam stop 155 may be provided to limit the pivotal movement of
the
cam member 165 beyond the vertical position. However, when the pivot mechanism
166 of each cam set 162 is rotated counter-clockwise, as illustrated in Figure
6B,
each cam member 165 is positioned in a second position with its distal end 161
extending generally horizontally outwardly. So positioned, the refrigeration
unit
cassette 50 will move downwardly thereby releasing the refrigeration unit
cassette
50 from sealing relationship with the lower wall 24 as illustrated in Figure
8. The
pivot mechanism 166 of the right and left cam sets 162 may be independently
operable or may be cross-linleed so as to rotate together. With the distal
ends 161 of
the cam members 165 fully disengaged from the under surface of the
refrigeration
unit cassette 50, the sealing member 58 is not compressed and the cassette 150
may
be withdrawn, fully or partially, from the equipment compartment 55.
CA 02565522 2006-11-02
WO 2006/101513 PCT/US2005/033079
[0046] In either of the aforedescribed embodiments, a roller track or other
translation facilitating means may be provided within the equipment
compartment
55 beneath the refrigeration unit cassette 50 to ease removal of the cassette.
With
the lifting apparatus 150 positioned in its first positioned, the cam members
155, 165
are positioned to extend generally vertically upwardly to engage and lift the
refrigeration unit cassette 50 upwardly off the roller track and compress the
compressible sealing member 58 between the top plate 52 of the refrigeration
unit
cassette 50 and the undersurface of the lower wall 24 thereby establishing the
sealing relationship. With the lifting apparatus 150 positioned in its second
position,
the cam members 155, 165 are positioned to extend generally horizontally to
release
the refrigeration unit cassette 50 to move downwardly to contact the roller
track and
relax the compressible sealing member 58 as so to break the sealing
relationship,
thereby allowing the refrigeration unit cassette 50 to be translated along the
roller
track for withdrawal from the equipment compartment 55 without risk of damage
to
the sealing member 58.
[0047] The sealing system of the present invention has been described herein
with reference to the exemplary embodiments depicted in the drawings for
purposes
of illustration and to facilitate understanding of the invention. Those
skilled in the
art will realize that modifications, some of which may have been alluded to
hereinbefore, may be made to the depicted embodiments without departing from
the
spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, the positioning
apparatus
may be used to establish a sealing relationship in accordance with the present
invention in conjunction with sealing members that are not compressible.
Further,
various other embodiments of positioning apparatus may be employed to
establish a
sealing relationship between the cabinet and the refrigeration unit cassette
by acting
upon a sealing member disposed therebetween without departing from the spirit
and
scope of the invention.
16
