DOOR MODULE FOR A REFRIGERATED CASE

• US 20110304252A1
• Filed: 04/13/2011
• Published: 12/15/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 06/09/2010
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hill Phoenix Incorporated (Dover Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hill Phoenix Incorporated (Dover Corporation)
• Inventors: Stubblefield, Steven O.
• Granted Patent: US 8,393,130 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 312/405
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/0434 Glass or transparent panels
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 2003/66338 of glass
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66361 with special structural provisions for holding drying agents, e.g. packed in special containers
• CPC Class Codes: E06B 3/66366 specially adapted for units comprising more than two panes or for attaching intermediate sheets

Abstract

A door module for a refrigerated case includes a central panel with a peripheral flange. A first panel is disposed on one side of the central panel and is supported by the flange. A second panel is disposed on another side of the central panel and is supported by the flange. A first seal is disposed between the first side of the flange and the first panel, and a second seal is disposed between the second side of the flange and the second panel. A channel with a desiccant material is disposed within the flange. A first opening extends from the channel to a first space between the first panel and the central panel, and a second opening extends from the channel to a second space between the second panel and the central panel. A frame is coupled to the flange and overlaps the first and second panels.

Claims

1. A door module for a temperature controlled display device, comprising:

a substantially transparent central panel having a planar portion integrally formed with a flange portion, the flange portion extending substantially about a perimeter of the planar portion;

a first lateral panel disposed on a first side of the central panel in parallel relation to the planar portion and supported by a first side of the flange portion;

a second lateral panel disposed on a second side of the central panel in parallel relation to the planar portion and supported by a second side of the flange portion; and

a frame coupled to the flange portion.

2. The door module of claim 1 wherein the planar portion and flange portion of the central panel are integrally formed from a polycarbonate material in a compression injection molding operation.

3. The door module of claim 1 wherein the flange portion is substantially symmetric relative to the planar portion.

4. The door module of claim 1 further comprising a first seal disposed between the first side of the flange portion and the first lateral panel.

5. The door module of claim 4 further comprising a second seal disposed between the second side of the flange portion and the second lateral panel.

6. The door module of claim 1 wherein the flange portion further comprises a passageway with an electrical conductor disposed therein.

7. The door module of claim 1 wherein the flange portion further comprises a channel with a desiccant material disposed therein.

8. The door module of claim 7 further comprising a first opening extending from the channel to a first space between the first lateral panel and the planar portion, and a second opening extending from the channel to a second space between the second lateral panel and the planar portion.

9. The door module of claim 8 further comprising a moisture barrier coupled to the flange and enclosing the channel.

10. The door module of claim 1 further comprising a frame coupled to the flange portion.

11. A temperature controlled display device having a body portion at least partially defining an interior space for storing refrigerated or frozen objects therein, the display device comprising:

a door module coupled to the body portion and movable between and open position and a closed position to provide access to the interior space, the door module comprising;

a central panel having an integrally formed peripheral flange;

a first panel disposed on a first side of the central panel and supported by a first side of the flange;

a second panel disposed on a second side of the central panel and supported by a second side of the flange; and

a frame coupled to the flange.

12. The temperature controlled display device of claim 11 wherein the central panel and flange are integrally formed from a polycarbonate material in a compression injection molding operation.

13. The temperature controlled display device of claim 11 wherein the flange is substantially symmetric relative to the central panel.

14. The temperature controlled display device of claim 11 further comprising a first seal disposed between the first side of the flange and the first panel.

15. The temperature controlled display device of claim 14 further comprising a second seal disposed between the second side of the flange and the second panel.

16. The temperature controlled display device of claim 11 wherein the flange further comprises a passageway with an electrical conductor disposed therein.

17. The temperature controlled display device of claim 11 wherein the flange further comprises a channel with a desiccant material disposed therein.

18. The temperature controlled display device of claim 17 further comprising a first opening extending from the channel to a first space between the first panel and the central panel, and a second opening extending from the channel to a second space between the second panel and the central panel.

19. The temperature controlled display device of claim 18 further comprising a moisture barrier coupled to the flange and enclosing the channel.

20. The temperature controlled display device of claim 11 further comprising a frame coupled to the flange and at least partially overlapping the first panel and the second panel.

21. A door module for a temperature controlled display device, comprising:

a central panel integrally formed with a peripheral flange;

a first panel disposed on a first side of the central panel and supported by a first side of the flange;

a second panel disposed on a second side of the central panel and supported by a second side of the flange;

a first seal disposed between the first side of the flange and the first panel, and a second seal disposed between the second side of the flange and the second panel;

a channel within the flange and a desiccant material disposed in the channel;

a first opening extending from the channel to a first space between the first panel and the central panel, and a second opening extending from the channel to a second space between the second panel and the central panel; and

a frame coupled to the flange portion and at least partially overlapping the first panel and the second panel.