Refrigerator Case Wall Structure

Abstract

A refrigerated case has a base and a number of supports extending upward from the base. A number of structural uprights are coupled to the supports. At least one insulated panel is positioned between the uprights and the supports and is secured to the uprights and the supports. A refrigeration apparatus is positioned to cool an interior of the case. At least the first of the panels has front and rear liner sheets. A transversely extending polymeric layer is at least partially between the liner sheets. An insulative foam layer is between the front and rear liner sheets. A number of fasteners secure at least some of the supports to the polymeric member and at least some of the uprights to the polymeric member.

1 . A refrigerated case apparatus ( 20 ) comprising:
 a base ( 30 );   a plurality of supports ( 92 ) extending upward from the base;   a plurality of structural uprights ( 70 ;  72 ;  74 ) coupled to the supports;   at least one insulated panel ( 86 ;  88 ) between the uprights and the supports and secured to the uprights and the supports; and   a refrigeration apparatus ( 60 ) positioned to cool an interior ( 36 ) of the case,   
     wherein:
 at least a first ( 86 ) of the panels comprises:
 a front liner sheet ( 104 ); 
 a rear liner sheet ( 106 ); 
 a transversely extending polymeric member ( 100 ) at least partially between the front and rear liner sheets; and 
 an insulative foam layer ( 108 ) between the front and rear liner sheets; and 
 
 a plurality of fasteners ( 110 ;  112 ) secure at least some of the supports to the polymeric member and at least some of the uprights to the polymeric member. 
 
   
   
       2 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the polymeric member ( 100 ) consists essentially of cellular PVC;   the insulative foam layer ( 108 ) consists essentially of polyurethane;   the front ( 104 ) and rear ( 106 ) liner sheets comprise steel; and   the fasteners ( 110 ;  112 ) comprise screws.   
   
   
       3 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the polymeric member extends along a majority of a transverse length of the first panel.   
   
   
       4 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first panel has only a single said polymeric member, although optionally including one or more other polymeric members differing from the polymeric member ( 100 ) in at least one of composition and configuration.   
   
   
       5 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first panel ( 86 ) individually is transversely elongate and essentially rectangular;   the first panel ( 86 ) individually has a thickness of 2-10 cm.   
   
   
       6 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first panel ( 86 ) individually is transversely elongate and essentially rectangular;   the first panel ( 86 ) individually has a length of at least 60 cm, a height of at least 50 cm, and thickness of 4-6 cm.   
   
   
       7 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 the first panel ( 86 ) individually is transversely elongate and essentially rectangular;   the first panel ( 86 ) individually has a length of 1.5-4.0 m, a height of 0.8-1.0 m, and thickness of 4-6 cm.   
   
   
       8 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein a transverse cross-section of the polymeric member ( 100 ) is substantially characterized by a rectangle centrally recessed ( 114 ) along a single long side, said single long side being an inboard side. 
   
   
       9 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein the platform comprises:
 a plurality of transverse base rails ( 50 ;  52 ); and   a plurality of front-to-back braces ( 90 ) secured atop the base rails.   
   
   
       10 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each support ( 92 ) has a height no greater than 60% of a height of the apparatus. 
   
   
       11 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein each support ( 92 ) has a height no greater than 80% of a height of each upright. 
   
   
       12 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 said plurality of supports ( 92 ) include:
 a left support; 
 a right support; and 
 a plurality of intermediate supports; 
   said plurality of uprights include:
 a left upright ( 70 ); 
 a right upright ( 72 ); and 
 a plurality of intermediate uprights ( 74 ); and 
   said plurality of fasteners ( 110 ;  112 ) include:
 a single screw securing the left upright to the polymeric member; 
 a single screw securing the right upright to the polymeric member; and 
 a plurality of pairs of screws, each remaining upright being secured to the polymeric member by a single such pair and each support being secured to the polymeric member by a single such pair. 
   
   
   
       13 . The apparatus of  claim 1  further comprising:
 a plurality of shelves, each shelf mounted to at least two of the uprights.   
   
   
       14 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 at least some of the uprights are not transversely aligned with any of the supports; and   at least some of the supports are not transversely aligned with any of the uprights.   
   
   
       15 . The apparatus of  claim 1  wherein:
 at least some of the supports have a rearwardly-open channel cross-section; and   at least some of the uprights have a generally I-shaped cross-section.   
   
   
       16 .- 22 . (canceled)