Refrigerated display merchandiser with improved air curtain

Abstract

A refrigerated merchandiser includes a display case defining a product display region having an open-front isolated from the ambient air of the store by means of a downwardly directed inner air curtain of relatively cold refrigerated air and a downwardly directed outer air curtain of relatively warmer air. The inner air curtain discharges through a first air outlet at a first discharge velocity and the outer air curtain discharges through a second air outlet at a second discharge velocity, the second discharge velocity being at least about 1.4 times greater than the first discharge velocity, and most advantageously, from about 1.4 to about 1.8 times greater than the first discharge velocity.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A refrigerated merchandiser including a display case defining a product display region having an open-front viewing area, a first air outlet associated with said display case for directing a first air stream air generally downwardly across the front viewing area along a first path, and a second air outlet associated with said display case for directing a second air stream air generally downwardly across the front viewing area along a second path outwardly of the first air stream; said refrigerated merchandiser characterized in that the first air stream exits the first air outlet at a first discharge velocity and the second air stream exits the second air outlet at a second discharge velocity, said second discharge velocity being at least about 1.4 times greater than said first discharge velocity.  
     
     
         2 . A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in  claim 1  further characterized in that the ratio of said second discharge velocity to said first discharge velocity is in the range from about 1.4 to about 1.8.  
     
     
         3 . A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in  claim 1  wherein the first air stream comprises relatively cooler air and the second air stream comprises relatively warmer air.  
     
     
         4 . A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in  claim 1  wherein the second air stream comprises ambient air.