Modular tank for a refrigerated display case

Abstract

A temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a temperature controlled space; a cooling system in thermal communication with the temperature controlled space; and a modular tank supporting the housing and the cooling system. According to one embodiment, the modular tank includes: a body having a top surface, a drain defined by the top surface, and at least one groove defined by the top surface, wherein a groove of the at least one groove receives a component of the housing to couple the component to the modular tank.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A temperature controlled case comprising:
 a housing that defines a temperature controlled space;   a cooling system in thermal communication with the temperature controlled space;   a first modular tank; and   a second modular tank, wherein each of the first and second modular tanks are coupled to at least one component of the housing, and wherein each modular tank of the first and second modular tanks includes:
 a body having a top surface; and 
 a support structure coupled to the body, wherein the support structure includes a pair of legs for supporting the body above a support surface; 
   wherein the support structure of the first modular tank couples to the support structure of the second modular tank to couple the first modular tank to the second modular tank.   
     
     
         2 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , wherein the top surface of each modular tank defines a drain for collecting condensation from the cooling system. 
     
     
         3 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure of each modular tank includes a first support structure and a second support structure, wherein the first support structure is coupled to a first end of the body and the second support structure is coupled to a second end of the body. 
     
     
         4 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , wherein the support structure of each modular tank includes a body that defines a cavity, wherein the coupled support structure of the first and second modular tanks substantially seals a combined cavity of each support structure. 
     
     
         5 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 4 , wherein the support structure of the first modular tank is coupled to the support structure of the second modular tank via a spacer such that the support structure of the first modular tank is not directly coupled to the support structure of the second modular tank. 
     
     
         6 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 5 , wherein the spacer is sized to fit within the combined cavity. 
     
     
         7 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 5 , wherein the body of the spacer defines a hole, wherein the body of each of the support structures defines a hole, wherein the spacer is coupled to the body of each of the support structures via alignment of the holes and insertion of a fastener. 
     
     
         8 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , wherein the body of each modular tank defines at least one groove, wherein a groove of the at least one groove receives a component of the at least one component for coupling the component to the groove. 
     
     
         9 . A temperature controlled case comprising:
 a housing that defines a temperature controlled space;   a cooling system in thermal communication with the temperature controlled space; and   a modular tank supporting the housing and the cooling system, wherein the modular tank includes:
 a body having a top surface; 
 a drain defined by the top surface; and 
 at least one groove defined by the top surface, wherein a groove of the at least one groove receives a component of the housing to couple the component to the modular tank. 
   
     
     
         10 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 9 , wherein the modular tank includes an indicator, wherein the indicator indicates a location for a component of the cooling system. 
     
     
         11 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 10 , wherein the indicator includes a protrusion extending from the top surface. 
     
     
         12 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 9 , wherein the modular tank further includes a first support structure coupled to a first end of the body and a second support structure coupled to a second end of the body, wherein the first and second support structures support the body above a support surface for the temperature controlled case. 
     
     
         13 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 12 , wherein each of the first and second support structures include a pair of legs that support the body above the support surface. 
     
     
         14 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 13 , wherein the modular tank further includes an elevation adjustment system, wherein the elevation adjustment system adjusts a height of at least one leg in each pair of legs to adjust a height of the body relative to the support surface. 
     
     
         15 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 12 , wherein at least one of the first and second support structures define a groove, wherein the groove aligns with the at least one groove defined by the top surface. 
     
     
         16 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 12 , wherein each support structure includes a body, wherein the body of each support structure defines a cavity, wherein the cavity is sized to receive at least part of a spacer, and wherein the spacer is configured to couple two support structures together. 
     
     
         17 . A temperature controlled case having a housing that defines a temperature controlled space in thermal communication with a cooling system and a modular tank for at least partially supporting the housing and the cooling system, the modular tank comprising:
 a body having a top surface;   a drain defined by the top surface;   a first groove defined by the body and positioned near a front portion of the body;   a second groove defined by the body and positioned near a rear portion of the body; and   a support structured attached to the body, wherein the support structure includes a body and a pair of legs, wherein the pair of legs support the body above a support for the case;   wherein at least one of the first groove and the second groove receive a component of the housing to couple the component to the body.   
     
     
         18 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 17 , wherein the modular tank further includes an indicator protruding from the top surface of the body, wherein the indicator provides a locating beacon for a component of the cooling system that at least one of couples to the body and rests on the top surface of the body. 
     
     
         19 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 17 , wherein the support structure includes an elevation adjustment system, wherein the elevation adjustment system provides a height adjustment mechanism for at least one of the pair of legs. 
     
     
         20 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 17 , wherein the support structure is of unitary construction.