Merchandiser including frame heaters
First Claim
1. A refrigerated merchandiser comprising:
- a case defining a product display area and including a frame having a mullion, the mullion defining an opening to the product display area;
a door coupled and movable relative to the frame over the opening to provide access to the product display area;
a refrigeration system in communication with the product display area to condition the product display area;
a first heater coupled to and routed along the frame;
a second heater coupled to and routed along the frame, the second heater separate from the first heater; and
a controller operatively coupled to the first heater and the second heater and programmed to dependently control the first heater and the second heater relative to each other to have a duty cycle that is the same for the first heater and the second heater so that the first heater and the second heater are activated and deactivated at the same time to remove or inhibit formation of condensation.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area and including a frame having a mullion. The mullion defining an opening to the product display area. A door is coupled and movable relative to the frame over the opening to provide access to the product display area. A refrigeration system is in communication with the product display area to condition the product display area. A first heater is coupled to and routed along the frame and a second heater is coupled to and routed along the frame. The second heater is separate from the first heater. A controller is operatively coupled to the first heater and the second heater and programmed to dependently control the first heater and the second heater relative to each other to remove or inhibit formation of condensation.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A refrigerated merchandiser comprising:
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a case defining a product display area and including a frame having a mullion, the mullion defining an opening to the product display area; a door coupled and movable relative to the frame over the opening to provide access to the product display area; a refrigeration system in communication with the product display area to condition the product display area; a first heater coupled to and routed along the frame; a second heater coupled to and routed along the frame, the second heater separate from the first heater; and a controller operatively coupled to the first heater and the second heater and programmed to dependently control the first heater and the second heater relative to each other to have a duty cycle that is the same for the first heater and the second heater so that the first heater and the second heater are activated and deactivated at the same time to remove or inhibit formation of condensation. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A refrigerated merchandiser comprising:
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a case defining a product display area and including a frame having a mullion, the mullion defining an opening to the product display area; a door coupled and movable relative to the frame over the opening to provide access to the product display area; a refrigeration system in communication with the product display area to condition the product display area; a first heater coupled to and routed along the frame, the first heater having a first wattage output; a second heater coupled to and routed along the frame, the second heater separate from the first heater and having a second wattage output different from the first wattage output; and a controller operatively coupled to the first heater and the second heater and programmed to dependently control the first heater and the second heater to remove or inhibit formation of condensation so that the first heater and the second heater are activated at the same time and deactivated at the same time. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method of operating a refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area and having a frame with a first heater and a second heater routed along the frame, and a door providing access to the product display area, the method comprising:
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sensing a parameter of an ambient environment adjacent the case; delivering a signal indicative of the sensed parameter to a controller; selectively activating both the first heater and the second heater at the same time via the controller in response to the sensed parameter, the first heater having a first wattage output and the second heater having a second wattage output different from the first wattage output; and removing or inhibiting formation of condensation in response to activating the first and second heaters, wherein the controller is configured to dependently control the first heater and the second heater so that the first heater and the second heater are activated at the same time and deactivated at the same time. - View Dependent Claims (20)
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Specification