Refrigerated Case

Abstract

A refrigerated case ( 20 ) includes a body ( 22 ) having a left and a right side, a top, and a back. A refrigerated compartment ( 24 ) is located within the body. At least one vertical array ( 120, 122 ) of shelves is within the refrigerated compartment. A base compartment ( 44 ) is below the refrigerated compartment. A refrigeration module ( 50 ) is located within the base compartment. A cold air flowpath ( 512 ) extends from the module upward through a rear duct ( 146,147 ) of the body and returns to the module. The cold air flowpath includes a number of branches extending through apertures in the rear duct. The cold air flowpath returns downwardly through the shelf array.

1 . A refrigerated case ( 20 ) comprising:
 a body ( 22 );   a refrigerated compartment ( 24 ) within the body;   at least one vertical array ( 120 ,  122 ) of shelves in the refrigerated compartment;   a base compartment ( 44 ) below the refrigerated compartment ( 24 );   a refrigeration module ( 50 ) within the base compartment; and   a cold air flowpath ( 512 ) extending from the module upward through a rear duct ( 146 ,  147 ) of the body and returns to the module, the cold air flowpath path including a plurality of branches extending through apertures ( 180 ) in the rear duct,   
     wherein:
 the cold air flowpath returns downwardly through the array. 
 
   
   
       2 . The case of  claim 1  wherein:
 the case lacks a top duct so that a discharge branch from the rear duct passes directly between a top ( 202 ) of the refrigerated compartment and a storage area of the top shelf.   
   
   
       3 . The case of  claim 2  wherein:
 a downward and rearward directed baffle ( 220 ) is positioned along a forward portion of the refrigerated compartment above the top shelf.   
   
   
       4 . The case of  claim 2  wherein:
 the downward and rearward directed baffle has depth of 6-20 cm and height of 6-20 cm.   
   
   
       5 . The case of  claim 1  wherein:
 a return port ( 70 ) in a bottom wall of the compartment comprises a central blocking member ( 240 ) and a peripheral opening ( 242 ).   
   
   
       6 . The case of  claim 5  wherein:
 the central blocking member is above the peripheral opening.   
   
   
       7 . The case of  claim 1  wherein:
 the rear duct includes at least one metering baffle ( 190 A,  190 B) for metering flow amongst the branches.   
   
   
       8 . The case of  claim 1  wherein:
 the rear duct includes a vertically-spaced plurality of metering baffles ( 190 A, 190 B).   
   
   
       9 . The case of  claim 8  wherein:
 a lower one of the metering baffles ( 190 A) provides a lesser restriction than does an upper one ( 190 B).   
   
   
       10 . The case of  claim 8  wherein:
 the rear duct is non-tapering between the metering baffles.   
   
   
       11 . The case of  claim 8  wherein:
 the metering baffles have depth of 30-60% of local depth of the rear duct.   
   
   
       12 . The case of  claim 1  wherein:
 a baffle ( 210 ) is located at an upper end of the duct for regulating the amount of air that is discharged out the upper end versus the branches.   
   
   
       13 . The case of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one array comprises left ( 120 ) and right ( 122 ) arrays; and   the rear duct comprises left and right ducts.   
   
   
       14 . The case of  claim 1  wherein:
 the at least one array comprises left ( 120 ) and right ( 122 ) arrays; and   a return port ( 70 ) in a bottom wall of the compartment comprises a central blocking member ( 240 ) and a peripheral opening ( 242 ) and spans a dividing plane between the left and right arrays.   
   
   
       15 . A method for operating a refrigerated case ( 20 ) comprising:
 cooling a recirculating airflow ( 510 ) in a base ( 40 ) of the case;   directing the cooled airflow ( 510 ) upward through a rear duct ( 146 ,  147 );   directing branches ( 510 A,  510 B,  510 C) of the airflow through apertures in the rear duct;   passing the branch airflows downward, the branch airflows passing downward through successive lower shelves; and   returning the airflow to the base.   
   
   
       16 . The method of  claim 15  wherein the passing comprises:
 rearwardly and downwardly redirecting a flow ( 510 D) passing forward above the top shelf.   
   
   
       17 . A refrigerated case ( 20 ) comprising:
 a body ( 22 );   a refrigerated compartment ( 24 ) within the body;   at least one vertical array of shelves ( 120 ,  122 ) in the refrigerated compartment;   a base compartment ( 44 ) below the refrigerated compartment;   a refrigeration module ( 50 ) within the base compartment,   a cold air flowpath ( 512 ) extending from the module upward through a rear duct ( 146 ,  147 ) of the body and returns to the module, the cold air flowpath including a plurality of branches extending through apertures ( 180 ) in the rear duct, and   means for directing the cold air downward through the array.   
   
   
       18 . The case of  claim 17  wherein:
 the case lacks a top duct so that a discharge branch form the rear duct passes directly between a top of the refrigerated compartment and a storage area of the top shelf.   
   
   
       19 . The case of  claim 18  wherein:
 a downward and rearward directed baffle ( 220 ) is positioned along a forward portion of the refrigerated compartment above the top shelf.   
   
   
       20 . The case of  claim 17  wherein:
 a return port ( 70 ) in a bottom wall of the compartment comprises a central blocking member ( 240 ) and a peripheral opening ( 242 ).   
   
   
       21 . (canceled) 
   
   
       22 . (canceled) 
   
   
       23 . (canceled)