Ancillary Device for an Open Refrigerated Display Case

Abstract

An ancillary device for attachment to a shelf of an open refrigerated display case, the device comprising: a flow controlling module comprising an elongate element; and a plurality of brackets each bracket comprising a clamp portion for clamping the device to the shelf and an arm portion extending from the clamp portion to the flow controlling module; wherein the clamp portion comprises an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member which opposes the upper jaw member; wherein the clamp portion has an open configuration in which the upper and lower jaw members are spaced a first distance from one another so as to allow the upper and lower jaw members to be received over a portion of the shelf and wherein the clamp portion has a closed configuration in which the upper and lower jaw members are spaced a second distance from one another which is smaller than the first distance so as to clamp the upper and lower jaw members against the portion of the shelf; wherein the upper and lower jaw members are movable relative to one another between the open and closed configurations.

1 . An ancillary device for attachment to a shelf of an open refrigerated display case, the device comprising:
 a flow controlling module including an elongate element; and   a plurality of brackets, each bracket including a clamp portion for clamping the device to the shelf and an arm portion extending from the clamp portion to the flow controlling module;   wherein the clamp portion includes an upper jaw member and a lower jaw member which opposes the upper jaw member;   wherein the clamp portion has an open configuration in which the upper and lower jaw members are spaced a first distance from one another so as to allow the upper and lower jaw members to be received over a portion of the shelf and wherein the clamp portion has a closed configuration in which the upper and lower jaw members are spaced a second distance from one another which is smaller than the first distance so as to clamp the upper and lower jaw members against the portion of the shelf;   wherein the upper and lower jaw members are movable relative to one another between the open and closed configurations.   
     
     
         2 . An ancillary device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the upper and lower jaw members are hingedly connected to one another. 
     
     
         3 . An ancillary device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the arm portion is bifurcated to form an upper section which carries the upper jaw member and a lower section which carries the lower jaw member. 
     
     
         4 . An ancillary device as claimed in  claim 3 , wherein the upper and/or lower sections are flexible so as to allow the upper and lower jaw members to be movable relative to one another between the open and closed configurations. 
     
     
         5 . An ancillary device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein a threaded fastener extends between the upper and lower jaw members and is configured to draw the upper and lower jaw members towards one another into the closed configuration. 
     
     
         6 . An ancillary device as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the flow controlling module includes inner and outer elongate elements. 
     
     
         7 . An ancillary device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the inner and outer elongate elements are spaced apart from one another by a plurality of spacers, wherein the spacers are hollow and form sleeves which receive the arm portions of the brackets. 
     
     
         8 . An ancillary device as claimed in  claim 6 , wherein the inner and outer elongate elements are spaced apart to form a first slot therebetween and the brackets are configured to attach the flow controlling module to the shelf so as to form a second slot between the inner elongate element and the shelf. 
     
     
         9 . An ancillary device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the arm portions pass through openings formed in the inner elongate element into the sleeves. 
     
     
         10 . An ancillary device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein a threaded bore is formed in an end surface of the arm portion and a hole is formed through the outer elongate element into the sleeve; wherein a screw is received within the threaded bore via the hole in the outer elongate element so as to draw and secure the arm portion within the sleeve. 
     
     
         11 . An ancillary device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the end surface of the arm portion abuts against a rear surface of the outer elongate element. 
     
     
         12 . An ancillary device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the arm portions and sleeves have complementary profiles. 
     
     
         13 . An ancillary device as claimed in  claim 7 , wherein the arm portions and sleeves taper along their length. 
     
     
         14 . An open refrigerated display case, comprising:
 a refrigerated display area;   an air outlet and an air inlet opening into the display area and spaced from one another; and   a duct fluidically coupling the air inlet to the air outlet, the duct being configured to direct air flow out of the air outlet across the display area and toward the air inlet to form an air curtain across the display area;   wherein the display area includes at least one shelf, the at least one shelf being provided with an ancillary device as claimed in  claim 1 .