PAYING STRIP, SUITABLE FOR A REFRIGERATED VENDING DISPLAY COUNTER

Abstract: In a paying strip (2), particularly suitable for a refrigerated vending display counter (1), consisting of a longitudinal supporting profile (3), on which products can be displayed as a sales presentation, the supporting profile (3) comprises at least one refrigerating device (4, 11).

Description: The invention relates to a refrigerated vending display counter, comprising a lower cupboard and an upper display unit, which is disposed loosely on top of the lower cupboard and is provided with a space refrigerating device. Such a refrigerated vending display counter is known from FR-A-1,127,534. With this known counter the refrigerating device is only a space refrigerating device which causes extraction of moisture and dehydration of the products to be refrigerated. Moreover, the known display unit is not an independently refrigerated display device, because the space refrigerating device of the display unit has to refrigerate the lower storage cupboard as well, which is at the expense of the quality of refrigeration. From the figures 5 and 6 of FR-A-1,127,534 it appears that the space refrigerating device in the position of the display unit according to the figures 1 and 2 of FR-A-1,127,534 cannot perform (well) in the lower storage cupboard. The invention aims at removing the deficiencies of the known refrigerating vending display counter. This object is attained, in that according to the invention the upper display unit is provided with a plate refrigerating device. By application of this feature an independent, fully refrigerated display unit is obtained, because the space refrigerating device refrigerates the space around the products, whereas the plate refrigerating device refrigerates the products directly and prevents the extraction of moisture and dehydration of the products to be refrigerated. It is remarked, however, that DE-C-930,760 describes a refrigerated vending display counter that is provided with a space refrigerating device and with a plate refrigerating device. This known counter, however, is an independent refrigerated vending display counter and not an upper display unit which is placed on top of a lower cupboard. The invention will be further elucidated on the basis of the drawing by means of an embodiment. Fig. 1 is a schematic cross-section of a vending display counter with a refrigerated paying strip according to the invention; Fig. 2 is a perspective end view of the refrigerated paying strip according to fig. 1; and fig. 3 is a perspective view of the display counter according to fig. 1. The display counter 1 according to figures 1, 2 and 3 comprises a paying strip in the shape of a separate, L-shaped unit 2, placed onto the fixed paying strip 2a of the display counter and provided with conduits connected thereto for supplying and discharging refrigerating agent, which can be connected to the refrigerating device of the display counter itself and with a conduit for discharging condensation and other liquids and e.g. cleaning liquids used (not drawn). The horizontal leg of the L-shaped unit 2 is provided with a plate refrigerating device 4, connected to the conduits, constructed as pipes 5 under a supporting plate 6, on which dishes 7 with perishable foodstuffs such as meat (products), fish and poultry can be placed. Furthermore the horizontal leg 3 comprises a vertical flange 8, 9, resp. on both the longitudinal edges at the underside, engaging about the flanges 8a and 9a of the fixed paying strip with a slight play. This causes the loose refrigerated paying strip to be fixed transversely onto the fixed paying strip 2a. The vertical leg 10 of the L-shaped unit 2 comprises a built-in refrigerating device 11, serving to refrigerate the space 12 above the dishes 7 and also connected to the above conduits. The unit 2 furthermore comprises a cover cap 13 of transparant, rigid material, e.g. perspex, comprising a longitudinal wall 14, a top wall 15 and two transverse side walls 16 and comprising an opening 17 for placing and removing the dishes 7. The top wall 15 of the unit can be used as a top by the customer to write out cheques and the like. In the above-described manner, a complete refrigerating device for the stated products is obtained which is to be installed as a separate unit and which has excellent presentation space, meeting all the requirements imposed thereon. The unit 2 can easily be mounted onto the fixed paying strip 2a of the display counter 1 by means of the horizontal leg 3 and the flanges 8 and 9. However, it is also possible to provide the fixed paying strip 2a at its underside with a (plate) refrigerating device, or even to mount a space refrigerating device perpendicularly to the paying strip 2a and to cover the fixed paying strip 2a with a cover cap (not drawn), in a manner similar to the one drawn in fig. 1 and described above for the separate, refrigerated paying strip in the shape of the unit 2. The actual vending display counter, schematically and partially drawn in figures 1 and 3, comprises a space 19 enclosed by a case 18, having a bottom wall 20 of metal plate under which a plate refrigerating device 21 with pipes 22 has been disposed in a drip can 23, comprising a discharge pipe 24 for condensation and other liquids. On the bottom wall 20 a number, e.g. four, rows of dishes 7 with products can be disposed. The space under the drip can 23 and the plate refrigerating device 21 is filled up with insulation material 25. Onto the back wall 26 of the space 19 a refrigerating device 27 for the space 19 has been mounted, which is partly covered by a wall 28, being, by means of hinges, hingeably mounted and which can possibly be driven by an electro motor, via a transmission and controlled by end switches (not drawn). A work top 29 for the retailer has been mounted to the back wall 26. The space 19 is covered at the top, on the side of the customers C , by a glass panel 30, being, by means of hinges, hingeably mounted at 31 to the fixed paying strip 2a constructed in the shape of a profile, and possibly being operable, just like the wall 28, by an electro motor with a transmission and end switches (not drawn). Moreover, a lighting armature 32 has been suspended from the fixed paying strip 2a. On the side of the customers C , the space 19 has been covered by a fixed glass panel 33, to which the glass panel 30 abuts at its upper rim in the closed position. The glass panel 33 has been mounted in a setting 34, mounted to the front wall 35 of the case.

Claims: Refrigerated vending display counter, comprising a lower cupboard (1) and an upper display unit (2), which is disposed loosely on top of the lower cupboard (1) and is provided with a space refrigerating device (11), characterized in that the upper display unit (2) is provided with a plate refrigerating device (4). Refrigerated vending display counter according to claim 1, in which the upper display unit (2) is provided with an L-shaped supporting member (3,10) characterized in that the plate refrigerating device (4) is fitted at the horizontal leg (3) of the L-shaped supporting member (3, 10). Refrigerated vending display counter according to claim 2, characterized in that the L-shaped supporting member (3, 10) is provided with a vertical flange (8, 9) on both the longitudinal edges at the underside.

Inventors: VERHOEVEN, MARINUS ANTONIUS
Applicants: VERHOEVEN REFRIGERATION AND AIRCONDITIONING RESEARCH LIMITED
Application year: 1987
Main classification: A47F3
IPC codes: A47F3