Open lid display refrigerator

Abstract

An improved open lid display refrigerator for use in storing and displaying refrigerated items for retail sale. The exterior of the improved display refrigerator is characterized by a multiplicity of panel portions operative to interchangeably receive and display advertisements, and in particular advertisements for products that can be aligned with a corresponding brand of products stored within the refrigerator. The open lid display further includes a novel lid that is condensation resistant and is further secured by a hinge that minimizes the risk of injury to the arm or hand of a consumer. Still further, the improved display refrigerator includes an easily-accessible refrigeration unit that further may optionally include low maintenance hardware that is exceptionally easy to clean.

1 . An open lid display refrigerator comprising:
 a freestanding refrigerator portion having upwardly extending, front, rear and opposed side portions defining a refrigerated interior and a top open periphery, the front and side portions having exterior surfaces adapted to receive and hold signage thereon;   a transparent lid hingingly affixed to the top open periphery of said refrigerator portion and operative to transition between opened and closed configurations, said transparent lid providing a transparent covering about the top open periphery of the refrigerator portion; and   a refrigeration system disposed within the interior of said refrigerator portion, said refrigeration system being accessible via a removable panel formed upon the frontal exterior of said refrigerator portion.   
     
     
         2 . The open lid display refrigerator of  claim 1  wherein said transparent lid is provided with a handle to facilitate the lifting thereof. 
     
     
         3 . The open lid display refrigerator of  claim 2  wherein said transparent lid is affixed to said top open periphery of the refrigerator portion by first and second hinges, said hinges comprising a first section affixed to said transparent lid and a second portion affixed to the top open periphery of said refrigerator portion, said hinge sections being interconnected to one another via a cylindrical rod extending from said hinge portion affixed to said transparent lid into a cylindrical socket formed upon said hinge member affixed to said open periphery of the refrigerator portion, the cylindrical socket having a diameter larger than said cylinder received therein. 
     
     
         4 . The open lid display refrigerator of  claim 2  wherein said transparent lid is affixed to said top open periphery of the refrigerator portion by first and second hinges, said hinges comprising a first section affixed to said transparent lid and a second portion affixed to the top open periphery of said refrigerator portion, said hinge sections being interconnected to one another via a cylindrical rod extending from said hinge portion attached to the periphery of the refrigerator portion, and into a cylindrical socket formed upon said hinge member affixed to said transparent lid of the refrigerator portion, the cylindrical socket having a diameter larger than said cylinder received therein. 
     
     
         5 . The open lid display refrigerator of  claim 1  wherein said transparent lid defines an exterior surface and an interior surface oriented to the interior of the open periphery of the refrigerator portion, said interior side of said transparent lid being formed to resist condensation forming thereupon. 
     
     
         6 . The open lid display refrigerator of  claim 5  wherein said interior-facing surface of said transparent lid is formed to have a curvature operative to resist condensation buildup. 
     
     
         7 . The open lid display refrigerator of  claim 1  wherein each respective one of said front and opposed side exterior surface are operative to receive and hold signage. 
     
     
         8 . The open lid display refrigerator of  claim 1  wherein said interior of said refrigerator portion is operative to receive at least two basket members to store and display refrigerated items. 
     
     
         9 . The open lid display refrigerator of  claim 8  wherein said interior of said refrigerator portion is operative to receive three basket members operatively positionable within the interior to define a row of three product-specific baskets. 
     
     
         10 . The open lid display refrigerator of  claim 9  wherein said front exterior surface of said refrigeration portion is operative to receive signage that is aligned with products stored within said respective product-specific baskets within said refrigerator portion.