DISPLAY CASE DOOR WITH SEALED GLASS UNIT AND ELECTRONIC DISPLAY
20230180948 ยท 2023-06-15
Inventors
- Pedro Almaguer (North Hills, CA, US)
- Mark Sandnes (Granada Hills, CA, US)
- David Briggs Baugh (Palmdale, CA, US)
- Dexter Maluto (Los Angeles, CA, US)
- Adrian Rodriguez (Santa Clarita, CA, US)
Cpc classification
F25D2400/36
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D23/028
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
A47F11/06
HUMAN NECESSITIES
F25D29/005
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
F25D23/02
MECHANICAL ENGINEERING; LIGHTING; HEATING; WEAPONS; BLASTING
A47F3/001
HUMAN NECESSITIES
International classification
Abstract
A display case door includes a sealed glass unit assembly, a door frame, and an electronic display. The sealed glass unit assembly includes a sealed glass unit and a subframe extending about and coupled to the sealed glass unit. The subframe includes a set of two or more subframe rails configured to hold the sealed glass unit. The door frame is coupled to the subframe and configured to support the sealed glass unit assembly in the door frame. The electronic display is coupled to the door frame in front of the sealed glass unit. The door frame is configured to couple with a display case enclosure in an opening of the display case enclosure.
Claims
1. A display case door comprising: a sealed glass unit assembly comprising: a sealed glass unit; and a subframe extending about and coupled to the sealed glass unit, the subframe comprising a set of two or more subframe rails configured to hold the sealed glass unit; a door frame coupled to the subframe and configured to support the sealed glass unit assembly in the door frame; and an electronic display coupled to the door frame in front of the sealed glass unit, wherein the door frame is configured to couple with a display case enclosure in an opening of the display case enclosure.
2. The display case door of claim 1, wherein at least one of the subframe rails defines a channel configured to receive an edge of the sealed glass unit.
3. The display case door of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the subframe rails comprises a front rim, and the front rim is secured to the door frame.
4. The display case door of claim 1, wherein: the door frame comprises one or more rails, at least one of the rails of the door frame comprises an inner rim, and the front rim of at least one of the subframe rails is coupled to the inner rim.
5. The display case door of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the subframe rails comprises high-loaded polymer, and the door frame comprises one or more rails comprising an aluminum alloy.
6. The display case door of claim 1, wherein: at least one of the subframe rails comprises a front rim and defines a channel, the channel is configured to receive an edge of the sealed glass unit, and the front rim extends outwardly from the channel and is coupled to the door frame.
7. The display case door of claim 1, wherein: the door frame further comprises a back cover coupled to at least one of the subframe and the door frame, and the back cover comprises a slot configured to hold a gasket such that the gasket contacts a sealing surface on the display case enclosure when the display case door is installed on the display case enclosure.
8. The display case door of claim 1, wherein at least a portion of the sealed glass unit is recessed relative to a sealing surface of the display case enclosure when the display case door is installed on the display case enclosure.
9. The display case of claim 1, further comprising a back cover, the back cover comprising: a body coupled with at least one of the subframe and the door frame, the body defining a slot configured to receive a gasket; and a blade extending from the body, wherein a distal portion of the blade is configured to contact an outer surface of at least one of the subframe rails when the back cover is installed on at least one of the subframe and the door frame.
10. The display case of claim 1, further comprising a thermally conductive material at least partially covering a front surface of at least one of the two or more subframe rails.
11. The display case door of claim 1, further comprising one or more bezels coupled to the door frame, wherein: the electronic display assembly comprises one or more sensors along an edge of the electronic display, and at least one of the bezels defines a cutout for at least one of the one or more sensors.
12. The display case door of claim 1, further comprising one or more cable assemblies configured to supply electrical power to the electronic display and one or more heaters for the display case door, wherein at least one of the cable assemblies comprises a switch operable by a user to turn off power to the electronic display.
13. The display case door of claim 1, further comprising one or more cable assemblies configured to supply electrical power to the electronic display and one or more heaters for the display case door, wherein at least one of the rails comprises a service access opening for at least one of the cable assemblies.
14. The display case door of claim 1, wherein the display case door comprises one or more heater wires coupled to at least one of the one or more rails.
15. A rail system for a display case door, comprising: a rear rail configured to hold an edge of a sealed glass unit of the display case door; and a front rail coupled to the rear rail, wherein at least one of the front rail and rear rail is configurable to couple with a gasket such that the gasket contacts a sealing surface on a display case enclosure when the display case door is coupled to the display case enclosure.
16. The rail system of claim 15, wherein: the rear rail is included in a subframe for the sealed glass unit, the front rail is included in a door frame, and the subframe is configurable to couple with the door frame to support the sealed glass unit in the door frame.
17. The rail system of claim 15, wherein the rear rail defines a channel configured to receive an edge of the sealed glass unit.
18. The rail system of claim 17, wherein the rear rail comprises a front rim extending outwardly from the channel, wherein the front rail is configured to couple with the front rim.
19. The rail system of claim 15, further comprising a back cover, the back cover comprising: a body coupled with at least one of the rear rail and the front rail, the body defining a slot configured to receive a gasket; and a blade extending from the body, wherein a distal portion of the blade is configured to contact an outer surface of the rear rail when the back cover is installed on at least one of the subframe and the door frame.
20. The rail system of claim 15, wherein: the rear rail comprises high-loaded polymer, and the front rail comprises an aluminum alloy.
21. The rail system of claim 15, further comprising a thermally conductive material disposed on at least a portion of a front surface of the rear rail.
22. A method of making a display case door, comprising: installing two or more subframe rails on a sealed glass unit to form a subframe around the sealed glass unit; and coupling each of at least one of the two or more subframe rails to a corresponding rail of a door frame to install the sealed glass unit in the door frame.
23. The method of claim 22, wherein: at least one of the two or more subframe rails comprises a channel, installing the two or more subframe rails on the sealed glass unit to form a subframe around the sealed glass unit comprises installing an edge of the sealed glass unit in the channel.
Description
DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
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DETAILED DESCRIPTION
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[0137] In some implementations, a display case door includes one or more bezels (omitted from
[0138] Insulated panel assembly 104 can include one or more panes of glass. In some implementations, insulated panel assembly 104 includes two or more layers of transparent panes bounding a sealed space in between, forming a sealed glass unit (SGU).
[0139] In some implementations, the gap or sealed space can between two or more panels can be filled with an insulating gas such as a noble gas (e.g., Argon, Krypton, etc.) which functions as a thermal insulator to reduce heat transfer through the panel. In some examples, the sealed space can be evacuated below atmospheric pressure.
[0140] Door frame 106 extends around and is secured to a peripheral edge of insulated panel assembly 104. As further described in detail below, door frame 106 defines a channel or tunnel that receives one or more power cables that provide electrical power to the electronic display assembly.
[0141] Display case door 100 can include a single electronic display or multiple electronic displays. For example, display case door 100 can include two or more electronic displays vertically stacked and together covering the insulated panel assembly 104.
[0142] Electronic display 110 can include, but is not limited to, a liquid crystal display (LCD), a light emitting diode (LED) display, an organic light emitting diode (OLED) display, a field emission display (FED), a plasma display panel (PDP), or an electroluminescent (EL) display. For example, electronic display 110 can be a smart television with streaming capabilities for receiving content over a wireless network (e.g., a Wi-Fi network). Electronic display 110 is generally opaque and, when mounted on the display case door 100 partially or completely obstructs the view through the insulated panel assembly 104. In some implementations, electronic display 110 can be a custom sized display configured to correspond with dimensions of the display case door 100. In some implementations, electronic display 110 can be a commercial off the shelf (COTS) display.
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[0144] Electronic display assembly 102 includes electronic display 110, left side hinge brackets 112, right side brackets 114, and hangers 116. Left side hinge brackets 112 are attached to electronic display 110 along the left side of electronic display 110. Right side brackets 114 are attached to electronic display 110 along the right side of electronic display 110. Each of left side hinge brackets 112 and right side brackets 114 is secured to a corresponding one of mounting blocks 108 by way of screws 113 and screws 115, respectively. Door frame 106 includes top rail 120 and side rails 122. Electronic display assembly 102 is mounted on mounting blocks 108 on the left side rail 122 of door frame 106 and mounting blocks 108 on the right side rail 122 of door frame 106. Each of hangers 116 can be coupled on a corresponding one of display supports 118.
[0145] In the example shown in
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[0147] Display case door 100 includes handle 130. Electronic display assembly 102 includes circuitry module 132, top sensor 134, and handle-side sensor 136. The outside edges of circuitry module 132 are secured to left rail 206 and right rail 208 of door frame 106. Left bezel 124 and right bezel 128 can be attached to their respective rails. Top sensor 134 passes through an opening or cutout in top bezel 126. Handle-side sensor 136 is accessible through a corresponding aperture in right bezel 128.
[0148] Hold open bracket 138 is provided on a top edge of display case door 100. One end of hold open bracket 138 is pivotally coupled to door frame 106. In service, hold open bracket 138 can be used to maintain door in a desired open position.
[0149] Circuitry module 132 is positioned in a bottom portion of door frame 106. Circuitry module 132 overlays a portion of insulated panel assembly 104. Circuitry module 132 can be attached to electronic display 110 such that, with electronic display 110 releasably coupled to door frame 106, circuitry module 132 is releasably coupled to door frame 106. Circuitry module 132 can include a media player in electronic communication with electronic display 110 to control media content presented on electronic display 110.
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[0151] In the example shown in
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[0153] In some implementations, one or more of the mounting blocks serve as a spacer plate. The mounting blocks can define a position of the electronic display relative to a door frame.
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[0155] To install sealed glass unit assembly 104 in door frame 106, each of the subframe rails 204 of sealed glass unit assembly 104 is secured to a corresponding rail of the door frame. For example, the one of left subframe rails 204 is coupled to left rail 206 and the right one of subframe rails 204 is coupled to right rail 208. Back cover 210 is coupled to left rail 206 and the adjacent subframe rail 204. Back cover 212 is coupled to right rail 208 and the corresponding subframe rail 204. In a similar manner, the top and bottom subframe rails can be secured to corresponding top and bottom rails of the door frame, and top and bottom back covers can be secured to the corresponding top and bottom rails of the door frame.
[0156] In this example, left rail 206 of door frame 106 (shown in
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[0160] Subframe rail 204 and left rail 206 can be coupled to one another by way of fasteners, such as screws or rivets. In one implementation, subframe rail 204 is attached using self-clinching studs. SGU assembly 202 is installed in the door frame by securing each of subframe rails 204 (left, right, top, and bottom) to a corresponding rail of door frame 106.
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[0163] Display case door 100 includes sealed glass unit assembly 104. Sealed glass unit assembly 104 is installed on door frame 106. In this example, front rim 224 of subframe rail 204 is contained between inner rim 216 of left rail 206 and the front face of back cover 210. In some implementations, subframe 204 is connected to left rail 206 by way of studs (for example, studs 226) and secured by way of a nuts installed on the studs.
[0164] Sealed glass unit 200 includes glass panes 240 and spacers 242. In the example shown in
[0165] Back cover 210 is attached to left rail 206. Gasket 244 is installed in slot 230 of back cover 210. When display case door 100 is closed on display case enclosure 240, gasket 244 contacts sealing surface 246 of display case enclosure 240 to seal air in display case enclosure 240. In some implementations, sealing surface 246 is included on a frame installed in an opening in display case enclosure 240. Blade 248 of back cover 210 bears against an outer surface 250 of subframe rail 204. As will be further discussed below, blade 248 can serve as a thermal break for air in display case enclosure 240.
[0166] Sealed glass unit 200 can be at least partially recessed relative to the front of display case enclosure. In this example, two of the three panes 240 are to the rear of sealing surface 246 of display case enclosure 240.
[0167] Subframe rail 204 includes slots 252. Screws 254 can be installed in slots 252 to couple adjacent subframe rails 204 of SGU subframe 202 to secure SGU subframe 202 on sealed glass unit 200. Slots 252 can receive screws to join the miters of the subframe rail 204, which creates the SGU subframe 202.
[0168] Display case door 100 includes thermally conductive tape 256 on a front surface of subframe rail 204. As will be further described below, thermally conductive tape 256 can inhibit condensation on display case door 100. Heater wire 257 can be included between back cover 210 and left rail 206. In some implementations, sealed glass unit 200 includes one or more heater wires (omitted for clarity in
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[0172] In some implementations, back cover 210 is co-extruded from two or more polymeric materials. For example, distal portion 264 can be extruded from one polymeric material and the rest of back cover 210 can be extruded from another polymeric material. In one implementation, distal portion 264 is a PVC elastomer. In some implementations, distal portion 264 is a flexible PVC and the rest of back cover 210 is a rigid PVC, coextruded as a single plastic piece.
[0173] When back cover 210 is installed on the rail system, distal tip 264 of blade 248 may contact and bear against an outer surface of the rail system. For example, referring again to
[0174] In some implementations, a thermally conductive material is applied to a front surface of a subframe rail.
[0175] Thermally conductive tape 256 can be in contact with the front edge of the adjacent rails of door frame 104. In some implementations, the rails of the door frame are made of an aluminum alloy or other thermally conductive material. In certain implementations, thermally conductive tape can be applied over a portion of a front rail of the door frame. Thus, in this example, an outer edge of thermally conductive tape 256 can be applied on side rail 274 and top rail 276.
[0176] As illustrated in
[0177] In one implementation, thermally conductive tape 256 is an aluminum tape with a thermally conductive adhesive. In another implementation, thermally conductive tape 256 is a copper tape with a thermally conductive adhesive. Other examples of thermally conductive materials include acrylic tape, or a thermally conductive coating, such as a thermally conductive epoxy. In certain implementations, a surface rail is covered with a tape that includes a closed cell PVC foam of light density with a PVC backing, with an acrylic adhesive on one side.
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[0179] Similar to the display case door shown in
[0180] In certain implementations, circuitry module 526 can include one or more quick disconnect plugs. A quick disconnect plug can be attached to the first end of a control cable. The quick disconnect plug can also attached to power cable 529. The quick disconnect plug may include a power, audio, visual, or ground wire.
[0181] Referring also to
[0182] In some implementations, a power switch for a display case door is inset into the door frame below a bottom surface of the frame.
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[0184] Referring again to
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[0186] Electrical power is provided to display case door 600 through hinge pin connector 614. Power lines can be paired such that different branches of the power lines provide power to each of the loads of display case door 600. Splitters 616 branch electrical power between electronic display assembly 602 and the heaters. Splitters 618 branch electronic power between door rail heaters 604 and glass heaters 606.
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[0188] Wires from red wire assembly 704 and white wire assembly 706 can be paired and attached to individual loads, including door rail heaters and glass heaters. In this example, one pair of wires forms a branch 714 that supplies power to door rail heaters 714 and another pair of wires forms a branch that supplies power to glass heaters 716.
[0189] Power is passed from frame to door through hinge pin connector 702. Power can then be split into two or more connections. In one implementation, power is split into two connection so that one circuit powering the door heaters. The other connection than be split again into two connections to power the display and glass heaters.
[0190] Switch 720 can be used to turn power on or off to the electronic display. Connectors 712 can be used (e.g., by maintenance personnel) to connect and disconnect power individually to the door rail heaters or glass heaters. In some implementations, a field service technician can power/depower each of electronic display, door rail heater, and glass heater individually. In some implementations, a switch is provided on one or more of the lines to some or all of the door rail heaters or glass heaters.
[0191] In some implementations, wire harness 700 is provided in a left hand configuration and a right hand configuration. One of the configurations can be used on each side of the electronic display.
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[0194] In this example, rail 720 is on the hinge-side of a display case door. In other implementations, access openings are provided in other locations on a display case door.
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[0198] While a number of examples have been described for illustration purposes, the foregoing description is not intended to limit the scope of the invention, which is defined by the scope of the appended claims. There are and will be other examples and modifications within the scope of the following claims. Furthermore, one of skill in the art would appreciate that features described in reference to a specific embodiment are not limited to that embodiment and can be interchanged with features of other embodiments.