Refrigerator illumination system

Abstract

Energy optimized reach in refrigerator overhead illumination system, for decreasing heat transfer from the environment to a reach in refrigerator, the reach in refrigerator having an opening facing upward, the illumination system including at least one refrigerator illuminator for illuminating at least one respective region of the opening, a curved opaque thermo reflective extension surrounding the at least one refrigerator illuminator, the opaque thermo reflective extension being located at a distance above the opening, the inner portion of the opaque thermo reflective extension, which points toward the opening, being made of a substantially low emissivity thermo reflective material, the inner portion reflecting infrared radiation which arrives external to the reach in refrigerator, to a region external to the reach in refrigerator, and an opaque thermo reflective extension fixation mechanism for fixing the at least one refrigerator illuminator, and the opaque thermo reflective extension above the opening.

1 . Energy optimized reach-in refrigerator overhead illumination system, for decreasing heat transfer from the environment to a reach-in refrigerator, the reach-in refrigerator having an opening facing upward, the illumination system comprising:
 at least one refrigerator illuminator for illuminating at least one respective region of said opening;   an curved opaque thermo-reflective extension surrounding said at least one refrigerator illuminator, said opaque thermo-reflective extension being located at a distance above said opening, the inner portion of said opaque thermo-reflective extension, which points toward said opening, being made of a substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material, said inner portion reflecting infrared radiation which arrives external to said reach-in refrigerator, to a region external to said reach-in refrigerator; and   an opaque thermo-reflective extension fixation mechanism for fixing said at least one refrigerator illuminator, and said opaque thermo-reflective extension above said opening.   
   
   
       2 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one infrared radiation filter located between a respective one of said at least one refrigerator illuminator and said opening, said at least one infrared radiation filter transmitting visible light emitted by a respective one of said at least one refrigerator illuminator, and substantially blocking infrared radiation emitted by said respective refrigerator illuminator. 
   
   
       3 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , further comprising at least one heat conveyor coupled with said respective refrigerator illuminator, said at least one heat conveyor transferring the heat dissipated by said respective refrigerator illuminator, to said environment. 
   
   
       4 . The illumination system according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one heat conveyor is an active heat transfer device. 
   
   
       5 . The illumination system according to  claim 3 , wherein said at least one heat conveyor is a passive heat transfer device. 
   
   
       6 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , wherein said thermal radiation is a far infrared radiation. 
   
   
       7 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , wherein said opaque thermo-reflective extension is made of a substantially low density material. 
   
   
       8 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , wherein said opaque thermo-reflective extension is made of a substantially low density material selected from the list consisting of:
 foamed polymer;   polystyrene;   polyolefin;   polycarbonate;   polyethylene;   polypropylene; and   air containing structure.   
   
   
       9 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , wherein said opaque thermo-reflective extension is made of an opaque material. 
   
   
       10 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , wherein said substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material is selected from the list consisting of:
 metallic foil;   metalized foil; and   electrolytic coating;   
   
   
       11 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , wherein said fixation mechanism is coupled with a ceiling in which said illumination system is located. 
   
   
       12 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , wherein said fixation mechanism is coupled with said reach-in refrigerator. 
   
   
       13 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an optical assembly located between said infrared radiation filter and said opening, said optical assembly imparting at least one optical property to said visible light, to transmit said visible light from said infrared radiation filter toward said opening. 
   
   
       14 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface and a top surface of at least one side panel of said reach-in refrigerator is coated with a side-panel thermo-reflective material, and wherein said side-panel thermo-reflective material reflects said infrared radiation which arrives external to said reach-in refrigerator, to a region external to said reach-in refrigerator. 
   
   
       15 . The illumination system according to  claim 14 , wherein said side-panel thermo-reflective material is made of a multilayer laminate containing an aluminum foil. 
   
   
       16 . The illumination system according to  claim 14 , wherein said side-panel thermo-reflective material is made of a multilayer laminate containing a metalized foil. 
   
   
       17 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , wherein an inner surface of at least one side panel of said reach-in refrigerator, is in the form of an infrared radiation filter,
 wherein a top surface of said at least one side panel is coated with said substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material,   wherein said infrared radiation filter substantially transmits said visible light toward an inner region of said reach-in refrigerator, and   wherein said infrared radiation filter further substantially blocks said infrared radiation.   
   
   
       18 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an opaque side-panel coupled with said opaque thermo-reflective extension,
 wherein said opaque side-panel covers a concave surface of said opaque thermo-reflective extension, at an extreme side of said opaque thermo-reflective extension, along a substantially flat surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said opaque thermo-reflective extension, and   wherein said opaque side-panel substantially blocks said visible light and said infrared radiation, which arrive external to said reach-in refrigerator.   
   
   
       19 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an opaque side-panel coupled with said opaque thermo-reflective extension,
 wherein said opaque side-panel substantially entirely covers a region at a side of said reach-in refrigerator, from said inner portion, to a top edge of said reach-in refrigerator, along a substantially flat surface, in a direction substantially perpendicular to a floor on which said reach-in refrigerator is located, and   wherein said opaque side-panel substantially blocks said visible light and said infrared radiation, which arrive external to said reach-in refrigerator.   
   
   
       20 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a side panel coupled with said opaque thermo-reflective extension,
 wherein a first portion of said side panel covers a concave surface of said opaque thermo-reflective extension, at an extreme side of said opaque thermo-reflective extension, along a substantially flat surface substantially perpendicular to a longitudinal axis of said opaque thermo-reflective extension,   wherein a second portion of said side panel extends from a bottom edge of said first portion, along said flat surface, toward a top edge of said reach-in refrigerator,   wherein said first portion is made of an opaque and substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material, to substantially block said visible light and said infrared radiation, and   wherein said second portion is made of a substantially transparent material which transmits said visible light, and which substantially blocks said infrared radiation.   
   
   
       21 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , wherein said opaque thermo-reflective extension includes a plurality of opaque thermo-reflective extension modules, and
 wherein said opaque thermo-reflective extension, is constructed by coupling together said opaque thermo-reflective extension modules.   
   
   
       22 . The illumination system according to  claim 21 , wherein each of said opaque thermo-reflective extension modules, is made by a process selected from the list consisting of:
 injection molding;   casting;   cold molding;   compression molding;   insert molding;   liquid injection molding;   multi-shot molding;   reaction injection molding;   structural foam molding;   transfer molding;   vacuum forming; and   stereolithography.   
   
   
       23 . The illumination system according to  claim 21 , wherein each of said opaque thermo-reflective extension modules, is coated with said substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material after manufacture of each of said opaque thermo-reflective extension modules. 
   
   
       24 . The illumination system according to  claim 21 , wherein said substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material is integrated with each of said opaque thermo-reflective extension modules, during the manufacture of each of said opaque thermo-reflective extension modules. 
   
   
       25 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , further comprising an illuminator reflector located above said opaque thermo-reflective extension, along a median longitudinal axis of said opaque thermo-reflective extension,
 wherein said refrigerator illuminator is located along said median longitudinal axis,   wherein said illuminator reflector reflects said visible light emitted by said refrigerator illuminator, toward said opening,   wherein a first portion of said substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material is located at a first side of said refrigerator illuminator, and   wherein a second portion of said substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material is located at a second side of said refrigerator illuminator.   
   
   
       26 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , wherein said curved opaque thermo-reflective extension is in the form of an ellipsoid. 
   
   
       27 . The illumination system according to  claim 26 , wherein an ellipsoid center of said ellipsoid is substantially located at the center of a top surface of said opening, and
 wherein two focal points of said ellipsoid are located at said top surface.   
   
   
       28 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , wherein said inner portion is coated with said substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material. 
   
   
       29 . The illumination system according to  claim 1 , further comprising a dehumidifier, said dehumidifier blowing substantially dehumidified air through an outlet at a first side-panel of said reach-in refrigerator, toward an inlet at a second side-panel of said refrigerator, said dehumidifier sucking substantially humidified air through said inlet, to form a substantially dehumidified air curtain above said opening. 
   
   
       30 . The system according to  claim 1  further comprising a dehumidifier blowing substantially dehumidified air through an outlet at a first side-panel of said reach-in refrigerator, into said opening, to form a substantially dehumidified air curtain above said opening. 
   
   
       31 . The system according to  claim 30 , wherein said dehumidifier blows said dehumidified air toward an inlet at a second side-panel of said refrigerator, and
 wherein said dehumidifier further sucks substantially humidified air through said inlet.   
   
   
       32 . Energy optimized reach-in refrigerator overhead thermal barrier, for decreasing heat transfer from the environment to a reach-in refrigerator, the reach-in refrigerator having an opening facing upward, the thermal barrier comprising:
 a substantially transparent refrigerator cover located at a distance above said opening, said substantially transparent refrigerator cover being in the form of an ellipsoid, the inner portion of said substantially transparent refrigerator cover, which points toward said opening, being coated by a substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material, said inner portion reflecting infrared radiation which arrives external to said reach-in refrigerator, to a region external to said reach-in refrigerator, said substantially transparent refrigerator cover transmitting visible light emitted by an overhead light source, located above said substantially transparent refrigerator cover, toward said opening; and   a refrigerator cover fixation mechanism for fixing said substantially transparent refrigerator cover above said opening.   
   
   
       33 . The thermal barrier according to  claim 32 , wherein said substantially transparent refrigerator cover is made of a substantially low density material. 
   
   
       34 . The thermal barrier according to  claim 32 , wherein said substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material is selected from the list consisting of:
 metallic foil;   metalized foil;   electrolytic coating;   glass mirror; and   transparent polymer coated with a reflective material.   
   
   
       35 . The thermal barrier according to  claim 32 , wherein said fixation mechanism is coupled with a ceiling in which said thermal barrier is located. 
   
   
       36 . The thermal barrier according to  claim 32 , wherein said fixation mechanism is coupled with said reach-in refrigerator. 
   
   
       37 . The thermal barrier according to  claim 32 , wherein said substantially transparent refrigerator cover includes a plurality of refrigerator cover modules, and
 wherein said substantially transparent refrigerator cover, is constructed by coupling together said refrigerator cover modules.   
   
   
       38 . The thermal barrier according to  claim 32 , wherein the focal points of said ellipsoid are substantially located on a top surface of said opening. 
   
   
       39 . The thermal barrier according to  claim 32 , wherein an ellipsoid center of said ellipsoid is substantially located at the center of a top surface of said opening, and
 wherein two focal points of said ellipsoid are located at said top surface.   
   
   
       40 . The thermal barrier according to  claim 32 , wherein said inner portion is coated with said substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material, by employing a vacuum web coater. 
   
   
       41 . Energy optimized reach-in refrigerator overhead illumination system, for decreasing heat transfer from the environment to a pair of reach-in refrigerators, located adjacent to one another, each of the reach-in refrigerators having a respective opening facing upward, the illumination system comprising:
 a pair of refrigerator illuminators, each respective one of said pair of refrigerator illuminators illuminating said respective opening, and a mid-region between said pair of reach-in refrigerators, in the vicinity of a floor on which said pair of reach-in refrigerators are located;   a pair of opaque thermo-reflective extensions, each respective one of said pair of opaque thermo-reflective extensions surrounding said respective infrared radiation filter, said respective opaque thermo-reflective extension being located at a distance above said respective opening, each of said opaque thermo-reflective extensions being in the form of an ellipsoid, a respective inner portion of said respective opaque thermo-reflective extension, which points toward said respective opening, being made of a substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material, said respective inner portion reflecting infrared radiation which arrives external to said respective reach-in refrigerator, and from said mid-region, to a region external to said pair of reach-in refrigerators; and   an opaque thermo-reflective extension fixation mechanism for fixing said pair of refrigerator illuminators, said pair of infrared radiation filters, and said pair of opaque thermo-reflective extensions, above said respective opening.   
   
   
       42 . The illumination system according to  claim 41 , further comprising a pair of infrared radiation filters, each respective one of said pair of infrared radiation filters being located between said respective refrigerator illuminator, and said respective opening, said respective infrared radiation filter transmitting visible light emitted by said respective refrigerator illuminator, and substantially blocking infrared radiation emitted by said respective refrigerator illuminator. 
   
   
       43 . The illumination system according to  claim 41 , further comprising an infrared outward reflector located between said reach-in refrigerators, said infrared outward reflector reflecting infrared radiation which arrives external to said reach-in refrigerators, to a region external to said reach-in refrigerators. 
   
   
       44 . Energy optimized reach-in refrigerator overhead illumination system, for decreasing heat transfer from the environment to a pair of reach-in refrigerators, located adjacent to one another, each of the reach-in refrigerators having a respective opening facing upward, the illumination system comprising:
 a refrigerator illuminator illuminating said openings, and a mid-region between said pair of reach-in refrigerators;   a infrared radiation filter being located between said refrigerator illuminator and said openings, said infrared radiation filter transmitting visible light emitted by said refrigerator illuminator, and substantially blocking infrared radiation emitted by said refrigerator illuminator;   an opaque thermo-reflective extension surrounding said infrared radiation filter, said opaque thermo-reflective extension being located at a distance above said openings, said opaque thermo-reflective extension being in the form of an ellipsoid, an inner portion of said opaque thermo-reflective extension, which points toward said openings, being made of a substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material, said inner portion reflecting infrared radiation which arrives external to said pair of reach-in refrigerators, and from said mid-region, to a region external to said pair of reach-in refrigerators; and   an opaque thermo-reflective extension fixation mechanism for fixing said refrigerator illuminator, said infrared radiation filter, and said opaque thermo-reflective extension, above said openings.   
   
   
       45 . The illumination system according to  claim 44 , further comprising an infrared radiation filter being located between said refrigerator illuminator and said openings, said infrared radiation filter transmitting visible light emitted by said refrigerator illuminator, and substantially blocking infrared radiation emitted by said refrigerator illuminator. 
   
   
       46 . Device for decreasing heat transfer from the environment to a pair of reach-in refrigerators, located adjacent to one another, each of the reach-in refrigerators having a respective opening facing upward, the device comprising:
 an infrared outward reflector located between said pair of reach-in refrigerators, said infrared outward reflector reflecting infrared radiation which arrives external to said reach-in refrigerators, to a region external to said reach-in refrigerators.   
   
   
       47 . The device according to  claim 46 , wherein said infrared outward reflector comprises a plurality of elongated retroreflectors. 
   
   
       48 . The device according to  claim 46 , wherein said infrared outward reflector comprises a plurality of corner retroreflectors. 
   
   
       49 . The device according to  claim 46 , wherein said infrared outward reflector comprises at least one concave surface. 
   
   
       50 . The device according to  claim 46 , wherein said infrared outward reflector further comprises an image located behind an infrared reflective surface of said infrared outward reflector, and
 wherein said infrared reflective surface is made of a substantially transparent material.   
   
   
       51 . The device according to  claim 46 , wherein said infrared radiation infrared radiation source is located within said environment. 
   
   
       52 . The device according to  claim 46 , wherein said infrared radiation source is at least one refrigerator cover located at a distance above said respective opening. 
   
   
       53 . The device according to  claim 52 , wherein said at least one refrigerator cover is in the form of an ellipsoid. 
   
   
       54 . The device according to  claim 52 , wherein said at least one refrigerator cover is made of an opaque material, having a concave geometry,
 wherein a respective inner portion of said at least one refrigerator cover, which points toward said respective opening, is made of a substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material,   wherein said respective inner portion emits infrared radiation toward said respective opening, and   wherein said infrared outward reflector returns said infrared radiation originating from said respective inner surface, back toward said respective inner surface.   
   
   
       55 . The device according to  claim 52 , wherein said at least one refrigerator cover is made of a substantially transparent material, having a concave geometry,
 wherein a respective inner portion of said at least one refrigerator cover, which points toward said respective opening, is coated by a substantially low emissivity thermo-reflective material,   wherein said respective inner portion emits infrared radiation toward said respective opening, and   wherein said infrared outward reflector returns said infrared radiation originating from said respective inner surface, back toward said respective inner surface.   
   
   
       56 . Device for decreasing heat transfer from the environment to a reach-in refrigerator, the reach-in refrigerator having an opening facing upward, the device comprising:
 a dehumidifier blowing substantially dehumidified air through an outlet at a first side-panel of said reach-in refrigerator, into said opening, to form a substantially dehumidified air curtain above said opening.   
   
   
       57 . The device according to  claim 56 , wherein said dehumidifier blows said dehumidified air toward an inlet at a second side-panel of said refrigerator, and
 wherein said dehumidifier further sucks substantially humidified air through said inlet.