REFRIGERATED SALES CABINET
The present invention relates to a refrigerated sales cabinet. More particularly, the inven
tion relates to a refrigerated sales cabinet comprising a drain conduit in order to dispose
condensed water.
Refrigerated sales cabinets for presenting cooled and/or frozen goods to potential customers
including standalone refrigerated sales cabinets, which comprise a complete refrigera¬
tion circuit and need only to be connected to an electric power supply in order to operate
the refrigeration circuit, are known in the art.
The operation of the refrigeration circuit comprised in this kind of cabinets usually produces
condensed water, in particular at the evaporator. Said condensed water needs to be
disposed from the goods presentation and air circulation space in order to maintain an at¬
tractive goods presentation and in order to maintain the cooling capacity of the refrigera¬
tion circuit.
It is known in the art to collect the condensed water in a condensed water collecting co n
tainer, which is arranged below the evaporator and comprises a drain conduit in order to
drain the water which has been collected in the container. As warm air ascending through
the drain conduit and flowing by the evaporator reduces the efficiency of the refrigeration
circuit, the drain conduit usually is provided with a siphon which is filled with water in
order to prevent warm air from ascending through the drain conduit.
Filling the siphon with water before starting the operation of the refrigerated sales cabinets
and regularly checking the amount of water within the siphon are perceived as inconven
ient by the personnel e.g. in the supermarkets, and these actions considerably increase the
effort and the costs for the installation and the maintenance of the refrigerated sales cabi¬
nets.
It therefore would be beneficial to provide a refrigerated sales cabinet with reduced instal¬
lation and maintenance effort and costs while continuing to provide a reliable removal of
condensed water from the goods presentation and air circulation space.
A refrigerated sales cabinet according to a first exemplary embodiment of the invention
comprises a goods presentation and air circulation space comprising a goods presentation
space for supporting refrigerated goods to be sold and an air circulation space comprising
an evaporator for cooling air flowing through the air circulation space. The refrigerated
sales cabinet further comprises a drain conduit fluidly connecting a bottom part of the
goods presentation and air circulation space with a position outside of the goods presenta
tion and air circulation space. Said drain conduit is configured for draining condensed wa¬
ter forming within the goods presentation and air circulation space to a position outside of
the goods presentation and air circulation space and comprises an at least partially perme¬
able container arranged along the flow path of the drain conduit, wherein the container is
filled with granulate material that is non-absorbent to water. The granulate material is
piled up within the container so as to occupy the full diameter of the flow path such that
air is hindered or even prevented from passing through the drain conduit from outside of
the goods presentation and air circulation space into the goods presentation and air circula¬
tion space and such that water still can pass through the drain conduit from the goods
presentation and air circulation space to the position outside of the goods presentation and
air circulation space.
A refrigerated sales cabinet according to a second exemplary embodiment of the invention
comprises a goods presentation and air circulation space comprising a goods presentation
space for supporting refrigerated goods to be sold and an air circulation space comprising
an evaporator for cooling air flowing through the air circulation space. The refrigerated
sales cabinet further comprises a drain conduit fluidly connecting a bottom part of the
goods presentation and air circulation space with a position outside of the goods presenta¬
tion and air circulation space. Said drain conduit is configured for draining condensed wa
ter forming within the goods presentation and air circulation space to a position outside of
the goods presentation and air circulation space. The end of the drain conduit at the posi¬
tion outside of the goods presentation and air circulation space is facing upwards forming
an angle of more than 0° with respect to a vertical plane. A flap is provided at said end of
the drain conduit. Said flap is moveable between a closed position, in which the flap rests
on said end of the drain conduit and hinders or even prevents air passing through the drain
conduit from outside of the goods presentation and air circulation space into the goods
presentation and air circulation space, and an open position, in which the flap is raised
from said end of the drain conduit allowing water to pass through the drain conduit from
the goods presentation and air circulation space to the position outside of the goods
presentation and air circulation space.
In the refrigerated sales cabinets according to exemplary embodiments of the invention no
water has to be present in the drain conduit in order to hinder warm air from ascending
through the drain conduit into the goods presentation and air circulation space. Instead, air
is blocked by the granulate material or the movable flap, respectively, from flowing
through the drain conduit. At the same time the granulate material or the movable flap re¬
spectively allow condensed water to pass through the drain conduit in order to be removed
from the water collecting container.
In consequence the invention provides refrigerated sales cabinets which may be installed
and operated more conveniently as it is not necessary to ensure the presence of water in the
drain conduit.
In the following the invention will be described in more detail with reference to the en¬
closed figures.
Figure 1 shows a schematic cross section of an example of an integrated refrigerated sales
cabinet according to a first embodiment of the invention.
Figure 2 shows a schematic cross section through a net-bag filled with a granulate material
according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 3 shows a schematic cross section through a cartridge filled with a granulate mate¬
rial according to an embodiment of the invention.
Figure 4 shows a schematic cross section of an example of an integrated refrigerated sales
cabinet according to a second embodiment of the invention.
The exemplary embodiment of a refrigerated sales cabinet 1 shown in figure 1 in particular
is a standalone cooling or freezing cabinet to be used in department and/or grocery stores
or the like in order to present cooled and/or frozen goods to the customers. It is, however,
self-evident to the skilled person that the invention may be implemented in any kind of
refrigeration sales cabinets comprising a drain conduit in order to discharge condensed
water.
The exemplary refrigerated sales cabinet 1 shown in figure 1 has a goods presentation and
air circulation space 2 comprising a refrigerateable goods storage and presentation space
2a and an air circulation space 2b. The air circulation space 2b may be integral with the
goods storage and presentation space 2a. In an alternative embodiment the air circulation
space 2b may be separated from the goods storage and presentation space 2a by means of a
barrier.
The refrigerateable goods storage and presentation space 2a comprises a plurality of goods
presentation racks 5 for receiving the goods to be cooled and presented. The refrigerated
sales cabinet 1 comprises a front opening 28 allowing access to the goods presented within
the goods storage and presentation space 2a.
Means for generating a first stream 4 of cooled air for cooling the refrigerateable goods
storage and presentation space 2a and any goods (not shown) comprised therein are pro¬
vided by means of a first fan 7 and a cooled air channel 26 directing a first stream 4 of air
from a lower portion of the goods storage and presentation space 2a by an evaporator 6,
which is arranged in the air circulation space 2b below the goods storage and presentation
space 2a, through an air outlet 25 provided at an upper portion of the goods storage and
presentation space 2a.
A compressor and a second fan 8 are arranged in a lower bottom portion 8 of the re¬
frigerated sales cabinet 1 which is arranged below the goods presentation and air circula¬
tion space 2. The second fan 8 is provided for generating a second air stream 10 which is
directed through a rear air duct 20 past a condenser 1 arranged at an upper portion of an
upper rear wall 16 defining the goods storage and presentation space 2a. The compressor
14, the condenser 12, the evaporator 6 and an expansion device (not shown) form a refrig¬
erating circuit, as it is known in the art.
When the refrigerating circuit is operating, the evaporator 6 cools the first stream 4 of air,
which is guided through the air circulation space 2b by the evaporator 6 via the cooled air
channel 26 and the air outlet 25 into the goods storage and presentation space 2a in order
to cool the goods provided on the goods presentation racks 5.
A roller blind 30 or a similar curtain is arranged at the top of the front opening 28 of the
goods storage and presentation space 2a allowing to close the front opening 28, e.g. during
the night, providing a separation between the goods storage and presentation space 2a and
the outer region in order to hinder or even prevent an exchange of cold air flowing out of
the goods storage and presentation space 2a with warm air from the environment of the
refrigerated sales cabinet 1.
During normal opening hours the roller blind 30 is usually open in order to allow an easy
access to the goods presented on the racks 5. Alternatively, the blind 30, which may be
transparent, may be opened only for accessing the goods. Instead of a blind 3 a sliding or
swinging door may be provided, which may be transparent, as well.
When the refrigeration circuit is operating, humidity comprised in the first stream 4 of air
flowing through the air circulation space 2b will condense within the air circulation space
2b, in particular at the evaporator 6. If the refrigerated sales cabinet 1 is operated at freez¬
ing temperatures, the condensed water may freeze forming a layer of ice on the evaporator
6. In this case the evaporator 6 needs to be defrosted regularly in order to maintain or re¬
store its cooling capacity.
In order to collect condensed water including melting water dropping from the evaporator
6, a water collecting container 32 is arranged at the bottom of the air circulation space 2b.
The water collecting container 32 is provided with a drain conduit 36 in order to drain
condensed water collected in the collecting container 32 to a reservoir 38, which is a r
ranged within the lower bottom portion 18 of the refrigerated sales cabinet 1. The drain
conduit 36 is arranged at a steep angle, e.g. in the range of 70° to 90°, with respect to the
horizontal in order to allow the condensed water to flow through the drain conduit 36 driv
en by its own weight.
The reservoir 38 may be heated, e.g. by means of waste heat generated by the operation of
the compressor 14, in order to evaporate the water collected in the reservoir 38 to the se¬
cond air stream 10 passing through a lower bottom portion of the refrigerated sales cab¬
inet 1.
As a stream of warm air flowing into the air circulation space 2b would reduce the effi¬
ciency of the refrigeration circuit considerably, it is beneficial to avoid warm air from as¬
cending through the drain conduit 36 from the lower bottom portion 18 of the refrigerated
sales cabinet 1 into the water collecting container 32 and the air circulation space 2b.
In the first embodiment shown in Figure 1 a portion of the drain conduit 36 is filled with a
granulate material 34, so as to occupy the full diameter of the drain conduit 36. The granu
late material 34 is configured to allow water to pass through the drain conduit 36 from the
top to the bottom of the drain conduit 36, but to block air from ascending through the drain
conduit 36 into the air circulation space 2b.
The granulate material 34 may comprise pellets 52 and/or gravel filled in a container 54,
56, for example a net-bag 54 or a cartridge 56, which is part of or inserted into the drain
conduit 36. A support 40 may be provided in the drain conduit 36 in order to respectively
support the container 54, 56 within the drain conduit 36. The support 40 may be formed as
a grid or orifice reducing the diameter of the drain conduit 36 in order to prevent the con
tainer 54, 56 from dropping out of the drain conduit 36.
The longest extension of each of the pellets 52 may be in the range between 2 mm and 5
mm. The pellets 52 in particular may have a longest extension of 3 mm. Pellets 52 having
this extension have proven to provide a granulate material 34 which is well suited for the
intended purpose. The pellets 52 may be balls having a constant diameter.
Alternatively or additionally the granulate material 34 may comprise gravel. Gravel provides
a cheap granulate material 34, which is well suited for the intended purpose.
Alternatively or additionally the granulate material 34 may comprise a synthetic material
and/or silicium. The granulate material 34 in particular may comprise at least one of glass,
stone, gravel, plastics, polymer, silicium, or a metal material, particularly steel or aluminium
respectively providing a cheap granulate material which is well suited for the intended
purpose.
Figure 2 shows a schematic cross section though a net-bag 54 filled with granulate material
34 comprising a plurality of pellets 52. The net-bag 54 may be formed as a net and/or from
a textile material in order to allow water to pass through the net-bag 54. The net-bag 54
may be made of plastic material. A net-bag 54 made of plastic material is cheap and long
durable.
Figure 3 shows a schematic cross section through a cartridge 56 filled with granulate material
34 comprising a plurality of pellets 52. The upper and lower walls 55 of the cartridge
56 comprise openings or a water permeable membrane in order to allow water to pass
through the walls 55 into and out of the cartridge 56. The cartridge 56 may be removeably
attached to the drain conduit 34 forming a portion of said drain conduit 34. A removable
cartridge 56 allows to replace the granulate material 34 easily and conveniently, if necessary.
The cartridge 56 may be made of a plastic or metal material or a mixture thereof.
For the simplicity of illustration the pellets 52 forming the granulate material 34 shown in
figures 2 and 3 are arranged in an almost regular order. The skilled person, however, will
understand that the elements of a granulate material 34 are in general arranged chaotically
without any order.
Figure 4 shows an example of an integrated refrigerated sales cabinet 3 according to a se¬
cond exemplary embodiment of the invention.
The features of the refrigerated sales cabinet 3 according to the second embodiment shown
in figure 3 which are identical to the features of the refrigerated sales cabinet 1 according
to the first embodiment shown in figure 1 are denoted with the same reference signs and
will not be discusses in detail again.
In the refrigerated sales cabinet 3 according to the second embodiment at least a portion of
the drain conduit 42 comprises a first conduit 44 and a second conduit 46 which extend in
a basically vertical direction parallel to each other. The lower ends of the first and second
conduits 44, 46 are fluidly connected to each other by a bottom portion 45 of the drain
conduit 42, the bottom portion 45 being connected between the first conduit 44 and the
second conduit 46 so that the first conduit 44, the bottom portion 45 and the second conduit
46 form a basically U-shaped siphon.
An upper end of the first conduit 44 opposite to the bottom portion 45 is fluidly connected
to the bottom of the collecting container 32 in order to receive condensed water which has
been collected in the collecting container 32. The upper end of the second conduit 46 is
open in order to allow condensed water flowing out of the collecting container 32 to spill
out of the upper end of the second conduit 46 into the reservoir 38, which is arranged be¬
low the opening provided at the upper end of the second conduit 46.
In order to hinder air from entering into the drain conduit 42 via the opening provided at
the upper end of the second conduit 46, a moveable flap 48 is arranged at an upper end of
the second conduit 46. The moveable flap 48 may be attached to the upper end of the s e
cond conduit 46 by means of a joint or hinge 50 allowing the flap 48 to pivot with respect
to the second conduit 46.
In case no water is spilling out of the drain conduit 42, the moveable flap 48 is moved into
a closed position, in which it rests in the upper end of the second conduit 46, by its own
weight. In said closed position the moveable flap 48 seals the opening provided at the upper
end of the second conduit 46 and hinders or prevents air from flowing through the
opening into the second conduit 46.
In case a sufficient amount of condensed water is flowing from the collecting container 32
into the drain conduit 42, the water will push up the flap 48 into an open position allowing
the water to spill out of the drain conduit 42 into the reservoir 38, which is arranged at the
very bottom of the cabinet 1 below the opening of the second conduit 46. From the reser
voir 38 the water is evaporated into the second air stream 10, as it has been described with
reference to the first embodiment.
Condensed water which is collected in the bottom portion 45 of the drain conduit 42 simi
lar to a traditional siphon will provide an additional sealing hindering air from ascending
through the drain conduit 42 into the collecting container 32. However, even if no water is
present in the bottom portion 45 of the drain conduit 42, the air will be blocked reliably by
means of the movable flap 48 when it is positioned in its closed position, as it has been
described before.
The movable flap 48 may be made of an elastic material. An elastic material allows the
movable flap 48 to move without providing a joint or hinge 50. A movable flap 48 made of
an elastic material further is well suited for tightly sealing the opening of the drain conduit
42. In an embodiment the movable flap 48 is made of a synthetic material. A synthetic ma¬
terial may provide a cheap and long durable movable flap 48.
As a result, the refrigerated sales cabinets 1, 3 according to exemplary embodiments of the
invention reliably hinder or even prevent air form ascending through the drain conduit 36,
42, which is provided for discharging condensed water, without the need of providing a
certain amount of water in the drain conduit 36, 42. Thus, the refrigerated sales cabinets 1,
3 according to exemplary embodiments of the invention may be installed and operated
more conveniently than refrigerated sales cabinets as they are known from the prior art,
and less maintenance is needed.
The exemplary embodiments of a refrigerated sales cabinets 1, 3 shown in Figures 1 and 3
are standalone refrigerated cabinets respectively comprising a complete refrigeration c ir
cuit, which need to be connected only to an electric power supply for operation. Alternatively,
a refrigerated sales cabinet may comprise only at least one evaporator to be fluidly
connected to an external refrigeration circuit installed in the building in which the refriger¬
ated sales cabinet is placed.
In an embodiment the drain conduit has a straight, non-bent shape and the longitudinal axis
of the drain conduit forms an angle of 70 to 90° with the horizontal. A straight drain con¬
duit is easy to produce at low costs and arranging the conduit at such an angle allows condensed
water to flow through the conduit driven by its own weight.
In an embodiment the container, which is filled with the granulate material, forms a seg
ment of the drain conduit. This provides a convenient way of providing the container in¬
cluding the granulate material within the drain conduit.
In an embodiment the container being filled with the granulate material is a cartridge,
which is positioned within the drain conduit. A cartridge filled with granulate material and
being positioned within the drain conduit allows to conveniently arrange the granulate ma¬
terial within the drain conduit and to remove the granulate material from the drain conduit,
if necessary.
In an embodiment the container has a lower permeable wall onto which the granulate ma
terial is piled up providing a suitable means for placing the granulate material within the
drain conduit. The permeable wall allows water to flow through the container.
The permeable wall may comprise a water-permeable membrane or openings having a d i
ameter which is smaller than the smallest diameter of the elements forming the granulate
material in order to prevent the granulate material from leaving the container.
In an embodiment the container, which is filled with the granulate material, is formed as a
net-bag positioned within the drain conduit. A net-bag provides a suitable container for
placing the granulate material within the drain conduit, which may be produced a low
costs. The openings in the net-bag may be smaller than diameter of the granulate material
in order to prevent the granulate material from leaving the net-bag or the container.
The net-bag or cartridge may be made of at least one of a net material, a textile material, or
plastics material, each of which provides a cheap and well suited material allowing water
to pass through the net-bag but preventing the granulate material from leaving the net-bag.
In an embodiment the drain conduit comprises a support for supporting the net-bag or car
tridge. A support supporting the net-bag or cartridge within the drain conduit avoids that
the net-bag or cartridge drops or is flushed out of the drain conduit.
In an embodiment the support is formed as a grid or as an orifice. A grid and an orifice
respectively provide an adequate support, which may be produced and installed easily at
low costs.
In an embodiment the granulate material comprises a plurality of pellets. Pellets have
proven to provide a well suited granulate material reliably blocking air from flowing
through the drain conduit but allowing water to pass through the material.
In an embodiment the granulate material comprises elements having a rounded and/or
smooth surface. Elements having a rounded and/or smooth surface provide a well suited
air-tight but water permeable granulate material.
The elements forming the granulate material may be uniform in size providing a homogeneous
granulate material. Alternatively the elements forming the granulate material may
have varying sizes providing a inhomogeneous granulate material.
The longest extension of the elements may be in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm, in particular
approximately 3 mm. Elements having this size have proven to provide a well-suited granulate
material.
In an embodiment the pellets are formed as balls, which have proven to provide a well
suited granulate material.
The granulate material may comprise at least one of glass, stone, gravel, plastics, polymer,
silicium, or a metal material, particularly steel or aluminium, which all have proven to re¬
spectively provide a well suited granulate material.
In an embodiment the fill level of the granulate material within in the container is at least
20 mm in order to provide a reliable air-seal within the drain conduit.
In an embodiment the granulate material comprises a material which does not absorb water
and/or which is water repellent. This avoids that the material absorbs the water forming a
wet mass which completely seals the drain conduit and does not allow any water to pass
through the drain conduit.
In an embodiment the movable flap is configured to be moved into its closed position by
means of gravity, in particular by its own weight. This reliably ensures that the flap is in its
closed position blocking the flow of air through the drain conduit if no water is flowing
through the drain conduit.
In an embodiment the movable flap is configured to be moved into the open position by
means of the pressure of condensed water flowing through the drain conduit. This ensures
that condensed water may always flow out of the drain conduit and is not blocked by a
closed flap.
In an embodiment the flap is attached to the drain conduit by means of a joint or hinge a l
lowing the flap to pivot with respect to the drain conduit. A joint or hinge allows an easy
movement of the flap, ensuring that the flap opens and closes properly.
In an embodiment the flap is made of an elastic material. An elastic material allows the
flap to move without providing a joint or hinge. A flap made of an elastic material further
is well suited for tightly sealing the opening of the drain conduit.
In an embodiment the flap is made of a synthetic material. A synthetic material provides a
cheap and long durable flap.
In an embodiment at least a portion of the drain conduit is form as a U-shaped siphon
comprising at least two conduits, the flap being arranged at an upper end of one of the
drain's conduits. A U-shaped drain conduit allows an easy installation of a flap which is
moved into a closed position closing the drain conduit by means of gravity. Water collect
ed at the lowest portion of the U-shaped siphon provides an additional air-seal.
In an embodiment the position outside of the goods presentation and air circulation space
to which the drain conduit drains the condensed water is a water reservoir positioned in a
bottom part of the refrigerated sales cabinet below the goods presentation and air circula
tion space in order to avoid that the condensed water leaving the drain conduit distributes
in the lower portion of the cabinet.
In an embodiment the refrigerated sales cabinet comprises means for evaporating the condensed
water collected in the reservoir. Evaporating the water collected in the reservoir
using e.g. the waste heat of the refrigeration circuit is a convenient way for disposing the
water from the reservoir.
The skilled person will easily understand that the first and the second embodiments of the
invention as respectively shown in figures and 4 may be combined by providing the drain
conduit with both, a granulate material and a flap, in order to provide an even more reliable
blocking of air from flowing through the drain conduit.
While the invention has been described with reference to an exemplary embodiment, it
will be understood by those skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equiv¬
alents may be substituted for elements thereof without departing from the scope of the invention.
In addition, modifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material
to the teachings of the invention without departing from the essential scope thereof. There¬
fore, it is intended that the invention is not limited to the particular embodiment disclosed,
but that the invention will include all embodiments falling within the scope of the append¬
ed claims.
Reference Numerals
1 refrigerated sales cabinet (first embodiment)
2 goods presentation and air circulation space
2a goods storage and presentation space
2b air circulation space
3 refrigerated sales cabinet (second embodiment)
4 first air stream
5 goods presentation racks
6 evaporator
7 first fan
8 second fan
10 second air stream
12 condenser
14 compressor
16 rear wall
18 lower bottom portion of the cabinet
20 rear air duct
25 air outlet
26 cooled air channel
28 front opening
30 roller blind
32 water collecting container
34 granulate material
36 drain conduit (first embodiment)
38 reservoir
40 support
42 drain conduit (second embodiment)
44 first conduit
45 bottom portion of the drain conduit
46 second conduit
48 moveable flap
50 joint or hinge
52 pellets
54 net-bag
55 upper and lower permeable walls of the cartridgi
56 cartridge
Claims
. Refrigerated sales cabinet ( 1) comprising:
a goods presentation and air circulation space (2) for supporting refrigerated goods to
be sold;
an evaporator (6) for cooling air flowing through the goods presentation and air circu
lation space (2); and
a drain conduit (36) connecting a bottom part of the goods presentation and air circu¬
lation space (2) with a position outside of the goods presentation and air circulation space
(2), said drain conduit (36) being configured for draining condensed water forming within
the goods presentation and air circulation space (2) to a position outside of the goods
presentation and air circulation space (2);
characterized in that
the drain conduit (36) comprises an at least partially permeable container (54, 56) arranged
along the flow path of the drain conduit (36), the container (54, 56) being filled
with granulate material (34) that is non-absorbent to water, and the granulate material (34)
being piled up within the container (54, 56) so as to occupy the diameter of the flow path
such that air is hindered from passing through the drain conduit (36) from outside of the
goods presentation and air circulation space (2) into the goods presentation and air circulation
space (2) and such that water still can pass through the drain conduit (36) from the
goods presentation and air circulation space (2) to the position outside of the goods presen¬
tation and air circulation space (2).
2. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1) of claim 1, wherein the drain conduit (36) has a straight,
non-bent shape and the longitudinal axis of the drain conduit (36) forms an angle of 70 to
90° with the horizontal.
3. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container
(54, 56) being filled with granulate material (34) forms a segment of the drain conduit
(36).
4. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container
(54, 56) being filled with granulate material (34) forms a cartridge (56) positioned within
the drain conduit (36).
5. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1) of claim 3 or 4, wherein the container (54, 56) has a
lower permeable wall (55) onto which the granulate material (34) is piled up.
6. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the container
(54, 56) being filled with granulate material (34) is formed as a net-bag (54) positioned
within the drain conduit (36).
7. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1) of any of claims 4 to 6, wherein the drain conduit (36)
comprises a support (40), particularly a grid or an orifice, for supporting the container (54,
56) within the drain conduit (36).
8. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the fill level of
the granulate material (34) within in the container (54, 56) is at least 20 mm.
9. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the granulate
material (34) comprises elements (52) having a rounded and/or smooth surface.
10. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1) of claim 9, wherein the elements (52) are of uniform
size, the longest extension of the elements being in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm, particular¬
ly 3 mm approximately.
11. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1) of claim 9, wherein the elements (52) are of varying
size, the longest extension of the elements being in the range of 2 mm to 5 mm.
12. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the granulate
material (34) comprises a plurality of pellets (52), particularly balls.
13. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the granulate
material (34) comprises at least one of glass, stone, gravel, plastics, polymer, silicium, or a
metal material, particularly steel or aluminium.
14. Refrigerated sales cabinet (3) comprising:
a goods presentation and air circulation space (2) for supporting refrigerated goods to
be sold;
an evaporator (6) for cooling air flowing through the goods presentation and air circu
lation space (2); and
a drain conduit (42) connecting a bottom part of the goods presentation and air circu¬
lation space (2) with a position outside of the goods presentation and air circulation space
(2), said drain conduit (42) being configured for draining condensed water forming within
the goods presentation and air circulation space (2) to a position outside of the goods
presentation and air circulation space (2);
characterized in that
the end of the drain conduit (42) at the position outside of the goods presentation and
air circulation space (2) is facing upwards forming an angle with respect to a vertical
plane, and a flap (48) is provided at said end of the drain conduit (42), said flap (48) being
moveable between a closed position, in which the flap (48) rests on said end of the drain
conduit (42) and hinders or even prevents air passing through the drain conduit (42) from
outside of the goods presentation and air circulation space (2) into the goods presentation
and air circulation space (2), and an open position, in which the flap (48) is raised from
said end of the drain conduit (42), allowing water to pass through the drain conduit (42)
from the goods presentation and air circulation space (2) to the position outside of the
goods presentation and air circulation space (2).
15. Refrigerated sales cabinet (3) of claim 14, wherein the movable flap (48) is configured
to be moved into its closed position by means of gravity and to be moved into the open
position by means of the pressure of condensed water in the drain conduit (42) exerted up¬
on the flap (48).
16. Refrigerated sales cabinet (3) of claim 14 or 15, wherein the moveable flap (48) is
mounted to the drain conduit (42) by means of a joint or hinge (50) allowing the flap (48)
to pivot with respect to said end of the drain conduit (42).
17. Refrigerated sales cabinet (3) of any of claims 14 to 16, wherein the drain conduit (42)
is formed as U -shaped siphon (44, 45, 46).
18. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1, 3) of any of the preceding claims, wherein the position
outside of the goods presentation and air circulation space (2) to which the drain conduit
(42) drains the condensed water is a reservoir (38) positioned in a lower bottom portion
(18) of the refrigerated sales cabinet below the goods presentation and air circulation space
(2).
19. Refrigerated sales cabinet (1, 3) of claim 18, wherein the refrigerated sales cabinet (1,
3) comprises means for evaporating the water collected in the reservoir (38).