PORTABLE FREEZER MODULE

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable freezer module (30) for displaying and dispensing frozen edible products. The module comprises a case (32) and a duct (36). The case (32) comprises an insulated container having an interior space (33) for containing the frozen products, and an active cooling system for cooling the interior space and having a hot end (31) and a cold end (35). The duct (36) extends from the hot end (31) of the active cooling system of the case to a heat exhaust outlet (38). The module (30) is configured such that the case (32) can be removably sited in a presentation space (24) of a chill cabinet (20) with the heat exhaust (38) of the duct (36) positioned outside of the presentation space (24). The duct (36) is a hollow tube free from refrigerant conduits, electrical cables and other electrical equipment.

Claims

1. A portable freezer module for displaying and dispensing frozen edible products comprising: a case comprising: an insulated container having an interior space for containing the frozen products, and an active cooling system for cooling the interior space and having a hot end and a cold end; and a flexible duct extending from the hot end of the active cooling system of the case to a heat exhaust outlet; wherein the module is configured such that the case can be removably sited in a presentation space of a chill cabinet with the heat exhaust of the duct positioned outside of the presentation space; and wherein the flexible duct is a hollow tube free from refrigerant conduits, electrical cables and other electrical equipment.

2. The freezer module as claimed in claim 1 where the duct can be moved between at least two of the following positions: (i) the heat exhaust above the case; (ii) the heat exhaust to one side of the case; and (iii) the heat exhaust below the case.

3. The freezer module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the module comprises a battery for powering the active cooling system.

4. The freezer module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the module comprises a power cable wherein with the insulated case sited in the chill cabinet the cable extends from the case to a power source outside of the chill cabinet.

5. The freezer module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the active cooling system is a vapour compression system.

6. The freezer module as claimed in claim 5 wherein the vapour compression system comprises a compressor and an evaporator; the case comprises a compartment separated from the interior space by a partition wall; the compressor is sited in the compartment; and at least part of the evaporator is sited in the interior space.

7. The freezer module as claimed in claim 1 wherein the active cooling system is a thermoelectric system.

8. An apparatus for displaying and dispensing both chilled and frozen edible products comprising a chill cabinet having a presentation space and at least one of the freezer modules as claimed in claim 1, wherein the case of at least one freezer module is sited in the presentation space of the chill cabinet with the heat exhaust outlet of the said module positioned outside of the presentation space.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 8 wherein the interior space of the module is maintained at a frozen temperature, the presentation space is maintained at a chill temperature and wherein the frozen temperature is at least 16° C. lower than the chill temperature.

10. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the frozen temperature is between 17° C. and 30° C. lower than the chill temperature.

11. The apparatus as claimed in claim 9 wherein the frozen temperature is in the range of −15° C. to −25° C. and the chill temperature is in the range of 0° C. to +8° C.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0031] The present invention will now be described with reference to the figures, wherein:

[0032] FIG. 1 shows a perspective view of an apparatus according to the invention comprising a chill cabinet and two freezer modules.

[0033] FIG. 2 shows a sectional view of one of the modules of the apparatus of FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0034] FIG. 1 shows an apparatus (10) comprising a chill cabinet (20) and two portable freezer modules (30, 40) positioned within a presentation space (24) of the cabinet (20).

[0035] The presentation space (24) of the chill cabinet (20) is shown surrounded by an outer casing (26) except for the front which is open. In some embodiments the front of the presentation space (24) may be closed by doors (not shown) being at least partly transparent. The presentation space (24) comprises a plurality of shelves (22) for storing and displaying chilled edible products such as, for example, cheese, milk, yoghurt, butter, meat, fresh vegetables and the like. In the embodiment shown, the presentation space (24) comprises three shelves (22) approximately equally spaced one above another. The presentation space (24) is kept at a chill temperature (for example 2° C.) by cold air blown into the presentation space after passing over an evaporator of a vapour compression cooling system (not shown).

[0036] A first freezer module (30) comprises a case (32) and a tubular duct (36). The first freezer module (30) is shown with its casing (32) located on the top-most shelf (22) of the presentation space (24) and with the duct (36) extending from the casing (32) outside and to one side of the presentation space (24). At the front of the casing (32) is a door (34) with a transparent window through which frozen products within the casing (32) can be seen and accessed.

[0037] A second freezer module (40) also comprises a case (42) and a duct (46). The second freezer module (40) is shown with its casing (42) located on the bottom shelf (22) of the presentation space (24) and with the duct (46) extending from the casing (42) outside and below the presentation space (24). At the upper side of the casing (42) is a door (44) with a transparent window through which frozen products within the casing (42) can be seen and accessed.

[0038] Further details of the first freezer module (30) can be seen in FIG. 2. The casing (32) comprises a cuboidal container having five walls formed with low thermal conductivity material (for example expanded polystyrene sandwiched between metal panels) and the front door (34) surrounding an interior space (33) for containing frozen products (not shown). The casing (32) further comprises a compartment (39) at the rear of the container and which houses the hot end (31) of an active cooling system. In the embodiment shown, the hot end (31) comprises a compressor and condenser of a vapour compression system. An evaporator plate (35) is sited within the interior space (33) and forms the cold end of the vapour compression system to keep the interior space (33) at a frozen temperature (for example −18° C.). The cold end (35) and hot end (31) of the vapour compression system are in fluid communication via refrigerant conduit (31a) that passes through the rear wall of the container.

[0039] Adjacent to the hot end (31) of the cooling system is a heat inlet that forms an entrance (37) of the duct (36). The duct (36) is a flexible tube extending from the entrance (37) to a heat exhaust outlet (38). The duct (36) conveys hot air from the hot end (31) of the active cooling system to the exhaust (38). To aid flow of air into the duct (36), the compartment (39) may comprise one or more fans (not shown) to direct air into the inlet (37).