MODULAR REFRIGERATED MERCHANDISE DISPLAY SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The invention relates generally to a modular refrigerated display system for storing and
dispensing merchandise.
BACKGROUND
Commercial refrigerators have had the same design and construction for many years.
Commercial refrigerators are typically large heavy boxes that have failed to keep up with
design trends and consumer expectations. Because of the large size, commercial
refrigerators are often under-utilized and only partially filled. The walls of commercial
refrigerators are general!)' formed from two thin steel plates with insulating polyurethane
foam injected between them. This construction makes the commercial refrigerators
heavy, time-consuming to build, and difficult to recycle. Additionally, many of the
commercial refrigerators have negative impacts to the environment because of the type of
refrigerant and compressor used.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
An object of this invention described herein is to provide a light weight modular
refrigerated merchandise display system that may be customized depending on the
amount of space required. Another object of the invention is to provide visual access of
the merchandise within the display system to a customer fro one or more angles.
Another object of the invention is to provide an easily accessible and replaceable
refrigeration unit.
In one aspect of the invention, a merchandise display system includes one or more
display units. The one or more display units may include at least one shelf and at least
one door for accessing the display unit. The merchandise display system may include a
base unit. The base unit may be removable from the merchandise display system. The
base unit may also include a cooling system configured to cool the one or more display
units and a sensor system configured to sense environmental parameters within the one or
more display units. The one or more display units may be attached to the top of the base
unit. In at least one embodiment, the merchandise display system includes a plurality of
display units attached one on top of each other with the lowermost display unit attached
to the top of a base unit.
] In another aspect of the invention, a merchandise display system includes one or more
display units. In at least one embodiment of the invention, the merchandise display
system includes a plurality' of display units positioned back to back. In this embodiment,
each of the display units includes a plurality of top doors and a plurality of bottom doors.
Each display unit may further include a plurality of shelves. The plurality of shelves may
be movable within the merchandise display system. Each of the display units may also
include a refrigeration unit, which may be removable from the display unit.
BR F DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
] FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a merchandise display system in accordance with at least
one embodiment of the present invention;
] FIG. 2a is a perspective view of a base unit and a display unit in accordance with at least
one embodiment of the present invention;
] FIG . 2b is a perspective view of a base unit;
] FIG . 3 is an alternative embodiment of the merchandise display system of Fig. 1;
] FIG. 4 is a perspective view of an alternative embodiment of the merchandise displaysystem
in accordance with the present invention;
] FIG. 5 is a perspective front view of the merchandise display system of Fig. 4;
] FIG. 6a is an exploded perspective view of the shelving system in accordance with at
least one embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 6b is a perspective view of the shelving system of Fig. 6a; and
FIG. 7 is a perspective partial side view of the merchandise display system of Fig. 4.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
Referring to Figs. 1 and 3, the merchandise display system according to one embodiment
of the present invention is indicated generally at 10. The merchandise display system 0
may be of a modular construction and include a plurality of display units 100 and a base
unit 200. The display units 100 and base unit 200 may be made of any suitable material,
such as plastic or metal. In one embodiment, the display units 100 are hollow structures
filled with a foam-based insulation material, which may reduce the weight of the
merchandise display system 10. In one embodiment, the base unit 200 is also a hollow
structure filled with a foam-based insulation material, which may reduce the weight of
the merchandise display system 0.
The display units 100 and base unit 200 may be any suitable size or shape. n one
example, as illustrated in Fig. 1, the display units 100 and base unit 200 are generally
cube shaped. Alternatively, as illustrated in Fig. 3, the display units 00 and base unit
200 may be generally trapezoidal. Any suitable shape is contemplated within the scope
of this invention, such as a rectangle, circular, or oval shape. The display units 100 and
base unit may be the same shape or different shapes.
Referring back to Fig. 1, each of the plurality of display units 100 includes a top wall
120, two side walls 140, a bottom wall 130, a door 150, and a back wall 160. The door
150 may be made of any suitable material, such as glass or plastic. n at least one
embodiment, the door 150 is transparent to allow visual access to the product stored and
displayed within the display unit 100. The door 150 may open in any suitable manner.
For example, in at least one embodiment, one side of the door 50 is hingedly attached to
the display unit 100 and the door 50 swings open to allow access to the display unit 00.
In at least one embodiment, the door 50 includes a handle for opening the door 50.
[18] Each of the display units 100 may include one or more shelves 170. The shelves 170
may be movable within the display units 100 to accommodate different types or heights
of products. Any number of shelves 170 is contemplated within the scope of this
invention. The number of shelves 70 may be dependent on the size of the merchandise
displayed in the display unit 100, may be dependent on the size of the display unit 00, or
a combination of both.
[19] Each display unit 100 may have a lighting system controlled by an electrical module in
the base unit 200. In at least one embodiment, the lighting system includes eight light
emitting diodes ("LEDs") 80 installed on the inner surface of each of side walls 140 of
the display units 100, as illustrated in Fig. 1. The lighting system may also include
exterior lights to attract customers to the merchandise display system 10.
[20] Referring to Figs. 2a and 2b, the base unit 200 has a top wall 220, a bottom wall 230, two
side wails 240, a back wall 260 and a front wall 250. In at least one embodiment, the
front wall 250 may be a door. The door may open i any suitable manner. For example,
the door may be hinged on one side and swing open to allow access into the base unit
200. In another embodiment, the front wall 250 may be a front portion of a drawer
housed within the base unit 200. in this embodiment, the drawer may slide out of the
base unit 200. The front wall 250 may be a solid construction or may contain apertures to
allow air to flow into and out of the base unit 200.
[21] The base unit 200 may include a cooling system and sensor system. The sensor system
may be configured to sense the environment within the display units 00. For example,
the sensor system may be configured to detect the temperature or humidity in the interior
of the display units 100. In at least one embodiment, the sensor system is in
communication with the cooling system i the base unit 200.
[22] As illustrated in Fig. 2b, the cooling system may include a refrigeration unit 210 that is
configured to cool the interior of the plurality of display units 100. The refrigeration unit
210 may cool any number of display units 00. For example, the refrigeration unit 210
may cool one display unit 100 or four display units 100. I at least one embodiment, the
refrigeration unit 210 is configured to cool three display units 00. In at least one
embodiment, the refrigeration unit 210 is removable from the base unit 200. The
refrigeration unit 210 may cool each display unit 100 is any suitable way. In one
embodiment, a hose is connected from the refrigeration unit 210 to each of the display
units 100. In this embodiment, the hose transports air from the base module and sends it
to the display units 100.
3] The refrigeration unit 210 may include typical refrigeration components such as a
compressor, a condenser, an evaporator a fan, etc. The refrigeration unit 210 may use
any suitable type of refrigerant to cool the merchandise display system 10. For example,
R134A (tetraflouroethane), C02 (carbon dioxide), or hydrocarbons may be used. The
refrigeration components may be placed within the same enclosure in the refrigeration
unit 210 and separated as necessary by insulating material. Alternatively, some of the
refrigeration components may be placed in separate enclosures within the refrigeration
unit 2 0.
[24] The merchandise display system 10 may utilize any applicable insulation. In one
embodiment, the merchandise display system 0 incorporates Aerogel insulation
material. Specifically, the merchandise display syste may incorporate Spaceloft
insulation. The use of Spaceloft insulation may decrease the required thickness of the
walls of the display system 10. Insulation may also be used in the refrigeration unit 2 0
to separate the condenser and evaporator within the same refrigeration unit 210.
[25] In one embodiment, the refrigeration unit 210 may be a hybrid convection-conduction
refrigeration system. In this embodiment, the refrigeration unit 210 may include a
traditional vapor-compression system, which forces cool air from the refrigeration unit
00 through the display units 100 in the merchandise system 0. The merchandise
displayed in the merchandise display system 10 may be cooled through a conduction
process where thermal energy is passed from the shelves 70 to the merchandise to cool
the merchandise. In this embodiment, heat generated during the cooling process is
transferred out of the refrigeration unit 210 and display units 100.
[26 Each display unit 0 may be configured to attach to the base unit 200 or another display
unit 00. In this embodiment, each display unit 00 is configured to engage with or
attach to the top wall 220 of a base unit 200. Each display unit 00 may also be
configured to engage with a top wall 120 of another display unit 100. In at least one
embodiment, as depicted in Figs. 1 and 3, the merchandise display system 0 includes a
single base unit 200 and three display units lQOa-c. In this embodiment, the base unit
200 is located at the bottom. A first display unit 100a is attached to the top wall 220 of
the base unit 200. A second display unit 100b is attached to the top wall 20 of the first
display unit 00a and a third dis ay unit 100c is attached to the top wall 20 of the
second display unit 100b. In one embodiment, as illustrated in Fig. 2a, the base unit 200
may be of unitary construction with one of the display units 100.
The display units 00 may be attached to the base unit 200 and other display units 100 in
any suitable manner. In at least one embodiment, the display units 00 and the base unit
200 are attached together through the use of corresponding rails. In this embodiment, the
base unit 200 may include one or more rails on the top wall 220 of the base unit 200,
which engages with one or more corresponding rails on the bottom wall 30 of a base
unit 100. The display units 100 may attach to each other display units 00 in a similar
manner. For example, each of the display units 00 may include one or more rails on
each of the top walls 120, which may attach to one or more corresponding rails on the
bottom walls 130 of another display unit 100. In this embodiment, the rails keep the
display units 100 and base unit 200 aligned to give the appearance of a single refrigerator.
However, display units 00 may be added or removed depending on the amount of space
required.
The merchandise display system 0 may include logos or signs to further promote the
brand or type of merchandise within the merchandise display system 10. The logos and
signs may be place on any suitable surface of the merchandise display system 10. For
example, a sign may be placed on the top wall 120 of the top display unit 100 or logos
may be attached to the doors 50 or side walls 140 of the display units 100.
In another aspect of the invention, as illustrated in Fig. 4, a plurality of display units 500
combine together to fo a 360 degree merchandise display system 10. The merchandise
display system 10 may include any number of display units 500. In at least one
embodiment, the display system 10 includes two display units 500, positioned back to
back. The display units 500 may be made of any suitable materia], such as metal or
plastic. In one embodiment, the display units 500 are hollow structures filled with a
foam-based insulation material, which may reduce the weight of the merchandise display
system 10.
The display units 500 may include a top wall 520, a bottom wall 530, a back wal 540,
and a front wall 5 0. The front wall 510 may include a plurality of upper doors 560 and a
plurality of lower doors 550. The display units 500 may contain any suitable number of
upper doors 560 and lower doors 550. in at least one embodiment, each of the display
units includes at least three upper doors 560 and three lower doors 550. The upper doors
560 and lower doors 550 may be made of any suitable material such as glass or plastic.
In at least one embodiment, the upper doors 560 and lower doors 550 are transparent to
allo visual access of the merchandise within the dis ay unit 500. The display units 500
may be any suitable shape and size. For example, the display units may be square,
rectangular, circular, semi-circular, or polygonal.
The upper doors 560 and lower doors 550 may open in any suitable manner. For
example, one side of the upper doors 560 may be hingedly attached to the front wall 5 0
and swing outwardly to allow access to the display unit 500. In at least one embodiment,
the bottom edge of the lower doors 550 is hingedly attached to the display unit 500 to
allow the bottom door 550 to open outwardly from the top edge of the door 550. In at
least one embodiment, the upper doors 560 and the lower doors 550 include a handle to
aid in opening the upper doors 560 and lower doors 550.
The merchandise display system 10 may include a plurality of shelves 570. The plurality
of shelves 570 may be made of any suitable material, such as plastic or metal. In at least
one embodiment, the plurality of shelves 570 are wire structures. In at least one
embodiment, the plurality of shelves 570 may be tilted or angled. The plurality of
shelves 570 may be angled such that the front of the shelves 570 is lower than the back of
the shelves 570. In this embodiment, gravity forces the merchandise displayed on the
plurality of shelves 570 forward towards the front of the shelves 570. Alternatively, the
plurality of shelves 570 may be in a horizontal position within the merchandise display
system 10. The plurality of shelves may be any suitable shape. For example, the
plurality of shelves 570 may be a triangular or rectangular shape.
[33] As illustrated in Figs. 6a and 6b, the plurality of shelves 570 may further include a basket
575 for the merchandise to be placed in. The basket 575 may rest on top of the plurality
of shelves 570 or the shelves 570 may form a frame around the basket 575 and support
the basket 575. In one embodiment, the plurality of shelves 570 are triangular frames
that support a triangular plastic basket within the frame. In at least one embodiment, the
plurality of shelves 570 are movable to different heights within the display unit 500 to
accommodate merchandise of different heights. In at least one embodiment, the baskets
575 and the shelves 570 are removable from the merchandise display system 10. Any
number of shelves 570 are contemplated within the scope of this invention. The number
of sheives 570 may depend on many factors, such as the size of the display unit 500 and
the size of the product being merchandised.
[34] As illustrated in Fig. 7, the merchandise display system 10 may include a base unit 700.
n one embodiment, the base unit 700 is removable from the merchandise display system
10. in an alternative embodiment, the base unit 700 is attached to or integral to the
merchandise display system 0. The base unit 700 includes a refrigeration unit 710 and a
housing 720. The housing 720 may be made of any suitable material and may be of solid
construction or may include a plurality of apertures to allow air to flow into and out of
the base unit 700.
[35] n at least one embodiment, the refrigeration unit 710 may be removable from the base
unit 700. The removable refrigeration unit 710 allows for easy installation and
maintenance of the refrigeration unit 710. For example, a technician may chose to
replace the removable refrigeration unit 7 0 rather than repair it while it is connected to
the merchandise display system .
[36] The refrigeration unit 710 may include typical refrigeration components such as a
compressor, a condenser, an evaporator, a fan, etc. The refrigeration unit 7 0 may use
any suitable type of refrigerant to cool the merchandise display system 10. For example,
R134A (tetraflouroethane), C02 (carbon dioxide), or hydrocarbons may be used. The
refrigeration components may be placed within the same enclosure in the refrigeration
unit 0 and separated as necessary by insulating material. Alternatively, some of the
refrigeration components may be placed in separate enclosures within the refrigeration
unit 7 0.
[37] The merchandise display system 10 may utilize any applicable insulation. I one
embodiment, the merchandise display system 10 incorporates Aerogel insulation
material. Specifically, the merchandise display system may incorporate Spaceloft
insulation. The use of Spaceloft insulation may decrease the required thickness of the
wal ls of the display system 10. Insulation may also be use in the refrigeration unit 710
to separate the condenser and evaporator within the same refrigeration unit 710.
[38] In one embodiment, the refrigeration unit 710 may be a hybrid convection-conduction
refrigeration system. In this embodiment the refrigeration unit 710 may include a
traditional vapor-compression system, which forces cool air from the refrigeration unit
710 through the display units 500 in the merchandise system 10. The merchandise
displayed in the merchandise display system 0 may be cooled through a conduction
process where thermal energy is passed from the shelves 570 to the merchandise to cool
the merchandise. In this embodiment, heat generated during the cooling process is
transferred out of the refrigeration unit 710 and display units 500.
[39] The merchandise display system may further include a lighting system. The lighting
system may include interior and exterior lighting. In at least one embodiment, the display
units 500 include a plurality of exterior lights 580. The exterior lights 580 may be any
suitable type of lighting, such as LEDs. The exterior lights 580 may extend vertically on
the front wall 510 of the dis ay unit 500. The exterior lights 580 may extend from the
top wail 520 to the bottom wall 530 or may extend along only a portion of the front wall
510.
[40] The display units 500 may further include a sensor system. The sensor system may be
configured to sense the environment within the display unit 500. For example, the sensor
system may be configured to detect the temperature or humidity in the interior of the
display units 500. In at least one embodiment, the sensor system is in communication
with the cooling system in the base un 700.
The merchandise display system 10 may include logos or signs to further promote the
brand or type of merchandise within the merchandise display system 10. The logos and
signs may be place on any suitable surface of the merchandise display system 10. For
example, a sign may be placed on the top wall 520 of the display unit 500 or logos may
be attached to the upper doors 560 and lower doors 550.
While the invention has been described with respect to certain preferred embodiments, as
will be appreciated by those skilled in the art, it is to be understood that the invention is
capable of numerous changes, modifications and rearrangements and such changes,
modifications and rearrangements are intended to be covered by the following claims.
What is Claimed is:
1. A merchandise display system comprising:
at least one display unit including at least one shelf and at least one door; and
a removable base unit having a top and a bottom, the removable base unit including a
cooling system and a sensor system, the cooling system configured to cool the at least one
display unit the sensor system configured to sense environmental parameters within the at least
one display unit,
wherein the at least one display unit is configured to engage the top of the base unit.
2. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display unit further
comprises one or more rails configured to engage with one or more corresponding rails on the
top of the base unit.
3. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display unit is
rectangular.
4. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display unit is a
generally trapezoidal shape.
5. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display unit further
comprises an internal lighting system.
6. The merchandise display system of claim 1, wherein the at least one display unit further
comprises an external lighting system.
7. The merchandise display system of claim wherein the at least one display unit
comprises a first display unit and a second display unit.
8. The merchandise display system of claim 7, wherein the first display unit is configured to
attach to a top of the second display unit and the base unit is configured to attach to a bottom of
the second display unit
9. A merchandise display system comprising;
a phirality of display units, each display unit comprising:
at least one transparent door;
at least one shelf
wherein each of the plurality of display units is configured to engage a top of
another display unit, and
a removable base unit configured to engage a bottom of one of the plurality of display
units.
10. The merchandise display system of claim 9, wherein the removable base unit
comprises a refrigeration unit configured to cool the plurality of display units.
. The merchandise display system of claim , wherein the base unit further comprises
a sensor system to sense environmental parameters within the plurality of display units.
12. The merchandise display system of claim 10, wherein each of the plurality of display
units further comprise one or more rails configured to engage with one or more
corresponding rails on the other display units.
13. A merchandise display system comprising:
a plurality of display units, each of the plurality of display units comprising:
a plurality of top doors;
a plurality of shelves;
a plurality of bottom doors;
a removable refrigeration unit;
wherein the plurality of display units are configured to be positioned back to back.
14. The merchandise display system of claim 13, wherem the plurality of shelves are
inclined.
15. The merchandise display system of claim 13, wherein each display unit includes at
least three top doors an at least three bottom doors.
16. The merchandise display system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of display units
includes a first display unit and a second display unit.
17. The merchandise display system of claim 16, wherein the first display unit and the
second display unit are semi-circular.
18. The merchandise display system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of display units
forms a 360 degree merchandise display system.
19. The merchandise display system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of top doors and
the plurality of bottom doors are transparent.
20. The merchandise display system of claim 13, wherein the plurality of shelves frame
and support a plurality of baskets.