Modular refrigeration cassette

Abstract

The interior space within a refrigeration unit cassette ( 50 ) associated with a refrigerated merchandiser ( 10 ) is divided by a division wall ( 68 ) into a first section in air flow communication with the interior product display space of the cabinet ( 20 ), and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with the environment exterior of the cabinet. An evaporator module ( 160 ) disposed within the first section, and a condenser module ( 170 ) and a compressor are disposed within the second section. The refrigeration cassette ( 50 ) is selectively insertable in to and out of the equipment compartment to facilitate servicing of the refrigeration equipment therein, including removal and replacement of the evaporator module ( 160 ) and the condenser module ( 170 ).

1 . A refrigeration cassette for a refrigerated merchandiser having a cabinet having a refrigerated interior space for housing a product in a refrigerated environment intended for selection by consumers, said refrigeration cassette disposed in operative association with the interior space in an equipment compartment separated from the refrigerated interior space by a common wall, the common wall having a first opening therein providing air flow communication between the refrigerated interior space and the equipment compartment; said refrigeration cassette comprising: 
 a generally box-like structure defining an interior space having a first section in air flow communication with said first opening, and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with the environment exterior of the cabinet;    an evaporator module disposed within said first section;    a condenser module disposed within said second section; and    a compressor connected in refrigerant flow communication with said evaporator module and said condenser module for circulating refrigeration through said evaporator module and said condenser module;    said box-like structure being selectively insertable in to and out of the equipment compartment.    
     
     
         2 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 1  wherein said evaporator module includes a housing, an evaporator coil disposed within the housing, and an evaporator fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the evaporator coil and mounted to the housing.  
     
     
         3 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 1  wherein said condenser module includes a condenser coil and a condenser fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the condenser coil.  
     
     
         4 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 1  further comprising a liner disposed within said first section of the interior space of said box-like structure; said liner including a bowl-like depression adapted to receive said evaporator module.  
     
     
         5 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 4  wherein said liner includes a downwardly sloping tray-like forward portion and an aft portion having a bowl-like depression.  
     
     
         6 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 5  wherein said liner has contoured surfaces to reduce airflow losses.  
     
     
         7 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 4  wherein said liner is made of a material having a relatively high chemical resistance.  
     
     
         8 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 4  wherein said liner is made of a plastic material.  
     
     
         9 . A refrigeration cassette for a refrigerated merchandiser having a cabinet having a refrigerated interior space for housing a product in a refrigerated environment intended for selection by consumers, said refrigeration cassette disposed in operative association with the interior space in an equipment compartment separated from the refrigerated interior space by a common wall, the common wall having a first opening therein providing air flow communication between the refrigerated interior space and the equipment compartment; said refrigeration cassette comprising: 
 a generally box-like structure a front plate, a back plate, a pair of side plates and a base plate collectively defining an interior space;    a division wall extending between the respective side plates of said pair of side plates to divide the interior space within said box-like structure into a first section in air flow communication with said first opening, and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with the environment exterior of the cabinet;    an evaporator module disposed within said first section;    a condenser module disposed within said second section; and    a compressor connected in refrigerant flow communication with said evaporator module and said condenser module for circulating refrigeration through said evaporator module and said condenser module;    said box-like structure being selectively insertable in to and out of the equipment compartment.    
     
     
         10 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 9  wherein said evaporator module includes a housing, an evaporator coil disposed within the housing, and at least one evaporator fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the evaporator coil and mounted to the housing.  
     
     
         11 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 9  wherein said condenser module includes a condenser coil and a condenser fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the condenser coil.  
     
     
         12 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 9  further comprising a liner disposed within said first section of the interior space of said box-like structure; said liner including a bowl-like depression adapted to receive said evaporator module.  
     
     
         13 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 9  wherein said liner includes a downwardly sloping tray-like forward portion and an aft portion having a bowl-like depression.  
     
     
         14 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 13  wherein said liner has contoured surfaces to reduce airflow losses.  
     
     
         15 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 12  wherein said liner is made of a material having a relatively high chemical resistance.  
     
     
         16 . A refrigeration cassette as recited in  claim 12  wherein said liner is made of a plastic material.  
     
     
         17 . A refrigerated merchandiser having a refrigerated interior space, comprising: 
 a cabinet having a plurality of walls defining the interior space;    a refrigeration unit compartment separated from the interior space by one of the plurality of cabinet walls as a common wall;    an opening in the common wall providing an air return inlet establishing a flow passage from the interior space through said common wall into the compartment;    a refrigeration cassette selectively positionable into and out of the refrigeration unit compartment, said refrigeration cassette having a front plate, a back plate, a pair of side plates and a base plate forming a box-like structure defining an interior space, and having a division wall dividing the interior space into a first section in air flow communication with the air return inlet and a second section isolated from said first section and in fluid flow communication with an environment exterior of the cabinet;    an evaporator module disposed within said first section;    a condenser module disposed within said second section; and    a compressor connected in refrigerant flow communication with said evaporator module and said condenser module for circulating refrigeration through said evaporator module and said condenser module.    
     
     
         18 . A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in  claim 17  wherein said evaporator module includes a housing, an evaporator coil disposed within the housing, and at least one evaporator fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the evaporator coil and mounted to the housing.  
     
     
         19 . A refrigerated merchandiser as recited in  claim 18  wherein said condenser module includes a condenser coil and a condenser fan/motor assembly operatively associated with the condenser coil mounted to a common base adapted to be mounted to the base plate of said refrigeration cassette.  
     
     
         20 . A refrigeration merchandiser as recited in  claim 17  wherein said evaporator module includes a housing, an evaporator coil disposed within the housing, and a plurality of evaporator fan/motor assemblies operatively associated with the evaporator coil and mounted to the housing.