LED LIGHTING ASSEMBLY WITH LEDS HAVING DIFFERENT VIEWING ANGLES

• US 20110058357A1
• Filed: 10/15/2008
• Published: 03/10/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Hussmann Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hussmann Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Anderson, Timothy D.
• Application Number:
  US12/674,692
• Publication Number:
  US 20110058357A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 362/125
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/001 Devices for lighting, humidifying, heating, ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/0439 Cases or cabinets of the open type A47F3/0482 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: F21S 4/28 rigid, e.g. LED bars
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 21/088 Clips; Clamps
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 3/04 characterised by materials, surface treatments or coatings
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 7/005 with an elongated shape to cooperate with linear light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/305 for refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/405 for shop-windows or displays
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2103/10 comprising a linear array of point-like light-generating elements
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/00 Combination of light sources
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2113/20 of different form
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]

Abstract

A merchandiser that includes a case that defines a product display area and that includes a frame having mullions. The mullions define at least one opening such that the food product within the product display area is accessible from the front of the case. The merchandiser also includes at least one shelf for supporting and displaying food product within the product display area, and a light assembly that is coupled to at least one of the mullions and that is positioned to illuminate the food product. The light assembly includes a first LED that has a first viewing angle and a second LED that has a second viewing angle that is smaller than the first viewing angle.

Claims

1. A merchandiser comprising:

a case defining a product display area and including a frame having mullions defining at least one opening such that the food product within the product display area is accessible from the front of the case;

at least one shelf for supporting and displaying food product within the product display area; and

a light assembly coupled to at least one of the mullions and positioned to illuminate the food product, the light assembly including a first LED having a first viewing angle and a second LED having a second viewing angle that is smaller than the first viewing angle.

2. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the light assembly further includes a cover disposed adjacent the first LED and the second LED, and wherein the cover includes at least one obscured portion such that the visibility of light from the first LED and the second LED from outside the case is partially obscured.

3. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the light assembly further includes at least one reflective element positioned adjacent the first LED and the second LED such that at least a portion of light from the first LED and the second LED is reflected by the reflective element into the product display area.

4. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the first viewing angle is between about 90 degrees and 180 degrees.

5. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the second viewing angle is between about 5 degrees and 60 degrees.

6. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the first LED is directed in a first direction away from the corresponding mullion generally toward the product display area, and wherein the second LED is directed in a second direction substantially symmetrically opposite the first direction and generally toward the product display area.

7. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the light assembly includes at least one circuit board coupled to the first LED and the second LED, and wherein the circuit board is operable to dissipate heat from the first LED and the second LED without being metal clad.

8. The merchandiser of claim 1, further comprising a lens covering the second LED to narrow the viewing angle of the second LED.

9. The merchandiser of claim 8, wherein the lens is formed from at least one of an epoxy resin, a hard silicone-based material, and plastic.

10. The merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the first LED is operable to direct relatively diffuse light into the product display area, and wherein the second LED is operable to direct a substantially pointed source of light into the product display area.

11. The merchandiser of claim 10, wherein the relatively diffuse light from first LED is operable to illuminate food product that is located adjacent and behind the corresponding mullion, and wherein the substantially pointed source of light from the second LED is operable to illuminate food product that is located adjacent a center of the shelf between the mullions.

12. A merchandiser comprising:

a case defining a product display area and including a frame having mullions that define at least one opening such that the food product within the product display area is accessible from the front of the case;

at least one shelf for supporting and displaying the food product within the product display area;

a light assembly coupled to at least one of the mullions and positioned to illuminate the food product, the light assembly including a first LED having a first viewing angle, and a second LED having a second viewing angle that is different from the first viewing angle, the first LED and the second LED positioned adjacent each other along a length of the light assembly.

13. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the light assembly further includes a circuit board, and wherein the first LED and the second LED are positioned adjacent each other along the length of the circuit board.

14. The merchandiser of claim 13, wherein the circuit board is operable to dissipate heat from the first LED and the second LED without being metal clad.

15. The merchandiser of claim 12, further comprising a lens covering the second LED to define the second viewing angle of the second LED.

16. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the first LED is one of a plurality of first LEDs and the second LED is one of a plurality of second LEDs, and wherein the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs are arranged in an alternating orientation defined by a consistent pattern of equal quantities of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs.

17. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the first LED is one of a plurality of first LEDs and the second LED is one of a plurality of second LEDs, and wherein the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs are arranged in an alternating orientation defined by a consistent pattern of unequal quantities of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs.

18. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the first LED is one of a plurality of first LEDs and the second LED is one of a plurality of second LEDs, and wherein the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs are arranged in an alternating orientation defined by an inconsistent pattern of equal quantities of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs.

19. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the first LED is one of a plurality of first LEDs and the second LED is one of a plurality of second LEDs, and wherein the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs are arranged in an alternating orientation defined by an inconsistent pattern of unequal quantities of the plurality of first LEDs and the plurality of second LEDs.

20. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the light assembly further includes a cover disposed adjacent the first LED and the second LED, and wherein the cover includes at least one obscured portion such that the visibility of light from the first LED and the second LED from outside the case is partially obscured.

21. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the light assembly further includes a reflective element positioned adjacent the first LED and the second LED such that at least a portion of light from the first LED and the second LED is reflected by the reflective element into the product display area.

22. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the first viewing angle is larger than the second viewing angle.

23. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the first LED is directed in a first direction away from the corresponding mullion generally toward the product display area, and wherein the second LED is directed in a second direction substantially symmetrically opposite the first direction and generally toward the product display area.

24. The merchandiser of claim 12, wherein the first LED is operable to direct relatively diffuse light into the product display area, and wherein the second LED is operable to direct a substantially pointed source of light into the product display area.

25. The merchandiser of claim 24, wherein the first LED is operable to illuminate food product that is located adjacent and behind the corresponding mullion, and wherein the second LED is operable to illuminate food product that is located adjacent a center of the shelf between the mullions.