Patent Abstract:
A refrigerator case assembly is provided which includes at least two refrigerator case elements positioned next to each other and defining a gap therebetween; and a trim joint having a body portion for covering the gap and a mounting member for releasably securing the trim joint relative to the at least two case elements with the body portion covering the gap.

Full Description:
CROSS REFERENCE TO PROVISIONAL APPLICATION  
       [0001]     This application claims the benefit of provisional application Ser. No. 60/615,367, filed Oct. 1, 2004. 
     
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION  
       [0002]     The invention relates to refrigerator cases.  
         [0003]     Refrigerator cases typically have flat panes of glass which form portions of the case, and which can come together leaving a gap defined therebetween. These gaps are needed to allow smooth operation of the refrigerator case, for example during opening and closing.  
         [0004]     In some instances, users and/or regulatory authorities require some form of closing of this gap, either in order to comply with regulations or to improve efficiency by limiting escape of cooled air through the gap.  
         [0005]     It is the object of the invention to provide a solution to this problem.  
       SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION  
       [0006]     According to the invention, the foregoing objects and advantages have been readily attained.  
         [0007]     According to the invention, a refrigerator case assembly is provided comprising at least two refrigerator case elements positioned next to each other and defining a gap therebetween; and a trim joint comprising a body portion for covering the gap and a mounting member for releasably securing the trim joint relative to the at least two case elements with the body portion covering the gap.  
         [0008]     Still further according to the invention, a trim joint is provided for a refrigerator case, comprising a body portion comprising an elongate member having two ends; and a mounting member positioned at one of the two ends for releasably mounting the body portion to a refrigerator case.  
         [0009]     A method is also provided according to the invention for enhancing efficiency of a refrigerator case, which method comprises the steps of providing at least two refrigerator case elements positioned next to each other and defining a gap therebetween; providing a trim joint comprising a body portion for covering the gap and a mounting member for releasably securing the trim joint relative to the at least two case elements with the body portion covering the gap; and selectively positioning the trim joint so that the body portion covers the gap and the mounting member engages at least one of the refrigerator case elements 
     
    
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS  
       [0010]     A detailed description of preferred embodiments of the present invention follows, with reference to the attached drawings, wherein:  
         [0011]      FIGS. 1-3  schematically illustrate a trim joint in accordance with the present invention;  
         [0012]      FIG. 4  schematically illustrates a refrigerator case as an environment of use of the trim joint of the present invention;  
         [0013]      FIG. 5  schematically illustrates a portion of the case of  FIG. 4  with a trim joint shown in position with dashed lines; and  
         [0014]      FIG. 6  is a sectional view of a trim joint in position relative to a refrigerator case gap in accordance with the invention.  
     
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION  
       [0015]     The invention relates to a trim joint for closing the gap between substantially flat panes of glass or other material which form a refrigerator case.  
         [0016]      FIGS. 1-3  show a trim joint  10  which in this embodiment is a substantially elongate body portion  12  and a securing or mounting member  14  which can advantageously be used to secure trim joint  10  so as to cover a gap between two flat panes of glass on a refrigerator case.  
         [0017]      FIG. 4  schematically illustrates a refrigerator case  50  having a base  52  and two case elements  54 ,  56  which define form a wall of the case and define therebetween a gap  58 . As is well known to a person skilled in the art, case elements  54 ,  56 , in this instance glass wall members, define along with the other walls of refrigerator case  50  a refrigerated space in which food products or other items can be stored at controlled temperature.  
         [0018]     Case  50  is typically designed so that there is a gap  58  between elements  54 ,  56 , since generally at least one of these elements can pivot relative to the rest of case  50  to an open position, and gap  58  avoids frictional resistance to such movement. Unfortunately, gap  58  also allows air flow from inside to outside of the case and this air flow can be undesirable from an efficiency standpoint and also in order to comply with certain government regulations.  
         [0019]     According to the invention, and as will be further discussed below, trim joint  10  according to the invention advantageously can be releasably positioned over the gap  58  as desired.  
         [0020]      FIG. 1  shows trim joint  10  having a body portion  12  which can advantageously have a width selected to cover the expected sizes of gaps. For example, in the preferred embodiment, this member can have a width of about two inches. This width is preferably selected so that trim joint  10  has regions of overlap between side edges of the body portion  12  and edges of case elements  54 ,  56 .  
         [0021]     Trim joint  10  preferably has a length sufficient to cover the length of the gap, that is, typically the vertical height of the panes of flat glass which define the gap. In the embodiment illustrated, the trim joint  10  has a length of 30.375 inches.  
         [0022]     According to the invention, a clip member is provided as securing or mounting member  14 , and has a substantially transverse portion  16  and a substantially parallel opposed or clipping portion  18 , which preferably extends back from transverse portion  16 , substantially parallel with body portion  12 , and opposed portion  18  and body portion  12  define a gap into which an edge of case element  54 ,  56  is received to releasably mount trim joint  10  relative to gap  58 .  
         [0023]     Opposed portion  18  preferably has an inwardly extending bump  20  which extends toward body portion  12  and is used to clip and secure trim joint  10  relative to refrigerator case elements  54 ,  56  which can, for example, be panes of glass. Bump  20  provides a press fit relative to the edge of case elements  54 ,  56  to which trim joint  10  is to be secured.  
         [0024]      FIG. 6  shows trim joint  10  positioned over gap  58  by mounting the mounting member  14  along a bottom edge of case elements  54 ,  56 . In this position, body portion  12  of trim joint  10  is positioned flat on the glass surfaces, specifically extending along and overlapping the vertical edges of the glass surfaces which define the gap, so that the trim joint seals this gap.  
         [0025]     Trim joint  10  is preferably provided with at least body portion  12  made of substantially transparent material. Since case elements  54 ,  56  are typically glass or some other transparent material so that objects within the case can be viewed, it is functionally if not aesthetically preferable for trim joint  10  to also be provided from transparent material in accordance with the invention.  
         [0026]     It should be appreciated that trim joint  10  of the present invention advantageously solves the need for a structure to cover gap  58 , thereby providing for compliance with potential government regulations and also for blocking air flow from inside to outside of case  10  through gap  58 , which enhances efficiency of operation as well.  
         [0027]     It should of course be appreciated that the invention is not limited to the illustration described and shown herein, which is deemed to be merely illustrative of the best modes of carrying out the invention, and which is susceptible to modifications of form, size, and arrangement of parts and details of operation. Rather, the invention is invented to encompass all such modifications which are within its spirit and scope.

Technology Classification (CPC): 5