Mullion assembly for a refrigerated merchandiser

• US 8,070,305 B2
• Filed: 05/06/2009
• Issued: 12/06/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hussmann Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Hussmann Corporation (Panasonic Holdings Corporation)
• Inventors: Bratton, Gregory Scott
• Primary Examiner(s): Dzierzynski, Evan
• Application Number:
  US12/436,292
• Publication Number:
  US 20100018232A1
• Time in Patent Office: 944 Days
• Field of Search: 362/125, 362/126, 362/249.02, 362/133, 362/92, 362/217.05, 622/46, 622/64
• US Class Current: 362/92
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/001 Devices for lighting, humidifying, heating, ventilation
• CPC Class Codes: A47F 3/0426 Details
• CPC Class Codes: F21V 15/01 Housings, e.g. material or assembling of housing parts F21V15/02 takes precedence housings forming signs or letters G09F13/04
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/305 for refrigerators
• CPC Class Codes: F21W 2131/405 for shop-windows or displays
• CPC Class Codes: F21Y 2115/10 Light-emitting diodes [LED]
• CPC Class Codes: Y10T 29/53 Means to assemble or disassemble

Abstract

A refrigerated merchandiser including a case that defines a product display area adapted to support product. The case includes a frame that has at least one mullion assembly defining an opening into the product display area, and a door that is positioned over the opening. The mullion assembly includes a mullion, a light assembly that is coupled to the mullion and that has a light source for illuminating at least a portion of the product display area, and a reflective surface that is coupled to at least one side of the mullion assembly and that extends along a length of the mullion. The reflective surface is visible from outside the case to increase visibility of product within the product display area.

Claims

1. A refrigerated merchandiser comprising:

a case defining a product display area adapted to support product, the case including a frame having at least one mullion assembly defining an opening into the product display area and a door positioned over the opening, the mullion assembly including

a mullion,

a light assembly coupled to the mullion and including a light source for illuminating at least a portion of the product display area, and

a reflective surface coupled to at least one side of the mullion assembly and extending along a length of the mullion, the reflective surface being visible from outside the case to increase visibility of product within the product display area.

2. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is positioned on one side of the mullion, and wherein the mullion assembly includes another reflective surface positioned on an opposite side of the mullion.

3. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is formed with the mullion as a single piece.

4. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is formed from one of a polished stainless steel material and a mirror.

5. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the case includes at least two mullion assemblies, and wherein each of the mullion assemblies has a mullion and a reflective surface coupled to the mullion.

6. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is attached to the mullion assembly using attachment means.

7. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is positioned adjacent the light assembly to make the mullion assembly appear much smaller in size.

8. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface extends along a substantial length of the mullion.

9. The refrigerated merchandiser of claim 1, wherein the reflective surface is adapted to make at least a portion of the mullion assembly virtually disappear from view.

10. A method of retrofitting a refrigerated merchandiser including a case defining a product display area, the case having a frame with at least one mullion assembly defining an opening and a door positioned over the opening, the method comprising:

providing a reflective surface having true color reflection;

attaching the reflective surface to a mullion of the mullion assembly; and

reflecting at least some product supported in the product display area and increasing visibility of the product from outside the case.

11. The method of claim 10, further comprising reflecting product supported in the product display area along a substantial length of the mullion.

12. The method of claim 10, further comprising reflecting product supported in the product display area and making at least a portion of the mullion assembly virtually disappear from view.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising attaching reflective surfaces to opposite sides of the mullion assembly.

14. The method of claim 10, wherein attaching the reflective surface to the mullion includes adhering the reflective surface to the mullion.

15. The method of claim 10, further comprising positioning the reflective surface adjacent a light assembly of the mullion assembly.

16. The method of claim 15, further comprising increasing visibility of product within the product display area without directly reflecting light from the light assembly.

17. The merchandiser of claim 10, wherein the reflective surface makes the mullion assembly appear much smaller in size.