Note: Descriptions are shown in the official language in which they were submitted.
CA 02792757 2012-10-16
REFRIGERATION DEVICE WITH
EVAPORATIVE CONDENSATE DISSIPATION SYSTEM
BACKGROUND
[0001] This section is intended to provide a background or context to the
invention recited in
the claims. The description herein may include concepts that could be pursued,
but are not
necessarily ones that have been previously conceived or pursued. Therefore,
unless otherwise
indicated herein, what is described in this section is not prior art to the
description and claims in
this application and is not admitted to be prior art by inclusion in this
section.
[0002] The present invention relates generally to the field of temperature-
controlled display
devices (e.g. refrigerated display devices or cases, etc.) having a
temperature-controlled space for
storing and displaying products such as refrigerated foods or other perishable
objects. More
specifically, the present invention relates to a refrigerated display case
having an active
evaporative condensate dissipation system for removing liquid condensate (i.e.
melted frost or
ice) from a cooling coil during or following a defrost mode of operation for
the case. Still more
specifically, the present invention relates to an active evaporative
condensate dissipation system
having multiple evaporative dissipation zones that operate on an as-needed
basis and at
successively higher temperatures for increasing an overall evaporative
dissipation capability of
the system.
[0003] It is well known to provide a temperature-controlled display device
such as a
refrigerator, freezer, refrigerated merchandiser, refrigerated display case,
etc., that may be used
in commercial, institutional, and residential applications for storing or
displaying refrigerated or
frozen objects. For example, it is known to provide service type refrigerated
display cases for
displaying fresh food products such as beef, pork, poultry, fish, etc. Such
display cases typically
have a closed front (e.g. with doors for accessing food products stored within
the temperature-
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controlled space), or may have an open-front that uses a flow of chilled air
that is discharged
across the open front of the case to help maintain a desired temperature
within the temperature-
controlled space.
[0004] Such refrigerated cases typically include cooling elements (e.g.
cooling coils, heat
exchangers, evaporators, etc.) that receive a coolant (e.g. a liquid such as a
glycol-water mixture,
or a refrigerant, etc.) from a cooling system (such as a refrigeration system)
during a cooling
mode or operation to provide cooling to the temperature-controlled space.
Oftentimes the
cooling system operates to provide coolant to the cooling element at a
temperature below 32 F,
causing moisture from the air in the ambient environment to condense on the
cooling element,
and resulting in an accumulation of frost and/or ice on an exterior surface of
the cooling element
that is removed (e.g. melted) during a defrost mode or operation of the case.
The melted frost
and/or ice (e.g. liquid condensate, water, etc.) from the cooling coil is
usually routed to a suitable
drain at (or near) the case's location within a facility for disposal. In some
cases, such as where
a drain may not be conveniently accessible at the location of the refrigerated
case, it may be
necessary to allow the liquid condensate to accumulate in a suitable
repository or receptacle.
The repository may be configured for removal to permit manually disposing the
liquid
condensate (e.g. by pouring down a remote drain, etc.), or the repository may
be configured to
simply contain the liquid condensate until it dissipates by evaporation.
[0005] However, such known evaporative dissipation systems have a number of
deficiencies.
For example, such known systems tend to overflow or spill when the rate of
liquid condensate
generated from defrosting exceeds the rate at which the liquid condensate can
dissipate (which is
exacerbated as ambient humidity rises because more defrosting of the cooling
element is
required, but less of the condensate evaporates in the humid conditions).
[0006] Accordingly, it would be desirable to provide a refrigerated display
device or case with
an improved evaporative condensate dissipation system that overcomes these and
other
disadvantages.
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SUMMARY
[0007] One embodiment of the invention relates to a refrigerated case with an
active
evaporative condensate dissipation pan system with electric heat backup that
is intended to
efficiently remove melted condensate from the cooling element. The active
evaporative
condensate dissipation pan system with electric heat backup is intended to
evaporate defrost
water from refrigerated cases when no drain line is available. An active
evaporative condensate
dissipation pan system with electric heat backup includes three stages of
evaporative dissipation,
each having a receptacle (e.g. pan): a first water accumulation pan, a second
water dissipation
pan with hot gas heating, and a third backup assist pan with electric heating.
With this multi-tier
(or stage) pan system, condensate removal is more efficient and reduces or
eliminates the need
for the electric condensate evaporator to be energized while simultaneously
assisting in
transferring heat from the hot gas refrigerant from the compressor discharge
to provide at least
partial de-superheating in advance of the condenser. Each pan provides a
progressive
evaporative dissipation stage for the condensate removal process. In most
applications, the
electric pan will not operate under 'standard' conditions. If the case is
subjected to a severe
environment that could include high-humidity conditions, more condensate water
may be
produced by the cooling element and subsequently collected (as overflow from
the first pan) in
the second dissipation pan of the system. In the unlikely event that the first
and second pans
were not able to provide sufficient evaporative dissipation, the third
electrical heating assist pan
is available as a back-up to dissipate condensate water collected as overflow
from the second
pan.
[0008] Another embodiment of the invention relates to a refrigerated display
device having a
temperature-controlled space for storing and displaying products, and a
refrigeration system
operable in a cooling mode and a defrost mode. The refrigeration system has a
compressor and a
cooling element and circulates a refrigerant through the cooling element
during the cooling mode
to provide cooling to the temperature-controlled space. An evaporative
condensate dissipation
system receives condensate liquid from an external surface of the cooling coil
during the defrost
mode and dissipates the condensate liquid by evaporation. The condensate
dissipation system
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includes a first receptacle having a first overflow device, which receives the
liquid condensate
from the cooling coil. A second receptacle has a second overflow device
disposed lower than the
first receptacle and which receives the liquid condensate from the first
receptacle when the liquid
condensate in the first receptacle reaches the first overflow device. The
second receptacle
includes a heat exchanger that receives hot gas refrigerant from the
compressor for heating the
liquid condensate. A third receptacle is disposed lower than the second
receptacle and receive
the liquid condensate from the second receptacle when the liquid condensate in
the second
receptacle reaches the second overflow device. The third receptacle has an
electric heating
element controlled by a switch. The first receptacle and the second receptacle
and the third
receptacle each comprise pans disposed in a substantially vertically¨aligned
relationship with
one another. The first and second overflow devices may be standpipes and the
switch may be a
float switch. The first receptacle raises the temperature of its liquid
condensate to a first
temperature for a first evaporative dissipation, and the second receptacle
raises the temperature
of its liquid condensate to a second temperature, greater than the first
temperature, for a second
evaporative dissipation, and the third receptacle raises the temperature of
its liquid condensate to
a third temperature, greater than the second temperature, for a third
evaporative dissipation. The
evaporative condensate dissipation system is configured to be installed in the
refrigerated display
device as a unitary module. A fan may be included to increase at least one of
the first
evaporative dissipation, the second evaporative dissipation, and the third
evaporative dissipation.
The first receptacle may include fins disposed thereon.
[0009] According to a further embodiment, a refrigerated display device
includes a
temperature-controlled space storing and displaying products. A cooling system
has a cooling
coil operable in a cooling mode and a defrost mode, and circulates a coolant
through the cooling
coil during the cooling mode to provide cooling to the temperature-controlled
space. An
evaporative condensate dissipation system receives a condensate liquid from
the cooling coil
during the defrost mode and dissipates the condensate liquid by evaporation.
The condensate
dissipation system includes a first pan having a first overflow device, and
that receives the liquid
condensate from the cooling coil. A second pan has a second overflow device
and a heat
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exchanger, and receives the liquid condensate from the first pan when the
liquid condensate in
the first pan reaches the first overflow device. A third pan receives the
liquid condensate from
the second pan when the liquid condensate in the second pan reaches the second
overflow
device. The third pan has a heating element controlled by a switch in response
to a level of the
liquid condensate in the third pan. The first pan and the second pan and the
third pan are
disposed in a substantially vertically¨aligned relationship with one another,
and the overflow
devices comprise standpipes. The cooling system includes a compressor and the
coolant
comprises a refrigerant and the heat exchanger receives the refrigerant after
being discharged
from the compressor. The liquid condensate in the first pan is warmed to a
first temperature by
exposure to ambient conditions for a first evaporative dissipation. The liquid
condensate in the
second pan is warmed to a second temperature, greater than the first
temperature, by exposure to
the heat exchanger for a second evaporative dissipation. The liquid condensate
in the third pan is
warmed to a third temperature, greater than the second temperature, by
exposure to the heating
element for a third evaporative dissipation.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
10010] Exemplary embodiments will hereafter be described with reference to the
accompanying drawings, wherein like numerals denote like elements.
[0011] FIGURE 1 is an schematic image of a side elevation view of a
refrigerated display case
having an evaporative condensate dissipation system according to an exemplary
embodiment.
[0012] FIGURE 2 is a schematic image of a perspective view of an evaporative
condensate
dissipation system for use in a refrigerated display case according to an
exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIGURE 3 is a schematic image of a perspective view of a first portion
of the
evaporative condensate dissipation system of FIGURE 2 according to an
exemplary
embodiment.
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[0014] FIGURE 4 is a schematic image of a perspective view of a second portion
of the
evaporative condensate dissipation system of FIGURE 2 according to an
exemplary
embodiment.
[0015] FIGURE 5 is a schematic image of a perspective view of a third portion
of the
evaporative condensate dissipation system of FIGURE 2 according to an
exemplary
embodiment.
[0016] FIGURE 6 is a schematic image of a perspective view of an evaporative
condensate
dissipation system for use in a refrigerated display case according to another
exemplary
embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0017] Referring generally to the FIGURES, a refrigerated display device is
shown having an
evaporative condensate dissipation system for disposing of the liquid
condensate (e.g. water)
from the cooling element during the defrost mode, according to an exemplary
embodiment. The
evaporative condensate dissipation system includes a series of progressive
stages that operate at
successively higher temperatures to provide a cascading arrangement of
evaporative dissipation
of the liquid condensate. The first stage includes a first pan that receives
the liquid condensate
from the cooling coil and operates at an ambient first temperature to provide
a first evaporative
dissipation. Any overflow from the first pan is directed through a first
standpipe to a second
stage. The second stage includes a second pan that receives the liquid
condensate from the first
pan via the first standpipe, and is heated by hot gas refrigerant from the
compressor discharge for
second stage operation at a higher second temperature to provide a second
evaporative
dissipation. Any overflow from the second pan is directed through a second
standpipe to a third
stage. The third stage includes a third pan that receives the liquid
condensate from the second
pan via the second standpipe, and is heated by an electric heating element for
third stage
operation at a higher third temperature to provide a third evaporative
dissipation. The pans are
vertically configured for gravity feed through the successive stages, and use
of the hot gas
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refrigerant as a second stage heat source improves the efficiency of the
condenser in the
refrigeration system. The use of a multi-stage, gravity-feed system that uses
ambient heating and
hot-gas waste heat (in the first two stages) is intended to provide a reliable
and energy-efficient
system that can be readily installed and easily deployed in almost any
refrigerated case location.
According to an alternative embodiment, the first stage including the first
pan may be heated by
condensed liquid refrigerant that is discharged from the condenser and routed
through a heat
exchanger associated with the first pan, so that water in the first pan
receives an additional
source of waiming, and the liquid refrigerant from the condenser receives some
subcooling to
help improve the capacity of the refrigerant.
[0018] Referring now more particularly to FIGURE 1 a temperature-controlled
display device
(shown by way of non-limiting example as an open-front refrigerated case 10)
with a
temperature controlled space 12 having a plurality of shelves 14 for storage
and display of
products therein. Case 10 includes a cooling system, such as a refrigeration
system 20 having a
cooling element 22 (e.g. evaporator, cooling coil, fan-coil, heat exchanger,
etc.) that receives a
coolant (e.g. a refrigerant, etc.) from the cooling system 20 during a cooling
mode of operation to
provide cooling to the temperature-controlled space 12. Refrigeration system
20 also includes a
compressor 24 configured to draw returning refrigerant from the cooling
element 22 through a
suction line 26 and to discharge the refrigerant in a superheated hot gas
state through a discharge
line 28. Refrigeration system 20 also includes certain conventional components
such as a
condenser (to condense the hot gas refrigerant), and an expansion device (to
expand the
refrigerant for use in the cooling element) (both not shown for clarity). The
case 10 also includes
a compartment 16 shown by way of example as being disposed beneath the cooling
element 22
and the temperature-controlled space 12. Compartment 16 is shown to include an
evaporative
condensate dissipation system 40, and may also include components of thc
refrigeration system
20, such as the compressor 24.
[0019] In some embodiments, the cooling element 22 operates at a temperature
lower than
32 F, resulting in an accumulation of frost and/or ice on an external surface
of the cooling
element 22 during operation in the cooling mode. After a sufficient amount of
frost and/or ice
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accumulates on the cooling element 22, the cooling element 22 operates in a
defrost mode of
operation, which provides sufficient heat to melt the accumulated frost and/or
ice into a liquid
condensate (e.g. water, etc.). The heat of defrosting may be provided by any
suitable method,
such as interrupting the cooling mode and allowing ambient temperature to melt
the frost/ice, or
use of electric heating elements, or use of hot gas refrigerant routed through
the cooling element,
etc. In some embodiments, a drain line is not available at the location of the
case for convenient
disposal of the liquid condensate that melted from the cooling element, and
the evaporative
condensate dissipation system 40 is used as an alternative way to dispose of
the condensate.
According to one embodiment, the evaporative condensate dissipation system 40
is packaged as
a single unit that is readily installed (e.g. in a plug-and-play type manner)
into the compartment
16 in a refrigerated case 10 that may be intended for use in an application
without access to a
suitable drain. The ability to readily install and remove the evaporative
condensate dissipation
system 40 from any case, permits the case to be quickly adapted for an
intended application, or
re-adapted to a changed application, without having to custom-design the case
around the
presence or absence of drainage capability.
[0020] Referring now more particularly to FIGURES 2-5, the evaporative
condensate
dissipation system 40 is shown in further detail according to an exemplary
embodiment. System
40 is configured to receive a condensate liquid (e.g. melted frost, melted
ice, etc.) from an
external surface of the cooling element 22 during the defrost mode, and to
dissipate the
condensate liquid by evaporation. The system 40 is shown to include a series
of catch-
containment stages that provide a cascading back-up arrangement, where each
stage operates at a
progressively increasing temperature to provide a progressively overall
increased evaporative
dissipation at each successive stage. The series of catch-containments
comprise a series of
stages, each having a receptacle (e.g. container, pan, etc.).
[0021] The first stage of the system includes a first receptacle 42 (e.g.
water accumulation pan)
with a first overflow device 44 (e.g. shown for example as a standpipe, but
could be a weir, etc.
according to alternative embodiments) and is configured to receive the liquid
condensate from
the cooling coil 22, either directly (by being disposed beneath the cooling
element 22), or
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indirectly (e.g. from a drain pan 30 and drain line 32, see FIGURE 1). The
liquid condensate
entering the first receptacle 42 usually has a temperature slightly above
approximately 32 F, and
is allowed to warm-up in the first receptacle 42 to a first stage temperature
that is approximately
equal to the ambient temperature of the case location (e.g. 75 F in a store
environment, etc.). In
some embodiments, the outside surface of the first receptacle 42 may include
fins 43 or other
heat transfer enhancing structure to improve heat transfer from the ambient
environment to the
liquid condensate. As the temperature of the liquid condensate at the first
stage approaches the
first temperature (e.g. ambient temperature), a first evaporative dissipation
occurs to dissipate the
contained liquid condensate to the ambient atmosphere. ln the event that the
rate of collection of
liquid condensate in the first stage exceeds the first evaporative dissipation
rate, the second stage
of the system is available.
[0022j The second stage of the system 40 includes a second receptacle 48 (e.g.
water
dissipation pan) with a second overflow device 50, and is disposed at a lower
elevation than the
first receptacle 42 and receives the liquid condensate from the first
receptacle 42 (e.g. by gravity)
when a first level of the liquid condensate in the first receptacle 42 reaches
the first overflow
device 44, so that any overflow from the first receptacle 42 is captured by
the second receptacle
48. According to the illustrated embodiment, the second receptacle 48 is
substantially vertically-
aligned beneath the first receptacle 42 to permit a compact packaging of the
system's
components and to permit gravity-feed of the liquid condensate from the first
receptacle 42 to the
second receptacle 48. However, in other embodiments, the second stage
receptacle 48 may not
be directly beneath the first stage receptacle 42. The second receptacle 48
also includes a heat
exchanger 52 (e.g. a coil, fin-coil, tubing arrangement, or passages formed
within the wall of a
base of the pan, etc.) that receives a supply of hot gas refrigerant from the
discharge line 28 of
the compressor 24 as a source of heating for the second stage of system. Heat
exchanger 52 may
include tubing (e.g. flex hoses, etc.) with quick-connect couplings 53 to
engage corresponding
portions of the compressor discharge line 28. The hot gas refrigerant raises
the temperature of
the liquid condensate in the second receptacle 48 to a second stage
temperature, and the hot gas
refrigerant is then routed to the condenser (not shown) in a pre-cooled (or at
least partially de-
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Attorney Docket No.: 060507-1428
superheated) state which enhances overall efficiency of the refrigeration
system. As the liquid
condensate at the second stage approaches the second stage temperature (e.g.
higher than the first
stage temperature), a second evaporative dissipation occurs to dissipate the
contained liquid
condensate to the ambient atmosphere. In the event that the rate of collection
of liquid
condensate generation from the cooling element exceeds the first and second
evaporative
dissipation rates, the third stage of the system is available.
[0023] The third stage of the system includes a third receptacle 56 (e.g.
electric back-up assist
pan, etc.) disposed at a lower elevation than the second receptacle 48 and
receives the liquid
condensate from the second receptacle 48 when a second level of the liquid
condensate in the
second receptacle reaches the second overflow device 50, so that any overflow
from the second =
receptacle 48 is captured by the third receptacle 56. According to the
illustrated embodiment,
the third receptacle 56 is substantially vertically-aligned beneath the first
and second receptacles
42, 48 to permit a compact packaging of the system's components and to permit
gravity-feed of
the liquid condensate from the second receptacle 48 to the third receptacle
56. However, in other
embodiments, the third stage receptacle 56 may be not be directly beneath the
first or second
stage receptacles 42, 48. The third stage receptacle includes a heating
element 58 (e.g. electric
heating element, etc.) as a source of heating for the third stage of system.
The heating element
58 can be controlled (i.e. turned on/off, modulated, etc.) by a switch 60
(e.g. a float switch, level
switch, sensor or the like) that is responsive to a certain level of liquid
condensate in the third
receptacle 56 (e.g. a level slightly above the heating element so that the
heating element is
energized only when it is submerged, etc.). As the liquid condensate at the
third stage
approaches the third stage temperature (e.g. higher than the second stage
temperature), a third
evaporative dissipation occurs to dissipate the contained liquid condensate to
the ambient
atmosphere.
[0024] Referring to FIGURE 6, the evaporative condensate dissipation system 40
is shown
with an additional source of heating for the first stage of the system
according to an alternative
embodiment. As previously described with reference to FIGURE 2, the first
stage of the system
includes a first receptacle 42 (e.g. water accumulation pan) with a first
overflow device 44 (e.g.
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shown for example as a standpipe, but could be a weir, etc. according to
alternative
embodiments) and is configured to receive the liquid condensate from the
cooling coil 22, either
directly (by being disposed beneath the cooling element 22), or indirectly
(e.g. from a drain pan
30 and drain line 32, see FIGURE 1). The liquid condensate entering the first
receptacle 42
usually has a temperature slightly above approximately 32 F. According to the
illustrated
embodiment, the first receptacle 42 also includes a heat exchanger 72 (e.g. a
coil, fin-coil, tubing
arrangement, or passages formed within the wall of a base of the pan, etc.)
that receives a supply
of condensed refrigerant from the discharge line of the condenser as a
supplemental source of
heating for the first stage of system, and for subcooling the condensed
refrigerant. Heat
exchanger 72 may include tubing (e.g. flex hoses, etc.) with quick-connect
couplings 73 to
engage corresponding portions of the condenser discharge line. The condensed
refrigerant
(typically at a saturated liquid state) raises the temperature of the liquid
condensate in the first
receptacle 42 to a first stage temperature, and the subcooled refrigerant is
then routed to cooling
element in a subcooled state which enhances overall efficiency of the
refrigeration system.
[0025] In order to further enhance the first, second and/or third evaporative
dissipation rates,
the system may include one or more fans disposed adjacent to the pans. For
example, as shown
in FIGURE 1, a fan 64 may be configured to draw air from a front region of the
case (where
cooled and dehumidified air from the air curtain may spill over the front of
the case), across the
pans and discharge the air rearwardly of the case (e.g. away from a store
environment).
According to one embodiment, the fan may be controlled by a suitable switch
and control
scheme turn on and off on an as-needed basis. For example, the fan may be
controlled by switch
60 so that the fan turns on and off when the electric heating element turns on
and off, e.g. as one
control scheme indicative of the need for enhanced evaporative capability.
[0026] According to any exemplary embodiment, a refrigerated display device
has an
evaporative condensate dissipation system for disposing the liquid condensate
(e.g. water)
generated by the cooling element during the defrost mode. The evaporative
condensate
dissipation system includes a series of progressive stages that operate at
successively higher
temperatures to provide a cascading arrangement of evaporative dissipation of
the liquid
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condensate. The first stage includes a first pan that receives the liquid
condensate from the
cooling coil and operates at an ambient first temperature to provide a first
evaporative
dissipation. The first pan may also receive heating from condensed liquid
refrigerant routed
to/through the pan from the condenser. Any overflow from the first pan is
directed through a
first standpipe to a second stage. The second stage includes a second pan that
receives the liquid
condensate from the first pan via the first standpipe, and is heated by hot
gas refrigerant from the
compressor discharge for second stage operation at a higher second temperature
to provide a
second evaporative dissipation. Any overflow from the second pan is directed
through a second
standpipe to a third stage. The third stage includes a third pan that receives
the liquid condensate
from the second pan via the second standpipe, and is heated by an electric
heating element for
third stage operation at a higher third temperature to provide a third
evaporative dissipation. The
pans are vertically configured for gravity feed through the successive stages,
and use of the hot
gas refrigerant as a second stage heat source improves the efficiency of the
condenser in the
refrigeration system.
[0027] As utilized herein, the tetras "approximately," "about,"
"substantially," and similar
terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and
accepted usage by
those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this
disclosure pertains. It should
be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that
these terms are intended
to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without
restricting the scope of
these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these
terms should be
interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications
or alterations of the
subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of
the invention as
recited in the appended claims.
[0028] It should be noted that the term "exemplary" as used herein to describe
various
embodiments is intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible
examples,
representations, and/or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such term
is not intended to
connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative
examples).
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[0029] The terms "coupled," "connected," and the like as used herein mean the
joining of two
members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary
(e.g., permanent)
or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with
the two
members or the two members and any additional intettnediate members being
integrally formed
as a single unitary body with one another or with the two members or the two
members and any
additional inteimediate members being attached to one another.
[0030] It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ
according to other
exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed
by the present
disclosure.
[0031] No claim element herein is to be construed under the provisions of 35
U.S.C. 112,
sixth paragraph, unless the clement is expressly recited using the phrase
'means for."
Furthermore, no element, component or method step in the present disclosure is
intended to be
dedicated to the public, regardless of whether the element, component or
method step is
explicitly recited in the claims.
[0032] It is also important to note that the construction and arrangement of
the refrigerated
display device or case with an improved evaporative condensate dissipation
system as shown in
the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Although only a few
embodiments of
the present inventions have been described in detail in this disclosure, those
skilled in the art who
review this disclosure will readily appreciate that many modifications are
possible (e.g.,
variations in sizes, dimensions, structures, shapes and proportions of the
various elements, values
of parameters, mounting arrangements, use of materials, colors, orientations,
etc.) without
materially departing from the novel teachings and advantages of the subject
matter disclosed
herein. For example, elements shown as integrally formed may be constructed of
multiple parts
or elements, the position of elements may be reversed or otherwise varied, and
the nature or
number of discrete elements or positions may be altered or varied.
Accordingly, all such
modifications are intended to be included within the scope of the present
invention as defined in
the appended claims. The order or sequence of any process or method steps may
be varied or re-
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sequenced according to alternative embodiments. Other substitutions,
modifications, changes
and omissions may be made in the design, operating conditions and arrangement
of the various
exemplary embodiments without departing from the scope of the present
inventions.
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