Ambient air injector for air curtain stability

Abstract

A refrigeration system comprises a display case having an exterior and an interior, the interior comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a back area and a front viewing area at least partially defining a display space. A cooling element cools air within the display space. A first air outlet on the display case guides the cool air across the front viewing area along a first path. A second air outlet on the display case guides warm air across the viewing area along a second path wherein the second air outlet comprises an opening from the exterior to the interior of the display case. An air mover communicates with the cooling element directing air to the first air outlet.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A refrigeration system comprising; 
 a display case having an exterior and an interior, said interior comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a bottom surface, a back area and a front viewing area, at least partially defining a display space;    a cooling element, cooling air within said display space;    a first air outlet on said display case, communicating with said cooling element, guiding air having a first temperature across said front viewing area along a first path;    a second air outlet on said display case for guiding air having a second temperature across said viewing area along a second path wherein said second air outlet comprises an opening from said exterior to said interior of said display case; and    an air mover in communication with said cooling element directing air to said first air outlet.    
     
     
         2 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein said first temperature is generally lower than said second temperature.  
     
     
         3 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein said first path is generally along said second path.  
     
     
         4 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein said first path and said second path are generally in the same direction.  
     
     
         5 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein said first path is closer to said display space than said second path.  
     
     
         6 . The refrigeration system of  claim 1  wherein said opening comprises a channel extending between said interior and said exterior, said channel having a first month on said exterior and a second month on said interior.  
     
     
         7 . The refrigeration system of  claim 6  wherein said channel extends to said top surface.  
     
     
         8 . The refrigeration system of  claim 6  wherein said first mouth has a larger width than said second mouth.  
     
     
         9 . The refrigeration system of  claim 8  wherein said channel is tapered.  
     
     
         10 . A refrigeration system comprising: 
 a display case having an exterior and an interior, said interior comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a back area and a front viewing area at least partially defining display surface;    a cooling element for cooling air about said display space;    at least a first air mover for directing air across said cooling element;    a first air outlet in communication with said at least first air mover for guiding air having a first temperature across said display space along a first path; and    a second air outlet for guiding air having a second temperature across said display space along a second path wherein said first temperature is generally lower than said second temperature and wherein said first path is generally along said second path, and wherein said second air outlet comprises an opening from said exterior to said interior of said display case, said opening comprising a first mouth, a second mouth and a channel spaced from said first mouth and said second mouth, said first mouth larger than said second mouth.    
     
     
         11 . The refrigeration system of  claim 10  wherein said first path and said second path are generally in the same direction.  
     
     
         12 . The refrigeration system of  claim 10  wherein said first path is closer to said display space than said second path.  
     
     
         13 . The refrigeration system of  claim 10  wherein said first air outlet is spaced across said display space from an air inlet in communication with said cooling element.  
     
     
         14 . The refrigeration system of  claim 13  including a foil directing air from said first air outlet to said air inlet and air from said second air outlet away from said air inlet.  
     
     
         15 . The refrigeration system of  claim 14  wherein said foil has a first side and a second side, said first side directing air away from said air inlet and said second side directing air to said air inlet.  
     
     
         16 . The refrigeration system of  claim 10 , wherein said channel extends to said top surface.  
     
     
         17 . The refrigeration system of  claim 10 , wherein said channel is tapered.  
     
     
         18 . A refrigeration system comprising: 
 a display case having an exterior and an interior, said interior comprising a top surface, a bottom surface, a back area and a front viewing area of at least partially defining a display space;    a cooling element for cooling air about said display space;    at least a first air mover for directing air across said cooling element;    a first air outlet in communication with said at least first air mover for guiding air having a first temperature across said display space along a first path;    a second air outlet for guiding air having a second temperature across said display space along a second path wherein said first temperature is generally lower than said second temperature, wherein said first path is generally along said second path and in the same direction; and    wherein said second air outlet comprises a channel extending between said exterior surface and said top surface.    
     
     
         19 . The refrigeration system of  claim 18 , wherein said first path is closer to said display space than said second path.  
     
     
         20 . The refrigeration system of  claim 18 , including a foil directing air from said first air outlet to an air inlet and air from said second air outlet away from said air inlet.