Portable freezer module

Abstract

Disclosed is a portable freezer module (30) for displaying and dispensing frozen edible products. The module comprises a case (32) and a duct (36). The case (32) comprises an insulated container having an interior space (33) for containing the frozen products, and an active cooling system for cooling the interior space and having a hot end (31) and a cold end (35). The duct (36) extends from the hot end (31) of the active cooling system of the case to a heat exhaust outlet (38). The module (30) is configured such that the case (32) can be removably sited in a presentation space (24) of a chill cabinet (20) with the heat exhaust (38) of the duct (36) positioned outside of the presentation space (24). The duct (36) is a hollow tube free from refrigerant conduits, electrical cables and other electrical equipment.

1 . A portable freezer module for displaying and dispensing frozen edible products comprising:
 a case comprising:
 an insulated container having an interior space for containing the frozen products, and 
 an active cooling system for cooling the interior space and having a hot end and a cold end; and 
   a flexible duct extending from the hot end of the active cooling system of the case to a heat exhaust outlet;   
       wherein the module is configured such that the case can be removably sited in a presentation space of a chill cabinet with the heat exhaust of the duct positioned outside of the presentation space; and wherein the flexible duct is a hollow tube free from refrigerant conduits, electrical cables and other electrical equipment. 
     
     
         2 . The freezer module as claimed in  claim 1  where the duct can be moved between at least two of the following positions:
 (i) the heat exhaust above the case; 
 (ii) the heat exhaust to one side of the case; and 
 (iii) the heat exhaust below the case. 
 
     
     
         3 . The freezer module as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the module comprises a battery for powering the active cooling system. 
     
     
         4 . The freezer module as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the module comprises a power cable wherein with the insulated case sited in the chill cabinet the cable extends from the case to a power source outside of the chill cabinet. 
     
     
         5 . The freezer module as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the active cooling system is a vapour compression system. 
     
     
         6 . The freezer module as claimed in  claim 5  wherein the vapour compression system comprises a compressor and an evaporator; the case comprises a compartment separated from the interior space by a partition wall; the compressor is sited in the compartment; and at least part of the evaporator is sited in the interior space. 
     
     
         7 . The freezer module as claimed in  claim 1  wherein the active cooling system is a thermoelectric system. 
     
     
         8 . An apparatus for displaying and dispensing both chilled and frozen edible products comprising a chill cabinet having a presentation space and at least one of the freezer modules as claimed in  claim 1 , wherein the case of at least one freezer module is sited in the presentation space of the chill cabinet with the heat exhaust outlet of the said module positioned outside of the presentation space. 
     
     
         9 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 8  wherein the interior space of the module is maintained at a frozen temperature, the presentation space is maintained at a chill temperature and wherein the frozen temperature is at least 16° C. lower than the chill temperature. 
     
     
         10 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the frozen temperature is between 17° C. and 30° C. lower than the chill temperature. 
     
     
         11 . The apparatus as claimed in  claim 9  wherein the frozen temperature is in the range of −15° C. to −25° C. and the chill temperature is in the range of 0° C. to +8° C.