Refrigerated merchandiser with transverse fan

Abstract

A refrigerated merchandiser ( 100 ) includes an upright, open-front, insulated cabinet ( 110 ) defining a product display area ( 125 ) connected in airflow communication with a compartment ( 120 ) via an air circulation circuit ( 122, 114, 116 ). An evaporator ( 40 ) and a plurality of axially aligned transverse fans ( 70 ) are disposed in axially parallel juxtaposition within compartment ( 120 ). The use of transverse fans results in a substantially uniform evaporator outlet temperature profile across the length of the evaporator.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A refrigerated merchandiser system comprising: 
 an insulated cabinet defining a product display area and having a compartment separate from product display area;    an air circulation circuit connecting said product display area and said compartment in air flow communication;    an evaporator disposed within said compartment, said evaporator having a longitudinally extending axis; and    at least one transverse fan having a longitudinal axis, said at least one fan disposed within said compartment in axially parallel juxtaposition with said evaporator.    
     
     
         2 . A refrigerated merchandiser system as recited in    claim 1    wherein said evaporator and said at least one transverse fan are disposed in a draw through flow arrangement whereby said fan draws circulating air through the evaporator.  
     
     
         3 . A refrigerated merchandiser system as recited in    claim 1    wherein said at least one transverse fan comprises a plurality of transverse fans axially aligned end to end in axially parallel juxtaposition with said evaporator along substantially the entire axial extent of said evaporator.  
     
     
         4 . A refrigerated merchandiser system as recited in    claim 3    wherein said evaporator and said plurality of transverse fans are disposed in a draw through flow arrangement whereby said fans draw circulating air through the evaporator.