AIR FLOW BALANCE IN FOOD DISPLAY APPLICATIONS

Abstract

The open-front food display cabinet of the present disclosure has one or more food display compartments. Each compartment has a shelf on which food products are placed and an air duct that circulates conditioned air throughout the compartment. The compartment is further defined by the side and rear walls of the cabinet. A fan and air conditioning device circulate the conditioned air into the air duct and compartment through an exit port of the duct. A profiled diffuser is connected to the air duct port and bends away from the duct port and ends thereof, so that more air enters the sides of the compartment. The duct port may also be profiled so that more air passes through its sides than its center. Other features to assist with even air flow and temperature profiles include perforations in the air duct, baffling the air flow in the duct, and adjusting the fan output.

Claims

1. An open-fronted food display cabinet, comprising: a rear wall; two side walls; a shelf for holding food; an air duct having an air duct port, wherein the duct port has a center portion and side portions; a compartment, wherein the compartment is defined by the shelf, the air duct, a compartment rear wall, and the two side walls, wherein the shelf is on a bottom of the compartment and the air duct is on a top of the compartment; a fan; and an air conditioner, wherein the air duct port is in communication with the compartment, and the fan supplies conditioned air from the air conditioner through the air duct and out of the duct port into the compartment, the cabinet further comprising a diffuser connected to the duct port, wherein the diffuser directs the conditioned air from the duct port into the compartment, and the diffuser comprises profiled portions so that the diffuser bends away from the duct portion at the side portions, and the volume of air exiting the duct port at the center portion is less than the volume of air exiting the duct port at the side portions.

2. An open-fronted food display cabinet, comprising: a rear wall; two side walls; a shelf for holding food; an air duct having an air duct port, wherein the duct port has a center portion and side portions; a compartment, wherein the compartment is defined by the shelf, the air duct, a compartment rear wall, and the two side walls, wherein the shelf is on a bottom of the compartment and the air duct is on a top of the compartment; a fan; and an air conditioner, wherein the air duct port is in communication with the compartment, and the fan supplies conditioned air from the air conditioner through the air duct and out of the duct port into the compartment, wherein the duct port has a top, a bottom, and a gap between the top and the bottom, wherein the gap is shorter at the center portion than at the side portions, so that the volume of air exiting the duct port at the side portions is greater than the volume of air exiting the center portion.

3. An open-fronted food display cabinet, comprising: a rear wall; two side walls; a shelf for holding food; an air duct having an air duct port, wherein the duct port has a center portion, side portions, a top, a bottom, and a gap between the top and the bottom, wherein the gap is shorter at the center portion than at the side portions; a compartment, wherein the compartment is defined by the shelf, the air duct, a compartment rear wall, and the two side walls, wherein the shelf is on a bottom of the compartment and the air duct is on a top of the compartment; a fan; an air conditioner, wherein the air duct port is in communication with the compartment, and the fan supplies conditioned air from the air conditioner through the air duct and out of the duct port into the compartment; and a diffuser connected to the duct port, wherein the diffuser directs the conditioned air from the duct port into the compartment, and the diffuser comprises profiled portions so that the diffuser bends away from the duct portion at the side portions, wherein the volume of air exiting the duct port at the center portion is less than the volume of air exiting the duct port at the side portions.

4. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the bottom of the duct port has one or more perforations therein.

5. The cabinet of claim 2, wherein the bottom of the duct port has one or more perforations therein.

6. The cabinet of claim 3, wherein the bottom of the duct port has one or more perforations therein.

7. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the duct port has a baffle therein.

8. The cabinet of claim 2, wherein the duct port has a baffle therein.

9. The cabinet of claim 3, wherein the duct port has a baffle therein.

10. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is made from a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, painted steel, molded clear plastic rated for the application, die cast zinc, stainless steel or aluminum, clear plastic, opaque plastic, glass, opaque glass, mirrored glass, ceramic, wood, fiberglass, and any combinations thereof.

11. The cabinet of claim 1, wherein the diffuser is made from transparent polycarbonate.

12. The cabinet of claim 3, wherein the diffuser is made from a material selected from the group consisting of stainless steel, painted steel, molded clear plastic rated for the application, die cast zinc, stainless steel or aluminum, clear plastic, opaque plastic, glass, opaque glass, mirrored glass, ceramic, wood, fiberglass, and any combinations thereof.

13. The cabinet of claim 3, wherein the diffuser is made from transparent polycarbonate.

14. An open-fronted food display cabinet, comprising: two side walls; a shelf for holding food; a moveable door at the rear of the cabinet; an air duct having an air duct port, wherein the duct port has a center portion and side portions; a compartment, wherein the compartment is defined by the shelf, the air duct, the rotatable door, and the two side walls, wherein the shelf is on a bottom of the compartment and the air duct is on a top of the compartment; a fan; and an air conditioner, wherein the air duct port is in communication with the compartment, and the fan supplies conditioned air from the air conditioner through the air duct and out of the duct port into the compartment, and wherein the moveable door moves from a first position to a second position, wherein the first position allows a user to access the compartment from the rear, and the second position closes off the compartment from the rear..

15. The cabinet of claim 14, further comprising a diffuser connected to the duct port, wherein the diffuser directs the conditioned air from the duct port into the compartment, and the diffuser comprises curved portions so that the diffuser bends away from the duct portion at the side portions, and the volume of air exiting the duct port at the center portion is less than the volume of air exiting the duct port at the side portions.

16. The cabinet of claim 15, further comprising a user interface on a panel, wherein the panel is below the rotatable door.

17. The cabinet of claim 15, further comprising a user interface on a panel, wherein the panel is on a front of the cabinet.

18. The cabinet of claim 15, wherein the moveable door is a rotatable door that rotates about an axis from the first position to the second position.

19. The cabinet of claim 15, wherein the moveable door is a slidable door that slides from the first position to the second position.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0009] FIG. 1 shows a top perspective view of an open-fronted food holding cabinet.

[0010] FIG. 2 shows a top perspective view of one of the food holding compartments of the cabinet of FIG. 1.

[0011] FIG. 3 shows a first cross-sectional view of the compartment of FIG. 2.

[0012] FIG. 4 shows a second cross-sectional view of the compartment of FIG. 2.

[0013] FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of air flow within the compartment of FIG. 2.

[0014] FIG. 6 shows a top perspective view of the air duct from the compartment of FIG. 2, with a diffuser according to the prior art.

[0015] FIG. 7 shows a top cross-sectional view of the air duct of FIG. 6, with the diffuser according to the prior art.

[0016] FIG. 8 shows a schematic drawing of airflow inside a rectangular air duct.

[0017] FIG. 9 shows a top perspective view of the air duct from the compartment of FIG. 2, with a profiled diffuser according to the present disclosure.

[0018] FIG. 10 shows a top cross-sectional view of the air duct of FIG. 6, with the profiled diffuser according to the present disclosure.

[0019] FIG. 11 shows a conventional diffuser of the prior art.

[0020] FIG. 12 shows a profiled diffuser according to the present disclosure.

[0021] FIG. 13 shows a side-by-side comparison of the prior art diffuser of Fig. and the new profiled diffuser of FIG. 11.

[0022] FIG. 14 shows several possible cross-sectional geometries for the diffuser of the present disclosure.

[0023] FIG. 15 shows a front, bottom perspective view of a second embodiment of the food holding cabinet of the present disclosure.

[0024] FIG. 16 shows a rear, top perspective view of a second embodiment of the food holding cabinet of the present disclosure.

[0025] FIG. 17 shows a cross-sectional view of a compartment of the food holding cabinet of FIG. 15.

[0026] FIG. 18 shows an exploded view of a heater and blower used in the food holding cabinet of FIG. 15.

[0027] FIG. 19 shows a schematic of air flow inside a compartment of the food holding cabinet of FIG. 15.

[0028] FIG. 20 shows a top, front perspective view of a third embodiment of the cabinet of the present disclosure.

[0029] FIG. 21 shows a top, rear perspective view of the cabinet of FIG. 20.

[0030] FIG. 22 shows a top, rear perspective view of a fourth embodiment of the cabinet of the present disclosure.

[0031] FIG. 23 shows a top, rear perspective view of a fifth embodiment of the cabinet of the present disclosure.

[0032] FIG. 24 shows a top, rear perspective view of a sixth embodiment of the cabinet of the present disclosure.

[0033] FIG. 25 shows a top, rear perspective view of a seventh embodiment of the cabinet of the present disclosure.

[0034] FIG. 26 shows a top, front perspective view of an eighth embodiment of the cabinet of the present disclosure.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

[0035] Referring to the Figures, food holding cabinet 1 is shown. As seen in FIG. 1, cabinet 1 has side walls 3, rear wall 4, and top wall 7 that define at least one interior space 9. Cabinet 1 also has open front 11. Interior space 9 is divided into one or more compartments 13 by shelves 15. Food products are placed on the top of shelves 15, so that the customer can reach through open front 11 to choose their desired product. Cabinet 1 may also have one or more doors (not shown) instead of open front 11, so that the customer would have to open the doors to access the food products.

[0036] Referring specifically to FIGS. 2-5, each compartment 13 has an air duct 17 and a return air plenum 19 associated therewith. Compartments 13 are thus defined by side walls 3, compartment rear wall 5, a shelf 15 and an air duct 17. Conditioned air is supplied to air duct 17 by a fan (not shown) and conditioning unit (not shown). In the manner shown by the arrows in FIG. 5, the conditioned air passes through duct 17, out of duct port 21, and circulates through compartment 13 before returning to air plenum 19.

[0037] Compartment rear wall 5 can have one or more perforations 6 through which the air can pass into plenum 19. Duct 17 has duct top 35, duct bottom 37, and duct sidewalls 39, discussed in greater detail below. As previously discussed, the conditioned air can be hot or warm to heat the food product or keep the food product warm, or the conditioned air can also be cool to keep the food product cool. In the embodiment of FIGS. 1-5, as well as those discussed below, the heating or cooling devices are convective. These convective devices may be used on their own or in conjunction with other heating or cooling devices, such as conductive or radiative air conditioning. A shelf barrier 23 can be connected to shelf 15 and project upward, to help secure food product 25. Shelf barrier 23 can also help with airflow in compartment 13 help in two ways. First, barrier 23 contains the flow of air from the top portion of compartment 13 so that the air does not spill out through open front 11. Second, barrier 23 also serves to ensure that cooler air from outside cabinet 1 is not easily drawn into cabinet 1 as the warm air channel is pulled across the product and is drawn into plenum 19. The higher that barrier 23 is the better it is for airflow, but the higher it is, the harder it is to access the food product on shelf 15. Again, the present disclosure also contemplates that cabinet 1, as well as all of the other cabinet embodiments discussed below, has doors to cover open front 11, so that the customer would have to open the doors to access food products. This may be less convenient for the customer, but may improve heating or cooling efficiency.

[0038] In current devices, the diffuser shown in FIGS. 3-5 is the straight diffuser 27 of the prior art shown in FIGS. 6, 7, 11, and 13. As can be seen in FIG. 7, straight diffuser 27 is such that there is a constant distance between straight diffuser 27 and duct port 21 along the length of each. This leads to an uneven circulation of conditioned air within compartment 13. In particular, in the present design, air flow or circulation to the areas of compartment 13 near side walls 3 is less than in other areas of compartment 13. This is a problem for the operators of cabinet 1, since uneven circulation of conditioned air creates uneven temperatures with compartment 13, which can lead to concerns with food safety and quality.

[0039] FIG. 8 shows a schematic drawing of typical airflow out of a rectangular air duct. As can be seen, the airflow from one side of the duct to the other (along the z-axis in FIG. 8) will be uneven due to frictional forces acting on the airflow near the sidewall of the duct. A straight diffuser, such as diffuser 27 of the prior art, does nothing to correct for uneven flow of air.

[0040] Referring to FIGS. 9, 10, and 12, profiled diffuser 29 is shown. As can be clearly seen in FIG. 10, the curvature of diffuser 29 is shown so that ends 31 thereof bend away from duct port 21. This counterintuitively provides more conditioned air flow to the sides of compartment 13 that are near side walls 3. By providing more even air flow within compartment 13, profiled diffuser 29 improves the food safety and quality of current devices, and can also provide increased holding times of the food product within compartment 13 and cabinet 1.

[0041] Curving the diffuser in the way discussed and shown in the present disclosure would not have been obvious to the skilled artisan. The current customer requirements around the need to illuminate the food product leads to using a clear and transparent glass diffuser. Curving a glass diffuser is difficult mechanically and would not be an obvious or desirable choice. By contrast, the present inventors took the approach of using a particular material that was capable of handling warm ambient environments, and was clear, transparent, and flexible enough to allow for the desired curved profile.

[0042] In one embodiment, profiled diffuser 29 is made of a piece of flexible polycarbonate. This material is advantageous in that it is flexible, and also can be transparent in order to allow for a light fixture to be used to illuminate the food products within compartment 13. Polycarbonate is also advantageous in that it is a safer material choice for the application, as the risk of breaking a glass diffuser over the held food product is moderately high. As the geometry of profiled diffuser 29 matters more than the material, other suitable materials include, but are not limited to, stainless steel, painted steel, molded clear plastic rated for the application, die cast zinc, stainless steel or aluminum, clear plastic, opaque plastic, glass, opaque glass, mirrored glass, ceramic, wood, fiberglass, and any combinations thereof. It is noted that prior devices, such as straight diffuser 27, were typically made of glass or other rigid material because it was not thought necessary to curve the material.

[0043] Diffuser 29 may be made of one single piece of material, or multiple pieces of material connected together.

[0044] Profiled diffuser 29 has a flat middle portion 33 and curved ends 31. Other geometries are considered for diffuser 29, such as a generally arcuate shape (i.e. with no flat portions). Curved shapes may be the most desirable, since as shown in FIG. 8 the drop off in air velocity profile is also curved. Diffuser 29 may also have an angular or V-shaped profile, i.e. one in which the distance between diffuser 29 and duct port 21 increases at a steady rate from the center of diffuser 29 to ends 31. FIG. 14 shows several examples of possible geometries for diffuser 29.

[0045] The thickness of diffuser 29 should not be such that it cannot be easily bent to form the curve, nor should it be too thin so that it cracks when the curvature is forced into the piece. It is also advantageous to have a thickness that works without having to use heat or the like to remove stresses from the material being bent. A thin piece of stainless steel can be used, and may be sturdier than plastic. However, opaque materials such as stainless steel are not suitable where the lighting system of a holding cabinet requires a transparent diffuser.

[0046] In one embodiment of the disclosure, a cross-section of duct 17 and duct port 21 can be altered to improve the air flow within compartment 13. Referring specifically to FIG. 4, one or both of duct top 35 and duct bottom 37 can be angled or curved so that the gap between duct top 35 and duct bottom 37 varies along their lengths. In one embodiment, the gap 36 between duct top 35 and duct bottom 37 is smallest at or near the center of each component, and is greatest at or near duct sidewalls 39.

[0047] In another embodiment, a baffle (not shown) can be placed inside duct 17 near duct port 21 to baffle or diffuse the air flow. The fan (not shown) may also be manipulated or altered to deliver improved balanced velocity and thermal profiles without the need for complex baffling or diffusing.

[0048] In another embodiment, small perforations (not shown) can be placed in duct bottom 37 near side walls 3 and duct sidewalls 39, which would also help to mitigate uneven airflow within compartment 13.

[0049] Any of the above-described features to improve airflow in cabinet 1 and compartment 13 can be used alone or in conjunction with one another. For example, in one embodiment, profiled diffuser 29 can be used alone, without any other improvements. In another embodiment, the gap 36 between duct top 35 and duct bottom 37 can be non-uniform. Either straight diffuser 27 or profiled diffuser 29 can be used with this non-uniform gap 36. In another embodiment, profiled diffuser 29 can be used, gap 36 can be even across the length or duct top 35 and duct bottom 37, and perforations can be made in duct bottom 37. These are non-limiting examples of a combination of features to improve air flow in compartment 13. Further, each of the compartments 13 in cabinet 1 can have different features to improve airflow.

[0050] Referring to FIGS. 15-19, a second embodiment of the food holding cabinet of the present disclosure is shown and referred to with reference numeral 101. Food holding cabinet 101 can have side walls 103, compartment rear wall 105, and top wall 107 that define an interior space 109. Cabinet 101 also has open front 111. Interior space 109 is divided into one or more compartments 113 by shelves 115. Food products are placed on the top of shelves 115, so that the customer can reach through open front 111 to choose their desired product. One or more food trays 116 can be on top of shelves 115, to display the food products. The food trays 116 can display the food products in an upright position, or allow them to lay flat. Similar food trays can be used in cabinet 1 of the prior embodiment.

[0051] Each compartment 113 has an air duct 117 and a return air plenum 119 associated therewith. Compartments 113 are thus defined by side walls 103, compartment rear wall 105, a shelf 115 and an air duct 117.

[0052] Conditioned air is supplied to air duct 117 by a blower assembly 140, discussed in greater detail below. In the manner shown by the arrows in FIG. 19, the conditioned air passes through duct 117, out of duct port 121, and circulates through compartment 113 before returning to air plenum 119. Compartment rear wall 105 can have one or more perforations 106 through which the air can pass into plenum 119. Duct 17 has duct top 135, duct bottom 137, and duct sidewalls 39, discussed in greater detail below.

[0053] A shelf barrier 123 can be connected to shelf 115 and project upward, to help secure food product 125. Shelf barrier 123 can also help with airflow in compartment 113 in two ways. First, barrier 123 contains the flow of air from the top portion of compartment 113 so that the air does not spill out through open front 111. Second, barrier 123 also serves to ensure that cooler air from outside cabinet 101 is not easily drawn into cabinet 101 as the warm air channel is pulled across the product and is drawn into plenum 119. The higher that barrier 123 is the better it is for airflow, but the higher it is, the harder it is to access the food product on shelf 115. Cabinet 101 also contemplates an embodiment where cabinet 101 has doors (not shown) to cover open front 111, so that the customer would have to open the doors to access food products. This may be less convenient for the customer, but may improve heating or cooling efficiency. Cabinet 101 can also have diffuser 127, which can either be straight like diffuser 27 of the prior art or profiled like diffuser 29 of the present disclosure. Cabinet 101 and the embodiments discussed below can also use the air distribution methods and components of cabinet 1. One or more trays 124 can hang from the front of cabinet 101 or any of the other embodiments of the present disclosure, to store condiments or sauces.

[0054] Cabinet 101 can also have one or more of the modifications described above with respect to cabinet 1. Namely, one or both of duct top 135 and duct bottom 137 of cabinet 101 can be curved so that a gap 136 therebetween does not have a uniform thickness. In one embodiment gap 136 is smallest at the center of duct top 135 and duct bottom 137. Cabinet 101 may also have a baffle (not shown) within duct 117 to baffle or diffuse the air passing therethrough. The fan of blower assembly 140, discussed below, may also be manipulated or altered to deliver improved balanced velocity and thermal profiles without the need for complex baffling or diffusing. In another embodiment, small perforations (not shown) can be placed in duct bottom 137 near side walls 103 and duct sidewalls (not shown), which would also help to mitigate uneven airflow within compartment 113.

[0055] Referring specifically to FIG. 18, blower assembly 140 is shown. Blower assembly 140 has front plate 142, heater 144, temperature probe 146, blower 148, housing 150, and insulation 152. As seen in FIG. 16, blower assembly 140 is connected to compartment rear wall 105 and duct 117, and is located near the top of compartment 113.

[0056] As also seen in FIG. 17, the components of blower assembly 140 are connected to one another so that front plate 142 behind perforations 106 is connected to compartment rear wall 105, and heater 144 projects out into duct 117. Housing 150 can be a two-piece component that has insulation 152 in an annular space between the two pieces. Housing 150 thus provides protection against heat loss to the ambient environment, protects the components of blower assembly 140 from mechanical damage or environmental contaminants such as food grease, and also provides safety to users against accidentally touching components of assembly 140 that may be at elevated temperatures.

[0057] In operation, as seen in FIG. 19, the operation of blower 148 draws air from compartment 113 through perforations 106 and passes it over heater 144. This heated air is passed through duct 117 and back into compartment 113. Temperature probe 146 is near heater 144 and measures the temperature of the heated air moving into duct 117.

[0058] Cabinet 101 can have a user interface 160 on a front wall 102. User interface 160 allows a user to monitor the temperature within compartments 113, as well as other aspects of cabinet 101, such as the status of blower 140. A controller (not shown) can be embedded within interface 160 to monitor and control the function of cabinet 101. For example, the controller can control the temperature within the compartments 113, the operation of blower 140, temperature timers, the air flow through the ducts, and connectivity to other cabinets or components in the facility where the cabinet is installed.

[0059] Referring to FIGS. 20 and 21, a third embodiment of the cabinet of the present disclosure is shown, and referred to by numeral 201. With the exceptions described below, cabinet 201 functions in the same way as cabinet 101.

[0060] In cabinet 201, instead of a rear wall (such as compartment rear wall 105), there is a door 205 associated with each compartment 213. Door 205 is at the rear of compartment 213, and opens by rotation along a horizontal. This is a convenient feature in that it allows a user, such as a retail employee where cabinet 201 is in use, to load compartment 213 with food products from the rear of cabinet 201. A retail employee can load compartment 213 via door 205 while they stand behind the counter at the retail establishment, instead of having to come around to the front of the unit. FIG. 21 shows one door 205 in an open position, and one door 205 in a closed position. Housing 250 protects the components of blower assembly 240, and prevents the user from contacting dangerously heated surfaces.

[0061] In cabinet 101, 201, or any of the other embodiments of the present disclosure where a blower assembly such as assembly 140 or assembly 240 is used, air will continuously be moving and heating approximately the upper one-third of the compartment, whether there is a rear wall (such as rear wall 15) or a door (such as door 205). The door(s) (such as door 205) do not need to be open or closed for the cabinet to circulate air. However, the door(s) need to be closed for the shelf to perform properly and efficiently. The cabinets of the present disclosure will have a door monitor or switch (not shown) to determine whether the doors are open or closed.

[0062] Cabinet 201 also has a user interface 260 on a rear panel 202 near the bottom of the unit. A user can control and monitor the functions and operating parameters of cabinet 201 through interface 260. A controller (not shown) can be embedded within interface 260 to monitor and control the function of cabinet 201. Interface 260 is advantageous in that like door 205, it is on the rear of cabinet 201 for easy access from behind a retail counter.

[0063] FIG. 22 shows a fourth embodiment of the cabinet of the present disclosure, namely cabinet 301. Cabinet 301 also differs from prior embodiments in that the width to height ratio differs. In cabinets 101 and 201, the ratio of the width W to the height H is approximately one to one (1:1). In cabinet 301, the ratio of the width W to the height H is approximately three to five (3:5). Thus, the present disclosure provides cabinets with aspect ratios that accommodate varying space constraints while delivering the same features and efficiency. The present disclosure contemplates the shown aspect ratios, and the range therebetween. The present disclosure also contemplates an embodiment where the width is greater than the height, for example from 5:3 to 1:1, or any subranges thereof. The customer can specify the aspect ratios. Cabinet 301 is otherwise the same as cabinet 201, and has rear doors 305 and user interface 360.

[0064] FIG. 23 shows a fifth embodiment of the cabinet of the present disclosure, namely cabinet 401. Cabinet 401 has the same aspect ratio and functions in the same manner as cabinets 101 and 201, with the following exception. Instead of a solid back wall (such as wall 105) or rear doors that rotate from open to closed positions (such as doors 205), doors 405 slide from open to closed positions. A frame 470 can be connected to side walls 403 and have rails 471 therein. Doors 405 can slide back and forth along rails 413 to allow access to compartments 413. FIG. 22 shows one door 405 in an open position, and one door 405 in a closed position.

[0065] FIG. 24 shows a sixth embodiment of the cabinet of the present disclosure, namely cabinet 501. Cabinet 601 has the same aspect ratio and functions the same way as cabinets 101, 201, and 401, with the following exceptions. In cabinet 501, doors 505 swing open by rotating along a vertical axis. Doors 505 can be connected to a hinge 572 that is connected to frame 570. In FIG. 24, one door 505 is in an open position, and another door 505 is in a closed position.

[0066] FIG. 25 shows a seventh embodiment of the cabinet of the present disclosure, namely cabinet 601. Cabinet 601 has the same aspect ratio as cabinets 101, 201, 401, and 501, and functions the same way, with the following exceptions. In the back of cabinet 601, there is one solid compartment rear wall 605 (similar to compartment rear wall 105) and one door 605a that opens by rotating about a horizontal axis (similar to doors 205 and 305).

[0067] FIG. 26 shows an eighth embodiment of the cabinet of the present disclosure, namely cabinet 701. Cabinet 701 has the same aspect ratio as cabinet 301, and functions the same way, with the following exceptions. In the back of cabinet 701, there is one door 705 that opens by rotating about a vertical axis (similar to door 505) and one door 705a that opens by rotating about a horizontal axis (similar to doors 205 and 305, and 605a). Accordingly, in the present disclosure, the cabinet can have a variety of configurations on a rear side. The rear of the cabinet can include a solid wall with perforations, a sliding door, doors that rotate open vertically, and doors that open horizontally, and any combinations thereof.

[0068] While the present disclosure has been described with reference to one or more exemplary embodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the present disclosure. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material to the teachings of the disclosure without departing from the scope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the present disclosure not be limited to the particular embodiment(s) disclosed as the best mode contemplated, but that the disclosure will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the appended claims.