Abstract
A display unit includes a housing defining an interior chamber, a plurality of shelves disposed within the interior chamber, a duct system fluidly coupled to each of the plurality of shelves, and an air driver configured to provide an air stream to the duct system such that the air stream is provided to the plurality of shelves to create an air curtain within the interior chamber.
Claims
1. A display unit comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber; a plurality of shelves disposed within the interior chamber; a duct system fluidly coupled to each of the plurality of shelves; and an air driver configured to provide an air stream to the duct system such that the air stream is provided to the plurality of shelves to create an air curtain within the interior chamber.
2. The display unit of claim 1, further comprising a thermal element positioned to at least one of heat or cool the air stream.
3. The display unit of claim 1, wherein a front of the housing is open to an ambient environment.
4. The display unit of claim 3, wherein each of the plurality of shelves includes an outlet positioned along a front edge thereof, and wherein the outlet is positioned to provide the air curtain at the front of the housing. 5 The display unit of claim 4, wherein the outlet is a first outlet, wherein each of the plurality of shelves includes a second outlet positioned along a rear edge thereof, and wherein the second outlet is positioned to provide the air curtain at a rear of the housing.
6. The display unit of claim 4, wherein the outlet is angled towards a center of the interior chamber.
7. The display unit of claim 3, wherein the housing includes one or more doors positioned along a rear of the housing.
8. The display unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of shelves is pivotable.
9. The display unit of claim 1, wherein the duct system includes a supply post extending vertically along the housing and fluidly coupling the plurality of shelves to the air driver.
10. The display unit of claim 9, wherein the supply post is a first supply post, further comprising a second supply post extending vertically along the housing and fluidly coupling the plurality of shelves to the air driver, wherein the first supply post and the second supply post are positioned on opposing sides of the plurality of shelves.
11. The display unit of claim 9, wherein the supply post includes a plurality of baffles spaced along a height thereof to divert a portion of the air stream to each of the plurality of shelves.
12. The display unit of claim 9, wherein the duct system includes a return post extending vertically along the housing, the return post including one or more air returns configured to draw the air curtain into the duct system.
13. The display unit of claim 12, wherein the return post is disposed along an interior surface of the supply post, wherein the supply post includes a plurality of shelving ducts spaced along a height thereof and extending therefrom, and wherein the plurality of shelving ducts extend through the return post to the plurality of shelves.
14. A display unit comprising: a plurality of shelves, each of the plurality of shelves having an internal volume, a first outlet positioned along a first edge thereof, and a second outlet positioned along an opposing second edge thereof; and a duct system including: a first supply post including a first plurality of shelving ducts spaced along a first height thereof; a second supply post including a second plurality of shelving ducts spaced along a second height thereof, the first plurality of shelving ducts and the second plurality of shelving ducts coupled to the internal volume of the plurality of shelves; a first return post positioned along a first interior surface of the first supply post, the first return post including a first plurality of air returns spaced along a third height thereof, the first plurality of shelving ducts extending through the first return post; and a second return post positioned along a second interior surface of the second supply post, the second return post including a second plurality of air returns spaced along a fourth height thereof, the second plurality of shelving ducts extending through the second return post.
15. The display unit of claim 14, further comprising an air driver configured to provide an air stream to the duct system such that the air stream flows through the first supply post and the second supply post, through the first plurality of shelving ducts and the second plurality of shelving ducts, into the internal volume of the plurality of shelves, out of the first outlet and the second outlet of the plurality of shelves to provide an air curtain, and into the first plurality of air returns and the second plurality of air returns.
16. The display unit of claim 15, further comprising a thermal element positioned to at least one of heat or cool the air stream.
17. The display unit of claim 15, wherein the first outlet and the second outlet are angled toward each other.
18. The display unit of claim 1, wherein at least one of the plurality of shelves is pivotable.
19. A display unit comprising: a housing defining an interior chamber; a shelf disposed within the interior chamber, the shelf defining an internal volume and an outlet along an edge thereof; a duct system fluidly coupled to the shelf; and an air driver configured to provide an air stream to the duct system such that the air stream is provided to the internal volume of the shelf to generate an air curtain from the outlet of the shelf and within the interior chamber of the housing.
20. The display unit of claim 19, wherein the shelf is pivotable.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0007] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a thermal unit, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0008] FIG. 2 is a side view of the thermal unit of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0009] FIG. 3 is a rear view of the thermal unit of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0010] FIG. 4 is a front view of the thermal unit of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0011] FIG. 5 is a top view of the thermal unit of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0012] FIG. 6 is a perspective view of a plenum and a duct system of the thermal unit of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0013] FIG. 7 is a sectional view of the thermal unit of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0014] FIG. 8 is a perspective view of the duct system of the thermal unit of FIG. 1 with a cover of a supply post removed, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0015] FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the duct system of the thermal unit of FIG. 1 with a return post removed, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0016] FIG. 10 is a sectional view of the thermal unit of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0017] FIG. 11 is a detailed view of the sectional view of FIG. 10, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0018] FIG. 12 is a detailed view of a sectional view of a shelf and grill of the thermal unit of FIG. 1, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0019] FIG. 13 is a sectional view of the thermal unit of FIG. 1 with doors, sidewalls, a top wall, and a base removed, according to an exemplary embodiment.
[0020] FIG. 14 is a side view of the thermal unit of FIG. 1 with doors, sidewalls, a top wall, and a base removed, according to an exemplary embodiment.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0021] Before turning to the figures, which illustrate certain exemplary embodiments in detail, it should be understood that the present disclosure is not limited to the details or methodology set forth in the description or illustrated in the figures. It should also be understood that the terminology used herein is for the purpose of description only and should not be regarded as limiting.
[0022] According to an exemplary embodiment, the present disclosure relates to a thermal unit. The thermal unit includes a container or housing configured to store items such as food in a thermally regulated environment. The thermal unit includes one or more heating and/or cooling elements configured to heat or cool the air in a duct system of the thermal unit and provide the air to form an air curtain around the thermally regulated environment. The container includes one or more shelves configured to circulate the warm or cold air through the thermal unit via the duct system to force the air to form an air curtain around the thermally regulated environment within the container to maintain a desired temperature therein. The thermal unit may be used in a restaurant, kitchen, or any other application to facilitate thermally regulating the air inside the thermal unit to a desired air temperature for storing, preparing, displaying, heating, and/or cooling food or beverages.
[0023] According to the exemplary embodiment shown in FIGS. 1-14, a thermal, temperature regulation, and/or display unit (e.g., food container, food regulator, fridge, warmer, etc.), shown as standing air curtain 10, is configured to house items such as food or beverages in a thermally regulated environment separate from an external environment. The standing air curtain 10 facilitates food storage, heating, cooling, etc. in a restaurant, kitchen, or any other application where a thermally regulated environment may be necessary. The standing air curtain 10 may be shaped similar to a box, elongated cube, or any other shape or configuration suitable for storing food and beverages, and thermally regulating the internal environment. As shown in FIGS. 2-4, 7, and 10, the standing air curtain 10 includes casters (e.g., rollers, wheels, slides, etc.), shown as casters 12, configured to facilitate movement of the standing air curtain 10 along a ground surface. In some embodiments, the casters 12 are configured to lock to inhibit rotation thereof and, therefore, inhibit movement of the standing air curtain 10. In some embodiments, the standing air curtain 10 does not include the casters 12. In such embodiments, the standing air curtain 10 may be fixed at a stationary position to a floor or a wall (e.g., in a restaurant or kitchen, etc.) by way of a fastening mechanism (e.g., brackets, bolts, mounts, welds, etc.).
[0024] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, 7-11, 13, and 14, the standing air curtain 10 includes a housing that defines an interior volume, shown as interior chamber 14, defined by (i) interior surfaces of a plurality of walls of the housing of the standing air curtain 10, shown as sidewalls 18, top wall 22, and doors 26 (at the rear of the housing), and (ii) an air curtain (e.g., air barrier, heated air wall, cooled air wall, etc.), shown as air curtain 30 (at the front of the housing. The interior chamber 14 may be an internal thermally regulated environment of the standing air curtain 10 configured to store (e.g., house, display, etc.) food. In some embodiments, the interior chamber 14 is configured to store items other than food (e.g., beverages, medications, pharmaceuticals, chemicals, hazardous materials, art, laboratory samples, textiles, biological samples, etc.) to be thermally regulated by the standing air curtain 10.
[0025] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, the sidewalls 18 are spaced apart a distance to define the width of the interior chamber 14 and extend parallel to each other in a substantially vertical direction (e.g., between the floor on which the standing air curtain 10 is positioned and the top wall 22). As shown in FIGS. 1-5 and 10, the top wall 22 extends in a substantially horizontal plane (e.g., parallel to the floor on which the standing air curtain 10 is positioned) between the sidewalls 18. The top wall 22 is coupled to top edges of the sidewalls 18. In some embodiments, the sidewalls 18 and the top wall 22 are formed as a single, unitary body (e.g., a continuous panel, section, part, etc.). In other embodiments, the sidewalls 18 and the top wall 22 are discrete panels. As shown in FIGS. 2-5, 7, and 10, the doors 26 are pivotally coupled to the sidewalls 18 and configured to provide selective access to the interior chamber 14 (e.g., to selectively enclose the interior chamber 14, from the rear of the standing air curtain 10, etc.). The doors 26 each include a handle 28 positioned along the outside surface of the doors 26 to facilitate moving the doors 26 between open and closed positions. In some embodiments, the doors 26 selectively enclose the interior chamber 14 by way of another mechanism (e.g., slides, rails, actuators, etc.). As shown in FIG. 3, the doors 26 are coupled to the sidewalls 18 such that the doors 26 open away from each other (e.g., a first door 26 pivots about a hinge coupled to a first sidewall 18 and a second door 26 pivots about a hinge coupled to a second sidewall 18). In some embodiments, the doors 26 are configured to open in the same direction as each other. In some embodiments, the doors 26 are formed as a single, unitary body such that the standing air curtain 10 includes one door 26 configured to provide selective access to the interior chamber 14. In some embodiments, the sidewalls 18, the top wall 22, and/or the doors 26 are configured as or include windows (e.g., manufactured from or include a see-through material such as tempered glass, acrylic, polycarbonate, etc.) such that a user (e.g., a customer, an employee, etc.) can see the food stored in the interior chamber 14. In some embodiments, the sidewalls 18, the top wall 22, and the doors 26 are manufactured from another suitable material such as stainless steel, aluminum, etc., or combination of materials (e.g., a first, outer material and a second, insulative material).
[0026] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, 7, 10, and 11, the interior chamber 14 is enclosed along one side thereof by the air curtain 30 configured to form a barrier between the interior chamber 14 and the external environment surrounding the standing air curtain 10. The user can reach through the air curtain 30 to place food inside of the interior chamber 14, remove food from the interior chamber 14, or move food around within the interior chamber 14. The air curtain 30 provides a barrier between the interior chamber 14 and the external environment such that the temperature, humidity, etc. in the interior chamber 14 is regulated to a desired value. In other words, the air curtain 30 (along with the sidewalls 18, the top wall 22, and the doors 26) substantially isolate the interior chamber 14 from the external environment. The air curtain 30 may include a constant stream of hot, cold, or room temperature air. By way of example, the air curtain 30 may include a constant stream of air to create a barrier between the external environment and the cold (e.g., refrigerated, etc.) food storage area of the interior chamber 14. In such an example, an air stream of the air curtain 30 inhibits (e.g., prevents, reduces, etc.) the loss of cold air from the interior chamber 14 to the external environment and helps maintain the temperature and/or humidity within the interior chamber 14. Collectively, the sidewalls 18, the top wall 22, the doors 26, and the air curtain 30 are configured to separate (e.g., isolate) the thermally regulated air of the interior chamber 14 from the external environment surrounding the standing air curtain 10.
[0027] As shown in FIGS. 1, 4, and 7-14, the standing air curtain 10 includes one or more support surfaces, shown as shelves 34, positioned inside of the interior chamber 14 to support food therein. The shelves 34 are substantially flat surfaces that extend within or substantially within a horizontal plane (e.g., parallel to the floor on which the standing air curtain 10 is positioned) between the sidewalls 18. The shelves 34 may include a grate or other support structure to support the food on the shelves 34. In some embodiments, the shelves 34 are configured to support trays received by rails positioned along the sidewalls 18 and sized to pass through the doors 26 or the air curtain 30. In such embodiments, the trays are selectively removable from the interior chamber 14.
[0028] As shown in FIGS. 4, 7, 8, 10, and 13, the shelves 34 divide the interior chamber 14 into one or more zones (e.g., volumes, spaces, heating chambers, cooling chambers, etc.), shown as zones 36. The shelves 34 may be evenly spaced along a height of the interior chamber 14 such that all of the zones 36 are the same volume. In some embodiments, the shelves 34 are not evenly spaced along the height of the interior chamber 14 to facilitate the storage of larger items (e.g., food) in larger zones 36 and smaller items in smaller zones 36. By way of example, the lowest zone 36 (e.g., the zone 36 closest to the ground surface) may be the largest zone 36 in the interior chamber 14 because it may be easier for a user to place larger items on the lowest shelf 34
[0029] In some embodiments, the shelves 34 include one or more heating elements or cooling elements operatively coupled to a controller (e.g., controller 58) of the standing air curtain 10 and configured to heat or cool the air within the interior chamber 14 (e.g., the thermally regulated air enclosed by the collective barrier formed by the sidewalls 18, the top wall 22, the doors 26, and the air curtain 30) and the food stored within the interior chamber 14. In some embodiments, one or more lights (e.g., LED lights, incandescent bulbs, halogen bulbs, florescent lights, etc.) are positioned above each of the shelves 34 to illuminate the items being stored inside the interior chamber 14. The lights may be operatively coupled to the controller (e.g., controller 58) of the standing air curtain 10 that controls the on/off power of the lights. The controller may set a schedule to power the lights on/off in coordination with the hours of operation of a restaurant or kitchen. By way of example, the controller may power the lights on when the restaurant or kitchen is open for business, and powers the lights off when the restaurant or kitchen is closed for business. In some embodiments, the lights are motion activated such that when a user (e.g., customer, employee, etc.) walks near the standing air curtain 10, the lights automatically power on.
[0030] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, 7, and 10, the standing air curtain 10 includes a thermal unit base, shown as base 40, positioned vertically below the interior chamber 14 and configured to house various components (e.g., electrical equipment/wiring, thermal heating/cooling elements, control system, duct system, etc.) of the standing air curtain 10. The casters 12 are coupled to a bottom surface of the base 40 to facilitate movement and repositioning of the standing air curtain 10. In some embodiments, a top surface of the base 40 serves as a bottom wall defining the volume of the interior chamber 14. In other embodiments, the standing air curtain 10 includes a bottom wall separate from the base 40. As shown in FIGS. 1-3 and 10, the base 40 includes one or more openings (e.g., slits, apertures, etc.), shown as louvers 44, configured to provide ventilation to and from the interior volume of the base 40 and the external environment. The louvers 44 are positioned along sidewalls of the base 40. In some embodiments, the louvers 44 are variously positioned about the walls of the base 40. As shown in FIGS. 3 and 10, the base 40 includes an air driver (e.g., a fan, a blower, etc.), shown as fan 45, positioned within the interior volume of the base 40 and configured to facilitate airflow between the interior volume of the base 40 and the external environment. The fan 45 may expel heat (e.g., heat generated from the motor 76) from the interior volume of the base 40 to the external environment through the louvers 44 to cool the components housed therein. The fan 45 may be operatively coupled to the controller (e.g., controller 58) to be selectively powered on or off based on a determination that the temperature of the interior volume of the base 40 has exceeded a temperature threshold. In some embodiments, one or more of the walls of the base 40 are selectively removable from the base 40 such that the components housed within the base 40 are accessible for service, maintenance, cleaning, upgrades, or any other reason. By way of example, the back wall of the base 40 may be selectively coupled to sidewalls, a top wall, and/or a bottom wall of the base 40, or some other component of the standing air curtain 10 by way of fasteners (e.g., screws, bolts, etc.). By way of another example, the back wall of the base 40 may be pivotally coupled to the base 40 using hinges such that access to the interior volume of the base 40 is permitted by pivoting the back wall relative to the base 40 to an open position. As shown in FIGS. 2, 3, and 5, the base 40 includes an aperture along a back wall thereof through which an electrical wire, shown as power cord 46, extends. The power cord 46 may electrically couple with an external power source to facilitate powering the electrical components (e.g., the fan 45, the control panel 54, the controller 58, the thermal element 64, the duct fan 72, the motor 76, etc.) of the standing air curtain 10.
[0031] As shown in FIGS. 1-4, 7, and 10, the standing air curtain 10 includes a skirt (e.g., kickplate, panels, covers, etc.), shown as skirt 48, coupled to the base 40 proximate the floor on which the standing air curtain 10 is positioned. The skirt 48 may include four individual panels extending along the bottom front, rear, left, and right edges of the base 40. In some embodiments, the skirt 48 does not extend along each of the bottom front, rear, left and right edges of the base 40. By way of example, the skirt 48 may extend along the bottom front edge of the base 40 only. In some embodiments, the skirt 48 is formed as a single, unitary body with the walls of the base 40. The skirt 48 is configured to prevent or inhibit items (e.g., food, garbage, debris, personal items, etc.) from falling under the standing air curtain 10. The skirt 48 may be selectively removable from the standing air curtain 10 to facilitate cleaning under the standing air curtain 10. In some embodiments, the standing air curtain 10 does not include the skirt 48.
[0032] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the standing air curtain 10 includes a thermal unit control system, shown as control system 50, configured to control the operation of the standing air curtain 10. The control system 50 includes a control panel (e.g., a user interface, etc.), shown as control panel 54, coupled to the base 40. In some embodiments, the control panel 54 is otherwise suitably positioned about the standing air curtain 10 (e.g., along a sidewall 18). In other embodiments, the control panel 54 is provided as a remote device (e.g., a tablet, a computer, a smartphone, a laptop, etc.) configured to facilitate wired or wireless communication (e.g., via Wi-Fi, Bluetooth, etc.) between the control system 50 and the standing air curtain 10. The control panel 54 is configured to provide a user with the ability to control one or more functions of and/or provide commands to the standing air curtain 10 and the components thereof (e.g., turn on, turn off, heat, cool, engage various operating modes, etc.).
[0033] As shown in FIGS. 1 and 4, the control system 50 includes a controller 58 communicably coupled to the control panel 54 and configured to transmit commands, data, or information to various components (e.g., lights, heating/cooling elements, fans, etc.) of the standing air curtain 10 relating to the operation (e.g., heating, cooling, lighting, etc.) of the standing air curtain 10. Likewise, the controller 58 may be configured to receive commands, data, or information from the various components (e.g., lights, heating/cooling elements, fans, etc.) of the standing air curtain 10. In some embodiments, the commands, data, or information transmitted from or received by the controller 58 is related to control, configuration, settings, troubleshooting, diagnostics, etc. of the standing air curtain 10. In some embodiments, the controller 58 and the control panel 54 are integrated into a single component or device.
[0034] The controller 58 includes a processing circuit including one or more processors and a memory. The one or more processors may be a general or specific purpose processor, an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), one or more field programmable gate arrays (FPGAs), a group of processing components, or other suitable processing components. According to an exemplary embodiment, the one or more processors may be coupled to the memory and may be configured to execute computer code or instructions stored in the memory or received from other computer-readable media (e.g., USB drive, network storage, remote server, etc.). The memory may include one or more memory devices (e.g., memory units, storage devices, etc.) for storing data and/or computer code for completing and/or facilitating the various processes described herein. The memory may include random access memory (RAM), read-only memory (ROM), hard drive storage, temporary storage, non-volatile memory, flash memory, optical memory, or any other suitable memory for storing software objects and/or computer instructions. The memory may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities described herein in connection with the systems, apparatuses, and methods for communicating with and/or controlling the standing air curtain 10. The memory may be communicably coupled to the processor and may include computer code that, when executed by the one or more processors, performs one or more of the processes described herein.
[0035] According to an exemplary embodiment, the control system 50 is configured to control the temperature and humidity of the air in the interior chamber 14. The control system 50 may be further configured to control the air flow (e.g., volumetric flow rate, mass flow rate, velocity, etc.) of the air in the interior chamber 14 and of the air curtain 30. The controller 58 may be communicably coupled to one or more other systems of the standing air curtain 10, such as electrical systems, electromechanical systems, thermal systems, or otherwise. In response to receiving an input from the user (e.g., an input to set the temperature or humidity, etc.), the control panel 54 provides a signal relating to the control, configuration, settings, troubleshooting, diagnostics, etc. of the standing air curtain 10 to the controller 58, which then transmits commands, data, or information to the one or more other systems of the standing air curtain 10. The control panel 54 may include one or more user input devices, such as displays, buttons, touch screens, dials, knobs, switches, levers, joysticks, keyboards, etc. to facilitate user control of the standing air curtain 10. By way of example, the user may input a desired condition (e.g., temperature, humidity, air flow rate, etc.) to the control panel 54 to provide the controller 58 with information relating to the desired condition. The controller 58 may then transmit a signal to the one or more other systems of the standing air curtain 10 commanding the one or more other systems to output or maintain the desired condition. The user may use the control panel 54 to manually set operating parameters of the standing air curtain 10. The control panel 54 may display current, real-time information on the displays relating to the condition (e.g., temperature, humidity, air flow rate, etc.) of the air in the interior chamber 14 and/or the air curtain 30.
[0036] In some embodiments, the control system 50 includes components that are used to (i) provide feedback to the controller 58 relating to the condition of the air in the interior chamber 14 or the air curtain 30 and/or (ii) control the condition of the air in the interior chamber 14 or the air curtain 30. By way of example, the control system 50 may include a thermometer to acquire temperature data inside the interior chamber 14, a humidity sensor to acquire humidity data inside the interior chamber 14, an anemometer or flow sensor to acquire air flow rate data of the air curtain 30, and/or one or more other sensors configured to acquire data relating to the operation of the standing air curtain 10. The thermometer, humidity sensor, and anemometer/flow sensor may provide a signal to the controller 58 relating to the acquired data. In response to receiving the acquired data, the controller 58 may compare the acquired data to a desired condition (e.g., a temperature, a humidity, an air flow rate manually set by the user, etc.) and transmit a signal to the one or more other systems of the standing air curtain 10 commanding the one or more other systems to output or maintain the desired condition.
[0037] As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 10, 13, and 14, the base 40 houses a mixing chamber (e.g., heating chamber, return chamber, supply chamber, recirculation box, etc.), shown as plenum 60, and houses at least a portion of an air circulation system, shown as duct system 80. The plenum 60 is configured to receive return air from the duct system 80, thermally regulate (e.g., heat, cool, etc.) the received air, and supply the thermally-regulated air to the duct system 80. The plenum 60 defines a first chamber (e.g., return chamber, zone, volume, space, etc.), shown as thermal zone 62. The thermal zone 62 includes a thermal element (e.g., heater, heating element, cooling element, evaporator coil, etc.), shown as thermal element 64. The thermal element 64 is configured to heat (e.g., warm, etc.) and/or cool the air inside the thermal zone 62 received (e.g., returned) from the duct system 80. The thermal zone 62 is an enclosed volume where the return air from the duct system 80 is collected, stored, and circulated before being distributed to the duct system 80 and throughout the standing air curtain 10. The thermal element 64 may be or include a metal resistance wire (e.g., Nickel-Chrome wire, FeCrAl wire, CuNi wire, etc.) configured to convert electrical energy into heat to heat the air via convection. In some embodiments, the thermal element 64 is a ceramic and semiconductor heating element. In some embodiments, the thermal element 64 is a radiative heating element, such as a heat lamp. In some embodiments, the thermal element 64 is a cooling element (e.g., cooling coil, heat exchanger, condenser coil, evaporative coils, etc.) configured to cool the received air (e.g., via heat transfer) in the thermal zone 62. The thermal element 64 may be shaped (e.g., straight, coiled, etc.) to extend across the width of the thermal zone 62 to heat and/or cool the air received from the duct system 80. In some embodiments, the thermal zone 62 includes two or more thermal elements 64 variously positioned about the thermal zone 62 and/or the duct system 80. In other embodiments, the thermal element 64 is otherwise shaped or positioned within the thermal zone 62 to sufficiently heat and/or cool the air received from the duct system 80 to a desired output temperature. Each of the thermal elements 64 may be independently controlled by the controller 58 to control the temperature of the air passing over the thermal elements 64.
[0038] As shown in FIGS. 7, 10, 13, and 14, the plenum 60 defines a second chamber (e.g., supply chamber, zone, volume, space, etc.), shown as supply zone 66, defined by the bottom surface of the thermal zone 62 and the bottom surface of the plenum 60. The plenum 60 includes an air transfer aperture (e.g., opening, hole, etc.), shown as supply aperture 68, between the thermal zone 62 and the supply zone 66. The supply aperture 68 is configured to facilitate transferring the air heated or cooled by the thermal element 64 from the thermal zone 62 to the supply zone 66. In other words, the air heated or cooled by the thermal element 64 is directed (e.g., supplied, forced, etc.) to exit the thermal zone 62 and enter the supply zone 66 via the supply aperture 68.
[0039] As shown in FIGS. 7, 10, 13, and 14, the standing air curtain 10 includes a fan (e.g., centrifugal fan, blower, vacuum, etc.), shown as duct fan 72, configured to cause a flow of air through the standing air curtain 10. The duct fan 72 is positioned within the supply zone 66 and configured to create a pressure difference such that the air from the thermal zone 62 is forced to the supply zone 66 and, subsequently, through the duct system 80. The duct fan 72 may be a centrifugal fan configured to suck air through the supply aperture 68 from the thermal zone 62 and radially supply the air through the supply zone 66 in a direction towards the sidewalls 18 (e.g., away from the duct fan 72) and to the duct system 80. In some embodiments, the duct fan 72 includes a filter positioned proximate the supply aperture 68 to inhibit particulates (e.g., foodstuff, debris, etc.) from entering the duct fan 72 and from being supplied to the duct system 80. In some embodiments, one or more filters are variously positioned throughout the duct system 80 to inhibit particulates from circulating through the standing air curtain 10 and the duct system 80.
[0040] As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 10, 13, and 14, the standing air curtain 10 includes an electric motor, shown as motor 76, operatively coupled to the duct fan 72 and configured to drive the duct fan 72. The motor 76 is communicably coupled to the control system 50, such that the angular velocity of the motor 76 may be varied by the controller 58 to achieve a desired air flow rate through the duct system 80. Additionally, the controller 58 may selectively power the motor 76 on or off. In some embodiments, the controller 58 controls the thermal elements 64 and the duct fan 72, via the motor 76, in coordination with each other to achieve a desired condition within the interior chamber 14.
[0041] As shown in FIGS. 6, 7, and 13, the plenum 60 and the duct system 80 are supported by one or more legs (e.g., supports, base legs, stabilizing legs, etc.), shown as legs 78, within the base 40. The legs 78 may be coupled to the bottom surface of the plenum 60 and the bottom surface of the supply duct 88 and secured to a bottom surface of the base 40 by way of one or more fasteners. In some embodiments, the legs 78 are integrally formed with the base 40, the plenum 60, or another component of the duct system 80. In some embodiments, the legs 78 fix the standing air curtain 10 directly to the floor on which the standing air curtain 10 is positioned or a wall proximate the standing air curtain 10.
[0042] As shown in FIGS. 7-12, a flow of air, shown as air stream 84 and represented by a plurality of arrows, flows through the duct system 80. Referring particularly to FIG. 7, the duct fan 72 pulls air thermally-regulated in the plenum 60 and supplies (e.g., drives, moves, etc.) the air to a supply duct (e.g., conduit, passage, etc.), shown as supply duct 88. The supply duct 88 fluidly couples the supply zone 66 of the plenum 60 to a supply post (e.g., duct, conduit, passage, etc.), shown as supply post 92, such that the air stream 84 flows to the supply post 92 from the supply zone 66 via the supply duct 88. The supply duct 88 is fluidly coupled to the supply zone 66 and extends laterally in a direction towards the sidewalls 18 (e.g., between the plenum 60 and the sidewalls 18).
[0043] As shown in FIGS. 1-5, 7-9, and 13, the supply posts 92 extend vertically in a direction upward from the base 40 towards the top wall 22 (e.g., between the top surface of the base 40 and the top wall 22). Referring to FIG. 8, the supply post 92 is shown with an outside cover thereof removed for clarity. The supply posts 92 are positioned along the exterior surface of each of the sidewalls 18 (e.g., a left sidewall 18 and a right sidewall 18 defining the interior chamber 14) and supply the air stream 84 vertically upwards inside the supply posts 92. The supply posts 92 are shaped such that the cross-sectional area tapers from a wider inlet area (e.g., where the supply posts 92 are fluidly coupled to the supply duct 88) to a narrower area near the top of the supply posts 92 (e.g., an area proximate the top wall 22). In some embodiments, the supply posts 92 are otherwise shaped (e.g., rectangularly shaped such that the cross-sectional area does not taper).
[0044] As shown in FIGS. 7, 8, and 13, the supply posts 92 include a plurality of air redirection members, shown as baffles 96, positioned within an interior volume defined thereby and along a longitudinal height thereof. The baffles 96 are vertically spaced within the supply posts 92 so as to be positioned within horizontal planes in which the shelves 34 extend (e.g., each baffle 96 of the plurality of baffles 96 is planar with a respective shelf 34). The baffles 96 are shaped as a concave downward facing (e.g., in a direction towards the floor on which the standing air curtain 10 is positioned) arcs. In some embodiments, the baffles 96 are otherwise shaped. The baffles 96 are configured to divert a volume of the air stream 84 flowing through the supply post 92 to a shelving duct (e.g., conduit, passage, etc.), shown as shelving duct 100. A volume of the air stream 84 not diverted by the baffles 96 (e.g., an undiverted volume of the air stream 84) may continue to flow vertically upwards inside the supply posts 92 and may be diverted by a proceeding baffle 96. By way of example, a supply post 92 may include (i) a first baffle 96 configured to divert a first volume of the air stream 84 to a first shelving duct 100 and permit a second volume of the air stream 84 to pass thereby and (i) a second baffle 96 positioned vertically above the first baffle 96 and configured to divert at least a portion of the second volume of the air stream 84 to a second shelving duct 100. In some embodiments, an uppermost baffle 96 positioned to divert the air stream 84 to the shelving duct 100 of the uppermost shelf 34 (e.g., a top shelf 34) extends the entirety of the width or substantially the entirety of the width of the supply post 92 such that the air stream 84 cannot flow or is substantially prevented from flowing beyond the uppermost baffle 96. By way of example, a remaining volume of the air stream 84 supplied to the supply post 92 that does not get diverted by any preceding baffle 96 (e.g., any baffle 96 positioned below the uppermost baffle 96) will be diverted by the uppermost baffle 96 to flow to the shelving duct 100 of the uppermost shelf 34.
[0045] In some embodiments, the baffles 96 that direct air from the air stream 84 into the internal volume 104 of the shelves 34 vary in size and/or shape. Varying the size and/or shape of the baffles 96 between shelves 34 may cause the air flow rate of the air stream 84 into the internal volume 104, and subsequently into the zones 36 (e.g., as the air curtain 30), to be different. By way of example, a first baffle 96 may allow more air to flow in a first zone 36 as compared to a second baffle 96 of a second zone 36 resulting in an air curtain 30 with a higher air flow rate or flow volume. In some embodiments, the baffles 96 are selectively actuatable (e.g., movable, pivotable, etc.) to vary the volume of air from the air stream 84 that is diverted thereby. In some embodiments, one or more thermal elements 64 are positioned within the supply posts 92, the shelving ducts 100, and/or the internal volumes 104 of the shelves 34 to facilitate different zones 36 having different conditions (e.g., temperatures, humidities, etc.). By way of example, one or more thermal elements positioned throughout the duct system 80 may be used in place of the thermal elements 64 positioned within the thermal zone 62 or in coordination with the thermal elements 64 positioned within the thermal zone 62 to heat or cool the air of the air curtain 30. The one or more thermal elements 64 positioned throughout the duct system 80 and the baffles 96 may be communicably coupled to the controller 58 to control the temperature, humidity, and/or air flow rate of the zones 36 independently of each other.
[0046] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 10-13, the shelving duct 100 fluidly couples the supply post 92 to an interior chamber, shown as internal volume 104, of the shelves 34. The shelving duct 100 extends from the supply posts 92 and through an interior volume of the return posts (e.g., return posts 116, as discussed in greater detail below) to supply the air stream 84 to the internal volume 104. The internal volume 104 directs the air stream 84 longitudinally (e.g., a direction between the front and the rear of the standing air curtain 10 as viewed from FIG. 10). The air stream 84 is forced (e.g., due to a pressure differential created by the duct fan 72) through an output (e.g., discharge, nozzle, slit, etc.), shown as air outlet 108. The air outlet 108 is fluidly coupled to the internal volume 104 and is configured to discharge (e.g., force, move, expel, blow, etc.) the air stream 84 upward (e.g., in a direction towards the top wall 22) to form the air curtain 30. The air outlet 108 extends laterally along the edge of the shelves 34 such that the air curtain 30 forms a barrier between the external environment and the interior chamber 14.
[0047] As shown in FIGS. 8-12 and 14, each shelf 34 includes an air outlet 108 positioned along the front edge and the rear edge thereof. The air outlet 108 is angled in a direction towards the center of the shelves 34 such that the air curtain 30 forms the shape of a dome around the food placed on the shelves 34 inside the interior chamber 14. In some embodiments, the air outlet 108 is not angled such that the air curtain 30 does not form the shape of a dome. In such embodiments, the air outlet 108 may direct the air stream 84 upwards to form a vertical wall of air (e.g., the air curtain 30). As shown in FIGS. 10 and 11, the air stream 84 supplied and directed upwards from the air outlets 108 to form the air curtain 30 is received by one or more air returns (e.g., return vents, return grills, return ducts, etc.), shown as air return 112, positioned vertically above the shelf 34 through which the air stream 84 supplied and directed upwards from the air outlets 108 was forced.
[0048] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 9, the air stream 84 is forced laterally (e.g. in a direction towards the sidewalls 18) through the air return 112 due to a pressure difference between the air return 112 and the interior chamber 14 created by the duct fan 72. As shown in FIGS. 7, 9-11, 13, and 14, the standing air curtain 10 includes a return post (e.g., duct, conduit, passage, etc.), shown as return post 116, configured to fluidly couple the air returns 112 to a return duct (e.g., conduit, passage, etc.), shown in FIGS. 6-8 and 13 as return duct 120. As shown in FIGS. 7, 9-11, 13, and 14, the return posts 116 extend vertically in a direction between the top wall 22 and the top surface of the base 40. The return posts 116 are positioned along the outside surface of each of the sidewalls 18 and laterally between the supply posts 92 and the sidewalls 18. In some embodiments, the supply posts 92 are positioned laterally between the sidewalls 18 and the return posts 116. The return posts 116 are oriented substantially parallel to the sidewalls 18 and the supply posts 92. The return posts 116 are shaped substantially similarly as the supply posts 92. In some embodiments, the return posts 116 and the supply posts 92 define volumes of different shapes. In some embodiments, the return posts 116 and the supply posts 92 are integrated into single posts including an interior wall or divider that separates the supplied air from the return air.
[0049] As shown in FIGS. 7 and 13, the return posts 116 return the air of the air stream 84 to the return duct 120. The return duct 120 is fluidly coupled to the thermal zone 62 of the plenum 60 and is positioned above the supply duct 88. The duct fan 72 forces (e.g., pulls) the air stream 84 from the return duct 120 of the duct system 80 into the plenum 60 to be filtered, heated or cooled, and recirculated.
[0050] As shown in FIGS. 8, 9, and 11, the shelving duct 100 and the air return 112 are fluidly coupled to the supply post 92 and the return post 116, respectively. Referring particularly to FIG. 9, the shelving duct 100 is shown fluidly coupled to the supply post 92 and positioned above the air return 112. FIG. 9 shows the return post 116 being transparent and one of the shelves 34 being removed for clarity. Fully assembled, the duct system 80 would include the return post 116 positioned along an interior facing surface (e.g., the surface facing the interior chamber 14 as viewed from FIG. 9) of the supply post 92. As shown in FIG. 9, the shelving duct 100 extends from the supply posts 92 through the return post 116 such that the air stream 84 flowing through the return post 116 is directed around the shelving duct 100 extending therethrough. As such, the air stream 84 supplied via the supply posts 92 does not mix with the air stream 84 returned via the return posts 116.
[0051] As shown in FIG. 9, the shelves 34, the shelving duct 100, and the air return 112 are supported by and rotatably coupled to the supply post 92 and the return post 116 by a mount (e.g., bracket, swivel mount, rotor, etc.), shown as mount 124. The mount 124 includes a first plate 128 coupled to the interior facing surface (e.g., the surface facing the interior chamber 14 as viewed from FIG. 9) of the supply post 92 and a second plate 132 coupled to the shelves 34 and selectively coupled to an interior facing surface (e.g. the surface facing the interior chamber 14 as viewed from FIG. 9) of the return post 116. The first plate 128 defines a slot configured to receive and support the shelving duct 100. The second plate 132 defines a first slot configured to receive and support the shelving duct 100 and a second slot below the first slot configured to receive and support the air return 112. The shelving duct 100 is configured to extend through the slot of the first plate 128, the return post 116, and the first slot of the second plate 132. In some embodiments, the second plate 132 defines a single slot configured to receive and support both the shelving duct 100 and the air return 112.
[0052] In some embodiments, the second plate 132 is configured to selectively rotate about an axis of rotation (e.g., an axis extending through a center point of the first plate 128 and the second plate 132) relative to the first plate 128 (e.g., relative to the supply post 92, relative to the return post 116, etc.). In some embodiments, the second plate 132 is fixedly coupled to the return post 116. In such embodiments, the shelf 34, the shelving duct 100, the air return 112, and the baffle 96 coupled to the shelving duct 100 rotate relative to the second plate 132. As the second plate 132 rotates, the shelf 34, the shelving duct 100, the air return 112, and the baffle 96 coupled to the shelving duct 100 rotate with the second plate 132. The mount 124 may include locking apertures configured to receive a fastener (e.g., pin, bolt, lock, nail, screw, etc.) to secure the second plate 132 to the first plate 128, the return post 116, or the supply post 92. The locking apertures facilitate fixing the shelf 34, the shelving duct 100, the air return 112, and the baffle 96 coupled to the shelving duct 100 at discrete angles (e.g., 0, 5, 10, 20 relative to the horizontal, etc.). By way of example, a spring loaded pin may engage with a first locking aperture associated with a first shelf angle such that the shelf 34 is fixed at the first shelf angle. A user may disengage the spring loaded pin from the first locking aperture to rotate the shelf 34. The user may then re-engage the spring loaded pin with a second locking aperture associated with a second shelf angle such that the shelf 34 is fixed at the second shelf angle. Each shelf 34 included in the standing air curtain 10 may be fixed at a different angle. In some embodiments, each shelf 34 is mechanically coupled to one another such that rotation of one shelf 34 rotates all other shelves 34 to the same angle. In some embodiments, the shelves 34 are selectively rotatable relative to the supply post 92 or the return post 116 by way of another mechanism or system that permits rotation of the shelves 34.
[0053] As shown in FIG. 11, the supply posts 92 and the return posts 116 include an angled slot (e.g., apertures, mounting locations, etc.), shown as angled slot 136, configured to permit rotation (e.g., clockwise and counterclockwise rotation) of the shelves 34. The angled slot 136 receives and supports the shelving duct 100 and the air return 112. The angled slot 136 is shaped to permit rotation of the shelving duct 100 and the air return 112 while remaining fluidly coupled with the supply post 92 and the return post 116, respectively. The angled slot 136 may be sized to prevent the shelves 34 from being rotated beyond an angle threshold (e.g., 30, 35, 45, etc.). By way of example, if the fastener configured to lock the shelf 34 in place unintentionally disengages, the angled slot 136 may prevent the shelf 34 from rotating beyond the angle threshold. In some embodiments, the angle threshold is determined based on an angle at which the food being stored on the shelves 34 does not slide off of the shelves 34.
[0054] A user can selectively disengage (e.g., unlock) one or more shelves 34 from an engaged (e.g., locked) position, rotate the one or more shelves 34 to a desired angle, and re-engage the one or more shelves 34 to fix the one or more shelves 34 at the desired angle. The shelves 34 are rotatably coupled within the interior chamber 14 to change the angle of display of the food or other product stored on the shelves 34. A specific angle of display of the food may be desired by a business to highlight or otherwise place a particular emphasis on the food being stored on the rotated shelf 34.
[0055] As utilized herein, the terms approximately, about, substantially, and similar terms are intended to have a broad meaning in harmony with the common and accepted usage by those of ordinary skill in the art to which the subject matter of this disclosure pertains. It should be understood by those of skill in the art who review this disclosure that these terms are intended to allow a description of certain features described and claimed without restricting the scope of these features to the precise numerical ranges provided. Accordingly, these terms should be interpreted as indicating that insubstantial or inconsequential modifications or alterations of the subject matter described and claimed are considered to be within the scope of the disclosure as recited in the appended claims.
[0056] It should be noted that the term exemplary and variations thereof, as used herein to describe various embodiments, are intended to indicate that such embodiments are possible examples, representations, or illustrations of possible embodiments (and such terms are not intended to connote that such embodiments are necessarily extraordinary or superlative examples).
[0057] The term coupled and variations thereof, as used herein, means the joining of two members directly or indirectly to one another. Such joining may be stationary (e.g., permanent or fixed) or moveable (e.g., removable or releasable). Such joining may be achieved with the two members coupled directly to each other, with the two members coupled to each other using a separate intervening member and any additional intermediate members coupled with one another, or with the two members coupled to each other using an intervening member that is integrally formed as a single unitary body with one of the two members. If coupled or variations thereof are modified by an additional term (e.g., directly coupled), the generic definition of coupled provided above is modified by the plain language meaning of the additional term (e.g., directly coupled means the joining of two members without any separate intervening member), resulting in a narrower definition than the generic definition of coupled provided above. Such coupling may be mechanical, electrical, or fluidic.
[0058] References herein to the positions of elements (e.g., top, bottom, above, below) are merely used to describe the orientation of various elements in the FIGURES. It should be noted that the orientation of various elements may differ according to other exemplary embodiments, and that such variations are intended to be encompassed by the present disclosure.
[0059] The hardware and data processing components used to implement the various processes, operations, illustrative logics, logical blocks, modules and circuits described in connection with the embodiments disclosed herein may be implemented or performed with a general purpose single-or multi-chip processor, a digital signal processor (DSP), an application specific integrated circuit (ASIC), a field programmable gate array (FPGA), or other programmable logic device, discrete gate or transistor logic, discrete hardware components, or any combination thereof designed to perform the functions described herein. A general purpose processor may be a microprocessor, or, any conventional processor, controller, microcontroller, or state machine. A processor also may be implemented as a combination of computing devices, such as a combination of a DSP and a microprocessor, a plurality of microprocessors, one or more microprocessors in conjunction with a DSP core, or any other such configuration. In some embodiments, particular processes and methods may be performed by circuitry that is specific to a given function. The memory (e.g., memory, memory unit, storage device) may include one or more devices (e.g., RAM, ROM, Flash memory, hard disk storage) for storing data and/or computer code for completing or facilitating the various processes, layers and modules described in the present disclosure. The memory may be or include volatile memory or non-volatile memory, and may include database components, object code components, script components, or any other type of information structure for supporting the various activities and information structures described in the present disclosure. According to an exemplary embodiment, the memory is communicably connected to the processor via a processing circuit and includes computer code for executing (e.g., by the processing circuit or the processor) the one or more processes described herein.
[0060] The present disclosure contemplates methods, systems, and program products on any machine-readable media for accomplishing various operations. The embodiments of the present disclosure may be implemented using existing computer processors, or by a special purpose computer processor for an appropriate system, incorporated for this or another purpose, or by a hardwired system. Embodiments within the scope of the present disclosure include program products comprising machine-readable media for carrying or having machine-executable instructions or data structures stored thereon. Such machine-readable media can be any available media that can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. By way of example, such machine-readable media can comprise RAM, ROM, EPROM, EEPROM, or other optical disk storage, magnetic disk storage or other magnetic storage devices, or any other medium which can be used to carry or store desired program code in the form of machine-executable instructions or data structures and which can be accessed by a general purpose or special purpose computer or other machine with a processor. Combinations of the above are also included within the scope of machine-readable media. Machine-executable instructions include, for example, instructions and data which cause a general purpose computer, special purpose computer, or special purpose processing machines to perform a certain function or group of functions.
[0061] Although the figures and description may illustrate a specific order of method steps, the order of such steps may differ from what is depicted and described, unless specified differently above. Also, two or more steps may be performed concurrently or with partial concurrence, unless specified differently above. Such variation may depend, for example, on the software and hardware systems chosen and on designer choice. All such variations are within the scope of the disclosure. Likewise, software implementations of the described methods could be accomplished with standard programming techniques with rule-based logic and other logic to accomplish the various connection steps, processing steps, comparison steps, and decision steps.
[0062] It is important to note that the construction and arrangement of the standing air curtain and the components thereof (e.g., the base 40, the control system 50, the duct system 80, etc.) as shown in the various exemplary embodiments is illustrative only. Additionally, any element disclosed in one embodiment may be incorporated or utilized with any other embodiment disclosed herein.
