Refrigerated case with embedded contact cooling structure

Abstract

A refrigerated case has an insulated support structure that serves as a display platform and provides contact cooling for preservation of fresh food products. The case includes a base and an insulated support structure coupled to the base. The insulated support structure includes a platform portion configured for placement of food products directly thereon, and a front wall portion and a rear wall portion. The front and rear wall portions support a canopy, so that the insulated support structure and the canopy substantially enclose and define a temperature controlled space. The insulated support structure includes a top surface facing the temperature controlled space, and a bottom surface opposite the top surface with an interior space defined between the top and bottom surfaces. A pattern of cooling passages are arranged within the interior space along an underside of the top surface at the platform portion to provide contact cooling to food products disposed on the platform portion. The remaining volume within the interior space is substantially filled with a thermal insulation material.

1 . A temperature controlled display case, comprising:
 a base;   an insulated display platform supported on the base, the display platform comprising a top surface, a bottom surface and an interior space defined therebetween, and a pattern of cooling passages arranged within the interior space and along an underside of the top surface, and a thermal insulation material disposed substantially throughout the interior space and around the cooling passages; and   a canopy disposed above the display platform, the canopy and the display platform at least partially defining a temperature controlled space, in which food products are configured to be cooled by contact cooling with the display platform.   
     
     
         2 . The display case of  claim 1 , wherein the display platform further comprises at least one of a rear wall portion and a front wall portion having a pattern of cooling passages arranged within the interior space and along an underside of the top surface, and a thermal insulation material disposed substantially throughout the interior space and around the cooling passages. 
     
     
         3 . The display case of  claim 2 , wherein the rear wall portion comprises a pattern of cooling passages arranged within the interior space and along an underside of the top surface, and further comprising a fan configured to direct an airflow across at least a portion of the top surface of the rear wall portion, the airflow configured to circulate within the temperature controlled space. 
     
     
         4 . The display case of  claim 3 , wherein the top surface of the rear wall portion further comprises fins configured to enhance cooling of the airflow. 
     
     
         5 . The display case of  claim 3 , wherein the fan is disposed outside of the temperature controlled space and further comprising air flow passages extending through the display platform and communicating with the fan. 
     
     
         6 . The display case of  claim 1 , wherein the cooling passages are arranged into multiple circuits that are individually controllable to customize a cooling profile. 
     
     
         7 . The display case of  claim 1 , further comprising a pivot connection configured to adjust an angle of inclination of the display platform. 
     
     
         8 . The display case of  claim 1 , wherein the display platform is contoured or angled to provide a low point, and further comprising a drain in the display platform proximate the low point. 
     
     
         9 . The display case of  claim 1 , further comprising a gravity cooling coil disposed in an upper region of the temperature controlled space and supported by the canopy. 
     
     
         10 . The display case of  claim 1 , further comprising a chiller and a pump to circulate a chilled coolant through the cooling passages. 
     
     
         11 . The display case of  claim 1 , wherein the thermal insulation between the top and bottom walls of the display platform substantially prevents chilling of ambient air beneath the display platform. 
     
     
         12 . A temperature controlled display case, comprising:
 a base;   an insulated display platform supported on the base at an angle of inclination and configured to receive food products directly thereon for conduction cooling, the display platform comprising:
 a top surface, a bottom surface and an interior space defined therebetween; 
 a pattern of cooling passages arranged in a plurality of circuits and disposed within the interior space and in thermal communication with an underside of the top surface; 
 a thermal insulation material disposed within the interior space and around the cooling passages to substantially prevent chilling of ambient air beneath the bottom surface of the display platform; 
 a drain disposed proximate a low point of the top surface; and 
   a canopy disposed above the display platform, the canopy and the display platform at least partially defining a temperature controlled space.   
     
     
         13 . The display case of  claim 12 , wherein the display platform comprises a rear wall portion having a pattern of cooling passages arranged therein. 
     
     
         14 . The display case of  claim 12 , wherein the display platform is contoured to provide the low point. 
     
     
         15 . The display case of  claim 12 , further comprising a gravity cooling coil disposed in an upper region of the temperature controlled space and supported by the canopy. 
     
     
         16 . The display case of  claim 12 , further comprising a chiller and a pump to circulate a chilled coolant through the cooling passages. 
     
     
         17 . The display case of  claim 12 , wherein the display platform further comprises an air flow passage formed therein, the air flow passage thermally communicating with the cooling passages and insulated by the thermal insulation material.