A refrigerator comprises: a cabinet having a storage space; a door which opens/closes the cabinet and has an opening that communicates with the storage space; a panel provided in the opening that selectively becomes transparent according to an operation by a user; a sensing module provided inside the panel assembly that senses an approach of an object toward the panel; and a display module provided inside the panel assembly that displays information from the sensing module on the panel, wherein the sensing module comprises a light-emitting element that outputs a first optical signal, and a light-receiving element that receives a second optical signal reflected by the object in front of the panel.

A temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a temperature controlled space and a multi-circuit cooling element in thermal communication with the temperature controlled space. The multi-circuit cooling element includes two or more cooling coils. Each of the cooling coils is coupled to a different circuit structured to selectively circulate coolant through the multi-circuit cooling element. Each circuit is fluidly separate from each remaining circuit such that the coolant circulated through each circuit is not shared with each remaining circuit. The multi-circuit cooling element further includes a plurality of heat exchange fins coupled to each of the two or more cooling coils such that each of the heat exchange fins facilitates heat removal from the temperature controlled space by each of the two or more cooling coils.

A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area supporting product and an evaporator disposed in an air passageway in fluid communication with the product display area via an outlet to direct a refrigerated airflow into the product display area. The merchandiser also includes a control system in communication with and programmed to control the refrigeration system so that the product display area is maintained within a predetermined temperature range. The control system also varies the temperature of the refrigerated airflow through the outlet above an airflow temperature threshold between about 35 degrees Fahrenheit and 41 degrees Fahrenheit at least once during a predetermined time period to avoid formation of frost on the evaporator while maintaining the product display area within the predetermined temperature range.

A temperature monitoring and control system is provided. The system includes a plurality of temperature sensors for obtaining temperature readings of food items. 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 temperature 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 temperature readings and inaccurate temperature readings and/or to otherwise determine if an obstacle is preventing a temperature sensor from obtaining an accurate temperature reading.

The present disclosure provides a system, apparatus, and method for a modular food tray system having a plurality of food trays that can be used for heating, cooling, or a combination thereof. The system can include a first food tray for heating and a second food tray for cooling, generally mounted at a different elevation from the first food tray. Alternatively, one or both of the food trays can be designed for cooling through temperature elements coupled thereto and the tray can be heated by overhead radiant heating elements for dual temperature capabilities. The first food tray can be mounted above the second food tray. The first food tray can include a thermal shield between a heating element in the first food tray and the second food tray. In other embodiments, the second food tray can be mounted above the first food tray with a thermal shield therebetween.

A compact refrigeration unit structured and arranged to be used for the preservation of cosmetics using a cylindrical-shaped temperature-controlled portable device designed to be suitably used on a flat surface such as a tabletop. The present invention provides a cosmetic refrigerator suitable for both accessibility and also provides a temperature-controlled environment that preserves cosmetics with optimal temperature.

A heat exchanger for a temperature controlled case is disclosed herein. A temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a temperature controlled space. The housing includes a duct that receives circulated air. A heat exchanger is coupled to the housing and disposed within the duct. The heat exchanger includes an intake face at a non-perpendicular angle relative to an air flow direction in the duct immediately upstream of the heat exchanger.

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 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.

A refrigerated appliance includes a crossbar assembly disposed above a mounting area. The crossbar assembly includes a hooked portion that is operably coupled to a hook portion of a crossbar adapter. The crossbar adapter further includes a deflecting arm operable between at-rest and flexed positions. A housing includes an upper sidewall with a ramped introductory portion and a stepped snap feature. The deflecting arm of the crossbar adapter moves towards the flexed position from the at-rest position as the ramped introductory portion of the upper sidewall engages the deflecting arm of the crossbar adapter when the housing is received in the mounting area. The deflecting arm of the crossbar adapter resiliently snaps towards the at-rest position from the flexed position when the stepped snap feature of the housing clears a stepped snap feature disposed on the deflecting arm to releasably couple the housing to the crossbar adapter.