Supermarket refrigerator

Abstract

The invention concerns a refrigerator ( 10 ) which is suitable for supermarket use. The refrigerator has a refrigeration space ( 12 ) for accommodating and displaying food items and there is a thermally insulated bottom panel ( 16 ) beneath the refrigeration space. This panel has a relatively high, laterally extending front portion ( 16.1 ), a relatively low, laterally extending rear portion ( 16.3 ) and an intermediate, upstanding wall portion ( 16.2 ) joining the front and rear portions. The intermediate wall portion separates a front compartment ( 22 ) located forwardly of the intermediate wall portion beneath the front portion from a rear compartment ( 36 ) located rearwardly of the intermediate wall portion above the rear portion. A compact arrangement is achieved by locating a compressor ( 42 ) and associated components ( 44, 46, 63 ) of the refrigeration circuit in the front compartment and by locating an evaporator unit ( 30 ) to the rear of the rear compartment to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration circuit components in the front compartment. Air distribution fans ( 38 ) are arranged to direct air along an air flow path from the refrigeration space, through the rear compartment, through the evaporator unit and back into the refrigeration space.

1 . A refrigerator suitable for supermarket use, the refrigerator comprising:
 a refrigeration space for accommodating refrigerated food items;   a thermally insulated bottom panel beneath the refrigeration space, such panel having a relatively high, laterally extending front portion, a relatively low, laterally extending rear portion and an intermediate, upstanding wall portion joining the front and rear portions, the intermediate wall portion separating a front compartment located forwardly of the intermediate wall portion beneath the front portion from a rear compartment located rearwardly of the intermediate wall portion above the rear portion,   a compressor and associated components of a refrigeration circuit in the front compartment;   an evaporator unit located to the rear of the rear compartment to receive refrigerant from the refrigeration circuit components in the front compartment; and   at least one air distribution fan arranged to direct air along an air flow path from the refrigeration space, through the rear compartment, through the evaporator unit and back into the refrigeration space.   
   
   
       2 . A refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom panel is made in one piece and comprises a thermally insulating core in a moulded skin of plastics material. 
   
   
       3 . A refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the intermediate wall portion of the bottom panel is inclined at an acute angle to the horizontal. 
   
   
       4 . A refrigerator according to  claim 3 , wherein the intermediate wall portion is inclined at an angle of 45° to the horizontal. 
   
   
       5 . A refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the front and rear portions of the bottom panel are generally horizontal. 
   
   
       6 . A refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the front compartment accommodates a compressor, a heat exchanger and a receiver in side by side relationship. 
   
   
       7 . A refrigerator according to  claim 6 , wherein the heat exchanger is arranged to operate in counter-flow mode. 
   
   
       8 . A refrigerator according to  claim 7 , wherein the heat exchanger comprises a relatively small diameter inner pipe for conveying refrigerant in counter flow to cooling water conveyed in a water jacket between the inner pipe and a relatively large diameter outer pipe within which the inner pipe is located. 
   
   
       9 . A refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein each air distribution fan is mounted in a fan support panel between the intermediate wall portion and the evaporator unit. 
   
   
       10 . A refrigerator according to  claim 1 , including an upstanding back panel at the back of the refrigeration space and an upstanding rear panel situated at the rear of the refrigeration space and spaced forwardly of the back panel, the space between the rear and back panels forming part of the air flow path and the rear panel having openings therein for directing cooled air forwardly through the panel from the air flow path into the refrigeration space. 
   
   
       11 . A refrigerator according to  claim 10  wherein the air flow path includes a diffuser, located above the refrigeration space and communicating with the space between the rear and back panels for directing air downwardly at the front of the refrigeration space. 
   
   
       12 . A refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the rear portion of the bottom panel has an upper surface with front and rear sections sloping downwardly to a central drainage channel. 
   
   
       13 . A refrigerator according to  claim 1 , including a glass door for closing the front of the refrigeration space. 
   
   
       14 . A refrigerator according to  claim 1 , wherein the bottom panel also includes an upstanding back wall portion extending upwardly from the rear portion behind the evaporator unit. 
   
   
       15 . A refrigerator according to  claim 1 , comprising a pair of back to back refrigeration spaces with an upstanding wall between them, a thermally insulated bottom panel beneath each refrigeration space, each bottom panel defining a front compartment, a compressor and associated components of a refrigeration circuit in at least one of the front compartments, an evaporator unit within the upstanding wall between the refrigeration spaces, and air distribution fans for each refrigeration space. 
   
   
       16 . A refrigerator according to  claim 15 , wherein the refrigeration spaces have open tops.