Ambient air curtain with floor air inlet

Abstract

A refrigerated merchandiser that includes a case defining a product display area. The case includes a base supported by a support surface that includes a primary inlet and a secondary inlet disposed outside of the primary inlet that receives air from adjacent the support surface. A canopy disposed substantially above the product display area includes a primary outlet and a secondary outlet. A primary air passageway fluidly connects the primary inlet with the primary outlet and defines a primary air curtain that flows across an open face portion of the case. A secondary air passageway fluidly connects the secondary inlet with the secondary outlet and defines a secondary air curtain that flows across the open face portion outside of the primary air curtain. An evaporator is located in the primary air passageway to refrigerate the primary air curtain.

1 . A refrigerated merchandiser comprising: 
 a case defining a product display area including an open face portion, the case including 
 a base disposed below the product display area and supported by a support surface, the base having a primary inlet adjacent the product display area and a secondary inlet disposed outside of the primary inlet, the secondary inlet configured to receive air substantially adjacent the support surface,  
 a canopy disposed substantially above the product display area, the canopy having a primary outlet adjacent the product display area and a secondary outlet disposed outside of the primary outlet,  
 a primary air passageway fluidly connecting the primary inlet with the primary outlet, the primary air passageway configured to direct a primary airflow out of the primary outlet and across the open face portion to define a primary air curtain adjacent the product display area,  
 a secondary air passageway fluidly connecting the secondary inlet with the secondary outlet, the secondary air passageway configured to direct a secondary airflow out of the secondary outlet and across the open face portion to define a secondary air curtain outside of the primary air curtain; and  
 an evaporator disposed in the primary air passageway to refrigerate the primary air flow.  
   
   
   
       2 . The refrigerated merchandiser of  claim 1 , further comprising a primary fan disposed within the primary air passageway and configured to generate the primary airflow, and a secondary fan disposed within the secondary air passageway and configured to generate the secondary airflow.  
   
   
       3 . The refrigerated merchandiser of  claim 1 , further comprising a louver attached to the secondary outlet.  
   
   
       4 . The refrigerated merchandiser of  claim 1 , further comprising a first louver attached to the primary outlet, and a second louver attached to the secondary outlet.  
   
   
       5 . The refrigerated merchandiser of  claim 1 , wherein the primary inlet is configured to receive a substantial portion of the primary air curtain, and wherein the secondary inlet is configured to receive a substantial portion of the secondary air curtain.  
   
   
       6 . The refrigerated merchandiser of  claim 1 , wherein the case further includes an insulated wall disposed along at least a portion of the primary air passageway and at least a portion of the secondary air passageway.  
   
   
       7 . The refrigerated merchandiser of  claim 1 , wherein a portion of the secondary air passageway is defined by the support surface.  
   
   
       8 . The refrigerated merchandiser of  claim 1 , wherein the primary inlet is configured to receive air in a substantially vertical direction, and wherein the secondary inlet is configured to receive air in a substantially horizontal direction.  
   
   
       9 . The refrigerated merchandiser of  claim 1 , wherein the primary air curtain is directed along a first flow path, and wherein the secondary air curtain is directed along a second flow path that is substantially parallel to the first flow path.  
   
   
       10 . The refrigerated merchandiser of  claim 1 , wherein the secondary airflow is warmer than the primary airflow and cooler than ambient air surrounding the refrigerated merchandiser.  
   
   
       11 . The refrigerated merchandiser of  claim 1 , wherein the base includes a substantially vertical panel extending upwardly from the support surface, and wherein the secondary inlet is disposed on the vertical panel.  
   
   
       12 . A method of operating a refrigerated merchandiser including a case having a base and a canopy, the method comprising: 
 drawing air adjacent a product display area into a primary inlet of the base;    moving a primary airflow from the primary inlet, through a primary air passageway of the case, and to a primary outlet of the canopy adjacent the product display area;    discharging the primary airflow through the primary outlet;    generating a primary air curtain adjacent a product display area with the primary airflow discharged through the primary outlet;    drawing air adjacent the support surface into a secondary inlet of the base disposed outside of the primary inlet;    moving a secondary airflow from the secondary inlet, through a secondary air passageway of the case, and to a secondary outlet of the canopy disposed outside of the primary outlet;    discharging the secondary airflow through the secondary outlet; and    generating a secondary air curtain outside of the primary air curtain with the secondary airflow through the secondary outlet.    
   
   
       13 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising refrigerating the primary airflow.  
   
   
       14 . The method of  claim 13 , further comprising positioning the secondary outlet adjacent an end of the canopy and providing a secondary air curtain that is warmer than the primary air curtain.  
   
   
       15 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein drawing air into the primary inlet includes drawing a substantial portion of the primary air curtain.  
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein drawing air into the secondary inlet includes drawing a substantial portion of the secondary air curtain.  
   
   
       17 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising separating at least a portion of the primary air passageway from at least a portion of the secondary air passageway with an insulated wall.  
   
   
       18 . The method of  claim 18 , wherein separating at least a portion of the primary air passageway includes separating substantially the entire primary air passageway from the secondary air passageway with an insulated wall.  
   
   
       19 . The method of  claim 12 , further comprising defining a portion of the secondary air passageway with the support surface.  
   
   
       20 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein drawing air into the primary inlet includes drawing air in a substantially vertical direction, and wherein drawing air into the secondary inlet includes drawing air in a substantially horizontal direction.