Air curtain discharge diffuser

Abstract

A temperature controlled case includes a housing that defines a temperature controlled space, an air mover in fluid communication with a duct defined by the housing, and a diffuser situated at an angle relative to a horizontal plane. The air mover is structured to direct air through the duct. The diffuser is in fluid receiving communication with the duct and is structured to receive air from the duct and discharge the air in a single air curtain at an angle relative to a vertical plane.

What is claimed: 
     
         1 . A temperature controlled case comprising:
 a housing defining a temperature-controlled space;   an air mover in fluid communication with a duct defined by the housing, wherein the air mover is structured to direct air through the duct; and   a diffuser situated at an angle relative to a horizontal plane to cause minimal encroachment into the temperature-controlled space, wherein the diffuser is in fluid receiving communication with the duct, and wherein the diffuser is structured to receive air from the duct and discharge the air in a single air curtain at an angle relative to a vertical plane.   
     
     
         2 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , wherein the angle of the air in the single air curtain is between ten and fifteen degrees relative to the vertical plane. 
     
     
         3 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 2 , wherein the angle of the air in the single air curtain is twelve degrees relative to the vertical plane. 
     
     
         4 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , further comprising a retainer coupled to the housing, the retainer structured to support a first end of the diffuser. 
     
     
         5 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 4 , further comprising a bracket coupled to the housing, the bracket structured to support a second end of the diffuser. 
     
     
         6 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 1 , further comprising a door movably coupled to the housing, wherein the air in the single air curtain impacts the door and the door directs the air in the single air curtain to a compartment located in a bottom area of the temperature controlled case. 
     
     
         7 . A temperature controlled case comprising:
 a housing defining a temperature-controlled space;   a cooling system for cooling the temperature-controlled space; and   a diffuser situated at an angle relative to a horizontal plane such that the diffuser does not protrude into the temperature-controlled space relative to the horizontal plane, wherein the diffuser is structured to discharge air in a single air curtain between an ambient outside air and the temperature-controlled space, and wherein the diffuser is structured to discharge the air in the single air curtain at an angle relative to a vertical plane.   
     
     
         8 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 7 , wherein the housing defines a duct in fluid communication with the diffuser. 
     
     
         9 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 8 , wherein the duct includes a top portion and a bottom portion, wherein each of the top portion and the bottom portion are proximate the diffuser, and wherein the top portion and the bottom portion are each angled inwards towards a center of the duct. 
     
     
         10 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 9 , further comprising a retainer coupled to the bottom portion and a bracket coupled to the top portion, wherein the retainer is structured to support a first end of the diffuser and the bracket is structured to support a second end of the diffuser to couple the diffuser to the duct. 
     
     
         11 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 10 , wherein the retainer is coupled to the bottom portion at an angle, wherein the angle is substantially equal to the angle of the diffuser relative to the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         12 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 7 , further comprising:
 a door movably coupled to the housing; and   a compartment situated in a bottom area of the housing.   
     
     
         13 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 12 , wherein the air in the single air curtain impacts the door and the door directs the air in the single air curtain to the compartment. 
     
     
         14 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 7 , wherein the angle of the air in the single air curtain is between ten and fifteen degrees relative to the vertical plane. 
     
     
         15 . A temperature controlled case comprising:
 a housing defining a temperature-controlled space;   a door movably coupled to the housing, wherein the door is movable between a full open position and a full close position, wherein in the full close position the door is positioned proximate the temperature-controlled space, and wherein in the full open position the door is positioned a maximum distance away from the temperature-controlled space;   a cooling system for cooling the temperature-controlled space;   an air mover in fluid communication with a duct defined by the housing, wherein the air mover is structured to direct air through the duct; and   a diffuser situated at an angle relative to a horizontal plane such that the diffuser does not protrude into the temperature-controlled space relative to the horizontal plane, wherein the diffuser is in fluid receiving communication with the duct, and wherein the diffuser is structured to receive air from the duct and discharge the air in a single air curtain at an angle relative to a vertical plane.   
     
     
         16 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 15 , wherein the angle of the air in the single air curtain is between ten and fifteen degrees relative to the vertical plane. 
     
     
         17 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 16 , wherein the angle of the air in the single air curtain is twelve degrees relative to the vertical plane. 
     
     
         18 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 15 , wherein the duct includes a top portion and a bottom portion, where each of the top portion and the bottom portion are proximate the diffuser, and wherein only the bottom portion is angled inwards relative to the horizontal plane towards a center of the duct. 
     
     
         19 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 18 , further comprising a retainer coupled to the bottom portion and a bracket coupled to the top portion, wherein the retainer is structured to support a first end of the diffuser and the bracket is structured to support a second end of the diffuser to couple the diffuser to the duct, wherein the retainer is coupled to the bottom portion at an angle, and wherein the angle is substantially equal to the angle of the diffuser relative to the horizontal plane. 
     
     
         20 . The temperature controlled case of  claim 15 , further comprising a compartment located in a bottom area of the housing, wherein the compartment defines a zone for receiving the discharged air in the single air curtain.