Storage tank for refrigerated display case

Patent metadata

Field	Value
Publication number	US-10034560-B2
Application number	US-201514668467-A
Country	US
Kind code	B2
Filing date	Mar 25, 2015
Priority date	Mar 25, 2015
Publication date	Jul 31, 2018
Grant date	Jul 31, 2018

Abstract

A temperature-controlled display case includes a storage tank. The storage tank includes a single-piece inner skin having an integrated locating feature formed within and configured to locate a functional component of a refrigeration system relative to the inner skin. The storage tank includes a single-piece outer skin coupled to the inner skin and having an integrated mount formed within and configured to receive a caster for mobilizing the temperature-controlled display case. The storage tank also includes a first structural frame receiving a first end of the inner skin and a first end of the outer skin, and a second structural frame receiving a second end of the inner skin and a second end of the outer skin, wherein by said receiving of the inner skin and the outer skin the first structural frame and the second structural frame are configured to couple the inner skin and the outer skin.

First claim

What is claimed is:

1. A storage tank for a temperature-controlled display case having a refrigeration system, the storage tank comprising:
a single-piece inner skin having an upwardly projected tab integrated with the inner skin and adapted to receive, in a sliding configuration, a functional component of the refrigeration system; and
a single-piece outer skin coupled to the inner skin and having an integrated mount formed within and integral with the outer skin, wherein the mount is configured to receive a caster for mobilizing the temperature-controlled display case.

2. The storage tank of claim 1 , wherein an air space is provided between the inner skin and the outer skin, and wherein an insulating material is provided within the air space to insulate the storage tank.

3. The storage tank of claim 2 , further comprising:
a first structural frame receiving a first end of the inner skin and a first end of the outer skin; and
a second structural frame receiving a second end of the inner skin and a second end of the outer skin;
wherein, by said receiving of the inner skin and the outer skin, the first structural frame and the second structural frame are configured to couple the inner skin and the outer skin and to maintain the air space between the inner skin and the outer skin.

4. The storage tank of claim 1 , wherein the upwardly projected tab is configured to locate an evaporator coil of the refrigeration system, including providing a stop for the evaporator coil on at least one end of the inner skin.

5. The storage tank of claim 1 , wherein the inner skin includes an integrated support feature formed within the inner skin, and wherein the support feature is configured to support an air flow device for moving chilled air as part of the refrigeration system.

6. The storage tank of claim 1 , wherein the inner skin is thermoformed to include the upwardly projected tab, and wherein the outer skin is thermoformed to include the integrated mount.

7. The storage tank of claim 1 , wherein the inner skin includes a channel formed within an inner surface of the inner skin and extending across the length of the inner skin, and a drain formed within the channel and through the inner skin.

8. The storage tank of claim 7 , wherein the channel is recessed relative to the surrounding inner surface, and wherein the channel is configured to direct liquid within the channel to the drain by being angled toward the drain on each side of the drain.

9. The storage tank of claim 7 , wherein the outer skin includes an opening formed through the outer skin and at least partially aligned with the drain such that liquid received by the drain exits the storage tank via the opening.

10. A temperature-controlled display case comprising the storage tank of claim 1 .

11. A storage tank for a temperature-controlled display case having a refrigeration system, the storage tank comprising:
a single-piece inner skin having an upwardly projected tab integrated with the inner skin and adapted to receive, in a sliding configuration, a functional component of the refrigeration system;
a single-piece outer skin coupled to the inner skin and having an integrated mount formed within and integral with the outer skin, wherein the mount is configured to receive a caster for mobilizing the temperature-controlled display case;
a first structural frame receiving a first end of the inner skin and a first end of the outer skin; and
a second structural frame receiving a second end of the inner skin and a second end of the outer skin, wherein by said receiving of the inner skin and the outer skin the first structural frame and the second structural frame are configured to couple the inner skin and the outer skin and to maintain an air space between the inner skin and the outer skin.

12. The storage tank of claim 11 , wherein the upwardly projected tab is configured to locate an evaporator coil of the refrigeration system, including providing a stop for the evaporator coil on at least one end of the inner skin.

13. The storage tank of claim 11 , wherein the inner skin includes an integrated support feature formed within the inner skin, and wherein the support feature is configured to support an air flow device for moving chilled air as part of the refrigeration system.

14. The storage tank of claim 11 , wherein the inner skin includes a channel formed within an inner surface of the inner skin and extending across the length of the inner skin, and further includes a drain formed through the inner skin and within the channel.

15. The storage tank of claim 14 , wherein the channel is recessed relative to the surrounding inner surface, and wherein the channel is configured to direct liquid within the channel to the drain by being angled toward the drain on each side of the drain.

16. The storage tank of claim 14 , wherein the outer skin includes an opening formed through the outer skin and at least partially aligned with the drain such that liquid received by the drain exits the storage tank via the opening.

17. A temperature-controlled display case comprising the storage tank of claim 11 .

Assignees

• Hill Phoenix Inc

Inventors

• Choueifati Jules G

Classifications

• B60B33/00

  Castors in general {; Anti-clogging castors} (castors for large containers B65D90/18) · CPC title

• B65D25/24

  for spacing bases of containers from supporting surfaces, e.g. legs (for pallets B65D19/40) · CPC title

• A47F3/0486 Primary

  for charging, displaying or discharging the articles · CPC title

• B65D25/10

  Devices to locate articles in containers {(for protecting articles from mechanical damage B65D81/02)} · CPC title

• B65D81/3818

  formed with double walls, i.e. hollow · CPC title