MODULAR DOOR SYSTEM FOR REFRIGERATED CASE
First Claim
1. A modular door system for a refrigerated case, comprising:
- a stepped glass unit;
a frame extending about a perimeter of the glass unit, the frame including a first horizontal frame element generally opposite a second horizontal frame element, and a first vertical frame element generally opposite a second vertical frame element, the first vertical frame element being configured to pivot about a pivot axis so that the second vertical frame element is movable between an open position and a closed position;
a first receptacle disposed in the first horizontal frame element and a second receptacle disposed in the second horizontal frame element, the receptacles substantially aligned with the pivot axis; and
a first cartridge and a second cartridge removably receivable in the first receptacle and the second receptacle and interchangeable therebetween;
wherein the frame may be converted between a right-handed orientation and a left-handed orientation by rotating the frame and panel 180 degrees and interchanging the position of the first cartridge and the second cartridge.
1 Assignment
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A modular door system is provided including at least one substantially transparent panel and a frame extending about a perimeter of the panel. The frame includes a pair of horizontal frame elements and a pair of vertical frame elements. One vertical frame element is configured to pivot about a pivot axis so that the other vertical frame element is movable between an open and a closed position. The modular door system further includes at least one receptacle disposed in the frame and a first cartridge removably receivable in the receptacle to facilitate pivoting the one vertical frame element about the pivot axis. The first cartridge is replaceable or interchangeable with at least a second cartridge. The cartridges may provide for the modular door system to be post-formation customized to change, add, or remove certain functionalities or features.
12 Citations
31 Claims
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1. A modular door system for a refrigerated case, comprising:
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a stepped glass unit; a frame extending about a perimeter of the glass unit, the frame including a first horizontal frame element generally opposite a second horizontal frame element, and a first vertical frame element generally opposite a second vertical frame element, the first vertical frame element being configured to pivot about a pivot axis so that the second vertical frame element is movable between an open position and a closed position; a first receptacle disposed in the first horizontal frame element and a second receptacle disposed in the second horizontal frame element, the receptacles substantially aligned with the pivot axis; and a first cartridge and a second cartridge removably receivable in the first receptacle and the second receptacle and interchangeable therebetween; wherein the frame may be converted between a right-handed orientation and a left-handed orientation by rotating the frame and panel 180 degrees and interchanging the position of the first cartridge and the second cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. A modular door system for a refrigerated case, comprising:
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at least one substantially transparent panel; a frame extending about a perimeter of the panel, the frame including a pair of horizontal frame elements and a pair of vertical frame elements, wherein one vertical frame element is configured to pivot about a pivot axis so that the other vertical frame element is movable between an open position and a closed position; at least one receptacle disposed in the frame; and a first cartridge removably receivable in the receptacle to facilitate pivoting one vertical frame element about the pivot axis so that the other vertical frame element is movable between an open position and a closed position; wherein the first cartridge is replaceable or interchangeable with at least a second cartridge. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A modular door system for a refrigerated case, comprising:
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an exterior side generally opposite an interior side; a stepped glass unit including at least a first glass panel spaced apart and parallel to a second glass panel, the first glass panel generally defining the exterior side of the modular door system and being larger than the second glass panel; and a seamless, one-piece frame molded about the stepped glass unit and formed using a polymeric material, wherein the frame supports the glass unit and provides an exposed glass unit surface area on the exterior side that is greater than on the internal side. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19)
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20. A method of making a modular door system for a refrigerated case, comprising:
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providing a stepped glass unit including at least a first glass panel spaced apart and parallel to a second glass panel, the first glass panel generally defining an exterior side of the modular door system and being larger than the second glass panel; providing a mold having an interior cavity; positioning the stepped glass unit into the interior cavity of the mold; injecting a polymeric material into the interior cavity of the mold using an injection molding process to form a one-piece, seamless frame extending about a perimeter of the stepped glass unit and at least one receptacle disposed in the frame; and removing the door from the mold. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31)
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Specification