Patent ID: 6014867
Filing Date: 2000-01-18
Classification: A47F,F25D

Abstract:
A counter for continuous, direct, cold air cooling of goods to be cooled and dispensed in a cold condition, said apparatus comprising:a housing;a cold air supply system having means for providing cold air, means forming a cold air supply channel in said housing for supplying cold air, and means forming at least one air exhaust channel in said housing for removing used air; andat least one drawer mounted in said housing for movement between a retracted position in which the goods are cooled and dispensed and an extended position in which the drawer is supplied with goods, said drawer having a front portion from which cooled goods are removed, said drawer having a rear portion into which goods are supplied, said drawing having a bottom member on an upper surface of which goods placed in the drawer rest, said drawer having a depth such that the drawer may contain goods disposed in a disorderly fashion, said rear portion of said drawer having at least one air admission hole that is in fluid communication with said cold air supply channel when said drawer is in the retracted position, said rear portion of said drawer having at least one air discharge hole that is in fluid communication with said air exhaust channel when said drawer is in the retracted position, said drawer having means forming a plurality of passages beneath said bottom member of said drawer, a first one of said passages passing cold air from said air admission hole to the front of said drawer, a second one of said passages passing used air to said air discharge hole, said drawer having cold air dispensing means in said front portion thereof coupled to said first passage and facing toward said rear portion of said drawer for dispensing cold air above said bottom member and onto goods resting on said upper surface of said bottom member, said bottom member having holes adjacent said rear portion of said drawer connecting to said second passage for returning used air to said second passage, said bottom member sloping downwardly in a direction from said rear portion to said front portion of said drawer, the sloping of said bottom member tending to cause the goods to move toward the front portion of said drawer.