Refrigerated Display Case with Temperature Controlled Shelves

Abstract

The present application provides a refrigerated display case. The refrigerated display case may include a refrigeration component, an air plenum in communication with the refrigeration component, a shelf in communication with the air plenum, a phase change material tank positioned about the shelf, and a phase change material positioned within the phase change material tank such that a substantially uniform temperature is maintain across the shelf.

I claim: 
     
         1 . A refrigerated display case, comprising:
 a refrigeration component;   an air plenum in communication with the refrigeration component;   a shelf in communication with the air plenum;   a phase change material tank positioned about the shelf; and   a phase change material positioned within the phase change material tank such that a substantially uniform temperature is maintain across the shelf.   
     
     
         2 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of shelves and a plurality of phase change material tanks. 
     
     
         3 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , wherein the refrigerated display case comprises a multi-deck cooler or a reach-in cooler. 
     
     
         4 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , further comprising an aft wall and wherein the air plenum extends along the aft wall. 
     
     
         5 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 4 , wherein the aft wall comprises a plurality of aft panel apertures in communication with the air plenum and the shelf. 
     
     
         6 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material comprises an encapsulated phase change material. 
     
     
         7 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 6 , wherein the encapsulated phase change material comprises a capsule shell. 
     
     
         8 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material comprises a solid state, a liquid state, and a transition state. 
     
     
         9 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material comprises a feedstock-based product. 
     
     
         10 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material comprises a petroleum-based product. 
     
     
         11 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , wherein the phase change material comprises a water-based product. 
     
     
         12 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , further comprising a plurality of shelves, a plurality of phase change material tanks, and a plurality of phase change materials. 
     
     
         13 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of phase change materials comprises a plurality of different temperature targets. 
     
     
         14 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 12 , wherein the plurality of phase change materials comprise a plurality of different temperature zones about the plurality of shelves. 
     
     
         15 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , further comprising a ceiling panel and wherein an air curtain extends from the ceiling panel. 
     
     
         16 . A refrigerated display case, comprising:
 a refrigeration component;   an air plenum in communication with the refrigeration component;   a plurality of shelves in communication with the air plenum;   a plurality of phase change material tanks positioned about the plurality of shelves; and   a plurality of phase change materials positioned within the plurality of phase change material tanks such the plurality of shelves comprise a plurality of different temperature zones.   
     
     
         17 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of phase change materials comprises a plurality of different temperature targets. 
     
     
         18 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 16 , wherein the plurality of phase change materials comprise a feedstock-based product, a petroleum-based product, and/or a water-based product. 
     
     
         19 . The refrigerated display case of  claim 1 , wherein the plurality of phase change materials comprise an encapsulated phase change material with a capsule shell. 
     
     
         20 . A refrigerated display case, comprising:
 a plurality of shelves;   a plurality of phase change material tanks positioned about the plurality of shelves; and   a plurality of encapsulated phase change materials positioned within the plurality of phase change material tanks such the plurality of shelves comprise a plurality of different temperature zones.