A diagnostics system for a display case includes a display case, a display device, and a remote controller, according to some embodiments. The display case includes a local controller, a refrigeration apparatus, and multiple sensors. The remote controller includes a processing circuit configured to receive diagnostics data from the local controller of the display case, according to some embodiments. The processing circuit is configured to identify one or more events using the diagnostics data and assign a rank to each of the one or more events. The processing circuit is configured to promote the rank of each of the one or more events based on an amount of time that each of the one or more events persists. The processing circuit is configured to operate the display device to notify a user regarding the one or more events and the rank of each event.

A preferred embodiment utilizes the waste heat from a refrigerant cycle to aid in the removal of condensate from a refrigerated case used primarily by grocery stores. Certain embodiments use a heating element to boil off condensate or a pump to remove the condensate. Another embodiment utilizes a wicking element and a shroud that directs hot air from the condenser through the wick thereby increasing the condensate evaporation rate. Yet another embodiment utilizes the hot gas tube from the refrigeration system routed through the bottom of the condensate tray to pre-heat the condensate to accelerate evaporation. Alternative embodiments combine certain features to create even more efficient system such as a heating element used with the wick system or the hot gas system used with the wick system. In some embodiments, a mold and mildew inhibitor is added to the condensate to maintain cleanliness.

A refrigerated merchandiser includes a case having a base and a canopy at least partially defining a product display area. One or more eutectic plates are positioned in the product display area. The eutectic plates include a fluid contained in a housing. A heat exchanger including a coil is positioned in the housing to cool the fluid. The coil has an inlet, an outlet spaced from the inlet, a first portion, and a second portion adjacent and in thermal communication with the first portion to define a tube-to-tube heat exchanger.

An interactive display case having a first frame, a plurality of storage areas within the first frame, a second frame, and processing circuitry. The processing circuitry is configured to detect an object passing through the interior of the second frame, identify an area within the interior of the second frame in which the object passes, where the area corresponding to one of the storage areas, and generate interaction data corresponding to the identified area.

A refrigerated merchandiser includes a sensor coupled to a case adjacent an air inlet. The sensor is in communication with a portion of a refrigerated airflow passing through the air inlet to sense a temperature of the airflow and to generate a signal indicative of an air return temperature. The merchandiser also includes a controller in communication with the sensor to receive the signal indicative of the air return temperature, the controller further in communication with a conductive film on a door and programmed to initiate a clearing interval to clear condensation from the door in response to the signal indicative of the air return temperature reaching a first predetermined temperature threshold.

A display apparatus comprises a locker, at least one display cabinet, and a PLC system. The PLC system controls a display product transmitted between the locker and the at least one display cabinet, and when the at least one display cabinet is destroyed, the PLC controls the display product transmitted to the locker from the locker.

There is disclosed a refrigerator; a lighting device provided in the storage chamber, a first door rotatably coupled to the case to open and close the storage chamber, an auxiliary storage chamber provided in the first door, a second door, a front panel formed of a transparent material, an evaporation treatment unit evaporated on an overall back surface of the front panel to transmit lights partially, a variable transparency film attached to a back surface of the evaporation treatment unit provided in the front panel to get transparent when the power is supplied, a frame unit with an opening having a corresponding size to an opening provided in the first door, an insulation panel distant from the front panel, a power supply unit for supplying an electric power to the variable transparency film and the lighting device, a proximity sensor provided in the second door to sense a user's approaching.

A state estimation apparatus comprises a power information acquisition part that acquires time-series data of a power value of a freezer showcase; a power information storage part that stores power information during an intermittent operation of the freezer showcase in a normal state; an evaluation part that evaluates power information during the intermittent operation of the freezer showcase from the time-series data of the power value and derives a degree of difference from the power information during the intermittent operation of the freezer showcase in a normal state; a filter cleaning determination part that estimates how clogged a filter of the freezer showcase is based on the degree of difference and determines whether or not the filter needs to be cleaned; and an output part that provides, for a determination result indicating that the cleaning of the filter is necessary, an output to that effect.

A monitoring and control system is provided. The system includes a plurality of sensors for obtaining readings associated with food items, such as temperature readings, freshness indications, and the like. The system is scalable and configurable with each sensor being capable of functioning as an individual sensor and/or as part of a grouping of sensors. The system is configured to obtain a variety of information, such as ambient air temperature, dwell time of food items, moisture levels, and the like, thereby enabling the system to recognize current and future concerns. The system provides audio and visual warnings and visual displays. In some embodiments, the system performs one or more physical operation based on one or more detected condition. The system is further configured to distinguish between accurate readings and inaccurate readings and/or to otherwise determine if an obstacle is preventing a sensor from obtaining an accurate reading.

A cooler for storing beverage containers. The cooler includes a housing defining an interior volume for storing a first beverage container at a first predetermined temperature and a compartment within the interior volume of the housing for storing a second beverage container at a second predetermined temperature that is at or below a freezing point of the beverage. The cooler further includes a user interface for receiving a user input to dispense the second beverage container, and a delivery portal for providing access to the second beverage container. A chute is configured to communicate the second beverage container from the compartment to the delivery portal and to cause nucleation of the beverage and form a slush beverage. A cooling unit is configured to maintain the interior volume of the housing at the first predetermined temperature and the compartment at the second predetermined temperature.