The present invention provides an open display refrigerator comprising: a refrigerated storage space, air in the refrigerated storage space being separated from air exterior to the open display refrigerator by an air curtain established by a fan which blows air towards an air outlet, air in the air curtain being recovered by an air inlet which recirculates the air from the air curtain into an air duct coupled to the air outlet, and an air guide coupled to the air outlet or air duct and extending from the air outlet such that it bypasses a portion of a void between the uppermost shelf and the air outlet, whereby the air curtain is established between an extremity of the portion of the void proximal to the air inlet and the air inlet.

A refrigerated display cabinet of vertical or semi-vertical type has a containment structure defining a display compartment and an access opening, a main air inlet mouth and a main air outlet mouth being in communication with the display compartment. A channel connects the main air inlet and outlet mouths to direct a refrigerated air flow towards the main air inlet mouth in the form of an air curtain. The display compartment is divided into an upper area having one or more shelves and a lower area adapted to be loaded with products. One shelf separating the lower and upper areas is a blowing shelf having an internal conduit directing the refrigerated air flow in the display compartment through a secondary air-emitting mouth, a first deflector intercepting the refrigerated air flow which forms the air curtain and a second deflector intercepting the refrigerated air flow emitted by the blowing shelf.

The present disclosure relates to an improved open vertical display case (OVDC) which utilizes radiant cooling to cool and/or maintain food products at a target temperature. The radiant cooling is performed using a plurality of piping routed through the walls and containing a first refrigerant stream. The plurality of piping may be cooled using a refrigeration circuit. In some embodiments, a phase change material may be used for thermal energy storage and positioned between the plurality of piping and the refrigeration circuit. In some embodiments, the refrigeration circuit may be connected to heating ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) systems and water heating systems within the building.

The present invention relates to a display cabinet (1) having an open face; an air circulation system comprising: an air inlet (9) located adjacent to a perimeter of the open front face; an air outlet (7) located adjacent to the perimeter of the open front face opposite the air inlet (9), and configured to blow air across the open front face toward the air inlet (9); an air conduit (11, 17) for conveying air from the air inlet (9) to the air outlet (7); and an air pump configured to draw air from the air inlet (9), move the air thus drawn through the air conduit (11, 17) to the air outlet (7); and at least one shelf (3) disposed within the display cabinet (1); wherein the air conduit (11, 17) is arranged such that at least a portion (19) of the air from the air inlet (9) follows a path that passes out from a wall of the display cabinet (1) through the at least one shelf (3), and back through said at least one shelf (3) to the wall of the display cabinet (1), before being passed to the air outlet (7).

A system 1001 comprises a display unit 1002 and shelves 4. The display unit has an open front chamber 50 for storing food products, lower and upper air ducts 32, 34, a fan 36, and an air refrigerator 44. At least one wall is transparent. The display unit further comprises a conduit wall 88, parallel to the transparent wall for creating an air conduit 90. The air conduit comprises a first conduit inlet 92, a second conduit inlet 94, and a conduit outlet 96. The first conduit inlet is in fluid connection with one of the lower and upper air ducts for diverting a portion of the air moving through the relevant air duct into the air conduit. The second conduit inlet is in fluid connection with ambient air outside of the display unit.

A system comprises a display unit and shelves. The display unit has an open front chamber for storing food products, a lower air duct with a lower front inlet, an upper air duct with an upper front outlet, a fan and an air refrigerator. The upper front outlet is directed at the lower front inlet for creating an air curtain in front of the open front. At least one of the shelves is a hollow shelf with an inner space, a shelf air outlet at a front side, a shelf air inlet at a back side, a fan, and a shelf heater. The fan is in fluid connection with the shelf air inlet and the shelf air outlet for moving air from the shelf air inlet through the hollow shelf to the shelf air outlet.

The present invention provides a merchandiser including a case defining primary and secondary air passageways, a first fan, and an evaporator. The case includes a base having first and second air inlets, one or more walls, and a canopy cooperatively defining a product display area accessible through an opening. The evaporator is disposed in the base. A first fan is disposed in the case and generates a primary airflow through the primary air passageway. The first fan, or a second fan, generates a secondary airflow through the secondary air passageway. Air from the product display area, air outlet, or both entering the first air inlet at least partially defines the first airflow which flows through the evaporator via the primary air passageway. The secondary airflow flows through the evaporator and is at least partially defined by air flowing past the first air inlet and entering the second air inlet.

A display unit 1 for storing and displaying heated goods comprises walls 2, 4, 6, 8, shelves 10, 12, 14, 16, an air duct 18, a fan 20, 22, and an air heater 24. The walls delimit a main chamber 26 including a first open front side 28 and a second open front side 30 opposite of the first open front side. The shelves each comprise an upper placing side 32, and define an individual storage spaces 34, 36, 38, 40. The air duct 18 extends from an inlet 42, 44 to multiple outlets 46 which are in communication with the storage spaces. The display unit further comprises a transparent wall 48, 50, which is positioned in the main chamber 26 between the first open front side and the second open front side, and divides the main chamber in a first chamber 52 and a second chamber 54.

A refrigerated display case includes a housing surrounding multiple shelves. An air return passage is defined below the shelves. A fan is disposed at a downstream end of the air return passage. An air distribution gap is connected to an outlet of the fan and disposed behind the shelves and a top passage is disposed above the shelves. At least one microchannel heat exchanger connects the air distribution gap to the shelves.

A system 1001 comprises a display unit 1002 and shelves 4. The display unit has an open front chamber 50 for storing food products, lower and upper air ducts 32, 34, a fan 36, and an air refrigerator 44. At least one wall is transparent. The display unit further comprises a conduit wall 88, parallel to the transparent wall for creating an air conduit 90. The air conduit comprises a first conduit inlet 92, a second conduit inlet 94, and a conduit outlet 96. The first conduit inlet is in fluid connection with one of the lower and upper air ducts for diverting a portion of the air moving through the relevant air duct into the air conduit. The second conduit inlet is in fluid connection with ambient air outside of the display unit.