Open display refrigerators

Abstract

An open display refrigerator comprising: a refrigerated storage space, air in the refrigerated storage space being separated from air exterior to the open display refrigerator by an air curtain established by a fan which blows air towards an air outlet, air in the air curtain being recovered by an air inlet which recirculates the air from the air curtain into an air duct coupled to the air outlet; the at least one shelf having a riser attached to the shelf; and an air curtain guide coupled to the riser, the air curtain guide for guiding the flow of air within the air curtain.

1 . An open display refrigerator, comprising:
 a housing defining a refrigerated storage space;   a fan configured to establish an air curtain that separates the refrigerated storage space from an exterior of the housing;   an air inlet configured to recover air from the air curtain such that the air can be recirculated into an air duct;   an air outlet coupled to the air duct;   a shelf;   a riser attached to the shelf; and   an air curtain guide coupled to the riser, the air curtain guide configured to guide a flow of air within the air curtain.   
     
     
         2 . A cooling unit comprising:
 a housing defining an interior space that includes (i) a refrigerated storage space and (ii) an access space;   a fan configured to establish an air curtain that separates air in the refrigerated storage space from air in the access space;   an air inlet configured to recover air from the air curtain such that the air can be recirculated into an air duct;   an air outlet coupled to the air duct;   a door, that separates the interior space from air external to the housing;   a shelf;   a riser attached to the shelf; and   an air curtain guide coupled to the riser, the air curtain guide configured to guide a flow of air within the air curtain.   
     
     
         3 . The open display refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf has a front edge parallel to the air curtain. 
     
     
         4 . The open display refrigerator of  claim 3 , wherein the shelf is at an angle relative to horizontal, such that the front edge of the shelf is lower than a back edge of the shelf. 
     
     
         5 . The open display refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the angle of the shelf is 10°. 
     
     
         6 . The open display refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the angle of the shelf is 15°. 
     
     
         7 . The open display refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the angle of the shelf is 20°. 
     
     
         8 . The open display refrigerator of  claim 4 , wherein the riser is vertical, such that an acute angle is formed between the front edge of the shelf and a portion of the riser that extends vertically from the front edge of the shelf. 
     
     
         9 . The open display refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the air curtain guide and the riser are monolithically formed. 
     
     
         10 . The open display refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the air guide is removably attached to the riser. 
     
     
         11 . The open display refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the air guide is attached to the riser by one or more brackets. 
     
     
         12 . The open display refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the air curtain guide is an aerofoil. 
     
     
         13 . The open display refrigerator of  claim 4 , when dependent on  claim 3 , wherein the riser is attached to the front edge of the shelf. 
     
     
         14 . The open display refrigerator of  claim 1 , wherein the shelf includes a slot configured to receive the riser. 
     
     
         15 . The open display refrigerator, of  claim 1 , wherein the riser includes a transparent portion. 
     
     
         16 . (canceled) 
     
     
         17 . A riser for use with an open display refrigerator or a cooling unit, wherein the riser comprises an integral air curtain guide. 
     
     
         18 . The riser of  claim 17 , wherein the riser comprises an acute angle. 
     
     
         19 . The riser of  claim 17 , wherein the air curtain guide is an aerofoil.