A method of operating a refrigerator appliance includes monitoring humidity within a food storage compartment of the refrigerator appliance and comparing the monitored humidity level with a predetermined humidity threshold. In response to the monitored humidity level dropping below the predetermined humidity threshold, a mist of water is sprayed into the food storage compartment for a predetermined spraying time. The method also includes activating an ultraviolet light source to direct ultraviolet light into the food storage compartment for a predetermined lighting time. At least a portion of the predetermined lighting time is concurrent with the predetermined spraying time. The method also includes waiting a predetermined rest time before repeating the step of spraying the mist of water into the food storage compartment in response to the monitored humidity level below the predetermined humidity threshold.

A method of operating a refrigerator appliance includes monitoring humidity within a food storage compartment of the refrigerator appliance and comparing the monitored humidity level with a predetermined humidity threshold. In response to the monitored humidity level dropping below the predetermined humidity threshold, a mist of water is sprayed into the food storage compartment for a predetermined spraying time. The method also includes activating an ultraviolet light source to direct ultraviolet light into the food storage compartment for a predetermined lighting time. At least a portion of the predetermined lighting time is concurrent with the predetermined spraying time. The method also includes waiting a predetermined rest time before repeating the step of spraying the mist of water into the food storage compartment in response to the monitored humidity level below the predetermined humidity threshold.

A receiving enclosure for receiving goods, the receiving enclosure having one or more doors movable between an open position and a closed position, and a locking device adapted to releasably secure the one or more doors in the closed position.

A receiving enclosure for receiving goods, the receiving enclosure having one or more doors movable between an open position and a closed position, and a locking device adapted to releasably secure the one or more doors in the closed position.

A programmatically integrated cooling module and freezing module. In the cooling module, the front and rear racks with cantilever storage slots for transportation baskets are installed in parallel and have a spacing greater than the width of the transportation basket. In the vertical plane of symmetry between the racks, there is a Cartesian frame manipulator with a trolley and a gripping mechanism. The internal space of the cooling module is circulated with cooling air at a stabilised temperature in the range between 1° C. and 8° C. (optimally 4° C.), produced by a refrigeration unit. On the front wall of the cooling module housing, below the storage slots of the front rack, there are sending and collecting windows. The windows are designed as sluices with a drawer whose rear opening is periodically closed by a movable rear partition and which at the front has a single-leaf door hinged vertically and locked by an electromagnetic lock. In the freezing module, lockers have walls perforated with holes and the number of the order currently available for pickup is illuminated on the door.

A refrigerator includes a cabinet that defines a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, and an evaporator installed in the freezing compartment. The evaporator includes: an evaporator case that defines a food storage space formed therein; a cooling tube located at the evaporator case in a predetermined pattern and configured to receive a coolant; and a sheath heater disposed outside of the evaporator case to be adjacent to at least one surface of the evaporator case, the sheath heater being configured to generate heat such that heat for defrosting is transferred to the evaporator case. The sheath heater reduces the defrosting time to maintain the freshness of food, increases the cooling efficiency, and reduces power consumption. The defrosting efficiency by the sheath heater is improved by a reflection member, and an inflow of heat, generated when defrosting, into the refrigerating compartment is reduced by a heat insulation member.

A refrigerator includes a cabinet that defines a freezing compartment and a refrigerating compartment, and an evaporator installed in the freezing compartment. The evaporator includes: an evaporator case that defines a food storage space formed therein; a cooling tube located at the evaporator case in a predetermined pattern and configured to receive a coolant; and a sheath heater disposed outside of the evaporator case to be adjacent to at least one surface of the evaporator case, the sheath heater being configured to generate heat such that heat for defrosting is transferred to the evaporator case. The sheath heater reduces the defrosting time to maintain the freshness of food, increases the cooling efficiency, and reduces power consumption. The defrosting efficiency by the sheath heater is improved by a reflection member, and an inflow of heat, generated when defrosting, into the refrigerating compartment is reduced by a heat insulation member.

A modular air handler is adapted for installation in a racking assembly behind palletized product. The air handler operates to move air through the adjacent layers of palletized product upon placement of the palletized product in the adjacent space. The air handler can be deactivated in order to prevent unnecessary air flow when no palletized product is present in the adjacent space. A number of the modular air handlers may be provided for a racking assembly, such that individual pallet bays may be activated or deactivated as palletized product is deposited or withdrawn from the various pallet bays of the rack.

A modular air handler is adapted for installation in a racking assembly behind palletized product. The air handler operates to move air through the adjacent layers of palletized product upon placement of the palletized product in the adjacent space. The air handler can be deactivated in order to prevent unnecessary air flow when no palletized product is present in the adjacent space. A number of the modular air handlers may be provided for a racking assembly, such that individual pallet bays may be activated or deactivated as palletized product is deposited or withdrawn from the various pallet bays of the rack.

A multiple temperature automated storage system includes a rack with multiple levels of shelves defining item storage positions, an aisle at each level, and a plurality of shuttles adapted to operate in the aisles for storing items to and retrieving items from the storage positions. A thermally insulated enclosure encloses some of the levels of the rack to define a low temperature zone with the remaining levels of the rack defining a higher temperature zone. A method of storing items at two different temperatures in a common automated storage system includes having a first portion of the automated storage system enclosed in a thermally insulated enclosure and a second portion of the automated storage system outside of the thermally insulated enclosure. A lift is provided in the second portion for supplying items to and retrieving items from both of the first and second portions, without entering the first portion.